SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000



Commission
File Number

Registrant;
State of Incorporation;
Address; and Telephone Number


I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number

1-267

ALLEGHENY ENERGY, INC.
(A Maryland Corporation)
10435 Downsville Pike
Hagerstown, Maryland 21740-1766
Telephone (301) 790-3400

13-5531602

   
   
   
   

1-5164

MONONGAHELA POWER COMPANY
(An Ohio Corporation)
1310 Fairmont Avenue
Fairmont, West Virginia 26554
Telephone (304) 366-3000

13-5229392

   
   
   
   

1-3376-2

THE POTOMAC EDISON COMPANY
(A Maryland and Virginia
Corporation)

10435 Downsville Pike
Hagerstown, Maryland 21740-1766
Telephone (301) 790-3400

13-5323955

   
   
   
   

1-255-2

WEST PENN POWER COMPANY
(A Pennsylvania Corporation)
800 Cabin Hill Drive
Greensburg, Pennsylvania 15601
Telephone (724) 837-3000

13-5480882

   
   
   
   

0-14688

ALLEGHENY GENERATING COMPANY
(A Virginia Corporation)
10435 Downsville Pike
Hagerstown, Maryland 21740-1766
Telephone (301) 790-3400

13-3079675

   
   
   

ALLEGHENY GENERATING COMPANY MEETS THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS I(1)(a) AND (b) OF FORM 10-K AND IS THEREFORE FILING THIS FORM WITH REDUCED DISCLOSURE FORMAT.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants (1) have 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 and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants' knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [X]


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Registrant


Title of each class

Name of which exchange
on which registered

Allegheny Energy, Inc.

Common Stock,
$1.25 par value

New York Stock Exchange
Chicago Stock Exchange
Pacific Stock Exchange
Amsterdam Stock Exchange

     

Monongahela Power Company

Cumulative Preferred Stock,
$100 par value;
4.40%
4.50%, Series C



American Stock Exchange
American Stock Exchange

     
 

8% Quarterly Income
Debt Securities,
Junior Subordinated
Deferrable Interest
Debentures,
Series A



New York Stock Exchange

     

The Potomac Edison Company

8% Quarterly Income
Debt Securities,
Junior Subordinated
Deferrable Interest
Debentures,
Series A



New York Stock Exchange

     

West Penn Power Company

8% Quarterly Income
Debt Securities,
Junior Subordinated
Deferrable Interest
Debentures,
Series A



New York Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

     

Allegheny Generating Company

Common Stock
$1.00 par value


None

 

 

Aggregate market value of voting stock (common stock) held by nonaffiliates of the registrants at March 1, 2001


Number of shares of common stock of the registrants outstanding at March 1, 2001

     

Allegheny Energy, Inc.

$5,228,055,247

110,436,317
($1.25 par value)

     

Monongahela Power Company

None. (a)

5,891,000
($50 par value)

     

The Potomac Edison Company

None. (a)

22,385,000
($.01 par value)

     

West Penn Power Company

None. (a)

24,361,586

     

Allegheny Generating Company

None. (b)

1,000
($1.00 par value)

(a) All such common stock is held by Allegheny Energy, Inc., the parent company.
(b) All such common stock is held by its parents, Monongahela Power Company and Allegheny
Energy Supply Company, LLC.


CONTENTS

PART I:

 

Page

     

ITEM 1.

Business

1

 

Factors That May Affect Future Results

4

 

Electric Energy Competition

4

 

Activities at the Federal Level

5

 

Activities at the State Level

5

 

Allegheny's Competitive Actions

9

 

Telecommunications

12

 

Sales

14

 

Regulated Electric Sales

14

 

Unregulated Sales

17

 

Regulated Gas Sales

17

 

Regulatory Framework Affecting Power Sales

17

 

Electric Facilities

19

 

Allegheny Map

23

 

Research and Development

25

 

Capital Requirements and Financing

26

 

Financing Programs

30

 

Fuel Supply

33

 

Rate Matters

36

 

Environmental Matters

41

 

Air Standards

41

 

Water Standards

44

 

Hazardous and Solid Wastes

46

 

Toxic Release Inventory (TRI)

47

 

Global Climate Change

48

 

Regulation

49

     

ITEM 2.

Properties

50

     

ITEM 3.

Legal Proceedings

50

     

ITEM 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

53

     

PART II:

   
     

ITEM 5.

Market for the Registrants' Common Equity and Related
Shareholder Matters


60

     

ITEM 6.

Selected Financial Data

61

     

ITEM 7.

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


62

     

ITEM 7A

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

62

     

PART III:

   
     

ITEM 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

64

     

ITEM 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosure


71

     

ITEM 10.

Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrants

71

     

ITEM 11.

Executive Compensation

73

     

ITEM 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

80

     

ITEM 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

81

     

PART IV:

   
     

ITEM 14.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K

81

1

 

THIS COMBINED FORM 10-K IS SEPARATELY FILED BY ALLEGHENY ENERGY, INC., MONONGAHELA POWER COMPANY, THE POTOMAC EDISON COMPANY, WEST PENN POWER COMPANY, AND ALLEGHENY GENERATING COMPANY. INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN RELATING TO ANY INDIVIDUAL REGISTRANT IS FILED BY SUCH REGISTRANT ON ITS OWN BEHALF. EACH REGISTRANT MAKES NO REPRESENTATION AS TO INFORMATION RELATING TO THE OTHER REGISTRANTS.

 

PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

 

     Allegheny Energy, Inc. (AE), incorporated in Maryland in 1925, is a diversified utility holding company, which owns, directly and indirectly, various regulated and non-regulated subsidiaries (collectively and generically, Allegheny). For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2000, AE had total revenues of $4,012 million, earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization of $969 million, and operating income of $536 million.

 

    AE conducts its business through its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries. Monongahela Power Company (Monongahela), The Potomac Edison Company (Potomac Edison) and West Penn Power Company (West Penn) are electric distribution (or delivery) companies (the Distribution Companies). Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC (Allegheny Energy Supply) is an unregulated electric supply company that is expanding its electric generation fleet. Allegheny Ventures, Inc. (Allegheny Ventures) is an unregulated company that develops and operates telecommunications and energy-related businesses through its subsidiaries. Allegheny Generating Company (AGC) is an indirect subsidiary whose only asset is an undivided interest in a pumped-storage hydro-electric station. AE also owns exempt wholesale generation (EWG) subsidiaries. The properties of Allegheny Energy Supply are located in Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The properties of the Distribution Companies and AGC are located in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia; are interconnected; and are located along transmission facilities owned in whole or part by the Distribution Companies, which are interconnected with all neighboring utility systems. The Distribution Companies are doing business under the trade name Allegheny Power.

 

     Monongahela, incorporated in Ohio in 1924, operates its electric distribution system in northern West Virginia and an adjacent portion of Ohio. It owns generating capacity in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. In all jurisdictions, Monongahela is doing business under the trade name Allegheny Power. Including the assets of West Virginia Power, which was acquired by Monongahela in 1999, Monongahela serves about 358,000 electric customers and 24,000 natural gas customers in a service area of about 13,000 square miles with a population of about 815,000. The seven largest communities served have populations ranging from 10,900 to 33,900. This service area has navigable waterways and substantial deposits of bituminous coal, glass sand, natural gas, rock salt, and other natural resources. Its service area's principal industries produce coal, chemicals, iron and steel, fabricated products, wood products, and glass. There are two municipal electric distribution systems and two rural electric cooperative associations in its electric service territory. Except for one of the cooperatives, in 2000 they

2

purchased all of their power from Monongahela.
 

     In August 2000, Monongahela acquired all of the outstanding stock of Mountaineer Gas Company (Mountaineer), a natural gas distribution company incorporated in West Virginia. Mountaineer serves approximately 205,000 retail natural gas customers in West Virginia. Mountaineer owns approximately 4,000 miles of natural gas distribution pipelines. During 2000, Mountaineer sold or transported 57 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of gas. The Mountaineer acquisition also included the acquisition of Mountaineer's unregulated subsidiary, Mountaineer Gas Services (MGS). MGS operates natural gas producing properties, gas gathering facilities, and intra-state transmission pipelines and is engaged in the sale and marketing of natural gas in the Appalachian basin. MGS owns more than 375 natural gas wells and has a net revenue interest in about 100 wells of which it is not the operator.

 

     Potomac Edison, incorporated in Maryland in 1923 and in Virginia in 1974, operates its electric distribution system in portions of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. In all jurisdictions, Potomac Edison is doing business under the trade name Allegheny Power. Potomac Edison serves about 402,000 electric customers in a service area of about 7,300 square miles with a population of about 782,000. In August 2000, Potomac Edison transferred its generation assets and its interest in AGC to Allegheny Energy Supply pursuant to state legislation and regulatory proceedings. See the discussion of the transfer below under Allegheny Energy Supply, and in ITEM 1. RATE MATTERS. The six largest communities served have populations ranging from 11,900 to 40,100. Potomac Edison's service area's principal industries produce aluminum, cement, fabricated products, rubber products, sand, stone, and gravel. There are four municipal electric distribution systems in its service area, all of which purchased power from Potomac Edison in 2000, and six rural electric cooperatives, one of which purchased power from Potomac Edison in 2000.

 

     West Penn, incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1916, operates its electric distribution system in southwestern and north and south-central Pennsylvania. West Penn is doing business under the trade name Allegheny Power. West Penn serves about 681,000 electric customers in a service area of about 9,900 square miles with a population of about 1,399,000. In November 1999, West Penn transferred its generation assets and its interest in AGC to Allegheny Energy Supply pursuant to state legislation and regulatory proceedings. The 10 largest communities served by West Penn have populations ranging from 11,200 to 38,900. West Penn's service area has navigable waterways and substantial deposits of bituminous coal, limestone, and other natural resources. Its service area's principal industries produce steel, coal, fabricated products, and glass.

 

     Allegheny Energy Supply, incorporated in Delaware in 1999, owns and operates and has contract access to generating capacity in Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Allegheny Energy Supply also owns an undivided interest in AGC. On August 1, 2000, Potomac Edison transferred approximately 2,100 MW of its Maryland, Pennsylvania and West Virginia generation assets to Allegheny Energy Supply, as well as its ownership interest in AGC. Certain of Potomac Edison's small hydroelectric facilities

3

located in Virginia will be transferred to a subsidiary of AE Supply in 2001. The transfer of Potomac Edison's generation assets reflects the initiation of a customer choice program in Maryland and a pending customer choice program in Virginia. Assets were leased back to Potomac Edison in amounts sufficient to satisfy customers in West Virginia not yet able to shop for alternative suppliers. The lease will remain in place until customers have an opportunity to choose. AYP Energy, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Allegheny Ventures, transferred its unregulated generation asset to Allegheny Energy Supply in 1999. In November 1999, West Penn also transferred its generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply, including its ownership interest in AGC. Until January 2, 2000, West Penn continued to supply electricity to one-third of its retail load that was not able to choose its generating supplier. Allegheny Energy Supply leased back to West Penn an amount of generating assets sufficient for West Penn to satisfy that load. Allegheny Energy Supply sells retail electric energy throughout Pennsylvania and Maryland (excluding by temporary regulatory proscription those customers with locations wholly inside West Penn's and Potomac Edison's service area) and in other states throughout the region that have customer choice, and wholesale electric energy anywhere.
 

     AGC, organized in 1981 under the laws of Virginia, is jointly owned as follows: Monongahela, 27% and Allegheny Energy Supply, 73%. AGC has no employees, and its only asset is a 40% undivided interest in the Bath County (Virginia) pumped-storage hydroelectric station, which was placed in commercial operation in December 1985, and its connecting transmission facilities. AGC's 840-megawatt (MW) share of capacity of the station is sold to its two parents. The remaining 60% interest in the Bath County Station is owned by Virginia Electric and Power Company (Virginia Power).

 

    Allegheny Ventures, incorporated in Delaware in 1994, is a wholly-owned non-regulated subsidiary of AE. Allegheny Ventures has three wholly-owned subsidiaries--AYP Energy, Inc. (AYP Energy), Allegheny Communications Connect, Inc. (ACC), and Allegheny Energy Solutions, Inc. (Allegheny Energy Solutions), all Delaware corporations. Allegheny Ventures recently filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to purchase Leasing Technologies International, Inc., a privately held leasing and financing company which provides financial services to entities engaged in telecommunications, software, internet, and other technologies. On February 13, 2001, Allegheny Ventures acquired a 10% equity interest in Utility Associates, Inc., a software development company that creates integrated mobile computing solutions for the utility industry. Allegheny Ventures is also part owner of APS Cogenex, a limited liability company formed with EUA Cogenex. APS Cogenex ceased its marketing activities in 1996 and is concluding existing projects. (See ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - Significant Events in 2000, 1999, and 1998 for a further description of Allegheny Ventures and its subsidiaries' activities.)

 

     Allegheny Energy Service Corporation (AESC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of AE, was incorporated in Maryland in 1963. AE, Allegheny Energy Supply, the Distribution Companies, AGC, Allegheny Ventures and their subsidiaries have no employees. Their officers and non-officers are employed by AESC. AESC's employees provide all necessary services to AE, Allegheny Energy

4

Supply, the Distribution Companies, AGC, Allegheny Ventures and their subsidiaries. Those companies reimburse AESC for services provided by AESC's employees. On December 31, 2000, AESC had approximately 5,600 employees.

Factors That May Affect Future Results

 

     In addition to the historical information contained herein, this report contains a number of "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These include statements with respect to deregulation activities and movements toward competition in states served by the Distribution Companies, capital expenditures, earnings on assets, resolution and impact of litigation, regulatory matters, liquidity and capital resources, and accounting matters. All such forward-looking information is necessarily only estimated. There can be no assurance that actual results will not materially differ from expectations. Actual results have varied materially and unpredictably from past expectations.

 

     Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among other matters, electric utility restructuring, including ongoing state and federal activities; developments in the legislative, regulatory, and competitive environments in which Allegheny operates, including regulatory proceedings affecting rates charged by AE's subsidiaries; environmental, legislative, and regulatory changes; future economic conditions; earnings retention and dividend payout policies; Allegheny's ability to compete in unregulated energy markets; and other circumstances that could affect anticipated revenues and costs such as significant volatility in the market price of wholesale power and fuel for electric generation, unscheduled maintenance or repair requirements, weather, and compliance with laws and regulations. In addition, factors include significant volatility in the California energy market with respect to electricity and natural gas prices.

 

Electric Energy Competition

 

     The electricity supply segment of the electric utility industry in the United States continues to become more competitive. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 began the process of deregulating the wholesale exchange of power within the electric industry by permitting the FERC to compel electric utilities to allow third parties to sell electricity to wholesale customers over utilities' transmission systems. Since 1992, the wholesale electricity market has become increasingly competitive. In addition, more states have taken active steps toward allowing retail customers the right to choose their electricity supplier. Allegheny has been an advocate of federal legislation to create competition in the retail electricity markets to avoid regional dislocations and ensure level playing fields.

 

     In the absence of federal legislation, state-by-state implementation continues. All of the states the Distribution Companies serve are at various stages of implementation of programs allowing customers to choose their electric generation service supplier. Pennsylvania and Maryland are the furthest along with competitive retail programs fully in place. Ohio began offering retail choice to its residents on January 1, 2001. Virginia passed legislation in 1999 to implement some level of retail choice by 2002. In March 2000, the West Virginia Legislature approved a plan to implement

5

customer choice, with implementation delayed pending future legislative authorization of implementation and enactment of certain tax and other changes. Those changes will be studied by the West Virginia legislature in 2001. The future of competitive choice in West Virginia is therefore uncertain.

Activities at the Federal Level

 

     Allegheny continues to seek enactment of federal legislation to bring choice to all retail electric customers, deregulate the generation and sale of electricity on a national level, and create a more liquid, free market for electric power. Fully meeting challenges in the emerging competitive environment will be difficult for Allegheny unless certain outmoded and anti-competitive laws, specifically the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA) and Section 210 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) regarding mandatory power purchase provisions, are repealed or significantly revised. Allegheny continues to advocate the repeal of PUHCA and PURPA on the grounds that they are obsolete and anti-competitive, and that PURPA results in utility customers paying above-market prices for power. In the 106th Congress, a number of electric utility restructuring bills were considered, many of which addressed PUHCA repeal and PURPA reform, among other issues. A stand-alone reliability bill was not taken up in the House after passage in the Senate. A comprehensive restructuring bill died in the House Commerce Committee upon adjournment late in 2000. It is uncertain whether legislation addressing electric utility restructuring will be forthcoming in the 107th Congress.

Activities at the State Level

 

Maryland

 

     On April 8, 1999, Maryland Governor Glendening signed legislation that brought competition to Maryland's electric supply market.

 

     On December 23, 1999, the Maryland Public Service Commission (Maryland PSC) issued an Order approving a consensus settlement agreement in Potomac Edison's Maryland restructuring case. On March 15, 2000 the Maryland PSC issued a Supplemental Order elaborating on the basis for approval of the settlement agreement. The settlement agreement, which provided that all of Potomac Edison's retail customers would have generation supply choice effective July 1, 2000, included a decision that dollar for dollar recovery of the AES Warrior Run purchased power costs was due Potomac Edison and that generation assets could be transferred to an affiliate at book value. Potomac Edison transferred its Maryland generation assets at book value to Allegheny Energy Supply on August 1, 2000. The transmission and distribution assets remain with Potomac Edison and under regulated ratemaking. Potomac Edison has responsibility as the electricity provider of last resort (for those customers of Potomac Edison who choose not to select an alternate supplier or whose alternate supplier does not deliver). Pursuant to contracts, Allegheny Energy Supply supplies Potomac Edison with power during the Maryland transition period. Under these contracts, Allegheny Energy Supply provides Potomac Edison with the amount of electricity, up to its retail load, that it may demand. These contracts (and those that Allegheny

6

Energy Supply has with West Penn) represent a significant portion of the normal operating capacity of Allegheny Energy Supply's generating assets that were previously owned by West Penn and Potomac Edison.
 

     Allegheny Energy Supply will market the deregulated generation to the retail and wholesale markets, with the restriction that it may not market to retail customers within Potomac Edison's Maryland territory for various time frames, some of which terminate at the end of 2003. On April 5, 2000, the Maryland PSC granted Allegheny Energy Supply a license to operate as a provider of electric generation supply and services in Maryland.

 

     On July 1, 2000, the Maryland PSC issued a restrictive order imposing standards of conduct for transactions between Maryland utilities and their affiliates. Among other things, the order: restricts sharing of employees between utilities and affiliates; announces the Maryland PSC's intent to impose a royalty fee to compensate the utility for the use by an affiliate of the utility's name and/or logo and for other "intangible or unquantified benefits"; and requires asymmetric pricing for asset transfers between utilities and their affiliates. Asymmetric pricing requires that transfers of assets from the regulated utility to an affiliate be recorded at the greater of book cost or market value while transfers of assets from the affiliate to the regulated utility be recorded at the lesser of book cost or market. This order did not apply to the transfer of Potomac Edison's generation assets to Allegheny Energy Supply. Asymetric pricing also does not apply to the generation supply contract between Potomac Edison and Allegheny Energy Supply.

 

     Potomac Edison, along with substantially all of Maryland's gas and electric utilities, filed a Circuit Court petition for judicial review and a motion for stay of the restrictive order. In November 2000, the Circuit Court granted a partial stay of the Maryland PSC's code of conduct/affiliated transactions order on the issues of employee sharing, royalties for the use of the name and logo and for certain intangibles, and on the requirement to use a disclaimer on advertising for non-core services. The trial in this case was held on January 25, 2001. The petitioners are awaiting the Judge's order.

Ohio

 

     The Ohio General Assembly passed legislation in 1999 to restructure its electric utility industry. All of the state's customers became able to choose their electricity supplier on January 1, 2001, starting a five-year transition to market rates. Two utilities, including Monongahela, have a shorter transition period for larger customers. Ohio's residential customers were guaranteed a 5% reduction in the generation portion of rates by the legislation. The determination of stranded cost recovery was left to the Ohio Public Utilities Commission (Ohio PUC).

 

     Monongahela reached a stipulated agreement with major parties on a transition plan to bring electric choice to its 29,000 Ohio customers. The stipulation was approved by the Ohio PUC on October 5, 2000. The restructuring plan allows Monongahela to transfer its Ohio generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply at net book value on or after January 1, 2001.

7

Monongahela has responsibility as the electricity provider of last resort (for those customers of Monongahela who choose not to select an alternate supplier or whose alternate supplier does not deliver). Pursuant to contracts, Allegheny Energy Supply will supply Monongahela with power during the Ohio transition period. Under this contract, Allegheny Energy Supply will provide Monongahela with the amount of electricity, up to its retail load, that it may demand. This contract (and those that Allegheny Energy Supply has with Potomac Edison and West Penn) represent a significant portion of the normal operating capacity of Allegheny Energy Supply's generating assets that were previously owned by West Penn and Potomac Edison. The Ohio assets have not yet been transferred; however, Monongahela expects to transfer these assets in April, 2001.
 

     On November 7, 2000, the Ohio PUC granted Allegheny Energy Supply a certificate as a Competitive Retail Electric Service Provider in Ohio.

Pennsylvania

 

     The Customer Choice Act in Pennsylvania provides for customer choice of electric supplier and deregulation of generation in a competitive electric supply market. As of January 2, 2000, all electricity customers in Pennsylvania had the right to choose their electric suppliers. Over 100 electric suppliers have been licensed to sell to retail customers in Pennsylvania. Pursuant to the Customer Choice Act, in November 1999, West Penn transferred its generation assets to Allegheny Energy Supply. The transmission and distribution assets remain with West Penn and under regulated ratemaking.

 

     West Penn has responsibility as the electricity provider of last resort (for those customers of West Penn who choose not to select an alternate supplier or whose alternate supplier does not deliver). Pursuant to contracts, Allegheny Energy Supply supplies West Penn with power during the Pennsylvania transition period. Under this contract, Allegheny Energy Supply provides West Penn with the amount of electricity, up to its retail load, that it may demand. These contracts (and those that Allegheny Energy Supply has with Potomac Edison) represent a significant portion of the normal operating capacity of Allegheny Energy Supply's generating assets that were previously owned by West Penn and Potomac Edison.

Virginia

 

     The Virginia Electric Utility Restructuring Act (the Act) was enacted in March 1999, and provides for a transition to customer choice of electric suppliers for Virginia customers beginning January 1, 2002. All Virginia customers will have choice by January 1, 2004. The Act provides for rate caps from January 1, 2001 to July 1, 2007, with recovery of stranded costs and transition costs during the rate cap period through capped rates and a wires charge mechanism. Supply of electric energy is deregulated effective January 1, 2002, except as otherwise provided in the Act. The Act requires functional separation of generation, retail transmission, and distribution by January 1, 2002. The Act also requires the joining or establishment of a regional transmission entity by January 1, 2002 to which management and control of the transmission system shall be transferred.

8

 

     On July 11, 2000 the Virginia State Corporation Commission (Virginia SCC) issued an Order approving Potomac Edison's Phase I separation plan and permitting the transfer of Potomac Edison's generation assets to Allegheny Energy Supply. Potomac Edison transferred its generation assets to Allegheny Energy Supply on August 1, 2000. Potomac Edison will transfer four small Virginia hydroelectric facilities to a subsidiary of Allegheny Energy Supply in 2001. Consistent with Virginia SCC regulations, Potomac Edison filed Phase II of its functional separation plan on December 19, 2000.

 

     The Virginia SCC adopted regulations governing the transfer of ownership or control of transmission facilities to a Regional Transmission Organization. On October 16, 2000, Potomac Edison filed with the Virginia SCC a copy of the October 16 FERC Order 2000 RTO Compliance Filing regarding the PJM West proposal, which would become operational as required by FERC Order 2000 (currently December 15, 2001). See ITEM 1. REGULATORY FRAMEWORK AFFECTING ELECTRIC POWER SALES for more information regarding PJM West.

 

     On September 22, 2000, the Virginia SCC granted a competitive service provider license to Allegheny Energy Supply. The license permits Allegheny Energy Supply to provide competitive electric supply service to all classes of retail customers in conjunction with the ongoing retail access pilot programs of Dominion Virginia Power and American Electric Power-Va.

West Virginia

 

     In March 1998, the West Virginia Legislature passed legislation that directed the West Virginia Public Service Commission (West Virginia PSC) to develop a restructuring plan which would meet the dictates and goals of the legislation. In January 2000, the West Virginia PSC submitted a restructuring plan to the legislature for approval. The plan would have opened full retail competition on January 1, 2001. On March 11, 2000, the West Virginia Legislature approved the West Virginia PSC's plan, but assigned the tax issues surrounding the plan to Committees. The Committees were asked to recommend the necessary tax changes and return to the Legislature in 2001 for approval of those changes and authority to implement the plan. The commencement of competition is contingent upon the legislature approving and implementing the necessary tax changes. The West Virginia PSC is currently in the process of developing the rules under which competition will occur. Allegheny considers it is highly unlikely that the West Virginia legislature will pass, during its 2001 session, the necessary tax law changes related to the deregulation of the wholesale power market in West Virginia. If legislative action is not taken, Monongahela will explore other ways to effect the transfer of its generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply. Monongahela has filed a petition seeking the West Virginia PSC's approval of its transfer of generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply. However, the West Virginia PSC has not yet acted on this petition, and Monongahela cannot be sure whether it will be permitted to transfer its generation assets, or when permission might be granted. If the transfer is permitted, Monongahela cannot predict the conditions that may be imposed on Allegheny Energy Supply in connection with the transfer, such as provider-of-last-resort contract obligations, transfer costs or transition periods that may make the transfer uneconomical.

9

 

     On June 23, 2000 the West Virginia PSC approved Potomac Edison's request to transfer Potomac Edison's generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply on or after July 1, 2000. On August 1, 2000, Potomac Edison transferred its West Virginia assets to Allegheny Energy Supply. Assets are being leased back to Potomac Edison in amounts sufficient to satisfy customers not yet able to shop for alternate suppliers in West Virginia. In accordance with the restructuring agreement, Potomac Edison and Monongahela implemented a commercial and industrial rate reduction program on July 1, 2000. A stipulated agreement reached on September 14, 2000 on the unbundled tariffs filed by Monongahela and Potomac Edison is awaiting a final order from the West Virginia PSC.

 

     The West Virginia PSC has convened a Gas Codes of Conduct Working Group to establish safeguards with respect to the transactions and interactions between gas utilities, their affiliates and competitive gas suppliers; to avoid potential market-power abuses; to eliminate cross-subsidization between regulated and unregulated activities; and to promote effective competition in the natural gas market within West Virginia.

 

Allegheny's Competitive Actions

 

     Over the past several years the Allegheny companies have taken action to deal with deregulation and better position themselves to participate in the new competitive generation supply markets.

 

Allegheny Energy Supply

 

     Allegheny Energy Supply was formed in 1999 to consolidate AE's deregulated generating assets into a single company that is not subject to state regulation of sales prices. As of December 31, 2000, Allegheny Energy Supply owned 6,273 MW of generating assets.

 

     Allegheny Energy Supply is an unregulated energy company that markets competitive wholesale and retail electricity. Allegheny Energy Supply intends to become a national energy merchant company with an additional 4,131 MW of announced additions of generating capacity either through acquisitions or construction of facilities in Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania.

 

     Pursuant to contracts, Allegheny Energy Supply supplies West Penn and Potomac Edison with power during the Pennsylvania and Maryland transition periods. Under these contracts, Allegheny Energy Supply provides these regulated electricity distribution affiliates with the amount of electricity, up to their retail load, that they may demand. These contracts represent a significant portion of the normal operating capacity of Allegheny Energy Supply's generating assets that were previously owned by West Penn and Potomac Edison. Allegheny Energy Supply will enter into similar contracts with Monongahela.

 

     In January 2001, Allegheny Energy Supply announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Energy Trading Business, Merrill Lynch's

10

energy commodity marketing and trading unit. The acquisition was completed on March 16, 2001. Allegheny Energy Supply paid Merrill Lynch $490 million and agreed to pay two percent equity interest in Allegheny Energy Supply. Under the agreement, Merrill Lynch will refrain from competing with Allegheny Energy Supply for thirty months.
 

     The Energy Trading Business is intended to help Allegheny Energy Supply become a major merchant in the national energy marketplace by combining its structured transactions, trading skills and market presence with Allegheny Energy Supply's low-cost generating fleet. The acquisition also includes support infrastructure necessary to conduct business immediately upon completion of the transaction. In addition, the purchase is expected to facilitate Allegheny Energy Supply's risk management efforts. (See ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK.)

 

     The acquisition of Energy Trading Business also includes long-term contractual rights for 1,000 MW of natural gas-fired generating capacity in Southern California for a seventeen-year period. In addition, the acquisition includes various contracts (hedges) for the sale of portions of this power and for the purchase of natural gas for the generating units.

     On March 21, 2001, Allegheny Energy Supply entered into a $4.5 billion power sales agreement with the California Department of Water Resources (CDWR) to sell power to the CDWR for a ten-year period. The contract sales volumes increase from 150 MW to 1,000 MW over the life of the contract.

     Starting in 2000, the energy market in California has been very volatile with respect to electricity and natural gas prices. Allegheny Energy Supply seeks to mitigate risks associated with the California market volatility by hedging its long or short positions, e.g. the CDWR contract discussed above. (See ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK for a discussion of Allegheny's corporate energy risk control policy.)

 

     In January 2001, AE announced that Allegheny Energy Supply plans to construct a 630-MW natural gas-fired merchant generating facility in St. Joseph County, Indiana, approximately 10 miles west of South Bend. Construction on the facility will begin in 2002 and will be completed in two stages. Two 44-MW simple-cycle combustion turbines will be constructed first in 2003, followed by the addition of 542 MW of combined-cycle capacity in 2005. When completed, the facility will allow Allegheny Energy Supply to sell additional generation into the East Central Area Reliability Region (ECAR), as well as give Allegheny Energy Supply greater access to other mid-west markets.

 

     AE and PPL Global, Inc., a subsidiary of PPL Corporation, executed an asset purchase and sale agreement in May 2000 for the purchase of Potomac Electric Power Company's (PEPCO) 9.72-percent share in the 1,711-MW Conemaugh generating station. In January 2001, each company acquired 83 MW at a cost of approximately $78 million. AE financed its share through the issuance of debt. AE anticipates the transfer of these generating assets to a subsidiary of Allegheny Energy Supply in 2001. The purchase will allow Allegheny Energy Supply to have a presence in the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Interconnection, LLC (PJM) power market.

11

 

     In November 2000, AE announced the signing of a definitive agreement with Enron North America, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Enron Corporation, under which AE will purchase three natural gas-fired merchant generating facilities in the Midwest for approximately $1.0 billion. The purchase includes the following generating assets, all of which have been in service since June 2000: the Gleason plant (546 MW) in Gleason, Tennessee; the Wheatland plant (508 MW) in Wheatland, Indiana; and the Lincoln Energy Center plant (656 MW) in Manhattan, Illinois. AE anticipates the transfer of these generating assets to subsidiaries of Allegheny Energy Supply in 2001. These assets will provide Allegheny Energy Supply with additional natural gas-fired generating capacity within ECAR, the Mid-America Interconnected Network and the Southeastern Electric Reliability Council. The purchase is scheduled to close by May 31, 2001. AE anticipates the transfer of these generating assets to subsidiaries of Allegheny Energy Supply in 2001. These assets will provide Allegheny Energy Supply with additional natural gas-fired generating capacity within ECAR, the Mid-America Interconnected Network and the Southeastern Electric Reliability Council.

     In October 2000, AE announced that Allegheny Energy Supply plans to construct a 1,080-MW natural gas-fired merchant generating facility in La Paz County, Arizona, approximately 75 miles west of Phoenix. Construction is expected to begin on the combined-cycle facility in 2002. When completed in 2005, the facility will allow Allegheny Energy Supply to sell generation into Arizona and other states served by the Western System Power Pool, including all or parts of California, western Canada, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

 

     In September 2000, AE announced that its subsidiary Allegheny Energy Supply Hunlock Creek, LLC, along with partner UGI Development, a subsidiary of UGI Corporation (UGI), will market electricity output from facilities at UGI's Hunlock Creek generating station near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. In addition to sharing 48 MW of existing coal-fired generation at Hunlock Creek, Allegheny Energy Supply Hunlock Creek, LLC installed a 44-MW natural gas-fired combustion turbine on property owned by UGI in the fourth quarter of 2000. UGI Development and Allegheny Energy Supply Hunlock Creek, LLC will jointly share in the combined output of the coal-fired and combustion turbine generating units. Allegheny Energy Supply Hunlock Creek, LLC, was responsible for construction of the Hunlock Creek combustion turbine, while UGI will operate the facilities. Allegheny Energy Supply Hunlock Creek, LLC is a subsidiary of AE, until approvals are obtained to transfer the subsidiary to Allegheny Energy Supply. Allegheny Energy Supply anticipates the transfer to be completed in 2001. The venture will give Allegheny Energy Supply access to 46 MW of generating capacity to sell into the PJM market.

 

     In January 2000, AE also announced that Allegheny Energy Supply will begin construction on a 540-MW combined-cycle generating plant at Springdale, Pennsylvania. The new facility will include two gas-fired combustion turbines and a steam turbine. The combined-cycle facility is expected to be operational and providing power for sale into competitive markets in 2003.

 

     In 1999, Allegheny Energy Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2, LLC, a subsidiary of AE, completed construction of and placed into operation two 44-MW, simple-

12

cycle gas combustion turbines at Springdale, Pennsylvania. AE's goal is to transfer the subsidiary to Allegheny Energy Supply. Allegheny Energy Supply anticipates the transfer will be completed in 2001.
 

     Also, Allegheny Energy Supply plans to install two 44-MW simple-cycle combustion turbines in Pennsylvania during 2001.

 

     AE has petitioned the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for approval to transfer 217-MW of exempt wholesale generating (EWG) facilities owned by its subsidiaries to Allegheny Energy Supply. SEC approval is required for Allegheny Energy Supply to own EWG facilities. SEC approval of the transfer is expected in 2001.


Allegheny Ventures

 

     Allegheny Ventures (formerly known as AYP Capital, Inc.) was formed in 1994 to engage in unregulated activities. In 1996, Allegheny Ventures formed two nonutility subsidiaries: AYP Energy and ACC. In 1997, Allegheny Ventures formed Allegheny Energy Solutions.

 

Telecommunications

 

     In March 2000, ACC, along with five other energy and telecommunications companies, formed a new, super-regional player in the telecommunications market, AFN Communications, formerly America's Fiber Network. ACC received an interest in AFN Communications by contributing a portion of its fiber optic network to this new venture.

 

     AFN Communications has an initial fiber footprint of 7,700 route miles and 140,000 fiber miles spanning 13 states and Washington, D.C. AFN reaches about 35 percent of the national wholesale communications capacity market, linking small and rural communities to major metropolitan areas. It provides high-capacity telecommunications transport services to internet service providers, competitive local exchange providers, long-distance providers, and wireless communications companies. AFN Communications plans to expand its reach by adding new partners and their fiber assets and offering advanced network services. Other founding partners include AEP Fiber Venture, LLC, a subsidiary of American Electric Power; GPU Telcom Services, Inc., a subsidiary of GPU, Inc.; Fiber Venture Equity, Inc., a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corporation; CFW Network, Inc.; and R&B Network, Inc.

 

     ACC continues to expand its own fiber optic network. In 1999, there were 600 route miles in the growing network. It was expanded to more than 1,300 route miles in 2000. With much growth potential in this market, ACC plans to build nearly 1,400 additional route miles in 2001. ACC also provides value-added services to customers of the network, including advanced around-the-clock network monitoring through its alliance with and 5 percent ownership interest in Genosys Technology Management, Inc., an emerging network operation center services provider.

 

     In April 2000, ACC signed an eight-year agreement with BroadbandNow to offer high-speed internet access and multimedia content to consumers in small

13

and mid-sized markets in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. By providing these advanced data services in these underserved markets, ACC is helping to bridge the "digital divide."
 

     ACC also is part of a consortium, led by Adelphia Business Solutions, which was selected by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to build an advanced information technology infrastructure and to provide state government with state-of-the-art voice, video, internet, and data telecommunications services. As part of this project, ACC is conducting wireless internet pilot programs in three Pennsylvania markets.

 

     In September 2000, ACC purchased a 40 percent membership interest in Odyssey Communications, LLC, a Pennsylvania limited liability corporation that is in the business of constructing fiber optic cable.

 

     In 1997, ACC, formed a limited liability company, Allegheny Hyperion Telecommunications, L.L.C with Hyperion Communications of Pennsylvania, Inc. (now Adelphia Business Solutions). During 2000, Adelphia Business Solutions exchanged ACC's 50 percent ownership in Allegheny Hyperion Telecommunications, L.L.C. for 330,000 shares of Adelphia Business Solutions' Class A Common Stock.

 

Investments and Other Activities

 

     In 2000, Allegheny Energy Solutions announced the formation of a strategic alliance with Capstone Turbine Corporation (Capstone). Capstone manufactures commercial, ultra-low emission microturbine power systems. The alliance has positioned Allegheny Energy Solutions as a local and national solutions provider for distributed generation services. On December 7, 2000, Allegheny Energy Solutions added Siemens Solar Industries, L.P. to its portfolio of suppliers for distributed generation products. Through its agreement with Siemens Solar Industries, Allegheny Energy Solutions will provide its customers with a comprehensive offering of solar electric solutions.

   Allegheny Ventures recently filed with the SEC to purchase Leasing Technologies International, Inc., a privately held leasing and financing company which provides financial services to entities engaged in telecommunications, software, internet, and other technologies. On February 13, 2001, Allegheny Ventures acquired a 10% equity interest in Utility Associates, Inc., a software development company that creates integrated mobile computing solutions for the utility industry. Allegheny Ventures is also a founding member and owner of Enporion, Inc., a global procurement exchange for the energy industry. Enporion simplifies the buying process through supply chain improvement.

     During 2000, Allegheny Ventures did not make any new investments in funds that were established in 1995. Allegheny Ventures previously invested in EnviroTech Investment Fund I, L.P. (EnviroTech), a limited partnership formed to invest in emerging electrotechnologies that promote the efficient use of electricity and improve the environment. Allegheny Ventures committed to invest up to $5 million in EnviroTech over 10 years, beginning in 1995. Allegheny Ventures also participates in the Latin American Energy and

14

Electricity Fund I, L.P. (FONDELEC), a limited partnership formed to invest in and develop electric energy opportunities in Latin America. Allegheny Ventures committed to invest up to $5 million in FONDELEC over eight years, beginning in 1995. Through FONDELEC, Allegheny Ventures has invested in electric distribution companies in Peru, Brazil and Argentina. Both EnviroTech and FONDELEC may offer Allegheny Ventures opportunities to identify investments in which Allegheny Ventures may invest in excess of its capital commitment in each limited partnership.
 

     Allegheny Ventures is also involved in marketing and developing the unused real estate holdings of the Distribution Companies.

 

Distribution Companies

 

     On August 18, 2000, Monongahela acquired Mountaineer, a natural gas distribution company serving southern West Virginia and the northern and eastern panhandles of West Virginia, from Eastern Systems Corporation, a subsidiary of Energy Corporation of America. Mountaineer serves approximately 205,000 retail natural gas customers in West Virginia. Mountaineer owns approximately 4,000 miles of natural gas distribution pipelines. The acquisition also included the acquisition of Mountaineer's unregulated subsidiary, Mountaineer Gas Services (MGS).

 

     MGS operates natural gas producing properties, gas gathering facilities, and intra-state transmission pipelines and is engaged in the sale and marketing of natural gas in the Appalachian basin. MGS owns more than 375 natural gas wells located throughout West Virginia and surrounding production areas and has active leaseholds that cover more than 86,000 acres. MGS also has a net revenue interest in about 100 wells of which it is not the operator.

 

     In December 1999, Monongahela purchased from UtiliCorp United Inc. the assets of West Virginia Power, an electric and natural gas distribution company located in southern West Virginia. The acquisition of West Virginia Power added approximately 26,000 electric distribution customers and 24,000 natural gas customers to Monongahela's existing business in West Virginia.

15

SALES

Regulated Electric Sales

 

2000

1999

Increase/
(Decrease)

Regulated Utility Customers

     

Kilowatt-hour Sales

     

Residential

14,062

13,562

3.7%

Commercial

9,510

8,955

6.2%

Industrial

20,320

19,846

2.4%

Wholesale

1,531

1,478

3.6%

Total Regulated Utility Customers

Kilowatt-hour Sales

45,423

43,841

3.6%

       

Regulated Revenue (Millions)

     

Residential

$967.2

$930.3

4.0%

Commercial

529.2

500.3

5.8%

Industrial

751.2

720.5

4.3%

Wholesale

55.8

42.4

31.6%

Total Regulated Revenue

$2,303.4

$2,193.5

5.0%


     In 2000, consolidated regulated kilowatt-hour (kWh) sales delivered to customers of retail and wholesale power increased 3.6% from those of 1999 as a result of increases of 3.7%, 6.2%, 2.4% and 3.6% in residential, commercial, industrial and wholesale sales, respectively. Consolidated regulated revenues increased 5.0% due to increases of 4.0%, 5.8%, 4.3%, and 31.6% in residential, commercial, industrial and wholesale sales, respectively. (See ITEM 1. RATE MATTERS and ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.)

 

     Allegheny's all-time Control Area Peak Load was 7,791 MW on January 27, 2000. (Control Area Load refers to the electricity sales to customers within the Distribution Companies' delivery territory without regard to electric generation supplier. The Control Area Load includes Regulated Load.) The Regulated Peak Load in 2000 was 7,455 MW on December 22, 2000. This value is subject to a final reconciliation process. However, the final value is not expected to vary significantly from 7,455 MW. (Regulated Load refers to the electricity sales to customers of Allegheny Power (the Distribution Companies) who have not selected an alternate generation supplier. It does not include sales by Allegheny Energy Supply to nonaffiliated customers within the Allegheny Power service territory.)

 

     Consolidated regulated electric operating revenues for 2000 were derived as follows: Pennsylvania, 40.2%; West Virginia, 31.4%; Maryland, 20.4%; Virginia, 5.6%; and Ohio, 2.4% (residential, 38.2%; commercial, 20.8%; industrial, 29.7%; bulk power transactions, 8.3%; and other, 3.0%).

 

     During 2000, Monongahela's kWh sales to retail customers increased 7.4%. Residential, commercial, and industrial sales increased 9.2%, 13.6% and 4.2%, respectively. Revenues from residential, commercial, and industrial customers increased 9.6%, 11.0%, and 1.3%, respectively. Electric revenues from

16

residential, commercial, and industrial customers increased primarily due to growth in the number of customers, resulting from the acquisition of West Virginia Power and its 26,000 electric service customers, from Utilicorp United, Inc. in late December 1999. Residential revenues also increased due to customer usage, primarily because of weather conditions in late 2000. Revenues from bulk power transactions and sales to affiliates increased 12.6% as utility operations now sell bulk power to its affiliated unregulated operations allowing for a more efficient dispatch of power. Monongahela's revenues represented 26.5% of Allegheny's total regulated sales revenues to customers. Monongahela's all-time Control Area Peak Load of 1,916 MW occurred on June 14, 2000.
 

     Monongahela's electric operating revenues were derived as follows: West Virginia, 91.2%, and Ohio, 8.8% (residential, 31.9%; commercial, 19.9%; industrial, 30.4%; bulk power transactions, 2.0%; and other, 15.8%).

 

     During 2000, Potomac Edison's kWh sales to retail customers increased 3.4%. Residential, commercial, and industrial sales increased 4.5%, 4.6% and 2.1%, respectively. Revenues from residential increased .5% while commercial and industrial sales decreased 2.8% and 2.3%, respectively. The increase in residential revenues was due primarily to growth in the number of residential customers and colder than normal weather conditions in late 2000. Despite the ability of Maryland customers to shop for another energy supplier since July 1, 2000, at December 2000, no residential customers have elected to choose another energy supplier. The decreases in revenues for commercial and industrial customers were due primarily to a decrease in the fuel portion of customer bills, a decrease in surcharge revenues applicable to recovery of costs related to purchased power from the AES Warrior Run cogeneration project, a decrease in Virginia base rates, and, to a lesser extent, Maryland deregulation, which gave Maryland customers of Potomac Edison the ability to choose another energy supplier effective July 1, 2000. Revenues from bulk power transactions and sales to affiliates increased 155.4%. Potomac Edison's revenues represented 31.3% of Allegheny's total regulated sales revenues to customers. Potomac Edison's all-time Control Area Peak Load of 2,656 MW occurred on January 27, 2000. The Regulated Peak Load in 2000 was 2,656 MW on January 27, 2000.

 

     Potomac Edison's electric operating revenues were derived as follows: Maryland, 63.9%; West Virginia 18.6%, and Virginia, 17.5%; (residential, 40.1%; commercial, 19.8%; industrial, 25.1%; bulk power transactions, 5.6%; and other, 9.4%). Revenues from one industrial customer, the Eastalco aluminum reduction plant near Frederick, Maryland, amounted to $63.1 million (7.6% of total electric operating revenues). Minimum annual charges to Eastalco under an electric service agreement, which continues through April 1, 2003, with automatic extensions thereafter unless terminated on notice by either party, were $14.4 million in 2000.

     Prior to transferring its electric generation to Allegheny Energy Supply, West Penn, through its Energy Supply Division, participated in unregulated markets as a supplier of electricity. After the transfer of West Penn's generating assets, West Penn no longer participated as a supplier of

17

electricity to unregulated markets. The 1999 regulated kWh sales and regulated revenues included West Penn's unregulated activity.

     During 2000, West Penn's regulated kWh sales and deliveries to retail customers decreased 3.4%. Residential, commercial and industrial sales deliveries decreased 2.7%, 3.4% and 4.0%, respectively. Regulated revenues from residential, commercial and industrial customers decreased 3.2%, 4.1% and 10.1%.

     Adjusting for West Penn's 1999 unregulated activity, West Penn's 2000 regulated kWh sales and deliveries to retail customers increased 1.5%. Residential, commercial and industrial sales deliveries increased .4%, 3.4% and 1.4%, respectively. Regulated revenues from residential, commercial and industrial customers increased 3.8%, 9.6% and 11.3%, respectively. The increases in revenues for residential, commercial and industrial customers were due primarily to growth in the number of customers and increased customer usage, partially due to weather conditions in late 2000. Also, even though Pennsylvania deregulation gave all of West Penn's regulated customers the ability to choose another energy supplier in 2000 (as opposed to two-thirds of West Penn's regulated customers in 1999), electric energy supplied to West Penn customers by alternative energy suppliers declined in 2000 from 11% of total mWh sales to 7% of total mWh sales. Revenues from bulk power transactions and sales to affiliates decreased 88.4%. West Penn's regulated revenues represented 42.2% of Allegheny's total regulated sales to customers. West Penn's all-time Control Area Peak Load of 3,328 MW occurred on July 6, 1999. The Control Area Peak Load in 2000 was 3,311 MW on June 26, 2000. The Regulated Peak Load in 2000 was 3,112 MW on December 22, 2000.

 

     West Penn's regulated electric operating revenues were derived as follows: Pennsylvania, 100% (residential, 38.6%; commercial, 21.1%; industrial, 30.9%; bulk power transactions, 2.4%; and other, 7.0%).

 

     In 2000, the Distribution Companies provided approximately 0.8 billion kWh of energy to nonaffiliated companies and marketers from generation facilities operated by the Distribution Companies. Revenues from those sales of generation from the Distribution Companies were approximately $135.8 million.

 

     The Distribution Companies transmitted approximately 10.9 billion kWh to others located outside their service territories under various forms of transmission service agreements. Revenues from those sales were about $73.2 million.

18

 

Unregulated Electric Sales

 

2000

1999

Increase /
(Decrease)

Kilowatt-hour Sales*

     

Unregulated Generation

41,707

15,854

163.1%

Total Kilowatt-hour Sales

41,707

15,854

163.1%

       

Unregulated Revenue (Millions)*

     

Unregulated Generation

$2,281.6

$879.4

159.4%

Other

22.6

8.9

153.9%

Total Revenue

$2,304.2

$888.3

159.4%

*Unregulated generation sales include amounts for recording Allegheny Energy Supply's energy trading contracts at their fair value as of the balance sheet date.

Unregulated sales revenues, including energy sales to affiliates in total, were $2,304.2 million, of which approximately $799.2 million were the result of energy sales to affiliates. Excluding the effect of affiliated sales, unregulated revenues represented 37.5% of Allegheny's total operating revenues in 2000.



Regulated Gas Sales

In 2000, the consolidated regulated million cubic feet (Mcf) of gas delivered to retail and wholesale power customers was 14,873,642 as a result of the acquisition of West Virginia Power and Mountaineer. Residential, commercial, industrial and wholesale sales were 58.0%, 8.8%, 31.8% and 1.4% of the total Mcf regulated sales, respectively. Consolidated regulated gas revenues for 2000 were $81.8 million. Residential, commercial, industrial and wholesale gas sales represented 62.8%, 9.0%, 26.2% and 2.0% of the total regulated gas revenues.


Regulatory Framework Affecting Electric Power Sales

 

     The Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPACT) initiated the restructuring of the electric utility industry by permitting competition in the wholesale generation market. In order to facilitate the efficient use of generation facilities, on April 24, 1996, the FERC issued Orders 888 and 889. On March 4, 1997, the FERC issued Orders 888A and 889A reaffirming and clarifying the legal and policy determinations as originally adopted in the previous orders. The FERC also issued Orders 888B and 889B on November 25, 1997 in which the FERC presented explanations and minor revisions to specific sections of the orders.

 

     The FERC orders require all transmission providers to offer service to entities selling generation services in a manner that is comparable to their own use of the transmission system. The orders required each transmission provider to file standardized open access transmission service tariffs; therefore, the Distribution Companies have on file a pro forma open access tariff under which they sell transmission services to all eligible customers. Monongahela and Allegheny Energy Supply also arrange for transmission services for their own sales pursuant to the rates, terms, and conditions of the open access tariff. The Distribution Companies' open access tariff was accepted for filing by the FERC on November 25, 1998.

19

 

     To meet the objective of providing comparable or nondiscriminatory transmission services, the FERC orders further require that utilities functionally unbundle transmission operations and reliability functions from wholesale merchant functions within the utility. Accordingly, Allegheny formed discrete business units, including a delivery business unit (inclusive of transmission) and a supply business unit. The delivery business unit includes several sub-units, including the System Planning and Operations group, which provides transmission system operations and reliability functions. Each business unit has its own management, objectives, and facilities. The Distribution Companies conduct their business in a manner that is consistent with FERC's Standards of Conduct.

 

     The FERC established its jurisdiction over unbundled retail, as well as wholesale transmission services, in Order 888. Although states retain the authority to determine if retail wheeling should be adopted, retail transmission service under the jurisdiction of the FERC is available once these historically franchised customers have access to alternate generation sources. As the states in their service territory enacted retail choice, the Distribution Companies revised their Open Access Tariff to authorize sale of open access transmission services to unbundled retail customers.

 

     The Distribution Companies also have on file with the FERC a Standard Generation Service Rate Schedule for the sale of wholesale power at cost-based rates. In October 1997, the Distribution Companies submitted a new wholesale tariff to the FERC, asking for authority to sell power at market-based rates. The Distribution Companies began selling power at market-based rates upon acceptance of the filing by the FERC in August 1998. Separately, a market-based rate tariff for Allegheny Energy Supply was filed and became effective August 15, 1999. Allegheny Energy Supply started serving customers under that tariff on November 19, 1999.

 

     On December 20, 1999, the FERC issued Order No. 2000, which requires each public utility that owns, operates, or controls facilities for the transmission of electric energy in interstate commerce to make certain filings with respect to forming and participating in a regional transmission organization (RTO). FERC stated in that order that transmission owners are expected to join RTOs on a voluntary basis and that RTOs will be operational by December 15, 2001. The Distribution Companies and other transmission-owning entities were required to file with the FERC their plans for joining an RTO by October 16, 2000. On October 5, 2000, the Distribution Companies and PJM Interconnection, LLC (PJM) announced that they had signed a Memorandum of Agreement to develop a new affiliation - PJM West. The affiliation was outlined in a compliance filing submitted to FERC on October 16, 2000, and the process progressed with the fling of an associated series of agreements, tariffs, and rate schedules on March 15, 2001. The Distribution Companies anticipate that PJM West will be implemented by December 15, 2001. As an Independent System Operator, PMJ will functionally operate the transmission assets of the distribution companies within the framework of PJM and PJM West. Although PJM is an Independent System Operator (ISO), the Distribution Companies will not join PJM, but will pursue the development of an independent transmission company, working within the PJM framework. The Distribution Companies will lead the new PJM West

20

initiative, which will afford transmission service to all market participants while simultaneously expanding the PJM market. PJM West is expected to provide benefits to the Distribution Companies and Allegheny Energy Supply.
 

     Under PURPA, certain municipalities, businesses and private developers have installed generating facilities at various locations in or near the Distribution Companies' service areas, and sell electric capacity and energy to the Distribution Companies at rates consistent with PURPA and ordered by appropriate state commissions. The Distribution Companies are committed to purchasing 479 MW of on-line PURPA capacity. This total includes 180 MW from the AES Warrior Run project, which came on-line in February 2000. Payments for PURPA capacity and energy in 2000 totaled approximately $204 million, before amortization of West Penn's adverse power purchase commitment, resulting in an average cost to the Distribution Companies of 5.5 cents/kWh.

ELECTRIC FACILITIES

 

     The following table shows Allegheny's operational generating capacity as of December 31, 2000, based on the maximum operating capacity of each unit. Monongahela's owned capacity totaled 2,113 MW, of which 1,886 MW (90%) are coal-fired and 227 MW (10%) are pumped-storage. The term "pumped-storage" refers to the Bath County station, which stores energy for use principally during peak load hours by pumping water from a lower to an upper reservoir, using the most economic available electricity, generally during off-peak hours. During the generating cycle, power is produced by water falling from the upper to the lower reservoir through turbine generators.

 

     Allegheny Energy Supply's owned or contracted capacity as of December 31, 2000, totaled 6,273 MW of which 5,360 MW (85.4%) are coal-fired, 154 MW (2.5%) are oil-fired, 613 MW (9.8%) are pumped-storage, 88 MW (1.4%) are gas fired, and 58 MW (.9%) are hydroelectric.

 

     Allegheny Energy Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2, LLC owns 88 MW of gas-fired capacity. It sells its output to Allegheny Energy Supply, and the transfer of ownership of these units to Allegheny Energy Supply is expected in 2001.

21

ALLEGHENY STATIONS

Maximum Generating Capacity (Megawatts) (a)

     

Regulated

Unregulated

 
           

Hunlock

   

Dates When

   

Station

Monongahela

Potomac

West Penn

Energy

AE Supply

AE Unit

Service

Station

Units

Total

 

Edison

 

Ventures

 

Nos. 1 & 2

Commenced(c)

Coal-Fired (Steam):

                 

Albright

3

292

216

     

76

 

1952-4

Armstrong

2

356

       

356

 

1958-9

Fort Martin

2

1,107

249

     

858

 

1967-8

Harrison

3

1,950

488

     

1,462

 

1972-4

Hatfield's Ferry

3

1,710

470

     

1,240

 

1969-71

Hunlock (d)

1

24

     

24

   

2000

Mitchell

1

288

       

288

 

1963(i)

Pleasants

2

1,285

321

     

964

 

1979-80

Rivesville

2

142

142

         

1944-51

R. Paul Smith

2

116

       

116

 

1949-60

Willow Island

2

243

243

           

Gas-Fired

                 

AE Nos. 1 & 2(b)

2

88

         

88

1999

AE Nos. 8 & 9

2

88

       

88

 

2000

Hunlock CT (d)

1

22

     

22

   

2000

Oil-Fired Steam

                 

Mitchell

2

154

       

154

 

1948-49

Pumped-Storage and Hydro

                 

Bath County(e)

6

840

227(e)

     

613(e)

 

1985

Lake Lynn (f)

4

52

       

52

 

1926

Potomac Edison

21

6

 

3

   

3

 

Various

Total Allegheny-Owned Capacity

61

8,763

2,356

3

0

46

6,270

88

 

22

 

PURPA GENERATION

Maximum Generating Capacity (Megawatts) (g)

           

Hunlock

   

Dates When

   

Project

Monongahela

Potomac

West Penn

Energy

AE Supply

AE Unit

Service

   

Total

 

Edison

 

Ventures

 

Nos. 1 & 2

Commenced(c)

Project

                 
                   

Coal-Fired: Steam

                 

AES Beaver Valley

 

125

   

125

     

1987

Grant Town

 

80

80

         

1993

West Virginia University

 

50

50

         

1992

AES Warrior Run

 

180

 

180(h)

         

Hydro:

                 

Allegheny Lock and Dam 5

 

6

   

6

     

1988

Allegheny Lock and Dam 6

 

7

   

7

     

1989

Hannibal Lock and Dam

 

31

31

         

1988

Total Other Capacity

 

479

161

180

138

       

Total Allegheny-owned and PURPA Committed Generating Capacity (a)

 

9,242

2,517

183

138

46

6,270

88

 

 

23

(a) Accredited capacity.

(b) Allegheny Energy Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2, LLC owns 100% of Units No. 1 and No. 2, recently constructed at Springdale, PA. Output from these units is sold exclusively to Allegheny Energy Supply, and transfer of ownership of these units to Allegheny Energy Supply is expected in 2001.

(c) Where more than one year is listed as a commencement date for a particular source, the dates refer to the years in which operations commenced for the different units at that source. The Hunlock coal unit date refers to the year in which part ownership was acquired by AE.

(d) AE's ownership interest in Hunlock Creek Energy Ventures results in the production of energy in shared amounts from the two units managed by that venture. Allegheny Energy Hunlock Creek, LLC's access to output at maximum generating capacity is as indicated on the table for the steam and gas-fired facilities. Allegheny Energy Supply Hunlock Creek, LLC's output is sold exclusively to Allegheny Energy Supply.

(e) Capacity entitlement through ownership of AGC, 27% and 73% by Monongahela and Allegheny Energy Supply, respectively.

(f) Allegheny Energy Supply has a 30-year license for Lake Lynn, effective December 1994. Potomac Edison's license for hydroelectric facilities Dam No. 4 and Dam No. 5 will expire in 2003. Potomac Edison has received 30-year licenses, effective January 1994, for the Shenandoah, Warren, Luray, and Newport projects. The FERC accepted Potomac Edison's surrender of the license for the Harper's Ferry Dam No. 3 and issued an order effective October 1994.

(g) Generating capacity available through state utility commission-approved arrangements pursuant to PURPA.

(h) The 180-MW AES Warrior Run project commenced commercial operation on February 10, 2000. Potomac Edison, as required under the terms of a Maryland Restructuring Settlement, began to offer the output of the AES Warrior Run project to the wholesale market beginning July 1, 2000 and will continue to do so for the term of the settlement. Revenue received from the sale will reduce the AES Warrior Run Surcharge paid by Maryland customers.

(i) On December 31, 1994, 82 MW, and on July 1, 1998, 50 MW of the total MW at Mitchell Power Station were reactivated.

24


ALLEGHENY MAP

 

     The Allegheny Map (Map), which has been filed with the SEC on Form SE, provides a broad illustration of the names and approximate locations of Allegheny's major generation and transmission facilities, both existing and under construction, in a five state region which includes portions of Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. Additionally, Extra High Voltage substations are displayed. By use of shading, the map also provides a general representation of the service areas of Monongahela (both gas and electric, including Mountaineer) (portions of West Virginia and Ohio), Potomac Edison (portions of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia), and West Penn (portions of Pennsylvania).

 

     Power Stations shown on the map which appear within the Monongahela service area are Willow Island, Pleasants, Harrison, Rivesville, Albright, and Fort Martin. The single power station appearing within the Potomac Edison service area is R. Paul Smith. The Bath County Power Station appears on the map just south of the westernmost portion of Potomac Edison's service area formed by the borders of Virginia and West Virginia. Power stations appearing within the West Penn service area are Armstrong, Mitchell, Hatfield's Ferry, Gans, Allegheny Energy Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2 and Lake Lynn. The Hunlock Creek Energy Ventures and Allegheny Energy Supply Conemaugh, LLC generating facilities are not depicted.

 

     The map also depicts transmission facilities, that are (i) owned solely by the Distribution Companies; (ii) owned by the Distribution Companies in conjunction with other utilities; or (iii) owned solely by other utilities. The transmission facilities portrayed range in voltage from 138 kV to 765 kV. Additionally, interconnections with other utilities are displayed.

25

 

     The following table sets forth the existing miles of tower and pole transmission and distribution lines and the number of substations of the Distribution Companies and AGC as of December 31, 2000:

Miles of Above-Ground Transmission and

Distribution Lines (a) and Number of Substations

 

Total Miles

Portion of Total Miles Representing 500-Kilovolt (kV) Lines

     

Monongahela

21,140

283

Potomac Edison

18,316

202

West Penn

24,223

273

AGC(b)

85

85

Total

63,764

843

(a) The Distribution Companies also have a total of 6,444 miles of underground distribution lines.
(b) Total Bath County transmission lines, of which AGC owns an undivided 40% interest and Virginia Power owns the remainder.

     The Distribution Companies' transmission network has 12 extra-high-voltage (EHV - 345kV and above) and 31 lower-voltage interconnections with neighboring utility systems. The interregional EHV transmission system, which includes the Distribution Companies' network, continued in 2000 to operate near reliability limits during periods of heavy power flows that in the past have had a predominantly west-to-east orientation. In early 1997, North American Electric Reliability Council undertook the development of a national transmission security process. The Distribution Companies serve as one of 22 regional Security Coordinators. This security process includes a Transmission Loading Relief (TLR) procedure that identifies actual flow path consequences of all power transactions, and can be used to reduce loading on the congested facilities. The new security process has provided a better exchange of operation planning information. It also has allowed more accurate evaluation of the transmission system and conditions in the Midwest that occasionally caused the predominant west-to-east power flow pattern across the Distribution Companies' network to reverse. The TLR procedure has been effective in addressing congestion caused by parallel path flows. Careful use of TLR, mainly by others, has resulted in fewer constraints on the Distribution Companies' transmission facilities. If TLR had not been available, many of those transmission congestion events would have required action in the form of transmission service curtailments.

 

     Wholesale generators and other wholesale customers may now seek from owners of bulk power transmission facilities a commitment to supply transmission services. (See discussion under ITEM 1. SALES. Regulatory Framework Affecting Power Sales). Such demand on the Distribution Companies' transmission facilities may add to heavy power flows on the Distribution Companies' facilities and may eventually require construction of additional transmission facilities.

26

 

     The Distribution Companies have, since the early 1980s, provided managed contractual access to their transmission facilities under various tariffs. For new agreements starting in 1996, managed access is also governed by the provisions of the Distribution Companies' Open Access Transmission Tariff mandated by and filed with the FERC.

 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

 

     The Distribution Companies and Allegheny Energy Supply spent $6.4 million and $7.0 million, in 2000 and 1999, respectively, for research programs. Of these amounts, $5.2 million and $5.5 million were for Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) dues in 2000 and 1999, respectively. EPRI is an industry-sponsored research and development institution. The Distribution Companies and Allegheny Energy Supply plan to spend approximately $6.6 million for research in 2001, with EPRI dues representing $5.1 million of that total.

 

     In addition to EPRI support, in-house research conducted by Allegheny concentrates on technology-based issues that are important developments for each of Allegheny's businesses. These technology drivers include products and services for environmental control, generating unit performance, future generation technologies, use of coal combustion by-products, transmission system performance, customer-related research, clean power technology which includes both power quality technology and distributed generation technology for customers, delivery systems equipment and sustainable energy technologies.

 

     Research is also being directed to help address major issues for Allegheny and the entire electric industry. These include electric and magnetic field (EMF) assessment of employee exposure within the work environment, Global Warming from Green House Gases (GHG) emissions, waste disposal and discharges to land, water and air resources, renewable resources, fuel cells, new combustion turbines, cogeneration technologies, transmission loading mitigation using Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) devices and new product development ventures.

 

     The use of biomass for cofiring and gasification are being developed with two Allegheny stations directly firing sawdust. The use of biomass lowers production cost, and results in lower emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides, particulate matter (PM), and carbon dioxide. It also reduces operation, maintenance and compliance costs.

 

     A new communication technology patented by employees of AESC and employees of Shenandoah Electronics Intelligence, Inc., is expected to be purchased and marketed. This technology is designed to read meters and provide control to customer premises using our distribution feeder lines and using digital and power electronic technology. The baud rate is low but very acceptable for metering and control services.

27



CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND FINANCING

 

Construction Expenditures

 

Allegheny Energy Supply and AGC

 

     Construction expenditures of Allegheny Energy Supply were $176.1 million and $50.8 million for 2000 and 1999, respectively. Total capital expenditures in 2000, including construction expenditures, for all generating assets operated or to be acquired by Allegheny Energy Supply (excluding generating assets currently owned by Monongahela) were $182.0 million and, for 2001 and 2002, are estimated at $1,947.4 million and $313.6 million, respectively. The 2001 and 2002 estimated expenditures include $148 million and $169 million, respectively, for environmental control technology. Outages for construction, CAAA compliance and other environmental work are and will continue to be, coordinated with other planned outages, where possible. Future construction expenditures will reflect additions of generating capacity to sell into deregulated markets. Allegheny Energy Supply could potentially face significant mandated increases in capital expenditures and operating costs related to environmental issues. Allegheny Energy Supply also has additional capital requirements for debt maturities.

 

     Construction expenditures by AGC in 2000 amounted to $1.0 million and for 2001 and 2002 are expected to be $.8 million, and $.2 million, respectively.

 
 

Distribution Companies

 

     Construction expenditures by the Distribution Companies in 2000 amounted to $207.6 million. Construction expenditures for 2001 and 2002 are expected to aggregate $233.3 million and $214.3 million, respectively. The 2001 and 2002 estimated regulated expenditures include $33.5 million and $41.7 million, respectively, to cover the costs of compliance with the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA). Expenditures to cover the costs of compliance with the CAAA and other environmental requirements have been and are likely to continue to be significant. Additionally, new environmental initiatives may substantially increase regulated construction requirements as early as 2001.

 

      Regulated generation-related expenditures by Monongahela for 2000, 2001, and 2002 include $43.8 million, $40.8 million, and $55.7 million, respectively, for construction of environmental control technology. Outages for construction, CAAA compliance and other environmental work is, and will continue to be, coordinated with other planned outages, where possible.

 

     Allegheny continues to study ways to reduce and meet existing regulated customer generation service demand and future increases in that demand, including new and efficient electric technologies; construction of various types and sizes of generating units that may be dedicated to regulated service (if any); increasing the efficiency and availability of Allegheny's regulated service generating facilities (if any); reducing internal

28

electrical use and transmission and distribution losses; and acquisition of energy and capacity from third-party suppliers whenever market prices are favorable versus native production or demand exceeds native production capability. The advent of retail choice of generation service supplier has introduced the potential for significant volatility within Allegheny's regulated generation service load growth profile. Since customers with choice can be expected to attempt to arbitrage any differentials between generation market prices and those set by regulators, the Distribution Companies' obligation to meet such load growth will increasingly become an exercise in trying to predict both the variable of general economic conditions in their service territories, as well as relative competitiveness of their regulated generation service pricing, versus the inherently more flexible pricing of unregulated generation suppliers. Potomac Edison and West Penn have contracts with Allegheny Energy Supply to supply them with power during the Pennsylvania and Maryland transition periods. Under these contracts, Allegheny Energy Supply provides these regulated electricity distribution affiliates with the amount of electricity, up to their retail load, that they may demand. These contracts represent a significant portion of the normal operating capacity of Allegheny Energy Supply's generating assets that were previously owned by West Penn and Potomac Edison.
 

     Current forecasts, which assume normal weather conditions, project winter and summer peaks within the Distribution Companies' control area to grow at an average rate of 0.9% and 1.0% per year, respectively, during the period 2001-2011. However, default service peak loads, which are the Distribution Companies' control area loads reduced to account for customers who choose alternate generation suppliers, are presently expected to decline at an annual rate of -0.3% and -0.6%, respectively. The level of competition actually realized for existing loads from the aforementioned unregulated suppliers could obviously have a substantial effect on those default service projections and the degree to which they fail to track with the control area load. It is anticipated that Allegheny's existing resources that are still state regulated, and existing or purchased power of various types, will be sufficient to serve the Distribution Companies' default service loads over the next few years.

 

     Construction of new transmission and distribution (T&D) assets is expected to continue at its historic rate, with no major divergent expenditures planned. Additionally, while meeting FERC and certain state regulatory requirements to join a Regional Transmission Organization does reassign the responsibility for planning major transmission systems from the incumbent transmission owner to a new independent authority, the Distribution Companies do not expect their affiliation with and formation of PJM West to result in near-term system expansion. Finally, retail choice will not greatly affect the projected need for new T&D plant since provision of delivery service remains within the authority of each Distribution Company.

 

     In connection with its construction programs, Allegheny must make estimates of the availability and cost of capital as well as the future demands of its customers that are necessarily subject to regional, national and international developments, changing business conditions, and other factors. The construction of facilities and their cost are affected by laws and regulations; lead times in manufacturing; availability of labor,

29

materials and supplies; inflation; interest rates; and licensing, rate, environmental, and other proceedings before regulatory authorities. Decisions regarding construction of facilities must now also take into account retail competition. As a result, future plans of Allegheny are subject to continuing review and substantial change.
 

Allegheny Ventures

 

     Construction expenditures by Allegheny Ventures in 2000 amounted to $13.6 million and for 2001 and 2002 are expected to be $50.7 million, and $15.5 million, respectively.

30

 

 

Construction Expenditures

 

2000

2001

2002

 

Millions of Dollars

 

(Actual)

(Estimated)

Monongahela

     

Generation

$ 36.5

$ 51.6

$ 66.1

Transmission & Distribution

45.7

64.1

55.2

Total*

$ 82.2

$ 115.7

$121.3

       

Potomac Edison

     

Generation

$ 16.8

$ -

$ -

Transmission & Distribution

55.5

49.9

48.5

Total*

$ 72.3

$ 49.9

$ 48.5

       

West Penn

     

Generation

$ -

$ -

$ -

Transmission & Distribution

53.1

51.6

50.2

Total*

$ 53.1

$ 51.6

$ 50.2

       

AESC

$ -

$ 21.9

$ 4.1

       

Total Construction Expenditures,

     

Regulated

$207.6

$ 239.1

$224.1

       

Allegheny Energy Supply*

$176.1

$1,940.9

$303.6

       

AGC

$ 1.0

$ .8

$ .2

       

Allegheny Ventures

$ 13.7

$ 50.7

$ 15.5

       

Other*

$ 4.8

$ -

$ -

   

Total Construction Expenditures

 

Unregulated

$195.6

$1,992.4

$319.3

       

Total Construction Expenditures

$403.2

$2,231.5

$543.4

 

*Includes allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC), or capitalized interest in the case of the generation business of West Penn and Allegheny Energy Supply, for 1999, 2000, and 2001 of: Monongahela $0.1, $0.1, and $0.1; Potomac Edison $0.6, $0.3, and $0.5; West Penn $0.1, $0.2, and $0.2; and Allegheny Energy Supply $0.0, 22.0, and 54.9.

 

     These capital expenditures include major projects at existing generating stations, upgrading distribution lines and substations, and the strengthening of the transmission and subtransmission systems.

31



Financing Programs

 

Allegheny Energy Supply

 

     To meet cash needs for operating expenses, the payment of interest, retirement of debt, and for Allegheny Energy Supply's acquisition and construction programs, Allegheny Energy Supply has used internally generated funds, member contributions, and external financings, such as debt instruments, installment loans, and lease arrangements. The availability and cost of external financings depend upon the financial condition of Allegheny Energy Supply and market conditions.

 

     Short-term debt increased to $198 million in 2000 and consists of commercial paper borrowings of $166 million and notes payable to AE of $53 million. At December 31, 2000, unused lines of credit with banks were $180 million.

 

     In November 2000, Allegheny Energy Supply consummated an operating lease transaction relating to the construction of a 540-MW combined-cycle generating plant located in Springdale, Pennsylvania. This transaction was structured to finance the construction of the plant with a maximum commitment amount of $318.4 million. Upon completion of the plant, a special purpose entity will lease the plant to Allegheny Energy Supply. Lease payments, to be recorded as rent expense, are estimated at $1.9 million per month, commencing during the second half of 2003 through 2005. Subsequently, Allegheny Energy Supply has the right to negotiate up to two five-year renewal terms or purchase the plant for the lessor's investment, or sell the plant and pay the difference between the proceeds and the lessor's investment up to a maximum recourse amount of approximately $275 million.

 

     The purchase of the Energy Trading Business from Merrill Lynch was financed through a combination of new debt and an agreement to transfer an ownership interest in Allegheny Energy Supply. Allegheny Energy Supply issued $490 million of new debt, including $400 million of 7.80% term notes due March 15, 2011 and $90 million of commercial paper. In addition, subject to regulatory approvals, Allegheny Energy Supply will transfer a 2% ownership interest in Allegheny Energy Supply to Merrill Lynch & Co. Inc., the Energy Trading Business' current parent company. In the event that regulatory approvals to transfer the ownership share are not received, Allegheny Energy Supply will instead pay Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc., a negotiated value in lieu of a two percent equity interest in Allegheny Energy Supply.

     The purchase of three natural gas-fired generating facilities at a cost of approximately $1.0 billion from Enron North America will be financed by the sale of approximately $500 million of common stock by AE and an initial bridge loan for the remaining purchase requirements of approximately $528 million plus transaction costs. The proceeds from the common stock sale will either be transferred to Allegheny Energy Supply as an equity contribution, or will be loaned to Allegheny Energy Supply in return for an interest-bearing note.

32

 

     Allegheny Energy Supply plans to construct a 1,080 MW natural gas-fired generating facility in LaPaz County, Arizona, approximately 75 miles west of Phoenix. Construction is expected to begin on the combined-cycle facility in 2002, to be completed in 2005.

     In January 2001, AE announced that Allegheny Energy Supply plans to construct a 630-MW natural gas-fired merchant generating facility in St. Joseph County, Indiana, approximately 10 miles west of South Bend. Allegheny Energy Supply expects construction on the facility to begin in 2002 and to be completed in two stages. Two 44-MW simple-cycle combustion turbines will be constructed in 2003, followed by the addition of 542 MW of combined-cycle capacity in 2005.

     In January, 2001, AE purchased 83 MW of Potomac Electric Power Company's share in the 1,711-MW Conemaugh generating station in west-central Pennsylvania at a cost of approximately $78 million. AE anticipates that it will transfer these generating assets to a subsidiary of Allegheny Energy Supply in 2001.

     In 1999, Allegheny Energy Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2, LLC, completed construction of and placed into operation two 44-MW, simple-cycle gas combustion turbines in Springdale, Pennsylvania. AE anticipates that it will transfer the subsidiary to Allegheny Energy Supply during 2001. Allegheny Energy Supply also plans to install two 44-MW simple-cycle combustion turbines in Harrison City, Pennsylvania during 2001.

    Allegheny Energy Supply anticipates meeting its 2001 cash needs through internal cash generation, cash on hand, short-term borrowings as necessary, external financings, lease arrangements, and by issuing debt and equity.

 

Distribution Companies and AGC

 

     The Distribution Companies and AGC have financed their construction programs through internally generated funds, first mortgage bonds, debentures, medium-term notes, subordinated debt and preferred stock issues, pollution control and solid waste disposal notes, installment loans, long-term lease arrangements, equity investments by AE (or, in the case of AGC, by its parent companies), and, where necessary, interim short-term debt. Their future ability to finance their construction programs by these means depends on many factors, including effects of competition and creditworthiness, and adequate revenues to produce satisfactory internally generated funds and return on the common equity portion of the Distribution Companies' capital structures and to support their issuance of senior and other securities.

     On March 1, 2000, $75 million of Potomac Edison's 5-7/8 percent series first mortgage bonds matured; Monongahela's $65 million of 5-5/8 percent series first mortgage bonds matured on April 1, 2000; and, in March, June, September, and December of 2000, West Penn redeemed a total of $46.8 million of class A-1 6.32 percent transition bonds.

     On June 1, 2000, Potomac Edison issued $80 million of floating rate private placement notes, due May 1, 2002, assumable by Allegheny Energy Supply upon its acquisition of Potomac Edison's Maryland generating assets.

33

In August 2000, after the Potomac Edison generating assets were transferred to Allegheny Energy Supply, the notes were remarketed as Allegheny Energy Supply floating rate (three-month London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus .80 percent) notes with the same maturity date. No additional proceeds were received.

     On August 18, 2000, Monongahela borrowed $61 million, under a senior secured credit facility, at a rate of 7.18 percent, with a maturity of November 20, 2000. On November 20, 2000, Monongahela paid off the original $61 million borrowing and borrowed $100 million at a rate of 7.21 percent with a maturity of May 21, 2001. The facility will be transferred to Allegheny Energy Supply concurrently with the transfer of Monongahela's West Virginia generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply.

     As part of the purchase of Mountaineer Gas on August 18, 2000, Monongahela assumed $100 million of existing Mountaineer Gas debt. This debt consists of several senior unsecured notes and a promissory note with fixed interest rates between 7.00 percent and 8.09 percent and maturity dates between April 4, 2009, and October 31, 2019.

     During 2001, Monongahela, Potomac Edison and West Penn anticipate meeting their capital requirements through a combination of internally generated funds, cash on hand, issuance of debt, short-term borrowing and leasing arrangements, as necessary.

 

     The Distribution Companies' and AGC's ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the year ended December 31, 2000 were as follows: Monongahela, 4.04, Potomac Edison, 3.70, West Penn, 3.30 and AGC, 3.18.

 

AE

 

     In August 2000, AE issued $165 million of unsecured notes at an interest rate of 7.75%, due August 1, 2005. In November 2000, AE issued an additional $135 million of unsecured notes at an interest rate of 7.75%, due August 1, 2005.

 

     During 2001, to finance the purchase of additional generating assets, AE plans to issue $500 million of common stock and enter into $550 million of debt, as a short-term bridge borrowing.

 

     Beginning in the third quarter of 1997, AE began buying shares in the open market for its Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan and its Employee Stock Ownership and Savings Plan, and in 1998 AE began buying shares in the open market for the Performance Share Plan. In addition, in 1999, AE began buying shares in the open market for the common stock portion of the Outside Directors' annual retainer.

 

     At December 31, 2000, Allegheny companies had short-term debt of $722 million outstanding. The borrowing positions of the individual companies were: AE $486 million, Monongahela $37 million, Potomac Edison $33 million, and Allegheny Energy Supply $166 million.

 

     Allegheny's consolidated capitalization ratios as of December 31, 2000

34

were: common equity, 39.8%; preferred stock, 1.7%; and long-term debt, 58.5%, including 6.1% of Quarterly Income Debt Securities.
 

     AE has announced that it is considering ways to maximize the value of its generating assets by separating them from the regulated business. This would include converting the unregulated generation subsidiary, Allegheny Energy Supply, into a stock corporation and selling all or a part of its common stock through an initial public offering or combining an initial public offering with a spin-off of the Allegheny Energy Supply stock held by AE to its stockholders. If completed, the initial public offering would reduce AE's share of Supply's earnings. If AE divests its remaining shares of Allegheny Energy Supply through the distribution of these shares to the holders of AE common stock, AE will have no share in Allegheny Energy Supply's earnings and AE's earnings will be primarily dependent upon the earnings of its regulated transmission and distribution business.

     In the event of an initial public offering of and/or spin-off of Allegheny Energy Supply or other similar strategy, AE's board of directors may elect to establish dividend policies for each business unit that would be consistent with its earnings prospects, growth rate, need for capital and other factors that would be different from and likely lower than the current policy for the integrated company.

 

FUEL SUPPLY

 

ELECTRIC GENERATION

 

     In 2000, generating stations owned by Allegheny Energy Supply, Monongahela and Potomac Edison burned approximately 18.5 million tons of local mid to high sulfur coal. Of that amount, 38% was used in stations equipped with scrubbers (7.0 million tons). The use of desulfurization equipment and the cleaning and blending of coal make burning local coal practical. In 2000, almost 100% of the coal received at these stations came from mines in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Ohio. None of the Allegheny companies mine or clean any coal. All raw, clean or washed coal from suppliers is purchased as necessary to meet station requirements.

 

     In 2000, Allegheny Energy Supply, Monongahela and Potomac Edison had long-term arrangements (i.e., terms of 12 months or longer) in place to purchase approximately 16.5 million tons of coal or 90.0% of the coal consumed in 2000. In 2000, Allegheny Energy Supply, Monongahela and Potomac Edison purchased approximately 11 million tons of coal from various local mines owned by subsidiary companies of one company. Long-term arrangements are in effect to provide for up to approximately 18.0 million tons of coal in 2001. Monongahela and Allegheny Energy Supply will depend on short-term arrangements and spot purchases for their remaining requirements. Through the year 2005, the total coal requirements of present Allegheny-operated stations are expected to be met with coal acquired under existing contracts or from known suppliers.

 

     For each of the years 1996 through 1999, the average cost per ton of coal burned was $32.25, $32.66, $32.26 and $30.18, respectively. For the

35

year 2000, the cost per ton decreased to $26.73.
 

     The Distribution Companies own coal reserves estimated to contain about 125 million tons of higher sulfur coal recoverable by deep mining. There are no present plans to mine these reserves and, in view of economic conditions now prevailing in the coal market, the Distribution Companies plan to hold the reserves as a long-term resource.

 

     The addition of natural gas-fired generation, both through acquisitions and construction, will diversify Allegheny Energy Supply's fuel mix from the current predominantly coal-fired generation facilities. This change in fuel mix and diversification is expected to assist Allegheny Energy Supply in reducing business risks.

 

     Long-term arrangements, subject to price change, are in effect and will provide for the lime requirements of scrubbers at Allegheny's scrubbed stations.

 

DISTRIBUTION GAS SUPPLY

 

     On September 30, 1998, Mountaineer entered into a Natural Gas Supply Management Agreement (Supply Agreement) with Coral Energy Resources, L.P. (Coral) an affiliate of Shell Oil Company, pursuant to which Coral became the principal gas supplier for Mountaineer for a three-year period commencing as of November 1, 1998. The term of the Supply Agreement coincides with the three-year West Virginia Rate Moratorium. The Rate Moratorium froze rates (fuel and base) until October 31, 2001. Mountaineer has filed a rate case requesting permission to increase rates beginning November 1, 2001.

 

     The Supply Agreement provides that Coral will be responsible for supplying in excess of 90% of Mountaineer's total annual gas requirements for the three-year term. The balance of Mountaineer's gas supply requirements will be purchased from local producers, including MGS-owned/operated production adding up to approximately 2.7 Bcf/year. Coral supplies the gas at a fixed price per decatherm (Dth) at the city gate up to approximately 24.4 Bcf annually. Any volumes in excess of 24.4 Bcf on an annual basis are priced at the lesser of a specified index or a previously agreed upon maximum cost.

 

     The following table indicates the volume of natural gas purchased and percentage of total volume of natural gas purchased, with respect to Mountaineer's largest suppliers for the year ended June 30, 2000:

 

 

2000

 

Volume
(Mmcf)

% of
Total

MGS-owned/operated production

1,949

8%

Coral Energy Resources, L.P.

22,591

90%

Other Appalachian Basin producers

483

2%

 

     MGS operates natural gas producing properties, gas gathering facilities,

36

and intra-state transmission pipelines and is engaged in the sale and marketing of natural gas in the Appalachian basin. MGS owns more than 375 natural gas wells located throughout West Virginia and surrounding production areas and has active leaseholds that cover more than 86,000 acres. MGS also has a net revenue interest in about 100 wells of which it is not the operator.
 

