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Report on Form 8-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

Current Report

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 3, 2006

 


Commission
File Number


Registrant, State of Incorporation,
Address and Telephone Number

I.R.S. Employer
Identification
Number

 

 

 

 

 

001-32206

 

GREAT PLAINS ENERGY INCORPORATED

 

43-1916803

 

 

(A Missouri Corporation)

 

 

 

 

1201 Walnut Street

 

 

 

 

Kansas City, Missouri 64106

 

 

 

 

(816) 556-2200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOT APPLICABLE

 

 

(Former name or former address,
if changed since last report)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

000-51873

 

KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY

 

44-0308720

 

 

(A Missouri Corporation)

 

 

 

 

1201 Walnut Street

 

 

 

 

Kansas City, Missouri 64106

 

 

 

 

(816) 556-2200

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOT APPLICABLE

 

 

(Former name or former address,
if changed since last report)

 

 

 

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[ ]

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

 

[ ]

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

 

[ ]

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

 

[ ]

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 


 

Great Plains Energy Incorporated (Great Plains Energy) and Kansas City Power & Light Company (KCP&L) (the Registrants) are separately furnishing this combined Current Report on Form 8-K (Report). Information contained herein relating to an individual Registrant is furnished by such registrant on its own behalf. Each Registrant makes representations only as to information relating to itself.

Item 2.02

Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On May 3, 2006, Great Plains Energy issued a press release announcing first quarter 2006 earnings information. A copy of the press release is attached to this report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.

The press release contains information regarding Great Plains Energy's reportable segments, including the KCP&L reportable segment. Accordingly, this report is also being furnished on behalf of KCP&L.

The information, including the exhibit attached hereto, in this report is being furnished and shall not be deemed "filed" for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section. The information in this report shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

 

(c) Exhibit No.

 

 

 

99

Press release issued by Great Plains Energy Incorporated on May 3, 2006.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

GREAT PLAINS ENERGY INCORPORATED

 

 

 

/s/Terry Bassham

 

Terry Bassham

 

Executive Vice President- Finance & Strategic Development and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT COMPANY

 

 

 

/s/Terry Bassham

 

Terry Bassham

 

Chief Financial Officer

Date: May 4, 2006

Unassociated Document
 
Exhibit 99
 
 Media Contact:      Tom Robinson
     816-556-2902
     
 Investor Contact:      Todd Allen
     816-556-2083


GREAT PLAINS ENERGY ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS
Core Earnings Stronger Than Last Year
 
Kansas City, MO, May 3, 2006 - Great Plains Energy Incorporated (NYSE:GXP) today announced core earnings, which exclude net mark-to-market gains and losses on energy contracts and a workforce realignment at Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L), were $24.4 million or $0.33 per share in the first quarter of 2006, compared to $16.9 million or $0.23 per share in the first quarter of 2005. Reported earnings, which include $21.1 million of net mark-to-market losses on energy contracts at Strategic Energy and a $5.8 million impact of the workforce realignment, were a loss of $2.5 million or $0.03 per share, compared to first quarter 2005 earnings of $19.8 million or $0.27 per share. Reported earnings are reconciled to core earnings in attachment B.

Higher core earnings in the first quarter of 2006 compared to the same quarter last year were driven primarily by KCP&L’s results, as higher wholesale prices, lower purchased power expense and the absence of 2005 ice storm costs more than offset the effects of higher fuel prices and lower wholesale volumes. Strategic Energy core earnings in the first quarter of 2006 were slightly higher than last year, with higher gross margins more than offsetting lower delivered volumes.

“In the first quarter, we continued to have strong financial performance while executing on our Strategic Intent,” said Chairman Michael Chesser. “We broke ground on our wind turbine project, took initial steps on environmental upgrades on our coal fleet, continued securing the long lead time items for our new coal plant and filed our first rate cases in nearly 20 years. We also made progress on our plan for workforce realignment at KCP&L designed to help improve our skill sets to deliver on our Strategic Intent. Strategic Energy also demonstrated continuing improvement, growing backlog 23% through increased sales and longer contract durations during the quarter.”
 
Kansas City Power & Light

KCP&L core earnings, which exclude a $5.8 million impact of severance and related costs associated with the workforce realignment, were $17.8 million or $0.24 per share, compared to $10.8 million or $0.15 per share last year. Reported earnings were $12.0 million or $0.16 per share, compared to first quarter 2005 earnings of $10.8 million or $0.15 per share.
 
