UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2008

 

 

                                                                       

Commission

Registrant; State of Incorporation

IRS Employer

File Number

Address; and Telephone Number

Identification No.

001-09057

WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION

39-1391525

(A Wisconsin Corporation)

231 West Michigan Street

P.O. Box 1331

Milwaukee, WI 53201

(414) 221-2345

                                                                       

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Name of Each Exchange

Title of Each Class

    on Which Registered    

     Common Stock, $.01 Par Value

New York Stock Exchange

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:     None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes [X]    No [  ]

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act.    Yes [  ]    No [X]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes [X]    No [  ]

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (Section 229.405 of this Chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in the




definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.    [X]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer", "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

                                 Large accelerated filer [X]                                 Accelerated filer [  ]


                                 Non-accelerated filer [  ] (Do not                             Smaller reporting company [  ]
                                   check if a smaller reporting company)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes [  ]    No [X]

The aggregate market value of the common stock of Wisconsin Energy Corporation held by non-affiliates was approximately $5.3 billion based upon the reported closing price of such securities as of June 30, 2008.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date (January 31, 2009):

Common Stock, $.01 Par Value, 116,917,790, shares outstanding

 

                                                                 

 

 

Documents Incorporated by Reference

Portions of Wisconsin Energy Corporation's definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for its Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to be held on May 7, 2009, are incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.




 

WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION

FORM 10-K REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2008

                                                                 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item

Page

PART I

1.   Business .............................................................................................................................................

10     

1A. Risk Factors ......................................................................................................................................

27     

1B. Unresolved Staff Comments .............................................................................................................

33     

2.    Properties ..........................................................................................................................................

34     

3.    Legal Proceedings .............................................................................................................................

35     

4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders ......................................................................

37     

       Executive Officers of the Registrant ..................................................................................................

37     

PART II

5.    Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases
       of Equity Securities...........................................................................................................................

38     

6.    Selected Financial Data ....................................................................................................................

40     

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

41     

7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk .........................................................

77     

8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data ................................................................................

78     

9.    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure ..........

119     

9A. Controls and Procedures ...................................................................................................................

119     

9B. Other Information .............................................................................................................................

119     

PART III

10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance of the Registrant...........................

120     

11.  Executive Compensation ..................................................................................................................

120     

12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder
       Matters .............................................................................................................................................

121     

13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence ................................

121     

14.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services ..........................................................................................

121     


3


 

PART IV

15.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules ...................................................................................

122     

       Schedule I - Condensed Parent Company Financial Statements .....................................................

123     

       Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts ...........................................................................

129     

       Signatures .........................................................................................................................................

130     

       Exhibit Index ....................................................................................................................................

E-1     



4




DEFINITION OF ABBREVIATIONS AND INDUSTRY TERMS

The abbreviations and terms set forth below are used throughout this report and have the meanings assigned to them below.

Wisconsin Energy Subsidiaries and Affiliates

Primary Subsidiaries

Edison Sault

Edison Sault Electric Company

We Power

W.E. Power, LLC

Wisconsin Electric

Wisconsin Electric Power Company

Wisconsin Gas

Wisconsin Gas LLC

Significant Assets

OC 1

Oak Creek expansion Unit 1

OC 2

Oak Creek expansion Unit 2

PWGS

Port Washington Generating Station

PWGS 1

Port Washington Generating Station Unit 1

PWGS 2

Port Washington Generating Station Unit 2

Other Affiliates

ATC

American Transmission Company LLC

Calumet

Calumet Energy

ERS

Elm Road Services, LLC

Minergy

Minergy LLC

WICOR

Wicor, Inc.

Wispark

Wispark LLC

Wisvest

Wisvest LLC

Federal and State Regulatory Agencies

DOA

Wisconsin Department of Administration

DOE

United States Department of Energy

EPA

United States Environmental Protection Agency

FERC

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

IRS

Internal Revenue Service

MDEQ

Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

MPSC

Michigan Public Service Commission

NRC

United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission

PSCW

Public Service Commission of Wisconsin

SEC

Securities and Exchange Commission

WDNR

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

Environmental Terms

Act 141

2005 Wisconsin Act 141

BART

Best Available Retrofit Technology

BTA

Best Technology Available

CAA

Clean Air Act

CAIR

Clean Air Interstate Rule

CAMR

Clean Air Mercury Rule

CAVR

Clean Air Visibility Rule

CERCLA

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act

CO 2

Carbon Dioxide

CWA

Clean Water Act

NAAQS

National Ambient Air Quality Standard

NO x

Nitrogen Oxide

PM  2.5

Fine Particulate Matter

RACT

Reasonably Available Control Technology


5


RI/FS

Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study

SIP

State Implementation Plan

SO 2

Sulfur Dioxide

WPDES

Wisconsin Pollution Discharge Elimination System

Other Terms and Abbreviations

ALJ

Wisconsin Administrative Law Judge

AQCS

Air Quality Control System

ARRs

Auction Revenue Right

Bechtel

Bechtel Power Corporation

Compensation Committee

Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors

CPCN

Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity

D&D Fund

Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund

Energy Policy Act

Energy Policy Act of 2005

Fitch

Fitch Ratings

FNTP

Full Notice To Proceed

FPL

FPL Group, Inc.

FTRs

Financial Transmission Rights

GCRM

Gas Cost Recovery Mechanism

GDP

Gross Domestic Product

Guardian

Guardian Pipeline L.L.C.

Junior Notes

Wisconsin Energy's 2007 Series A Junior Subordinated Notes due 2067 issued in May 2007

LLC

Limited Liability Company

LMP

Locational Marginal Price

LSEs

Load Serving Entities

MAIN

Mid-America Interconnected Network, Inc.

MISO

Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.

MISO Energy Markets

MISO Energy and Operating Reserves Market

Moody's

Moody's Investor Service

NMC

Nuclear Management Company, LLC

NYMEX

New York Mercantile Exchange

OTC

Over-the-Counter

PJM

PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.

Point Beach

Point Beach Nuclear Plant

PRSG

Planning Reserve Sharing Groups

PSEG

Public Service Enterprise Group

PTF

Power the Future

PUHCA 1935

Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935

PUHCA 2005

Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005

RCC

Replacement Capital Covenant dated May 11, 2007

RFC

Reliability First Corporation

RSG

Revenue Sufficiency Guarantee

RTO

Regional Transmission Organizations

S&P

Standard & Poor's Ratings Services

Measurements

Btu

British thermal unit(s)

Dth

Dekatherm(s) (One Dth equals one million Btu)

kW

Kilowatt(s) (One kW equals one thousand watts)

kWh

Kilowatt-hour(s)

MW

Megawatt(s) (One MW equals one million watts)

MWh

Megawatt-hour(s)

Watt

A measure of power production or usage


6


Accounting Terms

AFUDC

Allowance for Funds Used During Construction

ARO

Asset Retirement Obligation

CWIP

Construction Work in Progress

FASB

Financial Accounting Standards Board

FIN

FASB Interpretation

FSP

FASB Staff Position

GAAP

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

NOLs

Net Operating Loss Carryforwards

OPEB

Other Post-Retirement Employee Benefits

SFAS

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards

Accounting Pronouncements

FIN 46

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities

FIN 46R

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (Revised 2003)

FIN 47

Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations

FIN 48

Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes

FSP FIN 46(R)-8

Disclosures about Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities

SFAS 71

Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation

SFAS 87

Employers' Accounting for Pensions

SFAS 106

Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions

SFAS 109

Accounting for Income Taxes

SFAS 123R

Share-Based Payment (Revised 2004)

SFAS 133

Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

SFAS 142

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

SFAS 143

Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations

SFAS 144

Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets

SFAS 149

Amendment of SFAS 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

SFAS 157

Fair Value Measurements

SFAS 158

Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans

SFAS 159

The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

SFAS 161

Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities


7





CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements contained in this report are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are based upon management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning management's expectations and projections regarding earnings, completion of construction projects, regulatory matters, fuel costs, sources of electric energy supply, coal and gas deliveries, remediation costs, environmental and other capital expenditures, liquidity and capital resources and other matters. In some cases, forward-looking statements may be identified by reference to a future period or periods or by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "guidance," "intends," "may," "objectives," "plans," "possible," "potential," "projects" or similar terms or variations of these terms.

Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in forward-looking statements. In addition to the assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with these statements, factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statements or otherwise affect our future results of operations and financial condition include, among others, the following:


8


 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION - (Cont'd)

Wisconsin Energy Corporation expressly disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


9


 

PART I                                

ITEM 1.

BUSINESS

INTRODUCTION

Wisconsin Energy Corporation was incorporated in the State of Wisconsin in 1981 and became a diversified holding company in 1986. We maintain our principal executive offices in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Unless qualified by their context when used in this document, the terms Wisconsin Energy, the Company, our, us or we refer to the holding company and all of its subsidiaries.

We conduct our operations primarily in two operating segments: a utility energy segment and a non-utility energy segment. Our primary subsidiaries are Wisconsin Electric, Wisconsin Gas, Edison Sault and We Power.

Utility Energy Segment:    Our utility energy segment consists of: Wisconsin Electric, Wisconsin Gas and Edison Sault. We serve approximately 1,137,800 electric customers in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. We have approximately 1,056,400 gas customers in Wisconsin, 465 steam customers in metropolitan Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and 3,060 water customers in suburban Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas operate under the trade name of "We Energies".

Non-Utility Energy Segment:    Our non-utility energy segment consists primarily of We Power. We Power was formed in 2001 to design, construct, own and lease to Wisconsin Electric the new generating capacity included in our PTF strategy. See below and in Item 7 for more information on PTF.

Discontinued Operations:     In September 2006, we sold 100% of our membership interests in Minergy Neenah LLC. Previously, Minergy Neenah LLC's operations were included in Corporate and Other.

PTF Strategy:    In September 2000, we announced our PTF strategy to improve the supply and reliability of electricity in Wisconsin. As part of our PTF strategy, we are: (1) investing in new natural gas-fired and coal-fired electric generating facilities, (2) upgrading Wisconsin Electric's existing electric generating facilities and (3) investing in upgrades of our existing energy distribution system. Also, as part of this strategy, we announced and began implementing plans to divest non-core assets and operations in our non-utility energy segment and to reduce our real estate operations. Additional information concerning PTF may be found below under Non-Utility Energy Segment, as well as in Item 7.


10


For further financial information about our business segments, see Results of Operations in Item 7 and Note Q -- Segment Reporting in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Our annual and periodical filings with the SEC are available, free of charge, through our Internet website www.wisconsinenergy.com. These documents are available as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are filed (or furnished) with the SEC.

 

UTILITY ENERGY SEGMENT

ELECTRIC UTILITY OPERATIONS

Our electric utility operations consist of the electric operations of Wisconsin Electric and Edison Sault. Wisconsin Electric, which is the largest electric utility in the State of Wisconsin, generates and distributes electric energy in a territory in southeastern (including the metropolitan Milwaukee area), east central and northern Wisconsin and in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Edison Sault generates and distributes electric energy in a territory in the eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

Wisconsin Electric and Edison Sault participate in the MISO Energy Markets which determines how our generating units are dispatched and how we buy and sell power. For further information, see Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources in Item 7.

Electric Sales

Our electric energy sales to all classes of customers, excluding intercompany sales between Edison Sault and Wisconsin Electric, totaled approximately 31.9 million MWh during 2008 and approximately 33.0 million MWh during 2007. We had approximately 1,137,800 electric customers at December 31, 2008 and 1,132,500 electric customers at December 31, 2007.