     The West Virginia PSC regulates MGS sales to Mountaineer, which accounts for the majority of MGS sales. The contract period runs concurrently with the current moratorium. The price for these sales is calculated by adding the Inside FERC's Gas Market Report Columbia Gas-Appalachia Index and the Columbia Gas ITS rate (approximately 18 cents April - October; and 25 cents November - March). MGS production makes up in excess of 90% of the total local production purchased by Mountaineer.

 

     In December 1999, Monongahela purchased the assets of West Virginia Power from UtiliCorp United Inc. The following table sets forth the volume of Monongahela/UtiliCorp United's natural gas purchases and percentage of total volume of natural gas purchased, excluding Mountaineer's own purchases and production, for the years ended June 30:

 

2000

1999

1998

Volume

% of

Volume

% of

Volume

% of

(Mmcf)

Total

(Mmcf)

Total

(Mmcf)

Total

WV Production Contracts

1,894

61.08%

2,044

60.08%

2,479

69.44%

Cabot Oil and Gas Marketing

772

24.90%

722

21.22%

1,061

29.72%

Other Supply Volumes

435

14.02%

636

18.70%

30

0.84%



GAS TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE CAPACITY

 

     The gas purchased from producer/suppliers in the Gulf Coast region is transported through the interstate pipeline systems of Columbia Gulf Transmission Company (Columbia Gulf) and Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation (Columbia Gas) to Mountaineer's local distribution facilities in West Virginia. During the calendar year 2000, Columbia Gas transported approximately 83% of the gas purchased by Mountaineer in the Appalachian region, with the balance transported by Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company or directly delivered into Mountaineer's gas utility distribution system.

 

     To ensure continuous, uninterrupted service to its customers, Mountaineer has in place long-term transportation and service agreements with Columbia Gas and Columbia Gulf. These contracts cover a wide range of transportation services and volumes, ranging from firm transportation service to no-notice service and storage with such contracts expiring on October 31, 2004. Under the terms of the Supply Agreement, Coral has assumed the management and the financial obligations of virtually all of Mountaineer's total firm transportation and storage contracts. The combination of this Supply Agreement and the Rate Moratorium substantially reduces Mountaineer's

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exposure to gas cost fluctuations.
 

     Typically, the gas industry uses gas sales and/or transportation contracts for load management purposes. Under such contracts, the users purchase and/or transport gas with the understanding that they may be forced to shut down or switch to alternate sources of energy at times when the gas is needed for higher priority customers or interruptible transportation on the transporting pipeline is curtailed. In addition, during times of extraordinary supply problems, curtailments of deliveries to customers with firm contracts may be made in accordance with guidelines established by appropriate federal and state regulatory agencies.

 

     Since July 1999, Mountaineer has served a number of interruptible sales customers who are capable of utilizing alternate fuels an energy source at their respective business facilities. In 2000, Mountaineer did not have to interrupt these customers because of supply or transportation capacity scarcity or curtailments.

 

RATE MATTERS

 

Monongahela

 

     In March 2000, the West Virginia legislature passed House Resolution 27 approving an electric deregulation plan submitted by the WV PSC with certain modifications. Under the resolution, the implementation of the West Virginia deregulation plan cannot occur until the legislature enacts certain tax changes regarding the preservation of tax revenues for state and local government and other changes conforming to the plan and authorizing implementation. The plan provides for all customers to have choice of a generation supplier and allows Monongahela to transfer the West Virginia portion (approximately 2,004 MW) of its generation assets to Allegheny Energy Supply.

 

     On June 23, 2000, the West Virginia PSC approved a Joint Stipulation and Agreement for Settlement, stating agreed-upon rates designed to make the rates of Potomac Edison and Monongahela consistent. Under the terms of the settlement, several tariff schedules, notably those available to residential and small commercial customers, will require incremental steps to reach the agreed-upon rate level. The settlement rates resulted in a revenue reduction for Monongahela of approximately $.5 million for 2000, increasing over 8 years to an annual reduction of approximately $6.0 million. Offsetting the decrease in rates, the settlement approved by the West Virginia PSC directs Monongahela to amortize the existing overcollected deferred fuel balance as of June 30, 2000 (a total of approximately $6.0 million) as a reduction of expenses over a four and one-half year period beginning July 1, 2000. Also, on July 1, 2000, Potomac Edison and Monongahela ceased their expanded net energy cost (fuel clause) as part of the settlement.

 

     On June 23, 2000, the West Virginia PSC also issued an order regarding the transfer of the generation assets of Monongahela. In part, the order requires that after implementation of the deregulation plan, Monongahela file a petition seeking a West Virginia PSC finding that the proposed transfer of generation assets complies with the conditions of the deregulation plan.

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The June 23, 2000 order also permits Monongahela to submit a petition to the West Virginia PSC seeking approval to transfer its West Virginia generation assets prior to the implementation of the deregulation plan. A filing before implementation of the deregulation plan is required to include commitments to the consumer and other protections contained in the deregulation plan. On August 15, 2000, with a supplemental filing on October 31, 2000, Monongahela filed a petition seeking West Virginia PSC approval to transfer its West Virginia generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply contemporaneously with the transfer of its Ohio generation assets. Monongahela cannot predict when the West Virginia PSC will act on its filing since the PSC is waiting for legislative action.
 

     Monongahela expanded its service territory with the acquisition of West Virginia Power in December 1999. Also, Monongahela acquired Mountaineer in August 2000. The acquisition of Mountaineer included Mountaineer Gas Services (MGS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mountaineer.

 

     Sales of MGS production (both owned and purchased from third parties) are by and large made to Mountaineer. With regard to MGS-owned production, the rate is regulated by the WV PSC for the period that runs concurrently with the West Virginia current rate moratorium and is indexed at the Inside FERC's Gas Market Report Columbia Gas-Appalachia Index, plus the Columbia Gas ITS rate (approximately 18 cents April - October; and 25 cents November - March). MGS-owned production accounts for in excess of 90% of the system supply purchased by Mountaineer that is not purchased under the Supply Agreement with Coral.

 

     On October 11, 2000, the West Virginia PSC approved an interim increase on the commodity rate for gas customers of Monongahela (formerly West Virginia Power customers) for gas service bills rendered on and after December 1, 2000. On December 11, 2000, the West Virginia PSC approved additional increases for bills rendered on and after January 1, 2001 through November 30, 2001 (total revenue increase for the twelve-month period of $5.1 million or 22.6%). The commodity rate is the portion of the bill that reflects the cost of gas, which increased significantly during 2000. The West Virginia PSC has approved a tiered rate structure with rates established for the winter heating season, effective January 1, 2001 through April 30, 2001 and further increased rates effective May 1, 2001 through November 30, 2001, dependent upon the level of cost recovery after the winter heating season. This approach allows Monongahela full recovery of these costs but eases the increase on the average customer. These increases have no effect on earnings because they were implemented via the Purchased Gas Adjustment mechanism. Under the Purchased Gas Adjustment procedure, differences between revenues received for energy costs and actual energy costs are deferred until the next proceeding when energy rates are adjusted to return or recover previous overrecoveries or underrecoveries, respectively.

 

     On January 4, 2001, Mountaineer filed for a rate increase with the West Virginia PSC in response to significant increases in the market price for natural gas. If natural gas prices remain at levels as of January 2, 2001, the proposed overall rates will increase approximately 39 percent ($67 million) over present rates. Mountaineer anticipates that the West Virginia PSC will postpone the effective date until November 1, 2001 when the current

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rate moratorium ends. The conclusion of the current rate moratorium coincides with the expiration of the Supply Agreement with Coral.
 

      In October 2000, the Ohio PUC approved a settlement that implemented a restructuring plan for Monongahela. This restructuring plan allowed Ohio customers of Monongahela to choose their generation supplier starting January 1, 2001. Also, Monongahela is permitted to transfer the Ohio portion (approximately 352 MW) of its generation assets to Allegheny Energy Supply at net book value on or after January 1, 2001. Monongahela expects to transfer these assets in April, 2001. Additionally, the plan provides for the following: Residential customers will receive a five percent reduction in the generation portion of their electric bills during a five-year market development period beginning on January 1, 2001 and these rates will be frozen for the five years; for commercial and industrial customers, existing generation rates will be frozen at the current rates for the market development period, which began on January 1, 2001 (The market development period is three years for large commercial and industrial customers and five years for small commercial customers); Monongahela may collect from shopping customers a regulatory transition charge of $0.0008 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for the market development period; Allegheny Energy Supply is permitted to offer competitive generation service throughout Ohio; and, that additional taxes resulting from competition legislation will be deferred for up to two years as a regulatory asset.

 

Potomac Edison

 

     In December 1999, the Maryland PSC approved a settlement agreement which allowed customer choice of generation suppliers effective July 1, 2000, for nearly all Maryland customers of Potomac Edison. In June 2000, the Maryland PSC authorized Potomac Edison to transfer the Maryland portion of its generation assets to Allegheny Energy Supply on or after July 1, 2000. Potomac Edison also obtained the necessary approvals from the Virginia SCC and the WV PSC to transfer the Virginia and West Virginia portions of Potomac Edison's generation assets to Allegheny Energy Supply in conjunction with the transfer of the Maryland portion of those assets. In August 2000, Potomac Edison transferred approximately 2,100 MW of its Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia generation assets to Allegheny Energy Supply. Certain small hydroelectric facilities located in Virginia are to be transferred to a subsidiary of Allegheny Energy Supply during 2001. On December 14, 2000, the VA SCC approved the transfer of these hydro facilities to Green Valley Hydro, LLC (a subsidiary of Potomac Edison).

 

     On July 11, 2000, the Virginia SCC issued an order approving Potomac Edison's separation plan that provided for the transfer of its Virginia jurisdictional generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply. In conjunction with the separation plan, the Virginia SCC approved a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU provided that, effective with bills rendered on or after August 7, 2000, base rates were reduced by $1 million; Potomac Edison would not file for a base rate increase prior to January 1, 2001; and fuel rates would be rolled into base rates effective with bills rendered on or after August 7, 2000. A fuel rate adjustment credit was also implemented on August 7, 2000, reducing annual fuel revenues by $750,000. Effective August 2001, the fuel rate adjustment credit will drop to $250,000.

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Effective August 2002, the fuel rate adjustment credit will be eliminated. In addition, Potomac Edison has agreed to operate and maintain its distribution system in Virginia at or above historic levels of service quality and reliability, and, during the default service period, to contract for generation service to be provided to customers at rates set in accordance with the Virginia Electric Utility Restructuring Act.
 

     On August 10, 2000, Potomac Edison filed an application with the Virginia SCC to transfer the hydroelectric assets located within the state of Virginia to Green Valley Hydro, LLC (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Potomac Edison). On December 14, 2000, the Virginia SCC approved the transfer. Potomac Edison anticipates the transfer will occur during the second quarter of 2001, after receiving final approval from the SEC. In 2001, Green Valley Hydro, LLC will become a subsidiary of Allegheny Energy Supply.

 

     All Virginia utilities were required to submit a restructuring plan by January 1, 2001, to be effective on January 1, 2002. Accordingly, Potomac Edison filed Phase II of the Functional Separation Plan with the Virginia SCC on December 19, 2000.

 

     Potomac Edison decreased the fuel portion of Maryland customers' bills by about $6.4 million annually effective with bills rendered on or after December 7, 1999, based on the outcome of proceedings before the Maryland PSC. A proposed order was issued on February 18, 2000, granting the requested decrease in Potomac Edison's fuel rate, and on March 21, 2000, the proposed order became final. Effective July 1, 2000, coincident with Customer Choice in Maryland, the fuel rates were rolled into base rates.

 

     On March 24, 2000, the Maryland PSC issued an order requiring Potomac Edison to refund the 1999 deferred fuel balance overrecovery of approximately $9.9 million to customers over a period of twelve months beginning April 30, 2000. The refund of the overrecovered balance does not affect Potomac Edison's earnings since the overrecovered amounts had been deferred.

 

     On October 4, 2000, the Maryland PSC approved Potomac Edison's filing which represents the final reconciliation of its deferred fuel balance. Potomac Edison is refunding to customers the $3.2 million overrecovery balance existing in the Maryland deferred fuel account as of September 30, 2000. The deferred fuel credit to customers began in October 2000 and will be effective until the balance falls to zero, which is projected to take twelve months. The refund of the overrecovered balance does not affect Potomac Edison's earnings since the overrecovered amounts had been deferred.

 

     On June 23, 2000, the West Virginia PSC approved a Joint Stipulation and Agreement for Settlement, stating agreed-upon rates designed to make the rates of Potomac Edison and Monongahela consistent. Under the terms of the settlement, several tariff schedules, notably those available to residential and small commercial customers, will require incremental steps to reach the agreed-upon rate level. The settlement rates resulted in a revenue increase for Potomac Edison of approximately $.2 million for 2000, increasing over 8 years to an annual increase of approximately $4.3 million. The settlement approved by the West Virginia PSC directs Potomac Edison to amortize the existing overcollected deferred fuel balance as of June 30, 2000 (a total of

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approximately $10.0 million) as a reduction of expenses over a four and one-half year period beginning July 1, 2000. Also, on July 1, 2000, Potomac Edison and Monongahela ceased their expanded net energy cost (fuel clause) as part of the settlement.
 

     On November 29, 2000, the Maryland PSC approved the Power Sales Agreement between Potomac Edison, d/b/a Allegheny Power, and PG&E Energy Trading-Power, L.P. covering the sale of the AES Warrior Run output to the wholesale market for the period January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2001. The AES Warrior Run cogeneration project was developed under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) and achieved commercial operation on February 10, 2000. Under the terms of the Maryland deregulation plan approved in 1999, the revenues from the sale of the AES Warrior Run output are used to offset the capacity and energy costs Potomac Edison pays to the AES Warrior Run cogeneration project before determining amounts to be recovered from Maryland customers.

 

     Effective with bills rendered on or after January 8, 2001, there was an increase in Maryland base rates. This increase is a result of the phase-in of the rate increase approved by the Maryland PSC on October 27, 1998. A settlement agreement, which includes recognition and dollar-for-dollar recovery of costs to be incurred from the AES Warrior Run PURPA project, was filed with the Maryland PSC on July 30, 1998 and was approved on October 27, 1998. The Maryland PSC approved rates to each customer class on December 22, 1998. Under the terms of the agreement, Potomac Edison increased its rates about 4% in each of the years 1999 and 2000, and will increase rates by about 4% in 2001 (a $79 million total revenue increase during 1999 through 2001). The increases are designed to recover additional costs of about $131 million, over the period 1999-2001, for capacity purchases from the AES Warrior Run project net of alleged overearnings of $52 million for the same period. The agreement also requires that Potomac Edison share with customers 50 percent of earnings above an 11.4 percent return on equity for 1999 and 2000. As a result, 50 percent of the amount above the threshold earnings amount, or $9.7 million applicable to 1999, is being distributed to customers in the form of an Earnings Sharing Credit effective June 7, 2000 through April 30, 2001. Any sharing of earnings required for 2000 will be reflected as a credit on customers' bills starting in May 2001.

 

West Penn

 

      In November 1998, the Pennsylvania PUC approved a settlement agreement between West Penn and parties to West Penn's restructuring proceeding. Under the terms of the settlement, two-thirds of West Penn's customers were permitted to choose an alternate generation supplier as of January 2, 1999. The remaining one-third of West Penn's customers were permitted to do so starting January 2, 2000. The settlement agreement provided for a rate refund from 1998 revenue (about $25 million) via a 2.5% rate decrease throughout 1999, capped rate provisions and recovery of $670 million of transition costs during the transition period (1999 through 2008). In 1999, West Penn issued $600 million of transition bonds to "securitize" most of the transition costs. As a result of the "securitization" of transition costs, West Penn is authorized by the Pennsylvania PUC to collect an intangible transition charge (ITC) to provide revenues to service the transition bonds

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and the competitive transition charge (CTC) was correspondingly reduced. Actual CTC revenues billed to customers in 2000 and 1999 totaled $7.6 million and $92.7 million, respectively, net of gross receipts tax and a separate agreement with one customer to accelerate the recovery of CTC. Through December 31, 2000, the Company has recorded a regulatory asset of $25.3 million for the difference in the authorized CTC revenues, adjusted for $1 million securitization savings to be shared with customers and the actual transition revenues billed to customers. The Pennsylvania PUC has approved the recovery of this regulatory asset through a true-up mechanism. On December 21, 2000, the Pennsylvania PUC issued an order authorizing West Penn to defer the cumulative underrecovery of the "unsecuritized" transition costs as a regulatory asset for full and complete recovery. The November 1998 settlement also allowed West Penn to transfer its 3,778 MW of generating assets at net book value to Allegheny Energy Supply, which was completed in 1999.
 

AGC

 

     AGC's rates are set by a formula filed with and previously accepted by the FERC. The only component that can change is the return on equity (ROE). Pursuant to a settlement agreement filed with the FERC on April 4, 1996, AGC's ROE was set at 11% for 1996 and will continue at that rate until the time any affected party requests and the Commission grants a change. No party has requested any change.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

 

     The operations of the Allegheny-owned facilities, including generating stations, are subject to regulation as to air and water quality, hazardous and solid waste disposal, and other environmental matters by various federal, state, and local authorities. The generating units now owned by Allegheny Energy Supply are subject to the same environmental regulations as they were when owned by the Distribution Companies.

 

     The cost of meeting known environmental standards is provided in the "Capital Requirements and Financing" section of this report. Additional legislation or regulatory control requirements have been proposed and, if enacted, will require modifying, supplementing, or replacing equipment at existing stations at substantial additional cost.

Air Standards

 

     Allegheny currently meets applicable standards as to particulate emissions at its power stations through high-efficiency electrostatic precipitators, cleaned coal, flue-gas conditioning, and, at times, reduction of output. From time to time, minor excursions of stack emission opacity, normal to fossil fuel operations, are experienced and are accommodated by the regulatory process.

 

     Allegheny meets current emission standards as to sulfur dioxide (SO2) by the use of scrubbers, the burning of low-sulfur coal, the purchase of cleaned coal to lower the sulfur content, and the blending of low-sulfur with higher sulfur coal.

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     The Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA), among other things, require an annual reduction in total utility emissions within the United States of 10 million tons of SO2 and two million tons of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from 1980 emission levels, to be completed in two phases, Phase I and Phase II. Five coal-fired Allegheny plants were affected in Phase I, and the remaining plants were affected in Phase II. Installation of scrubbers at the Harrison Power Station was the strategy undertaken by Allegheny to meet the required SO2 emission reductions for Phase I (1995-1999). Allegheny estimates that its allowances will allow it to economically comply with Phase II SO2 limits through at least 2005 and beyond. Studies are ongoing to evaluate cost-effective options to comply with Phase II SO2 limits, including those available in connection with the emission allowance trading market. Burner modifications at most of the Allegheny-operated stations satisfy the NOx emission reduction requirements for the acid rain (Title IV) provisions of the CAAA. Additional NOx reductions, which will require some Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) or other post-combustion control technologies, are being mandated in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia for ozone nonattainment (Title I) reasons. Continuous emission monitoring equipment has been installed on all Phase I and Phase II units.

 

     In an effort to introduce market forces into pollution control, the CAAA created SO2 emission allowances. An allowance is defined as an authorization to emit one ton of SO2 into the atmosphere. Subject to regulatory limitations, allowances may be sold or banked for future use or sale. Allegheny received, through an industry allowance pooling agreement, a total of approximately 554,000 bonus and extension allowances during Phase I. These allowances were in addition to the CAAA Table A allowances that the Allegheny subsidiaries received of approximately 356,000 per year during the Phase I years. Beginning in 2000 for Phase II, Allegheny receives approximately 220,000 allowances per year. As part of its compliance strategy, Allegheny continues to study and, where appropriate, participate in the allowance market, making sales or purchases of allowances or participating in certain derivative or hedging allowance transactions.

 

     Title I of the CAAA established an Ozone Transport Region (OTR) consisting of the District of Columbia, the northern part of Virginia, and 11 northeastern states including Maryland and Pennsylvania. Sources within the OTR were required to reduce NOx emissions, a precursor of ozone, to a level conducive to attainment of the one-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). The installation of Reasonably Available Control Technology (RACT) (overfire air equipment and/or low NO x burners) at all Pennsylvania and Maryland stations was completed by 1995. The installation of RACT also satisfied Title IV NOx reduction requirements.

 

     Title I of the CAAA also established an Ozone Transport Commission (OTC), which determined that utilities within the OTR would be required to make additional NO x reductions beyond RACT in order for the OTR to meet the ozone NAAQS. Under terms of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among the OTR states, Allegheny-operated stations located in Maryland and Pennsylvania were required to reduce NOx emissions by approximately 55% from the 1990 baseline emissions, with a compliance date of May 1999. RACT controls installed in Allegheny's Maryland and Pennsylvania generating plants allowed

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Allegheny to meet this compliance goal, and are expected to maintain the 55% reduction requirement through the year 2002. Further reductions of 75% from the 1990 baseline may be required by May 2003 under Phase III of the MOU. However, the MOU Phase III NOx reductions will most likely be superseded by the EPA's NOx State Implementation Plan (SIP) call as discussed below.
 

     In October 1998, the EPA issued a NOx SIP call rule that required the equivalent of a uniform 0.15 lb/mmBtu emission rate throughout a 22-state region, including Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, beginning May 2003. The EPA's NOx SIP call regulation has been under litigation, but on March 3, 2000 the DC Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision that upheld the regulation. However, the court did issue a subsequent order on August 30, 2000 that postponed the initial compliance date of the NOx SIP call from May 2003 to May 2004. An appeal of the March 3, 2000 court decision is pending before the U.S. Supreme Court. During 2000, Pennsylvania and Maryland promulgated final rules to implement the EPA's NOx SIP call requirements beginning May 2003. Maryland and Pennsylvania are not expected to delay this implementation date, nor are they legally required to do so. Also in 2000, West Virginia issued a proposed rule to implement the EPA's NOx SIP call requirements beginning May 2005. However, the EPA has indicated they are unlikely to approve the West Virginia rule unless it is revised to conform to the NOx SIP call requirements, including an initial compliance date of May 2004. Allegheny's compliance with such stringent regulations will require the installation of expensive post-combustion control technologies on most of its power stations.

 

     In August 1997, eight northeastern states filed Section 126 petitions with the EPA requesting the immediate imposition of up to an 85% NOx reduction from utilities located in the Midwest and Southeast (West Virginia included). The petitions claim NOx emissions from these upwind sources are preventing their attainment of the ozone standard. In May 1999, the EPA issued a technical approval of the petitions and in December 1999 granted final approval of four of the petitions. The Section 126 petition rulemaking is also under litigation, with a decision expected Spring 2001. Allegheny's compliance plan for the Section 126 petition rulemaking would be the same as the NOx SIP call compliance plan discussed above.

 

     The EPA is required by law to regularly review the NAAQS for criteria pollutants including ozone, particulate, SO2, and NOx. Previous court orders in litigation by the American Lung Association have expedited these reviews. The EPA in 1996 decided not to revise the SO2 and NOx standards. Revisions to PM and ozone standards were promulgated by the EPA in July 1997. However, the revised standards were legally challenged and in May 1999 the DC Circuit Court of Appeals remanded the revised standards back to the EPA for further consideration. That ruling is currently under appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court with a decision expected Spring 2001. Also, in May 1999, the EPA promulgated final regional haze regulations to improve visibility in Class I federal areas (national parks and wilderness areas). The EPA regional haze regulation is also under litigation. If eventually upheld in court, subsequent state regulations could require additional reduction of SO2 and/or NOx emissions from Allegheny facilities. The effect on Allegheny of revision to any of these standards or regulations is unknown at this time, but could be substantial.

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     In 1989, the West Virginia Air Pollution Control Commission approved the construction of a third-party cogeneration facility in the vicinity of Rivesville, West Virginia. Emissions impact modeling for that facility raised concerns about the compliance of Monongahela's Rivesville Station with ambient standards for SO2. Pursuant to a consent order, Monongahela agreed to collect on-site meteorological data and conduct additional dispersion modeling in order to demonstrate compliance. The modeling study and a compliance strategy recommending construction of a new "good engineering practices" (GEP) stack were submitted to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WVDEP) in June 1993. Costs associated with the GEP stack are approximately $25 million. Monongahela is awaiting action by the WVDEP.

 

     Under an EPA-approved consent order with Pennsylvania, West Penn completed construction of a GEP stack at the Armstrong Power Station in 1982 at a cost of more than $13 million with the expectation that the EPA's reclassification of Armstrong County to "attainment status" under NAAQS for SO2 would follow. As a result of the 1985 revision of its stack height rules, the EPA refused to reclassify the area to attainment status. Subsequently, West Penn filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit for review of that decision as well as a petition for reconsideration with the EPA. In 1988, the Court dismissed West Penn's appeal, stating it could not decide the case while West Penn's request for reconsideration before the EPA was pending. West Penn cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding.

 

     In March 1998, the EPA released its Utility Air Toxics Report to Congress. The report itself did not recommend regulatory controls. However, the EPA did make a determination for regulatory controls in December 2000. The regulatory determination did not include any recommendations regarding the level or timing of reductions. However, the EPA plans to issue a proposed rule by December 2003 and a final rule by December 2004. Based on this schedule, it is unlikely implementation of mercury controls would be required before 2007-08.



Water Standards

 

     Under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), permits for all of Allegheny's stations and disposal sites are in place and all facilities are compliant with all permit terms, conditions and effluent limitations. However, as permits are renewed, more stringent permit limitations are being applied. Thus far Allegheny has successfully developed and scientifically justified, to the satisfaction of the regulatory agencies, alternate site-specific water quality criteria and thus avoided incurring the capital costs and potential liabilities of advanced wastewater treatment.

 

     However, there is significant activity at the Federal level on Clean Water Act (CWA) issues. There are pending rulemakings, for example regarding the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) program, water quality standards, antidegradation review, human health and aquatic life water quality criteria, and mixing zones and CWA Section 316(b) Cooling Water Intake Structure. In

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addition, the EPA is developing new policies concerning protection of endangered species under the CWA and imposition of new CWA requirements to address sediment and biological water quality criteria contamination. The outcome of these rulemakings will fundamentally change the traditional water quality management program from a chemical specific control of point sources to comprehensive and integrated watershed management. This regulatory shift will result in more restrictions on facility discharges as well as nonpoint source runoff resulting from land use practices such as agriculture and forestry and will ultimately address water quality impairment caused by atmospheric deposition.
 

     Over the past several years TMDLs have become a significant issue because of successful legal challenges to the EPA's treatment of TMDLs under the CWA in various states. Resulting consent orders in West Virginia and Pennsylvania require development and implementation of waste loads for point sources and load allocations for nonpoint sources on numerous water bodies not currently meeting water quality standards within a relatively short time frame (twelve years). Because of the scientific complexity of the issue, paucity of water quality data, the resource limitations of the state agencies as well as political considerations, it is likely that resulting TMDLs will require a disproportionate reduction in point source versus nonpoint source discharges. The direct result of the TMDLs will be further reductions in the amount of pollutants permitted to be discharged by Allegheny-owned power stations located on water quality impaired rivers. Indirectly, TMDL's can adversely affect Allegheny by prohibiting new or increased discharges and curtailing the wastewater discharges of its industrial customers.

 

     On July 13, 2000 the EPA finalized a rule that modifies the way states are required to implement the TMDL provisions of the CWA. The rule has drawn widespread bipartisan criticism from the regulated community, environmental organizations, governors, and state regulators, primarily because it usurps state authority, lacks a sound scientific basis and requires states to develop and implement a complex program in a short time frame with inadequate federal support. Congress responded to the criticism by placing a provision in a supplemental appropriations bill prohibiting the EPA from implementing the rule until October 2001. Although the final rule is not as onerous as the proposal, it still carries objectionable provisions, particularly those that require preparation of TMDLs for water bodies that are impaired in whole or in part by air emissions (particularly NOx and mercury). A number of petitions for review have been filed by various industry, agricultural, forestry and environmental groups with briefing likely to occur in 2001.

 

     The full implications of the evolving TMDL program will not be known until the EPA implements the final rule, the challenges are settled, and TMDLs are developed and implemented in specific watersheds.

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     In anticipation of the potentially adverse impact of the TMDL program, Allegheny is proactively working with a number of watershed TMDL stakeholder groups, state agencies and the EPA to ensure development of sound and equitable TMDLs.

 

     In January 1993, The Hudson Riverkeeper and other environmental groups filed suit against the EPA to force the agency to promulgate rules that would minimize environmental impact from cooling water intake structures. Section 316(b) of the CWA requires that cooling water intake structures reflect the best technology available (BTA) for minimizing adverse environmental impacts. After several amendments, the resulting consent decree divides the rulemaking into three phases:

 

1. Phase 1 applies to new facilities that employ a cooling water intake structure. The proposal was promulgated in June 2000 and final action must be taken by November 2001.

2. Phase 2 pertains to existing utilities and non-utility power producers that currently employ a cooling water intake structure, and whose flow exceeds a minimum threshold to be determined by the EPA. The rule is to be proposed by February 2002 with final action taken by August 2003.

3. Phase 3 will govern existing facilities that employ a cooling water intake structure not covered by the Phase 2 rule (pulp and paper, chemical plants, etc.) and whose intake flow exceeds a minimum threshold that will be determined by the EPA. The proposal is due by June 2003 with final action in December 2004.

 

     The Phase 1 new facility rule proposes strict uniform minimum technology requirements along with extensive site-specific study and monitoring requirements. If the proposal stands, new facilities will suffer severe siting restrictions, and will be subjected to costly environmental studies and time delays to accomplish the studies. In some situations, the new facilities could be required to apply dry cooling at significant additional cost. Moreover, the precedent-setting impact the new facility rule would have on existing facilities could be significant. It likely will require additional environmental studies and possibly even the installation of cooling towers on those facilities that are shown to be causing an "adverse environmental impact." Additionally, specific units could be forced to accept overall flow volume and velocity restrictions in water usage that could lead to derating units and undesirable energy supply reductions.



Hazardous and Solid Wastes

 

     Pursuant to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA) and the Hazardous and Solid Waste Management Amendments of 1984, the EPA regulates the disposal of hazardous and solid waste materials. Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia have also enacted hazardous and solid waste management regulations that are as stringent as or more stringent than the corresponding the EPA regulations.

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     Allegheny is in a continual process of either permitting new or re-permitting existing disposal capacity to meet future disposal needs. All disposal areas are currently operated to be in compliance with their permits.

 

     In addition to using coal combustion by-products (CCB's) in various power plant applications such as scrubber by-product stabilization at Harrison and Mitchell Power Stations, Allegheny Energy Supply on its own behalf and on behalf of Monongahela Power (the only Distribution Company still owning generation) continues to expand its efforts to market CCB's for beneficial applications and thereby reduce landfill requirements. In 2000, Allegheny received approximately $1,100,000 from the external sale and utilization of approximately 435,000 tons of fly ash, 225,000 tons of bottom ash and 28,000 tons of boiler slag. These CCB's were beneficially used in applications such as cement replacement, anti-skid materials, grit blasting material, mine reclamation, mine subsidence, structural fills, and grouting of mines and oil wells.

 

     Allegheny completed the construction of a processing plant, which will convert the flue gas desulfurization by-product from the Pleasants Power Station into a commercial grade synthetic gypsum material to be used in the manufacture of wallboard. The processing plant went into commercial production in 2000 and is expected to produce between 400,000 and 600,000 tons of gypsum per year for a wallboard manufacturing facility. This process will significantly reduce the amount of by-product going to an impoundment.

 

     Potomac Edison received a notice from the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) in 1990 regarding a remediation ordered under Maryland law at a facility previously owned by Potomac Edison. The MDE has identified Potomac Edison as a potentially responsible party under Maryland law. Remediation is being implemented by the current owner of the facility which is located in Frederick. It is not anticipated that Potomac Edison's share of remediation costs, if any, will be substantial.

 

     The Distribution Companies are also among a group of potentially responsible parties under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended (CERCLA), for the Jack's Creek/Sitkin Smelting Superfund Site and the Butler Tunnel Superfund Site in Pennsylvania. (See ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS for a description of these Superfund cases.)



Toxic Release Inventory (TRI)

 

     On Earth Day 1997, President Clinton announced the expansion of Right-to-Know Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) reporting to include electric utilities, limited to facilities that combust coal and/or oil for the purpose of generating power for distribution in commerce. The purpose of TRI is to provide site-specific information on chemical releases to the air, land, and water. On June 4, 1999, AE joined with other members of the Edison Electric Institute in reporting power station releases to the public. Packets of information about power station releases were provided to media in Allegheny's service area and posted on the AE web site. The first TRI report was filed with the Environmental Protection Agency prior to the July 1, 1999

49

deadline date, reporting 18 million pounds of total releases for calendar year 1998. The TRI releases reported for AE facilities will vary from year to year, but are consistent with its role as one of the nation's major coal-fired generators of electricity. The releases reported are a direct result of the volume of coal burned to meet the demand of power. Other factors that may contribute to the changes in the releases from year to year include the kind of coal use, facility operational changes, and revised calculation methodologies. In June 2000, AE reported 28 million pounds of total estimated releases for calendar year 1999.

Global Climate Change

 

     Many uncertainties remain in the global climate change debate, including the relative contributions of human activities and natural processes, the extremely high potential costs of extensive mitigation efforts, and the significant economic and social disruptions, which may result from a large-scale reduction in the use of fossil fuels. Allegheny is responding appropriately and will continue to explore cost-effective opportunities to improve efficiency and performance. The scientific debate is continuing; however the Clinton Administration signed an international treaty called the Kyoto Protocol, which would require the U.S. to reduce emissions of Green House Gases (GHG) by 7% from 1990 levels in the 2008-2012 time period. With normal economic growth this requirement could mean as much as a 40% reduction of GHG by 2012. The U.S. Senate must ratify the Kyoto Protocol before it can be of any effect domestically, as must other nations subject to the treaty's provisions. The Senate passed a resolution in 1997 (S.R. 98) by a vote of 95-0 that placed two conditions on entering into any international climate change treaty. First, any treaty must include all nations, and, second, any treaty must not cause serious harm to the U.S. economy. The Kyoto Protocol does not appear to satisfy either of these conditions and, therefore, the previous Administration withheld it from consideration by the Senate. The U.S. electric utility industry generates about one third of the GHG emitted, with other Industries, Transportation and Agriculture the rest, or two thirds. Implementation of the Kyoto Protocol would raise considerable uncertainty about the future viability of fossil fuels as an energy source for new and existing power plants.

 

     If and when the need for reducing GHG emissions has been identified and scientifically supported, Allegheny believes that a global solution involving all nations will be needed and must give credit for voluntary actions taken; precipitous and urgent action under strict limits and timetables will result in severe economic dislocation and is not warranted based on the ongoing scientific debate; and that appropriate results can be achieved domestically by continuing to build upon Allegheny's corporate awareness and the notable progress of existing voluntary programs.

 

     For these reasons, Allegheny actively participates in a number of groups to address this environmental matter. Allegheny supports research on the climate change issue through EPRI and participates in a number of organizations to help influence policy matters at the domestic and international levels. Allegheny also conducts a program to identify cost-effective and voluntary measures that reduce emissions of GHG in all areas of our business and in other areas, such as forestry, international projects,

50

and emissions trading.
 

     The Distribution Companies and Allegheny Energy Supply maintain an active climate-related research program and are responsive to the GHG guidelines suggested in the national Energy Policy Act of 1992. As a result, Allegheny Energy Supply and the Distribution Companies have voluntarily reduced their total annual emissions of GHG by about 1,650,000 tons, as described in the latest filing with the Department of Energy .

 

     The Distribution Companies and Allegheny Energy Supply support EPRI whose climate research is funded at around $7 to $10 million per year and also support Edison Electric Institute's Climate Challenge Initiative; and have committed to invest $3.11 million in an electro technology and renewable energy venture capital fund.

 

     The Distribution Companies' and Allegheny Energy Supply's in-house research program has contributed to applications of new technology, operating efficiencies, reduced electrical losses and pollution emission reductions.

 

     West Penn, as part of its restructuring settlement approved by the Pennsylvania PUC in 1998, agreed to support five important climate related initiatives: 1) Renewable Energy Development, 2) Sustainable Energy Fund ($11,425,721 paid on December 31, 1998), 3) Renewable Energy Pilot Program ($300,000 each year), 4) Energy Cooperative Association of Pennsylvania (contribution of $4 million) and 5) Universal Service and Energy Conservation Program ($8.082 million per year).

 

     In response to environmental issues over the past 30 years, the Distribution Companies and Allegheny Energy Supply spent over $1.6 billion in capital expenditures and approximately $200 million annually in operations and maintenance. Allegheny is committed to environmental stewardship and the research needed to provide answers to difficult compliance problems. These actions will mitigate the impact of the Distribution Companies' and Allegheny Energy Supply's operations on the environment and ameliorate any alleged climate change impacts.



REGULATION

 

     Allegheny is subject to the broad jurisdiction of the SEC under PUHCA. The Distribution Companies are regulated as to substantially all of their operations by regulatory commissions in the states in which they operate. These companies and Allegheny Energy Supply's unregulated generation are also regulated as to various aspects of their business by the FERC. In addition, they are subject to numerous other local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and rules.

 

     In June 1995, the SEC published its report, which recommended changes to PUHCA, including a recommendation to Congress to repeal the entire act. Bills have been introduced in the Congress to repeal PUHCA, but have not passed. Allegheny cannot predict what changes, if any, will be made to PUHCA as a result of these activities.

 

     In 2000, the Distribution Companies continued to take part in and fund

51

various programs to assist low-income customers, customers with special needs, and/or customers experiencing temporary financial hardship.

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

 

     Substantially all of the properties of Monongahela and Potomac Edison are held subject to the lien of indentures securing their first mortgage bonds. In many cases, the properties of Monongahela, Potomac Edison, West Penn and Allegheny Energy Supply may be subject to certain reservations, minor encumbrances, and title defects which do not materially interfere with their use. Some of the properties are also subject to a second lien securing certain solid waste disposal and pollution control notes. The indenture under which AGC's unsecured debentures and medium-term notes are issued prohibits AGC, with certain limited exceptions, from incurring or permitting liens to exist on any of its properties or assets unless the debentures and medium-term notes are contemporaneously secured equally and ratably with all other indebtedness secured by such lien. Transmission and distribution lines, in substantial part, some substations and switching stations, and some ancillary facilities at power stations are on lands of others, in some cases by sufferance, but in most instances pursuant to leases, easements, rights-of-way, permits or other arrangements, many of which have not been recorded and some of which are not evidenced by formal grants. In some cases, no examination of titles has been made as to lands on which transmission and distribution lines and substations are located. Each of the Distribution Companies possesses the power of eminent domain with respect to its public utility operations. (See also ITEM 1. BUSINESS and ALLEGHENY MAP.)

 

     MGS owns more than 375 natural gas wells located throughout West Virginia and has active leaseholds that cover more than 86,000 acres. In addition to its production assets, MGS owns (1) approximately 125 miles of high-pressure transmission facilities running from Jackson County, West Virginia, west to Huntington (Cabell County), West Virginia, where it terminates at various delivery locations into the facilities of Mountaineer, Columbia Gas, and the industrial plant facilities of various industrial end-users, and (2) approximately 400 miles of gathering lines located in the same general vicinity.

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

     On August 13, 1996, American Bituminous Partners, L.P., (AmBit), filed a request for arbitration alleging that the energy rate payable under its purchase power contract with Monongahela had been improperly calculated. The arbitration proceeding was bifurcated into a liability phase and, if necessary, a damages phase. On February 18, 1998, the arbitration panel made a determination in the liability phase. They determined that certain lime handling costs should have been a component of the energy rate and therefore were improperly accounted for in 1995 and 1996. Ambit and Monongahela entered into a Settlement Agreement, subject to the approval of the West Virginia PSC, resolving all disputes presented in, or which could have been presented in, the arbitration. By Order entered August 7, 2000, the Public Service Commission approved the Settlement Agreement.

52

 

     On December 17, 1999, AES/Beaver Valley, Inc., (AES/BV) filed a demand for arbitration with the American Arbitration Association. AES/BV requested a declaratory judgment that the Electric Energy Purchase Agreement (EEPA) approved by the PaPUC in 1986 continues to govern the transaction between West Penn and AES/BV for the sale of up to 125 MWH per hour of power as set forth in the EEPA, even if AES/BV's proposed improvements to the plant to comply with the more rigorous NOx standards result in an increase in the amount of energy the plant produces annually. AES/BV also requested an award of its attorneys fees and costs. On April 4, 2000, an arbitrator granted the declaratory judgment request of AES/BV, but denied its request for attorneys fees and costs.

 

     As of February 16, 2001, Monongahela has been named as a defendant along with multiple other defendants in a total of 7,825 pending asbestos cases involving one or more plaintiffs. Potomac Edison and West Penn have been named as defendants along with multiple other defendants in approximately one-half of those cases. Because these cases are filed in a "shotgun" format wherein multiple plaintiffs file claims against multiple defendants in the same case, it is presently impossible to determine the actual number of cases in which plaintiffs make claims against the Distribution Companies. However, based upon past experience and available data, it may be estimated that about one-third of the total number of cases filed actually involve claims against any or all of the Distribution Companies. All complaints allege that the plaintiffs sustained unspecified injuries resulting from claimed exposure to asbestos in various generating plants and other industrial facilities operated by the various defendants, although all plaintiffs do not claim exposure at facilities operated by all defendants. With very few exceptions, plaintiffs claiming exposure at stations operated by the Distribution Companies were employed by third-party contractors, not the Distribution Companies. Three plaintiffs are known to be either present or former employees of Monongahela. Each plaintiff generally seeks compensatory and punitive damages against all defendants in amounts of up to $1 million and $3 million, respectively; in those cases, which include a spousal claim for loss of consortium, damages are generally sought against all defendants in an amount of up to an additional $1 million. A total of 1,465 cases have been previously settled and/or dismissed against Monongahela for an amount substantially less than the anticipated cost of defense. While the Distribution Companies believe that all of the cases are without merit, they cannot predict the outcome nor are they able to determine whether additional cases will be filed.

 

     On January 27, 1995, Allegheny filed a declaratory judgment action in the Court of Common Pleas of Westmoreland County, Pa., against its historic comprehensive general liability (CGL) insurers. This suit sought a declaration that the CGL insurers have a duty to defend and indemnify the Distribution Companies in the asbestos cases, as well as in certain environmental actions. Three insurers settled. Another was dismissed as a party. The declaratory judgment action may be re-filed against that party in a different venue. Settlements from other insurance carriers are also being pursued. The final outcome of such proceedings, however, cannot be predicted.

53

 

     On March 4, 1994, the Distribution Companies received notice that the EPA had identified them as potentially responsible parties (PRPs) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, with respect to the Jack's Creek/Sitkin Smelting Superfund Site (Site). There are approximately 175 other PRPs involved. A Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS) prepared by the EPA originally indicated remedial alternatives, which ranged as high as $113 million, to be shared by all responsible parties. A PRP Group consisting of approximately 40 members, and to which the Distribution Companies belong, has been formed and has submitted an addendum to the RI/FS, which proposes a substantially less expensive cleanup remedy. In 1999, the PRP Group entered into a consent order with the EPA to remediate the site. A final determination has not been made for the Distribution Companies' share of the remediation costs. However, at this time it is estimated that the effect on the Distribution Companies will not be material.

 

     On October 1, 1996, Potomac Edison received a questionnaire from the EPA concerning a release or threat of release of hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants into the environment at the Butler Tunnel Site located in Luzerne County, Pa. Potomac Edison notified the EPA that it has no records or recollection of any business relations with the site or any of the companies identified in the questionnaire. It is not possible to determine at this time what effect, if any, this matter may have on Potomac Edison.

 

     In 1979, National Steel Corporation (National Steel) filed suit against AE and certain subsidiaries in the Circuit Court of Hancock County, W.Va., alleging damages of approximately $7.9 million as a result of an order issued by the West Virginia PSC requiring curtailment of National Steel's use of electric power during the United Mine Workers' strike of 1977-8. A jury verdict in favor of AE and the subsidiaries was rendered in June 1991. National Steel has filed a motion for a new trial, which is still pending before the Circuit Court of Hancock County. AE and the subsidiaries believe the motion is without merit; however, they cannot predict the outcome of this case.

 

     The Attorney General of the State of New York and the Attorney General of the State of Connecticut, in letters dated September 15, 1999, and November 3, 1999, respectively, notified AE of their intent to commence civil actions against AE and/or its subsidiaries alleging violations at the Fort Martin Power Station under the federal Clean Air Act, which requires power plants that make major modifications to comply with the same emission standards applicable to new power plants. Similar actions may be commenced by other governmental authorities in the future. Fort Martin is located in West Virginia and is now jointly owned by Allegheny Energy Supply and Monongahela. Both Attorneys General stated their intent to seek injunctive relief and penalties. In addition, the Attorney General of the State of New York indicated that he may assert claims under the state common law of public nuisance seeking to recover, among other things, compensation for alleged environmental damage caused in New York by the operation of the Fort Martin Power Station. At this time, AE and its subsidiaries are not able to determine what effect, if any, these actions may have on them.

54

 

     On August 2, 2000, AE received a letter from the EPA requiring it to provide certain information on the following ten electric generating stations: Albright, Armstrong, Fort Martin, Harrison, Hatfield's Ferry, Mitchell, Pleasants, Rivesville, R. Paul Smith and Willow Island. These electric generating stations are owned by Allegheny Energy Supply and Monongahela Power. The letter requested information under Section 114 of the federal Clean Air Act to determine compliance with federal Clean Air Act and state implementation plan requirements, including potential application of the new source performance standards, which can require the installation of additional air pollution control equipment upon the major modification of an existing facility. Similar inquiries have been made of other electric utilities and have resulted in enforcement proceedings being brought in some cases. AE believes its subsidiaries' generating facilities have been operated in accordance with the Clean Air Act and the rules implementing that Act. The experience of other utilities, however, suggests that in recent years, the EPA may have revised its interpretation of the rules regarding the determination of whether an action at a facility constitutes routine maintenance, which would not trigger the requirements of the new source performance standards, or a major modification of the facility, which would require compliance with the new source performance standards. At this time, AE is not able to determine what effect, if any, the EPA's inquiry may have on its operations. If new source performance standards are applied to Allegheny generating stations, in addition to the possible imposition of fines, compliance would entail significant expenditures.

 

     In June, 2000, Monongahela was contacted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Environmental Enforcement Section of the Department of Justice (DOJ) concerning the release of approximately 19,000 gallons of non-PCB oil to the environment, following the catastrophic failure of a 500 MVA, 265 kV transformer on April 11, 1998 at Monongahela's Belmont substation. Monongahela informed the EPA and DOJ that it responded to this release immediately, thereby preventing any of the oil from reaching major waterways. Monongahela also informed the federal agencies that it has been working in conjunction with West Virginia Division of Environmental Protection regarding site clean-up and remediation. Monongahela continues to cooperate with EPA and DOJ toward resolution of the agencies' concerns. At this time, Monongahela cannot predict the outcome of this matter but reasonably believes it will not have a material impact on Monongahela.

 

      In connection with litigation concerning DQE, Inc.'s unilateral termination of the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated April 5, 1997 with AE, on May 17, 2000, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the District Court's decision that DQE did not breach the merger agreement. No request for reconsideration or other appeal has been filed.

 

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

     AE, Monongahela, Potomac Edison, West Penn and AGC did not submit any matters to a vote of shareholders during the fourth quarter of 2000.

55

 

 

The names of the executive officers of each company, their ages as of December 31, 2000, the positions they hold, or held during 2000, and their business experience during the past five years appears below:

Executive Officers of the Registrants

Position (a) and Period of Service

 

Name

Age

AE

MP

PE

WP

AGC

             

Paul M. Barbas(b)

44

Vice President

(7/99 - )

       

David C. Benson(c)

         

Vice President

(2/00 -

Regis F. Binder(d)

48

Vice President & Treasurer

(12/98 - )

Treasurer

(12/98 - )

Treasurer

(12/98 - )

Treasurer

(12/98 - )

V.P.

(2/00- )

and

Treasurer

(12/98 - )

Eileen M. Beck(e)

59

Secretary

(1988-7/00)

Previously

Asst. Treasurer

(1979-95)

Secretary

(1995-7/00)

Previously

Asst. Treasurer

(1981-95)

Asst. Secretary

(1988-94)

Secretary

(1996-7/00)

Previously

Asst. Secretary

(1988-95)

Secretary

(1996-7/00)

Previously

Asst. Secretary

(1988-95)

Secretary

(1982-7/00)

Marleen L. Brooks(f)

49

Secretary

(7/00 - )

Previously,

Asst. Secretary

(4/00-7/00)

Secretary

(7/00 - )

Previously,

Asst. Secretary

(4/00-7/00)

Secretary

(7/00 - )

Previously,

Asst. Secretary

(4/00-7/00)

Secretary

(7/00 - )

Previously,

Asst. Secretary

(4/00-7/00)

Secretary

(7/00 - )

Previously,

Asst. Secretary

(4/00-7/00)

Donald R. Feenstra(g)

         

Vice President

(2/00-1/01)

Richard J. Gagliardi

50

Vice President

(1991 - )

Asst. Secretary

(1990-96)

   

Vice President

(2/00 - )

Previously,

Asst. Treasurer

(1982-96)

56

 

Executive Officers of the Registrants (continued)

Position (a) and Period of Service

Name

Age

AE

MP

PE

WP

AGC

             

James R. Haney(h)

44

 

Vice President

(1998- )

Vice President

(1998- )

Vice President

(1998- )

 

Thomas K. Henderson

60

Vice President

(1997- ) &

General Counsel

(5/99- )

Vice President

(1995- )

Vice President

(1995- )

Vice President

(1985- )

Director & V.P.

(1996- )

Kenneth M. Jones(i)

63

V.P.

(1991-4/00)

Previously,

Controller

(1991-1998)

     

Director & V.P.

(1991-1999)

Thomas J. Kloc

48

Vice President & Controller

(1998- )

Controller

(1996- )

Controller

(1988- )

Controller

(1995- )

V.P.

(1999- )

Controller &

(1988- )

Director

(1999-2/00)

James D. Latimer(j)

62

 

Vice President

(1995-11/00)

Vice President

(1995-11/00)

Previously

Exec. V.P.

(1994-95)

Vice President

(1995-11/00)

 

Ronald A. Magnuson(k)

43

 

Vice President

(1999- )

Vice President

(1999- )

Vice President

(1999- )

 

Michael P. Morrell(l)

52

Senior Vice President

(1996- )

Dir. V.P.

(1996- )

Dir. V.P.

(1996- )

Dir. V.P.

(1996- )

Dir. V.P.

(1996- )

Alan J. Noia

53

Chairman & CEO

(1996- )

& President & Director

(1994- )

Previously,

COO

(1994-96)

Chairman & CEO

(1996- )

& Director

(1994- )

Chairman & CEO

(1996- )

& Director

(1990- )

Chairman & CEO

(1996- )

& Director

(1994- )

Chairman & CEO

(1996- )

Previously,

President

(1996-2/00)

Director & V.P.

(1994-96)

Karl V. Pfirrmann(m)

   

Vice President

(5/00- )

Vice President

(5/00- )

Vice President

(5/00- )

 

Jay S. Pifer

63

Senior Vice President

(1996- )

President & Director

(1995- )

President & Director

(1995- )

President

(1990- )

& Director

(1992- )

 

57

Executive Officers of the Registrants (continued)

Position (a) and Period of Service

             

Victoria V. Schaff(n)

56

Vice President

(1997- )

Vice President

(5/00- )

& Director

(2/01 - )

Vice President

(5/00- )

& Director

(2/01 - )

Vice President

(5/00- )

& Director

(2/01 - )

Director

(2/01 - )

Peter J. Skrgic(o)

59

Senior Vice President

(1994-2/01)

Vice President

(1996-2/01)

& Director

(1990-2/01)

Vice President &

Director

(1990-2/01)

Vice President

(1996-2/01)

& Director

(1990-2/01)

President &

Director

(2/00-2/01)

Previously,

Vice President &

Director

(1989-2/00)

Robert R. Winter

57

 

Vice President

(1987- )

Vice President

(1995- )

Vice President

(1995- )

 

(a)

All officers and directors are elected annually, except the Board of AE, which is a staggered Board.

(b)

Prior to his appointment as Vice President of AE, Mr. Barbas was President, GE Capital Rental Services (3/97-2/99) and President, GE Capital Computer Rental Services (10/93-3/97).

(c)

Prior to his appointment as Vice President of AGC, Mr. Benson was Vice President, AESC (7/98); Vice President & Assistant Treasurer AESC(5/96-7/98); and Vice President AESC (6/95-5/96).

(d)

Prior to his appointment as Vice President and Treasurer of AE and Treasurer of MP, PE, WPP and AGC, Mr. Binder was Executive Director, Regulation and Rates for AESC (1997-1998); General Manager, Industrial Marketing for AESC (1996-1997); and Director, Rates for AESC (1995-1996).

(e)

Ms. Beck retired effective July 1, 2000.

(f)

Prior to her appointment as Assistant Secretary, Ms. Brooks was Senior Attorney for AESC (2/99 - 4/00); and Attorney for AESC and Potomac Edison (7/81 - 2/99).

(g)

Mr. Feenstra retired effective 1/01. Prior to his appointment as Vice President of AGC, Mr. Feenstra was Vice President of AESC from 6/95-1/01.

(h)

Prior to his appointment as Vice President Customer Operations, Mr. Haney was Executive Director, Operating Business Unit (8/98-10/98); Director, Operations Services (5/96-8/98); Director, Transmission Projects (12/95-5/96); Manager, Construction (AESC) (2/95-12/95).

(i)

Mr. Jones retired effective April 1, 2000.

(j)

Mr. Latimer retired effective November 1, 2000.

(k)

Prior to his appointment as Vice President of MP, PE and WPP, Mr. Magnuson was Executive Director, Customer Affairs (4/99-7/99); Executive Director, Human Resources (10/98-4/99); and Director Human Resources (1/95-10/98).

(l)

Prior to his appointment as Senior Vice President of AE and Vice President of MP, PE WPP and AGC, Mr. Morrell was V.P. - Regulatory and Public Affairs, Jersey Central Power & Light Company (JCPP&L) (8/94-4/96).

(m)

Prior to his appointment as Vice President of MP, PE, WPP, Mr. Pfirrmann was Vice President AESC (9/95-5/96); Vice President MP, PE, WP(5/96-8/98); and Vice President AESC (8/98-5/00).

(n)

Prior to her appointment as Vice President of AE, Ms.Schaff was a Vice President of AESC (1/96-1/97) and a Federal Affairs Representative with The Union Electric Company (4/88-12/95).

(o)

Mr. Skgric resigned all of his positions effective February 1, 2001.

58

 

PART II

 

ITEM 5.     MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANTS' COMMON

            EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

     AE

 

     AYE is the trading symbol of the common stock of AE on the New York, Chicago, and Pacific Stock Exchanges. The stock is also traded on the Amsterdam (Netherlands) and other stock exchanges. As of December 31, 2000, there were 40,589 holders of record of AE's common stock.

 

     The tables below show the dividends paid and the high and low sale prices of the common stock for the periods indicated:

 

2000

1999

 

Dividend

High

Low

Dividend

High

Low

1st Quarter

43 cents

$29.5625

$23.625

43 cents

$34.5

$28.6875

2nd Quarter

43 cents

$31.75

$26.6875

43 cents

$35.1875

$29.50

3rd Quarter

43 cents

$39.875

$27.75

43 cents

$34.875

$31.0

4th Quarter

43 cents

$48.75

$36.6875

43 cents

$33.125

$26.1875

 

     The high and low prices through March 10, 2001 were $49.00 and $39.5625 The last reported sale on that date was at $47.34.

 

     Monongahela, Potomac Edison, and West Penn. The information required by this Item is not applicable as all the common stock of those companies is held by AE.

 

     AGC. The information required by this Item is not applicable as all the common stock of AGC is held by Monongahela and Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC.

59




ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

Page No.

AE

D-1

Monongahela

D-6

Potomac Edison

D-9

West Penn

D-12

AGC

D-15

The information required by this Item was furnished in the copy of the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is also found in AE's Annual Report to Stockholders for 2000. You may obtain an Annual Report to Stockholders upon making a written or an oral request directed to: Allegheny Energy, Inc., 10435 Downsville Pike, Hagerstown, MD 21740, Attention: Marleen L. Brooks, Secretary (tel. 301-790-3400).

 

Allegheny Energy, Inc.

Condensed Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

Year ended December 31, 2000

 

Monongahela

Power

Company

and Subsidiaries

The Potomac

Edison

Company

and Subsidiaries

 

West Penn

Power Company

and Subsidiaries

 

 

Allegheny

Ventures,

Inc.

and Subsidiaries

Allegheny Energy

Supply

Company, LLC

and Subsidiary

(Thousands of dollars)

Balance Sheets

Assets

Property, plant, and equipment*

$2,545,764

$1,410,382

$1,654,283

$25,341

$3,807,691

Accumulated depreciation

(1,152,953)

(514,167)

(543,000)

(1,040)

(1,754,823)

1,392,811

896,215

1,111,283

24,301

2,052,868

Excess of cost over net assets acquired

200,183

1,152

Cash and temporary cash investments

3,658

4,685

6,116

2,422

420

Other current assets

282,525

139,891

282,428

11,145

535,478

Regulatory assets

90,004

53,712

428,953

Other

60,387

14,258

10,856

25,072

18,806

Total

$2,029,568

$1,108,761

$1,839,636

$64,092

$2,607,572

*Includes construction work in progress

$ 33,476

$ 14,122

$ 25,459

$107,284

Capitalization and liabilities

Common stock, other paid-in capital,

retained earnings, and accumulated other

comprehensive income

$ 707,899

$ 412,753

$ 422,121

$58,741

$759,643

Preferred stock

74,000

Long-term debt and QUIDS

606,734

410,011

678,284

563,433

Minority interest

38,980

Short-term debt

37,015

42,685

219,015

Other current liabilities

277,739

94,394

212,574

5,345

535,084

Unamortized investment credit

11,859

10,555

20,899

65,823

Deferred income taxes

219,647

89,285

189,302

399,751

Regulatory liabilities

50,231

32,309

15,162

23,625

Adverse power purchase commitments

278,338

Other

44,444

16,769

22,956

6

2,218

Total

$2,029,568

$1,108,761

$1,839,636

$64,092

$2,607,572

Statements of operations

Operating revenues

$ 828,047

$ 827,818

$1,045,627

$22,626

$2,259,572

Operating expenses

692,680

707,029

881,311

20,981

2,151,660

Operating income

135,367

120,789

164,316

1,645

107,912

Other income and deductions

4,186

6,125

4,379

821

3,542

Income before interest charges, preferred

dividends, and extraordinary charge, net

139,553

126,914

168,695

2,466

111,454

Interest charges and preferred dividends

50,013

42,529

66,293

264

33,458

Balance for common stock before

extraordinary charge, net

89,540

84,385

102,402

2,202

77,996

Extraordinary charge, net

(63,124)

(13,899)

Minority interest

(2,508)

Balance for common stock

$ 26,416

$ 70,486

$ 102,402

$ 2,202

$75,488

D-1

Allegheny Energy, Inc.

Consolidated Statistics

Year ended December 31

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

1995

1990

Summary of operations (Millions of dollars)

Operating revenues

$4,011.9

$2,808.4

$2,576.4

$2,369.5

$2,327.6

$2,315.2

$1,829.9

Operation expense

2,602.4

1,498.1

1,286.0

1,065.9

1,013.0

1,024.9

866.6

Maintenance

230.3

223.5

217.5

230.6

243.3

249.5

182.0

Restructuring charges and asset write-offs

103.9

23.4

Depreciation

247.9

257.5

270.4

265.7

263.2

256.3

180.9

Taxes other than income

210.2

190.3

194.6

187.0

185.4

184.7

152.5

Taxes on income

184.8

164.4

168.4

168.1

128.0

154.2

106.4

Allowance for funds used during construction

(7.2)

(6.9)

(5.0)

(8.3)

(5.9)

(8.2)

(7.2)

Interest charges, preferred dividends, and preferred

redemption premiums

234.4

197.7

189.7

197.2

191.1

196.9

161.1

Other income and deductions

(4.5)

(1.6)

(8.2)

(18.0)

(4.4)

(6.2)

(3.8)

Consolidated income before extraordinary charge

313.7

285.4

263.0

281.3

210.0

239.7

191.4

Extraordinary charge, net (a)

(77.0)

(27.0)

(275.4)

Consolidated net income (loss)

$236.6

$258.4

($12.4)

$281.3

$210.0

$239.7

$191.4

Common stock data (b)

Shares issued (thousands)

122,436

122,436

122,436

122,436

121,840

120,701

106,984

Treasury shares (thousands)

(12,000)

(12,000)

Shares outstanding (thousands)

110,436

110,436

122,436

122,436

121,840

120,701

106,984

Average shares outstanding (thousands)

110,436

116,237

122,436

122,208

121,141

119,864

106,102

Earnings per average share: (c)

Consolidated income before extraordinary

Charge

$2.84

$2.45

$2.15

$2.30

$1.73

$2.00

$1.80

Extraordinary charge, net (a)

(0.70)

(0.23)

(2.25)

Consolidated net income (loss)

$2.14

$2.22

($0.10)

$2.30

$1.73

$2.00

$1.80

Dividends paid per share

$1.72

$1.72

$1.72

$1.72

$1.69

$1.65

$1.58

Dividend payout ratio (d)

60.6%

64.6%

73.5%

74.7%

97.5%

82.5%

87.6%

Shareholders

40,589

44,873

48,869

53,389

58,677

63,280

63,201

Market price per share:

High

$48 3/4

$35 3/16

$34 15/16

$32 19/32

$31 1/8

$29 1/4

$21 1/16

Low

$23 5/8

$26 3/16

$26 5/8

$25 1/2

$28

$21 1/2

$17

Close

$48 3/16

$26 15/16

$34 1/2

$32 1/2

$30 3/8

$28 5/8

$18 7/16

Book value per share

$15.76

$15.35

$16.61

$18.43

$17.80

$17.65

$15.26

Return on average common equity (d)

18.28%

16.16%

13.26%

12.63%

9.69%

11.35%

11.78%

Capitalization data (Millions of dollars)

Common stock

$1,740.7

$1,695.3

$2,033.9

$2,256.9

$2,169.1

$2,129.9

$1,632.3

Preferred stock:

Not subject to mandatory redemption

74.0

74.0

170.1

170.1

170.1

170.1

235.1

Subject to mandatory redemption

30.6

Long-term debt and QUIDS

2,559.5

2,254.5

2,179.3

2,193.1

2,397.1

2,273.2

1,642.2

Total capitalization

$4,374.2

$4,023.8

$4,383.3

$4,620.1

$4,736.3

$4,573.2

$3,540.2

Capitalization ratios:

Common stock

39.8%

42.1%

46.4%

48.8%

45.8%

46.6%

46.1%

Preferred stock:

Not subject to mandatory redemption

1.7

1.9

3.9

3.7

3.6

3.7

6.6

Subject to mandatory redemption

0.9

Long-term debt and QUIDS

58.5

56.0

49.7

47.5

50.6

49.7

46.4

Total assets (Millions of dollars)

$7,697.0

$6,852.4

$6,535.2

$6,654.1

$6,618.5

$6,447.3

$4,561.3

a Write-off in connection with deregulation proceedings in West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, and Pennsylvania and costs associated with the reacquisition of first mortgage bonds.

b Reflects a two-for-one common stock split effective November 4, 1993.

c Basic and diluted earnings per average share.

d Excludes the extraordinary charge, net, and Pennsylvania restructuring activities in 1998, the extraordinary charge and other charges for merger-related costs and a long dormant pumped-storage generation project in 1999, and the extraordinary charge in 2000. Includes the effect of internal restructuring in 1995 and 1996.

D-2

Allegheny Energy, Inc.

Consolidated Statistics (continued)

Year ended December 31

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

1995

1990

Property data (Millions of dollars)

Gross property

$9,507.0

$8,839.7

$8,395.3

$8,451.4

$8,206.2

$7,812.7

$5,986.2

Accumulated depreciation

(3,967.6)

(3,632.6)

(3,395.6)

(3,155.2)

(2,910.0)

(2,700.1)

(1,946.1)

Net property

$5,539.4

$5,207.1

$4,999.7

$5,296.2

$5,296.2

$5,112.6

$4,040.1

Gross additions during year

Regulated

$207.6

$266.2

$229.4

$284.7

$289.5

$319.1

$321.8

Unregulated and other

$195.6

$141.3

$1.8

$1.4

$178.5

Ratio of provisions for depreciation to

depreciable property

2.85%

3.23%

3.28%

3.34%

3.47%

3.50%

3.27%

Revenues (Millions of dollars) (e)

Residential

$1,018.6

$930.3

$880.6

$892.9

$932.2

$927.0

$649.5

Commercial

536.5

500.3

501.4

490.5

492.7

493.7

343.0

Industrial

772.8

720.5

753.5

748.1

752.9

770.2

571.5

Wholesale and street lighting

57.4

42.4

69.0

65.1

66.6

59.6

47.1

Revenues from regular utility customers

2,385.3

2,193.5

2,204.5

2,196.6

2,244.4

2,250.5

1,611.1

Other non-gWh

40.7

9.8

9.9

6.4

7.7

6.5

8.5

Bulk power

135.8

45.7

69.8

39.6

22.4

13.0

160.0

Transmission and other energy services

73.2

61.0

45.2

41.1

52.4

45.2

50.3

Total regulated revenues

$2,635.0

$2,310.0

$2,329.4

$2,283.7

$2,326.9

$2,315.2

$1,829.9

Total unregulated revenues

$2,281.6

$879.4

$247.0

$85.8

$0.7

Other

$22.6

$8.9

Sales volumes-gWh

Residential

14,062

13,562

12,939

12,832

13,328

13,003

11,264

Commercial

9,510

8,955

8,626

8,176

8,132

7,963

6,670

Industrial

20,320

19,846

19,675

19,040

18,568

18,457

16,511

Wholesale and street lighting

1,531

1,478

1,409

1,422

1,456

1,304

1,101

Regular utility transactions

45,423

43,841

42,649

41,470

41,484

40,727

35,546

Bulk power

750

571

3,037

1,667

966

507

5,432

Transmission and other energy services

10,851

8,450

7,345f

12,367

17,402

14,586

17,016

Total regulated transactions

57,024

52,862

53,031

55,504

59,852

55,820

57,994

Total unregulated transactions

41,707

15,854

8,278

3,734

109

Output and delivery-gWh

Steam generation

46,773

44,776

44,323

43,463

40,067

39,174

41,933

Hydro and pumped-storage generation

1,969

1,648

1,326

1,171

1,348

1,234

1,426

Pumped - storage input

(2,327)

(1,963)

(1,498)

(1,298)

(1,405)

(1,390)

(1,568)

Purchased power

43,917

17,365

11,505

6,485

5,518

5,021

1,560

Transmission and other energy services

10,851

8,450

7,777

12,367

17,402

14,586

17,016

Combustion turbines

56

7

Losses and system uses

(3,075)

(3,066)

(2,124)

(2,950)

(2,969)

(2,805)

(2,373)

Total transactions as above

98,164g

67,217g

61,309

59,238

59,961

55,820

57,994

Energy supply

Generating capability-MW

Regulated-owned

2,356

4,451

8,121

8,071

8,070

8,070

7,991

Unregulated-owned

6,407

4,142

276

276

Unregulated contracts (h)

479

299

299

299

299

299

160

Maximum hour peak-MW

7,791i

7,788i

7,314i

7,423

7,500

7,280

6,070

Load factor-regulated

70.2%j

70.5%j

69.1%j

68.3%

67.5%

68.3%

71.3%

Heat rate-Btus per kWh

9,919k

9,963

9,939

9,936

9,910

9,970

9,944

Fuel costs-cents per million Btus

118.57l

119.61

128.92

130.05

129.22

130.20

140.97

e Eliminations between regulated and unregulated are shown on page 31.

f Excludes 432 gWh delivered to customers participating in the Pennsylvania pilot program that are included in regulated utility transactions sales volumes

g Net of 1,499 gWh eliminated between regulated and unregulated.

h Capability available through contractual arrangements with unregulated generators.

i Peak coincident load of all customers provided delivery service within the Company's service territory irrespective of the generation service chosen by the customers therein.

j Based on peak coincident load.

k Includes the combustion turbines' heat rate.

l Includes the combustion turbines' fuel costs.

D-3

Allegheny Energy, Inc.

Regulated Statistics

               

Year ended December 31

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

1995

1990

Customers (thousands) a

Residential

1,495.1

1,250.6

1,236.9

1,224.9

1,213.7

1,204.4

1,133.4

Commercial

187.9

158.1

154.7

151.5

148.5

146.0

132.2

Industrial

26.3

25.9

25.5

25.2

25.0

24.6

22.8

Other

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

1.3

Total customers

1,710.6

1,435.9

1,418.4

1,402.9

1,388.5

1,376.3

1,289.7

Average annual use (kWh per customer b )

Residential

10,993

10,913

10,486

10,521

11,042

10,865

10,011

All retail service

28,847

28,285

28,174

28,647

29,085

28,908

26,996

Average rate (cents per kWh) b

Residential

6.89

7.03

6.90

6.96

6.99

7.13

5.77

All retail service

5.30

5.45

5.32

5.36

5.46

5.58

4.56

a Electric and gas customers in the Company's regulated franchised service territory receiving delivery service.

b Use and rate statistics are calculated based on full-service customers (customers receiving both generation and delivery from the Company).

Dividends Paid-Range of Common Stock Prices Per Share

2000

1999

NYSE Composite Transactions

 

Dividend

High

Low

Close

Dividend

High

Low

Close

1st Quarter

43cents

$29 9/16

$23 5/8

$27 3/4

43cents

$34 1/2

$28 11/16

$29 1/2

2nd Quarter

43

31 3/4

26 11/16

27 9/16

43

35 3/16

29 1/2

32 1/16

3rd Quarter

43

39 7/8

27 3/4

38

43

34 7/8

31

31 7/8

4th Quarter

43

48 3/4

36 11/16

48 3/16

43

33 1/8

26 3/16

26 15/16

The high and low prices in 2001 were $47.4375 and $41.0625 through February 1, 2001. The last reported sale on that date was $45.10.

Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)

(Millions of dollars)

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Average Share

Quarter Ended

Operating

Revenues

Operating

Income

Consolidated

Income Before

Extraordinary

Charge, Net

Extraordinary

Charge, Net

Consolidated

Net Income

(Loss)

Consolidated

Income Before

Extraordinary

Charge, Net

Extraordinary

Charge, Net

Consolidated

Net Income

(Loss)

March 1999

$ 690.0

$140.2

$97.8

$97.8

$.80

$.80

June 1999

643.4

111.7

64.5

64.5

.55

.55

September 1999

741.4

117.2

71.3

71.3

.63

.63

December 1999*

733.7

105.5

51.8

$(27.0)

24.8

.46

$(.24)

.22

March 2000**

866.8

140.1

86.4

(70.5)

15.9

.78

(.64)

.14

June 2000

865.3

118.9

71.5

71.5

.65

.65

September 2000

1,058.5

128.0

76.1

76.1

.69

.69

December 2000***

1,221.3

149.2

79.7

(6.5)

73.2

.72

(.06)

.66

*  Results for the fourth quarter of 1999 reflect charges for Maryland restructuring, retiring debt related to the securitization

of Pennsylvania stranded costs, merger-related costs, and a long dormant pumped-storage generation project.

** Results for the first quarter of 2000 reflect charges for West Virginia restructuring.

*** Results for the fourth quarter of 2000 reflect charges for Ohio and Virginia restructuring.

D-4

Allegheny Energy, Inc.

Investor Information

 

Dividend Declarations 

Dividends are normally declared on the first Thursday of March, June, September, and December. Record dates are normally the second Monday after the dividend is declared, with payment dates the last business day of March, June, September, and December.

 

Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan 

Our Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan provides shareholders with a convenient way to purchase additional shares of the Company's stock. Participants may at the time of each cash dividend payment on the stock have all or part of their dividends automatically invested in additional shares or invest any additional amount they wish between $50 and $10,000 in such shares or do both. The offering of shares under the Plan is made only by Prospectus. To get the Prospectus and an Authorization Form to enroll in the Plan, contact Mellon Investor Services, L.L.C., at 1-800-648-8389 or write to Gregory L. Fries, Manager, Investor Relations, Allegheny Energy, Inc., 10435 Downsville Pike, Hagerstown, MD 21740-1766, or e-mail: investorinfo@alleghenyenergy.com.

 

Annual Meeting 

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on the eleventh floor of the offices of J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., 270 Park Ave., New York, NY, on Thursday, May 10, 2001, at 9:30 a.m.

 

Options Trading

Allegheny Energy, Inc. has been selected for options trading on The American Stock Exchange, the Pacific
Exchange, and the Chicago Board Options Exchange.

 

Form 10-K 

The Company will provide without charge to each beneficial holder of its common stock, on the written request of such person, a copy of Allegheny Energy's combined Annual Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K for 2000. Any such request should be directed to Cynthia A. Shoop, Vice President, Corporate Communications, Allegheny Energy, Inc., 10435 Downsville Pike, Hagerstown, MD 21740-1766, or investorinfo@alleghenyenergy.com. The report can also be found in electronic format at www.alleghenyenergy.com.

 

Duplicate Mailings/Direct Deposit of Dividends 

If you receive duplicate mailings of the Annual Report or wish to have your dividends deposited directly to your banking institution, please notify Mellon Investor Services, L.L.C., P.O. Box 3316, South Hackensack, NJ 07606. To speak to a representative responsible for Allegheny Energy shareholder accounts, call 1-800-648-8389.

 

Stock Transfer Agent and Registrar 

Mellon Investor Services, L.L.C., Overpeck Centre, 85 Challenger Road, Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660. The internet address is www.mellon-investor.com.

D-5

Monongahela Power Company
and Subsidiaries

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(Thousands of Dollars)

Quarter Ended

 

2000

 

1999

 

Mar

June

Sept

Dec

 

Mar

June

Sept

Dec

                   

Operating revenues

$193,477

$176,734

$194,942

$262,894

 

$170,642

$160,459

$178,330

$163,904

Operating income

32,718

25,543

37,633

39,473

 

30,321

25,102

32,595

31,019

Consolidated

net Income (loss)

(33,809)

17,275

28,390

19,599

 

23,250

18,556

26,631

23,890

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS

Year ended December 31

(Thousands of Dollars)

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

1995

Electric and gas operating

revenues:

Residential

$230,924

$210,757

$200,896

$199,931

$206,033

$209,065

Commercial

144,345

130,052

126,464

118,825

121,631

124,457

Industrial

220,593

217,792

208,613

196,716

200,970

212,427

Wholesale and street lighting

7,468

7,138

7,656

7,600

7,513

7,255

Electric revenues from regular customers

603,330

565,739

543,629

523,072

536,147

553,204

Affiliated

101,975

84,747

77,314

83,600

74,825

73,216

Gas revenues

103,579

Other non-kWh

4,832

4,299

4,426

4,379

4,136

3,722

Bulk power

818

6,567

8,509

7,299

4,772

2,749

Transmission and other energy

services

13,513

11,983

11,244

9,961

12,591

10,589

Total revenues

828,047

673,335

645,122

628,311

632,471

643,480

Operating expense

444,696

345,565

313,795

305,487

310,480

330,740

Maintenance

70,850

63,993

67,033

70,561

74,735

73,041

Internal restructuring charges and

asset write-off

24,299

5,493

Depreciation

70,508

60,905

58,610

56,593

55,490

57,864

Taxes other than income

55,987

43,395

44,742

38,776

40,418

38,551

Taxes on income

50,639

40,440

49,456

47,519

34,496

41,834

Allowance for funds used during

construction

(902)

(1,774)

(1,043)

(1,386)

(672)

(1,393)

Interest charges

45,738

34,603

36,153

38,730

38,604

39,872

Other income, net

(4,048)

(6,119)

(6,049)

(8,498)

(6,831)

(9,235)

Consolidated Income before

Extraordinary charge

94,579

92,327

82,425

80,529

61,452

66,713

Extraordinary charge, net (a)

(63,124)

.

.

.

.

.

Consolidated Net income

$ 31,455

$ 92,327

$ 82,425

$ 80,529

$ 61,452

$ 66,713

Return on average common equity (b)

14.43%

15.29%

13.62%

13.99%

11.00%

11.92%

(a) Write-off in connection with Ohio and West Virginia deregulation proceedings.

(b) Excludes a charge for a long dormant pumped-storage generation project in 1999. Includes the effect of internal restructuring in 1995 and 1996.

 

D-6

Monongahela Power Company
and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING STATISTICS

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

1995

PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT

at Dec. 31 (Thousands):

Gross

$2,545,764

$2,173,603

$2,007,876

$1,950,478

$1,879,622

$1,821,613

Accumulated depreciation

(1,152,953)

(958,867)

(883,915)

(840,525)

(790,649)

(747,013)

Net

$1,392,811

$1,214,736

$1,123,961

$1,109,953

$1,088,973

$1,074,600

GROSS ADDITIONS TO PROPERTY

(Thousands):

$ 82,243

$ 82,483

$ 72,795

$ 78,139

$ 72,577

$ 75,458

TOTAL ASSETS at Dec. 31

(Thousands):

$2,005,668

$1,626,406

$1,519,764

$1,497,756

$1,486,742

$1,480,591

CAPITALIZATION at Dec. 31

(Thousands)

Common stock

$ 707,899

$ 578,951

$ 570,188

$ 540,930

$ 512,212

$ 505,752

Preferred stock

74,000

74,000

74,000

74,000

74,000

74,000

Long-term debt and QUIDS

606,734

503,741

453,917

455,088

474,841

489,995

$1,388,633

$1,156,692

$1,098,105

$1,070,018

$1,061,053

$1,069,747

Ratios:

Common stock

51.0%

50.0%

51.9%

50.6%

48.3%

47.3%

Preferred stock

5.3

6.4

6.8

6.9

7.0

6.9

Long-term debt

and QUIDS

43.7

43.6

41.3

42.5

44.7

45.8

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

GENERATING CAPABILITY-

kw at Dec. 31:

Company-owned

2,356,000

2,352,250

2,326,300

2,326,300

2,326,300

2,326,300

  Nonutility contracts (a)

161,000

161,000

161,000

161,000

161,000

161,000

KILOWATT-HOURS (Thousands):

Sales Volumes:

Residential

3,148,565

2,884,144

2,757,067

2,764,630

2,815,414

2,807,135

Commercial

2,439,764

2,148,361

2,102,604

1,987,147

2,007,116

1,967,473

Industrial

5,975,983

5,736,718

5,510,925

5,224,364

5,024,257

5,114,126

Wholesale and street

lighting

158,303

152,476

142,797

142,827

142,198

138,456

Sales to regular

customers

11,722,615

10,921,699

10,513,393

10,118,968

9,988,985

10,027,190

Affiliated

3,489,689

2,746,111

1,950,803

2,080,542

1,694,722

1,596,081

Bulk power

29,966

191,784

301,656

249,505

196,843

105,126

Transmission and other

energy services

2,698,380

2,138,247

1,932,160

3,007,439

4,218,150

3,497,216

Total sales volumes

17,940,650

15,997,841

14,698,012

15,456,454

16,098,700

15,225,613

Output and Delivery:

Steam generation

12,723,425

12,146,537

11,251,721

10,936,469

10,678,491

10,620,003

Pumped-storage generation

479,128

372,658

288,266

241,958

263,640

257,284

Pumped-storage input

(612,800)

(481,872)

(370,822)

(310,565)

(337,451)

(330,915)

Purchased power

3,358,567

2,562,752

2,283,055

2,294,059

2,040,136

1,903,644

Transmission and other

energy services

2,698,380

2,138,247

1,932,160

3,007,439

4,218,150

3,497,216

Losses and system uses

(706,050)

(740,481)

(686,368)

(712,906)

(764,266)

(721,619)

Total transactions as

above

17,940,650

15,997,841

14,698,012

15,456,454

16,098,700

15,225,613

D-7

Monongahela Power Company
and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OPERATING STATISTICS (continued)

CUSTOMERS at Dec. 31:

           

Residential

546,643

312,180

309,760

307,920

305,579

303,568

Commercial

65,492

38,654

37,929

37,168

36,323

35,793

Industrial

8,067

8,014

7,992

7,996

8,019

8,085

Other

178

176

218

199

182

170

Total customers

620,380

359,024

355,899

353,283

350,103

347,616

             

RESIDENTIAL SERVICE:

           

Average use-kWh per

           

customer

9,375

9,283

8,938

9,023

9,256

9,306

Average revenue-dollars

           

per customer

687.61

678.38

651.29

652.53

677.37

693.11

Average rate-cents per

           

KWh

7.33

7.31

7.29

7.23

7.32

7.45

             

(a) Capability available through contractual arrangements with nontuility generator.

D-8

 

The Potomac Edison Company
and Subsidiaries

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(Thousands of Dollars)

Quarter Ended

 

2000

 

1999

 

Mar*

June

Sept

Dec*

 

Mar

June

Sept

Dec*

Electric operating

                 

revenues

$214,734

$188,604

$206,699

$217,782

 

$202,978

$174,691

$189,489

$186,099

Operating income

40,231

30,273

24,465

25,821

 

45,095

27,543

34,348

28,736

Income before extra-

                 

ordinary charge, net

31,111

20,047

16,014

17,213

 

36,164

18,736

26,492

19,191

Extraordinary charge,

                 

net

(12,278)

 

(1,621)

 

   

(16,949)

Consolidated net income

18,833

20,047

16,014

15,592

 

36,164

18,736

26,492

2,242

*Results for the fourth quarter of 1999 reflect charges for Maryland restructuring and a long dormant pumped-storage generation project. Results for the first and fourth quarters of 2000 reflect charges for West Virginia and Virginia restructuring.

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS

Year ended December 31

(Thousands of Dollars)

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

1995

Electric operating revenues

Residential

$332,065

$330,299

$309,058

$299,876

$324,120

$316,714

Commercial

163,800

168,469

156,973

148,287

146,432

145,096

Industrial

207,369

212,205

206,638

198,174

196,813

200,890

Wholesale and street lighting

28,450

5,821(a)

27,667

30,443

32,907

27,028

Revenues from regular customers

731,684

716,794

700,336

676,780

700,272

689,728

Affiliated

45,190

11,352

9,401

9,687

2,399

2,525

Other non-kWh

4,382

539

1,358

(1,273)

(405)

(961)

Bulk power

28,851

8,410

11,690

10,035

7,577

4,566

Transmission and other energy

services

17,712

16,162

14,709

13,552

16,917

14,811

Total

827,819

753,257

737,494

708,781

726,760

710,669

Operating expense

524,098

396,153

369,998

359,350

373,133

374,731

Maintenance

41,423

57,257

52,186

56,815

62,248

60,052

Internal restructuring charges and

asset write-off

26,094

6,847

Depreciation

61,394

75,917

74,344

71,763

71,254

68,826

Taxes other than income

46,892

50,924

49,567

47,585

45,809

47,629

Taxes on income

33,222

37,284

52,603

44,496

34,132

36,936

Allowance for funds used during

construction

(1,300)

(1,993)

(1,576)

(2,830)

(2,491)

(1,752)

Interest charges

43,271

44,902

48,187

49,823

50,197

51,179

Other income, net

(5,566)

(7,770)

(9,297)

(13,976)

(11,791)

(12,044)

Income before extraordinary charge

and cumulative effect of

accounting change

84,385

100,583

101,482

95,755

78,175

78,265

Extraordinary, net(b)

(13,899)

(16,949)

________

________

________

________

Consolidated net income

$ 70,486

$ 83,634

$101,482

$ 95,755

$ 78,175

$ 78,265

Return on average common equity (c)

15.28%

13.20%

13.90%

13.44%

11.42%

11.34%

(a) Includes reduction of $19,949 related to Maryland settlement.

(b) Write-off in connection with deregulation proceedings in Maryland in 1999, and deregulation proceedings in

West Virginia and Virginia in 2000.