Revenues for the first quarter of 2006 were $240 million compared to $233 million for the first quarter of 2005. Retail revenues were essentially flat at $189 million. Wholesale revenues were $48 million, up from $39 million in the first quarter of 2005 due to higher prices. Average wholesale electricity prices for the first quarter of 2006 were up 45% over the same period last year.

More
-Page 2-
 
Fuel costs in the first quarter of 2006, which were up 14% compared to last year due to higher commodity and transportation prices, were largely offset by a 55% decrease in purchased power expense. The absence of ice storm costs experienced in the first quarter of 2005 also benefited KCP&L earnings compared to last year.

During the first quarter, KCP&L began securing long lead-time items for its Comprehensive Energy Plan. Although contracting is not complete, developing market conditions have resulted in potential increases in the estimated overall cost for the Plan in the range of 10%-20%. The primary drivers are increases in material and labor costs and some scope additions. The Company anticipates completing its definitive estimates by August and is confident that project costs will be competitive with other similar projects.

Strategic Energy

Strategic Energy core earnings, which exclude net mark-to-market gains and losses on energy contracts, were $10.2 million or $0.13 per share, compared to $9.9 million or $0.13 per share in the same period last year. Reported earnings were a loss of $10.9 million or $0.15 per share, compared to earnings of $12.8 million or $0.17 per share in the first quarter of 2005.

Total backlog at Strategic Energy grew 23% in the first quarter as new sales volume more than doubled to 7.3 million MWhs in the first quarter of 2006 compared to 3.0 million MWhs in the same period in 2005. The company’s improved marketing approach, a favorable sales environment in several states, lower energy prices and changing customer perceptions about the longer-term price of electricity, led to increased sales and longer duration for new contracts. Average contract lengths increased to 18 months in the first quarter of 2006, compared to 10 months in the same quarter last year. Delivered volume during the quarter combined with 2006 backlog totaled 13.8 million MWhs at the end of the first quarter, compared to 2006 backlog of 10.4 million MWhs at the end of 2005.

Retail gross margin per MWh in the first quarter of 2006 was ($2.12). However, excluding net mark-to-market losses on energy contracts, retail gross margin per MWh was strong at $7.67. This compares to an average retail gross margin per MWh, excluding net mark-to-market gains on energy contracts, of $6.08 last year. Retail gross margin per MWh in the first quarter reflects the positive impacts of portfolio optimization, a gain from the early termination of a power contract, and a favorable product mix during the quarter. Retail gross margin on new sales during the first quarter of 2006 was $3.24, which is exclusive of potential portfolio optimization benefits. Strategic Energy’s delivered volume decreased to 3.7 million MWhs during the first quarter from 4.6 million MWhs last year, which is in-line with lower overall delivered volume guidance for the year.

KLT Investments and “Other”

First quarter 2006 earnings and core earnings from KLT Investments were $0.7 million or $0.01 per share, compared to $3.0 million or $0.04 per share in the first quarter of 2005. The lower earnings in the first quarter of 2006 are due to the timing of reductions of affordable housing investments and a decline in available tax credits from the investments.

More
-Page 3-
 
In the first quarter of 2006 the “other” category loss was $4.3 million compared to a loss of $6.8 million in the same period last year. The loss per share was
$0.05 in the first quarter of 2006 versus $0.09 in the first quarter of 2005.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure
Great Plains Energy provides in its earnings releases descriptions of “core earnings” in addition to earnings calculated in accordance with GAAP. Great Plains Energy also provides its earnings guidance in terms of core earnings. Core earnings is a non-GAAP financial measure that differs from GAAP earnings because it excludes the effects of discontinued operations, certain unusual items and mark-to-market gains and losses on energy contracts. Core earnings for historical periods are reconciled to GAAP earnings in Attachment B.

The Company believes core earnings provide to investors a meaningful indicator of its results that is comparable among periods because it excludes the effects of discontinued operations, certain unusual items and mark-to-market gains and losses on energy contracts. These items are excluded from core earnings because they may not be indicative of Great Plains Energy’s prospective earnings potential. Investors should note that this non-GAAP measure involves judgments by management, including whether an item is classified as an unusual item. Core earnings is used internally to measure performance against budget and in reports for management and the Board of Directors. Great Plains Energy’s definition of core earnings may differ from similar terms used by other companies.

Great Plains Energy Incorporated (NYSE:GXP) headquartered in Kansas City, MO, is the holding company for Kansas City Power & Light Company, a leading regulated provider of electricity in the Midwest, and Strategic Energy L.L.C., a competitive electricity supplier. The Company's web site is www.greatplainsenergy.com.


CERTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION -- Statements made in this release that are not based on historical facts are forward-looking, may involve risks and uncertainties, and are intended to be as of the date when made. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding projected delivered volumes and margins, the outcome of regulatory proceedings, cost estimates of the comprehensive energy plan and other matters affecting future operations. In connection with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company is providing a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the provided forward-looking information. These important factors include: future economic conditions in the regional, national and international markets, including but not limited to regional and national wholesale electricity markets; market perception of the energy industry and Great Plains Energy; changes in business strategy, operations or development plans; effects of current or proposed state and federal legislative and regulatory actions or developments, including, but not limited to, deregulation, re-regulation and restructuring of the electric utility industry; decisions of regulators regarding rates KCP&L can charge for electricity; adverse changes in applicable laws, regulations, rules, principles or practices governing tax, accounting and environmental matters including, but not limited to, air and water quality; financial market conditions and performance including, but not limited to, changes in interest rates and in availability and cost of capital and the effects on pension plan assets and costs; credit ratings; inflation rates; effectiveness of risk management policies and procedures and the ability of counterparties to satisfy their contractual commitments; impact of terrorist acts; increased competition including, but not limited to, retail choice in the electric utility industry and the entry of new competitors; ability to carry out marketing and sales plans; weather conditions including weather-related damage; cost, availability, quality and deliverability of fuel; ability to achieve generation planning goals and the occurrence and duration of unplanned generation outages; delays in the anticipated in-service dates and cost increases of additional generating capacity; nuclear operations; ability to enter new markets successfully and capitalize on growth opportunities in non-regulated businesses and the effects of competition; application of critical accounting policies, including, but not limited to, those related to derivatives and pension liabilities; workforce risks including compensation and benefits costs; performance of projects undertaken by non-regulated businesses and the success of efforts to invest in and develop new opportunities and other risks and uncertainties. Other risk factors are detailed from time to time in the Company’s most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q or annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This list of factors is not all-inclusive because it is not possible to predict all factors.

More
-Page 4-

Attachment A
 
GREAT PLAINS ENERGY
 
Consolidated Statements of Income
 
(Unaudited)
 
           
Three Months Ended March 31
 
2006
 
2005
 
Operating Revenues
 
(thousands, except per share amounts)
 
Electric revenues - KCP&L
 
$
240,390
 
$
233,215
 
Electric revenues - Strategic Energy
   
318,012
   
311,316
 
Other revenues
   
783
   
583
 
Total
   
559,185
   
545,114
 
Operating Expenses
             
Fuel
   
47,400
   
41,490
 
Purchased power - KCP&L
   
5,117
   
11,490
 
Purchased power - Strategic Energy
   
325,758
   
277,866
 
Skill set realignment costs
   
9,393
   
-
 
Other
   
76,235
   
79,895
 
Maintenance
   
22,590
   
29,358
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
38,946
   
37,862
 
General taxes
   
27,644
   
25,856
 
(Gain) loss on property
   
99
   
(519
)
Total
   
553,182
   
503,298
 
Operating income
   
6,003
   
41,816
 
Non-operating income
   
2,985
   
1,924
 
Non-operating expenses
   
(2,141
)
 
(1,315
)
Interest charges
   
(17,323
)
 
(17,487
)
Income (loss) before income taxes, minority interest in
             
subsidiaries and loss from equity investments
   
(10,476
)
 
24,938
 
Income taxes
   
8,630
   
(5,291
)
Minority interest in subsidiaries
   
-
   
888
 
Loss from equity investments, net of income taxes
   
(290
)
 
(345
)
Net income (loss)
   
(2,136
)
 
20,190
 
Preferred stock dividend requirements
   
411
   
411
 
Earnings (loss) available for common shareholders
 
$
(2,547
)
$
19,779
 
               
Average number of common shares outstanding
   
74,659
   
74,436
 
               
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share
 
$
(0.03
)
$
0.27
 
               
Cash dividends per common share
 
$
0.415
 
$
0.415
 
 
More
-Page 5-

 
Attachment B
GREAT PLAINS ENERGY
 
Consolidated Earnings and Earnings Per Share
 
Three Months Ended March 31
 
(Unaudited)
 
                    
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (Loss) per Great
   
Earnings (Loss)
 
Plains Energy Share
 
 
 
2006
 
2005
 
2006
 
2005
 
   
(millions)
          
KCP&L
 
$
12.0
 
$
10.8
 
$
0.16
 
$
0.15
 
Strategic Energy
   
(10.9
)
 
12.8
   
(0.15
)
 
0.17
 
KLT Investments
   
0.7
   
3.0
   
0.01
   
0.04
 
Other
   
(3.9
)
 
(6.4
)
 
(0.05
)
 
