(As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 23, 2005)
File No. 70-[_____]
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM U-1
APPLICATION/DECLARATION
UNDER
THE PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT OF 1935
FirstEnergy Corp.
Ohio Edison Company
The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company
The Toledo Edison Company
Pennsylvania Power Company
76 South Main Street
Akron, Ohio 44308
(Names of companies filing this statement and
address of principal executive offices)
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FIRSTENERGY CORP.
(Name of top registered holding company parent of applicants)
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Leila L. Vespoli Douglas E. Davidson, Esq.
Senior Vice President and Thelen Reid & Priest LLP
General Counsel 875 Third Avenue
FirstEnergy Corp. New York, New York 10022
76 South Main Street
Akron, Ohio 44308
(Names and addresses of agents for service)
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ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED TRANSACTIONS
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1.1 Introduction.
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FirstEnergy Corp., an Ohio corporation ("FirstEnergy"), is a
registered holding company under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935,
as amended (the "Act")./1/ FirstEnergy directly owns all of the outstanding
common stock of Ohio Edison Company ("Ohio Edison"), The Cleveland Electric
Illuminating Company ("Cleveland Electric"), and The Toledo Edison Company
("Toledo Edison"), and indirectly through Ohio Edison owns all of the
outstanding common stock of Pennsylvania Power Company ("Penn Power")./2/ Ohio
Edison, Penn Power, Cleveland Electric and Toledo Edison are referred to herein
as the "Utility Subsidiaries." FirstEnergy and the Utility Subsidiaries are
referred to herein as the "Applicants."
Ohio Edison was organized under the laws of the State of Ohio in 1930
and owns property and does business as an electric public utility in that state.
Ohio Edison also has ownership interests in certain generating facilities
located in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Ohio Edison engages in the
generation, distribution and sale of electric energy to communities in a 7,500
square mile area of central and northeastern Ohio having a population of
approximately 2.8 million.
Ohio Edison owns all of Penn Power's outstanding common stock. Penn
Power was organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1930
and owns property and does business as an electric public utility in that state.
Penn Power is also authorized to do business and owns property in the State of
Ohio. Penn Power furnishes electric service to communities in a 1,500 square
mile area of western Pennsylvania having a population of approximately 300,000.
Cleveland Electric was organized under the laws of the State of Ohio
in 1892 and does business as an electric public utility in that state. Cleveland
Electric engages in the generation, distribution and sale of electric energy in
an area of approximately 1,700 square miles in northeastern Ohio having a
population of approximately 1.9 million. It also has ownership interests in
certain generating facilities located in Pennsylvania.
Toledo Edison was organized under the laws of the State of Ohio in
1901 and does business as an electric public utility in that state. Toledo
Edison engages in the generation, distribution and sale of electric energy in an
area of approximately 2,500 square miles in northwestern Ohio having a
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(1) See FirstEnergy Corp., Holding Co. Act Release No. 27459 (Oct. 29, 2001),
as supplemented by Holding Co. Act Release No. 27463 (Nov. 8, 2001) (the
"Merger Order").
(2) FirstEnergy's other public utility subsidiaries are Jersey Central Power &
Light Company, Pennsylvania Electric Company, Metropolitan Edison Company,
York Haven Power Company, The Waverly Electric Power & Light Company and
American Transmission Systems, Incorporated. These companies are not
applicants in this proceeding.
2
population of approximately 800,000. It also has interests in certain generating
facilities located in Pennsylvania.
Filed herewith as Exhibit H is a table showing the components of
consolidated capitalization as of March 31, 2005, of FirstEnergy, Ohio Edison,
Penn Power, Cleveland Electric and Toledo Edison.
The Applicants are requesting authorization herein for certain
transactions that are related to the transfer of ownership of the generating
facilities owned by the Utility Subsidiaries to associate companies qualifying
as "exempt wholesale generators" ("EWGs") under Section 32 of the Act. The
transactions described in Items 1.3 and 1.4 below are intended to complete the
implementation of FirstEnergy's Ohio and Pennsylvania corporate separation plan,
which was described in FirstEnergy's Application/Declaration for authorization
to merge with GPU, Inc.
1.2 Description of Generating Facilities to be Transferred by the Utility
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Subsidiaries.
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The Utility Subsidiaries own, individually or together as tenants in
common, interests in the following generating plants, which they intend to
transfer to EWG associate companies:/3/
FOSSIL AND HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
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Plant Location MW Ownership %
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Ashtabula 5 Ashtabula, OH 244 Cleveland Electric 100%
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Bay Shore 1-4 Toledo, OH 631 Toledo Edison 100%
Bay Shore Peaking 17
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R.E. Burger 3-5 Shadyside, OH 406 Ohio Edison 100%
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R.E. Burger Peaking Shadyside, OH 7 Ohio Edison 85.6%
Penn Power 14.4%
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Eastlake 1-5 Eastlake, OH 1,233 Cleveland Electric 100%
Eastlake Peaking 29
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Lakeshore 18 Cleveland, OH 245 Cleveland Electric 100%
Lakeshore Peaking 4
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(3) The Utility Subsidiaries do not propose to transfer their remaining
percentage ownership interests in certain of the nuclear facilities that
are currently subject to sale and leaseback arrangements and in certain
fossil units not now being leased by FirstEnergy Generation Corp., as
described in paragraph 1.3 below.
