Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)
Registration No. 333-105354
PROSPECTUS
[DUKE ENERGY LOGO]
$500,000,000
Offer to exchange all outstanding First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 3.75%
Series A due 2008 for an equal amount of First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds,
3.75% Series B due 2008, which have been registered under the Securities Act of
1933.
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
- We will exchange all outstanding bonds that are validly tendered and not
validly withdrawn for an equal principal amount of exchange bonds that
are freely tradeable, except in limited circumstances described below.
- You may withdraw tenders of outstanding bonds at any time prior to the
expiration of the exchange offer.
- The exchange offer expires at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on September
17, 2003, unless extended. We do not currently intend to extend the
expiration date. If extended, the offer will not remain open later than
November 14, 2003.
- The exchange of outstanding bonds for exchange bonds in the exchange
offer will not be a taxable event for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
- We will not receive any proceeds from the exchange offer.
THE EXCHANGE BONDS
- The exchange bonds are being offered in order to satisfy our obligation
to offer the exchange bonds under the registration rights agreement
entered into in connection with the placement of the outstanding bonds.
- The terms of the exchange bonds to be issued in the exchange offer are
substantially identical to the outstanding bonds, except that the
exchange bonds will be freely tradeable, except in limited circumstances
described below.
RESALES OF EXCHANGE BONDS
- The exchange bonds may be sold in the over-the-counter market, in
negotiated transactions or through a combination of such methods. We do
not plan to list the exchange bonds on a national market.
If you are a broker-dealer and you receive exchange bonds for your own
account, you must acknowledge that you will deliver a prospectus in connection
with any resale of such exchange bonds. By making such acknowledgement, you will
not be deemed to admit that you are an "underwriter" under the Securities Act of
1933. Broker-dealers may use this prospectus in connection with any resale of
exchange bonds received in exchange for outstanding bonds where the outstanding
bonds were acquired by the broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities
or trading activities. We have agreed to make this prospectus, and any amendment
or supplement thereto, available to any such broker-dealer for use in connection
with any resale of any exchange bonds for a period of the lesser of 90 days
after the consummation of the exchange offer and the date on which all
broker-dealers have sold all exchange bonds held by them (unless such exchange
offer period is extended). A broker-dealer may not participate in the exchange
offer with respect to outstanding bonds acquired other than as a result of
market-making activities or trading activities. See "Plan of Distribution."
If you are an affiliate of Duke Energy Corporation or are engaged in, or
intend to engage in, or have an agreement or understanding to participate in, a
distribution of the exchange bonds, you cannot rely on the applicable
interpretations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and thus you must
comply with the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 in
connection with any resale transaction.
YOU SHOULD CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 9 OF
THIS PROSPECTUS BEFORE PARTICIPATING IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER.
NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS
PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
The date of this prospectus is August 15, 2003.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
----
About This Prospectus................ i
Prospectus Summary................... 1
Risk Factors......................... 9
Forward-Looking Statements........... 24
Where You Can Find More
Information........................ 25
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges... 26
Use of Proceeds...................... 26
Selected Historical Consolidated
Financial Information.............. 27
PAGE
----
The Exchange Offer................... 29
Description of the Bonds............. 39
Material United States Federal Income
Tax Consequences................... 47
Plan of Distribution................. 47
Legal Matters........................ 48
Experts.............................. 48
---------------------
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
In this prospectus, the terms "we," "our," "us," "Company" and "Duke
Energy" mean Duke Energy Corporation including, unless the context otherwise
requires or as otherwise expressly stated, our subsidiaries. Unless the context
otherwise requires, "bonds" refers to the outstanding bonds and the exchange
bonds.
You should rely only on the information contained in this document. Neither
Duke Energy nor the exchange agent has authorized anyone to provide you with
information different from that contained in this document. We are not offering
to exchange, or soliciting any offers to exchange, securities pursuant to the
exchange offer in any jurisdiction in which those offers or exchanges would not
be permitted. The information contained in this document is accurate only as of
the date of this document regardless of the time of delivery of this document or
the time of any exchange of securities in the exchange offer.
This document incorporates important business and financial information
about us from documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission that
have not been included in or delivered with this document. This information is
available without charge upon written or oral request. See "Where You Can Find
More Information" beginning on page 25.
i
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This summary highlights material information contained elsewhere in this
prospectus and does not contain all of the information you need to consider. You
should read carefully this entire prospectus.
OVERVIEW
Duke Energy, together with its subsidiaries, an integrated provider of
energy and energy services, offers physical delivery and management of both
electricity and natural gas throughout the United States and abroad. Duke
Energy, together with its subsidiaries, provides these and other services
through six business segments:
- Franchised Electric
- Natural Gas Transmission
- Field Services
- Duke Energy North America
- International Energy
- Other Operations
A substantial amount of our business is conducted through our subsidiaries,
none of which are obligors or guarantors on the bonds. For the year ended
December 31, 2002, Duke Energy subsidiaries had operating revenues of
approximately $10.8 billion and as of December 31, 2002, Duke Energy
subsidiaries had assets of approximately $47.5 billion.
FRANCHISED ELECTRIC generates, transmits, distributes and sells electricity
in central and western North Carolina and western South Carolina. It conducts
operations primarily through Duke Power and Nantahala Power and Light. These
electric operations are subject to the rules and regulations of the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, or FERC, the North Carolina Utilities Commission,
or NCUC, and the Public Service Commission of South Carolina, or PSCSC.
NATURAL GAS TRANSMISSION provides transportation and storage of natural gas
for customers throughout the east coast and southern portion of the United
States and in Canada. Natural Gas Transmission also provides distribution
service to retail customers in Ontario and Western Canada and gas gathering and
processing services to customers in Western Canada. Natural Gas Transmission
does business primarily through Duke Energy Gas Transmission Corporation. Duke
Energy acquired Westcoast Energy Inc. on March 14, 2002. Duke Energy Gas
Transmission's natural gas transmission and storage operations in the United
States are subject to the FERC's and the Texas Railroad Commission's rules and
regulations, while natural gas gathering, processing, transmission, distribution
and storage operations in Canada are subject to the rules and regulations of the
National Energy Board, the Ontario Energy Board and the British Columbia
Utilities Commission.
FIELD SERVICES gathers, compresses, treats, processes, transports, trades
and markets, and stores natural gas; and produces, transports, markets and
stores natural gas liquids, or NGLs. It conducts operations primarily through
Duke Energy Field Services, LLC, which is approximately 30% owned by
ConocoPhillips and approximately 70% owned by Duke Energy. Field Services
gathers natural gas from production wellheads in Western Canada and 11
contiguous states in the United States. Those systems serve major natural
gas-producing regions in the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin, Rocky Mountain,
Permian Basin, Mid-Continent and East Texas-Austin Chalk-North Louisiana areas,
as well as onshore and offshore Gulf Coast areas.
DUKE ENERGY NORTH AMERICA develops, operates and manages merchant power
generation facilities and engages in commodity sales and services related to
natural gas and electric power. Duke Energy North America conducts business
throughout the United States and Canada through Duke Energy North America, LLC
and Duke Energy Trading and Marketing, LLC. Duke Energy Trading and Marketing is
1
approximately 40% owned by ExxonMobil Corporation and approximately 60% owned by
Duke Energy. In 2002, management combined Duke Energy Merchants Holdings with
the Other Energy Services segment. Previous periods have been reclassified to
conform to the current presentation. In April 2003, Duke Energy announced that
it would discontinue proprietary trading at Duke Energy North America.
INTERNATIONAL ENERGY develops, operates and manages natural gas
transportation and power generation facilities, and engages in sales and
marketing of natural gas and electric power outside the United States and
Canada. It conducts operations primarily through Duke Energy International, LLC
and its activities target power generation in Latin America, power generation
and natural gas transmission in the Asia-Pacific region and natural gas
marketing in Northwest Europe.
OTHER OPERATIONS is composed of diverse businesses, operating through
Crescent Resources, LLC, DukeNet Communications, LLC, Duke Capital Partners,
LLC, Duke Energy Merchants, Duke/Fluor Daniel and Energy Delivery Services.
Beginning in 2003, the business segments formally known as Other Energy Services
and Duke Ventures were combined into a segment called Other Operations. Crescent
Resources develops high-quality commercial, residential and multi-family real
estate projects, and manages land holdings primarily in the Southeastern and
Southwestern U.S. DukeNet develops and manages fiber optic communications
systems for wireless, local and long distance communications companies and
selected educational, governmental, financial and health care entities. Duke
Capital Partners, a wholly owned merchant finance company, provides debt and
equity capital and financial advisory services primarily to the energy industry.
In March 2003, Duke Energy announced that it will exit the merchant finance
business at Duke Capital Partners in an orderly manner. Duke Energy Merchants
engages in commodity buying and selling, and risk management and financial
services in non-regulated energy commodity markets other than physical natural
gas and power (such as petroleum products). On April 11, 2003, Duke Energy
announced that it will also discontinue proprietary trading at Duke Energy
Merchants. Duke/Fluor Daniel provides comprehensive engineering, procurement,
construction, commissioning and operating plant services for fossil-fueled
electric power generating facilities worldwide. Duke/Fluor Daniel is a 50/50
partnership between Duke Energy and Fluor Enterprises, Inc., a wholly owned
subsidiary of Fluor Corporation. On July 9, 2003, Duke Energy and Fluor
Corporation announced that they will dissolve Duke/Fluor Daniel and will develop
a plan for an orderly wind-down of the business over the next two years. Energy
Delivery Services is an engineering, construction, maintenance and technical
services firm specializing in electric transmission and distribution lines and
substation projects.
The foregoing information about Duke Energy and its business segments is
only a general summary and is not intended to be comprehensive. For additional
information about Duke Energy and its business segments, you should refer to the
information described under the caption "Where You Can Find More Information" in
this prospectus.
2
RECONCILIATION OF CERTAIN FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following tables reconcile EBIT to net income for the four quarters for
the year ended 2002 and 2001, respectively, and should be read in conjunction
with Duke Energy's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2002.
RECONCILIATION OF EBIT TO NET INCOME (IN MILLIONS)
1ST QUARTER 2ND QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 4TH QUARTER TOTAL
2002 2002 2002 2002 2002
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------
EBIT.................................... $761 $1,047 $668 $393 $2,869
Interest expense........................ 189 264 316 341 1,110
Minority interest expense (benefit)..... 32 62 14 (1) 107
---- ------ ---- ---- ------
Earnings before income taxes............ 540 721 338 53 1,652
Income taxes............................ 158 247 108 105 618
---- ------ ---- ---- ------
Income (loss) before cumulative effect
of change in accounting principle..... 382 474 230 (52) 1,034
Cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle, net of tax...... -- -- -- -- --
---- ------ ---- ---- ------
Net income (loss)....................... $382 $ 474 $230 $(52) $1,034
==== ====== ==== ==== ======
RECONCILIATION OF EBIT TO NET INCOME (IN MILLIONS)
1ST QUARTER 2ND QUARTER 3RD QUARTER 4TH QUARTER TOTAL
2001 2001 2001 2001 2001
----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ------
EBIT.................................... $1,254 $902 $1,529 $571 $4,256
Interest expense........................ 213 202 191 179 785
Minority interest expense............... 160 45 62 60 327
------ ---- ------ ---- ------
Earnings before income taxes............ 881 655 1,276 332 3,144
Income taxes............................ 327 236 480 107 1,150
------ ---- ------ ---- ------
Income before cumulative effect of
change in accounting principle........ 554 419 796 225 1,994
Cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle, net of tax...... (96) -- -- -- (96)
------ ---- ------ ---- ------
Net income.............................. $ 458 $419 $ 796 $225 $1,898
====== ==== ====== ==== ======
---------------------
We are incorporated in North Carolina and the address of our principal
executive offices is 526 South Church Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202.
Our telephone number is (704) 594-6200.
3
SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
On February 25, 2003, we completed the private offering of the outstanding
bonds. References to the "bonds" in this prospectus are references to both the
outstanding bonds and the exchange bonds. This prospectus is part of a
registration statement covering the exchange of the outstanding bonds for the
exchange bonds.
The outstanding bonds were issued and the exchange bonds offered hereby
will be issued as part of a series of First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds under
our First and Refunding Mortgage, dated as of December 1, 1927, to JPMorgan
Chase Bank (formerly known as The Chase Manhattan Bank), as Trustee, as
supplemented and amended, including by the Eighty-First Supplemental Indenture,
dated as of February 25, 2003. The First and Refunding Mortgage, as supplemented
and amended, is sometimes called the "Mortgage."
In connection with the private offering, we entered into a registration
rights agreement, dated as of February 25, 2003, with the initial purchasers in
the private offering, or the Registration Rights Agreement, in which we agreed,
among other things, to deliver this prospectus to you as part of the exchange
offer and we agreed to complete the exchange offer within 210 days after the
date of original issuance of the outstanding bonds. You are entitled to exchange
in the exchange offer your outstanding bonds for exchange bonds, which are
identical in all material respects to the outstanding bonds except:
- the exchange bonds have been registered under the Securities Act;
- the exchange bonds are not entitled to the registration rights which are
applicable to the outstanding bonds under the Registration Rights
Agreement; and
- the special interest premium is no longer applicable.
WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A
PROXY.
The Exchange Offer............ We are offering to exchange up to $500,000,000
aggregate principal amount of our First and
Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 3.75% Series B due
2008, which we refer to in this prospectus as
the exchange bonds, for up to $500,000,000
aggregate principal amount of our First and
Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 3.75% Series A due
2008, which we refer to in this prospectus as
the outstanding bonds. Outstanding bonds may be
exchanged only in integral multiples of $1,000.
Resale........................ Based on an interpretation by the staff of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC,
set forth in no-action letters issued to third
parties, we believe that the exchange bonds
issued pursuant to the exchange offer in
exchange for outstanding bonds may be offered
for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by
you (unless you are an "affiliate" of Duke
Energy Corporation within the meaning of Rule
405 under the Securities Act or a broker-
dealer) without compliance with the
registration and prospectus delivery provisions
of the Securities Act, provided that you are
acquiring the exchange bonds in the ordinary
course of your business and that you have not
engaged in, do not intend to engage in, and
have no arrangement or understanding with any
person to participate in, a distribution of the
exchange bonds.
Each participating broker-dealer that receives
exchange bonds for its own account pursuant to
the exchange offer in exchange for outstanding
bonds that were acquired as a result of market-
4
making or other trading activity must
acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus
in connection with any resale of the exchange
bonds. See "Plan of Distribution."
Any holder of outstanding bonds who:
- is an affiliate of Duke Energy Corporation,
- is a broker-dealer that acquired the
outstanding bonds directly from us,
- does not acquire exchange bonds in the
ordinary course of its business, or
- tenders in the exchange offer with the
intention to participate, or for the purpose
of participating, in a distribution of
exchange bonds
cannot participate in the exchange offer based
upon the position of the staff of the SEC
enunciated in Exxon Capital Holdings
Corporation, Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated
and similar no-action letters.
Expiration Date; Withdrawal of
Tender........................ The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on September 17, 2003, or
such later date and time to which we extend it,
which date we refer to as the "expiration
date." If extended, the offer will not remain
open later than November 14, 2003. We do not
currently intend to extend the expiration date.
A tender of outstanding bonds pursuant to the
exchange offer may be withdrawn at any time
prior to the expiration date. Any outstanding
bonds not accepted for exchange for any reason
will be returned without expense to the
tendering holder promptly after the expiration
or termination of the exchange offer.
Conditions to the Exchange
Offer......................... The exchange offer is subject to customary
conditions, which we may waive. Please read the
section of this prospectus captioned "The
Exchange Offer -- Conditions to the Exchange
Offer" for more information regarding the
conditions to the exchange offer.
Procedures for Tendering
Outstanding Bonds............. If you wish to participate in the exchange
offer, you must complete, sign and date the
accompanying letter of transmittal, or a
facsimile of the letter of transmittal
according to the instructions contained in this
prospectus and the letter of transmittal. You
must also mail or otherwise deliver the letter
of transmittal, or a facsimile of the letter of
transmittal, together with the outstanding
bonds and any other required documents, to the
exchange agent at the address set forth on the
cover page of the letter of transmittal. If you
hold outstanding bonds through The Depository
Trust Company, or DTC, and wish to participate
in the exchange offer, you must comply with the
Automated Tender Offer Program procedures of
DTC, by which you will agree to be bound by the
letter of transmittal. By signing, or
5
agreeing to be bound by the letter of
transmittal, you will represent to us that,
among other things:
- any exchange bonds that you receive will be
acquired in the ordinary course of your
business;
- you have no arrangement or understanding with
any person or entity to participate in a
distribution of the exchange bonds;
- if you are not a broker-dealer, that you are
not engaged in, and do not intent to engage
in, the distribution of the exchange bonds;
- if you are a broker-dealer that will receive
exchange bonds for your own account in
exchange for outstanding bonds that were
acquired as a result of market-making
activities, that you will deliver a
prospectus, as required by law, in connection
with any resale of such exchange bonds; and
- you are not an "affiliate," as defined in
Rule 405 of the Securities Act, of Duke
Energy Corporation.
