PE-2015.3.31-10Q

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
[X]
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015

OR
[  ]
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition period from ________ to ________
Commission File Number
Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter, state of incorporation, address of principal executive offices, telephone number
I.R.S.
Employer
Identification
Number
1-16305
PUGET ENERGY, INC.
A Washington Corporation
10885 NE 4th Street, Suite 1200
Bellevue, Washington 98004-5591
(425) 454-6363
91-1969407
1-4393
PUGET SOUND ENERGY, INC.
A Washington Corporation
10885 NE 4th Street, Suite 1200
Bellevue, Washington 98004-5591
(425) 454-6363
91-0374630

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants: (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Puget Energy, Inc.
Yes
/X/
No
/  /
 
Puget Sound Energy, Inc.
Yes
/X/
No
/  /
Indicate by check mark whether the registrants have submitted electronically and posted on their corporate websites, if any, every interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Puget Energy, Inc.
Yes
/X/
No
/  /
 
Puget Sound Energy, Inc.
Yes
/X/
No
/  /
Indicate by check mark whether registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See definition of “large accelerated filer, accelerated filer and smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Puget Energy, Inc.
Large accelerated filer
/  /
Accelerated filer
/  /
Non-accelerated filer
/X/
Smaller reporting company
/  /
Puget Sound Energy, Inc.
Large accelerated filer
/  /
Accelerated filer
/  /
Non-accelerated filer
/X/
Smaller reporting company
/  /
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Puget Energy, Inc.
Yes
/  /
No
/X/
 
Puget Sound Energy, Inc.
Yes
/  /
No
/X/
All of the outstanding shares of voting stock of Puget Energy, Inc. are held by Puget Equico LLC, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Puget Holdings LLC.  All of the outstanding shares of voting stock of Puget Sound Energy, Inc. are held by Puget Energy, Inc.



Table of Contents

 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Puget Energy, Inc.
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Income – Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income – Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets – March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
 
 
 
 
Puget Sound Energy, Inc.
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Income – Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
 
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets – March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 and 2014
 
 
 
 
Notes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


2


DEFINITIONS

AFUDC
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction
ASU
Accounting Standards Update
ASC
Accounting Standards Codification
BPA
Bonneville Power Administration
EBITDA
Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization
ERF
Expedited Rate Filing
FERC
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
GAAP
U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
ICNU
Industrial Customers of Northwest Utilities
IRP
Integrated Resource Plan
ISDA
International Swaps and Derivatives Association
LIBOR
London Interbank Offered Rate
MMBtus
One Million British Thermal Units
MW
Megawatt (one MW equals one thousand kW)
MWh
Megawatt Hour (one MWh equals one thousand kWh)
NAESB
North American Energy Standards Board
NPNS
Normal Purchase Normal Sale
OCI
Other Comprehensive Income
PCA
Power Cost Adjustment
PCORC
Power Cost Only Rate Case
PGA
Purchased Gas Adjustment
PSE
Puget Sound Energy, Inc.
Puget Energy
Puget Energy, Inc.
Puget Holdings
Puget Holdings LLC
REP
Residential Exchange Program
SERP
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
Washington Commission
Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
WSPP
WSPP, Inc.



3


FILING FORMAT
This report on Form 10-Q is a Quarterly Report filed separately by two registrants, Puget Energy, Inc. (Puget Energy) and Puget Sound Energy, Inc. (PSE).  Any references in this report to the “Company” are to Puget Energy and PSE collectively.


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Puget Energy and PSE include the following cautionary statements in this Form 10-Q to make applicable and to take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of Puget Energy or PSE.  This report includes forward-looking statements, which are statements of expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives and assumptions of future events or performance.  Words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “continues,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “future,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “projects,” “should,” “will likely result,” “will continue” or similar expressions are intended to identify certain of these forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements reflect current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed.  Puget Energy’s and PSE’s expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and are believed by Puget Energy and PSE, as applicable, to have a reasonable basis, including without limitation, management’s examination of historical operating trends, data contained in Company records and other data available from third parties.  However, there can be no assurance that Puget Energy’s and PSE’s expectations, beliefs or projections will be achieved or accomplished.
In addition to other factors and matters discussed elsewhere in this report, some important factors that could cause actual results or outcomes for Puget Energy and PSE to differ materially from those discussed in forward-looking statements include:
Governmental policies and regulatory actions, including those of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (Washington Commission), with respect to allowed rates of return, cost recovery, financing, industry and rate structures, transmission and generation business structures within PSE, acquisition and disposal of assets and facilities, operation, maintenance and construction of electric generating facilities, natural gas and electric distribution and transmission facilities, licensing of hydroelectric operations and natural gas storage facilities, recovery of other capital investments, recovery of power and natural gas costs, recovery of regulatory assets, implementation of energy efficiency programs and present or prospective wholesale and retail competition;
Failure of PSE to comply with the FERC or the Washington Commission standards and/or rules, which could result in penalties based on the discretion of either commission;
Findings of noncompliance with electric reliability standards developed by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) or the Western Electricity Coordinating Council for users, owners and operators of the power system, which could result in penalties;
Changes in, adoption of and compliance with laws and regulations, including decisions and policies concerning the environment, climate change, greenhouse gas or other emissions or byproducts of electric generation (including coal ash or other substances), natural resources, and fish and wildlife (including the Endangered Species Act) as well as the risk of litigation arising from such matters, whether involving public or private claimants or regulatory investigative or enforcement measures;
The ability to recover costs arising from changes in enacted federal, state or local tax laws in a timely manner;
Changes in tax law, related regulations or differing interpretation or enforcement of applicable law by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or other taxing jurisdiction;
Inability to realize deferred tax assets and use Production Tax Credits (PTCs) due to insufficient future taxable income;
Inability to manage costs during the rate stay out period through March 31, 2016, due to unforeseen events which would cause increases in costs of operations;
Accidents or natural disasters, such as hurricanes, windstorms, earthquakes, floods, fires and landslides, which can interrupt service and lead to lost revenue, cause temporary supply disruptions and/or price spikes in the cost of fuel and raw materials and impose extraordinary costs;
Commodity price risks associated with procuring natural gas and power in wholesale markets or counterparties extending credit to PSE without collateral posting requirements;
Wholesale market disruption, which may result in a deterioration of market liquidity, increase the risk of counterparty default, affect the regulatory and legislative process in unpredictable ways, negatively affect wholesale energy prices and/or impede PSE's ability to manage its energy portfolio risks and procure energy supply, affect the availability and access to capital and credit markets and/or impact delivery of energy to PSE from its suppliers;
Financial difficulties of other energy companies and related events, which may affect the regulatory and legislative process in unpredictable ways, adversely affect the availability of and access to capital and credit markets and/or impact delivery of energy to PSE from its suppliers;
The effect of wholesale market structures (including, but not limited to, regional market designs or transmission organizations) or other related federal initiatives;
PSE electric or natural gas distribution system failure, which may impact PSE's ability to deliver energy supply to its customers;
Changes in climate or weather conditions in the Pacific Northwest, which could have effects on customer usage and PSE's revenue and expenses;
Regional or national weather, which can have a potentially serious impact on PSE's ability to procure adequate supplies of natural gas, fuel or purchased power to serve its customers and on the cost of procuring such supplies;
Variable hydrological conditions, which can impact streamflow and PSE's ability to generate electricity from hydroelectric facilities;
Electric plant generation and transmission system outages, which can have an adverse impact on PSE's expenses with respect to repair costs, added costs to replace energy or higher costs associated with dispatching a more expensive generation resource;
The ability of a natural gas or electric plant to operate as intended;
The ability to renew contracts for electric and natural gas supply and the price of renewal;
Blackouts or large curtailments of transmission systems, whether PSE's or others', which can affect PSE's ability to deliver power or natural gas to its customers and generating facilities;
The ability to restart generation following a regional transmission disruption;
The failure of the interstate natural gas pipeline delivering to PSE's system, which may impact PSE's ability to adequately deliver natural gas supply or electric power to its customers;
Industrial, commercial and residential growth and demographic patterns in the service territories of PSE;
General economic conditions in the Pacific Northwest, which may impact customer consumption or affect PSE's accounts receivable;
The loss of significant customers, changes in the business of significant customers or the condemnation of PSE's facilities as a result of municipalization or other government action or negotiated settlement, which may result in changes in demand for PSE's services;
The failure of information systems or the failure to secure information system data, which may impact the operations and cost of PSE's customer service, generation, distribution and transmission;
The impact of acts of God, terrorism, asset-based or cyber-based attacks, flu pandemic or similar significant events;
Capital market conditions, including changes in the availability of capital and interest rate fluctuations;
Employee workforce factors, including strikes, work stoppages, availability of qualified employees or the loss of a key executive;
The ability to obtain insurance coverage, the availability of insurance for certain specific losses,
 and the cost of such insurance;
The ability to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting and operational processes;
Changes in Puget Energy's or PSE's credit ratings, which may have an adverse impact on the availability and cost of capital for Puget Energy or PSE generally, or the failure to comply with the covenants in Puget Energy's or PSE's credit facilities, which would limit the Company's ability to utilize such facilities for capital; and
Deteriorating values of the equity, fixed income and other markets which could significantly impact the value of investments of PSE's retirement plan, post-retirement medical benefit plan trusts and the funding of obligations thereunder.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.  New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor can it assess the impact of any such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.  You are also advised to consult Item 1A - “Risk Factors” in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.


4


PART I                    FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.                      Financial Statements

PUGET ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in Thousands)
(Unaudited)


 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
2014
Operating revenue:
 
 
Electric
$
573,628

$
633,553

Gas
348,861

387,443

Other
4,346

4,379

Total operating revenue
926,835

1,025,375

Operating expenses:
 

 

Energy costs:
 

 

Purchased electricity
153,480

181,157

Electric generation fuel
48,017

75,436

Residential exchange
(43,714
)
(30,003
)
Purchased gas
156,433

191,306

Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instruments, net
(3,696
)
(7,839
)
Utility operations and maintenance
137,175

144,076

Non-utility expense and other
3,210

3,422

Depreciation and amortization
106,178

101,719

Conservation amortization
29,604

28,982

Taxes other than income taxes
94,913

100,818

Total operating expenses
681,600

789,074

Operating income (loss)
245,235

236,301

Other income (deductions):
 

 

Other income
4,781

4,242

Other expense
(1,407
)
(1,582
)
Non-hedged interest rate swap (expense) income
(1,975
)
(747
)
Interest charges:
 

 

AFUDC
1,432

1,153

Interest expense
(88,909
)
(90,255
)
Income (loss) before income taxes
159,157

149,112

Income tax (benefit) expense
43,481

41,520

Net income (loss)
$
115,676

$
107,592


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

5


PUGET ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in Thousands)
(Unaudited)


 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
2014
Net income (loss)
$
115,676

$
107,592

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 

 

Net unrealized gain (loss) from pension and postretirement plans, net of tax of $312 and $(113), respectively
579

(209
)
Reclassification of net unrealized (gain) loss on energy derivative instruments settled during the period, net of tax of $179, and $187, respectively
333

347

Reclassification of net unrealized (gain) loss on interest rate swaps during the period, net of tax of $0, and $50, respectively

94

Other comprehensive income (loss)
912

232

Comprehensive income (loss)
$
116,588

$
107,824


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

6


PUGET ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in Thousands)


ASSETS
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
March 31,
2015
December 31,
2014
Utility plant (at original cost, including construction work in progress of $255,247 and
$239,690, respectively):
 
 
Electric plant
$
7,180,026

$
7,135,206

Gas plant
2,717,549

2,680,067

Common plant
456,595

472,926

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization
(1,666,759
)
(1,611,220
)
Net utility plant
8,687,411

8,676,979

Other property and investments:
 

 

Goodwill
1,656,513

1,656,513

Other property and investments
86,880

91,139

Total other property and investments
1,743,393

1,747,652

Current assets:
 

 

Cash and cash equivalents
19,119

37,527

Restricted cash
16,801

32,863

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $8,266 and $7,472,
respectively
318,477

306,923

Unbilled revenue
142,123

168,039

Purchased gas adjustment receivable

21,073

Materials and supplies, at average cost
84,999

83,189

Fuel and gas inventory, at average cost
43,345

69,433

Unrealized gain on derivative instruments
9,806

21,178

Taxes
151

301

Prepaid expense and other
17,714

20,905

Power contract acquisition adjustment gain
43,266

43,843

Deferred income taxes
165,266

161,445

Total current assets
861,067

966,719

Other long-term and regulatory assets:
 

 

Regulatory asset for deferred income taxes
77,406

95,432

Power cost adjustment mechanism
4,654

4,623

Regulatory assets related to power contracts
29,095

29,816

Other regulatory assets
889,780

866,835

Unrealized gain on derivative instruments
3,528

3,170

Power contract acquisition adjustment gain
326,006

347,547

Other
96,609

96,275

Total other long-term and regulatory assets
1,427,078

1,443,698

Total assets
$
12,718,949

$
12,835,048


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.





PUGET ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in Thousands)


CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
March 31,
2015
December 31,
2014
Capitalization:
 
 
Common shareholder’s equity:
 
 
Common stock $0.01 par value, 1,000 shares authorized, 200 shares outstanding
$

$

Additional paid-in capital
3,308,957

3,308,957

Earnings reinvested in the business
322,346

271,414

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(36,131
)
(37,043
)
Total common shareholder’s equity
3,595,172

3,543,328

Long-term debt:
 

 

First mortgage bonds and senior notes
2,939,412

3,189,412

Pollution control bonds
161,860

161,860

Junior subordinated notes
250,000

250,000

Long-term debt
1,699,000

1,699,000

Debt discount and other
(215,881
)
(218,664
)
Total long-term debt
4,834,391

5,081,608

Total capitalization
8,429,563

8,624,936

Current liabilities:
 

 

Accounts payable
226,552

307,578

Short-term debt

85,000

Current maturities of long-term debt
412,000

162,000

Purchased gas adjustment liability
5,545


Accrued expenses:
 

 

  Taxes
125,155

107,782

  Salaries and wages
29,016

40,970

  Interest
74,300

78,914

Unrealized loss on derivative instruments
138,873

142,195

Power contract acquisition adjustment loss
3,553

3,593

Other
84,232

62,464

Total current liabilities
1,099,226

990,496

Other long-term and regulatory liabilities:
 

 

Deferred income taxes
1,552,126

1,522,357

Unrealized loss on derivative instruments
57,376

62,913

Regulatory liabilities
605,584

633,471

Regulatory liabilities related to power contracts
369,271

391,389

Power contract acquisition adjustment loss
25,542

26,223

Other deferred credits
580,261

583,263

Total other long-term and regulatory liabilities
3,190,160

3,219,616

Commitments and contingencies




Total capitalization and liabilities
$
12,718,949

$
12,835,048


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

7


 PUGET ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in Thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
2014
Operating activities:
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
115,676

$
107,592

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
Depreciation and amortization
106,178

101,719

Conservation amortization
29,604

28,982

Deferred income taxes and tax credits, net
43,483

41,520

Net unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instruments
(3,372
)
(8,793
)
Derivative contracts classified as financing activities due to merger
8,045

8,026

AFUDC – Equity
(1,714
)
(1,436
)
Funding of pension liability
(4,500
)
(3,000
)
Regulatory assets
(56,506
)
(38,240
)
Regulatory liabilities
(4,200
)
6,407

Other long-term assets
5,045

(5,667
)
Other long-term liabilities
1,733

21,532

Change in certain current assets and liabilities:
 

 
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenue
14,362

28,650

Materials and supplies
(1,810
)
214

Fuel and gas inventory
25,880

35,451

Taxes
150

148

Prepayments and other
3,193

539

Purchased gas adjustment
26,618

(3,079
)
Accounts payable
(73,907
)
(13,886
)
Taxes payable
17,373

11,476

Accrued expenses and other
(11,445
)
(7,621
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
239,886

310,534

Investing activities:
 

 

Construction expenditures – excluding equity AFUDC
(117,106
)
(96,318
)
Proceeds from disposition of assets
487


Restricted cash
16,062

(18,266
)
Other
1,947

(4,125
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(98,610
)
(118,709
)
Financing activities:
 

 

Change in short-term debt, net
(85,000
)
(163,903
)
Dividends paid
(64,744
)
(42,081
)
Derivative contracts classified as financing activities due to merger
(8,045
)
(8,026
)
Issuance cost of bonds and other
(1,895
)
1,464

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(159,684
)
(212,546
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(18,408
)
(20,721
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
37,527

44,302

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
19,119

$
23,581

Supplemental cash flow information:
 

 

Cash payments for interest (net of capitalized interest)
$
88,598

$
90,756

Cash payments (refunds) for income taxes


Non-cash financing and investing activities:
 