3
Bruce Mansfield 1 Shippingport, PA 780 Ohio Edison 60%
Penn Power 33.5%
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Bruce Mansfield 2 Shippingport, PA 780 Ohio Edison 43.06%
Penn Power 9.36%
Cleveland Electric 1.68%
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Bruce Mansfield 3 Shippingport, PA 800 Ohio Edison 49.34%
Penn Power 6.28%
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W.H. Sammis 1-6 Stratton, OH 1,620 Ohio Edison 100%
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W.H. Sammis 7 Stratton, OH 600 Ohio Edison 48%
Penn Power 20.8%
Cleveland Electric 31.2%
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W.H. Sammis Peaking Stratton, OH 13 Ohio Edison 85.6%
Penn Power 14.4%
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Edgewater Peaking Lorain, OH 48 Ohio Edison 86%
Penn Power 14.0%
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Richland Peaking 1-3 Defiance, OH 42 Toledo Edison 100%
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Seneca Warren, PA 435 Cleveland Electric 100%
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West Lorain Lorain, OH 120 Ohio Edison 100%
Peaking Unit 1
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Mad River Peaking Springfield, OH 60 Ohio Edison 85.6%
Penn Power 14.4%
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Stryker Peaking Springfield, OH 18 Toledo Edison 100%
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NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
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Plant Location MW Ownership %
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Beaver Valley 1 Shippingport, PA 821 Ohio Edison 35%
Penn Power 65%
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Beaver Valley 2 Shippingport, PA 831 Ohio Edison 20.22%
Penn Power 13.74%
Cleveland Electric 24.47%
Toledo Edison 1.65%
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Davis-Besse Oak Harbor, OH 883 Cleveland Electric 51.38%
Toledo Edison 48.62%
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Perry North Perry Village, OH 1,260 OES Nuclear 17.42%
Penn Power 5.245%
Toledo Edison 19.91%
Cleveland Electric 44.85%
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1.3 Sale of Fossil and Hydroelectric Plants to FirstEnergy
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Generation Corp.
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Currently, the Utility Subsidiaries lease all of the fossil and
hydroelectric generating plants listed in the table above to FirstEnergy
Generation Corp. ("FE GenCo"), which is a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of
FirstEnergy Solutions Corp. ("FE Solutions") and an indirect subsidiary of
FirstEnergy. FE GenCo has been certified by the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission ("FERC") as an EWG./4/ FE GenCo leases and operates these plants
pursuant to the terms of a Master Facility Lease ("Master Lease"), dated as of
January 1, 2001 (incorporated herein by reference as Exhibit B-1). The Master
Lease, which became effective on January 1, 2001, and has a term of twenty
years, was intended as the first step in the eventual transfer of ownership of
the leased plants to FE GenCo. Pursuant to Section 12 of the Master Lease, FE
GenCo has an option to purchase the leased generating plants for the purchase
price per unit listed in Exhibits A through D to the Master Lease. The purchase
price for each unit is equal to its fair value as of December 31, 2000. Section
12 of the Master Lease further provides that, upon exercise of the purchase
option, FE GenCo may pay the purchase price either in cash or by executing a
promissory note, secured by a lien on the transferred assets.
Each of the Utility Subsidiaries and FE GenCo has entered into a
Fossil Purchase and Sale Agreement ("Fossil PSA"), filed herewith as Exhibits
B-2 through B-5. Under the Fossil PSA, FE GenCo has agreed to purchase each
Utility Subsidiary's fossil units (and, in the case of Cleveland Electric, one
hydroelectric generating facility), and to assume certain liabilities relating
to the purchased units, for an amount equal to the aggregate purchase price for
all units owned by the selling Utility Subsidiary, as set forth in Exhibits A
through D of the Master Lease, as follows: Ohio Edison - $980 million; Penn
Power - $125 million; Cleveland Electric - $408 million; and Toledo Edison - $88
million. As consideration for the purchased units, FE GenCo will deliver to the
selling Utility Subsidiary its secured promissory note ("FE GenCo Note"), filed
herewith as Exhibits B-10 through B-13. Each FE GenCo Note will be secured by a
lien on the units purchased, bear interest at a rate per annum based on the
average weighted cost of long-term debt of the Utility Subsidiary to which the
FE GenCo Note is issued, and mature twenty years after the date of issuance. FE
GenCo may prepay the FE GenCo Note at any time, in whole or in part, without
penalty.
Exhibit H hereto shows the calculation of the average weighted cost of
long-term debt of each of the Utility Subsidiaries as of March 31, 2005. The
actual interest rate on the FE GenCo Notes will be calculated in the same manner
as of the end of the quarter next preceding the closing date.
Under each Fossil PSA, FE GenCo has also agreed that, upon request of
the selling Utility Subsidiary, it will assume the selling Utility Subsidiary's
liabilities and obligations with respect to a certain outstanding principal
amount of pollution control revenue bonds ("Fossil PCRBs") that are related to
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(4) FE GenCo was approved by the FERC as an EWG on April 6, 2001. FirstEnergy
Generation Corp., 95 FERC P. 62,018 (2001).