(0.09
)
Net income (loss)
   
(2.1
)
 
20.2
   
(0.03
)
 
0.27
 
Preferred dividends
   
(0.4
)
 
(0.4
)
 
-
   
-
 
Earnings (loss) available for common shareholders
 
$
(2.5
)
$
19.8
 
$
(0.03
)
$
0.27
 
                           
Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP
                         
Earnings (loss) available for common shareholders
 
$
(2.5
)
$
19.8
 
$
(0.03
)
$
0.27
 
Reconciling items
                         
KCP&L - skill set realignment costs
   
5.8
   
-
   
0.08
   
-
 
Strategic Energy - mark-to-market impacts
                         
from energy contracts
   
21.1
   
(2.9
)
 
0.28
   
(0.04
)
Core earnings
 
$
24.4
 
$
16.9
 
$
0.33
 
$
0.23
 
 
                         
Core earnings
                         
KCP&L
 
$
17.8
 
$
10.8
 
$
0.24
 
$
0.15
 
Strategic Energy
   
10.2
   
9.9
   
0.13
   
0.13
 
KLT Investments
   
0.7
   
3.0
   
0.01
   
0.04
 
Other
   
(4.3
)
 
(6.8
)
 
(0.05
)
 
(0.09
)
Core earnings
 
$
24.4
 
$
16.9
 
$
0.33
 
$
0.23
 
 
More
-Page 6-
 

Attachment C

 
GREAT PLAINS ENERGY
 
Summary Income Statement by Segment
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2006
 
(Unaudited)
 
                     
 
 Consolidated
 
 
Strategic
 
 
 
 
 GPE
KCP&L
 
Energy
 
Other
 
   
(millions)
 
Operating revenues
 
$
559.2
 
$
240.4
 
$
318.8
 
$
-
 
Fuel
   
(47.4
)
 
(47.4
)
 
-
   
-
 
Purchased power
   
(330.9
)
 
(5.1
)
 
(325.8
)
 
-
 
Skill set realignment costs
   
(9.4
)
 
(9.3
)
 
-
   
(0.1
)
Other operating expense
   
(126.5
)
 
(111.4
)
 
(12.5
)
 
(2.6
)
Depreciation and amortization
   
(38.9
)
 
(37.0
)
 
(1.9
)
 
-
 
Gain (loss) on property
   
(0.1
)
 
(0.1
)
 
-
   
-
 
Operating income (loss)
   
6.0
   
30.1
   
(21.4
)
 
(2.7
)
Non-operating income (expenses)
   
0.8
   
0.7
   
0.9
   
(0.8
)
Interest charges
   
(17.3
)
 
(14.9
)
 
(0.3
)
 
(2.1
)
Income taxes
   
8.7
   
(3.9
)
 
9.9
   
2.7
 
Loss from equity investments
   
(0.3
)
 
-
   
-
   
(0.3
)
Net income (loss)
 
$
(2.1
)
$
12.0
 
$
(10.9
)
$
(3.2
)
Earnings (loss) per GPE common share
 
$
(0.03
)
$
0.16
 
$
(0.15
)
$
(0.04
)
 
More
-Page 7-

Attachment D
GREAT PLAINS ENERGY
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
(Unaudited)
 
           
   
March 31
 
December 31
 
 
 
2006
 
2005
 
ASSETS
 
(thousands)
 
Current Assets
         
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
87,553
 
$
103,068
 
Restricted cash
   
-
   
1,900
 
Receivables, net
   
241,792
   
259,043
 
Fuel inventories, at average cost
   
21,186
   
17,073
 
Materials and supplies, at average cost
   
57,556
   
57,017
 
Deferred income taxes
   
19,783
   
-
 
Assets of discontinued operations
   
-
   
627
 
Derivative instruments
   
15,753
   
39,189
 
Other
   
13,248
   
13,001
 
Total
   
456,871
   
490,918
 
Nonutility Property and Investments
             
Affordable housing limited partnerships
   
26,302
   
28,214
 
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund
   
95,063
   
91,802
 
Other
   
16,961
   
17,291
 
Total
   
138,326
   
137,307
 
Utility Plant, at Original Cost
             
Electric
   
4,999,326
   
4,959,539
 
Less-accumulated depreciation
   
2,354,984
   
2,322,813
 
Net utility plant in service
   
2,644,342
   
2,636,726
 
Construction work in progress
   
123,881
   
100,952
 
Nuclear fuel, net of amortization of $119,130 and $115,240
   
34,849
   
27,966
 
Total
   
2,803,072
   
2,765,644
 
Deferred Charges and Other Assets
             
Regulatory assets
   
188,383
   
179,922
 
Prepaid pension costs
   
87,763
   
98,295
 
Goodwill
   
88,139
   
87,624
 
Derivative instruments
   
8,628
   
21,812
 
Other
   
47,668
   
52,204
 
Total
   
420,581
   
439,857
 
Total
 
$
3,818,850
 
$
3,833,726
 
 
More
-Page 8-

Attachment D continued
GREAT PLAINS ENERGY
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
(Unaudited)
 