 
Accounts payable for capital expenditures eliminated from cash flows
$
44,657

$
55,603

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

8



PUGET SOUND ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Dollars in Thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
2014
Operating revenue:
 
 
Electric
$
573,628

$
633,553

Gas
348,861

387,443

Other
4,354

4,379

Total operating revenue
926,843

1,025,375

Operating expenses:
 

 

Energy costs:
 

 

Purchased electricity
153,480

181,157

Electric generation fuel
48,017

75,436

Residential exchange
(43,714
)
(30,003
)
Purchased gas
156,433

191,306

Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instruments, net
(3,152
)
(7,270
)
Utility operations and maintenance
137,175

144,076

Non-utility expense and other
7,006

6,177

Depreciation and amortization
106,178

101,719

Conservation amortization
29,604

28,982

Taxes other than income taxes
94,913

100,818

Total operating expenses
685,940

792,398

Operating income (loss)
240,903

232,977

Other income (deductions):
 

 

Other income
4,782

4,240

Other expense
(1,407
)
(1,582
)
Interest charges:
 

 

AFUDC
1,432

1,153

Interest expense
(63,196
)
(64,137
)
Interest expense on parent note
(31
)
(26
)
Income (loss) before income taxes
182,483

172,625

Income tax (benefit) expense
53,383

51,542

Net income (loss)
$
129,100

$
121,083


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

9


PUGET SOUND ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in Thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
2014
Net income (loss)
$
129,100

$
121,083

Other comprehensive income (loss):
 

 

Net unrealized gain (loss) from pension and postretirement plans, net of tax of $1,821 and $1,078, respectively
3,381

2,001

Reclassification of net unrealized (gain) loss on energy derivative instruments, net of tax of $369 and $386, respectively
686

718

Amortization of treasury interest rate swaps to earnings, net of tax of $43 and $43, respectively
79

79

Other comprehensive income (loss)
4,146

2,798

Comprehensive income (loss)
$
133,246

$
123,881


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

10


PUGET SOUND ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in Thousands)


ASSETS
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
March 31,
2015
December 31,
2014
Utility plant (at original cost, including construction work in progress of $255,247 and
$239,690, respectively):
 
 
Electric plant
$
9,369,001

$
9,330,999

Gas plant
3,316,608

3,282,818

Common plant
496,511

512,842

Less:  Accumulated depreciation and amortization
(4,494,709
)
(4,449,680
)
Net utility plant
8,687,411

8,676,979

Other property and investments:
 

 

Other property and investments
82,663

86,913

Total other property and investments
82,663

86,913

Current assets:
 

 

Cash and cash equivalents
18,479

37,466

Restricted cash
16,801

32,863

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $8,266 and $7,472,
respectively
319,013

307,046

Unbilled revenue
142,123

168,039

Purchased gas adjustment receivable

21,073

Materials and supplies, at average cost
84,999

83,189

Fuel and gas inventory, at average cost
40,776

66,656

Unrealized gain on derivative instruments
9,806

21,178

Taxes
151

301

Prepaid expense and other
17,714

20,907

Deferred income taxes
212,025

208,447

Total current assets
861,887

967,165

Other long-term and regulatory assets:
 

 

Regulatory asset for deferred income taxes
76,891

94,913

Power cost adjustment mechanism
4,654

4,623

Other regulatory assets
889,745

866,793

Unrealized gain on derivative instruments
3,528

3,170

Other
89,985

89,306

Total other long-term and regulatory assets
1,064,803

1,058,805

Total assets
$
10,696,764

$
10,789,862


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

11



PUGET SOUND ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in Thousands)

CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES

 
(Unaudited)
 
 
March 31,
2015
December 31,
2014
Capitalization:
 
 
Common shareholder’s equity:
 
 
Common stock $0.01 par value – 150,000,000 shares authorized, 85,903,791 shares outstanding
$
859

$
859

Additional paid-in capital
3,246,205

3,246,205

Earnings reinvested in the business
236,098

202,622

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(166,811
)
(170,957
)
Total common shareholder’s equity
3,316,351

3,278,729

Long-term debt:
 

 

First mortgage bonds and senior notes
2,939,412

3,189,412

Pollution control bonds
161,860

161,860

Junior subordinated notes
250,000

250,000

Debt discount
(13
)
(13
)
Total long-term debt
3,351,259

3,601,259

Total capitalization
6,667,610

6,879,988

Current liabilities:
 

 

Accounts payable
226,552

307,572

Short-term debt

85,000

Short-term note owed to parent
28,933

28,933

Current maturities of long-term debt
412,000

162,000

Purchased gas adjustment liability
5,545


Accrued expenses:
 

 

Taxes
125,155

107,782

Salaries and wages
29,016

40,970

Interest
56,707

55,346

       Unrealized loss on derivative instruments
132,694

135,973

       Other
84,232

62,464

Total current liabilities
1,100,834

986,040

Other long-term and regulatory liabilities:
 

 

Deferred income taxes
1,691,027

1,649,857

Unrealized loss on derivative instruments
54,158

60,063

Regulatory liabilities
602,980

630,651

Other deferred credits
580,155

583,263

Total other long-term and regulatory liabilities
2,928,320

2,923,834

Commitments and contingencies




Total capitalization and liabilities
$
10,696,764

$
10,789,862


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

12


PUGET SOUND ENERGY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in Thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2015
2014
Operating activities:
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
129,100

$
121,083

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
 

 
Depreciation and amortization
106,178

101,719

Conservation amortization
29,604

28,982

Deferred income taxes and tax credits, net
53,381

51,543

Net unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instruments
(3,152
)
(7,270
)
AFUDC – Equity
(1,714
)
(1,436
)
Funding of pension liability
(4,500
)
(3,000
)
Regulatory assets
(56,506
)
(38,240
)
Regulatory liabilities
(4,200
)
6,407

Other long-term assets
4,691

(3,251
)
Other long-term liabilities
3,277

19,275

Change in certain current assets and liabilities:
 

 
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenue
13,949

28,691

Materials and supplies
(1,810
)
214

Fuel and gas inventory
25,880

35,451

Taxes
150

148

Prepayments and other
3,193

539

Purchased gas adjustment
26,618

(3,079
)
Accounts payable
(73,901
)
(13,886
)
Taxes payable
17,373

11,476

Accrued expenses and other
(6,308
)
(1,276
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
261,303

334,090

Investing activities:
 

 

Construction expenditures – excluding equity AFUDC
(117,106
)
(96,318
)
Proceeds from disposition of assets
487


Restricted cash
16,062

(18,266
)
Other
2,786

(3,507
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(97,771
)
(118,091
)
Financing activities:
 

 

Change in short-term debt, net
(85,000
)
(163,903
)
Dividends paid
(95,624
)
(74,114
)
Issuance cost of bonds and other
(1,895
)
1,463

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
(182,519
)
(236,554
)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(18,987
)
(20,555
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
37,466

44,111

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
18,479

$
23,556

Supplemental cash flow information:
 

 

Cash payments for interest (net of capitalized interest)
$
59,135

$
59,666

Cash payments (refunds) for income taxes


Non-cash financing and investing activities:
 
 
Accounts payable for capital expenditures eliminated from cash flow
$
44,657

$
55,603

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.

13


COMBINED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


(1)
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation
Puget Energy is an energy services holding company that owns PSE.  PSE is a public utility incorporated in the state of Washington that furnishes electric and natural gas services in a territory covering approximately 6,000 square miles, primarily in the Puget Sound region.  Following the merger with Puget Holdings LLC (Puget Holdings) in 2009, Puget Energy is an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Puget Holdings.
The consolidated financial statements of Puget Energy reflect the accounts of Puget Energy and its subsidiary, PSE.  PSE’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts of PSE and its subsidiary, Puget Western, Inc.  Puget Energy and PSE are collectively referred to herein as “the Company.”  The consolidated financial statements are presented after elimination of intercompany transactions.  PSE’s consolidated financial statements continue to be accounted for on a historical basis and do not include any purchase accounting adjustments.
The consolidated financial statements contained in this Form 10-Q are unaudited.  In the respective opinions of the management of Puget Energy and PSE, all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods have been reflected and were of a normal recurring nature.  These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements (and the Combined Notes thereto) included in the combined Puget Energy and PSE Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
PSE collected Washington State excise taxes (which are a component of general retail customer rates) and municipal taxes totaling $69.5 million and $77.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  The Company reports the collection of such taxes on a gross basis in operating revenue and as expense in taxes other than income taxes in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
Beginning July 1, 2013, PSE's electric and gas operations contain a revenue decoupling mechanism under which PSE's actual energy delivery revenues related to electric transmission and distribution, gas operations and general administrative costs are compared with authorized revenues allowed under the mechanism. Any differences in revenue are deferred to a regulatory asset for under recovery or regulatory liability for over recovery under alternative revenue recognition. To record revenues under this program, the Company must be able to collect the revenue within 24 months based on alternative revenue recognition guidance. Decoupled rate increases are effective May 1 of each year subject to a 3.0% cap of total revenue for decoupled rate schedules. Any excess revenue above 3.0% will be included in the following years decoupled rate. The Company will be able to recognize revenue deferred below the 3.0% cap of total revenue for decoupled rate schedules. For revenue deferrals exceeding the annual 3.0% rate cap of total revenue for decoupled rate schedules, the Company will need to review the excess amount for its ability to be collected within 24 months. If the excess amount cannot be collected within 24 months, for GAAP purposes only, the Company will record a reserve against the decoupling revenue and regulatory asset balance. Revenues associated with power costs under the Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) mechanism and Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA) rates are excluded from the decoupling mechanism.


(2)  New Accounting Pronouncements

Revenue
In May 2014, the (Financial Accounting Standards Board) FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)", which outlines a single comprehensive model for use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The ASU is based on the principle that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to fulfill a contract.
ASU 2014-09 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. On April 1, 2015, FASB voted to propose a deferral to the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year and permit entities to adopt one year earlier if they choose (i.e. the original effective date stated above).  Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach for the adoption of the new standard.  The Company initiated a steering committee and project team to evaluate the impact of this standard, update any policies and procedures that may be affected and implement the new

14


revenue recognition guidance. At this time, the Company cannot determine the impact this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Extraordinary and Unusual Items
In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-01, "Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20): Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items". As part of FASB's initiative to reduce complexity in accounting standards, it issued ASU 2015-01, which eliminates from GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. Currently, Subtopic 225-20 requires an entity to separately classify, present and disclose extraordinary events and transactions. ASU 2015-01 will align GAAP income statement presentation guidance with International Accounting Standards (IAS) 1, Presentation of Financial Statements, which prohibits the presentation and disclosure of extraordinary items.
ASU 2015-01 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company is permitted to apply amendments prospectively or retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted, provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company adopted ASU 2015-01 as of the beginning of fiscal year 2015. This did not result in a material change to our financial statements.

Debt Issuance Costs
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, "Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs". ASU 2015-03 requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability, consistent with the presentation of a debt discount. This new guidance affects only the presentation of debt issuance costs and not the recognition and measurement of debt issuance costs. ASU 2015-03 is to be applied on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each individual period presented should be adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance.
For the Company, the ASU is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of the amendments is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The Company plans to adopt ASU 2015-03 during the first quarter of fiscal 2016. The amount of unamortized debt issuance costs as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 totaled $34.5 million and $35.7 million, respectively.


(3)
Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

PSE employs various energy portfolio optimization strategies, but is not in the business of assuming risk for the purpose of realizing speculative trading revenue. The nature of serving regulated electric customers with its portfolio of owned and contracted electric generation resources exposes PSE and its customers to some volumetric and commodity price risks within the sharing mechanism of the PCA. Therefore, wholesale market transactions and PSE's related hedging strategies are focused on reducing costs and risks where feasible, thus reducing volatility in costs in the portfolio. In order to manage its exposure to the variability in future cash flows for forecasted energy transactions, PSE utilizes a programmatic hedging strategy which extends out three years. PSE's energy risk portfolio management function monitors and manages these risks using analytical models and tools. In order to manage risks effectively, PSE enters into forward physical electric and natural gas purchase and sale agreements, fixed-for-floating swap contracts, and commodity call/put options. The forward physical electric agreements are both fixed and variable (at index), while the physical natural gas agreements are variable. To fix the price of wholesale electricity and natural gas, PSE may enter into fixed-for-floating swap (financial) contracts with various counterparties. PSE also utilizes natural gas call and put options as an additional hedging instrument to increase the hedging portfolio's flexibility to react to commodity price fluctuations.
The Company manages its interest rate risk through the issuance of mostly fixed-rate debt with varied maturities. The Company utilizes internal cash from operations, borrowings under its commercial paper program, and its credit facilities to meet short-term funding needs. The Company may enter into swap instruments or other financial hedge instruments to manage the interest rate risk associated with these debts. As of March 31, 2015, Puget Energy had two interest rate swap contracts outstanding which extend to January 2017. PSE did not have any outstanding interest rate swap instruments.

15


The following table presents the volumes, fair values and locations of the Company's derivative instruments recorded on the balance sheets:
Puget Energy and
Puget Sound Energy
March 31, 2015
December 31, 2014
(Dollars in Thousands)
Volumes
Assets 1
Liabilities 2
Volumes
Assets 1
Liabilities 2
Interest rate swap derivatives 3
$450 million
$

$
9,397

$450 million
$

$
9,073

Electric portfolio derivatives
*
5,644

103,844

*
4,822

107,228

Natural gas derivatives (MMBtus) 4
348.2 million
7,690

83,008

360.4 million
19,526

88,807

Total derivative contracts
 
$
13,334

$
196,249

 
$
24,348

$
205,108

Current
 
$
9,806

$
138,873

 
$
21,178

$
142,195

Long-term
 
3,528

57,376

 
3,170

62,913

Total derivative contracts
 
$
13,334

$
196,249

 
$
24,348

$
205,108

_______________
1 
Balance sheet location: Current and Long-term Unrealized gain on derivative instruments.
2 
Balance sheet location: Current and Long-term Unrealized loss on derivative instruments.
3 
Interest rate swap contracts are only held at Puget Energy.
4 
All fair value adjustments on derivatives relating to the natural gas business have been deferred in accordance with ASC 980, “Regulated Operations” (ASC 980) due to the PGA mechanism. The net derivative asset or liability and offsetting regulatory liability or asset are related to contracts used to economically hedge the cost of physical gas purchased to serve natural gas customers.
* 
Electric portfolio derivatives consist of electric generation fuel of 166.0 million One Million British Thermal Units (MMBtus) and purchased electricity of 3.9 million Megawatt Hours (MWhs) at March 31, 2015, and 140.2 million MMBtus and 5.4 million MWhs at December 31, 2014.

For further details regarding the fair value of derivative instruments, see Note 4.

It is the Company's policy to record all derivative transactions on a gross basis at the contract level, without offsetting assets or liabilities. The Company generally enters into transactions using the following master agreements: WSPP, Inc. (WSPP) agreements which standardize physical power contracts; International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) agreements which standardize financial gas and electric contracts; and North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) agreements which standardize physical gas contracts. The Company believes that such agreements reduce credit risk exposure because such agreements provide for the netting and offsetting of monthly payments as well as right of set-off in the event of counterparty default. The set-off provision can be used as a final settlement of accounts which extinguishes the mutual debts owed between the parties in exchange for a new net amount.

16


The following tables present the potential effect of netting arrangements, including rights of set-off associated with the Company's derivative assets and liabilities:
Puget Energy and Puget Sound Energy
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2015
 
Gross Amount Recognized in the Statement of Financial Position 1
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
Net of Amounts Presented in the Statement of Financial Position
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
 

(Dollars in Thousands)
Commodity Contracts
Cash Collateral Received/Posted
Net Amount
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy Derivative Contracts
$
13,334

$

$
13,334

$
(12,152
)
$

$
1,182

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy Derivative Contracts
186,852


186,852

(12,152
)

174,700

Interest Rate Swaps 2
9,397


9,397

$


9,397

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Puget Energy and Puget Sound Energy
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
Gross Amount Recognized in the Statement of Financial Position 1
Gross Amounts Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
Net of Amounts Presented in the Statement of Financial Position
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statement of Financial Position
 

(Dollars in Thousands)
Commodity Contracts
Cash Collateral Received/Posted
Net Amount
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy Derivative Contracts
$
24,348

$

$
24,348

$
(23,066
)
$

$
1,282

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Energy Derivative Contracts
196,035


196,035

(23,066
)
(20
)
172,949

Interest Rate Swaps 2
9,073


9,073



9,073

_______________
1 
All Derivative Contract deals are executed under ISDA, NAESB and WSPP Master Netting Agreements with Right of Offset.
2 
Interest Rate Swap Contracts are only held at Puget Energy.