Special Procedures for
Beneficial Owners............. If you are a beneficial owner of outstanding
bonds that are registered in the name of a
broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company
or other nominee, and you wish to tender such
outstanding bonds in the exchange offer, you
should contact such registered holder promptly
and instruct such registered holder to tender
on your behalf. If you wish to tender on your
own behalf, you must, prior to completing and
executing the letter of transmittal and
delivering your outstanding bonds, either make
appropriate arrangements to register ownership
of the outstanding bonds in your name or obtain
a properly completed bond power from the
registered holder. The transfer of registered
ownership may take considerable time and may
not be able to be completed prior to the
expiration date.
Guaranteed Delivery
Procedures.................... If you wish to tender your outstanding bonds
and your outstanding bonds are not immediately
available or you cannot deliver your
outstanding bonds, the letter of transmittal or
any other documents required by the letter of
transmittal or comply with the applicable
procedures under DTC's Automated Tender Offer
Program prior to the expiration date, you must
tender your outstanding bonds according to the
guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in
this prospectus under "The Exchange
Offer -- Guaranteed Delivery Procedures."
Effect on Holders of
Outstanding Bonds............. As a result of the making of, and upon
acceptance for exchange of all validly tendered
outstanding bonds pursuant to the terms of the
exchange offer, we will have fulfilled a
covenant contained in the Registration Rights
Agreement and, accordingly, there will be no
increase in the interest rate on the
outstanding bonds under the circumstances
described in the Registration Rights Agreement.
If you are a holder of outstanding bonds and
you do not tender your outstanding bonds in the
exchange offer, you will continue to hold such
outstanding bonds and you will be entitled
6
to all the rights and limitations applicable to
the outstanding bonds in the Mortgage, except
for any rights under the Mortgage or the
Registration Rights Agreement that by their
terms terminate upon the consummation of the
exchange offer.
To the extent that outstanding bonds are
tendered and accepted in the exchange offer,
the trading market for outstanding bonds could
be adversely affected.
Consequences of Failure to
Exchange...................... All untendered outstanding bonds will continue
to be subject to the restrictions on transfer
provided for in the outstanding bonds and in
the Mortgage. In general, the outstanding bonds
may not be offered or sold, unless registered
under the Securities Act, except pursuant to an
exemption from, or in a transaction not subject
to, the Securities Act and applicable state
securities laws. Other than in connection with
the exchange offer, we do not currently
anticipate that we will register the
outstanding bonds under the Securities Act.
Material Income Tax
Considerations................ The exchange of outstanding bonds for exchange
bonds in the exchange offer will not be a
taxable event for United States federal income
tax purposes. See "Material United States
Federal Income Tax Considerations."
Use of Proceeds............... We will not receive any cash proceeds from the
issuance of exchange bonds pursuant to the
exchange offer.
Exchange Agent................ JPMorgan Chase Bank is the exchange agent for
the exchange offer. The address and telephone
number of the exchange agent are set forth in
the section of this prospectus captioned "The
Exchange Offer -- Exchange Agent."
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------- SIX MONTHS ENDED
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 JUNE 30, 2003
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges . . . ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ------------------
4.5 2.7 3.6 3.8 2.1 2.6
For purposes of this ratio (a) earnings consist
of income from continuing operations before
income taxes and fixed charges and (b) fixed
charges consist of all interest deductions, the
interest component of rentals and preference
security dividends of consolidated
subsidiaries.
7
SUMMARY OF THE TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE BONDS
Issuer........................ Duke Energy Corporation.
Bonds Offered................. $500,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of
First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 3.75%
Series B due 2008.
Maturity Date................. March 5, 2008.
Interest Payment Dates........ March 5 and September 5 of each year, beginning
September 5, 2003. The initial interest payment
will include accrued interest from February 25,
2003.
Interest Rate................. 3.75% per year.
Ranking....................... The outstanding bonds are, and the exchange
bonds will be, a series of First and Refunding
Mortgage Bonds of Duke Energy Corporation. All
series of the First and Refunding Mortgage
Bonds are equally and ratably secured without
preference, priority or distinction. The bonds
are senior secured debt of the company which is
effectively senior to senior unsecured debt of
the company. As of June 30, 2003, the company
had total senior secured indebtedness of $1,290
million and total unsecured senior indebtedness
of $4,599 million.
Optional Redemption........... We may redeem some or all of the bonds at the
redemption prices set forth under "Description
of the Bonds -- Optional Redemption."
Use of Proceeds............... There will be no cash proceeds to us from the
exchange offer.
Covenants..................... The Mortgage governing the bonds contains
covenants that, among other things, limit our
ability to create liens on our assets. See
"Description of the Bonds" in this prospectus.
Absence of a Public Market for
the Exchange Bonds............ The exchange bonds generally will be freely
transferable but will also be new securities
for which there will not initially be a market.
Accordingly, we cannot assure you whether a
market for the exchange bonds will develop or
as to the liquidity of any market. We do not
intend to apply for a listing of the exchange
bonds on any securities exchange or automated
dealer quotation system. The initial purchasers
in the private offering of the outstanding
bonds have advised us that they currently
intend to make a market in the exchange bonds.
However, they are not obligated to do so, and
any market making with respect to the exchange
bonds may be discontinued without notice.
---------------------
You should carefully consider the risk factors set forth under the caption
of this "Risk Factors" and the other information included in this prospectus
before tendering your outstanding bonds in the exchange offer.
8
RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the following factors and other information
contained in this prospectus before deciding to tender outstanding bonds in the
exchange offer. Unless noted otherwise, the risk factors set forth below are
applicable to the outstanding bonds as well as the exchange bonds. Any of these
risks could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and
results of operations, which could in turn materially adversely affect the price
of the bonds.
RISKS RELATED TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER
IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO EXCHANGE YOUR OUTSTANDING BONDS, THE PRESENT TRANSFER
RESTRICTIONS WILL REMAIN IN FORCE AND THE MARKET PRICE OF YOUR OUTSTANDING
BONDS COULD DECLINE.
If you do not exchange your outstanding bonds for exchange bonds under the
exchange offer, then you will continue to be subject to the transfer
restrictions on the outstanding bonds as set forth in the offering memorandum
distributed in connection with the private offering of the outstanding bonds. In
general, the outstanding bonds may not be offered or sold unless they are
registered or exempt from registration under the Securities Act and applicable
state securities laws. Except as required by the Registration Rights Agreement,
we do not intend to register resales of the outstanding bonds under the
Securities Act.
The tender of outstanding bonds under the exchange offer will reduce the
principal amount of the outstanding bonds outstanding, which may have an adverse
effect upon, and increase the volatility of, the market price of the outstanding
bonds due to a reduction in liquidity.
YOU MUST FOLLOW THE EXCHANGE OFFER PROCEDURES CAREFULLY IN ORDER TO RECEIVE
THE EXCHANGE BONDS.
If you do not follow the procedures described herein, you will not receive
the exchange bonds. The exchange bonds will be issued to you in exchange for
your outstanding bonds only after timely receipt by the exchange agent of:
- a properly completed and executed letter of transmittal and all other
required documents; or
- a book-entry delivery by electronic transmittal of an agent's message
through DTC.
If you want to tender your outstanding bonds in exchange for exchange
bonds, you should allow sufficient time to ensure timely delivery. No one is
under any obligation to give you notification of defects or irregularities with
respect to tenders of outstanding bonds for exchange. For additional
information, please refer to the sections captioned "The Exchange Offer" and
"Plan of Distribution" in this prospectus.
RISKS RELATED TO THE MARKET CYCLE OF OUR INDUSTRY
OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS MAY BE NEGATIVELY AFFECTED BY SUSTAINED DOWNTURNS OR
SLUGGISHNESS IN THE ECONOMY, INCLUDING LOW LEVELS IN THE MARKET PRICES OF
COMMODITIES, ALL OF WHICH ARE BEYOND OUR CONTROL.
Sustained downturns or sluggishness in the economy generally affect the
markets in which we operate and negatively influence our regulated and
unregulated energy operations. Declines in demand for electricity as a result of
economic downturns in our Franchised Electric service territories will reduce
overall electricity sales and lessen our cash flows, especially as our
industrial customers reduce production and, thus, consumption of electricity.
Our Natural Gas Transmission and Field Services businesses may experience a
decline in the volume of natural gas shipped through their pipelines and
transport systems or gathered and processed at their plants, resulting in lower
revenue and cash flows, as lower economic output reduces energy demand. Although
our Franchised Electric business is subject to regulated allowable rates of
return and recovery of fuel costs under a fuel adjustment clause, and our gas
transmission is subject to mandated tariff rates, overall declines in
electricity sold or the volume of gas shipped as a result of economic downturn
or recession could reduce our revenues and cash flows, thus diminishing our
results of operations.
9
Our Duke Energy North America business sells power from generation
facilities into the spot market or other competitive power markets on a
contractual basis and enters into contracts to purchase and sell electricity,
natural gas and NGLs as part of our power marketing and energy trading
operations. With respect to such transactions, we are not guaranteed any rate of
return on our capital investments through mandated rates, and our revenues and
results of operations are likely to depend, in large part, upon prevailing
market prices for power, natural gas and NGLs in our regional markets and other
competitive markets. These market prices may fluctuate substantially over
relatively short periods of time. These factors could reduce our revenues and
margins and therefore diminish our results of operations.
Lower demand for the electricity we sell, for the natural gas we gather,
process and transport and in the market prices for electricity, natural gas and
NGLs result from multiple factors that affect our service territories and the
end markets where we sell electricity or ship natural gas, including:
- weather conditions, to the extent that abnormally mild winter or summer
weather causes lower energy usage for heating or cooling purposes,
respectively;
- supply of and demand for energy commodities, including any decreases in
the production of natural gas due to depressed prices for natural gas
which could negatively affect our gas transmission business due to lower
throughput and our energy trading business through lower prices;
- illiquid markets including reductions in trading volumes which result in
lower revenues and earnings;
- general economic conditions, including downturns in the U.S. or other
economies which impact energy consumption particularly in which sales to
industrial or large commercial customers comprise a significant portion
of total sales;
- transmission or transportation constraints or inefficiencies which impact
our merchant energy operations;
- availability of competitively priced alternative energy sources, which
are preferred by some customers over energy produced from coal, nuclear
or gas plants;
- natural gas, crude oil, refined products and coal production levels;
- electric generation capacity, surpluses of which cause our merchant
energy plants to generate and sell less electricity at lower prices and
may cause some plants to become non-economical to operate;
- capacity and transmission service into, or out of, our markets;
- natural disasters, wars, embargoes and other catastrophic events to the
extent they affect our markets; and
- federal, state and foreign energy and environmental regulation and
legislation.
These market factors have led to industry-wide downturns that have resulted
in the slowing down or stopping of new construction of power plants and
announcements by us and other energy suppliers and gas pipeline companies of
plans to sell non-core assets in order to boost liquidity or strengthen balance
sheets. Proposed sales by other energy suppliers and gas pipeline companies
could increase the supply of the type of assets we are attempting to sell which
could lead to our failing to execute such asset sales or obtaining lower prices
on completed asset sales.
OUR RISK MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES MAY NOT PREVENT LOSSES IN OUR ENERGY TRADING
BUSINESS.
We actively manage the risk inherent in our energy positions. Although we
have sophisticated risk management systems in place that use advanced
methodologies to quantify risk, these systems may not always be followed or may
not always work as planned. In particular, risk in our energy trading is
measured and monitored utilizing Value-at-Risk models to determine the potential
one-day favorable or unfavorable value risks. These estimates are based on
historical price volatility and assume a normal
10
distribution of price changes thus if prices significantly deviate from
historical prices or the actual distribution is not normal, our risk management
systems, including assumptions supporting the risk limits, may not protect us
from significant losses. In addition, adverse changes in energy prices may
result in economic losses in our earnings and cash flows and our balance sheet
under applicable accounting rules. Although we devote a considerable amount of
management effort to our trading and risk management systems, their
effectiveness remains uncertain.
OUR RISK MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES MAY NOT PREVENT LOSSES IN OUR DEBT AND FOREIGN
CURRENCY POSITIONS.
We also actively manage the risk inherent in our debt and foreign currency
positions. We manage interest rate exposure in our debt positions by limiting
our variable-rate and fixed-rate exposures to percentages of total
capitalization and by monitoring the effects of market changes in interest
rates. We also enter into financial derivative instruments to manage and
mitigate interest rate exposure. Our primary foreign currency rate exposures are
the Canadian dollar, the Brazilian real, the Peruvian neuvo sol, the Australian
dollar, the El Salvadoran colon, the European euro and the Argentine peso. To
mitigate risks associated with foreign currency fluctuations, we hedge
investments through debt denominated or issued in the foreign currency and use
foreign currency derivatives. In addition we denominate in or index contracts to
the U.S. dollar and/or local inflation rates, where possible. To monitor the
foreign currency risk, we use sensitivity analysis, which measures the impact of
devaluation of the foreign currency to which we have exposure. These systems may
not always be followed or may not always work as planned and thus these risk
management systems may not protect us from significant losses in our earnings
and cash flows and our balance sheet under applicable accounting rules. Although
we devote a considerable amount of management effort to our risk management
systems, their effectiveness remains uncertain.
OUR HEDGING PROCEDURES MAY NOT PROTECT OUR SALES AND NET INCOME FROM
VOLATILITY.
To lower our financial exposure related to commodity price fluctuations,
primarily with respect to power, natural gas and NGLs, our corporate marketing,
trading and risk management operations routinely enter into contracts to hedge
the value of our assets and operations. As part of this strategy, our Duke
Energy North America and Field Services business units routinely utilize
fixed-price, forward, physical purchase and sales contracts, futures, financial
swaps and option contracts traded in the over-the-counter markets or on
exchanges. Duke Energy North America hedges a substantial portion of its
expected power output and its natural gas fuel requirements. Field Services
hedges its expected NGL production. However, we do not cover the entire exposure
of our assets or our positions to market price volatility and the coverage will
vary over time. To the extent we have unhedged positions or our hedging
procedures do not work as planned, fluctuating commodity prices could cause our
sales and net income to be volatile.
OUR OPERATING RESULTS MAY FLUCTUATE ON A SEASONAL AND QUARTERLY BASIS.
Electric power generation and gas distribution are generally seasonal
businesses. In most parts of the U.S. and world in which we operate, demand for
power peaks during the hot summer months, with market prices also peaking at
that time. In other areas, demand for power peaks during the winter. In
addition, demand for gas and other fuels peaks during the winter, especially for
our natural gas businesses in Canada. Further, extreme weather conditions such
as heat waves or winter storms could cause these seasonal fluctuations to be
more pronounced. As a result, in the future the overall operating results of
Franchised Electric, Duke Energy North America and Union Gas, which is a
component of our natural gas transmission segment, may fluctuate substantially
on a seasonal basis and thus make period comparisons less relevant.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING THE WHOLESALE POWER AND ENERGY TRADING MARKETS
HAVE REDUCED MARKET ACTIVITY AND LIQUIDITY AND MAY CONTINUE TO ADVERSELY
AFFECT OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
As a result of the energy crisis in California, the recent decline of
natural gas prices in North America, the filing of bankruptcy by Enron
Corporation, and investigations by governmental authorities into energy trading
activities and increased litigation related to these matters, companies in the
regulated
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and unregulated utility businesses have been generally impacted negatively. In
addition, certain participants have chosen to or have been forced to exit from
the energy trading markets, leading to a reduction in the number of trading
partners and lower trading revenues. Depressed spot and forward wholesale power
prices have resulted in substantially reduced revenues in our merchant energy
business and may continue to affect our earnings.
OUR PROFITABILITY MAY DECLINE IF THE COUNTERPARTIES TO OUR TRANSACTIONS FAIL
TO PERFORM IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR AGREEMENTS WITH THEM.
Our marketing, trading and risk management operations are exposed to the
risk that counterparties to our transactions will not perform their obligations.
Should the counterparties to these arrangements fail to perform, we might be
forced to acquire alternative hedging arrangements, honor the underlying
commitment at then-current market prices or return a significant portion of the
consideration received for unused electricity or gas under a long-term contract.
In such event, we might incur additional losses to the extent of amounts, if
any, already paid to, or received from, counterparties. This risk is most
significant in our natural gas marketing and transportation services business as
we have concentrations of receivables from natural gas and electric utilities
and their affiliates, as well as industrial customers and marketers throughout
the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific, Europe and Latin America. These concentrations
of customers may negatively impact the credit quality of the entire sector,
which would have a more significant impact on our profitability due to our level
of exposure in the sector. In addition, in our marketing and trading activities,
we often extend credit to our trading counterparties. Despite performing credit
analysis prior to extending credit and the use of master collateral agreements
to mitigate these credit risks, we are exposed to the risk that we may not be
able to collect amounts owed to us. If the counterparty to such a financing
transaction fails to perform and any collateral we have secured is inadequate,
we will lose money.
