File No. 070-10128
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM U-1/A
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO
APPLICATION/DECLARATION
UNDER
THE PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT OF 1935
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
1111 Louisiana
Houston, Texas 77002
Utility Holding, LLC
200 West Ninth Street Plaza
Suite 411
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.
1111 Louisiana
Houston, Texas 77002
(Name of companies filing this statement and address of principal executive
offices)
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
1111 Louisiana
Houston, Texas 77002
(Name of top registered holding company parent of each applicant or declarant)
Rufus S. Scott
Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
1111 Louisiana
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 207-7451
(Names and addresses of agents for service)
The Commission is also requested to send copies
of any communications in connection with this matter to:
James R. Doty, Esq. Margo S. Scholin, Esq.
Joanne C. Rutkowski, Esq. Baker Botts L.L.P.
Baker Botts L.L.P. 3000 One Shell Plaza
The Warner Houston, Texas 77002-4995
1299 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. (713) 229-1234
Washington, D.C. 20004-2400
(202) 639-7700
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
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ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED TRANSACTION.............................................................1
A. Requested Authorization................................................................1
B. Background.............................................................................1
C. Refinancing............................................................................2
ITEM 2. FEES, COMMISSIONS AND EXPENSES..................................................................2
ITEM 3. APPLICABLE STATUTORY PROVISIONS.................................................................2
A. Applicable Provisions..................................................................2
B. SECTIONS 6 AND 7.......................................................................3
C. RULE 54 ANALYSIS.......................................................................3
ITEM 4. REGULATORY APPROVAL.............................................................................4
ITEM 5. PROCEDURE.......................................................................................4
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS...............................................................4
A. EXHIBITS...............................................................................4
B. Financial STATEMENTS...................................................................4
ITEM 7. INFORMATION AS TO ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS.........................................................5
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. ("CenterPoint" or the "Company"),
Utility Holding, LLC and CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. ("GasCo") (together,
the "Applicants") hereby file a post-effective amendment (the "Amendment") to
their Application-Declaration asking the Commission to release jurisdiction over
the issuance by GasCo up to $50 million in incremental external debt
securities.(1)
ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED TRANSACTION.
A. REQUESTED AUTHORIZATION
By order dated June 30, 2003 (HCAR No. 27692 (the "Omnibus
Financing Order")), the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission")
authorized CenterPoint and its Subsidiaries to engage in certain financing and
related transactions through June 30, 2005 (the "Authorization Period").(2) In
this Amendment, GasCo requests a release of jurisdiction over $50 million of the
GasCo Additional Debt Limit as defined in the Omnibus Financing Order.
B. BACKGROUND
1. Existing Financing Authority
In the Omnibus Financing Order, the Commission authorized
various financing and related transactions. Of interest here, the Omnibus
Financing Order:
(i) Approved the continuation of existing financing arrangements,
guarantees and hedging arrangements, as well as any
transactions undertaken to extend the terms of or replace,
refund or refinance existing obligations and the issuance of
new obligations in exchange for existing obligations, provided
in each case that the issuing entity's total capitalization is
not increased as a result of such financing transaction; and
(ii) Reserved jurisdiction over a request by GasCo to issue or sell
external long-term debt securities in an incremental amount of
$500 million and external short-term debt securities in an
incremental amount of $500 million, subject to an overall
incremental limit of $500 million in long-term and short-term
debt securities (the "GasCo Additional Debt Limit") such that
the total amount of GasCo external debt will not exceed $3.037
billion at any one time outstanding during the Authorization
Period (the "GasCo Aggregate Debt Limit").
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(1) CenterPoint holds its utility interests through Utility Holding,
LLC, a Delaware limited liability company that is a conduit entity formed solely
to minimize tax liability.
(2) The term "Subsidiaries" refers to each existing direct or indirect
subsidiary company of CenterPoint, as well as any direct or indirect subsidiary
companies that CenterPoint may form with the approval of the Commission or in
reliance on rules or statutory exemptions.
The authorized financing transactions were subject to certain terms and
conditions, including the maintenance by GasCo of a minimum of 30% common equity
capitalization.
The Omnibus Financing Order also noted that, during the
Authorization Period, "the CenterPoint system's financing transactions will be
largely limited to refinancing, replacing or extending the term of existing
obligations."
2. Existing Financing Arrangements
GasCo has outstanding $140 million in 6 3/8% Term Enhanced
ReMarketable Securities (the "TERMS") that either mature or are required to be
remarketed on November 1, 2003.