Due to the merger in 2009, Puget Energy recorded all derivative contracts at fair value as either assets or liabilities. Certain contracts meeting the criteria defined in ASC 815 were subsequently designated as Normal Purchase Normal Sale (NPNS) or cash flow hedges, thereby causing differences in the derivative unrealized gains/losses to be recorded through earnings between Puget Energy and PSE. These differences occurred through February 2015.





17


The following tables present the effect and locations of the Company's derivatives not designated as hedging instruments, recorded on the statements of income:
Puget Energy
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)
Location
2015
2014
Interest rate contracts:
Non-hedged interest rate swap
(expense) income
$
(1,975
)
$
(747
)
 
Interest expense
(162
)
(125
)
Commodity contracts:
 
 
 

Electric derivatives
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net
3,696

7,839

 
Electric generation fuel
(10,662
)
7,827

 
Purchased electricity
(21,884
)
5,383

Total gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives
 
$
(30,987
)
$
20,177


Puget Sound Energy
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)
Location
2015
2014
Commodity contracts:
 
 
 
Electric derivatives
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments, net
$
3,152

$
7,270

 
Electric generation fuel
(10,662
)
7,827

 
Purchased electricity
(21,884
)
5,383

Total gain (loss) recognized in income on derivatives
 
$
(29,394
)
$
20,480


The unrealized gain or loss on derivative contracts is reported in the statement of cash flows under the operating activities section. However, at the time of the merger in 2009, all derivative contracts at Puget Energy were assessed to identify contracts that have a “more than an insignificant” fair value. If the fair value was greater than 10% of the notional value, the contract was deemed as having a financing element. For those contracts, the cash inflows (outflows) are presented in the financing activities section of the statement of cash flows. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, cash outflows related to financing activities of $8.0 million and $8.0 million, respectively, were reported on the Puget Energy statement of cash flows.

18


For derivative instruments previously designated as cash flow hedges (including both commodity contracts and interest rate swaps), the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative was recorded as a component of Other Comprehensive Income (OCI), and then is reclassified into earnings in the same period(s) during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. As of March 31, 2015, all gains or losses on purchased electricity derivatives recorded in OCI have been reclassified into earnings. The Company does not attempt cash flow hedging for any new transactions and records all mark-to-market adjustments through earnings.
The following tables present the Company's pre-tax gain (loss) of derivatives that were previously in a cash flow hedge relationship, and subsequently reclassified out of accumulated OCI into income:
Puget Energy
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)
Location
2015
2014
Interest rate contracts:
Interest expense
$

$
(144
)
Commodity contracts:
 
 
 
Electric derivatives
Purchased electricity
(512
)
(534
)
Total
 
$
(512
)
$
(678
)
    
Puget Sound Energy
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)
Location
2015
2014
Interest rate contracts:
Interest expense 1
$
(122
)
$
(122
)
Commodity contracts:
 
 
 
Electric derivatives
Purchased electricity
(1,055
)
(1,104
)
Total
 
$
(1,177
)
$
(1,226
)
_______________     
1 
Within the next twelve months, $0.5 million of losses in accumulated OCI will be reclassified into earnings.

The Company is exposed to credit risk primarily through buying and selling electricity and natural gas to serve its customers. Credit risk is the potential loss resulting from a counterparty's non-performance under an agreement. The Company manages credit risk with policies and procedures for, among other things, counterparty credit analysis, exposure measurement, exposure monitoring and exposure mitigation.
The Company monitors counterparties that have significant swings in credit default swap rates, have credit rating changes by external rating agencies, have changes in ownership or are experiencing financial distress. Where deemed appropriate, the Company may request collateral or other security from its counterparties to mitigate potential credit default losses. Criteria employed in this decision include, among other things, the perceived creditworthiness of the counterparty and the expected credit exposure.
It is possible that volatility in energy commodity prices could cause the Company to have material credit risk exposure with one or more counterparties. If such counterparties fail to perform their obligations under one or more agreements, the Company could suffer a material financial loss. However, as of March 31, 2015, approximately 99.8% of the Company's energy portfolio exposure, excluding NPNS transactions, is with counterparties that are rated at least investment grade by rating agencies and 0.2% are either rated below investment grade or not rated by rating agencies. The Company assesses credit risk internally for counterparties that are not rated by the major rating agencies.
As the Company generally enters into transactions using the WSPP, ISDA and NAESB master agreements, it believes that such agreements reduce credit risk exposure because they provide for the netting and offsetting of monthly payments and, in the event of counterparty default, termination payments.
The Company computes credit reserves at a master agreement level by counterparty (i.e., WSPP, ISDA, or NAESB). The Company considers external credit ratings and market factors, such as credit default swaps and bond spreads, in the determination of reserves. The Company recognizes that external ratings may not always reflect how a market participant perceives a counterparty's risk of default. The Company uses both default factors published by Standard & Poor's and factors derived through analysis of market risk, which reflect the application of an industry standard recovery rate. The Company selects a default factor by counterparty at an aggregate master agreement level based on a weighted average default tenor for that counterparty's deals. The default tenor is determined by weighting the fair value and contract tenors for all deals for each counterparty to derive an average value. The default factor used is dependent upon whether the counterparty is in a net asset or a net liability position after applying the master agreement levels.
The Company applies the counterparty's default factor to compute credit reserves for counterparties that are in a net asset position. The Company calculates a non-performance risk on its derivative liabilities by using its estimated incremental borrowing

19


rate over the risk-free rate. Credit reserves are booked as contra accounts to unrealized gain (loss) positions. As of March 31, 2015, the Company was in a net liability position with many of its counterparties, so the default factors of counterparties did not have a significant impact on reserves for the period. The majority of the Company's derivative contracts are with financial institutions and other utilities operating within the Western Electricity Coordinating Council. As of March 31, 2015, PSE has posted a $1.0 million letter of credit as a condition of transacting on a physical energy exchange and clearinghouse in Canada. PSE did not trigger any collateral requirements with any of its counterparties, nor were any of PSE's counterparties required to post collateral resulting from credit rating downgrades.
The table below presents the fair value of the overall contractual contingent liability positions for the Company's derivative activity at March 31, 2015:
Puget Energy and Puget Sound Energy
Contingent Feature
 
 
 
 
Fair Value 1
Posted
Contingent
(Dollars in Thousands)
Liability
Collateral
Collateral
Credit rating 2
$
(27,292
)
$

$
27,292

Requested credit for adequate assurance
(65,531
)


Forward value of contract 3
(969
)


Total
$
(93,792
)
$

$
27,292

_______________
1 
Represents the derivative fair value of contracts with contingent features for counterparties in net derivative liability positions. Excludes NPNS, accounts payable and accounts receivable.
2 
Failure by PSE to maintain an investment grade credit rating from each of the major credit rating agencies provides counterparties a contractual right to demand collateral.
3 
Collateral requirements may vary, based on changes in the forward value of underlying transactions relative to contractually defined collateral thresholds.


(4)
Fair Value Measurements

ASC 820 established a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy categorizes the inputs into three levels with the highest priority given to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority given to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1 - Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date. Level 1 primarily consists of financial instruments such as exchange-traded derivatives and listed equities. Equity securities that are also classified as cash equivalents are considered Level 1 if there are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 - Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued using models or other valuation methodologies. Instruments in this category include non-exchange-traded derivatives such as over-the-counter forwards and options.

Level 3 - Pricing inputs include significant inputs that have little or no observability as of the reporting date. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management's best estimate of fair value.

Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified in their entirety in the appropriate fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company's assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of fair value assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy. The Company primarily determines fair value measurements classified as Level 2 or Level 3 using a combination of the income and market valuation approaches. The process of determining the fair values is the responsibility of the derivative accounting department which reports to the Controller and Principal Accounting Officer. Inputs used to estimate the fair value of forwards, swaps and options include market-price curves, contract terms and prices, credit-risk adjustments, and discount factors. Additionally, for options, the Black-Scholes option valuation model and implied market volatility curves are used. Inputs used to estimate fair value in industry-standard models are categorized as Level 2 inputs because substantially all assumptions and inputs are observable in active markets throughout the full term of the instruments. On a daily basis, the Company obtains quoted forward prices for the electric and natural gas market from an independent external pricing

20


service. For interest rate swaps, the Company obtains monthly mark-to-market values from an independent external pricing service for London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) forward rates, which is a significant input. Some of the inputs of the interest rate swap valuations, which are less significant, include the credit standing of the counterparties, assumptions for time value and the impact of the Company's nonperformance risk of its liabilities. The Company classifies cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash as Level 1 financial instruments due to cash being at stated value, and cash equivalents at quoted market prices.
The Company considers its electric, natural gas and interest rate swap contracts as Level 2 derivative instruments as such contracts are commonly traded as over-the-counter forwards with indirectly observable price quotes. Management's assessment was based on the trading activity in real-time and forward electric and natural gas markets. Each quarter, the Company confirms the validity of pricing-service quoted prices (e.g., Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy) used to value commodity contracts with the actual prices of commodity contracts entered into during the most recent quarter. However, certain energy derivative instruments with maturity dates falling outside the range of observable price quotes are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

Assets and Liabilities with Estimated Fair Value

The following table presents the fair value hierarchy by level, the carrying value for cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, notes receivable and short-term debt. The carrying values below are representative of fair values due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments.
 
Carrying / Fair Value
Carrying / Fair Value
Puget Energy
At March 31, 2015
At December 31, 2014
(Dollars in Thousands)
Level 1
Level 2
     Total
Level 1
Level 2
     Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
19,119

$

$
19,119

$
37,527

$

$
37,527

Restricted Cash
16,801


16,801

32,863


32,863

Notes Receivable and Other Investments

49,587

49,587


53,503

53,503

Total assets
$
35,920

$
49,587

$
85,507

$
70,390

$
53,503

$
123,893

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term debt
$

$

$

$
85,000

$

$
85,000

Total liabilities
$

$

$

$
85,000

$

$
85,000


 
Carrying / Fair Value
Carrying / Fair Value
Puget Sound Energy
At March 31, 2015
At December 31, 2014
(Dollars in Thousands)
Level 1
Level 2
     Total
Level 1
Level 2
     Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
$
18,479

$

$
18,479

$
37,466

$

$
37,466

Restricted Cash
16,801


16,801

32,863


32,863

Notes Receivable and Other Investments

49,587

49,587


53,503

53,503

Total assets
$
35,280

$
49,587

$
84,867

$
70,329

$
53,503

$
123,832

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term debt
$

$

$

$
85,000

$

$
85,000

Short-term debt owed to parent

28,933

28,933


28,933

28,933

Total liabilities
$

$
28,933

$
28,933

$
85,000

$
28,933

$
113,933




21


The fair value of the junior subordinated and long-term notes were estimated using the discounted cash flow method with U.S. Treasury yields and Company credit spreads as inputs, interpolating to the maturity date of each issue. Carrying values and estimated fair values were as follows:
Puget Energy
 
March 31, 2015
December 31, 2014
(Dollars in Thousands)
Level
Carrying
Value
Fair
Value
Carrying
Value
Fair
Value
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Junior subordinated notes
2
$
250,000

$
269,020

$
250,000

$
276,235

Long-term debt (fixed-rate), net of discount
2
4,697,391

6,278,183

4,694,608

6,083,554

Long-term debt (variable-rate)
2
299,000

299,000

299,000

299,000

Total
 
$
5,246,391

$
6,846,203

$
5,243,608

$
6,658,789

 
 
 
 
 
 
Puget Sound Energy
 
March 31, 2015
December 31, 2014
(Dollars in Thousands)
Level
Carrying
Value
Fair
Value
Carrying
Value
Fair
Value
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
Junior subordinated notes
2
$
250,000

$
269,020

$
250,000

$
276,235

Long-term debt (fixed-rate), net of discount
2
3,513,259

4,607,614

3,513,259

4,437,473

Total
 
$
3,763,259

$
4,876,634

$
3,763,259

$
4,713,708


Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following tables present the Company's financial assets and liabilities by level, within the fair value hierarchy, that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis:
Puget Energy
Fair Value
Fair Value
At March 31, 2015
At December 31, 2014
(Dollars in Thousands)
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Interest rate derivative instruments
$
9,397

$

$
9,397

$
9,073

$

$
9,073

Total derivative liabilities
$
9,397

$

$
9,397

$
9,073

$

$
9,073


Puget Energy and
Fair Value
Fair Value
Puget Sound Energy
At March 31, 2015
At December 31, 2014
(Dollars in Thousands)
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Electric derivative instruments
$
2,487

$
3,157

$
5,644

$
1,654

$
3,168

$
4,822

Natural gas derivative instruments
6,158

1,532

7,690

18,064

1,462

19,526

Total assets
$
8,645

$
4,689

$
13,334

$
19,718

$
4,630

$
24,348

Liabilities:
 

 

 

 

 

 

Electric derivative instruments
$
84,596

$
19,248

$
103,844

$
91,998

$
15,230

$
107,228

Natural gas derivative instruments
79,875

3,133

83,008

85,305

3,502

88,807

Total liabilities
$
164,471

$
22,381

$
186,852

$
177,303

$
18,732

$
196,035










22


The following table presents the Company's reconciliation of the changes in the fair value of Level 3 derivatives in the fair value hierarchy:
Puget Energy and
Puget Sound Energy
Three Months Ended March 31,
Level 3 Roll-Forward Net Asset/(Liability)
2015
2014
(Dollars in Thousands)
Electric
Gas
Total
Electric
Gas
Total
Balance at beginning of period
$
(12,062
)
$
(2,040
)
$
(14,102
)
$
(15,421
)
$
(361
)
$
(15,782
)
Changes during period:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Realized and unrealized energy derivatives:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Included in earnings 1
(5,037
)

(5,037
)
(2,745
)

(2,745
)
Included in regulatory assets / liabilities

125

125


259

259

Settlements 2
113

91

204

321

(410
)
(89
)
Transferred into Level 3
(787
)

(787
)
3,100

(585
)
2,515

Transferred out of Level 3
1,682

223

1,905

139

(6
)
133

Balance at end of period
$
(16,091
)
$
(1,601
)
$
(17,692
)
$
(14,606
)
$
(1,103
)
$
(15,709
)
_______________
1 
Income Statement location: Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instruments, net. Includes unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives still held in position as of the reporting date for electric derivatives of $(5.0) million and $(4.6) million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
2 
The Company had no purchases, sales or issuances during the reported periods.

Realized gains and losses on energy derivatives for Level 3 recurring items are included in energy costs in the Company's consolidated statements of income under purchased electricity, electric generation fuel or purchased natural gas when settled. Unrealized gains and losses on energy derivatives for Level 3 recurring items are included in net unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instruments in the Company's consolidated statements of income.
In order to determine which assets and liabilities are classified as Level 3, the Company receives market data from its independent external pricing service defining the tenor of observable market quotes. To the extent any of the Company's commodity contracts extend beyond what is considered observable as defined by its independent pricing service, the contracts are classified as Level 3. The actual tenor of what the independent pricing service defines as observable is subject to change depending on market conditions. Therefore, as the market changes, the same contract may be designated Level 3 one month and Level 2 the next, and vice versa. The changes of fair value classification into or out of Level 3 are recognized each month, and reported in the Level 3 Roll-Forward table above. The Company did not have any transfers between Level 2 and Level 1 during the reported periods. The Company does periodically transact at locations, or market price points, that are illiquid or for which no prices are available from the independent pricing service. In such circumstances the Company uses a more liquid price point and performs a 15-month regression against the illiquid locations to serve as a proxy for market prices. Such transactions are classified as Level 3. The Company does not use internally developed models to make adjustments to significant unobservable pricing inputs.
The only significant unobservable input into the fair value measurement of the Company's Level 3 assets and liabilities is the forward price for electric and natural gas contracts. Below are the forward price ranges for the Company's purchased commodity contracts as of March 31, 2015:
 
Fair Value
 
 
Range
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
Assets 1
Liabilities 1
Valuation Technique
Unobservable Input
Low
High
 Weighted Average
Electric
$
3,157

$
19,248

Discounted cash flow
Power Prices
$14.63 per MWh
$33.87 per MWh
$30.43 per MWh
Natural gas
$
1,532

$
3,133

Discounted cash flow
Natural Gas Prices
$1.71 per MMBtu
$3.66 per MMBtu
$2.85 per MMBtu
_______________
1 
The valuation techniques, unobservable inputs and ranges are the same for asset and liability positions.


23


Below are the forward price ranges for the Company's purchased commodity contracts, as of December 31, 2014:
 
Fair Value
 
 
Range
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
Assets 1
Liabilities 1
Valuation Technique
Unobservable Input
Low
High
 Weighted Average
Electric
$
3,168

$
15,230

Discounted cash flow
Power Prices
$21.79 per MWh
$35.46 per MWh
$32.89 per MWh
Natural gas
$
1,462

$
3,502

Discounted cash flow
Natural Gas Prices
$3.11 per MMBtu
$3.83 per MMBtu
$3.28 per MMBtu
_______________
1 
The valuation techniques, unobservable inputs and ranges are the same for asset and liability positions.