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY MANAGE THE RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SELLING
AND MARKETING PRODUCTS IN THE WHOLESALE POWER MARKETS.
We purchase and sell power at the wholesale level under the FERC's
market-based tariffs throughout the United States and also enter into short-term
agreements to market available energy and capacity from our generation assets
with the expectation of profiting from market price fluctuations. If we are
unable to deliver firm capacity and energy under these agreements, then we could
be required to pay damages. These damages would be based on the difference
between the market price to acquire replacement capacity or energy and the
contract price of the undelivered capacity or energy. Depending on price
volatility in the wholesale energy markets, such damages could be significant.
In the absence or upon expiration of power sales agreements, we must sell
all or a portion of the energy, capacity and other products from our facilities
into the competitive wholesale power markets. Unlike most other commodities,
electricity cannot be stored and must be produced concurrently with its use. As
a result, the wholesale power markets are subject to significant price
fluctuations over relatively short periods of time and can be unpredictable. In
addition, the price we can obtain for power sales may not change at the same
rate as changes in fuel costs. Given the volatility and potential for material
differences between actual power prices and fuel costs, if we are unable to
secure long-term purchase agreements for our power generation facilities, our
revenues would be subject to increased volatility and our financial results may
be materially adversely affected.
COMPETITION IN THE WHOLESALE POWER AND ENERGY TRADING MARKETS MAY ADVERSELY
AFFECT THE GROWTH AND PROFITABILITY OF OUR BUSINESS.
While companies in the regulated and unregulated utility business have been
generally negatively affected by recent events in the energy markets, it is
possible that in the future we may be vulnerable to competition from new
competitors that have greater financial resources than we do, seeking attractive
opportunities to acquire or develop energy assets or energy trading operations
both in the United States and abroad. These new competitors may include
sophisticated financial institutions, some of which are already entering the
energy trading and marketing sector, and international energy players, which may
12
enter regulated or unregulated utility businesses. This competition may
adversely affect our ability to make investments or acquisitions.
We may not be able to respond in a timely or effective manner to the many
changes intended to increase competition in the electricity industry. To the
extent competitive pressures increase and the pricing and sale of electricity
assume more characteristics of a commodity business, the economics of our
business may come under long-term pressure.
In addition, regulatory changes have also been proposed to increase access
to electricity transmission grids by utility and non-utility purchasers and
sellers of electricity. We believe that these changes could continue the
disaggregation of many vertically-integrated utilities into separate generation,
transmission, distribution and retail businesses. As a result, a significant
number of additional competitors could become active in the wholesale power
generation segment of our industry.
WE ARE EXPOSED TO MARKET RISK AND MAY INCUR LOSSES FROM OUR MARKETING AND
TRADING OPERATIONS.
Our trading portfolios consist of contracts to buy and sell commodities,
including contracts for electricity, natural gas, NGLs and other commodities
that are settled by the delivery of the commodity or cash. If the values of
these contracts change in a direction or manner that we do not anticipate, we
could realize material losses from our trading activities. We have marketing and
trading operations which target the U.S., Canadian, Latin American, Asia-Pacific
and European regions. We incur trading risks and market exposures in these
markets. If our trading volumes in these regions increase, we will be exposed to
increased market risks.
RISKS RELATED TO LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND REGULATORY INVESTIGATIONS
In part due to the California electricity supply situation and the failure
of Enron Corporation, public and regulatory scrutiny of the energy industry and
of the capital markets have resulted in increased regulatory investigations, new
regulations being either proposed or implemented and an increase in litigation
in the industry. During this time, we have experienced a significant increase in
regulatory investigations and litigation related to our operations, primarily
with respect to the California situation, pricing information provided to index
publications and so-called "roundtrip" trades, each as described in greater
detail below. Future developments in these and other government investigations,
including the subpoena we have received from a North Carolina grand jury related
to the audit by the NCUC and PSCSC of Duke Power's regulatory reporting from
1998 to 2000, and litigation impacting the energy industry and us, including
litigation regarding performance, contracts and other matters arising in the
ordinary course of our business and personal injury claims alleged to have
arisen from the exposure to asbestos in our plants, could be materially adverse
to us by affecting our operations and diverting our attention and resources to
addressing such actions. Furthermore, future declines in the availability, or
increases in the cost, of our insurance policies and charges to our
self-insurance reserves with respect to such litigation could cause material
liabilities and costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our results
of operations or financial position in the future.
WE MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY LEGAL PROCEEDINGS ARISING OUT OF THE
ELECTRICITY SUPPLY SITUATION IN CALIFORNIA AND OTHER WESTERN STATES.
Litigation and administrative proceedings arising out of the electricity
supply situation in California and other western states are ongoing before the
FERC and in California and other courts against sellers of energy in California
and other western states. Duke Energy and some of its subsidiaries are named as
defendants in a number of lawsuits brought by or on behalf of electricity and
natural gas purchasers in California and other western states. In addition to
lawsuits, several investigations and regulatory proceedings at the state and
federal levels are looking into the causes of high wholesale electricity prices
in the western United States. We cannot predict the outcome of any such lawsuits
and other proceedings or whether the ultimate impact on us of the effects of the
historical electricity supply situation in California and other western states
will be material due to any future developments.
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WE MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY REGULATORY INVESTIGATIONS RELATED TO PRICING
INFORMATION THAT WE PROVIDED TO MARKET PUBLICATIONS.
The FERC, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or CFTC, and the San
Francisco office of the U.S. Attorney have requested information from us
regarding pricing information that we provided to publications that produce
price indices. We have been responding to these government agencies, but we
cannot predict the outcome of these investigations or whether these
investigations will lead to additional legal proceedings against us, civil or
criminal fines or penalties, or other regulatory action, including legislation,
which may be materially adverse to the operation of our trading business and our
trading revenues and net income or increase our operating costs in other ways.
WE MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY REGULATORY INVESTIGATIONS AND ANY RELATED
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED CONDUCTING OF "ROUNDTRIP" TRADES BY
OUR ENERGY TRADING BUSINESS.
The activities of Enron Corporation and other energy traders in allegedly
using "roundtrip" trades which involve the prearrangement of simultaneously
executed and offsetting buy and sell trades for the purpose of increasing
reported revenues or trading volumes, or influencing prices and which lack a
legitimate business purpose, has resulted in increased public and regulatory
scrutiny. Various governmental and regulatory inquiries are ongoing and continue
to adversely affect the energy trading business as a whole. We may see these
adverse effects continue as a result of the uncertainty of these ongoing
inquiries or additional inquiries by other federal or state regulatory agencies.
To date, we have been investigated by, or responded to requests from, the SEC,
the FERC, the Houston office of the U.S. Attorney and the CFTC concerning these
alleged "roundtrip" trades and other trading activity. In addition, we cannot
predict the outcome of any of these inquiries, or whether these inquiries will
lead to additional legal proceedings against us, civil or criminal fines or
penalties, or other regulatory action, including legislation, which may be
materially adverse to the operation of our trading business and our trading
revenues and net income or increase our operating costs in other ways.
Also, a number of class action lawsuits have been filed against us, and
others may be filed, claiming that investors suffered damages as a result of the
alleged "roundtrip" trades inflating our revenue and earnings. While a number of
the lawsuits have been dismissed at a preliminary stage, further developments in
such lawsuits could lead to settlements, civil damages or other litigation costs
that could adversely affect our business.
RISKS RELATED TO THE REGULATION OF OUR BUSINESSES
ELECTRIC
OUR BUSINESSES IN NORTH AMERICA ARE SUBJECT TO COMPLEX GOVERNMENT
REGULATIONS. THE ECONOMICS, INCLUDING THE COSTS, OF OPERATING OUR GENERATING
FACILITIES MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY CHANGES IN THESE REGULATIONS OR IN THEIR
INTERPRETATION OR IMPLEMENTATION.
The regulatory environment applicable to the electric power industry has
recently undergone substantial changes, both on a federal and a state level,
which have had a significant impact on the nature of the industry and the manner
in which its participants conduct their businesses. These changes are ongoing
and we cannot predict the future course of changes in this regulatory
environment or the ultimate effect that this changing regulatory environment
will have on our business.
The Public Utility Holding Company Act, or PUHCA, and the Federal Power
Act, or FPA, regulate public utility holding companies and their subsidiaries
and place constraints on the conduct of their business, although we are exempt
from most of the provisions of PUHCA, as discussed below. The rates charged in
our Franchised Electric business are approved by the FERC, the NCUC and/or the
PSCSC. The NCUC and the PSCSC regulate many aspects of our utility operations
including siting and construction of facilities, customer service and the rates
that we can charge customers. The FERC regulates wholesale electricity
operations and transmission rates and the state commissions regulate retail
generation and distribution rates. The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of
1978, or PURPA, provides
14
qualifying facilities with exemptions from some federal and state laws and
regulations, including PUHCA and most provisions of the FPA. The Energy Policy
Act of 1992, or the Energy Act, also provides relief from regulation under PUHCA
to "exempt wholesale generators." Maintaining the status of our facilities as
qualifying facilities or exempt wholesale generators is conditioned on those
facilities continuing to meet statutory criteria. Under current law, we are not
and will not be subject to regulation as a registered holding company under
PUHCA as long as the domestic power plants we own through subsidiaries (such as
in Duke Energy North America's business) are qualifying facilities under PURPA
or are exempt wholesale generators. If we were subject to these regulations, the
economics and operations of our generating facilities could be negatively
affected by the increased costs associated with upgrading our facilities and
taking other actions to comply with these regulations. While we are currently
exempt from registration under PUHCA, we may lose that exemption if we fail to
comply with our exemptive order from the SEC. If we were to lose our exemption,
we would have the alternatives of registering as a holding company which would
subject us to more extensive regulation, or divesting or changing the nature of
some of our foreign utility holdings, including some facilities acquired in our
Westcoast Energy purchase.
Existing regulations may be revised or reinterpreted, new laws and
regulations may be adopted or become applicable to us or our facilities, and
future changes in laws and regulations may have a detrimental effect on our
business. Some of the restructured markets have recently experienced supply
problems and price volatility. These supply problems and volatility have been
the subject of a significant amount of press coverage, much of which has been
critical of the restructuring initiatives. In some of these markets, including
California, proposals have been made by governmental agencies and other
interested parties to re-regulate areas of these markets which have previously
been deregulated. We cannot assure you that other proposals to re-regulate will
not be made or that legislative or other attention to the electric power
restructuring process will not cause the deregulation process to be delayed or
reversed.
The FERC has proposed to broaden its regulations that restrict relations
between jurisdictional electric and natural gas companies, or "jurisdictional
companies," and marketing affiliates. The proposal could materially affect our
business and results of operations. The originally proposed standards would
require segregation of an electric utility's retail merchant function from its
transmission function, as the wholesale merchant function is currently separated
from the transmission function. State law in North Carolina and South Carolina
(as well as many other states) requires that utilities provide safe and reliable
bundled electric service (including generation, transmission and distribution
services) at the lowest reasonable cost. Separation of the bundled retail sales
function from the transmission function in states that have not adopted retail
electric competition would hinder communications and require redundant functions
in different departments, making it significantly more expensive and difficult
for us to deliver a bundled electric product to retail customers and decrease
revenues from our retail markets and our overall revenues. In addition, the
proposals are expected to have significant adverse impacts on the ability of
Duke Energy's officers and directors to oversee the corporate activities of Duke
Energy and its subsidiaries. We expect that under the proposed rules,
communication of transmission information with our subsidiaries would be
substantially restricted as they would be defined as "energy affiliates" and the
officers and directors would be imputed as serving the company's marketing
function and further barred from such communications with these entities. The
rulemaking is pending at the FERC and the precise scope and effect of the rule
is unclear. If adopted as proposed, the rule could adversely affect our ability
to coordinate and manage our energy activities.
OUR SALES MAY DECREASE IF WE ARE UNABLE TO GAIN ADEQUATE, RELIABLE AND
AFFORDABLE ACCESS TO TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION ASSETS.
We depend on transmission and distribution facilities owned and operated by
utilities and other energy companies to deliver the electricity and natural gas
we sell to the wholesale market, as well as the natural gas we purchase to
supply some of our electric generation facilities. If transmission is disrupted,
or if capacity is inadequate, our ability to sell and deliver products may be
hindered. The FERC's proposed restrictions upon relations between jurisdictional
companies and marketing affiliates, as described above, may also inhibit access
to energy transmission and distribution assets controlled by us.
15
In Order 888 and related orders, FERC issued power transmission regulations
that require wholesale electric transmission services to be offered on an
open-access, non-discriminatory basis. Although these regulations are designed
to encourage competition in wholesale market transactions for electricity, some
companies have failed to provide fair and equal access to their transmission
systems or have not provided sufficient transmission capacity to enable other
companies to transmit electric power. We cannot predict whether and to what
extent the industry will comply with these initiatives, or whether the
regulations will fully accomplish their objectives.
In addition, the independent system operators who oversee the transmission
systems in regional power markets, such as California, have in the past been
authorized to impose, and may continue to impose, price limitations and other
mechanisms to address volatility in the power markets. These types of price
limitations and other mechanisms may adversely impact the profitability of our
wholesale power marketing and trading. Given the extreme volatility and lack of
meaningful long-term price history in many of these markets and the imposition
of price limitations by regulators, independent system operators or other market
operators, we can offer no assurance that we will be able to operate profitably
in all wholesale power markets.
IN THE FUTURE, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SECURE LONG-TERM PURCHASE AGREEMENTS
FOR OUR POWER GENERATION FACILITIES OR OUR EXISTING POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENTS
MAY NOT BE ENFORCEABLE, EITHER OF WHICH WOULD SUBJECT OUR SALES TO INCREASED
VOLATILITY.
Historically, power from merchant generation facilities has been sold under
long-term power purchase agreements pursuant to which all energy and capacity
was generally sold to a single party at fixed prices. Because of changes in the
industry, the percentage of facilities with these types of long-term power
purchase agreements has decreased, and it is likely that most of our facilities
will operate without these agreements. Without the benefit of long-term power
purchase agreements, we cannot assure you that we will be able to sell the power
generated by our facilities or that our facilities will be able to operate
profitably.
Recently, some entities have brought litigation or regulatory proceedings
aimed at forcing the renegotiation or termination of power purchase agreements
requiring payments to owners of generating facilities that are qualifying
facilities under PURPA. Many qualifying facilities sell their electric output to
utilities and other entities pursuant to long-term contracts at prices that are
based upon the incremental cost that, at the time of contracting, it was
estimated that it would cost the utility or entity to generate or purchase the
power from another source. In some cases, these prices are now substantially in
excess of market prices. As of May 30, 2003, the value in excess of market
prices of these physical forward power sales from the energy generation
portfolio was $585 million. In addition, in the future, utilities and other
entities, with the approval of federal or state regulatory authorities, could
seek to abrogate their existing power purchase agreements with qualifying
facilities or with other power generators. Some of our power purchase agreements
for power generated from our independent power projects and generation assets
could be subject to similar efforts by the entities who contract to purchase
power from our facilities. If those efforts were to be successful, our sales
could decrease or be subject to increased volatility.
THE DIFFERENT REGIONAL POWER MARKETS IN WHICH WE COMPETE OR WILL COMPETE IN
THE FUTURE HAVE CHANGING REGULATORY STRUCTURES, WHICH COULD AFFECT OUR GROWTH
AND PERFORMANCE IN THESE REGIONS.
Our wholesale power and franchised electric results are likely to be
affected by differences in the market and transmission regulatory structures in
various regional power markets. Because it remains unclear which companies will
be participating in the various regional power markets, or how and when regional
transmission organizations, or RTOs, will develop or what regions they will
cover, we are unable to assess fully the impact that these power markets may
have on our business.
THE RATE FREEZE AFFECTING OUR NORTH CAROLINA UTILITY WILL LIMIT OUR ABILITY
TO PASS ON TO OUR CUSTOMERS OUR COST OF PRODUCING ELECTRICITY.
In 2002, the State of North Carolina passed clean air legislation that,
with limited exceptions, freezes electric utility rates until 2007, in order for
North Carolina electric utilities, including us, to make
16
significant reductions in emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from
the state's coal-fired power plants over the next ten years. We estimate the
cost of achieving the proposed emission reductions to be approximately $1.5
billion. While we expect to recover 70% of the total estimated costs of plant
improvements through the five-year rate freeze period, there is no guarantee
that we will recover such amount. As a result of the rate freeze, we will be
limited in the amount of revenue our North Carolina utility generates in
relation to operational costs and the amount of recovery for our costs of
emission reductions. In addition, as the NCUC will determine how any remaining
costs will be recovered after the rate freeze period, the manner of such
recovery is unclear at this time.
GAS
OUR GAS TRANSMISSION AND STORAGE OPERATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO GOVERNMENT
REGULATIONS AND RATE PROCEEDINGS THAT COULD HAVE AN ADVERSE IMPACT ON OUR
ABILITY TO RECOVER THE COSTS OF OPERATING OUR PIPELINE FACILITIES.