           
   
March 31
 
December 31
 
 
 
2006
 
2005
 
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
 
(thousands)
 
Current Liabilities
         
Notes payable
 
$
-
 
$
6,000
 
Commercial paper
   
73,800
   
31,900
 
Current maturities of long-term debt
   
390,275
   
1,675
 
Accounts payable
   
205,435
   
231,496
 
Accrued taxes
   
41,593
   
37,140
 
Accrued interest
   
13,102
   
13,329
 
Accrued payroll and vacations
   
31,054
   
36,024
 
Accrued refueling outage costs
   
12,148
   
8,974
 
Deferred income taxes
   
-
   
1,351
 
Supplier collateral
   
-
   
1,900
 
Liabilities of discontinued operations
   
-
   
64
 
Derivative instruments
   
31,623
   
7,411
 
Other
   
24,821
   
25,658
 
Total
   
823,851
   
402,922
 
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
             
Deferred income taxes
   
610,073
   
621,359
 
Deferred investment tax credits
   
28,937
   
29,698
 
Asset retirement obligations
   
148,294
   
145,907
 
Pension liability
   
87,919
   
87,355
 
Regulatory liabilities
   
71,284
   
69,641
 
Derivative instruments
   
18,652
   
7,750
 
Other
   
64,141
   
65,787
 
Total
   
1,029,300
   
1,027,497
 
Capitalization
             
Common shareholders' equity
             
Common stock-150,000,000 shares authorized without par value
             
74,931,157 and 74,783,824 shares issued, stated value
   
747,903
   
744,457
 
Retained earnings
   
454,308
   
488,001
 
Treasury stock-44,836 and 43,376 shares, at cost
   
(1,346
)
 
(1,304
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
   
(25,925
)
 
(7,727
)
Total
   
1,174,940
   
1,223,427
 
Cumulative preferred stock $100 par value
             
3.80% - 100,000 shares issued
   
10,000
   
10,000
 
4.50% - 100,000 shares issued
   
10,000
   
10,000
 
4.20% - 70,000 shares issued
   
7,000
   
7,000
 
4.35% - 120,000 shares issued
   
12,000
   
12,000
 
Total
   
39,000
   
39,000
 
Long-term debt
   
751,759
   
1,140,880
 
Total
   
1,965,699
   
2,403,307
 
Commitments and Contingencies
       
Total
 
$
3,818,850
 
$
3,833,726
 
 
More
-Page 9-
 
Attachment E

GREAT PLAINS ENERGY
 
Statistical Summary
 
                
Three Months Ended March 31
 
2006
 
2005
 
KCP&L
          
Retail revenues (millions)
       
$
189.2
 
$
189.5
 
Wholesale revenues (millions)
       
$
47.5
 
$
39.1
 
Average non-firm wholesale price per MWh
       
$
50.45
 
$
34.88
 
Wholesale MWh sales (thousands)
         
1,104
   
1,210
 
Equivalent availability - coal plants
         
80
   %
 
78
%
Capacity factor - coal plants
         
70
   %
 
75
%
                     
Strategic Energy
           
Average retail gross margin per MWh
       
$
(2.12
)
$
7.16
 
Change in fair value related to non-hedging energy
                   
contracts and from cash flow hedge ineffectiveness
         
9.79
   
(1.08
)
Average retail gross margin per MWh without fair
                   
value impacts (a)
       
$
7.67
 
$
6.08
 
                     
MWhs delivered (thousands)
         
3,662
   
4,625
 
MWhs delivered plus current year backlog (thousands)
         
13,794
   
16,634
 
Average duration - new and resigned contracts (months)
         
18
   
10
 
MWh sales (thousands)
         
7,302
   
2,969
 
Retention rate
         
50
   %
 
72
%
Retention rate including month to month customers
         
62
   %
 
79
%
(a)  This is a non-GAAP financial measure that differs from GAAP because it excludes the impact
 of unrealized fair value gains or losses. Management believes this measure is more
 reflective of average retail gross margins on MWhs delivered due to the non-cash nature and
 volatility of changes in fair value related to non-hedging energy contracts and from cash flow
 hedge ineffectiveness.

 
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