The significant unobservable inputs listed above would have a direct impact on the fair values of the above instruments if they were adjusted. Consequently significant increases or decreases in the forward prices of electricity or natural gas in isolation would result in a significantly higher or lower fair value for Level 3 assets and liabilities. Generally, interrelationships exist between market prices of natural gas and power. As such, an increase in natural gas pricing would potentially have a similar impact on forward power markets. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, a hypothetical 10% increase or decrease in market prices of natural gas and electricity would change the fair value of the Company's derivative portfolio, classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, by $4.6 million and $3.9 million, respectively.

Long-Lived Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

At the time of merger, Puget Energy recorded the fair value of its intangible assets in accordance with ASC 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment,” (ASC 360). The fair value assigned to the power contracts was determined using an income approach comparing the contract rate to the market rate for power over the remaining period of the contracts incorporating non-performance risk. Management also incorporated certain assumptions related to quantities and market presentation that it believes market participants would make in the valuation. The fair value of the power contracts is amortized as the contracts settle.
ASC 360 requires long-lived assets to be tested for impairment on an annual basis, and upon the occurrence of any events or circumstances that would be more likely than not to reduce the fair value of the long-lived assets below their carrying value. One such triggering event is a significant decrease in the forward market prices of power.
At March 31, 2015, Puget Energy completed a valuation and impairment test of its purchased power contracts classified as intangible assets. The valuation indicated a fair value of $417.3 million with an impairment to the Wells hydro contract. As of March 31, 2015, the carrying value for this contract was $59.2 million and its fair value on a discounted basis was $49.3 million, thereby requiring a write-down of $9.9 million to this intangible asset with a corresponding reduction in the regulatory liability. The forward market prices of power for the duration of the Wells hydro contract decreased on average 7% from December 31, 2014 to March 31, 2015, which caused the impairments.
Below are significant unobservable inputs used in estimating the impaired long term power purchase contract's fair value on March 31, 2015:
Valuation Technique
Unobservable Input
Low
High
Average
Discounted cash flow
Power prices
$
19.54
 per MWh
$
32.17
 per MWh
$
27.23
 per MWh
Discounted cash flow
Power contract costs (in thousands)
4,129
 per qtr
4,783
 per qtr
4,493
 per qtr

At December 31, 2014, Puget Energy completed a valuation and impairment test of its purchased power contracts classified as intangible assets. The valuation indicated a fair value of $437.6 million with an impairment to the Wells Hydro intangible asset contract. As of December 31, 2014, the carrying value for this intangible asset contract was $65.3 million and its fair value on a discounted basis was determined to be an asset of $62.1 million, thereby requiring a write-down of $3.2 million to the intangible asset with a corresponding reduction in the regulatory liability.

Below are significant unobservable inputs used in estimating the impaired long term power purchase contract's fair value on December 31, 2014:
Valuation Technique
Unobservable Input
Low
High
Average
Discounted cash flow
Power prices
$
19.30
 per MWh
$
37.06
 per MWh
$
29.53
 per MWh
Discounted cash flow
Power contract costs (in thousands)
3,015
 per qtr
4,783
 per qtr
4,469
 per qtr


24


The valuations were measured using the income approach. Significant inputs included forward electricity prices and power contract pricing which provided future net cash flow estimates which are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. A less significant input is the discount rate reflective of PSE's cost of capital used in the valuation.


(5)
Retirement Benefits

PSE has a defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all PSE employees.  Pension benefits earned are a function of age, salary, years of service and, in the case of employees in the cash balance formula plan, the applicable annual interest crediting rates.  All new United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry (UA) employees hired on or after January 1, 2014, as well as all new International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 77 (IBEW) hired on or after December 12, 2014 and non-represented employees hired on or after January 1, 2014 who elect to accumulate the Company contribution in the cash balance formula portion of the pension plan, will receive annual pay credits of 4% each year. They will also receive interest credits like other participants in the cash balance pension formula of the pension plan, which are at least 1% per quarter. When a newly-hired employee with a vested cash balance formula benefit leaves PSE, he or she will have annuity and lump sum options for distribution, with annuities calculated according to the Pension Protection Act. Those who select the lump sum option will receive their current cash balance amount. Participation by continuing employees in the cash balance formula of the pension plan is not affected. PSE also maintains a non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) for its key senior management employees.
In addition to providing pension benefits, PSE provides group health care and life insurance benefits for certain retired employees.  These benefits are provided principally through an insurance company.  The insurance premiums, paid primarily by retirees, are based on the benefits provided during the year.
The 2009 merger of Puget Energy with Puget Holdings triggered a new basis of accounting for PSE’s retirement benefit plans in the Puget Energy consolidated financial statements.  Such purchase accounting adjustments associated with the re-measurement of the retirement plans are recorded at Puget Energy.
The following tables summarize the Company’s net periodic benefit cost for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
Puget Energy
Qualified
Pension Benefits
SERP
Pension Benefits
Other
Benefits
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)
2015
2014
2015
2014
2015
2014
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Service cost
$
5,472

$
4,512

$
277

$
261

$
33

$
29

Interest cost
7,107

7,055

570

577

161

183

Expected return on plan assets
(11,402
)
(10,721
)


(133
)
(133
)
Amortization of prior service
cost
(495
)
(495
)
11

11



Amortization of net loss
(gain)
981


410

228

(15
)
(66
)
Net periodic benefit cost
$
1,663

$
351

$
1,268

$
1,077

$
46

$
13



25


Puget Sound Energy
Qualified
SERP
Other
Pension Benefits
Pension Benefits
Benefits
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)
2015
2014
2015
2014
2015
2014
Components of net periodic benefit cost:
 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost
$
5,472

$
4,512

$
277

$
261

$
33

$
29

Interest cost
7,107

7,055

570

577

161

183

Expected return on plan assets
(11,508
)
(10,919
)


(133
)
(133
)
Amortization of prior service
cost
(393
)
(393
)
11

11

1

1

Amortization of net loss
(gain)
5,136

3,239

530

365

(83
)
(143
)
Net periodic benefit cost
$
5,814

$
3,494

$
1,388

$
1,214

$
(21
)
$
(63
)

The following table summarizes the Company’s change in benefit obligation for the periods ended March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
Puget Energy and
Puget Sound Energy
Qualified
Pension Benefits
SERP
Pension Benefits
Other
Benefits
 
Three Months Ended
Year
Ended
Three Months Ended
Year
Ended
Three Months Ended
Year
Ended
(Dollars in Thousands)
March 31,
2015
December 31,
2014
March 31,
2015
December 31,
2014
March 31,
2015
December 31,
2014
Change in benefit obligation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Benefit obligation at beginning of period
$
690,194

$
573,317

$
55,855

$
47,279

$
15,688

$
14,939

Service cost
5,472

17,437

277

1,042

33

112

Interest cost
7,107

28,039

570

2,310

161

684

Amendment






Actuarial loss (gain)

104,618


7,162


1,108

Benefits paid
(10,275
)
(33,217
)
(2,103
)
(1,938
)
(348
)
(1,424
)
Medicare part D subsidy
received




56

269

Benefit obligation at end of period
$
692,498

$
690,194

$
54,599

$
55,855

$
15,590

$
15,688


The aggregate expected contributions by the Company to fund the qualified pension plan, SERP and the other postretirement plans for the year ending December 31, 2015 are expected to be at least $18.0 million, $4.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company contributed $4.5 million, $2.1 million, and $0.3 million to fund the qualified pension plan, SERP and the other postretirement plan, respectively.
 

(6)
Regulation and Rates

On June 25, 2013, the Washington Commission approved PSE's electric and natural gas decoupling mechanism and Expedited Rate Filing (ERF) tariff filings, effective July 1, 2013. The allowed decoupling revenue per customer for the recovery of delivery system costs will subsequently increase by 3.0% for the electric customers and 2.2% for the gas customers on January 1 of each year, until the conclusion of PSE's next general rate case (GRC). Rate increases are subject to a cap of 3.0% of total revenue for customers.
The ERF filings also provided for the collection of property taxes through a property tax tracker mechanism. The property tax rate tracker will initially produce no incremental revenue, but is intended to reduce regulatory lag associated with the recovery

26


of future increases in property tax expenses. In its order, the Washington Commission approved a weighted cost of capital of 7.77% and a capital structure that included 48.0% common equity with a Return On Equity (ROE) of 9.8% .
On July 24, 2013, the Public Counsel Division of the Washington State Attorney General's Office (Public Counsel) and the Industrial Customers of Northwest Utilities (ICNU) each filed a petition in Thurston County Superior Court (the Court) seeking judicial reviews of various aspects of the Washington Commission's ERF and decoupling mechanism final order. The parties' petition argued that the order violated various procedural and substantive requirements of the Washington Administrative Procedure Act, and so requested that it be vacated and that the matter be remanded to the Washington Commission. Oral arguments regarding this matter were held on May 9, 2014. On June 25, 2014, the court issued a letter decision in which it affirmed the attrition adjustment (escalating factors referred to as the K-Factor) and the Washington Commission's decision not to consider the case as a GRC, but reversed and remanded the cost of equity for further adjudication consistent with the court's decision. Evidentiary hearings regarding ROE were held in February 2015, and initial briefs and reply briefs were filed in March 2015. An order is anticipated in the first half of 2015.
On April 24, 2014, the Washington Commission approved PSE’s request to change rates under its electric and natural gas decoupling mechanism, effective May 1, 2014.  The rate change incorporated the effects of an increase to the allowed delivery revenue per customer as well as true-ups to the rate from the prior year.  This represents a rate increase for electric of $10.6 million, or 0.5% annually, and a rate decrease for natural gas of $1.0 million, or 0.1% annually.  
On April 24, 2014, the Washington Commission approved PSE’s request to change rates under its electric and natural gas property tax tracker mechanism, effective May 1, 2014.  The rate change incorporated the effects of an increase in the amount of property taxes paid as well as true-ups to the rate from the prior year.  This represents a rate increase for electric of $11.0 million, or 0.5% annually, and a rate increase for natural gas of $5.6 million, or 0.6% annually.  
On April 24, 2014, the Washington Commission also approved PSE’s request to change rates under its electric and natural gas conservation riders, effective May 1, 2014.  The rate change incorporated the effects of changes in the annual conservation budgets as well as true-ups to the rate from the prior year.  The rate change represents a rate increase for electric of $12.2 million, or 0.6% annually, and a rate increase for natural gas of $0.3 million.
On October 30, 2014, the Washington Commission approved the PGA natural gas tariff which proposed to reflect changes in wholesale gas and pipeline transportation costs and changes in deferral amortization rates. The impact of PGA rates is an annual revenue increase of $23.3 million, or 2.5%, with no impact on net operating income.
On November 3, 2014, the Washington Commission issued an order on the settlement of the Power Cost Only Rate Case (PCORC) which was filed on May 23, 2014. The original filing proposed a decrease of $9.6 million (or an average of approximately 0.5%) in the Company's overall power supply costs. PSE filed joint testimony supporting a settlement stipulation. Customer rates decreased by approximately $19.4 million, or 0.9% annually, as a result of the settlement, effective December 1, 2014.
On February 27, 2015, PSE filed a request with the Washington Commission to change rates under its electric and natural gas conservation riders, effective May 1, 2015.  The proposed rate change incorporates the effects of changes in the annual conservation budgets as well as true-ups to the rate from the prior year.  The proposed rate change represents a rate increase for electric of $4.2 million, or 0.2% annually, and a rate increase for natural gas of $2.3 million, or 0.2% annually.
On March 26, 2015, PSE filed a request with the Washington Commission to change rates under its electric and natural gas property tax tracker mechanism, effective May 1, 2015.  PSE filed a substitute filing with the Washington Commission on April 15, 2015 for the electric property tax tracker mechanism. The proposed rate change incorporates the effects of an increase to property taxes paid as well as true-ups to the rate from the prior year.  This represents a rate increase for electric of $6.5 million, or 0.3% annually, and a rate decrease for natural gas of $0.9 million, or 0.1% annually.  

27


On March 27, 2015, PSE, Public Counsel and Washington Commission Staff filed a settlement proposing changes to the current PCA mechanism.  The settling parties filed joint testimony supporting the settlement agreement on April 3, 2015. The settlement agreement will require Commission approval. The settlement agreement would not take effect until January 1, 2017. Key components of the settlement will include the following changes to the PCA mechanism:
 
Company's Share
Customers' Share
Sharing Bands
Over
Under
Over
Under
+/-
$17 million
100
%
100
%
%
%
+/-
23 million
35

50

65

50

+/-
40 million
10

10

90

90


Reducing the cumulative deferral trigger for surcharge or refund from $30.0 million to $20.0 million;
Removing fixed production costs from the PCA mechanism and placing them in the decoupling mechanism if the decoupling mechanism continues as part of the next general rate case;
Suspending the requirement that a GRC must be filed within three months after rates are approved in a PCORC, and agreeing, for a five-year period, that PSE will not file a GRC or PCORC within six months of the date rates go into effect for a PCORC filing;
Establishing a five-year moratorium on changes to the PCA/PCORC.

On March 31, 2015, PSE petitioned the Washington Commission to allow PSE to change the methodology of how decoupling deferrals are calculated going forward and adjust deferrals calculated in 2014. The change is to ensure the prior years’ accumulated decoupling deferrals will not be included in the calculation of the current year decoupling deferrals. The change in methodology was approved by the Washington Commission on April 22, 2015. The effect of the methodology change is a reduction of approximately $12.0 million previously recognized revenue from May through December of 2014. The changes represent a rate increase for decoupled revenue for electric customers of $53.8 million, or 2.6% annually, and a rate increase for natural gas customers of $22.0 million, or 2.1% annually, effective May 1, 2015. In addition, the Company is subject to an earnings test whereby PSE will share with customers 50% of earnings above its authorized 7.77% return on rate base.  PSE exceeded this threshold for its natural gas business in 2014. As a result, PSE recorded a reduction in natural gas decoupling deferral and revenue of $1.3 million. This is reflected as a reduction to the natural gas rate increases noted above.
 The Company is limited to 3.0% annual decoupling-related cap on total revenue.  The amount of deferral that won't be included in the 2015 rate increase is $1.9 million for electric revenue and $8.2 million for natural gas revenue that was accrued through December 31, 2014. This amount will be included in customer rates in May 2016 and collected by December 2016.  


(7)
Litigation

Colstrip
PSE has a 50% ownership interest in Colstrip Units 1 and 2, and a 25% interest in Colstrip Units 3 and 4. On March 6, 2013, the Sierra Club and the Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC) filed a Clean Air Act citizen suit against all Colstrip owners (including PSE) in the U.S. District Court, District of Montana. Based on a second amended complaint filed August 2014, plaintiffs' lawsuit currently alleges violations of permitting requirements under the New Source Review program of the Clean Air Act and the Montana State Implementation Plan arising from seven projects undertaken at Colstrip during 2001-2012. Plaintiffs have since indicated that they do not intend to pursue two of the seven projects, leaving a total of five projects remaining. The lawsuit claims that, for each project, the Colstrip plant should have obtained a permit and installed pollution control equipment at Colstrip. The Plaintiffs' complaint also seeks civil penalties and other appropriate relief. The case has been bifurcated into separate liability and remedy trials. Discovery in the case is ongoing. The liability trial is currently set for November 2015, and a date for the remedy trial has yet to be determined. PSE is litigating the allegations set forth in the complaint, and as such, it is not reasonably possible to estimate the outcome of this matter. 

Other Proceedings
The Company is also involved in litigation relating to claims arising out of its operations in the normal course of business. The Company has recorded reserves of $1.5 million and $1.7 million relating to these claims as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.