5
the purchased plants./5/ If Fossil PCRBs are assumed by FE GenCo at closing,
then the principal amount thereof will reduce the principal amount of the
applicable FE GenCo Note delivered by FE GenCo at closing. If FE GenCo assumes
Fossil PCRBs after closing, the principal amount so assumed will represent a
payment of principal on the applicable FE GenCo Note delivered at closing.
As required by Section 32(c) of the Act, in order for the fossil and
hydroelectric generating plants leased by Ohio Edison, Penn Power, Cleveland
Electric and Toledo Edison to FE GenCo to be considered "eligible facilities,"
certain specific findings were required of the Public Utilities Commission of
Ohio ("PUCO") and the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission ("PPUC")./6/ By
order dated December 21, 2000 in Case No. 00-2320-EL-UNC, the PUCO made the
requisite findings in respect of the generating units leased by Ohio Edison,
Cleveland Electric and Toledo Edison to FE Genco, and by order dated February
21, 2001 in Docket No. P-00011869, the PPUC made the requisite findings in
respect of the generating units leased by Penn Power to FE GenCo. The Utility
Subsidiaries have determined that, in connection with FE GenCo's exercise of the
purchase option under the Master Lease, Section 32(c) of the Act may require
further findings by the PUCO and the PPUC, as well as findings by the New York
Public Service Commission ("NYPSC") and New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
("NJBPU"). Accordingly, applications requesting such further findings under
Section 32(c) of the Act have been filed with each of the four commissions./7/
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(5) Currently, the Utility Subsidiaries have outstanding obligations in
respect of Fossil PCRBs in the following principal amounts: Ohio Edison -
$470,343,703; Penn Power - $63,472,167; Cleveland Electric - $362,278,376;
and Toledo Edison - $69,100,754.
(6) Section 32(c) of the Act provides that, "if a rate or charge . . . for
electric energy produced by a facility ( . . . ) was in effect under the
laws of any State as of the date of enactment of this section, in order
for the facility to be considered an eligible facility, every State
commission having jurisdiction over any such rate or charge must make a
specific determination that allowing such facility to be an eligible
facility (1) will benefit consumers, (2) is in the public interest, and
(3) does not violate State law; Provided, That in the case of such a rate
or charge which is a rate or charge of an affiliate of a registered
holding company: (A) such determination with respect to the facility in
question shall be required from every State commission having jurisdiction
over the retail rates and charges of the affiliates of such registered
holding company; and (B) the approval of the Commission under this Act
shall not be required for the transfer of the facility to an exempt
wholesale generator."
(7) FirstEnergy was not a registered holding company at the time that the
Utility Subsidiaries entered into the Master Lease with FE GenCo. Thus,
the Utility Subsidiaries sought and obtained the requisite findings under
Section 32(c) only from the PUCO (in respect of the facilities owned by
Ohio Edison, Cleveland Electric and Toledo Edison) and the PPUC (in
respect of the facilities owned by Penn Power). Although the need for
further State commission findings under Section 32(c) in connection with
FE GenCo's exercise of the purchase option is not clear, in view of the
fact that the Utility Subsidiaries are now subsidiaries of a registered
holding company, the Utility Subsidiaries have nevertheless filed further
applications with all of the State commissions having jurisdiction over
retail rates in FirstEnergy's four-State service territory.
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1.4 Transfer of Nuclear Power Plants to FirstEnergy Nuclear Generation
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Corp.
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Each of the Utility Subsidiaries has also agreed to transfer its
respective ownership interests in the Beaver Valley, Perry and Davis-Besse
Nuclear Plants to a new FirstEnergy subsidiary that will be certified as an EWG.
In connection with the transfer of the Beaver Valley, Perry and Davis-Besse
Nuclear Plants, the Utility Subsidiaries are seeking the requisite findings of
the PUCO, PPUC, NJBPU and NYPSC under Section 32(c) of the Act in order for the
transferred facilities to be considered "eligible facilities." The Utility
Subsidiaries will sell or otherwise transfer their respective ownership
interests in the nuclear plants by means of the following transactions to be
carried out concurrently:
Transfer of Nuclear Plants by Penn Power. Initially, pursuant to the
terms of a Subscription and Capital Contribution Agreement ("Penn Power
Contribution Agreement"), filed herewith as Exhibit B-6, Penn Power will acquire
100 shares of common stock of a new subsidiary, FirstEnergy Nuclear Generation
Corp. ("FE Nuclear"), in consideration for Penn Power's contribution to FE
Nuclear of its undivided interests in the two Beaver Valley units and Beaver
Valley common facilities and its undivided interest in the Perry Unit 1,
together with associated decommissioning funds. In connection with such
contribution, FE Nuclear will assume Penn Power's obligations in respect of $64
million aggregate principal amount of pollution control revenue bonds ("Nuclear
PCRBs") and certain other liabilities associated with the transferred units. The
parties to the Penn Power Contribution Agreement have agreed that the value of
the contributed assets will be the net book value thereof as of the end of the
fiscal quarter immediately preceding the closing. Simultaneously, Penn Power
will receive from FE Nuclear a promissory note in the form of Exhibit B-14
hereto ("FE Nuclear Note") in respect of the book value of certain related
assets, including construction work in progress, nuclear fuel, inventories and
spare parts and accounts receivable, determined as of the end of the quarter
immediately preceding the closing. The FE Nuclear Note will bear interest at a
rate equal to Penn Power's weighted average cost of long-term debt, determined
as shown in Exhibit I hereto, will mature 20 years after its date of issuance,
and will be prepayable at any time, in whole or in part, by FE Nuclear.