Wisconsin Electric:    Wisconsin Electric is authorized to provide retail electric service in designated territories in the State of Wisconsin, as established by indeterminate permits, CPCNs or boundary agreements with other utilities, and in certain territories in the state of Michigan pursuant to franchises granted by municipalities. Wisconsin Electric also sells wholesale electric power within the MISO Energy Markets.

Edison Sault:     Edison Sault is authorized to provide retail electric service in certain territories in the state of Michigan pursuant to franchises granted by municipalities. Edison Sault also provides wholesale electric service under contract with one rural cooperative.

Electric Sales Growth:    We presently anticipate total retail and municipal electric kWh sales of our utility energy segment will grow at an annual rate of 0.25% to 0.75% over the next five years. This estimate assumes normal weather and excludes our largest customers, two iron ore mines. We also anticipate that our peak electric demand will grow at an annual rate of 1.0% to 1.5% over the next five years.

Sales to Large Electric Retail Customers:     Wisconsin Electric provides electric utility service to a diversified base of customers in such industries as mining, paper, foundry, food products and machinery production, as well as to large retail chains. Edison Sault provides electric service to industrial accounts in the paper, crude oil pipeline and limestone quarry industries, as well as to several state and federal government facilities.

Our largest retail electric customers are two iron ore mines located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The combined electric energy sales to the two mines accounted for 6.5% and 6.3% of our total electric utility energy sales during 2008 and 2007 respectively. Effective January 1, 2008, the mines became eligible to receive electric service from Wisconsin Electric in accordance with tariffs approved by the MPSC. Prior to this, Wisconsin Electric had special negotiated power-sales contracts with these mines.

Sales to Wholesale Customers:     During 2008, Wisconsin Electric sold wholesale electric energy to two municipally owned systems, two rural cooperatives and one municipal joint action agency located in the states of Wisconsin and Michigan. Wholesale electric energy sales by Wisconsin Electric were also made to nine other public utilities and power marketers throughout the region under rates approved by FERC. Edison Sault sold wholesale electric energy to one rural cooperative during 2008. Wholesale sales accounted for approximately 9.9% of our total electric energy sales and 3.6% of total electric operating revenues during 2008, compared with 10.9% of total electric energy sales and 6.5% of total electric operating revenues during 2007.

Electric System Reliability Matters:    Electric energy sales are impacted by seasonal factors and varying weather conditions from year-to-year. As a summer peaking utility, the summer period is the most relevant period for capacity planning purposes for us as a result of cooling load. Prior to 2006, Wisconsin Electric was a member of the MAIN reliability council, whose guidelines required a minimum 14% planning reserve margin for the short-term (up to one year ahead). Effective January 1, 2006, Wisconsin Electric became a member of RFC, a successor council encompassing most of the East Central Area Reliability Council and Mid-Atlantic Area Council and a portion of MAIN. The RFC has approved reliability standards, which set forth the methodology for establishing planning reserve requirements and require the formation of PRSG. Wisconsin Electric is a member of the Midwest PRSG which was formed in June 2007 to establish planning reserve requirements. As a member of the Midwest PRSG, Wisconsin Electric was required to adhere to PSCW guidelines requiring an 18% planning reserve margin. In November 2007, the PSCW opened a new docket to review the 18% planning reserve margin requirement. In October 2008, the PSCW issued an order lowering the planning reserve margin requirement from 18% to 14.5% effective for planning year two and each year beyond, and the MISO calculated the planning reserve margin for the first planning year 2009-2010. The MPSC has not yet established guidelines in this area.

We had adequate capacity to meet all of our firm electric load obligations during 2008 and expect to have adequate capacity to meet all of our firm obligations during 2009. For additional information, see Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources in Item 7.

11


Electric Supply

Our electric supply strategy is to provide our customers with a diverse fuel mix that is expected to maintain a stable, reliable and affordable supply of electricity. We supply a significant amount of electricity to our customers from power plants that we own. We supplement our internally generated power supply with long-term power purchase agreements, including the Point Beach power purchase agreement discussed later in this report, and through spot purchases in the MISO Energy Markets.

Our installed capacity by fuel type for the years ended December 31, is shown below:

Dependable Capability in MW (a)

2008

2007

2006

Coal

3,247  

3,247  

3,334  

Nuclear (b)

-   

-   

1,036  

Natural Gas - Combined Cycle (c)

1,090  

545  

545  

Natural Gas/Oil - Peaking Units (d)

1,143  

1,162  

1,180  

Renewables (e)

113  

84  

84  

Total

5,593  

5,038  

6,179  

(a)  

Dependable capability is the net power output under average operating conditions with equipment in an average state of repair as of a given month in a given year. The values were established by test and may change slightly from year to year.

(b)  

Concurrent with the sale of Point Beach, Wisconsin Electric entered into a power purchase agreement with the buyer to purchase all of the energy produced by Point Beach until 2030 for Unit 1 and 2033 for Unit 2.

(c)  

The increase in 2008 as compared to 2007 reflects PWGS 2, which has a dependable capability of 545 MW, going inservice during May 2008.

(d)  

The dual-fueled facilities generally burn oil only if natural gas is not available due to constraints on the natural gas pipeline and/or at the local gas distribution company that delivers gas to the plants.

(e)  

Includes hydroelectric and wind generation. For purposes of measuring dependable capability, the 145 MW Blue Sky Green Field wind project has a dependable capability of 29 MW.

Our PTF strategy, which is discussed further in Item 7, includes the addition of 2,320 MW of generating capacity from 2005 through 2010. Our first two plants, PWGS 1 and PWGS 2, which are both natural gas combined cycle units with a dependable capability of 545 MW each, were placed in service in July 2005 and May 2008, respectively. Under our PTF plan, we expect to have 515 MW of dependable capability coming in service in late 2009 related to our first coal unit. The second coal unit is expected to provide us with 515 MW of dependable capability in 2010.

12


The table below indicates our sources of electric energy supply as a percentage of sales for the three years ended December 31, 2008, as well as an estimate for 2009:

Estimate

Actual

2009

2008

2007

2006

Coal

56.0%     

56.7%     

54.1%     

54.7%     

Nuclear (a)

- %      

- %     

17.3%     

25.3%     

Wind

1.5%      

0.6 %    

 - %    

- %     

Hydroelectric

1.0%     

1.4%     

1.1%     

1.4%     

Natural Gas -Combined Cycle

14.7%     

5.2%     

5.2%     

3.5%     

Natural Gas/Oil-Peaking Units

0.8%     

0.3%     

1.0%     

0.6%     

  Net Generation

74.0%     

64.2%     

78.7%     

85.5%     

Purchased Power (a) 

26.0%     

35.8%     

21.3%     

14.5%     

  Total

100.0%     

100.0%     

100.0%     

100.0%     

(a)

Beginning in 2007, purchased power increased and nuclear generation decreased due to the sale of Point Beach and the entry into the associated power purchase agreement with the buyer.

 

Our average fuel and purchased power costs per MWh by fuel type for the years ended December 31 are shown below:

2008

2007

2006

Coal

$22.95  

$20.52  

$18.30  

Nuclear

$  -   

$5.83  

$5.23  

Natural Gas - Combined Cycle

$69.65  

$61.27  

$66.30  

Natural Gas/Oil - Peaking Units

$160.25  

$112.49  

$136.24  

Purchased Power

$46.21  

$45.19  

$47.67  

Historically, the fuel costs for coal have been under long-term contracts, which helped with price stability. Coal and associated transportation services have seen greater volatility in pricing than typically experienced in these markets due to increases in the domestic and world-wide demand for coal and the impacts of higher diesel costs which are reflected in the form of fuel surcharges on rail transportation.

Natural gas costs are volatile, which impacts the cost of natural gas-fired generation and purchased power. Beginning in late 2003 and concurrent with the approval by the PSCW, we established a hedging program to help manage our natural gas price risk. This hedging program is generally implemented on an 18-month forward-looking basis. Proceeds related to the natural gas hedging program are reflected in the 2008, 2007 and 2006 average costs of natural gas and purchased power shown above. In addition, concurrent with the Point Beach sale, our purchased power costs also reflect the long-term power purchase agreement with the buyer for all of the energy produced by Point Beach.

 

Coal-Fired Generation

Coal Supply:    We diversify the coal supply for our power plants by purchasing coal from mines in Wyoming and Colorado as well as from various other western mines. During 2009, 100% of our projected coal requirements of 11.6 million tons are under contracts which are not tied to 2009 market pricing fluctuations. Our coal-fired generation consists of six operating plants with a dependable capability of approximately 3,247 MW.

13


Following is a summary of the annual tonnage amounts for our principal long-term coal contracts by the month and year in which the contracts expire:

Contract
Expiration Date


Annual Tonnage

(Thousands)

Dec. 2009

12,690            

Dec. 2010

12,570            

Dec. 2011

7,250            

Coal Deliveries:    Approximately 86% of our 2009 coal requirements are expected to be delivered by Wisconsin Electric-owned or leased unit trains. The unit trains will transport coal for the Oak Creek, Pleasant Prairie and Edgewater Power Plants from Wyoming mines. Coal from Colorado mines is also transported via rail to Lake Superior or Lake Michigan transfer docks and delivered by lake vessel to the Milwaukee harbor with Valley and Milwaukee County power plants being the final destinations. Montana and Wyoming coal for Presque Isle Power Plant is transported via rail to Superior, Wisconsin, placed in dock storage and reloaded into lake vessels for plant delivery. Colorado coal bound for the Presque Isle Power Plant is shipped via rail to Lake Superior and Lake Michigan (Chicago) coal transfer docks, respectively, for lake vessel delivery to the plant.

Certain of our coal transportation contracts contain fuel cost adjustments that are tied to the cost of fuel oil utilized by the locomotives. The PSCW has approved a program that allows us to hedge up to 75% of our potential fuel for electric generation in order to help manage our risk of higher delivered cost of coal. The costs of this program are included in our fuel and purchased power costs.

Environmental Matters:    For information regarding emission restrictions, especially as they relate to coal-fired generating facilities, see Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Environmental Matters in Item 7.

 

Natural Gas-Fired Generation

Our natural gas-fired generation consists of five operating plants with a dependable capability of approximately 1,971 MW at December 31, 2008. We added PWGS 1 and PWGS 2, both natural gas-fired units with a dependable capability of 545 MW each, in July 2005 and May 2008, respectively.

We purchase natural gas for these plants on the spot market from gas marketers, utilities and producers and we arrange for transportation of the natural gas to our plants. We have firm and interruptible transportation, balancing and storage agreements intended to support the plants' variable usage.

The PSCW has approved a program that allows us to hedge up to 75% of our estimated gas usage for electric generation in order to help manage our natural gas price risk. The costs of this program are included in our fuel and purchased power costs.

 

Oil-Fired Generation

The natural gas facilities generally burn oil only if natural gas is not available due to constraints on the natural gas pipeline and/or at the local gas distribution company that delivers gas to the plants. Fuel oil is used for the combustion turbines at the Germantown Power Plant units 1-4, boiler ignition and flame stabilization at the Presque Isle Power Plant, diesel engines at the Pleasant Prairie Power Plant, Valley Power Plant and at the Manistique facility at Edison Sault. Our oil-fired generation had a dependable capability of approximately 262 MW as of December 31, 2008. Fuel oil requirements are purchased under agreements with suppliers.


14


Renewable Generation

Hydroelectric:    Wisconsin Electric's hydroelectric generating system consists of 13 operating plants with a total installed capacity of approximately 88 MW and a dependable capability of approximately 57 MW as of December 31, 2008. Of these 13 plants, 12 plants (86 MW of installed capacity) have long-term licenses from FERC. The thirteenth plant, with an installed generating capacity of approximately 2 MW, does not require a license.

