View:
f8k2009q1.htm

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 11, 2009
 

 
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))

 
 


 
This combined Current Report on Form 8-K is being furnished by Great Plains Energy Incorporated (Great Plains Energy) and Kansas City Power & Light Company (KCP&L).  KCP&L is a wholly owned subsidiary of Great Plains Energy and represents a significant portion of its assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and operations.  Thus, all information contained in this report relates to, and is furnished by, Great Plains Energy.  Information that is specifically identified in this report as relating solely to Great Plains Energy, such as its financial statements and all information relating to Great Plains Energy’s other operations, businesses and subsidiaries, including KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company, formerly Aquila, Inc. (GMO), does not relate to, and is not furnished by, KCP&L.  KCP&L makes no representation as to that information.  Neither Great Plains Energy nor GMO has any obligation in respect of KCP&L’s debt securities and holders of such securities should not consider Great Plains Energy’s or GMO’s financial resources or results of operations in making a decision with respect to KCP&L’s debt securities.  Similarly, KCP&L has no obligation in respect of securities of Great Plains Energy or GMO.

Item 2.02
Results of Operations and Financial Condition

On May 11, 2009, Great Plains Energy issued a press release announcing first quarter 2009 results and confirming 2009 earnings guidance.  A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

The press release contains information regarding KCP&L.  Accordingly, information in the press release relating to KCP&L is also being furnished on behalf of KCP&L.

The information under this Item 2.02 and in Exhibit 99.1 hereto is being furnished and shall not be deemed filed for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  The information under this Item 2.02 and Exhibit 99.1 hereto shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless otherwise expressly indicated in such registration statement or other document.

 
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
   
(d) Exhibit No.
 
   
99.1
Press release issued by Great Plains Energy Incorporated on May 11, 2009 (furnished and not deemed filed for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended).
 


 



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 11, 2009.

Exhibit Index
   
Exhibit No.
Title
   
99.1
Press release issued by Great Plains Energy Incorporated on May 11, 2009 (furnished and not deemed filed for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended).



Unassociated Document
Exhibit 99.1


GREAT PLAINS ENERGY REPORTS
FIRST QUARTER RESULTS FOR 2009

Earnings In-line with Company Expectations;
Reaffirms 2009 Earnings Guidance

Kansas City, Mo. (May 11, 2009) Great Plains Energy (NYSE: GXP) today announced first quarter 2009 earnings of $21.3 million or $0.18 per share of common stock outstanding, compared with first quarter 2008 earnings of $47.1 million or $0.55 per share.  First quarter 2009 results included a $16.0 million or $0.13 per share tax benefit from a 2003-04 tax audit settlement at KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company (“GMO”), formerly Aquila, which Great Plains Energy acquired on July 14, 2008.  First quarter earnings were in-line with expectations, therefore, the Company reaffirms its earnings guidance range for 2009 of $1.10 to $1.40 per share.

GREAT PLAINS ENERGY
 
Consolidated Earnings and Earnings Per Share
 
Three Months Ended March 31
 
(Unaudited)
 
             
Earnings per Great
 
   
Earnings
 
Plains Energy Share
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
(millions)
           
Electric Utility
 
$
7.4    
$
17.0    
$
0.06    
$
0.20  
Other
    14.3       (22.4 )     0.12       (0.27 )
Income (loss) from continuing operations
    21.7       (5.4 )     0.18       (0.07 )
Strategic Energy discontinued operations
    -       52.9       -       0.62  
Net income
    21.7       47.5       0.18       0.55  
Preferred dividends
    (0.4 )     (0.4 )     -       -  
Earnings available for common shareholders
 
$
21.3    
$
47.1    
$
0.18    
$
0.55  
                                 

Key drivers behind first quarter 2009 earnings compared to 2008 were:
 
·  
Decreased Electric Utility segment earnings of $9.6 million due to lower retail and wholesale revenue.

·  
Decreased purchased power expense of $6.4 million and a $6.0 million increase in the equity component of AFUDC at Kansas City Power & Light Company (“KCP&L”).

·  
Increased Other segment earnings primarily as a result of GMO’s non-utility operations’ positive earnings contribution of $17.2 million, including a $16.0 million or $0.13 per share tax benefit from a 2003-04 tax audit settlement.