Following the contribution to FE Nuclear, Penn Power will distribute
the stock of FE Nuclear as a dividend to its parent, Ohio Edison, such that FE
Nuclear will become, momentarily, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Ohio
Edison. If the transactions described in the previous paragraph had occurred on
March 31, 2005, Penn Power's cost basis for the stock of FE Nuclear would have
been equal to the net book value of the transferred interests in the Beaver
Valley and Perry units and associated assets (approximately $542 million), less
the Nuclear PCRBs ($64 million) and agreed upon value of other liabilities
assumed by FE Nuclear (approximately $401 million), and the distribution of the
stock of FE Nuclear to Ohio Edison would have resulted in a charge to Penn
Power's retained earnings of $77 million.
Transfer of Nuclear Plants by Ohio Edison. Pursuant to the terms of a
Capital Contribution Agreement ("Ohio Edison Contribution Agreement"), filed as
Exhibit B-7 hereto, Ohio Edison will contribute its undivided interests in the
two Beaver Valley units and Beaver Valley common facilities and the common stock
of OES Nuclear Incorporated ("OES Nuclear"), a wholly-owned non-utility
subsidiary of Ohio Edison, which holds an undivided interest in Perry Unit 1,
together with associated decommissioning funds and its interests in other
assets, inventories, fuel, spare parts, equipment, supplies and contract rights
7
relating to the transferred units, to FE Nuclear as an additional capital
contribution to FE Nuclear. In connection with such transfer, FE Nuclear will
initially also assume Ohio Edison's obligations in respect of $116 million
aggregate principal amount of Nuclear PCRBs and certain other liabilities
associated with the transferred units. An additional $295 million of Ohio
Edison's Nuclear PCRBs are expected to be assumed by FE Nuclear after the
distribution described in the next paragraph. The parties to the Ohio Edison
Contribution Agreement have agreed that the value of the contributed assets will
be the net book value thereof as of the end of the fiscal quarter immediately
preceding the closing.
Following the transfer to FE Nuclear, it is anticipated that OES
Nuclear will be merged with and into FE Nuclear, and Ohio Edison will distribute
the stock of FE Nuclear as a dividend to its parent, FirstEnergy, such that FE
Nuclear will become, momentarily, a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of
FirstEnergy, and FirstEnergy, in turn, will contribute the stock of FE Nuclear
to FE Solutions.
If the transactions described above had occurred on March 31, 2005,
Ohio Edison's cost basis for the stock of FE Nuclear would have been equal to
the net book value of the transferred interests in the Beaver Valley and Perry
units and associated assets (approximately $712 million), less the initial
Nuclear PCRBs to be assumed ($116 million) and the agreed upon value of other
liabilities assumed by FE Nuclear (approximately $596 million), resulting in no
charge to Ohio Edison's retained earnings.
Sale of Nuclear Plants by Cleveland Electric and Toledo Edison.
Cleveland Electric and Toledo Edison have each entered into a Nuclear Purchase
and Sale Agreement with FE Nuclear ("Nuclear PSA"), filed herewith as Exhibits
B-8 and B-9, respectively, under which FE Nuclear has agreed to purchase
Cleveland Electric's and Toledo Edison's respective undivided ownership
interests in Beaver Valley Unit 2, Perry Unit 1 and Davis-Besse for a purchase
price equal to the net book value thereof, determined as of the end of the
fiscal quarter immediately preceding the closing, together with the respective
interests of Cleveland Electric and Toledo Edison in nuclear decommissioning
trust funds associated with those plants and their respective right, title and
interest in and to all contracts, fuel, spare parts, inventories, equipment,
supplies and other assets associated with each transferred unit, less the amount
of obligations of Cleveland Electric and Toledo Edison under Nuclear PCRBs
associated with the transferred units ($367 million and $284 million,
respectively, at March 31, 2005), and the agreed upon value of certain other
liabilities associated with the transferred units.
At closing, FE Nuclear will pay the purchase price, determined as
described in the previous paragraph, by delivering to Cleveland Electric and
Toledo Edison FE Nuclear Notes, in the form of Exhibit B-14 hereto, secured by a
lien on the transferred assets. Each FE Nuclear Note will bear interest at a
rate per annum based on the average weighted cost of long-term debt of Cleveland
Electric and Toledo Edison, as the case may be, determined as shown in Exhibit I
hereto, will mature 20 years after the date of issuance, and will be prepayable
at any time, in whole or in part, at the option of FE Nuclear, without penalty.
