As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 15 , 2003
File No. 70-9985
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON D.C. 20549
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 7
TO
FORM U-1 APPLICATION-DECLARATION
UNDER
THE PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT OF 1935
E.ON AG
E.ONPlatz 1
40479 Dusseldorf
Germany
Fidelia Corporation
300 Delaware Avenue, Suite 544
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
Louisville Gas and Electric Company
220 West Main Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40202
Kentucky Utilities Company
One Quality Street
Lexington, Kentucky 40507
(Name of company filing this statement and address of principal executive offices)
E.ON AG
(Name of top registered holding company parent of each applicant or declarant)
Ulrich Hueppe General Counsel, Executive Vice President Dr. Guntram Wuerzberg Vice President General Legal Affairs E.ON AG E.ON-Platz 1 40479 Dusseldorf Germany Telephone: 011-49-211-4579-388 Facsimile: 011-49-211-4579-610 |
John R. McCall Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary LG&E Energy Corp. 220 West Main Street Louisville, Kentucky, 40202 Telephone: 502-627-3665 Facsimile: 502-627-4622 |
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(Name and address of agent for service) |
The
Commission is requested to send copies of all notices, orders and
communications in connection with this Application-Declaration to:
Peter D. Clarke
Debra J. Schnebel
Jones Day
77 West Wacker
Chicago, IL 60601-1692
Telephone: 312-782-3939
Facsimile: 312-782-8585
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Page |
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ITEM 1. | Description of the Proposed Transaction | 1 | ||||
A. |
Introduction |
1 |
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B. |
Requested Authorization |
2 |
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C. |
Discussion |
3 |
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1. |
E.ON's Financing Policy |
3 |
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2. |
Restriction in Articles of Incorporation |
4 |
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3. |
Intercompany Secured Loans |
4 |
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4. |
Use of Proceeds |
5 |
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5. |
Benefits to LG&E and KU |
6 |
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D. |
Priority of Securityholders |
7 |
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E. |
Protected Interests Under the Act |
7 |
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1. |
Consumers of LG&E and KU |
7 |
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2. |
Investors in LG&E and KU |
8 |
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3. |
E.ON |
9 |
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F. |
Commission Precedent |
10 |
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ITEM 2. |
Fees, Commissions and Expenses |
11 |
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ITEM 3. |
Applicable Statutory Provisions |
11 |
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A. |
Discussion |
11 |
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B. |
Rule 54 Analysis |
11 |
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ITEM 4. |
Regulatory Approvals |
12 |
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ITEM 5. |
Procedure |
12 |
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ITEM 6. |
Exhibits and Financial Statements |
12 |
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ITEM 7. |
Information as to Environmental Effects |
14 |
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This Post-Effective Amendment No. 7 to the Application/Declaration on Form U-1, originally filed in File No. 70-9985 on September 4, 2001, as subsequently amended, amends and restates Post-Effective Amendment No. 4, filed on April 10, 2003, as amended by Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 filed on April 18, 2003 and Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 filed on July 18, 2003, with the exception that it does not replace exhibits previously filed.
ITEM 1. Description of the Proposed Transaction
A. Introduction
By order dated June 14, 2002 (E.ON AG, et al., Holding Co. Act Release No. 27539) ("the June Order"), the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") authorized the acquisition of Powergen plc by E.ON AG ("E.ON") and authorized terms of the financing of the E.ON holding company system as well as certain related transactions. The June Order granted the Form U-1 ApplicationDeclaration, originally filed in File No. 70-9961 on September 4, 2001, and subsequently amended by Amendment No. 1 filed on October 23, 2001, Amendment No. 2 filed on December 21, 2001, Amendment No. 3 filed on June 11, 2002, and Amendment No. 4 filed on June 14, 2002 (the "Acquisition Application"), and the Form U-1 ApplicationDeclaration, originally filed in File No. 70-9985 on October 2, 2001, and subsequently amended by Amendment No. 1 filed on October 23, 2001, Amendment No. 2 filed on March 13, 2002, and Amendment No. 3 filed on June 11, 2002 (the "Original Financing Application"). Subsequently, the Original Financing Application was amended by Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 filed on December 30, 2002, Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 filed on February 4, 2002, and Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 filed on February 21, 2003, with respect to the transfer of Powergen US Investment Corp. from the Powergen chain of companies to E.ON US Holding GmbH (the "Transfer") (the Original Financing Application as so amended is referred to herein as the "Financing Application"). The Commission approved the Transfer in Holding Co. Act Release No. 27654 (Feb. 21, 2003). The Financing Application was further amended by Post-Effective Amendment No. 4 filed on April 10, 2003, as amended by Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 filed on April 18, 2003 and Post-Effective Amendment No. 6 filed on July 18, 2003, seeking the authorization requested herein.
E.ON, a registered holding company under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended ("Act"), owns LG&E Energy Corp. ("LG&E Energy"), a public utility holding company exempt by order under Section 3(a)(1) of the Act, which in turn owns two public utility companies, Louisville Gas and Electric Company ("LG&E") and Kentucky Utilities Company ("KU"). E.ON's interest in LG&E Energy is held indirectly through several intermediate holding companies. E.ON US Investments Corp., the direct parent of LG&E Energy, also owns E.ON North America Inc. ("E.ON NA"), which in turn currently owns 74.6% of Fidelia Corporation ("Fidelia"). The remaining 25.4% of Fidelia is owned by E.ON US Holding GmbH, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of E.ON.(1)
In the June Order, the Commission authorized, among other things, E.ON and its subsidiaries to engage in certain financing transactions. Specifically, E.ON and E.ON NA, through Fidelia or another special purpose financing subsidiary of E.ON NA, were authorized to finance all or a portion of the capital needs of LG&E Energy and its subsidiaries, directly or through other companies in the E.ON group. The Financing Application further stated: "Such borrowings would be unsecured and would only occur if the interest rate on the loan would result in an equal or lower cost of borrowing than the LG&E Energy Group company could obtain in a loan from E.ON or in the capital markets on its own".