(c) Excludes the extraordinary charge, net and a charge for a long dormant pumped-storage generation project in

1999. Includes the effect of internal restructuring in 1995 and 1996.

D-9

The Potomac Edison Company
and Subsidiaries

FINANCIAL AND OPERATING STATISTICS

 

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

1995

PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT

At Dec. 31 (Thousands):

Gross

$1,410,381

$2,322,104

$2,249,716

$2,196,262

$2,124,956

$2,050,835

Accumulated depreciation

(514,167)

(998,710)

(926,840)

(859,076)

(791,257)

(729,653)

Net

$ 896,214

$1,323,394

$1,322,876

$1,337,186

$1,333,699

$1,321,182

GROSS ADDITIONS TO PROPERTY

(Thousands):

$ 72,265

$ 91,622

$ 60,525

$ 78,298

$ 86,256

$ 92,240

TOTAL ASSETS at Dec. 31

(Thousands):

$ 1,098,963

$1,613,595

$1,728,619

$1,688,482

$1,696,904

$1,654,444

CAPITALIZATION at Dec. 31

(Thousands)

Retained Earnings

$ 412,754

$ 700,422

$ 762,912

$ 689,781

$ 678,116

$ 667,242

Preferred Stock:

Not subject to mandatory redemption

16,378

16,378

16,378

16,378

Subject to mandatory redemption

Long-term debt and QUIDS

410,010

510,344

578,817

627,012

628,431

628,854

$ 822,764

$1,210,766

$1,358,107

$1,333,171

$1,322,925

$1,312,474

Ratios:

Common stock

50.2%

57.8%

56.2%

51.8%

51.3%

50.8%

Preferred Stock

1.2

1.2

1.2

1.3

Not subject to mandatory redemption

Subject to mandatory redemption

Long-term debt and QUIDS QUIDS

49.8

42.2

42.6

47.0

47.5

47.9

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

GENERATING CAPABILITY-

kw at Dec. 31:

Company owned

3,000

2,099,120

2,073,292

2,073,292

2,072,292

2,072,292

Non utility contract (a)

180,000

KILOWATT-HOURS (Thousands):

Sales Volumes:

Residential

4,851,357

4,643,621

4,401,238

4,290,117

4,599,758

4,377,416

Commercial

2,791,704

2,667,928

2,498,546

2,331,789

2,288,229

2,213,052

Industrial

5,962,258

5,841,102

5,922,274

5,593,722

5,567,088

5,485,220

Wholesale and street lighting

699,821

683,691

657,357

666,383

724,011

603,572

Sales to regular customers

14,305,140

13,836,342

13,479,415

12,882,011

13,179,086

12,679,260

Affiliated

2,491,265

894,094

498,069

591,876

47,781

52,967

Bulk power

708,518

233,189

402,635

369,732

315,808

173,110

Transmission and other

energy services

3,475,567

2,789,957

2,470,365

4,044,837

5,617,912

4,740,010

Total sales volumes

20,980,490

17,753,582

16,850,484

17,888,456

19,160,587

17,645,347

Output and Delivery:

Steam generation

7,974,419

11,483,502

11,254,505

11,002,533

10,762,678

10,410,118

Hydro and pumped-storage generation

309,093

413,206

416,983

370,026

401,998

395,315

Pumped-storage input

(357,143)

(499,497)

(486,823)

(426,087)

(455,142)

(452,151)

Purchased power

10,309,506

4,493,128

4,190,098

3,934,815

3,639,519

3,318,302

Transmission and other

energy services

3,606,710

2,789,957

2,470,365

4,044,837

5,617,912

4,740,010

Losses and system uses

(862,095)

(926,714)

(994,644)

(1,037,668)

(806,378)

(766,247)

Total transactions as above

20,980,490

17,753,582

16,850,484

17,888,456

19,160,587

17,645,347

D-10

The Potomac Edison Company
and Subsidiaries

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

1995

CUSTOMERS at Dec. 31:

Residential

353,721

346,821

339,584

333,224

327,344

321,813

Commercial

47,336

45,968

44,828

43,794

42,670

41,759

Industrial

5,382

5,235

5,122

5,010

4,887

4,733

Other

632

620

641

598

571

543

Total customers

407,071

398,644

390,175

382,626

375,472

368,848

RESIDENTIAL SERVICE:

Average use-kWh per customer

13,861

13,523

13,093

13,003

14,179

13,729

Average revenue-dollars per customer

948.77

961.92

919.42

908.87

999.10

993.35

Average rate-cents per kWh

6.84

7.11

7.02

6.99

7.05

7.24

(a) Capability available through contract arrangements with non-utility generators.

D-11

West Penn Power Company
and Subsidiaries

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(Thousands of Dollars)

 

Quarter Ended

 

2000

 

1999

 

Mar

June

Sept

Dec

 

Mar

June

Sept

Dec

Electric operating

                 

Revenues

$257,544

$250,563

$266,528

$270,992

 

$317,730

$327,269

$395,662

$313,542

Operating income

36,047

44,377

42,919

40,973

 

58,674

47,089

42,295

45,711

Consolidated net

                 

Income

20,053

33,589

29,972

18,789

 

45,499

33,649

31,507

16,927

 

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS

Year ended December 31

(Thousands of Dollars)

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

1995

Operating revenues

$1,045,627

$1,354,203

$1,078,727

$1,082,162

$1,089,124

$1,081,093

Operation expense

684,132

800,438

552,514

524,051

531,522

523,279

Maintenance

37,305

93,436

91,724

98,252

104,211

114,489

Internal restructuring charges

and asset write-offs

53,343

11,099

Depreciation and amortization

62,379

114,268

114,709

113,793

119,066

112,334

Taxes other than income

45,402

80,719

88,722

90,140

90,132

89,694

Taxes on income

52,093

71,573

64,526

73,279

47,455

61,745

Allowance for funds used

during construction

(744)

(2,933)

(2,403)

(4,085)

(2,723)

(5,041)

Interest charges

66,919

68,723

67,640

69,629

71,072

67,902

Other income, net

(4,262)

(9,621)

(11,325)

(17,562)

(13,439)

(12,287)

Consolidated income before extra-

ordinary charge

102,403

137,600

112,620

134,665

88,485

117,879

Extraordinary charge, net (a)

_

(10,018)

(275,426)

_

_

_

Consolidated net income (loss)

$ 102,403

$ 127,582

$ (162,806)

$ 134,665

$ 88,485

$ 117,879

Return on average common equity (b)

40.82%

20.97%

13.12%

13.70%

8.72%

11.46%

 

(a) Write-off in connection with Pennsylvania deregulation proceedings.

(b) Excludes the extraordinary charge, net and Pennsylvania restructuring activities in 1998, and the extraordinary charge, net and a long dormant pumped-storage generation project in 1999. Includes the effect of internal restructuring in 1995 and 1996.

 

D-12

West Penn Power Company
and Subsidiaries

FINANCIAL AND OPERATING STATISTICS

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

1995

PROPERTY DATA

At Dec. 31 (Thousands):

Gross property

$1,654,283

$1,597,484

$3,365,784

$3,293,039

$3,182,208

$3,097,522

Accumulated depreciation

(543,000)

(506,416)

(1,362,413)

(1,254,900)

(1,152,383)

(1,063,399)

Net property

$1,111,283

$1,091,068

$2,003,371

$2,038,139

$2,029,825

$2,034,123

Gross additions during year:

Regulated operations

$ 53,097

$ 86,290

$ 95,975

$ 128,054

$ 130,606

$ 149,122

Unregulated generation

$ 27,956

TOTAL ASSETS at Dec. 31

(Thousands)

$1,792,547

$1,852,686

$2,887,706

$2,777,375

$2,724,367

$2,771,164

CAPITALIZATION at Dec 31

(Thousands):

Common stock

$ 422,121

$ 79,658

$ 732,161

$ 997,027

$ 962,752

$ 973,188

Preferred stock

79,708

79,708

79,708

79,708

Long-term debt and QUIDS

678,284

966,026

837,725

802,319

905,243

904,669

$1,100,405

$1,045,684

$1,649,594

$1,879,054

$1,947,703

$1,957,565

Ratios:

Common stock

38.4%

7.6%

44.4%

53.1%

49.4%

49.7%

Preferred stock

4.8

4.2

4.1

4.1

Long-term debt and QUIDS

61.6

92.4

50.8

42.7

46.5

46.2

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

GENERATING CAPABILITY

KW at Dec. 31:

Company-owned

3,721,408

3,671,408

3,671,408

3,671,408

Nonutility contracts (a)

138,000

138,000

138,000

138,000

138,000

138,000

REVENUES (b)

Residential

$ 404,192

$ 389,273

$ 370,636

$ 393,036

$ 402,083

$ 401,186

Commercial

221,038

201,728

217,954

223,347

224,663

224,144

Industrial

323,357

290,491

338,254

352,730

355,120

356,937

Wholesale and street lighting

28,933

27,425

33,650

27,051

26,194

25,330

Revenues from regular

utility customers

977,520

908,917

960,494

996,164

1,008,060

1,007,597

Affiliated

47,052

33,987

45,180

39,031

44,231

44,293

Other non-kWh

(3,528)

6,468

4,152

6,377

3,903

3,765

Bulk power

403

7,549

49,605

22,188

10,012

5,687

Transmission services

24,180

20,300

19,296

18,402

22,918

19,751

Total regulated operations

revenues

$1,045,627

$ 977,221

$1,078,727

$1,082,162

$1,089,124

$1,081,093

Total unregulated generation

revenues

$ 681,637

 

D-13

West Penn Power Company
and Subsidiaries

FINANCIAL AND OPERATING STATISTICS (continued)

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

1995

KILOWATT-HOURS(Thousands):

Sales Volumes:

Residential

6,061,759

6,028,420

5,778,155

5,756,594

5,913,412

5,818,838

Commercial

4,278,514

3,903,446

4,023,523

3,833,178

3,835,831

3,782,250

Industrial

8,381,329

7,222,636

8,237,627

8,046,166

7,974,265

7,857,689

Wholesale and street lighting

673,015

641,605

617,841

611,105

591,122

561,893

Regulated operations

transactions

19,394,617

17,796,107

18,657,146

18,247,043

18,314,630

18,020,670

Affiliated

2,526,407

1,295,975

1,974,497

1,789,476

1,068,712

1,059,852

Bulk power

11,046

145,717

2,332,825

1,046,905

453,028

227,893

Transmission services

4,677,501

3,522,145

2,942,868(c)

5,392,916

7,567,153

6,348,926

Total regulated operations

transactions

26,609,571

22,759,944

25,907,336

26,476,340

27,403,523

25,657,341

Total unregulated generation

transactions

9,970,100

Output and Delivery:

Steam generation

15,231

17,593,971

20,053,422

19,523,537

18,578,677

18,143,822

Hydro and pumped-storage generation

82

774,505

620,496

559,241

682,747

581,353

Pumped-storage input

(3)

(878,237)

(640,242)

(561,135)

(612,877)

(606,953)

Purchased power

22,992,742

12,979,203

2,890,986

2,968,258

2,583,166

2,507,196

Transmission services

4,677,501

3,522,145

3,850,394

5,392,916

7,567,153

6,348,926

Losses and system uses

(1,075,982)

(1,261,543)

(867,720)

(1,406,477)

(1,395,343)

(1,317,003)

Total transactions as above

26,609,571

32,730,044

25,907,336

26,476,340

27,403,523

25,657,341

CUSTOMERS at Dec. 31(d):

Residential

594,766

591,665

587,503

583,745

580,816

578,983

Commercial

75,035

73,480

71,920

70,559

69,457

68,500

Industrial

12,826

12,615

12,389

12,142

12,051

11,801

Other

559

570

608

629

607

598

Total customers

683,186

678,330

672,420

667,075

662,931

659,882

RESIDENTIAL SERVICE(e):

Average use-

kWh per customer

10,210

10,239

9,775

9,903

10,223

10,096

Average revenue-

dollars per customer

683.90

698.73

644.98

674.73

695.08

696.06

Average rate-

cents per kWh

6.70

6.82

6.60

6.81

6.80

6.89

Capability available through contractual arrangements with nonutility generators.

Eliminations between regulated operations and unregulated generation are shown on page 6.

Excludes 907,526 kWh (in thousands) delivered to customers participating in the Pennsylvania pilot program that are included in regular customer transactions sales volumes.

Customers in the Company's service territory receiving delivery service.

Use, revenue, and rate statistics are calculated based on full service customers (customers receiving both generation and delivery from the Company).

 

D-14

Allegheny Generating Company

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(Thousands of Dollars)

Quarter Ended

2000

1999

Dec

Sept

June

March

Dec

Sept

June

March

Operating revenues

$18,256

$17,257

$17,359

$17,155

$16,853

$18,072

$17,810

$17,857

Operating income

8,535

9,032

8,939

8,583

8,220

8,821

8,586

8,455

Net income

5,095

5,914

5,593

5,278

5,344

5,516

5,302

5,053

 

D-15

Allegheny Generating Company

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS

Year ended December 31

(Thousands of Dollars)

2000

1999

1998

1997

1996

1995

Operating revenues

$ 70,027

$ 70,592

$ 73,816

$ 76,458

$ 83,402

$ 86,970

Operation and maintenance expense

5,652

5,023

4,592

4,877

5,165

5,740

Depreciation

16,963

16,980

16,949

17,000

17,160

17,018

Taxes other than income taxes

4,963

4,510

4,662

4,835

4,801

5,091

Federal income taxes

7,360

9,997

10,959

11,213

13,297

13,552

Interest charges

13,494

13,261

13,987

15,391

16,193

18,361

Other income, net

(285)

(394)

(86)

(9,126)

(3)

(16)

Net Income

$ 21,880

$ 21,215

$ 22,753

$ 32,268

$ 26,789

$ 27,224

Return on average common equity

14.37%

13.08%

12.57%

15.98%

12.58%

12.46%

FINANCIAL AND OPERATING STATISTICS

PROPERTY, PLANT, AND EQUIPMENT

at Dec. 31 (Thousands):

Gross

$829,872

$828,894

$828,806

$828,658*

$837,050

$836,894*

Accumulated depreciation

(244,138)

(227,177)

(210,198)

(193,173)

(176,178)

(159,037)

Net

$585,734

$601,717

$618,608

$635,485

$660,872

$677,857

GROSS ADDITIONS TO PROPERTY

(Thousands)

$ 978

$ 85

$ 69

$ 444

$ 178

$ 14,165*

TOTAL ASSETS

at Dec. 31 (Thousands)

$602,045

$620,881

$639,458

$663,920

$692,408

$710,287

CAPITALIZATION AND SHORT-TERM DEBT

at Dec. 31: (Thousands):

Common stock

$144,370

$154,491

$165,276

$199,523

$202,955

$214,153

Long-term and short-term debt

202,295

201,081

215,579

208,735

239,234

256,084

$346,665

$355,572

$380,855

$408,258

$442,189

$470,237

Ratios:

Common stock

41.6%

43.4%

43.4%

48.9%

45.9%

45.5%

Long-term and short-term debt

58.4%

56.6

56.6

51.1

54.1

54.5

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

KILOWATT-HOURS (Thousands):

Pumping energy supplied by Parents

2,326,923

1,962,534

1,497,887

1,297,787

1,405,470

1,390,019

Pumped-storage generation

1,822,568

1,526,824

1,164,325

1,011,366

1,098,278

1,081,112

*Reflects a balance sheet reclassification in 1995 of $12 million from deferred charges to plant for a prior tax payment, and a related settlement of $8.8 million in 1997 that was recorded as a reduction to plant.

D-16

60

 

ITEM 7.

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Page No.

AE

M-1

Monongahela

M-22

Potomac Edison

M-35

West Penn

M-46

AGC

M-58

The information required by this Item was furnished in the copy of the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is also found in AE's Annual Report to Stockholders for 2000. You may obtain an Annual Report to Stockholders upon making a written or an oral request directed to: Allegheny Energy, Inc., 10435 Downsville Pike, Hagerstown, MD 21740, Attention: Marleen L. Brooks, Secretary (tel. 301-790-3400).

 

Allegheny Energy, Inc.

Management's Discussion and

Analysis of Financial Condition

and Results of Operations

 

Allegheny Energy, Inc.

 

FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS

 

Certain statements within constitute forward-looking statements with respect to Allegheny Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company). Such forward-looking statements include statements with respect to deregulated activities and movements towards competition in the states served by the Company, markets, products, services, prices, results of operations, capital expenditures, regulatory matters, liquidity and capital resources, resolution and impact of litigation, and accounting matters. All such forward-looking information is necessarily only estimated. There can be no assurance that actual results of the Company will not materially differ from expectations. Actual results have varied materially and unpredictably from past expectations.

 

Factors that could cause actual results of the Company to differ materially include, among others, the following: general and economic and business conditions; industry capacity; changes in technology; changes in political, social, and economic conditions; changes in the price of power and fuel for electric generation; changes in laws and regulations applicable to the Company; litigation involving the Company; environmental regulations; the loss of any significant customers and suppliers; and changes in business strategy, operations, or development plans.

 

Overview 

 

The Company has experienced significant changes in its business as deregulation of electric generation has been approved and implemented in states where the Company operates its regulated utility businesses. As deregulation of generation has been implemented on a state-by-state basis, the Company has transferred its generating assets from its regulated utility businesses to its unregulated generation business in accordance with approved deregulation plans. It is the Company's goal that all of its generating assets will be transferred to the unregulated generation business.

 

In 1999, the Company formed Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC (Allegheny Energy Supply), to consolidate the Company's unregulated generating assets into a single company that is not subject to state regulation of rates. Allegheny Energy Supply is an unregulated energy company that markets competitive wholesale and retail electricity. Also, Allegheny Energy Supply operates regulated electric generation for its affiliates until deregulation is implemented in all states where the regulated utilities operate. The Company intends to make Allegheny Energy Supply a national energy merchant.

 

In November 1998, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (Pennsylvania PUC) approved a settlement agreement between West Penn Power Company (West Penn) and parties to West Penn's restructuring proceedings. Under the terms of the settlement, two-thirds of West Penn's customers were permitted to choose an alternate generation supplier as of January 2, 1999. The remaining one-third of West Penn's customers were permitted to do so starting January 1, 2000. The settlement also allowed West Penn to transfer its 3,778 megawatts (MW) of generating assets at net book value to Allegheny Energy Supply, which was completed in 1999.

 

Also in 1999, Allegheny Energy Supply purchased from AYP Energy, Inc. (AYP Energy) its 276-MW share of merchant capacity at Fort Martin Unit No. 1.

 

In December 1999, the Maryland Public Service Commission (Maryland PSC) approved a settlement agreement, which allowed nearly all Maryland customers of The Potomac Edison Company (Potomac Edison) to choose their generation supplier beginning July 1, 2000. In June 2000, the Maryland PSC authorized Potomac Edison to transfer the Maryland portion of its generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply on or after July 1, 2000. Potomac Edison also obtained the necessary approvals from the Virginia State Corporation Commission (Virginia SCC) and the Public Service Commission of West Virginia (W.Va. PSC) to transfer the Virginia and West Virginia portions of its generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply in conjunction with the transfer of the Maryland portion of those assets. In August 2000, Potomac Edison transferred approximately 2,100 MW of generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply.

 

In March 2000, the West Virginia Legislature passed House Resolution 27 approving an electric deregulation plan submitted by the W.Va. PSC. Under the resolution, the implementation of the West Virginia deregulation plan cannot occur until the Legislature enacts certain tax changes regarding the preservation of tax revenues for state and local government. The plan provides for customer choice of a generation supplier for all customers and allows Monongahela Power Company (Monongahela Power) to transfer the West Virginia portion (approximately 2,004 MW) of its generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply. On August 15, 2000, and supplemented on

M-1

 

October 31, 2000, Monongahela Power filed a petition with the W.Va. PSC for approval to transfer its West Virginia portion of its generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply on or after January 1, 2001, contemporaneously with the transfer of its Ohio jurisdictional generating assets. We now consider it highly unlikely that legislative action will occur in West Virginia in 2001. If legislative action does not occur, the Company intends to explore other ways to complete the transfer of Monongahela Power's West Virginia jurisdictional generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply.

 

In October 2000, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (Ohio PUC) approved a settlement to implement a restructuring plan for Monongahela Power. This restructuring plan allowed Ohio customers of Monongahela Power to choose their generation supplier starting January 1, 2001. Also, Monongahela Power was permitted to transfer the Ohio jurisdictional portion (approximately 352 MW) of its generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply at net book value on or after January 1, 2001.

 

In addition to the assets transferred by the Company's regulated utility subsidiaries, the Company announced that Allegheny Energy Supply plans to construct a 1,080-MW natural gas-fired merchant generating plant in La Paz County, Arizona (expected completion in 2005); a 540-MW combined-cycle facility in Springdale, Pennsylvania (expected completion in 2003); and two 44-MW simple-cycle combustion turbines in Pennsylvania. The Company completed the acquisition of a 50 percent share of the existing 48-MW coal-fired generation at Hunlock Creek with partner UGI Development in the fourth quarter of 2000. In January 2001, the Company completed the acquisition of a 4.86-percent ownership share (83 MW) of the 1,711-MW Conemaugh Generating Station from Potomac Electric Power Company (PEPCO). The Company completed construction of five 44-MW simple-cycle combustion turbines in Pennsylvania during 1999 and 2000, which are part of its unregulated generation fleet. In November 2000, the Company announced that Allegheny Energy Supply entered into an agreement to purchase from Enron Corporation three natural gas-fired merchant generating facilities located in the Midwest totaling 1,710 MW. In January 2001, the Company announced that Allegheny Energy Supply plans to construct a 630-MW natural gas-fired merchant generating facility in St. Joseph County, Indiana. Allegheny Energy Supply will have nearly 13,000 MW of generating capacity when the plants being acquired and under construction and the transfer of the Ohio and West Virginia generating assets of Monongahela Power are completed.

 

The table below summarizes the Company's electric generating capacity, excluding generating capacity purchased through contractual obligations of which the Company does not exercise 100 percent control, in operation at December 31, 2000, and announced additions:

Capacity

Cost per

(MW)

Kilowatt

In operation:

Unregulated generation

6,407

$290

Regulated generation

2,356

253

Announced additions:

Unregulated generation

4,131

619

*

Total

12,894

$388

 

* Reflects the estimated cost of facilities under construction and pending acquisitions of generating facilities.

In January 2001, the Company announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Global Energy Markets (G.E.M.), Merrill Lynch's energy commodity marketing and trading unit. Under the agreement, Allegheny Energy Supply will acquire G.E.M. by paying Merrill Lynch $490 million plus a two percent ownership interest in Allegheny Energy Supply. The acquisition is intended to help transform the Company into a major national energy merchant in the energy marketplace. The combination of G.E.M.'s sophisticated structured transaction and trading skills and market presence and the Company's low-cost generating fleet will allow the Company to take advantage of the growth opportunities created by the changing energy industry. The transaction, which is being accounted for as a purchase, is expected to be closed in the first quarter of 2001. However, transfer of the two percent ownership interest (which is not required for closing) cannot occur until it is approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

 

The Company is considering additional ways of maximizing the value of its generating assets, including partnering with other generating companies, converting Allegheny Energy Supply into a corporation and selling a portion of its common equity through an initial public offering, or combining a partial initial public offering with a spin-off of the remaining stock to the Company's shareholders.

 

Monongahela Power expanded its service territory with the acquisition of West Virginia Power Company assets (West Virginia Power) in December 1999 for approximately $95 million. The acquisition of West Virginia Power added approximately 26,000 electric distribution customers and 24,000 natural gas customers to Monongahela Power's existing business in West Virginia. Also, Monongahela Power acquired Mountaineer Gas Company (Mountaineer Gas) in August 2000 for approximately $326 million, which included the assumption of existing long-term debt of $100 million. The acquisition of Mountaineer Gas added approximately 200,000 natural gas customers to Monongahela Power's West Virginia regulated utility operations.

M-2

 

The Company's state regulated subsidiaries, Monongahela Power, Potomac Edison, and West Penn, collectively with Mountaineer Gas, now doing business as Allegheny Power, also signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Interconnection, LLC (PJM), to develop a new affiliation. Allegheny Power is leading the new initiative, known as PJM West, which will facilitate economic transmission service while simultaneously expanding the PJM market.

 

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN 2000, 1999, AND 1998

 

Transfer of Generating Assets 

 

In August 2000, Potomac Edison transferred approximately 2,100 MW of its Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia jurisdictional generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply at net book value. State utility commissions in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia approved the transfer of these assets as part of deregulation proceedings in those states. During the fourth quarter of 1999, West Penn transferred its deregulated generating capacity, which totaled 3,778 MW, to Allegheny Energy Supply at net book value. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the SEC also approved these transfers.

 

Under the terms of the deregulation plans approved in Pennsylvania for West Penn and in Maryland for Potomac Edison, West Penn and Potomac Edison retain the obligation to provide electricity to customers that do not choose an alternative electricity supplier during a transition period. For West Penn, the Pennsylvania transition period continues through December 31, 2008. For Potomac Edison, the Standard Offer Service (provider of last resort) will be provided to Maryland residential customers during a transition period from July 1, 2000, to December 31, 2008, and to all other Maryland customers during a transition period of July 1, 2000, to December 31, 2004. See Note B to the consolidated financial statements for details regarding the deregulation plans approved in Pennsylvania and Maryland.

 

Pursuant to contracts, Allegheny Energy Supply provides West Penn and Potomac Edison with power during the Pennsylvania and Maryland transition periods. Allegheny Energy Supply also provides power pursuant to contracts to cover the retail load of Potomac Edison in Virginia and West Virginia prior to and throughout the ensuing period of any retail choice programs that may be implemented in those states. Under these contracts, Allegheny Energy Supply provides these regulated electricity distribution affiliates with the amount of electricity, up to their retail load, that they may demand. These contracts currently represent a significant portion of the normal operating capacity of Allegheny Energy Supply's fleet of generating assets and require it to absorb changes in fuel prices and increased costs of environmental compliance.

 

On May 25, 2000, Potomac Edison filed an application with the Virginia SCC to separate its approximately 380 MW of Virginia jurisdictional generating assets, excluding the hydroelectric assets located within the state of Virginia, from its transmission and distribution (T&D) assets, effective July 1, 2000. On July 11, 2000, the Virginia SCC issued an order approving Potomac Edison's separation plan that provided for the transfer of its Virginia jurisdictional generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply in exchange for the aforementioned contractual commitment from Allegheny Energy Supply to provide power.

 

On August 10, 2000, Potomac Edison applied to the Virginia SCC to transfer the five MW of hydroelectric assets located within the state of Virginia to Green Valley Hydro, LLC (a subsidiary of Potomac Edison). On December 14, 2000, the Virginia SCC approved the transfer. Potomac Edison anticipates the transfer to Allegheny Energy Supply will occur during the first half of 2001, after receiving final approval from the SEC.

 

On June 23, 2000, the W.Va. PSC issued an order regarding the transfer of the approximately 2,004 MW of West Virginia jurisdictional generating assets of Monongahela Power as well as the generating assets of Potomac Edison that serve West Virginia load. Potomac Edison was granted approval to transfer its assets to Allegheny Energy supply to be consolidated with other Potomac Edison generating assets so transferred. In part, Monongahela Power is required to file with the W.Va. PSC a petition seeking a Commission finding that a proposed transfer of generating assets complies with the conditions of the deregulation plan. The order also permits Monongahela Power to submit a petition to the Commission seeking approval to transfer its West Virginia jurisdictional generating assets prior to the implementation of the deregulation plan. A filing before the implementation of the deregulation plan is required to include commitments to the consumer and other protections contained in the deregulation plan. In a petition filed on August 15, 2000, and supplemented on October 31, 2000, Monongahela Power sought W.Va. PSC approval to transfer its West Virginia jurisdictional generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply contemporaneously with the transfer of its Ohio jurisdictional generating assets. We now consider it highly unlikely that legislative action will occur in West Virginia in 2001. If legislative action does not occur, the Company intends to explore other ways to complete the transfer of Monongahela Power's West Virginia jurisdictional generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply.

M-3

 

On October 5, 2000, the Ohio PUC approved a stipulation agreement between Monongahela Power and the major parties regarding a transition plan to bring electric choice to Monongahela Power's approximately 29,000 Ohio customers. As part of the agreement, Monongahela Power is permitted to transfer its Ohio jurisdictional generating assets (approximately 352 MW) to Allegheny Energy Supply at net book value on or after January 1, 2001. That transfer is intended to occur in the second quarter of 2001.

 

See Notes B and C to the consolidated financial statements for details of the Company's various state restructurings and other information about the electric generation deregulation process.

 

Additional Generation 

 

On January 5, 2001, the Company announced that Allegheny Energy Supply plans to construct a 630-MW natural gas-fired merchant generating facility in St. Joseph County, Indiana, approximately 10 miles west of South Bend. Construction on the facility will begin in 2002 and will be completed in two stages. Two 44-MW simple-cycle combustion turbines will be constructed first, followed by the addition of 542 MW of combined-cycle capacity in 2005. When completed, the facility will allow Allegheny Energy Supply to sell additional generation into the East Central Area Reliability Region (ECAR), as well as give Allegheny Energy Supply greater access to other markets.

 

The Company and PPL Global, Inc., a subsidiary of PPL Corporation, in January 2001 submitted a successful co-bid to purchase PEPCO's 9.72-percent share in the 1,711-MW Conemaugh Generating Station. Each company acquired 83 MW at a cost of approximately $78 million. The Company financed its share through the issuance of debt. The purchase will enhance the Company's presence in the PJM power market.

 

In November 2000, the Company announced that Allegheny Energy Supply and Enron North America (Enron), a wholly owned subsidiary of Enron Corporation, signed a definitive agreement under which Allegheny Energy Supply will purchase three natural gas-fired merchant generating facilities. The purchase includes the following generating assets, all of which have been in service since June 2000: the Gleason plant (546 MW) in Gleason, Tennessee; the Wheatland plant (508 MW) in Wheatland, Indiana; and the Lincoln Energy Center plant (656 MW) in Manhattan, Illinois. These assets will provide Allegheny Energy Supply with additional natural gas-fired generating capacity within ECAR, the Mid-America Interconnected Network, and the Southeastern Electric Reliability Council. The purchase is anticipated to close in the second quarter of 2001.

 

In October 2000, the Company announced that Allegheny Energy Supply plans to construct a 1,080-MW natural gas-fired merchant generating facility in La Paz County, Arizona, approximately 75 miles west of Phoenix. Construction is expected to begin on the $540-million combined-cycle facility in 2002. When completed in 2005, the facility will allow Allegheny Energy Supply to sell generation into Arizona and other states served by the Western System Power Pool, including all or parts of California, western Canada, Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

 

In September 2000, Allegheny Energy Supply announced that Allegheny Energy Supply Hunlock Creek, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, along with partner UGI Development, a subsidiary of UGI Corporation (UGI), will market generating output from facilities at UGI's Hunlock Creek generating station near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

 

In addition to sharing 48 MW of existing coal-fired generation at Hunlock Creek, Allegheny Energy Supply Hunlock Creek, LLC, installed a 44-MW natural gas-fired combustion turbine on property owned by UGI in the fourth quarter of 2000. UGI Development and Allegheny Energy Supply Hunlock Creek, LLC will jointly share in the combined output of the coal-fired and combustion turbine generating units. Allegheny Energy Supply Hunlock Creek, LLC, was responsible for construction of the Hunlock Creek combustion turbine, while UGI operates the facilities. These additions will give Allegheny Energy Supply access to 46 MW of generating capacity to sell into the PJM market.

 

In February 2000, the Company announced that it would install five simple-cycle gas combustion turbines, including the turbine installed by Allegheny Energy Supply Hunlock Creek, LLC, with a combined capacity of 198 MW (adjusted for UGI's share of one 44-MW unit) at various sites within Pennsylvania. The construction of two units (88 MW) was completed in the fourth quarter of 2000. The construction of the other two units will be completed in 2001. The generation output from the five units will be sold into competitive wholesale and retail power markets in the eastern United States. The units, which will be capable of running on either natural gas or No. 2 diesel oil, represent an investment of approximately $120 million for Allegheny Energy Supply.

 

In January 2000, the Company also announced the construction of a 540-MW combined-cycle generating plant at Springdale, Pennsylvania, at a cost of $318 million. The new facility will include two gas-fired combustion turbines and a steam turbine. The combined-cycle facility is expected to be operational and providing power for sale into competitive markets in 2003.

M-4

 

In 1999, the Company completed construction of and placed into operation two new 44-MW, simple-cycle gas combustion turbines at Springdale, Pennsylvania.

G.E.M. Acquisition

 

On January 8, 2001, the Company announced that it had signed a definitive agreement to acquire G.E.M., Merrill Lynch's energy commodity marketing and trading unit. Under the agreement, Allegheny Energy Supply will acquire G.E.M. by paying Merrill Lynch $490 million, plus a two percent equity interest in Allegheny Energy Supply. Merrill Lynch has also agreed, in connection with the G.E.M. transaction, to refrain from competition with the Company for a period of 30 months. The transaction will be accounted for under the purchase method of accounting.

 

The acquisition is intended to help transform the Company into a major participant in the national energy marketplace and allow the Company to take advantage of growth opportunities created by changes in the energy industry. The addition of G.E.M.'s sophisticated structured transaction and trading skills and market presence to the Company's existing marketing and operating skills will assist in extracting the maximum value from the Company's low-cost generating fleet.

 

With G.E.M., Allegheny Energy Supply will have a significant trading and marketing operation and a national platform from which to sell its wholesale generation. G.E.M. was ranked in the top 20 in the nation in terms of electric volumes traded as of the third quarter of 2000. It is expected that Allegheny Energy Supply and G.E.M.'s combined volumes traded will be in the top 10 of all power marketers in the nation.

 

The acquisition of G.E.M. includes the support infrastructure necessary to conduct business immediately upon completion of the transaction. Additionally, under the agreement, for 30 months Merrill Lynch will refer its clients with energy trading needs to Allegheny Energy Supply.

 

The acquisition is contingent upon regulatory approvals, including approval of the FERC. The transfer of the two percent equity interest also requires approval of the SEC. This transfer is not required to be completed for closing. The Company expects the transaction to be closed in the first quarter of 2001.

 

Mountaineer Gas and West Virginia Power Acquisitions 

 

On August 18, 2000, Monongahela Power completed the purchase of Mountaineer Gas, a regulated natural gas sales, transportation, and distribution company serving a large portion of West Virginia, from Energy Corporation of America (ECA) for approximately $326 million, which included the assumption of $100 million of existing long-term debt. The acquisition included the assets of Mountaineer Gas Services, which operates natural gas-producing properties, natural gas-gathering facilities, and intrastate transmission pipelines. The acquisition increased Monongahela Power's number of gas customers in West Virginia by approximately 200,000. (See Note E to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.)

 

In December 1999, Monongahela Power purchased from UtiliCorp United Inc. the assets of West Virginia Power, an electric and natural gas distribution company located in southern West Virginia, for approximately $95 million.

 

Leasing Technologies International, Inc. Acquisition

 

On December 29, 2000, Allegheny Ventures, Inc. (Allegheny Ventures), an unregulated subsidiary of the Company, signed an agreement to acquire Leasing Technologies International, Inc. (LTI), a financial services firm that specializes in equipment financing solutions for emerging growth companies. Allegheny Ventures will acquire LTI for $26 million. In addition, LTI's leadership and employee shareholders could receive additional shares of the Company's common stock over the next three years if LTI reaches or exceeds earnings targets. The stock-for-stock transaction will be accounted for under the purchase method of accounting. The Company expects the transaction will be closed in the second quarter of 2001, subject to SEC approval.

 

Rate Matters 

 

The Company's regulated subsidiaries, doing business as Allegheny Power, operate electric transmission and electric and natural gas distribution systems. Allegheny Power also generates electric energy in jurisdictions which have not yet deregulated electric generation. These subsidiaries are subject to federal and state regulation, including the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA). Allegheny Power's markets for regulated electric and gas retail sales are in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

 

Potomac Edison decreased the fuel portion of Maryland customers' bills by approximately $6.4 million annually, effective with bills rendered on or after December 7, 1999, based on the outcome of proceedings before the Maryland PSC. A proposed order was issued on February 18, 2000, granting the requested decrease in Potomac

M-5

Edison's fuel rate, and, on March 21, 2000, the proposed order became final. Effective July 1, 2000, coincident with customer choice in Maryland, the fuel rates were rolled into base rates.

 

On March 24, 2000, the Maryland PSC issued an order requiring Potomac Edison to refund the 1999 deferred fuel balance overrecovery of approximately $9.9 million to customers over a period of 12 months that began April 30, 2000. The refund of the overrecovered balance does not affect Potomac Edison's earnings since the overrecovered amounts had been deferred.

 

On October 4, 2000, the Maryland PSC approved Potomac Edison's filing, which represents the final reconciliation of its deferred fuel balance. Potomac Edison is refunding to customers a $3.2 million overrecovery balance existing in the Maryland deferred fuel account as of September 30, 2000. The deferred fuel credit to customers began in October 2000 and will be effective until the balance falls to zero, which is projected to take 12 months. The refund of the overrecovered balance does not affect Potomac Edison's earnings, since the overrecovered amounts had been deferred.

 

On June 23, 2000, the W.Va. PSC approved a Joint Stipulation and Agreement for Settlement, stating agreed-upon rates designed to make the rates of Potomac Edison and Monongahela Power consistent. Under the terms of the settlement, several tariff schedules, notably those available to residential and small commercial customers, will require several incremental steps to reach the agreed-upon rate level. The settlement rates resulted in a revenue reduction of approximately $0.3 million for 2000, increasing over eight years to an annual reduction of approximately $1.7 million. Offsetting the decrease in rates, the settlement approved by the W.Va. PSC directs Monongahela Power and Potomac Edison to amortize the existing overcollected deferred fuel balance as of June 30, 2000 (approximately $16 million), as a reduction of expenses over a four-and-one-half year period beginning July 1, 2000. Also, effective July 1, 2000, Potomac Edison and Monongahela Power ceased their expanded net energy cost (fuel clause) as part of the settlement.

 

On November 29, 2000, the Maryland PSC approved the Power Sales Agreement between Potomac Edison and the winning bidder covering the sale of the AES Warrior Run output to the wholesale market for the period January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2001. The AES Warrior Run cogeneration project was developed under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) and achieved commercial operation on February 10, 2000. Under the terms of the Maryland deregulation plan approved in 1999, the revenues from the sale of the AES Warrior Run output are used to offset the capacity and energy costs Potomac Edison pays to the AES Warrior Run cogeneration project before determining amounts to be recovered from Maryland customers.

 

Effective with bills rendered on or after January 8, 2001, there was an increase in Maryland base rates as a result of the phase-in of the rate increase approved by the Maryland PSC on October 27, 1998. A settlement agreement, which includes recognition and dollar-for-dollar recovery of costs to be incurred from the AES Warrior Run project, was filed with the Maryland PSC on July 30, 1998, and approved by that Commission on October 27, 1998. The Maryland PSC approved rates for each customer class on December 22, 1998. Under the terms of the agreement, Potomac Edison increased its rates about four percent in each of the years 1999 and 2000 and will increase rates by about four percent in 2001 (a $79 million total revenue increase during 1999 through 2001). The increases are designed to recover additional costs of about $131 million over the period 1999-2001 for capacity purchases from the AES Warrior Run project net of alleged overearnings of $52 million for the same period. The agreement also requires that Potomac Edison share 50 percent of earnings above an 11.4 percent return on equity with customers for 1999 and 2000. As a result, 50 percent of the amount above the threshold earnings amount, or $9.7 million applicable to 1999, is being distributed to customers in the form of an Earnings Sharing Credit, effective June 7, 2000, through April 30, 2001. Any sharing of earnings required for 2000 will be reflected as a credit on customers' bills starting in May 2001.

 

On October 11, 2000, the W.Va. PSC approved an interim increase on the commodity rate for gas customers of Monongahela Power (formerly West Virginia Power customers) for gas service bills rendered on and after December 1, 2000. On December 11, 2000, the W.Va. PSC approved additional increases for gas service bills rendered on and after January 1, 2001, through November 30, 2001 (total revenue increase for the 12-month period of $5.1 million or 22.6 percent). The commodity rate is the portion of the gas service bill that reflects the cost of natural gas, which has increased significantly during 2000. The W.Va. PSC has approved a tiered rate structure with rates established for the winter heating season, effective January 1, 2001, through April 30, 2001, and further increased rates effective May 1, 2001, through November 30, 2001, dependent upon the level of cost recovery after the winter heating season. This approach allows Monongahela Power full recovery, but eases the increase on the average customer. These increases have no effect on earnings because they were implemented via the Purchased Gas Adjustment mechanism. Under the Purchased Gas Adjustment mechanism, differences between revenues received for energy costs and actual energy costs are deferred until the next proceeding, when energy rates are adjusted to return or recover previous overrecoveries or underrecoveries, respectively.

 

Mountaineer Gas, in response to significant increases in the market price for natural gas, filed for a rate increase with the W.Va. PSC on January 4, 2001. If natural gas prices remain at current levels, the proposed overall rates will increase by approximately 39 percent ($67 million) over present rates. Mountaineer Gas anticipates that the W.Va. PSC will postpone the effective date until November 1, 2001, when the current rate moratorium ends. The conclusion of the current rate moratorium coincides with the expiration of the primary Mountaineer Gas fixed-price fuel supply contract.

M-6

 

Regional Transmission Organization

 

In adopting its Rule 2000, the FERC defined requirements for transmission facility owners, such as Monongahela Power, Potomac Edison, and West Penn, to participate in some form of a regional transmission organization (RTO). Additionally, the state jurisdictions within which the Company operates have, to different degrees, started to define their transition to a competitive generation marketplace. As part of this, they have identified transmission as a key link to making the electricity market efficient.

 

Allegheny Power announced on October 5, 2000, that it had signed a Memorandum of Agreement with PJM to develop a new transmission affiliation with PJM, referred to as PJM West. The Memorandum of Agreement was outlined in a filing submitted to the FERC on October 16, 2000, in order to meet the requirements of FERC's Order 2000.

 

FERC's Order 2000 required all electric utilities, not currently in an independent system operator (ISO), to file a plan on how they would participate in an RTO, those entities that oversee and control the power grid. Although PJM is an ISO, Allegheny Power will not join PJM, but will pursue the development of an affiliation with PJM, working within the PJM framework, which would also be available to other utilities.

 

Allegheny Power is leading the new initiative, known as PJM West, which will facilitate economic transmission service, while simultaneously expanding the PJM market. Allegheny Energy Supply will benefit from the PJM West initiative by having its generation within PJM and open to markets in the current PJM region.

 

In December 2000, Allegheny Power and PJM announced the execution of an agreement in principle to broaden PJM West that will further expand the PJM market into the Pittsburgh area. This agreement provides for Duquesne Light Company to join Allegheny Power in the development of PJM West by executing a similar joint agreement with PJM as did Allegheny Power.

 

AFN Communications, LLC

 

Allegheny Communications Connect, Inc. (ACC) announced in March 2000 that it, along with five other energy and telecommunications companies and a consulting partner, were creating AFN Communications, LLC (AFN), a super-regional high-speed telecommunications company. The network initially offered more than 7,700 route miles, or 140,000 fiber miles, connecting major markets in the eastern United States to secondary markets with a growing need for broadband access. The initial footprint of fiber in AFN positions it to reach areas responsible for roughly 35 percent of the national wholesale communications capacity market.

 

AFN expects to expand its network from the current 7,700 route miles to 10,000 route miles or 200,000 fiber miles by the end of 2002. AFN will reach this capacity by adding partners with existing fiber, installing fiber in areas of opportunity, and acquiring existing fiber from others or contracting long-term lease agreements for existing fiber.

 

ACC received a 17 percent interest in AFN by contributing 339 miles of lit fiber, including revenue from capacity contracts related to these routes, and 761 miles of committed dark fiber. Other members include AEP Fiber Venture, LLC, a subsidiary of American Electric Power; GPU Telcom Services, Inc., a subsidiary of GPU, Inc.; Fiber Venture Equity, Inc., a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corporation; CFW Network, Inc.; R&B Network, Inc.; and A.T. Kearney, Inc.

 

Allegheny Energy Solutions, Inc.

 

On May 15, 2000, one of the Company's unregulated subsidiaries, Allegheny Energy Solutions, Inc. (Allegheny Energy Solutions) announced the formation of a strategic alliance with Capstone Turbine Corporation (Capstone). Capstone manufactures commercial, ultra-low emission microturbine power systems. The alliance will help position Allegheny Energy Solutions as a local and national solutions provider for distributed generation services.

 

On December 7, 2000, Allegheny Energy Solutions added Siemens Solar Industries, L.P., to its portfolio of suppliers for distributed generation products. Through its agreement with Siemens Solar Industries, Allegheny Energy Solutions will provide its customers with a comprehensive offering of solar electric solutions called earthsafe.™

 

Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement

 

The Company has adopted a Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement (Rights Agreement). Under the Rights Agreement, rights were distributed as a dividend at the rate of one right per each share of the Company's common stock. The dividend was paid to shareholders of record as of March 16, 2000. Under its principal provision, if any person or group acquires 15 percent or more of the Company's outstanding common stock, all other

M-7

shareholders of the Company would be entitled to buy, for the exercise price of $100 per right, common stock of the Company having a market value equal to twice the exercise price, thereby substantially diluting the acquiring person's or group's investment.

 

The rights may cause substantial dilution to a person or group that acquires 15 percent or more of the Company's common stock. The rights should not interfere with a transaction that is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, because the rights can be redeemed or terminated prior to a triggering event.

 

The SEC previously issued an order pursuant to the PUHCA, granting the Company authority to adopt and implement the Rights Agreement.

Review of Operations

Earnings Summary

Earnings

Basic and Diluted Earnings

Per Average Share

(Millions of dollars except per share data)

2000

1999

1998

2000

1999

1998

Operations:

Regulated operations

$227.7

$236.5

$283.3

$2.06

$2.03

$2.32

Unregulated generation

83.7

49.1

(19.6)

.76

0.42

(0.16)

Other

2.2

(0.2)

(0.7)

.02

(0.01)

Consolidated income before extraordinary charges

313.7

285.4

263.0

2.84

2.45

2.15

Extraordinary charges, net (Notes B, C, and F to

consolidated financial statements)

(77.0)

(27.0)

(275.4)

(0.70)

(0.23)

(2.25)

Consolidated net income (loss)

$236.6

$258.4

($12.4)

$2.14

$2.22

($0.10)

The increase in earnings for 2000, before extraordinary charges, resulted from the Company's unregulated generation segment due to the transfer of Potomac Edison's Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia jurisdictional generating assets from regulated operations to unregulated generation in August 2000. In addition, the earnings for unregulated generation increased due to colder than normal weather in November and December of 2000. This increase was partially offset by the milder summer weather for 2000.

 

Earnings for the Company's regulated operations decreased in 2000 due to the transfer of Potomac Edison's generating assets in August 2000. This decrease was partially offset by the acquisition of two energy distribution companies, West Virginia Power in 1999 and Mountaineer Gas in 2000.

 

The increase in earnings per share for 2000, before the extraordinary charge, reflects higher net revenue in the unregulated generation segment and a lower number of average shares of common stock outstanding as a result of the Company's 1999 stock repurchase program.

 

The extraordinary charge of $77 million, net of taxes, reflects write-offs by the Company's regulated subsidiaries, Monongahela Power and Potomac Edison, as a result of West Virginia, Ohio, and Virginia legislation requiring deregulation of electric generation.

 

The decrease in 1999 earnings from regulated operations, before extraordinary charges, reflects the deregulation of two-thirds of West Penn's electric generation, effective January 1, 1999, as approved by the Pennsylvania PUC's restructuring order for West Penn. Accordingly, the operating results for these assets are classified as unregulated generation in 1999.

 

In 1999, earnings from unregulated generation, before extraordinary charges, increased consolidated net income by $49.1 million, an increase of $68.7 million over 1998's loss. This increase in unregulated earnings reflects the sale of generation from two-thirds of West Penn's generating assets into deregulated markets as discussed under Sales and Revenues and improved results over 1998 performance in such markets.

 

Extraordinary charges in 2000, 1999, and 1998 resulted from the Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia electric utility restructuring orders as discussed in Notes B and C to the consolidated financial statements and the redemption of debt by West Penn in 1999 related to the securitization of stranded costs as discussed in Note F to the consolidated financial statements.

M-8

 

Sales and Revenues Total operating revenues for 2000, 1999, and 1998 were as follows:

(Millions of dollars)

2000

1999

1998

Operating revenues:

Regulated operations:

Electric

$2,315.8

2,169.0

2,201.2

Gas

81.8

Choice

28.4

34.3

14.0

Bulk power

135.8

45.7

69.8

Transmission and other energy services

73.2

61.0

45.2

Total regulated revenues

2,635.0

2,310.0

2,330.2

Unregulated generation revenues:

Retail and other

232.8

155.5

25.0

Bulk power

2,048.8

723.9

215.3

Total unregulated generation revenues

2,281.6

879.4

240.3

Other

22.6

8.9

6.7

Eliminations

(927.3)

(389.9)

(0.8)

Total operating revenues

$4,011.9

$2,808.4

$2,576.4

The increase in regulated electric and gas revenues for 2000 was primarily due to an increase in the number of customers and the acquisition of the assets of West Virginia Power purchased by Monongahela Power in December 1999, and by Monongahela Power's acquisition of Mountaineer Gas in August 2000. The decrease in regulated revenues in 1999 was due primarily to Pennsylvania deregulation, which gave two-thirds of West Penn's regulated customers the ability to choose another energy supplier. This decrease was also due to a reduction in Potomac Edison's Maryland rates as part of a settlement agreement. Electric energy supplied to West Penn customers by alternative energy suppliers was seven percent and 11 percent of West Penn's total megawatt sales for 2000 and 1999. The decrease to regulated revenues was offset in part by colder winter weather in 1999, which led to increased residential kilowatt-hour (kWh) sales and revenues.

 

Choice revenues represent T&D revenues from franchised customers in West Penn's Pennsylvania and Potomac Edison's Maryland distribution territories who chose other suppliers to provide their energy needs. Pennsylvania and Maryland deregulation gave West Penn and Potomac Edison's regulated customers the ability to choose another energy supplier. For 2000, all of West Penn's regulated customers had the ability to choose, and, for 1999, two-thirds of West Penn's customers had the ability to choose. As of July 1, 2000, all of Potomac Edison's Maryland customers had the right to choose. At December 31, 2000, less than one percent of West Penn's customers and Potomac Edison's Maryland customers chose alternate energy suppliers. The decrease in choice revenues for 2000 was due to the decline in the number of West Penn customers choosing alternate energy suppliers.

 

In 1998, the choice revenues represent five percent of previously fully bundled customers (full service customers) who participated in the Pennsylvania pilot program that began November 1, 1997, and continued through December 31, 1998, and were required to buy energy from an alternate supplier. To assure participation in the program, pilot participants received an energy credit from their local utility and a price for energy pursuant to an agreement with an alternate supplier.

 

The increases in regulated operations bulk power for 2000 was primarily due to increased sales by Monongahela Power and Potomac Edison to Allegheny Energy Supply. In early 2000, a dispatch agreement was implemented between regulated operations and unregulated generation. With this agreement, regulated operations sells the amount of its bulk power that exceeds its regulated load to Allegheny Energy Supply and conversely buys generation from unregulated operations when regulated load at times exceeds regulated generation. Such a relationship allows all of the Company's generation to be dispatched in a more efficient manner. In addition, $28.1 million for 2000 was the result of the sale of the output of the AES Warrior Run cogeneration facility into the open wholesale market. This output was part of a Maryland PSC settlement agreement with Potomac Edison. The 1999 decrease in regulated operations bulk power was due to the movement of generation available for sale from regulated operations to unregulated generation.

M-9

 

In October 1998, the Maryland PSC approved a settlement agreement for Potomac Edison. Under the terms of that agreement, Potomac Edison increased its rates about four percent in 1999 and 2000, and will increase rates about four percent in 2001 (a $79 million total revenue increase during 1999 through 2001). (See Rate Matters beginning on page 28 for additional information).

 

Total regulated operations revenues reflect not only changes in kilowatt-hour sales and base rate changes, but also changes in revenues from fuel and energy cost adjustment clauses (fuel clauses), which were applicable in all Company jurisdictions, except for Pennsylvania, through various dates in 2000. Effective July 1, 2000, Potomac Edison's Maryland jurisdiction and the West Virginia jurisdiction for Monongahela Power and Potomac Edison ceased to have a fuel clause. Effective August 7, 2000, a fuel clause ceased to exist for Potomac Edison's Virginia jurisdiction. Effective January 1, 2001, a fuel clause ceased to exist for Monongahela Power's Ohio jurisdiction.

 

Where a fuel clause is in effect, changes in fuel revenues have no effect on consolidated net income because increases and decreases in fuel and purchased power costs and sales of transmission services and bulk power are passed on to customers through fuel clauses. Once the fuel clause is eliminated, the Company assumes the risks and benefits of changes in fuel and purchased power costs and sales of transmission services and bulk power.

 

Gas sales and services and electric revenues from the assets of West Virginia Power purchased by Monongahela Power in December 1999 and Mountaineer Gas purchased by Monongahela Power in August 2000 are included in regulated revenues in 2000. Because a significant portion of the gas sold by Monongahela Power's gas distribution operations is ultimately used for space heating, both revenues and earnings are subject to seasonal fluctuations. The Purchased Gas Adjustment mechanism (fuel clause) continues to exist for West Virginia Power and may come into effect for Mountaineer Gas following its current three-year moratorium, which ends on October 31, 2001.

 

There may be significant volatility in the spot prices for electricity at the wholesale level, which may significantly affect the Company's operating results. The effect may be either positive or negative, depending on whether the Company's subsidiaries are net buyers or sellers of electricity and their open commitments or previously concluded market positions that exist at such times.

 

The increase in unregulated generation revenues reflects increased transactions by Allegheny Energy Supply in the unregulated marketplace to sell electricity to both wholesale and retail customers and is also due to having increased generation available for sale. As a result of the Electricity Generation Customer Choice and Competition Act (Customer Choice Act) in Pennsylvania, two-thirds of West Penn's generation was released in the first quarter of 1999 and was available for sale into the unregulated marketplace by Allegheny Energy Supply, subject to its obligations under the full requirements contracts it entered into with West Penn. In the first quarter of 2000, the final one-third of West Penn's generation was similarly released and became available for sale into the deregulated marketplace. In addition, the Company transferred approximately 2,100 MW of Potomac Edison's Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia jurisdictional generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply in August 2000. As a result, the unregulated generation segment had more generation available for sale into the deregulated marketplace in 2000, and had concluded more commitments to sell generation in that marketplace, including sales to West Penn and Potomac Edison to meet their provider of last resort obligations.

 

In addition, the unregulated generation segment had a net gain of $8.4 million, before tax, as a result of recording its energy trading contracts at fair value on the balance sheet at December 31, 2000, in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 98-10, "Accounting for Contracts Involved in Energy Trading and Risk Management Activities." See Note J to the consolidated financial statements for additional details.

 

Other revenues increased by $13.7 million for 2000 primarily due to increased sales of dark fiber by ACC.

 

The elimination between regulated operations, unregulated generation, and other revenues is necessary to remove the effect of affiliated revenues, primarily sales of power. See Note B to the consolidated financial statements for information regarding the Competitive Transition Charge (CTC).

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

Fuel expenses for 2000, 1999, and 1998 were as follows:

Fuel expenses

(Millions of dollars)

2000

1999

1998

Regulated operations

$232.7

$355.5

$545.4

Unregulated generation

319.5

180.2

21.1

Total fuel expenses

$552.2

$535.7

$566.5

Total fuel expenses for 2000 increased due to increased kilowatt-hours generated, offset in part by decreased average fuel prices. Total fuel expenses decreased in 1999 due primarily to a decrease in average fuel prices. The decreases in fuel expenses for regulated operations and the increases in fuel expenses for unregulated generation in 2000 and 1999 were due to the fuel expenses associated with the transfer of West Penn's and Potomac Edison's generating assets from regulated operations to unregulated generation as a result of deregulation activities in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

M-10

Purchased power and exchanges, net, represents power purchases from and exchanges with other companies and purchases from qualified facilities under PURPA and consists of the following items:

 

Purchased Power and Exchanges, Net

(Millions of dollars)

2000

1999

1998

Regulated operations:

Purchased power:

From PURPA generation*

$191.1

$104.1

$129.0

Other

775.1

395.8

50.0

Total purchased power for regulated operations

966.2

499.9

179.0

Power exchanges, net

6.9

(2.6)

(0.7)

Unregulated generation purchased power

1,472.5

390.1

210.5

Elimination

(852.9)

(356.0)

Purchased power and exchanges, net

$1,592.7

$531.4

$388.8

*PURPA cost (cents per kWh)

5.5cents

4.8cents

5.4cents

The increase of $87.0 million in regulated operations from PURPA generation for 2000 was due to the start of commercial operations of the AES Warrior Run cogeneration project. The Maryland PSC has approved Potomac Edison's full recovery of the AES Warrior Run purchased power costs as part of the September 23, 1999, settlement agreement to implement deregulation for Potomac Edison. Accordingly, the Company defers, as a component of other operation expenses, the difference between revenues collected related to AES Warrior Run and the cost of the AES Warrior Run purchased power.

 

Regulated operations purchased power costs from PURPA generation decreased $24.9 million in 1999. This decrease reflects an $11.1 million reduction related to West Penn's purchase commitment at costs in excess of the market value of the AES Beaver Valley PURPA contract previously accrued as a loss contingency in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 5, "Accounting for Contingencies." The decrease in purchased power also includes a $12.5 million reduction in the purchase price for that contract due to a scheduled capacity rate decrease defined annually in the contract.

 

The increase in other regulated operations purchased power in 2000 was due primarily to West Penn's and Potomac Edison's purchase of power from their unregulated generation affiliate, Allegheny Energy Supply, in order to provide energy to customers eligible to choose an alternate supplier, but electing not to do so. The generation previously available to serve those customers has been transferred to Allegheny Energy Supply. Also, unplanned generating plant outages in the first quarter of 2000 caused the regulated utility operations of Potomac Edison and Monongahela Power to make purchases of higher-priced power on the open energy market. The 1999 increase was due to West Penn's purchase of power from Allegheny Energy Supply.

 

The increase in unregulated generation purchased power in 2000 was for power to serve the provider of last resort load of West Penn and Potomac Edison, unplanned first quarter generating plant outages that caused the Company to make purchases of higher-priced power on the open market, and increased buy-sell transactions to optimize the value of unregulated generating assets in the fourth quarter. The increase in unregulated generation purchases in 1999 was due to increased purchases for sale to regulated affiliates and to take advantage of transaction opportunities in the wholesale market.

 

The elimination, between regulated and unregulated purchased power, is necessary to remove the effect of affiliated purchased power expenses.

 

Gas purchases and production expenses for 2000, 1999, and 1998 were as follows:

Gas Purchases and Production

(Millions of dollars)

2000

1999

1998

Regulated operations

$57.0

Total gas and production expenses

$57.0

   

Gas purchases and gas production reflects the acquisition of West Virginia Power in December 1999 and Mountaineer Gas in August 2000.

M-11

 

Other operation expenses for 2000, 1999, and 1998 were as follows:

Other Operation Expenses

(Millions of dollars)

2000

1999

1998

Regulated operations

$345.7

$340.8

$319.3

Unregulated generation

127.7

66.6

10.5

Other

18.2

5.8

7.6

Elimination

(74.5)

(23.8)

Total other operation expenses

$417.1

$389.4

$337.4

The increase in regulated operations expense of $4.9 million for 2000 reflects additional expenses related to the acquisition of West Virginia Power and Montaineer Gas. These additional expenses were offset in part by reduced expenses related to the transfer of generating assets from regulated operations to unregulated generation during the year.

 

The increase in unregulated generation other operation expenses of $61.1 million for 2000 was primarily due to increased purchases of transmission capacity for electricity for delivery of energy to customers and expenses related to the transfer of generating assets during the current year.

 

The increase in other of $12.4 million for 2000 was due primarily to increased expenses related to the expanding telecommunications business of ACC and distributed generation sales business of Allegheny Energy Solutions. Allegheny Energy Solutions and ACC are subsidiaries of Allegheny Ventures.

 

The increase in total other operation expenses in 1999 of $52.0 million was due primarily to recording $19.7 million in merger-related costs previously deferred and $16.2 million related to a pumped-storage generation project no longer considered useful, increases in salaries and wages of $8.0 million, $5.0 million for costs associated with settling litigation concerning a PURPA project, and increased allowances for uncollectible accounts of $2.1 million.

 

The elimination between regulated and unregulated operation expenses is primarily to remove the effect of affiliated transmission purchases.

 

Maintenance expenses for 2000, 1999, and 1998 were as follows:

Maintenance Expenses

(Millions of dollars)

2000

1999

1998

Regulated operations

$149.0

$182.6

$212.3

Unregulated generation

81.3

40.8

5.3

Other

0.1

Total maintenance expenses

$230.3

$223.5

$217.6

Maintenance expenses represent costs incurred to maintain the power stations, T&D system, and general plant, and reflect routine maintenance of equipment and rights-of-way, as well as planned repairs and unplanned expenditures, primarily from forced outages at the power stations and periodic storm damage on the T&D system. Variations in maintenance expense result primarily from unplanned events and planned projects, which vary in timing and magnitude depending upon the length of time equipment has been in service and the amount of work found necessary when the equipment is inspected.

 

The decreases in regulated operations maintenance and the increases in unregulated generation maintenance in 2000 and 1999 were due mainly to the transfer of generating assets from regulated operations to unregulated generation.

 

Unregulated generation maintenance in 2000 reflects the capitalization policy for Allegheny Energy Supply, which was formed in November 1999. The capitalization policy of Allegheny Energy Supply is based on operating generating assets in an unregulated environment in which less costs are capitalized and more costs expensed as maintenance. See Note L to the consolidated financial statements for additional details.

 

Total maintenance expenses increased $5.9 million in 1999 due primarily to increased maintenance and renovations of general plant structures of $5.1 million.

M-12

 

Depreciation and amortization expenses for 2000, 1999, and 1998 were as follows:

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses

(Millions of dollars)

2000

1999

1998

Regulated operations

$194.5

$198.0

$264.6

Unregulated generation

52.4

58.9

5.7

Other

1.0

0.6

0.1

Total depreciation and amortization expenses

$247.9

$257.5

$270.4

Total depreciation and amortization expenses for 2000 decreased $9.6 million, reflecting the changes related to the establishment of capital recovery policies of Allegheny Energy Supply. See Note L to the consolidated financial statements for additional details. The decreases in regulated operations depreciation and amortization expenses reflects the transfer of generating assets from regulated operations to unregulated generation during the year offset by depreciation of new capital additions, including the acquisitions of West Virginia Power and Mountaineer Gas.

 

Total depreciation and amortization expenses in 1999 decreased $12.9 million due primarily to a $24.6 million reduction related to a 1998 write-down of West Penn's share of costs in excess of the fair value of the Allegheny Generating Company (AGC) pumped-storage project.

 

Depreciation expense will be reduced $234 million during the period 1999 through 2025 from the historical depreciation amounts as a result of the AGC plant impairment charge recorded as an extraordinary charge in 1998 by West Penn.

 

Taxes other than income taxes for 2000, 1999, and 1998 were as follows:

 

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes

(Millions of dollars)

2000

1999

1998

Regulated operations

$148.4

$157.9

$187.7

Unregulated generation

61.3

32.2

6.6

Other

0.5

0.2

0.3

Total taxes other than income taxes

$210.2

$190.3

$194.6

Total taxes other than income taxes increased $19.9 million for 2000 due primarily to increased gross receipts taxes resulting from higher revenues from retail customers, increased property taxes, and increased West Virginia Business and Occupation Taxes. The increases for 2000 were offset in part by reduced franchise and capital stock taxes due to reduced tax rates and Pennsylvania Capital Stock tax adjustments related to prior years.

 

Total taxes other than income taxes decreased $4.3 million in 1999 primarily due to an adjustment which increased 1998's West Virginia Business and Occupation Taxes by $1.4 million related to a previous period, lower capital stock taxes relating to the 1998 asset write-down as a result of Pennsylvania restructuring, and decreased gross receipts taxes, partially offset by higher Federal Insurance Contribution Act taxes.

 

Regulated operations and unregulated generation taxes other than income taxes in 2000 and 1999 reflect the recategorization of taxes other than income taxes associated with the transfer of generating assets during those years. The 2000 decrease in regulated taxes other than income taxes is partially offset by taxes related to the acquisitions of West Virginia Power and Mountaineer Gas.

 

Federal and state income taxes for 2000 increased $20.4 million, due to an increase in taxable income and an increase in state income tax net of federal income tax benefit.

 

The 1999 decrease in federal and state income taxes of $4.0 million was primarily due to tax benefits related to the flow through of plant removal costs for regulatory purposes, offset in part by increased taxable income.

 

Note G to the consolidated financial statements provides a further analysis of income tax expenses.

 

The increases in allowance for borrowed funds used during construction and interest capitalized of $1.4 million in 2000 and $1.6 million in 1999 reflects an increase in construction activity financed by short-term debt. The allowance for borrowed funds used during construction component of the formula receives greater weighting when short-term debt increases. In addition, increases in unregulated generation construction capitalized interest contributed to the increases.

M-13

 

Other income, net, increased $2.9 million for 2000 due to interest income on temporary cash investments, income related to investments of the Company's unregulated subsidiary, Allegheny Ventures, and a refund of hydroelectric license fees of $2.8 million ($1.8 million net of taxes) related to a cancelled facility.

 

The decrease in other income, net, of $6.6 million in 1999 was primarily due to a $4.3 million insurance settlement received in 1998.

 

Interest on long-term debt and other interest for 2000, 1999, and 1998 were as follows:

Interest Expense

(Millions of dollars)

2000

1999

1998

Interest on long-term debt:

Regulated operations

$152.5

$127.5

$151.0

Unregulated generation

34.9

29.2

10.1

Elimination

(14.7)

(1.5)

Total interest on long-term debt

172.7

155.2

161.1

Other interest::

Regulated operations

49.8

27.9

19.4

Unregulated generation

10.7

3.7

Other

0.3

Elimination

(4.2)

Total other interest

56.6

31.6

19.4

Total interest expense

$229.3

$186.8

$180.5

The increases in total interest on long-term debt for 2000 of $17.5 million resulted from increased average long-term debt outstanding. The decrease in total interest on long-term debt in 1999 of $5.9 million resulted from reduced average long-term debt outstanding.

 

The elimination between regulated operations and unregulated generation on long-term debt is to remove the effect of pollution control debt interest recorded by Allegheny Energy Supply and also by West Penn and Potomac Edison. Allegheny Energy Supply assumed the service obligation for the pollution control debt in conjunction with the transfer of West Penn and Potomac Edison's generating assets. West Penn and Potomac Edison continued to be co-obligors with respect to the pollution control debt through December 22, 2000.

 

Other interest expense reflects changes in the levels of short-term debt maintained by the companies throughout the year, as well as the associated interest rates.

 

Other interest expense increased by $25 million in 2000 due to an increase in the average short-term debt outstanding and an increase in the average interest rates. The increase in other interest expense of $12.2 million in 1999 resulted primarily from the increase in short-term debt outstanding in conjunction with the repurchase of the Company's common stock that began in the first quarter of 1999.

 

For additional information regarding the Company's short-term and long-term debt, see the consolidated statement of capitalization and Note I to the consolidated financial statements.

 

Dividends on the preferred stock of the subsidiaries decreased due to the redemption by Potomac Edison and West Penn of their cumulative preferred stock on September 30, 1999, and July 15, 1999, respectively.

 

The extraordinary charge in 2000 of $77 million, net of taxes, reflects a write-off by the Company's subsidiaries, Monongahela Power and Potomac Edison, for net regulatory assets determined to be unrecoverable from customers and the establishment of a rate stabilization account for residential and small commercial customers as required by the deregulation plans adopted in Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.

 

The extraordinary charge in 1999 of $27 million after taxes was required to reflect a write-off of $17 million after taxes related to the Maryland PSC's approval in December 1999 of a deregulation plan for Potomac Edison and $10 million after taxes for the difference between the reacquisition price and the net carrying amount of first mortgage bonds repurchased as a result of the deregulation process in Pennsylvania. The extraordinary charge in 1998 of $275.4 million after taxes was required to reflect a write-off of certain costs not recoverable under the Pennsylvania deregulation plan for West Penn approved by the Pennsylvania PUC in 1998. See Notes B, C, and F to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

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FINANCIAL CONDITION, REQUIREMENTS, AND RESOURCES

 

Liquidity and Capital Requirements 

 

To meet cash needs for operating expenses, the payment of interest and dividends, retirement of debt and certain preferred stocks, and for acquisitions and construction programs, the Company and its subsidiaries have used internally generated funds and external financings, such as the sale of common and preferred stock, debt instruments, installment loans, and lease arrangements. The timing and amount of external financings depend primarily upon economic and financial market conditions, the companies' cash needs, and capital structure objectives of the Company. The availability and cost of external financings depend upon the financial condition of the companies seeking those funds and market conditions.

 

Capital expenditures, including construction expenditures, of all of the subsidiaries in 2000 were $402 million and, for 2001 and 2002, are estimated at $2,231.5 million and $543.4 million, respectively. In 1999, Monongahela Power acquired the assets of West Virginia Power for approximately $95 million, and, in 2000, purchased Mountaineer Gas for approximately $326 million (which included the assumption of $100 million in existing debt). The 2001 and 2002 estimated expenditures include $189 million and $225 million, respectively, for environmental control technology. Future unregulated construction expenditures will reflect additions of generating capacity to sell into deregulated markets. As described under Environmental Issues on page 39, the subsidiaries could potentially face significant mandated increases in capital expenditures and operating costs related to environmental issues. The subsidiaries also have additional capital requirements for debt maturities. (See Note Q to the consolidated financial statements.)

 

Internal Cash Flow 

 

Internal generation of cash, consisting of cash flows from operations reduced by dividends, was $346 million in 2000, compared with $415 million in 1999. Current rate levels and reduced levels of construction expenditures permitted the regulated subsidiaries to finance all of their construction expenditures in 2000 and 1999 with internal cash flow.

 

Dividends paid on common stock in each of the years 2000 and 1999 were $1.72 per share. The dividend payout ratio in 2000 of 60.6 percent, excluding the extraordinary charges, decreased from the 64.6 percent ratio in 1999, excluding the extraordinary and other charges.

 

Financing 

 

The Company did not issue any common stock in 2000, 1999, or 1998. The Company began a stock repurchase program in 1999 to repurchase common stock worth up to $500 million from time to time at price levels the Company deemed attractive. The Company repurchased 12 million shares of its common stock in 1999 at an aggregate cost of $398.4 million (an average cost of $33.20 per share). There were no shares repurchased during 2000. The shares for its Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan, Employee Stock Ownership and Savings Plan, Restricted Stock Plan for Outside Directors, and Performance Share Plan were purchased on the open market.

 

Short-term debt increased $81.1 million to $722.2 million in 2000. At December 31, 2000, unused lines of credit with banks were $565 million.

 

The Company and its subsidiaries anticipate meeting their 2001 cash needs through internal cash generation, cash on hand, short-term borrowings as necessary, external financings, and by issuing debt and equity.

 

On March 1, 2000, $75 million of Potomac Edison's 57⁄8 percent series first mortgage bonds matured; Monongahela Power's $65 million of 55⁄8 percent series first mortgage bonds matured on April 1, 2000; and, in March, June, September, and December of 2000, West Penn redeemed a total of $46.8 million of class A-1 6.32 percent transition bonds.

 

On June 1, 2000, Potomac Edison issued $80 million of floating rate private placement notes, due May 1, 2002, assumable by Allegheny Energy Supply upon its acquisition of Potomac Edison's Maryland generating assets. In August 2000, after the Potomac Edison generating assets were transferred to Allegheny Energy Supply, the notes were remarketed as Allegheny Energy Supply floating rate (three-month London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus .80 percent) notes with the same maturity date. No additional proceeds were received.

 

On August 18, 2000, Monongahela Power borrowed $61 million, under a senior secured credit facility, at a rate of 7.18 percent, with a maturity of November 20, 2000. On November 20, 2000, Monongahela Power paid off the original $61 million borrowing and borrowed $100 million at a rate of 7.21 percent with a maturity of May 21, 2001. The facility will be transferred to Allegheny Energy Supply concurrent with the transfer of Monongahela Power's West Virginia generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply.

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On August 18, 2000, the Company issued $165 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.75 percent notes due August 1, 2005. The Company contributed $162.5 million of the proceeds from its financing to Monongahela Power. Monongahela Power used the proceeds from the Company and the $61 million borrowed under the senior secured credit facility (as discussed above) in connection with the purchase of Mountaineer Gas.

 

As part of the purchase of Mountaineer Gas on August 18, 2000, Monongahela Power assumed $100 million of existing Mountaineer Gas debt. This debt consists of several senior unsecured notes and a promissory note with fixed interest rates between 7.00 percent and 8.09 percent, and maturity dates between April 1, 2009, and October 31, 2019.

 

On November 7, 2000, the Company also issued unsecured notes in an aggregate principal amount of $135 million, bearing an interest rate of 7.75 percent due 2005. These notes were a further issuance of, and form a single series with, the $165 million aggregate principal amount of the Company's 7.75 percent notes issued on August 18, 2000, as discussed above.

 

In 1999, West Penn issued $600 million of transition bonds with varying average lives ranging from one to eight years with a weighted average cost of 6.887 percent to "securitize" transition costs related to its restructuring settlement described in Note B to the consolidated financial statements. During 1999, West Penn reacquired all of its outstanding $525 million of first mortgage bonds.

 

West Penn called or redeemed all outstanding shares of its cumulative preferred stock with a combined par value of $79.7 million plus redemption premiums of $3.3 million on July 15, 1999, with proceeds from new $84 million five-year unsecured medium-term notes issued in the second quarter of 1999 at a 6.375 percent coupon rate. Potomac Edison called all outstanding shares of its cumulative preferred stock with a combined par value of $16.4 million plus redemption premiums of $0.5 million on September 30, 1999, with funds on hand. The redemption of the preferred stock allowed Potomac Edison and West Penn to revise their Articles of Incorporation, providing greater financial flexibility in restructuring debt.

 

In April 1999, Monongahela Power, Potomac Edison, and West Penn issued $7.7 million, $9.3 million, and $13.8 million, respectively, of 5.50 percent 30-year pollution control revenue notes to Pleasants County, West Virginia. In December 1999, Monongahela Power issued $110 million of 7.36 percent unsecured medium-term notes, due in January 2010, in part to finance the purchase of West Virginia Power.

 

In October 1999, AYP Energy prepaid $30 million of its bank loan, reducing the obligation from $160 million to $130 million. In December 1999, the $130 million debt obligation was assigned to Allegheny Energy Supply. Allegheny Energy Supply prepaid the remaining debt obligation on October 25, 2000, with funds obtained from short-term debt.

 

The long-term debt due within one year at December 31, 2000, of $160.2 million represents $100.0 million of Monongahela Power's senior credit facility due May 21, 2001, and $60.2 million of West Penn Funding, LLC, transition bonds due on various dates. The transition bonds are supported by an Intangible Transition Charge (ITC) that replaces a portion of the CTC that customers pay. The proceeds from the ITC will be used to pay the principal and interest on these transition bonds, as well as other associated expenses.

 

SIGNIFICANT CONTINUING ISSUES

 

Electric Energy Competition 

 

The electricity supply segment of the electric industry in the United States is becoming increasingly competitive. The national Energy Policy Act of 1992 deregulated the wholesale exchange of power within the electric industry by permitting the FERC to compel electric utilities to allow third parties to sell electricity to wholesale customers over their transmission systems. This resulted in open access transmission tariffs being established nationwide. The Company continues to be an advocate of federal legislation to remove artificial barriers to competition in electricity markets, avoid regional dislocations, and ensure level playing fields.

 

In addition, with the wholesale electricity market becoming more competitive, the majority of states have taken active steps toward allowing retail customers the right to choose their electricity supplier.

 

The Company is at the forefront of state-implemented retail competition, having negotiated settlement agreements in all of the states that Allegheny Power serves. Pennsylvania and Maryland have retail choice programs in place. In October 2000, Ohio approved the implementation of a deregulation plan for Monongahela Power beginning January 1, 2001. In March 2000, West Virginia's Legislature approved a deregulation plan for Monongahela Power pending additional legislation regarding tax revenues for state and local governments. In July 2000, Virginia approved a separation plan for the generating assets of Potomac Edison and continues to make progress toward the implementation of customer choice.

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Activities at the Federal Level 

 

The Company continues to seek enactment of federal legislation to bring choice to all retail electric customers, deregulate the generation and sale of electricity on a national level, and create a more liquid, free market for electric power. Fully meeting challenges in the emerging competitive environment will be difficult for the Company unless certain outmoded and anticompetitive laws, specifically the PUHCA and Section 210 (Mandatory Purchase Provisions) of PURPA, are repealed or significantly revised. The Company continues to advocate the repeal of PUHCA and Section 210 of PURPA on the grounds that they are obsolete and anticompetitive and that PURPA results in utility customers paying above-market prices for power. H.R. 2944, which was sponsored by U.S. Representative Joe Barton, was favorably reported out of the House Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power. While the bill does not mandate a certain date for customer choice, several key provisions favored by the Company are included in the legislation, including an amendment that allows existing state restructuring plans and agreements to remain in effect. Other provisions address important Company priorities by repealing PUHCA and the mandatory purchase provisions of PURPA. Although there was considerable activity and discussion on this bill and several other bills in the House and Senate, that activity fell short of moving consensus legislation forward prior to adjournment of the 106th Congress. The Company anticipates that the 107th Congress will address these issues.

 

Maryland Activities 

 

On June 7, 2000, the Maryland PSC approved the transfer of the generating assets of Potomac Edison to Allegheny Energy Supply. The transfer was made in August 2000. Maryland customers of Potomac Edison had the right to choose an alternative electric provider on July 1, 2000, although the Maryland PSC has not yet finalized all of the rules that will govern customer choice in the state.

 

On July 1, 2000, the Maryland PSC issued a restrictive order imposing standards of conduct for transactions between Maryland utilities and their affiliates. Among other things, the order:

- restricts sharing of employees between utilities and affiliates;

- announces the Maryland PSC's intent to impose a royalty fee to compensate the utility for the use by an affiliate of the utility's name and/or logo and for other "intangible or unqualified benefits; " and

- requires asymmetric pricing for asset transfers between utilities and their affiliates (excluding the transfer of Potomac Edison's Maryland jurisdictional generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply). Asymmetric pricing requires that transfers of assets from the regulated utility to an affiliate be recorded at the greater of book cost or market value while transfers of assets from the affiliate to the regulated utility be recorded at the lesser of book costs or market value.

Potomac Edison, along with substantially all of Maryland's gas and electric utilities, filed a Circuit Court petition for judicial review and a motion for stay of the order. The Circuit Court has granted a partial stay of the Maryland PSC's Code of Conduct/Affiliated Transactions Order. The Judge granted a stay on the issues of employee sharing, royalties for the use of the name and logo and for certain intangibles, and on the requirement to use a disclaimer on advertising for non-core services.

 

Ohio Activities 

 

The Ohio General Assembly passed legislation in 1999 to restructure its electric utility industry. All of the state's customers were able to choose their electricity supplier starting January 1, 2001, beginning a five-year transition to market rates. Residential customers are guaranteed a five percent cut in the generation portion of their rate.

 

Monongahela Power reached a stipulated agreement with major parties on a transition plan to bring electric choice to its approximately 29,000 Ohio customers. The Ohio PUC approved the stipulation on October 5, 2000. The restructuring plan allows the Company to transfer its Ohio generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply at net book value on or after January 1, 2001. See Note B to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

 

Pennsylvania Activities 

 

Two-thirds of West Penn's customers in Pennsylvania were able to choose their electricity supplier effective January 2, 1999. As of January 1, 2000, all of West Penn's electricity customers in Pennsylvania had the right to choose their electric suppliers. The Company has retained more than 99 percent of its Pennsylvania customers as of December 31, 2000. See Note B to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

 

Virginia Activities 

 

The Virginia Electric Utility Restructuring Act (Restructuring Act) became law on March 25, 1999. All state utilities were required to submit a restructuring plan by January 1, 2001, to be effective on January 1, 2002. Accordingly, the Company filed Phase II of the Functional Separation Plan on December 19, 2000. Customer choice will be phased in beginning on January 1, 2002, with full customer choice by January 1, 2004.

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The Restructuring Act was amended during the 2000 General Assembly legislative session to direct the Virginia SCC to prepare for legislative approval a plan for competitive metering and billing and to authorize the Virginia SCC to implement a consumer education program on electric choice, funded through its regulatory tax.

 

On July 11, 2000, the Virginia SCC issued an order approving the Company's separation plan, permitting the transfer of Potomac Edison's generating assets and the provisions of the Phase I application. See Note B to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

 

Various rulemaking proceedings to implement customer choice are ongoing before the Virginia SCC.

 

West Virginia Activities 

 

In March 1998, the West Virginia Legislature passed legislation that directed the W.Va. PSC to develop a restructuring plan which would meet the dictates and goals of the legislation. In January 2000, the W.Va. PSC submitted a restructuring plan to the Legislature for approval that would open full retail competition on January 1, 2001. On March 11, 2000, the West Virginia Legislature approved the W.Va. PSC's plan, but assigned the tax issues surrounding the plan to the 2000 Legislative Interim Committees to recommend the necessary tax changes involved and come back to the Legislature in 2001 for approval of those changes and authority to implement the plan. The start date of competition is contingent upon the necessary tax changes being made and approved by the Legislature. The W.Va. PSC is currently in the process of developing the rules under which competition will occur.

 

The W.Va. PSC approved Potomac Edison's request to transfer its generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply on or after July 1, 2000, and established a process for obtaining approval to transfer Monongahela Power's assets on or before the starting date for customer choice. In accordance with the restructuring agreement, Potomac Edison and Monongahela Power implemented a commercial and industrial rate reduction program on July 1, 2000.

 

Accounting for the Effects of Price Deregulation 

 

In accordance with the guidance of EITF Issue No. 97-4, "Deregulation of the Pricing of Electricity - Issues Related to the Application of FASB Statement Nos. 71 and 101," the Company has discontinued the application of SFAS No. 71 to its electric generation businesses in all of the states in which the Company provides utility service. See Note C to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

 

Environmental Issues

 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) nitrogen oxides (NOX) State Implementation Plan (SIP) call regulation has been under litigation. On March 3, 2000, the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision that basically upheld the regulation. However, state and industry litigants filed an appeal of that decision in April 2000. On June 23, 2000, the Court denied the request for the appeal. Although the Court did issue an order to delay the compliance date from May 1, 2003, until May 31, 2004, both the Maryland and Pennsylvania state rules to implement the EPA NOX SIP call regulation still require compliance by May 1, 2003. West Virginia has issued a proposed rule that would postpone compliance until May 1, 2005. However, the EPA Section 126 petition regulation also requires the same level of NOX reductions as the EPA NOX SIP call regulation with a May 1, 2003, compliance date. The EPA Section 126 petition rule is also under litigation in the District Court of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals, with a decision expected in early 2001. The Company's compliance with such stringent regulations will require the installation of expensive post-combustion control technologies on most of its power stations. The Company's construction forecast includes the expenditure of $376.9 million of capital costs during the 2001 through 2004 period to comply with these regulations. Approximately $63.5 million was spent in 2000.

 

On August 2, 2000, the Company received a letter from the EPA requiring it to provide certain information on the following 10 electric generating stations: Albright, Armstrong, Fort Martin, Harrison, Hatfield's Ferry, Mitchell, Pleasants, Rivesville, R. Paul Smith, and Willow Island. Allegheny Energy Supply and Monongahela Power now own these electric generating stations. The letter requested information under Section 114 of the federal Clean Air Act to determine compliance with federal and state implementation plan requirements, including potential application of federal New Source Performance Standards. In general, such standards can require the installation of additional air pollution control equipment upon the major modification of an existing facility. The Company submitted these records in January 2001. The eventual outcome of the EPA investigation is unknown.