8
If the transactions described above had been consummated at March 31,
2005, the principal amounts of the FE Nuclear Notes delivered to Cleveland
Electric and Toledo Edison would have been approximately $469 million and $307
million, respectively.
1.5 Relationship of Transactions to Each Other.
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The sale of the Utility Subsidiaries' fossil and hydroelectric plants
to FE GenCo, as described in Item 1.3, and the transfer of their nuclear plants
to FE Nuclear, as described in Item 1.4, are separate and independent
transactions, and closing on one is not contingent upon closing on the other.
ITEM 2. FEES, COMMISSIONS AND EXPENSES
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The fees, commissions and expenses incurred or to be incurred in
connection with the preparation and filing of this Application/Declaration are
not expected to exceed $40,000.
ITEM 3. APPLICABLE STATUTORY PROVISIONS
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3.1 General.
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Sections 9(a), 10, and 12(b) of the Act and Rule 45 thereunder may be
deemed applicable to the proposed acquisition by: (a) the Utility Subsidiaries
of the FE GenCo Notes, and (b) Cleveland Electric, Toledo Edison and Penn Power
of the FE Nuclear Notes. In addition, Sections 9(a) and 10 may be deemed
applicable to Penn Power's acquisition of the FE Nuclear common stock. Section
12(c) of the Act and Rule 46 thereunder may be deemed applicable to the
transfer, by in-kind dividend, of the common stock of FE Nuclear by Penn Power
to Ohio Edison and of the common stock of FE Nuclear by Ohio Edison to
FirstEnergy. However, in each case, the dividend distribution will be charged to
retained earnings and not to capital or unearned surplus and, therefore, should
not require separate authorization by the Commission. The transfer of the fossil
and hydroelectric plants to FE GenCo and of the nuclear generating plants to FE
Nuclear, each of which is, or will at the time of transfer be, an EWG is exempt
under Section 32(c)(B) of the Act, assuming that the requisite findings under
Section 32(c) have been made by the PUCO, PPUC, NJBPU and NYPSC.
3.2 Rules 53 and 54.
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Under Rule 53(a), the Commission shall not make certain specified
findings under Sections 7 and 12 in connection with a proposal by a holding
company to issue securities for the purpose of acquiring the securities of or
other interest in an EWG, or to guarantee the securities of an EWG, if each of
the conditions in paragraphs (a)(1) through (a)(4) thereof are met, provided
that none of the conditions specified in paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(3) of
Rule 53 exists. Rule 54 provides that the Commission shall not consider the
effect of the capitalization or earnings of subsidiaries of a registered holding
company that are EWGs or "foreign utility companies" ("FUCOs") in determining
9
whether to approve other transactions if Rule 53(a), (b) and (c) are satisfied.
FirstEnergy currently meets all of the conditions of Rule 53(a),
except for clause (1). Under the Merger Order, as modified by order dated June
30, 2003 (Holding Co. Act Release No. 27694) (the "June 2003 Order"), the
Commission, among other things, authorized FirstEnergy to invest in EWGs and
FUCOs so long as FirstEnergy's "aggregate investment," as defined in Rule
53(a)(1), in EWGs and FUCOs does not exceed $5 billion, which $5 billion amount
is greater than the amount which would be permitted by clause (1) of Rule 53(a)
which, based on FirstEnergy's "consolidated retained earning," also as defined
in Rule 53(a)(1), of $1.9 billion as of March 31, 2005, would be $950 million.
The Merger Order, as modified by the June 2003 Order, also specifies that this
$5 billion amount may include amounts invested in EWGs and FUCOs by FirstEnergy
and GPU, Inc. ("GPU") at the time of the Merger Order ("Current Investments")
and amounts relating to possible transfers to EWGs of certain generating
facilities owned by certain of FirstEnergy's operating utilities ("GenCo
Investments"). FirstEnergy has made the commitment that through December 31,
2005, its aggregate investment in EWGs and FUCOs other than the Current
Investments and GenCo Investments ("Other Investments") will not exceed $1.5
billion (the "Modified Rule 53 Test"). Under the Merger Order and June 2003
Order, the Commission reserved jurisdiction over Other Investments that exceed
such $1.5 billion amount.
As of March 31, 2005, FirstEnergy's aggregate investment in EWGs and
FUCOs was approximately $1 billion,/8/ an amount significantly below the $5
billion amount authorized in the Merger Order. On a pro forma basis, taking into
account the sale of the fossil-fuel units to FE GenCo and sale or transfer of
the nuclear power plants to FE Nuclear, FirstEnergy's "aggregate investment" in
EWGs and FUCOs as of March 31, 2005 would be approximately $2.5 billion, which
is still below the $5 billion threshold authorized under the Merger Order.
Additionally, as of March 31, 2005, FirstEnergy's consolidated retained earnings
were $1.9 billion. By way of comparison, FirstEnergy's consolidated retained
earnings as of December 31, 2001 were $1.52 billion.