Edison Sault's primary source of generation is its hydroelectric generating plant located on the St. Mary's River in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The hydroelectric generating plant has a total dependable capability of approximately 27 MW. The water for this facility is under contract with the United States Army Corps of Engineers with tenure to December 31, 2075. However, the Secretary of the Army has the right to terminate the contract after December 31, 2050 by providing at least a five-year termination notice. No such notice can be given prior to December 31, 2045. Edison Sault pays for all water taken from the St. Mary's River at predetermined rates with a minimum annual payment of $0.1 million. The total flow of water taken out of Lake Superior, which in effect is the flow of water in the St. Mary's River, is under the direction and control of the International Joint Commission, created by the Boundary Water Treaty of 1909 between the United States and Great Britain, now represented by Canada.

Hydroelectric generation is also purchased by Edison Sault under contract from the United States Army Corps of Engineers' hydroelectric generating plant located within the Soo Locks complex on the St. Mary's River in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. This 17 MW contract has tenure to November 1, 2040 and cannot be terminated by the United States government prior to November 1, 2030.

Wind:    Wisconsin Electric completed the Blue Sky Green Field wind project in May 2008. This project has 88 turbines, an installed capacity of approximately 145 MW and a current dependable capability of approximately 29 MW. In July 2008, Wisconsin Electric purchased the development rights to a new wind farm site in central Wisconsin, Glacier Hills Wind Park, and we began the permitting process. In October 2008, we filed a request for a CPCN with the PSCW for the Glacier Hills Wind Park. We currently expect to install wind turbines with approximately 132 to 207 MW of generating capacity, subject to final site configuration and the turbine equipment selected. We expect 2012 to be the first full year of operation, subject to regulatory approvals and turbine availability. Additional information on wind generation is provided in Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Other Utility Rates and Regulatory Matters -- Wind Generation in Item 7.

 

Nuclear Generation

Point Beach:   Prior to September 28, 2007,   Wisconsin Electric owned two 518 MW electric generating units at Point Beach in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. On September 28, 2007, Wisconsin Electric sold Point Beach to an affiliate of FPL for approximately $924 million. Pursuant to the terms of the sale agreement, the buyer purchased Point Beach, its nuclear fuel and associated inventories, and assumed the obligation to decommission the plant.

A long-term power purchase agreement with the buyer became effective upon closing of the sale. Pursuant to this agreement, Wisconsin Electric is purchasing all of the energy produced by Point Beach. The power purchase agreement extends through 2030 for Unit 1 and 2033 for Unit 2. Based on the agreement, we will be paying the buyer a predetermined price per MWh for energy delivered. For additional information on the sale of Point Beach, see Nuclear Operations under Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources in Item 7.

Nuclear Management Company:    Prior to the Point Beach sale, we had a partial ownership in NMC. NMC held the operating licenses for Point Beach. Upon the sale of Point Beach, NMC transferred the operating licenses to the buyer and our relationship with NMC was terminated.

Used Nuclear Fuel Storage & Disposal:    For information concerning used nuclear fuel storage and disposal issues, see Nuclear Operations under Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources in Item 7.

For further information on the sale of Point Beach, see Note D -- Asset Sales, Divestitures and Discontinued Operations in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.


15


Power Purchase Commitments

We enter into short and long-term power purchase commitments to meet a portion of our anticipated electric energy supply needs. The following table identifies our power purchase commitments at December 31, 2008 with unaffiliated parties for the next five years:


Year

MW Under
Power Purchase Commitments

2009

1,628

2010

1,628

2011

1,609

2012

1,450

2013

1,279

Approximately 1,030 MW per year relates to the Point Beach long-term power purchase agreement. Under this agreement, we pay a predetermined price per MWh for energy delivered according to a schedule included in the agreement. The balance of these power purchase commitments are tolling arrangements whereby we are responsible for the procurement, delivery and the cost of natural gas fuel related to specific units identified in the contracts.

 

Electric Transmission and Energy Markets

American Transmission Company :    ATC owns, maintains, monitors and operates electric transmission systems in Wisconsin, Michigan and Illinois. ATC's sole business is to provide reliable, economic electric transmission service to all customers in a fair and equitable manner. ATC is expected to provide comparable service to all customers, including Wisconsin Electric and Edison Sault, and to support effective competition in energy markets without favoring any market participant. ATC is regulated by FERC for all rate terms and conditions of service and is a transmission-owning member of MISO. MISO maintains operational control of ATC's transmission system, and Wisconsin Electric and Edison Sault are non-transmission owning members and customers of MISO.

We owned approximately 26.2% and 26.9% of ATC as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Our ownership has decreased in recent years as other owners have invested additional equity in ATC related to specific, large construction projects subject to their contractual rights.

MISO:    In connection with its status as a FERC approved RTO, MISO developed bid-based energy markets, which were implemented on April 1, 2005. In January 2009, MISO commenced the Energy and Operating Reserves Markets, which includes the bid-based energy markets and a new ancillary services market. For further information on MISO and the MISO Energy Markets, see Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources - Industry Restructuring and Competition - Electric Transmission and Energy Markets in Item 7.

Electric Hedging Programs:    We purchase some of the electricity needed to satisfy our current sales obligations in the MISO Energy Markets. Due to volatility in the price of market-based energy, we face potential financial exposure. We have PSCW approval to hedge up to 75% of a future month's predicted electricity need. This plan seeks to manage market price risk, as well as reduce price risks related to forced outages.

We also seek to mitigate the risk of price increases in natural gas used for electric generation. We have PSCW approval to hedge up to 75% of the estimated monthly gas consumption for our owned and contracted gas-fired power plants. We integrate our natural gas hedging with the electric hedge program to ensure we do not over-hedge.

Finally, we seek to mitigate the risk of price increases in coal transportation costs for coal used in our coal-fired generating facilities. The coal transportation prices in some of our coal transportation contracts are tied to changes in a diesel fuel price index. Currently, financial diesel contracts are not actively traded; therefore, we are using financial heating oil contracts to mitigate this risk.


16




Electric Utility Operating Statistics

The following table shows certain electric utility operating statistics from 2004 to 2008 for electric operating revenues, MWh sales and customer data:

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED ELECTRIC UTILITY OPERATING DATA

Year Ended December 31

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Operating Revenues (Millions)

    Residential

$977.1  

$929.6  

$883.2  

$827.6  

$731.3  

   Small Commercial/Industrial

890.6  

861.7  

814.8  

746.1  

668.0  

   Large Commercial/Industrial

659.6  

676.9  

647.5  

602.4  

549.9   

   Other - Retail

21.2  

19.7  

19.3  

17.9  

17.0  

     Total Retail Sales

2,548.5  

2,487.9  

2,364.8  

2,194.0  

1,966.2  

   Wholesale - Other

58.9  

95.1  

78.0  

94.7  

73.7  

   Resale - Utilities

37.5  

81.6  

51.2  

21.3  

24.6  

   Other Operating Revenues

41.5  

41.1  

35.4  

39.7  

34.5  

Total Operating Revenues

$2,686.4  

$2,705.7  

$2,529.4  

$2,349.7  

$2,099.0  

MWh Sales (Thousands)

   Residential

8,448.1  

8,586.6  

8,322.7  

8,562.7  

8,053.9  

   Small Commercial/Industrial

9,260.3  

9,430.3  

9,142.2  

9,192.7  

8,840.4  

   Large Commercial/Industrial

10,903.0  

11,245.6  

11,173.1  

11,687.5  

11,686.4  

   Other - Retail

167.7  

168.7  

169.9  

171.7  

174.9  

     Total Retail Sales

28,779.1  

29,431.2  

28,807.9  

29,614.6  

28,755.6  

   Wholesale - Other

2,281.1  

2,178.5  

2,057.6  

2,541.9  

2,230.6  

    Resale - Utilities

881.0  

1,434.5  

1,025.7  

313.7  

662.2  

Total Sales

31,941.2  

33,044.2  

31,891.2  

32,470.2  

31,648.4  

Customers - End of Year (Thousands)

   Residential

1,018.4  

1,015.0  

1,009.7  

1,001.7  

992.3  

   Small Commercial/Industrial

116.2  

114.4  

112.3  

110.5  

108.7  

   Large Commercial/Industrial

0.7  

0.7  

0.7  

0.7  

0.7  

   Other

2.5  

2.4  

2.5  

2.4  

2.4  

Total Customers

1,137.8  

1,132.5  

1,125.2  

1,115.3  

1,104.1  

Customers - Average (Thousands)

1,134.8  

1,128.5  

1,120.5  

1,109.7  

1,096.8  

Degree Days (a)

   Heating (6,677 Normal)

7,073  

6,508  

6,043  

6,628  

6,663  

   Cooling (719 Normal)

593  

800  

723   

949  

442  

(a) As measured at Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Normal degree days are based upon a 20-year moving average.

 

GAS UTILITY OPERATIONS

Our gas utility operations consist of Wisconsin Gas and the gas operations of Wisconsin Electric. Both companies are authorized to provide retail gas distribution service in designated territories in the State of Wisconsin, as established by indeterminate permits, CPCNs, or boundary agreements with other utilities. The two companies also transport customer-owned gas. Wisconsin Gas, the largest natural gas distribution utility in Wisconsin, operates throughout the state, including the City of Milwaukee. Wisconsin Electric's gas utility operates in three distinct

17



service areas: west and south of the City of Milwaukee, the Appleton area and areas within Iron and Vilas Counties, Wisconsin.

 

Gas Deliveries

Our gas utility business is highly seasonal due to the heating requirements of residential and commercial customers. Annual gas sales are also impacted by the variability of winter temperatures.

Total gas therms delivered, including customer-owned transported gas, were approximately 2,273.8 million therms during 2008, a 3.5% increase compared with 2007. At December 31, 2008, we were transporting gas for approximately 1,400 customers who purchased gas directly from other suppliers. Transported gas accounted for approximately 39.8% of the total volumes delivered during 2008 and 42.0% during each of 2007 and 2006. We had approximately 1,056,400 and 1,049,500 gas customers at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Our peak daily send-out during 2008 was 1,625,928 Dth on February 10, 2008.

Sales to Large Gas Customers:    We provide gas utility service to a diversified base of industrial customers who are largely within our electric service territory. Major industries served include the paper, food products and fabricated metal products industries. Fuel used for Wisconsin Electric's electric generation represents our largest transportation customer.

Gas Deliveries Growth:    We currently forecast total retail therm deliveries (excluding natural gas deliveries for generation) to stay flat over the five-year period ending December 31, 2013 as new customer additions are expected to be offset by a reduction in the average use per customer. This forecast reflects a current year normalized sales level and normal weather.

 

Competition

Competition in varying degrees exists between natural gas and other forms of energy available to consumers. A number of our large commercial and industrial customers are dual-fuel customers that are equipped to switch between natural gas and alternate fuels. We are allowed to offer lower-priced gas sales and transportation services to dual-fuel customers. Under gas transportation agreements, customers purchase gas directly from gas marketers and arrange with interstate pipelines and us to have the gas transported to their facilities. We earn substantially the same margin (difference between revenue and cost of gas) whether we sell and transport gas to customers or only transport their gas.

Our ability to maintain our share of the industrial dual-fuel market depends on our success and the success of third-party gas marketers in obtaining long-term and short-term supplies of natural gas at competitive prices compared to other sources and in arranging or facilitating competitively-priced transportation service for those customers that desire to buy their own gas supplies.

