Commenting on the results for 2002, President & Chief Executive Officer Floyd E. Wicks said, "While we are pleased with the results reported, the story this year is much more involved. During 2002, we experienced delayed implementation in rate increases and the effects of elimination of the water supply costs balancing accounts at our Southern California Water Company ("SCW") unit. On the other hand, we were encouraged that the liquidity problems that plagued the Bear Valley electric division of SCW in 2001 were effectively addressed by increased rates authorized by the California Public Utilities Commission ("CPUC"). This improvement led us to determine that it was no longer necessary to retain the reserves established in 2001 for potential non-recovery of electric power costs and they were reversed into income in the fourth quarter of 2002. Partially offsetting the reversal was the recording of an unrealized loss to reflect the FASB 133 requirements related to the series of contracts we entered into in 2002 to lower electric power costs. Despite the challenges during the year, the reported results continue to underscore management's emphasis on achieving positive results for shareholders and customers alike."
Wicks stated further, "Looking forward to 2003, we are pleased by recent decisions issued by the CPUC that increased water rates by approximately $6.2 million annually at our SCW unit. We have also filed general rate increases with the CPUC that will provide for additional revenues in late 2003 and in 2004."
Full Year 2002 Results
The Company reported operating income of $37.6 million and net income of $20.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2002 compared with operating income of $36.7 million and net income of $20.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2001.
Total revenues for 2002 increased by 5.9% to $209.2 million as compared to $197.5 million reported in 2001, due to the full impacts of various rate increases effective during 2001 at its SCW unit, a 3.3% increase in water sales, and rate increases at the Bear Valley Electric division of SCW. Of the total increase in revenues, water revenues increased by $5.6 million or 3.1% while electric revenues increased by $6.0 million or 39.6%.
Total operating expenses in 2002 increased by 6.7% to $171.6 million from the $160.8 million reported in 2001. The increase was due principally to increased water supply costs as a result of (i) elimination of the supply cost balancing account by the CPUC in November 2001, (ii) reversals of electric power costs from the electric supply cost balancing account based on a cap authorized by the CPUC in the rate increases designed to recover electric power costs, and (iii) recording of an unrealized loss to reflect FASB 133 requirements. Offsetting the increases is a reduction in administrative and general expense resulting from the reversal of reserves booked during 2001 against potential non-recovery of electric power costs.
Interest charges increased by 12.5% due to the issuance of an additional $50 million in long-term debt by SCW in December 2001, partially offset by a reduction in short-term borrowing costs.
Other income increased significantly from last year due principally to the write-off of costs incurred during SCW's acquisition of Peerless Water Company, following the CPUC's denial of the application in 2001.
American States Water Company is a holding company that, through its subsidiaries, provides water service to 1 out of 30 Californians located within 75 communities throughout 10 counties in Northern, Coastal and Southern California and to approximately 12,000 customers in the city of Fountain Hills, Arizona and portions of Scottsdale, Arizona. The Company distributes electricity to approximately 22,000 customers in the Big Bear recreational area of California, and contracts with various municipalities and private entities in both California and Arizona to provide services to an additional 91,500 customers.
Source: American States Water Co.