In any event, even taking into account the capitalization of and
earnings from EWGs and FUCOs in which FirstEnergy currently has an interest,
there would be no basis for the Commission to withhold approval of the
transactions proposed herein. With respect to capitalization, since the date of
the Merger Order, there has been no material adverse impact on FirstEnergy's
consolidated capitalization resulting from FirstEnergy's investments in EWGs and
FUCOs. As of March 31, 2005, FirstEnergy's consolidated capitalization consisted
of 43.4% common equity, 1.2% cumulative preferred stock, 0% subsidiary -
obligated mandatorily redeemable preferred securities, 53.8% long-term debt and
1.6% notes payable. As of December 31, 2001, those ratios were as follows: 30.3%
common equity, 3.1% cumulative preferred stock, 2.2% subsidiary-obligated
mandatorily redeemable preferred securities, 60.9% long term debt and 3.5% notes
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(8) This $1 billion amount represents Current Investments only. As of March 31,
2005, FirstEnergy had no GenCo Investments.
10
payable. Additionally, the proposed transactions will not have any impact on
FirstEnergy's consolidated capitalization. Further, since the date of the Merger
Order, FirstEnergy's investments in EWGs and FUCOs have contributed positively
to its level of earnings, other than for the negative impact on earnings due to
FirstEnergy's writedowns of its investments in Avon Energy Partners Holdings
("Avon") and GPU Empresa Distribuidora Electrica Regional S.A. ("Emdersa")./9/
The domestic public utility subsidiaries of FirstEnergy are
financially sound companies as indicated by their investment grade ratings from
the nationally recognized rating agencies for their senior secured debt. The
following chart includes a breakdown of the senior, secured credit ratings for
those utility subsidiaries that currently have ratings for senior, secured debt:
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Subsidiary Standard & Poors/10/ Moody's/11/ Fitch/12/
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Ohio Edison BBB Baa1 BBB+
Cleveland Electric BBB- Baa2 BBB-
Toledo Edison BBB- Baa2 BBB-
Penn Power BBB Baa1 BBB+
Jersey Central Power BBB+ Baa1 BBB+
Metropolitan Edison Co. BBB Baa1 BBB+
Pennsylvania Electric Co. BBB Baa1 BBB+
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(9) At the time of the Merger Order, FirstEnergy identified certain former GPU
EWG and FUCO investments for divestiture within one year. Among those
identified were Avon, a holding company for Midlands Electricity plc, an
electric distribution business in the United Kingdom and Emdersa and
affiliates, an electric distribution business in Argentina. In May 2002,
FirstEnergy sold 79.9% of its interest in Avon, and in the fourth quarter
of 2002, recorded a $50 million charge ($32.5 million net of tax) to reduce
the carrying value of its remaining 20.1% interest. The remaining 20.1%
interest in Avon was sold on January 16, 2004. Through 2002, FirstEnergy
was unsuccessful in divesting GPU's former Argentina operations and made
the decision to abandon its interest in Emdersa in early 2003. On April 18,
2003, FirstEnergy divested its ownership in Emdersa through the abandonment
of its shares in Emdersa's parent company. FirstEnergy included in
discontinued operations Emdersa's net income of $7 million and a $67
million charge for the abandonment in the second quarter of 2003. An
after-tax loss of $87 million (including $109 million in currency
transaction losses arising principally from U.S. dollar denominated debt)
was included in discontinued operations in 2002. In December 2003, Emdersa
Guaracachi S. A. ("EGSA"), GPU Power's Bolivia subsidiary, was sold to
Bolivia Integrated Energy Limited. FirstEnergy included in discontinued
operations a $33 million loss on the sale of EGSA in the fourth quarter of
2003 and an operating loss for the year of $2 million. On January 30, 2004,
FirstEnergy sold its 28.67% interest in Termobarranquilla S. A., Empresa de
Servicios Publicos ("TEBSA") for $12 million. An impairment loss of $26
million related to TEBSA was recorded in December 2003 in Other Operating
Expenses on the consolidated statement of income and no gain or loss was
recognized upon the sale in 2004.
(10) Standard & Poor's Rating Services
(11) Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
(12) Fitch, Inc.
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FirstEnergy satisfies all of the other conditions of paragraphs (a)
and (b) of Rule 53. With respect to Rule 53(a)(2), FirstEnergy maintains books
and records in conformity with, and otherwise adheres to, the requirements
thereof. With respect to Rule 53(a)(3), no more than 2% of the employees of
FirstEnergy's domestic public utility companies render services, at any one
time, directly or indirectly, to EWGs or FUCOs in which FirstEnergy directly or
indirectly holds an interest. With respect to Rule 53(a)(4), FirstEnergy will
continue to provide a copy of each application and certificate relating to EWGs
and FUCOs and relevant portions of its Form U5S to each regulator referred to
therein, and will otherwise comply with the requirements thereof concerning the
furnishing of information. With respect to Rule 53(b), none of the circumstances
enumerated in subparagraphs (1), (2) and (3) thereunder have occurred.
ITEM 4. REGULATORY APPROVALS
--------------------
As described in Items 1.3 and 1.4 above, the Utility Subsidiaries are
seeking the requisite findings under Section 32(c) of the Act from the PUCO,
PPUC, NJBPU and NYPSC in order or for the transferred fossil-fuel and nuclear
plants to be considered "eligible facilities."(13) Penn Power is also seeking
approval from the PPUC for the proposed transactions under Pennsylvania's
affiliated interest statute. (See Exhibits D-1 and D-3.) No other state or
federal commission or agency, other than this Commission, has jurisdiction over
the transactions for which authorization is sought in this
Application/Declaration.