·  
Increased number of shares outstanding primarily from the GMO transaction resulted in $0.07 per share dilution.
 
In addition, first quarter 2008 earnings included a loss of $13.7 million or $0.16 per share from the mark-to-market impact of interest rate hedges and earnings of $52.9 million or $0.62 per share
 
from the discontinued operations of Strategic Energy.  Great Plains Energy sold Strategic Energy in June 2008.

Additional segment detail on the quarter is provided in the segment discussions below.

”We have had several noteworthy achievements so far in 2009,” commented Mike Chesser, Chairman and CEO.  “We successfully brought Iatan 1 back on-line and the unit’s new Air Quality Control System completed its in-service testing, allowing it to be included in our current rate cases.  Though Iatan was down during the entire first quarter, the performance of KCP&L’s remaining fossil fleet was much improved over the first quarter last year.  Finally, we were very pleased to announce that we achieved settlements in all of our Missouri rate cases.”

“We continue to move forward to implement the initiatives that will shape our success in the years ahead,” continued Chesser.  “We believe these positive steps position us to weather the current downturn in the economy and emerge stronger as markets begin to recover.”

The average number of common shares outstanding for the quarter increased to 119.2 million shares compared with 85.9 million shares for the first quarter of 2008, primarily as a result of the issuance of 32.2 million shares of Great Plains Energy common stock in connection with the GMO acquisition.  This caused $0.07 per share of dilution in the quarter.  In addition, the Company issued 3.8 million common shares through its Sales Agency Financing for Equity (“SAFE”) program, which had a dilutive impact of less than $0.01 per share in the 2009 quarter.

Great Plains Energy provides in its earnings releases financial information in accordance with GAAP.  In prior quarters, the Company also provided “core” earnings, a non-GAAP measure that excluded the effects of discontinued operations, certain unusual items and mark-to-market gains and losses on energy contracts.  The Company believes that in prior periods core earnings provided a meaningful indicator of results that was comparable among periods because it excluded the effects of those items.  Given that the financial statement impacts of Strategic Energy ceased at the end of last year, effective as of this quarter the Company will no longer provide core earnings.

First Quarter Electric Utility Segment
The Electric Utility segment consists of KCP&L and GMO’s regulated utility operations.  Quarterly earnings for the Electric Utility segment were $7.4 million or $0.06 per share compared to $17.0 million or $0.20 per share in 2008.  KCP&L’s 2009 earnings of $8.4 million or $0.07 per common share declined approximately 50% year-over-year.  GMO’s utility operations contributed a loss of
2
$1.0 million or $0.01 per share.  The Electric Utility segment results also reflect additional shares outstanding, causing segment dilution of $0.03 per share for the quarter.

Electric Utility Segment
Three months ended 3/31/09
(in millions except per share amounts)
                         
   
2009
   
2009
   
2009
   
2008
 
   
Electric Utility
   
GMO
 
   
KCP&L
 
   
KCP&L
 
 
                         
Revenues
 
$
419.2    
$
141.7    
$
277.5    
$
297.6  
Earnings
 
$
7.4    
$
(1.0 )  
$
8.4    
$
17.0  
EPS
 
$
0.06    
$
(0.01 )  
$
0.07    
$
0.20
 

KCP&L’s first quarter revenue decreased 7%, or $20.1 million, compared to the prior year period primarily as a result of a $15.8 million or 37% decline in wholesale revenue.  The decline in wholesale revenue was driven by average wholesale prices that were 33% below the same period in 2008 and an 18% decrease in MWh sales due primarily to the Iatan 1 outage, which was extended through the end of the quarter.  Iatan 1 came back on-line in early April and the unit’s new Air Quality Control System successfully completed its in-service testing on April 19, 2009.

KCP&L’s retail revenue declined 2%, or $4.1 million, in the 2009 quarter compared to last year.  This was due primarily to unfavorable weather, with Heating Degree Days 14% lower than in the 2008 quarter.  KCP&L’s quarterly retail MWh sales declined 4% compared to 2008; on a weather-normalized basis, quarterly retail MWh sales declined 0.8%.  However, this decline was offset by higher average pricing at the lower usage levels.