Our U.S. interstate gas transmission and storage operations are subject to
the FERC's regulatory authority, which extends to:
- transportation of natural gas;
- rates and charges;
- construction;
- acquisition, extension or abandonment of services or facilities;
- accounts and records;
- depreciation and amortization policies; and
- operating terms and conditions of service.
The FERC has taken actions to strengthen market forces in the natural gas
pipeline industry which has led to increased competition throughout the
industry. In a number of key markets, interstate pipelines are now facing
competitive pressure from other major pipeline systems, enabling local
distribution companies and end users to choose a supplier or switch suppliers
based on the short-term price of gas and the cost of transportation.
Given the extent of the FERC's regulatory power, we cannot give any
assurance regarding the likely regulations under which we will operate our
natural gas transmission and storage business in the future or the effect of
regulation on our financial position and results of operations. In addition, the
FERC has proposed to broaden its regulations on jurisdictional companies to
limit communications between a jurisdictional company and all our affiliates
engaged in energy activities. If adopted as proposed, the rule could adversely
affect our ability to manage our energy activities.
Some of our interstate gas transmission operations from time to time have
in effect rate settlements approved by FERC which prevent those companies or
third parties from modifying rates, except for allowed adjustments. These
settlements do not preclude the FERC from taking action on its own to modify the
rates. Upon expiration of the settlements, the companies or third parties may
institute actions at the FERC to modify the companies' rates. It is not possible
to determine at this time whether any such actions would be instituted or what
the outcome would be but such proceedings could result in rate adjustments.
Recent decisions could result in the imposition of regulatory operating
terms and conditions of service on our interstate gas transmission operations
that limit our management discretion and could also increase operational risks.
In September 2002, a FERC administrative law judge ruled that El Paso Gas
Transmission Company, an interstate natural gas pipeline company, was in
violation of the Natural Gas Act for not delivering sufficient gas to its
California markets during 2000 and 2001 because it had operated its interstate
gas pipeline system at less than the maximum allowable pressure for which the
system is rated, engaged in inappropriate system maintenance and delivered gas
to other markets. If this ruling
17
stands after review by the FERC, it could be interpreted to increase the
delivery obligations and reduce the operational discretion of interstate gas
pipelines, including those we operate, and, as a result, increase operational,
contractual and litigation risks for our natural gas pipelines.
POSSIBLE CHANGES AND DEVELOPMENTS IN THE CANADIAN REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT
COULD RESULT IN A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON WESTCOAST ENERGY'S BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS.
The majority of our Canadian natural gas assets are subject to various
degrees of federal or provincial regulation. Changes in such regulation may
impact our capacity to conduct this business effectively and sustain or increase
profitability. Furthermore, as the regulatory environment within which Westcoast
Energy conducts its business and operates its facilities continues to evolve
from a traditional cost recovery model to a more competitive, market-based
approach, there is increasing competition among pipeline companies. We cannot
predict the timing or scope of these changes and developments in the regulatory
environment or the impact they may ultimately have on Westcoast Energy's
business and operations. Aboriginal groups have claimed aboriginal and treaty
rights over a substantial portion of the lands on which our facilities in
British Columbia and Alberta and the gas supply areas served by those facilities
are located. The existence of these claims, which range from the assertion of
rights of limited use up to aboriginal title, has given rise to some uncertainty
regarding access to public lands for future development purposes.
RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS GENERALLY AND OUR INDUSTRY
FINANCING AND LIQUIDITY RISKS
WE HAVE NOT APPRAISED THE VALUE OF THE COLLATERAL UPON WHICH THE MORTGAGE
LIEN EXISTS AND, IF THERE IS A DEFAULT OR A FORECLOSURE SALE, THE VALUE OF THE
COLLATERAL MAY NOT BE SUFFICIENT TO REPAY THE HOLDERS OF THE BONDS.
No appraisal of the value of the collateral upon which the mortgage lien
exists has been made in connection with this offering. The value of the
collateral in the event of liquidation will depend on market and economic
conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. Although we believe
the value of the collateral substantially exceeds the indebtedness under the
bonds, we cannot assure you that the proceeds from the sale or sales of all of
such collateral would be sufficient to satisfy the amounts outstanding under the
bonds and other obligations secured by the same collateral. If the proceeds were
not sufficient to repay amounts outstanding under the bonds, then holders of the
bonds, to the extent not repaid from the proceeds of the sale of the collateral,
would only have an unsecured claim against our remaining assets.
OUR BUSINESS IS DEPENDENT ON OUR ABILITY TO SUCCESSFULLY ACCESS CAPITAL
MARKETS. OUR INABILITY TO ACCESS CAPITAL MAY LIMIT OUR ABILITY TO EXECUTE OUR
BUSINESS PLAN OR PURSUE IMPROVEMENTS.
We rely on access to both short-term money markets and longer-term capital
markets as a source of liquidity for capital requirements not satisfied by the
cash flow from our operations. If we are not able to access capital at
competitive rates, our ability to implement our strategy will be adversely
affected. Market disruptions or a downgrade of our credit rating may increase
our cost of borrowing or adversely affect our ability to access one or more
financial markets. Such disruptions could include:
- further economic downturns;
- the bankruptcy of an unrelated energy company;
- capital market conditions generally;
- market prices for electricity and gas;
- terrorist attacks or threatened attacks on our facilities or unrelated
energy companies; or
- the overall health of the utility industry.
Restrictions on our ability to access financial markets may affect our
ability to execute our business plan as scheduled. An inability to access
capital may limit our ability to pursue improvements or acquisitions that we may
otherwise rely on for future growth.
18
INCREASES IN OUR LEVERAGE COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR COMPETITIVE POSITION,
BUSINESS PLANNING AND FLEXIBILITY, FINANCIAL CONDITION, ABILITY TO SERVICE OUR
DEBT OBLIGATIONS AND TO PAY DIVIDENDS ON OUR COMMON STOCK, AND ABILITY TO ACCESS
CAPITAL ON FAVORABLE TERMS.
Our cash requirements arise primarily from the capital intensive nature of
our electric utilities, as well as the expansion of our diversified businesses.
In addition to operating cash flows, we rely heavily on our commercial paper and
long-term debt. Our credit lines impose various limitations that could impact
our liquidity and result in a material adverse impact on our business strategy
and our ongoing financing needs. Changes in economic conditions could result in
higher interest rates, which would increase our interest expense on our floating
rate debt and reduce funds available to us for our current plans. Additionally,
an increase in our leverage could adversely affect us by:
- increasing the cost of future debt financing;
- prohibiting the payment of dividends on our common stock or adversely
impacting our ability to pay such dividends at the current rate;
- making it more difficult for us to satisfy our existing financial
obligations;
- limiting our ability to obtain additional financing, if we need it, for
working capital, acquisitions, debt service requirements or other
purposes;
- increasing our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions;
- requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from
operations to payments on our debt, which would reduce funds available to
us for operations, future business opportunities or other purposes; and
- limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our
business and the industry in which we compete.
Specifically, as stipulated in the revolving credit facilities, some
entities within Duke Energy must maintain total debt to total capitalization
ratios below specified target levels to be permitted to issue commercial paper
and/or borrow under those facilities. These include limits of 65% at Duke
Energy, Duke Capital, Duke Energy Australia and Westcoast Energy, 75% at Union
Gas and 53% at Duke Energy Field Services.
As of the end of the second quarter 2003, Duke Energy had approximately
$3.2 billion (net of cash investments) of floating rate debt, representing about
8% of our total capitalization.
A BREACH IN THE FINANCIAL COVENANTS SPECIFIED WITHIN OUR REVOLVING CREDIT
AGREEMENTS COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO BORROW SHORT-TERM FUNDS AND
COULD TRIGGER ACCELERATION OF BANK FACILITY INDEBTEDNESS AT OTHER SPECIFIC DUKE
ENERGY ENTITIES.
Duke Energy and its affiliates maintain revolving credit facilities to
provide back-up for commercial paper programs and/or letters of credit at
various entities. These facilities typically include financial covenants which
limit the amount of debt that can be outstanding as a percentage of the total
capital for the specific entity. Some also include targeted EBITDA interest
coverage ratios. Failure to maintain these covenants at a particular Duke Energy
entity could preclude that entity from issuing commercial paper or letters of
credit, borrowing under the revolving credit facility and could require other
Duke Energy affiliates to immediately pay down any outstanding drawn amounts
under other revolving credit agreements.
A DOWNGRADE IN OUR CREDIT RATING COULD NEGATIVELY AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO
ACCESS CAPITAL AND/OR TO OPERATE OUR POWER AND GAS TRADING BUSINESSES.
Standard & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch rate our senior, unsecured debt at
BBB+, Baa1 and A-, respectively. Our Standard & Poor's and Fitch ratings are
both on negative outlook. If Standard & Poor's, Moody's or Fitch were to
downgrade our long-term rating, particularly below investment grade, our
borrowing costs would increase which would diminish
19
our financial results. In addition, we would likely be required to pay a higher
interest rate in future financings, and our potential pool of investors and
funding sources would likely decrease. Further, if our short-term rating were to
fall, it may significantly limit our access to the commercial paper market.
In addition, many of our subsidiaries access debt and other capital from
various sources and carry their own credit ratings. Any downgrade or other event
negatively affecting the credit ratings of these subsidiaries could make their
costs of borrowing higher or access to funding sources more limited, which in
turn could increase the need of Duke Energy to provide liquidity in the form of
capital contributions or loans to such subsidiaries, thus reducing the liquidity
and borrowing availability of the consolidated group.
Our ratings may be dependent on, among other things, our earnings outlook
for future periods and the success of our business plan. If, as a result of
market conditions or other factors affecting our business, we are unable to
achieve our earnings outlook or we lower our earnings outlook, our ratings could
be adversely affected. The failure to meet the goals set forth in our business
plan from time to time, such as our inability to successfully execute a
significant portion of planned asset divestitures, could cause our ratings to be
lowered.
Our power and gas trading businesses rely on our investment grade ratings.
Most of our counterparties require the creditworthiness of an investment grade
entity to stand behind transactions. If our ratings were to decline below
investment grade, our ability to profitably operate our power and gas trading
businesses would be diminished because we would likely have to deposit
additional collateral of cash or cash related instruments which would reduce our
liquidity and profitability.
POOR INVESTMENT PERFORMANCE OF PENSION PLAN EQUITY HOLDINGS AND OTHER
FACTORS IMPACTING PENSION PLAN COSTS COULD UNFAVORABLY IMPACT OUR LIQUIDITY AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
Our costs of providing non-contributory defined benefit pension plans are
dependent upon a number of factors, such as the rates of return on plan assets,
discount rates, the level of interest rates used to measure the required minimum
funding levels of the plans, future government regulation and our required or
voluntary contributions made to the plans. The market value of Duke Energy's
defined benefit pension plan assets has been affected by declines in the equity
markets since the third quarter of 2000. As a result, at our most recent
measurement date of September 30, 2002, our pension plan obligation exceeded the
value of plan assets by $439 million. Without a substantial recovery in the
equity markets over time to increase the value of our plan assets and depending
upon the other factors impacting our costs as listed above, we could be required
to fund our plans with significant amounts of cash. Such cash funding
obligations could have a material impact on our liquidity by reducing our cash
flows and negatively effect our results of operations.
WE COULD ENTER INTO VARIOUS TRANSACTIONS THAT COULD INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF
OUR OUTSTANDING DEBT, OR ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR CAPITAL STRUCTURE OR CREDIT
RATINGS, OR OTHERWISE ADVERSELY AFFECT HOLDERS OF THE BONDS NOTES.
The terms of the bonds do not prevent us from entering into a variety of
acquisition, change of control, refinancing, recapitalization or other highly
leveraged transactions. As a result, we could enter into any transaction even
though the transaction could increase the total amount of our outstanding
indebtedness, adversely affect our capital structure or credit ratings or
otherwise adversely affect the holders of the exchange notes.
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION AND LIABILITY
OUR BUSINESS WILL BE SUBJECT TO ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION IN ALL
JURISDICTIONS IN WHICH IT OPERATES AND ANY CHANGES IN SUCH LEGISLATION COULD
NEGATIVELY AFFECT OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
Our operations are subject to extensive environmental regulation pursuant
to a variety of U.S., Canadian, and other federal, provincial, state and
municipal laws and regulations. Such environmental legislation imposes, among
other things, restrictions, liabilities and obligations in connection with the
generation, handling, use, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of
hazardous substances and waste and in connection with spills, releases and
emissions of various substances into the environment.
20
Environmental legislation also requires that our facilities, sites and other
properties associated with our operations be operated, maintained, abandoned and
reclaimed to the satisfaction of applicable regulatory authorities.
Existing environmental regulations could also be revised or reinterpreted,
new laws and regulations could be adopted or become applicable to us or our
facilities, and future changes in environmental laws and regulations could
occur. The federal government and several states recently have proposed
increased environmental regulation of many industrial activities, including
increased regulation of air quality, water quality and solid waste management.
In addition, Canada and some of the countries in which we operate may move
forward on the process of adopting the greenhouse gas emissions principles of
the Kyoto Accords. With the trend toward stricter standards, greater regulation,
more extensive permit requirements and an increase in the number and types of
assets operated by us subject to environmental regulation, we expect our
environmental expenditures to continue to be substantial, and could
significantly increase in the future.
Compliance with environmental legislation can require significant
expenditures, including expenditures for clean up costs and damages arising out
of contaminated properties, and failure to comply with environmental legislation
may result in the imposition of fines and penalties. The steps we take to bring
our facilities into compliance could be prohibitively expensive, and we may be
required to shut down or alter the operation of our facilities, which may cause
us to incur losses. Further, our regulatory rate structure and our contracts
with clients may not necessarily allow us to recover capital costs we incur to
comply with new environmental regulations such as the rate freeze being imposed
by the NCUC. Also, we may not be able to obtain or maintain from time to time
all required environmental regulatory approvals for our development projects. If
there is a delay in obtaining any required environmental regulatory approvals or
if we fail to obtain and comply with them, the operation of our facilities could
be prevented or become subject to additional costs. Should we fail to comply
with all applicable environmental laws, we may be subject to penalties and fines
imposed against us by regulatory authorities. Although it is not expected that
the costs of complying with current environmental legislation will have a
material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations, no
assurance can be made that the costs of complying with environmental legislation
in the future will not have such an effect.
WE COULD INCUR MATERIAL LOSSES IF WE ARE HELD LIABLE FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL
CONDITION OF ANY OF OUR ASSETS.
We are generally responsible for all on-site liabilities associated with
the environmental condition of our power generation facilities and natural gas
assets which we have acquired or developed, regardless of when the liabilities
arose and whether they are known or unknown. In addition, in connection with
some acquisitions and sales of assets, we may obtain, or be required to provide,
indemnification against some environmental liabilities. If we incur a material
liability, or the other party to a transaction fails to meet its indemnification
obligations to us, we could suffer material losses.
OPERATIONAL RISKS
OUR INVESTMENTS AND PROJECTS LOCATED OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES EXPOSE US
TO RISKS RELATED TO LAWS OF OTHER COUNTRIES, TAXES, ECONOMIC CONDITIONS,
FLUCTUATIONS IN CURRENCY RATES, POLITICAL CONDITIONS AND POLICIES OF FOREIGN
GOVERNMENTS. THESE RISKS MAY DELAY OR REDUCE OUR REALIZATION OF VALUE FROM OUR
INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS.
We currently own and may acquire and/or dispose of material energy-related
investments and projects outside the United States. The economic, regulatory,
market and political conditions in some of the countries where we have interests
or in which we may explore development, acquisition or investment opportunities
present risks of delays in construction and interruption of business, as well as
risks of war, expropriation, nationalization, renegotiation, trade sanctions or
nullification of existing contracts and changes in law, regulations, market
rules or tax policy, that are greater than in the United States. In particular,
certain countries in Latin America, such as Brazil and El Salvador, are
implementing changes in their market rules and regulations which could
materially and adversely impact our ability to recognize anticipated value from
our investments in that region.
21
The uncertainty of the legal environment in some foreign countries in which
we develop or acquire projects or make investments could make it more difficult
to obtain non-recourse project or other financing on suitable terms, could
adversely affect the ability of our customers to honor their obligations with
respect to such projects or investments and could impair our ability to enforce
our rights under agreements relating to such projects or investments.
Operations in foreign countries also can present currency exchange rate and
convertibility, inflation and repatriation risk. Economic and monetary
conditions and other factors could affect our ability to convert our earnings
denominated in foreign currencies. In addition, risk from fluctuations in
currency exchange rates can arise when our foreign subsidiaries expend or borrow
funds in one type of currency but receive revenue in another. In such cases, an
adverse change in exchange rates can reduce our ability to meet expenses,
including debt service obligations. Foreign currency risk can also arise when
the revenues received by our foreign subsidiaries are not in U.S. dollars. In
such cases, a strengthening of the U.S. dollar could reduce the amount of cash
and income we receive from these foreign subsidiaries. While we believe we have
hedges and contracts in place to mitigate our most significant short-term
foreign currency exchange risks, our hedges may not be sufficient or we may have
some exposures that are not hedged which could result in losses or volatility in
our revenues.