C. REFINANCING
GasCo may refinance the TERMS prior to their maturity. In
connection with such refinancing, GasCo may issue debt securities ("notes") in a
total amount of up to $50 million in excess of the principal amount of TERMS
outstanding to pay the costs of the refinancing, including the costs to
terminate a remarketing option associated with the TERMS. The precise amount of
costs will not be known until the refinancing is complete.
Since the amount of additional notes to be issued above the
principal amount of the TERMS cannot be determined prior to the refinancing, in
this Amendment, GasCo is asking the Commission to release jurisdiction over $50
million of the GasCo Additional Debt Limit such that the amount of GasCo
external debt securities under the authorized GasCo Aggregate Debt Limit will
not exceed $2.587 billion at any one time outstanding during the Authorization
Period. Such financing transactions would be subject to the terms and conditions
set forth in the Omnibus Financing Order.
In particular, GasCo will continue to comply with the
requirement that at all times during the Authorization Period, it must maintain
common equity of at least 30% of its consolidated capitalization (common equity,
preferred stock, long-term debt and short-term debt) as reflected in the most
recent Form 10-K or Form 10-Q filed with the Commission adjusted to reflect
changes in capitalization since the balance sheet date therein, unless otherwise
authorized.
ITEM 2. FEES, COMMISSIONS AND EXPENSES.
The fees, commissions and expenses paid or incurred or to be
incurred in connection with this Amendment are estimated to be $20,000.
ITEM 3. APPLICABLE STATUTORY PROVISIONS.
A. APPLICABLE PROVISIONS
Sections 6(a) and 7 of the Act and Rules 44 and 54 thereunder
are considered applicable to the proposed transactions. To the extent that the
proposed transactions are considered by the Commission to require
authorizations, exemption or approval under any
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section of the Act or the rules and regulations thereunder other than those set
forth above, request for such authorization, exemption or approval is hereby
made.
B. SECTIONS 6 AND 7
Section 6(a) requires the filing of a declaration with the
Commission in connection with (1) an issuance and sale of any security by a
registered holding company or subsidiary company or (2) an exercise of "any
privilege or right to alter the priorities, preferences, voting power or other
rights of the holders of an outstanding security" of the registered holding
company or subsidiary. Commission approval of a declaration is subject to
Section 7(c), which concerns the type of security and purpose for which it is
issued. If the standards of Sections 7(c) and 7(g) (which concerns any necessary
state approvals and is inapplicable in this matter) are met, the Commission
"shall" permit a declaration to become effective, unless it makes certain
findings described in Section 7(d) of the Act.
The standards of Section 7(c) of the Act are satisfied because
the proposed securities will be issued and sold solely for the purpose of
"refunding, extending, exchanging, or discharging" outstanding indebtedness of
GasCo, as contemplated by Section 7(c)(2)(A).
No adverse findings are required under Section 7(d) of the
Act. In particular, no adverse finding is required under Section 7(d)(1) or (2)
concerning the financing transaction. Among other things, Section 7(d)
authorizes the Commission to authorize the issuance of a security unless it
finds that: (1) "the security is not reasonably adapted to the security
structure of the declarant and other companies in the same holding company
system"; or (2) "the security is not reasonably adapted to the earning power of
the declarant." GasCo will continue to maintain a minimum of 30% common equity
capitalization at all times during the Authorization Period and otherwise
continue to comply with the terms and conditions of the Omnibus Financing Order.
Finally, no adverse finding is required under Section 7(d)(3)
of the Act, which concerns the necessity and appropriateness of a proposed
financing to the economical and efficient operations of a registered system. As
noted above, the proposed financing transactions are intended to reduce
borrowing costs and so provide for the economical and efficient operations of
GasCo.
C. RULE 54 ANALYSIS.
The proposed transactions are subject to Rule 54 under the
Act, which refers to Rule 53. Rule 54 under the Act provides that in determining
whether to approve certain transactions other than those involving exempt
wholesale generators ("EWGs") or foreign utility companies ("FUCOs"), as defined
in the Act, 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)
under the Act are satisfied.
As a result of the Restructuring authorized in the order dated
July 5, 2002 (HCAR No. 27548 (the "July Order")) (as such term is defined in the
July Order), CenterPoint had negative retained earnings as of December 31, 2002.