Positive factors in the quarter for KCP&L include:
o  
The equity component of AFUDC grew $6.0 million over 2008 as the Company continued to progress on the Iatan 1 and Iatan 2 construction projects; and
o  
Purchased power expense decreased $6.4 million from 2008 as a result of a 46% decrease in the average price per MWh purchased due to lower natural gas prices.  This effect more than offset the 8% increase in MWh purchases resulting from the continued Iatan 1 outage in the first quarter.

The Iatan 1 outage caused KCP&L’s coal plant equivalent availability and capacity factors for the first quarter 2009 to decline to 61% and 56%, respectively, compared to 72% and 68%, respectively, last year.  In the first quarter of 2008, coal plant equivalent availability and capacity factors were impacted by unplanned outages resulting in lower than historical performance levels.  
3
Excluding Iatan 1, KCP&L’s coal plant equivalent availability and capacity in the first quarter of 2009 were 75% and 69%, respectively, compared to 67% and 63% in the 2008 quarter.  The Wolf Creek nuclear unit had 100% equivalent availability and capacity factors for the 2009 first quarter, after operating at equivalent availability and capacity factors of 79% and 79%, respectively, in the first quarter 2008 as a result of a planned refueling outage.

The restart of GMO’s Sibley 3 unit after a planned outage to complete environmental upgrades resulted in overall equivalent availability and capacity factors for GMO of 72% and 63%, respectively, in the first quarter.  The outage began in late October 2008 and the unit returned to service in mid-February.

Other Segment
Results for the Other segment primarily include unallocated corporate charges and GMO non-regulated operations.  Comparative results for the first quarter are shown in the table below:
 
EARNINGS
“Other” Segment
Three months ended 3/31/09
(in millions except per share amounts)
         
 
2009
   
2008
Earnings              
$
13.9
   
$
(22.8)
EPS                      
$
0.12
   
$
(0.27)

The increased 2009 quarterly earnings are primarily the result of a $16.0 million tax benefit from the GMO 2003-2004 federal tax audit settlement.  2008 earnings also included mark-to-market losses of $13.7 million for forward starting swaps and $7.8 million of GMO transition costs.  Positively impacting the 2008 quarter was a $3.4 million release of an accrued legal liability.  Additional shares outstanding also caused dilution of $0.04 per share for the quarter.

Earnings Webcast Information:
An earnings conference call and webcast is scheduled for 8:00 a.m. ET Tuesday, May 12, 2009, to review the Company’s first quarter 2009 financial results and business outlook.

A live audio webcast of the conference call, presentation slides, and the earnings press release will be available on the investor relations page of Great Plains Energy’s website at www.greatplainsenergy.com.

4
The conference call can be accessed by dialing 877-791-9323 (U.S./Canada) or 706-758-1332 (international) five to ten minutes prior to the scheduled start time.  The confirmation code is 96114208.  The call will also be webcast and can be accessed in a listen-only mode on Great Plains Energy’s website at www.greatplainsenergy.com.

A replay and transcript of the call will be available later in the day by accessing the investor section of the company’s website.  A replay of the conference call will also be available for one week following the call by dialing 800-642-1687 (U.S./Canada) or 706-645-9291 (international).  The confirmation code is 96114208.

The presentation may include certain non-GAAP financial measures.  In such event, a reconciliation of those measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures will be available on Great Plain's investor relations website at: www.greatplainsenergy.com.

About The Companies:
Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., Great Plains Energy Incorporated (NYSE: GXP) is the holding company of Kansas City Power & Light Company and KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations Company, two of the leading regulated providers of electricity in the Midwest.  Kansas City Power & Light and KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations use KCP&L as a brand name.  More information about the companies is available on the Internet at: www.greatplainsenergy.com or www.kcpl.com.