 

Similar inquiries have been made of other electric utilities and have resulted in enforcement proceedings being brought in many cases. The Company believes its generating facilities have been operating in accordance with the Clean Air Act and the rules implementing the Act. The experience of other utilities, however, suggests that, in recent years, the EPA may well have revised its interpretation of the rules regarding the determination of whether an action at a facility constitutes routine maintenance, which would not trigger the requirements of the New Source Performance Standards, or a major modification of the facility, which would require compliance with the New Source Performance Standards. If federal New Source Performance Standards were to be applied to these generating stations, in addition to the possible imposition of fines, compliance would entail significant expenditures. In connection with the deregulation of generation, the Company has agreed to rate caps in each of its jurisdictions, and there are no provisions under those arrangements to increase rates to cover such expenditures.

M-18

 

In December 2000, the EPA issued a decision to regulate coal- and oil-fired electric utility mercury emissions under Title III, Section 112 of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. The EPA plans to issue a proposed regulation by December 2003 and a final regulation by December 2004. The timing and level of required mercury emission reductions are unknown at this time.

 

Right-to-Know

 

On Earth Day 1997, former President Clinton announced the expansion of the federal Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (RTK) reporting to include electric utilities, but limited to facilities that combust coal and/or oil for the purpose of generating power for distribution in commerce. The purpose of RTK is to provide site-specific information on chemical emissions to the air, land, and water. Packets of information about the Company's emissions were provided to the media in the Company's area and posted on the Company's web site. The Company filed its 1999 RTK report with the EPA prior to the July 1, 2000, deadline, reporting 27.5 million pounds of total releases for calendar year 1999.

 

Energy Risk Management

 

The Company is exposed to a variety of commodity driven risks associated with the wholesale and retail marketing of electricity, including the generation, procurement, and marketing of power. The Company is mandated by the Board of Directors of the Company to engage in a program that systematically identifies, measures, evaluates, and actively manages and reports on market-driven risks.

 

The Company's wholesale and retail activities principally consist of marketing and buying and selling over-the-counter contracts for the purchase and sale of electricity. The majority of the forward contracts represent commitments to purchase or sell electricity at fixed prices in the future. These contracts require physical delivery of electricity.

 

The Company also uses option contracts to buy and sell electricity at fixed prices in the future. These option contracts are primarily entered into for risk management purposes. The risk management activities focus on management of volume risks (supply) and operational risks (plant outages). The Company's principal intent and business objective for the use of its capital assets and contracts is the same - provide it with physical power supply to enable it to deliver electricity to meet customers' needs.

 

The Company has entered into long-term contractual obligations for sales of electricity to other load-serving entities, including affiliated electric utilities, municipalities, and retail load aggregators.

 

The Company has a Corporate Energy Risk Control Policy adopted by the Board of Directors and monitored by an Exposure Management Committee chaired by the Chief Executive Officer and composed of senior management. An independent risk management group, operating separately from the businesses actively managing these risk exposures, monitors market risks to ensure compliance with the Policy.

 

Market risk arises from the potential for changes in the value of energy related to price and volatility in the market. The Company reduces these risks by using its generating assets to back positions on physical transactions. A Value-at-Risk (VaR) model is used to measure the market exposure resulting from the wholesale and retail activities. VaR is a statistical model that attempts to predict risk of loss based on historical market price and volatility data over a given period of time. The Company's 12-month average one-day VaR with respect to its wholesale and retail marketing of electricity for its unregulated generation segment, excluding the commodity price exposure related to the procurement of fuel, was $12.3 million using a 95 percent confidence level. The Company entered into long-term arrangements (terms of 12 months or longer) to purchase approximately 90 percent of its base fuel requirements in 2000. The Company depends on short-term arrangements and spot purchases for its remaining requirements. Until 2005, the Company expects to meet its total coal requirements for its generating assets under existing contracts or from known suppliers.

 

Credit risk is defined as the risk that a counterparty to a transaction will be unable to fulfill its contractual obligations. The credit standing of counterparties is established through the evaluation of the prospective counterparty's financial condition, specified collateral requirements where deemed necessary, and the use of standardized agreements which facilitate netting of cash flows associated with a single counterparty. Financial conditions of existing counterparties are monitored on an ongoing basis.

 

Market exposure and credit risk have established aggregate and counterparty limits that are monitored within the guidelines of the Corporate Energy Risk Control Policy.

M-19

 

Energy Trading Activities 

 

In November 1998, the EITF released Issue No. 98-10 under which contracts entered into in connection with energy trading must be marked to market, with gains and losses included in earnings. The Issue defines energy trading activities or energy trading contracts as energy contracts entered into with the objective of generating profits on or from exposure to shifts in market prices.

 

During 2000, Allegheny Energy Supply substantially increased the volume of its wholesale electricity trading activities due to the completion of the construction or acquisition of additional capacity. Allegheny Energy Supply also anticipates the expansion of additional capacity, through construction and acquisition activities, in future years as a result of announcements made during 2000. Based upon the Company's continual evaluation of its business activities under the provisions of EITF Issue No. 98-10, the Company concluded that Allegheny Energy Supply's wholesale electricity activities now represent trading activities. Accordingly, Allegheny Energy Supply recorded its energy trading contracts at fair value on the balance sheet at December 31, 2000, and recorded a gain to earnings for these contracts. See Note J to the consolidated financial statements for additional details.

 

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities 

 

In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." SFAS No. 133 was subsequently amended by SFAS No. 137, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Deferral of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 133 - an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133," and SFAS No. 138, "Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities - an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133." Effective January 1, 2001, the Company implemented the requirements of these accounting standards.

 

These Statements establish accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging activities. They require that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position and measure those instruments at fair value. The Statements require that changes in the derivative's fair value be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. Special accounting for qualifying hedges allows a derivative's gains and losses to offset related results on the hedged item in the income statement or other comprehensive income, and requires that a company formally document, designate, and assess the effectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting. SFAS No. 133 is expected to increase the volatility in reported earnings and other comprehensive income.

 

The Company has completed an inventory of financial instruments, commodity contracts, and other commitments for the purpose of identifying and assessing all of the Company's derivatives. The Company determined the fair value of the derivatives, designated certain derivatives as hedges, and assessed the effectiveness of those derivatives as hedges.

 

Allegheny Energy Supply has entered into two forward contracts for the purchase of electricity that qualify for cash flow hedge treatment under SFAS No. 133. Allegheny Energy Supply entered these transactions with the risk management objectives of assuring its ability to meet its contractual obligations to serve the instantaneous physical demands of its customers and to ensure that market movements do not cause a significant degradation in Allegheny Energy Supply's earnings.

 

Cash flow hedge accounting is appropriate only if the derivative is effective at offsetting cash flows from the hedged item and is designated as a hedge at its inception. Additionally, changes in the market value of the hedge must move in an inverse direction from changes in the market value of the hedged item. This effectiveness is measured both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, with an acceptable level of effectiveness being at least 80 percent and not more than 125 percent. If and when effectiveness ceases to exist at an acceptable level, hedge accounting ceases and mark-to-market accounting is applied. Any ineffectiveness in Allegheny Energy Supply's hedges will be reported as part of "Purchased power and exchanges, net" on the consolidated statement of operations. The effective portion will be reported in other comprehensive income.

 

Allegheny Energy Supply will record an asset of $1.5 million on its 2001 balance sheet based on the fair value of the two cash flow hedge contracts at January 1, 2001. An offsetting amount will be recorded in other comprehensive income as a change in accounting principle as provided by SFAS No. 133. Allegheny Energy Supply anticipates that the hedges will be highly effective and that there will be no ineffectiveness to be recognized in earnings because the critical terms of the hedging instruments and hedged items match, the fair value of hedging instruments was zero at inception, and the change in expected cash flows on the hedged items and the hedging instruments are based on the same forward commodity prices. Allegheny Energy Supply anticipates that the amounts accumulated in other comprehensive income related to these contracts will be reclassified to earnings during July and August of 2001, when the hedged transactions are recorded.

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Allegheny Energy Supply has certain option contracts for the future sale of electricity that meet the derivative criteria in SFAS No. 133, which do not qualify for special hedge accounting. Allegheny Energy Supply also has entered into option contracts for emission allowances that qualify as derivatives. Allegheny Energy Supply entered into these energy derivatives for the purpose of optimizing the value of its generating assets. Allegheny Energy Supply will record an asset of $0.1 million and a liability of $52.4 million on its balance sheet based on the fair value of these contracts at January 1, 2001. The majority of this liability is related to one contract. The terms of this three-year contract entered into on January 1, 1999, provides the counterparty with the right to purchase, at a fixed price, 270 MW of electricity per hour until December 31, 2001. The fair value of this contract represented a liability of approximately $52.3 million on January 1, 2001. The liability associated with this contract will reduce to zero at December 31, 2001, with the expiration of the contract. The fair value of these contracts will fluctuate over time due to changes in the underlying commodity prices that are influenced by various market factors, including the weather and availability of regional electric generation and transmission capacity. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, Allegheny Energy Supply will record a charge of $31.2 million against earnings, net of the related tax effect ($52.3 million before tax) for these contracts as a change in accounting principle as of January 1, 2001.

 

New Accounting Standard

 

In September 2000, the FASB issued SFAS No. 140, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities." The Statement provides accounting and reporting standards for transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of liabilities and is effective for transfers occurring after March 31, 2001. The Statement is not expected to have a material impact on the Company.

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Monongahela Power Company

and Subsidiaries

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND

ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS

 

Certain statements within constitute forward-looking statements with respect to Monongahela Power Company and its subsidiary, Mountaineer Gas Company (Mountaineer Gas) (collectively, the Company). Such forward-looking statements include statements with respect to deregulated activities and movements towards competition in the states served by the Company, markets, products, services, prices, results of operations, capital expenditures, regulatory matters, liquidity and capital resources, resolution and impact of litigation, and accounting matters. All such forward-looking information is necessarily only estimated. There can be no assurance that actual results of the Company will not materially differ from expectations. Actual results have varied materially and unpredictably from past expectations.

 

Factors that could cause actual results of the Company to differ materially include, among others, the following: general and economic and business conditions; industry capacity; changes in technology; changes in political, social and economic conditions; changes in the price of power and fuel for electric generation; regulatory matters; litigation involving the Company; regulatory conditions applicable to the Company; the loss of any significant customers; and changes in business strategy or development plans.

 

Business Strategy

 

A component of the deregulation plans sponsored by the Company in West Virginia and Ohio is the authority to transfer electric generating assets at net book value to an unregulated affiliate. The West Virginia Legislature passed House Concurrent Resolution 27 on March 11, 2000, approving an electric deregulation plan submitted by the Public Service Commission of West Virginia (W.Va. PSC). Under the resolution, the implementation of the West Virginia deregulation plan cannot occur until the Legislature enacts certain tax changes. The plan provides for customer choice of a generation supplier for all customers and allows the Company to transfer the West Virginia portion (approximately 2,004 megawatts (MW)) of its generating assets to its unregulated affiliate, Allegheny Energy Supply, LLC (Allegheny Energy Supply).

 

On October 5, 2000, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (Ohio PUC) approved a stipulation agreement between the Company and the major parties regarding a transition plan to bring electric choice to the Company's approximately 29,000 Ohio customers. As part of the agreement, the Company is permitted to transfer its Ohio jurisdictional generating assets (approximately 352 MW) to Allegheny Energy Supply at net book value on or after January 1, 2001. That transfer is intended to occur in the second quarter 2001.

 

In December 1999, the Company expanded its service territory with the acquisition of West Virginia Power Company (West Virginia Power) assets. The acquisition of West Virginia Power added approximately 26,000 electric distribution customers and 24,000 natural gas customers to the Company's existing business in West Virginia. Also, the Company acquired Mountaineer Gas in August 2000. The acquisition of Mountaineer Gas added approximately 200,000 natural gas customers to the Company's West Virginia regulated utility operations.

 

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN 2000, 1999, AND 1998

 

Transfer of Generating Assets

 

In March 2000, the West Virginia Legislature passed House Resolution 27 approving an electric deregulation plan submitted by the W.Va. PSC. Under the resolution, the implementation of the West Virginia deregulation plan cannot occur until the Legislature enacts certain tax changes regarding the preservation of tax revenues for state and local government. The plan provides for customer choice of a generation supplier for all customers and allows the Company to transfer the West Virginia portion (approximately 2,004 MW) of its generating assets to

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Allegheny Energy Supply. In part, the Company is required to file with the W.Va. PSC a petition seeking a Commission finding that a proposed transfer of generating assets complies with the conditions of the deregulation plan. The order also permits the Company to submit a petition to the Commission seeking approval to transfer its West Virginia jurisdictional generating assets prior to the implementation of the deregulation plan. A filing before the implementation of the deregulation plan is required to include commitments to the consumer and other protections contained in the deregulation plan. In a petition filed on August 15, 2000, and supplemented on October 31, 2000, the Company sought W.Va. PSC approval to transfer its West Virginia portion of its generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply on or after January 1, 2001, contemporaneously with the transfer of its Ohio jurisdictional generating assets. The Company now considers it highly unlikely that legislative action will occur in West Virginia in 2001. If legislative action does not occur, the Company intends to explore other ways to complete the transfer of its West Virginia jurisdictional generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply.

 

In October 2000, the Ohio PUC approved a settlement to implement a restructuring plan for the Company. This restructuring plan allowed Ohio customers of the Company to choose their generation supplier starting January 1, 2001. Also, the Company was permitted to transfer the Ohio jurisdictional portion (approximately 352 MW) of its generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply at net book value on or after January 1, 2001. That transfer is intended to occur in the second quarter of 2001.

 

See Note B and C to the consolidated financial statements for details of the Company's various state restructurings and other information about the electric generation deregulation process.

 

Acquisitions

 

On August 18, 2000, the Company completed the purchase of Mountaineer Gas, a regulated natural gas sales, transportation, and distribution company serving a large portion of West Virginia, from Energy Corporation of America (ECA) for approximately $326 million, which included the assumption of $100 million of existing long-term debt. The acquisition included the assets of Mountaineer Gas Services, which operates natural gas-producing properties, natural gas-gathering facilities, and intrastate transmission pipelines. The acquisition increased the Company's number of gas customers in West Virginia by approximately 200,000. (See Note D to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.)

 

In December 1999, the Company purchased from UtiliCorp United, Inc. the assets of West Virginia Power, an electric and natural gas distribution company located in southern West Virginia, for approximately $95 million.

 

Rate Matters

 

The Company and its affiliates, The Potomac Edison Company (Potomac Edison) and West Penn Power Company (West Penn), together doing business as Allegheny Power, operate electric transmission and electric and natural gas distribution systems. Allegheny Power also generates electric energy in jurisdictions which have not yet deregulated electric generation. These subsidiaries are subject to federal and state regulation, including the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA). Allegheny Power's markets for regulated electric and gas retail sales are in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

 

On June 23, 2000, the W.Va. PSC approved a Joint Stipulation and Agreement for Settlement, stating agreed-upon rates designed to make the rates of Potomac Edison and the Company consistent. Under the terms of the settlement, several tariff schedules, notably those available to residential and small commercial customers, will require several incremental steps to reach the agreed-upon rate level. The settlement rates resulted in a revenue reduction of approximately $0.5 million for 2000 increasing over eight years to an annual reduction of approximately $6.0 million. Offsetting this decrease, the settlement approved by the W.Va. PSC directs the Company to amortize the existing overcollected deferred fuel balance as of June 30, 2000 (approximately $6.0 million), as a reduction of expenses over a four-and-one-half year period beginning July 1, 2000. Also, effective July 1, 2000, the Company ceased their expanded net energy cost (fuel clause) as part of the settlement.

 

On October 11, 2000, the W.Va. PSC approved an interim increase on the commodity rate for gas customers of the Company (formerly West Virginia Power customers) for gas service bills rendered on and after December 1,

M-23

2000. On December 11, 2000, the W.Va. PSC approved additional increases for gas service bills rendered on and after January 1, 2001, through November 30, 2001 (total revenue increase for the 12-month period of $5.1 million or 22.6 percent). The commodity rate is the portion of the gas service bill that reflects the cost of natural gas, which has increased significantly during 2000. The W.Va. PSC has approved a tiered rate structure with rates established for the winter heating season, effective January 1, 2001, through April 30, 2001, and further increased rates effective May 1, 2001, through November 30, 2001, dependent upon the level of cost recovery after the winter heating season. This approach allows the Company full recovery, but eases the increase on the average customer. These increases have no effect on earnings because they were implemented via the Purchased Gas Adjustment mechanism. Under the Purchased Gas Adjustment mechanism, differences between revenues received for energy costs and actual energy costs are deferred until the next proceeding, when energy rates are adjusted to return or recover previous overrecoveries or underrecoveries, respectively.

 

Mountaineer Gas, in response to significant increases in the market price for natural gas, filed for a rate increase with the W.Va. PSC on January 4, 2001. If natural gas prices remain at current levels, the proposed overall rates will increase by approximately 39 percent ($67 million) over present rates. Mountaineer Gas anticipates that the W.Va. PSC will postpone the effective date until November 1, 2001, when the current rate moratorium ends. The conclusion of the current rate moratorium coincides with the expiration of the primary Mountaineer Gas fixed-price fuel supply contract.

 

Regional Transmission Organization

 

In adopting its Rule 2000, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) defined requirements for transmission facility owners, such as the Company, Potomac Edison, and West Penn, to participate in some form of a regional transmission organization (RTO). Additionally, the state jurisdictions within which the Company operates have, to different degrees, started to define their transition to a competitive generation marketplace. As part of this, they have identified transmission as a key link to making the electricity market efficient.

 

Allegheny Power announced on October 5, 2000, that it had signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Interconnection, LLC (PJM) to develop a new transmission affiliation with PJM, referred to as PJM West. The Memorandum of Agreement was outlined in a filing submitted to the FERC on October 16, 2000, in order to meet the requirements of FERC's Order 2000.

 

FERC's Order 2000 required all electric utilities, not currently in an independent system operator (ISO), to file a plan on how they would participate in an RTO, those entities that oversee and control the power grid. Although PJM is an ISO, Allegheny Power will not join PJM, but will pursue the development of an affiliation with PJM, working within the PJM framework, which would also be available to other utilities.

 

Allegheny Power is leading the new initiative, known as PJM West, which will facilitate economic transmission service, while simultaneously expanding the PJM market. Allegheny Energy Supply will benefit from the PJM West initiative by having its generation within PJM and open to markets in the current PJM region.

 

In December 2000, Allegheny Power and PJM announced the execution of an agreement in principle to broaden PJM West that will further expand the PJM market into the Pittsburgh area. This agreement provides for Duquesne Light Company to join Allegheny Power in the development of PJM West by executing a similar joint agreement with PJM as did Allegheny Power.

 

PURPA Power Project Termination

 

In 1999, the Company settled for $2.3 million litigation by a developer alleging failure by the Company to comply with the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) regulations.

 

Electric Industry Restructuring

 

See Electric Energy Competition on page 12 for ongoing information regarding electric industry restructuring.

M-24

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

 

Earnings Summary

(Millions of Dollars)

2000

1999

1998

       

Operations

$94.6

$92.3

$82.4

Extraordinary charge, net (Note C)

(63.1)

    

    

Consolidated net income

$31.5

$92.3

$82.4

The increase in 2000 earnings from operations, before extraordinary charge, of $2.3 million was due primarily to increased income of $2.8 million related to the acquisition of Mountaineer Gas. The increase in 1999 earnings resulted, in part, from increased retail kilowatt-hour (kWh) sales, including increased sales to residential customers due to winter weather that was cooler than the relatively warm winter of 1998, as measured by heating degree days. The increase is also due to a 1999 decrease in federal and state income taxes of $9.0 million primarily due to the Company's share of tax savings in consolidation related to its parent, Allegheny Energy, Inc. and to a net change in income tax provisions related to prior years.

 

The extraordinary charge of $63.1 million, net of taxes, reflects write-offs by the Company of costs determined to be unrecoverable as a result of West Virginia and Ohio legislation requiring deregulation of electric generation and recognition of a rate stabilization obligation.

 

Sales and Revenues

 

The major retail customer classes (residential, commercial, and industrial) include electric and gas revenues as shown below:

(Millions of Dollars)

2000

1999

1998

       

Electric revenues

$595.9

$558.6

$536.0

Gas revenues

80.2

        

        

Total retail revenues

$676.1

$558.6

$536.0

The Company's residential, commercial, and industrial revenues in 2000 were favorably affected by the addition of gas services related revenues. In August 2000, the Company acquired Mountaineer Gas, a natural gas distribution company serving approximately 200,000 retail natural gas customers in West Virginia, from ECA. Also, the Company acquired West Virginia Power and its 24,000 natural gas customers from Utilicorp United, Inc. in late December 1999.

 

Percentage changes in electric revenues and kWh sales in 2000 and 1999 by major retail customer classes were:

 

2000 vs. 1999

1999 vs. 1998

 

Revenues

KWh

Revenues

KWh

         

Residential

9.6%

9.2%

4.9%

4.6%

Commercial

11.0

13.6

2.8

2.2

Industrial

1.3

4.2

4.4

4.1

Total

6.7%

7.4%

4.2%

3.8%

The increase in 2000 residential, commercial, and industrial kWh sales was primarily due to growth in the number of customers, due to the acquisition of West Virginia Power and its 26,000 electric customers, from Utilicorp United, Inc. in late December 1999.

M-25

 

Residential kWh sales, which are more weather sensitive than the other classes, also increased due to customer usage, primarily because of weather conditions in late 2000. The 1999 increase in residential kWh sales was due primarily to changes in customer usage because of weather conditions, and to a lesser extent, growth in the number of customers.

 

Commercial kWh sales, are also affected by weather, but to a lesser extent than residential, also increased in 2000 due to customer usage. The increase in commercial kWh sales in 1999 reflects growth in the number of customers and increased usage.

 

The increase in industrial kWh sales in 2000 was primarily due to increased kWh sales to iron and steel customers and to chemical customers. The increase in industrial kWh sales in 1999 was due to increased kWh sales to iron and steel customers and to paper and printing product customers.

 

Changes in electric revenues from retail customers resulted from the following:

 

 

Changes from Prior Year

(Millions of Dollars)

2000 vs 1999

1999 vs 1998

     

Fuel clauses

$ 9.4

All other

$37.3

13.2

Net change in retail revenues

$37.3

$22.6

Revenues reflect not only the changes in kWh sales and base rate changes, but also any changes in revenues from fuel and energy cost adjustment clauses (fuel clauses) through June 30, 2000, for West Virginia and December 31, 2000, for Ohio. Effective July 1, 2000, the Company's West Virginia jurisdiction ceased to have a fuel clause. Effective January 1, 2001, a fuel clause ceased to exist for the Company's Ohio jurisdiction. Through June 30, 2000, for West Virginia and December 31, 2000, for Ohio, changes in fuel revenues had no effect on the Company's net income because increases and decreases in fuel and purchased power costs and sales of transmission services and bulk power were passed on to customers by adjustment of customers' bills through a fuel clause.

 

All other is the net effect of kWh sales changes due to changes in customer usage (primarily weather for residential customers), growth in the number of customers, and changes in pricing other than changes in general tariff and fuel clause rates. The increases in 2000 and 1999 all other retail revenues were primarily the result of increased customer usage and growth in the number of customers.

 

Electric wholesale and other revenues were as follows:

(Millions of Dollars)

2000

1999

1998

       

Wholesale customers

$ 4.9

$ 4.6

$ 5.2

Affiliated companies

102.0

84.7

77.3

Street lighting and other

7.4

6.9

6.9

Total wholesale and other revenues

$114.3

$96.2

$89.4

Wholesale customers are cooperatives and municipalities that own their distribution systems and buy all or part of their bulk power needs from the Company under FERC regulation. Competition in the wholesale market for electricity was initiated by the national Energy Policy Act of 1992, which permits wholesale generators, utility-owned and otherwise, and wholesale customers to request from owners of bulk power transmission facilities a commitment to supply transmission services. All of the Company's wholesale customers have signed contracts to remain as customers until November 30, 2003.

M-26

 

Revenues from affiliated companies represent sales of energy and intercompany allocations of generating capacity, generation spinning reserves, and transmission services pursuant to a power supply agreement among the Company and the other regulated utility subsidiaries of the Parent. Revenues from affiliated companies increased $17.3 million in 2000 as the Company now sells bulk power to its unregulated affiliate Allegheny Energy Supply, allowing for a more efficient dispatch of power. The Company has a dispatch arrangement with Allegheny Energy Supply. The 1999 increase of $7.4 million in affiliated revenues was due to increased energy sales to affiliates. As a result of increased generation at one of the Company's power stations in 1999, the Company had more generation available for sale after meeting the needs of its regular customers. Some of this excess generation was sold to affiliates to meet their needs.

 

Street lighting and other affiliated revenues increased $.5 million in 2000 due to gas sales related to the Mountaineer Gas and West Virginia Power acquisitions.

 

The Company had gas revenues of $103.6 million for 2000 due to the acquisitions of West Virginia Power in 1999 and Mountaineer Gas in August 2000.

Bulk power transactions include sales of bulk power and transmission and other energy services to power marketers and other utilities. Bulk power and transmission and other energy services sales for 2000, 1999, and 1998 were as follows:

2000

1999

1998

kWh Transactions (in billions):

Bulk power

.2

.3

Transmission and other energy services

to nonaffiliated companies

2.7

2.1

1.9

Total

2.7

2.3

2.2

Revenues (in millions):

Bulk power

$ .8

$ 6.6

$ 8.5

Transmission and other energy services

to nonaffiliated companies

13.5

12.0

11.3

Total

$14.3

$18.6

$19.8

Revenues from bulk power transactions decreased in 2000 and 1999 due to decreased sales to power marketers and other utilities. In 2000, this decrease was a result of increased affiliated sales due to a dispatch agreement with the Company's unregulated affiliate, Allegheny Energy Supply. With this agreement, regulated operations sells the amount of its bulk power that exceeds its regulated load to Allegheny Energy Supply and conversely buys generation from unregulated operations when regulated load at times exceeds regulated generation. Such a relationship allows the Company's generation to be dispatched in a more efficient manner.

 

Through June 30, 2000, and December 31, 2000, for the Company's West Virginia and Ohio jurisdictions, respectively, the costs of purchased power and revenues from sales to power marketers and other utilities, including transmission services, were recovered from or credited to customers under fuel and energy cost recovery procedures. The impact to the fuel and energy cost recovery clauses may either be positive or negative depending on whether the Company is a net buyer or seller of electricity during such periods and the open commitments, which exist at such times. The impact of such price volatility was insignificant to the Company in the first six months of 2000 for West Virginia and twelve months ended 2000 for Ohio because increases or decreases were passed on to customers through operation of fuel clauses.

 

Effective July 1, 2000, and December 31, 2000, once the fuel clauses were eliminated in West Virginia and Ohio, respectively, the Company assumed the risk and benefits of changes in fuel and purchased power costs and sales of transmission services and bulk power in its West Virginia and Ohio jurisdiction.

 

When a fuel clause is in effect, changes in fuel revenues have no effect on consolidated net income because increases and decreases in fuel and purchased power costs and sales of transmission services and bulk power are passed on to the customer through fuel clauses.

M-27

 

Revenues from transmission and other energy services in 2000 and 1999 increased $1.5 million and $0.7 million, respectively. Revenues from transmission and other energy services increased in 2000 and 1999 due primarily to increased megawatt-hours (MWh) transmitted.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Fuel expenses increased 3.7% in 2000 due primarily to a 4.3% increase related to kWhs generated, offset in part by a .6% decrease in average fuel prices. The increase in 1999 of .9% was due to an 8.9% increase related to kWhs generated, offset in part by an 8% decrease in average fuel prices. The increases in kWhs generated were to meet retail customer requirements and increased sales to affiliates. The decrease in 1999 average fuel prices was due to renegotiated fuel contracts.

Purchased power and exchanges, net, represents power purchases from and exchanges with other companies and purchases from qualified facilities under the PURPA, capacity charges paid to Allegheny Generating Company (AGC), an affiliate partially owned by the Company, and other transactions with affiliates made pursuant to a power supply agreement whereby each company uses the most economical generation available in the System at any given time, and consists of the following items:

(Millions of Dollars)

2000

1999

1998

Nonaffiliated transactions:

Purchased power:

From PURPA generation*

$70.7

$65.1

$65.5

Other

22.9

15.1

11.6

Power exchanges, net

1.6

(.6)

(.2)

Affiliated transactions:

AGC capacity charges

18.9

19.1

18.4

Other

5.3

.1

.3

Purchased power and exchanges, net

$119.4

$98.8

$95.6

*PURPA cost (cents per kWh)

5.4cents

5.2cents

5.1cents

The $7.8 million increase in other purchased power in 2000 was primarily due to purchases required to serve customers acquired through the acquisition of West Virginia Power. The increase in other purchased power in 1999 resulted primarily from increased purchases for sales.

 

The increase in other affiliated transactions of $5.2 million in 2000 was primarily due to increased purchases from Allegheny Energy Supply. In early 2000, a dispatch agreement was implemented between the Company and Allegheny Energy Supply. The dispatch agreement is a relationship that allows the Company's generation to be dispatched in a more efficient manner. In 2000, the Company purchased generation from Allegheny Energy Supply when the Company's load exceeded its generation. When the Company's generation exceeds its load, the excess generation is sold to Allegheny Energy Supply.

 

Gas purchases and production expenses for 2000, 1999, and 1998 were as follows:

 

(Millions of Dollars)

2000

1999

1998

Total gas purchases and production

expenses

$57.0

$  

$  

Gas purchases and gas production reflects the acquisition of West Virginia Power in December 1999 and Mountaineer Gas in August 2000.

 

Other operations expenses increased $26.8 million in 2000 due primarily to additional expenses associated with serving the customers acquired through the acquisitions of West Virginia Power and Mountaineer Gas. The

M-28

increase in other operation expenses of $8.0 million in 1999 resulted primarily from a write-off of $4.2 million of costs related to a pumped-storage generation project no longer considered useful, $2.3 million of costs associated with settling litigation concerning a PURPA project, and increases in salaries and wages costs.

 

The increase in maintenance expenses of $6.9 million in 2000 was due primarily to increased power station maintenance and the transmission and distribution (T&D) maintenance expenses associated with the West Virginia Power and Mountaineer Gas acquisitions. Maintenance expenses decreased in 1999 by $3.0 million due to decreases in T&D maintenance expenses, offset in part by increases in general plant maintenance which includes renovations of office facilities.

 

Maintenance expenses represent costs incurred to maintain the power stations, the T&D system, and general plant and reflect routine maintenance of equipment and rights-of-way, as well as planned repairs and unplanned expenditures, primarily from forced outages at the power stations and periodic storm damage on the T&D system. Variations in maintenance expense result primarily from unplanned events and planned projects, which vary in timing and magnitude depending upon the length of time equipment has been in service and the amount of work found necessary when the equipment is dismantled.

 

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $9.6 million in 2000 due to increased investment, primarily associated with the acquisitions of West Virginia Power and Mountaineer Gas. Depreciation and amortization expense in 1999 increased $2.3 million due to increased investment.

 

Taxes other than income taxes increased $12.6 million in 2000 primarily due to additional tax expenses related to the acquisitions of West Virginia Power and Mountaineer Gas. The decrease of $1.3 million in taxes other than income in 1999 was due primarily to a 1998 adjustment to West Virginia Business and Occupation Taxes for prior year.

 

The increase in federal and state income tax expense in 2000 of $10.2 million was primarily due to increased operating income resulting in an increase in taxes of approximately $5.8 million and depreciation differences resulting in an approximate $3.2 million increase in taxes. The decrease in federal and state income taxes of $9.0 million in 1999 was primarily due to the Company's share of tax savings in consolidation related to its parent, Allegheny Energy, and to a net change in income tax provisions related to prior years.

 

Other Income and Deductions

 

The decrease in other income, net, of $2.1 million in 2000 was primarily due the amortization of goodwill related to the West Virginia Power and Mountaineer Gas acquisitions.

 

Interest Charges

 

The increase in interest on long-term debt in 2000 resulted primarily from increased average long-term debt outstanding related to the debt incurred for the acquisitions of West Virginia Power in December 1999 and Mountaineer Gas in August 2000.

 

See Financing on page 11 for more information related to the Company's long-term debt.

 

Other interest expense reflects changes in the levels of short-term debt maintained by the Company throughout the year, as well as the associated interest rates.

 

Extraordinary Charge

 

The extraordinary charge in 2000 of $63.1 million, net of taxes, reflects a write-off by the Company of net regulatory assets determined to be unrecoverable from customers and the establishment of a rate stabilization account for residential and small commercial customers as required by the deregulation plans adopted in Ohio and West Virginia. See Note C of the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

M-29

FINANCIAL CONDITION, REQUIREMENTS, AND RESOURCES

 

Liquidity and Capital Requirements

 

To meet cash needs for operating expenses, the payment of interest and dividends, retirement of debt and certain preferred stocks, and for its acquisitions and construction programs, the Company has used internally generated funds and external financings, such as the sale of common and preferred stock, debt instruments, and installment loans. The timing and amount of external financings depend primarily upon economic and financial market conditions, the Company's cash needs, and capitalization ratio objectives. The availability and cost of external financings depend upon the financial health of the companies seeking those funds and market conditions.

Construction expenditures in 2000 were $82 million and, for 2001 and 2002, are estimated at $109.9 million and $111.5 million, respectively. In addition, in 1999 the Company acquired the assets of West Virginia Power for approximately $95 million, and, in 2000, purchased Mountaineer Gas for approximately $326 million (which included the assumption of $100 million in existing debt). The 2001 and 2002 estimated expenditures include $40.9 million and $55.8 million, respectively, for construction of environmental control technology. It is the Company's goal to constrain future construction spending to the approximate level of depreciation currently in rates. As described under Environmental Issues starting on page 15, the Company could potentially face significant mandated increases in construction expenditures and operating costs related to environmental issues. Whether the Company can continue to meet the majority of its construction needs with internally generated cash is largely dependent upon the outcome of these issues. The Company also has additional capital requirements for debt maturities (see Note K to the consolidated financial statements).

Internal Cash Flow

 

Internal generation of cash, consisting of cash flows from operations reduced by dividends, was $140 million in 2000, compared with $86 million in 1999. The increase in 2000 cash flows from operations resulted primarily from a decrease in the level of common stock dividends payable to its Parent, Allegheny Energy. The decrease in 1999 cash flows resulted from an increase in the level of common stock dividends to the Company's Parent. Current rate levels and reduced levels of construction expenditures permitted the Company to finance all of its construction expenditures in 2000 and 1999 with internal cash flow.

 

Financing

 

Short-term debt is used to meet temporary cash needs. An Allegheny Energy internal money pool accommodates intercompany short-term borrowing needs, to the extent that Allegheny Energy and its regulated subsidiaries, including the Company, have funds available. The money pool provides funds to approved Allegheny Energy subsidiaries at the lower of the previous day's Federal Funds Effective Interest Rate, as quoted by the Federal Reserve, or the previous day's seven-day commercial paper rate, as quoted by the same source, less four basis points. Short-term debt, including notes payable to affiliates under the money pool, increased $8.4 million to $37 million in 2000. At December 31, 2000, the Company had Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) authorization to issue up to $206 million of short-term debt. The Company anticipates meeting its 2000 cash needs through internal cash generation, cash on hand, and short-term borrowings as necessary, and external financings.

 

The Company's $65 million of 5 5/8 percent series first mortgage bonds matured on April 1, 2000.

 

On August 18, 2000, the Company borrowed $61 million, under a senior secured credit facility, at a rate of 7.18 percent, with a maturity of November 20, 2000. On November 20, 2000, the Company paid off the original $61 million borrowing and borrowed $100 million at a rate of 7.21 percent with a maturity of May 21, 2001. The Company intends to transfer this facility to Allegheny Energy Supply concurrent with the transfer of the Company's West Virginia generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply.

 

On August 18, 2000, the Company's parent, Allegheny Energy, Inc., issued $165 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.75 percent notes due August 1, 2005. The Company's parent contributed $162.5 million of the proceeds from its financing to the Company. The Company used the proceeds from its parent and the $61 million borrowed under the senior secured credit facility (as discussed above) in connection with the purchase of Mountaineer Gas.

M-30

As part of the purchase of Mountaineer Gas on August 18, 2000, the Company assumed $100 million of existing Mountaineer Gas debt. This debt consists of several senior unsecured notes and a promissory note with fixed interest rates between 7.00 percent and 8.09 percent, and maturity dates between April 1, 2009, and October 31, 2019.

 

In April 1999, the Company issued $7.7 million of 5.50 percent 30-year pollution control revenue notes to Pleasants County, West Virginia. In December 1999, the Company issued $110 million of 7.36 percent unsecured medium-term notes due in January 2010, in part to finance the purchase of West Virginia Power.

 

The Company's long-term debt due within one year at December 31, 2000, was $100 million of 7.21 percent senior credit facility due May 21, 2001.

 

SIGNIFICANT CONTINUING ISSUES

 

Electric Energy Competition

 

The electricity supply segment of the electric industry in the United States is becoming increasingly competitive. The national Energy Policy Act of 1992 deregulated the wholesale exchange of power within the electric industry by permitting the FERC to compel electric utilities to allow third parties to sell electricity to wholesale customers over their transmission systems. This resulted in open access transmission tariffs being established nationwide. The Company, and its parent, Allegheny Energy, continue to be an advocate of federal legislation to remove artificial barriers to competition in electricity markets, avoid regional dislocations, and ensure level playing fields.

 

In addition, with the wholesale electricity market becoming more competitive, the majority of states have taken active steps toward allowing retail customers the right to choose their electricity supplier.

Allegheny Energy is at the forefront of state-implemented retail competition, having negotiated settlement agreements in all of the states that Allegheny Power serves. Pennsylvania and Maryland have retail choice programs in place. In October 2000, Ohio approved the implementation of a deregulation plan for the Company beginning January 1, 2001. In March 2000, West Virginia's Legislature approved a deregulation plan for the Company pending additional legislation regarding tax revenues for state and local governments. In July 2000, Virginia approved a separation plan for the generating assets of Potomac Edison and continues to make progress towards the implementation of customer choice.

 

Activities at the Federal Level

 

The Company and its parent, Allegheny Energy, continue to seek enactment of federal legislation to bring choice to all retail electric customers, deregulate the generation and sale of electricity on a national level, and create a more liquid, free market for electric power. Fully meeting challenges in the emerging competitive environment will be difficult for the Company unless certain outmoded and anticompetitive laws, specifically the PUHCA and Section 210 (Mandatory Purchase Provisions) of PURPA, are repealed or significantly revised. The Company and Allegheny Energy continue to advocate the repeal of PUHCA and Section 210 of PURPA on the grounds that they are obsolete and anticompetitive and that PURPA results in utility customers paying above-market prices for power. H.R. 2944, which was sponsored by U.S. Representative Joe Barton, was favorably reported out of the House Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power. While the bill does not mandate a certain date for customer choice, several key provisions favored by the Company are included in the legislation, including an amendment that allows existing state restructuring plans and agreements to remain in effect. Other provisions address important Company priorities by repealing PUHCA and the mandatory purchase provisions of PURPA. Although there was considerable activity and discussion on this bill and several other bills in the House and Senate, that activity fell short of moving consensus legislation forward prior to adjournment of the 106th Congress. The 107th Congress will address these issues.

 

Ohio Activities

 

The Ohio General Assembly passed legislation in 1999 to restructure its electric utility industry. All of the state's customers were able to choose their electricity supplier starting January 1, 2001, beginning a five-year transition to market rates. Residential customers are guaranteed a five percent cut in the generation portion of their rate.

M-31

 

The Company reached a stipulated agreement with major parties on a transition plan to bring electric choice to its approximately 29,000 Ohio customers. The Ohio PUC approved the stipulation on October 5, 2000. The restructuring plan allows the Company to transfer its Ohio generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply at net book value on or after January 1, 2001. See Note B to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

 

West Virginia Activities

 

In March 1998, the West Virginia Legislature passed legislation that directed the W.Va. PSC to develop a restructuring plan, which would meet the dictates and goals of the legislation. In January 2000, the W.Va. PSC submitted a restructuring plan to the Legislature for approval that would open full retail competition on January 1, 2001. On March 11, 2000, the West Virginia Legislature approved the W.Va. PSC's plan, but assigned the tax issues surrounding the plan to the 2000 Legislative Interim Committees to recommend the necessary tax changes involved and come back to the Legislature in 2001 for approval of those changes and authority to implement the plan. The start date of competition is contingent upon the necessary tax changes being made and approved by the Legislature. The W.Va. PSC is currently in the process of developing the rules under which competition will occur.

 

The W.Va. PSC approved Potomac Edison's request to transfer its generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply on or after July 1, 2000, and established a process for obtaining approval to transfer the Company's assets on or before the starting date for customer choice. In accordance with the restructuring agreement, Potomac Edison and the Company implemented a commercial and industrial rate reduction program on July 1, 2000.

 

The status of electric energy competition in Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania in which affiliates of the Company serve are as follows:

 

Virginia Activities

 

The Virginia Electric Utility Restructuring Act (Restructuring Act) became law on March 25, 1999. All state utilities were required to submit a restructuring plan by January 1, 2001, to be effective on January 1, 2002. Accordingly, Potomac Edison filed Phase II of the Functional Separation Plan on December 19, 2000. Customer choice will be phased in beginning on January 1, 2002, with full customer choice by January 1, 2004.

 

The Restructuring Act was amended during the 2000 General Assembly legislative session to direct the Virginia State Corporation Commission (Virginia SCC) to prepare for legislative approval a plan for competitive metering and billing and to authorize the Virginia SCC to implement a consumer education program on electric choice, funded through its regulatory tax.

 

On July 11, 2000, the Virginia SCC issued an order approving Potomac Edison's separation plan, permitting the transfer of Potomac Edison's generating assets and the provisions of the Phase I application.

 

Various rulemaking proceedings to implement customer choice are ongoing before the Virginia SCC.

 

Maryland Activities

 

On June 7, 2000, the Maryland Public Service Commission (Maryland PSC) approved the transfer of the generating assets of Potomac Edison to Allegheny Energy Supply. The transfer was made in August 2000. Maryland customers of Potomac Edison had the right to choose an alternative electric provider on July 1, 2000, although the Maryland PSC has not yet finalized all of the rules that will govern customer choice in the state.

 

On July 1, 2000, the Maryland PSC issued a restrictive order imposing standards of conduct for transactions between Maryland utilities and their affiliates. Among other things, the order:

- restricts sharing of employees between utilities and affiliates;

- announces the Maryland PSC's intent to impose a royalty fee to compensate the utility for the use by an affiliate of the utility's name and/or logo and for other "intangible or unqualified benefits; " and

- requires asymmetric pricing for asset transfers between utilities and their affiliates (excluding the transfer of Potomac Edison's Maryland jurisdictional generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply). Asymmetric pricing requires that transfers of assets from the regulated utility to an affiliate be recorded at the greater of book cost or market value while transfers of assets from the affiliate to the regulated utility be recorded at the lesser of book costs or market value.

M-32

Potomac Edison, along with substantially all of Maryland's gas and electric utilities, filed a Circuit Court petition for judicial review and a motion for stay of the order. The Circuit Court has granted a partial stay of the Maryland PSC's Code of Conduct/Affiliated Transactions Order. The Judge granted a stay on the issues of employee sharing, royalties for the use of the name and logo and for certain intangibles, and on the requirement to use a disclaimer on advertising for non-core services.

 

Pennsylvania Activities

 

Two-thirds of West Penn's customers in Pennsylvania were able to choose their electricity supplier effective January 2, 1999. As of January 2, 2000, all of West Penn's electricity customers in Pennsylvania had the right to choose their electric suppliers. The Company has retained more than 99 percent of its Pennsylvania customers as of December 31, 2000.

Accounting for the Effects of Price Deregulation 

 

In accordance with the guidance of EITF Issue No. 97-4, "Deregulation of the Pricing of Electricity - Issues Related to the Application of FASB Statement Nos. 71 and 101," the Company has discontinued the application of SFAS No. 71 to its electric generation business in all of the states in which the Company provides utility service. See Note C to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

 

Environmental Issues

 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) nitrogen oxides (NOX) State Implementation Plan (SIP) call regulation has been under litigation. On March 3, 2000, the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision that basically upheld the regulation. However, state and industry litigants filed an appeal of that decision in April 2000. On June 23, 2000, the Court denied the request for the appeal. Although the Court did issue an order to delay the compliance date from May 1, 2003, until May 31, 2004, both the Maryland and Pennsylvania state rules to implement the EPA NOX SIP call regulation still require compliance by May 1, 2003. West Virginia has issued a proposed rule that would postpone compliance until May 1, 2005. However, the EPA Section 126 petition regulation also requires the same level of NOX reductions as the EPA NOX SIP call regulation with a May 1, 2003, compliance date. The EPA Section 126 petition rule is also under litigation in the District Court of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals, with a decision expected in early 2001. The Company's compliance with such stringent regulations will require the installation of expensive post-combustion control technologies on most of its power stations. The Company's construction forecast includes the expenditure of $103.6 million of capital costs during the 2001 through 2004 period to comply with these regulations. Approximately $16.8 million was spent in 2000.

 

On August 2, 2000, the Company received a letter from the EPA requiring it to provide certain information on the following 10 electric generating stations: Albright, Armstrong, Fort Martin, Harrison, Hatfield's Ferry, Mitchell, Pleasants, Rivesville, R. Paul Smith, and Willow Island. Allegheny Energy Supply and the Company now own these electric generating stations. The letter requested information under Section 114 of the federal Clean Air Act to determine compliance with federal and state implementation plan requirements, including potential application of federal New Source Performance Standards. In general, such standards can require the installation of additional air pollution control equipment upon the major modification of an existing facility. The Company submitted these records in January 2001. The eventual outcome of the EPA investigation is unknown.

 

Similar inquiries have been made of other electric utilities and have resulted in enforcement proceedings being brought in many cases. The Company believes its generating facilities have been operating in accordance with the Clean Air Act and the rules implementing the Act. The experience of other utilities, however, suggests that, in recent years, the EPA may well have revised its interpretation of the rules regarding the determination of whether an action at a facility constitutes routine maintenance, which would not trigger the requirements of the New Source Performance Standards, or a major modification of the facility, which would require compliance with the New Source Performance Standards. If federal New Source Performance Standards were to be applied to these generating stations, in addition to the possible imposition of fines, compliance would entail significant expenditures. In connection with the deregulation of generation, the Company has agreed to rate caps in each of its jurisdictions, and there are no provisions under those arrangements to increase rates to cover such expenditures.

M-33

 

In December 2000, the EPA issued a decision to regulate coal- and oil-fired electric utility mercury emissions under Title III, Section 112 of the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. The EPA plans to issue a proposed regulation by December 2003 and a final regulation by December 2004. The timing and level of required mercury emission reductions are unknown at this time.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

 

In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." SFAS No. 133 was subsequently amended by SFAS No. 137, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Deferral of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 133 - an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133," and SFAS No. 138, "Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133." Effective January 1, 2001, the Company implemented the requirements of these accounting standards.

 

These Statements establish accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging activities. They require that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position and measure those instruments at fair value. The Statements require that changes in the derivative's fair value be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. Special accounting for qualifying hedges allows a derivative's gains and losses to offset related results on the hedged item in the income statement or other comprehensive income, and requires that a company formally document, designate, and assess the effectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting. Based on the Company's current activities, SFAS No. 133 is not expected to create a significant increase in the volatility of reported earnings and other comprehensive income.

 

The Company has completed an inventory of financial instruments, commodity contracts, and other commitments for the purpose of identifying and assessing all of the Company's derivatives. From this inventory, the Company determined that it had no financial instruments, commodity contracts, or other commitments that required recognition as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet at fair value under the provisions of SFAS 133.

 

New Accounting Standard

 

In September 2000, the FASB issued SFAS No. 140, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishment of Liabilities." The Statement provides accounting and reporting standards for transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishment of liabilities and is effective for transfers occurring after March 31, 2001. The Statement is not expected to have a material impact on the Company.

M-34

The Potomac Edison Company

and Subsidiaries

 

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND

ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS

 

Certain statements within constitute forward-looking statements with respect to The Potomac Edison Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company). Such forward-looking statements include statements with respect to deregulated activities and movements towards competition in the states served by the Company, markets, products, services, prices, results of operations, capital expenditures, regulatory matters, liquidity and capital resources, resolution and impact of litigation, and accounting matters. All such forward-looking information is necessarily only estimated. There can be no assurance that actual results of the Company will not materially differ from expectations. Actual results have varied materially and unpredictably from past expectations.

 

Factors that could cause actual results of the Company to differ materially include, among others, the following: general and economic and business conditions; industry capacity; changes in technology; changes in political, social and economic conditions; changes in the price of power and fuel for electric generation; changes in laws and regulations applicable to the Company; litigation involving the Company; environmental regulations; the loss of any significant customers and suppliers; and changes in business strategy, operations, or development plans.

 

BUSINESS STRATEGY

 

In December 1999, the Maryland Public Service Commission (Maryland PSC) approved a settlement agreement, which allowed nearly all Maryland customers of the Company to choose their generation supplier beginning July 1, 2000. In June 2000, the Maryland PSC authorized the Company to transfer the Maryland portion of its generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC (Allegheny Energy Supply), an affiliate of the Company, on or after July 1, 2000. The Company also obtained the necessary approvals from the Virginia State Corporation Commission (Virginia SCC) and the Public Service Commission of West Virginia (W.Va. PSC) to transfer the Virginia and West Virginia portions of its generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply in conjunction with the transfer of the Maryland portion of those assets. In August 2000, the Company transferred approximately 2,100 megawatts (MW) of generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply.

 

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN 2000, 1999, AND 1998

 

Transfer of Generating Assets 

 

In August 2000, the Company transferred approximately 2,100 MW of its Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia jurisdictional generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply at net book value. State utility commissions in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia approved the transfer of these assets as part of deregulation proceedings in those states. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also approved these transfers.

 

Under the terms of the deregulation plans approved in Maryland, the Company retains the obligation to provide electricity to customers that do not choose an alternative electricity supplier during a transition period. For the Company, the Standard Offer Service (provider of last resort) will be provided to Maryland residential customers during a transition period from July 1, 2000, to December 31, 2008, and to all other Maryland customers during a transition period of July 1, 2000, to December 31, 2004. See Note B to the consolidated financial statements for details regarding the deregulation plans approved in Maryland.

 

Pursuant to contracts, Allegheny Energy Supply provides the Company with power during the Maryland transition periods. Allegheny Energy Supply also provides power pursuant to contracts to cover the retail load of the Company in Virginia and West Virginia prior to and throughout the ensuing period of any retail choice programs that may be implemented in those states. Under these contracts, Allegheny Energy Supply provides the Company with the amount of electricity, up to their retail load, that they may demand.

 

On May 25, 2000, the Company filed an application with the Virginia SCC to separate its 380 MW of Virginia jurisdictional generating assets, excluding the hydroelectric assets located within the state of Virginia, from its transmission and distribution (T&D) assets, effective July 1, 2000. On July 11, 2000, the Virginia SCC issued an order approving the Company's separation plan that provided for the transfer of its Virginia jurisdictional generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply in exchange for the aforementioned contractual commitment from Allegheny Energy Supply to provide power.

M-35

 

On August 10, 2000, the Company applied to the Virginia SCC to transfer the five MW of hydroelectric assets located within the state of Virginia to Green Valley Hydro, LLC (a subsidiary of the Company). On December 14, 2000, the Virginia SCC approved the transfer. The Company anticipates the transfer to Allegheny Energy Supply will occur during the first quarter of 2001, after receiving final approval from the SEC.

 

On June 23, 2000, the W.Va. PSC issued an order regarding the transfer of the 2,004 MW of West Virginia jurisdictional generating assets of Monongahela Power Company (Monongahela Power), an affiliate of the Company, as well as the generating assets of the Company that serve West Virginia. The Company was granted approval to transfer its assets to Allegheny Energy Supply to be consolidated with other generating assets of the Company so transferred. In part, Monongahela Power is required to file with the W.Va. PSC a petition seeking a Commission finding that a proposed transfer of generating assets complies with the conditions of the deregulation plan. The order also permits Monongahela Power to submit a petition to the Commission seeking approval to transfer its West Virginia jurisdictional generating assets prior to the implementation of the deregulation plan. Monongahela Power is required to make a filing before the implementation of the deregulation plan to include commitments to the consumer and other protections contained in the deregulation plan.

 

See Notes B and C to the consolidated financial statements for details of various state restructurings and information regarding the electric generation deregulation process.

 

Rate Matters 

 

The Company and its affiliates, Monongahela Power and West Penn Power Company (West Penn), collectively doing business as Allegheny Power, operate electric transmission and electric and natural gas distribution systems. Allegheny Power also generates electric energy in jurisdictions which have not yet deregulated electric generation. These subsidiaries are subject to federal and state regulation, including the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA). Allegheny Power's markets for regulated electric and gas retail sales are in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

 

In connection with regulatory proceedings of the Maryland PSC, the Company decreased the fuel portion of Maryland customers' bills by approximately $6.4 million annually, effective with bills rendered on or after December 7, 1999. A proposed order was issued on February 18, 2000, granting the requested decrease in the Company's fuel rate, and, on March 21, 2000, the proposed order became final. Effective July 1, 2000, coincident with customer choice in Maryland, the fuel rates were rolled into base rates.

 

On March 24, 2000, the Maryland PSC issued an order requiring the Company to refund the 1999 deferred fuel balance overrecovery of approximately $9.9 million to customers over a period of 12 months that began April 30, 2000. The refund of the overrecovered balance does not affect the Company's earnings since the overrecovered amounts had been deferred.

 

On October 4, 2000, the Maryland PSC approved the Company's filing, which represents the final reconciliation of its deferred fuel balance. The Company is refunding to customers a $3.2 million overrecovery balance existing in the Maryland deferred fuel account as of September 30, 2000. The deferred fuel credit to customers began in October 2000 and will be effective until the balance falls to zero, which is projected to take 12 months. The refund of the overrecovered balance does not affect the Company's earnings, since the overrecovered amounts had been deferred.

 

On June 23, 2000, the W.Va. PSC approved a Joint Stipulation and Agreement for Settlement, stating agreed-upon rates designed to make the rates of the Company and Monongahela Power consistent. Under the terms of the settlement, several tariff schedules, notably those available to residential and small commercial customers, will require several incremental steps to reach the agreed-upon rate level. The settlement rates resulted in a revenue increase for the Company of approximately $0.2 million for 2000, increasing over eight years to an annual increase of approximately $4.3 million. The settlement approved by the W.Va. PSC directs the Company to amortize the existing overcollected deferred fuel balance as of June 30, 2000 (approximately $10.0 million), as a reduction of expenses over a four-and-one-half year period beginning July 1, 2000. Also, effective July 1, 2000, the Company ceased their expanded net energy cost (fuel clause) as part of the settlement.

 

On November 29, 2000, the Maryland PSC approved a Power Sales Agreement between the Company and the winning bidder covering the sale of the AES Warrior Run output to the wholesale market for the period January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2001. The AES Warrior Run cogeneration project was developed under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA) and achieved commercial operation on February 10, 2000. Under the terms of the Maryland deregulation plan approved in 1999, the revenues from the sale of the AES Warrior Run output are used to offset the capacity and energy costs the Company pays to the AES Warrior Run cogeneration project before determining amounts to be recovered from Maryland customers.

M-36

 

Effective with bills rendered on or after January 8, 2001, there was an increase in Maryland base rates as a result of the phase-in of the rate increase approved by the Maryland PSC on October 27, 1998. A settlement agreement, which includes recognition and dollar-for-dollar recovery of costs to be incurred from the AES Warrior Run project, was filed with the Maryland PSC on July 30, 1998, and approved by that Commission on October 27, 1998. The Maryland PSC approved rates for each customer class on December 22, 1998. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company increased its rates about four percent in each of the years 1999 and 2000, and will increase rates by about four percent in 2001 (a $79 million total revenue increase during 1999 through 2001). The increases are designed to recover additional costs of about $131 million over the period 1999-2001 for capacity purchases from the AES Warrior Run project net of alleged overearnings of $52 million for the same period. The agreement also requires that the Company share 50 percent of earnings above an 11.4 percent return on equity with customers for 1999 and 2000. As a result, 50 percent of the amount above the threshold earnings amount, or $9.7 million applicable to 1999, is being distributed to customers in the form of an Earnings Sharing Credit, effective June 7, 2000, through April 30, 2001. Any sharing of earnings required for 2000 will be reflected as a credit on customers' bills starting in May 2001 .

 

Regional Transmission Organization

 

In adopting its Rule 2000, the FERC defined requirements for transmission facility owners, such as Allegheny Power, to participate in some form of a regional transmission organization (RTO). Additionally, the state jurisdictions within which the Allegheny Power operates have, to different degrees, started to define their transition to a competitive generation marketplace. As part of this, they have identified transmission as a key link to making the electricity market efficient.

 

Allegheny Power announced on October 5, 2000, that it had signed a Memorandum of Agreement with PJM to develop a new transmission affiliation with Pennsylvania - New Jersey - Maryland Interconnection, LLC (PJM), referred to as PJM West. The Memorandum of Agreement was outlined in a filing submitted to the FERC on October 16, 2000, in order to meet the requirements of FERC's Order 2000.

 

FERC's Order 2000 required all electric utilities, not currently in an independent system operator (ISO), to file a plan on how they would participate in an RTO, those entities that oversee and control the power grid. Although PJM is an ISO, Allegheny Power will not join PJM, but will pursue the development of an affiliation with PJM, working within the PJM framework, which would also be available to other utilities.

 

Allegheny Power is leading the new initiative, known as PJM West, which will facilitate economic transmission service, while simultaneously expanding the PJM market.

 

In December 2000, Allegheny Power and PJM announced the execution of an agreement in principle to broaden PJM West that will further expand the PJM market into the Pittsburgh area. This agreement provides for Duquesne Light Company to join Allegheny Power in the development of PJM West by executing a similar joint agreement with PJM as did Allegheny Power.

 

Recapitalization

 

On September 30, 1999, the Company called $16.4 million of preferred stock. In April 2000, the Company's shareholders amended its Articles of Incorporation. Prior to the amendment and restatement, the Company was authorized to issue 23, 000,000 shares of common stock without par value and 5,378,611 shares of preferred stock with $100 par value per share. The Company now has authority to issue 26,000,000 shares of common stock with $.01 par value per share and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock with $.01 par value per share. As a result of the change in par value, the Company's common stock was reduced and other paid-in capital was increased by $447.5 million.

 

PURPA Power Project Termination

 

In 1999, the Company settled for $2.7 million litigation by a developer alleging failure by the Company to comply with PURPA regulations.

 

Electric Industry Restructuring

 

See Electric Energy Competition on page 13 for more information regarding electric energy restructuring activities.

M-37

 

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

Earnings Summary

 

Earnings

(Millions of Dollars)

2000

1999

1998

       

Operations

$ 84.4

$100.6

$101.5

Extraordinary charge, net (Notes B

     

and C to the consolidated financial

     

statements)

(13.9)

(17.0)

            

Consolidated Net Income

$ 70.5

$ 83.6

$101.5

Earnings for 2000, before the extraordinary charge, decreased by $16.2 million primarily due to the August 1, 2000, transfer of the Company's 2,100 MW of generating capacity at net book value to Allegheny Energy Supply, an unregulated wholly owned subsidiary of Allegheny Energy, Inc. (Allegheny Energy). As a result of the transfer, the Company only has five MW of hydroelectric generating capacity in Virginia available for sale. The extraordinary charge of $13.9 million, net of taxes, reflects a write-off by the Company of costs determined to be unrecoverable as a result of Virginia and West Virginia legislation requiring deregulation of electric generation and recognition of a rate stabilization obligation. See Notes B and C to the consolidated financial statements for additional details.

 

The decrease in 1999 earnings from operations, before the extraordinary charge, resulted from increased operation and maintenance (O&M) expenses, and lower other income, net. Included, as part of other operation expenses is a $5.3 million write-off of a pumped-storage generation project no longer considered useful. The decrease in earnings was offset in part by increased kilowatt-hour (kWh) sales to retail customers, tax benefits related to plant removal costs and to the Company's share of tax savings in consolidation related to its parent, Allegheny Energy, and reduced interest expenses. The extraordinary charge in 1999 resulted from the Maryland electric utility restructuring order as discussed in Notes B and C to the consolidated financial statements.

Sales and Revenues

Percentage changes in revenues and kWh sales in 2000 and 1999 by major retail customer classes were:

 

2000 vs 1999

1999 vs 1998

 

Revenues

kWh

Revenues

kWh

         

Residential

.5 %

4.5 %

6.9 %

5.5 %

Commercial

(2.8)

4.6

7.3

6.8

Industrial

(2.3)

2.1

2.7

(1.4)

Total

(1.1)%

3.4 %

5.7 %

2.6 %

The increase in residential kWh sales of 4.5%, which are more weather sensitive than the other classes, were due primarily to changes in customer usage because of weather conditions and growth in the number of customers. The growth in the number of residential customers was 1.9% and 2.1% in 2000 and 1999, respectively, and contributed to the increase in residential revenues in 2000. The revenue increase was slightly offset by reductions applied to certain customers' revenues. The reductions included credits to customer bills resulting from conditions within the Maryland settlement agreements and adjustments to revenues related to the overrecovery from the AES Warrior Run cogeneration project.

 

The increases in commercial kWh sales of 4.6% and 6.8% in 2000 and 1999, respectively, are also affected by weather, but to a lesser extent than residential. The increase in commercial kWh sales was due primarily to the growth in the average number of customers, with increases of 2.9% and 2.5% in 2000 and 1999, respectively.

 

The increase in industrial kWh sales of 2.1% in 2000 was due to an increase in kWh sales to primary metal industry and in the stone, glass, clay and concrete industry customers. The decrease in industrial kWh sales in 1999 resulted primarily from decreased sales to primary metals industry customers.

 

The decrease in revenues for commercial and industrial customers was due primarily to a decrease in the fuel portion of customer bills, a decrease in surcharge revenues applicable to recovery of costs related to purchased power from the AES Warrior Run cogeneration project, a decrease in Virginia base rates, and, to a lesser extent, Maryland deregulation, which gave Maryland customers of the Company the ability to choose another energy supplier effective July 1, 2000.

M-38

 

In October 1998, the Maryland PSC approved a settlement agreement for the Company. Under the terms of that agreement, the Company increased its rates about four percent in 1999 and 2000, and will increase rates about four percent in 2001 (a $79 million total revenue increase during 1999 through 2001).

 

Revenues reflect not only changes in kWh sales and base rate changes, but also any changes in revenues from fuel and energy cost adjustment clauses (fuel clauses). Effective July 1, 2000, a fuel clause ceased to exist for the Company's West Virginia jurisdiction, and effective August 7, 2000, ceased to exist for the Company's Virginia jurisdiction. Through June 30, 2000, changes in fuel revenues had no effect on the Company's net income because increases and decreases in fuel and purchased power costs and sales of transmissions services and bulk power were passed on to customers by adjustment of customers' bills through a fuel clause. Effective July 1, 2000, the Company assumed the risk and benefits of changes in fuel and purchased power costs and sales of transmission services and bulk power in its Maryland and West Virginia jurisdictions, and on August 7, 2000, for its Virginia jurisdiction.

 

Wholesale and other revenues were as follows:

(Millions of Dollars)

2000

1999

1998

       

Wholesale customers

$21.9

$21.5

$23.5

Affiliated companies

45.2

11.4

9.4

Street lighting and other

8.6

4.7

5.5

Deferred revenues

2.3

(19.9)

          

Total wholesale and other revenues.

$78.0

$17.7

$38.4

Wholesale customers are cooperatives and municipalities that own their distribution systems and buy all or part of their bulk power needs from the Company under FERC regulation. Competition in the wholesale market for electricity was initiated by the national Energy Policy Act of 1992, which permits wholesale generators, utility-owned and otherwise, and wholesale customers to request from owners of bulk power transmission facilities a commitment to supply transmission services. The increase in wholesale customer revenue remained relatively flat in 2000 compared to 1999. The decrease in wholesale revenues in 1999 was due primarily to renegotiated contracts with some wholesale customers.

 

Revenues from sales to affiliated companies represent sales of energy and intercompany allocations of generating capacity, generation spinning reserves, and transmission services pursuant to a power supply agreement among the Company and the other regulated utility subsidiaries of Allegheny Energy. Revenues from sales to affiliated companies increased $33.8 million in 2000 as the Company sold power to Allegheny Energy Supply. The Company has a dispatch arrangement in place with Allegheny Energy Supply to provide a more efficient dispatch of power. On August 1, 2000, the Company transferred its generating capacity to Allegheny Energy Supply. Revenues from affiliated companies increased $2.0 million in 1999 due primarily to increased transmission revenues from affiliates.

 

Bulk power transactions include sales of bulk power and transmission and other energy services to power marketers and other utilities. Bulk power and transmission and other energy services sales for 2000, 1999, and 1998 were as follows:

2000

1999

1998

KWh Transactions (in billions):

     

Bulk power

.7

.2

.4

Transmission and other energy services

     

to nonaffiliated companies

3.5

2.8

2.5

Total

4.2

3.0

2.9

Revenues (in millions):

     

Bulk power

$28.9

$ 8.4

$11.7

Transmission and other energy services

     

to nonaffiliated companies

17.7

16.2

14.7

Total

$46.6

$24.6

$26.4

M-39

 

The costs of purchased power and revenues from sales to power marketers and other utilities, including transmission services, were recovered from or credited to customers under fuel and energy cost recovery procedures. The impact to the fuel and energy cost recovery clauses may be either positive or negative depending on whether the Company is a net buyer or seller of electricity during such periods and the open commitments which exist at such times. The impact of such price volatility was insignificant to the Company in the first six months of 2000 and in 1999 because changes are passed to customers through operation of fuel clauses. Effective July 1, 2000, the fuel clause was discontinued in the Company's Maryland and West Virginia jurisdictions, and was discontinued for its Virginia jurisdiction effective in August 7, 2000. The discontinuation of fuel clauses may cause an increase in the volatility of earnings for the Company. With the discontinuation of the fuel clauses, the Company assumes the risk and benefits of changes in fuel and purchased power costs and sales of transmission services and bulk power in its Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia jurisdictions.

 

The increases in regulated operations bulk power for 2000 was primarily the result of the sale ($28.1 million for 2000) of the output of the AES Warrior Run cogeneration facility into the open wholesale market. This sale output was part of a Maryland PSC settlement agreement with the Company.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Fuel expenses decreased 40.7% in 2000 due to a reduction in kWh generated and to the fuel expenses associated with the 2,100 MW of the Company's generating capacity that were transferred to Allegheny Energy Supply on August 1, 2000. Fuel expenses decreased 3.4% in 1999 due to a 6.0% decrease in average fuel prices offset in part by a 2.6% increase related to kWhs generated to meet retail customer requirements and increased sales to affiliates.

 

Purchased power and exchanges, net, represents power purchases from and exchanges with other companies, purchases from qualified facilities under the PURPA, and other transactions with affiliates made pursuant to a power supply agreement whereby each company uses the most economical generation available in the System at any given time, and consists of the following items:

(Millions of Dollars)

2000

1999

1998

       

Nonaffiliated transactions:

Purchased power:

     

Other

$ 3.8

$ 15.7

$ 15.2

From PURPA generation

87.1

1.5

Power exchanges, net

3.9

(2.6)

(.1)

Affiliated transactions:

     

AGC capacity charges

11.2

19.8

23.8

Other affiliated capacity charges

18.0

39.0

42.9

Energy and spinning reserve charges

215.6

53.6

56.5

Purchased power and exchanges, net

$339.6

$127.0

$138.3

The increase of $85.6 million in purchased power from PURPA generation for 2000 was primarily due to the start of commercial operations of the AES Warrior Run cogeneration project on February 10, 2000, in the Company's Maryland service territory. The Maryland PSC approved the Company's full recovery of the AES Warrior Run purchased power costs as part of the September 23, 1999, settlement agreement. Accordingly, the Company defers, as a component of other operation expenses, the difference between revenues collected related to AES Warrior Run and the cost of the AES Warrior Run purchased power.

 

Allegheny Generating Company (AGC) capacity charges and other affiliated capacity charges decreased in 2000 due to the transfer of the Company's generation, including its ownership interest in AGC, to Allegheny Energy Supply on August 1, 2000.

 

The increases in affiliated energy and spinning reserve charges of $162 million for 2000 was due primarily to the Company's purchase of power from Allegheny Energy Supply in order to provide energy to the Company's Maryland customers eligible to chose an alternate supplier, but electing not to do so. The generation previously available to serve those customers was released upon the June 7, 2000, approval of the Maryland PSC and has been transferred by the Company to Allegheny Energy Supply.

 

The increase in other operation expense of $19.1 million for 2000 was due primarily to rent expense related to generating assets. The transfer of the Company's generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply on August 1, 2000, included the Company's assets located in West Virginia. A portion of these assets has been leased back by the Company to serve its West Virginia jurisdictional retail customers. The lease term is one year, but may modified upon mutual agreement of both parties.

M-40

 

The increase in other operation expenses in 1999 of $13.5 million resulted primarily from increased expenses due to a write-off of $5.3 million of costs related to a pumped-storage generation project no longer considered useful, $2.7 million of costs associated with settling litigation concerning a PURPA project, increases in salaries and wages of $1.9 million, and increased provisions for uninsured claims of $1.4 million.

 

The decrease in maintenance expenses in 2000 of $15.8 million was due primarily to the transfer of the Company's generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply. The increase in maintenance expenses in 1999 of $5.1 million was due to a $2.8 million increase in power station maintenance, a $1.4 million increase in T&D maintenance, and a $.9 million increase in general plant maintenance which includes renovations of office facilities.

 

Maintenance expenses represent costs incurred to maintain the T&D system and general plant, and reflect routine maintenance of equipment and rights-of-way, as well as planned repairs and unplanned expenditures, primarily from periodic storm damage on the T&D system. Variations in maintenance expense result primarily from unplanned events and planned projects, which vary in timing and magnitude depending upon the length of time equipment has been in service without an overhaul and the amount of work found necessary when the equipment is dismantled.

 

The decrease in depreciation expense in 2000 of $14.5 million reflects the transfer of the Company's generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply during the year, offset by depreciation of new capital additions. Depreciation expense increases in 1999 of $1.6 million resulted from increased investments.

 

The decrease in taxes other than income taxes of $4.0 million is associated with the transfer of generation. The increase in taxes other than income taxes of $1.4 million in 1999 was due to an increase in the assessment of property in Maryland.

 

The decrease of $4.1 million in federal and state income taxes for 2000 resulted from a decrease in taxable income. The 1999 decrease in federal and state income taxes was due primarily to decreased taxable income, tax benefits related to plant removal costs for which deferred taxes were not provided, and to the Company's share of tax savings in consolidation related to its parent, Allegheny Energy.

 

Other Income and Deductions

 

The decrease in other income, net, of $2.2 million in 2000 was primarily due to a decrease in dividend income received from AGC due to the transfer of the Company's 28% ownership share in the common stock of AGC to Allegheny Energy Supply in August 2000, offset in part by interest income earned on intercompany money pool loans.

Interest Charges

 

The decrease in interest on long-term debt of $2.7 million and $3.1 million, in 2000 and 1999, respectively, was due to the reduction in average long-term debt outstanding.

 

Extraordinary Item

 

The extraordinary charge in 2000 of $ 22.6 million ($13.9 million after tax) was required to recognize $20.0 million ($12.3 million after tax) for the write-off of unrecoverable regulatory assets and the recognition of rate stabilization obligations due to the West Virginia deregulation, and an additional $2.6 million ($1.6 million after tax) due to write-offs associated with deregulation in Virginia.

 

The extraordinary charge in 1999 of $26.9 million ($17.0 million after taxes) was required to reflect a write-off of certain disallowances in the Maryland PSC's December 1999 order. See Notes B and C to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

 

FINANCIAL CONDITION, REQUIREMENTS AND RESOURCES

 

Liquidity and Capital Requirements

 

To meet cash needs for operating expenses, the payment of interest and dividends, retirement of debt and certain preferred stocks, and for its construction program, the Company has used internally generated funds and external financings, such as the sale of common and preferred stock, debt instruments, installment loans, and lease arrangements. The timing and amount of external financings depend primarily upon economic and financial market conditions, the Company's cash needs, and capitalization ratio objectives. The availability and cost of external financings depend upon the financial health of the companies seeking those funds and market conditions.

M-41

 

Capital expenditures, primarily construction, in 2000 were $72.3 million and, for 2001 and 2002, are estimated at $49.9 million and $48.5 million, respectively. It is the Company's goal to constrain future utility construction spending to the approximate level of depreciation currently in rates. The Company also has additional capital requirements for debt maturities. See Note J to the consolidated financial statements.

 

Internal Cash Flow

 

Internal generation of cash from operations in 2000 was $130.4 million, prior to cash payments of $133.0 million for dividends on capital stock, compared to 1999 internal cash generation of $203.9 million, prior to cash payments of $145.6 million on capital stock. The decrease in cash flows from operations in 2000 resulted primarily from increases in accrued and prepaid taxes and deferred power costs. The decrease in 1999 cash flows resulted primarily from an increase in the level of common stock dividends payable to its parent, Allegheny Energy, Inc.

 

Financing

 

Short-term debt is used to meet temporary cash needs. The Company had $42.7 million in short-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2000. The Company had no short-term debt outstanding at December 31, 1999.

 

An Allegheny Energy internal money pool accommodates intercompany short-term borrowing needs, to the extent that Allegheny Energy and its regulated subsidiaries, including the Company, have funds available. The money pool provides funds to approved Allegheny Energy subsidiaries at the lower of the previous day's Federal Funds Effective Interest Rate, as quoted by the Federal Reserve, or the previous day's seven-day commercial paper rate, as quoted by the same source, less four basis points.

 

The Company anticipates meeting its 2001 cash needs through internal cash generation, cash on hand, and short-term borrowings as necessary. The Company did not issue any preferred stock, or common stock in 2000.

 

In August 2000, Allegheny Energy Supply assumed the service obligation for $104.2 million of pollution control debt in conjunction with the transfer of the Company's generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply. Through December 22, 2000, the Company was co-obligor on the pollution control debt and reflected the debt in its financial statements. The Company accrued interest expense on the pollution control debt and then reduced interest accrued and increased other paid-in capital when Allegheny Energy Supply paid interest.

 

On December 22, 2000, the trustees of the pollution control notes released the Company from its co-obligor status as a result of Allegheny Energy Supply acquiring surety bonds, which would repay these notes in the event Allegheny Energy Supply defaults. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board's (FASB) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 125, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities," the Company derecognized the pollution control notes with the effect of increasing equity by $104.3 million. See Note D to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

 

On June 1, 2000, the Company issued $80 million of floating rate private placement notes, due May 1, 2002, assumable by Allegheny Energy Supply upon its acquisition of the Company's Maryland generating assets. In August 2000, after the Company's generating assets were transferred to Allegheny Energy Supply, the notes were remarketed as Allegheny Energy Supply floating rate (three-month London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus .80 percent) notes with the same maturity date. No additional proceeds were received.

 

In March 2000, $75 million of the Company's 5 7/8 percent series first mortgage bonds matured.

 

The Company called all outstanding shares of its cumulative preferred stock with a combined par value of $16.4 million plus redemption premiums of $.5 million on September 30, 1999, with funds on hand. In April 2000, the Company's shareholders amended its Articles of Incorporation. Prior to the amendment and restatement, the Company was authorized to issue 23,000,000 shares of common stock without par value and 5,378,611 shares of preferred stock with $100 par value per share. The Company now has authority to issue 26,000,000 shares of common stock with $.01 par value per share and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock with $.01 par value per share. As a result of the change in par value, the Company's common stock was reduced and other paid-in capital was increased by $447.5 million.

M-42

 

In April 1999, the Company issued $9.3 million of 5.50 percent 30-year pollution control revenue notes to Pleasants County, West Virginia.

 

The Company has SEC authorization for total short-term borrowings of $182 million.

 

The Company had no long-term debt due within one year at December 31, 2000.

 

SIGNIFICANT CONTINUING ISSUES

 

Electric Energy Competition

 

The electricity supply segment of the electric industry in the United States is becoming increasingly competitive. The national Energy Policy Act of 1992 deregulated the wholesale exchange of power within the electric industry by permitting the FERC to compel electric utilities to allow third parties to sell electricity to wholesale customers over their transmission systems. This resulted in open access transmission tariffs being established nationwide. The Company continues to be an advocate of federal legislation to remove artificial barriers to competition in electricity markets, avoid regional dislocations, and ensure level playing fields.

 

In addition, with the wholesale electricity market becoming more competitive, the majority of states have taken active steps toward allowing retail customers the right to choose their electricity supplier.

 

The Company is at the forefront of state-implemented retail competition, having negotiated settlement agreements in all of the states that Allegheny Power serves. Pennsylvania and Maryland have retail choice programs in place. In October 2000, Ohio approved the implementation of a deregulation plan for Monongahela Power beginning January 1, 2001. In March 2000, West Virginia's Legislature approved a deregulation plan for Monongahela Power pending additional legislation regarding tax revenues for state and local governments. In July 2000, Virginia approved a separation plan for the generating assets of the Company and continues to make progress towards the implementation of customer choice.

 

Activities at the Federal Level 

 

The Company and its parent, Allegheny Energy, continue to seek enactment of federal legislation to bring choice to all retail electric customers, deregulate the generation and sale of electricity on a national level, and create a more liquid, free market for electric power. Fully meeting challenges in the emerging competitive environment will be difficult for the Company unless certain outmoded and anticompetitive laws, specifically the PUHCA and Section 210 (Mandatory Purchase Provisions) of PURPA, are repealed or significantly revised. The Company continues to advocate the repeal of PUHCA and Section 210 of PURPA on the grounds that they are obsolete and anticompetitive and that PURPA results in utility customers paying above-market prices for power. H.R. 2944, which was sponsored by U.S. Representative Joe Barton, was favorably reported out of the House Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power. While the bill does not mandate a certain date for customer choice, several key provisions favored by the Company are included in the legislation, including an amendment that allows existing state restructuring plans and agreements to remain in effect. Other provisions address important Company priorities by repealing PUHCA and the mandatory purchase provisions of PURPA. Although there was considerable activity and discussion on this bill and several other bills in the House and Senate, that activity fell short of moving consensus legislation forward prior to adjournment of the 106th Congress. The Company anticipates that the 107th Congress will address these issues.

 

Maryland Activities

 

On June 7, 2000, the Maryland PSC approved the transfer of the generating assets of the Company to Allegheny Energy Supply. The transfer was made in August 2000. Maryland customers of the Company had the right to choose an alternative electric provider on July 1, 2000, although the Maryland PSC has not yet finalized all of the rules that will govern customer choice in the state.

 

On July 1, 2000, the Maryland PSC issued a restrictive order imposing standards of conduct for transactions between Maryland utilities and their affiliates. Among other things, the order:

- restricts sharing of employees between utilities and affiliates;

- announces the Maryland PSC's intent to impose a royalty fee to compensate the utility for the use by an affiliate of the utility's name and/or logo and for other "intangible or unqualified benefits; " and

- requires asymmetric pricing for asset transfers between utilities and their affiliates (excluding the transfer of the Company's Maryland jurisdictional generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply). Asymmetric pricing requires that transfers of assets from the regulated utility to an affiliate be recorded at the greater of book cost or market value while transfers of assets from the affiliate to the regulated utility be recorded at the lesser of book cost or market value.

M-43

 

The Company, along with substantially all of Maryland's gas and electric utilities, filed a Circuit Court petition for judicial review and a motion for stay of the order. The Circuit Court has granted a partial stay of the Maryland PSC's Code of Conduct/Affiliated Transactions Order. The Judge granted a stay on the issues of employee sharing, royalties for the use of the name and logo and for certain intangibles, and on the requirement to use a disclaimer on advertising for non-core services.

 

Virginia Activities

 

The Virginia Electric Utility Restructuring Act (Restructuring Act) became law on March 25, 1999. All state utilities were required to submit a restructuring plan by January 1, 2001, to be effective on January 1, 2002. Accordingly, the Company filed Phase II of the Functional Separation Plan on December 19, 2000. Customer choice will be phased in beginning on January 1, 2002, with full customer choice by January 1, 2004.

 

The Restructuring Act was amended during the 2000 General Assembly legislative session to direct the Virginia SCC to prepare for legislative approval a plan for competitive metering and billing and to authorize the Virginia SCC to implement a consumer education program on electric choice, funded through its regulatory tax.

 

On July 11, 2000, the Virginia SCC issued an order approving the Company's separation plan, permitting the transfer of the Company's generating assets and the provisions of the Phase I application. See Note B to the consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding various rulemaking proceedings to implement customer choice that are ongoing before the Virginia SCC.

 

West Virginia Activities 

 

In March 1998, the West Virginia Legislature passed legislation that directed the W.Va. PSC to develop a restructuring plan which would meet the dictates and goals of the legislation. In January 2000, the W.Va. PSC submitted a restructuring plan to the Legislature for approval that would open full retail competition on January 1, 2001. On March 11, 2000, the West Virginia Legislature approved the W.Va. PSC's plan, but assigned the tax issues surrounding the plan to the 2000 Legislative Interim Committees to recommend the necessary tax changes involved and come back to the Legislature in 2001 for approval of those changes and authority to implement the plan. The start date of competition is contingent upon the necessary tax changes being made and approved by the Legislature. The W.Va. PSC is currently in the process of developing the rules under which competition will occur.

The W.Va. PSC approved the Company's request to transfer its generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply on or after July 1, 2000, and established a process for obtaining approval to transfer Monongahela Power's assets on or before the starting date for customer choice. In accordance with the restructuring agreement, the Company and Monongahela Power implemented a commercial and industrial rate reduction program on July 1, 2000.

 

The status of the electric energy competition in Ohio and Pennsylvania in which affiliates of the Company serve are as follows:

 

Ohio Activities 

 

The Ohio General Assembly passed legislation in 1999 to restructure its electric utility industry. All of the state's customers were able to choose their electricity supplier starting January 1, 2001, beginning a five-year transition to market rates. Residential customers are guaranteed a five percent cut in the generation portion of their rate.

 

Monongahela Power reached a stipulated agreement with major parties on a transition plan to bring electric choice to its approximately 29,000 Ohio customers. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (Ohio PUC) approved the stipulation on October 5, 2000. The restructuring plan allows Allegheny Energy to transfer its Ohio generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply at net book value on or after January 1, 2001.

 

Pennsylvania Activities 

 

Two-thirds of West Penn's customers in Pennsylvania were able to choose their electricity supplier effective January 2, 1999. As of January 2, 2000, all of West Penn's electricity customers in Pennsylvania had the right to choose their electric suppliers. West Penn has retained more than 99 percent of its Pennsylvania customers as of December 31, 2000.

 

Accounting for the Effects of Price Deregulation

 

In accordance with the guidance of Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 97-4, "Deregulation of the Pricing of Electricity - Issues Related to the Application of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Statement Nos. 71 and 101," the Company has discontinued the application of SFAS No. 71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation", to its electric generation businesses in all of the states in which the Company provides utility service. See Note C to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

M-44

 

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities 

 

In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." SFAS No. 133 was subsequently amended by SFAS No. 137, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Deferral of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 133 - an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133," and SFAS No. 138, "Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133." Effective January 1, 2001, the Company implemented the requirements of these accounting standards.