28


(8)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following tables present the changes in the Company’s accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) by component for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
Puget Energy
Net unrealized gain (loss) and prior service cost on pension plans
Net unrealized gain (loss) on energy derivative instruments
Net unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps
 
Changes in AOCI, net of tax
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
Total
December 31, 2014
$
(36,710
)
$
(333
)
$

$
(37,043
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications





Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
579

333


912

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)
579

333


912

March 31, 2015
$
(36,131
)
$

$

$
(36,131
)

Puget Sound Energy
Net unrealized gain (loss) and prior service cost on pension plans
Net unrealized gain (loss) on energy derivative instruments
Net unrealized gain (loss) on treasury interest rate swaps


Changes in AOCI, net of tax


(Dollars in Thousands)
Total
December 31, 2014
$
(164,281
)
$
(686
)
$
(5,990
)
$
(170,957
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications





Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
3,381

686

79

4,146

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)
3,381

686

79

4,146

March 31, 2015
$
(160,900
)
$

$
(5,911
)
$
(166,811
)



29


Details about these reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2015, and 2014, are as follows:
Puget Energy
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
2015
2014
Details about accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) components
Affected line item in the statement where net income (loss) is presented
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Net unrealized gain (loss) and prior service cost on pension plans:
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service cost
(a) 
$
484

$
484

Amortization of net gain (loss)
(a) 
(1,375
)
(162
)
 
Total before tax
(891
)
322

 
Tax (expense) or benefit
312

(113
)
 
Net of Tax
$
(579
)
$
209

Net unrealized gain (loss) on energy derivative instruments:
 
 
 
Commodity contracts: electric derivatives
Purchased electricity
(512
)
(534
)
 
Tax (expense) or benefit
179

187

 
Net of Tax
$
(333
)
$
(347
)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps:
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
Interest expense

(144
)
 
Tax (expense) or benefit

50

 
Net of Tax
$

$
(94
)
Total reclassification for the period
Net of Tax
$
(912
)
$
(232
)
_______________
(a) 
These accumulated OCI components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Note 5 for additional details).
Puget Sound Energy
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
2015
2014
Details about accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) components
Affected line item in the statement where net income (loss) is presented
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
Net unrealized gain (loss) and prior service cost on pension plans:
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service cost
(a) 
$
381

$
381

Amortization of net gain (loss)
(a) 
(5,583
)
(3,461
)
 
Total before tax
(5,202
)
(3,080
)
 
Tax (expense) or benefit
1,821

1,079

 
Net of Tax
$
(3,381
)
$
(2,001
)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on energy derivative instruments:
 
 
 
Commodity contracts: electric derivatives
Purchased electricity
(1,055
)
(1,104
)
 
Tax (expense) or benefit
369

386

 
Net of Tax
$
(686
)
$
(718
)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on treasury interest rate swaps:
 
 
 
Interest rate contracts
Interest expense
(122
)
(122
)
 
Tax (expense) or benefit
43

43

 
Net of Tax
$
(79
)
$
(79
)
Total reclassification for the period
Net of Tax
$
(4,146
)
$
(2,798
)
_______________
(a) 
These accumulated OCI components are included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Note 5 for additional details).

30



Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this report on Form 10-Q. The discussion contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as Puget Energy and PSE objectives, expectations and intentions. Words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “continues,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “future,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plans,” “potential,” “predicts,” “projects,” “should,” “will likely result,” “will continue” and similar expressions are intended to identify certain of these forward-looking statements. However, these words are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report. Puget Energy's and PSE's actual results could differ materially from results that may be anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the section entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” included elsewhere in this report and in the section entitled "Risk Factors" included in Part I, Item 1A in Puget Energy's and Puget Sound Energy's Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014. Except as required by law, neither Puget Energy nor PSE undertakes any obligation to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may subsequently arise. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in this report and in Puget Energy's and PSE's other reports filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect Puget Energy's and PSE's business, prospects and results of operations.

Overview

Puget Energy is an energy services holding company and all of its operations are conducted through its subsidiary PSE, a regulated electric and natural gas utility company. PSE is the largest electric and natural gas utility in the state of Washington, primarily engaged in the business of electric transmission, distribution and generation and natural gas distribution. Puget Energy's business strategy is to generate stable cash flows by offering reliable electric and natural gas service in a cost-effective manner through PSE. In 2009, Puget Holdings completed its merger with Puget Energy. Puget Holdings is owned by a consortium of long-term infrastructure investors including Macquarie Infrastructure Partners I, Macquarie Infrastructure Partners II, Macquarie Capital Group Limited, FSS Infrastructure Trust, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, the British Columbia Investment Management Corporation, and the Alberta Investment Management Corporation. As a result of the merger, all of Puget Energy's common stock is indirectly owned by Puget Holdings. Puget Energy accounted for the merger as a business combination and all its assets and liabilities were recorded at fair value as of the merger date. PSE's basis of accounting continues to be on a historical basis and PSE's financial statements do not include any purchase accounting adjustments. Puget Energy and PSE are collectively referred to herein as “the Company.”
The Company's mission is to be a safe, dependable, and efficient utility. The Company's objectives are to focus on safety, employees, operational excellence, customer service and financial strength. The Company's strategies are aligned to achieve these objectives and ultimately the Company's mission.
These strategies involve numerous commitments and investments related to utility infrastructure and customer service which may give rise to expenditures that may not be recovered timely through the ratemaking process.  PSE has undertaken several initiatives to reduce the volatility and regulatory lag in the business. During 2013, PSE completed an ERF, which is a limited scope rate proceeding, and established a decoupling mechanism for gas operations and electric transmission, distribution and administrative costs. The ERF proceeding established baseline rates on which the decoupling mechanism will operate going forward. The ERF also established a property tax tracker mechanism in which any difference between amounts in rates and property tax payments will be deferred and recovered in an annual filing based on the annual cash payments for the year.
The decoupling mechanism allows PSE to recover costs on a per customer basis rather than on a consumption basis. Included in the decoupling petition was a rate plan that allows PSE an opportunity to earn its authorized rate of return without the need for another general rate case process during the rate plan period. The rate plan included predetermined annual increases to PSE’s allowed electric and natural gas revenue. This plan, with limited exceptions (PCORC or emergency rate relief), requires PSE to file a general rate case no sooner than April 1, 2015 and no later than April 1, 2016. The decoupling mechanism also allows for decoupling revenue on a per customer basis to subsequently increase by 3.0% for electric customers and 2.2% for natural gas customers on January 1 of each year, until the conclusion of PSE’s next general rate case. In addition, the decoupling mechanism reduces earnings volatility but does not materially affect the timing of cash flow due to the timing difference between the recognition of decoupling revenue and resulting impacts on rates.
Washington state law also requires PSE to pursue conservation initiatives that promote efficient use of energy. PSE’s mandate to pursue conservation initiatives may have a negative impact on the electric business financial performance due to lost margins from lower sales volumes as power costs are not part of the decoupling mechanism. This mandate, however, will only have a slight negative impact on natural gas business financial performance due to the natural gas business being almost fully decoupled. 

31


PSE generates revenue and cash flow primarily from the sale of electric and natural gas services to residential and commercial customers within a service territory covering approximately 6,000 square miles, principally in the Puget Sound region of the state of Washington. PSE expects to be in balance between its load requirements and generation resources for the next two or three years. The Company's external financing requirements principally reflect the cash needs of its construction program, its schedule of maturing debt and certain operational needs. PSE requires access to bank and capital markets to meet its financing needs.
For the three months ended March 31, 2015, as compared to the same period in 2014, PSE's net income was affected primarily by the following factors: (1) an increase in electric margin due to lower power costs; (2) a decrease in gas margin; and (3) a decrease in utility operations expense.
Further detail on each of these primary drivers, as well as other factors affecting performance, is set forth in this “Overview” section, as well as in other sections of the Management's Discussion & Analysis.

Factors and Trends Affecting PSE's Performance. PSE's regulatory requirements and operational needs require the investment of substantial capital in 2015 and future years. Because PSE intends to seek recovery of these investments through the regulatory process, its financial results depend heavily upon favorable outcomes from that process. Further, PSE's financial performance is heavily influenced by general economic conditions in its service territory, which affect customer growth and use-per-customer and thus utility sales, as well as by its customers' conservation investments, which reduces energy sales. The principal business, economic and other factors that affect PSE's operations and financial performance include:
The rates PSE is allowed to charge for its services;
PSE’s ability to recover power costs that are included in rates which are based on volume;
PSE’s ability to manage costs during the rate stay out period through March 31, 2016;
Weather conditions, including snow-pack affecting hydrological conditions;
Regulatory decisions allowing PSE to recover purchased power and fuel costs, on a timely basis;
PSE’s ability to supply electricity and natural gas, either through company-owned generation, purchase power contracts or by procuring natural gas or electricity in wholesale markets;
Equal sharing between PSE and its customers of earnings which exceed PSE's authorized rate of return;
Availability and access to capital and the cost of capital;
Regulatory compliance costs, including those related to new and developing federal regulations of electric system reliability, state regulations of natural gas pipelines and federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations;
Wholesale commodity prices of electricity and natural gas;
Increasing depreciation; and
Federal, state, and local taxes.

Regulation of PSE Rates and Recovery of PSE Costs
The rates that PSE is allowed to charge for its services influence its financial condition, results of operations and liquidity. PSE is highly regulated and the rates that it charges its retail customers are approved by the Washington Commission. The Washington Commission has traditionally required that these rates be determined based, to a large extent, on historic test year costs plus weather normalized assumptions about hydroelectric conditions and power costs in the relevant rate year. Incremental customer growth and sales typically have not provided sufficient revenue to cover year-to-year cost growth, thus rate increases are required. If, in a particular year, PSE's costs are higher than what is currently allowed to be recovered in rates, revenue may not be sufficient to permit PSE to earn its allowed return. In addition, the Washington Commission determines whether expenses and investments are reasonable and prudent in providing electric and natural gas service. If the Washington Commission determines that part of PSE's costs do not meet the standard applied, those costs may be disallowed partially or entirely and not recovered in rates.

Power Cost Only Rate Case. A limited-scope proceeding, was approved in 2002 by the Washington Commission to periodically reset power cost rates.  In addition to providing the opportunity to reset all power costs, the PCORC proceeding also provides for timely review of new resource acquisition costs and inclusion of such costs in rates at the time the new resource goes into service.  To achieve this objective, the Washington Commission has used an expedited six-month PCORC decision timeline rather than the statutory 11-month timeline for a general rate case.
On November 3, 2014 the Washington Commission issued an order on the settlement of the PCORC which PSE filed on May 23, 2014. The original filing proposed a decrease of $9.6 million (or an average of approximately 0.5%) in the Company's overall power supply costs. PSE filed joint testimony supporting a settlement stipulation. Customer rates decreased by approximately $19.4 million or 0.90% annually, as a result of the settlement, effective December 1, 2014.
    

32


Expedited Rate Filing. On February 4, 2013, PSE filed revised tariffs seeking to update its rates established in its base rate proceedings in May 2012. This filing was limited in scope and rate impact. This filing was primarily intended to establish baseline rates on which the decoupling mechanisms, described below, are proposed to operate. The filing also provided for the collection of property taxes through a property tax tracker mechanism based on cash payments of property tax made by PSE during the year. Any difference between the cash payments and property tax valuation accruals will be deferred and recovered in a property tax tracker.

Decoupling. On October 25, 2012, PSE and the Northwest Energy Coalition (NWEC) filed a petition for an order seeking approval of an electric and a natural gas decoupling mechanism for the recovery of PSE's delivery-system costs and authority to record accounting entries associated with the mechanisms. Included in the amended decoupling petition was a rate plan that allows PSE an opportunity to earn its authorized rate of return without the need for another GRC process over the plan period. The rate plan includes predetermined annual increases (K factor) to PSE's allowed electric and gas delivery revenue (transmission and delivery), which are effective January of each year, currently 3.0% for electric and 2.2% for gas. Under this plan, PSE, with limited exceptions, would be allowed to file its next GRC no sooner than April 1, 2015 and no later than April 1, 2016 unless agreed to otherwise by the parties. PSE would continue to be authorized to file for rate changes under existing rate mechanisms such as the PCA and PGA mechanism, and emergency rate relief during the rate plan period.
PSE's rates related to the cumulative deferred decoupling mechanism accrued by each rate group through the calendar year and effective May 1 in the following year, will be subject to a 3.0% cap on rate increases. Any amount in excess of the cap will be added to the decoupling tracker in subsequent rate periods, subject to a 3.0% cap on rate increases in the subsequent year. In addition, PSE and its customers would share 50.0% each in any earnings in excess of the authorized rate of return of 7.8%. The customers' share of any earnings would be returned to customers over the subsequent 12 month period beginning May 1 of each year.
On April 24, 2014, the Washington Commission approved PSE’s request to change rates under its electric and natural gas decoupling mechanism, effective May 1, 2014.  The rate change incorporated the effects of an increase to the allowed delivery revenue per customer as well as true-ups to the rate from the prior year.  This represents a rate increase for electric of $10.6 million, or 0.5% annually on total electric revenue, and a rate decrease for natural gas of $1.0 million, or 0.1% annually, on total gas revenue. 
On March 31, 2015, PSE petitioned the Washington Commission to allow PSE to change the methodology of how decoupling deferrals are calculated going forward and adjust deferrals calculated in 2014. The change is to ensure the prior years’ accumulated decoupling deferrals will not be included in the calculation of the current year decoupling deferrals. The change in methodology was approved by the Washington Commission on April 22, 2015. The effect of the methodology change is a reduction of approximately $12.0 million previously recognized revenue from May through December 2014. The changes represent a rate increase for decoupled revenue for electric customers of $53.8 million, or 2.6% annually, and a rate increase for natural gas customers of $22.0 million, or 2.1% annually, effective May 1, 2015. In addition, the Company is subject to an earnings test whereby PSE will share with customers 50% of earnings above its authorized 7.77% return on rate base.  PSE exceeded this threshold for its natural gas business in 2014. As a result, PSE recorded a reduction in natural gas decoupling deferral and revenue of $1.3 million. This is reflected as a reduction to the natural gas rate increases noted above.
 The Company is limited to 3.0% annual decoupling-related cap on total revenue.  The amount of deferral that won't be included in the 2015 rate increase is $1.9 million for electric revenue and $8.2 million for natural gas revenue that was accrued through December 31, 2014. This amount will be included in customer rates in May 2016 and collected by December 2016.

Washington Commission Decision. On July 24, 2013, the Public Counsel Division of the Washington State Attorney General's Office (Public Counsel) and the ICNU each filed a petition in Thurston County Superior Court (the Court) seeking judicial review of various aspects of the Washington Commission's ERF and decoupling mechanism final order. The parties' petition argued that the order violated various procedural and substantive requirements of the Washington Administrative Procedure Act, and so requested that it be vacated and that the matter be remanded to the Washington Commission. Oral arguments regarding this matter were held on May 9, 2014. On June 25, 2014, the court issued a letter decision in which it affirmed the attrition adjustment K-Factor and the Washington Commission's decision not to consider the case as a GRC, but reversed and remanded the cost of equity for further adjudication consistent with the court's decision. Evidentiary hearings regarding ROE were held in February 2015 and initial briefs and reply briefs were filed in March 2015. An order is anticipated in the first half of 2015.

Other Proceedings
On March 26, 2015, PSE filed a request with the Washington Commission to change rates under its electric and natural gas property tax tracker mechanism, effective May 1, 2015.  PSE filed a substitute filing with the Washington Commission on April 15, 2015 for the electric property tax tracker mechanism. The proposed rate change incorporates the effects of an increase to property taxes paid as well as true-ups to the rate from the prior year.  This represents a rate increase for electric of $6.5 million, or 0.3% annually, and a rate decrease for natural gas of $0.9 million, or 0.1% annually.  
On February 27, 2015, PSE filed a request with the Washington Commission to change rates under its electric and natural gas conservation riders, effective May 1, 2015.  The proposed rate change incorporates the effects of changes in the annual

33


conservation budgets as well as true-ups to the rate from the prior year.  The proposed rate change represents a rate increase for electric of $4.2 million, or 0.2% annually, and a rate increase for natural gas of $2.3 million, or 0.2% annually.
On April 24, 2014, the Washington Commission approved PSE’s request to change rates under its electric and natural gas property tax tracker mechanism, effective May 1, 2014.  The rate change incorporated the effects of an increase in the amount of property taxes paid as well as true-ups to the rate from the prior year.  This represents a rate increase for electric of $11.0 million, or 0.5% annually, and a rate increase for natural gas of $5.6 million, or 0.6% annually.  
On April 24, 2014, the Washington Commission also approved PSE’s request to change rates under its electric and natural gas conservation riders, effective May 1, 2014.  The rate change incorporated the effects of changes in the annual conservation budgets as well as true-ups to the rate from the prior year.  The rate change represents a rate increase for electric of $12.2 million, or 0.6% annually, and a rate increase for natural gas of $0.3 million.