###


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

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, 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 registrants are 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 regional, national and international markets and their effects on sales, prices and costs, including, but not limited to, possible further deterioration in economic conditions and the timing and extent of any economic recovery; prices and availability of electricity in regional and national wholesale markets; market perception of the energy industry, Great Plains Energy, KCP&L and GMO; 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 and GMO 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 credit spreads and in availability and cost of capital and the effects on nuclear
5
decommissioning trust and 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, but not limited to, weather-related damage and their effects on sales, prices and costs; cost, availability, quality and deliverability of fuel; ability to achieve generation planning goals and the occurrence and duration of planned and unplanned generation outages; delays in the anticipated in-service dates and cost increases of additional generating capacity and environmental projects; nuclear operations; workforce risks, including, but not limited to, retirement compensation and benefits costs; the ability to successfully integrate KCP&L and GMO operations and the timing and amount of resulting synergy savings; and other risks and uncertainties.

This list of factors is not all-inclusive because it is not possible to predict all factors.  Other risk factors are detailed from time to time in Great Plains Energy’s and KCP&L’s most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q or annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made.  Great Plains Energy and KCP&L undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Great Plains Energy Contacts:
Investors: Ellen Fairchild, director investor relations, 816-556-2083,
ellen.fairchild@kcpl.com

Media: Katie McDonald, manager external communications, 816-556-2365,
katie.mcdonald@kcpl.com
6
Attachment A

GREAT PLAINS ENERGY
Consolidated Statements of Income
(Unaudited)
         
Three Months Ended March 31
2009
2008
Operating Revenues
(millions, except per share amounts)
Electric revenues
$
419.2  
$
297.6  
Operating Expenses
           
Fuel
  87.6     54.7  
Purchased power
  57.2     30.8  
Utility operating expenses
  109.0     74.0  
Maintenance
  37.9     30.2  
Depreciation and amortization
  69.0     50.2  
General taxes
  34.7     29.7  
Other
  2.9     8.9  
Total
  398.3     278.5  
Operating income
  20.9     19.1  
Non-operating income
  12.8     9.1  
Non-operating expenses
  (0.9 )   (1.1 )
Interest charges
  (37.3 )   (41.6 )
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit
       
and loss from equity investments
  (4.5 )   (14.5 )
Income tax benefit
  26.3     9.5  
Loss from equity investments, net of income taxes
  (0.1 )   (0.4 )
Income (loss) from continuing operations
  21.7     (5.4 )
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
  -     52.9  
Net income
  21.7     47.5  
Preferred stock dividend requirements
  0.4     0.4  
Earnings available for common shareholders
$
21.3  
$
47.1  
             
Average number of basic common shares outstanding
  119.2     85.9  
             
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share
           
Continuing operations
$
0.18  
$
(0.07 )
Discontinued operations
  -     0.62  
Basic and diluted earnings per common share
$
0.18  
$
0.55  
             
Cash dividends per common share
$
0.2075  
$
0.415  

 
7
 
Attachment B

 
GREAT PLAINS ENERGY
Summary Income Statement by Segment
Three Months Ended March 31, 2009
(Unaudited)
             
 
Consolidated
Electric
   
 
GPE
Utility
Other
 
(millions)
Operating revenues
$
419.2  
$
419.2  
$
-  
Fuel
  (87.6 )   (87.6 )   -  
Purchased power
  (57.2 )   (57.2 )   -  
Other operating expenses
  (184.5 )   (181.2 )   (3.3 )
Depreciation and amortization
  (69.0 )   (69.0 )   -  
Operating income (loss)
  20.9     24.2     (3.3 )
Non-operating income and expenses
  11.9     11.7     0.2  
Interest charges
  (37.3 )   (34.3 )   (3.0 )
Income tax benefit
  26.3     5.8     20.5  
Loss from equity investments
  (0.1 )   -     (0.1 )
Net income
  21.7     7.4     14.3  
Preferred stock dividend requirements
  (0.4 )   -     (0.4 )
Earnings available for common shareholders
$
21.3  
$
7.4  
$
13.9  
                   
Earnings per GPE common share
$
0.18  
$
0.06  
$
0.12  

 
8
 
Attachment C

 
GREAT PLAINS ENERGY
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
         
 
March 31
December 31
 
2009
2008
ASSETS
(millions, except share amounts)
Current Assets
       
Cash and cash equivalents
$
83.3  
$
61.1  
Funds on deposit
  7.8     10.8  
Receivables, net
  186.8     242.3  
Fuel inventories, at average cost
  90.5     87.0  
Materials and supplies, at average cost
  106.0     99.3  
Deferred refueling outage costs
  10.1     12.4  
Refundable income taxes
  29.5     26.0  
Deferred income taxes
  32.0     28.6  
Assets held for sale
  16.8     16.3  
Derivative instruments
  1.5     4.8  
Prepaid expenses
  18.2     15.2  
Total
  582.5     603.8  
Nonutility Property and Investments
           