 

These Statements establish accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging activities. They require that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position and measure those instruments at fair value. The Statements require that changes in the derivative's fair value be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. Special accounting for qualifying hedges allows a derivative's gains and losses to offset related results on the hedged item in the income statement or other comprehensive income, and requires that a company formally document, designate, and assess the effectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting. SFAS No. 133 is expected to increase the volatility in reported earnings and other comprehensive income. Based on the Company's current activities, SFAS No. 133 is not expected to create a significant increase in the volatility of reported earnings and other comprehensive income.

 

The Company has completed an inventory of financial instruments, commodity contracts, and other commitments for the purpose of identifying and assessing all of the Company's derivatives. From this inventory, the Company determined that it had no financial instruments, commodity contracts, or other commitments that required recognition as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet at fair value under the provisions of SFAS 133.

 

New Accounting Standard

 

In September 2000, the FASB issued SFAS No. 140, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities." The Statement provides accounting and reporting standards for transfers and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of liabilities and is effective for transfers occurring after March 31, 2001. The Statement is not expected to have a material impact on the Company.

M-45

West Penn Power Company

and Subsidiaries

 

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND

ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS

 

Certain statements within constitute forward-looking statements with respect to West Penn Power Company and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company). Such forward-looking statements include statements with respect to deregulated activities and movements towards competition in the states served by the Company, markets, products, services, prices, results of operations, capital expenditures, regulatory matters, liquidity and capital resources, resolution and impact of litigation, and accounting matters. All such forward-looking information is necessarily only estimated. There can be no assurance that actual results of the Company will not materially differ from expectations. Actual results have varied materially and unpredictably from past expectations.

 

Factors that could cause actual results of the Company to differ materially include, among others, the following: general and economic and business conditions; industry capacity; changes in technology; changes in political, social, and economic conditions; changes in the price of power and fuel for electric generation; changes in laws and regulations applicable to the Company; litigation involving the Company; environmental regulation; the loss of any significant customers or suppliers; and changes in business strategy, operations or development plans.

 

Business Strategy

 

The Company's business is the operation of electric transmission and distribution (T&D) systems. On November 18, 1999, the Company transferred its generating capacity, which totaled 3,778 megawatts (MW), to Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC (Allegheny Energy Supply) at net book value as allowed by the final settlement in the Company's Pennsylvania restructuring case. Under the terms of the deregulation plan approved in Pennsylvania for the Company, the Company retains the obligation to provide electricity to customers that do not choose an alternate supplier during a transition period. For the Company, the Pennsylvania transition plan continues through December 31, 2008. Pursuant to contracts, Allegheny Energy Supply provides the Company with power during the Pennsylvania transition period. Under these contracts, Allegheny Energy Supply provides the Company with the total amount of electricity, up to its retail load, that it may demand.

 

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN 2000, 1999, and 1998

 

Pennsylvania Deregulation

 

On November 19, 1998, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (Pennsylvania PUC) approved a settlement agreement between the Company and parties to the Company's restructuring proceedings related to legislation in Pennsylvania to provide customer choice of electric suppliers and deregulate electricity generation.

 

As a result of the May 29, 1998, Pennsylvania PUC order and as revised by the November 19, 1998, settlement agreement, the Company determined in 1998 that, under the provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (FASB) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 101, "Accounting for the Discontinuation of Application of FASB Statement No. 71," an extraordinary charge of $466.9 million ($275.4 million after taxes) was required to reflect a write-off of certain disallowances. Charges of $40.3 million ($23.7 million after taxes) related to revenue refunds and energy program payments required to be made by the Company pursuant to the settlement agreement were also recorded in 1998.

 

Under the terms of the Pennsylvania settlement agreement, two-thirds of the Company's customers were permitted to choose an alternate generation supplier beginning in January 1999. All of the Company's customers were permitted to do so beginning in January 2000. They were able to remain as Company customers at the Company's capped generation rates or to alternate back and forth. Under the law, all electric utilities, including the Company, retain the responsibility of electricity provider of last resort to all customers in their respective franchise territories who do not choose an alternate supplier. See Notes B and C to the consolidated financial statements for details of the settlement agreement and other information about the deregulation process.

 

Nonutility Sales of Electricity

 

Prior to transferring its electric generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply in November 1999, the Company participated in unregulated energy markets as a supplier of electricity. During 1999, the Company sold 2,234,137 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity to customers in deregulated retail markets and 17,040,799 MWh to customers in deregulated wholesale markets. The Company's former generation customers purchased 1,829,925 MWh and 2,522,611 MWh of electricity from alternate energy suppliers as a result of customer choice in Pennsylvania in 2000 and 1999, respectively.

M-46

 

Unregulated Generating Affiliate

 

During 1999, Allegheny Energy, Inc. (Allegheny Energy) obtained the necessary regulatory approvals to form an unregulated generating subsidiary, Allegheny Energy Supply. On November 18, 1999, the Company transferred its generating capacity, which totaled 3,778 MW, to Allegheny Energy Supply at net book value as allowed by the final settlement in the Company's Pennsylvania restructuring case. The Company continued to be responsible for providing generation to meet the regulated electric load of its retail customers who did not have the right to choose their generation supplier until January 1, 2000. During the period from November 18, 1999, through January 1, 2000, Allegheny Energy Supply leased back to the Company one-third of its generating assets, providing the Company with the unlimited right to use those facilities to serve its regulated load. The lease agreement was terminated on January 1, 2000.

 

Regional Transmission Organization

 

In adopting its Rule 2000, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) defined requirements for transmission facility owners, such as Monongahela Power Company (Monongahela Power), The Potomac Edison Company (Potomac Edison), and the Company, collectively doing business as Allegheny Power, to participate in some form of regional transmission organization (RTO). Additionally, the state jurisdictions within which the Company operates have, to different degrees, started to define their transition to a competitive generation marketplace. As part of this, they have identified transmission as a key link to making the electricity market efficient.

 

Allegheny Power announced on October 5, 2000, that it had signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Interconnection, LLC (PJM) to develop a transmission affiliation with PJM, referred to as PJM West. The Memorandum of Agreement was outlined in a filing submitted to the FERC on October 16, 2000, in order to meet the requirements of FERC's Order 2000.

 

FERC's Order 2000 required all electric utilities, not currently in an independent system operator (ISO) to file a plan on how they would participate in an RTO, those entities that oversee and control the power grid. Although PJM is an ISO, Allegheny Power will not join PJM, but will pursue the development of an affiliation with PJM, working within the PJM framework, which would also be available to other utilities.

 

Allegheny Power is leading the new initiative, known as PJM West, which will facilitate economic transmission service, while simultaneously expanding the PJM market. Allegheny Energy Supply will benefit from the PJM West initiative by having its generation within PJM and open to markets in the current PJM region.

 

In December 2000, Allegheny Power and PJM announced the execution of an agreement in principle to broaden PJM West that will further expand the PJM market into the Pittsburgh area. This agreement provides for Duquesne Light Company to join Allegheny Power in the development of PJM West by executing a similar joint agreement with PJM, as did Allegheny Power.

Recapitalization

 

In 1999, the Company completed the following steps in its recapitalization process concurrent with the implementation of deregulation of electric generation in Pennsylvania.

 

- $600 million of transition bonds were issued in November 1999;

- $525 million of first mortgage bonds were called or redeemed during the year;

- $79.7 million of preferred stock was called or redeemed in July 1999; and

- the Company revised its Articles of Incorporation to provide greater financial flexibility.

During 1999, the Company reacquired all of its outstanding first mortgage bonds. As a result, the Company incurred an extraordinary charge of $17.0 million ($10.0 million after taxes) during the fourth quarter of 1999. The extraordinary charge was the result of premiums paid to reacquire the first mortgage bonds as compared to the carrying value of the bonds.

 

Electric Industry Restructuring

 

See Electric Energy Competition on page 13 for ongoing information regarding electric industry restructuring.

M-47

 

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

 

Earnings Summary

(Millions of Dollars)

2000

1999

1998

       

Operations:

     

Regulated operations

$102.4

$ 98.0

$112.6

Unregulated generation

_____

39.6

_____

Consolidated income before extraordinary

charges

$102.4

137.6

112.6

Extraordinary charges, net (Notes B, C, and D

to consolidated financial statements)

_____

(10.0)

(275.4)

Consolidated net income (loss)

$102.4

$127.6

$(162.8)

Earnings for 2000 decreased due to the settlement agreement in Pennsylvania which permitted the Company to transfer its 3,778 MW of generating capacity at net book value to Allegheny Energy Supply, an unregulated wholly owned subsidiary of Allegheny Energy, the Company's parent. As a result of the transfer, the Company no longer has generation available for sale. Current earnings are supported by the beneficial effects of transition cost recovery as authorized in the Company's Pennsylvania restructuring settlement.

 

The decrease in 1999 earnings from regulated operations reflects the deregulation of two-thirds of the Company's electric generation effective January 1, 1999, as approved by the Pennsylvania PUC's restructuring order. Accordingly, the operating results for these assets are classified as unregulated generation in 1999. The 1999 regulated operations also reflect the write-off of $6.6 million of costs from a long dormant pumped-storage generation project. The increase in 1999 earnings, before extraordinary charges, was due primarily to increased kilowatt-hour (kWh) sales.

 

In 1999, earnings from unregulated generation reflect the sale of generation from two-thirds of the Company's generating assets as discussed under Sales and Revenues.

 

The extraordinary charge in 1999 resulted from the redemption of debt related to the securitization of stranded costs as discussed in Note D to the consolidated financial statements. The 1998 extraordinary charge resulted from the May 1998 restructuring order and November 1998 settlement agreement as discussed in Notes B and C to the consolidated financial statements.

Sales and Revenues

Total operating revenues for 2000, 1999, and 1998 were as follows:

 

OPERATING REVENUES:

(Millions of Dollars)

2000

1999

1998

       

Regulated operations revenues:

     

Regulated

$ 992.7

$ 915.1

$ 995.8

Choice

28.3

34.3

14.0

Bulk power

.4

7.5

49.6

Transmission and other energy services

24.2

20.3

19.3

Total regulated operations revenues

1,045.6

977.2

1,078.7

Unregulated generation revenues:

     

Retail and other

126.6

Bulk power

_______

555.0

______

Total unregulated generation revenues

_______

681.6

______

Elimination between regulated and unregulated

     

generation

_______

(304.6)

______

Total operating revenues

$1,045.6

$1,354.2

$1,078.7

M-48

Regulated revenues include revenues from all the Company's customers eligible to choose an alternate energy supplier but electing not to do so. The increase in regulated operations for 2000 includes the revenues received for the service obligation on the debt issued in the fourth quarter of 1999 to securitize transition costs. Regulated operations choice revenues represent T&D revenues from the Company's franchised customers (customers in the Company's distribution territory) who chose another supplier to provide their energy needs. Pennsylvania deregulation gave the Company's regulated customers the ability to choose another energy supplier. For 2000, all of the Company's regulated customers had the ability to choose, and for 1999, two-thirds of the Company's customers had the ability to choose. At December 31, 2000, less than 1% of the Company's customers have chosen alternate energy suppliers. In addition, revenues increased due to colder than normal weather in November and December of 2000. This increase was partially offset by the milder summer weather for 2000. The decrease in choice revenues for 2000 was due to the decline in the number of the Company's customers choosing alternate energy suppliers.

 

In 1998, the choice revenues represent the five percent of previously fully bundled customers (full service customers) who participated in the Pennsylvania pilot program that began November 1, 1997, and continued through December 31, 1998, and were required to buy energy from an alternate supplier. To assure participation in the program, pilot participants received an energy credit from the Company and a price for energy pursuant to an agreement with an alternate supplier. The Company mitigated the energy credit by competing for sales to pilot participants of other utilities as an alternate supplier. The Pennsylvania PUC approved the Company's pilot program compliance filing and initially indicated its intent to treat the net revenue loss as a regulatory asset subject to review and potential rate recovery. The Company deferred the net revenue loss as a regulatory asset. Upon subsequent review, the Company made a determination that the net revenue loss could not be rate recovered. Accordingly, the Pennsylvania pilot program regulatory asset of $9.0 million was written-off in 2000.

 

The decrease in regulated revenues in 1999 was due primarily to Pennsylvania deregulation, which gave two-thirds of the Company's regulated customers the ability to choose another energy supplier to provide their energy needs. This decrease to regulated revenues was offset in part by colder winter weather in 1999, which led to increased residential kWh sales and revenues. Regulated revenues in 1998 included a $25.1 million rate refund, pursuant to the terms of the Pennsylvania restructuring settlement agreement.

 

As a result of the transfer of the Company's generation to Allegheny Energy Supply, revenues from unregulated generation sales have decreased due to the Company no longer having generation available for sale.

 

The decrease in regulated bulk power revenues (wholesale sales to other utilities) in 2000 was due to the Company no longer having generation available for sale. The decrease in revenues from regulated bulk power for 1999 was due to the movement of two-thirds of the Company's generation available for sale from regulated operations to unregulated generation.

 

Unregulated revenues reflect bulk power sales to nonaffiliated companies and new sales in Pennsylvania's competitive marketplace. The Company's unregulated generation business officially began supplying electricity to retail customers in Pennsylvania and wholesale customers throughout eastern North America on January 1, 1999.

 

In 1999, the Company's unregulated generation business had the primary objective of selling the output from the two-thirds of the Company's generation that had been released by the Electricity Generation Customer Choice and Competition Act (Customer Choice Act) in Pennsylvania through November 17, 1999.

 

The elimination between regulated operations and unregulated generation revenues is necessary to remove the effect of affiliated revenues, primarily sales of power.

 

See Note B to the consolidated financial statements for information regarding the Competitive Transition Charge.

Operating Expenses

 

Fuel expenses for 2000, 1999, and 1998 were as follows:

 

FUEL EXPENSES:

(Millions of dollars)

2000

1999

1998

       

Regulated operations

$.2

$ 72.0

$258.2

Unregulated generation

__

141.6

_____

Total fuel expenses

$.2

$213.6

$258.2

Total fuel expenses for 2000 decreased due to the transfer of the Company's generating capacity to Allegheny Energy Supply.

 

Total fuel expenses decreased 17% in 1999 due to an 11% decrease related to kWhs generated and a 6% decrease in average fuel prices. The decrease in average fuel prices was due to renegotiated fuel contracts. In 1999, regulated operations and unregulated generation fuel expenses reflect the movement of fuel expenses associated with the two-thirds of the Company's generation transferred from regulated operations to unregulated generation. Also, fuel expenses decreased in 1999 due to the November 18, 1999, transfer of the Company's generating capacity to its unregulated affiliate, Allegheny Energy Supply.

M-49

 

Purchased power and exchanges, net, represents power purchases from and exchanges with other companies, including affiliated companies, and purchases from qualified facilities under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA), and, prior to November 18, 1999, capacity charges paid to Allegheny Generating Company (AGC), and consists of the following items:

PURCHASED POWER AND EXCHANGES, NET:

(Millions of dollars)

2000

1999

1998

       

Regulated operations:

     

Purchased Power:

     

From PURPA generation*

$ 33.2

$ 37.5

$ 63.5

Other

526.7

363.3

26.6

Power exchanges, net

1.4

.5

(.3)

AGC capacity charges

_____

11.6

31.5

Total regulated operations

$561.3

412.9

121.3

Unregulated generation purchased power

298.4

Elimination

_____

(313.1)

_____

Purchased power and exchanges, net

$561.3

$ 398.2

$121.3

*PURPA cost (cents per kWh)

4.7

4.6

5.8

Regulated operations purchased power from PURPA generation decreased $26 million in 1999. This decrease reflects an $11.1 million reduction related to the Company's purchase commitment at costs in excess of the market value of the AES Beaver Valley PURPA contract previously accrued as a loss contingency in accordance with SFAS No. 5, "Accounting for Contingencies." The decrease in purchased power also includes a $12.5 million reduction in the purchase price for that contract due to a scheduled capacity rate decrease defined annually in the contract.

 

The increases in regulated operations other purchased power in 2000 and 1999 were primarily due to the Company's purchase of power from its unregulated generation affiliate, Allegheny Energy Supply, in order to provide energy to its customers eligible to choose an alternate supplier, but electing not to do so. Under the terms of the Pennsylvania settlement agreement, two-thirds of the Company's customers were permitted to choose an alternate generation supplier beginning in January 1999. All of the Company's customers were permitted to do so beginning in January 2000. The generation previously available to serve those customers has been transferred to Allegheny Energy Supply.

 

In 2000, AGC capacity charges and unregulated generation purchased power decreased due to the transfer of the Company's generation, including its ownership interest in AGC, to Allegheny Energy Supply in November 1999. The decrease in AGC capacity charges for 1999 was due to a $16.8 million reduction in purchased power expense related to the Company's purchase commitments at costs in excess of the market value of the AGC pumped-storage capacity contract. As reported previously, the Company, in 1998, recorded an extraordinary charge to reflect the cost of this and another adverse power purchase commitment that is not recoverable from customers under the Pennsylvania PUC's order and settlement agreement.

 

The unregulated generation purchased power in 1999 was due to the Company's purchase of power to provide energy to new customers in deregulated markets who chose the Company as their alternate supplier of electricity.

 

The elimination between regulated operations and unregulated generation purchased power is necessary to remove the effect of affiliated purchased power expenses.

 

Other operations expenses for 2000, 1999, and 1998 were as follows:

 

OTHER OPERATION EXPENSES:

(Millions of dollars)

2000

1999

1998

       

Regulated operations

$122.6

$152.5

$173.0

Unregulated generation

49.9

Elimination

_____

(13.8)

_____

Total other operations expenses

$122.6

$188.6

$173.0

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Total other operations expenses decreased by $66.0 million for 2000 primarily due to reduced expenses related to the transfer of generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply, including the $49.8 million reduction in payments made by the Company to Allegheny Energy Service Corporation. See Note M to the consolidated financial statements for additional details.

 

The increase in total other operation expenses in 1999 of $15.6 million was primarily due to recording $6.6 million of costs related to a pumped-storage generation project no longer considered useful, provisions for uninsured claims of $2.8 million, and increased allowances for uncollectible accounts of $1.7 million.

 

In 1999, regulated operations and unregulated generation other operations expenses reflects the movement of other operations expenses associated with the two-thirds of the Company's generation transferred from regulated operations to unregulated generation.

 

The 1999 elimination between regulated operations and unregulated generation other operation expenses is necessary to remove the effect of affiliated transmission purchases.

 

Maintenance expenses for 2000, 1999, and 1998 were as follows:

 

MAINTENANCE EXPENSES:

(Millions of dollars)

2000

1999

1998

       

Regulated operations

$37.3

$60.2

$91.7

Unregulated generation

____

33.2

____

Total maintenance expenses

$37.3

$93.4

$91.7

Prior to 2000, maintenance expenses represented costs incurred to maintain the power stations, the T&D system, and general plant and reflect routine maintenance of equipment and rights-of-way, as well as planned repairs and unplanned expenditures, primarily from forced outages at the power stations and periodic storm damage on the T&D system. In 2000 and beyond, maintenance expenses will be to support the Company's delivery or wires business.

 

Variations in maintenance expense result primarily from unplanned events and planned projects, which vary in timing and magnitude depending upon the length of time equipment has been in service without a major overhaul and the amount of work found necessary when the equipment is dismantled.

 

The decrease in total maintenance expenses of $56.1 million for 2000 was primarily due to the transfer of the Company's generation to Allegheny Energy Supply. The decrease in regulated operations maintenance expenses of $22.9 million for 2000 was primarily due to the transfer of the final one-third of Company's generation to Allegheny Energy Supply.

 

Depreciation and amortization expenses for 2000, 1999, and 1998 were as follows:

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSES:

(Millions of dollars)

2000

1999

1998

       

Regulated operations

$62.4

$ 68.7

$114.7

Unregulated generation

____

45.6

_____

Total depreciation and amortization expenses

$62.4

$114.3

$114.7

Total depreciation and amortization expenses for 2000 decreased by $51.9 million due to the transfer of generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply.

 

Total depreciation and amortization expenses in 1999 remained about the same as 1998. Depreciation and amortization expenses in 1999 reflect the amortization of the generation-related regulatory asset related to the Company's 1998 settlement agreement and reduced depreciation expense due to the transfer of the Company's generation to Allegheny Energy Supply in the fourth quarter of 1999.

 

In 1999, depreciation expense for regulated operations and unregulated generation reflects the movement of depreciation expense associated with the two-thirds of the Company's generation transferred from regulated operations to unregulated generation.

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Taxes other than income taxes for 2000, 1999, and 1998 were as follows:

 

TAXES OTHER THAN INCOME TAXES:

(Millions of dollars)

2000

1999

1998

       

Regulated operations

$45.4

$58.9

$88.7

Unregulated generation

_____

21.8

_____

Total taxes other than income taxes

$45.4

$80.7

$88.7

Total taxes other than income taxes decreased by $35.3 million in 2000 due to the transfer of generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply, reduced capital stock taxes due to reduced tax rates, and Pennsylvania Capital Stock tax adjustments related to prior years.

 

Total taxes other than income taxes decreased $8.0 million in 1999 primarily due to reduced West Virginia Business and Occupation Taxes, property tax, and gross receipts tax related to the transfer of generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply on November 18, 1999, and lower capital stock taxes relating to the 1998 write-down as a result of Pennsylvania restructuring. In 1999, regulated operations and unregulated generation taxes other than income taxes reflect the movement of taxes other than income taxes associated with the two-thirds of the Company's generation transferred from regulated operations to unregulated generation.

 

The decrease in federal and state income taxes for 2000 was due to a decrease in taxable income. In 1999, the increase in federal and state income taxes of $7.0 million was primarily due to increased taxable income offset in part by tax benefits related to plant removal costs. Note E to the consolidated financial statements provides a further analysis of income tax expense.

 

The decrease in other income, net, of $5.4 million in 2000 was primarily due to a decrease in dividend income received from AGC due to the transfer of the Company's 45% ownership share in the common stock of AGC to Allegheny Energy Supply in November 1999, offset in part by interest income earned on intercompany money pool loans.

 

Interest on long-term debt and other interest for 2000, 1999, and 1998 were as follows:

INTEREST EXPENSE:

(Millions of dollars)

2000

1999

1998

       

Interest on long-term debt:

     

Regulated operations

$64.0

$42.9

$61.7

Unregulated generation

____

18.8

____

Total interest on long-term debt

$64.0

61.7

61.7

Other interest

     

Regulated operations

$2.9

3.4

5.9

Unregulated generation

____

3.6

____

Total other interest

$2.9

7.0

5.9

Total interest expense

$66.9

$68.7

$67.6

In November 1999, Allegheny Energy Supply assumed the service obligation for $231 million of pollution control debt in conjunction with the transfer of the Company's generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply. Through December 22, 2000, the Company was co-obligor on the pollution control debt and reflected the debt in its financial statements. The Company accrued interest expense on the pollution control debt and then reduced interest accrued and increased other paid-in capital when Allegheny Energy Supply paid interest.

 

On December 22, 2000, the trustees of the pollution control notes released the Company from its co-obligor status as a result of Allegheny Energy Supply acquiring surety bonds, which would repay these notes in the event Allegheny Energy Supply defaults. In accordance with FASB's SFAS No. 125, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities," the Company derecognized the pollution control notes with the effect of increasing equity by $231.9 million. See Note N to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

 

Other interest expense reflects changes in the levels of short-term debt maintained by the Company throughout the year, as well as the associated interest rates.

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For additional information regarding the Company's short-term and long-term debt, see the consolidated statement of capitalization and Note J and K to the consolidated financial statements.

Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction and interest capitalized decreased by $2.3 million in 2000 due primarily to the transfer of generation and generation related construction activity to Allegheny Energy Supply.

 

EXTRAORDINARY ITEM

 

The extraordinary charge in 1999 of $17.0 million ($10 million after taxes) was required to reflect the difference between the reacquisition price and the net carrying amount of first mortgage bonds repurchased with proceeds from the sale of transition bonds as a result of the deregulation process in Pennsylvania. The extraordinary charge in 1998 of $466.9 million ($275.4 million after taxes) was required to reflect a write-off of certain disallowances in the Pennsylvania PUC's May and November 1998 orders. See Notes B, C, and D to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

 

FINANCIAL CONDITION, REQUIREMENTS, AND RESOURCES

 

Liquidity and Capital Requirements

 

To meet cash needs for operating expenses, the payment of interest and dividends, retirement of debt and certain preferred stocks, and for its construction program, the Company has used internally generated funds and external financings, such as the sale of common and preferred stock, and debt instruments. The timing and amount of external financings depend primarily upon economic and financial market conditions, the Company's cash needs, and capital structure objectives of the Company.

 

Capital expenditures, primarily construction, in 2000 were $53 million and, for 2001 and 2002, are estimated at $51.6 million and $50.2 million, respectively. It is the Company's goal to constrain future utility construction spending to the approximate level of depreciation currently in rates. The Company also has additional capital requirements for debt maturities (see Note J to the consolidated financial statements).

 

Internal Cash Flow

 

Internal generation of cash, consisting of cash flows from operations reduced by dividends, was $46.8 million in 2000, compared with $188 million in 1999. The decrease in cash flows from operations reduced by dividends was primarily due to an $87 million decrease in net income before depreciation and amortization and extraordinary charges. Current rate levels and reduced levels of construction expenditures permitted the Company to finance most of its construction expenditures in 2000 and all of its construction expenditures in 1999 with internal cash flow.

 

Financing

 

Short-term debt is used to meet temporary cash needs. The Company had no short-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2000, and 1999.

 

An Allegheny Energy internal money pool accommodates intercompany short-term borrowing needs, to the extent that Allegheny Energy and its regulated subsidiaries, including the Company, have funds available. The money pool provides funds to approved Allegheny Energy subsidiaries at the lower of the previous day's Federal Funds Effective Interest Rate, as quoted by the Federal Reserve, or the previous day's seven-day commercial paper rate, as quoted by the same source, less four basis points.

 

The Company anticipates meeting its 2001 cash needs through internal cash generation, cash on hand, and short-term borrowings as necessary. The Company did not issue any long-term debt, preferred stock, or common stock in 2000. In 1999, the Company issued $600 million of transition bonds with varying average lives ranging from one to eight years with a weighted average cost of 6.887% to "securitize" transition costs related to its restructuring settlement described in Note B to the consolidated financial statements. In March, June, September, and December of 2000, the Company redeemed a total of $46.8 million of class A-1 6.32% transition bonds.

 

In November 1999, Allegheny Energy Supply assumed the service obligation for $231 million of pollution control debt in conjunction with the transfer of the Company's generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply. During 2000, the Company was co-obligor on the notes and reflected the notes as debt in its financial statements. The Company accrued interest expense on the pollution control notes and then reduced interest accrued and increased other paid-in capital when Allegheny Energy Supply made interest payments.

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On December 22, 2000, the trustees of the pollution control notes released the Company from its co-obligor status as a result of Allegheny Energy Supply acquiring surety bonds, which would repay these notes in the event Allegheny Energy Supply defaults. In accordance with FASB's SFAS No. 125, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities," the Company derecognized the pollution control notes with the effect of increasing equity by $231.9 million. See Note N to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

 

The Company called or redeemed all outstanding shares of its cumulative preferred stock with a combined par value of $79.7 million plus redemption premiums of $3.3 million on July 15, 1999, with proceeds from new $84 million five-year unsecured medium-term notes issued in the second quarter at a 6.375 percent coupon rate. The redemption of the preferred stock allowed the Company to revise its Articles of Incorporation, providing greater financial flexibility in restructuring debt. During 1999, the Company reacquired all of its outstanding $525 million of first mortgage bonds.

 

In April 1999, the Company issued $13.83 million of 5.5% 30-year pollution control revenue notes to Pleasants County, West Virginia.

 

The Company has Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) authorization for total short-term borrowings of $182 million.

 

The Company's long-term debt due within one year at December 31, 2000, was $60.2 million of West Penn Funding, LLC, transition bonds due on various dates. The transition bonds are supported by an Intangible Transition Charge (ITC) that replaces a portion of the Competitive Transition Charge customers pay. The proceeds from the ITC will be used to pay the principal and interest on these transition bonds, as well as other associated expenses.

 

SIGNIFICANT CONTINUING ISSUES

 

Electric Energy Competition

 

The electricity supply segment of the electric industry in the United States is becoming increasingly competitive. The national Energy Policy Act of 1992 deregulated the wholesale exchange of power within the electric industry by permitting the FERC to compel electric utilities to allow third parties to sell electricity to wholesale customers over their transmission systems. This resulted in open access transmission tariffs being established nationwide. The Company and its parent, Allegheny Energy, continue to be advocates of federal legislation to remove artificial barriers to competition in electricity markets, avoid regional dislocations, and ensure level playing fields.

 

In addition, with the wholesale electricity market becoming more competitive, the majority of states have taken active steps toward allowing retail customers the right to choose their electricity supplier.

 

Allegheny Energy is at the forefront of state-implemented retail competition, having negotiated settlement agreements in all states that Allegheny Power serves. Pennsylvania and Maryland have retail choice programs in place. In October 2000, Ohio approved the implementation of a deregulation plan for Monongahela Power beginning January 1, 2001. In March 2000, West Virginia's legislature approved a deregulation plan for Monongahela Power pending additional legislation regarding tax revenues for state and local governments. In July 2000, Virginia approved a separation plan for the generating assets of Potomac Edison and continues to make progress toward the implementation of customer choice.

 

Activities at the Federal Level

 

The Company and its parent, Allegheny Energy, continue to seek enactment of federal legislation to bring choice to all retail electric customers, deregulate the generation and sale of electricity on a national level, and create a more liquid, free market for electric power. Fully meeting challenges in the emerging competitive environment will be difficult for the Company unless certain outmoded and anticompetitive laws, specifically the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA) and Section 210 (Mandatory Purchase Provisions) of PURPA, are repealed or significantly revised. The Company and Allegheny Energy continue to advocate the repeal of PUHCA and Section 210 of PURPA on the grounds that they are obsolete and anticompetitive and that PURPA

M-54

results in utility customers paying above-market prices for power. H.R. 2944, which was sponsored by U.S. Representative Joe Barton, was favorably reported out of the House Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power. While the bill does not mandate a certain date for customer choice, several key provisions favored by the Company are included in the legislation, including an amendment that allows existing state restructuring plans and agreements to remain in effect. Other provisions address important Company priorities by repealing PUHCA and the mandatory purchase provisions of PURPA. Although there was considerable activity and discussion on this bill and several other bills in the House and Senate, that activity fell short of moving consensus legislation forward prior to adjournment of the 106th Congress. The Company anticipates that the 107th Congress will address these issues.

 

Pennsylvania Activities

 

Two-thirds of the Company's customers in Pennsylvania were able to choose their electricity supplier effective January 2, 1999. As of January 2, 2000, all of the Company's electricity customers in Pennsylvania had the right to choose their electric suppliers. The Company has retained more than 99% of its Pennsylvania customers as of December 31, 2000. See Note B to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

 

The status of electric energy competition in Maryland, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia in which affiliates of the Company serve are as follows:

 

Maryland Activities

 

On June 7, 2000, the Maryland Public Service Commission (Maryland PSC) approved the transfer of the generating assets of Potomac Edison to Allegheny Energy Supply. The transfer was made in August 2000. Maryland customers of Potomac Edison had the right to choose an alternate electric provider on July 1, 2000, although the Maryland PSC has not yet finalized all of the rules that will govern customer choice in the state.

 

On July 1, 2000, the Maryland PSC issued a restrictive order imposing standards of conduct for transactions between Maryland utilities and their affiliates. Among other things, the order:

- restricts sharing of employees between utilities and affiliates;

- announces the Maryland PSC's intent to impose a royalty fee to compensate the utility for the use by an affiliate of the utility's name and/or logo and for other "intangible or unqualified benefits; " and

- requires asymmetric pricing for asset transfers between utilities and their affiliates (excluding the transfer of Potomac Edison's Maryland jurisdictional generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply). Asymmetric pricing requires that transfers of assets from the regulated utility to an affiliate be recorded at the greater of book cost or market value while transfers of assets from the affiliate to the regulated utility be recorded at the lesser of book costs or market value.

Potomac Edison, along with substantially all of Maryland's gas and electric utilities, filed a Circuit Court petition for judicial review and a motion for stay of the order. The Circuit Court has granted a partial stay of the Maryland PSC's Code of Conduct/Affiliated Transactions Order. The Judge granted a stay on the issues of employee sharing, royalties for the use of the name and logo and for certain intangibles, and on the requirement to use a disclaimer on advertising for non-core services.

 

Ohio Activities

 

The Ohio General Assembly passed legislation in 1999 to restructure its electric utility industry. All of the state's customers will be able to choose their electricity supplier starting January 1, 2001, beginning a five-year transition to market rates. Residential customers are guaranteed a 5% cut in the generation portion of their rate.

 

Monongahela Power reached a stipulated agreement with major parties on a transition plan to bring electric choice to its approximately 29,000 Ohio customers. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved the stipulation on October 5, 2000. The restructuring plan allows Monongahela Power to transfer its Ohio generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply at net book value on or after January 1, 2001.

M-55

 

Virginia Activities

 

The Virginia Electric Utility Restructuring Act (Restructuring Act) became law on March 25, 1999. All state utilities were required to submit a restructuring plan by January 1, 2001, to be effective on January 1, 2002. Accordingly, Potomac Edison filed Phase II of the Functional Separation Plan on December 19, 2000. Customer choice will be phased in beginning on January 1, 2002, with full customer choice by January 1, 2004.

 

The Restructuring Act was amended during the 2000 General Assembly legislative session to direct the Virginia State Corporation Commission (Virginia SCC) to prepare for legislative approval a plan for competitive metering and billing and to authorize the Virginia SCC to implement a consumer education program on electric choice, funded through its regulatory tax.

 

On July 11, 2000, the Virginia SCC issued an order approving Potomac Edison's separation plan, permitting the transfer of its generating assets and the provisions of the Phase I application.

 

Various rulemaking proceedings to implement customer choice are ongoing before the Virginia SCC.

 

West Virginia Activities

 

In March 1998, the West Virginia Legislature passed legislation that directed the Public Service Commission of West Virginia (W.Va. PSC) to develop a restructuring plan, which would meet the dictates and goals of the legislation. In January 2000, the W.Va. PSC submitted a restructuring plan to the Legislature for approval that would open full retail competition on January 1, 2001. On March 11, 2000, the West Virginia Legislature approved the Commission's plan, but assigned the tax issues surrounding the plan to the 2000 Legislative Interim Committees to recommend the necessary tax changes involved and come back to the Legislature in 2001 for approval of those changes and authority to implement the plan. The start date of competition is contingent upon the necessary tax changes being made and approved by the Legislature. The W.Va. PSC is currently in the process of developing the rules under which competition will occur.

 

The W.Va. PSC approved Potomac Edison's request to transfer its generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply on or after July 1, 2000, and established a process for obtaining approval to transfer Monongahela Power's assets on or before the starting date for customer choice. In accordance with the restructuring agreement, Potomac Edison and Monongahela Power implemented a commercial and industrial rate reduction program on July 1, 2000.

 

Accounting for the Effects of Price Deregulation

 

In July 1997, the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) of the FASB released Issue No. 97-4, "Deregulation of the Pricing of Electricity - Issues Related to the Application of FASB Statement Nos. 71 and 101," which concluded that utilities should discontinue application of SFAS No. 71 for the generation portion of their business when a deregulation plan is in place and its terms are known. In accordance with the guidance of EITF Issue No. 97-4, the Company discontinued the application of SFAS No. 71 to its electric generation business in 1998.

 

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

 

In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." SFAS No. 133 was subsequently amended by SFAS No. 137, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Deferral of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 133 - an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133" and SFAS No. 138, "Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities - an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133." Effective January 1, 2001, the Company implemented the requirements of these accounting standards.

 

These Statements establish accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging activities. They require that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and measure those instruments at fair value. The Statements require that changes in the derivative's fair value be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. Special accounting for qualifying hedges allows a derivative's gains and losses to offset related results on the hedged item in the income statement or in other comprehensive income and requires that a company formally document, designate, and assess the effectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting. Based on the Company's current activities, SFAS NO. 133 is not expected to create a significant increase in the volatility of reported earnings and other comprehensive income.

M-56

 

The Company has completed an inventory of financial instruments, commodity contracts, and other commitments for the purpose of identifying and assessing all of the Company's derivatives. From this inventory, the Company determined that it had no financial instruments, commodity contracts, or other commitments that required recognition as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet at fair value under the provisions of SFAS 133.

 

New Accounting Standard

 

In September 2000, the FASB issued SFAS No. 140, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities." The Statement provides accounting and reporting standards for transfers of and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of liabilities and is effective for transfers after March 31, 2001. The Statement is not expected to have a material impact on the Company.

M-57

Allegheny Generating Company

 

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND

ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION

AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

FACTORS THAT MAY AFFECT FUTURE RESULTS

 

Certain statements within constitute forward-looking statements with respect to Allegheny Generating Company (the Company). Such forward-looking statements include statements with respect to deregulated activities and movements towards competition in the states served by the Company, markets, products, services, prices, results of operations, capital expenditures, regulatory matters, liquidity and capital resources, resolution and impact of litigation, and accounting matters. All such forward-looking information is necessarily only estimated. There can be no assurance that actual results of the Company will not materially differ from expectations. Actual results have varied materially and unpredictably from past expectations.

 

Factors that could cause actual results of the Company to differ materially include, among others, the following: general and economic and business conditions; industry capacity; changes in technology; changes in political, social and economic conditions; changes in the price of power and fuel for electric generation; regulatory matters; litigation involving the Company; regulatory conditions applicable to the Company; the loss of any significant customers; and changes in business strategy or development plans.

 

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN 2000, 1999 AND 1998

 

On July 31, 2000, Allegheny Energy, Inc. (Allegheny Energy) received approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regarding the transfer of the generating assets of The Potomac Edison Company (Potomac Edison) to Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC (Allegheny Energy Supply). State utility commissions in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia approved the transfer of these assets as part of deregulation proceedings in those states. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) also approved the transfer.

 

In August 2000, Allegheny Energy transferred approximately 2,100 megawatts (MW) of its subsidiary Potomac Edison's Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia jurisdictional generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply at net book value, including Potomac Edison's 28% ownership share in the common stock of the Company.

 

On November 19, 1998, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (Pennsylvania PUC) approved a settlement agreement between West Penn Power Company (West Penn) and parties to West Penn's restructuring proceedings related to legislation in Pennsylvania to provide customer choice of electric suppliers and deregulate electricity generation. Two-thirds of all retail customers in Pennsylvania had the right to choose their electric supplier throughout 1999. As of January 2000, all Pennsylvania customers were permitted to choose an alternate generation supplier.

 

The terms of the settlement agreement permitted West Penn to transfer its generating assets to a separate legal entity at book value, contingent upon other regulatory approvals. During 1999, Allegheny Energy obtained the necessary regulatory approvals and formed an unregulated generating subsidiary, Allegheny Energy Supply. On November 18, 1999, West Penn transferred its deregulated generating capacity, which included its 45% ownership share in the common stock of the Company, to Allegheny Energy Supply.

 

West Penn continued to be responsible for providing generation to meet the regulated electric load of their retail customers who did not have the legal right to choose their generation supplier until January 2, 2000. During the period from November 18, 1999, through January 1, 2000, Allegheny Energy Supply leased back to West Penn one-third of its generating assets, including one-third of its 45% ownership share in the Company, providing West Penn with the unlimited right to use those facilities to serve its regulated load.

 

REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

 

The Company's only operating assets are an undivided 40% interest in the Bath County (Virginia) pumped-storage hydroelectric station and its connecting transmission facilities. The Company has no plans for construction of any other major facilities.

M-58

 

Pursuant to an agreement, Monongahela Power Company (Monongahela Power) and Allegheny Energy Supply (the Parents), buy all of the Company's capacity in the station priced under a "cost-of-service formula" wholesale rate schedule approved by the FERC. Under this arrangement, the Company recovers in revenues all of its operation and maintenance expenses, depreciation, taxes, and a return on its investment. On December 29, 1998, the FERC issued an Order accepting a proposed amendment to the Parents' Power Supply Agreement for the Company effective January 1, 1999. This amendment sets the generation demand for each Parent proportional to its ownership in the Company. Previously, demand for each Parent fluctuated due to customer usage.

 

The Company's rates are set by a formula filed with and previously accepted by the FERC. The only component that changes is the return on equity (ROE). Pursuant to a settlement agreement filed with and approved by the FERC, the Company's ROE is set at 11% and will continue at that rate unless any affected party seeks a change.

 

Revenues are expected to decrease each year due to a normal continuing reduction in the Company's net investment in the Bath County station and its connecting transmission facilities upon which the return on investment is determined.

 

The net investment (primarily net plant less deferred income taxes) decreases to the extent that provisions for depreciation and deferred income taxes exceed net plant additions. Operating revenues for the year ended December 31, 2000, decreased primarily due to a reduction in net investment.

 

The decrease in operating expense in 2000 was the net result of decreases in federal income taxes and depreciation expense. The decrease was only slightly offset by increases in operation and maintenance expense, and taxes other than income tax. The 1999 decrease in operating expense was due to the decrease in federal income taxes directly related to the reduction in operating income before taxes.

 

The increase in operation and maintenance expense in 2000 resulted from increased use of the facility in 2000.

 

The interest on long-term debt remained relatively flat in 2000 as no new debt was issued.

 

The increase in other interest expense for 2000 resulted from an increase in the applicable interest rate for outstanding short-term obligations. Short-term debt from money pool borrowings increased from $52.2 million to $53.3 million at December 31, 2000, with interest rates increasing from 4.88% at December 31, 1999 to 6.45% at December 31, 2000. The average outstanding money pool borrowing in 2000 was $49.8 million with an average interest rate of 6.17%, compared to 1999 average outstanding borrowings of $59.9 million at an average interest rate of 4.9%.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

 

As previously reported, the Company has received authority from the SEC to pay common dividends from time to time through December 31, 2001, out of capital to the extent permitted under applicable corporation law and any applicable financing agreements which restrict distributions to shareholders. Due to the nature of being a single asset company with declining capital needs, the Company systematically reduces capitalization each year as its asset depreciates. This has resulted in the payment of dividends in excess of current earnings out of other paid-in capital and the reduction of retained earnings to zero. The Company's goal is to retire debt and pay dividends in amounts necessary to maintain a common equity position of about 45% including short-term debt. The payment of dividends out of capital surplus will not be detrimental to the financial integrity or working capital of either the Company or its Parents, nor will it adversely affect the protections due debt security holders.

 

The Company and its affiliates use an Allegheny Energy internal money pool as a facility to accommodate intercompany short-term borrowing needs, to the extent that certain companies have funds available. The Company had $53.3 million and $52.2 million in money pool borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2000, and December 31, 1999, respectively, recorded as notes payable to affiliate. See Note G to the financial statements for information regarding Short-Term obligations.

 

Capital expenditures, primarily construction, in 2000 were $1 million and, for 2001 and 2002, are estimated at $.8 million and $.2 million, respectively.

 

Internal Cash Flow

 

Internal generation of cash, consisting of cash flows from operations was $31.9 million in 2000, compared with $46.7 million in 1999. Operating cash was used to reduce accounts payable to parents and affiliates by $7 million and reduce deferred tax credits and income taxes by $8.8 million. Cash provisions from operations were increases in depreciation expense, prepaid taxes, and increases in accruals taxes.

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Investing

 

Investments in plant equipment for 1999 and 2000 resulted in expenditures of $1 million and $.09, respectively.

 

Financing

 

Notes payable to affiliates increased by $1.1 million in 2000, to $53.3 million at December 31, 2000. During 2000, the Company paid $32 million in cash dividends on common stock. Financing activities during 1999 included $52.2 million in notes payable to affiliates, and the retirement of $66.7 million in notes payable to parent. The payment of cash dividend on common stock in 1999 was $32 million.

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

 

In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." SFAS No. 133 was subsequently amended by SFAS No. 137, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Deferral of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 133 - an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133" and SFAS No. 138, "Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities - an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133." Effective January 1, 2001, the Company implemented the requirements of these accounting standards.

 

These Statements establish accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging activities. They require that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and measure those instruments at fair value. The Statements require that changes in the derivative's fair value be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. Special accounting for qualifying hedges allows a derivative's gains and losses to offset related results on the hedged item in the income statement or other comprehensive income and requires that a company formally document, designate, and assess the effectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting. Based on the Company's current activities, SFAS No. 133 is not expected to create a significant increase in the volatility of reported earnings and other comprehensive income.

 

The Company has completed an inventory of financial instruments, commodity contracts, and other commitments for the purpose of identifying and assessing all of the Company's derivatives. From this inventory, the Company determined that it had no financial instruments, commodity contracts, or other commitments that required recognition as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet at fair value under the provisions of SFAS 133.

 

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARD

 

In September 2000, the FASB issued SFAS No. 140, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities." The Statement provides accounting and reporting standards for transfers of and servicing of financial assets and extinguishments of liabilities and is effective for transfers after March 31, 2001. The Statement is not expected to have a material impact on the Company.

 

SIGNIFICANT CONTINUING ISSUES

 

Allegheny Energy continues to be an advocate of federal legislation to remove artificial barriers to competition in electricity markets, avoid regional dislocations, and ensure level playing fields. In addition to the wholesale electricity market becoming more competitive, the majority of states have taken active steps toward allowing retail customers the right to choose their electricity supplier. Allegheny Energy is at the forefront of state-implemented retail competition, having negotiated settlement agreements in all of the states served by its regulated electric subsidiaries (Monongahela Power, Potomac Edison, and West Penn). Pennsylvania and Maryland have choice programs in place.

 

In October 2000, Ohio approved the implementation of a deregulation plan for Monongahela Power beginning January 1, 2001. In March 2000, West Virginia's Legislature approved a deregulation plan for Monongahela Power pending additional legislation regarding tax revenues for state and local governments. In July 2000, Virginia approved a separation plan for the generating assets of Potomac Edison and continues to make progress towards the implementation of customer choice.

M-60

 

Maryland Activities

 

On June 7, 2000, the Maryland Public Service Commission (Maryland PSC) approved the transfer of the generating assets of Potomac Edison to Allegheny Energy Supply. The transfer was made in August 2000.

 

On July 1, 2000, the Maryland PSC issued a restrictive order imposing standards of conduct for transactions between Maryland utilities and their affiliates. Among other things, the order:

- restricts sharing of employees between utilities and affiliates,

- announces the Maryland PSC's intent to impose a royalty fee to compensate the utility for the use by an affiliate of the utility's name and/or logo and for other "intangible or unqualified benefits,"and

- requires asymmetric pricing for asset transfers between utilities and their affiliates (excluding the transfer of Potomac Edison's Maryland jurisdictional generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply). Asymmetric pricing requires that transfers of assets from the regulated utility to an affiliate be recorded at the greater of book cost or market value while transfers of assets from the affiliate to the regulated utility be recorded at the lesser of book costs or market value.

Potomac Edison, along with substantially all of Maryland's gas and electric utilities, filed a Circuit Court petition for judicial review and a motion for stay of the order. The Circuit Court has granted a partial stay of the Maryland PSC's Code of Conduct/Affiliated Transactions Order. The Judge granted a stay on the issues of employee sharing, royalties for the use of the name and logo, and for certain intangibles, and on the requirement to use a disclaimer on advertising for non-core services.

 

Ohio Activities

 

Monongahela Power reached a stipulated agreement with major parties on a transition plan to bring electric choice to its 29,000 Ohio customers. The Ohio Public Utility Commission approved the stipulation on October 5, 2000. The restructuring plan allows for the transfer of Ohio generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply at net book value on or after January 1, 2001.

 

Virginia Activities

 

On July 11, 2000 the Virginia State Corporation Commission (Virginia SCC) issued an order approving the separation plan permitting the transfer of Potomac Edison's generating assets and the provisions of the Phase I application. Various rulemaking proceedings to implement customer choice are ongoing before the Virginia SCC.

M-61

 

West Virginia Activities

 

In January 2000, the West Virginia Public Service Commission (W.Va PSC) submitted a restructuring plan, pursuant with Legislation passed in November 1998, to meet the dictates and goals of the legislation. The plan requested approval to open full retail competition on January 1, 2001. On March 11, 2000, the West Virginia Legislature approved the W.Va PSC's plan but assigned tax issues surrounding the plan to the 2000 Legislative Interim Committee to recommend the necessary tax changes involved and come back to the Legislature in 2001 for approval of those changes and authority to implement the plan. The start date of competition is contingent upon the necessary tax changes being made and approved by the Legislature. The W.Va PSC is currently in the process of developing the rules under which competition will occur.

 

The W.Va PSC approved Potomac Edison's request to transfer its generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply on or after July 1, 2000, and established a process for obtaining approval to transfer Monongahela Power's assets on or before the starting date of customer choice. In accordance with the restructuring agreement, Potomac Edison and Monongahela Power implemented a commercial and industrial rate reduction program on July 1, 2000.

M-62

60

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk

 

Allegheny is exposed to a variety of commodity driven risks associated with the wholesale and retail marketing of electricity, including the generation, procurement, and marketing of power. Allegheny is mandated by the Board of Directors of Allegheny and its subsidiaries to engage in a program that systematically identifies, measures, evaluates, and actively manages and reports on market-driven risks.

 

Allegheny's wholesale and retail activities principally consist of marketing and buying and selling over-the-counter contracts for the purchase and sale of electricity. The majority of the forward contracts represent commitments to purchase or sell electricity at fixed prices in the future. These contracts require physical delivery of electricity.

 

Allegheny also uses option contracts to buy and sell electricity at fixed prices in the future. These option contracts are primarily entered into for risk management purposes. The risk management activities focus on management of volume risks (supply) and operational risks (plant outages). Allegheny's principal intent and business objective for the use of its capital assets and contracts is the same - provide it with physical power supply to enable it to deliver electricity to meet customers' needs.

 

Allegheny has entered into long-term contractual obligations for sales of electricity to other load-serving entities, including affiliates, municipalities, and retail load aggregators.

 

Allegheny has a Corporate Energy Risk Control Policy adopted by the Board of Directors and monitored by an Exposure Management Committee chaired by the

61

Chief Executive Officer and composed of senior management. An independent risk management group, operating separately from the businesses actively managing these risk exposures, monitors market risks to ensure compliance with the Policy.
 

Market risk arises from the potential for changes in the value of energy related to price and volatility in the market. Allegheny reduces these risks by using its generating assets to back positions on physical transactions. A Value-at-Risk (VaR) model is used to measure the market exposure resulting from the wholesale and retail activities. VaR is a statistical model that attempts to predict risk of loss based on historical market price and volatility data over a given period of time. Allegheny's 12-month average one-day VaR with respect to its wholesale and retail marketing of electricity for its unregulated generation segment, excluding the commodity price exposure related to the procurement of fuel, was $12.3 million using a 95 percent confidence level. In 2000, Allegheny had long-term arrangements (terms of 12 months or longer) in place to purchase approximately 90 percent of its base fuel requirements for 2000. Allegheny depends on short-term arrangements and spot purchases for its remaining requirements. Until 2005, Allegheny expects to meet its total coal requirements for its generating assets under existing contracts or from known suppliers.

 

Credit risk is defined as the risk that a counterparty to a transaction will be unable to fulfill its contractual obligations. The credit standing of counterparties is established through the evaluation of the prospective counterparty's financial condition, specified collateral requirements where deemed necessary, and the use of standardized agreements which facilitate netting of cash flows associated with a single counterparty. Financial conditions of existing counterparties are monitored on an ongoing basis.

 

Market exposure and credit risk have established aggregate and counterparty limits that are monitored within the guidelines of the Corporate Energy Risk Control Policy. Allegheny Energy Supply seeks to mitigate risks associated with California's market volatility by hedging its long or short positions.

62

 

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 8.     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Financial Statements

 

 

Index

 

AE

Monon-

gahela

Potomac

Edison

West

Penn

AGC

           

Statement of Income for the three years ended December 31, 2000

F-1

F-28

F-49

F-66

F-84

           

Statement of Retained Earnings for the three years ended December 31, 2000

---

F-28

F-49

F-67

F-84

           

Statement of Cash Flows for the three years ended December 31, 2000

F-2

F-29

F-50

F-68

F-85

           

Balance Sheet at December 31, 2000 and 1999

F-3

F-30

F-51

F-69

F-86

           

Statement of Capitalization at December 31, 2000 and 1999

F-4

F-31

F-52

F-70

F-86

           

Statement of Common Equity for the three years ended December 31, 2000

F-5

---

---

---

---

           

Notes to financial statements

F-6

F-32

F-53

F-71

F-87

           

Report of Independent Accountants

F-27

F-48

F-65

F-83

F-92

           

Valuation and qualifying accounts

S-1

S-2

S-3

S-4

-

 

The information required by this Item was furnished in the copy of the Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and is also found in AE's Annual Report to Stockholders for 2000. You may obtain an Annual Report to Stockholders upon making a written or an oral request directed to: Allegheny Energy, Inc., 10435 Downsville Pike, Hagerstown, MD 21740, Attention: Marleen L. Brooks, Secretary (tel. 301-790-3400).

Allegheny Energy, Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Operations

Allegheny Energy, Inc.

         

Year ended December 31

2000

1999

1998

(Thousands of dollars except per share data)

Operating revenues:*

Regulated operations

$2,507,272

$2,273,727

$2,329,450

Unregulated generation

1,482,291

526,746

240,278

Other

22,289

7,968

6,708

Total operating revenues

4,011,852

2,808,441

2,576,436

Operating expenses:

Operation:

Fuel

552,162

535,674

566,453

Purchased power and exchanges, net

1,592,721

531,431

388,758

Gas purchases and production

57,043

Deferred power costs, net

(16,538)

41,577

(6,639)

Other

417,058

389,406

337,440

Maintenance

230,291

223,538

217,559

Depreciation and amortization

247,933

257,456

270,379

Taxes other than income taxes

210,158

190,271

194,583

Federal and state income taxes

184,801

164,441

168,396

Total operating expenses

3,475,629

2,333,794

2,136,929

Operating income

536,223

474,647

439,507

Other income and deductions:

Allowance for other than borrowed funds used during construction

816

1,840

1,553

Other income, net

4,509

1,605

8,180

Total other income and deductions

5,325

3,445

9,733

Income before interest charges, preferred dividends, preferred

redemption premiums, and extraordinary charge, net

541,548

478,092

449,240

Interest charges, preferred dividends, and preferred redemption

premiums:

Interest on long-term debt

172,703

155,198

161,057

Other interest

56,621

31,612

19,395

Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction and interest

capitalized

(6,468)

(5,070)

(3,471)

Dividends on preferred stock of subsidiaries

5,040

7,183

9,251

Redemption premiums on preferred stock of subsidiaries

3,780

Total interest charges, preferred dividends, and preferred

redemption premiums

227,896

192,703

186,232

Consolidated income before extraordinary charge

313,652

285,389

263,008

Extraordinary charge, net

(77,023)

(26,968)

(275,426)

Consolidated net income (loss)

 

$ 236,629

$ 258,421

$ (12,418)

Common stock shares outstanding (average)

110,436,317

116,237,443

122,436,317

Basic and diluted earnings per average share:

Consolidated income before extraordinary charge

$2.84

$2.45

$2.15

Extraordinary charge, net

(.70)

(.23)

(2.25)

Consolidated net income (loss)

 

$2.14

$2.22

$ (.10)

*Excludes intercompany sales between regulated operations and unregulated generation.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-1

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Allegheny Energy, Inc.

Year ended December 31

2000

1999*

1998*

(Thousands of dollars)

Cash flows from operations:

Consolidated net income (loss)

$236,629

$258,421

($12,418)

Extraordinary charge, net of taxes

77,023

26,968

275,426

Consolidated income before extraordinary charge

313,652

285,389

263,008

Depreciation and amortization

247,933

257,456

270,379

Amortization of adverse purchase power contract

(12,762)

(11,146)

Deferred revenues

(8,380)

32,742

Deferred investment credit and income taxes, net

15,154

40,035

20,998

Deferred power costs, net

(16,538)

41,577

(6,639)

Commodity contracts

(8,392)

Write-off of Pennsylvania pilot program regulatory asset

9,040

Allowance for other than borrowed funds used during construction

(816)

(1,840)

(1,553)

Internal restructuring liability

(5,504)

Write-off of merger-related and generation project costs

35,862

Changes in certain assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable, net

(183,460)

(78,410)

16,406

Materials and supplies

13,451

2,209

(12,852)

Accounts payable

132,238

80,224

23,118

Taxes accrued

28,637

7,798

14,312

Purchased options

6,965

(8,520)

Benefit plans' investments

(6,426)

(6,700)

(7,994)

Prepayments

(14,493)

(10,720)

(2,013)

Restructuring settlement rate refund

(25,100)

Other, net

17,414

(22,596)

19,516

533,217

618,260

591,182

Cash flows used in investing:

Regulated operations' construction expenditures (less allowance for other than borrowed funds

used during construction)

(206,789)

(264,365)

(227,809)

Unregulated generation construction expenditures and investments

(181,957)

(131,020)

(875)

Other construction expenditures and investments

(13,630)

(16,140)

(5,330)

Acquisition of businesses

(228,826)

(98,714)

(631,202)

(510,239)

(234,014)

Cash flows from (used in) financing:

Repurchase of common stock

(398,407)

Retirement of preferred stock

(96,086)

Issuance of long-term debt

478,953

824,143

211,952

Retirement of long-term debt

(316,833)

(555,000)

(419,780)

Funds on deposit with trustees and restricted funds

10,273

(13,279)

Short-term debt, net

65,119

382,258

52,436

Cash dividends paid on common stock

(187,490)

(203,225)

(210,591)

50,022

(59,596)

(365,983)

Net change in cash and temporary cash investments

(47,963)

48,425

(8,815)

Cash and temporary cash investments at January 1

65,984

17,559

26,374

Cash and temporary cash investments at December 31

$18,021

$65,984

$17,559

Supplemental cash flow information

Cash paid during the year for:

Interest (net of amount capitalized)

$213,857

$170,498

$171,719

Income taxes

171,738

124,180

145,053

Noncash investing and financing activities

In August 2000, Monongahela Power Company purchased Mountaineer Gas Company (Mountaineer Gas) from Energy Corporation

of America. The purchase included the assumption of $100.1 million of existing Mountaineer Gas long-term debt.

*Certain amounts have been reclassified for comparative purposes.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-2

Consolidated Balance Sheet

   

Allegheny Energy, Inc.

   

As of December 31

2000

1999*

(Thousands of dollars)

   

Assets

   

Property, plant, and equipment:

   

Regulated operations

$5,550,699

$6,547,533

Unregulated generation

3,749,453

2,051,298

Other

25,341

9,125

Construction work in progress

181,476

231,763

 

9,506,969

8,839,719

Accumulated depreciation

(3,967,631)

(3,632,568)

 

5,539,338

5,207,151

Investments and other assets:

   

Excess of cost over net assets acquired

216,411

42,584

Benefit plans' investments

100,594

94,168

Unregulated investments

44,246

15,252

Other

2,238

1,479

 

363,489

153,483

Current assets:

   

Cash and temporary cash investments

18,021

65,984

Accounts receivable:

   

Electric

538,847

383,316

Gas

47,250

 

Other

18,366

12,273

Allowance for uncollectible accounts

(36,410)

(26,975)

Materials and supplies-at average cost:

   

Operating and construction

98,664

92,560

Fuel

43,754

62,280

Prepaid taxes

76,896

58,190

Deferred income taxes

15,665

30,477

Commodity contracts

234,538

 

Other, including current portion of regulatory assets

72,304

31,205

 

1,127,895

709,310

Deferred charges:

 

Regulatory assets

579,801

663,847

Unamortized loss on reacquired debt

31,645

41,825

Other

54,849

76,825

 

666,295

782,497

Total

$7,697,017

$6,852,441

Capitalization and liabilities

   

Capitalization:

 

Common stock, other paid-in capital, retained earnings, accumulated

   

other comprehensive income, less treasury stock (at cost)

$1,740,681

$1,695,325

Preferred stock

74,000

74,000

Long-term debt and QUIDS

2,559,510

2,254,463

 

4,374,191

4,023,788

Current liabilities:

   

Short-term debt

722,229

641,095

Long-term debt due within one year

160,184

189,734

Accounts payable

386,746

233,331

Taxes accrued:

   

Federal and state income

31,229

20,699

Other

82,923

67,292

Interest accrued

39,864

34,979

Adverse power purchase commitments

24,839

24,895

Payroll accrued

50,446

41,029

Commodity contracts

224,591

 

Other, including current portion of regulatory liabilities

55,926

55,481

 

1,778,977

1,308,535

Deferred credits and other liabilities:

   

Unamortized investment credit

109,135

116,971

Deferred income taxes

888,303

920,943

Regulatory liabilities

121,327

78,743

Adverse power purchase commitments

278,338

303,935

Other

146,746

99,526

 

1,543,849

1,520,118

Commitments and contingencies (Note S)

   

Total

$7,697,017

$6,852,441

*Certain amounts have been reclassified for comparative purposes.

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-3

Consolidated Statement of Capitalization

Allegheny Energy, Inc.

Thousands of dollars

Capitalization ratios

As of December 31

2000

1999

2000

1999

Common stock:

Common stock of Allegheny Energy, Inc.-

$1.25 par value per share, 260,000,000 shares authorized,

122,436,317 shares issued,

110,436,317 shares outstanding

$153,045

$153,045

Other paid-in capital

1,044,085

1,044,085

Retained earnings

943,281

896,602

Treasury stock (at cost)-12,000,000 shares

(398,407)

(398,407)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

(1,323)

Total

1,740,681

1,695,325

39.8%

42.1%

Preferred stock of subsidiaries-cumulative, par value

$100 per share, authorized 43,500,000 shares:

December 31, 2000

Series

Shares

Outstanding

Regular Call Price

Per Share

4.40-4.80%

190,000

$103.50 to $106.50

19,000

19,000

$5.88-$7.73

550,000

$100.00 to $102.86

55,000

55,000

Total (annual dividend requirements $5,037)

74,000

74,000

1.7%

1.9%

Long-term debt and QUIDS:

First mortgage bonds:

December 31, 2000

Maturity

Interest Rate - %

2000

140,000

2002

7.375

25,000

25,000

2006-2007

7 1/4 - 8

75,000

75,000

2021-2025

7 5/8 - 8 5/8

480,000

480,000

Transition bonds due 2001-2008

6.32 - 6.98

553,167

600,000

Debentures due 2003-2023

5 5/8 - 6 7/8

150,000

150,000

Quarterly Income Debt Securities due 2025

8.00

155,457

155,457

Secured notes due 2003-2029

4.70 - 7.00

399,239

399,130

Unsecured notes due 2002-2019

4.35 - 8.09

123,695

23,695

Installment purchase obligations due 2003

4.50

19,100

19,100

Medium-term debt due 2002-2010

5.56 - 7.75

651,025

401,025

Senior secured credit facility due 2001

7.21

100,000

Unamortized debt discount and premium, net

(11,989)

(13,937)

Total (annual interest requirements $191,940)

2,719,694

2,454,470

Less amounts on deposit with trustees

(10,273)

Less current maturities

(160,184)

(189,734)

Total

2,559,510

2,254,463

58.5%

56.0%

Total capitalization

   

$4,374,191

$4,023,788

100.0%

100.0%

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F-4

Consolidated Statement of Common Equity

Allegheny Energy, Inc.

Other

Retained

Other

Total

Shares

Common

Paid-In

Earnings

Treasury

Comprehensive

Common

Year ended December 31

Outstanding

Stock

Capital

(Note H)

Stock

Income (Note D)

Equity

(Thousands of dollars)

Balance at December 31, 1997

122,436,317

$153,045

$1,044,085

$1,059,768

$2,256,898

Consolidated net loss

(12,418)

(12,418)

Dividends on common stock of the Company (declared)

(210,591)

(210,591)

Balance at December 31, 1998

122,436,317

$153,045

$1,044,085

$ 836,759

$2,033,889

Consolidated net income

258,421

258,421

Treasury stock

(12,000,000)

$(398,407)

(398,407)

Dividends on common stock of the Company (declared)

(198,578)

(198,578)

Balance at December 31, 1999

110,436,317

$153,045

$1,044,085

$ 896,602

(398,407)

$1,695,325

Consolidated net income

236,629

236,629

Dividends on common stock of the Company (declared)

(189,950)

(189,950)

Change in other comprehensive income (loss)

$(1,323)

(1,323)

Balance at December 31, 2000

 

110,436,317

$153,045

$1,044,085

$ 943,281

$(398,407)

$(1,323)

$1,740,681

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

F-5

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Allegheny Energy, Inc.

 

(These notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.)

 

NOTE A: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Allegheny Energy, Inc. (the Company) is a utility holding company, and its principal business segments are regulated operations, unregulated generation, and other. The regulated subsidiaries, Monongahela Power Company (Monongahela Power), The Potomac Edison Company (Potomac Edison), and West Penn Power Company (West Penn), collectively now doing business as Allegheny Power, operate electric transmission and electric and natural gas distribution systems. Allegheny Power also generates electric energy in regulatory jurisdictions which have not yet deregulated electric generation. These subsidiaries are subject to federal and state regulation, including the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA). The markets for the subsidiaries' regulated electric and natural gas retail sales are in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. In 2000, revenues from the 50 largest electric utility customers provided approximately 15 percent of the consolidated retail revenues.

 

The unregulated generation segment consists of the Company's subsidiaries Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC (Allegheny Energy Supply), and its majority-owned subsidiary Allegheny Generating Company (AGC). Allegheny Energy Supply is an unregulated energy production and marketing subsidiary that markets competitive wholesale and retail electricity in states where customer choice has been implemented. AGC owns and sells generating capacity to its parents, Allegheny Energy Supply and Monongahela Power. As of December 31, 2000, the unregulated generation segment had 6,407 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity.

 

The unregulated generation segment operates primarily in the Mid-Atlantic region. In 2000, 90 percent of unregulated generation revenues was from bulk power sales. The unregulated generation segment may be subject to federal regulation, but is not subject to state regulation of rates.

 

The other segment consists primarily of Allegheny Ventures, Inc. (Allegheny Ventures), an unregulated subsidiary, which develops new business opportunities, including telecommunications.

 

See Notes B and C for significant changes in the regulatory environment. Certain amounts in the December 31, 1999, consolidated balance sheet and in the December 31, 1999, and 1998, consolidated statement of operations and cash flows have been reclassified for comparative purposes. Significant accounting policies of the Company and its subsidiaries are summarized later in this report.

 

Consolidation 

 

The Company owns all of the outstanding common stock of its subsidiaries at each of the balance sheet dates presented. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all subsidiary companies after elimination of intercompany transactions.

 

Use of Estimates 

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and disclosures of contingencies during the reporting period, which, in the normal course of business, are subsequently adjusted to actual results.

 

Revenues 

 

Revenues from the sale of electricity and natural gas to customers of the regulated utility subsidiaries are recognized in the period that the electricity and gas is delivered and consumed by customers, including an estimate for unbilled revenues.

 

Revenues from the sale of unregulated generation are recorded in the period in which the electricity is delivered and consumed by customers. Unregulated generation revenues also include amounts for recording the Company's energy trading contracts at their fair value as of the balance sheet date.

 

Revenues from other unregulated activities are recorded in the period that products or services are delivered and accepted by customers.

 

Natural gas production revenue is recognized as income when the gas is extracted and sold.

F-6

Deferred Power Costs, Net 

 

The costs of fuel, purchased power, and certain other costs and revenues from sales to other utilities and power marketers, including transmission services, have historically been deferred until they are either recovered from or credited to customers under fuel and energy cost-recovery procedures in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. West Penn discontinued this practice in Pennsylvania, effective May 1, 1997; Potomac Edison discontinued this practice in Maryland and West Virginia, effective July 1, 2000; Monongahela Power discontinued this practice in West Virginia, effective July 1, 2000; and Potomac Edison discontinued this practice in Virginia, effective August 7, 2000. Ohio discontinued this practice on January 1, 2001. Effective January 1, 2001, fuel costs for the regulated electric utilities are expensed as incurred.

 

Gas supply costs incurred, including the cost of gas transmission and transportation, within the former West Virginia Power Company (West Virginia Power) territory, acquired in 1999, are deferred until they are either recovered from or credited to customers under a Purchased Gas Adjustment clause in effect for this operation in West Virginia. The cost of gas for Mountaineer Gas Company (Mountaineer Gas) is expensed as incurred.

 

Property, Plant, and Equipment 

 

Regulated property, plant, and equipment are stated at original cost. Costs include direct labor and materials; allowance for funds used during construction on regulated property for which construction work in progress is not included in rate base; and indirect costs such as administration, maintenance, and depreciation of transportation and construction equipment, postretirement benefits, taxes, and other benefits related to employees engaged in construction.

 

Upon retirement, the cost of depreciable regulated property, plus removal costs less salvage, are charged to accumulated depreciation by the regulated subsidiaries in accordance with the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board's (FASB) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation."

 

Unregulated property, plant, and equipment are stated at original cost. West Penn and Potomac Edison transferred their deregulated generating plants to Allegheny Energy Supply at book value. For the unregulated subsidiaries, the cost and accumulated depreciation of property, plant, and equipment retired or otherwise disposed of are removed from related accounts and included in the determination of the gain or loss on disposition.

 

The Company capitalizes the cost of software developed for internal use. These costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of the software beginning upon a project's completion.

 

The Company accounts for its natural gas exploration and production activities under the successful efforts method of accounting.

 

Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC) and Capitalized Interest 

 

AFUDC, an item that does not represent current cash income, is defined in applicable regulatory systems of accounts as including "the net cost for the period of construction of borrowed funds used for construction purposes and a reasonable rate on other funds when so used." AFUDC is recognized by the regulated subsidiaries as a cost of regulated property, plant, and equipment. Rates used by the regulated subsidiaries for computing AFUDC in 2000, 1999, and 1998 averaged 7.91 percent, 6.83 percent, and 7.78 percent, respectively.

 

For unregulated construction, which began after January 1, 1998, the Company capitalizes interest costs in accordance with SFAS No. 34, "Capitalizing Interest Costs." The interest capitalization rates in 2000, 1999, and 1998 were 5.75 percent, 7.14 percent, and 7.45 percent, respectively.

 

Depreciation and Maintenance 

 

Depreciation expense is determined generally on a straight-line method based on estimated service lives of depreciable properties and amounted to approximately 2.9 percent of average depreciable property in 2000, 3.2 percent in 1999, and 3.3 percent in 1998.

 

Maintenance expenses represent costs incurred to maintain the power stations, the transmission and distribution (T&D) system, and general plant and reflect routine maintenance of equipment and rights-of-way, as well as planned repairs and unplanned expenditures, primarily from forced outages at the power stations and periodic storm damage to the T&D system. Maintenance costs are expensed in the year incurred. Power station maintenance costs are expensed within the year based on estimated annual costs and estimated generation. T&D rights-of-way vegetation control costs are expensed within the year based on estimated annual costs and estimated sales.

F-7

Power station maintenance accruals and T&D rights-of-way vegetation control accruals are not intended to accrue for future years' costs.

 

Investments 

 

The Company records the acquisition cost in excess of fair value of assets acquired, less liabilities assumed, as an investment in goodwill. Goodwill recorded prior to 1966 is not being amortized because, in management's opinion, there has been no reduction in its value.

 

Benefit plans' investments primarily represent the estimated cash surrender values of purchased life insurance on qualifying management employees under executive life insurance and supplemental executive retirement plans.

 

Temporary Cash Investments 

 

For purposes of the consolidated statement of cash flows, temporary cash investments with original maturities of three months or less, generally in the form of commercial paper, certificates of deposit, and repurchase agreements, are considered to be the equivalent of cash.

 

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities 

 

In accordance with SFAS No. 71, the Company's consolidated financial statements include certain assets and liabilities resulting from cost-based ratemaking regulation.

 

Income Taxes 

 

Financial accounting income before income taxes differs from taxable income principally because certain income and deductions for tax purposes are recorded in the financial income statement in another period. Deferred tax assets and liabilities represent the tax effect of certain temporary differences between the financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities computed using the most current tax rates.

 

The Company has deferred the tax benefit of investment tax credits. Investment tax credits are amortized over the estimated service lives of the related properties.

 

Postretirement Benefits 

 

The Company has a noncontributory, defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees, including officers. Benefits are based on the employee's years of service and compensation. The funding policy is to contribute annually at least the minimum amount required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and not more than can be deducted for federal income tax purposes. Plan assets consist of equity securities, fixed income securities, short-term investments, and insurance contracts.

 

The Company's subsidiaries also provide partially contributory medical and life insurance plans for eligible retirees and dependents. Medical benefits, which make up the largest component of the plans, are based upon an age and years-of-service vesting schedule and other plan provisions. Subsidized medical coverage is not provided in retirement to employees hired on or after January 1, 1993. The funding policy is to contribute the maximum amount that can be deducted for federal income tax purposes. Funding of these benefits is made primarily into Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association trust funds. Medical benefits are self-insured. The life insurance plan is paid through insurance premiums.

 

Energy Trading Activities 

 

Based upon the Company's continual evaluation of Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 98-10, "Accounting for Contracts Involved in Energy Trading and Risk Management Activities," the Company concluded that Allegheny Energy Supply's wholesale electricity activities now represent trading activities. Accordingly, Allegheny Energy Supply recorded its contracts entered into in connection with energy trading at fair value on the balance sheet, with a net gain recorded on the statement of operations. See Note J for additional details.

 

Comprehensive Income 

 

Comprehensive income consisting of unrealized gains and losses from the temporary decline in the fair value of available-for-sale securities, net of tax, is presented in the consolidated financial statements as required by SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income." The objective of SFAS No. 130 is to report a measure of all changes in common stock equity of an enterprise that result from transactions and other economic events during the period other than transactions with owners.

F-8


NOTE B: INDUSTRY RESTRUCTURING

 

West Virginia Deregulation 

 

The West Virginia Legislature passed House Concurrent Resolution 27 on March 11, 2000, approving an electric deregulation plan submitted by the Public Service Commission of West Virginia (W.Va. PSC) with certain modifications. Further action by the Legislature, including the enactment of certain tax changes regarding preservation of tax revenues for state and local government, is required prior to the implementation of the restructuring plan for customer choice. The Company expects that implementation of the deregulation plan will occur if the Legislature approves the necessary tax law changes. Among the provisions of the plan are the following:

  • Customer choice will begin for all customers when the plan is implemented.
  • Rates for electricity service will be unbundled at current levels and capped for four years, with power supply rates transitioning to market rates over the next six years for residential and small commercial customers.
  • After year seven, the power supply rate for large commercial and industrial customers will no longer be regulated.
  • Monongahela Power is permitted to file a petition seeking W.Va. PSC approval to transfer its West Virginia jurisdictional generating assets (approximately 2,004 MW) to Allegheny Energy Supply, at book value. Also, based on a final order issued by the W.Va. PSC on June 23, 2000, the West Virginia jurisdictional assets of the Company's subsidiary, Potomac Edison, were transferred to Allegheny Energy Supply at book value in August 2000.
  • The Company will recover the cost of its nonutility generation contracts through a series of surcharges applied to all customers over 10 years.
  • Large commercial and industrial customers received a three percent rate reduction, effective July 1, 2000.
  • A special "Rate Stabilization" account of $56.7 million has been established for residential and small business customers to mitigate the effect of the market price of power as determined by the W.Va. PSC.
  • Virginia Deregulation 

     

    On May 25, 2000, Potomac Edison filed an application with the Virginia State Corporation Commission (Virginia SCC) to separate its approximately 380 MW of generating assets, excluding the hydroelectric assets located within the state of Virginia, from its T&D assets, effective July 1, 2000. On July 11, 2000, the Virginia SCC issued an order approving Potomac Edison's separation plan permitting the transfer of its Virginia jurisdictional generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply.

     

    In conjunction with the separation plan, the Virginia SCC approved a Memorandum of Understanding that includes the following:

     

    * Effective with bills rendered on or after August 7, 2000, base rates were reduced by $1 million.

    * Potomac Edison will not file for a base rate increase prior to January 1, 2001.

    * Fuel rates were rolled into base rates effective with bills rendered on or after August 7, 2000. A fuel rate adjustment credit was also implemented on that date, reducing annual fuel revenues by $750,000. Effective August 2001, the fuel rate adjustment credit will drop to $250,000. Effective August 2002, the fuel rate adjustment credit will be eliminated.

    * Potomac Edison's agreed to operate and maintain its distribution system in Virginia at or above historic levels of service quality and reliability.

    * Potomac Edison's agreed, during a default service period, to contract for generation service to be provided to customers at rates set in accordance with the Virginia Electric Restructuring Act.

    On August 10, 2000, Potomac Edison applied to the Virginia SCC to transfer the five MW of hydroelectric assets located within the state of Virginia to Green Valley Hydro, LLC (a subsidiary of Potomac Edison). On December 14, 2000, the Virginia SCC approved the transfer. Potomac Edison anticipates that the transfer to Allegheny Energy Supply will occur during the first quarter of 2001, after receiving final approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

     

    Potomac Edison filed Phase II of the Functional Separation Plan on December 19, 2000.

     

    Ohio Deregulation 

     

    On October 5, 2000, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (Ohio PUC) approved a settlement to implement a restructuring plan for Monongahela Power. The plan will allow Monongahela Power's approximately 29,000 Ohio customers to choose their electricity suppliers starting January 1, 2001. Below are the highlights of the plan.

    F-9

    * Monongahela Power will be permitted to transfer approximately 352 MW of Ohio jurisdictional generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply at net book value on or after January 1, 2001.

    * Residential customers will receive a five percent reduction in the generation portion of their electric bills during a five-year market development period, beginning on January 1, 2001. These rates will be frozen for five years.

    * For commercial and industrial customers, existing generation rates will be frozen at the current rates for the market development period, which begins on January 1, 2001. The market development period is three years for large commercial and industrial customers and five years for small commercial customers.

    * Monongahela Power will collect from shopping customers a regulatory transition charge of $0.0008 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for the market development period.

    * Allegheny Energy Supply will be permitted to offer competitive generation service throughout Ohio.

    * Additional taxes resulting from the competition legislation will be deferred for up to two years as a regulatory asset.

    Maryland Deregulation 

     

    On September 23, 1999, Potomac Edison filed a settlement agreement (covering its stranded cost quantification mechanism, price protection mechanism, and unbundled rates) with the Maryland Public Service Commission (Maryland PSC). All parties active in the case, except Eastalco, which stated that it would not oppose it, signed the agreement. The settlement agreement, which was approved by the Maryland PSC on December 23, 1999, includes the following provisions:

    * The ability for nearly all of Potomac Edison's approximately 210,000 Maryland customers to have the option of choosing an electric generation supplier starting July 1, 2000.

    * The transfer of Potomac Edison's Maryland jurisdictional generating assets to a nonutility affiliate at book value on or after July 1, 2000.

    * A reduction in base rates of seven percent ($10.4 million each year totaling $72.8 million) for residential customers from 2002 through 2008. A reduction in base rates of one-half of one percent ($1.5 million each year totaling $10.5 million) for the majority of commercial and industrial customers from 2002 through 2008.

    * Standard Offer Service (provider of last resort) will be provided to residential customers during a transition period from July 1, 2000, to December 31, 2008, and to all other customers during a transition period of July 1, 2000, to December 31, 2004.

    * A cap on generation rates for residential customers from 2002 through 2008. Generation rates for non-residential customers are capped from 2002 through 2004.

    * A cap on T&D rates for all customers from 2002 through 2004.

    * Unless Potomac Edison is subject to significant changes that would materially affect its financial condition, the parties agree not to seek a change in rates, which would be effective prior to January 1, 2005.

    * The recovery of all purchased power costs incurred as a result of the contract to buy generation from the AES Warrior Run cogeneration facility.

    * The establishment of a fund (not to exceed $.001 per kWh for residential customers) for the development and use of energy-efficient technologies.

    The Maryland PSC on December 23, 1999, also approved Potomac Edison's unbundled rates covering the period 2000 through 2008.

     

    On June 7, 2000, the Maryland PSC approved the transfer of the Maryland jurisdictional share of the generating assets of Potomac Edison to Allegheny Energy Supply at net book value. On June 23, 2000, the W.Va. PSC issued an order that, in part, authorized Potomac Edison to transfer at net book value its West Virginia jurisdictional share of its generating assets to an unregulated affiliate in conjunction with the Maryland transfer. Also, on July 11, 2000, the Virginia SCC authorized the transfer of the Virginia jurisdictional share of Potomac Edison's generating assets, excluding the hydroelectric assets located within the state of Virginia, to an unregulated affiliate at net book value. On July 31, 2000, the SEC approved these transfers of generating assets. As a result, Potomac Edison transferred approximately 2,100 MW of generation to Allegheny Energy Supply in August 2000.

     

    Pennsylvania Deregulation

     

    In December 1996, Pennsylvania enacted the Electricity Generation Customer Choice and Competition Act (Customer Choice Act) to restructure the electric industry in Pennsylvania, creating retail access to a competitive electric energy supply market. Approximately 45 percent of the Company's retail revenues were from its Pennsylvania subsidiary, West Penn. On August 1, 1997, West Penn filed with the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (Pennsylvania PUC) a comprehensive restructuring plan to implement full customer choice of electricity suppliers as required by the Customer Choice Act. The filing included a plan for recovery of transition costs through a Competitive Transition Charge (CTC).

    F-10

    On May 29, 1998 (as amended on November 19, 1998), the Pennsylvania PUC granted final approval to West Penn's restructuring plan, which includes the following provisions:

    * Established an average shopping credit for West Penn customers who shop for the generation portion of electricity services.

    * Provided two-thirds of West Penn's customers the option of selecting a generation supplier on January 2, 1999, with all customers able to shop on January 2, 2000.

    * Required a rate refund from 1998 revenue (about $25 million) via a 2.5 percent rate decrease throughout 1999, accomplished by an equal percentage decrease for each rate class.

    * Provided that customers have the option of buying electricity from West Penn at capped generation rates through 2008 and that transmission and distribution rates are capped through 2005, except that the capped rates are subject to certain increases as provided for in the Public Utility Code.

    * Prohibited complaints challenging West Penn's regulated transmission and distribution rates through 2005.

    * Provided about $15 million of West Penn funding for the development and use of renewable energy and clean energy technologies, energy conservation, and energy efficiency.

    * Permitted recovery of $670 million in transition costs plus return over 10 years beginning in January 1999 for West Penn.

    * Allowed for income recognition of transition cost recovery in the earlier years of the transition period to reflect the Pennsylvania PUC's projections that electricity market prices are lower in the earlier years.

    * Granted West Penn's application to issue bonds to securitize up to $670 million in transition costs and to provide 75 percent of the associated savings to customers, with 25 percent available to shareholders.

    * Authorized the transfer of West Penn's generating assets to a nonutility affiliate at book value. Subject to certain time-limited exceptions, the nonutility business can compete in the unregulated energy market in Pennsylvania.

    Starting in 1999, West Penn unbundled its rates to reflect separate prices for the supply charge, the CTC, and T&D charges. While supply is open to competition, West Penn continues to provide regulated T&D services to customers in its service area at rates approved by the Pennsylvania PUC and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). West Penn is the electricity provider of last resort for those customers who decide not to choose another electricity supplier.

     

    The Pennsylvania PUC order dated November 19, 1998, authorized West Penn's recovery of $670 million of transition costs during the transition period (1999 through 2008). In 1999, West Penn issued $600 million of transition bonds to "securitize" most of the transition costs. As a result of the "securitization" of transition costs, West Penn is authorized by the Pennsylvania PUC to collect an intangible transition charge to provide revenues to service the transition bonds and the CTC was correspondingly reduced.

     

    Actual CTC revenues billed to customers in 2000 and 1999 totaled $7.6 million and $92.7 million, respectively, net of gross receipts tax and a separate agreement with one customer to accelerate the recovery of CTC. Through December 31, 2000, the Company has recorded a regulatory asset of $25.3 million for the difference in the authorized CTC revenues, adjusted for securitization savings to be shared with customers and the actual transition revenues billed to customers. The Pennsylvania PUC has approved the recovery of this regulatory asset through a true-up mechanism.