Federal and state regulators continue to implement policies to bring more competition to the gas industry. For information concerning proceedings by the PSCW to consider how its regulation of gas distribution utilities should change to reflect the changing competitive environment in the gas industry, see Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources in Item 7. While the gas utility distribution function is expected to remain a highly regulated, monopoly function, the sale of the natural gas commodity and related services are expected to remain subject to competition from third parties. It remains uncertain if and when the current economic disincentives for small customers to choose an alternative gas commodity supplier may be removed such that we begin to face competition for the sale of gas to our smaller firm customers.

 

Gas Supply, Pipeline Capacity and Storage

We have been able to meet our contractual obligations with both our suppliers and our customers despite periods of severe cold.


18


Pipeline Capacity and Storage:    The interstate pipelines serving Wisconsin originate in three major gas producing areas of North America: the Oklahoma and Texas basins, the Gulf of Mexico and western Canada. We have contracted for long-term firm capacity from each of these areas. This strategy reflects management's belief that overall supply
security is enhanced by geographic diversification of the supply portfolios and that Canada represents an important long-term source of reliable, competitively-priced gas.

We have extended our commitment on Guardian's original pipeline through December 2022. We have committed to purchase additional capacity through October 2023 on a new Guardian pipeline extension that is scheduled to be completed during 2009. The PSCW approved the construction of pipeline laterals to connect our gas distribution system to this pipeline in May 2007. In December 2007, FERC issued a CPCN to Guardian authorizing this extension project. Prior to April 2006, we held a one-third interest in Guardian.

Because of the daily and seasonal variations in gas usage in Wisconsin, we have also contracted for substantial underground storage capacity, primarily in Michigan. Storage capacity enables us to manage significant changes in daily demand and to optimize our overall gas supply and capacity costs. We generally inject gas into storage during the spring and summer months when demand is lower and withdraw it in the winter months. As a result, we can contract for less long-line pipeline capacity during periods of peak usage than would otherwise be necessary, and can purchase gas on a more uniform daily basis from suppliers year-round. Each of these capabilities enables us to reduce our overall costs. During 2008, we have continued our plan started in 2006, to enter into gas purchase contracts which allow us to reduce gas inventory while maintaining supply to meet daily and seasonal demands.

We also maintain storage in the Southeast production areas, as well as in our market area. This storage capacity is designed to deliver gas when other supplies cannot be delivered during extremely cold weather in the producing areas.We hold firm daily transportation and storage capacity entitlements from pipelines and other service providers under long-term contracts.

Term Gas Supply:    We have contracts for firm supplies with terms in excess of 30 days with suppliers for gas acquired in the Joliet, Illinois market hub and in the three producing areas discussed above. The pricing of the term contracts is based upon first of the month indices. Combined with our storage capability, management believes that the volume of gas under contract is sufficient to meet our forecasted firm peak-day demand.

Secondary Market Transactions:    Capacity release is a mechanism by which pipeline long-line and storage capacity and gas supplies under contract can be resold in the secondary market. Local distribution companies, like Wisconsin Gas and Wisconsin Electric, must contract for capacity and supply sufficient to meet the firm peak-day demand of their customers. Peak or near peak demand days generally occur only a few times each year. Capacity release facilitates higher utilization of contracted capacity and supply during those times when the full contracted capacity and supply are not needed by the utility, helping to mitigate the fixed costs associated with maintaining peak levels of capacity and gas supply. Through pre-arranged agreements and day-to-day electronic bulletin board postings, interested parties can purchase this excess capacity and supply. The proceeds from these transactions are passed through to rate payers, subject to the Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas GCRMs pursuant to which the companies have an opportunity to share in the cost savings. During 2008, we continued our active participation in the capacity release market. See Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Utility Rates and Regulatory Matters in Item 7 for information on the GCRMs.

Spot Market Gas Supply:    We expect to continue to make gas purchases in the 30-day spot market as price and other circumstances dictate. We have supply relationships with a number of sellers from whom we purchase spot gas.

Hedging Gas Supply Prices:     We have PSCW approval to hedge (i) up to 45% of planned flowing gas supply using NYMEX based natural gas options, (ii) up to 15% of planned flowing gas supply using NYMEX based natural gas future contracts and (iii) up to 35% of planned storage withdrawals using NYMEX based natural gas options. Those approvals allow both Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas to pass 100% of the hedging costs (premiums and brokerage fees) and proceeds (gains and losses) to rate payers through their respective purchase gas adjustment mechanisms. Hedge targets (volumes) are provided annually to the PSCW as part of each company's five-year gas supply plan filing.

To the extent that opportunities develop and our physical supply operating plans will support them, we also have PSCW approval to utilize NYMEX based natural gas derivatives to capture favorable forward market price differentials. That approval provides for 100% of the related proceeds to accrue to the companies' GCRMs.

19


Gas Utility Operating Statistics

The following table shows certain gas utility operating statistics from 2004 to 2008 for gas operating revenues, therms delivered and customer data:

SELECTED CONSOLIDATED GAS UTILITY OPERATING DATA

Year Ended December 31

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Operating Revenues (Millions)

   Residential

$1,057.6  

$934.3  

$862.4  

$898.9  

$798.6  

   Commercial/Industrial

572.4  

485.4  

443.8  

465.4  

396.5  

   Interruptible

21.3  

17.5  

17.0  

20.4  

17.0  

     Total Retail Gas Sales

1,651.3  

1,437.2  

1,323.2  

1,384.7  

1,212.1  

   Transported Gas

47.2  

48.4  

47.8  

46.3  

41.4  

   Other Operating Revenues

(3.9) 

(4.4) 

48.9  

(13.5) 

(1.1) 

Total Operating Revenues

$1,694.6  

$1,481.2 

$1,419.9 

$1,417.5 

$1,252.4 

Therms Delivered (Millions)

   Residential

841.8  

791.7 

727.9 

791.0 

809.9 

   Commercial/Industrial

503.2  

461.9 

435.9 

460.7 

464.0 

   Interruptible

23.0  

22.7 

21.3 

23.4 

24.7 

      Total Retail Gas Sales

1,368.0  

1,276.3 

1,185.1 

1,275.1 

1,298.6 

   Transported Gas

905.8  

921.6 

843.8 

893.7 

769.5 

Total Therms Delivered

2,273.8  

2,197.9 

2,028.9 

2,168.8 

2,068.1 

Customers - End of Year (Thousands)

   Residential

963.9  

957.9  

951.0  

940.7  

927.4  

   Commercial/Industrial

91.0  

90.2  

88.9  

87.5  

85.9  

   Interruptible

0.1  

0.1  

0.1  

0.1  

0.1  

   Transported Gas

1.4  

1.3  

1.4  

1.4  

1.4  

Total Customers

1,056.4  

1,049.5  

1,041.4  

1,029.7  

1,014.8  

Customers - Average (Thousands)

1,050.2  

1,042.8 

1,033.3 

1,019.8 

1,003.5 

Degree Days (a)

   Heating (6,677 Normal)

7,073  

6,508 

6,043 

6,628 

6,663 

( a) As measured at Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Normal degree days are based upon a 20-year moving average.

 

OTHER UTILITY OPERATIONS

Steam Utility Operations:    Wisconsin Electric's steam utility generates, distributes and sells steam supplied by its Valley and Milwaukee County Power Plants. Wisconsin Electric operates a district steam system in downtown Milwaukee and the near south side of Milwaukee. Steam is supplied to this system from Wisconsin Electric's Valley Power Plant, a coal-fired cogeneration facility. Wisconsin Electric also operates the steam production and distribution facilities of the Milwaukee County Power Plant located on the Milwaukee County Grounds in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

Annual sales of steam fluctuate from year to year based upon system growth and variations in weather conditions. During 2008, the steam utility had $40.3 million of operating revenues from the sale of 3,081 million pounds of steam compared with $35.1 million of operating revenues from the sale of 2,965 million pounds of steam

20



during 2007. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, steam was used by approximately 465 and 470 customers, respectively, for processing, space heating, domestic hot water and humidification.

Water Utility Operations :   As of December 31, 2008, the water utility served approximately 3,060 water customers in the suburban Milwaukee area compared with approximately 3,040 customers as of December 31, 2007. Wisconsin Gas also provides contract services to local municipalities and businesses within its service territory for water system repair and maintenance. During 2008, the water utility had $3.2 million of operating revenues compared with $2.7 million of operating revenues during 2007.

We have reached an agreement to sell the water utility to the City of Mequon, Wisconsin for approximately $14.5 million, our book value. The completion of this sale is contingent upon the assignment of certain agreements, the approval by the PSCW and the ability of the City of Mequon to obtain financing. If these conditions are satisfied, we expect the sale to be completed in 2009.

 

UTILITY RATE MATTERS

See Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Utility Rates and Regulatory Matters in Item 7.

 

NON-UTILITY ENERGY SEGMENT

Our non-utility energy segment is involved primarily in the design and construction of new generating capacity under our PTF strategy.

During 2000, we performed a comprehensive review of our existing portfolio of businesses and began implementing a strategy of divesting many of our non-utility energy segment businesses. Since 2000, we have sold our interest in many of our non-utility energy assets with proceeds from these sales totaling approximately $631.8 million. As we continue to implement our PTF strategy, we expect to grow the non-utility energy segment within the State of Wisconsin through the construction of new generating units by We Power.

 

We Power

We Power, through wholly owned subsidiaries, has designed and is constructing approximately 2,320 MW of new generation in Wisconsin, which is the key component of our PTF strategy. This new generation consists of approximately 1,230 MW of new generating capacity from two coal units that are being constructed in Oak Creek, Wisconsin and 1,090 MW of generating capacity related to PWGS 1 and PWGS 2, which provide 545 MW of dependable capability each. PWGS 1 and PWGS 2 were placed in service in July 2005 and May 2008, respectively. In November 2005, two unaffiliated entities purchased an ownership interest of approximately 17%, or 200 MW of the two coal units. Similar to the generating capacity at PWGS 1 and PWGS 2, We Power will own the remaining 1,030 MW of generating capacity currently being constructed and will lease this capacity to Wisconsin Electric. At December 31, 2008, we had approximately $1,636.8 million of CWIP for the coal units currently under construction. For further information about our PTF strategy, see Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Power the Future in Item 7.

 

Wisvest LLC

Wisvest was originally formed to develop, own and operate electric generating facilities and to invest in other energy-related entities. As a result of the change in corporate strategy to focus on our PTF strategy, Wisvest has discontinued its development activity. For the year ended December 31, 2008, Wisvest had $10.9 million of operating revenues from continuing operations compared with $11.9 million of operating revenues from continuing operations during 2007. We have divested substantially all of Wisvest's assets. As of December 31, 2008, Wisvest's sole operating asset and investment is Wisvest Thermal Energy Services, which provides chilled water services to the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center.


21




OTHER NON-UTILITY OPERATIONS

Wispark LLC

Wispark develops and invests in real estate, and as of December 31, 2008, has $32.4 million in real estate holdings. Wispark has developed several business parks primarily in southeastern Wisconsin. Wispark's flagship development, the 1,600-acre LakeView Corporate Park, which is owned through a joint venture, is located near Kenosha, Wisconsin. LakeView Corporate Park is home to approximately 80 companies located in almost 10 million square feet of buildings that have been developed on property in excess of 965 acres.

Wisconsin Energy Capital Corporation

This entity engages in investing and financing activities. Activities include advances to affiliated companies and investments in partnerships that develop low and moderate-income housing projects.

Minergy LLC

Minergy engages in the development and marketing of proprietary technologies designed to convert high volume industrial and municipal wastes into renewable energy and value-added products. In December 2008, management decided to close Minergy's operations. Minergy's only business is the operation of a GlassPack® facility in Zion, Illinois for the North Shore Sanitary District. Minergy's involvement in this facility is expected to end on March 31, 2009.