E.ON is currently funding, and proposes to continue to fund, the cash requirements of LG&E and KU through intercompany loans. E.ON's financing strategy is to raise capital at the top holding company, E.ON, and to provide those funds to subsidiary companies through intercompany loans and/or as equity contributions. E.ON is able to provide funds to LG&E and KU at a cost which is at or below the external borrowing costs of LG&E and KU. In addition, by obtaining funds through intercompany loans, LG&E and KU would save the issuance expenses incurred in connection with the issuance of first mortgage bonds. In recent transactions, such issuance expenses have aggregated approximately $300,000 per issuance.
Both LG&E and KU, however, have provisions in their respective articles of incorporation that restrict the amount of unsecured debt that can be outstanding. At such time as LG&E and KU approaches such limit on unsecured debt, any additional debt incurred by LG&E and KU would have to be secured. Thus, LG&E and KU would not be able to take advantage of the economic efficiencies of the intercompany loans if such intercompany loans are required to be unsecured.
It is in the best interest of LG&E and KU, as well as that of the E.ON group, that the financing needs of LG&E and KU be provided through intercompany loans. In order to do so, such intercompany loans would need to be secured.
Thus, E.ON, Fidelia, LG&E and KU (the "Applicants") request authority for Fidelia to provide intercompany loans to LG&E and KU on a secured basis, as described herein.(2)
B. Requested Authorization
Applicants request authorization through May 31, 2005 (the "Authorization Period") for Fidelia to provide intercompany loans to LG&E and KU upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the June Order,(3) except that Applicants request that LG&E and KU may grant security for such intercompany loans as described below.(4) Each of LG&E and KU request authorization pursuant to Section 12(d) of the Act and Rule 43 thereunder to secure such intercompany loans with a subordinated lien on certain of the personal property of such company, including "utility assets" within the meaning of the Act. The collateral will consist of all of the borrower's now owned or hereafter acquired "equipment", as that term is defined in Kentucky's Uniform Commercial Code (KRS Chapter 355), excluding, however, any equipment that is not subject to the lien pursuant to such borrower's first mortgage bond indenture. The subordination provisions will provide that the E.ON group companies cannot exercise any rights or remedies against the property of LG&E and KU unless all bonds under such company's first mortgage bond indenture have been paid in full. The aggregate outstanding principal amount of intercompany loans made to LG&E and KU on a secured basis pursuant to this authorization will not exceed $275 million and $215 million, respectively. Further, each of LG&E and KU will commit that the aggregate principal amount of secured intercompany loans, together with the aggregate principal amount of bonds issued under their respective first mortgage bond indenture, will not exceed the limit on bonds set forth in such first mortgage bond indenture.(5)
The Applicants further commit that neither LG&E nor KU will borrow any funds pursuant to secured intercompany loans under the authority granted herein, unless at the time of the incurrence of any such secured intercompany loan:
Common Equity Ratio. Each of E.ON and the borrowing company (i.e., LG&E or KU, as the case may be) maintains common equity(6) as a percentage of total capitalization(7) of at least 30%, as reflected in their most recent annual or semiannual report. Applicants request that the Commission reserve jurisdiction over the making of secured intercompany loans at any time that the conditions set forth above are not satisfied.
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Investment Grade Ratings. (i) All outstanding securities of the borrowing company (i.e., LG&E or KU, as the case may be) that are rated are rated investment grade(8); and (ii) all outstanding securities of E.ON that are rated are rated investment grade. For purposes of this provision, a security will be deemed to be rated investment grade if it is rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization, as defined in Rule 15c3-1(c)(2)(vi)(F) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Applicants request that the Commission reserve jurisdiction over the making of secured intercompany loans at any time that the conditions set forth in clauses (i) or (ii) above are not satisfied.
The secured intercompany loans would be in compliance with the Best Rate Method. Thus, LG&E and KU would not pay more than it would pay in the capital markets for a similar loan had the borrower sought to finance its capital requirements with independent third parties. Furthermore, LG&E and KU would save the issuance expenses associated with the issuance of first mortgage bonds. Such expenses would typically include legal fees, printing costs, trustees fees, rating agency fees and filing fees. In recent transactions, such expenses have aggregated approximately $300,000 per issuance.
C. Discussion
1. E.ON's Financing Policy.
E.ON's financing policy is to centralize, wherever possible, all external funding at the E.ON level. This strategy allows E.ON to ensure that all funds are raised at the lowest cost due to the greater financial strength of the holding company. E.ON (currently AA-, stable outlook, from Standard & Poor's, and A1, stable outlook, from Moody's) is the strongest credit in the E.ON holding company system (the "E.ON Group"). Lenders and bond investors see E.ON (and its finance companies under its guarantee) as the most creditworthy company in the E.ON Group. E.ON receives the best margins and other terms and conditions. Therefore, E.ON (or its finance companies under guarantee of E.ON) is the preferred entity of the E.ON Group to approach the capital markets. E.ON will then lend the proceeds in the form of intercompany loans to those subsidiaries with demand.
For subsidiary companies to raise funds externally would create inefficiencies in E.ON's strategy because E.ON's creditors would be structurally subordinated to the debt of the subsidiaries. This would result in increased costs for E.ON, and consequently, all of its subsidiaries.
As a result of "structural subordination", debt at the parent company is viewed as having a higher risk as the level of debt at the subsidiary companies increases. As a general rule, the parent company's claims to the assets of a subsidiary company upon any liquidation or reorganization of such subsidiary company rank behind the claims of the creditors of such subsidiary company, including trade creditors.(9) Thus, the claims of the creditors of the subsidiary company will be satisfied prior to any distribution being made to the parent company, as a stockholder of the subsidiary company. The concern arises in the event that the value of the underlying assets in liquidation are not sufficient to satisfy all of the claims of creditors at the subsidiary level and at the parent company level. In such event, the creditors of the parent company will be paid only after payment in full of the creditors at the subsidiary level. As a result, debt at a parent company level, such as E.ON, is effectively subordinated to the existing, and future, indebtedness of the subsidiaries of such parent company. This is generally referred to as "structural subordination". As discussed in the Standard & Poor's publication Notching for Structural Subordination, "Even if the group's operations are splintered among many small subsidiaries, whose individual debt obligations have only dim recovery prospects, the parent company creditors may still be disadvantaged compared with a situation in which all creditors would have an equal claim on the assets." A numerical example of the consequences of "structural subordination" is set forth in Exhibit H-1.