     

    On December 20, 2000, the Pennsylvania PUC issued an order authorizing West Penn to defer the cumulative underrecovery of the "unsecuritized" transition costs as a regulatory asset for full and complete recovery.

     

    NOTE C: ACCOUNTING FOR THE EFFECTS OF PRICE DEREGULATION

     

    In 1997, the EITF issued No. 97-4, "Deregulation of the Pricing of Electricity-Issues Related to the Application of FASB Statement Nos. 71 and 101." The EITF agreed that when a rate order that contains sufficient detail for the enterprise to reasonably determine how the transition plan will affect the separable portion of its business whose pricing is being deregulated is issued, the entity should cease to apply SFAS No. 71 to that separable portion of its business.

     

    As required by EITF 97-4, Monongahela Power and Potomac Edison discontinued the application of SFAS No. 71 for their West Virginia jurisdictions' electric generation operations in the first quarter of 2000 and for their Ohio and Virginia jurisdictions' electric generation operations in the fourth quarter of 2000. Monongahela Power and Potomac Edison recorded after-tax charges of $63.1 million and $13.9 million, respectively, to reflect the unrecoverable net regulatory assets that will not be collected from customers and to record a rate stabilization obligation. This charge is classified as an extraordinary charge under the provisions of SFAS No. 101, "Accounting for the Discontinuation of Application of FASB Statement No. 71."

    F-11

    (Millions of dollars)

    Gross

    Net-of-Tax

    Unrecoverable regulatory assets

    $70.7

    $42.7

    Rate stabilization obligation

    56.8

    34.3

    Total 2000 extraordinary charge

    $127.5

    $77.0

    On December 23, 1999, the Maryland PSC approved a settlement agreement dated September 23, 1999, setting forth the transition plan to deregulate electric generation for Potomac Edison's Maryland jurisdiction. Potomac Edison discontinued the application of SFAS No. 71 for its Maryland jurisdiction electric generation operations in the fourth quarter of 1999. As a result, Potomac Edison recorded an extraordinary charge of $26.9 million ($17.0 million after taxes), reflecting the impairment of certain generating assets as determined under SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of," based on the expected future cash flows and net regulatory assets associated with generating assets that will not be collected from customers as shown below:

    (Millions of dollars)

    Gross

    Net-of-Tax

    Impaired generating assets

    $14.5

    $9.9

    Net regulatory assets

    12.4

    7.1

    Total 1999 extraordinary charge

    $26.9

    $17.0

    On May 29, 1998, the Pennsylvania PUC issued an order approving a transition plan for West Penn. This order was subsequently amended by a settlement agreement approved by the Pennsylvania PUC on November 19, 1998. Based on the Pennsylvania PUC order and subsequent settlement agreement, West Penn discontinued the application of SFAS No. 71 to its generation operations in the second quarter of 1998.

     

    West Penn recorded an extraordinary charge of $466.9 million ($275.4 million after taxes) under the provisions of SFAS No. 101 in 1998 to reflect the disallowances of certain costs in the Pennsylvania PUC's May 29, 1998, order, as revised by the Pennsylvania PUC-approved November 19, 1998, settlement agreement. The charge reflects adverse power purchase commitments (commitments to purchase power at prices above market prices for electricity), the impairment of the investment in the Bath County pumped-storage plant, and net regulatory assets that will not be collected from customers under the Pennsylvania PUC's order and settlement agreement as follows:

     

    (Millions of dollars)

    Gross

    Net-of-Tax

    AES Beaver Valley nonutility generation contract

    $197.5

    $116.5

    Impairment of Bath County pumped-storage plant

    165.6

    97.7

    Net regulatory assets

    103.8

    61.2

    Total 1998 extraordinary charge

    $466.9

    $275.4

    On December 31, 2000, the Company's reserve for adverse power purchase commitments was $303.2 million, based on the Company's forecast of future energy revenues and other factors. A change in the estimated energy revenues or other factors could have a material effect on the amount of the reserve for adverse power purchases.

     

    In addition to the 1998 extraordinary charge, West Penn recorded an additional charge against income in 1998 of $40.3 million ($23.7 million after taxes) associated with a rate refund and development of renewable energy programs as required by the Pennsylvania settlement agreement.

     

    The consolidated balance sheet includes the amounts listed below for generation assets not subject to SFAS No. 71. The final one-third of West Penn's generating assets was transferred to Allegheny Energy Supply on January 2, 2000. In August 2000, the Company transferred approximately 2,100 MW of generating assets of Potomac Edison to Allegheny Energy Supply.

    (Millions of dollars)

    2000

    1999

    Property, plant, and equipment

    $4,233.9

    $2,690.1

    Amounts under construction included above

    123.0

    101.8

    Accumulated depreciation

    (2,063.4)

    (1,239.0)

    NOTE D: OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

     

    The Company had no elements of other comprehensive income for the years-ended December 31, 1999, and 1998. The components of consolidated comprehensive income for the year-ended December 31, 2000, were as follows:

    F-12

    (Millions of dollars)

    2000

    Consolidated net income

    $236.6

    Other comprehensive income:

    Unrealized holding (losses) arising during the period on available-for-sale

    securities, net of tax

    (1.3)

    Consolidated comprehensive income

    $235.3

    On July 13, 2000, the Company sold its 50 percent ownership in Allegheny Hyperion Telecommunications, LLC, to Adelphia Business Solutions (Adelphia) for 330,000 shares of Adelphia's Class A Common Stock. The 330,000 shares of common stock are classified as available-for-sale marketable securities in accordance with SFAS No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities." As of December 31, 2000, the fair value of the 330,000 shares of Adelphia common stock was $1.4 million and an unrealized loss of $2.2 million ($1.3 million net of tax) was recorded in other comprehensive income.

     

    NOTE E: ACQUISITIONS

     

    On August 18, 2000, Monongahela Power completed the purchase of Mountaineer Gas, a natural gas sales, transportation, and distribution company serving southern West Virginia and the northern and eastern panhandles of West Virginia, from Energy Corporation of America. The acquisition included the assets of Mountaineer Gas Services, which operates natural gas-producing properties, natural gas-gathering facilities, and intrastate transmission pipelines. The acquisition increased the Company's number of gas customers in West Virginia by about 200,000 in a region where the Company already provides energy services.

     

    Monongahela Power acquired Mountaineer Gas for approximately $326 million, which includes the assumption of $100.1 million of existing long-term debt. The acquisition has been recorded using the purchase method of accounting. The table below shows the allocation of the purchase price to assets and liabilities acquired:

    (Millions of Dollars)

    Purchase price

    $325.7

    Direct costs of the acquisition

    3.9

    Total acquisition cost

    329.6

    Less assets acquired:

     

    Utility plant

    300.5

    Accumulated depreciation

    (144.8)

    Utility plant, net

    155.7

    Investments and other assets

    Current assets

    47.8

    Deferred charges

    12.6

    Total assets acquired (excluding goodwill)

    216.1

    Add liabilities assumed:

    Current liabilities

    50.1

    Deferred credits and other liabilities

    12.4

    Total liabilities assumed

    62.5

    Excess of cost of net assets acquired

    $176.0

    The Company is amortizing the excess of cost over net assets acquired on a straight-line basis over 40 years. The Company's acquisition of Mountaineer Gas is immaterial for the purpose of providing the supplemental disclosures required by Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 16, "Business Combinations."

     

    In December 1999, Monongahela Power acquired the assets of West Virginia Power for approximately $95 million. In conjunction with this acquisition, the Company purchased the assets of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning business for $2.1 million. The acquisition increased property, plant, and equipment and accumulated depreciation by $105 million and $35.4 million, respectively. Also, $27.5 million was recorded as the excess of cost over net assets acquired and is being amortized on a straight-line basis over 40 years.

     

    NOTE F: EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE ON LOSS ON REACQUIRED DEBT

     

    During 1999, West Penn reacquired $525 million of outstanding first mortgage bonds and recorded a loss of $17 million ($10 million after taxes) associated with this transaction. In accordance with APB Opinion No. 26, "Early Extinguishment of Debt," and SFAS No. 4, "Reporting Gains and Losses from Extinguishment of Debt," this amount is classified as an extraordinary item in the consolidated statement of operations.

    F-13

     

    NOTE G: INCOME TAXES

     

    Details of federal and state income tax provisions are:

    (Thousands of dollars)

    2000

    1999

    1998

    Income taxes - current:

    Federal

    $146,519

    $100,724

    $114,319

    State

    25,751

    26,156

    33,385

    Total

    172,270

    126,880

    147,704

    Income taxes - deferred, net of amortization

    23,923

    48,461

    28,920

    Income taxes - deferred, extraordinary charge

    (50,450)

    (16,885)

    (191,480)

    Amortization of deferred investment credit

    (7,836)

    (8,426)

    (7,922)

    Total income taxes

    137,907

    150,030

    (22,778)

    Income taxes - charged to other income and deductions

    (3,556)

    (2,474)

    (306)

    Income taxes - credited to extraordinary charge

    50,450

    16,885

    191,480

    Income taxes - charged to operating income

    $184,801

    $164,441

    $168,396

    The total provision for income taxes is different from the amount produced by applying the federal income statutory tax rate of 35 percent to financial accounting income, as set forth below:

    (Thousands of dollars)

    2000

    1999

    1998

    Income before preferred stock dividends and redemption premiums, income

    Taxes, and extraordinary charge

    $503,493

    $460,793

    $440,655

    Amount so produced

    $176,223

    $161,278

    $154,229

    Increased (decreased) for:

    Tax deductions for which deferred tax was not provided:

    Lower tax depreciation

    6,150

    6,500

    6,700

    Plant removal costs

    (9,107)

    (9,100)

    (2,400)

    State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit

    18,828

    14,100

    20,200

    Amortization of deferred investment tax credit

    (7,836)

    (8,426)

    (7,922)

    Other, net

    543

    89

    (2,411)

    Total

    $184,801

    $164,441

    $168,396

    The provision for income taxes for the extraordinary charges is different from the amount produced by applying the federal income statutory tax rate of 35 percent to the gross amount, as set forth below:

    (Thousands of dollars)

    2000

    1999

    1998

    Extraordinary charge before income taxes

    $127,472

    $43,853

    $466,905

    Amount so produced

    $44,615

    $15,349

    $163,417

    Increased for state income tax, net of federal income tax benefit

    5,834

    1,536

    28,062

    Total

    $50,449

    $16,885

    $191,479

    Federal income tax returns through 1995 have been examined and settled. At December 31, the deferred tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following:

    (Thousands of dollars)

    2000

    1999

    Deferred tax assets:

    Recovery of transition costs

    $119,530

    $141,844

    Unamortized investment tax credit

    53,718

    72,845

    Tax interest capitalized

    35,775

    35,760

    Postretirement benefits other than pensions

    39,544

    31,662

    Contributions in aid of construction

    21,812

    23,387

    Unbilled revenue

    12,828

    13,105

    Deferred power costs, net

    8,645

    16,741

    Reserve for uncollectibles

    12,692

    10,044

    Other

    128,887

    47,472

    433,431

    392,860

    F-14

    Deferred tax liabilities:

    Book vs. tax plant basis differences, net

    1,214,406

    1,207,465

    Other

    91,663

    75,861

    1,306,069

    1,283,326

    Total net deferred tax liabilities

    872,638

    890,466

    Portion above included in current assets

    15,665

    30,477

    Total long-term net deferred tax liabilities

    $888,303

    $920,943

    NOTE H: DIVIDEND RESTRICTION

     

    Supplemental indentures relating to certain outstanding bonds of Monongahela Power contain dividend restrictions under the most restrictive of which $76,384,000 of the Company's consolidated retained earnings at December 31, 2000, is not available for cash dividends on Monongahela Power's common stock, except that a portion thereof may be paid as cash dividends where concurrently an equivalent amount of cash is received by Monongahela Power as a capital contribution or as the proceeds of the issue and sale of shares of its common stock.

     

    NOTE I: SHORT-TERM DEBT

     

    To provide interim financing and support for outstanding commercial paper, lines of credit have been established with several banks. The Company and its regulated subsidiaries have fee arrangements on all of their lines of credit and no compensating balance requirements. At December 31, 2000, unused lines of credit with banks were $565 million. In addition to bank lines of credit, an internal money pool accommodates intercompany short-term borrowing needs, to the extent that certain of the regulated companies have funds available. Short-term debt outstanding for 2000 and 1999 consisted of:

     

    (Thousands of dollars)

    2000

    1999

    Balance and interest rate at end of year:

    Commercial paper

    $672,214 - 6.82%

    $641,095 - 5.98%

    Notes payable to banks

    50,015 - 6.90%

    Average amount outstanding and interest rate during the year:

    Commercial paper

    717,231 - 6.46%

    418,166 - 5.41%

    Notes payable to banks

    19,038 - 6.18%

    25,098 - 5.22%

    NOTE J: ENERGY TRADING ACTIVITIES

     

    The Company enters into contracts for the purchase and sale of electricity in the wholesale market. Allegheny Energy Supply's wholesale market activities consist of buying and selling over-the-counter contracts for the purchase and sale of electricity. The majority of these are forward contracts representing commitments to purchase and sell at fixed prices in the future. These contracts require physical delivery. Allegheny Energy Supply also uses option contracts to buy and sell electricity at fixed prices in the future.

     

    During 2000, Allegheny Energy Supply substantially increased the volume of its wholesale electricity trading activities principally due to the completion of the construction or acquisition of additional generating capacity and the consequent ability those assets afford to conduct power transactions. Allegheny Energy Supply also anticipates the expansion of additional generating capacity through construction and acquisition activities in future years as a result of announcements made in the fourth quarter of 2000. Based upon the Company's continual evaluation of its business activities under the provisions of EITF Issue No. 98-10, "Accounting for Contracts Involved in Energy Trading and Risk Management Activities," the Company concluded that Allegheny Energy Supply's wholesale electricity activities now represent trading activities. EITF Issue No. 98-10 requires contracts entered into in connection with energy trading be marked to fair value on the balance sheet, with all changes in fair value recorded as gains and losses on the statement of operations.

     

    The wholesale electricity trading contracts representing an unrealized gain position are reported as "Commodity Contract" assets in the current assets section of the balance sheet. The wholesale electricity trading contracts representing an unrealized loss position are reported as "Commodity Contract" liabilities in the current liabilities section of the balance sheet. At December 31, 2000, the fair value of the "Commodity Contract" assets and liabilities related to wholesale electricity-trading activities was $234.5 million and $224.6 million, respectively. A net gain of $8.4 million, before tax, was recorded to the statement of operations, as part of operating revenues - unregulated generation, to reflect the fair value of Allegheny Energy Supply's energy trading contracts.

    F-15

     

    NOTE K: DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

     

    In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." SFAS No. 133 was subsequently amended by SFAS No. 137, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Deferral of the Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 133 - an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133" and SFAS No. 138, "Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities - an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133." Effective January 1, 2001, the Company will implement the requirements of these accounting standards.

     

    These statements establish accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging activities. They require that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position and measure those instruments at fair value. The Statements require that changes in the derivative's fair value be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. Special accounting for qualifying hedges allows a derivative's gains and losses to offset related results on the hedged item in the income statement or other comprehensive income and requires that a company formally document, designate, and assess the effectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting. SFAS No. 133 is expected to increase the volatility in reported earnings and other comprehensive income.

     

    The Company has completed an inventory of financial instruments, commodity contracts, and other commitments for the purpose of identifying and assessing all of its derivatives. The Company determined the fair value of the derivatives, designated certain derivatives as hedges, and assessed the effectiveness of those derivatives as hedges.

     

    Allegheny Energy Supply will record an asset of $1.5 million on its 2001 balance sheet based on the fair value of the two cash flow hedge contracts at January 1, 2001. An offsetting amount will be recorded in other comprehensive income as a change in accounting principle as provided by SFAS No. 133. Allegheny Energy Supply anticipates that the amounts accumulated in other comprehensive income related to these contracts will be reclassified to earnings during July and August of 2001, when the hedged transactions are recorded.

     

    Allegheny Energy Supply will also record certain option contracts that meet the derivative criteria in SFAS No. 133, which do not qualify for special hedge accounting. Allegheny Energy Supply will record an asset of $0.1 million and a liability of $52.4 million on its balance sheet based on the fair value of these contracts at January 1, 2001. The majority of this liability is related to one contract. The terms of this three-year contract entered into on January 1, 1999, provides the counterparty with the right to purchase, at a fixed price, 270 MW of electricity per hour until December 31, 2001. The fair value of this contract represented a liability of approximately $52.3 million on January 1, 2001. The liability associated with this contract will reduce to zero at December 31, 2001, with the expiration of the contract. The fair value of these contracts will fluctuate over time due to changes in the underlying commodity prices that are influenced by various market factors, including the weather and availability of regional electric generation and transmission capacity. In accordance with SFAS No. 133, Allegheny Energy Supply will record a charge of $31.2 million against earnings net of the related tax effect ($52.3 million before tax) in the first quarter of 2001 for these contracts as a change in accounting principle as of January 1, 2001.

     

    NOTE L: CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING ESTIMATE

     

    During 2000, the Company's operating expenses decreased by approximately $19.9 million ($11.9 million after taxes) due to the capital recovery and capitalization policies of Allegheny Energy Supply, as an unregulated generation company, which are different from the practices of the regulated utility subsidiaries. As a result, 2000 earnings per share increased $0.11.

    F-16

    NOTE M: PENSION BENEFITS AND POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS OTHER THAN PENSIONS

     

    Net periodic (credit) cost for pension and postretirement benefits other than pensions (principally health care and life insurance) for employees and covered dependents, of which approximately 21 percent was (credited) charged to plant construction, included the following components:

    Pension Benefits

    Postretirement Benefits

    Other Than Pensions

    (Thousands of dollars)

    2000

    1999

    1998

    2000

    1999

    1998

    Components of net periodic (credit) cost:

    Service cost

    $15,808

    $15,350

    $14,316

    $2,755

    $2,677

    $2,566

    Interest cost

    52,463

    47,068

    46,743

    13,707

    13,418

    14,346

    Expected return on plan assets

    (70,928)

    (65,456)

    (61,280)

    (7,015)

    (6,217)

    (6,163)

    Amortization of unrecognized transition (asset)

    obligation

    (3,152)

    (3,146)

    (3,146)

    6,433

    6,433

    6,433

    Amortization of prior service cost

    2,386

    2,386

    2,360

    Recognized actuarial gain

    (1,206)

    (1,837)

    (119)

    Periodic (credit) cost

    (4,629)

    (3,798)

    (1,007)

    14,043

    16,192

    17,182

    Reversal of previous deferrals

    760

    Net periodic (credit) cost

    ($4,629)

    ($3,798)

    ($247)

    $14,043

    $16,192

    $17,182

    The discount rates and rates of compensation increases used in determining the benefit obligations at September 30, 2000, 1999, and 1998, and the expected long-term rate of return on assets in each of the years 2000, 1999, and 1998 were as follows:

    2000

    1999

    1998

    2000

    1999

    1998

    Discount rate

    7.75%

    7.50%

    7.00%

    7.75%

    7.50%

    7.00%

    Expected return on plan assets

    9.00%

    9.00%

    9.00%

    9.00%

    8.25%

    8.25%

    Rate of compensation increase

    4.50%

    4.50%

    4.00%

    4.50%

    4.50%

    4.00%

    For postretirement benefits other than pensions measurement purposes, a health care cost trend rate of 6.5 percent for 2001 and beyond and plan provisions, which limit future medical and life insurance benefits, were assumed. Because of the plan provisions, which limit future benefits, the assumed health care cost trend rate has a limited effect on the amounts reported. A one-percentage-point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate would have the following effects:

    1-Percentage-Point

    Increase

    1-Percentage-Point

    Decrease

    (Thousands of dollars)

    Effect on total service and interest cost components

    $276

    ($264)

    Effect on postretirement benefit obligation

    2,571

    (2,598)

    The amounts (prepaid) accrued at December 31, using a measurement date of September 30, included the following components:

    Pension Benefits

    Postretirement Benefits

    Other Than Pensions

    (Thousands of dollars)

    2000

    1999

    2000

    1999

    Change in benefit obligation:

    Benefit obligations at beginning of year

    $691,528

    $692,937

    $181,324

    $196,282

    Service cost

    15,808

    15,350

    2,755

    2,677

    Interest cost

    52,463

    47,068

    13,707

    13,418

    Plan amendments

    132

    Effect of acquisitions

    40,176

    11,524

    Actuarial (gain) loss

    (21,484)

    (21,369)

    (16,877)

    (20,159)

    Benefits paid

    (43,765)

    (42,458)

    (9,317)

    (10,894)

    Benefit obligation at December 31

    734,858

    691,528

    183,116

    181,324

    Change in plan assets:

    Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year

    817,652

    801,348

    84,277

    74,773

    F-17

    Actual return on plan assets

    86,065

    50,914

    9,200

    10,864

    Employer contribution

    7,848

    5,214

    4,406

    Effect of acquisitions

    26,741

    Benefits paid

    (43,765)

    (42,458)

    (4,736)

    (5,766)

    Fair value of plan assets at December 31

    886,693

    817,652

    93,955

    84,277

    Plan assets (in excess of) less than benefit obligation

    (151,835)

    (126,124)

    89,161

    97,047

    Unrecognized transition asset (obligation)

    3,152

    (77,194)

    (83,627)

    Unrecognized net actuarial gain

    143,953

    115,193

    61,287

    46,140

    Unrecognized prior service cost due to plan

    amendments

    (18,174)

    (20,428)

    Fourth quarter contributions and benefit payments

    (324)

    (5,816)

    (6,203)

    (Prepaid) accrued at December 31

    ($26,380)

    ($28,207)

    $67,438

    $53,357

    The Company acquired West Virginia Power and Mountaineer Gas in December 1999 and August 2000, respectively. The effect of these acquisitions on the Company's benefit obligations and plan assets for pensions and postretirement benefits other than pensions is shown above as the effect of acquisitions.

     

    The pension unrecognized transition asset was amortized over 14 years beginning January 1, 1987, and the postretirement benefits other than pensions unrecognized transition obligation is being amortized over 20 years beginning January 1, 1993.

     

    NOTE N: STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

     

    Under the Company's Long-term Incentive Plan, options may be granted to officers and key employees. Ten million shares of the Company's common stock have been authorized for issuance under the Long-term Incentive Plan. The Long-term Incentive Plan, which was implemented during 1998, provides vesting periods of one to seven years, with options remaining exercisable until 10 years from the date of grant. There were 7,000 exercisable options at December 31, 2000.

     

    As permitted by SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," the Company follows APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and related interpretations in accounting for employee stock options. Under APB No. 25, because the exercise price of stock options awarded under the Company's Long-term Incentive Plan equals or exceeds the market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant, no compensation expense is recognized. SFAS No. 123 requires disclosure of pro-forma information regarding the net income and earnings per share effect of the option grants. The information presented below has been determined as if the stock options had been accounted for under the fair value method of that statement. There were no stock options granted during 1998. The weighted average fair value of the 2000 and 1999 options was $10.25 and $5.07 per share, respectively. The fair values were estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, with the following weighted average assumptions:

     

    2000

    1999

    Risk-free interest rate

    6.50%

    6.24%

    Expected lives - years

    10

    10

    Expected stock volatility

    28.65%

    22.83%

    Dividend yield

    5.52%

    5.83%

    Under SFAS No. 123, the Company's consolidated net income and earnings per share would have been reduced to the following pro-forma amounts:

    2000

    1999

    Consolidated net income (in thousands)

    As reported

    $236,629

    $258,421

    Pro-forma

    $235,315

    $258,166

    Earnings per share (basic and diluted):

    As reported

    $2.14

    $2.22

    Pro-forma

    $2.13

    $2.22

    F-18

    A summary of the status of the stock options granted under the Company's Long-term Incentive Plan as of December 31, 2000, is as follows:

    Weighted

    Average

    Shares

    Price

    Outstanding at December 31, 1999

    1,119,200

    $31.351

    Granted

    647,500

    42.109

    Exercised

    Forfeited

    1,000

    33.813

    Outstanding at December 31, 2000

    1,765,700

    $35.295

    The following summarizes the stock options outstanding at December 31, 2000:

    Weighted

    Weighted

    Average

    Range

    Average

    Remaining

    Remaining

    Plan

    of Exercise

    Exercise

    Outstanding

    Contractual

    Year

    Prices

    Price

    at 12/31/00

    Life

    2000

    $31.488 to $48.188

    $42.109

    647,500

    10 years

    1999

    $30.188 to $33.813

    $31.349

    1,118,200

    9 years

    Under the Company's Long-term Incentive Plan (formerly the Performance Share Plan), certain officers of the Company and its subsidiaries may receive awards based on meeting specific shareholder and customer performance rankings. The Company recognized compensation expense in 2000, 1999, and 1998 of $3.7 million, $1.1 million, and $2.0 million, respectively.

     

    NOTE O: REGULATORY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

     

    Certain of the Company's regulated operations are subject to the provisions of SFAS No. 71. Regulatory assets represent probable future revenues associated with deferred costs that are expected to be recovered from customers through the ratemaking process. Regulatory liabilities represent probable future reductions in revenues associated with amounts that are to be credited to customers through the ratemaking process. Regulatory assets, net of regulatory liabilities, reflected in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31 relate to:

    (Thousands of dollars)

    2000

    1999

    Long-term assets (liabilities), net:

    Income taxes, net

    $262,927

    $306,247

    Pennsylvania stranded cost recovery (CTC)

    231,137

    251,903

    Pennsylvania CTC true-up

    25,253

    20,004

    Pennsylvania pilot deferred revenue

    9,040

    Postretirement benefits

    6,229

    Pennsylvania tax increases

    8,188

    3,520

    Storm damage

    577

    850

    Demand-side management

    (3,002)

    184

    Deferred revenues

    (8,785)

    (14,900)

    Rate stabilization deferral

    (56,750)

    Other, net

    (1,071)

    2,027

    Subtotal

    458,474

    585,104

    Eastalco profit sharing (reported in other deferred charges/debit)

    1,385

    Deferred power costs, net (reported in other deferred charges/credits)

    (9,900)

    Subtotal

    458,474

    576,589

    Current assets (liabilities), net (reported in other current assets/liabilities):

    CTC recovery

    22,049

    23,957

    Income taxes, net

    1,068

    1,847

    Deferred power costs, net

    (15,338)

    (12,880)

    Deferred revenues

    (10,456)

    (19,949)

    Subtotal

    (2,677)

    (7,025)

    Net regulatory assets

    $455,797

    $569,564

    F-19

    See Notes B and C starting on pages 49 and 51, respectively, for a discussion of deregulation plans in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.

     

    NOTE P: FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

     

    The carrying amounts and estimated fair value of financial instruments at December 31 were as follows:

     

    2000

    1999

    Carrying

    Fair

    Carrying

    Fair

    (Thousands of dollars)

    Amount

    Value

    Amount

    Value

    Assets:

    Temporary cash investments

    $3,241

    $3,241

    $44,831

    $44,831

    Life insurance contracts

    100,594

    100,594

    94,168

    94,168

    Available-for-sale security

    1,403

    1,403

    Liabilities:

    Short-term debt

    722,229

    722,229

    641,095

    641,095

    Long-term debt and QUIDS

    2,731,683

    2,755,401

    2,468,407

    2,370,723

    The carrying amount of temporary cash investments, as well as short-term debt, approximates the fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments. The fair value of the life insurance contracts was estimated based on cash surrender value. The fair value of the available-for-sale security, long-term debt, and QUIDS was estimated based on actual market prices or market prices of similar issues.

     

    NOTE Q: CAPITALIZATION

     

    Common Stock In March 1999, the Company announced a stock repurchase program that authorized the repurchase of common stock worth up to $500 million from time to time at price levels the Company deemed attractive. The Company purchased 12 million shares of its common stock in 1999 at an aggregate cost of $398.4 million. There were no additional shares purchased in 2000.

     

    Preferred Stock West Penn called or redeemed all outstanding shares of its cumulative preferred stock with a combined par value of $79.7 million plus redemption premiums of $3.3 million on July 15, 1999, with proceeds from new $84 million, five-year unsecured medium-term notes issued in the second quarter of 1999 at a 6.375% coupon rate. Potomac Edison called all outstanding shares of its cumulative preferred stock with a combined par value of $16.4 million plus redemption premiums of $0.5 million on September 30, 1999, with funds on hand. Monongahela Power's outstanding preferred stock is entitled on voluntary liquidation to its then-current call price and, on involuntary liquidation, to $100 a share.

     

    Long-Term Debt and QUIDS

     

    Maturities for long-term debt in thousands of dollars for the next five years are: 2001, $160,184; 2002, $214,105; 2003, $250,071; 2004, $157,714; and 2005, $373,019. Substantially all of the properties of Monongahela Power and Potomac Edison are held subject to the lien securing their first mortgage bonds. Some properties of Allegheny Energy Supply and Monongahela Power are also subject to a second lien securing certain pollution control and solid waste disposal notes.

    On March 1, 2000, $75 million of Potomac Edison's 5 7/8% series first mortgage bonds matured; Monongahela Power's $65 million of 5 5/8% series first mortgage bonds matured April 1, 2000; and in March, June, September, and December of 2000, West Penn redeemed $46.8 million of class A-1 6.32% transition bonds.

    On June 1, 2000, Potomac Edison issued $80 million floating rate private placement notes, due May 1, 2002, assumable by Allegheny Energy Supply upon its acquisition of Potomac Edison's Maryland electric generating assets. In August 2000, after the Potomac Edison generating assets were transferred to Allegheny Energy Supply, the notes were remarketed as Allegheny Energy Supply floating rate (three-month London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus .80%) notes with the same maturity date. No additional proceeds were received.

     

    On August 18, 2000, Monongahela Power borrowed $61.0 million, under a senior credit facility, at a rate of 7.18% with a maturity of November 20, 2000. On November 20, 2000, Monongahela Power paid off the original $61 million borrowing and borrowed $100 million at a rate of 7.21% with a maturity of May 21, 2001. The facility will be transferred to Allegheny Energy Supply concurrent with the transfer of Monongahela Power's West Virginia generating assets .

    F-20

    On August 18, 2000, the Company issued $165.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.75% notes due August 1, 2005. The Company contributed $162.5 million of the proceeds from its financing to Monongahela Power. Monongahela Power used the proceeds from the Company, and the $61 million borrowed under the senior note credit facility (as discussed above) in connection with the purchase of Mountaineer Gas.

     

    As part of the purchase of Mountaineer Gas on August 18, 2000, Monongahela Power assumed $100.1 million of existing Mountaineer Gas debt. This debt consists of several senior unsecured notes and a promissory note with fixed interest rates between 7.00% and 8.09%, and maturity dates between April 1, 2009, and October 31, 2019.

     

    On November 7, 2000, the Company also issued unsecured notes in an aggregate principal amount of $135.0 million bearing an interest rate of 7.75% due 2005. These notes were a further issuance of, and form a single series with, the $165.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Company's 7.75% notes issued on August 18, 2000, as discussed above.

     

    During 1999, West Penn reacquired all of its outstanding $525 million of first mortgage bonds. See Note F for additional details.

     

    In November 1999, West Penn Funding, LLC, issued $600 million of transition bonds as authorized by the Pennsylvania PUC (see Note B). The transition bonds are secured by the collection of transition costs through a nonbypassable charge to customers in the West Penn service area.

     

    NOTE R: BUSINESS SEGMENTS

     

    The Company's principal operating segments are regulated operations, unregulated generation, and other. Prior to the second quarter of 2000, the Company reported operating segments consisting of utility and nonutility operations. The Company has restated prior period segment information.

     

    The regulated operations segment, previously reported as the utility segment, consists of the subsidiaries Monongahela Power, including Mountaineer Gas, Potomac Edison, and West Penn. The regulated operations segment operates electric T&D systems and natural gas distribution systems and generates electric energy in regulatory jurisdictions that have not implemented deregulation of electric generation.

     

    The unregulated generation segment, previously reported in the nonutility segment, consists primarily of the Company's subsidiaries Allegheny Energy Supply and its majority-owned subsidiary, AGC. Allegheny Energy Supply is an unregulated energy production and marketing subsidiary that markets competitive wholesale electricity in the eastern half of the United States and retail electricity regionally in states where customer choice has been implemented. AGC owns and sells generating capacity to its parents Allegheny Energy Supply and Monongahela Power.

     

    The other segment, previously reported in the nonutility segment, consists primarily of Allegheny Ventures, an unregulated subsidiary that develops new business opportunities including telecommunications.

     

    Business segment information for 2000, 1999, and 1998 is summarized on page 60. Significant transactions between reportable segments are eliminated to reconcile the segment information to consolidated amounts. The identifiable assets information does not reflect the elimination of intercompany balances or transactions that are eliminated in the Company's consolidated financial statements.

    (Thousands of dollars)

    2000

    1999

    1998

    Operating revenues:

    Regulated operations

    $2,635,022

    $2,310,079

    $2,330,264

    Unregulated generation

    2,281,535

    879,417

    240,275

    Other

    22,624

    8,881

    6,708

    Eliminations

    (927,329)

    (389,936)

    (811)

    Depreciation and amortization:

    Regulated operations

    194,463

    197,955

    264,611

    Unregulated generation

    52,436

    58,937

    5,662

    Other

    1,034

    564

    106

    Federal and state income taxes:

    Regulated operations

    142,815

    131,228

    178,930

    Unregulated generation

    40,708

    32,836

    (10,151)

    Other

    1,278

    377

    (383)

    F-21

    Operating income:

    Regulated operations

    408,381

    395,426

    449,762

    Unregulated generation

    126,199

    78,827

    (9,303)

    Other

    1,643

    394

    (952)

    Interest charges, preferred dividends, and preferred redemption premiums:

    Regulated operations

    205,178

    162,348

    176,073

    Unregulated generation

    41,274

    31,869

    10,153

    Other

    264

    2

    6

    Eliminations

    (18,820)

    (1,516)

    Consolidated income before extraordinary charge:

    Regulated operations

    227,751

    236,471

    283,323

    Unregulated generation

    83,699

    49,135

    (19,604)

    Other

    2,202

    (217)

    (711)

    Extraordinary charge, net:

    Regulated operations

    77,023

    26,968

    275,426

    Capital expenditures:

    Regulated operations

    207,605

    266,205

    229,362

    Regulated operations - acquisition of businesses

    228,826

    98,714

    Unregulated generation

    181,957

    131,020

    875

    Other

     

    13,630

    16,140

    5,330

    December

    December

    31, 2000

    31, 1999

    Regulated operations

    $4,918,316

    $5,293,394

    Unregulated generation

    2,714,607

    1,518,074

    Other

       

    64,094

    40,973

    See Notes C and F for a discussion of extraordinary charge, net.

     

    NOTE S: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

     

    Construction and Capital Program The subsidiaries have entered into commitments for their construction and capital programs for which expenditures are estimated to be $2,231.5 million for 2001 and $543.4 million for 2002. Construction expenditure levels in 2003 and beyond will depend upon, among other things, the strategy eventually selected for complying with Phase II of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA) and the extent to which environmental initiatives currently being considered become mandated. The Company estimates that its management of emission allowances will allow it to comply with Phase II sulfur dioxide (SO2) limits through 2005. Studies to evaluate cost-effective options to comply with Phase II SO2 limits beyond 2005, including those available in connection with the emission allowance trading market, are continuing.

     

    The Company has announced the construction and acquisition of various generating facilities planned for completion in 2001 through 2005. Also, the Company has announced the acquisition of Merrill Lynch's energy trading and commodity marketing unit and a financial services firm (see Note T). The estimated cost of the generating facilities under construction and acquisitions announced by the Company is approximately $3.1 billion.

     

    On November 14, 2000, the Company announced the acquisition of three natural gas-fired merchant generating facilities totaling 1,710 MW located in the Midwest from Enron North America (Enron). The completion of the transaction requires certain regulatory approvals, including approval by the SEC. The agreement between Enron and the Company requires that the parties close on the transaction prior to May 31, 2001. In the event that closing does not occur prior to May 31, 2001, because SEC approval has not been obtained, the Company would be required to pay a termination fee of approximately $41 million to Enron.

     

    Environmental Matters and Litigation 

     

    The companies are subject to various laws, regulations, and uncertainties as to environmental matters. Compliance may require them to incur substantial additional costs to modify or replace existing and proposed equipment and facilities and may adversely affect the cost of future operations.

    F-22

     

    The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) nitrogen oxides (NOX) State Implementation Plan (SIP) call regulation has been under litigation and, on March 3, 2000, the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision that basically upheld the regulation. However, state and industry litigants filed an appeal of that decision in April 2000. On June 23, 2000, the Court denied the request for the appeal. Although the Court did issue an order to delay the compliance date from May 1, 2003, until May 31, 2004, both the Maryland and Pennsylvania state rules to implement the EPA NOX SIP call regulation still require compliance by May 1, 2003. West Virginia has issued a proposed rule that would postpone compliance until May 1, 2005. However, the EPA Section 126 petition regulation also requires the same level of NOX reductions as the EPA NOX SIP call regulation with a May 1, 2003, compliance date. The EPA Section 126 petition rule is also under litigation in the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals, with a decision expected in the first half of 2001. The Company's compliance with such stringent regulations will require the installation of expensive post-combustion control technologies on most of its power stations. The Company's construction forecast includes the expenditure of $376.9 million of capital costs during the 2001 through 2004 period to comply with these regulations. Approximately $63.5 million was spent in 2000.

     

    On August 2, 2000, the Company received a letter from the EPA requiring it to provide certain information on 10 of its electric generating stations: Albright, Armstrong, Fort Martin, Harrison, Hatfield's Ferry, Mitchell, Pleasants, Rivesville, R. Paul Smith, and Willow Island. Allegheny Energy Supply and Monongahela Power now own these electric generating stations. The letter requested information under Section 114 of the federal Clean Air Act to determine compliance with federal Clean Air Act and state implementation plan requirements, including potential application of federal New Source Performance Standards. In general, such standards can require the installation of additional air pollution control equipment upon the major modification of an existing facility. The Company submitted these records in January 2001. The eventual outcome of the EPA investigation is unknown.

     

    Similar inquiries have been made of other electric utilities and have resulted in enforcement proceedings being brought in many cases. The Company believes its generating facilities have been operating in accordance with the Clean Air Act and the rules implementing the Act. The experience of other utilities, however, suggests that, in recent years, the EPA may well have revised its interpretation of the rules regarding the determination of whether an action at a facility constitutes routine maintenance, which would not trigger the requirements of the New Source Performance Standards, or a major modification of the facility, which would require compliance with the New Source Performance Standards. If federal New Source Performance Standards were to be applied to these generating stations, in addition to the possible imposition of fines, compliance would entail significant expenditures. In connection with the deregulation of generation, the Company has agreed to rate caps in each of its jurisdictions, and there are no provisions under those arrangements to increase rates to cover such expenditures.

     

    In December 2000, the EPA issued a decision to regulate coal- and oil-fired electric utility mercury emissions under Title III, Section 112 of the 1990 CAAA. The EPA plans to issue a proposed regulation by December 2003 and a final regulation by December 2004. The timing and level of required mercury emission reductions are unknown at this time.

     

    On March 4, 1994, Monongahela Power, Potomac Edison, and West Penn received notice that the EPA had identified them as potentially responsible parties (PRPs) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, with respect to a Superfund Site. There are approximately 175 other PRPs involved. A final determination has not been made for the Company's share of the remediation costs based on the amount of materials sent to the site. However, the Company estimates that its share of the cleanup liability will not exceed $1 million, which has been accrued as a liability at December 31, 2000.

     

    Monongahela Power, Potomac Edison, and West Penn have also been named as defendants along with multiple other defendants in pending asbestos cases involving multiple plaintiffs. While the Company believes that all of the cases are without merit, the Company cannot predict the outcome of the litigation. The Company has accrued a reserve of $5.4 million as of December 31, 2000, related to the asbestos cases as the potential cost to settle the cases to avoid the anticipated cost of defense.

     

    The Attorney General of the State of New York and the Attorney General of the State of Connecticut in their letters dated September 15, 1999, and November 3, 1999, respectively, notified the Company of their intent to commence civil actions against the Company or certain of its subsidiaries alleging violations at the Fort Martin Power Station under the federal Clean Air Act, which requires existing power plants that make major modifications to comply with the same emission standards applicable to new power plants. Other governmental authorities may commence similar actions in the future. Fort Martin is a station located in West Virginia and is now jointly owned by Allegheny Energy Supply and Monongahela Power. Both Attorneys General stated their intent to seek injunctive relief and penalties. In addition, the Attorney General of the State of New York in his letter indicated that he may assert claims under the State common law of public nuisance seeking to recover, among other things, compensation for alleged environmental damage caused in New York by the operation of Fort Martin Power Station. At this time, the Company and its subsidiaries are not able to determine what effect, if any, these actions threatened by the Attorneys General of New York and Connecticut may have on them.

     

    In the normal course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries become involved in various legal proceedings. The Company and its subsidiaries do not believe that the ultimate outcome of these proceedings will have a material effect on their financial position.

    F-23

     

    Leases 

     

    The Company has capital and operating lease agreements with various terms and expiration dates, primarily for vehicles, computer equipment, and communications lines.

     

    The carrying amount of assets recorded under capitalized lease agreements included in property, plant, and equipment at December 31 consist of the following:

    (Thousands of dollars)

    2000

    1999

    Equipment

    $44,346

    $966

    Building

    741

    790

    Property held under capital leases

    $45,087

    $1,756

    At December 31, 2000, obligations under capital leases were as follows:

    (Thousands of dollars)

    2000

    1999

    Present value of minimum lease payments

    $45,087

    $1,756

    Obligations under capital leases due within one year

    10,650

    825

    Obligations under capital leases non-current

    34,437

    931

    Total capital and operating lease rent payments of $33.5 million in 2000, $19.1 million in 1999, and $17.4 million in 1998 were recorded as rent expense in accordance with SFAS No. 71. Estimated minimum lease payments for capital and operating leases with annual rent exceeding $100,000 and initial or remaining lease terms in excess of one year are $25.0 million in 2001, $18.0 million in 2002, $20.0 million in 2003, $32.8 million in 2004, $28.7 million in 2005, and $24.6 million thereafter.

     

    In November 2000, Allegheny Energy Supply consummated an operating lease transaction relating to the construction of a 540-MW combined-cycle generating plant located in Springdale, Pennsylvania. This transaction was structured to finance the construction of the plant with a maximum commitment amount of $318.4 million. Upon completion of the plant, a special purpose entity will lease the plant to Allegheny Energy Supply. Lease payments, to be recorded as rent expense, are estimated at $1.9 million per month, commencing during the second half of 2003 through 2005. Subsequently, Allegheny Energy Supply has the right to negotiate up to two five-year renewal terms or purchase the plant for the lessor's investment or sell the plant and pay the difference between the proceeds and the lessor's investment up to a maximum recourse amount of approximately $275 million.

     

    Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA)

     

    Under PURPA, certain municipalities, businesses, and private developers have installed generating facilities at various locations in or near the Company's service areas, and sell electric capacity and energy to the Company at rates consistent with PURPA and ordered by the appropriate state commissions. The Company is committed to purchase 479 MW of on-line PURPA capacity. This includes 180 MW from the AES Warrior Run project, which came on-line in February 2000. Payments for PURPA capacity and energy in 2000 totaled approximately $204 million, before amortization of West Penn's adverse power purchase commitment, resulting in an average cost to the Company of 5.5 cents/kWh.

     

    As a result of the 1999 Maryland Restructuring Settlement, AES Warrior Run capacity and energy must be offered into the wholesale market over the life of the Electric Energy Purchase Agreement (PURPA contract). On November 29, 2000, the Maryland PSC approved a Power Sales Agreement (PSA) between Potomac Edison and the winning bidder for the period of January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2001. The cost of purchases from AES Warrior Run under the PURPA Contract not recovered through the market sale of the output will be recovered, dollar-for-dollar, from Maryland customers through a surcharge.

     

    The table below reflects the Company's estimated commitments for energy and capacity purchases under PURPA contracts as of December 31, 2000. The original length of these contracts varied from 28 to 44 years. Actual values can vary substantially depending upon future conditions. The table does not reflect the AES Warrior Run energy and capacity sold under the PSA.

    F-24

     

    Estimated Energy and Capacity Purchase Commitments

    Amount

    (Thousands

    MWh

    of dollars)

    2001

    3,889,208

    $205,660

    2002

    3,889,208

    206,564

    2003

    3,889,209

    197,508

    2004

    3,898,978

    190,716

    2005

    3,889,208

    192,225

    Thereafter

    79,038,027

    4,506,625

    Fuel Commitments

     

    The Company has entered into various long-term commitments for the procurement of fuels, primarily coal, to supply its generating plants. In most cases, these contracts contain provisions for price escalations, minimum purchase levels, and other financial commitments. The Company's fuel purchases totaled $552.2 million and $535.7 million in 2000 and 1999, respectively. In 2000, the Company purchased approximately 60% of its fuel from one vendor. Total estimated long-term fuel obligations at December 31, 2000, for the next five years were as follows:

    Estimated Fuel Purchase Commitments

    Amount

    (Thousands

    of dollars)

    2001

    $189,652

    2002

    159,308

    2003

    129,370

    2004

    125,236

    2005

    95,815

    Total

    $699,381

    Letters of Credit 

     

    Letters of credit are purchased guarantees that ensure the Company's performance or payment to third parties, in accordance with certain terms and conditions, which amounted to $18.2 million as of December 31, 2000.

     

    NOTE T: SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

     

    On January 8, 2001, the Company announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Global Energy Markets (G.E.M.), Merrill Lynch's energy commodity marketing and trading unit. Under the agreement, Allegheny Energy Supply will acquire G.E.M. for $490 million, plus a two percent equity interest in Allegheny Energy Supply to be owned by Merrill Lynch. The acquisition is contingent upon regulatory approvals, including approval of the FERC. The Company expects the transaction to be closed in the first quarter of 2001. However, transfer of the two percent ownership interest (which is not required for closing) cannot occur until it is approved by the SEC.

    F-25

     

     

    REPORT OF MANAGEMENT

     

    The management of the Company is responsible for the information and representations in the Company's financial statements. The Company prepares the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America based upon available facts and circumstances and management's best estimates and judgments of known conditions.

    The Company maintains an accounting system and related system of internal controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that the financial records are accurate and that the Company's assets are protected. The Company's staff of internal auditors conducts periodic reviews designed to assist management in maintaining the effectiveness of internal control procedures. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent accounting firm, audits the financial statements and expresses its opinion on them. The independent accountants perform their audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America.

    The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, which consists of outside Directors, meets periodically with management, internal auditors, and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to review the activities of each in discharging their responsibilities. The internal audit staff and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP have free access to all of the Company's records and to the Audit Committee.

     

     

    Alan J. Noia,

    Thomas J. Kloc,

    Chairman of the Board, President

    Vice President and Controller

    And Chief Executive Officer

     
       
       

    February 1, 2001

     

     

    F-26

    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

     

    To the Board of Directors and the Shareholders of Allegheny Energy, Inc.

     

    In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of capitalization and common equity and the related consolidated statements of operations and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Allegheny Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2000, and 1999, and results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2000, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

     
     

    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

     

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

    February 1, 2001

     

    F-27

    Monongahela Power Company

    And Subsidiaries

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

    1998

    Operating Revenues:

    Residential

    $282,320

    $210,757

    $200,896

    Commercial

    151,700

    130,052

    126,464

    Industrial

    242,082

    217,792

    208,613

    Wholesale and other, including affiliates

    137,615

    96,184

    89,396

    Bulk power transactions, net

    14,330

    18,550

    19,753

    Total Operating Revenues

    828,047

    673,335

    645,122

    Operating Expenses:

    Operation:

    Fuel

    150,582

    145,236

    143,993

    Purchased power and exchanges, net

    119,449

    98,774

    95,617

    Gas purchases and production

    57,045

    Deferred power costs, net

    248

    10,930

    (8,452)

    Other

    117,372

    90,625

    82,637

    Maintenance

    70,850

    63,993

    67,033

    Depreciation and amortization

    70,508

    60,905

    58,610

    Taxes other than income taxes

    55,987

    43,395

    44,742

    Federal and state income taxes

    50,639

    40,440

    49,456

    Total Operating Expenses

    692,680

    554,298

    533,636

    Operating Income

    135,367

    119,037

    111,486

    Other Income and Deductions:

    Allowance for other than borrowed funds used

    during construction

    138

    1,059

    376

    Other income, net

    4,048

    6,119

    6,049

    Total Other Income and Deductions

    4,186

    7,178

    6,425

    Income Before Interest Charges and

    Extraordinary Charge, Net

    139,553

    126,215

    117,911

    Interest Charges:

    Interest on long-term debt

    41,953

    31,963

    32,363

    Other interest

    3,785

    2,640

    3,790

    Allowance for borrowed funds used during

    construction

    (764)

    (715)

    (667)

    Total Interest Charges

    44,974

    33,888

    35,486

    Consolidated Income Before Extraordinary Charge

    94,579

      92,327

      82,425

    Extraordinary Charge, Net

    (63,124)

            

            

    Consolidated Net Income

    $ 31,455

    $ 92,327

    $ 82,425

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF RETAINED EARNINGS

    Balance at January 1

    $281,960

    $273,197

    $243,939

    Add:

    Consolidated Net income

    31,455

    92,327

    82,425

    313,415

    365,524

    326,364

    Deduct:

    Dividends on capital stock:

    Preferred stock

    5,037

    5,037

    5,037

    Common stock

    59,970

    78,527

    48,130

    Total Deductions

    65,007

    83,564

    53,167

    Balance at December 31

    $248,408

    $281,960

    $273,197

    See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

    F28

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999*

    1998*

    Cash Flows from Operations:

    Consolidated Net Income

    $ 31,455

    $ 92,327

    $ 82,425

    Extraordinary charge, net of taxes

    63,124

            

            

    Income before extraordinary charge

    94,579

    92,327

    82,425

    Depreciation and amortization

    70,508

    60,905

    58,610

    Deferred investment credit and income taxes, net

    7,091

    4,701

    14,827

    Deferred power costs, net

    248

    10,930

    (8,452)

    Unconsolidated subsidiaries' dividends in excess of earnings

    2,774

    2,972

    9,301

    Allowance for other than borrowed funds used during construction

    construction

    (138)

    (1,059)

    (376)

    Internal restructuring liability

     

    (236)

    Write-off of generation project costs

    4,213

    Changes in certain current assets and liabilities:

    Accounts receivable, net

    (42,618)

    (1,082)

    (1,956)

    Accounts receivable from affiliates

    18,523

    (68,621)

    (7,121)

    Materials and supplies

    6,878

    354

    (3,929)

    Accounts payable

    7,605

    16,397

    4,095

    Accounts payable to affiliates

    17,421

    53,354

    8,154

    Prepayments

    (2,560)

    (10,000)

    Taxes accrued

    17,572

    (2,973)

    5,488

    Interest accrued

    3,363

    (1,809)

    (185)

    Other, net

    4,117

    8,865

    140

    205,363

    169,474

    160,785

    Cash Flows used in Investing:

    Construction expenditures (less allowance for other than

    borrowed funds used during construction)

    (82,105)

    (81,424)

    (72,419)

    Acquisition of businesses

    (228,826)

    (96,597)

             

    (310,931)

    (178,021)

    (72,419)

    Cash Flows from (used in) Financing:

    Equity contribution from parent

    162,500

    Issuance of long-term debt

    100,000

    117,013

    85,918

    Repayment of long-term debt

    (65,000)

    (111,690)

    Funds on deposit with trustees

    2,561

    (2,561)

    Short-term debt, net

    21,000

    (49,000)

    (7,829)

    Notes payable to affiliate

    (28,650)

    28,650

    (1,450)

    Notes receivable to affiliate

    (22,004)

    Dividends on capital stock:

    Preferred stock

    (5,037)

    (5,037)

    (5,037)

    Common stock

    (59,970)

    (78,527)

    (48,129)

    105,400

    10,538

    (88,217)

    Net Change in Cash

    (168)

    1,991

    149

    Cash at January 1

    3,826

    1,835

    1,686

    Cash at December 31

    $ 3,658

    $ 3,826

    $ 1,835

    Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

    Cash paid during the year for:

    Interest (net of amount capitalized)

    $ 37,637

    $ 34,076

    $ 33,041

    Income taxes

    41,147

    42,315

    33,361

    Noncash investing and financing activities

    In August 2000, the Company purchased Mountaineer Gas from ECA. The purchase included the assumption of $100.1 million of existing Mountaineer Gas long-term debt.

    *Certain amounts have been reclassified for comparative purposes.

    See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

    F-29

    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

                                    December 31

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999*

    Property, Plant, and Equipment:

       

    Property, plant, and equipment

    $2,512,288

    $2,127,465

    Construction work in progress

    33,476

    46,138

     

    2,545,764

    2,173,603

    Accumulated depreciation

    (1,152,953)

    (958,867)

     

    1,392,811

    1,214,736

    Investments and Other Assets:

       

    Allegheny Generating Company-common stock at equity

    38,980

    41,713

    Excess of cost over net assets acquired

    200,183

    26,325

    Other

    200

    170

     

    239,363

    68,208

    Current Assets:

       

    Cash

    3,658

    3,826

    Accounts receivable:

       

    Electric service

    84,261

    78,977

    Gas

    47,250

     

    Other

    5,385

    1,510

    Affiliates, net

     

    18,523

    Allowance for uncollectible accounts

    (6,347)

    (4,133)

    Notes receivable due within one year

    22,004

     

    Materials and supplies-at average cost:

       

    Operating and construction

    21,617

    22,127

    Fuel

    10,710

    16,049

    Prepaid taxes

    27,830

    23,320

    Prepaid gas

    39,342

    10,000

    Other, including current portion of regulatory assets

    6,573

    4,708

     

    262,283

    174,907

    Deferred Charges:

       

    Regulatory assets

    90,004

    145,176

    Unamortized loss on reacquired debt

    10,983

    16,810

    Other

    10,224

    6,569

     

    111,211

    168,555

    Total

    $2,005,668

    $1,626,406

    CAPITALIZATION:

       

    Common stock, other paid-in capital, and retained earnings

    $ 707,899

    $ 578,951

    Preferred stock

    74,000

    74,000

    Long-term debt and QUIDS

    606,734

    503,741

     

    1,388,633

    1,156,692

    Current Liabilities:

       

    Short-term debt

    37,015

     

    Notes payables to affiliate

     

    28,650

    Long-term debt due within one year

    100,000

    65,000

    Accounts payable

    68,798

    40,016

    Accounts payable to affiliates, net

    17,421

     

    Taxes accrued:

       

    Federal and state income

    6,316

    2,260

    Other

    35,275

    24,235

    Interest accrued

    12,303

    5,883

    Other

    13,726

    11,647

     

    290,854

    177,691

    Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:

       

    Unamortized investment credit

    11,859

    14,007

    Deferred income taxes

    219,647

    248,987

    Obligations under capital leases

    11,143

     

    Regulatory liabilities

    50,231

    13,961

    Other

    33,301

    15,068

     

    326,181

    292,023

    Commitments and Contingencies (Note O)

       

    Total

    $2,005,668

    $1,626,406

    *Certain amounts have been reclassified for comparative purposes.

       

    See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

       

    F-30

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CAPITALIZATION

    DECEMBER 31

    2000

    1999

    2000

    1999

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    (Capitalization

    Ratios)

    Common Stock:

    Common stock-par value $50 per share,

    authorized 8,000,000 share, outstanding

    5,891,000 shares

    $ 294,550

    $ 294,550

    Other paid-in capital

    164,941

    2,441

    Retained earnings

    248,408

    281,960

    Total

    707,899

    578,951

    51.0%

    50.0%

    Preferred Stock:

    Cumulative preferred stock-par value $100 per

    share, authorized 1,500,000 shares,

    outstanding as follows:

    December 31, 2000

    Regular

    Shares

    Call Price

    Series

    Outstanding

    Per Share

    4.40-4.80%

    190,000

    $103.50 to $106.50

    19,000

    19,000

    $5.88-$7.73

    550,000

    $100.00 to $102.86

    55,000

    55,000

    Total (annual dividend requirements $5,037)

    74,000

    74,000

    5.3

    6.4

    Long-Term Debt and QUIDS:

    First mortgage bonds:

    Maturity

    December 31, 2000

    Interest Rate - %

    2000-2002

    7-3/8%

    25,000

    90,000

    2007

    7-1/4%

    25,000

    25,000

    2021-2025

    7-5/8% - 8-5/8%

    160,000

    160,000

    Quarterly Income Debt

    Securities due 2025

    8.00%

    40,000

    40,000

    Secured notes due 2007-2029

    4.70%-7.00%

    81,859

    81,750

    Unsecured notes due 2002-2012

    4.35%-8.09%

    106,060

    6,060

    Installment purchase

    obligations due 2003

    4.50%

    19,100

    19,100

    Medium-term debt due 2003-2010

    5.56%-7.36%

    153,475

    153,475

    Bank senior secured credit facility
    due 2001

    7.21%

    100,000

    Unamortized debt discount and premium, net

    (3,760)

    (4,083)

    Total (annual interest requirements $51,343)

    706,734

    571,302

    Less amounts on deposit with trustees

    (2,561)

    Less current maturities

    (100,000)

    (65,000)

    Total

    606,734

    503,741

    43.7%

    43.6%

    Total Capitalization

    $1,388,633

    $1,156,692

    100.0%

    100.0%

    See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

     

     

    F-31

    NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    (These notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.)

     

    NOTE A: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     

    Monongahela Power Company (the Company) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Allegheny Energy, Inc. (Allegheny Energy) and is a part of the Allegheny Energy integrated electric utility system (the System). The Company expanded its service territory with the acquisition of West Virginia Power Company (West Virginia Power) assets in December 1999 and Mountaineer Gas Company (Mountaineer Gas), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, in August 2000. The Company and its affiliates, The Potomac Edison Company (Potomac Edison) and West Penn Power Company (West Penn), collectively now doing business as Allegheny Power, operate electric transmission and electric and gas distribution systems. Allegheny Power also generates electric energy in regulatory jurisdictions which have not yet deregulated electric generation.

     

    The Company is subject to regulation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Public Service Commission of West Virginia (W.Va. PSC), the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (Ohio PUC), and by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

     

    See Note B and C for significant changes in the West Virginia and Ohio regulatory environment. Certain amounts in the December 31, 1999, consolidated balance sheets and in the December 31, 1999, and 1998 consolidated statement of cash flows have been reclassified for comparative purposes. Significant accounting policies of the Company are summarized below.

     

    Consolidation

    The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, Mountaineer Gas Company, after elimination of intercompany transactions.

     

    Use of Estimates

    The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and disclosures of contingencies during the reporting period, which in the normal course of business are subsequently adjusted to actual results.

     

    Revenues

    Revenues from the sale of electricity and natural gas to customers are recognized in the period that the electricity and gas is delivered and consumed by customers, including an estimate for unbilled revenues.

     

    Natural gas production revenue is recognized as income when the gas is extracted and sold.

     

    Deferred Power Costs, Net

    The costs of fuel, purchased power, and certain other costs, and revenues from sales to other utilities and power marketers, including transmission services, have historically been deferred until they are either recovered from or credited to customers under fuel and energy cost-recovery procedures in West Virginia and Ohio. The Company discontinued this practice in West Virginia, effective July 1, 2000. Effective, January 1, 2001, a fuel clause ceased to exist for the Company's Ohio jurisdiction.

     

    Gas supply costs incurred, including the cost of gas transmission and transportation, within the former West Virginia Power territory, acquired in 1999, are deferred until they are either recovered from or credited to customers under a Purchased Gas Adjustment clause in effect for this operation in West Virginia. The cost of gas for Mountaineer Gas is expensed as incurred.

     

    Property, Plant, and Equipment

    Property, plant, and equipment are stated at original cost. Costs include direct labor and materials; allowance for funds used during construction on regulated property for which construction work in progress is not included in rate base; and indirect costs such as administration, maintenance, and depreciation of transportation and construction equipment, postretirement benefits, taxes, and other benefits related to employees engaged in construction.

    F-32

     

    As required by Emergency Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 97-4, "Deregulation of the Pricing of Electricity - Issues Related to the Application of FASB Statement Nos. 71 and 101," the Company discontinued the application of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation," for its West Virginia jurisdictions' electric generation operations in the first quarter of 2000 and for its Ohio jurisdictions' electric generation operations in the fourth quarter of 2000. Unregulated property, plant and equipment are stated at original cost. The cost and accumulated depreciation of property, plant, and equipment retired or otherwise disposed of are removed from the related accounts and included in the determination of the gain or loss on disposition.

     

    Upon retirement, the cost of depreciable regulated property, plus removal costs less salvage, are charged to accumulated depreciation in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 71.

     

    The Company capitalizes the cost of software developed for internal use. These costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of the software beginning upon a project's completion.

    The Company accounts for its natural gas exploration and production activities under the successful efforts method of accounting.

     

    The Company consolidates its proportionate interest in its joint owned electric utility power plants.

     

    Intercompany Receivables and Payables

     

    The Company has various operating transactions with affiliates. It is the Company's policy that the affiliated receivable and payable balances outstanding from these transactions are presented net on the consolidated balance sheet and consolidated statement of cash flows.

     

    Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC) and Capitalized Interest

    AFUDC, an item that does not represent current cash income, is defined in applicable regulatory systems of accounts as including "the net cost for the period of construction of borrowed funds used for construction purposes and a reasonable rate on other funds when so used." AFUDC is recognized as a cost

    of property, plant, and equipment. Rates used for computing AFUDC in 2000, 1999, and 1998 averaged 7.83 percent, 8.26 percent, and 6.56 percent, respectively. AFUDC is not included in the cost of construction when the cost of financing the construction is being recovered through rates.

    For construction, which began after April 1, 2000, the Company capitalizes interest costs in accordance with SFAS No. 34, "Capitalizing Interest Costs." The interest capitalization rate in 2000 was 7.07 percent.

     

    Depreciation and Maintenance

    Depreciation expense is determined generally on a straight-line method based on estimated service lives of depreciable properties and amounted to approximately 3.3% of average depreciable property in 2000 and 3.1% in each of the years 1999 and 1998.

     

    Maintenance expenses represent costs incurred to maintain the power stations, the transmission and distribution (T&D) system, and general plant and reflect routine maintenance of equipment and rights-of-way, as well as planned repairs and unplanned expenditures, primarily from forced outages at the power stations and periodic storm damage to the T&D system. Maintenance costs are expensed in the year incurred. Power station maintenance costs are expensed within the year based on estimated annual costs and estimated generation. T&D rights-of-way vegetation control costs are expensed within the year based on estimated annual costs and estimated sales. Power station maintenance accruals and T&D rights-of-way vegetation control accruals are not intended to accrue for future years' costs.

     

    Investments

    The Company records the acquisition cost in excess of fair value of assets acquired, less liabilities assumed, as an investment in goodwill. Goodwill related to the acquisition of Mountaineer Gas in August 2000 and West Virginia Power in December 1999 is being amortized over 40 years.

    F-33

     

    Temporary Cash Investments

    For purposes of the consolidated statement of cash flows, temporary cash investments with original maturities of three months or less, generally in the form of commercial paper, certificates of deposit, and repurchase agreements, are considered to be the equivalent of cash.

     

    Regulatory Assets and Liabilities

    In accordance with SFAS No. 71, the Company's consolidated financial statements include certain assets and liabilities resulting from cost-based ratemaking regulation.

     

    Income Taxes

    The companies join with their parent, Allegheny Energy, and affiliates in filing a consolidated federal income tax return. The consolidated tax liability is allocated among the participants generally in proportion to the taxable income of each participant, except that no subsidiary pays tax in excess of its separate return tax liability.

     

    Financial accounting income before income taxes differs from taxable income principally because certain income and deductions for tax purposes are recorded in the financial income statement in another period. Deferred tax assets and liabilities represent the tax effect of temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities computed using the most current tax rates.

     

    The Company has deferred the tax benefit of investment tax credits. Investment tax credits are amortized over the estimated service lives of the related properties.

     

    Postretirement Benefits

    All of the employees of Allegheny Energy, except for Mountaineer Gas employees, are employed by Allegheny Energy Service Corporation (AESC), which performs services at cost for the Company and its affiliates in accordance with the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA). Through AESC, the Company is responsible for its proportionate share of postretirement benefit costs.

     

    AESC provides a noncontributory, defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees, including officers. Benefits are based on the employee's years of service and compensation. The funding policy is to contribute annually at least the minimum amount required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and not more than can be deducted for federal income tax purposes. Plan assets consist of equity securities, fixed income securities, short-term investments, and insurance contracts.

     

    AESC also provides partially contributory medical and life insurance plans for eligible retirees and dependents. Medical benefits, which make up the largest component of the plans, are based upon an age and years-of-service vesting schedule and other plan provisions. Subsidized medical coverage is not provided in retirement to employees hired on or after January 1, 1993. The funding policy is to contribute the maximum amount that can be deducted for federal income tax purposes. Funding of these benefits is made primarily into Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association trust funds. Medical benefits are self-insured. The life insurance plan is paid through insurance premiums.

     

    Effective August 18, 2000, the Mountaineer Gas plan was merged with the AESC plan, and the pension plan assets were transferred to the AESC plan. The formula for pension benefits changed for nonunion employees but remained unchanged for union employees. For postretirement benefits other than pensions, Mountaineer Gas nonunion employees became eligible for the benefits provided by AESC on January 1, 2001, and union employees continued their coverage under Mountaineer Gas provisions. The employees remained employees of Mountaineer Gas through December 31, 2000, at which time they were transferred to AESC.

     

    Comprehensive Income

    SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," effective for 1998, established standards for reporting comprehensive income and its components (revenues, expenses, gains, and losses) in the consolidated financial statements. The Company does not have any elements of other comprehensive income to report in accordance with SFAS No. 130.

    F-34

    NOTE B: INDUSTRY RESTRUCTURING

     

    West Virginia Deregulation 

    The West Virginia Legislature passed House Concurrent Resolution 27 on March 11, 2000, approving an electric deregulation plan submitted by the W.Va. PSC with certain modifications. Further action by the Legislature, including the enactment of certain tax changes regarding preservation of tax revenues for state and local government, is required prior to the implementation of the restructuring plan for customer choice. The Company expects that implementation of the deregulation plan will occur if the Legislature approves the necessary tax law changes. Among the provisions of the plan are the following:

    * Customer choice will begin for all customers when the plan is implemented.

    * Rates for electricity service will be unbundled at current levels and capped for four years, with power supply rates transitioning to market rates over the next six years for residential and small commercial customers.

    * After year seven, the power supply rate for large commercial and industrial customers will no longer be regulated.

    * The Company is permitted to file a petition seeking W.Va. PSC approval to transfer its West Virginia jurisdictional generating assets (approximately 2,004 MW) to Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC (Allegheny Energy Supply), an unregulated affiliate, at book value. Also, based on a final order issued by the W.Va. PSC on June 23, 2000, the West Virginia jurisdictional assets of the Company's affiliate, Potomac Edison, were transferred to Allegheny Energy Supply at book value in August 2000.

    * The Company will recover the cost of its nonutility generation contracts through a series of surcharges applied to all customers over 10 years.

    * Large commercial and industrial customers received a three percent rate reduction, effective July 1, 2000.

    * A special "Rate Stabilization" account of $56.7 million has been established for residential and small business customers to mitigate the effect of the market price of power as determined by the W.Va. PSC.

    Ohio Deregulation

     

    On October 5, 2000, the Ohio PUC approved a settlement to implement a restructuring plan for the Company. The plan will allow the Company's approximately 29,000 Ohio customers to choose their electricity suppliers starting January 1, 2001. Below are the highlights of the plan.

     

    * The Company will be permitted to transfer approximately 352 MW of Ohio jurisdictional generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply at net book value on or after January 1, 2001.

    * Residential customers will receive a five percent reduction in the generation portion of their electric bills during a five-year market development period, beginning on January 1, 2001. These rates will be frozen for five years.

    * For commercial and industrial customers, existing generation rates will be frozen at the current rates for the market development period, which begins on January 1, 2001. The market development period is three years for large commercial and industrial customers and five years for small commercial customers.

    * The Company will collect from shopping customers a regulatory transition charge of $0.0008 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for the market development period.

    * Allegheny Energy Supply will be permitted to offer competitive generation service throughout Ohio.

    * Additional taxes resulting from the competition legislation will be deferred for up to two years as a regulatory asset.

    NOTE C: ACCOUNTING FOR THE EFFECTS OF DEREGULATION

     

    In 1997, the EITF issued No. 97-4, providing that when a rate order that contains sufficient detail for the enterprise to reasonably determine how the transition plan will affect the separable portion of its business whose pricing is being deregulated is issued, the entity should cease to apply SFAS No. 71 to that separable portion of its business.

     

    As required by EITF 97-4, the Company discontinued the application of SFAS No. 71 for its West Virginia jurisdictions' electric generation operations in the first quarter of 2000 and for its Ohio jurisdictions' electric generation operations in the fourth quarter of 2000. The Company recorded an after-tax charge of $63.1 million, to reflect the unrecoverable net regulatory assets that will not be collected from customers and to record a rate stabilization obligation. This charge is classified as an extraordinary charge under the provisions of SFAS No. 101, "Accounting for the Discontinuation of Application of FASB Statement No. 71."

    F-35

       

    (Millions of Dollars)

    Gross

    Net-of-Tax

         

    Unrecoverable regulatory assets

    $ 62.2

    $37.4

    Rate stabilization obligation

    42.7

    25.7

    Total 2000 extraordinary charge

    $104.9

    $63.1

    The consolidated balance sheet for 2000 includes the amounts listed below for generating assets not subject to SFAS No. 71. In 1999, the Company's generating assets were subject to SFAS No. 71.

     

    December

     

    (Millions of Dollars)

    2000

     
         

    Property, plant, and equipment at original cost

    $1,002.2

    Amounts under construction included above

    19.0

    Accumulated depreciation

    545.4

      

    NOTE D: ACQUISITIONS

     

    On August 18, 2000, the Company completed the purchase of Mountaineer Gas, a natural gas sales, transportation, and distribution company serving southern West Virginia and the northern and eastern panhandles of West Virginia, from Energy Corporation of America (ECA). The acquisition included the assets of Mountaineer Gas Services, which operates natural gas-producing properties, natural gas-gathering facilities, and intrastate transmission pipelines. The acquisition increased the Company's number of gas customers in West Virginia by about 200,000 in a region where the Company already provides energy services.

     

    The Company acquired Mountaineer Gas for approximately $326 million, which includes the assumption of $100.1 million of existing long-term debt. The acquisition has been recorded using the purchase method of accounting. The table below shows the allocation of the purchase price to assets and liabilities acquired:

    (Millions of Dollars)

    Purchase Price

    $325.7

    Direct costs of the acquisition

    3.9

    Total acquisition cost

    329.6

    Less assets acquired:

     

    Utility plant

    300.5

    Accumulated depreciation

    (144.8)

    Utility plant, net

    155.7

    Investments and other assets

     

    Current assets

    47.8

    Deferred charges

    12.6

    Total assets acquired (excluding goodwill)

    216.1

    Add liabilities assumed:

    Current liabilities

    50.1

    Deferred credits and other liabilities

    12.4

    Total liabilities assumed

    62.5

    Excess of cost over net assets acquired

    $176.0

    The Company is amortizing the excess of cost over net assets acquired on a straight-line basis over 40 years. The Company's acquisition of Mountaineer Gas is immaterial for the purpose of providing the supplemental disclosures required by Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 16, "Business Combinations."

    F-36

     

    In December 1999, the Company acquired the assets of West Virginia Power for approximately $95 million. In conjunction with this acquisition, the Company purchased the assets of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning business for $2.1 million. The acquisition increased property, plant, and equipment and accumulated depreciation by $105 million and $35.4 million, respectively. Also, $27.5 million was recorded as the excess of cost over net assets acquired and is being amortized on a straight-line basis over 40 years.

     

    NOTE E: INCOME TAXES

     

    Details of federal and state income tax provisions are:

           

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

    1998

           

    Income taxes-current:

         

    Federal

    $36,324

    $27,391

    $26,457

    State

    9,069

    8,637

    8,135

    Total

    $45,393

    $36,028

    $34,592

    Income taxes-deferred, net of amortization

    9,239

    6,849

    16,971

    Income taxes-deferred, extraordinary charge

    (41,720)

       

    Amortization of deferred investment credit

    (2,148)

    (2,148)

    (2,144)

    Total income taxes

    10,764

    40,729

    49,419

    Income taxes-(charged) credited to other income

         

    deductions

    (1,845)

    (289)

    37

    Income taxes - credited to

    extraordinary charge.

    41,720

           

           

    Income taxes-charged to operating income

    $50,639

    $40,440

    $49,456

    The total provision for income taxes is different from the amount produced by applying the federal income statutory tax rate of 35 percent to financial accounting income, as set forth below:

     

    Details of federal and state income tax provisions are:

           

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

    1998

           

    Income before income taxes and extraordinary

    charge, net

    $145,218

    $132,769

    $131,881

    Amount so produced

    $ 50,826

    $ 46,469

    $ 46,158

    Increased (decreased) for:

    Tax deductions for which deferred tax was not provided:

    Lower tax depreciation

    4,228

    1,077

    1,800

    Plant removal costs

    (3,756)

    (2,935)

    (2,600)

    State income tax, net of federal income ax benefit

    5,977

    4,968

    4,400

    Amortization of deferred investment credit

    (2,148)

    (2,148)

    (2,144)

    Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

    (2,053)

    (1,984)

    (2,100)

    Other, net

    (2,435)

    (5,007)

    3,942

    Total

    $ 50,639

    $ 40,440

    $49,456

    The provision for income taxes for the extraordinary charge is different from the amount produced by multiplying the federal income statutory tax rate of 35 percent to the gross amount, as set forth below:

    F-37

     

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    Extraordinary charge before income taxes

    $104,843

    Amount so produced

    $ 36,695

    Increased for state income tax, net of federal income tax benefit

    5,025

    Total

    $ 41,720

    Federal income tax returns through 1995 have been examined and settled.

     

    At December 31, the deferred tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following:

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

    Deferred tax assets:

    Unamortized investment tax credit

    $ 7,164

    $ 9,264

    Tax interest capitalized

    3,875

    4,216

    Contributions in aid of construction

    3,165

    3,069

    Advances for construction

    2,172

    2,024

    Internal restructuring

    1,810

    1,810

    Deferred power costs, net

    2,122

    2,254

    Asset impairment

    21,212

    Other post employment benefits

    6,307

    4,433

    Prior flow through items

    6,217

    4,697

    Other

    17,264

    7,150

    71,308

    38,917

    Deferred tax liabilities:

    Book vs. tax plant basis differences, net

    248,592

    248,801

    Other

    40,425

    36,842

    289,017

    285,643

    Total net deferred tax liabilities

    217,709

    246,726

    Portion above included in current assets

    1,938

    2,261

    Total long-term net deferred tax liabilities

    $219,647

    $248,987

    NOTE F: DIVIDEND RESTRICTION

     

    Supplemental indentures relating to certain outstanding bonds of the Company contain dividend restrictions under the most restrictive of which $76,384,000 of the Company's retained earnings at December 31, 2000, is not available for cash dividends on common stock, except that a portion thereof may be paid as cash dividends where concurrently an equivalent amount of cash is received by the Company as a capital contribution or as the proceeds of the issue and sale of shares of its common stock.

     

    NOTE G: ALLEGHENY GENERATING COMPANY

     

    The Company owns 27% of the common stock of Allegheny Generating Company (AGC), and an affiliate of the Company owns the remainder. AGC is reported by the Company in its consolidated financial statements using the equity method of accounting. AGC owns an undivided 40% interest, 840 MW, in the 2,100-MW pumped-storage hydroelectric station in Bath County, Virginia, operated by the 60% owner, Virginia Electric and Power Company, a nonaffiliated utility.

    F-38

     

    AGC recovers from the Company and its affiliates all of its operation and maintenance expenses, depreciation, taxes, and a return on its investment under a wholesale rate schedule approved by the FERC. AGC's rates are set by a formula filed with and previously accepted by the FERC. The only component which changes is the return on equity (ROE). Pursuant to a settlement agreement filed April 4, 1996, with the FERC, AGC's ROE was set at 11% for 1996 and will continue until the time any affected party seeks renegotiation of the ROE.

     

    Following is a summary of financial information for AGC:

    December 31

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

    Balance sheet information:

    Property, plant, and equipment

    $585,734

    $601,717

    Current assets

    2,457

    7,261

    Deferred charges

    13,854

    11,905

    Total assets

    $602,045

    $620,883

    Total capitalization

    $293,415

    $303,422

    Current liabilities

    62,861

    65,463

    Deferred credits

    245,769

    251,998

    Total capitalization and liabilities

    $602,045

    $620,883

    Year Ended December 31

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

    1998

    Income statement information:

    Electric operating revenues

    $70,027

    $70,592

    $73,816

    Operation and maintenance expense

    5,653

    5,023

    4,592

    Depreciation

    16,960

    16,980

    16,949

    Taxes other than income taxes

    4,962

    4,510

    4,662

    Federal income taxes

    7,361

    9,997

    10,959

    Interest charges

    13,495

    13,261

    13,987

    Other income, net

    (283)

    (394)

    (86)

    Net income

    $21,879

    $21,215

    $22,753

    The Company's share of the equity in earnings was $5.9 million, $5.7 million, and $6.1 million for 2000, 1999, and 1998, respectively, and is included in other income, net, on the Company's consolidated statement of operations.

    NOTE H: POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

     

    As described in Note A, the Company is responsible for its proportionate share of the cost of the pension plan and medical and life insurance plans for eligible employees and dependents provided by AESC. The Company's share of the (credits) costs of these plans, a portion of which (approximately 20 percent) was credited or charged to plant construction, is shown below:

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

    1998

           

    Pension

    $(1,297)

    $(1,037)

    $ (356)

    Medical and life insurance

    $ 4,039

    $ 4,806

    $5,421

    F-39

     

    In addition, the Company was responsible for the Mountaineer Gas pension plan and medical and life insurance plan costs from August 18 through December 31, 2000, at which time they were transferred to AESC.

     

    Net periodic cost for pension and postretirement benefits other than pensions (principally health care and life insurance) for employees and covered dependents from August 18 through December 31 included the following components:

     

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    Pension Benefits

    Postretirement Benefits

    Other Than Pensions

     

    2000

    2000

    Components of net periodic cost:

       

    Service cost

    $270

    $203

    Interest cost

    927

    236

    Expected return on plan assets

    (873)

        

    Net Periodic cost

    $324

    $439

    The discount rate and rate of compensation increases used in determining the benefit obligations at September 30, 2000, and the expected long-term rate of return on assets in 2000 were as follows:

     

    2000

    2000

    Discount rate

    7.75%

    7.75%

    Expected return on plan assets

    9.00%

    9.00%

    Rate of compensation increase

    4.50%

    4.50%

    For postretirement benefits other than pension measurement purposes, a health care cost trend rate of 6.5 percent for 2001 and beyond and plan provisions which limit future medical and life insurance benefits were assumed. Because of the plan provisions which limit future benefits, the assumed health care cost trend rate has a limited effect on the amounts reported. A one-percentage-point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate would have the following effects:

     

     

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    1-Percentage-Point Increase

    1-Percentage-Point

    Decrease

    Effect on total of service and interest

    cost components

    $ 32

    $ (36)

    Effect on postretirement benefit

    obligation

    124

    (129)

    The amounts accrued at December 31, 2000 using a measurement date of September 30, 2000, included the following components:

    F-40

     

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    Pension Benefits

    Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions

     

    2000

    2000

    Change in benefit obligation:

    Benefit obligation at date of acquisition

    $33,521

    $9,446

    Service cost

    270

    203

    Interest cost

    927

    236

    Plan amendments

    132

     

    Actuarial gain

    (1,967)

    (1,293)

    Benefits paid

    (147)

           

    Benefit obligation at

    December 31

    32,736

    8,592

    Change in plan assets:

       

    Fair value of plan assets at

    beginning of period

    26,741

     

    Actual return on plan assets

    (24)

     

    Benefits paid

    (147)

          

    Fair value of plan assets at

    December 31

    26,570

          

    Plan assets less than benefit

    obligation

    6,166

    8,592

    Unrecognized net actuarial gain

    1,070

    1,293

    Unrecognized prior service cost

    (132)

    Fourth quarter contributions and

    benefit payments

    (324)

    (54)

    Accrued at December 31

    $6,780

    $9,831

    The accrued liabilities at December 31, 2000, for pension and postretirement benefits other than pensions of $6,780 and $9,831 respectively, will be transferred to AESC in the first quarter of 2001.

    NOTE I: REGULATORY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

     

    The Company's electric and gas T&D operations are subject to the provisions of SFAS No. 71. Regulatory assets represent probable future revenues associated with deferred costs that are expected to be recovered from customers through the ratemaking process. Regulatory liabilities represent probable future reductions in revenues associated with amounts that are to be credited to customers through the ratemaking process. Regulatory assets, net of regulatory liabilities, reflected in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31 relate to:

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

    Long-term assets (liabilities), net:

    Income taxes, net

    $ 82,753

    $124,028

    Postretirement benefits

    4,937

    Rate stabilization deferral

    (42,650)

    Other, net

    (330)

    2,250

    Subtotal

    39,773

    131,215

    Current assets (liabilities), net (reported in other

    current assets/liabilities):

    Income taxes, net

    1,068

    1,847

    Deferred power costs, net

    (3,943)

    (5,021)

    Subtotal

    (2,875)

    (3,174)

    Net Regulatory Assets

    $ 36,898

    $128,041

    See Note B for a discussion of deregulation plans in West Virginia and Ohio.

     

    NOTE J: FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

     

    The carrying amounts and estimated fair value of financial instruments at December 31 were as follows:

     

    2000

    1999

     

    Carrying

    Fair

    Carrying

    Fair

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    Amount

    Value

    Amount

    Value

             

    Liabilities:

           

    Short-term debt

    $ 37,015

    $ 37,015

    $ 28,650

    $ 28,650

    Long-term debt and QUIDS

    710,494

    716,008

    575,385

    547,872

       

       

    The carrying amount of temporary cash investments, as well as short-term debt, approximates the fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments. The fair value of long-term debt and QUIDS was estimated based on actual market prices or market prices of similar issues. The Company had no financial instruments held or issued for trading purposes.

    F-41

     

    NOTE K: CAPITALIZATION

     

    Preferred Stock

    All of the preferred stock is entitled on voluntary liquidation to its then current call price and on involuntary liquidation to $100 a share.

     

    Long-Term Debt and QUIDS

    Maturities for long-term debt in thousands of dollars for the next five years are: 2001, $100,000; 2002, $27,060; 2003, $62,575; 2004, none; and 2005, none. Substantially all of the properties of the Company are held subject to the lien securing its first mortgage bonds. Some properties are also subject to a second lien securing certain pollution control and solid waste disposal notes. Certain first mortgage bonds series are not redeemable by certain refunding until dates established in the respective supplemental indentures.

     

    The Company's $65 million of 5 5/8% series first mortgage bonds matured April 1, 2000.

     

    On August 18, 2000, the Company borrowed $61.0 million, under a senior credit facility, at a rate of 7.18% with a maturity of November 20, 2000. On November 20, 2000, the Company paid off the original $61 million borrowing and borrowed $100 million at a rate of 7.21% with a maturity of May 21, 2001. The facility will be transferred to Allegheny Energy Supply concurrent with the transfer of the Company's West Virginia generating assets.

     

    On August 18, 2000, the Company's parent issued $165.0 million aggregate principal amount of its 7.75% notes due August 1, 2005. The Company's parent contributed $162.5 million of the proceeds from its financing to the Company. The Company used the proceeds from its parent, and the $61 million borrowed under the senior note credit facility (as discussed above) in connection with the purchase of Mountaineer Gas.