THE LONG-TERM FINANCIAL CONDITION OF OUR U.S. AND CANADIAN NATURAL GAS
TRANSMISSION BUSINESSES ARE DEPENDENT ON THE CONTINUED AVAILABILITY OF NATURAL
GAS RESERVES.
The development of additional natural gas reserves requires significant
capital expenditures by others for exploration and development drilling and the
installation of production, gathering, storage, transportation and other
facilities and permit natural gas to be produced and delivered to our pipeline
systems. Low prices for natural gas, regulatory limitations, or the lack of
available capital for these projects could adversely affect the development of
additional reserves and production, gathering, storage and pipeline transmission
and import and export of natural gas supplies. Additional natural gas reserves
may not be developed in commercial quantities and in sufficient amounts to fill
the capacities of our pipeline systems.
GATHERING, PROCESSING AND TRANSPORTING ACTIVITIES INVOLVE NUMEROUS RISKS
THAT MAY RESULT IN ACCIDENTS AND OTHER OPERATING RISKS AND COSTS.
There are inherent in our gas gathering, processing and transporting
properties a variety of hazards and operating risks, such as leaks, explosions
and mechanical problems, that could cause substantial financial losses. In
addition, these risks could result in loss of human life, significant damage to
property, environmental pollution, impairment of our operations and substantial
losses to us. In accordance with customary industry practice, we maintain
insurance against some, but not all, of these risks and losses. The occurrence
of any of these events not fully covered by insurance could have a material
adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations. For our
pipelines located near populated areas, including residential areas, commercial
business centers, industrial sites and other public gathering areas, the level
of damages resulting from these risks is greater.
WE ARE SUBJECT TO THE RISKS OF NUCLEAR GENERATION.
Our three nuclear stations, Oconee, Catawba and McGuire, subject us to the
risks of nuclear generation, which include:
- the potential harmful effects on the environment and human health
resulting from the operation of nuclear facilities and the storage,
handling and disposal of radioactive materials;
- limitations on the amounts and types of insurance commercially available
to cover losses that might arise in connection with nuclear operations;
and
- uncertainties with respect to the technological and financial aspects of
decommissioning nuclear plants at the end of their licensed lives.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has broad authority under federal law to
impose licensing and safety-related requirements for the operation of nuclear
generation facilities. In the event of non-
22
compliance, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has the authority to impose fines
or shut down a unit, or both, depending upon its assessment of the severity of
the situation, until compliance is achieved. Revised safety requirements
promulgated by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission could necessitate substantial
capital expenditures at our nuclear plants. In addition, although we have no
reason to anticipate a serious nuclear incident, if an incident did occur, it
could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial
condition. Furthermore, the non-compliance of other nuclear facilities operators
with applicable regulations or the occurrence of a serious nuclear incident at
other facilities could result in increased regulation of the industry as a
whole, which could then increase our compliance costs and impact the results of
operations of our facilities.
POTENTIAL TERRORIST ACTIVITIES OR MILITARY OR OTHER ACTIONS, INCLUDING THE
SITUATION IN IRAQ, COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS.
The current situation in Iraq, the continued threat of terrorism and the
impact of retaliatory military and other action by the United States and its
allies may lead to increased political, economic and financial market
instability and volatility in prices for natural gas which could affect the
market for our gas operations and may materially adversely affect us in ways we
cannot predict at this time. In addition, future acts of terrorism and any
possible reprisals as a consequence of action by the United States and its
allies could be directed against companies operating in the United States. In
particular, nuclear generation facilities such as our nuclear plants could be
potential targets of terrorist activities. The potential for terrorism has
subjected our operations to increased risks and could have a material adverse
effect on our business. In particular, we may experience increased capital or
operating costs to implement increased security for our plants, including our
nuclear power plants under the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's design basis
threat requirements, such as additional physical plant security and additional
security personnel.
The insurance industry has also been disrupted by these events. As a
result, the availability of insurance covering risks we and our competitors
typically insure against may decrease. In addition, the insurance we are able to
obtain may have higher deductibles, higher premiums and more restrictive policy
terms.
23
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Our disclosure and analysis in this prospectus contains or incorporates by
reference "forward-looking statements" that do not directly or exclusively
relate to historical facts. You can typically identify forward-looking
statements by the use of forward-looking words, such as "may," "will," "could,"
"project," "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "estimate," "continue,"
"potential," "plan," "forecast" and other similar words. Those statements
represent our intentions, plans, expectations, assumptions and beliefs about
future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors. Many of
those factors are outside our control and could cause actual results to differ
materially from the results expressed or implied by those forward-looking
statements. Those factors include:
- state, federal and foreign legislative and regulatory initiatives that
affect cost and investment recovery, have an impact on rate structures,
and affect the speed at and degree to which competition enters the
electric and natural gas industries;
- the outcomes of litigation and regulatory investigations, proceedings or
inquiries;
- industrial, commercial and residential growth in our service territories;
- the weather and other natural phenomena;
- the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices, interest rates and
foreign currency exchange rates;
- general economic conditions, including any potential effects arising from
terrorist attacks, the situation in Iraq and any consequential
hostilities or other hostilities;
- changes in environmental and other laws and regulations to which we and
our subsidiaries are subject or other external factors over which we have
no control;
- the results of financing efforts, including our ability to obtain
financing on favorable terms, which can be affected by various factors,
including our credit ratings and general economic conditions;
- lack of improvement or further declines in the market prices of equity
securities and resultant cash funding requirements for our defined
benefit pension plans;
- the level of creditworthiness of counterparties to our transactions;
- the amount of collateral required to be posted from time to time in our
transactions;
- growth in opportunities for our business units, including the timing and
success of efforts to develop domestic and international power, pipeline,
gathering, processing and other infrastructure projects;
- the performance of electric generation, pipeline and gas processing
facilities;
- the extent of success in connecting natural gas supplies to gathering and
processing systems and in connecting and expanding gas and electric
markets; and
- the effect of accounting pronouncements issued periodically by accounting
standard-setting bodies.
In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the events
described in the forward-looking statements might not occur or might occur to a
different extent or at a different time than we have described. We undertake no
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
24
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 and, in accordance therewith, file annual, quarterly and current
reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, or the SEC. Such reports and other information can be inspected and
copied at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
D.C. 20549. You may also obtain copies of these documents at prescribed rates
from the Public Reference Section of the SEC at its Washington address. Please
call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information.
Duke Energy's filings are also available to the public through:
- Duke Energy's web site at http://www.duke-energy.com;
- the SEC web site at http://www.sec.gov; and
- The New York Stock Exchange
20 Broad Street
New York, New York 10005.
Additional information about Duke Energy is also available on its web site
at http://www.duke-energy.com. Such web site is not a part of this prospectus.
The SEC allows Duke Energy to "incorporate by reference" the information we
file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by
referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is
considered to be a part of this prospectus, and information that Duke Energy
files later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this
information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any
future filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until we complete our offering of the
securities:
- Duke Energy's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2002;
- Duke Energy's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March
31, 2003 and June 30, 2003; and
- Duke Energy's current reports on Form 8-K filed on February 18 and May 8,
2003.
Duke Energy will provide without charge a copy of these filings, other than
any exhibits unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into
this prospectus. You may request your copy by writing Duke Energy at the
following address or telephoning one of the following numbers:
Investor Relations Department
Duke Energy Corporation
P.O. Box 1005
Charlotte, North Carolina 28201
(704) 382-3853 or (800) 488-3853 (toll-free)
IN ORDER TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY OF THESE DOCUMENTS, ANY REQUEST FOR
DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE MADE NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 10, 2003 TO ENSURE TIMELY
DELIVERY OF THE DOCUMENTS PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER. IN
THE EVENT THAT WE EXTEND THE EXCHANGE OFFER, YOU MUST SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST AT
LEAST FIVE BUSINESS DAYS BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE, AS EXTENDED. If you request
any such documents from us, we will mail them to you by first class mail, or
another equally prompt means, within one business day after we receive your
request.
25
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------- SIX MONTHS ENDED
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 JUNE 30, 2003
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----------------
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.... 4.5 2.7 3.6 3.8 2.1 2.6
For purposes of this ratio (a) earnings consist of income from continuing
operations before income taxes and fixed charges and (b) fixed charges consist
of all interest deductions, the interest component of rentals and preference
security dividends of consolidated subsidiaries.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The exchange offer is intended to satisfy our obligations under the
Registration Rights Agreement that we entered into in connection with the
private offering of the outstanding bonds. We will not receive any cash proceeds
from the issuance of the exchange bonds in the exchange offer. In consideration
for issuing the exchange bonds as contemplated in this prospectus, we will
receive in exchange a like principal amount of outstanding bonds, the terms of
which are identical in all material respects to the exchange bonds. The
outstanding bonds surrendered in exchange for the exchange bonds will be retired
and canceled and cannot be reissued. Accordingly, issuance of the exchange bonds
will not result in any change in our capitalization.
We received net proceeds of approximately $496.4 million from the offering
and sale of the outstanding bonds, after deducting discounts, commissions and
other expenses of the offering of the outstanding bonds payable by us.
The net proceeds from the offering of the outstanding bonds were used (i)
to pay upon maturity $100 million of a series of 6.625% First and Refunding
Mortgage Bonds due in February 2003, (ii) to repay approximately $200 million of
an intercompany loan bearing a weighted average interest rate of 1.49% and a
maturity of less than one year and (iii) for general corporate purposes. The
intercompany loan was incurred by Duke Energy for general corporate purposes.
26
SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following selected historical consolidated financial information (1)
for the years ended December 31, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999 and 1998 has been
derived from our audited consolidated financial statements and (2) for the six
month periods ended June 30, 2003 and June 30, 2002 has been derived from our
unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
You should read the following table in conjunction with our "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and
consolidated financial statements and the related notes that are incorporated by
reference in this prospectus.
Six Months
Ended
June 30, Year Ended December 31,
----------------- ------------------------------------------------
2003 2002 2002 2001 2000 1999 (a) 1998
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------
(in millions, except per share amounts)
INCOME STATEMENT
Operating revenues(b)............ $11,573 $ 6,925 $15,663 $18,197 $15,342 $10,135 $ 8,636
Operating expenses(b)............ 9,974 5,400 13,212 14,494 12,253 8,560 6,278
Gains on sale of other assets,
net............................ 8 46 49 238 214 132 48
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Operating income................. 1,607 1,571 2,500 3,941 3,303 1,707 2,406
Other income and expenses, net... 387 256 369 315 711 336 241
Interest expense................. 681 472 1,110 785 911 601 514
Minority interest expense........ 112 94 107 327 307 142 96
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Earnings before income taxes..... 1,201 1,261 1,652 3,144 2,796 1,300 2,037
Income taxes..................... 390 405 618 1,150 1,020 453 777
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Income before extraordinary item
and cumulative effect of change
in accounting principles....... 811 856 1,034 1,994 1,776 847 1,260
Extraordinary gain (loss), net of
tax............................ -- -- -- -- -- 660 (8)
Cumulative effect of change in
accounting principles, net of
tax and minority interest...... (162) -- -- (96) -- -- --
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Net income....................... 649 856 1,034 1,898 1,776 1,507 1,252
Preferred and preference stock
dividends...................... 10 7 13 14 19 20 21
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
Earnings available for common
stockholders................... $ 639 $ 849 $ 1,021 $ 1,884 $ 1,757 $ 1,487 $ 1,231
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
COMMON STOCK DATA(c)
Shares of common stock
outstanding
Period-end....................... 904 832 895 777 739 733 726
Weighted average................. 899 809 836 767 736 729 722
Earnings per share (before
extraordinary item and
cumulative effect of change in
accounting principle)
Basic............................ $ 0.89 $ 1.05 $ 1.22 $ 2.58 $ 2.39 $ 1.13 $ 1.72
Diluted.......................... 0.89 1.04 1.22 2.56 2.38 1.13 1.71
Earnings per share
Basic............................ $ 0.71 $ 1.05 $ 1.22 $ 2.45 $ 2.39 $ 2.04 $ 1.70
Diluted.......................... 0.71 1.04 1.22 2.44 2.38 2.03 1.70
Dividends per share.............. 0.825 0.825 1.10 1.10 1.10 1.10 1.10
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- ------- -------
BALANCE SHEET
Total assets..................... $64,178 $65,192 $60,966 $48,531 $58,232 $33,409 $26,806
Long-term debt, less current
maturities..................... 21,095 18,319 20,221 12,321 10,717 8,683 6,272
27
---------------
(a) Financial information reflects a pre-tax $800 million charge for estimated
injuries and damages claims. The earnings-per-share effect of this charge
was $0.67 per share.
(b) Operating revenues and expenses for 1998 through 2002 have been updated to
the extent required to show the impact of the gross versus net presentation
of revenues under the partial consensus reached in June 2002 on Emerging
Issues Task Force Issue (EITF) No. 02-03, "Issues Involved in Accounting for
Derivative Contracts Held for Trading and Risk Management Activities." In
the calculation of net revenues, Duke Energy has continued to enhance its
methodologies around the application of this complex accounting literature
since the third quarter of 2002 when these trading revenues were first
reported on a net basis. Effective January 1, 2003, in connection with the
implementation of the remaining provisions of EITF Issue No. 02-03, gains
and losses for certain derivative and non-derivative contracts that were
previously reported on a net basis are now reported on a gross basis.
Adopting the final consensus on EITF Issue No. 02-03 did not require a
change to prior periods.
(c) Amounts prior to 2001 were restated to reflect the two-for-one common stock
split effective January 26, 2001.
28
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
GENERAL
Duke Energy hereby offers, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set
forth in this prospectus and in the accompanying letter of transmittal (which
together constitute the exchange offer), to exchange up to $500 million
aggregate principal amount of our First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds, 3.75%
Series A due 2008, which we refer to in this prospectus as the outstanding
bonds, for a like aggregate principal amount of our First and Refunding Mortgage
Bonds, 3.75% Series B due 2008, which we refer to in this prospectus as the
exchange bonds, properly tendered prior to the expiration date and not withdrawn
as permitted pursuant to the procedures described below. The exchange offer is
being made with respect to all of the outstanding bonds.
As of the date of this prospectus, $500 million aggregate principal amount
of the outstanding bonds is outstanding. This prospectus, together with the
letter of transmittal, is first being sent on or about August 15, 2003, to all
holders of outstanding bonds known to Duke Energy. Duke Energy's obligation to
accept outstanding bonds for exchange pursuant to the exchange offer is subject
to conditions set forth under "-- Conditions to the Exchange Offer" below. Duke
Energy currently expects that each of the conditions will be satisfied and that
no waivers will be necessary.
PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
We have entered into a Registration Rights Agreement with the initial
purchasers of the outstanding bonds in which we agreed to file a registration
statement relating to an offer to exchange the outstanding bonds for exchange
bonds. We also agreed to use our reasonable best efforts to cause the exchange
offer registration statement to become effective under the Securities Act within
210 days after the closing date and keep the exchange offer registration
statement effective for not less than 20 business days after the date notice of
the registered exchange offer is mailed to the holders (or longer if required by
applicable law). The exchange bonds will have terms substantially identical to
the outstanding bonds, except that the exchange bonds will not contain terms
with respect to transfer restrictions, registration rights and additional
interest for failure to timely exchange or register the bonds as required by the
Registration Rights Agreement. The outstanding bonds were issued on February 25,
2003.
Under the circumstances set forth in the Registration Rights Agreement, we
will use our reasonable best efforts to cause the SEC to declare effective a
shelf registration statement with respect to the resale of the outstanding bonds
and keep the statement effective for up to the earliest of (i) two years from
the date the outstanding bonds were originally issued by us, (ii) the date on
which the outstanding bonds become eligible for resale without volume
limitations pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, or (iii) for such
shorter period that will terminate when all outstanding bonds covered by the
shelf registration statement have been sold pursuant to the shelf registration
statement or cease to be outstanding or otherwise to be outstanding bonds.
If we fail to consummate the exchange offer on or prior to September 23,
2003, we will be required to pay additional interest of 0.25% per annum to
holders of the outstanding bonds until the exchange offer is consummated.
Each holder of outstanding bonds that wishes to exchange outstanding bonds
for transferable exchange bonds in the exchange offer will be required to make
the following representations:
- any exchange bonds will be acquired in the ordinary course of its
business;
- the holder will have no arrangements or understanding with any person to
participate in the distribution of the outstanding bonds or the exchange
bonds within the meaning of the Securities Act;
- the holder is not an "affiliate," as defined in Rule 405 of the
Securities Act, of ours;
29
- if the holder is not a broker-dealer, that it is not engaged in, and does
not intend to engage in, the distribution of the exchange bonds; and
- if the holder is a broker-dealer, that it will receive exchange bonds for
its own account in exchange for outstanding bonds that were acquired as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities and that
it will be required to acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in
connection with any resale of the exchange bonds. See "Plan of
Distribution."