ITEM 5. PROCEDURE
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It is requested that the Commission issue a notice of filing of this
Application/Declaration as soon as practicable and an order approving the
proposed transactions proposed herein as soon as the Commission's rules allow
following the end of the notice period, but in any event, no later than
September 16, 2005. The Applicants further request that there be no 30-day
waiting period between the issuance of the Commission's order and the date on
which it is to become effective. The Applicants submit that a recommended
decision by a hearing or other responsible officer of the Commission is not
needed with respect to the proposed transactions and that the Division of
Investment Management may assist with the preparation of the Commission's
decision and/or order in this matter unless the Division of Investment
Management opposes the matters covered hereby.
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(13) As indicated in Item 1.3, the PUCO and PPUC have previously authorized the
Utility Subsidiaries to transfer the fossil-fuel plants to FE GenCo
pursuant to the Master Lease, including the sale of the plants pursuant to
exercise of the purchase option. FERC also previously authorized the
transfer of the fossil and hydroelectric plants to FE GenCo. Under the FERC
order, the exercise of the purchase option under the Master Lease must
occur prior to January 1, 2006. See FirstEnergy Corp., et al., 94 FERC P.
61,179 (2001). The Utility Subsidiaries are also seeking authorization from
the FERC and Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the transfer of the nuclear
power plants.
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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
---------------------------------
(A) EXHIBITS.
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A Not applicable.
B-1 Master Facility Lease, dated as of January 1, 2001,
between Ohio Edison Company, Pennsylvania Power
Company, The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company,
and The Toledo Edison Company, as lessors, and
FirstEnergy Generation Corp., as lessee (incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10-147 to the Annual Report
on Form 10-K of Ohio Edison Company for the year
ended December 31, 2004, File No. 1-2578).
B-2 Fossil Purchase and Sale Agreement by and between
Ohio Edison Company, as Seller, and FirstEnergy
Generation Corp., as Purchaser (filed herewith).
B-3 Fossil Purchase and Sale Agreement by and between
Pennsylvania Power Company, as Seller, and
FirstEnergy Generation Corp., as Purchaser (filed
herewith).
B-4 Fossil Purchase and Sale Agreement by and between The
Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, as Seller,
and FirstEnergy Generation Corp., as Purchaser (filed
herewith).
B-5 Fossil Purchase and Sale Agreement by and between The
Toledo Edison Company, as Seller, and FirstEnergy
Generation Corp., as Purchaser (filed herewith).
B-6 Nuclear Subscription and Capital Contribution
Agreement by and between Pennsylvania Power Company
and FirstEnergy Nuclear Generation Corp. (filed
herewith).
B-7 Nuclear Capital Contribution Agreement by and between Ohio
Edison Company and FirstEnergy Nuclear Generation Corp.
(filed herewith).
B-8 Nuclear Purchase and Sale Agreement by and between The
Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company, as Seller, and
FirstEnergy Nuclear Generation Corp., as Purchaser
(filed herewith).
B-9 Nuclear Purchase and Sale Agreement by and between The Toledo
Edison Company, as Seller, and FirstEnergy Nuclear Generation
Corp., as Purchaser (filed herewith).
B-10 Ohio Edison Fossil Note (to be filed by amendment).
B-11 Penn Power Fossil Note (to be filed by amendment).
B-12 Cleveland Electric Fossil Note (to be filed by amendment).
B-13 Toledo Edison Fossil Note (to be filed by amendment).
B-14 Form of FE Nuclear Note (to be filed by amendment).
C Not applicable.
D-1 Application of Penn Power to Pennsylvania Public
Utility Commission for Approval of Affiliated
Interest Agreements (Fossil) (filed herewith).
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D-2 Order of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
Approving Affiliated Interest Agreements (Fossil) (to be filed
by amendment).
D-3 Application of Penn Power to Pennsylania Public Utility
Commission for Approval of Affiliated Interest Agreements
(Nuclear) (filed herewith).
D-4 Order of the Pennsylvani Public Utility Commission Approving
Affiliated Interest Agreements (Nuclear) (to be filed by
amendment).
D-5 Application under Section 32(c) of the Act to the Public
Utilities Commission of Ohio (to be filed by amendment).
D-6 Order under Section 32(c) of the Act of the Public Utilities
Commission of Ohio (to be filed by amendment).
D-7 Application under Section 32(c) of the Act to the
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (to be filed by
amendment).
D-8 Order under Section 32(c) of the Act of the Pennsylvania
Public Utility Commission (to be filed by amendment).
D-9 Application under Section 32(c) of the Act to the New York
Public Service Commission (to be filed by amendment).
D-10 Order under Section 32(c) of the Act of the New York Public
Service Commission (to be filed by amendment).
D-11 Application under Section 32(c) of the Act to the New Jersey
Board of Public Utilities Commission (to be filed by
amendment).
D-12 Order under Section 32(c) of the Act of the New Jersey Board
of Public Utilities Commission (to be filed by amendment).