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Lenders to any company will charge a market interest rate, plus a margin, or "spread", to compensate the lender for the credit risk of the particular borrower. Spreads can move up and down in response to general market conditions, but are most affected by the lender's evaluation of the risk that the borrower will be unable to repay the debt. As discussed above, structural subordination can materially increase the credit risk of parent company debt. Given E.ON's size, even small increases in spreads can result in significant additional costs. As a result, E.ON's strategy is to raise new debt at the parent level, and reduce debt at the subsidiaries wherever it can.
2. Restriction in Articles of Incorporation
The articles of incorporation of each of LG&E and KU contain a provision for the benefit of the holders of their preferred shares that limits the amount of unsecured indebtedness which may be outstanding at any time that such company has any preferred shares outstanding. The unsecured debt limit at LG&E is 20% of the sum of (a) secured debt plus (b) total of capital and surplus. The limit at KU is 25% of the same sum. See Exhibit A-3 hereto which contains applicable excerpts from the Articles of Incorporation of LG&E and KU. In order to exceed these limits, LG&E and KU would need to obtain the consent of the holders of a majority of the preferred shares outstanding.
The outstanding series of preferred stock of LG&E and KU as of July 31, 2003 are shown in the table below:
LG&E
Series |
Shares Outstanding |
Par Value |
Current Redemption Price |
Amount Outstanding ($000's) |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
5% Series | 860,287 | $25.00 | $28.00 | $21,507 | ||||
Auction Rate | 500,000 | $100.00 | $100.00 | $50,000 | ||||
$5.875 Series | 250,000 | $100.00 | $100.00 | $23,750 |
KU
Series |
Shares Outstanding |
Par Value |
Current Redemption Price |
Amount Outstanding ($000's) |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4.75% Series | 200,000 | $100.00 | $101.00 | $20,000 | ||||
6.53% Series | 200,000 | $100.00 | not allowed $103.27 on 12-1-03 |
$20,000 |
Certain of the series of preferred stock of KU are not callable at this time, or are callable only at a premium. Thus, LG&E and KU could not be assured that they could effect a redemption of all series of preferred stock on an economic basis at this time. LG&E and KU undertake to review the redemption provisions of the preferred stock on a periodic basis to determine the economics of effecting the redemption of the preferred stock and evaluate the feasibility and appropriateness of redeeming the preferred stock. At such time that LG&E and KU have redeemed all series of preferred stock and are no longer subject to the limits set forth in their respective Articles of Incorporation on the amount of unsecured debt which may be outstanding, any intercompany loans made to LG&E and KU will be made on an unsecured basis.
3. Intercompany Secured Loans
In order to satisfy the requirements of the Articles of Incorporation of LG&E and KU, Applicants request authorization for Fidelia to make intercompany loans to each of LG&E and KU on a secured basis. Absent the restrictions imposed by the respective Articles of Incorporation of LG&E and KU, the Applicants would not be requesting this authority.
The secured intercompany loans, as long-term debt, will provide a cost-efficient means for LG&E and KU to finance their capital needs, including payment of maturing indebtedness and financing of capital expenditures.(10) Use of secured intercompany loans to fund the capital needs of LG&E and KU will allow LG&E and KU to use unsecured short-term debt, including loans through the money pool, to finance their respective working capitals.
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The intercompany loans to be made by Fidelia to each of LG&E and KU will be made pursuant to separate loan and security agreements between Fidelia and such borrower. A form of the loan and security agreement is attached hereto as Exhibit B-1. The loan and security agreement documents the intercompany loan, specifying the Best Rate Method for determining the interest rate to be applicable to such loans and providing for the grant of a security interest in the specified collateral. The interest rate on the notes will be set at the time of issuance, based upon the maturity of the notes. At the time of the proposed intercompany loan, the borrowing company will obtain quotes from investment banks for a first mortgage bond issued by such company and E.ON will obtain quotes from investment banks for an unsecured bond issued by E.ON. The interest rate applicable to the intercompany loan would be the lower of (a) the average of three quotes obtained by E.ON from investment banks for an unsecured bond issued by E.ON with the applicable term of the loan (11) and (b) the lowest of three quotes obtained by the borrowing company from investment banks for a first mortgage bond issued by such company with the applicable term of the loan.(12)This ensures that the rate on the intercompany loans will be determined using the lowest of the average of actual quotes obtained based on the credit of E.ON or the credit of the borrowing company. This method is in compliance with the Best Rate Method.
The collateral consists of all of the borrower's now owned or hereafter acquired "equipment", as that term is defined in Kentucky's Uniform Commercial Code (KRS Chapter 355), excluding, however, any equipment that is not subject to the lien pursuant to the borrower's first mortgage bond indenture. Only property subject to the lien of the first mortgage bond indenture will be subject to the subordinated security interest. As set out in the definition section of the loan and security agreement, "equipment" has the meaning set out in the Uniform Commercial Code ("goods other than inventory, farm products, or consumer goods") and includes all of the borrower's now owned or hereafter acquired machinery, equipment, furniture, furnishings and all tangible personal property similar to any of the foregoing (other than inventory), together with all improvements, accessories and appurtenances thereto and any proceeds of any of the foregoing, including insurance proceeds and condemnation awards and all books and records relating to the preceding. Motor vehicles and other property subject to a certificate of title law are not included as collateral. Also, assets such as cash and accounts receivable are not "equipment" and would not be subject to the lien.
The security interest granted in the loan and security agreement is expressly subordinated to the lien of the borrower's first mortgage bond indenture. The subordination provisions provide that Fidelia cannot exercise any rights or remedies against the property of LG&E or KU unless all bonds under such company's first mortgage bond indenture have been paid in full.
So long as LG&E and KU are not in default under their respective loan agreements, Fidelia will have no rights against LG&E and KU, except to receive payment of principal and interest on the loans when due. Even if a default existed under a loan agreement, Fidelia would have no right to pursue any remedies against the property of LG&E or KU, as applicable, until all of such borrower's first mortgage bonds have been paid in full.