Electric Rates
PSE currently has a PCA mechanism that provides for the recovery of power costs from customers or refunding of power cost savings to customers in the event those costs vary from the “power cost baseline” level of power costs. The “power cost baseline” levels are set, in part, based on normalized assumptions about weather and hydroelectric conditions.  Excess power costs or power cost savings are apportioned between PSE and its customers pursuant to the graduated scale set forth in the PCA mechanism. The graduated scale currently applicable is as follows:
Annual Power Cost Variability
Company's Share
Customers’ Share
+/- $20 million
100
%
%
+/- $20 million - $40 million
50

50

+/- $40 million - $120 million
10

90

+/- $120 + million
5

95


On March 27, 2015, PSE, Public Counsel and Washington Commission Staff filed a settlement proposing changes to the current PCA mechanism.  The settling parties filed joint testimony supporting the settlement agreement on April 3, 2015. The settlement agreement will require Commission approval. The settlement agreement would not take effect until January 1, 2017. Key components of the settlement will include the following changes to the PCA mechanism:
 
 
Company's Share
Customers’ Share
Sharing Bands
Over
Under
Over
Under
+/- $17 million
100
%
100
%
%
%
+/- 23 million
35

50

65

50

+/- 40 million
10

10

90

90


Reducing the cumulative deferral trigger for surcharge or refund from $30.0 million to $20.0 million;
Removing fixed production costs from the PCA mechanism and placing them in the decoupling mechanism if the decoupling mechanism continues as part of the next general rate case;
Suspending the requirement that a GRC must be filed within three months after rates are approved in a PCORC, and agreeing, for a five-year period, that PSE will not file a GRC or PCORC within six months of the date rates go into effect for a PCORC filing;
Establishing a five-year moratorium on changes to the PCA/PCORC.

PSE had an unfavorable PCA imbalance for the three months ended March 31, 2015, which was $2.0 million above the “power cost baseline” level, of which no amount was apportioned to customers. This compares to an unfavorable imbalance for the three months ended March 31, 2014 of $19.0 million of which no amount was apportioned to customers.

34



As discussed above, the Washington Commission approved rate increases related to the recovery of PSE's electric delivery system costs. The following table sets forth the associated electric rate adjustments approved by the Washington Commission and the corresponding impact to PSE's annual revenue based on the effective dates:
Type of Rate
Adjustment
Effective
Date
Average Percentage
Increase (Decrease)
in Rates
Annual Increase
(Decrease) in Rates
(Dollars in Millions)
Conservation Rider
May 1, 2015
0.4
 %
$
9.1

Decoupling Rate Filing
May 1, 2015
2.6

53.7

Property Tax Tracker
May 1, 2015
0.2

4.2

PCORC
December 1, 2014
(0.9
)
(19.4
)
Conservation Rider
May 1, 2014
0.6

12.2

Decoupling Rate Filing
May 1, 2014
0.5

10.6

Property Tax Tracker
May 1, 2014
0.5

11.0

 
In addition, PSE will be increasing the allowed delivery revenue per customer under the decoupling filing by 3.0% for electric customers on January 1 of each year until the conclusion of PSE's next GRC.

Natural Gas Rates
PSE has a PGA mechanism that allows PSE to recover expected natural gas supply and transportation costs and defer, as a receivable or liability, any natural gas supply and transportation costs that exceed or fall short of this expected natural gas cost amount in PGA mechanism rates, including accrued interest. PSE is authorized by the Washington Commission to accrue carrying costs on PGA receivable and payable balances. A receivable balance in the PGA mechanism reflects an under-recovery of natural gas cost through rates.
On October 30, 2013, the Washington Commission approved PSE's Pipeline Replacement Program Plan (PRPP) that would accelerate and enhance the safety of the natural gas system and ultimately reduce costs. Under the PRPP, PSE would be allowed to file a tariff revision to recover its costs associated with the acceleration of the replacement of natural gas pipelines with the Washington Commission.
On April 24, 2014, the Washington Commission approved PSE’s request to change rates under its electric and natural gas decoupling mechanism, effective May 1, 2014.  This represents a rate decrease for natural gas of $1.0 million, or 0.1% annually.
On October 30, 2014, the Washington Commission approved PSE's PGA natural gas tariff filing with an effective date of November 1, 2014, which reflected changes in wholesale gas and pipeline transportation costs and changes in deferral amortization rates. The impact to the PGA rates is an annual revenue increase of $23.3 million, or 2.5%, with no impact on net operating income.
As discussed above, the Washington Commission approved rate increases related to the recovery of PSE's gas delivery system costs. The following table sets forth the associated natural gas rate adjustments, including those for the PGA, that were approved by the Washington Commission and the corresponding impact to PSE's annual revenue based on the effective dates:
Type of Rate
Adjustment
Effective
Date
Average Percentage
Increase (Decrease)
in Rates
Annual Increase
(Decrease) in Rates
(Dollars in Millions)
Decoupling Rate Filing
May 1, 2015
2.1
 %
$
22.0

Property Tax Tracker
May 1, 2015
0.2

2.3

Purchased Gas Adjustment
November 1, 2014
2.5

23.3

Decoupling Rate Filing
May 1, 2014
(0.1
)
(1.0
)
Property Tax Tracker
May 1, 2014
0.6

5.6

Purchased Gas Adjustment
November 1, 2013
0.4

4.0


In addition, PSE will be increasing the allowed delivery revenue per customer under the decoupling filing by 2.2% for natural gas customers on January 1 of each year until the conclusion of PSE's next general rate case.

Weather Conditions. Weather conditions in PSE's service territory have an impact on customer energy usage, affecting PSE's billed revenue and energy supply expenses. PSE's operating revenue and associated energy supply expenses are not generated evenly throughout the year. While both PSE's electric and natural gas sales are generally greatest during winter months, variations in energy usage by customers occur from season to season and month to month within a season, primarily as a result of weather

35


conditions. PSE normally experiences its highest retail energy sales, and subsequently higher power costs, during the winter heating season in the first and fourth quarters of the year and its lowest sales in the third quarter of the year. Varying wholesale electric prices and the amount of hydroelectric energy supplies available to PSE also make quarter-to-quarter comparisons difficult.
PSE reported lower customer usage in the three months ended March 31, 2015, primarily due to Pacific Northwest temperatures being warmer on average as compared to the same period in the prior year. The actual average temperature during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was 48.32 degrees, or 2.99 degrees warmer than the same period in the prior year, and 4.33 degrees warmer when compared to the historical average.

Revenue Decoupling. While fluctuations in weather conditions will continue to affect PSE's billed revenue and energy supply expenses from month to month, PSE's decoupling mechanisms, which went into effect on July 1, 2013 for electric and gas operations, are expected to diminish the impact of weather on operating revenue and net income. The Washington Commission has allowed PSE to record a monthly adjustment to its electric and gas operating revenues related to electric transmission and distribution, gas operations and general administrative costs from residential, commercial and industrial customers to eliminate the effects of abnormal weather, conservation impacts and changes in usage patterns per customer with the exception of the electric business where power costs are not part of the decoupling mechanism. As a result, these electric and gas revenues will be recovered on a per customer basis regardless of actual consumption levels. The energy supply costs, which are part of the PCA and PGA mechanisms, are not included in the decoupling mechanism. The revenue recorded under the decoupling mechanisms will be affected by customer growth and not actual consumption. Following each calendar year, PSE will bill or refund the difference between allowed decoupling revenue and the corresponding actual revenue to affected customers during the following May to April time period.
Effective January 1, 2014, certain high volume natural gas industrial customers' rate schedules were excluded from the decoupling mechanism. As a result, PSE will be subject to certain effects of abnormal weather, conservation impacts and changes in customer usage patterns for these customers.

Customer Demand. PSE expects the number of natural gas customers to grow at rates slightly above that of electric customers. PSE also expects energy usage by both residential electric and natural gas customers to continue a long-term trend of slow decline primarily due to continued energy efficiency improvements.

Access to Debt Capital. PSE relies on access to bank borrowings and short-term money markets as sources of liquidity and longer-term capital markets to fund its utility construction program, to meet maturing debt obligations and other capital expenditure requirements not satisfied by cash flow from its operations or equity investment from its parent, Puget Energy. Neither Puget Energy nor PSE have any debt outstanding whose maturity would accelerate upon a credit rating downgrade. However, a ratings downgrade could adversely affect the Company's ability to renew existing, or obtain access to new credit facilities and could increase the cost of such facilities. For example, under Puget Energy's and PSE's credit facilities, the borrowing costs increase as their respective credit ratings decline due to increases in credit spreads and commitment fees. If PSE is unable to access debt capital on reasonable terms, its ability to pursue improvements or acquisitions, including generating capacity, which may be relied on for future growth and to otherwise implement its strategy, could be adversely affected. PSE monitors the credit environment and expects to continue to be able to access the capital markets to meet its short-term and long-term borrowing needs. PSE's credit facilities mature in 2019 and Puget Energy's senior secured credit facility matures in 2018. (See discussion on credit facilities in Item 2, “Financing Program - Credit Facilities and Commercial Paper”).

Regulatory Compliance Costs and Expenditures. PSE's operations are subject to extensive federal, state and local laws and regulations. These regulations cover electric system reliability, gas pipeline system safety and energy market transparency, among other areas. Environmental laws and regulations related to air and water quality, including climate change and endangered species protection, waste handling and disposal (including generation byproducts such as coal ash), remediation of contamination and siting new facilities also impact the Company's operations. PSE must spend significant amounts to fulfill requirements set by regulatory agencies, many of which have greatly expanded mandates, and on measures including, but not limited to, resource planning, remediation, monitoring, pollution control equipment and emissions-related abatement and fees in order to comply with these regulatory requirements.
Compliance with these or other future regulations, such as those pertaining to climate change and generation by-products, could require significant capital expenditures by PSE and may adversely affect PSE's financial position, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity.


36


Other Challenges and Strategies
Competition. PSE’s electric and natural gas utility retail customers currently do not have the ability to choose their electric or natural gas supplier and therefore, PSE’s business has historically been recognized as a natural monopoly. However, PSE faces increasing competition for sales to its retail customers.  Alternative methods of electric energy generation, including solar and other self-generation methods, compete with PSE for sales to existing electric retail customers.  In addition, PSE’s natural gas customers may elect to use heating oil, propane or other fuels instead of using and purchasing natural gas from PSE.  Further, PSE faces competition from public utility districts and municipalities that want to establish their own municipal-owned utility, as a result of which PSE may lose a number of customers in its service territory.

Energy Supply. As noted in PSE's Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) filed with the Washington Commission, PSE projects that beginning in 2017, its future energy needs will exceed current resources in its supply portfolio.  The IRP identifies reductions in contractual supplies of energy and capacity available under certain long-term power purchase agreements, requiring replacement of supplies to meet projected demands.  Therefore, PSE’s IRP sets forth a multi-part strategy of implementing energy efficiency programs and pursuing additional renewable resources (primarily wind) and additional base load natural gas-fired generation to meet the growing needs of its customers.  If PSE cannot acquire needed energy supply resources at a reasonable cost, it may be required to purchase additional power in the open market at a cost that could, in the absence of regulatory relief, significantly increase its expenses and reduce earnings and cash flows.

Infrastructure Investment. PSE is investing in its utility infrastructure and customer service functions in order to meet regulatory requirements, serve customers' energy needs and replace aging infrastructure. These investments and operating requirements give rise to significant growth in depreciation, amortization and operating expenses, which are not recovered through the ratemaking process in a timely manner.

Operational Risks Associated With Generating Facilities. PSE owns and operates coal, natural gas-fired, hydroelectric, wind-powered, solar and oil-fired generating facilities. The operation of electric generating facilities involves risks that can adversely affect energy output and efficiency levels, including facility shutdowns due to equipment and process failures or fuel supply interruptions. PSE does not have business interruption insurance coverage to cover replacement power costs.

Markets For Intangible Power Attributes.  The Company is actively engaged in monitoring the development of the commercial markets for such intangible power attributes as renewable energy credits and carbon financial instruments.  The Company supports the development of regional and national markets for these products that are open, transparent and liquid.


37


Results of Operations
Puget Sound Energy
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this document. The following discussion provides the significant items which impacted PSE's results of operations:
Puget Sound Energy
Three Months Ended March 31,
 

(Dollars in Thousands)
2015
2014
Favorable/
(Unfavorable)
Operating revenue:
 
 
 
Electric
 
 
 
Residential sales
$
286,026

$
335,099

(14.6
)%
Commercial sales
222,290

222,138

0.1

Industrial sales
28,950

27,204

6.4

Other retail sales
4,996

5,130

(2.6
)
Total retail sales
542,262

589,571

(8.0
)
Transportation sales
2,238

1,988

12.6

Sales to other utilities and marketers
6,578

14,040

(53.1
)
Decoupling revenue
21,710

12,677

71.3

Other
840

15,277

(94.5
)
Total electric operating revenue
573,628

633,553

(9.5
)
Gas
 

 

 
Residential sales
216,955

265,407

(18.3
)
Commercial sales
90,070

104,770

(14.0
)
Industrial sales
7,124

8,791

(19.0
)
Total retail sales
314,149

378,968

(17.1
)
Transportation sales
4,611

4,265

8.1

Decoupling revenue
26,781

787

*

Other
3,320

3,423

(3.0
)
Total gas operating revenue
348,861

387,443

(10.0
)
Non-utility operating revenue
4,354

4,379

(0.6
)
Total operating revenue
926,843

1,025,375

(9.6
)
Operating expenses:
 

 

 
Energy costs
 

 

 
Purchased electricity
153,480

181,157

15.3

Electric generation fuel
48,017

75,436

36.3

Residential exchange
(43,714
)
(30,003
)
45.7

Purchased gas
156,433

191,306

18.2

Net unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instruments
(3,152
)
(7,270
)
(56.6
)
Utility operations and maintenance
137,175

144,076

4.8

Non-utility expense and other
7,006

6,177

(13.4
)
Depreciation and amortization
106,178

101,719

(4.4
)
Conservation amortization
29,604

28,982

(2.1
)
Taxes other than income taxes
94,913

100,818

5.9

Total operating expenses
685,940

792,398

13.4

Operating income (loss)
240,903

232,977

3.4

Other income
4,782

4,240

12.8

Other expense
(1,407
)
(1,582
)
11.1

Interest expense
(61,795
)
(63,010
)
1.9

Income (loss) before income taxes
182,483

172,625

5.7

Income tax (benefit) expense
53,383

51,542

(3.6
)
Net income (loss)
$
129,100

$
121,083

6.6
 %
_______________
* 
Not meaningful


38


NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES - Electric and Gas Margins
The following discussion includes financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as two other financial measures, electric margin and gas margin, that are considered “non-GAAP financial measures.” Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's financial performance, financial position or cash flows that exclude (or include) amounts that are included in (or excluded from) the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. The presentation of electric margin and gas margin is intended to supplement an understanding of PSE's operating performance. Electric margin and gas margin are used by PSE to determine whether PSE is collecting the appropriate amount of energy costs from its customers to allow recovery of operating costs. PSE's electric margin and gas margin measures may not be comparable to other companies' electric margin and gas margin measures. Furthermore, these measures are not intended to replace operating income as determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of operating performance.

Electric Margin
Electric margin represents electric sales to retail and transportation customers less the cost of generating and purchasing electric energy sold to customers, including transmission costs to bring electric energy to PSE's service territory. The following table displays the details of PSE's electric margin changes:
Electric Margin
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
2015
2014
Favorable/
(Unfavorable)
Electric operating revenue:
 
 
 
Residential sales
$
286,026

$
335,099

(14.6
)%
Commercial sales
222,290

222,138

0.1

Industrial sales
28,950

27,204

6.4

Other retail sales
4,996

5,130

(2.6
)
Total retail sales
542,262

589,571

(8.0
)
Transportation sales
2,238

1,988

12.6

Sales to other utilities and marketers
6,578

14,040

(53.1
)
Decoupling revenue
21,710

12,677

71.3

Other
840

15,277

(94.5
)
Total electric operating revenues1
573,628

633,553

(9.5
)
Minus power costs:
 

 

 

Purchased electricity1
153,480

181,157

15.3

Electric generation fuel1
48,017

75,436

36.3

Residential exchange1
(43,714
)
(30,003
)
45.7

Total electric power costs
157,783

226,590

30.4

Electric margin2
$
415,845

$
406,963

2.2
 %
______________
1 
As reported on PSE’s Consolidated Statement of Income.
2 
Electric margin does not include any allocation for amortization/depreciation expense or electric generation operation and maintenance expense.
Electric margin increased $8.9 million, or 2.2%, to $415.8 million from $407.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014. The following is a discussion of significant items that impact electric operating revenue and electric energy costs, which are included in electric margin:

Electric Operating Revenue
Electric operating revenues decreased $59.9 million, or 9.5%, to $573.6 million from $633.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014. The decrease in operating revenues was primarily due to lower electric retail sales of $47.3 million, non-core gas sales of $11.7 million and sales to other utilities and marketers of $7.5 million. The decrease was partially offset by decoupling revenue related to under-collection of $9.0 million. These items are discussed in more detail below.
Electric retail sales decreased $47.3 million, or 8.0%, to $542.3 million from $589.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014. The decrease in electric retail sales primarily resulted from a revenue decrease of $36.4 million due to lower retail electricity usage of 361,164 MWhs, or 6.2% during the three months ended March

39


31, 2015 as compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease was driven by a net revenue decrease of $10.9 million due to the PCORC rates which decreased by $19.4 million annually, or 0.9%, effective December 1, 2014.
Sales to other utilities and marketers decreased $7.5 million, or 53.1%, to $6.6 million from $14.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014. The decrease was primarily driven by a $8.4 million decrease related to lower wholesale prices for the three months ended March 31, 2015, as compared to the same prior year period.
Decoupling revenue increased $9.0 million due to lower volumetric sales as a result of warmer weather for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the same period in the prior year. The 2015 decoupling receivable will be recovered from customers through a future rate filing beginning May 1, 2016.
Other electric operating revenue decreased $14.4 million to $0.8 million from $15.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014. The decrease was primarily the result of a decrease of $11.7 million due to lower non-core gas sales from warmer than normal weather for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

Electric Energy Costs
Purchased electricity expense decreased $27.7 million, or 15.3%, to $153.5 million from $181.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014. The decrease was primarily the result of a $28.1 million decrease related to a reduction in customer usage due to warmer weather for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
To meet customer demand, PSE economically dispatches resources in its power supply portfolio, such as, fossil-fuel generation, owned and contracted hydroelectric energy and long-term contracted power. However, depending principally upon availability of hydroelectric and wind energy, plant availability, fuel prices and/or changing load as a result of weather, PSE may sell surplus power or purchase deficit power in the wholesale market. PSE manages its regulated power portfolio through short-term and intermediate-term off-system physical purchases and sales as well as through other risk management techniques.
Electric generation fuel expense decreased $27.4 million, or 36.3%, to $48.0 million from $75.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014. The decrease was primarily due to a $25.3 million decrease in fuel expense at PSE's combustion turbine facilities. The decrease was primarily due to lower volumes of electricity generation from PSE's combustion turbine facilities.
Residential exchange credits increased $13.7 million, or 45.7%, to $43.7 million from $30.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014 as a result of higher Residential Exchange Program (REP) tariff prices associated with the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) REP. The REP credit is a pass-through tariff item with a corresponding credit in electric operating revenue, with no impact on net income.