    As part of the purchase of Mountaineer Gas on August 18, 2000, the Company assumed $100.1 million of existing Mountaineer Gas debt. This debt consists of several senior unsecured notes and a promissory note with fixed interest rates between 7.00% and 8.09%, and maturity dates between April 1, 2009, and October 31, 2019.

     

    NOTE L: SHORT-TERM DEBT

     

    To provide interim financing and support for outstanding commercial paper, the Company has established lines of credit with several banks. The Company has SEC authorization for total short-term borrowings of $206 million, including money pool borrowings described below. The Company has fee arrangements on all of its lines of credit and no compensating balance requirements.

     

    In addition to bank lines of credit, an Allegheny Energy internal money pool accommodates intercompany short-term borrowing needs to the Company, to the extent that Allegheny Energy and its regulated subsidiaries have funds available. The money pool provides funds to approved Allegheny Energy subsidiaries at the lower of the previous day's Federal Funds Effective Interest Rate, as quoted by the Federal Reserve, or the previous day's seven-day commercial paper rate, as quoted by the same source, less four basis points. Short-term debt outstanding for 2000 and 1999 consisted of:

    F-42

     

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

    Balance and interest rate at end of

    Year:

    Notes payable to banks

    $37,015-6.90%

    Money pool

    $28,650-4.88%

    Average amount outstanding and interest

    Rate during the year:

    Commercial paper

    1,004-6.35%

    1,156-4.79%

    Notes payable to banks

    3,184-6.28%

    5,636-5.05%

    Money pool

    13,660-6.32%

    2,009-5.05%

    NOTE M: BUSINESS SEGEMENTS

     

    The Company's principal operating segment is regulated operations. The regulated operations segment, previously referred to as the utility segment, operates electric transmission and distribution systems and natural gas distribution systems in regulatory jurisdictions which have not yet implemented deregulation of electric generation.

     

    In addition, the Company is engaged in the generation and sale of electric energy.

     

    NOTE N: RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION

     

    All of the employees of Allegheny Energy are employed by AESC, which performs services at cost for the Company and its affiliates in accordance with the PUHCA. Through AESC, the Company is responsible for its proportionate share of services provided by AESC. The total billings by AESC (including capital) to the Company for each of the years of 2000, 1999, and 1998 were $144.7 million, $115.4 million, and $95.6 million, respectively. The Company buys power from and sells power to its affiliates at tariff rates approved by the FERC.

     

    Certain generating assets are owned jointly by the Company and its partially owned affiliate, Allegheny Generating Company, as tenants in common. The assets are operated by the Company, with each of the owners being entitled to the available energy output and capacity in proportion to its ownership in the asset. In 2000, the Company's share of the cost of generating stations was $438.7 million.

     

    NOTE O: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

     

    Construction Program

    The Company has entered into commitments for its construction programs, for which expenditures are estimated to be $109.9 million for 2001 and $111.5 million for 2002. Construction expenditure levels in 2003 and beyond will depend upon, among other things, the strategy eventually selected for complying with Phase II of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (CAAA) and the extent to which environmental initiatives currently being considered become mandated. The Company estimates that its management of emission allowances will allow it to comply with Phase II sulfur dioxide (SO2) limits through 2005. Studies to evaluate cost-effective options to comply with Phase II SO2 limits beyond 2005, including those available in connection with the emission allowance trading market, are continuing.

     

    Environmental Matters and Litigation 

    The Company is subject to various laws, regulations, and uncertainties as to environmental matters. Compliance may require the Company to incur substantial additional costs to modify or replace existing and proposed equipment and facilities and may adversely affect the cost of future operations.

    F-43

     

    The Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) nitrogen oxides (NOX) State Implementation Plan (SIP) call regulation has been under litigation and, on March 3, 2000, the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision that basically upheld the regulation. However, state and industry litigants filed an appeal of that decision in April 2000. On June 23, 2000, the Court denied the request for the appeal. Although the Court did issue an order to delay the compliance date from May 1, 2003, until May 31, 2004, both the Maryland and Pennsylvania state rules to implement the EPA NOX SIP call regulation still require compliance by May 1, 2003. West Virginia has issued a proposed rule that would postpone compliance until May 1, 2005. However, the EPA Section 126 petition regulation also requires the same level of NOX reductions as the EPA NOX SIP call regulation with a May 1, 2003, compliance date. The EPA Section 126 petition rule is also under litigation in the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals, with a decision expected in the first half of 2001. The Company's compliance with such stringent regulations will require the installation of expensive post-combustion control technologies on most of its power stations. The Company's construction forecast includes the expenditure of $103.6 million of capital costs during the 2001 through 2004 period to comply with these regulations. Approximately $16.8 million was spent in 2000.

     

    On August 2, 2000, Allegheny Energy received a letter from the EPA requiring it to provide certain information on 10 of its electric generating stations: Albright, Armstrong, Fort Martin, Harrison, Hatfield's Ferry, Mitchell, Pleasants, Rivesville, R. Paul Smith, and Willow Island. Allegheny Energy Supply and the Company now own these electric generating stations. The letter requested information under Section 114 of the federal Clean Air Act to determine compliance with federal Clean Air Act and state implementation plan requirements, including potential application of federal New Source Performance Standards. In general, such standards can require the installation of additional air pollution control equipment upon the major modification of an existing facility. Allegheny Energy submitted those records in January 2001. The eventual outcome of the EPA investigation is unknown.

     

    Similar inquiries have been made of other electric utilities and have resulted in enforcement proceedings being brought in many cases. The Company believes its generating facilities have been operating in accordance with the Clean Air Act and the rules implementing the Act. The experience of other utilities, however, suggests that, in recent years, the EPA may well have revised its interpretation of the rules regarding the determination of whether an action at a facility constitutes routine maintenance, which would not trigger the requirements of the New Source Performance Standards, or a major modification of the facility, which would require compliance with the New Source Performance Standards. If federal New Source Performance Standards were to be applied to these generating stations, in addition to the possible imposition of fines, compliance would entail significant expenditures. In connection with the deregulation of generation, the Company has agreed to rate caps in each of its jurisdictions, and there are no provisions under those arrangements to increase rates to cover such expenditures.

     

    In December 2000, the EPA issued a decision to regulate coal- and oil-fired electric utility mercury emissions under Title III, Section 112 of the 1990 CAAA. The EPA plans to issue a proposed regulation by December 2003 and a final regulation by December 2004. The timing and level of required mercury emission reductions are unknown at this time.

     

    On March 4, 1994, the Company, Potomac Edison, and West Penn received notice that the EPA had identified them as potentially responsible parties (PRPs) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, with respect to a Superfund Site. There are approximately 175 other PRPs involved. A final determination has not been made for the Company's share of the remediation costs based on the amount of materials sent to the site. However, Allegheny Energy estimates that its share of the cleanup liability will not exceed $1 million, which has been accrued as a liability at December 31, 2000.

     

    The Company, Potomac Edison, and West Penn have also been named as defendants along with multiple other defendants in pending asbestos cases involving multiple plaintiffs. While the Company believes that all of the cases are without merit, the Company cannot predict the outcome of the litigation. The Company has accrued a reserve of $2.1 million as of December 31, 2000, related to the asbestos cases as the potential cost to settle the cases to avoid the anticipated cost of defense.

     

    The Attorney General of the State of New York and the Attorney General of the State of Connecticut in their letters dated September 15, 1999, and November 3, 1999, respectively, notified the Company of their intent to commence civil actions against the Company or certain of its affiliates alleging violations at the Fort Martin Power Station under the federal Clean Air Act, which requires existing power plants that make major modifications to comply with the same emission standards applicable to new power plants. Other governmental authorities may commence similar actions in the future. Fort Martin is a station located in West Virginia and is now jointly owned by Allegheny Energy Supply and the Company. Both Attorneys General stated their intent to seek injunctive relief and penalties. In addition, the Attorney General of the State of New York in his letter indicated that he may assert claims under the State common law of public nuisance seeking to recover, among other things, compensation for alleged environmental damage caused in New York by the operation of Fort Martin Power Station. At this time, the Company and its affiliates are not able to determine what effect, if any, these actions threatened by the Attorneys General of New York and Connecticut may have on them.

    F44

     

    In the normal course of business, the Company becomes involved in various legal proceedings. The Company does not believe that the ultimate outcome of these proceedings will have a material effect on their financial position.

    Leases 

     

    The Company has capital and operating lease agreements with various terms and expiration dates, primarily for vehicles, computer equipment, and communication lines.

     

    At December 31, 2000, obligations under capital leases were as follows:

    (Thousands of Dollars)

     

    Present value of minimum lease payments

    $14,438

    Obligations under capital leases due within one year

    3,295

     

    Obligations under capital leases non-current

    $11,143

    The carrying amount of assets recorded under capitalized lease agreements included in property, plant, and equipment at December 31 consist of the following:

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

    Equipment

    $13,697

    Building

    741

    $ .7

    Property held under capital leases

    $14,438

    $ .7

    Total capital and operating lease rent payments of $13.4 million in 2000, and $12.0 million in 1999 were recorded as rent expense in accordance with SFAS No. 71. Estimated minimum lease payments for capital and operating leases with annual rent over $100,000 and initial or remaining lease term in excess of one year are $7.9 million in 2001, $5.3 million in 2002, $3.7 million in 2003, $2.9 million in 2004, and $2.3 million in 2005, and $5.6 million thereafter.

     

    Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA)

    Under PURPA, certain municipalities and private developers have installed generating facilities at various locations in the Company's service area, and sell electric capacity and energy to the Company at rates consistent with PURPA and as ordered by the W.Va. PSC. The Company is presently committed to purchase 159 MW of PURPA generation. Payments for PURPA capacity and energy in 2000 totaled approximately $70.7 million, resulting in an average cost to the Company of 5.4 cents/kWh.

     

    The table below reflects the Company's estimated commitments for energy and capacity purchases under PURPA contracts as of December 31, 2000. Actual values can vary substantially depending upon future conditions.

    Estimated Energy and Capacity Purchase Commitments

     

     

    MWh

    Amount

    (Thousands

    of dollars)

    2001

    1,302,552

    $ 67,197

    2002

    1,302,552

    67,265

    2003

    1,302,552

    57,386

    2004

    1,305,468

    54,474

    2005

    1,302,552

    54,591

    Thereafter

    30,199,824

    1,383,458

    F-45

     

    Fuel Commitments

     

    The Company has entered into various long-term commitments for the procurement of fuels, primarily coal, to supply its generating plants. In most cases, these contracts contain provisions for price escalations, minimum purchase levels, and other financial commitments. The Company's fuel purchases totaled $150.6 million and $145.2 million in 2000 and 1999, respectively. In 2000, the Company purchased approximately 30% of its fuel from one vendor. Total estimated long-term fuel obligations at December 31, 2000, for the next five years were as follows:

     

    Estimated Fuel Purchase Commitments

     

    Amount

    (Thousands

    of dollars)

    2001

    $ 45,480

    2002

     

    36,212

    2003

     

    32,343

    2004

     

    31,309

    2005

     

    23,954

    Total

     

    169,298

    F-46

     

     

     

    REPORT OF MANAGEMENT

     

    The management of the Company is responsible for the information and representations in the Company's financial statements. The Company prepares the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America based upon available facts and circumstances and management's best estimates and judgments of known conditions.

    The Company maintains an accounting system and related system of internal controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that the financial records are accurate and that the Company's assets are protected. The Company's staff of internal auditors conducts periodic reviews designed to assist management in maintaining the effectiveness of internal control procedures. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent accounting firm, audits the financial statements and expresses its opinion on them. The independent accountants perform their audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America.

    The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, which consists of outside Directors, meets periodically with management, internal auditors, and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to review the activities of each in discharging their responsibilities. The internal audit staff and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP have free access to all of the Company's records and to the Audit Committee.

     

     

    Alan J. Noia,

    Thomas J. Kloc,

    Chairman and

    Controller

    Chief Executive Officer

     

     

    F-47

    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

     

    To the Board of Directors and the Shareholder

    of Monongahela Power Company

     

    In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of capitalization and the related consolidated statements of operations, retained earnings and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Monongahela Power Company (a subsidiary of Allegheny Energy, Inc.) and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2000 and 1999, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2000, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

     
     
     

    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

     
     
     

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

    February 12, 2001

     

     

     

     

    F-48

    The Potomac Edison Company

    and Subsidiaries

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

     

    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

    1998

    Electric Operating Revenues:

         

    Residential

    $332,065

    $330,299

    $309,058

    Commercial

    163,800

    168,469

    156,973

    Industrial

    207,369

    212,205

    206,638

    Wholesale and other, including affiliates

    78,023

    17,712

    38,426

    Bulk power transactions, net

    46,562

    24,572

    26,399

    Total Operating Revenues

    827,819

    753,257

    737,494

    Operating Expenses:

         

    Operation:

         

    Fuel

    81,910

    138,194

    143,124

    Purchased power and exchanges, net

    339,561

    127,010

    138,277

    Deferred power costs, net

    (16,786)

    30,650

    1,812

    Other

    119,413

    100,299

    86,785

    Maintenance

    41,423

    57,257

    52,186

    Depreciation and amortization

    61,394

    75,917

    74,344

    Taxes other than income taxes

    46,892

    50,924

    49,567

    Federal and state income taxes

    33,222

    37,284

    52,603

    Total Operating Expenses

    707,029

    617,535

    598,698

    Operating Income

    120,790

    135,722

    138,796

           

    Other Income and Deductions:

         

    Allowance for other than borrowed funds used

         

    during construction

    558

    748

    597

    Other income, net

    5,566

    7,770

    9,297

    Total Other Income and Deductions

    6,124

    8,518

    9,894

    Consolidated Income Before Interest Charges and

         

    Extraordinary Charges, Net

    126,914

    144,240

    148,690

         

    Interest Charges:

         

    Interest on long-term debt

    40,198

    42,870

    46,010

    Other interest

    3,073

    2,032

    2,177

    Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction

    (742)

    (1,245)

    (979)

    Total Interest Charges

    42,529

    43,657

    47,208

    Income Before Extraordinary Charge

    84,385

    100,583

    101,482

           

    Extraordinary charge, net

    (13,899)

    (16,949)

    ________

           

    Consolidated net income

    $ 70,486

    $ 83,634

    $101,482

           

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF RETAINED EARNINGS

         
           

    Balance at January 1

    $250,032

    $312,522

    $239,391

    Add:

         

    Consolidated Net Income

    70,486

    83,634

    101,482

    320,518

    396,156

    340,873

    Deduct:

         

    Dividends on capital stock:

         

    Preferred stock

    545

    818

    Common stock

    132,967

    145,055

    27,533

    Cumulative preferred stock redemption premiums

    _________

    524

    ________-

    Total deductions

    132,967

    146,124

    28,351

    Balance at December 31

    $187,551

    $250,032

    $312,522

    See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

    F-49

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

     

    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999*

    1998*

           

    Cash Flows from Operations:

         

    Consolidated net income

    $ 70,486

    $ 83,634

    $101,482

    Extraordinary charge, net of taxes

    13,899

    16,949

    ______ __

    Consolidated income before extraordinary charge

    84,385

    100,583

    101,482

    Depreciation and amortization

    61,394

    75,917

    74,344

    Deferred revenues

    (1,473)

    19,949

    Deferred investment credit and income taxes, net

    1,219

    (13,702)

    8,682

    Deferred power costs, net

    (16,786)

    30,650

    1,812

    Unconsolidated subsidiaries' dividends in excess of earnings.

    956

    3,080

    9,607

    Allowance for other than borrowed funds used during

         

    construction

    (558)

    (748)

    (597)

    Internal restructuring liability

    (1,187)

    Write-off of generation project costs

    5,344

     

    Changes in certain current assets and liabilities:

         

    Accounts receivable, net

    (4,044)

    5,750

    3,177

    Materials and supplies

    1,765

    2,389

    (4,462)

    Prepaid taxes

    (4,398)

    (187)

    (675)

    Accounts payable

    (4,378)

    (3,756)

    3,807

    Accounts payable to affiliates

    13,310

    (33,673)

    11,082

    Accrued taxes

    (9,489)

    (280)

    11,785

    Accrued Interest

    (1,413)

    128

    (2,294)

    Other, net

    9,908

    12,419

    (743)

     

    130,398

    203,863

    215,820

    Cash Flows used in Investing:

         

    Construction expenditures (less allowance for other

         

    than borrowed funds used during construction)

    (71,707)

    (90,874)

    (59,928)

           

    Cash Flows used in Financing:

         

    Retirement of preferred stock

    (16,902)

    Issuance of long-term debt

    79,900

    9,300

    33,200

    Retirement of long-term debt

    (75,000)

    (86,655)

    Funds on deposit with trustee

    (3,133)

    (3,133)

    Short-term debt, net

    42,685

    Notes receivable from affiliates

    9,300

    (7,850)

    Notes receivable from subsidiary

    66,750

    (66,750)

    Dividends on capital stock:

         

    Preferred stock

     

    (545)

    (818)

    Common stock

    (132,967)

    (145,055)

    (27,533)

     

    (88,515)

    (80,285)

    (156,406)

           

    Net Change in Cash and Temporary Cash Investments

    (29,824)

    32,704

    (514)

    Cash and Temporary Cash Investments at January 1

    34,509

    1,805

    2,319

    Cash and Temporary Cash Investments at December 31

    $ 4,685

    $ 34,509

    $ 1,805

           

    Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

         

    Cash paid during the year for:

         

    Interest (net of amount capitalized)

    $ 36,620

    $ 41,939

    $ 46,770

    Income taxes

    41,824

    54,770

    41,132

    See Note D for transfer of net assets to Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC and the related

    derecognition of the pollution control debt by the Company.

    See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

    *Certain amounts have been reclassified for comparative purposes.

    F-50

     

    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    DECEMBER 31

    ASSETS

    2000

    1999*

    Property, Plant, and Equipment:

    Regulated Operations

    $1,396,259

    $2,268,750

    Construction work in progress

    14,122

    53,354

    1,410,381

    2,322,104

    Accumulated depreciation

    (514,167)

    (998,710)

    896,214

    1,323,394

    Investments and Other Assets:

    Allegheny Generating Company-common stock at equity

    43,258

    Other

    355

    410

    355

    43,668

    Current Assets:

    Cash and temporary cash investments

    4,685

    34,509

    Accounts receivable:

    Electric service

    98,225

    88,789

    Other

    1,893

    2,238

    Allowance for uncollectible accounts

    (4,189)

    (3,534)

    Materials and supplies-at average cost:

    Operating and construction

    12,132

    26,047

    Fuel

    15,584

    Deferred income taxes

    5,193

    Prepaid taxes

    16,035

    15,914

    Other

    805

    2,877

    134,779

    182,424

    Deferred Charges:

    Regulatory assets

    53,712

    46,121

    Unamortized loss on reacquired debt

    10,925

    14,226

    Other

    2,978

    3,762

    67,615

    64,109

    Total

    $1,098,963

    $1,613,595

    CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES

    Capitalization:

    Common stock, other paid-in capital, and retained earnings

    $ 225 203

    $ 450,390

    Retained earnings

    187,551

    250,032

    412,754

    700,422

    Long-term debt and QUIDS

    410,010

    510,344

    822,764

    1,210,766

    Current Liabilities:

    Short-term debt

    42,685

    Long-term debt due within one year

    75,000

    Accounts payable

    17,304

    31,331

    Accounts payable to affiliates, net

    24,487

    11,177

    Taxes accrued:

    Federal and state income

    77

    5,861

    Other

    8,744

    19,211

    Deferred power costs

    11,396

    7,859

    Interest accrued

    4,528

    7,321

    Maryland settlement

    10,456

    9,649

    Other

    7,604

    15,662

    127,281

    183,071

    Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:

    Unamortized investment credit

    10,555

    17,720

    Deferred income taxes

    89,285

    159,351

    Obligations under capital lease

    9,876

    Regulatory liabilities

    32,309

    25,319

    Other

    6,893

    17,368

    Commitments and Contingencies (Note M)

    148,918

    219,758

    Total

    $1,098,963

    $1,613,595

    See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

    *Certain amounts have been reclassified for comparative purposes

    F-51

     

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CAPITALIZATION

     

    DECEMBER 31

     

    2000

    1999

    2000

    1999

     

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    (Capitalization Ratios)

    Common Stock:

         

    Common stock -$.01 par value per share, authorized

           

    26,000,000 shares, outstanding 22,385,000 shares

    $ 224

    $ 447,700

       

    Other paid-in capital

    224,979

    2,690

       

    Retained earnings

    187,551

    250,032

       

    Total

    $412,754

    700,422

    50.2%

    57.8%

             
             
             

           
             

    Long-Term Debt and QUIDS:

           

    First mortgage Bonds:

     

    December 31, 2000

           
       

    Interest Rate

           

    Maturity

                 

    2000

       

    75,000

       

    2006

     

    8.00

    50,000

    50,000

       

    2022-2025

     

    7.63-8.00

    320,000

    320,000

       
                   
                   
                 
                 

    Quarterly Income Debt

             

    Securities due 2025

    8.00%

    45,457

    45,457

       

    Secured notes due 2007-2029

    4.70%-6.875%

    101,000

       

    Unsecured note due 2002

    4.35%

    3,200

       

    Unamortized debt discount

    (5,447)

    (6,180)

       

    Total (annual interest requirements $32,662)

    410,010

    588,477

       

    Less current maturities

    (75,000)

       

    Less amounts on deposit with trustee

    ________

    (3,133)

       

    Total

    410,010

    510,344

    49.8%

    42.2

             

    Total Capitalization

    $822,764

    $1,210,766

    100.0%

    100.0%

     

    See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

    Note D contains information regarding the reduction in the amount of common stock related to the transfer of net assets to Allegheny Supply Company, LLC, and Note K contains information regarding the redemption of cumulative preferred stock.

    F-52

     

     

     

     

    NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    (These notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.)

     

    NOTE A: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     

    The Potomac Edison Company (the Company) is a wholly owned utility subsidiary of Allegheny Energy, Inc. (Allegheny Energy) and is a part of the Allegheny Energy integrated electric utility system (the System). The Company and its utility affiliates, Monongahela Power Company (Monongahela Power) and West Penn Power Company (West Penn), collectively now doing business as Allegheny Power Company (Allegheny Power) are engaged in the generation (except West Penn), purchase, transmission, distribution, and sale of electric energy. The Company operates as a single utility segment in the states of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.

     

    The Company is subject to regulation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Maryland Public Service Commission (Maryland PSC), the Public Service Commission of West Virginia (W.Va. PSC) and the Virginia State Corporation Commission (Virginia SCC), and by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Significant accounting policies of the Company are summarized below.

     

    See Note B for significant changes in the Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia regulatory environments. Certain amounts in the December 31, 1999, consolidated balance sheet and in the December 31, 1999, and 1998 consolidated statement of cash flows have been reclassified for comparative purposes. Significant accounting policies of the Company are summarized below.

     

    Consolidation

    The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the companies) after elimination of intercompany transactions.

     

    Use of Estimates

    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and disclosures of contingencies during the reporting period, which in the normal course of business are subsequently adjusted to actual results.

     

    Revenues

    Revenues from the sale and delivery of electricity and electric services to regulated customers are recognized in the period in which the electricity and electric services are delivered and consumed by the customers, including an estimate for unbilled revenues. Revenues from one industrial customer were 7.6% of total electric operating revenues in 2000.

     

    Deferred Power Costs, Net

    The costs of fuel, purchased power, and certain other costs, and revenues from sales to other utilities and power marketers, including transmission services, are deferred until they are either recovered from or credited to customers under fuel and energy cost-recovery procedures in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. The Company discontinued this practice in Maryland and West Virginia, effective July 1, 2000. Effective August 7, 2000, the Company will discontinue this practice in Virginia.

     

    Property, Plant, and Equipment

    Regulated property, plant, and equipment are stated at original cost. Costs include direct labor and materials; allowance for funds used during construction on regulated property for which construction work in progress is not included in rate base; and indirect costs such as administration, maintenance, and depreciation of transportation and construction equipment, postretirement benefits, taxes, and other benefits related to employees engaged in construction.

     

    Upon retirement, the cost of depreciable regulated property, plus removal costs less salvage, are charged to accumulated depreciation by the Company in accordance with the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board's (FASB) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation".

     

    The Company transferred its deregulated generation assets to Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC (Allegheny Energy Supply) at net book value.

     

    The Company capitalizes the cost of software developed for internal use. These costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of the software beginning upon a project's completion.

    F-53


    Intercompany Receivables and Payables

    The Company has various operating transactions with its affiliates. It is the Company's policy that the affiliated receivable and payable balances outstanding from these transactions are presented net on the balance sheet and statement of cash flows.

     

    Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC) and Capitalized Interest 

    AFUDC, an item that does not represent current cash income, is defined in applicable regulatory systems of accounts as including "the net cost for the period of construction of borrowed funds used for construction purposes and a reasonable rate on other funds when so used." AFUDC is recognized by the regulated subsidiaries as a cost of regulated property, plant, and equipment. Rates used for computing AFUDC in 2000, 1999, and 1998 averaged 8.77 percent, 9.68 percent, and 9.83 percent, respectively.

     

    For unregulated generation construction through August 1, 2000, for the Company's power stations, the Company capitalized interest costs in accordance with SFAS No. 34, "Capitalizing Interest Costs". The interest capitalization rate for this period was 7.27 percent.

     

    Depreciation and Maintenance

    Depreciation expense is determined generally on a straight-line method based on estimated service lives of depreciable properties and amounted to approximately 3.5% of average depreciable property in each of the years 2000, 1999, and 1998.

     

    Maintenance expenses represent costs incurred to maintain, the transmission and distribution (T&D) system, and general plant and reflect routine maintenance of equipment and rights-of-way, as well as planned repairs and unplanned expenditures, primarily from periodic storm damage to the T&D system. Maintenance costs are expensed in the year incurred. T&D rights-of-way vegetation control costs are expensed within the year based on estimated annual costs and estimated sales. T&D rights-of-way vegetation control accruals are not intended to accrue for future years' costs.

     

    Temporary Cash Investments

    For purposes of the statement of cash flows, temporary cash investments with original maturities of three months or less, generally in the form of commercial paper, certificates of deposit, and repurchase agreements, are considered to be the equivalent of cash.

     

    Regulatory Assets and Liabilities

    In accordance with the SFAS No. 71, the Company's financial statements include certain assets and liabilities resulting from cost-based ratemaking regulation.

     

    Income Taxes

    The Company joins with its parent and affiliates in filing a consolidated federal income tax return. The consolidated tax liability is allocated among the participants generally in proportion to the taxable income of each participant, except that no subsidiary pays tax in excess of its separate return tax liability.

     

    Financial accounting income before income taxes differs from taxable income principally because certain income and deductions for tax purposes are recorded in the financial income statement in another period. Deferred tax assets and liabilities represent the tax effect of temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities computed using the most current tax rates.

     

    The Company has deferred the tax benefit of investment tax credits. Investment tax credits are amortized over the estimated service lives of the related properties.

     

    Postretirement Benefits

    All of the employees of Allegheny Energy are employed by Allegheny Energy Service Corporation (AESC), which performs services at cost for the Company and its affiliates in accordance with the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA). Through AESC, the Company is responsible for its proportionate share of postretirement benefit costs. AESC provides a noncontributory, defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees, including officers. Benefits are based on the employee's years of service and compensation. The funding policy is to contribute annually at least the minimum amount required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and not more than can be deducted for federal income tax purposes. Plan assets consist of equity securities, fixed income securities, short-term investments, and insurance contracts.

     

    AESC also provides partially contributory medical and life insurance plans for eligible retirees and dependents. Medical benefits, which make up the largest component of the plans, are based upon an age and years-of-service vesting schedule and other plan provisions. Subsidized medical coverage is not provided in retirement to employees hired on or after January 1, 1993. The funding policy is to contribute the maximum amount that can be deducted for federal income tax purposes. Funding of these benefits is made primarily into voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association trust funds. Medical benefits are self-insured. The life insurance plan is paid through insurance premiums.

    F-54

     

    Comprehensive Income

    SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," effective for 1998, established standards for reporting comprehensive income and its components (revenues, expenses, gains, and losses) in the financial statements. The Company does not have any elements of other comprehensive income to report in accordance with SFAS No. 130.

     

    NOTE B: INDUSTRY RESTRUCTURING

     

    West Virginia Deregulation

     

    The West Virginia Legislature passed House Concurrent Resolution 27 on March 11, 2000, approving an electric deregulation plan submitted by the W.Va. PSC with certain modifications. Further action by the Legislature, including the enactment of certain tax changes regarding preservation of tax revenues for state and local government, is required prior to the implementation of the restructuring plan for customer choice. The Company expects that implementation of the deregulation plan will occur if the Legislature approves the necessary tax law changes. Among the provisions of the plan are the following:

    * Customer choice will begin for all customers when the plan is implemented.

    * Rates for electricity service will be unbundled at current levels and capped for four years, with power supply rates transitioning to market rates over the next six years for residential and small commercial customers.

    * After year seven, the power supply rate for large commercial and industrial customers will no longer be regulated.

    * Monongahela Power is permitted to file a petition seeking W.Va. PSC approval to transfer its West Virginia jurisdictional generating assets (approximately 2,004 megawatts (MW)) to Allegheny Energy Supply, at book value. Also, based on a final order issued by the W.Va. PSC on June 23, 2000, the West Virginia jurisdictional assets of the Company were transferred to Allegheny Energy Supply at book value in August 2000.

    * The Company will recover the cost of its nonutility generation contracts through a series of surcharges applied to all customers over 10 years.

    * Large commercial and industrial customers received a three percent rate reduction, effective July 1, 2000.

    * A special "Rate Stabilization" account of $14.1 million has been established for residential and small business customers to mitigate the effect of the market price of power as determined by the W.Va. PSC.

    Virginia Deregulation

     

    On May 25, 2000, the Company filed an application with the Virginia SCC to separate its approximately 380 MW of generating assets, excluding the hydroelectric assets located within the state of Virginia, from its T&D assets, effective July 1, 2000. On July 11, 2000, the Virginia SCC issued an order approving the Company's separation plan permitting the transfer of its Virginia jurisdictional generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply.

     

    In conjunction with the separation plan, the Virginia SCC approved a Memorandum of Understanding that includes the following:

     

    * Effective with bills rendered on or after August 7, 2000, base rates were reduced by $1 million.

    * The Company will not file for a base rate increase prior to January 1, 2001.

    * Fuel rates were rolled into base rates effective with bills rendered on or after August 7, 2000. A fuel rate adjustment credit was also implemented on that date, reducing annual fuel revenues by $750,000. Effective August 2001, the fuel rate adjustment credit will drop to $250,000. Effective August 2002, the fuel rate adjustment credit will be eliminated.

    * The Company agreed to operate and maintain its distribution system in Virginia at or above historic levels of service quality and reliability.

    * The Company agreed, during a default service period, to contract for generation service to be provided to customers at rates set in accordance with the Virginia Electric Restructuring Act.

    On August 10, 2000, Allegheny Energy applied to the Virginia SCC to transfer the five MW of hydroelectric assets located within the state of Virginia to Green Valley Hydro, LLC (a subsidiary the Company). On December 14, 2000, the Virginia SCC approved the transfer. Allegheny Energy anticipates that the transfer to Allegheny Energy Supply will occur during the first quarter of 2001, after receiving final approval from the SEC.

     

    The Company filed Phase II of the Functional Separation Plan on December 19, 2000.

    F-55

    Maryland Deregulation 

     

    On September 23, 1999, the Company filed a settlement agreement (covering its stranded cost quantification mechanism, price protection mechanism, and unbundled rates) with the Maryland PSC. All parties active in the case, except Eastalco, which stated that it would not oppose it, signed the agreement. The settlement agreement, which was approved by the Maryland PSC on December 23, 1999, includes the following provisions:

    * The ability for nearly all of the Company's approximately 210,000 Maryland customers to have the option of choosing an electric generation supplier starting July 1, 2000.

    * The transfer of the Company's Maryland jurisdictional generating assets to a nonutility affiliate at book value on or after July 1, 2000.

    * A reduction in base rates of seven percent ($10.4 million each year totaling $72.8 million) for residential customers from 2002 through 2008. A reduction in base rates of one-half of one percent ($1.5 million each year totaling $10.5 million) for the majority of commercial and industrial customers from 2002 through 2008.

    * Standard Offer Service (provider of last resort) will be provided to residential customers during a transition period from July 1, 2000, to December 31, 2008, and to all other customers during a transition period of July 1, 2000, to December 31, 2004.

    * A cap on generation rates for residential customers from 2002 through 2008. Generation rates for non-residential customers are capped from 2002 through 2004.

    * A cap on T&D rates for all customers from 2002 through 2004.

    * Unless the Company is subject to significant changes that would materially affect its financial condition, the parties agree not to seek a change in rates, which would be effective prior to January 1, 2005.

    * The recovery of all purchased power costs incurred as a result of the contract to buy generation from the AES Warrior Run cogeneration facility.

    * The establishment of a fund (not to exceed $.001 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for residential customers) for the development and use of energy-efficient technologies.

    * The Maryland PSC on December 23, 1999, also approved the Company's unbundled rates covering the period 2000 through 2008.

    On June 7, 2000, the Maryland PSC approved the transfer of the Maryland jurisdictional share of the generating assets of the Company to Allegheny Energy Supply at net book value. On June 23, 2000, the W.Va. PSC issued an order that, in part, authorized the Company to transfer at net book value its West Virginia jurisdictional share of its generating assets to an unregulated affiliate in conjunction with the Maryland transfer. Also, on July 11, 2000, the Virginia SCC authorized the transfer of the Virginia jurisdictional share of the Company's generating assets, excluding the hydroelectric assets located within the state of Virginia, to an unregulated affiliate at net book value. On July 31, 2000, the SEC approved these transfers of generating assets. As a result, the Company transferred approximately 2,100 MW of generation to Allegheny Energy Supply in August 2000.

     

    NOTE C: ACCOUNTING FOR THE EFFECTS OF PRICE DEREGULATION

     

    In 1997, the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) issued No. 97-4, "Deregulation of the Pricing of Electricity - Issues Related to the Application of FASB Statement Nos. 71 and 101." The EITF agreed that, when a rate order that contains sufficient detail for the enterprise to reasonably determine how the transition plan will affect the separable portion of its business whose pricing is being deregulated is issued, the entity should cease to apply SFAS No. 71 to that separable portion of its business.

     

    As required by EITF 97-4, the Company discontinued the application of SFAS No. 71 for its West Virginia jurisdiction electric generation operations in the first quarter of 2000 and for their Virginia jurisdictions' electric generation operations in the fourth quarter of 2000. The Company recorded after-tax charges of $13.9 million to reflect the unrecoverable net regulatory assets that will not be collected from customers and to record a rate stabilization obligation. This charge is classified as an extraordinary charge under the provisions of SFAS No. 101, "Accounting for the Discontinuation of Application of FASB Statement No. 71."

    F-56

     

    (Millions of Dollars)

    Gross

    Net-of-Tax

         

    Unrecoverable regulatory assets

    $ 8.5

    $ 5.2

    Rate stabilization obligation

    14.1

    8.7

    Total 2000 extraordinary charge

    $22.6

    $13.9

         

     

    On December 23, 1999, the Maryland PSC approved a settlement agreement dated September 23, 1999, setting forth the transition plan to deregulate electric generation for the Company's Maryland jurisdiction. As required by EITF 97-4, the Company discontinued the application of SFAS No. 71 for its Maryland jurisdiction electric generation operations in the fourth quarter of 1999. As a result, the Company recorded under the provisions of SFAS No. 101, "Accounting for the Discontinuation of Application of FASB Statement No. 71," an extraordinary charge of $26.9 million ($17.0 million after taxes) reflecting the impairment of certain generating assets as determined under SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of", based on the expected future cash flows and net regulatory assets associated with generating assets that will not be collected from customers as shown below:

     

    (Millions of Dollars)

    Gross

    Net-of-Tax

         

    Impaired generating assets

    $14.5

    $ 9.9

    Net regulatory assets

    12.4

    7.1

    Total 1999 extraordinary charge

    $26.9

    $17.0

    The consolidated balance sheet includes the amounts listed below for generation assets not subject to SFAS No. 71.

    (Millions of Dollars)

    December

    December

     

    2000

    1999

    Property, plant, and equipment at original cost

    $ 8.9

    $ 563.9

    Amounts under construction included above

     

    17.6

    Accumulated depreciation

    .6

    (298.7)

    NOTE D: TRANSFER OF ASSETS

     

    On August 1, 2000, the Company transferred its generating capacity to Allegheny Energy Supply at book value as approved by the state utility commissions in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, as part of the deregulation proceedings in those states. See Note B for additional information regarding deregulation proceedings in those states. The net effect of the assets transferred to Allegheny Energy Supply by the company is shown below:

     

    (Millions of Dollars)

    Property, plant, and equipment, net of

     

    accumulated depreciation

    $446.5

    Investment in Allegheny Generating Company

    42.3

    Other Assets

    33.2

    Total Assets

    $522.0

       

    Equity

    $227.5

    Long-term Debt

    183.8

    Other Liabilities

    110.7

    Total Capitalization and Liabilities

    $522.0

    In conjunction with the asset transfer, Allegheny Energy Supply assumed responsibility for payment of interest and principal on $104.2 million of pollution control notes secured by the generating assets. Until December 2000, the Company was a co-obligor on the notes and reflected the notes as debt instruments in its financial statements. The Company accrued interest expense on the pollution control notes and then reduced interest accrued and increased paid-in capital when Allegheny Energy Supply paid interest.

     

    On December 22, 2000, the trustees of the pollution control notes released the Company from its co-obligor status as a result of Allegheny Energy Supply acquiring surety bonds, which would repay these notes in the event Allegheny Energy Supply defaults. In accordance with SFAS No. 125, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities", the Company derecognized the pollution control notes with the effect of increasing equity by $104.3 million.

     

    The Company is a guarantor of $104.2 million pollution control debt at December 31, 2000.

    F-57

     

    NOTE E: INCOME TAXES

     

    Details of federal and state income tax provisions are:

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

    1998

           

    Income taxes-current:

         

    Federal

    $31,533

    $48,024

    $40,003

    State

    4,420

    6,291

    5,569

    Total

    35,953

    54,315

    45,572

    Income taxes-deferred, net of amortization

    2,721

    (11,830)

    10,559

    Income taxes-deferred, extraordinary charge

    (8,730)

    (9,949)

    Amortization of deferred investment credit

    (1,502)

    (1,872)

    (1,877)

    Total income taxes

    28,442

    30,664

    54,254

    Income taxes-charged to other income and

         

    deductions

    (3,950)

    (3,329)

    (1,651)

    Income taxes-credited to extraordinary

         

    charge

    8,730

    9,949

    ______

    Income taxes-charged to operating income

    $33,222

    $37,284

    $52,603

    The total provision for income taxes is different from the amount produced by applying the federal income statutory tax rate of 35% to financial accounting income, as set forth below:

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

    1998

           

    Income before income taxes and

         

    extraordinary charge

    $117,607

    $137,867

    $154,085

    Amount so produced

    $ 41,162

    $ 48,253

    $ 53,930

    Increased (decreased) for:

         

    Tax deductions for which deferred tax

         

    was not provided:

         

    Lower tax depreciation

    192

    1,065

    2,800

    Plant removal costs

    (2,110)

    (2,596)

    (800)

    State income tax, net of federal

         

    income tax benefit

    2,630

    2,692

    5,100

    Amortization of deferred investment

         

    credit

    (1,502)

    (1,872)

    (1,878)

    Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

    (1,219)

    (2,058)

    (2,200)

    Other, net

    (5,931)

    (8,200)

    (4,349)

    Total

    $ 33,222

    $ 37,284

    $ 52,603

    The provision for income taxes for the extraordinary charge is different from the amount produced by applying the federal income statutory tax rate of 35% to the gross amount, as set forth below:

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

         

    Extraordinary charge before income taxes

    $22,629

    $26,899

    Amount so produced

    $ 7,920

    $ 9,415

    Increased for state income tax, net

       

    of federal income tax benefit

    810

    535

    Total

    $ 8,730

    $ 9,950

    F-58

    Federal income tax returns through 1995 have been examined and settled. At December 31, the deferred tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following:

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

    Deferred tax assets:

       

    Contributions in aid of construction

    $ 11,600

    $ 12,645

    Tax interest capitalized

    6,759

    12,218

    Unamortized investment tax credit

    9,646

    11,578

    Postretirement benefits other than pensions

    4,429

    6,523

    Unbilled revenue

    3,492

    3,492

    Internal restructuring

    2,343

    2,344

    Advances for construction

    239

    387

    Other

    13,076

    15,598

     

    51,584

    64,785

    Deferred tax liabilities:

       

    Book vs. tax plant basis differences, net

    133,701

    219,388

    Other

    1,975

    2,570

     

    135,676

    221,958

    Total net deferred tax liabilities

    84,092

    157,173

    Portion above included in current assets

    5,193

    2,178

    Total long-term net deferred tax liabilities

    $ 89,285

    $159,351

    NOTE F: POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

     

    As described in Note A to the consolidated financial statements, the Company is responsible for its proportionate share of the cost of the pension plan and medical and life insurance plans for eligible employees and dependents provided by AESC. The Company's share of the (credits) costs of these plans, a portion of which (approximately 17%) was credited or charged to plant construction, is shown below:

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

    1998

           

    Pension

    $(1,477)

    $(1,210)

    $ (323)

    Medical and life insurance

    $ 3,680

    $ 4,756

    $4,893

    NOTE G: ALLEGHENY GENERATING COMPANY

     

    The Company owned 28% of the common stock of Allegheny Generating Company (AGC) in 1998, 1999, and through July 31, 2000. On August 1, 2000, the Company transferred its 28% ownership in AGC to Allegheny Energy Supply at book value due to deregulation restructuring plans in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. An affiliate of the Company (Monongahela Power) owns 27 percent of AGC and Allegheny Energy Supply owns the remainder. The Company reported AGC in its financial statements using the equity method of accounting. AGC owns an undivided 40% interest, 840 MW, in the 2,100-MW pumped-storage hydroelectric station in Bath County, Virginia, operated by the 60% owner, Virginia Electric and Power Company, a nonaffiliated utility.

     

    AGC recovered from the Company and continues to recover from the Company's affiliates all of its operation and maintenance expenses, depreciation, taxes, and a return on its investment under a wholesale rate schedule approved by the FERC. AGC's rates are set by a formula filed with and previously accepted by the FERC. The only component that changes is the return on equity (ROE). Pursuant to a settlement agreement filed April 4, 1996, with the FERC, AGC's ROE was set at 11% for 1996 and will continue until the time any affected party seeks renegotiation of the ROE.

    F-59

    Following is a summary of the financial information for AGC:

     

    December 31

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

         

    Balance sheet information:

       

    Property, plant, and equipment

    $585,734

    $601,717

    Current assets

    2,457

    7,261

    Deferred charges

    13,854

    11,905

    Total assets

    $602,045

    $620,883

         

    Total capitalization

    $293,415

    $303,422

    Current liabilities

    62,861

    65,463

    Deferred credits

    245,769

    251,998

    Total capitalization and liabilities

    $602,045

    $620,883

     

    Year Ended December 31

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

    1998

           

    Income statement information:

         

    Electric operating revenues

    $70,027

    $70,592

    $73,816

    Operation and maintenance expense

    5,653

    5,023

    4,592

    Depreciation

    16,960

    16,980

    16,949

    Taxes other than income taxes

    4,962

    4,510

    4,662

    Federal income taxes

    7,361

    9,997

    10,959

    Interest charges

    13,495

    13,261

    13,987

    Other income, net

    (283)

    (394)

    (86)

    Net income

    $21,879

    $21,215

    $22,753

    The Company's share of the equity in earnings was $3.5 million, $5.9 million, and $6.4 million for 2000, 1999, and 1998, respectively, and is included in other income, net, on the Company's consolidated statement of operations.

     

    NOTE H: REGULATORY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

     

    The Company's operations are subject to the provisions of SFAS No. 71. Regulatory assets represent probable future revenues associated with deferred costs that are expected to be recovered from customers through the ratemaking process. Regulatory liabilities represent probable future reductions in revenues associated with amounts that are to be credited to customers through the ratemaking process. Regulatory assets, net of regulatory liabilities, reflected in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31 relate to:

     

    F-60

     

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

         

    Long-term assets (liabilities), net:

       

    Income taxes, net

    $ 47,290

    $ 34,451

    Postretirement benefits

    1,292

    Demand-side management

    (3,002)

    184

    Deferred revenues

    (8,785)

    (14,900)

    Other

    (14,100)

    (225)

    Subtotal

    21,403

    20,802

    Deferred power costs, net (reported in other

       

    deferred credits)

    _______

    (9,900)

    Subtotal

    21,403

    10,902

    Current assets, net (reported in other

       

    current assets):

       

    Deferred power costs, net

    (11,396)

    (7,859)

    Deferred revenues

    (10,456)

    (19,949)

    Subtotal

    (21,852)

    (27,808)

    Net Regulatory (Liability) Asset

    $ (449)

    $(16,906)

         

    See Notes B and C to the consolidated financial statements for a discussion of the deregulation plans in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia.

     

    NOTE I: FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

     

    The carrying amounts and estimated fair value of financial instruments at December 31 were as follows:

     

    2000

    1999

     

    Carrying

    Fair

    Carrying

    Fair

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    Amount

    Value

    Amount

    Value

             

    Assets:

           

    Temporary cash investments

    $ 100

    $ 100

    $ 31,350

    $ 31,350

    Liabilities:

    Short-term debt

    42,685

    42,685

    Long-term debt and QUIDS

    415,457

    421,986

    594,657

    556,732

    The carrying amount of temporary cash investment, as well as short-term debt, approximates the fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. The fair value of long-term debt and QUIDS was estimated based on actual market prices or market prices of similar issues.

     

    NOTE J: BUSINESS SEGMENTS

     

    The Company's principal operating segment is regulated operations. The regulated operations segment previously referred to as the utility segment, operates electric transmission and distribution systems.

     

    NOTE K: CAPITALIZATION

     

    Preferred Stock

    The Company called all outstanding shares of its cumulative preferred stock with a combined par value of $16.4 million plus redemption premiums of $.5 million on September 30, 1999, with funds on hand. In April 2000, the Company's shareholders amended its Articles of Incorporation. Prior to the amendment and restatement, the Company was authorized to issue 23,000,000 shares of common stock without par value and 5,378,611 shares of preferred stock with $100 par value per share. The Company now has authority to issue 26,000,000 shares of common stock with $.01 par value per share and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock with $.01 par value per share. As a result of the change in par value, the Company's common stock was reduced and other paid-in capital was increased by $447.5 million.

     

    Long-Term Debt and QUIDS

    The Company has no long-term debt due to mature in the next five years. Substantially all of the properties of the Company are held subject to the lien securing its first mortgage bonds. Certain first mortgage bond series are not redeemable by certain refunding until dates established in the respective supplemental indentures.

     

    On June 1, 2000, the Company issued $80 million of floating rate private placement notes, due May 1, 2002, assumable by Allegheny Energy Supply upon its acquisition of the Company's Maryland generating assets. In August 2000, after the Company's generating assets were transferred to Allegheny Energy Supply, the notes were remarketed as Allegheny Energy Supply floating rate (three-month London Interbank Offer Rate (LIBOR) plus .80 percent) notes with the same maturity date. No additional proceeds were received.

     

    In March 2000, $75 million of the Company's 5 7/8 percent series first mortgage bonds matured.

     

    In April 1999, the Company issued $9.3 million of 5.50 percent 30-year pollution control revenue notes to Pleasants County, West Virginia.

     

    See Note D for information regarding the transfer of the pollution of control debt.

     

    NOTE L: SHORT-TERM DEBT

     

    To provide interim financing and support for outstanding commercial paper, the Company has established lines of credit with several banks. The Company has SEC authorization for total short-term borrowings of $130 million, including money pool borrowings described below. The Company has fee arrangements on all of its lines of credit and no compensating balance requirements. In addition to bank lines of credit, an Allegheny Energy internal money pool accommodates intercompany short-term borrowing needs, to the extent that certain of the regulated companies have funds available. The money pool provides funds to approved subsidiaries at the lower of the previous day's Federal Funds Effective Interest Rate, as quoted by the Federal Reserve, or the previous day's seven-day commercial paper rate, as quoted by the same source, less four basis points.

    F-61

     

    The Company had short-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2000, of $42.7 million, however the Company had no short-term debt outstanding at December 31, 1999.

    Short-term debt outstanding during 2000 consisted of:

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

       

    Balance and interest rate at year end:

     

    Commercial Paper

    $19,935-6.70%

    Notes Payable to Banks

    $13,000-6.90%

    Money Pool

    $ 9,750-6.45%

       

    Average amount outstanding and interest

     

    rate during the year:

     

    Commercial Paper

    $ 2,015-6.11%

    Notes payable to Banks

    $ 2,693-6.36%

    Money Pool

    $ 4,815-5.95%

    NOTE M: RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION

     

    All of the employees of Allegheny Energy are employed by AESC, which performs services at cost for the Company and its affiliates in accordance with the PUHCA. Through AESC, the Company is responsible for its proportionate share of services provided by AESC. The total billings by AESC (including capital) to the Company for each of the years of 2000, 1999, and 1998 were $109.1 million, $114.2 million, and $89.7 million, respectively. The Company buys power from and sells power to its affiliates at tariff rates approved by the FERC.

     

    NOTE N: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

     

    Construction Program

    The Company has entered into commitments for its construction programs, for which expenditures are estimated to be $49.9 million for 2001 and $48.5 million for 2002.

     

    Leases

     

    The Company's lease obligations as of December 31, 1999, and 1998 were not material.

     

    The Company has capital and operating lease agreements with various terms and expiration dates, primarily for vehicles, computer equipment, and communication lines. At December 31, 2000, obligations under capital leases were as follows:

     

     

    (Thousands of dollars)

    Present value of minimum lease payments

    $12,723

    Obligations under capital leases due within one year

    2,847

    Obligations under capital leases non-current

    $ 9,876

    The carrying amount of equipment recorded under capitalized lease agreements included in property, plant, and equipment was $12.7 million at December 31, 2000.

     

    Total capital and operating lease rent payments of $12.4 million in 2000, and $12.7 million in 1999 were recorded as rent expense in accordance with SFAS No. 71. Estimated minimum lease payments for capital and operating leases with annual rent over $100,000 and initial or remaining lease term in excess of one year are $5.9 million in 2001, $4.3 million in 2002, $3.1 million in 2003, $2.7 million in 2004, and $2.0 million in 2005, and $5.3 million thereafter.

     

    The transfer of the Company's generating assets to Allegheny Energy Supply, on August 1, 2000, included the Company's assets located in West Virginia. The West Virginia portion of these assets have been leased back by the Company to serve its West Virginia jurisdictional retail customers. The lease term is one year, but may be modified upon mutual agreement of both parties to the lease. In 2000, the leaseback recorded as a non-cash transaction reduced purchased power and exchanges, net by $37.1 million, increased taxes other than income taxes by $1.7 million, and increased rent expense in other operation expense by $35.4 million.

    F-62

     

    Public Utilities Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA)

    Under PURPA, AES Warrior Inc. has installed a 180 MW generating facility in the Company's service area, and sells electric capacity and energy to the Company at rates consistent with PURPA and as ordered by the Maryland PSC. Payments for this PURPA capacity and energy in 2000 totaled approximately $87.1 million, resulting in an average cost to the Company of 6.2 cents/kWh.

     

    As a result of the 1999 Maryland Restructuring Settlement, AES Warrior Run capacity and energy must be offered into the wholesale market over the life of the Electric Energy Purchase Agreement (PURPA contract). On November 29, 2000, the Maryland PSC approved a Power Sales Agreement (PSA) between the Company and the winning bidder for the period January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2001. The cost of purchases from AES Warrior Run under the PURPA contract not recovered through the market sale of the output will be recovered, dollar-for-dollar, from Maryland customers through a surcharge.

     

    The table below reflects the Company's estimated commitments for energy and capacity purchases under the PURPA contract as of December 31, 2000. Actual values can vary substantially depending upon future conditions. The table does not reflect the AES Warrior Run energy and capacity sold under the PSA.

    Estimated Energy and Capacity Purchase Commitments

     

     

    MWh

    Amount

    (Thousands

    of dollars)

    2001

    1,450,656

    $ 86,687

    2002

    1,450,656

    $ 87,375

    2003

    1,450,656

    $ 88,030

    2004

    1,454,630

    $ 89,165

    2005

    1,450,656

    $ 89,873

    Thereafter

    34,839,588

    $2,453,422

    Environmental Matters and Litigation

     

    The Company is subject to various laws, regulations, and uncertainties as to environmental matters.

     

    On March 4, 1994, Allegheny Energy and its regulated affiliates received notice that the EPA had identified them as potentially responsible parties (PRPs) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, with respect to a Superfund Site. There are approximately 175 other PRPs involved. A final determination has not been made for Allegheny Energy and its regulated affiliates share of the remediation costs based on the amount of materials sent to the site. However, Allegheny Energy and its regulated affiliates estimate that their share of the cleanup liability will not exceed $1 million, which has been accrued as a liability at December 31, 2000.

     

    Allegheny Energy and its regulated affiliates have also been named as defendants along with multiple other defendants in pending asbestos cases involving multiple plaintiffs. While the Allegheny Energy believes that all of the cases are without merit, Allegheny Energy cannot predict the outcome of the litigation. The Company accrued a reserve of $1.6 million as of December 31, 2000, related to the asbestos cases as the potential cost to settle the cases to avoid the anticipated cost of defense.

     

    In the normal course of business, the Company becomes involved in various legal proceedings. The Company does not believe that the ultimate outcome of these proceedings will have a material effect on their financial position.

    F-63

     

    REPORT OF MANAGEMENT

     

    The management of the Company is responsible for the information and representations in the Company's financial statements. The Company prepares the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America based upon available facts and circumstances and management's best estimates and judgments of known conditions.

    The Company maintains an accounting system and related system of internal controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that the financial records are accurate and that the Company's assets are protected. The Company's staff of internal auditors conducts periodic reviews designed to assist management in maintaining the effectiveness of internal control procedures. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent accounting firm, audits the financial statements and expresses its opinion on them. The independent accountants perform their audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards in the United States of America.

     

    The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, which consists of outside Directors, meets periodically with management, internal auditors, and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to review the activities of each in discharging their responsibilities. The internal audit staff and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP have free access to all of the Company's records and to the Audit Committee.

     

     

    Alan J. Noia,

    Thomas J. Kloc,

    Chairman and

    Controller

    Chief Executive Officer

     

     

    F-64

    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

     

    To the Board of Directors and the Shareholder

    of The Potomac Edison Company

     

    In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of capitalization and common equity and the related consolidated statements of operations and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Potomac Edison Company (a subsidiary of Allegheny Energy, Inc.) and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2000, and 1999, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2000, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

     
     

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

     
     

    February 12, 2001

     

     

     

     

    F-65

    West Penn Power Company

    and Subsidiaries

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

     

    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

    (Thousands of dollars)

    2000

    1999

    1998

           

    Electric Operating Revenues:*

         

    Regulated operations

    $1,045,627

    $ 977,221

    $1,078,727

    Unregulated generation

    _

    376,982

    _

    Total Operating Revenues

    1,045,627

    1,354,203

    1,078,727

           

    Operating Expenses:

         

    Operation:

         

    Fuel

    176

    213,626

    258,199

    Purchased power and exchanges, net

    561,315

    398,199

    121,286

    Other

    122,641

    188,613

    173,029

    Maintenance

    37,305

    93,436

    91,724

    Depreciation and amortization

    62,379

    114,268

    114,709

    Taxes other than income taxes

    45,402

    80,719

    88,722

    Federal and state income taxes

    52,093

    71,573

    64,526

    Total Operating Expenses

    881,311

    1,160,434

    912,195

    Operating Income

    164,316

    193,769

    166,532

           

    Other Income and Deductions:

         

    Allowance for other than borrowed funds used during

         

    construction

    117

    33

    581

    Other income, net

    4,262

    9,621

    11,325

    Total Other Income and Deductions

    4,379

    9,654

    11,906

    Income Before Interest Charges and Extraordinary

         

    Charge, net

    168,695

    203,423

    178,438

           

    Interest Charges:

         

    Interest on long-term debt

    64,058

    61,727

    61,727

    Other interest

    2,861

    6,996

    5,913

    Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction and

         

    interest capitalized

    (627)

    (2,900)

    (1,822)

    Total Interest Charges

    66,292

    65,823

    65,818

           

    Consolidated income before extraordinary charge

    102,403

    137,600

    112,620

    Extraordinary charge, net

    _

    (10,018)

    (275,426)

           

    Consolidated Net Income (Loss)

    $ 102,403

    $ 127,582

    $(162,806)

           

    *Excludes intercompany sales between regulated operations and unregulated generation.

         

     

    F-66

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF RETAINED EARNINGS

           

    Balance at January 1

    $ 9,637

    $ 210,692

    $ 475,558

           

    Add:

         

    Consolidated net income (loss)

    102,403

    127,582

    (162,806)

     

    112,040

    338,274

    312,752

    Deduct:

         

    Dividends on capital stock of the Company:

         

    Preferred stock

    1,600

    3,396

    Common stock

    83,804

    98,664

    Cumulative preferred stock redemption premiums

    3,256

    Decrease in equity related to transfer of assets

    _

    239,977

    _

    Total Deductions

    _

    328,637

    102,060

           

    Balance at December 31

    $ 112,040

    $ 9,637

    $ 210,692

           
           

    See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

     

    F-67

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

     

    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

    (Thousands of dollars)

    2000

    1999*

    1998*

           

    Cash Flows from Operations:

         

    Consolidated net income (loss)

    $102,403

    $127,582

    $(162,806)

    Extraordinary charge, net of taxes

    _

    10,018

    275,426

    Consolidated income before extraordinary charge

    $102,403

    137,600

    112,620

    Depreciation and amortization

    62,379

    114,268

    114,709

    Write-off of generation project costs

     

    6,641

    Deferred investment credit and income taxes, net

    (4,733)

    39,177

    (1,511)

    Write-off of Pennsylvania pilot program regulatory asset

    9,040

       

    Unconsolidated subsidiaries' dividends in excess of

         

    earnings

    82

    2,549

    15,484

    Allowance for other than borrowed funds used during

         

    construction

    (117)

    (33)

    (581)

    Internal restructuring liability

       

    (4,082)

    PURPA project buyout

         

    Amortization of adverse purchase power contracts

    (12,762)

    (27,907)

     

    Pennsylvania CTC true-up regulatory asset

     

    (20,004)

     

    Changes in certain assets and liabilities:

         

    Accounts receivable, net

    (25,771)

    1,030

    11,307

    Materials and supplies

    (1,463)

    (537)

    (3,851)

    Prepaid taxes

    (5,198)

    12,907

    (6,416)

    Accounts payable

    (21,818)

    39,539

    (34,288)

    Accounts payable to affiliates

    (72,947)

    34,235

    51,695

    Taxes accrued

    9,207

    (1,763)

    (6,619)

    Interest accrued

    (5,227)

    (5,664)

    (136)

    Regulatory liabilities

    (13,199)

    (6,001)

    Restructuring settlement rate refund

     

    (25,100)

     

    Other, net

    13,766

    (20,292)

    11,172

     

    46,841

    273,447

    253,502

           

    Cash Flows used in Investing:

         

    Regulated operations construction expenditures (less

         

    allowance for other than borrowed funds used during

     

    construction)

    (52,980)

    (86,257)

    (95,394)

    Unregulated generation construction expenditures

    _

    (27,956)

    _

     

    (52,980)

    (114,213)

    (95,394)

           

    Cash Flows used in Financing:

         

    Retirement of preferred stock

     

    (82,964)

     

    Issuance of long-term debt

     

    697,771

    92,834

    Retirement of long-term debt

    (46,833)

    (525,000)

    (161,435)

    Restricted funds

     

    (3,006)

     

    Short-term debt, net

     

    (55,766)

    3,720

    Notes payable to affiliate

     

    (9,300)

    9,300

    Notes receivable from affiliate

    39,800

    (80,800)

     

    Dividends on capital stock:

         

    Preferred stock

     

    (1,600)

    (3,396)

    Common stock

    _

    (83,804)

    (98,664)

     

    (7,033)

    (144,469)

    (157,641)

           

    Net Change in Cash and Temporary Cash Investments

    (13,172)

    14,765

    467

    Cash and Temporary Cash Investments at January 1

    19,288

    4,523

    4,056

    Cash and Temporary Cash Investments at December 31

    $ 6,116

    $ 19,288

    $ 4,523

           
           

    Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

         

    Cash paid during the year for:

         

    Interest (net of amount capitalized)

    $ 57,007

    $ 64,793

    $ 62,711

    Income taxes

    48,440

    22,529

    73,653

           

    See Note N for transfer of net assets to Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC and the related derecognition of the pollution control debt by the Company.

    See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

    *Certain amounts have been reclassified for comparative purposes.

    F-68

     

     

     

    CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    DECEMBER 31

         

    ASSETS

    2000

    1999*

    Property, Plant, and Equipment

       

    Regulated operations

    $1,628,824

    $1,537,962

    Unregulated generation

     

    14,072

    Construction work in progress

    25,459

    45,450

     

    1,654,283

    1,597,484

    Accumulated depreciation

    (543,000)

    (506,416)

    1,111,283

    1,091,068

         

    Investment and Other Assets

    443

    525

     

    443

    525

    Current Assets:

       

    Cash and temporary cash investments

    6,116

    19,288

    Accounts receivable:

       

    Electric service

    158,758

    132,691

    Other

    5,851

    4,220

    Allowance for uncollectible accounts

    (18,004)

    (16,077)

    Notes receivable from affiliates

    41,000

    80,800

    Materials and supplies-at average cost:

       

    Operating and construction

    17,663

    16,200

    Deferred income taxes

     

    15,571

    Prepaid taxes

    6,826

    1,628

    Regulatory assets

    22,049

    23,957

    Other

    1,196

    1,531

     

    241,455

    279,809

    Deferred Charges:

       

    Regulatory assets

    428,953

    467,982

    Unamortized loss on reacquired debt

    3,169

    3,621

    Other

    7,244

    9,681

     

    439,366

    481,284

    Total

    $1,792,547

    $1,852,686

    CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES

       

    Capitalization:

       

    Common stock, other paid-in-capital, and retained earnings

    $ 422,121

    $ 79,658

    Long-term debt and QUIDS

    678,284

    966,026

     

    1,100,405

    1,045,684

    Current Liabilities:

       

    Long-term debt due within one year

    60,184

    49,734

    Accounts payable

    31,085

    55,267

    Accounts payable to affiliates

    12,821

    85,768

    Taxes accrued:

       

    Federal and state income

    12,148

    5,276

    Other

    13,009

    10,674

    Interest accrued

    1,546

    10,017

    Deferred income taxes

    3,373

     

    Adverse power purchase commitments

    24,839

    24,895

    Other

    6,480

    5,925

     

    165,485

    247,556

    Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:

       

    Unamortized investment credit

    20,899

    21,847

    Deferred income taxes

    189,302

    211,369

    Obligations under capital leases

    11,267

     

    Regulatory liabilities

    15,162

    15,126

    Adverse power purchase commitments

    278,338

    303,935

    Other

    11,689

    7,169

    526,657

    559,446

    Commitments and Contingencies (Note O)

       

    Total

    $1,792,547

    $1,852,686

    See Note N for transfer of net assets to Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC and the related derecognition of the pollution control debt by the Company.

    See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

    *Certain amounts have been reclassified for comparative purposes.

    F-69

     

     

    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CAPITALIZATION

     

    DECEMBER 31

     

    2000

    1999

    2000

    1999

     

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    (Capitalization Ratios)

    Common Stock of Company:

           

    Common stock-no par value, authorized 32,000,000

           

    shares, outstanding 24,361,586 shares

    $ 65,842

    $ 70,021

       

    Other paid-in capital

    244,239

       

    Retained earnings

    112,040

    9,637

       

    Total

    422,121

    79,658

    38.4%

    7.6%

             
             

    Long-Term Debt and QUIDS:

           
       

    December 31, 2000

           
       

    Interest Rate

           

    Transition bonds due 2000-2008

    6.32%-6.98%

    553,167

    600,000

       

    Quarterly Income Debt

             

    Securities due 2025

    8.00%

    70,000

    70,000

       

    Secured notes due 2003-2029

    4.70%-6.875%

    216,380

       

    Unsecured note due 2007

    4.75%

    14,435

       

    Medium-term debt due 2002-2004.

    5.56%-6.375%

    117,550

    117,550

       

    Unamortized debt discount and premium, net

    (2,249)

    (2,605)

       

    Total (annual interest requirements $50,346)

    738,468

    1,015,760

       

    Less current maturities

    (60,184)

    (49,734)

       

    Total

    678,284

    966,026

    61.6

    92.4

             

    Total Capitalization

    $1,100,405

    $1,045,684

    100.0%

    100.0%

    See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. Note N contains information regarding the reduction in the amount of common stock related to the transfer of net assets to Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC, and Notes D and J contain information regarding the reacquisition of first mortgage bonds and the redemption of cumulative preferred stock.

     

     

    F-70

     

    NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    (These notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements)

     

    NOTE A: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     

    West Penn Power Company (the Company) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Allegheny Energy, Inc. (Allegheny Energy) and is a part of the Allegheny Energy integrated electric utility system (the System). The Company and its utility affiliates, Monongahela Power Company (Monongahela Power) and The Potomac Edison Company (Potomac Edison), collectively now doing business as Allegheny Power, operate electric transmission and electric and natural gas distribution systems. Allegheny Power also generates electric energy in regulatory jurisdictions that have not deregulated electric generation.

     

    The Company is subject to regulation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (Pennsylvania PUC), and by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

     

    In November 1999, Allegheny Energy formed a wholly owned unregulated generating subsidiary, Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC (Allegheny Energy Supply), to consolidate its unregulated energy supply business. Allegheny Energy Supply was formed when the Company transferred its deregulated generating capacity of 3,778 megawatts (MW) at net book value on November 18, 1999, to Allegheny Energy Supply, as allowed by the final settlement in the Company's Pennsylvania restructuring case. The Company continued to be responsible for providing generation to meet the regulated electric load of its retail customers who did not have the right to choose their generation supplier until January 2, 2000. During the period from November 18, 1999, through January 1, 2000, Allegheny Energy Supply leased back to the Company one-third of its generating assets, providing the Company with the unlimited right to use those facilities to serve its regulated load.

     

    See Note B for significant changes in the Pennsylvania regulatory environment. Certain amounts in the December 31, 1999, consolidated balance sheet and in the December 31, 1999, and 1998 consolidated statement of cash flows have been reclassified for comparative purposes. Significant accounting policies of the Company are summarized below.

     

    Consolidation

    The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the companies) after elimination of intercompany transactions.

     

    Use of Estimates

    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and disclosures of contingencies during the reporting period, which in the normal course of business are subsequently adjusted to actual results.

     

    Revenues

    Revenues from the sale and delivery of electricity and electric services to regulated customers are recognized in the period in which the electricity and electric services are delivered and consumed by the customers, including an estimate for unbilled revenues. Revenues from the sale of unregulated generation were recorded in the period the electricity was delivered and consumed by customers.

     

    Property, Plant, and Equipment

    Regulated property, plant, and equipment are stated at original cost. Costs include direct labor and materials; allowance for funds used during construction on regulated property for which construction work in progress is not included in rate base; and indirect costs such as administration, maintenance, and depreciation of transportation and construction equipment, postretirement benefits, taxes, and other benefits related to employees engaged in construction.

     

    Upon retirement, the cost of depreciable regulated property, plus removal costs less salvage, are charged to accumulated depreciation by the Company in accordance with the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board's (FASB) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation."

    F-71

     

    The Company transferred its deregulated generation plants to Allegheny Energy Supply at net book value.

     

    The Company capitalizes the cost of software developed for internal use. These costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of the software beginning upon a project's completion .

     

    Intercompany Receivables and Payables

    The Company has various operating transactions with its affiliates. It is the Company's policy that the affiliated receivable and payable balances outstanding from these transactions are presented net on the balance sheet and statement of cash flows.

     

    Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC) and Capitalized Interest

    AFUDC, an item that does not represent current cash income, is defined in applicable regulatory systems of accounts as including "the net cost for the period of construction of borrowed funds used for construction purposes and a reasonable rate on other funds when so used." AFUDC is recognized as a cost of property, plant, and equipment. Rates used for computing AFUDC in 2000, 1999, and 1998 averaged 7.05%, 5.23%, and 7.17%, respectively.

     

    For unregulated construction, which began after January 1, 1998, the Company capitalized interest costs in accordance with the FASB's SFAS No. 34, "Capitalizing Interest Costs." The interest capitalization rates in 1999 and 1998 were 7.14% and 7.45%, respectively. There was no interest capitalized during 2000.

     

    Depreciation and Maintenance

    Depreciation expense is determined generally on a straight-line method based on estimated service lives of depreciable properties and amounted to approximately 2.9%, 4.5%, and 3.6%, of average depreciable property in 2000, 1999, and 1998, respectively.

     

    Maintenance expenses represent costs incurred to maintain the transmission and distribution (T&D) system, and general plant and reflect routine maintenance of equipment and rights-of-way, as well as planned repairs and unplanned expenditures, primarily from periodic storm damage to the T&D system. Maintenance costs are expensed in the year incurred. T&D rights-of-way vegetation control costs are expensed within the year based on estimated annual costs and estimated sales. T&D rights-of-way vegetation control accruals are not intended to accrue for future years' costs.

     

    Temporary Cash Investments

    For purposes of the consolidated statement of cash flows, temporary cash investments with original maturities of three months or less, generally in the form of commercial paper, certificates of deposit, and repurchase agreements, are considered to be the equivalent of cash.

     

    Regulatory Assets and Liabilities

    In accordance with SFAS No. 71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation," the Company's consolidated financial statements include certain assets and liabilities resulting from cost-based ratemaking regulation.

     

    Income Taxes

    The companies join with their parent and affiliates in filing a consolidated federal income tax return. The consolidated tax liability is allocated among the participants generally in proportion to the taxable income of each participant, except that no subsidiary pays tax in excess of its separate return tax liability.

     

    Financial accounting income before income taxes differs from taxable income principally because certain income and deductions for tax purposes are recorded in the financial income statement in another period. Deferred tax assets and liabilities represent the tax effect of certain temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities computed using the most current tax rates.

     

    The Company has deferred the tax benefit of investment tax credits. Investment tax credits are amortized over the estimated service lives of the related properties.

     

    Postretirement Benefits

    All of the employees of Allegheny Energy are employed by Allegheny Energy Service Corporation (AESC), which performs services at cost for the Company and its affiliates in accordance with the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (PUHCA). Through AESC, the Company is responsible for its proportionate share of postretirement benefit costs. AESC provides a noncontributory, defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all employees, including officers. Benefits are based on the employee's years of service and compensation. The funding policy is to contribute annually at least the minimum amount required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and not more than can be deducted for federal income tax purposes. Plan assets consist of equity securities, fixed income securities, short-term investments, and insurance contracts.

    F-72

     

    AESC also provides partially contributory medical and life insurance plans for eligible retirees and dependents. Medical benefits, which make up the largest component of the plans, are based upon an age and years-of-service vesting schedule and other plan provisions. Subsidized medical coverage is not provided in retirement to employees hired on or after January 1, 1993. The funding policy is to contribute the maximum amount that can be deducted for federal income tax purposes. Funding of these benefits is made primarily into Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association trust funds. Medical benefits are self-insured. The life insurance plan is paid through insurance premiums.

     

    Comprehensive Income

    SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," effective for 1998, established standards for reporting comprehensive income and its components (revenues, expenses, gains, and losses) in the financial statements. The Company does not have any elements of other comprehensive income to report in accordance with SFAS No. 130.

     
     

    NOTE B: INDUSTRY RESTRUCTURING

     

    In December 1996, Pennsylvania enacted the Electricity Generation Customer Choice and Competition Act (Customer Choice Act) to restructure the electric industry in Pennsylvania, creating retail access to a competitive electric energy supply market. On August 1, 1997, West Penn filed with the Pennsylvania PUC a comprehensive restructuring plan to implement full customer choice of electricity suppliers as required by the Customer Choice Act. The filing included a plan for recovery of transition costs through a Competitive Transition Charge (CTC).

     

    On May 29, 1998 (as amended on November 19, 1998), the Pennsylvania PUC granted final approval to the Company's restructuring plan, which includes the following provisions:

    * Established an average shopping credit for the Company's customers who shop for the generation portion of electricity services.

    * Provided two-thirds of the Company's customers the option of selecting a generation supplier on January 2, 1999, with all customers able to shop on January 2, 2000.

    * Required a rate refund from 1998 revenue (about $25 million) via a 2.5 percent rate decrease throughout 1999, accomplished by an equal percentage decrease for each rate class.

    * Provided that customers have the option of buying electricity from the Company at capped generation rates through 2008 and that transmission and distribution rates are capped through 2005, except that the capped rates are subject to certain increases as provided for in the Public Utility Code.

    * Prohibited complaints challenging the Company's regulated transmission and distribution rates through 2005.

    * Provided about $15 million of Company funding for the development and use of renewable energy and clean energy technologies, energy conservation, and energy efficiency.

    * Permitted recovery of $670 million in transition costs plus return over 10 years beginning in January 1999 for the Company.

    * Allowed for income recognition of transition cost recovery in the earlier years of the transition period to reflect the Pennsylvania PUC's projections that electricity market prices are lower in the earlier years.

    * Granted the Company's application to issue bonds to securitize up to $670 million in transition costs and to provide 75 percent of the associated savings to customers, with 25 percent available to shareholders.

    * Authorized the transfer of the Company's generating assets to a nonutility affiliate at book value. Subject to certain time-limited exceptions, the nonutility business can compete in the unregulated energy market in Pennsylvania.

    Starting in 1999, the Company unbundled its rates to reflect separate prices for the supply charge, the CTC, and T&D charges. While supply is open to competition, the Company continues to provide regulated T&D services to customers in its service area at rates approved by the Pennsylvania PUC and the FERC. The Company is the electricity provider of last resort for those customers who decide not to choose another electricity supplier.

     

    The Pennsylvania PUC order dated November 19, 1998, authorized the Company's recovery of $670 million of transition costs during the transition period (1999 through 2008). In 1999, the Company issued $600 million of transition bonds to "securitize" most of the transition costs. As a result of the "securitization" of transition costs, the Company is authorized by the Pennsylvania PUC to collect an intangible transition charge to provide revenues to service the transition bonds and the CTC was correspondingly reduced.

     

    Actual CTC revenues billed to customers in 2000 and 1999 totaled $7.6 million and $92.7 million, respectively, net of gross receipts tax and a separate agreement with one customer to accelerate the recovery of CTC. Through December 31, 2000, the Company has recorded a regulatory asset of $25.3 million for the difference in the authorized CTC revenues, adjusted for securitization savings to be shared with customers and the actual transition revenues billed to customers. The Pennsylvania PUC has approved the recovery of this regulatory asset through a true-up mechanism.

    F-73

     

    On December 20, 2000, the Pennsylvania PUC issued an order authorizing the Company to defer the cumulative underrecovery of the "unsecuritized" transition costs as a regulatory asset for full and complete recovery.

     

    NOTE C: ACCOUNTING FOR THE EFFECTS OF PRICE DEREGULATION

     

    In 1997, the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) issued EITF No. 97-4, "Deregulation of the Pricing of Electricity - Issues Related to the Application of FASB Statement Nos. 71 and 101." The EITF agreed that, when a rate order that contains sufficient detail for the enterprise to reasonably determine how the transition plan will affect the separable portion of its business whose pricing is being deregulated is issued, the entity should cease to apply SFAS No. 71 to that separable portion of its business.

     

    On May 29, 1998, the Pennsylvania PUC issued an order approving a transition plan for the Company. This order was subsequently amended by a settlement agreement approved by the Pennsylvania PUC on November 19, 1998. Based on the Pennsylvania PUC order and subsequent settlement agreement, the Company discontinued the application of SFAS No. 71 to its generation operations in the second quarter of 1998.

     

    The Company recorded an extraordinary charge of $466.9 million ($275.4 million after taxes) in 1998 under the provisions of SFAS No. 101, "Accounting for the Discontinuation of Application of FASB Statement No. 71," to reflect the disallowances of certain costs in the Pennsylvania PUC's May 29, 1998, order, as revised by the Pennsylvania PUC-approved November 19, 1998 settlement agreement. The charge reflects adverse power purchase commitments (commitments to purchase power at prices above market prices for electricity), the impairment of the investment in the Bath County pumped-storage plant, and net regulatory assets that would not be collected from customers under the Pennsylvania PUC's order and settlement agreement as follows:

     

    (Millions of Dollars)

    Gross

    Net-of-Tax

         

    AES Beaver Valley nonutility generation contract

    $197.5

    $116.5

    Impairment of Bath County pumped-storage plant

    165.6

    97.7

    Net regulatory assets

    103.8

    61.2

    Total 1998 extraordinary charge

    $466.9

    $275.4

    On December 31, 2000, the Company's reserve for adverse power purchase commitments was $303.2 million based on the Company's forecast of future energy revenues and other factors. A change in the estimated energy revenues or other factors could have a material effect on the amount of the reserve for adverse power purchases.

     

    See Note B for additional information regarding the transition plan approved in Pennsylvania.

     

    In addition to the 1998 extraordinary charge, the Company recorded an additional charge against income in 1998 of $40.3 million ($23.7 million after taxes) associated with a rate refund and development of renewable energy programs as required by the Pennsylvania settlement agreement.

     

    NOTE D: EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE ON LOSS ON REACQUIRED DEBT

     

    During 1999, the Company reacquired $525 million of outstanding first mortgage bonds and recorded a loss of $17.0 million ($10.0 million after taxes) associated with this transaction. In accordance with Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 26, "Early Extinguishment of Debt," and SFAS No. 4, "Reporting Gains and Losses from Extinguishment of Debt," this amount is classified as an extraordinary item in the consolidated statement of operations.

     

    F-74

     

    NOTE E: INCOME TAXES

     

    Details of federal and state income tax provisions are:

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

    1998

           

    Income taxes-current:

         

    Federal

    $47,590

    $25,258

    $ 47,605

    State

    4,454

    11,145

    18,415

    Total

    52,044

    36,403

    66,020

    Income taxes-deferred, net of

         

    amortization

    5,670

    41,608

    1,069

    Income taxes-deferred, extraordinary

         

    charge

    (6,936)

    (191,480)

    Amortization of deferred investment

         

    credit

    (948)

    (2,431)

    (2,580)

    Total income taxes

    56,766

    68,644

    (126,971)

    Income taxes-(charged) credited to

         

    other income and deductions

    (4,673)

    (4,007)

    17

    Income taxes-credited to

         

    extraordinary charge

    _

    6,936

    191,480

    Income taxes-charged to operating

         

    income

    $52,093

    $71,573

    $ 64,526

    The total provision for income taxes is different from the amount produced by applying the federal income statutory tax rate of 35% to financial accounting income, as set forth below:

     

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

    1998

           

    Income before income taxes

         

    and extraordinary charge

    $154,496

    $209,173

    $177,146

           

    Amount so produced

    $ 54,074

    $ 73,211

    $ 62,001

    Increased (decreased) for:

         

    Tax deductions for which deferred

         

    tax was not provided:

         

    Lower tax depreciation

    1,079

    3,639

    1,500

    Plant removal costs

    (3,241)

    (3,548)

    1,000

    State income tax, net of federal

         

    income tax benefit

    (3,309)

    5,571

    10,000

    Amortization of deferred investment

         

    credit

    948

    (2,431)

    (2,580)

    Equity in earnings of subsidiaries

    39

    (3,831)

    (3,900)

    Other, net

    2,503

    (1,038)

    (3,495)

    Total

    $ 52,093

    $ 71,573

    $ 64,526

    The provision for income taxes for the 1999 extraordinary charge is different from the amount produced by applying the federal income statutory tax rate of 35% to the gross amount, as set forth below:

     

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    1999

    1998

         

    Extraordinary charge before income taxes

    $16,954

    $466,905

         

    Amount so produced

    $ 5,934

    $163,417

    Increased for state income tax, net of federal

       

    income tax benefit

    1,002

    28,062

    Total

    $ 6,936

    $191,479

         
     

    There was no extraordinary charge for 2000.

    F-75

     

    Federal income tax returns through 1995 have been examined and settled. At December 31, the deferred tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following:

     

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

         

    Deferred tax assets:

       

    Recovery of transition costs

    $ 48,526

    $ 49,854

    Unamortized investment tax credit

    13,282

    27,665

    Postretirement benefits other than pensions

    18,201

    16,602

    Unbilled revenue

    8,754

    8,911

    Tax interest capitalized

    7,484

    8,386

    Contributions in aid of construction

    7,047

    7,673

    Internal restructuring

    2,954

    2,954

    Other

    18,799

    25,260

     

    125,047

    147,305

    Deferred tax liabilities:

       

    Book vs. tax plant basis differences, net

    287,525

    307,072

    Other

    30,197

    36,031

     

    317,722

    343,103

    Total net deferred tax liabilities

    192,675

    195,798

    Portion above included in current assets/(liabilities)

    (3,373)

    15,571

    Total long-term net deferred tax liabilities

    $189,302

    $211,369

    NOTE F: ALLEGHENY GENERATING COMPANY

     

    The Company owned 45% of the common stock of Allegheny Generating Company (AGC) in 1997, 1998, and through November 17, 1999. An Affiliate of the Company (Monongahela Power) owns 27 percent of AGC and Allegheny Energy Supply owns the remainder. The Company reported AGC in its financial statements using the equity method of accounting. On November 18, 1999, the Company transferred its 45% ownership in AGC to Allegheny Energy Supply at book value as allowed by the final settlement in the Pennsylvania restructuring case. AGC owns an undivided 40% interest, 840 MW, in the 2,100-MW pumped-storage hydroelectric station in Bath County, Virginia, operated by the 60% owner, Virginia Electric and Power Company, a nonaffiliated utility.

     

    AGC recovered from the Company and continues to recover from the Company's affiliates all of its operation and maintenance expenses, depreciation, taxes, and a return on its investment under a wholesale rate schedule approved by the FERC. AGC's rates are set by a formula filed with and previously accepted by the FERC. The only component that changes is the return on equity (ROE). Pursuant to a settlement agreement filed April 4, 1996, with the FERC, AGC's ROE was set at 11% for 1996 and will continue until the time any affected party seeks renegotiation of the ROE.

    Following is a summary of financial information for AGC:

    F-76

     

     

    December 31

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    1999

       

    Balance sheet information:

     

    Property, plant, and equipment

    $601,717

    Current assets

    7,261

    Deferred charges

    11,905

    Total assets

    $620,883

       

    Total capitalization

    $303,422

    Current liabilities

    65,463

    Deferred credits

    251,998

    Total capitalization and liabilities

    $620,883

       

     

     

    Year Ended

    December 31

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    1999

    1998

         

    Income statement information:

       

    Electric operating revenues

    $70,592

    $73,816

    Operation and maintenance expense

    5,023

    4,592

    Depreciation

    16,980

    16,949

    Taxes other than income taxes

    4,510

    4,662

    Federal income taxes

    9,997

    10,959

    Interest charges

    13,261

    13,987

    Other income, net

    (394)

    (86)

    Net income

    $21,215

    $22,753

    The Company's share of the equity in earnings in 1999 through November 17, 1999, was $8.4 million, and was $10.2 million in 1998, and is included in other income, net, on the Company's consolidated statement of operations.