 

 

REGULATION

Wisconsin Energy Corporation

The Energy Policy Act, enacted in August 2005, repealed PUHCA 1935 and enacted PUHCA 2005, transferring jurisdiction over holding companies from the SEC to FERC. Wisconsin Energy was required to notify FERC of its status as a holding company and to seek from FERC the exempt status similar to that held by it under PUHCA 1935. In June 2006, Wisconsin Energy received notice from FERC confirming its status as a holding company and granting exempt status similar to that held under PUHCA 1935.

Non-Utility Asset Cap:    Pursuant to the non-utility asset cap provisions of Wisconsin's public utility holding company law, the sum of certain assets of all non-utility affiliates in a holding company system may not exceed 25% of the assets of all public utility affiliates. However, among other items, the law exempts energy-related assets, including the generating plants being constructed by We Power as part of our PTF strategy and assets used for providing environmental engineering services and for processing waste materials, from being counted against the asset cap provided that they are employed in qualifying businesses. As a result of these exemptions, our non-utility assets are significantly below the non-utility asset cap as of December 31, 2008.

Utility Energy Segment

Due to the Energy Policy Act's enactment of PUHCA 2005 as noted above, Wisconsin Electric was also required to notify FERC of its status as a holding company by reason of its ownership interest in ATC and to seek from FERC the exempt status similar to that held by it under PUHCA 1935. In June 2006, Wisconsin Electric received notice from FERC confirming its status as a holding company and granting exempt status similar to that held by it under PUHCA 1935.

Wisconsin Electric and Edison Sault are subject to the Energy Policy Act and the corresponding regulations developed by certain federal agencies. The Energy Policy Act, among other things, repealed PUHCA 1935, making electric utility industry consolidation more feasible, authorized FERC to review proposed mergers and the acquisition of generation facilities, changed the FERC regulatory scheme applicable to qualifying co-generation facilities and modified certain other aspects of energy regulations and Federal tax policies applicable to Wisconsin Electric and Edison Sault. Additionally, the Energy Policy Act created an Electric Reliability Organization to be

22



overseen by FERC, which established mandatory electric reliability standards, replacing the voluntary standards developed by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, and which has the authority to levy monetary sanctions for failure to comply with the new standards.

Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas are subject to the regulation of the PSCW as to retail electric, gas, steam and water rates in the state of Wisconsin, standards of service, issuance of securities, construction of certain new facilities, transactions with affiliates, billing practices and various other matters. Wisconsin Electric is subject to regulation of the PSCW as to certain levels of short-term debt obligations. Wisconsin Electric and Edison Sault are both subject to the regulation of the MPSC as to the various matters associated with retail electric service in the state of Michigan as noted above, except as to the issuance of securities under most circumstances, construction of certain new facilities, levels of short-term debt obligations and advance approval of transactions with affiliates. Wisconsin Electric's hydroelectric facilities are regulated by FERC. Wisconsin Electric and Edison Sault are subject to regulation of FERC with respect to wholesale power service, electric reliability requirements and accounting. Edison Sault is subject to regulation of FERC with respect to the issuance of certain securities. For information on how rates are set for our regulated entities, see Utility Rates and Regulatory Matters under Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources in Item 7.

The following table compares the source of our utility energy segment operating revenues by regulatory jurisdiction for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008:

2008

2007

2006

Amount

Percent

Amount

Percent

Amount

Percent

(Millions of Dollars)

Wisconsin - Retail

     Electric

$2,416.8  

54.7%  

$2,331.1  

55.1%  

$2,222.4  

55.9%  

     Gas

1,694.6  

38.3%  

1,481.2  

35.1%  

1,419.9  

35.7%  

     Steam and Water

43.5  

1.0%  

37.9  

0.9%  

29.7  

0.7%  

          Total

4,154.9  

94.0%  

3,850.2  

91.1%  

3,672.0  

92.3%  

Michigan - Retail

     Electric

173.2  

3.9%  

198.0  

4.7%  

177.8  

4.5%  

FERC - Wholesale

     Electric

96.4  

2.1%  

176.6  

4.2%  

129.2  

3.2%  

Total Utility Operating Revenues

$4,424.5  

100.0%  

$4,224.8  

100.0%  

$3,979.0  

100.0%  

Total flow of water to Edison Sault's hydroelectric generating plant is under the control of the International Joint Commission, created by the Boundary Water Treaty of 1909 between the United States and Great Britain, now represented by Canada. The operations of Wisconsin Electric, Wisconsin Gas and Edison Sault are also subject to regulations, where applicable, of the EPA, the WDNR, the MDEQ and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

 

Public Benefits and Renewable Portfolio Standard

In March 2006, Wisconsin revised the requirements for renewable energy generation by enacting Act 141.  Act 141 defines "baseline renewable percentage" as the average of an energy provider's renewable energy percentage for 2001, 2002 and 2003. A utility's renewable energy percentage is equal to the amount of its total retail energy sales that are provided by renewable sources. Wisconsin Electric's baseline renewable energy percentage is 2.27%. Act 141 provides that for the years 2006-2009, Wisconsin Electric may not decrease its renewable energy percentage, and for the years 2010-2014, it must increase its renewable energy percentage at least two percentage points to a level of 4.27%. Act 141 further requires that for the year 2015 and beyond, the renewable energy percentage must increase at least six percentage points above the baseline to a level of 8.27%. Act 141 establishes a goal that 10% of all electricity consumed in Wisconsin be generated by renewable resources by December 31, 2015. Act 141 also redirects the administration of energy efficiency, conservation and renewable programs from the DOA back to the PSCW and/or contracted third parties. In addition, Act 141 requires that 1.2% of utilities' annual operating revenues be used to fund these programs.  In July 2008, the Governor of Wisconsin's Task Force on Global Warming, which was established in 2008, issued a final report that recommended that this amount be increased to approximately 4%. It is not known at this time if that recommendation will be implemented.

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The Task Force's report also includes an increased renewable portfolio standard. Pursuant to the Task Force's recommendations, the renewable portfolio standard would increase to 10% by 2013, 20% by 2020 and 25% by 2025. The legislature is expected to review these recommendations during 2009.

Public Act 295 enacted in Michigan calls for the implementation of a renewable portfolio standard by 2015 and energy optimization (efficiency) targets up to 1% annually by 2015. Public Act 295 specifically calls for current recovery of costs incurred to meet the standards and provides for ongoing review and revision to assure the measures taken are cost-effective.

For additional information on Act 141 and current renewable projects see Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Utility Rates and Regulatory Matters - Renewables, Efficiency and Conservation and Utility Rates and Regulatory Matters - Wind Generation in Item 7.

 

Non-Utility Energy Segment

We Power was formed to design, construct, own and lease the new generating capacity in our PTF strategy. We Power owns the interests in the companies constructing this new generating capacity (collectively, the We Power project companies). When complete, these facilities will be leased on a long-term basis to Wisconsin Electric. We Power has received determinations from FERC that upon the transfer of the facilities by lease to Wisconsin Electric, the We Power project companies will not be deemed public utilities under the Federal Power Act and thus will not be subject to FERC's jurisdiction.

The Energy Policy Act and corresponding rules developed by FERC required us to seek FERC authorization to allow Wisconsin Electric to lease from We Power OC 1, OC 2 and PWGS 2. We received this authorization from FERC in December 2006. We were not required to request similar approval for the PWGS 1 lease between We Power and Wisconsin Electric as this unit was in service prior to the enactment of the Energy Policy Act.

In addition, for a short period prior to the transfer of each generation unit to Wisconsin Electric, We Power will be engaged in the sale of test power, a FERC jurisdictional transaction. We Power received approval from FERC for the sale of test power to Wisconsin Electric from PWGS 1 and PWGS 2, and for the transfer of any FERC jurisdictional facilities at Port Washington to Wisconsin Electric and/or ATC. We Power expects to submit its application seeking approval from FERC to sell test power from OC 1 in the first half of 2009. Environmental permits necessary for operating the facilities are the responsibility of the operating entity, Wisconsin Electric.

 

 

ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE

Environmental Expenditures

Expenditures for environmental compliance and remediation issues are included in anticipated capital expenditures described in Liquidity and Capital Resources in Item 7. For discussion of additional environmental issues, see Environmental Matters in Item 3. For further information concerning air and water quality standards and rulemaking initiated by the EPA, including estimated costs of compliance, see Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Environmental Matters in Item 7.

Utility Energy Segment:    Compliance with federal, state and local environmental protection requirements resulted in capital expenditures by Wisconsin Electric of approximately $135 million in 2008 compared with $31 million in 2007. Expenditures incurred during 2008 primarily included costs associated with the installation of pollution abatement facilities at Wisconsin Electric's power plants. These expenditures are expected to approximate $200 million during 2009, reflecting NO x , SO 2 and other pollution control equipment needed to comply with various rules promulgated by the EPA.

Operation, maintenance and depreciation expenses for fly ash removal equipment and other environmental protection systems were approximately $67.2 million during 2008 and $54.0 million during 2007.


24



Solid Waste Landfills

We provide for the disposal of non-ash related solid wastes and hazardous wastes through licensed independent contractors, but federal statutory provisions impose joint and several liability on the generators of waste for certain cleanup costs. Currently there are no active cases.

Coal-Ash Landfills

We currently have a successful program of beneficial utilization for substantially all of our coal combustion products, including fly ash, bottom ash and synthetic gypsum, which avoids the need for disposal in specially-designed landfills. Some early designed and constructed coal-ash landfills, which we used prior to developing this program, may allow the release of low levels of constituents resulting in the need for various levels of remediation. Where we have become aware of these conditions, efforts have been made to define the nature and extent of any release, and work has been performed to address these conditions. For additional information, see Note S -- Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. Sites currently undergoing remediation and/or monitoring include the following:

Oak Creek North Landfill:    Groundwater impairments at this landfill, located in the City of Oak Creek, Wisconsin, prompted Wisconsin Electric to investigate, during 1998, the condition of the existing cover and other conditions at the site. Surface water drainage improvements were implemented at this site during 1999 and 2000, which are expected to eliminate ash contact with water and remove unwanted ponding of water. The approved remediation plan was coordinated with activities associated with the construction of the Oak Creek expansion. Currently there is a temporary cap installed which is being used as laydown area and parking. When construction activities are completed, a permanent cap will be installed.

Manufactured Gas Plant Sites

We are reviewing and addressing environmental conditions at a number of former manufactured gas plant sites. See Note S -- Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

Air Quality

See Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Environmental Matters in Item 7 for additional information concerning Air Quality.

Clean Water Act

See Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Environmental Matters in Item 7 for additional information concerning the CWA.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

See the caption, "We may face significant costs to comply with the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions." under Item 1A Risk Factors in this report.

 

OTHER

Research and Development:    We had immaterial research and development expenditures in the last three years, primarily for improvement of service and abatement of air and water pollution by our electric utility operations. Research and development activities include work done by employees, consultants and contractors, plus sponsorship of research by industry associations.