Under the existing financing agreements of E.ON, the creditors of E.ON would have no rights against LG&E or KU as a result of the proposed transactions. In any event, the creditors of E.ON could have no greater rights against LG&E and KU than those of Fidelia through the loan agreement. Thus, so long as LG&E or KU, as the case may be, is not in default of its obligations under the proposed loan agreement, neither Fidelia nor any creditor of E.ON would have any rights against LG&E or KU, as applicable, or their respective property.
4. Use of Proceeds
Both LG&E and KU have significant projected capital and financing needs, including those related to the pending maturity of first mortgage bonds, the anticipated need to finance the installation of pollution control equipment and the planned acquisition of additional electric generation capacity in 2003. LG&E has $42.6 million principal amount of bonds maturing on August 15, 2003. KU redeemed $62 million principal amount of bonds in June 2003 with proceeds of short-term debt. KU proposes to refinance the short-term debt with secured intercompany loans. The projected capital expenditure budgets for LG&E and KU for 2003 and 2004 are approximately $340 million and $550 million, respectively.
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In addition, the existing accounts receivable securitization programs of LG&E and KU are scheduled to be refinanced in 2004. The outstanding balances of the accounts receivables securitization programs ranged from a high of $75 million to a low of $20 million in the case of LG&E and from a high of $50 million to a low of $20 million for KU.(13) As of July 31, 2003, the outstanding balances under the accounts receivables securitization programs were $58.9 million for LG&E and $49.3 million for KU. The fluctuations in the balances are caused by two factors. First, the seasonal nature of the sales of LG&E and KU result in a fluctuation in the amount of receivables generated during the year. Sales and receivables are highest during the hot summer months and cold winter months when electric and gas use are highest. They are lowest in the shoulder months of the spring and fall. The level of receivables generated by LG&E and KU dictate the maximum amount available under the respective programs. Also, the outstanding balances at any time will reflect the funding needs of LG&E and KU, respectively. Within the limits of the respective programs, LG&E and KU will reduce or increase their respective participations in the programs to meet their respective funding requirements.
The following chart summarizes the projected capital requirements of LG&E and KU for 2003-2004:
|
LG&E |
KU |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
(000's omitted) |
(000's omitted) |
|||||
Bond Maturities | $ | 42,600 | $ | 62,000 | |||
Capital Expenditures for 2003 and 2004 | $ | 340,000 | $ | 550,000 | |||
Accounts Receivable Securitization Programs, as of July 31, 2003 | $ | 58,900 | $ | 49,300 | |||
TOTAL | $ | 441,500 | $ | 661,300 | |||
The limit on unsecured indebtedness in the Articles of Incorporation of each of LG&E and KU constrains the financing options available to LG&E and KU to finance these needs. LG&E and KU propose to finance these requirements using cash from operations and proceeds of secured intercompany loans.(14) In that regard, Applicants request authorization for LG&E and KU to obtain intercompany loans on a secured basis in an aggregate principal amount of up to $275 million and $215 million, respectively.
Additional detail regarding the financing requirements of LG&E and KU and the calculation of the limit on unsecured debt is attached hereto as Exhibit I-1.
5. Benefits to LG&E and KU
The proposed transactions would ensure that LG&E and KU would not pay more for the secured intercompany loans than it would pay in the capital markets for a similar loan obtained from independent third parties. Under the Best Rate Method, the secured intercompany loans will be at the lowest of: (i) E.ON's effective cost of capital, (ii) Fidelia's effective cost of capital and (iii) the effective cost of capital of LG&E or KU, as applicable, determined by reference to the effective cost of a direct borrowing by such company from a nonassociate for a comparable term loan. At the time of each funding, E.ON will obtain quotes from three investment banks for an issuance of unsecured bonds of E.ON and independently LG&E or KU, as applicable, will obtain quotes from three investment banks for an issuance of first mortgage bonds. In each case, investment banks are selected based upon their knowledge of the issuer and its credit profile. As discussed above, the interest rate applicable to the intercompany loan would be the lower of (a) the average of the three quotes obtained by E.ON from investment banks for an unsecured bond issued by E.ON with the applicable term of the loan and (b) the lowest of the three quotes obtained by the borrowing company from investment banks for a first mortgage bond issued by such company with the applicable term of the loan.(15) The rate setting mechanism provides LG&E and KU with independent verification of the implementation of the Best Rate Method.
In addition, by obtaining funds through intercompany loans, LG&E and KU would save the issuance expenses incurred in connection with the issuance of first mortgage bonds. In recent transactions, such issuance expenses have aggregated approximately $300,000 per issuance.
Thus, by utilizing secured intercompany loans, LG&E and KU can realize an overall lower cost of financing, as compared to the issuance of first mortgage bonds.
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D. Priority of Securityholders
Upon implementation of the proposed transactions, each of LG&E and KU will have five general classes of securityholders, which are (in order of priority):
1First Mortgage Bonds
2Secured Intercompany Loans
3Unsecured Creditors
4Preferred Stockholders
5Common Stockholder
Class 1 consists of the holders of the first mortgage bonds and the pollution control bonds, which are secured by first mortgage bonds. Through the first mortgage bond indenture, these holders have a first priority lien on substantially all of the utility and related assets of the respective utility. This class is not at all harmed or disadvantaged by the proposed transaction. In fact, this class would benefit from the proposed transaction. To the extent that capital needs are funded by secured intercompany loans instead of the issuance of additional first mortgage bonds, the amount of debt which will be ranked pari passu with the outstanding first mortgage bonds will not be increased.
Class 2 will consist of Fidelia, as lender in respect of the secured intercompany loans. Fidelia will have a subordinated lien on the utility and related assets of LG&E and KU, as the case may be, subject in all respects to the prior lien of the respective first mortgage bond indenture.
Class 3 consists of the unsecured creditors of LG&E and KU. This class includes the holders of unsecured, short-term debt of LG&E and KU, which at this time is primarily through the money pool. The unsecured creditors are in the same position whether the capital needs are financed through the issuance of first mortgage bonds or through secured intercompany loans. In either event, such indebtedness has a prior claim to the utility and related assets of LG&E and KU. However, to the extent that the cost of the secured intercompany loans is less than the cost of the issuance of first mortgage bonds, LG&E and KU, and their respective creditors, benefit from the cost savings.