RESALE OF EXCHANGE BONDS
Based on interpretations of the SEC staff set forth in no-action letters
issued to unrelated third parties, we believe that exchange bonds issued under
the exchange offer in exchange for outstanding bonds may be offered for resale,
resold and otherwise transferred by any exchange bond holder without compliance
with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act,
if:
- the holder is not an "affiliate" of ours within the meaning of Rule 405
under the Securities Act;
- the exchange bonds are acquired in the ordinary course of the holder's
business; and
- the holder does not intend to participate in the distribution of the
exchange bonds.
Any holder who tenders in the exchange offer with the intention of
participating in any manner in a distribution of the exchange bonds:
- cannot rely on the position of the staff of the SEC enunciated in Exxon
Capital Holdings Corporation or similar interpretive letters; and
- must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of
the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction.
This prospectus may be used for an offer to resell, for the resale or for
other retransfer of exchange bonds only as specifically set forth in this
prospectus. With regard to broker-dealers, only broker-dealers that acquired the
outstanding bonds as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities may participate in the exchange offer. Each broker-dealer that
receives exchange bonds for its own account in exchange for outstanding bonds,
where the outstanding bonds were acquired by the broker-dealer as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities, must acknowledge that it
will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of the exchange bonds.
Please read the section captioned "Plan of Distribution" for more details
regarding the transfer of exchange bonds.
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus
and in the accompanying letter of transmittal, we will accept for exchange any
outstanding bonds properly tendered and not withdrawn prior to the expiration
date. We will issue $1,000 principal amount of exchange bonds in exchange for
each $1,000 principal amount of outstanding bonds surrendered under the exchange
offer. Outstanding bonds may be tendered only in integral multiples of $1,000.
The form and terms of the exchange bonds will be substantially identical to
the form and terms of the outstanding bonds except the exchange bonds will be
registered under the Securities Act, will not bear legends restricting their
transfer and will not provide for any additional amounts upon our failure to
fulfill our obligations under the Registration Rights Agreement to file, and
cause to be effective, a registration statement. The exchange bonds will
evidence the same debt as the outstanding bonds. The exchange bonds will be
issued under and entitled to the benefits of the same Mortgage that authorized
the issuance of the outstanding bonds.
The exchange offer is not conditioned upon any minimum aggregate principal
amount of outstanding bonds being tendered for exchange.
30
As of the date of this prospectus, $500 million aggregate principal amount
of the outstanding bonds are outstanding. This prospectus and a letter of
transmittal are being sent to all registered holders of outstanding bonds. There
will be no fixed record date for determining registered holders of outstanding
bonds entitled to participate in the exchange offer.
We intend to conduct the exchange offer in accordance with the provisions
of the exchange offer and Registration Rights Agreement, the applicable
requirements of the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and
the rules and regulations of the SEC. Outstanding bonds that are not tendered
for exchange in the exchange offer will remain outstanding and continue to
accrue interest and will be entitled to the rights and benefits the holders have
under the Mortgage relating to the outstanding bonds, except for any rights
under the Mortgage or the Registration Rights Agreement that by their terms
terminate upon the consummation of the exchange offer.
We will be deemed to have accepted for exchange properly tendered
outstanding bonds when we have given oral (promptly confirmed in writing) or
written notice of the acceptance to the exchange agent. The exchange agent will
act as agent for the tendering holders for the purposes of receiving the
exchange bonds from us and delivering exchange bonds to the holders. Under the
terms of the exchange offer and Registration Rights Agreement, we reserve the
right to amend or terminate the exchange offer, and not to accept for exchange
any outstanding bonds not previously accepted for exchange, upon the occurrence
of any of the conditions specified below under the caption "-- Conditions to the
Exchange Offer."
Holders who tender outstanding bonds in the exchange offer will not be
required to pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the instructions in
the letter of transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of
outstanding bonds. We will pay all charges and expenses, other than applicable
taxes described below, in connection with the exchange offer. It is important
that you read the section labeled "-- Fees and Expenses" below for more details
regarding fees and expenses incurred in the exchange offer.
EXPIRATION DATE; EXTENSIONS; AMENDMENTS
The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time on
September 17, 2003, unless in our sole discretion we extend it.
In order to extend the exchange offer, we will notify the exchange agent
orally (promptly confirmed in writing) or in writing of any extension. We will
notify the registered holders of outstanding bonds of the extension no later
than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the business day after the previously
scheduled expiration date.
We reserve the right, in our sole discretion:
- to delay accepting for exchange any outstanding bonds;
- to extend the exchange offer or to terminate the exchange offer and to
refuse to accept outstanding bonds not previously accepted if any of the
conditions set forth below under "-- Conditions to the Exchange Offer"
have not been satisfied, by giving oral (promptly confirmed in writing)
or written notice of the delay, extension or termination to the exchange
agent; or
- under the terms of the exchange offer and Registration Rights Agreement,
to amend the terms of the exchange offer in any manner.
Any delay in acceptance, extension, termination, or amendment will be
followed as promptly as practicable by oral or written notice to the registered
holders of outstanding bonds. If we amend the exchange offer in a manner that we
determine constitutes a material change, we will promptly disclose the amendment
in a manner reasonably calculated to inform the holder of outstanding bonds of
the amendment.
Without limiting the manner in which we may choose to make public
announcements of any delay in acceptance, extension, termination or amendment of
the exchange offer, we will have no obligation to
31
publish, advertise, or otherwise communicate any public announcement, other than
by making a timely release to a financial news service.
If extended, the offer will not remain open later than November 14, 2003.
CONDITIONS TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER
Despite any other term of the exchange offer, we will not be required to
accept for exchange, or exchange any exchange bonds for, any outstanding bonds,
and we may terminate the exchange offer as provided in this prospectus before
accepting any outstanding bonds for exchange if in our reasonable judgment:
- the exchange bonds to be received will not be tradable by the holder,
without restriction under the Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act
and without material restrictions under the blue sky or securities laws
of substantially all of the states of the United States;
- the exchange offer, or the making of any exchange by a holder of
outstanding bonds, would violate applicable law or any applicable
interpretation of the staff of the SEC; or
- any action or proceeding has been instituted or threatened in any court
or by or before any governmental agency with respect to the exchange
offer that, in our judgment, would reasonably be expected to impair our
ability to proceed with the exchange offer.
In addition, we will not be obligated to accept for exchange the
outstanding bonds of any holder that has not made to us:
- the representations described under "-- Purpose and Effect of the
Exchange Offer," "-- Procedures for Tendering" and "Plan of
Distribution;" and
- such other representations as may be reasonably necessary under
applicable SEC rules, regulations or interpretations to make available to
it an appropriate form for registration of the exchange bonds under the
Securities Act.
We expressly reserve the right, at any time or at various times, to extend
the period of time during which the exchange offer is open. Consequently, we may
delay acceptance of any outstanding bonds by giving oral or written notice of
the extension to their holders. During any such extensions, all bonds previously
tendered will remain subject to the exchange offer, and we may accept them for
exchange. We will return any outstanding bonds that we do not accept for
exchange for any reason without expense to their tendering holder as promptly as
practicable after the expiration or termination of the exchange offer.
We expressly reserve the right to amend or terminate the exchange offer,
and to reject for exchange any outstanding bonds not previously accepted for
exchange, upon the occurrence of any of the conditions of the exchange offer
specified above. We will give oral or written notice of any extension,
amendment, nonacceptance, or termination to the holders of the outstanding bonds
as promptly as practicable.
These conditions are for our sole benefit and we may assert them regardless
of the circumstances that may give rise to them or waive them in whole or in
part at any or at various times prior to the expiration of the offer in our sole
discretion. If we fail at any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights, this
failure will not constitute a waiver of this right. Each right will be deemed an
ongoing right that we may assert at any time or at various times prior to the
expiration of the offer.
In addition, we will not accept for exchange any outstanding bonds
tendered, and will not issue exchange bonds in exchange for any outstanding
bonds, if at the time any stop order will be threatened or in effect with
respect to the registration statement of which this prospectus constitutes a
part or the qualification of the Eighty-First Supplemental Indenture under the
Trust Indenture Act.
32
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING
Only a holder of outstanding bonds may tender the outstanding bonds in the
exchange offer. To tender in the exchange offer, a holder must:
- complete, sign and date the accompanying letter of transmittal, or a
facsimile of the letter of transmittal; have the signature on the letter
of transmittal guaranteed if the letter of transmittal so requires; and
mail or deliver the letter of transmittal or facsimile to the exchange
agent prior to the expiration date; or
- comply with DTC's Automated Tender Offer Program procedures described
below.
In addition, either:
- the exchange agent must receive the outstanding bonds along with the
accompanying letter of transmittal;
- the exchange agent must receive, prior to the expiration date, a timely
confirmation of book-entry transfer of the outstanding bonds into the
exchange agent's account at DTC according to the procedures for
book-entry transfer described below and a properly transmitted agent's
message; or
- the holder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures described
below.
To be tendered effectively, the exchange agent must receive any physical
delivery of a letter of transmittal and other required documents at the address
set forth below under "-- Exchange Agent" prior to the expiration date.
The tender by a holder that is not withdrawn prior to the expiration date
will constitute an agreement between the holder and us in accordance with the
terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and in the
accompanying letter of transmittal.
The method of delivery of outstanding bonds, the letter of transmittal and
all other required documents to the exchange agent is at the holder's election
and risk. Rather than mail these items, we recommend that holders use an
overnight or hand delivery service. In all cases, holders should allow
sufficient time to assure delivery to the exchange agent before the expiration
date. Holders should not send the letter of transmittal or outstanding bonds to
us. Holders may request their respective brokers, dealers, commercial banks,
trust companies or other nominees to effect the above transactions for them.
Any beneficial owner whose outstanding bonds are registered in the name of
a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and who wishes
to tender should contact the registered holder promptly and instruct it to
tender on the owner's behalf. If the beneficial owner wishes to tender on its
own behalf, it must, prior to completing and executing the accompanying letter
of transmittal and delivering its outstanding bonds either:
- make appropriate arrangements to register ownership of the outstanding
bonds in such owner's name; or
- obtain a properly completed bond power from the registered holder of
outstanding bonds.
The transfer of registered ownership may take considerable time and may not
be completed prior to the expiration date.
Signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice of withdrawal described
below must be guaranteed by a member firm of a registered national securities
exchange or of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., a
commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United
States
33
or another "eligible guarantor institution" within the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15
under the Exchange Act, unless the outstanding bonds are tendered:
- by a registered holder who has not completed the box entitled "Special
Issuance Instructions" or "Special Delivery Instructions" on the
accompanying letter of transmittal; or
- for the account of an eligible guarantor institution.
If the accompanying letter of transmittal is signed by a person other than
the registered holder of any outstanding bonds listed on the outstanding bonds,
the outstanding bonds must be endorsed or accompanied by a properly completed
bond power. The bond power must be signed by the registered holder as the
registered holder's name appears on the outstanding bonds and an eligible
guarantor institution must guarantee the signature on the bond power.
If the accompanying letter of transmittal or any outstanding bonds or bond
powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians,
attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or
representative capacity, these persons should so indicate when signing. Unless
waived by us, they should also submit evidence satisfactory to us of their
authority to deliver the accompanying letter of transmittal.
The exchange agent and DTC have confirmed that any financial institution
that is a participant in DTC's system may use DTC's Automated Tender Offer
Program to tender. Participants in the program may, instead of physically
completing and signing the accompanying letter of transmittal and delivering it
to the exchange agent, transmit their acceptance of the exchange offer
electronically. They may do so by causing DTC to transfer the outstanding bonds
to the exchange agent in accordance with its procedures for transfer. DTC will
then send an agent's message to the exchange agent. The term "agent's message"
means a message transmitted by DTC, received by the exchange agent and forming
part of the book-entry confirmation, to the effect that:
- DTC has received an express acknowledgment from a participant in its
Automated Tender Offer Program that is tendering outstanding bonds that
are the subject of the book-entry confirmation;
- the participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the
accompanying letter of transmittal, or, in the case of an agent's message
relating to guaranteed delivery, that the participant has received and
agrees to be bound by the applicable notice of guaranteed delivery; and
- the agreement may be enforced against that participant.
We will determine in our sole discretion all outstanding questions as to
the validity, form, eligibility, including time of receipt, acceptance of
tendered outstanding bonds and withdrawal of tendered outstanding bonds. Our
determination will be final and binding. We reserve the absolute right to reject
any outstanding bonds not properly tendered or any outstanding bonds the
acceptance of which would, in the opinion of our counsel, be unlawful. We also
reserve the right to waive any defects, irregularities or conditions of tender
as to particular outstanding bonds. Our interpretation of the terms and
conditions of the exchange offer, including the instructions in the accompanying
letter of transmittal, will be final and binding on all parties. Unless waived,
any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of outstanding bonds
must be cured within such time as we will determine. Although we intend to
notify holders of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of
outstanding bonds, neither we, the exchange agent nor any other person will
incur any liability for failure to give the notification. Tenders of outstanding
bonds will not be deemed made until any defects or irregularities have been
cured or waived. Any outstanding bonds received by the exchange agent that are
not properly tendered and as to which the defects or irregularities have not
been cured or waived will be returned by the exchange agent without cost to the
tendering holder, unless otherwise provided in the letter of transmittal, as
soon as practicable following the expiration date.
34
In all cases, we will issue exchange bonds for outstanding bonds that we
have accepted for exchange under the exchange offer only after the exchange
agent timely receives:
- outstanding bonds or a timely book-entry confirmation of the outstanding
bonds into the exchange agent's account at DTC; and
- a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal and all
other required documents or a properly transmitted agent's message.
By signing the accompanying letter of transmittal or authorizing the
transmission of the agent's message, each tendering holder of outstanding bonds
will represent or be deemed to have represented to us that, among other things:
- any exchange bonds that the holder receives will be acquired in the
ordinary course of its business;
- the holder has no arrangement or understanding with any person or entity
to participate in the distribution of the exchange bonds;
- if the holder is not a broker-dealer, that it is not engaged in and does
not intend to engage in the distribution of the exchange bonds;
- if the holder is a broker-dealer that will receive exchange bonds for its
own account in exchange for outstanding bonds that were acquired as a
result of market-making activities or other trading activities, that it
will deliver a prospectus, as required by law, in connection with any
resale of any exchange bonds. See "Plan of Distribution;" and
- the holder is not an "affiliate," as defined in Rule 405 of the
Securities Act, of ours.
BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
The exchange agent will make a request to establish an account with respect
to the outstanding bonds at DTC for purposes of the exchange offer promptly
after the date of this prospectus. Any financial institution participating in
DTC's system may make book-entry delivery of outstanding bonds by causing DTC to
transfer the outstanding bonds into the exchange agent's account at DTC in
accordance with DTC's procedures for transfer. Holders of outstanding bonds who
are unable to deliver confirmation of the book-entry tender of their outstanding
bonds into the exchange agent's account at DTC or all other documents required
by the letter of transmittal to the exchange agent prior to the expiration date
must tender their outstanding bonds according to the guaranteed delivery
procedures described below.
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES
Holders wishing to tender their outstanding bonds but whose outstanding
bonds are not immediately available or who cannot deliver their outstanding
bonds, the accompanying letter of transmittal or any other required documents to
the exchange agent or comply with the applicable procedures under DTC's
Automated Tender Offer Program prior to the expiration date may tender if:
- the tender is made through an eligible guarantor institution;
- prior to the expiration date, the exchange agent receives from the
eligible guarantor institution either a properly completed and duly
executed notice of guaranteed delivery, by facsimile transmission, mail
or hand delivery, or a properly transmitted agent's message relating to
guaranteed delivery:
1. setting forth the name and address of the holder, the registered
number(s) of the outstanding bonds and the principal amount of
outstanding bonds tendered;
2. stating that the tender is being made thereby; and
3. guaranteeing that, within three New York Stock Exchange trading days
after the expiration date, the accompanying letter of transmittal, or
facsimile thereof, together with the outstanding
35
bonds or a book-entry confirmation, and any other documents required
by the accompanying letter of transmittal will be deposited by the
eligible guarantor institution with the exchange agent; and
- the exchange agent receives the properly completed and executed letter of
transmittal, or facsimile thereof, as well as all tendered outstanding
bonds in proper form for transfer or a book-entry confirmation, and all
other documents required by the accompanying letter of transmittal,
within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the expiration
date.
Upon request to the exchange agent, a notice of guaranteed delivery will be
sent to holders who wish to tender their outstanding bonds according to the
guaranteed delivery procedures set forth above.
WITHDRAWAL OF TENDERS
Except as otherwise provided in this prospectus, holders of outstanding
bonds may withdraw their tenders at any time prior to the expiration date.