25


 

Employees:     At December 31, 2008, we had the following number of employees:

Total

Represented

Employees

Employees

Utility Energy Segment

   Wisconsin Electric

4,312      

2,865      

   Wisconsin Gas

515      

374      

   Edison Sault

62      

44      

      Total

4,889      

3,283      

Non-Utility Energy Segment

31      

-         

Other

15      

-         

      Total Employees

4,935      

3,283      



The employees represented under labor agreements were with the following bargaining units as of December 31, 2008:

Number of Employees

Expiration Date of Current Labor Agreement

Wisconsin Electric

  Local 2150 of International     Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

2,045      


August 15, 2010  

  Local 317 of International Union of     Operating Engineers

491      


March 31, 2011  

  Local 2006 Unit 5 of United Steel     Workers     

183      


November 1, 2011  

  Local 510 of International Brotherhood     of Electrical Workers

146      


April 30, 2010  

Total Wisconsin Electric

2,865      

Wisconsin Gas

  Local 2150 of International     Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

97      


August 15, 2010  

  Local 2006 Unit 1 of United Steel     Workers

133      


December 31, 2010  

  Local 2006 Unit 2 of United Steel     Workers

137      


December 31, 2010  

  Local 2006 Unit 3 of United Steel     Workers

7      


February 28, 2011  

Total Wisconsin Gas

374      

Edison Sault

  Local 13547 of United Steel Workers
    of America

44      


October 22, 2010  

Total Edison Sault

44      

Total Employees

3,283      


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Our business is significantly impacted by governmental regulation.

We are subject to significant state, local and federal governmental regulation. We are subject to the regulation of the PSCW as to retail electric, gas and steam rates in the State of Wisconsin, standards of service, issuance of securities, short-term debt obligations, construction of certain new facilities, transactions with affiliates, billing practices and various other matters. In addition, we are subject to the regulation of the MPSC as to the various matters associated with retail electric service in the state of Michigan, except as to the issuance of securities under most circumstances, construction of certain new facilities, levels of short-term debt obligations and advance approval of transactions with affiliates. Further, Wisconsin Electric's hydroelectric facilities are regulated by FERC, and FERC also regulates our wholesale power service practices and electric reliability requirements. Our significant level of regulation imposes restrictions on our operations and causes us to incur substantial compliance costs.

We are obligated to comply in good faith with all applicable governmental rules and regulations. If it is determined that we failed to comply with any applicable rules or regulations, whether through new interpretations or applications of the regulations or otherwise, we may be liable for customer refunds, penalties and other amounts, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

We estimate that within our regulated energy segment, approximately 90% of our electric revenues are regulated by the PSCW, 6% are regulated by the MPSC and the balance of our electric revenues is regulated by FERC. All of our natural gas and steam revenues are regulated by the PSCW. Our ability to obtain rate adjustments in the future is dependent upon regulatory action, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain rate adjustments in the future that will allow us to recover our costs and expenses and to maintain our current authorized rates of return.

We believe we have obtained the necessary permits, approvals and certificates for our existing operations and that our respective businesses are conducted in accordance with applicable laws; however, the impact of any future revision or changes in interpretations of existing regulations or the adoption of new laws and regulations applicable to us cannot be predicted. Changes in regulation, interpretations of regulations or the imposition of additional regulations could influence our operating environment and may result in substantial compliance costs.

Factors beyond our control could adversely affect project costs and completion of the coal-fired generating units we are constructing as part of our PTF strategy.

Under our PTF strategy, we expect to meet a significant portion of our future generation needs through the construction of two 545 MW natural gas-fired generating units at PWGS and two 615 MW coal-fired generating units to be located adjacent to our existing Oak Creek Power Plant. PWGS 1 and PWGS 2, which have a dependable capability of 545 MW each, were placed in service in July 2005 and May 2008, respectively. OC 1 and OC 2 are currently scheduled to go into service in late 2009 and 2010, respectively.

Large construction projects of this type, as well as the construction of renewable energy generation and environmental improvements, are subject to usual construction risks over which we will have limited or no control and which might adversely affect project costs and completion time. These risks include, but are not limited to, shortages of, the ability to obtain or the cost of labor or materials, the ability of the general contractor or subcontractors to perform under their contracts, strikes, adverse weather conditions, the ability to obtain necessary permits in a timely manner, legal challenges, changes in applicable law or regulations, adverse interpretation or enforcement of permit conditions, laws and regulations by courts or the permitting agencies, other governmental actions and events in the global economy.

Upon commencement of the commissioning of OC 1 and OC 2, we will be selling test power into the MISO Energy Markets. The amount we receive for the sale of this power will be affected by the market price for energy at the time of sale.

If final costs of the Oak Creek expansion are within 5% of the targeted cost, and the additional costs are deemed prudent by the PSCW, the final lease payments for the Oak Creek expansion to be recovered from Wisconsin Electric's ratepayers would be adjusted to reflect the actual construction costs. Costs above the 5% cap would not be included in lease payments or recovered from customers absent a finding by the PSCW of extenuating circumstances, such as force majeure conditions.


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In December 2008, Bechtel, the contractor of the Oak Creek expansion under a fixed price contract, submitted claims for cost and schedule relief under the contract. The first claim requests approximately $413 million and is based on the alleged impact of severe weather and certain labor-related matters. The second claim seeks approximately $72 million for certain ERS-directed changes and delays allegedly caused by ERS, the project manager. We expect these claims to be resolved through the formal dispute resolution process provided for in the contract and will vigorously defend them. However, if we are unable to resolve the claims prior to arbitration and an arbitration panel concludes that Bechtel is entitled to a significant amount of the cost relief requested and the PSCW does not allow Wisconsin Electric to collect the increased costs in rates, our results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

We face significant costs of compliance with existing and future environmental regulations.

We are subject to extensive environmental regulations affecting our past, present and future operations relating to, among other things, air emissions such as CO 2 , SO 2 , NO x , small particulates and mercury; water discharges; management of hazardous and solid waste (including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)); and removal of degraded lead paint. We incur significant expenditures in complying with these environmental requirements, including expenditures for the installation of pollution control equipment, environmental monitoring, emissions fees and permits at all of our facilities.

Existing environmental regulations may be revised or new laws or regulations may be adopted which could result in significant additional expenditures, operating restrictions on our facilities and increased compliance costs. In addition to requiring capital expenditures, the operation of emission control equipment to meet emission limits and further regulations on our intake and discharge of water could increase our operating costs and could reduce the generating capacity of our power plants. In the event we are not able to recover all of our environmental expenditures from our customers in the future, our results of operations could be adversely affected.

Our electric and gas utility businesses are also subject to significant liabilities related to the investigation and remediation of environmental contamination at our current and former facilities, as well as at third-party owned sites. Due to the potential for imposition of stricter standards and greater regulation in the future and the possibility that other potentially responsible parties may not be financially able to contribute to cleanup costs, conditions may change or additional contamination may be discovered, our remediation costs could increase, and the timing of our capital and/or operating expenditures in the future may accelerate.

In addition, we may also be responsible for liabilities associated with the environmental condition of the facilities that we have previously owned and operated, regardless of whether the liabilities arose before, during or after the time we owned or operated the facilities. If we fail to comply with environmental laws and regulations or cause harm to the environment or persons, even if caused by factors beyond our control, that failure or harm may result in the assessment of civil or criminal penalties and damages against us. The incurrence of a material environmental liability could have a significant adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We could face significant costs if coal ash is regulated as a hazardous substance.

We currently have a successful program of beneficial utilization for substantially all of our coal combustion products, including fly ash, bottom ash and synthetic gypsum, which avoids the need for disposal in specially-designed landfills. Both Wisconsin and Michigan have regulations governing the use and disposal of these materials. Recently, however, there has been new activity at the federal level to classify coal ash as a hazardous substance. If coal ash is classified as a hazardous substance, it could have a material adverse effect on our ability to continue our current program. Curtailing our program could result in the loss of a revenue stream that helps to offset the cost of pollution control equipment and the raw materials necessary to collect the coal ash.

In addition, if coal ash is declared a hazardous substance and we terminate our coal ash utilization program, we could be required to dispose of the coal ash at a significant cost to the Company.


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We may face significant costs to comply with the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions.

Global warming is increasingly a concern for the energy industry. Federal and state legislative proposals have been introduced to regulate the emission of greenhouse gases, particularly CO 2 . In addition, there have been international efforts seeking legally binding reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases.

We believe it is likely that future governmental legislation and/or regulation will require us either to limit greenhouse gas emissions from our operations or to purchase allowances for such emissions. However, we cannot predict what form these future regulations will take, the stringency of the regulations or when they will become effective. Several bills have been introduced in the United States Congress that would compel CO 2 emission reductions; however, at this time, the competing bills remain pending. Proposals under consideration include limitations on the amount of greenhouse gases that can be emitted (so called "caps") together with systems of trading permitted emissions capacities. This type of system could require us to reduce emissions, even though limited options are currently available for efficient reduction, or to purchase costly allowances for such emissions. As an alternative to a cap and trade system, emissions also could be taxed.

At the state level, in April, 2007, the Governor of Wisconsin signed Executive Order 191 creating the Task Force on Global Warming to bring together a group of Wisconsin business, industry, government, energy and environmental leaders to examine the effects of, and solutions to, global warming in Wisconsin. We actively participated in the Task Force and ultimately supported the final report, which was submitted to the Governor in July 2008. The PSCW began considering a number of recommendations from this report, and others will require legislation to implement including an enhanced renewable energy portfolio standard and an increase in energy efficiency program expenditures.

Public Act 295 enacted in Michigan calls for the implementation of a renewable portfolio standard by 2015 and energy optimization (efficiency) targets up to 1% annually by 2015. Public Act 295 specifically calls for current recovery of costs incurred to meet the standards and provides for ongoing review and revision to assure the measures taken are cost-effective.

The renewable portfolio standard enacted in Michigan and potential future increases in Wisconsin renewable portfolio standard requirements, and/or successful federal renewable portfolio standard legislation intended, in part, to respond to the climate change issue, could significantly increase capital requirements and rates even though the capacity additions may not be needed.

The Governors of both Michigan and Wisconsin have signed on to the "Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord" and the associated "platform" document developed through the Midwestern Governors Association. The stated goal of the platform is to "maximize the energy resources and economic advantages and opportunities of Midwestern states while reducing emissions of atmospheric CO 2 and other greenhouse gases". Certain elements of this agreement have the potential to impact the cost and nature of our operations in Wisconsin and Michigan.

These state and regional initiatives could lead to legislation and regulation of greenhouse gas emissions that could be implemented sooner and/or independent of federal regulation. These regulations could be more stringent than any federal legislation that is adopted.

There is no guarantee that we will be allowed to fully recover costs incurred to comply with any future legislation and/or regulation that requires a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, or that recovery will not be delayed or otherwise conditioned. Future legislation and/or regulation designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions could make some of our electric generating units uneconomic to maintain or operate and could affect future results of operations, cash flows and possibly financial condition if such costs are not recovered through regulated rates.

We continue to monitor the legislative and regulatory developments in this area. Although we expect the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions to have a material impact on our operations and rates, we believe it is premature to attempt to quantify the possible costs of the impacts.

Our business is dependent on our ability to successfully access capital markets.

We rely on access to short-term and long-term capital markets to support our capital expenditures and other capital requirements, including expenditures for our utility infrastructure and to comply with future regulatory


29


requirements. We have historically secured funds from a variety of sources, including the issuance of short-term and long-term debt securities, preferred stock and common stock. Certain investment banks have announced the adoption of the "Carbon Principles," a set of guidelines designed to help the investment banks assess environmental risk in connection with the financing of new fossil fuel power plants. The Carbon Principles are expected to be employed in conjunction with an "Enhanced Environmental Diligence Process" in evaluating whether to participate in the financing of such projects.