Class 4 consists of the holders of the outstanding preferred stock of LG&E or KU, respectively. The preferred shareholders are not harmed by the proposed transaction. All debt, secured or unsecured, are prior to the claims of preferred shareholders. The preferred shareholders will continue to have the benefit of the restrictions in the articles of incorporation on the amount of unsecured debt and in the first mortgage bond indenture on issuance of bonds, as discussed below. Further, each of LG&E and KU commits that it would not incur any secured intercompany loan, unless it could have incurred such debt through the issuance of first mortgage bonds under the first mortgage bond indenture at such time.
Class 5 consists of LG&E Energy, as holder of the common stock outstanding of LG&E and KU.
E. Protected Interests Under the Act
Under the Act, the Commission must consider the impact of the proposed transaction on investors and consumers. The proposed transaction is not detrimental to the investors or consumers of LG&E or KU or the investors in E.ON.
1. Consumers of LG&E and KU
The June Order in this matter provides that the interest rate on intercompany loans cannot exceed E.ON's cost of borrowing and must result in an equal or lower cost of borrowing than LG&E or KU, respectively, could obtain in the capital markets on its own. Typically, E.ON's cost of borrowing is at or below that which is available to LG&E and/or KU in the capital markets. In no event, however, will the cost of the proposed transactions to LG&E and KU exceed the cost of borrowing that LG&E or KU could obtain in the capital markets on its own. In addition, by obtaining funds through intercompany loans, LG&E and KU would save the issuance expenses incurred in connection with the issuance of first mortgage bonds. In recent transactions, such issuance expenses have aggregated approximately $300,000 per issuance. As a result, the cost of borrowing is advantageous to LG&E and KU, and its consumers.
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2. Investors in LG&E and KU
The unaffiliated investors of LG&E and KU fall within two categoriesbondholders and preferred shareholders.(16)
As noted above, the proposed transaction will not disadvantage in any way the existing bondholders. The outstanding indebtedness for borrowed money of each of LG&E and KU owing to unaffiliated third party investors are in all cases secured under their respective first mortgage bond indenture.(17) The first mortgage bond indentures of each of LG&E and KU permit subordinated liens to be placed upon the property of LG&E and KU. The subordination provisions of the intercompany debt instruments will provide that the E.ON group companies cannot exercise any rights or remedies against the property of LG&E or KU unless all bonds under such company's first mortgage bond indenture have been paid in full. Furthermore, with the use of intercompany debt to finance the needs of LG&E and KU, the aggregate amount of first mortgage bonds will be less than if LG&E and KU issued first mortgage bonds to fund these needs. Thus, the bondholders will be in a more secure position.(18) Neither LG&E nor KU has outstanding any debt owing to unaffiliated third parties that is unsecured at this time.(19)See Exhibit J-1 hereto which contains a list of the outstanding debt of LG&E and KU.
The preferred shareholders are not put in any worse a position than if LG&E and KU had financed their funding needs with the issuance of bonds in the capital markets, rather than through intercompany loans. As discussed above, the articles of incorporation of each of LG&E and KU contain a provision for the benefit of their respective preferred shareholders that limits the amount of unsecured indebtedness which may be outstanding at any time that such company has any preferred shares outstanding. The combination of the covenants in the articles of incorporation and the restrictions on issuances of bonds contained in the first mortgage bond indentures of LG&E and KU effectively protect the preferred shareholders from being too deeply subordinated. Each of LG&E and KU commits that the aggregate principal amount of the bonds issued under their respective first mortgage bond indenture and their respective secured intercompany loans will not exceed the limit on bonds set forth in such first mortgage bond indenture.
8
LG&E's first mortgage bond indenture does not fix an overall dollar limitation on the principal amount of first mortgage bonds that may be issued or outstanding thereunder. Additional first mortgage bonds secured by the first mortgage bond indenture may be issued by LG&E on the basis of (i) 60% of the cost or fair value, whichever is less, of permanent additions, after making the required deductions on account of retired property, (ii) retired first mortgage bonds, the retirement whereof has not been otherwise used under the first mortgage bond indenture, and (iii) deposit of an equal amount of cash with the trustee under the first mortgage bond indenture, which cash may be withdrawn by applying amounts of established permanent additions equal to 1662/3% of such cash to be withdrawn or by retirements of first mortgage bonds. No additional first mortgage bonds may be issued on basis (i), basis (ii) under specified conditions, or basis (iii), unless the earnings applicable to bond interest for a specified twelve month period are equal to at least twice the annual interest requirement on the first mortgage bonds including those about to be issued. At December 31, 2002, the amount of permanent additions which could be used for the issuance of additional first mortgage bonds exceeded $1.7 billion. Thus, LG&E could issue in excess of $1 billion of additional first mortgage bonds under its first mortgage bond indenture.
KU's first mortgage bond indenture does not fix an overall dollar limitation on the principal amount of first mortgage bonds that may be issued or outstanding thereunder. Additional first mortgage bonds may be issued by KU from time to time under its first mortgage bond indenture in a principal amount equal to (i) 60% of eligible net expenditures made by KU for bondable property constructed or acquired by it and on which the first mortgage bond indenture is a mortgage lien, subject only to permitted encumbrances and liens and prepaid liens, (ii) the principal amount of previously authenticated first mortgage bonds of KU which have been retired or for the retirement of which the trustee under the first mortgage bond indenture holds the necessary funds, other than certain first mortgage bonds not usable for the purpose under the terms of the first mortgage bond indenture, and (iii) the amount of money deposited with such trustee, which money may be applied to the retirement of KU's first mortgage bonds or may be withdrawn in lieu of the authentication of an equivalent principal amount of first mortgage bonds under the first mortgage bond indenture provisions referred to in clauses (i) and (ii). Net expenditures for bondable property are determined as provided in the first mortgage bond indenture. In general, bondable property means any utility plant, property or equipment owned by KU and used or useful in its utility business.