Natural Gas Margin
Gas margin is natural gas sales to retail and transportation customers less the cost of natural gas purchased, including transportation costs to bring natural gas to PSE's service territory. The following table displays the details of PSE's natural gas
margin:
Natural Gas Margin
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
2015
2014
Favorable/
(Unfavorable)
Gas operating revenue:
 
 
 
Residential sales
$
216,955

$
265,407

(18.3
)%
Commercial sales
90,070

104,770

(14.0
)
Industrial sales
7,124

8,791

(19.0
)
Total retail sales
314,149

378,968

(17.1
)
Transportation sales
4,611

4,265

8.1

Decoupling revenue
26,781

787

*

Other
3,320

3,423

(3.0
)
Total gas operating revenues1
348,861

387,443

(10.0
)
Minus purchased gas costs1
156,433

191,306

18.2

Natural gas margin2
$
192,428

$
196,137

(1.9
)%
______________
* 
Not meaningful
1 
As reported on PSE's Consolidated Statement of Income.
2 
Gas margin does not include any allocation for amortization/depreciation expense or electric generation operations and maintenance expense.


40


Natural gas margin decreased $3.7 million, or 1.9%, to $192.4 million from $196.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014. The following is a discussion of significant items of gas operating revenue and gas energy costs which are included in gas margin:

Gas Operating Revenue
Gas operating revenues decreased $38.6 million, or 10.0% to $348.9 million from $387.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014. The decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was due primarily to a decrease in natural gas retails sales partially offset by an increase in decoupling revenue, as discussed in more detail below.
Natural gas retail sales decreased $64.8 million, or 17.1%, to $314.1 million from $379.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014. The decrease was primarily due to an $82.7 million, or 21.8%, reduction in natural gas therm sales which was offset by rate increases of $17.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
Decoupling revenues increased $26.0 million due to lower volumetric sales as a result of warmer weather for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the same period in the prior year. The 2015 decoupling receivable will be recovered from customers through a future rate filing beginning May 1, 2016.
 
Gas Energy Costs
Purchased gas expenses decreased $34.9 million, or 18.2%, to $156.4 million from $191.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014. The decrease was primarily due to a reduction in customer usage of 21.8%, and a decrease in PGA rates that were effective November 1, 2014.
The PGA mechanism provides the rates used to determine natural gas costs based on customer usage. The rate decrease was the result of decreasing costs of wholesale natural gas. The PGA mechanism allows PSE to recover expected natural gas supply and transportation costs and defer, as a receivable or payable, any natural gas supply and transportation costs that exceed or fall short of this expected natural gas cost amount in PGA mechanism rates, including accrued interest. PSE is authorized by the Washington Commission to accrue carrying costs on PGA receivable and payable balances. A receivable balance in the PGA mechanism reflects an under-recovery of natural gas cost through rates. A payable balance reflects over-recovery of natural gas cost through rates. The PGA mechanism payable balance at March 31, 2015 was $5.5 million.

Other Operating Expenses
Net unrealized gain on derivative instruments decreased $4.1 million to a gain of $3.2 million from a gain of $7.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014. The decrease during the three months ended March 31, 2015 was due to a decrease in wholesale forward electric commodity prices.
Utility operations and maintenance expense decreased $6.9 million, or 4.8%, to $137.2 million from $144.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014. The decrease was primarily driven by a decrease of $4.5 million in electric transmission and distribution expenses, primarily related to $5.5 million of storm expense, and a decrease in customer service expenses, primarily related to $2.2 million in uncollectible accounts expense, for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $4.5 million , or 4.4%, to $106.2 million from $101.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the increase was primarily due to gas depreciation expense in the amount of $1.5 million caused by additional capital expenditures placed into service, net of retirements, for the three months ended March 31, 2015. In addition, amortization expense increased due to a decrease of $1.7 million in regulatory credits related to customer billings associated with the Jefferson County asset gain provided to customers.
Taxes other than Income Tax decreased $5.9 million, or 5.9%, to $94.9 million from $100.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the same period in 2014. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in state excise and municipal taxes for gas utilities of $4.6 million, along with a decrease in state excise and municipal taxes for electric utilities of $3.8 million due to lower revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015.


41


Puget Energy

Summary Results of Operations
All the operations of Puget Energy are conducted through its subsidiary PSE. Puget Energy's net income (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2015, and the same period in 2014 are as follows:
Benefit/(Expense)
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
2015
2014
Percent
Change
PSE net income
$
129,100

$
121,083

6.6
 %
Other operating revenue
(8
)

*

Net unrealized gain on energy derivative instruments
544

570

(4.6
)
Non-utility expense and other
3,795

2,755

37.7

Unhedged interest rate swap (expense)
(1,975
)
(747
)
*

Interest expense 1
(25,681
)
(26,092
)
1.6

Income tax benefit (expense)
9,901

10,023

(1.2
)
Puget Energy net income (loss)
$
115,676

$
107,592

7.5
 %
_______________
* 
Not meaningful
1 
Puget Energy’s interest expense includes elimination adjustments of intercompany interest on short-term debt.

Puget Energy's net income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $115.7 million with operating revenue of $926.8 million as compared to a net income of $107.6 million with operating revenue of $1,025.4 million for the same period in 2014. In addition to the items discussed above regarding PSE, which also impacted Puget Energy's net income, non-utility expense and other increased which was offset by a decrease in unhedged interest rate swap expense. In addition, Puget Energy holds an additional $1.5 billion in long term debt, resulting in additional interest expense as shown above.

Capital Requirements
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
There have been no material changes to the contractual obligations set forth in Part II, Item 7 in Puget Energy's and PSE's combined annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.


42


The following are the Company's aggregate availability under commercial commitments as of March 31, 2015:
Puget Sound Energy
and Puget Energy
Amount of Available Commitments
Expiration Per Period
(Dollars in Thousands)
Total

2015
2016-2018

2019-2020

Thereafter

PSE liquidity facility 1
$
650,000

$

$

$
650,000

$

PSE energy hedging facility 1
350,000



350,000


Inter-company short-term debt 2
1,067




1,067

Total PSE commercial commitments
$
1,001,067

$

$

$
1,000,000

$
1,067

Puget Energy revolving credit facility 3
800,000


800,000



Less: Inter-company short-term debt elimination 2
(1,067
)



(1,067
)
Total Puget Energy commercial commitments
$
1,800,000

$

$
800,000

$
1,000,000

$

_______________
1 
As of March 31, 2015, PSE had credit facilities totaling $1.0 billion which will mature in April 2019. These facilities consisted of a $650.0 million liquidity facility to fund operating expenses and serve as a backstop to the Company's commercial paper program, and a $350.0 million hedging facility to support electric and natural gas hedging. The $650.0 million liquidity facility includes a swingline feature allowing same day availability on borrowings up to $75.0 million. The credit facilities also have an accordion feature that, upon the banks' approval, would increase the total size of these facilities to $1.450 billion. As of March 31, 2015, no loans or letters of credit were outstanding under the PSE energy hedging facility, and no amounts were outstanding under the PSE liquidity facility and no amounts were outstanding under the commercial paper program. The credit agreements are syndicated among numerous lenders. Outside of the credit agreements, PSE had a $4.2 million letter of credit in support of a long-term transmission contract and a $1.0 million letter of credit in support of natural gas purchases in Canada.
2 
As of March 31, 2015, PSE had a revolving credit facility with Puget Energy in the form of a promissory note to borrow up to $30.0 million of which $28.9 million was drawn.
3 
As of March 31, 2015, Puget Energy had a revolving credit facility totaling $800.0 million, which matures in April 2018. The revolving credit facility is syndicated among numerous lenders. The revolving credit facility also has an accordion feature that, upon the banks' approval, would increase the size of the facility to $1.3 billion. As of March 31, 2015, no amount was outstanding under the Puget Energy credit facility.

Utility Construction Program
PSE’s construction programs for generating facilities, the electric transmission system and the natural gas and electric distribution systems are designed to meet regulatory requirements and customer growth and to support reliable energy delivery.  Construction expenditures, excluding equity Allowance for Funds Used During Construction (AFUDC), were $117.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015.  Presently planned utility construction expenditures, excluding AFUDC, are as follows:
Capital Expenditure Projections
 
 
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
2015

2016

2017

Total energy delivery, technology and facilities expenditures
$
593,606

$
671,060

$
674,555


The program is subject to change based upon general business, economic and regulatory conditions.  Utility construction expenditures and any new generation resource expenditures may be funded from a combination of sources which may include cash from operations, short-term debt, long-term debt and/or equity.  PSE’s planned capital expenditures may result in a level of spending that will exceed its cash flow from operations.  As a result, execution of PSE’s strategy is dependent in part on continued access to capital markets.  

Capital Resources
Cash from Operations

Puget Sound Energy
Cash generated from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 decreased by $72.8 million from $334.1 million generated during the same period in 2014. The decrease was primarily the result of $60.0 million increase in accounts payable, a $18.3 million decrease in regulatory assets, a $16.0 million increase in long term liabilities and a $14.7 million decrease in the collection of accounts receivable. Offsetting this decrease was a $29.7 million increase related to the purchased gas adjustment.

Puget Energy
Cash generated from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $239.9 million, a decrease of $70.6 million from the $310.5 million generated during the three months ended March 31, 2014.  The net decrease was primarily impacted by $72.8 million from cash used in the operating activities of PSE, as previously discussed.

43


Financing Program
The Company's external financing requirements principally reflect the cash needs of its construction program, its schedule of maturing debt and certain operational needs. The Company anticipates refinancing the redemption of bonds or other long-term borrowings with its credit facilities and/or the issuance of new long-term debt. Access to funds depends upon factors such as Puget Energy's and PSE's credit ratings, prevailing interest rates and investor receptivity to investing in the utility industry, Puget Energy and PSE. The Company believes there is sufficient liquidity to fund its needs over the next twelve months.

Credit Facilities and Commercial Paper. Proceeds from PSE's short-term borrowings and sales of commercial paper are used to provide working capital and the interim funding of utility construction programs. Puget Energy and PSE continue to have reasonable access to the capital and credit markets.

Puget Sound Energy Credit Facilities. PSE has two unsecured revolving credit facilities which provide, in aggregate, $1.0 billion of short-term liquidity needs. These facilities consist of a $650.0 million revolving liquidity facility (which includes a liquidity letter of credit facility and a swingline facility) to be used for general corporate purposes, including a backstop to the Company's commercial paper program and a $350.0 million revolving energy hedging facility (which includes an energy hedging letter of credit facility). The $650.0 million liquidity facility includes a swingline feature allowing same day availability on borrowings up to $75.0 million. The credit facilities also have an accordion feature which, upon the banks' approval, would increase the total size of these facilities to $1.450 billion.
In April 2014, the Company completed a one-year extension on both of the liquidity and hedging facilities, extending the maturity from February 2018 to April 2019, and updating or clarifying the definitions of other terms and conditions of the facilities from when they were committed in 2013. The credit agreements are syndicated among numerous lenders and contain usual and customary affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, place limitations on PSE's ability to transact with affiliates, make asset dispositions and investments or permit liens to exist. The credit agreements also contain a financial covenant of total debt to total capitalization of 65% or less. PSE certifies its compliance with such covenants to participating banks each quarter. As of March 31, 2015, PSE was in compliance with all applicable covenant ratios.
The credit agreements provide PSE with the ability to borrow at different interest rate options. The credit agreements allow PSE to borrow at the bank's prime rate or to make floating rate advances at the LIBOR plus a spread that is based upon PSE's credit rating. PSE must pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the credit facilities. The spreads and the commitment fee depend on PSE's credit ratings. As of the date of this report, the spread to the LIBOR is 1.25% and the commitment fee is 0.175%.
As of March 31, 2015, no amounts were drawn and outstanding under PSE's $650.0 million liquidity facility or under the $350.0 million energy hedging facility. No letters of credit were outstanding under either facility, and no amount was outstanding under the commercial paper program. Outside of the credit agreements, PSE had a $4.2 million letter of credit in support of a long-term transmission contract and a $1.0 million letter of credit in support of natural gas purchases in Canada.

Demand Promissory Note. On June 1, 2006, PSE entered into a revolving credit facility with Puget Energy, in the form of a credit agreement and a Demand Promissory Note (Note) pursuant to which PSE may borrow up to $30.0 million from Puget Energy subject to approval by Puget Energy. Under the terms of the Note, PSE pays interest on the outstanding borrowings based on the lower of the weighted-average interest rates of PSE's outstanding commercial paper interest rate or PSE's senior unsecured revolving credit facility. Absent such borrowings, interest is charged at one-month LIBOR plus 0.25%. At March 31, 2015, $28.9 million was outstanding under the Note. The outstanding balance and the related interest under the Note are eliminated by Puget Energy upon consolidation of PSE's financial statements.

Puget Energy Credit Facilities. At March 31, 2015, Puget Energy maintained an $800.0 million revolving senior secured credit facility. In April, 2014, the Company completed an amendment to the senior secured credit facility, extending the maturity from February 2017 to April 2018, updating the fee structure, eliminating a financial covenant and updating or clarifying the definitions of other terms and conditions of the facility. The Puget Energy revolving senior secured credit facility also has an accordion feature which, upon the banks' approval, would increase the size of the facility to $1.3 billion.
The revolving senior secured credit facility provides Puget Energy the ability to borrow at different interest rate options and includes variable fee levels. Interest rates may be based on the bank's prime rate or LIBOR, plus a spread based on Puget Energy's credit ratings. Puget Energy must pay a commitment fee on the unused portion of the facility. As of March 31, 2015, there was no amount drawn and outstanding under the facility. As a result of Puget Energy's credit rating upgrade in 2014, the spread over LIBOR was 1.75% and the commitment fee was 0.275% as of the date of this report. Puget Energy entered into interest rate swap contracts to manage the interest rate risk associated with the credit facility or similar variable rate debt (see Note 3 and the "Interest Rate Risk" section in Item 3).
The revolving senior secured credit facility contains usual and customary affirmative and negative covenants. The agreement also contains a Maximum Leverage Ratio financial covenant as defined in the agreement governing the senior secured credit facility. As of March 31, 2015, Puget Energy was in compliance with all applicable covenants.
    

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Term Loans. In June 2014, Puget Energy entered into three bilateral term loans, with two and three year maturities, which in total, equal $299.0 million. The proceeds of the term loans were used to pay off the outstanding Puget Energy revolving credit facility balance, which subsequently allows the Company to carry the debt with lower interest expense. All other terms, conditions and covenants are consistent with each other and the credit facility agreements, with the exception of maturity and price.