Successful implementation of our long-term business strategies is dependent upon our ability to access the capital markets, including the banking and commercial paper markets, under competitive terms and rates. If ouraccess to any of these markets were limited, or our cost of capital significantly increased due to a rating downgrade, prevailing market conditions, failures of financial institutions or other factors, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

Acts of terrorism could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Our electric generation and gas transportation facilities, including the facilities of third parties on which we rely, could be targets of terrorist activities, including cyber terrorism. A terrorist attack on our facilities (or those of third parties) could result in a full or partial disruption of our ability to generate, transmit, transport, purchase or distribute electricity or natural gas or cause environmental repercussions. Any operational disruption or environmental repercussions could result in a significant decrease in our revenues or significant reconstruction or remediation costs, which could materially and adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Energy sales are impacted by seasonal factors and varying weather conditions from year-to-year.

Our electric and gas utility businesses are generally seasonal businesses. Demand for electricity is greater in the summer and winter months associated with cooling and heating. In addition, demand for natural gas peaks in the winter heating season. As a result, our overall results in the future may fluctuate substantially on a seasonal basis. In addition, we have historically had lower revenues and net income when weather conditions are milder. Our rates in Wisconsin are set by the PSCW based on estimated temperatures which approximate 20-year averages. Mild temperatures during the summer cooling season and during the winter heating season will negatively impact the results of operations and cash flows of our electric utility business. In addition, mild temperatures during the winter heating season negatively impact the results of operations and cash flows of our gas utility business.

Higher natural gas costs may negatively impact our electric and gas utility operations.

Significant increases in the cost of natural gas affect our electric and gas utility operations. Although the cost of natural gas has decreased recently, natural gas costs have generally increased since 2003. We expect that demand for natural gas will remain high into the foreseeable future and that significant price relief will not occur until additional natural gas reserves are developed.

Wisconsin Electric burns natural gas in several of its peaking power plants and in the leased PWGS 1 and PWGS 2, and as a supplemental fuel at several coal-fired plants. In many instances the cost of purchased power is tied to the cost of natural gas. In addition, higher natural gas costs also can have the effect of increasing demand for other sources of fuel thereby increasing the costs of those fuels as well. Wisconsin Electric bears the regulatory risk for the recovery of fuel and purchased power costs when those costs are higher than the base rate established in its rate structure. For 2009, Wisconsin Electric will be unable to prospectively recover fuel and purchased power costs until the costs exceed a pre-established annual band.

In addition, higher natural gas costs increase our working capital requirements. As a result of GCRMs, our gas distribution business receives dollar for dollar pass through of the cost of natural gas. However, increased natural gas costs increase the risk that customers will switch to alternative sources of fuel or reduce their usage, which could reduce future gas margins. In addition, higher natural gas costs combined with slower economic conditions also expose us to greater risks of accounts receivable write-offs as more customers are unable to pay their bills.


30


We may not be able to obtain an adequate supply of coal, which could limit our ability to operate our coal-fired facilities.

We are dependent on coal for much of our electric generating capacity. While we have coal supply and transportation contracts in place, there can be no assurance that the counterparties to these agreements will fulfill their obligations to supply coal to us. The suppliers under these agreements may experience financial or operational problems that inhibit their ability to fulfill their obligations to us. In addition, suppliers under these agreements may not be required to supply coal to us under certain circumstances, such as in the event of a natural disaster. If we are unable to obtain our coal requirements under our coal supply and transportation contracts, we may be required to purchase coal at higher prices, or we may be forced to obtain additional power purchases through other potentially higher cost generating resources in the MISO Energy Markets. Higher costs to obtain coal increase our working capital requirements.

Our financial performance may be adversely affected if we are unable to successfully operate our facilities.

Our financial performance depends on the successful operation of our electric generating and gas distribution facilities. Operation of these facilities involves many risks, including: operator error and breakdown or failure of equipment processes; fuel supply interruptions; labor disputes; operating limitations that may be imposed by environmental or other regulatory requirements; or catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, explosions, floods or other similar occurrences. Unplanned outages can result in additional maintenance expenses as well as incremental replacement power costs.

Poor investment performance of pension plan holdings and other factors impacting pension plan costs could unfavorably impact our liquidity and results of operations.

Our cost of providing defined benefit pension plans is dependent upon a number of factors resulting from actual plan experience and assumptions concerning the future, such as earnings 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 to be made to the plans. Changes made to the plans may also impact current and future pension costs. We contributed approximately $270.0 million to fund the qualified pension plan in January 2009, a significant increase over the amount funded in 2008. The primary reason for this increase was the financial market turmoil in 2008. Depending upon the growth rate of the pension investments over time and other factors impacting our costs as listed above, we may be required to contribute significant additional amounts in the future to fund our plans. These additional funding obligations could have a material adverse impact on our cash flows, financial condition or results of operations.

We are exposed to risks related to general economic conditions in our service territories.

Our electric and gas utility businesses are impacted by the economic cycles of the customers we serve. As a result of the current recession, we are starting to see regional economic conditions deteriorate. As the demand for products produced in our service area declines, we may experience reduced demand for electricity and/or natural gas that could result in decreased earnings and cash flow. In addition, we expect the current regional economic conditions to impact our collections of accounts receivable.

Customer growth in our service areas affects our results of operations.

Our results of operations are affected by customer growth in our service areas. Customer growth can be affected by population growth as well as economic factors in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, including job and income growth. Customer growth directly influences the demand for electricity and gas, and the need for additional power generation and generating facilities. A population decline and/or business closings in our service territories or slower than anticipated customer growth as a result of the current recession or otherwise could have a material adverse impact on our cash flow, financial condition or results of operations.

We are a holding company and are subject to restrictions on our ability to pay dividends.

Wisconsin Energy is a holding company and has no significant operations of its own. Accordingly, our ability to meet our financial obligations and pay dividends on our common stock is dependent upon the ability of our


31


subsidiaries to pay amounts to us, whether through dividends or other payments. The ability of our subsidiaries to pay amounts to us will depend on the earnings, cash flows, capital requirements and general financial condition of our subsidiaries and on regulatory limitations. Prior to distributing cash to Wisconsin Energy, our subsidiaries have financial obligations that must be satisfied, including among others, debt service and preferred stock dividends. Our subsidiaries also have dividend payment restrictions based on the terms of their outstanding preferred stock and regulatory limitations applicable to them. In addition, each of Wisconsin Energy, Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas bank back-up credit facilities have specified total funded debt to capitalization ratios that must be maintained.

Provisions of the Wisconsin Utility Holding Company Act limit our ability to invest in non-utility businesses and could deter takeover attempts by a potential purchaser of our common stock that would be willing to pay a premium for our common stock.

Under the Wisconsin Utility Holding Company Act, we remain subject to certain restrictions that have the potential of limiting our diversification into non-utility businesses. Under the public utility holding company law, the sum of certain assets of all non-utility affiliates in a holding company system may not exceed 25% of the assets of all public utility affiliates.

In addition, this act precludes the acquisition of 10% or more of the voting shares of a holding company of a Wisconsin public utility unless the PSCW has first determined that the acquisition is in the best interests of utility customers, investors and the public. This provision and other requirements of this act may delay or reduce the likelihood of a sale or change of control of Wisconsin Energy. As a result, shareholders may be deprived of opportunities to sell some or all of their shares of our common stock at prices that represent a premium over market prices.

Governmental agencies could modify our permits, authorizations or licenses.

Wisconsin Electric, Wisconsin Gas and Edison Sault are required to comply with the terms of various permits, authorizations and licenses. These permits, authorizations and licenses may be revoked or modified by the agencies that granted them if facts develop that differ significantly from the facts assumed when they were issued. In addition, discharge permits and other approvals and licenses are often granted for a term that is less than the expected life of the associated facility. Licenses and permits may require periodic renewal, which may result in additional requirements being imposed by the granting agency.

Also, if we are unable to obtain, renew or comply with these governmental permits, authorizations or licenses, or if we are unable to recover any increased costs of complying with additional license requirements or any other associated costs in our rates in a timely manner, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

Restructuring in the regulated energy industry could have a negative impact on our business.

The regulated energy industry continues to experience significant structural changes. Increased competition in the retail and wholesale markets, which may result from restructuring efforts, could have a significant adverse financial impact on us. It is uncertain when retail access might be implemented in Wisconsin; however, Michigan has adopted retail choice which potentially affects our Michigan operations. Under retail access legislation, customers are permitted to choose their own electric generation supplier. All Michigan electric customers were able to choose their electric generation supplier beginning in January 2002. Although competition and customer switching to alternative suppliers in our service territories in Michigan has been limited, the additional competitive pressures resulting from retail access could lead to a loss of customers and our incurring stranded costs.

FERC continues to support the existing RTOs that affect the structure of the wholesale market within those RTOs. In connection with its status as a FERC approved RTO, MISO implemented the bid-based energy markets that are part of the MISO Energy Marketson April 1, 2005. The MISO Energy Markets rules require that all market participants submit day-ahead and/or real-time bids and offers for energy at locations across the MISO region. MISO then calculates the most efficient solution for all of the bids and offers made into the market that day and establishes a LMP that reflects the market price for energy. As a participant in the MISO Energy Markets , we are required to follow MISO's instructions when dispatching generating units to support MISO's responsibility for

32



maintaining stability of the transmission system. In addition, in January 2009, MISO implemented an Ancillary Services Market for operating reserves that was simultaneously co-optimized with MISO's existing energy markets.

The implementation of new market designs has the potential to increase costs of transmission, costs associated with inefficient generation dispatching, costs of participation in the market and costs associated with estimated payment settlements.

 


33


ITEM 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

 

 

ITEM 2.

PROPERTIES

We own our principal properties outright, except that the major portion of our electric utility distribution lines, steam utility distribution mains and gas utility distribution mains and services are located, for the most part, on or under streets and highways and on land owned by others and are generally subject to granted easements, consents or permits.

As of December 31, 2008, we owned the following generating stations:

 

Dependable

No. of

Capability

Generating

in MW (a)

Name

Fuel

Units

July

Coal-Fired Plants

  Oak Creek

Coal

4    

1,135    

  Presque Isle

Coal

7    

547    

  Pleasant Prairie

Coal

2    

1,208    

  Valley

Coal

2    

267    

  Edgewater 5 (b)

Coal

1    

105    

  Milwaukee County

Coal

3    

10     

     Total Coal-Fired Plants

19    

3,272     

Hydro Plants (14 in number)

107    

81     

Port Washington Generating Stations (c)

Gas

2    

1,090    

Germantown Combustion Turbines

Gas/Oil

5    

345    

Concord Combustion Turbines

Gas/Oil

4    

388    

Paris Combustion Turbines

Gas/Oil

4    

400    

Byron Wind Turbines (d)

Wind

2    

-      

Blue Sky Green Field (e)

Wind

88    

29    

Other Combustion Turbines & Diesel

Gas/Oil

4    

10     

    Total System

235    

5,615     

(a)  

Dependable capability is the net power output under average operating conditions with equipment in an average state of repair as of a given month in a given year. We are a summer peaking electric utility. The values were established by test and may change slightly from year to year.

(b)  

We have a 25% interest in Edgewater 5 Generating Unit, which is operated by Alliant Energy Corp, an unaffiliated utility.

(c)  

Effective July 2005, Wisconsin Electric began leasing PWGS 1, a natural gas-fired generation unit with 575 MW of dependable capability, from We Power under a 25 year lease.

(a)  

Dependable capability is the net power output under average operating conditions with equipment in an average state of repair as of a given month in a given year. We are a summer peaking electric utility. The values were established by test and may change slightly from year to year.

(b)  

We have a 25% interest in Edgewater 5 Generating Unit, which is operated by Alliant Energy Corp, an unaffiliated utility.