No additional first mortgage bonds may be authenticated under KU's first mortgage bond indenture as provided in clauses (i) and (iii) in the preceding paragraph, or authenticated as provided in clause (ii) of the preceding paragraph bearing a higher rate of interest than the first mortgage bonds to be retired (unless such first mortgage bonds to be retired would mature within 5 years), unless the net earnings (as determined pursuant to the provisions of the first mortgage bond indenture) of KU for a 12-month period ending within 90 days next preceding such authentication were at least equal to twice the interest for one year on (i) all first mortgage bonds to be outstanding under the first mortgage bond indenture immediately after such authentication (other than first mortgage bonds for the retirement of which the trustee holds the necessary funds), and (ii) all other indebtedness then secured by a lien equal or prior to the lien of the first mortgage bond indenture on property of KU, with certain exceptions.
At December 31, 2002, KU had outstanding $484.8 million of first mortgage bonds issued under the first mortgage bond indenture. The principal amount of retired first mortgage bonds available as a basis for authenticating additional first mortgage bonds aggregated $172 million at December 31, 2002 and available net expenditures of bondable property aggregated not less than $999.5 million at December 31, 2002. Thus, KU could issue approximately $772 million, in the aggregate, of additional first mortgage bonds under its first mortgage bond indenture.
3. E.ON
The bondholders and shareholders of E.ON would also benefit as a result of the proposed transaction. As discussed above, as a result of "structural subordination", an increase in debt at the subsidiary level could result in increased borrowing costs for E.ON. Thus, it is detrimental to the investors in E.ON to require that third-party debt continue to be incurred at the subsidiary level. Also, since E.ON has the lowest borrowing costs, it is not cost effective for the E.ON system to continue to incur third-party debt at the subsidiary level.
E.ON respectfully submits that the proposed transaction is the most economical and efficient manner to finance LG&E's and KU's capital requirements and refinancing needs and is not detrimental to the interests of investors or consumers.
9
F. Commission Precedent
Section 12(d) of the Act and Rule 43 thereunder provide that no registered holding company or subsidiary thereof shall sell(20) to any company in the same holding company system any utility assets, except pursuant to a Commission order. Thus, Applicants request that the Commission authorize Fidelia to make intercompany loans to LG&E and KU on a secured basis, as described above.
The Commission has in the past authorized loans on a secured basis among companies in the same holding company system where economic efficiencies could be achieved. In Eastern Utilities Associates, et al., Holding Co. Act Release No. 13783 (June 26, 1958), the Commission authorized the sale by Blackstone Valley Gas and Electric Company ("Blackstone") to Eastern Utilities Associates ("EUA") of $3,750,000 principal amount of Blackstone's First Mortgage and Collateral Trust Bonds (the "Bonds"). The Bonds were pledged as collateral to secure bank borrowings by EUA. The Commission order in that matter states that EUA desired to consummate the proposed transaction to "reduce the cost of all premiums and related expenses which will be incurred by Blackstone in connection with the redemption of its bonds required by its Mortgage Indenture to permit the divestment of its gas properties." Similarly, in this matter, E.ON desires to consummate the proposed transaction in order to provide financing to LG&E and KU in a cost-effective manner.
In addition, the Commission has on a number of occasions approved the grant of subordinated liens on utility assets. Most recently, in a sequence of orders for subsidiaries of The Southern Company, the Commission authorized each of Georgia Power Company, Gulf Power Company, Mississippi Power Company and Savannah Electric and Power Company (the "Southern Utilities") to issue short-term debt secured by subordinated liens on certain of their respective assets.(21) Similar to LG&E and KU, each of the Southern Utilities had provisions in their charter documents which restricted the amount of short-term unsecured debt which they could have outstanding. In view of the restriction on the amount of unsecured short-term debt which each such Southern Utility could have outstanding under the terms of its charter, each of the Southern Utilities requested authorization to secure any borrowings in excess of its charter limits on short-term unsecured debt by a subordinated lien on certain assets of such Southern Utility. The Southern Utilities were granted such authorization pursuant to Section 12(d) of the Act and Rule 44 thereunder.
Similarly, in a number of orders for Monongahela Power Company, West Penn Power Company and The Potomac Edison Company, public utility subsidiaries of Allegheny Energy, Inc., the Commission authorized the public utility subsidiaries to issue notes secured by a second lien on certain generation facilities and certain other properties, subject to the lien of such company's first mortgage bond indentures.(22) Such notes thereby would not constitute unsecured debt within the meaning of the provisions of such company's charter.
Also, in Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company, Holding Company Act Release No. 24925 (July 18, 1989), the Commission authorized Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company ("Maine Yankee") to borrow under a revolving credit agreement secured by a first lien on its nuclear fuel inventory, its rights to payment for fuel costs from the sponsors pursuant to power contract and certain other rights (the "Maine Yankee Collateral"). In the same order, the Commission authorized Maine Yankee to borrow under a Eurodollar revolving credit agreement, secured by a second lien on the Maine Yankee Collateral. Such authority was amended and extended in Maine Yankee Atomic Power Company, Holding Company Act Release No. 25031 (Jan. 26, 1990) and Holding Company Act Release No. 25727 (Dec. 30, 1992).
Applicants respectfully submit that the requested authorization falls within prior Commission precedent and does not raise any new or novel issues.
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ITEM 2. Fees, Commissions and Expenses
Applicants expect to pay or incur up to $25,000 in aggregate fees, commissions and expenses, directly or indirectly, in connection with the proposed transactions. The above fees do not include fees, commissions and expenses incurred in connection with the issuance and sale of the securities. Such fees, commissions and expenses would be within the parameters set forth in this Application.
ITEM 3. Applicable Statutory Provisions
A. Discussion
In the June Order, the Commission previously authorized the making of intercompany loans upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Financing Application. Thus, the Commission has previously considered, and approved, the intercompany loans under Sections 6(a), (7), (9), 12(b), 32 and 33 of the Act and Rules 53 and 54 thereunder.
Section 12(d) of the Act and Rule 43 thereunder are considered applicable to the pledging of collateral to secure the intercompany loans. To the extent that the proposed transactions are considered by the Commission to require authorization, exemption or approval under any section of the Act or the rules and regulations other than those set forth above, request for such authorization, exemption or approval is hereby made.