For a withdrawal to be effective:
- the exchange agent must receive a written notice of withdrawal, which
notice may be by telegram, telex, facsimile transmission or letter of
withdrawal at the address set forth below under "-- Exchange Agent," or
- holders must comply with the appropriate procedures of DTC's Automated
Tender Offer Program system.
Any notice of withdrawal must:
- specify the name of the person who tendered the outstanding bonds to be
withdrawn;
- identify the outstanding bonds to be withdrawn, including the principal
amount of the outstanding bonds; and
- where certificates for outstanding bonds have been transmitted, specify
the name in which the outstanding bonds were registered, if different
from that of the withdrawing holder.
If certificates for outstanding bonds have been delivered or otherwise
identified to the exchange agent, then, prior to the release of the
certificates, the withdrawing holder must also submit:
- the serial numbers of the particular certificates to be withdrawn; and
- a signed notice of withdrawal with signatures guaranteed by an eligible
guarantor institution unless the holder is an eligible guarantor
institution.
If outstanding bonds have been tendered pursuant to the procedure for
book-entry transfer described above, any notice of withdrawal must specify the
name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawn
outstanding bonds and otherwise comply with the procedures of that facility. We
will determine all questions as to the validity, form and eligibility, including
time of receipt, of the notices, and our determination will be final and binding
on all parties. We will deem any outstanding bonds so withdrawn not to have been
validly tendered for exchange for purposes of the exchange offer. Any
outstanding bonds that have been tendered for exchange but that are not
exchanged for any reason will be returned to their holder without cost to the
holder, or, in the case of outstanding bonds tendered by book-entry transfer
into the exchange agent's account at DTC according to the procedures described
above, the outstanding bonds will be credited to an account maintained with DTC
for outstanding bonds, as soon as practicable after withdrawal, rejection of
tender or termination of the exchange offer. Properly withdrawn, outstanding
bonds may be retendered by following one of the procedures described under
"-- Procedures for Tendering" above at any time prior to the expiration date.
36
EXCHANGE AGENT
JPMorgan Chase Bank has been appointed as exchange agent for the exchange
offer. You should direct questions and requests for assistance, requests for
additional copies of this prospectus or for the letter of transmittal and
requests for the notice of guaranteed delivery to the exchange agent as follows:
By Regular Mail: By Registered, Certified Mail, By Facsimile Transmission
Overnight Courier or Hand: (for Eligible Guarantor
JPMorgan Chase Bank Institutions only):
ITS Bond Events JPMorgan Chase Bank
P.O. Box 2320 ITS Bond Events (214) 468-6494
Dallas, TX 75221 2001 Bryan Street, 9th Floor Attention: Frank Ivins
Dallas, TX 75201
Attention: Frank Ivins To Confirm by Telephone:
(214) 468-6464
DELIVERY OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH
ABOVE OR TRANSMISSION VIA FACSIMILE OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE DOES NOT
CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY OF THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
FEES AND EXPENSES
We will bear the expenses of soliciting tenders. The principal solicitation
is being made by mail; however, we may make additional solicitations by
telephone or in person by our officers and regular employees and those of our
affiliates.
We have not retained any dealer-manager in connection with the exchange
offer and will not make any payments to broker-dealers or others soliciting
acceptance of the exchange offer. We will, however, pay the exchange agent
reasonable and customary fees for its services and reimburse it for its related
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
We will pay the cash expenses to be incurred in connection with the
exchange offer. The expenses are estimated in the aggregate to be approximately
$200,000. They include:
- SEC registration fees;
- fees and expenses of the exchange agent and Trustee;
- accounting and legal fees and printing costs; and
- related fees and expenses.
TRANSFER TAXES
We will pay all transfer taxes, if any, applicable to the exchange of
outstanding bonds under the exchange offer. The tendering holder, however, will
be required to pay any transfer taxes, whether imposed on the registered holder
or any other person, if:
- certificates representing outstanding bonds for principal amounts not
tendered or accepted for exchange are to be delivered to, or are to be
issued in the name of, any person other than the registered holder of
outstanding bonds tendered;
- tendered outstanding bonds are registered in the name of any person other
than the person signing the letter of transmittal; or
- a transfer tax is imposed for any reason other than the exchange of
outstanding bonds under the exchange offer.
If satisfactory evidence of payment of the taxes is not submitted with the
letter of transmittal, the amount of the transfer taxes will be billed to that
tendering holder.
Holders who tender their outstanding bonds for exchange will not be
required to pay any transfer taxes. However, holders who instruct us to register
exchange bonds in the name of, or request that
37
outstanding bonds not tendered or not accepted in the exchange offer be returned
to, a person other than the registered tendering holder will be required to pay
any applicable transfer tax.
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE
Holders of outstanding bonds who do not exchange their outstanding bonds
for exchange bonds under the exchange offer will remain subject to the
restrictions on transfer of the outstanding bonds:
- as set forth in the legend printed on the outstanding bonds as a
consequence of the issuance of the outstanding bonds under the exemption
from, or in transactions not subject to, the registration requirements of
the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws; and
- otherwise as set forth in the offering memorandum distributed in
connection with the private offering of the outstanding bonds.
In general, you may not offer or sell the outstanding bonds unless they are
registered under the Securities Act, or if the offer or sale is exempt from
registration under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.
Except as required by the Registration Rights Agreement, we do not intend to
register resales of the outstanding bonds under the Securities Act. Based on
interpretations of the SEC staff, exchange bonds issued under the exchange offer
may be offered for resale, resold or otherwise transferred by their holders
(other than any holder that is our "affiliate" within the meaning of Rule 405
under the Securities Act) without compliance with the registration and
prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that the holders
acquired the exchange bonds in the ordinary course of the holders' business and
the holders have no arrangement or understanding with respect to the
distribution of the exchange bonds to be acquired in the exchange offer. Any
holder who tenders in the exchange offer for the purpose of participating in a
distribution of the exchange bonds:
- cannot rely on the applicable interpretations of the SEC; and
- must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of
the Securities Act in connection with a secondary resale transaction.
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
We will record the exchange bonds in our accounting records at the same
carrying value as the outstanding bonds, which is the aggregate principal
amount, as reflected in our accounting records on the date of exchange.
Accordingly, we will not recognize any gain or loss for accounting purposes in
connection with the exchange offer. We will amortize the expenses of the
exchange offer over the life of the exchange bonds.
OTHER
Participation in the exchange offer is voluntary, and you should carefully
consider whether to accept. You are urged to consult your financial and tax
advisors in making your own decision on what action to take.
We may in the future seek to acquire untendered outstanding bonds in open
market or privately negotiated transactions, through subsequent exchange offers
or otherwise. We have no present plans to acquire any outstanding bonds that are
not tendered in the exchange offer or to file a registration statement to permit
resales of any untendered outstanding bonds.
38
DESCRIPTION OF THE BONDS
The outstanding bonds were issued and the exchange bonds offered hereby
will be issued as part of a series of First and Refunding Mortgage Bonds under
our First and Refunding Mortgage, dated as of December 1, 1927, to JPMorgan
Chase Bank (formerly known as The Chase Manhattan Bank), as Trustee, as
supplemented and amended, including by the Eighty-First Supplemental Indenture,
dated as of February 25, 2003. The First and Refunding Mortgage, as supplemented
and amended, is sometimes called the "Mortgage." The following description of
the bonds is only a summary and is not intended to be comprehensive. For
additional information you should refer to the Mortgage.
The following description is only a summary of the material provisions of
the Mortgage and the Registration Rights Agreement. We urge you to read the
Mortgage and the Registration Rights Agreement because they, not this
description, define your rights as holders of these bonds. You may request
copies of these agreements at our address set forth under the heading "Where You
Can Find More Information."
PRINCIPAL, MATURITY AND INTEREST
The exchange bonds will be limited in aggregate principal amount to
$500,000,000. We may issue additional bonds from time to time after the offering
of the exchange bonds. The amount of bonds that Duke Energy may issue under the
Mortgage is unlimited subject to the provisions stated below under "-- Issuance
of Additional Bonds." The bonds and any additional bonds subsequently issued
under the Mortgage will be treated as a single class for all purposes under the
Mortgage, including, without limitation, waivers, amendments, redemptions and
offers to purchase. Unless the context otherwise requires, for all purposes of
the Mortgage and this "Description of the Bonds," references to the bonds
include any additional bonds actually issued.
The bonds will mature on March 5, 2008. Interest on the bonds will accrue
at the rate of 3.75% per annum and will be payable semi-annually on March 5 and
September 5 of each year, commencing on September 5, 2003, to the holder of
record at the close of business on the 15th day preceding the applicable
interest payment date until the relevant principal amount has been paid or made
available for payment. Interest on these bonds accrues from the date of original
issuance or, if interest has already been paid, from the date it was most
recently paid. Interest on the bonds will be computed on the basis of a 360-day
year consisting of twelve 30-day months.
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
We will have the right to redeem the bonds, in whole or in part at any time
and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (1) 100% of
the principal amount of the bonds to be redeemed and (2) the sum of the present
values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on such
bonds (exclusive of interest accrued to the redemption date) discounted to the
redemption date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of
twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 15 basis points, plus, in either
case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to such
redemption date.
"Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security
selected by the Quotation Agent as having a maturity comparable to the remaining
term of the bonds to be redeemed that would be utilized, at the time of
selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new
issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term
of such bonds.
"Comparable Treasury Price" means with respect to any redemption date for
bonds, the average of three Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such
redemption date.
"Quotation Agent" means a Reference Treasury Dealer appointed by us.
"Reference Treasury Dealers" means Banc One Capital Markets, Inc., Deutsche
Bank Securities Inc. and UBS Securities LLC, and their respective successors;
provided, however, that if any of the foregoing
39
shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in the United
States (a "Primary Treasury Dealer"), we will substitute therefor another
Primary Treasury Dealer.
"Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each
Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by
the Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in
writing to the Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer at 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on the third business day preceding such redemption date.
"Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any redemption date, (1) the yield,
under the heading which represents the average for the immediately preceding
week, appearing in the most recently published statistical release designated
"H.15 (519)" or any successor publication which is published weekly by the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and which establishes yields on
actively traded United States Treasury securities adjusted to constant maturity
under the caption "Treasury Constant Maturities," for the maturity corresponding
to the Comparable Treasury Issue (if no maturity is within three months before
or after the maturity date of the bonds to be redeemed, yields for the two
published maturities most closely corresponding to the Comparable Treasury Issue
shall be determined, and the Treasury Rate shall be interpolated or extrapolated
from such yields on a straight-line basis, rounding to the nearest month) or (2)
if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week
preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per
year equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity of the Comparable
Treasury Issue, calculated using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable
Treasury Price for such redemption date. The Treasury Rate will be calculated on
the third business day preceding the redemption date.
REDEMPTION PROCEDURES
We will provide not less than 30 nor more than 60 days' notice mailed to
each registered holder of the bonds to be redeemed. If the redemption notice is
given and funds deposited as required, then interest will cease to accrue on and
after the redemption date on the bonds or portions of such bonds called for
redemption. In the event that any redemption date is not a business day, we will
pay the redemption price on the next business day without any interest or other
payment due to the delay.
SECURITY
The Mortgage creates a continuing lien to secure the payment of principal
and interest on the bonds. All the bonds are equally and ratably secured without
preference, priority or distinction. With some exceptions, the lien of the
Mortgage covers substantially all of Duke Energy's properties, real, personal
and mixed, and Duke Energy's franchises, including properties acquired after the
date of the Mortgage and after the date hereof. Those exceptions include cash,
accounts receivable, inventories of materials and supplies, merchandise held for
sale, securities that Duke Energy holds, after-acquired property not useful in
Duke Energy's electric business, after-acquired franchises and after-acquired
non-electric properties. No appraisal of the value of the properties subject to
the lien has been made in connection with this offering. The value of the
properties in the event of liquidation will depend on market and economic
conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. In the event of
liquidation, if the proceeds were not sufficient to repay amounts outstanding
under the bonds, then holders of the bonds, to the extent not repaid from the
proceeds of the sale of the collateral, would only have an unsecured claim
against our remaining assets. As of June 30, 2003, we had total senior secured
indebtedness of approximately $1,290 million and total senior unsecured
indebtedness of approximately $4,599 million.
The lien of the Mortgage is subject to permitted liens and to liens that
exist upon properties that Duke Energy acquired after it entered into the
Mortgage to the extent of the amounts of prior lien bonds secured by those
properties (not, however, exceeding 75% of the cost or value of those
properties) and additions to those properties. "Prior lien bonds" are bonds or
other indebtedness that are secured at the
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time of acquisition by a lien upon property that Duke Energy acquires after the
date of the Mortgage that becomes subject to the lien of the Mortgage.
ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL BONDS
If Duke Energy satisfies the conditions in the Mortgage, the Trustee may
authenticate and deliver additional bonds in an aggregate principal amount not
exceeding:
- the amount of cash that Duke Energy has deposited with the Trustee for
that purpose;
- the amount of previously authenticated and delivered bonds or refundable
prior lien bonds that have been or are to be retired which, with some
exceptions, Duke Energy has deposited with the Trustee for that purpose;
or
- 66 2/3% of the aggregate of the net amounts of additional property
(electric) certified to the Trustee after February 18, 1949.
The Trustee may not authenticate and deliver any additional bonds under the
Mortgage, other than some types of refunding bonds, unless Duke Energy's
available net earnings for twelve consecutive calendar months within the
immediately preceding fifteen calendar months have been at least twice the
amount of the annual interest charges on all bonds outstanding under the
Mortgage, including the bonds proposed to be issued, and on all outstanding
prior lien bonds that the Trustee does not hold under the Mortgage.
We may not apply to the Trustee to authenticate and deliver any bonds (1)
in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $26 million on the basis of
additional property (electric) that Duke Energy acquired or constructed prior to
January 1, 1949 or (2) on the basis of bonds or prior lien bonds paid, purchased
or redeemed prior to February 1, 1949. We may not certify any additional
property (electric) which is subject to the lien of any prior lien bonds for the
purpose of establishing those prior lien bonds as refundable if the aggregate
principal amount of those prior lien bonds exceeds 66 2/3% of the net amount of
the additional property that is subject to the lien of such prior lien bonds.
RELEASE PROVISIONS
The Mortgage permits Duke Energy to dispose of certain property and to take
other actions without the Trustee releasing that property. The Mortgage also
permits the release of mortgaged property if we deposit cash or other
consideration equal to the value of the mortgaged property to be released. In
certain events and within certain limitations, the Trustee is required to pay
out cash that the Trustee receives -- other than for the Replacement Fund or as
the basis for issuing bonds -- upon Duke Energy's application.
We may withdraw cash that we deposited with the Trustee as the basis for
issuing bonds in an amount equal to the principal amount of any bonds that we
are entitled to have authenticated and delivered on the basis of additional
property (electric), on the basis of bonds previously authenticated and
delivered or on the basis of refundable prior lien bonds.
REPLACEMENT FUND
The Mortgage requires Duke Energy to deposit with the Trustee annually, for
the Replacement Fund established under the Mortgage, the sum of the "replacement
requirements" for all years beginning with 1949 and ending with the last
calendar year preceding the deposit date, less certain deductions. Those
deductions are (1) the aggregate original cost of all fixed property (electric)
retired during that time period, not exceeding the aggregate of the gross
amounts of additional property (electric) that Duke Energy acquired or
constructed during the same period, and (2) the aggregate amount of cash that
Duke Energy deposited with the Trustee up to that time, or that Duke Energy
would have been required to deposit except for permitted reductions, under the
Replacement Fund.
The "replacement requirement" for any year is 2 1/2% of the average "amount
of depreciable fixed property" (electric) owned by Duke Energy at the beginning
and end of that year, not exceeding, however,
41
the amount Duke Energy is permitted to charge as an operating expense for
depreciation or retirement by any governmental authority, or the amount
deductible as depreciation or similar expense for federal income tax purposes.
The "amount of depreciable fixed property" (electric) is the amount by which the
sum of $192,913,385 plus the aggregate gross amount of all depreciable
additional property (electric) that Duke Energy acquired or constructed from
January 1, 1949 to the date as of which such amount is determined exceeds the
original cost of all of Duke Energy's depreciable fixed property (electric)
retired during that period or released from the lien of the Mortgage.
We may reduce the amount of cash at any time required to be deposited in
the Replacement Fund and may withdraw any cash that we previously deposited that
is held in the Replacement Fund:
- in an amount equal to 150% of the principal amount of bonds previously
authenticated and delivered under the Mortgage, or refundable prior lien
bonds, deposited with the Trustee and on the basis of which Duke Energy
would otherwise have been entitled to have additional bonds authenticated
and delivered; and
- in an amount equal to 150% of the principal amount of bonds which Duke
Energy would otherwise be entitled to have authenticated and delivered on
the basis of additional property (electric).