Thus, although CenterPoint's aggregate
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investment (as defined in Rule 53(a)(1)(i) under the Act), in EWGs and FUCOs as
of December 31, 2002 was approximately $8 million, the Company is not currently
in compliance with the requirements of Rule 53(a)(1) under the Act. As
previously explained, CenterPoint is attempting to dispose of its remaining
interests in EWGs and FUCOs and is not planning to invest any more monies in
those businesses.(3)
CenterPoint complies with, and will continue to comply with,
the record-keeping requirements of Rule 53(a)(2) under the Act, the limitation
under Rule 53(a)(3) under the Act on the use of domestic public-utility company
personnel to render services to EWGs and FUCOs, and the requirements of Rule
53(a)(4) under the Act 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) under the Act has occurred or is
continuing. Rule 53(c) under the Act is by its terms inapplicable to the
transactions proposed herein that do not involve the issue and sale of
securities (including guarantees) to finance an acquisition of an EWG or FUCO.
ITEM 4. REGULATORY APPROVAL.
No state or federal commission other than the Commission has
jurisdiction with respect to any of the proposed transactions described in this
Amendment.
ITEM 5. PROCEDURE.
The Applicants request that the Commission's order be issued
as soon as possible, and that there should not be a 30-day waiting period
between issuance of the Commission's order and the date on which the order is to
become effective. The Applicants hereby waive a recommended decision by a
hearing officer or any other responsible officer of the Commission and consent
that the Division of Investment Management may assist in the preparation of the
Commission's decision and/or order, unless the Division opposes the matters
proposed herein.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
A. EXHIBITS.
G-1.2 Principal amount of external debt and trust preferred securities of
CenterPoint and its Subsidiaries as of September 9, 2003 (incorporated by
reference to CenterPoint's Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 18, 2003).
B. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
FS-1 Consolidated Balance Sheets of CenterPoint as of December 31, 2002 and
Statements of Consolidated Operations, Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive
Income and Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows for the year ended December 31,
2002 (incorporated by reference to
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(3) Although CenterPoint is seeking to qualify Texas Genco as an EWG,
CenterPoint does not intend to seek any financing authority in this regard.
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CenterPoint's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002
(File No. 1-31447)).
FS-3 Consolidated Balance Sheets of CenterPoint as of December 31, 2002, and
Statements of Consolidated Operations, Statements of Consolidated Comprehensive
Income and Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows for the year ended December 31,
2002 (incorporated by reference to the Current Report of CenterPoint on Form 8-K
dated as of May 12, 2003 (File No. 1-31447)).
FS-7 Consolidated Balance Sheets of CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. as of
December 31, 2002 and Statements of Consolidated Income, Statements of
Consolidated Comprehensive Income and Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows of
CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. for the year ended December 31, 2002
(incorporated by reference to CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.'s Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 (File No. 1-13265)).
FS-7.1 Consolidated Balance Sheets of CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. as of
December 31, 2002 and Statements of Consolidated Income, Statements of
Consolidated Comprehensive Income and Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows of
CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. for the year ended December 31,
2002 (incorporated by reference to CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.'s Current
Report on Form 8-K dated as of June 16, 2003 (File No. 1-13265))
FS-8.1 Consolidated Balance Sheets of CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. as of
June 30, 2003 (unaudited) and Statements of Consolidated Income and Statements
of Consolidated Cash Flows for the three months ended June 30, 2003 (unaudited)
(incorporated by reference to CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.'s Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2003 (File No.
1-13265)).
FS-13.1 CenterPoint consolidated financials (forecasts through 2007) (filed in
connection herewith with a request for confidential treatment).
FS-14.1 GasCo financials (forecasts through 2007) (filed in connection herewith
with a request for confidential treatment).
FS-18.1 CenterPoint equity percentages (forecasts through 2007) (filed in
connection herewith with a request for confidential treatment).
FS-19.1 GasCo equity percentages (forecasts through 2007) (filed in connection
herewith with a request for confidential treatment).
ITEM 7. INFORMATION AS TO ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS.
The proposed transaction involves neither a "major federal
action" nor "significantly affects the quality of the human environment" as
those terms are used in Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy
Act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 4321 et seq. No federal agency is preparing an environmental
impact statement with respect to this matter.
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SIGNATURE
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.
Date: October 27, 2003
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
and its Subsidiaries
By: /s/ Rufus S. Scott
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Rufus S. Scott
Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
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