Applicants respectfully submit that the authorization requested herein satisfies the applicable provisions of the Act and that no adverse findings are appropriate or necessary. The Commission should find that the proposed transactions are appropriate and are not detrimental to the public interest or the interest of investors or consumers.
B. Rule 54 Analysis
Rule 54 provides that in determining whether to approve certain transactions other than those involving exempt wholesale generators, as defined in Section 32(a) of the Act ("EWGs"), or foreign utility companies, as defined in Section 33(a) of the Act ("FUCOs"), the Commission will not consider the effect of the capitalization or earnings of any subsidiary which is an EWG or FUCO if Rule 53(a), (b) and (c) are satisfied. E.ON satisfies all of the conditions of Rule 53 except Rule 53(a)(1).
As of December 31, 2002, E.ON's "aggregate investment," as defined in Rule 53(a)(l), in EWGs and FUCOs was $18.369 billion. This amount is within the authorization granted to E.ON in the Commission's order in Holding Co. Act Release No. 27539 (June 14, 2002)) (the "SEC Order"). In the SEC Order, the Commission authorized E.ON to invest up to $25 billion, plus an additional $35 billion from proceeds of divestments, in EWGs and FUCOs and found that such an investment would not have either of the adverse effects set forth in Rule 53(c). There has been no material change in the facts or circumstances surrounding E.ON's capitalization since the SEC Order was issued.
Reference is made to Exhibit M-1 which sets forth the capitalization at March 31, 2003 of E.ON, LG&E and KU. As is evident from that Exhibit, at March 31, 2003, E.ON's common equity as a percentage of capitalization was 52.3%. The common equity ratios of LG&E and KU as of March 31, 2003 were 47.2% and 53.5%, respectively.
LG&E and KU and their respective customers will not be adversely impacted by the requested relief. In this application, the Applicants are not seeking authorization to increase the aggregate amount of indebtedness to be incurred by LG&E and KU, but rather seek authorization for an alternative source of financing to fund the respective capital needs of LG&E and KU. The application of the Best Rate Method will ensure that the cost of the proposed financings will not exceed the rate which such borrowing company could obtain in the capital markets on its own. Furthermore, each of the public utilities is subject to regulation by state commissions that are able to protect the utility customers within their respective states.
E.ON currently complies with, and will comply with, the record-keeping requirements of Rule 53(a)(2), the limitation under Rule 53(a)(3) on the use of the E.ON's system's domestic public-utility company personnel to render services to EWGs and FUCOs, and the requirements of Rule 53(a)(4) concerning the submission of copies of certain filings under the Act to retail regulatory commissions. Further, none of the circumstances described in Rule 53(b) has occurred or is continuing.
11
LG&E is subject to regulation by the Kentucky Public Service Commission (the "Kentucky Commission"). KU is subject to regulation by the Kentucky Commission, the Virginia State Corporation Commission (the "Virginia Commission") and the Tennessee Regulatory Authority (the "Tennessee Commission" and, together with the Kentucky Commission and the Virginia Commission, the "State Commissions"). All three State Commissions must approve the issuance of long-term debt, but do not regulate the issuance of short-term debt, whether or not such short-term debt is secured or unsecured. None of the states separately regulate the granting of liens on the assets of the public utility company. The Virginia Commission, however, must approve affiliate transactions involving utilities. In all of the applications submitted to the State Commissions, LG&E and KU fully described the proposed transactionsincluding the affiliate components of the transactions, that the intercompany debt may be secured and the nature and extent of any security to be provided.
Pursuant to an order issued on April 14, 2003, as clarified in an order dated April 30, 2003, the Kentucky Commission authorized LG&E to obtain up to $300 million in secured intercompany loans from Fidelia. Pursuant to an order issued on April 14, 2003, as clarified in an order dated April 30, 2003, the Kentucky Commission authorized KU to obtain up to $250 million in secured intercompany loans from Fidelia. The Virginia Commission authorized the issuance by KU of up to $250 million of secured long-term debt to its affiliate, Fidelia, in an order dated April 10, 2003. Similarly, on April 7, 2003, the Tennessee Commission authorized KU to borrow from Fidelia up to $250 million on a secured basis.
No other state commission has jurisdiction with respect to any aspect of the proposed transactions and no Federal commission, other than the Commission, has jurisdiction with respect to any aspect thereof.
The Applicants respectfully request that appropriate and timely action be taken by the Commission in this matter. The Commission is requested to issue and publish the requisite notice under Rule 23 with respect to this Application-Declaration as soon as possible; such notice to specify the minimum period allowed under the Commission's rule during which comments may be entered and the date on which an order of the Commission granting and permitting the Application-Declaration to become effective may be entered by the Commission. The Applicants hereby request that there be no hearing on this Application-Declaration and that the Commission issue its order as soon as practicable after the filing hereof. The Applicants hereby (i) waive a recommended decision by a hearing officer, (ii) waive a recommended decision by any other responsible officer of the Commission, (iii) consent that the Division of Investment Management may assist in the preparation of the Commission's decision and (iv) waive a 30-day waiting period between the issuance of the Commission's order and the date on which it is to become effective. Applicants respectfully request that the Commission's order be made effective immediately upon the entry thereof.
ITEM 6. Exhibits and Financial Statements
In addition to the Exhibits and Financial Statements previously filed in connection with the Financing Application, the following exhibits are applicable to this Amendment.