Upon Duke Energy's application, the Trustee will apply cash that Duke
Energy deposited in the Replacement Fund and has not previously withdrawn to the
payment, purchase or redemption of bonds issued under the Mortgage or to the
purchase of refundable prior lien bonds.
Duke Energy has never deposited any cash with the Trustee for the
Replacement Fund. If Duke Energy deposits any cash in the future, it has agreed
not to apply that cash to the redemption of the bonds as long as any bonds
presently outstanding remain outstanding.
AMENDMENTS OF THE MORTGAGE
We may amend the Mortgage with the consent of the holders of 66 2/3% in
principal amount of the bonds, except that no such amendment may:
- affect the terms of payment of principal at maturity or of interest or
premium on any bond;
- affect the rights of bondholders to sue to enforce any such payment at
maturity; or
- reduce the percentage of bonds required to consent to an amendment.
No amendment may affect the rights under the Mortgage of the holders of
less than all of the series of bonds outstanding unless the holders of 66 2/3%
in principal amount of the bonds of each series affected consent to the
amendment.
The covenants included in the Eighty-First Supplemental Indenture for the
bonds will be solely for the benefit of the holders of the bonds and the
exchange bonds referred to herein. We may modify any such covenant only with the
consent of the holders of 66 2/3% in principal amount of the bonds and any
exchange bonds outstanding, without the consent of holders of any other series
of bonds.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
The Trustee may, and at the written request of the holders of a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding bonds will, declare the principal of all
outstanding bonds due when any event of default under the Mortgage occurs. The
holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding bonds may, however,
waive the default and rescind the declaration if Duke Energy cures the default.
Events of default under the Mortgage include:
- default in the payment of principal;
- default for 60 days in the payment of interest;
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- default in the performance of any other covenant in the Mortgage
continuing for 60 days after the Trustee or the holders of not less than
10% in principal amount of the bonds then outstanding give notice of the
default;
- Duke Energy is adjudicated insolvent or bankrupt by decree of a court or
a receiver is appointed of all or any substantial part of the mortgaged
property in an insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding and the order or
decree remains unstayed and in effect for 60 days; and
- Duke Energy files a petition in voluntary bankruptcy, makes an assignment
for the benefit of creditors or consents to the appointment of a receiver
of all or any substantial part of the mortgaged property or to any
adjudication of insolvency or bankruptcy.
We provide a statement by our officers each year to the Trustee stating
whether we have complied with the covenants of the Mortgage.
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
JPMorgan Chase Bank (formerly known as The Chase Manhattan Bank) is the
Trustee and is also the senior indenture trustee and the subordinated indenture
trustee for Duke Energy under its unsecured senior indenture and subordinated
indenture, respectively. Duke Energy and some of its affiliates maintain deposit
accounts and banking relationships with JPMorgan Chase Bank. JPMorgan Chase Bank
also serves as trustee or agent under other indentures and agreements pursuant
to which securities of Duke Energy and of some of its affiliates are
outstanding. We have also appointed JPMorgan Chase Bank as registrar and paying
agent with regard to the bonds.
The Trustee is under no obligation to exercise any of its powers at the
request of any of the holders of the bonds unless those holders have offered to
the Trustee security or indemnity satisfactory to it against the cost, expenses
and liabilities it might incur as a result. The holders of a majority in
principal amount of the bonds outstanding may direct the time, method and place
of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or the
exercise of any trust or power of the Trustee. The Trustee will not be liable
for any action that it takes or omits to take in good faith in accordance with
any such direction.
BOOK-ENTRY
We will issue the exchange bonds in the form of one or more fully
registered global securities. The global securities will be deposited with, or
on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, and will be registered in
the name of DTC or its nominee. Investors may hold their beneficial interests in
a global security directly through DTC or indirectly through organizations which
are participants in the DTC system.
Unless and until they are exchanged in whole or in part for certificated
securities, the global securities may not be transferred except as a whole by
DTC or its nominee. DTC has advised us as follows:
- DTC is a limited purpose trust company organized under the laws of the
State of New York, a "banking organization" within the meaning of the New
York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a "clearing
corporation" within the meaning of the Uniform Commercial Code and a
"clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions of Section 17A of
the Exchange Act.
- DTC was created to hold securities for its participants and to facilitate
the clearance and settlement of securities transactions between
participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its
participants, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of
certificates. Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks,
trust companies and clearing corporations and other organizations.
Indirect access to the DTC system is available to others, including
banks, brokers, dealers and trust companies that clear through or
maintain a custodial relationship with a participant, either directly or
indirectly.
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Upon the issuance of the global securities, DTC or its custodian will
credit, on its internal system, the respective principal amounts of the
securities represented by the global securities to the accounts of those persons
who have accounts with DTC designated by the Initial Purchasers. Ownership of
beneficial interests in the global securities will be limited to persons who
have accounts with DTC or persons who hold interests through the persons who
have accounts with DTC. Persons who have accounts with DTC are referred to as
"participants." Ownership of beneficial interests in the global securities will
be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through,
records maintained by DTC or its nominee, with respect to interests of
participants, and the records of participants, with respect to interests of
persons other than participants.
As long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner or holder of the
global securities, DTC or the nominee, as the case may be, will be considered
the sole record owner or holder of the securities represented by the global
securities for all purposes under the Mortgage and the securities. No beneficial
owners of an interest in the global securities will be able to transfer that
interest except according to DTC's applicable procedures, in addition to those
provided for under the Mortgage. Owners of beneficial interests in the global
securities will not:
- be entitled to have the securities represented by the global securities
registered in their names,
- receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated
securities in definitive form, and
- be considered to be the owners or holders of any securities under the
global securities.
Accordingly, each person owning a beneficial interest in the global
securities must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if a person is not a
participant, on the procedures of the participant through which that person owns
its interests, to exercise any right of a holder of securities under the global
securities.
Payments of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the
securities represented by the global securities will be made by us to the
Trustee and from the Trustee to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the
registered owner of the global securities. Neither we, the Trustee, nor any
paying agent will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the
records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership
interests in the global securities or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing
any records relating to the beneficial ownership interests.
DTC has advised us that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on the global securities will credit
participants' accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their
respective beneficial ownership interests in the principal amount of the global
securities, as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee. Payments by
participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global securities held
through these participants will be governed by standing instructions and
customary practices, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of
customers registered in the names of nominees for these customers. These
payments will be the responsibility of these participants.
DTC has advised us that DTC will take any action permitted to be taken by a
holder of securities only at the direction of one or more participants to whose
account the DTC interests in the global securities are credited. Further, DTC
will take any action permitted to be taken by a holder of securities only in
respect of that portion of the aggregate principal amount of securities as to
which the participant or participants has or have given that direction.
Although DTC has agreed to these procedures in order to facilitate
transfers of interests in the global securities among participants of DTC, it is
under no obligation to perform these procedures, and may discontinue them at any
time. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility for the
performance by DTC or its participants or indirect participants of their
respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their
operations.
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Beneficial interests in global securities may be exchanged for certificated
securities only if:
- DTC notifies the Trustee that it is unwilling or unable to continue as a
depositary for the global securities or DTC ceases to be a clearing
agency registered under the Exchange Act and, in either case, we fail to
appoint a successor depositary within 90 days; or
- we decide at any time not to have the securities represented by global
securities and so notify the Trustee.
REGISTERED EXCHANGE OFFER; REGISTRATION RIGHTS
Registered Exchange Offer
The Company and the initial purchasers entered into the Registration Rights
Agreement on February 25, 2003, which we call the "issue date." We have agreed
pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement that we will:
(1) prepare and, as soon as practicable but not later than 130 calendar
days following the issue date, file with the SEC a registration
statement with respect to a registered offer, or the Registered
Exchange Offer, to exchange the outstanding bonds for a like principal
amount of exchange bonds of the Company;
(2) use our reasonable best efforts to cause the registration statement to
be declared effective under the Securities Act not later than 180
calendar days following the issue date;
(3) keep the Registered Exchange Offer open for not less than 20 business
days (or longer if required by applicable law) after the date notice of
the Registered Exchange Offer is mailed to the holders of the
outstanding bonds;
(4) use our reasonable best efforts to cause the exchange offer to be
consummated within 210 calendar days following the issue date; and
(5) promptly commence the exchange offer upon the effectiveness of the
Exchange Offer Registration Statement.
The consummation of the Exchange Offer Registration Statement is subject to
conditions set forth under "-- Conditions to the Exchange Offer."
For each outstanding bond tendered to us pursuant to the Registered
Exchange Offer, we will issue to the holder of such outstanding bond an exchange
bond having a principal amount equal to that of the surrendered outstanding
bond. Interest on the exchange bonds will accrue from the most recent interest
payment date to which interest has been paid on the outstanding bonds
surrendered in exchange therefor or, if no interest has been paid on such
outstanding bonds, from the date of original issuance.
Under existing SEC interpretations, the exchange bonds will be freely
transferable by holders other than our affiliates after the Registered Exchange
Offer without further registration under the Securities Act if the holder of the
exchange bonds represents to us in the Registered Exchange Offer that it is not
an affiliate of ours within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act,
(b) is not a broker-dealer tendering outstanding bonds acquired directly from us
for its own account, (c) acquired the exchange bonds in the ordinary course of
its business and (d) has no arrangements or understandings with any person to
participate in the exchange offer for the purpose of distributing the exchange
bonds); provided, however, that broker-dealers receiving exchange bonds in the
Registered Exchange Offer will have a prospectus delivery requirement with
respect to resales of such exchange bonds.
A holder of outstanding bonds who wishes to exchange such outstanding bonds
for exchange bonds in the Registered Exchange Offer will be required to
represent that any exchange bonds to be received by it will be acquired in the
ordinary course of its business and that at the time of the commencement of the
Registered Exchange Offer it has no arrangement or understanding with any person
to participate in the
45
distribution (within the meaning of the Securities Act) of the exchange bonds
and that it is not an "affiliate" of the Company, as defined in Rule 405 of the
Securities Act.
If we effect the Registered Exchange Offer, we will be entitled to close
the Registered Exchange Offer 20 business days after the commencement thereof
provided that we have accepted all outstanding bonds theretofore validly
tendered in accordance with the terms of the Registered Exchange Offer.
Resale Shelf Registration Statement
In the event that:
(1) because of any changes of law, SEC rules or regulations or applicable
interpretations thereof by the staff of the SEC, we are not permitted
to effect such a Registered Exchange Offer; or
(2) for any other reason we do not consummate the Registered Exchange Offer
within 210 calendar days of the issue date (provided that we are not
then actively pursuing such effectiveness or consummation, as the case
may be),
then, we will:
(A) as promptly as practicable, file with the SEC, and thereafter shall use
our reasonable best efforts to cause to be declared effective as
promptly as practicable but no later than 210 calendar days after the
issue date, a shelf registration statement relating to the offer and
sale of the outstanding bonds by the holders of such outstanding bonds
from time to time in accordance with the methods of distribution as set
forth in such shelf registration statement;
(B) use our reasonable best efforts to keep the shelf registration
statement continuously effective in order to permit the prospectus
forming part thereof to be usable by holders of the outstanding bonds
for a period ending on the earliest of (i) two years from the date the
outstanding bonds were originally issued by the us, (ii) the date on
which the outstanding bonds become eligible for resale without volume
limitations pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, or (iii) for
such shorter period that will terminate when all outstanding bonds
covered by the shelf registration statement have been sold pursuant to
the shelf registration statement or cease to be outstanding or
otherwise to be outstanding bonds; and
(C) use our best efforts to ensure that the shelf registration statement
and the prospectus forming part thereof (i) do not violate applicable
law or any applicable interpretation of the staff of the SEC and (ii)
do not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state
a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading.
Additional Interest
If the Registered Exchange Offer is not consummated and the shelf
registration statement is not declared effective within 210 days after the issue
date, the interest rate on the bonds will be increased by 0.25% per annum,
commencing 210 days after the issue date, until the Registered Exchange Offer is
consummated or the shelf registration statement is declared effective by the
SEC. In the case of a shelf registration statement, if we are unable to cause
such shelf registration statement to become effective because holders of
outstanding bonds have not provided information with respect to themselves as
required by law to be included therein pursuant to our request as provided in
the Registration Rights Agreement, such 0.25% increase in the interest rate
shall be payable only to holders that have furnished such information required
by law to be included therein to us pursuant to our request under the
Registration Rights Agreement from but excluding the date such information is
provided to us to but excluding the date the shelf registration statement is
declared effective by the SEC.
46
MATERIAL UNITED STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
EXCHANGE OF BONDS
The exchange of outstanding bonds for exchange bonds in the exchange offer
will not constitute a taxable event to holders for United States federal income
tax purposes. Consequently, no gain or loss will be recognized by a holder upon
receipt of an exchange bond, the holding period of the exchange bond will
include the holding period of the outstanding bond exchanged therefor and the
basis of the exchange bond will be the same as the basis of the outstanding bond
immediately before the exchange.
IN ANY EVENT, PERSONS CONSIDERING THE EXCHANGE OF OUTSTANDING BONDS FOR
EXCHANGE BONDS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS CONCERNING THE UNITED
STATES FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES IN LIGHT OF THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS
AS WELL AS ANY CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER TAXING
JURISDICTION.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Each broker-dealer that receives exchange bonds for its own account
pursuant to the exchange offer must acknowledge that it will deliver a
prospectus in connection with any resale of the exchange bonds. This prospectus,
as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-
dealer in connection with resales of exchange bonds received in exchange for
outstanding bonds where the outstanding bonds were acquired as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities. We have agreed that we
will make such prospectus, and any amendment or supplement thereto, available to
any such broker-dealer for use in connection with any resale of any exchange
bonds for a period of the lesser of 90 days after the consummation of the
Exchange Offer and the date on which all broker-dealers have sold all exchange
bonds held by them (unless such period is extended pursuant to the terms of the
Registration Rights Agreement). We have also agreed that we will promptly send
additional copies of this prospectus and any amendment or supplement to this
prospectus to any broker-dealer that requests such documents in the letter of
transmittal.
We will not receive any proceeds from any sale of exchange bonds by
broker-dealers. Exchange bonds received by broker-dealers for their own accounts
pursuant to the exchange offer may be sold from time to time in one or more
transactions in the over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through
the writing of options on the exchange bonds or a combination of these methods
of resale, at market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related
to the prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any resale may be made
directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive
compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any broker-dealer or
the purchasers of any exchange bonds. Any broker-dealer that resells exchange
bonds that were received by it for its own account pursuant to the exchange
offer and any broker or dealer that participates in a distribution of the
exchange bonds may be deemed to be an "underwriter" within the meaning of the
Securities Act and any profit on any resale of exchange bonds and any
commissions or concessions received by these persons may be deemed to be
underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The letter of transmittal
states that by acknowledging that it will deliver and by delivering a
prospectus, a broker-dealer will not be deemed to admit that it is an
"underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
We have agreed to pay all expenses incident to the exchange offer,
including the expenses of one counsel for the holders of the outstanding bonds,
other than commissions or concessions of any brokers or dealers and will
indemnify the holders of outstanding bonds, including any broker-dealers,
against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
By its acceptance of the exchange offer, any broker-dealer that receives
exchange bonds pursuant to the exchange offer hereby agrees to notify us prior
to using the prospectus in connection with the sale or transfer of exchange
bonds, and acknowledges and agrees that, upon receipt of notice from us of the
happening of any event which makes any statement in this prospectus untrue in
any material respect or which requires the making of any changes in this
prospectus in order to make the statements therein not
47
misleading or which may impose upon us disclosure obligations that may have a
material adverse effect on us (which notice we agree to deliver promptly to such
broker-dealer) such broker-dealer will suspend use of this prospectus until we
have notified such broker-dealer that delivery of this prospectus may resume and
have furnished copies of any amendment or supplement to this prospectus to such
broker-dealer.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity and enforceability of the exchange bonds offered by this
prospectus will be passed upon for Duke Energy by Robert T. Lucas III, Esq., who
is Duke Energy's Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary, and Karol P.
Mack, Esq., who is Duke Energy's Assistant General Counsel. Legal matters with
respect to the offering of the exchange bonds will be passed upon for Duke
Energy by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, New York, New York. In rendering their
opinion, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP will rely upon Mr. Lucas as to all
matters of North Carolina law and Ms. Mack as to all matters of South Carolina
law.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Duke Energy appearing in Duke
Energy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 have
been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in
their report incorporated herein by reference (which report expresses an
unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the
adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" on January 1, 2001 and the
adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142, "Goodwill and
Other Intangible Assets" on January 1, 2002). Such consolidated financial
statements are incorporated herein by reference in reliance upon such report
given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
48
(DUKE ENERGY LOGO)
OFFER TO EXCHANGE ALL OUTSTANDING FIRST AND REFUNDING MORTGAGE BONDS, 3.75%
SERIES A DUE 2008 FOR FIRST AND REFUNDING MORTGAGE BONDS, 3.75% SERIES B DUE
2008, WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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PROSPECTUS
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AUGUST 15, 2003