Affordable housing limited partnerships
  13.7     13.9  
Nuclear decommissioning trust fund
  93.8     96.9  
Other
  40.8     41.1  
Total
  148.3     151.9  
Utility Plant, at Original Cost
           
Electric
  8,138.7     7,940.8  
Less-accumulated depreciation
  3,639.4     3,582.5  
Net utility plant in service
  4,499.3     4,358.3  
Construction work in progress
  1,706.8     1,659.1  
Nuclear fuel, net of amortization of $115.2 and $110.8
  76.6     63.9  
Total
  6,282.7     6,081.3  
Deferred Charges and Other Assets
           
Regulatory assets
  834.7     824.8  
Goodwill
  169.5     156.0  
Derivative instruments
  6.3     13.0  
Other
  40.1     38.5  
Total
  1,050.6     1,032.3  
Total
$
8,064.1  
$
7,869.3  

 
9
 
Attachment C Continued

 
GREAT PLAINS ENERGY
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
         
 
March 31
December 31
 
2009
2008
LIABILITIES AND CAPITALIZATION
(millions, except share amounts)
Current Liabilities
       
Notes payable
$
285.6  
$
204.0  
Commercial paper
  208.6     380.2  
Current maturities of long-term debt
  70.5     70.7  
Accounts payable
  342.9     418.0  
Accrued taxes
  50.0     27.7  
Accrued interest
  67.1     72.4  
Accrued compensation and benefits
  33.6     29.7  
Pension and post-retirement liability
  4.7     4.7  
Derivative instruments
  0.4     86.2  
Other
  35.7     43.8  
Total
  1,099.1     1,337.4  
Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
           
Deferred income taxes
  364.7     387.1  
Deferred tax credits
  113.0     105.5  
Asset retirement obligations
  126.3     124.3  
Pension and post-retirement liability
  452.6     445.6  
Regulatory liabilities
  206.3     209.4  
Other
  115.6     112.8  
Total
  1,378.5     1,384.7  
Capitalization
           
Great Plains Energy common shareholders' equity
           
Common stock-150,000,000 shares authorized without par value
           
123,391,421 and 119,375,923 shares issued, stated value
  2,172.9     2,118.4  
Retained earnings
  485.8     489.3  
Treasury stock-236,695 and 120,677 shares, at cost
  (6.2 )   (3.6 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
  (52.7 )   (53.5 )
Total
  2,599.8     2,550.6  
Noncontrolling interest
  1.0     1.0  
Total common shareholders' equity
  2,600.8     2,551.6  
Cumulative preferred stock $100 par value
           
3.80% - 100,000 shares issued
  10.0     10.0  
4.50% - 100,000 shares issued
  10.0     10.0  
4.20% - 70,000 shares issued
  7.0     7.0  
4.35% - 120,000 shares issued
  12.0     12.0  
Total
  39.0     39.0  
Long-term debt
  2,946.7     2,556.6  
Total
  5,586.5     5,147.2  
Commitments and Contingencies
           
Total
$
8,064.1  
$
7,869.3  

 
10
 
Attachment D

 
         
Three Months Ended March 31
2009
2008
Retail revenues (millions)
$
377.3  
$
248.7  
Wholesale revenues (millions)
$
28.7  
$
43.1  
Average non-firm wholesale price per MWh
$
30.96  
$
46.25  
Wholesale MWh sales (thousands)
  813     943  
Heating degree days
  2,548     2,949  
KCP&L equivalent availability - coal plants
  61 %   72 %
KCP&L capacity factor - coal plants
  56 %   68 %
GMO equivalent availability - coal plants
  72 %   N/A  
GMO capacity factor - coal plants
  63 %   N/A  
Equivalent availability - nuclear
  100 %   79 %
Capacity factor - nuclear
  100 %   79 %

 

 
11