     

    NOTE G: POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS

     

    As described in Note A, the Company is responsible for its proportionate share of the cost of the pension plan and medical and life insurance plans for eligible employees and dependents provided by AESC. The Company's share of the (credits) costs of these plans, a portion of which (approximately 23%) was (credited) or charged to plant construction, is as follows:

     

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

    1998

           

    Pension

    $(1,771)

    $(1,541)

    $ 919

    Medical and life insurance

    3,916

    6,326

    6,708

    NOTE H: REGULATORY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

     

    The Company's operations are subject to the provisions of SFAS No. 71. Regulatory assets represent probable future revenues associated with deferred costs that are expected to be recovered from customers through the ratemaking process. Regulatory liabilities represent probable future reductions in revenues associated with amounts that are to be credited to customers through the ratemaking process. Regulatory assets, net of regulatory liabilities, reflected in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31 relate to:

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

         

    Long-Term Assets (Liabilities), Net:

       

    Income taxes, net

    $149,377

    $167,539

    Pennsylvania stranded cost recovery (CTC)

    231,137

    251,903

    Pennsylvania CTC true-up

    25,253

    20,004

    Pennsylvania pilot deferred revenue

    9,040

    Pennsylvania tax increases

    8,188

    3,520

    Storm damage

    577

    850

    Other, net

    (741)

    _

    Subtotal

    413,791

    452,856

    Current Assets:

       

    CTC recovery

    22,049

    23,957

    Subtotal

    22,049

    23,957

    Net Regulatory Assets

    $435,840

    $476,813

    See Notes B and C for a discussion of the deregulation plan approved in Pennsylvania.

    F-77

    NOTE I: FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

     

    The carrying amounts and estimated at December 31 were as follows:

     

    2000

    1999

     

    Carrying

    Fair

    Carrying

    Fair

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    Amount

    Value

    Amount

    Value

             

    Assets:

           

    Temporary cash investments

    $ 2,951

    $ 2,951

    $ 13,381

    $ 13,381

    Liabilities:

           

    Long-term debt and QUIDS

    740,717

    754,220

    1,018,365

    989,368

    The carrying amount of temporary cash investments, as well as short-term debt, approximates the fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments. The fair value of long-term debt and QUIDS was estimated based on actual market prices or market prices of similar issues. The Company had no financial instruments held or issued for trading purposes.

     

    NOTE J: CAPITALIZATION

     

    Preferred Stock

    The Company called or redeemed all outstanding shares of its cumulative preferred stock with a combined par value of $79.7 million plus redemption premiums of $3.3 million on July 15, 1999, with proceeds from new $84 million five-year unsecured medium-term notes issued in the second quarter of 1999 at a 6.375% coupon rate.

     

    Long-Term Debt and QUIDS

    Maturities for long-term debt in thousands of dollars for the next five years are: 2001, $60,184; 2002, $103,845; 2003, $75,996; 2004, $157,714; and 2005, $73,019. During 1999, the Company reacquired all of its outstanding $525 million in first mortgage bonds.

     

    In November 1999, the Company issued $600 million of transition bonds through a wholly owned subsidiary, West Penn Funding, LLC, as authorized by the Pennsylvania PUC (see Note B). The transition bonds are secured by the collection of transition costs through a nonbypassable charge to customers in the Company's service area. In March, June, September, and December of 2000, the Company redeemed a total of $46.8 million of class A-1 6.32% transition bonds.

     

    See Note N for information regarding the transfer of the pollution control debt.

     

    NOTE K: SHORT-TERM DEBT

     

    To provide interim financing and support for outstanding commercial paper, the System companies have established lines of credit with several banks. The Company has SEC authorization for total short-term borrowings of $182 million, including money pool borrowings described below. The Company has fee arrangements on all of its lines of credit and no compensating balance requirements. In addition to bank lines of credit, an Allegheny Energy internal money pool accommodates intercompany short-term borrowing needs, to the extent that Allegheny Energy and its regulated subsidiaries have funds available. The money pool provides funds to approved subsidiaries at the lower of the previous day's Federal Funds Effective Interest Rate, as quoted by the Federal Reserve, or the previous day's seven-day commercial paper rate, as quoted by the same source, less four basis points.

     

    The Company had no short-term debt outstanding during 2000 and had no short-term debt outstanding at December 31, 1999. Average short-term debt outstanding for 1999 consisted of:

    F-78

     

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    1999

       

    Average amount outstanding and interest

     

    rate during the year:

     

    Commercial Paper

    $21,746-5.19%

    Notes payable to Banks

    15,549-5.20%

    Money Pool

    51,605-4.97%

     

    NOTE L: BUSINESS SEGMENTS

     

    The Company currently operates as one business segment - regulated operations. The Company's regulated operations segment operates electric T&D systems. Prior to 2000, the Company reported operating segments consisting of utility and nonutility operations. During 1999, unregulated generation consisted primarily of costs and revenues associated with two-thirds of generating capacity deregulated effective January 1, 1999, under the Customer Choice Act in Pennsylvania. Going forward, the Company's operating segments will only consist of regulated operations.

     

    Business segment information is summarized below. Significant transactions between reportable segments are eliminated to reconcile the segment information to consolidated amounts. The identifiable assets information does not reflect the elimination of intercompany balances or transactions, which are eliminated in the Company's consolidated financial statements.

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

    1998

           

    Operating Revenues:

         

    Regulated operations

    $1,045,627

    $ 977,221

    $1,078,727

    Unregulated generation

     

    681,637

     

    Eliminations

     

    (304,655)

     

    Depreciation and Amortization:

         

    Regulated operations

    62,379

    68,709

    114,709

    Unregulated generation

     

    45,559

     

    Federal and State Income Taxes:

         

    Regulated operations

    52,093

    40,867

    64,526

    Unregulated generation

     

    30,706

     

    Operating Income:

         

    Regulated operations

    164,316

    133,321

    166,532

    Unregulated generation

     

    60,448

     

    Interest Charges:

         

    Regulated operations

    66,292

    44,341

    65,818

    Unregulated generation

     

    21,482

     

    Consolidated Income Before

         

    Extraordinary Charge:

         

    Regulated operations

    102,403

    98,011

    112,620

    Unregulated generation

     

    39,589

     

    Extraordinary Charge, Net:

         

    Regulated operations

     

    (10,018)

    (275,426)

    Capital Expenditures:

         

    Regulated operations

    53,097

    86,290

    95,975

    Unregulated generation

     

    27,956

     
           
       

    December

    December

    Identifiable Assets:

     

    31, 2000

    31, 1999

    Regulated operations

    1,792,547

    1,852,667

    Unregulated generation

       

    19

    See Notes C and D for a discussion of extraordinary charges, net.

     

    NOTE M: RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION

     

    All of the employees of Allegheny Energy are employed by AESC, which performs services at cost for the Company and its affiliates in accordance with the PUHCA. Through AESC, the Company is responsible for its proportionate share of services provided by AESC. The total billings by AESC (including capital) to the Company for each of the years of 2000, 1999, and 1998 were $148.9 million, $198.7 million, and $177.9 million, respectively. The Company purchases power from its affiliate, Allegheny Energy Supply, under fixed price multi year contracts.

    F-79

     

    NOTE N: TRANSFER OF ASSETS

     

    On November 18, 1999, the Company transferred its generating capacity to Allegheny Energy Supply at book value as allowed by the final settlement in the Company's Pennsylvania restructuring case. The net effect of the assets transferred to Allegheny Energy Supply by the Company is shown below:

     

    (Millions of Dollars)

    Property, plant, and equipment, net of

     

    accumulated depreciation

    $ 920.3

    Investment in Allegheny Generating Company

    71.5

    Other Assets

    120.6

    Total Assets

    $1,112.4

       

    Equity

    $ 465.4

    Long-term Debt

    230.6

    Other liabilities

    416.4

    Total Capitalization and Liabilities

    $1,112.4

    In conjunction with the asset transfer, Allegheny Energy Supply assumed responsibility for payment of interest and principal on $230.8 million of pollution control notes secured by the generating assets. Until December 2000, the Company was a co-obligor on the notes and reflected the notes as debt instruments in its financial statements. The Company accrued interest expense on the pollution control notes and then reduced interest accrued and increased paid-in capital when Allegheny Energy Supply paid interest.

     

    On December 22, 2000, the trustees of the pollution control notes released the Company from its co-obligor status as a result of Allegheny Energy Supply acquiring surety bonds, which would repay these notes in the event Allegheny Energy Supply defaults. In accordance with SFAS No. 125, "Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities", the Company derecognized the pollution control notes with the effect of increasing equity by $231.9.

     

    The Company is a guarantor of $230.8 million pollution control debt at December 31, 2000.

     

    The Company no longer has any ownership interest in generating assets or contractual rights to generating capacity other than those arising under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA).

     

    NOTE O: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

     

    Construction Program

    The Company has entered into commitments for its construction program, for which expenditures are estimated to be $51.6 million for 2001 and $50.2 million for 2002.

     

    Leases

    The Company has capital and operating lease agreements with various terms and expiration dates, primarily for vehicles, computer equipment, and communication lines.

     

    At December 31, 2000, obligations under capital leases were as follows:

     

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    Present value of minimum lease payments

    $15,216

    Obligations under capital leases due within one year

    3,949

    Obligations under capital leases non-current

    11,267

    The carrying amount of equipment recorded under capitalized lease agreements included in property, plant, and equipment was $15.2 million and $.2 million at December 31, 2000, and 1999, respectively.

    Total capital and operating lease rent payments of $16.8 million in 2000, and $18.9 million in 1999 were recorded as rent expense in accordance with SFAS No. 71. Estimated minimum lease payments for capital and operating leases with annual rent over $100,000 and an initial or remaining lease term in excess of one year are $8.6 million in 2001, $5.5 million in 2002, $3.7 million in 2003, $3.0 million in 2004, $2.2 million in 2005, and $5.1 million thereafter.

     

    Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA)

    Under PURPA, private developers have installed generating facilities at various locations in or near the Company's service areas, and sell electric capacity and energy to the Company at rates consistent with PURPA and ordered by the Pennsylvania PUC. The Company is committed to purchase 138 MW of PURPA generation. Payments for PURPA capacity and energy in 2000 totaled approximately $46 million.

    F-80

     

    The table below reflects the Company's estimated commitments for energy and capacity purchases under PURPA contracts as of December 31, 2000. Actual values can vary substantially depending upon future conditions.

     

     

    MWh

    Amount

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2001

    1,136,000

    $ 51,777

    2002

    1,136,000

    51,924

    2003

    1,136,000

    52,092

    2004

    1,138,880

    47,076

    2005

    1,136,000

    47,761

    Thereafter

    13,998,615

    669,746

    Environmental Matters and Litigation

    The Company is subject to various laws, regulations, and uncertainties as to environmental matters.

     

    On March 4, 1994, the Allegheny Energy and its regulated affiliates received notice that the EPA had identified them as potentially responsible parties (PRPs) under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, with respect to a Superfund Site. There are approximately 175 other PRPs involved. A final determination has not been made for Allegheny Energy and its regulated affiliates share of the remediation costs based on the amount of materials sent to the site. However, Allegheny Energy and its regulated affiliates estimate that their share of the cleanup liability will not exceed $1 million, which has been accrued as a liability at December 31, 2000.

     

    Allegheny Energy and its regulated affiliates have also been named as defendants along with multiple other defendants in pending asbestos cases involving multiple plaintiffs. While the Allegheny Energy believes that all of the cases are without merit, Allegheny Energy cannot predict the outcome of the litigation. The Company accrued a reserve of $1.7 million as of December 31, 2000, related to the asbestos cases as the potential cost to settle the cases to avoid the anticipated cost of defense.

     

    In the normal course of business, the Company becomes involved in various legal proceedings. The Company does not believe that the ultimate outcome of these proceedings will have a material effect on their financial position.

    F-81

     

     

     

     

    REPORT OF MANAGEMENT

     

    The management of the Company is responsible for the information and representations in the Company's financial statements. The Company prepares the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America based upon available facts and circumstances and management's best estimates and judgments of known conditions.

    The Company maintains an accounting system and related system of internal controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that the financial records are accurate and that the Company's assets are protected. The Company's staff of internal auditors conducts periodic reviews designed to assist management in maintaining the effectiveness of internal control procedures. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent accounting firm, audits the financial statements and expresses its opinion on them. The independent accountants perform their audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America.

    The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, which consists of outside Directors, meets periodically with management, internal auditors, and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to review the activities of each in discharging their responsibilities. The internal audit staff and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP have free access to all of the Company's records and to the Audit Committee.

     

    Alan J. Noia,

    Thomas J. Kloc,

    Chairman and

    Controller

    Chief Executive Officer

     

     

    F-82

     

    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

     

    To The Board of Directors and the Shareholders

    of West Penn Power Company

     
     

    In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of capitalization and common equity and the related consolidated statements of operations and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of West Penn Power Company (a subsidiary of Allegheny Energy, Inc.) and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2000, and 1999, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2000, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

     
     
     

    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

    February 12, 2001

     

     

     

    F-83

    Allegheny Generating Company

     

    STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

    2000

    1999

    1998

    Affiliated operating revenues

    $70,027

    $70,592

    $73,816

    Operating Expenses:

    Operation and maintenance expense

    5,652

    5,023

    4,592

    Depreciation

    16,963

    16,980

    16,949

    Taxes other than income taxes

    4,963

    4,510

    4,662

    Federal income taxes

    7,360

    9,997

    10,959

    Total Operating Expenses

    34,938

    36,510

    37,162

    Operating Income

    35,089

    34,082

    36,654

    Other Income, net

    285

    394

    86

    Income Before Interest Charges

    35,374

    34,476

    36,740

    Interest Charges:

    Interest on long-term debt

    9,670

    9,760

    10,848

    Other interest

    3,824

    3,501

    3,139

    Total Interest Charges

    13,494

    13,261

    13,987

    Net Income

    $21,880

    $21,215

    $22,753

     

    STATEMENT OF RETAINED EARNINGS

    Balance at January 1

    $ -

    $ -

    $ -

    Add:

    Net income

    21,880

    21,215

    22,753

    21,880

    21,215

    22,753

    Deduct:

    Dividends on common stock (declared)

    21,880*

    21,215*

    22,753*

    Balance at December 31

    $ -

    $ -

    $ -

    *Excludes cash dividends paid from other paid-in capital.

    See accompanying notes to financial statements.

     

     

     

     

     

    F-84

    STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

     

    YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

    1998

    Cash Flows from Operations:

         

    Net income

    $21,880

    $21,215

    $22,753

    Depreciation

    16,963

    16,980

    16,949

    Deferred investment credit and income taxes, net

    (8,793)

    4,981

    5,305

    Changes in certain current assets and

         

    liabilities:

         

    Materials and supplies

    (36)

    (25)

    (261)

    Prepaid taxes

    4,318

    (749)

    873

    Accounts payable

    16

    2,804

    (340)

    Accounts payable to parents and affiliates,net

    (7,010)

    2,426

    (334)

    Taxes accrued

    2,757

    955

    75

    Interest accrued

    (15)

    -

    (1,175)

    Other, net

    1,832

    (1,916)

    1,145

     

    31,912

    46,671

    44,990

    Cash Flows used in Investing:

         

    Construction expenditures

    (978)

    (85)

    (69)

           

    Cash Flows used in Financing:

         

    Repayment of long-term debt

    -

    -

    (60,000)

    Notes payable to parent

    12,250

    (66,750)

    66,750

    Notes payable to affiliate

    (11,150)

    52,150

    -

    Cash dividends paid on common stock

    (32,000)

    (32,000)

    (57,000)

     

    (30,900)

    (46,600)

    (50,250)

    Net Change in Cash and Temporary Cash

         

    Investments

    34

    (14)

    (5,329)

    Cash and temporary cash investments at January 1

    16

    30

    5,359

    Cash and temporary cash investment at December 31

    $ 50

    $ 16

    $ 30

    Supplemental Cash Flow Information

         

    Cash paid during the year for:

         

    Interest

    $12,779

    $12,465

    $14,490

    Income taxes

    $ 9,687

    $ 4,649

    $ 4,828

     

    See accompanying notes to financial statements.

    *Certain amounts have been reclassified for comparative purposes.

     

    F-85

    BALANCE SHEET

    DECEMBER 31

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999*

    ASSETS

    Property, Plant, and Equipment:

    Regulated generation

    $ 828,342

    $ 828,221

    Construction work in progress

    1,530

    673

    829,872

    828,894

    Accumulated depreciation

    (244,138)

    (227,177)

    585,734

    601,717

    Current Assets:

    Cash and temporary cash investments

    50

    16

    Materials and supplies--at average cost

    2,154

    2,118

    Prepaid taxes

    4,318

    Income tax refund receivable

    600

    Other

    253

    207

    2,457

    7,259

    Deferred Charges:

    Regulatory assets

    7,132

    4,568

    Unamortized loss on reacquired debt

    6,568

    7,168

    Other

    154

    169

    13,854

    11,905

    Total

    $ 602,045

    $ 620,881

    CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES

    Capitalization:

    Common stock - $1.00 par value per share, authorized

    5,000 shares, outstanding 1,000 shares.

    $ 1

    $ 1

    Other paid-in capital

    144,370

    154,490

    144,371

    154,491

    Long-term debt

    149,045

    148,931

    293,416

    303,422

    Current Liabilities:

    Notes payable to affiliate

    41,000

    52,150

    Notes payable to parent

    12,250

    -

    Accounts payable

    392

    376

    Accounts payable to parents/affiliates, net

    1,211

    8,221

    Taxes Accrued:

    Federal and state income

    3,736

    1,000

    Other

    51

    30

    Interest accrued

    3,214

    3,229

    Other

    1,006

    455

    62,860

    65,461

    Deferred Credits:

    Unamortized investment credit

    43,876

    45,199

    Deferred income taxes

    178,267

    182,461

    Regulatory liabilities

    23,626

    24,338

    245,769

    251,998

    Total

    $ 602,045

    $ 620,881

    See accompanying notes to financial statements.

    *Certain amounts have been reclassified for comparative purposes.

     

    F-86

     

    NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

    (These notes are an integral part of the financial statements.)

     

    NOTE A: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     

    Allegheny Generating Company (the Company) was incorporated in Virginia in 1981. Its common stock is owned by Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC (Allegheny Energy Supply) - 73% and Monongahela Power Company (Monongahela Power) - 27%,(the Parents). The Parents are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Allegheny Energy, Inc. (Allegheny Energy), a utility holding company. Allegheny Energy's principal business segments are regulated operations, unregulated generation, and other. The unregulated generation segment of Allegheny Energy consists of Allegheny Energy's subsidiaries, Allegheny Energy Supply and the Company, its majority-owned subsidiary. The Company operates as a single business segment owning and selling generating capacity to its parents, Allegheny Energy Supply and Monongahela Power.

     

    Use of Estimates

    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and disclosures of contingencies during the reporting period, which in the normal course of business are subsequently adjusted to actual results.

     

    Revenues

    Revenues are determined under a cost-of-service rate schedule approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Under this arrangement, the Company recovers in revenues all of its operation and maintenance expense, depreciation, taxes, and a return on its investment. All sales are made to the Company's Parents.

     

    Property, Plant and Equipment

    Property, plant, and equipment are stated at original cost, and consist of a 40% undivided interest in the Bath County pumped-storage hydroelectric station and its connecting transmission facilities. The costs of depreciable property units retired, plus removal costs less salvage, are charged to accumulated depreciation.

     

    Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC)  

    AFUDC, an item that does not represent current cash income, is defined in applicable regulatory systems of accounts as including "the net cost for the period of construction of borrowed funds used for construction purposes and a reasonable rate on other funds when so used." AFUDC is recognized by the Company as a cost of regulated property, plant, and equipment.

     

    Depreciation and Maintenance

    Provisions for depreciation are determined on a straight-line method based on estimated service lives of depreciable properties and amounted to approximately 2.1% of average depreciable property in each of the years 2000, 1999, and 1998.

     

    For the Company, maintenance expenses represent costs incurred to maintain the power station, and general plant and reflect routine maintenance of equipment, as well as planned repairs and unplanned expenditures, primarily from forced outages at the power station. Maintenance costs are expensed in the year incurred. Power station maintenance costs are expensed within the year based on estimated annual costs and estimated generation. Power station maintenance accruals are not intended to accrue for future years' costs.

     

    Intercompany Receivables and Payables

    The Company has various operating transactions with its affiliates. It is the Company's policy that the affiliated receivable and payable balances outstanding from these transactions are presented net on the balance sheet and statement of cash flows.

     

    Temporary Cash Investments

    For purposes of the statement of cash flows, temporary cash investments with original maturities of three months or less, generally in the form of commercial paper, certificates of deposits, and repurchase agreements, are considered to be the equivalent of cash.

    F-87

     

    Regulatory Assets and Liabilities

    In accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (FASB) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation," the Company's financial statements include certain assets and liabilities resulting from cost-based ratemaking regulation.

     

    Comprehensive Income 

    SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," effective for 1998, established standards for reporting comprehensive income and its components (revenues, expenses, gains, and losses) in the financial statements. The Company does not have any elements of other comprehensive income to report in accordance with SFAS No. 130.

     

    Income Taxes

    The Company joins with its Parents and affiliates in filing a consolidated federal income tax return. The consolidated tax liability is allocated among the participants generally in proportion to the taxable income of each participant, except that no subsidiary pays tax in excess of its separate return tax liability.

     

    Financial accounting income before income taxes differs from taxable income principally because certain income and deductions for tax purposes are recorded in the financial income statement in another period. Deferred tax assets and liabilities represent the tax effect of temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities computed using the currently enacted tax rates.

     

    The Company has deferred the tax benefit of investment tax credits. Investment tax credits are amortized over the estimated service lives of the related properties.

     

    NOTE B: INCOME TAXES

     

    Details of federal income tax provisions are:

     

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

    1998

           

    Current income taxes payable

    $16,307

    $ 5,231

    $ 5,700

    Deferred income taxes--

         

    accelerated depreciation

    (7,472)

    6,803

    6,628

    Amortization of deferred investment credit

    (1,323)

    (1,822)

    (1,323)

    Total income taxes

    7,512

    10,212

    11,005

    Income taxes--charged to other income, net

    (152)

    (215)

    (46)

    Income taxes--charged to operating income

    $ 7,360

    $ 9,997

    $10,959

    The total provision for income taxes was less than the amount produced by applying the federal income statutory tax rate of 35% to financial accounting just set forth below:

     

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

    1998

           

    Income before income taxes and

         

    Extraordinary charge

    $ 29,240

    $ 31,212

    $ 33,712

    Amount so produced

    10,234

    10,925

    11,800

    Increased (decreased) for:

         

    Tax deductions for which deferred tax

         

    was not provided:

         

    Lower tax depreciation

    380

    645

    638

    Amortization of deferred investment

         

    Credit

    (551)

    (1,822)

    (1,322)

    Other, net

    (2,703)

    249

    (157)

    Total

    $ 7,360

    $ 9,997

    $ 10,959

     

    F-88

     

    Federal income tax returns through 1995 have been examined and settled. At December 31, the deferred tax liabilities, net consisted of the following:

     

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

    Deferred tax liabilities, net:

       

    Unamortized investment tax credit

    $(23,626)

    $(24,338)

    Book vs. tax plant basis differences, net

    201,893

    206,799

    Total long-term net deferred tax liabilities

    $178,267

    $182,461

    NOTE C: REGULATORY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

     

    The Company's operations are subject to the provisions of SFAS No. 71. Regulatory assets represent probable future revenues associated with deferred costs that are expected to be recovered from customers through the ratemaking process. Regulatory liabilities represent probable future reductions in revenues associated with amounts that are to be credited to customers through the ratemaking process. Regulatory liabilities, net of regulatory assets are as follows:

     

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    December 31,

    2000

    1999

    Regulatory Tax Liabilities

    $ 23,626

    $ 24,338

    Regulatory Tax Assets

    7,132

    4,568

    Net Regulatory Tax Liabilities

    $ 16,494

    $ 19,770

    NOTE D: FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

     

    The carrying amounts and estimated fair value of financial instruments at December 31 were as follows:

     

    2000

    1999

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    Carrying

    Fair

    Carrying

    Fair

    Amount

    Value

    Amount

    Value

    Liabilities:

    Short-term debt

    $ 53,250

    $ 53,250

    $ 52,150

    $ 52,150

    Long-term debt-

    debentures

    $150,000

    $133,060

    $150,000

    $147,700

     

    The carrying amount of short-term debt approximates the fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments. The fair value of debentures was estimated based on actual market prices or market prices of similar issues. The Company has no financial instruments held or issued for trading purposes.

     

    NOTE E: CAPITALIZATION

     

    The Company systematically reduces capitalization each year as its asset depreciates, resulting in the payment of dividends in excess of current earnings. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has approved the Company's request to pay common dividends out of capital. Common dividends were paid from retained earnings, reducing the account balance to zero, and from other paid-in capital as follows:

     

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

    1998

    Retained earnings

    $21,880

    $21,215

    $22,753

    Other paid-in capital

    10,120

    10,785

    34,247

    Total

    $32,000

    $32,000

    $57,000

     

    NOTE F: LONG-TERM DEBT

     

    The Company had long-term debt outstanding as follows:

    F-89

     

     

    Interest

    December 31

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    Rate

    2000

    1999

    Debentures due:

    September 1, 2003

    5.625%

    $ 50,000

    $ 50,000

    September 1, 2023

    6.875%

    $100,000

    100,000

    Unamortized debt discount

    (955)

    (1,069)

    Total

    $149,045

    $148,931

    NOTE G: SHORT-TERM DEBT

     

    To provide interim financing and support for outstanding commercial paper, the Allegheny Energy companies have established lines of credit with several banks. The Company has SEC authorization for total short-term borrowings of $100 million, including money pool borrowings described below. The Company has fee arrangements on all of its lines of credit and no compensating balance requirements.

     

    In addition to bank lines of credit, an Allegheny Energy internal money pool accommodates intercompany short-term borrowing needs of the Company, to the extent that Allegheny Energy and its regulated subsidiaries have funds available. The money pool provides funds to approved subsidiaries at the lower of the previous day's Federal Funds Effective Interest Rate, as quoted by the Federal Reserve, or the previous day's seven-day commercial paper rate, as quoted by the same source, less four basis points. The Company had borrowings from the Allegheny Energy money pool of $53.3 million at December 31, 2000, and $52.2 million at December 31,1999. Of the $53.3 million borrowed in 2000, approximately $12.3 million was borrowed from money pool funds invested by the Company's parent, Monongahela Power, and approximately $41.0 million was borrowed from money pool funds invested by affiliates. The notes payable to banks include a $1 million short-term loan outstanding for one day. Short-term debt outstanding for 2000 and 1999 consisted of:

    (Thousands of Dollars)

    2000

    1999

    Balance and interest rate at end of year:

    Money pool

    $53,250-6.45%

    $52,150-4.88%

    Average amount outstanding and interest

    rate during the year:

    Money pool

    49,861-6.17%

    59,904-4.90%

    Notes payable to banks

    3-6.07%

     

    NOTE H: RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION

     

    All of the employees of Allegheny Energy are employed by Allegheny Energy Service Corporation (AESC), which performs services at cost for the Company and its affiliates in accordance with the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. Through AESC, the Company is responsible for its proportionate share of services provided by AESC. The total billings by AESC (including capital) to the Company were $.3 million for 2000, 1999 and 1998. See Note G for information regarding notes payable to parents and affiliates.

     

    F-90

     

     

     

     

    REPORT OF MANAGEMENT

     

    The management of the Company is responsible for the information and representations in the Company's financial statements. The Company prepares the financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States based upon available facts and circumstances and management's best estimates and judgements of known conditions.

    The Company maintains an accounting system and related system of internal controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that the financial records are accurate and that the Company's assets are protected. The Company's staff of internal auditors conducts periodic reviews designed to assist management in maintaining the effectiveness of internal control procedures. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent accounting firm, audits the financial statements and expresses its opinion on them. The independent accountants perform their audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards.

    Management meets periodically with internal auditors and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to review the activities of each in discharging their responsibilities. The internal audit staff and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP have free access to all of the Company's records and to the Audit Committee.

     

    Alan J. Noia,

    Thomas J. Kloc,

    Chairman and

    Vice President and Controller

    Chief Executive Officer

     

     

     

    F-91

    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

     

    To The Board of Directors and the Shareholders

    of Allegheny Generating Company

     

    In our opinion, the accompanying balance sheets and the related statements of operations, retained earnings and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Allegheny Generating Company (a subsidiary of Allegheny Energy, Inc.) at December 31, 2000 and 1999, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2000, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

     
     
     

    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

     

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

    February 12, 2001

     

     

    F-92

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    S-1

    SCHEDULE II

    ALLEGHENY ENERGY, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

     

    Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

    For Years Ended December 31, 2000, 1999, and 1998

    Allowance for

    uncollectible accounts:

             

    COLUMN A

    COLUMN B

    COLUMN C

    COLUMN D

    COLUMN E

       

    Additions

       
     

    Balance at

    Charged to

    Charged to

     

    Balance at

     

    Beginning

    Costs and

    Other

     

    End of

    Description

    Of Period

    Expenses

    Accounts

    Deductions

    Period

         

    (A)

    (B)

     
               

    Allowance for uncollectible accounts:

             
               

    Year Ended 12/31/00

    $26,975,049

    $22,437,738

    $6,348,959

    $19,351,088

    $36,410,658

               

    Year Ended 12/31/99

    $19,560,137

    $17,847,219

    $6,486,429

    $16,918,736

    $26,975,049

               

    Year Ended 12/31/98

    $17,191,310

    $15,371,602

    $4,953,941

    $17,956,716

    $19,560,137

    (A) Recoveries

    (B) Uncollectible accounts charged off.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    S-2

    SCHDULE II

    MONONGAHELA POWER COMPANY

     

    Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

    For Years Ended December 31, 2000, 1999, and 1998

    Allowance for

    uncollectible accounts:

    COLUMN A

    COLUMN B

    COLUMN C

    COLUMN D

    COLUMN E

       

    Additions

       
     

    Balance at

    Charged to

    Charged to

     

    Balance at

     

    Beginning

    Costs and

    Other

     

    End of

    Description

    Of Period

    Expenses

    Accounts

    Deductions

    Period

         

    (A)

    (B)

     
               

    Allowance for uncollectible accounts:

             
               

    Year Ended 12/31/00

    $4,133,046

    $6,484,998

    $1,670,239

    $5,940,852

    $6,347,431

               

    Year Ended 12/31/99

    $2,515,749

    $3,887,703

    $1,796,318

    $4,066,724

    $4,133,046

               

    Year Ended 12/31/98

    $2,176,006

    $3,951,000

    $1,383,021

    $4,994,278

    $2,515,749

    (A) Recoveries

    (B) Uncollectible accounts charged off.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    S-3

    SCHEDULE II

    POTOMAC EDISON COMPANY

     

    Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

    For Years Ended December 31, 2000, 1999, and 1998

    Allowance for

    uncollectible accounts:

    COLUMN A

    COLUMN B

    COLUMN C

    COLUMN D

    COLUMN E

       

    Additions

       
     

    Balance at

    Charged to

    Charged to

     

    Balance at

     

    Beginning

    Costs and

    Other

     

    End of

    Description

    Of Period

    Expenses

    Accounts

    Deductions

    Period

         

    (A)

    (B)

     
               

    Allowance for uncollectible accounts:

             
               

    Year Ended 12/31/00

    $3,534,475

    $3,360,000

    $1,839,914

    $4,545,181

    $4,189,208

               

    Year Ended 12/31/99

    $2,202,672

    $4,235,040

    $1,803,617

    $4,706,854

    $3,534,475

               

    Year Ended 12/31/98

    $1,683,485

    $3,731,000

    $1,456,097

    $4,667,910

    $2,202,672

    (A) Recoveries

    (B) Uncollectible accounts charged off.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    S-4

    SCHEDULE II

    WEST PENN POWER COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

     

    Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

    For Years Ended December 31, 2000, 1999, and 1998

    Allowance for

    uncollectible accounts:

    COLUMN A

    COLUMN B

    COLUMN C

    COLUMN D

    COLUMN E

       

    Additions

       
     

    Balance at

    Charged to

    Charged to

     

    Balance at

     

    Beginning

    Costs and

    Other

     

    End of

    Description

    Of Period

    Expenses

    Accounts

    Deductions

    Period

         

    (A)

    (B)

     
               

    Allowance for uncollectible accounts:

             
               

    Year Ended 12/31/00

    $16,076,821

    $7,953,427

    $2,838,806

    $8,865,054

    $18,004,000

               

    Year Ended 12/31/99

    $14,759,968

    $6,575,517

    $2,886,494

    $8,145,158

    $16,076,821

               

    Year Ended 12/31/98

    $13,325,739

    $7,613,934

    $2,114,823

    $8,294,528

    $14,759,968

    (A) Recoveries

    (B) Uncollectible accounts charged off.

    63

     

     

     

    Supplementary Data

    Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

    (Dollar Amounts in Thousands Except for Per Share Data)

     

    Electric

         
     

    Operating

    Operating

    Net

    Earnings

     

    Revenues

    Income

    Income*

    Per Share*

    Quarter Ended

           

    AE

           

    March 2000

    $866 790

    $140 130

    $86 395

    $.78

    June 2000

    865 323

    118 942

    71 456

    .65

    September 2000

    1,058 458

    128 000

    76 095

    .69

    December 2000

    1,221 281

    149 151

    79 706

    .72

             

    March 1999

    $689 987

    $140 246

    $97 775

    $.80

    June 1999

    643 404

    111 745

    64 514

    .55

    September 1999

    741 359

    117 176

    71 332

    .63

    December 1999

    733 691

    105 480

    51 768

    .46

             

    Monongahela

           

    March 2000

    193 477

    32 718

    24 418

     

    June 2000

    176 734

    25 543

    17 275

     

    September 2000

    194 942

    37 634

    28 391

     

    December 2000

    262 894

    39 472

    24 495

     
             

    March 1999

    170 642

    30 321

    23 250

     

    June 1999

    160 459

    25 102

    18 556

     

    September 1999

    178 330

    32 595

    26 631

     

    December 1999

    163 904

    31 019

    23 890

     
             

    Potomac Edison

           

    March 2000

    214 734

    40 231

    31 111

     

    June 2000

    188 604

    30 273

    20 047

     

    September 2000

    206 699

    24 465

    16 014

     

    December 2000

    217 781

    25 820

    17 213

     
             

    March 1999

    202 978

    45 095

    36 164

     

    June 1999

    174 691

    27 543

    18 736

     

    September 1999

    189 489

    34 348

    26 492

     

    December 1999

    186 099

    28 736

    19 191

     
             

    West Penn

           

    March 2000

    257 544

    36 047

    20 053

     

    June 2000

    250 563

    44 377

    33 589

     

    September 2000

    266 528

    42 919

    29 972

     

    December 2000

    270 992

    40,973

    18 788

     
             

    March 1999

    317 730

    58 674

    45 499

     

    June 1999

    327 269

    47 089

    33 649

     

    September 1999

    395 662

    42 295

    31 507

     

    December 1999

    313 542

    45 711

    26 945

     
             

    AGC

           

    March 2000

    17 155

    8 583

    5 278

     

    June 2000

    17 359

    8 939

    5 593

     

    September 2000

    17 257

    9 032

    5 914

     

    December 2000

    18 256

    8 534

    5 095

     
             

    March 1999

    17 857

    8 455

    5 053

     

    June 1999

    17 810

    8 586

    5 302

     

    September 1999

    18 072

    8 821

    5 516

     

    December 1999

    16 853

    8 220

    5 344

     

    *[UPDATE] For AE, Potomac Edison and West Penn - 1999 results exclude the effect of extraordinary charges in December 1999 ($27, net of taxes, or $.24 per share).

    *[UPDATE] For AE, Monongahela and Potomac Edison - 2000 results exclude the effect of extraordinary charges in March 2000 ($70,505, net of taxes, or $.64 per share) and December 2000 ($6,518, net of taxes, or $.06 per share).

    64

     

     

    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

     
     

    To the Board of Directors and the Shareholders of

    Allegheny Energy, Inc.

     
     

         In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Allegheny Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2000 and 1999, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2000, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

     
     
     
     
     

    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

     

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

    February 1, 2001

    65

     

     

    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

     
     

    To the Board of Directors of

    Monongahela Power Company

     
     

         In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Monongahela Power Company (a subsidiary of Allegheny Energy, Inc.) and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2000 and 1999, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2000, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

     
     
     
     
     
     

    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

     

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

    February 12, 2001

    66

     

     

    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

     
     

    To the Board of Directors of

    The Potomac Edison Company

     
     

         In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of The Potomac Edison Company (a subsidiary of Allegheny Energy, Inc.) and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2000 and 1999, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2000, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

     
     
     
     
     

    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

     

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

    February 12, 2001

    67

     

     

    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

     
     

    To the Board of Directors of

    West Penn Power Company

     
     

         In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of West Penn Power Company (a subsidiary of Allegheny Energy, Inc.) and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2000 and 1999, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2000, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

     
     
     
     
     

    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

     

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

    February 12, 2001

    68

     

     

    REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

     
     

    To the Board of Directors of

    Allegheny Generating Company

     
     

         In our opinion, the financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Allegheny Generating Company (an indirect subsidiary of Allegheny Energy, Inc.) at December 31, 2000 and 1999, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2000, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

     
     
     
     

    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

     

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

    February 12, 2001

    69

    ITEM 9.     CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON

    ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

     

    For AE and its subsidiaries, none.



    PART III

    ITEM 10.     DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANTS

     

         AE, Monongahela, Potomac Edison, West Penn, and AGC. Reference is made to the Executive Officers of the Registrants in Part I of this report. The names, ages as of December 31, 2000, the business experience during the past five years of the directors of the System companies and term of office are set forth below:

    Name

    Term of Office Expires(i)

     

    Director since date shown of:

       

    Age

    AE

    MP

    PE

    WP

    AGC

    Eleanor Baum(a)

    2001

    60

    1988

    1988

    1988

    1988

    William L. Bennett(b)

    2001

    51

    1991

    1991

    1991

    1991

     

    Lewis B. Campbell(c)

    2003

    54

    2000

    2000

    2000

    2000

     

    Thomas K. Henderson(1)

    Elected Annually

    60

           

    1996

    Wendell F. Holland(d)

    2003

    48

    1994

    1994

    1994

    1994

     

    Phillip E. Lint(e)

    2001

    71

    1989

    1989

    1989

    1989

     

    Frank A. Metz, Jr.(f)

    2002

    66

    1984

    1984

    1984

    1984

     

    Michael P.Morrell(1)

    Elected Annually

    52

     

    1996

    1996

    1996

    1996

    Alan J. Noia(1)

    2002

    53

    1994

    1994

    1987

    1994

    1994

    Jay S. Pifer(1)

    Elected Annually

    63

     

    1995

    1995

    1992

     

    Steven H. Rice(g)

    2002

    57

    1986

    1986

    1986

    1986

     

    Gunnar E. Sarsten(h)

    2003

    63

    1992

    1992

    1992

    1992

     

    Peter J. Skrgic(1)

    Elected Annually

    59

     

    1990

    1990

    1990

    1989

     

    (1) Employee of the company. For further information on the business experience of these employees, See Executive Officers of the Registrants in Part I of this report for further details.

    (a)     Eleanor Baum. Dean of The Albert Nerken School of Engineering of The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. Director of Avnet, Inc. and United States Trust Company. Chair of the Engineering Workforce Commission; a fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers; and Past Chairman of the Board of Governors, New York Academy of Sciences. Formerly, President of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology and President of the American Society for Engineering Education.

    (b)     William L. Bennett. Vice-Chairman and Director of HealthPlan Services Corporation, and Director of Sylvan, Inc. Formerly, Chairman, Director and Chief Executive Officer of Noel Group, Inc. Mr. Bennett resigned all positions with AE, MP, PE and WP effective November 10, 2000. He will receive Director's fees through May 1, 2001.

    70

     

    (c)     Lewis B. Campbell. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Textron, Inc. Director, Bristol-Myers Squibb; Chairman of the Business Roundtable's Health and Retirement Task Force; and member of the Board of Visitors, Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. Formerly, Vice President of General Motors Corporation and General Manager of its GMC Truck Division.

     

    (d)     Wendell F. Holland. Of Counsel, Obermayer, Rebmann, Maxwell & Hippel LLP, Vice President, USFilter Operating Service and Director of Bryn Mawr Bank Corporation. Formerly, Vice President, American International Water Services Company; of Counsel, Law Firm of Reed, Smith, Shaw & McClay; Partner, Law Firm of LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae; and Commissioner of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.

     

    (e)     Phillip E. Lint. Retired. Formerly partner, Price Waterhouse.

     

    (f)     Frank A. Metz, Jr. Retired. Director of Solutia Inc. Formerly, Senior Vice President, Finance and Planning and Director of International Business Machines Corporation; and Director of Monsanto Company and Norrell Corporation.

     

    (g)     Steven H. Rice. Attorney and Bank Consultant. Formerly, Director of LaJolla Bank and LaJolla Bancorp, Inc.; President, LaJolla Bank, Northeast Region; President and Chief Executive Officer of Stamford Federal Savings Bank; President of The Seamen's Bank for Savings; and Director of the Royal Insurance Group, Inc.

     

    (h)     Gunnar E. Sarsten. Consulting Professional Engineer. Formerly, President and Chief Operating Officer of Morrison Knudsen Corporation; President and Chief Executive Officer of United Engineers & Constructors International, Inc.; and Deputy Chairman of the Third District Federal Reserve Bank in Philadelphia.

     

    (i)     As a result of the passage of Maryland legislation affecting corporate governance of companies incorporated in the state, in 1999 AE's Board of Directors amended AE's Articles of Incorporation, adding a provision that among other things, divided the Board of Directors into three classes, with each class serving a three-year term and one class being elected each year. The current AE Board of eight members now consists of Class II with two members and Classes I and III with three members each. The term of office of the Class II directors

    71

    expires this year.

         Therefore, this is the only class of directors standing for election this year. Because Mr. Lint, one of our current directors, has reached 72 years of age, he will not stand for election. Pursuant to Company By-Laws, Article II, Section 2, the Board has decreased the number of directors from eight to seven, effective May 10, 2001. The term of Class III directors ends in 2002. The term of Class I directors ends in 2003. At future annual meetings of the stockholders, the successors to the class of directors whose term expires that year will be elected for a three-year term. This note applies only to AE. All Directors of Monongahela, Potomac Edison, West Penn and AGC are elected annually for a one-year term.

     

    ITEM 11.     EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     

         For AGC, this item is omitted pursuant to Instruction I of Form
    10-K. During 2000 and for 1999 and 1998, the annual compensation paid by AE, Monongahela, Potomac Edison and West Penn directly or indirectly to their Chief Executive Officer and each of the four most highly paid executive officers of the System whose cash compensation exceeded $100,000 for services in all capacities to such companies was as follows:

     

     

    Name and

           

    Long-Term

    All

    Principal

       

    Annual

    No. of

    Performance

    Other

    Position

    Year

    Salary

    Incentive

    Options

    Plan Payout

    Compensation

    (b)

     

    ($)

    ($) (c)

    (d)

    ($) (d)

    ($) (e)

    Alan J. Noia

    2000

    600,000

    600,000

    100,000

    729,810

    10,861

    Chief Executive Officer

    1999

    575,000

    312,500

    190,000

    260,183

    112,350

     

    1998

    525,000

    180,500

    -

    286,655

    184,788

    Peter J. Skrgic(f)

    2000

    300,000

    215,900

    20,000

    389,221

    8,670

    Senior Vice President

    1999

    290,000

    196,800

    80,000

    158,372

    6,925

    Supply

    1998

    280,008

    123,000

    -

    204,753

    50,757

    Michael P. Morrell(g)

    2000

    270,000

    304,400

    50,000

    278,022

    25,345

    Senior Vice President &

    1999

    260,000

    156,000

    66,000

    96,154

    27,592

    Chief Financial Officer

    1998

    255,000

    117,000

    -

    114,870

    28,599

    Jay S. Pifer

    2000

    270,000

    185,900

    50,000

    264,121

    9,221

    Senior Vice President

    1999

    255,000

    146,400

    66,000

    96,154

    7,073

    Delivery

    1998

    250,008

    66,500

    -

    131,042

    41,542

    Richard J. Gagliardi

    2000

    225,000

    166,100

    30,000

    222,418

    7,007

    Vice President

    1999

    210,000

    113,400

    52,000

    79,186

    14,713

    Administration

    1998

    200,016

    60,400

    -

    114,662

    25,345

     

    (a)     The individuals appearing in this chart perform policy-making functions for each of the Registrants. The compensation shown is for all services in all capacities to AE and its subsidiaries. All salaries, annual incentives and long-term payouts of these executives are paid by AESC. AE, Monongahela, Potomac Edison, West Penn and AGC have no paid employees.

     

    (b)     See Executive Officers of the Registrants for all positions held.

    72

     

    (c)     Incentive awards (primarily Annual Incentive Plan awards) are based upon performance in the year in which the figure appears but are paid in the following year. The Annual Incentive Plan will be continued for 2001.

     

    (d)     In 1994, the Board of Directors of the Company implemented a Performance Share Plan (the "Plan") for senior officers of the Company and its subsidiaries, which was approved by the shareholders of AE at the annual meeting in May 1994. A third Plan cycle began on January 1, 1996 and ended on December 31, 1998. The figure shown for 1998 represents the dollar value paid in 1999 to each of the named executive officers who participated in Cycle III. A fourth cycle began on January 1, 1997 and ended on December 31, 1999. The figure shown for 1999 represents the dollar value paid in 2000 to each of the named executive officers who participated in Cycle IV. In 1998, the Board of Directors of AE implemented a new Long-Term Incentive Plan, which was approved by the shareholders of AE at the AE annual meeting in May 1998. A fifth cycle (the first three-year performance period of this new Plan) began on January 1, 1998 and ended on December 31, 2000. The figure shown for 2000 represents the dollar value paid in 2001 to each of the named executive officers who participated in Cycle V. A sixth cycle began on January 1, 1999 and will end on December 31, 2001. A seventh cycle began on January 1, 2000 and will end on December 31, 2002. After completion of each cycle, AE stock may be paid if performance criteria have been met.

     

    (e)     The figures in this column include the present value of the executives' cash value at retirement attributable to the current year's premium payment for both the Executive Life Insurance and Secured Benefit Plans (based upon the premium, future valued to retirement, using the policy internal rate of return minus the corporation's premium payment), as well as the premium paid for the basic group life insurance program plan and the contribution for the Employee Stock Ownership and Savings Plan (ESOSP) established as a non-contributory stock ownership plan for all eligible employees effective January 1, 1976, and amended in 1984 to include a savings program.

         Effective January 1, 1992, the basic group life insurance provided employees was reduced from two times salary during employment, to a new plan which provides one times salary after five years in retirement, to a new plan which provides one times salary until retirement and $25,000 thereafter. Some executive officers and other senior managers remain under the prior plan. In order to pay for this insurance for these executives, during 1992 insurance was purchased on the lives of each of them, except Mr. Morrell, who is not covered by this plan. Effective January 1, 1993, Allegheny started to provide funds to pay for the future benefits due under the supplemental retirement plan (Secured Benefit Plan). To do this, during 1993 Allegheny purchased life

    73

    insurance on the lives of the covered executives. The premium costs of both policies plus a factor for the use of the money are returned to Allegheny at the earlier of (a) death of the insured or (b) the later of age 65 or 10 years from the date of the policy's inception. Under the ESOSP for 2000, all eligible employees may elect to have from 2% to 12% of their compensation contributed to the Plan as pre-tax contributions and an additional 1% to 6% as post-tax contributions. Employees direct the investment of these contributions into one or more of nine available funds. Fifty percent of the pre-tax contributions up to 6% of compensation are matched with common stock of AE. The maximum amount of any employee's compensation that may be used in these computations is $170,000. Employees' interests in the ESOSP vest immediately. Their pre-tax contributions may be withdrawn only upon meeting certain financial hardship requirements or upon termination of employment. For 2000 the figure shown includes amounts representing (a) the aggregate of life insurance premiums and dollar value of the benefit to the executive officer of the remainder of the premium paid on the Group Life Insurance program and the Executive Life Insurance and Secured Benefit Plans, and (b) ESOSP contributions, respectively, as follows: Mr. Noia $6,301 and $4,560; Mr. Skrgic $4,169 and $4,501; Mr. Morrell $20,819 and $4,524; Mr. Pifer $4,121 and $5,100; and Mr. Gagliardi $2,491 and $4,516.
     

    (f)     Mr. Skrgic resigned his positions effective February 1, 2001.

     

    (g)     Michael P. Morrell joined Allegheny on May 1, 1996. His Cycle III payout is prorated for the period May 1, 1996 - December 31, 1998.

    74

     

    ALLEGHENY ENERGY, INC. LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN

    SHARES AWARDED IN LAST FISCAL YEAR (CYCLE VII)

         

    Estimated Future Payout

               
       

    Performance

    Threshold

    Target

    Maximum

    Name

    Number of

    Period Until

    Number of

    Number of

    Number of

     

    Shares

    Payout

    Shares

    Shares

    Shares

    Alan J. Noia

    13,349

    2000 - 2002

    8,009

    13,349

    26,698

    Chief Executive Officer

             
               

    Peter J. Skrgic

    6,311

    2000 - 2002

    3,787

    6,311

    12,622

    Senior Vice President

             
               

    Michael P. Morrell

    5,197

    2000 - 2002

    3,118

    5,197

    10,394

    Senior Vice President

             
               

    Jay S. Pifer

    4,826

    2000 - 2002

    2,896

    4,826

    9,652

    Senior Vice President

             
               

    Richard J. Gagliardi

    3,713

    2000 - 2002

    2,228

    3,713

    7,425

    Vice President

             

     

     

     

         The named executives were awarded the above number of performance shares for Cycle VII. Such number of shares are only targets. As described below, no payouts will be made unless certain criteria are met. Each executive's 2000-2002 target long-term incentive opportunity was converted into performance shares equal to an equivalent number of shares of AE common stock based on the price of such stock on December 31, 1999. At the end of this three-year performance period, the performance shares attributed to the calculated award will be valued based on the price of AE common stock on December 31, 2002 and will reflect dividends that would have been paid on such stock during the performance period as if they were reinvested on the date paid. If an executive retires, dies or otherwise leaves the employment of Allegheny prior to the end of the three-year period, the executive may still receive an award based on the number of months worked during the period. The final value of an executive's account, if any, will be paid to the executive in early 2003.

     

         The actual payout of an executive's award may range from 0 to 200% of the target amount, before dividend reinvestment. The payout is based upon stockholder performance versus the peer group. The stockholder rating is then compared to a pre-established percentile ranking chart to determine the payout percentage of target. A ranking below 30% results in a 0% payout. The minimum payout begins at the 30% ranking, which results in a payout of 60% of target, ranging up to a payout of 200% of target if there is a 90% or higher ranking.

    75


    STOCK OPTION GRANTS IN 2000

       

    Percentage

         
     

    Number of

    Of Total

       

    Grant

     

    Securities

    Options

       

    Date

     

    Underlying

    Granted to

    Exercise

    Expiration

    Present

     

    Options

    Employees

    Price

    Date

    Value(2)

    Name

    Granted(1)

    In 2000

    ($/Sh)

     

    ($)

               

    Alan J. Noia

    100,000

    21.16%

    42.3125

    12/7/10

    836,000

               

    Peter J. Skrgic

    20,000

    4.24%

    42.3125

    12/7/10

    167,200

               

    Michael P. Morrell

    50,000

    10.58%

    42.3125

    12/7/10

    418,000

               

    Jay S. Pifer

    50,000

    10.58%

    42.3125

    12/7/10

    418,000

               

    Richard J. Gagliardi

    30,000

    6.35%

    42.3125

    12/7/10

    250,800

    (1) Options become exercisable three years after date of the grant. Mr. Skrgic's options become exercisable July 1, 2001.

    (2) The Black-Scholes option pricing model was chosen to estimate the Grant Date Present Value of the options set forth in this table. Allegheny Energy's use of this model should not be construed as an endorsement of its accuracy of valuing options. All stock option valuation models, including the Black-Scholes model, require a prediction about the future movement of the stock price. The following assumptions were made for purposes of calculating the Grant Date Present Value: an option term of 10 years, volatility of 28.69% dividend yield at 5.51%, and interest rate of 6.50%. The real value of the options in this table depends upon the actual performance of Allegheny Energy's stock during the applicable period.

     

     

     

    Retirement Plan

     

         Allegheny maintains a Retirement Plan covering substantially all employees. The Retirement Plan is a noncontributory, trusteed pension plan designed to meet the requirements of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). Each covered employee is eligible for retirement at normal retirement date (age 65), with early retirement permitted. In addition, executive officers and other senior managers participate in a supplemental executive retirement plan (Secured Benefit Plan).

     

         Pursuant to the Secured Benefit Plan, senior executives of Allegheny companies who retire at age 60 or over with 40 or more years of service are entitled to a supplemental retirement benefit in an amount that, together with the benefits under the basic plan and from other employment, will equal 60% of the executive's highest average monthly earnings for any 36 consecutive months. Beginning February 1, 1996, the earnings include 50% of

    76

    the actual award paid under the Annual Incentive Plan and beginning January 1, 1999, include 100% of the actual award paid under the Annual Incentive Plan. The supplemental benefit is reduced for less than 40 years service and for retirement age from 60 to 55. It is included in the amounts shown where applicable. To provide funds to pay such benefits, beginning January 1, 1993, Allegheny purchased insurance on the lives of the participants in the Secured Benefit Plan. If the assumptions made as to mortality experience, policy dividends, and other factors are realized, Allegheny will recover all premium payments, plus a factor for the use of the Allegheny's money. The portion of the premiums for this insurance required to be deemed "compensation" by the Securities and Exchange Commission is included in the "All Other Compensation" column on page 57 of this Form 10-K. All executive officers are participants in the Secured Benefit Plan. It also provides for use of Average Compensation in excess of Code maximums.
     

         The following table shows estimated maximum annual benefits payable to participants in the Secured Benefit Plan following retirement (assuming payments on a normal life annuity basis and not including any survivor benefit) to an employee in specified remuneration and years of credited service classifications. These amounts are based on an estimated Average Compensation (defined as 12 times the highest average monthly earnings including overtime and other salary payments actually earned, whether or not payment is deferred, for any 36 consecutive calendar months), retirement at age 65 and without consideration of any effect of various options which may be elected prior to retirement. The benefits listed in the Pension Plan Table are not subject to any deduction for Social Security or any other offset amounts.

     

     

     

     

     

    Years of Credited Service

    Average

    15 Years

    20 Years

    25 Years

    30 Years

    35 Years

    40 Years

    Compensation(a)

               

    $200,000

    $60,000

    $80000

    $100,000

    $110,000

    115,000

    $120,000

    300,000

    90,000

    120,000

    150,000

    165,000

    172,500

    180,000

    400,000

    120,000

    160,000

    200,000

    220,000

    230,000

    240,000

    500,000

    150,000

    200,000

    250,000

    275,000

    287,500

    300,000

    600,000

    180,000

    240,000

    300,000

    330,000

    345,000

    360,000

    700,000

    210,000

    280,000

    350,000

    385,000

    402,500

    420,000

    800,000

    240,000

    320,000

    400,000

    440,000

    460,000

    480,000

    900,000

    270,000

    360,000

    450,000

    495,000

    517,000

    540,000

    1,000,000

    300,000

    400,000

    500,000

    550,000

    575,000

    600,000

    (a) The earnings of Messrs. Noia, Skrgic, Pifer, Morrell and Gagliardi covered by the plan correspond substantially to such amounts shown for them in the summary compensation table. As of December 31, 2000, they had accrued 31, 36, 36, 4-1/2 and 22 years of credited service, respectively, under the Retirement Plan. Pursuant to an agreement with Mr. Morrell, at the end of ten years of employment with the Company, Mr. Morrell will be credited with an additional eight years of service.

    77

     

     

    Change In Control Contracts

     

         AE has entered into Change in Control contracts with the named and certain other Allegheny executive officers (Agreements). Each Agreement sets forth (i) the severance benefits that will be provided to the employee in the event the employee is terminated subsequent to a Change in Control of AE (as defined in the Agreements), and (ii) the employee's obligation to continue his or her employment after the occurrence of certain circumstances that could lead to a Change in Control. The Agreements provide generally that if there is a Change in Control, unless employment is terminated by AE for Cause, Disability or Retirement or by the employee for other than Good Reason (each as defined in the Agreements), severance benefits payable to the employee will consist of a cash payment equal to 2.99 times the employee's base annual salary and target short-term incentive together with AE maintaining existing benefits for the employee and the employee's dependents for a period of three years. Each Agreement expires on December 31, 2001, but is automatically extended for one-year periods thereafter unless either AE or the employee gives notice otherwise. Notwithstanding the delivery of such notice, the Agreements will continue in effect for thirty-six months after a Change in Control.

     

    Compensation of Directors

     

         Each of the directors is also a director of the following subsidiaries of AE: Monongahela, Potomac Edison, West Penn, and AESC (Allegheny companies). In 2000, directors who were not officers or employees (outside directors) received for all services to AE and Allegheny companies (a) $20,000 in retainer fees, (b) $1,000 for each committee meeting attended and $250 for each Board meeting of each company attended. The Chairperson of each committee receives an additional fee of $4,000 per year. Under an unfunded deferred compensation plan, a director may elect to defer receipt of all or part of his or her director's fees for succeeding calendar years to be payable with accumulated interest when the director ceases to be such, in equal annual installments, or, upon authorization by the Board of Directors, in a lump sum. In addition to the foregoing compensation, the outside directors of AE receive an annual retainer of $12,000 worth of Common Stock. Further, a Deferred Stock Unit Plan for Outside Directors provides for a lump sum payment (payable at the director's election in one or more installments, including interest thereon equivalent to the dividend yield) to directors calculated by reference to the price of the AE's Common Stock. Directors who serve at least five years on the Board and leave at or after age 65, or upon death or disability, or as otherwise directed by the Board, will receive such payments. In 2000, AE credited each outside director's account with 325 deferred stock units. The number will increase to 350 in 2001 and to 375 in 2002. On December 7, 2000, each outside director was granted 20,000 stock options that vest in three years.

    78

    ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

    The table below shows the number of shares of AE common stock that are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by each director and named executive officer of AE, Monongahela, Potomac Edison, West Penn, and AGC and by all directors and executive officers of each such company as a group as of December 31, 2000. To the best of the knowledge of AE, there is no person who is a beneficial owner of more than 5% of the voting securities of AE.

     

    Named Executive

    Shares of

     
     

    Officer or

    APS

    Percent

    Name

    Director of

    Common Stock

    Of Class

           

    Eleanor Baum

    AE,MP,PE,WP

    3,806*

    .048% or less

    Lewis B. Campbell

    AE,MP,PE,WP

    0

     

    Richard J. Gagliardi

    AE, AGC

    17,548

    "

    Thomas K. Henderson

    AGC

    12,081

    "

    Wendell F. Holland

    AE,MP,PE,WP

    2,229*

    "

    Phillip E.Lint

    AE,MP,PE,WP

    2,683*

    "

    Frank A. Metz, Jr.

    AE,MP,PE,WP

    4,799

    "

    Michael P. Morrell

    AE,MP,PE,WP,AGC

    15,343

    "

    Alan J. Noia

    AE,MP,PE,WP,AGC

    53,424

    "

    Jay S. Pifer

    AE,MP,PE,WP

    24,378

    "

    Steven H. Rice

    AE,MP,PE,WP

    5,089*

    "

    Gunnar E. Sarsten

    AE,MP,PE,WP

    7,806*

    "

    Peter J. Skrgic

    AE,MP,PE,WP,AGC

    30,076

    "

     

     

    All directors and executive officers

       

    Of AE as a group (19 persons)

    184,386

    .167% or less

         

    All directors and executive officers

       

    Of MP as a group (19 persons)

    161,434

    "

         

    All directors and executive officers

       

    Of PE as a group (19 persons)

    161,434

    "

         

    All directors and executive officers

       

    Of WP as a group (19 persons)

    161,434

    "

         

    All directors and executive officers

       

    Of AGC as a group (7 persons)

    133,596

    "

    *Excludes the outside directors' accounts in the Deferred Stock Unit Plan which, at March 1, 2001, were valued at the number of shares shown: Baum 4,522; Campbell 328; Holland 2,423; Lint 6,328; Metz 4,821; Rice 3,194; and Sarsten 4,183.

    All of the shares of common stock of Monongahela (5,891,000), Potomac Edison (22,385,000), and West Penn (24,361,586) are owned by AE. All of the common stock of AGC is owned by Monongahela (270 shares) and Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC (730 shares).

    79

     

    ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     

    None.

     

    PART IV

     

    ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

       

    (a)(1)(2)

    The financial statements and financial statement schedules filed as part of this Report are set forth under ITEM 8. and reference is made to the index on page 49.

       

    (b)

    AE and Monongahela filed reports on Form 8-K during the quarter ended December 31, 2000.

       

    (c)

    Exhibits for AE, Monongahela, Potomac Edison, West Penn, and AGC are listed in the Exhibit Index beginning on page E-1 and are incorporated herein by reference.

    80

     

    SIGNATURES

    Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

    ALLEGHENY ENERGY, INC.

    By: /s/ Alan J. Noia
    (Alan J. Noia) Chairman, President
    and Chief Executive Officer

    Date: March 1, 2001

     

     

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant, in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

     

    Signature

    Title

    Date

           

    (i)

    Principal Executive Officer:

       
           
     

    /s/ Alan J. Noia
    (Alan J. Noia)

    Chairman, President, Chief
    Executive Officer and Director

    3/1/01

           

    (ii)

    Principal Financial Officer:

       
           
     

    /s/ Regis F. Binder
    (Regis F. Binder)

    Vice President and Treasurer

    3/1/01

           

    (iii)

    Principal Accounting Officer:

       
           
     

    /s/ Thomas J. Kloc
    (Thomas J. Kloc)

    Vice President and Controller

    3/1/01

           

    (iv)

    A Majority of the Directors:

       
           
     

    *Eleanor Baum
    *Lewis B. Campbell
    *Wendell F. Holland
    *Phillip E. Lint

    *Frank A. Metz, Jr.
    *Alan J. Noia
    *Steven H. Rice
    *Gunnar E. Sarsten

     
       
       
       
           

    *By:

    /s/ Thomas K. Henderson
    (Thomas K. Henderson)

    81

     

    3/1/01

           
           
           

     

    SIGNATURES

    Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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. The signature of the undersigned company shall be deemed to relate only to matters having reference to such company and any subsidiaries thereof.

    MONONGAHELA POWER COMPANY

    By: /s/ Jay S. Pifer
    (Jay S. Pifer) President
    and Director

    Date: March 1, 2001

     

     

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant, in the capacities and on the dates indicated. The signature of each of the undersigned shall be deemed to relate only to matters having reference to the above-named company and any subsidiaries thereof.

     

    Signature

    Title

    Date

           

    (i)

    Principal Executive Officer:

       
           
     

    /s/ Alan J. Noia
    (Alan J. Noia)

    Chairman of the Board, Chief
    Executive Officer and Director

    3/1/01

           

    (ii)

    Principal Financial Officer:

       
           
     

    /s/ Regis F. Binder
    (Regis F. Binder)

    Treasurer

    3/1/01

           

    (iii)

    Principal Accounting Officer:

       
           
     

    /s/ Thomas J. Kloc
    (Thomas J. Kloc)

    Controller

    3/1/01

           

    (iv)

    A Majority of the Directors:

       
           
     

    *Eleanor Baum
    *Lewis B. Campbell
    *Wendell F. Holland
    *Phillip E. Lint
    *Frank A. Metz, Jr.
    *Michael P. Morrell

    *Alan J. Noia
    *Jay S. Pifer
    *Steven H. Rice
    *Gunnar E. Sarsten
    *Victoria V. Schaff

     
       
       
       
           

    *By:

    /s/ Thomas K. Henderson
    (Thomas K. Henderson)

    82

     

    3/1/01

           

     

    SIGNATURES

    Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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. The signature of the undersigned company shall be deemed to relate only to matters having reference to such company and any subsidiaries thereof.

    THE POTOMAC EDISON COMPANY

    By: /s/ Jay S. Pifer
    (Jay S. Pifer) President
    and Director

    Date: March 1, 2001

     

     

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant, in the capacities and on the dates indicated. The signature of each of the undersigned shall be deemed to relate only to matters having reference to the above-named company and any subsidiaries thereof.

     

    Signature

    Title

    Date

           

    (i)

    Principal Executive Officer:

       
           
     

    /s/ Alan J. Noia
    (Alan J. Noia)

    Chairman of the Board, Chief
    Executive Officer and Director

    3/1/01

           

    (ii)

    Principal Financial Officer:

       
           
     

    /s/ Regis F. Binder
    (Regis F. Binder)

    Treasurer

    3/1/01

           

    (iii)

    Principal Accounting Officer:

       
           
     

    /s/ Thomas J. Kloc
    (Thomas J. Kloc)

    Controller

    3/1/01

           

    (iv)

    A Majority of the Directors:

       
           
     

    *Eleanor Baum
    *Lewis B. Campbell
    *Wendell F. Holland
    *Phillip E. Lint
    *Frank A. Metz, Jr.
    *Michael P. Morrell

    *Alan J. Noia
    *Jay S. Pifer
    *Steven H. Rice
    *Gunnar E. Sarsten
    *Victoria V. Schaff

     
       
       
       
           

    *By:

    /s/ Thomas K. Henderson
    (Thomas K. Henderson)

    83

     

    3/1/01

           

     

    SIGNATURES

    Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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. The signature of the undersigned company shall be deemed to relate only to matters having reference to such company and any subsidiaries thereof.

    WEST PENN POWER COMPANY

    By: /s/ Jay S. Pifer
    (Jay S. Pifer) President
    and Director

    Date: March 1, 2001

     

     

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant, in the capacities and on the dates indicated. The signature of each of the undersigned shall be deemed to relate only to matters having reference to the above-named company and any subsidiaries thereof.

     

    Signature

    Title

    Date

           

    (i)

    Principal Executive Officer:

       
           
     

    /s/ Alan J. Noia
    (Alan J. Noia)

    Chairman of the Board, Chief
    Executive Officer and Director

    3/1/01

           

    (ii)

    Principal Financial Officer:

       
           
     

    /s/ Regis F. Binder
    (Regis F. Binder)

    Treasurer

    3/1/01

           

    (iii)

    Principal Accounting Officer:

       
           
     

    /s/ Thomas J. Kloc
    (Thomas J. Kloc)

    Controller

    3/1/01

           

    (iv)

    A Majority of the Directors:

       
           
     

    *Eleanor Baum
    *Lewis B. Campbell
    *Wendell F. Holland
    *Phillip E. Lint
    *Frank A. Metz, Jr.
    *Michael P. Morrell

    *Alan J. Noia
    *Jay S. Pifer
    *Steven H. Rice
    *Gunnar E. Sarsten
    *Victoria V. Schaff

     
       
       
       
           

    *By:

    /s/ Thomas K. Henderson
    (Thomas K. Henderson)

    84

     

    3/1/01

           

     

    SIGNATURES

    Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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. The signature of the undersigned company shall be deemed to relate only to matters having reference to such company and any subsidiaries thereof.

    ALLEGHENY GENERATING COMPANY

    By: /s/ Alan J. Noia
    (Alan J. Noia)
    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

    Date: March 1, 2001

     

     

    Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant, in the capacities and on the dates indicated. The signature of each of the undersigned shall be deemed to relate only to matters having reference to the above-named company and any subsidiaries thereof.

     

    Signature

    Title

    Date

           

    (i)

    Principal Executive Officer:

       
           
     

    /s/ Alan J. Noia
    (Alan J. Noia)

    Chairman of the Board, Chief
    Executive Officer and President

    3/1/01

           

    (ii)

    Principal Financial Officer:

       
           
     

    /s/ Regis F. Binder
    (Regis F. Binder)

    Vice President and Treasurer

    3/1/01

           

    (iii)

    Principal Accounting Officer:

       
           
     

    /s/ Thomas J. Kloc
    (Thomas J. Kloc)

    Vice President and Controller

    3/1/01

           

    (iv)

    A Majority of the Directors:

       
           
     

    *Richard J. Gagliardi
    *Thomas K. Henderson
    *Michael P. Morrell
    *Alan J. Noia
    *Victoria V. Schaff

       
       
       
       
           

    *By:

    /s/ Thomas K. Henderson
    (Thomas K. Henderson)

    85

     

    3/1/01

           

    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

     
     
     
     

         We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in Allegheny Energy Inc.'s Registration Statements on Form S-3 (Nos. 33-36716, 33-57027, 33-49791, 333-41638, 333-49086 and 333-56786; Allegheny Energy, Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-40432); Monongahela Power Company's Registration Statements on Form S-3 (Nos. 333-31493, 33-51301, 33-56262, 33-59131 and 333-38484); The Potomac Edison Company's Registration Statements on Form S-3 (Nos. 333-33413, 33-51305 and 33-59493); and West Penn Power Company's Registration Statements on Form S-3 (Nos. 333-34511, 33-51303, 33-56997, 33-52862, 33-56260 and 33-59133); of our reports dated February 1, 2001 and February 12, 2001 relating to the financial statements and financial statement schedules, which appear in this Form 10K.

     
     
     

    PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP

     

    Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

    March 29, 2001

    86

     

    POWER OF ATTORNEY

     
     

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS THAT the undersigned directors of Allegheny Energy, Inc., a Maryland corporation, Monongahela Power Company, an Ohio corporation, The Potomac Edison Company, a Maryland and Virginia corporation, and West Penn Power Company, a Pennsylvania corporation, do hereby constitute and appoint THOMAS K. HENDERSON and MARLEEN L. BROOKS, and each of them, a true and lawful attorney in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign his or her name to Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and to any and all amendments, of said Companies, and to cause the same to be filed with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys and each of them full power and authority to do and perform any act and thing necessary and proper to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned could do if personally present, and the undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorneys or any one of them shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     
     

    Dated: March 1, 2001

     
     

    /s/ Eleanor Baum
    (Eleanor Baum)

    /s/ Frank A. Metz, Jr.
    (Frank A. Metz, Jr.)

       

    /s/ Lewis B. Campbell
    (Lewis B. Campbell)

    /s/ Alan J. Noia
    (Alan J. Noia)

       

    /s/ Wendell F. Holland
    (Wendell F. Holland)

    /s/ Steven H. Rice
    (Steven H. Rice)

       

    /s/ Phillip E. Lint
    (Phillip E. Lint)

    /s/ Gunnar E. Sarsten
    (Gunnar E. Sarsten)

    87

     

     

    POWER OF ATTORNEY

     
     

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS THAT the undersigned directors of Monongahela Power Company, an Ohio corporation, The Potomac Edison Company, a Maryland and Virginia corporation, and West Penn Power Company, a Pennsylvania corporation, do hereby constitute and appoint THOMAS K. HENDERSON and MARLEEN L. BROOKS, and each of them, a true and lawful attorney in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign his or her name to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and to any and all amendments, of said Company, and to cause the same to be filed with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys and each of them full power and authority to do and perform any act and thing necessary and proper to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned could do if personally present, and the undersigned hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys or any one of them shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     
     

    Dated: March 1, 2001

     
     

    /s/ Michael P. Morrell

    (Michael P. Morrell)

     

    /s/ Jay S. Pifer

    (Jay S. Pifer)

     

    /s/ Victoria V. Schaff

    (Victoria V. Schaff)

    88

     

     

    POWER OF ATTORNEY

     
     
     

         KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS THAT the undersigned directors of Allegheny Generating Company, a Virginia corporation, do hereby constitute and appoint THOMAS K. HENDERSON and MARLEEN L. BROOKS, and each of them, a true and lawful attorney in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign his or her name to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and to any and all amendments, of said Company, and to cause the same to be filed with the SEC, granting unto said attorneys and each of them full power and authority to do and perform any act and thing necessary and proper to be done in the premises, as fully and to all intents and purposes as the undersigned could do if personally present, and the undersigned hereby ratify and confirm all that said attorneys or any one of them shall lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     
     

    Dated: March 1, 2001

     
     
     

    /s/ Richard G. Gagliardi

    (Richard J. Gagliardi)

     

    /s/ Thomas K. Henderson

    (Thomas K. Henderson)

     

    /s/ Michael P. Morrell

    (Michael P. Morrell)

     

    /s/ Alan J. Noia

    (Alan J. Noia)

     

    /s/ Victoria V. Schaff

    (Victoria V. Schaff)

    E-1

    EXHIBIT INDEX

    (Rule 601(a))

    Allegheny Energy, Inc.

     

    Documents

    Incorporation by Reference

    3.1

    Charter of the Company, as amended, September 16, 1997

    Form 10-K of the Company (1-267), December 31, 1997, exh. 3.1

    3.1a

    Articles Supplementary dated July 15, 1999 and filed July 20, 1999

    Form 8-K of the Company (1-267), July 20, 1999, exh. 3.1

    3.2

    By-laws of the Company, as amended February 3, 2000

    Form 10-K of the Company (1-267), December 31, 1999, exh. 3.2

    4

    Subsidiaries' Indentures described below

     

    10.1

    Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan

    Form 10-K of the Company 1-267), December 31, 1994, exh. 10.1

    10.2

    Executive Compensation Plan

    Form 10-K of the Company (1-267), December 31, 1996, exh. 10.2

    10.3

    Allegheny Energy 1999 Annual Incentive Compensation Plan

    Form 10-K of the Company (1-267), December 31, 1999, exh. 10.3

    10.4

    Allegheny Energy Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan

    Form 10-K of the Company (1-267), December 31, 1996, exh. 10.4

    10.5

    Executive Life Insurance Program and Collateral Assignment Agreement

    Form 10-K of the Company (1-267), December 31, 1994, exh. 10.5

    10.6

    Secured Benefit Plan and Collateral Assignment Agreement

    Form 10-K of the Company (1-267), December 31, 1994, exh. 10.6

    10.7

    Restricted Stock Plan for Outside Directors

    Form 10-K of the Company (1-267), December 31, 1998, exh. 10.7

    10.8

    Deferred Stock Unit Plan for Outside Directors

    Form 10-K of the Company (1-267), December 31, 1997, exh. 10.8

    10.9

    Allegheny Energy Performance Share Plan

    Form 10-K of the Company (1-267), December 31, 1994, exh. 10.9

    E-1 (cont'd.)

    EXHIBIT INDEX

    (Rule 601(a))

    Allegheny Energy, Inc.

     
     

    Documents

    Incorporation by Reference

    10.10

    Form of Change in Control Contract With Certain Executive Officers Under Age 55

    Form 10-K of the Company (1-267), December 31, 1998, exh. 10.10

    10.11

    Form of Change in Control Contract With Certain Executive Officers Over Age 55

    Form 10-K of the Company (1-267), December 31, 1998, exh. 10.11

    10.12

    Allegheny Energy, Inc. 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan

    Form S-8 of the Company (1-267), October 14, 1998, exh. 4.1

    10.13

    Allegheny Energy, Inc. Stockholder Protection Rights Agreement

    Form 8-K of the Company (1-267), March 6, 2000, exh. 4

    10.14

    Purchase and Sale Agreement by and between Enron North America Corporation and Allegheny Energy Supply Company, L.L.C.

     

    11

    Statement re computation of per share earnings: Clearly determinable from the financial statements contained in Item 8

     

    12

    Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.

     

    21

    Subsidiaries of AE:

     
     

    Name of Company

    State of Organization

     

    Allegheny Generating Company (a)

    Virginia

     

    Allegheny Energy Service Corporation

    Maryland

     

    Allegheny Ventures, Inc.

    Delaware

     

    Monongahela Power Company

    Ohio

     

    The Potomac Edison Company

    Maryland and Virginia

     

    West Penn Power Company

    Pennsylvania

     

    Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC

    Delaware

     

    Allegheny Energy Unit No. 1 and Unit No. 2, LLC

    Delaware

     

    Allegheny Energy Supply Hunlock Creek, LLC

    Delaware

     

    Allegheny Energy Supply Conemaugh, LLC

    Delaware

    23

    Consent of Independent Accountants

    See page 87 herein.

    24

    Powers of Attorney

    See page 88 herein.

         

    (a) Owned directly by Monongahela and Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC

     

    E-2

    EXHIBIT INDEX

    (Rule 601(a))

    Monongahela Power Company

     

    Documents

    Incorporation by Reference

    3.1

    Charter of the Company, as amended

    Form 10-Q of the Company (1-5164), September 1995, exh. (a)(3)(i)

    3.2

    Code of Regulations, as amended

    Form 10-Q of the Company (1-5164), September 1995, exh. (a)(3)(ii)

    4

    Indenture, dated as of August 1, 1945, and certain Supplemental Indentures of the Company defining rights of security holders.*

    S 2-5819, exh. 7(f)

    S 2-8881, exh. 7(b)

    S 2-10548, exh. 4(b)

    S 2-14763, exh. 2(b)(i);

    Forms 8-K of the Company (1-268-2) dated November 21, 1991, July 15, 1992, September 1, 1992, May 23, 1995, and November 14, 1997.

    10.1

    Form of Change in Control Contract With Certain Executive Officers Under Age 55

    Form 10-K of the Company (1-5164), December 31, 1998, exh. 10.1

    10.2

    Form of Change in Control Contract With Certain Executive Officers Over Age 55

    Form 10-K of the Company (1-5164), December 31, 1998, exh. 10.2

    12

    Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     

    21

    Subsidiaries: Monongahela Power Company has a 27% equity ownership in Allegheny Generating Company, incorporated in Virginia; a 25% equity ownership in Allegheny Pittsburgh Coal Company, incorporated in Pennsylvania; and a 100% equity ownership interest in Mountaineer Gas Company, incorporated in West Virginia, which owns a 100% equity ownership in Mapcom Systems, Inc., incorporated in Virginia, and in Mountaineer Gas Services, Inc., incorporated in West Virginia, which owns a 100% ownership Interest in Universal Coil, LLC, incorporated in Delaware.

     

    23

    Consent of Independent Accountants

    See page 87 herein.

    E-2 (cont'd.)

    EXHIBIT INDEX

    (Rule 601(a))

    Monongahela Power Company

     
     

    Documents

    Incorporation by Reference

    24

    Powers of Attorney

    See pages 86-87 herein.

    *There are omitted the Supplemental Indentures which do no more than subject property to the lien of the above Indentures since they are not considered constituent instruments defining the rights of the holders of the securities. The Company agrees to furnish the Commission on its request with copies of such Supplemental Indentures.

    E-3

    EXHIBIT INDEX

    (Rule 601(a))

    The Potomac Edison Company

     

    Documents

    Incorporation by Reference

    3.1

    Charter of the Company, as amended

    Form 10-Q of the Company (1-3376-2), September 1995, exh. (a)(3)(i)

    3.2

    By-laws of the Company, as amended

    Form 10-Q of the Company (1-3376-2), September 1995, exh. (a)(3)(ii)

    4

    Indenture, dated as of October 1, 1944, and certain Supplemental Indentures of the Company defining rights of security holders.*

    S 2-5473, exh. 7(b); Form S-3, 33-51305, exh.4(d) Forms 8-K of the Company (1-3376-2) dated December 15, 1992, February 17, 1993, June 22, 1994, May 12, 1995, May 17, 1995 and November 14, 1997.

    10.1

    Form of Change in Control Contract With Certain Executive Officers Under Age 55

    Form 10-K of the Company (1-3376-2), December 31, 1998, exh. 10.1

    10.2

    Form of Change in Control Contract With Certain Executive Officers Over Age 55

    Form 10-K of the Company (1-3376-2), December 31, 1998, exh. 10.2

    12

    Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     

    21

    Subsidiaries: The Potomac Edison Company has a 25% equity ownership in Allegheny Pittsburgh Coal Company, incorporated in Pennsylvania.

     

    23

    Consent of Independent Accountants

    See page 87 herein.

    24

    Powers of Attorney

    See pages 86-87 herein.

    *There are omitted the Supplemental Indentures which do no more than subject property to the lien of the above Indentures since they are not considered constituent instruments defining the rights of the holders of the securities. The Company agrees to furnish the Commission on its request with copies of such Supplemental Indentures.

    E-4

    EXHIBIT INDEX

    (Rule 601(a))

    West Penn Power Company

     

    Documents

    Incorporation by Reference

    3.1

    Charter of the Company, as amended, July 16, 1999

    Form 10-Q of the Company (1-255-2), June 30, 1999, exh. (a)(3)(i)

    3.2

    By-laws of the Company, as amended

    Form 10-Q of the Company (1-255-2), September 1995, exh. (a)(3)(ii)

    10.1

    Form of Employment Contract With Certain Executive Officers Under Age 55

    Form 10-K of the Company (1-255-2), December 31, 1998, exh. 10.1

    10.2

    Form of Employment Contract With Certain Executive Officers Over Age 55

    Form 10-K of the Company (1-255-2), December 31, 1998, exh. 10.2

    12

    Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     

    21

    Subsidiaries: West Penn Power Company has a 50% equity ownership in Allegheny Pittsburgh Coal Company, incorporated in Pennsylvania; a 100% equity ownership interest in West Penn Funding Corporation, incorporated in Delaware, which owns a 100% equity ownership interest in West Penn Funding LLC, incorporated in Delaware; and a 100% equity ownership in West Virginia Power and Transmission Company, incorporated in West Virginia, which owns a 100% equity ownership in West Penn West Virginia Water Power Company, incorporated in Pennsylvania

     

    23

    Consent of Independent Accountants

    See page 87 herein.

    24

    Powers of Attorney

    See pages 86-87 herein.

    E-5

    EXHIBIT INDEX

    (Rule 601(a))

    Allegheny Generating Company

     

    Documents

    Incorporation by Reference

    3.1(a)

    Charter of the Company, as amended*

     

    3.1(b)

    Certificate of Amendment to Charter, effective July 14, 1989**

     

    3.2

    By-laws of the Company, as amended, effective December 23, 1996

    Form 10-K of the Company (0-14688), December 31, 1996

    4

    Indenture, dated as of December 1, 1986, and Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 15, 1988, of the Company defining rights of security holders.***

     

    10.1

    APS Power Agreement-Bath County Pumped Storage Project, as amended, dated as of August 14, 1981, among Monongahela Power Company, Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC, The Potomac Edison Company and Allegheny Generating Company.****

     

    10.2

    Amendment No. 8, effective date January 1, 1999, to the APS Power Agreement-Bath County Pumped Storage Project

    Form 10-K of the Company (0-14688), December 31, 1998

    10.3

    Operating Agreement, dated as of June 17, 1981, among Virginia Electric and Power Company, Allegheny Generating Company, Monongahela Power Company, Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC and The Potomac Edison Company.****

     

    10.4

    Equity Agreement, dated June 17, 1981, between and among Allegheny Generating Company, Monongahela Power Company, Allegheny Energy Supply Company, LLC, and The Potomac Edison Company****

     

    10.5

    United States of America Before The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Allegheny Generating Company, Docket No. ER84-504-000, Settlement Agreement effective October 1, 1985.****

     

    12

    Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     

    23

    Consent of Independent Accountants

    See page 87 herein.

    E-5 (cont'd.)

    EXHIBIT INDEX

    (Rule 601(a))

    Allegheny Generating Company

     
     

    Documents

    Incorporation by Reference

    24

    Powers of Attorney

    See page 90 herein.

         

    * Incorporated by reference to the designated exhibit to AGC's registration statement on Form 10, File No. 0-14688.

    ** Incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q of the Company (0-14688) for June 1989, exh. (a).

    *** Incorporated by reference to Forms 8-K of the Company (0-14688) for December 1986, exh. 4(A), and December 1988, exh. 4.1.

    **** Incorporated by reference to Form 10-Q of the Company (0-14688) for June 1989, exh. (a).

     

     

    EXHIBIT 12

    COMPUTATION IN SUPPORT OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

    For Year Ended December 31, 2000

    (Dollar Amounts in Thousands)

     

     

    Allegheny Generating Company

    Earnings:

     

    Net Income

    $

    21,880

    Fixed charges (see below)

    13,493

    Income taxes

    7,514

    Total earnings

    $

    42,887

       

    Fixed Charges:

     

    Interest on long-term debt

    $

    9,669

    Other interest

    3,824

    Estimated interest component of rentals

    $

    -----

    Total fixed charges

    $

    13,493

       

    Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

    3.18