Dividend Payment Restrictions. The payment of dividends by PSE to Puget Energy is restricted by provisions of certain covenants applicable to long-term debt contained in PSE's electric and natural gas mortgage indentures. At March 31, 2015, approximately $469.8 million of unrestricted retained earnings was available for the payment of dividends under the most restrictive mortgage indenture covenant.
Beginning February 6, 2009, pursuant to the terms of the Washington Commission merger order, PSE may not declare or pay dividends if PSE's common equity ratio, calculated on a regulatory basis, is 44.0% or below except to the extent a lower equity ratio is ordered by the Washington Commission. Also, pursuant to the merger order, PSE may not declare or make any distribution unless on the date of distribution PSE's corporate credit/issuer rating is investment grade, or, if its credit ratings are below investment grade, PSE's ratio of Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) to interest expense for the most recently ended four fiscal quarter periods prior to such date is equal to or greater than 3 to one. The common equity ratio, calculated on a regulatory basis, was 48.4% at March 31, 2015 and the EBITDA to interest expense was 4.4 to one for the twelve months then ended.
PSE's ability to pay dividends is also limited by the terms of its credit facilities, pursuant to which PSE is not permitted to pay dividends during any Event of Default (as defined in the facilities), or if the payment of dividends would result in an Event of Default, such as failure to comply with certain financial covenants.
Puget Energy's ability to pay dividends is also limited by the merger order issued by the Washington Commission. Pursuant to the merger order, Puget Energy may not declare or make a distribution unless on such date Puget Energy's ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense for the four most recently ended fiscal quarters prior to such date is equal to or greater than 2 to one. Puget Energy's EBITDA to interest expense was 3.1 to one for the twelve months ended March 31, 2015.
At March 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all applicable covenants, including those pertaining to the payment of dividends.

Debt Restrictive Covenants. The type and amount of future long-term financings for PSE may be limited by provisions in PSE's electric and natural gas mortgage indentures.
PSE's ability to issue additional secured debt may also be limited by certain restrictions contained in its electric and natural gas mortgage indentures. Under the most restrictive tests, at March 31, 2015, PSE could issue:
Approximately $2.1 billion of additional first mortgage bonds under PSE's electric mortgage indenture based on approximately $3.5 billion of electric bondable property available for issuance, subject to an interest coverage ratio limitation of 2.0 times net earnings available for interest (as defined in the electric utility mortgage), which PSE exceeded at March 31, 2015; and
Approximately $358.0 million of additional first mortgage bonds under PSE's natural gas mortgage indenture based on approximately $522.8 million of gas bondable property available for issuance, subject to a combined gas and electric interest coverage test of 1.75 times net earnings available for interest and a gas interest coverage test of 2.0 times net earnings available for interest (as defined in the natural gas utility mortgage), both of which PSE exceeded at March 31, 2015.

At March 31, 2015, PSE had approximately $7.0 billion in electric and natural gas rate base to support the interest coverage ratio limitation test for net earnings available for interest.
Upon approval of the merger in 2009, the Company was required to refinance its debt in place at the time of the merger. The Company has met this refinancing requirement as of March 31, 2015.

Other

New Accounting Pronouncements
For the discussion of new accounting pronouncements, see Note 2 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

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Colstrip 
PSE has a 50% ownership interest in Colstrip Units 1 and 2, and a 25% interest in Colstrip Units 3 and 4. On March 6, 2013, the Sierra Club and the Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC) filed a Clean Air Act citizen suit against all Colstrip owners (including PSE) in the U.S. District Court, District of Montana. Based on a second amended complaint filed August 2014, Plaintiffs' lawsuit currently alleges violations of permitting requirements under the New Source Review program of the Clean Air Act and the Montana State Implementation Plan arising from seven projects undertaken at Colstrip from 2001-2012. Plaintiffs have since indicated that they do not intend to pursue two of the seven projects, leaving a total of five projects remaining. The lawsuit claims that, for each project, the Colstrip plant should have obtained a permit and installed pollution control equipment at Colstrip. The Plaintiffs' complaint also seeks civil penalties and other appropriate relief. The case has been bifurcated into separate liability and remedy trials. Discovery in the case is ongoing. The liability trial is currently set for November 2015, and a date for the remedy trial has yet to be determined. PSE is litigating the allegations set forth in the complaint, and as such, it is not reasonably possible to estimate the outcome of this matter.
 
EPA Draft Rule 111(d)
In June 2014, the EPA issued a proposed rule under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act designed to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from existing power plants.  The proposed rule includes state-specific goals and guidelines for states to develop plans for meeting these goals. PSE filed comments on this rule in December 2014. The EPA initially stated that it will issue a final rule in June 2015 and that states must submit a plan for implementing CO2 reductions to the EPA one to three years following issuance of the final rule. Recently the EPA extended the time to issue the final rule to August 2015. PSE is continuing to review the proposed rule and work with key stakeholders to monitor it as the rule moves forward towards possible final implementation. PSE cannot yet provide a determination of how the final rule may impact PSE or its existing generation facilities, if at all.


Item 3.      Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

Energy Portfolio Management
PSE maintains energy risk policies and procedures to manage commodity and volatility risks and the related effects on credit, tax, accounting, financing and liquidity.  PSE’s Energy Management Committee (EMC) establishes PSE’s risk management policies and procedures and monitors compliance.  The EMC is comprised of certain PSE officers and is overseen by the PSE Board of Directors.  
PSE's objective is to minimize commodity price exposure and risks associated with volumetric variability in the natural gas and electric portfolios and related effects. It is not engaged in the business of assuming risk for the purpose of speculative trading.  PSE hedges open natural gas and electric positions to reduce both the portfolio risk and the volatility risk in prices.  The exposure position is determined by using a probabilistic risk system that models 250 simulations of how PSE’s natural gas and power portfolios will perform under various weather, hydroelectric and unit performance conditions.
The nature of serving regulated electric customers with its portfolio of owned and contracted electric generation resources exposes PSE and its customers to some volumetric and commodity price risks within the sharing mechanism of the PCA. PSE's natural gas retail customers are served by natural gas purchase contracts which expose PSE's customers to commodity price risks through the PGA mechanism. All purchased natural gas costs are recovered through customer rates with no direct impact on PSE. Therefore, wholesale market transactions and related hedging strategies are focused on reducing costs and risks where feasible, thus reducing volatility in costs in the portfolio. PSE's energy risk portfolio management function monitors and manages these risks using analytical models and tools. In order to manage risks effectively, PSE enters into forward physical electric and natural gas purchase and sale agreements, fixed-for-floating swap contracts, and commodity call/put options. The forward physical electric contracts are both fixed and variable (at index), while the physical natural gas contracts are variable. To fix the price of wholesale electricity and natural gas, PSE may enter into fixed-for-floating swap (financial) contracts. PSE also utilizes natural gas call and put options as an additional hedging instrument to increase the hedging portfolio's flexibility to react to commodity price fluctuations. Approximately 86% of these contracts, including NPNS transactions, are entered into with investment grade counterparties which, in the majority of cases, do not require collateral calls on the contracts.


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The following table presents the fair values of the Company's energy derivative instruments, recorded on the balance sheets:
Puget Energy and Puget Sound Energy
 
(Dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2015
December 31, 2014
 
Assets
Liabilities
Assets
Liabilities
Electric portfolio:
 
 
 
 
Current
$
4,033

$
69,602

$
3,217

$
69,771

Long-term
1,611

34,242

1,605

37,457

Total electric derivatives
$
5,644

$
103,844

$
4,822

$
107,228

Natural Gas portfolio:
 

 

 

 

Current
$
5,773

$
63,092

$
17,961

$
66,202

Long-term
1,917

19,916

1,565

22,605

Total natural gas derivatives
$
7,690

$
83,008

$
19,526

$
88,807

Total energy derivatives
$
13,334

$
186,852

$
24,348

$
196,035


At March 31, 2015, the Company had total assets of $13.3 million and total liabilities of $186.9 million related to derivative contracts used to hedge the supply and cost of electricity and natural gas to serve PSE customers. As the gains and losses in the electric portfolio are realized, they will be recorded as either purchased power costs or electric generation fuel costs under the PCA mechanism. Any fair value adjustments relating to the natural gas business have been deferred in accordance with ASC 980, “Regulated Operations” (ASC 980) due to the PGA mechanism, which passes the cost of natural gas supply to customers. As the gains and losses on the hedges are realized in future periods, they will be recorded as natural gas costs under the PGA mechanism.
A hypothetical 10.0% increase or decrease in market prices on March 31, 2015, of natural gas and electricity would change the fair value of the Company's derivative contracts by $23.6 million.
For further details regarding both the fair value of derivative instruments and the impacts such instruments have on current period earnings and OCI, see Notes 3 and 4 to the consolidated financial statements.

Contingent Features and Counterparty Credit Risk
PSE is exposed to credit risk primarily through buying and selling electricity and natural gas to serve customers. Credit risk is the potential loss resulting from a counterparty's non-performance under an agreement. PSE manages credit risk with policies and procedures for, among other things, counterparty analysis and measurement, monitoring and mitigation of exposure.
PSE has entered into commodity master arrangements with its counterparties to mitigate credit exposure to those counterparties. PSE generally enters into the following master arrangements: WSPP agreements which standardize physical power contracts in the electric industry; ISDA agreements which standardize financial gas and electric contracts; and NAESB agreements which standardize physical gas contracts. PSE believes that entering into such agreements reduces the credit risk exposure because such agreements provide for the netting and offsetting of monthly payments as well as right of set-off in the event of counterparty default. It is possible that volatility in energy commodity prices could cause PSE to have material credit risk exposures with one or more counterparties. If such counterparties fail to perform their obligations under one or more agreements, PSE could suffer a material financial loss.
Where deemed appropriate, and when allowed under the terms of the agreements, PSE may request collateral or other security from its counterparties to mitigate the potential credit default losses. Criteria employed in this decision include, among other things, the perceived creditworthiness of the counterparty and the expected credit exposure. As of March 31, 2015, PSE held approximately $701.9 million in standby letters of credit or limited parental guarantees, and had 12 counterparties with unlimited parental guarantees, in support of outstanding transactions. PSE monitors counterparties that are experiencing financial problems, have significant swings in credit default swap rates, have credit rating changes by external rating agencies or have changes in ownership. Counterparty credit risk impacts PSE's decisions on derivative accounting treatment. A counterparty may have a deterioration of credit below investment grade, potentially indicating it is no longer probable that it will fulfill its obligations under a contract (e.g., make a physical delivery upon the contract's maturity). If a forecasted transaction associated with cash flow hedge is probable of not occurring, PSE will reclassify the amounts deferred in accumulated OCI into earnings.
Should a counterparty file for bankruptcy, which would be considered a default under master arrangements, PSE may terminate related contracts. Derivative accounting entries previously recorded would be reversed in the financial statements. PSE would compute any terminations receivable or payable, based on the terms of existing master agreements.
The Company computes credit reserves at a master agreement level by counterparty (i.e., WSPP, ISDA or NAESB). The Company considers external credit ratings and market factors, such as credit default swaps and bond spreads, in determination of reserves. The Company recognizes that external ratings may not always reflect how a market participant perceives a counterparty's risk of default. The Company uses both default factors published by Standard & Poor's and factors derived through analysis of market risk, which reflect the application of an industry standard recovery rate. The Company selects a default factor by counterparty at an aggregate master agreement level based on a weighted average default tenor for that counterparty's deals. The default tenor

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is used by weighting the fair value and contract tenors of all deals for each counterparty and arriving at an average value. The default factor used is dependent upon whether the counterparty is in a net asset or a net liability position after applying the master agreement levels.
The Company applies the counterparty's default factor to compute credit reserves for counterparties that are in a net asset position. The Company calculates a non-performance risk on its derivative liabilities by using its estimated incremental borrowing rate over the risk-free rate. The fair value of derivatives includes the impact of credit and non-performance reserves. As of March 31, 2015, the Company was in a net liability position with many of its counterparties, therefore the default factors of counterparties did not have a significant impact on reserves for the period. As of March 31, 2015, PSE has posted a $1.0 million letter of credit as a condition of transacting on a physical energy exchange and clearinghouse in Canada. PSE did not trigger collateral requirements with any of its counterparties, nor were any of PSE's counterparties required to post collateral resulting from credit rating downgrades.

Interest Rate Risk
The Company believes its interest rate risk primarily relates to the use of short-term debt instruments, variable-rate leases and anticipated long-term debt financing needed to fund capital requirements. The Company manages its interest rate risk through the issuance of mostly fixed-rate debt with varied maturities. The Company utilizes internal cash from operations, borrowings under its commercial paper program, and its credit facilities to meet short-term funding needs. Short-term obligations are commonly refinanced with fixed-rate bonds or notes when needed and when interest rates are considered favorable. The Company may also enter into swap instruments or other financial hedge instruments to manage the interest rate risk associated with these debts. As of March 31, 2015, Puget Energy had two interest rate swap contracts outstanding and PSE did not have any outstanding interest rate swap instruments.
At March 31, 2015, the fair value of the interest rate swaps was a $9.4 million pre-tax loss. This fair value considers the risk of Puget Energy's non-performance by using Puget Energy's incremental borrowing rate on unsecured debt over the risk-free rate in the valuation estimate.
A hypothetical 10% increase or decrease in interest rates on March 31, 2015, would change the fair value of Puget Energy's interest rate swaps by $0.6 million.
The following table presents the fair values of Puget Energy's interest rate swaps, recorded on the balance sheet:
Puget Energy
March 31, 2015
December 31, 2014
(Dollars in Thousands)
Liabilities
Liabilities
Interest rate swaps:
 
 
Current
$
6,179

$
6,222

Long-term
3,218

2,851

Total interest rate swaps
$
9,397

$
9,073


From time to time, PSE may enter into treasury locks or forward starting swap contracts to hedge interest rate exposure related to an anticipated debt issuance. The ending balance in OCI related to the forward starting swaps and previously settled treasury lock contracts at March 31, 2015 was a net loss of $5.9 million after tax compared to an after-tax loss of $6.0 million in OCI as of December 31, 2014. All financial hedge contracts of this type are reviewed by an officer, presented to the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board, as applicable, and approved prior to execution. PSE had no treasury locks or forward starting swap contracts outstanding at March 31, 2015.


Item 4.                      Controls and Procedures

Puget Energy
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of Puget Energy’s management, including the President and Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Puget Energy has evaluated the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of March 31, 2015, the end of the period covered by this report.  Based upon that evaluation, the President and Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Puget Energy concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this quarterly report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.


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Puget Sound Energy
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Under the supervision and with the participation of PSE’s management, including the President and Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, PSE has evaluated the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of March 31, 2015, the end of the period covered by this report.  Based upon that evaluation, the President and Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of PSE concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this quarterly report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.
 

PART II                    OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.                      Legal Proceedings

For details on legal proceedings, see the Litigation footnote in the notes to the consolidated financial statements of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.  Contingencies arising out of the normal course of PSE’s business existed as of March 31, 2015.  Litigation is subject to numerous uncertainties and PSE is unable to predict the ultimate outcome of these matters.


Item 1A.                  Risk Factors

There have been no material changes from the risk factors set forth in Part I, Item 1A in Puget Energy’s and PSE’s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2014.


Item 6.                      Exhibits

Included in the Exhibit Index are a list of exhibits filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


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SIGNATURES

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

 
 
PUGET ENERGY, INC.
PUGET SOUND ENERGY, INC.
 
 
 
/s/ Michael J. Stranik
 
 
Michael J. Stranik
Controller and Principal Accounting Officer
Date:  
April 29, 2015
Officer duly authorized to sign this report on behalf of each registrant



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EXHIBIT INDEX

3(i).1
Amended Articles of Incorporation of Puget Energy (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Puget Energy’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated February 6, 2009, Commission File No. 1-16305).
3(i).2
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Puget Sound Energy, Inc. (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Puget Sound Energy’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated February 6, 2009, Commission File No. 1-4393).
3(ii).1
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Puget Energy dated February 6, 2009 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Puget Energy’s Current Report on Form 8-K, Commission File No. 1-16305).
3(ii).2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of Puget Sound Energy, Inc. dated February 6, 2009 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to Puget Sound Energy’s Current Report on Form 8-K, Commission File No. 1-4393).
12.1*
Statement setting forth computation of ratios of earnings to fixed charges of Puget Energy, Inc. (2010 through 2014 and 12 months ended March 31, 2015).
12.2*
Statement setting forth computation of ratios of earnings to fixed charges of Puget Sound Energy, Inc. (2010 through 2014 and 12 months ended March 31, 2015).
31.1*
Chief Executive Officer certification of Puget Energy pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2*
Principal Financial Officer certification of Puget Energy pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.3*
Chief Executive Officer certification of Puget Sound Energy pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.4*
Principal Financial Officer certification of Puget Sound Energy pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1*
Chief Executive Officer certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2*
Principal Financial Officer certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101
Financial statements from the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Puget Energy, Inc. and Puget Sound Energy, Inc. for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, filed on April 29, 2015 formatted in XBRL: (i) the Consolidated Statement of Income (Unaudited), (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited), (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited), (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited), and (iv) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (submitted electronically herewith).
__________________
*
Filed herewith.



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