E Not applicable.
F Opinions of counsel (to be filed by amendment).
G Form of Federal Register Notice (filed herewith).
H Consolidated Capitalization Ratios of FirstEnergy,
Ohio Edison, Penn Power, Cleveland Electric and
Toledo Edison as of March 31, 2005 (filed herewith).
I Average Weighted Cost of Long-term Debt of Utility
Subsidiaries as of March 31, 2005 (to be filed by amendment).
(B) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
---------------------
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FS-1 FirstEnergy Consolidated Balance Sheets as of
December 31, 2004, and Consolidated Statements of
Income, Statement of Retained Earnings, and
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the year
ended December 31, 2004. (Incorporated by reference
to FirstEnergy Form 10-K for the period ended
December 31, 2004) (File No. 333-21011).
FS-2 Ohio Edison Company Consolidated Balance Sheet as of
December 31, 2004, and Consolidated Statements of
Income, Statement of Retained Earnings and
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for
the year ended December 31, 2004. (Incorporated by
reference to Ohio Edison Company Form 10-K for the
period ended December 31, 2004) (File No. 1-2578).
FS-3 The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2004,
and Consolidated Statements of Income, Statement of
Retained Earnings and Consolidated Condensed
Statements of Cash Flows for the year ended December
31, 2004. (Incorporated by reference to The Cleveland
Electric Illuminating Company Form 10-K for the
period ended December 31, 2004) (File No. 1-2323).
FS-4 The Toledo Edison Company Consolidated Balance Sheet
as of December 31, 2004, and Consolidated Statements
of Income, Statement of Retained Earnings and
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for
the year ended December 31, 2004. (Incorporated by
reference to The Toledo Edison Company Form 10-K for
the period ended December 31, 2004) (File No.
1-3583).
FS-5 Pennsylvania Power Company Consolidated Balance Sheet
as of December 31, 2004, and Consolidated Statements
of Income, Statement of Retained Earnings, and
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for
the year ended December 31, 2004. (Incorporated by
reference to Pennsylvania Power Company Form 10-K for
the period ended December 31, 2004) (File No.
1-3491).
FS-6 FirstEnergy Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March
31, 2005, and Consolidated Statements of Income,
Statement of Retained Earnings, and Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended
March 31, 2005. (Incorporated by reference to
FirstEnergy Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31,
2005) (File No. 333-21011).
FS-7 Ohio Edison Company Consolidated Balance Sheet as of
March 31, 2005, and Consolidated Statements of
Income, Statement of Retained Earnings and
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for
the three months ended March 31, 2005. (Incorporated
by reference to Ohio Edison Company Form 10-Q for the
period ended March 31, 2005) (File No. 1-2578).
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FS-8 The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2005, and
Consolidated Statements of Income, Statement of
Retained Earnings and Consolidated Condensed
Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended
March 31, 2005. (Incorporated by reference to The
Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company Form 10-Q for
the period ended March 31, 2005) (File No. 1-2323).
FS-9 The Toledo Edison Company Consolidated Balance Sheet
as of March 31, 2005, and Consolidated Statements of
Income, Statement of Retained Earnings and
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for
the three months ended March 31, 2005. (Incorporated
by reference to The Toledo Edison Company Form 10-Q
for the period ended March 31, 2005) (File No.
1-3583).
FS-10 Pennsylvania Power Company Consolidated Balance Sheet
as of March 31, 2005, and Consolidated Statements of
Income, Statement of Retained Earnings, and
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for
the three months ended March 31, 2005. (Incorporated
by reference to Pennsylvania Power Company Form 10-Q
for the period ended March 31, 2005) (File No.
1-3491).
FS-11 Pro forma Balance Sheet of Ohio Edison Company, together
with journal entries (to be filed by amendment).
FS-12 Pro forma Balance Sheet of Pennsylvania Power
Company, together with journal entries (to be filed
by amendment).
FS-13 Pro forma Balance Sheet of Cleveland Electric
Illuminating Company, together with journal entries
(to be filed by amendment).
FS-14 Pro forma Balance Sheet of Toledo Edison Company,
together with journal entries (to be filed by amendment).
FS-15 Pro forma Balance Sheet of FirstEnergy Corp.
(stand-alone), together with journal entries (to be
filed by amendment).
There have been no material changes, not in the ordinary course of
business, to the aforementioned balance sheets from March 31, 2005, to the date
of this Application/Declaration.
ITEM 7. INFORMATION AS TO ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
---------------------------------------
The proposed transactions do not involve "major federal actions
significantly affecting the quality of the human environment" as set forth in
Section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 4321
et seq. Consummation of the proposed transactions will not result in changes in
the operations of the Applicants that would have any impact on the environment.
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No federal agency is preparing an environmental impact statement with respect to
this matter.
17
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the 1935 Act, the undersigned
companies have duly caused this Application/Declaration to be signed on their
behalves by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
-
FirstEnergy Corp.
Ohio Edison Company
The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company
The Toledo Edison Company
Pennsylvania Power Company
By:/s/ Harvey L. Wagner
-----------------------
Name: Harvey L. Wagner
Title: Vice President and Controller
Date: May 23, 2005
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