Exhibits
Exhibit No. |
Description of Document |
|
---|---|---|
A-1 | Restated Articles of Incorporation of LG&E (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.06 of LG&E's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 31, 1996, File No. 2-26720) | |
A-2 |
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of KU (incorporated by reference to Exhibits 4.03 and 4.04 to KU's Form 8-K Current Report, dated December 10, 1993, File No. 1-3464) |
|
A-3 |
Excerpts from the Articles of Incorporation of LG&E and KU (previously filed) |
|
B-1 |
Form of Loan and Security Agreement (previously filed) |
|
B-2 |
Trust Indenture dated November 1, 1949 from LG&E to Harris Trust and Savings Bank, as trustee, as supplemented (incorporated by reference to Exhibits 4.01 through 4.41, inclusive, of LG&E's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, File No. 2-26720) |
|
12
B-3 |
Indenture and Deed of Trust dated May 1, 1947 between KU and First Trust National Association (successor trustee) and a successor individual trustee, as trustee, as supplemented (incorporated by reference to Exhibits 4.42 through 4.45, inclusive, and Exhibits 4.50 and 4.51 of KU's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, File No. 1-3464) |
|
D-1 |
Application filed by LG&E with Kentucky Commission on February 18, 2003 (previously filed) |
|
D-2 |
Application filed by KU with Kentucky Commission on February 18, 2003 (previously filed) |
|
D-3 |
Application filed by KU with Virginia Commission on February 21, 2003 (previously filed) |
|
D-4 |
Petition filed by KU with Tennessee Commission on February 25, 2003 (previously filed) |
|
D-5 |
Order dated April 14, 2003 of the Kentucky Commission approving LG&E's application (filed in paper on Form SE) (previously filed) |
|
D-6 |
Order dated April 14, 2003 of the Kentucky Commission approving KU's application (filed in paper on Form SE) (previously filed) |
|
D-7 |
Order dated April 10, 2003 of the Virginia Commission approving KU's application (filed in paper on Form SE) (previously filed) |
|
D-8 |
Order dated April 7, 2003 of the Tennessee Commission approving KU's petition (filed in paper on Form SE) (previously filed) |
|
D-9 |
Order dated April 30, 2003 of the Kentucky Commission clarifying the Order granted by the Kentucky Commission on April 14, 2003 to LG&E (filed in paper on Form SE) (previously filed) |
|
D-10 |
Order dated April 30, 2003 of the Kentucky Commission clarifying the Order granted by the Kentucky Commission on April 14, 2003 to KU (filed in paper on Form SE) (previously filed) |
|
F-1 |
Preliminary Opinion of Counsel (previously filed) |
|
G-1 |
Proposed Form of Notice (revised) (previously filed) |
|
H-1 |
Example of Structural Subordination (previously filed) |
|
I-1 |
Calculation of Unsecured Debt Limits and Financing Requirements of LG&E and KU (revised) (Filed in paper under cover of Form SE; Confidential treatment requested pursuant to Rule 104(b), 17 CFR 250-104(b)) (previously filed) |
|
J-1 |
List of Outstanding Indebtedness of LG&E and KU (previously filed) |
|
K-1 |
Computation under First Mortgage Bond Indentures (previously filed) |
|
L-1 |
E.ON AGOrganization Chart showing selected companies (previously filed) |
|
M-1 |
Capitalization Tables for E.ON, LG&E and KU (previously filed) |
Financial Statements
Exhibit No. |
Description of Document |
|
---|---|---|
1.1 | Consolidated Balance Sheet of E.ON as of December 31, 2002 (incorporated by reference to E.ON's Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2002, File No. 1-14688) | |
1.2 |
Consolidated Statement of Income of E.ON for the year ended December 31, 2002 (incorporated by reference to E.ON's Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2002, File No. 1-14688) |
|
1.3 |
Consolidated Balance Sheet of E.ON as of March 31, 2003 (incorporated by reference to E.ON's Form 6-K filed on May 16, 2003, File No. 1-14688) |
|
1.4 |
Consolidated Statement of Income of E.ON for the quarter ended March 31, 2003 (incorporated by reference to E.ON's Form 6-K filed on May 16, 2003, File No. 1-14688) |
|
2.1 |
Consolidated Balance Sheet of LG&E as of December 31, 2002 (incorporated by reference to LG&E's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, File No. 2-26720) |
|
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2.2 |
Consolidated Statement of Income of LG&E for the year ended December 31, 2002 (incorporated by reference to LG&E's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, File No. 2-26720) |
|
2.3 |
Consolidated Balance Sheet of LG&E as of March 31, 2003 (incorporated by reference to LG&E's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, File No. 2-26720) |
|
2.4 |
Consolidated Statement of Income of LG&E for the quarter ended March 31, 2003 (incorporated by reference to LG&E's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, File No. 2-26720) |
|
3.1 |
Consolidated Balance Sheet of KU as of December 31, 2002 (incorporated by reference to KU's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, File No. 1-3464) |
|
3.2 |
Consolidated Statement of Income of KU for the year ended December 31, 2002 (incorporated by reference to KU's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, File No. 1-3464) |
|
3.3 |
Consolidated Balance Sheet of KU as of March 31, 2003 (incorporated by reference to KU's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, File No. 1-3464) |
|
3.4 |
Consolidated Statement of Income of KU for the quarter ended March 31, 2003 (incorporated by reference to KU's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, File No. 1-3464) |
ITEM 7. Information as to Environmental Effects
None of the matters that are the subject of this Amendment involve a "major federal action" nor do they "significantly affect the quality of the human environment" as those terms are used in Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act. None of the proposed transactions that are the subject of this Amendment will result in changes in the operation of the Applicants and their subsidiaries that will have an impact on the environment. The Applicants are not aware of any federal agency which has prepared or is preparing an environmental impact statement with respect to the transactions proposed herein.
14
Pursuant to the requirements of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended, the Applicants have duly caused this Amendment to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized on the dates indicated. The signature of the Applicants and of the persons on their behalf are restricted to the information contained herein which is pertinent to the application of the respective companies.
E.ON AG | ||||||
By: |
/s/ ULRICH HUEPPE |
By: |
/s/ KARL-HEINZ FELDMANN |
|||
Name: | Ulrich Hueppe | Name: | Karl-Heinz Feldmann | |||
Title: | Executive Vice President | Title: | Corporate Counsel | |||
Date: |
August 15, 2003 |
Date: |
August 15, 2003 |
|||
Fidelia Corporation |
Louisville Gas and Electric Company Kentucky Utilities Company |
|||||
By: |
/s/ UDO KOCH |
By: |
/s/ JOHN R. MCCALL |
|||
Name: | Udo Koch | Name: | John R. McCall | |||
Title: | President and Treasurer | Title: | Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary | |||
Date: |
August 15, 2003 |
Date: |
August 15, 2003 |
15