(c)  

Effective July 2005 and May 2008, Wisconsin Electric began leasing PWGS 1 and PWGS 2, respectively, from We Power under 25 year leases. Both units are natural gas-fired generation units with 545 MW each of dependable capability.

(d)  

The Byron Wind Turbines are able to generate up to 1.2 MW of electricity; however, due to the intermittent characteristics of wind power, their dependable capability is less than 1 MW.

(e)  

Blue Sky Green Field is able to generate up to approximately 145 MW of electricity; however, due to the intermittent characteristics of wind power, its dependable capability is approximately 29 MW.

As of December 31, 2008, we operated approximately 23,210 pole-miles of overhead distribution lines and 22,210 miles of underground distribution cable, as well as approximately 378 distribution substations and 283,970 line transformers.

As of December 31, 2008, our gas distribution system included approximately 20,155 miles of distribution and transmission mains connected at 182 gate stations to the pipeline transmission systems of ANR Pipeline Company, Guardian, Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America, Northern Natural Pipeline Company, Great Lakes


34


Transmission Company, Viking Gas Transmission and Michigan Consolidated Gas Company. We have liquefied natural gas storage plants which convert and store, in liquefied form, natural gas received during periods of low consumption. The liquefied natural gas storage plants have a send-out capability of 73,600 Dth per day. We also have propane air systems for peaking purposes. These propane air systems will provide approximately 2,400 Dth per day of supply to the system. Our gas distribution system consists almost entirely of plastic and coated steel pipe.

We also own office buildings, gas regulating and metering stations and major service centers, including garage and warehouse facilities, in certain communities we serve. Where distribution lines and services and gas distribution mains and services occupy private property, we have in some, but not all instances, obtained consents, permits or easements for these installations from the apparent owners or those in possession of those properties, generally without an examination of ownership records or title.

As of December 31, 2008, the combined steam systems supplied by the Valley and Milwaukee County Power Plants consisted of approximately 43 miles of both high pressure and low pressure steam piping, nine miles of walkable tunnels and other pressure regulating equipment.

We Power:    We Power completed construction of PWGS 1 and PWGS 2, both natural gas units with a dependable capability of 545 MW each, in July 2005 and May 2008, respectively. We Power also received authorization from the PSCW to build two 615 MW coal plants (of which we will own approximately a 515 MW share of each unit) adjacent to the site of Wisconsin Electric's existing Oak Creek Power Plant. Construction commenced at this site in June 2005. For information about PTF, see Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Power the Future in Item 7.

Wisvest LLC:    Wisvest owns a chilled water production and distribution facility located in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin.

Wispark LLC:    As of December 31, 2008, Wispark owned in full or through minority interests in joint ventures, the following commercial and industrial parks in the state of Wisconsin: LakeView Corporate Park located near Kenosha, Wisconsin and GrandView Business Park in Racine, Wisconsin. Wispark developed Gaslight Pointe, a residential and commercial complex located in Racine. Wispark owns other properties located in Wisconsin Electric's service territories that are held for future development or sale. Wispark is a minority owner in an industrial park located in Gurnee, Illinois.

 

 

ITEM 3.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In addition to those legal proceedings discussed below, we are currently, and from time to time, subject to claims and suits arising in the ordinary course of business. Although the results of these other legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes, after consultation with legal counsel, that the ultimate resolution of these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our financial statements.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

We are subject to federal, state and certain local laws and regulations governing the environmental aspects of our operations. Management believes that, perhaps with immaterial exceptions, our existing facilities are in compliance with applicable environmental requirements.

EPA Information Requests:     Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas responded to an EPA request received in August 2004, for information pursuant to CERCLA Section 104(e) for the Solvay Coke and Gas Site located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. All potentially responsive records and corporate legal files have been reviewed and responsive information was provided in October 2004. A predecessor company of Wisconsin Electric owned a parcel of property that is within the property boundaries of the site. A predecessor company of Wisconsin Gas had a customer and corporate relationship with the entity that owned and operated the site, Milwaukee Solvay Coke Company. In July 2005, Wisconsin Gas received a general notice letter from the EPA identifying Wisconsin Gas as

35


a potentially responsible party under CERCLA. In April 2006, we received a special notice letter from the EPA identifying both Wisconsin Gas and Wisconsin Electric as potentially responsible parties and commencing a negotiation period with the EPA and other parties regarding the conduct of a RI/FS and reimbursement of the EPA's costs. Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas, along with other parties, have entered into an Administrative Settlement Agreement and Order with the EPA to perform the RI/FS and reimburse the EPA's oversight costs. The investigation activities began in late 2008. Under the Settlement Agreement, neither Wisconsin Electric nor Wisconsin Gas admits to any liability for the site, waives any liability defenses, or commits to perform future site remedial activities at this time. The companies' share of the costs to perform the RI/FS and reimburse the EPA's oversight costs, as well as potential future remediation cost estimates and reserves, are included in the estimated manufactured gas plant values reported in Note S -- Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

See Environmental Compliance in Item 1 and Environmental Matters, Manufactured Gas Plant Sites, Ash Landfill Sites and EPA - Consent Decree in Note S -- Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements which are incorporated by reference herein, for a discussion of matters related to certain solid waste and coal-ash landfills, manufactured gas plant sites and air quality.

 

UTILITY RATE MATTERS

See Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Utility Rates and Regulatory Matters and Power the Future in Item 7 for information concerning rate matters in the jurisdictions where Wisconsin Electric, Wisconsin Gas and Edison Sault do business.

 

OTHER MATTERS

Used Nuclear Fuel Storage and Removal:     See Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Nuclear Operations in Item 7 for information concerning the DOE's breach of contract with Wisconsin Electric that required the DOE to begin permanently removing used nuclear fuel from Point Beach by January 31, 1998.

Stray Voltage:     In recent years, several actions by dairy farmers have been commenced or claims made against Wisconsin Electric for loss of milk production and other damages to livestock allegedly caused by stray voltage resulting from the operation of its electrical system. For additional information, see Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Legal Matters in Item 7.

For information regarding additional legal matters, see Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Legal Matters in Item 7. For information concerning our PTF strategy, including the dispute with Bechtel, see Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Power the Future.


36


 

ITEM 4.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted to a vote of our security holders during the fourth quarter of 2008.

 

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The names, ages at December 31, 2008 and positions of our executive officers are listed below along with their business experience during the past five years. All officers are appointed until they resign, die or are removed pursuant to the Bylaws. There are no family relationships among these officers, nor is there any agreement or understanding between any officer and any other person pursuant to which the officer was selected.

 

Gale E. Klappa. Age 58.

  • Wisconsin Energy -- Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since May 2004. President since April 2003.
  • Wisconsin Electric -- Chairman of the Board since May 2004. President and Chief Executive Officer since August 2003.
  • Wisconsin Gas -- Chairman of the Board since May 2004. President and Chief Executive Officer since August 2003.
  • Director of Joy Global, Inc.
  • Director of Wisconsin Energy, Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas since 2003.

Charles R. Cole. Age 62.

  • Wisconsin Electric -- Senior Vice President since 2001.
  • Wisconsin Gas -- Senior Vice President since July 2004.

Stephen P. Dickson. Age 48.

  • Wisconsin Energy -- Vice President since 2005. Controller since 2000.
  • Wisconsin Electric -- Vice President since 2005. Controller since 2000.
  • Wisconsin Gas -- Vice President since 2005. Controller since 1998.

James C. Fleming. Age 63.

  • Wisconsin Energy -- General Counsel since March 2006. Executive Vice President since January 2006.
  • Wisconsin Electric -- General Counsel since March 2006. Executive Vice President since January 2006.
  • Wisconsin Gas -- General Counsel since March 2006. Executive Vice President since January 2006.
  • Southern Company Services, Inc. -- Vice President and Associate General Counsel from 1998 to December 2005. Southern Company Services is an affiliate of The Southern Company, a public utility holding company serving the southeastern United States.

Frederick D. Kuester. Age 58.

  • Wisconsin Energy -- Executive Vice President since May 2004.
  • Wisconsin Electric -- Executive Vice President since May 2004. Chief Operating Officer since October 2003.
  • Wisconsin Gas -- Executive Vice President since May 2004.

Allen L. Leverett. Age 42.

  • Wisconsin Energy -- Executive Vice President since May 2004. Chief Financial Officer since July 2003.
  • Wisconsin Electric -- Executive Vice President since May 2004. Chief Financial Officer since July 2003.
  • Wisconsin Gas -- Executive Vice President since May 2004. Chief Financial Officer since July 2003.

37


Kristine A Rappé. Age 52.

  • Wisconsin Energy -- Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer since May 2004. Corporate Secretary from 2001 to August 2004. Vice President from 2003 to April 2004.
  • Wisconsin Electric -- Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer since May 2004. Corporate Secretary from 2001 to August 2004. Vice President from 1994 to April 2004.
  • Wisconsin Gas -- Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer since May 2004. Corporate Secretary from 2001 to August 2004. Vice President from 2001 to April 2004.

Certain executive officers also hold offices in our non-utility subsidiaries.

 

 

PART II

ITEM 5.

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

NUMBER OF COMMON STOCKHOLDERS

As of December 31, 2008, based upon the number of Wisconsin Energy Corporation stockholder accounts (including accounts in our dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan), we had approximately 48,400 registered stockholders.

 

COMMON STOCK LISTING AND TRADING

 

Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "WEC." Daily trading prices and volume can be found in the "NYSE Composite" section of most major newspapers, usually abbreviated as WI Engy.

 

 

DIVIDENDS AND COMMON STOCK PRICES

 

Common Stock Dividends of Wisconsin Energy:     Cash dividends on our common stock, as declared by the Board of Directors, are normally paid on or about the first day of March, June, September and December of each year. We review our dividend policy on a regular basis. Subject to any regulatory restrictions or other limitations on the payment of dividends, future dividends will be at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other factors, earnings, financial condition and other requirements. For information regarding restrictions on the ability of our subsidiaries to pay us dividends, see Note J -- Common Equity in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8.

In December 2008, our Board of Directors approved a new common stock dividend policy. Pursuant to this new policy, we will target a dividend payout ratio between 40% and 45% of earnings for the years 2009 through 2011. We plan to target a dividend payout ratio of 45% to 50% of earnings after 2011. In accordance with the new policy, on January 29, 2009, our Board of Directors announced that it increased our common stock quarterly dividend rate by 25% to $0.3375 per share. With the increase, the new dividend is equivalent to an annual rate of $1.35 per share.


38


Range of Wisconsin Energy Common Stock Prices and Dividends:

2008

2007

Quarter

High

Low

Dividend

High

Low

Dividend

First

$49.61   

$42.00   

$0.27   

$50.10   

$45.67   

$0.25   

Second

$48.75   

$44.22   

0.27   

$50.00   

$43.50   

0.25   

Third

$47.24   

$42.01   

0.27   

$45.81   

$41.06   

0.25   

Fourth

$46.10   

$34.89   

0.27   

$50.48   

$44.35   

0.25   

Annual

$49.61   

$34.89   

$1.08   

$50.48   

$41.06   

$1.00   

 

 

 

                                                                                        ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES






2008




Total Number
of Shares
Purchased (a)




Average
Price Paid
per Share


Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs

Maximum
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans or
Programs

(Millions of Dollars)

October 1-
October 31


   1,206       


$ 40.15   


-             


$ -         

November 1-
November 30


-          


$         -   


-             


$ -         

December 1-
December 31


-           


$    -       


-             


$ -         

Total

1,206      

$40.15   

-             

$ -         

(a)

This table does not include shares purchased by independent agents to satisfy obligations under our employee benefit plans and stock purchase and dividend reinvestment plan. All shares reported during the quarter were surrendered by employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations upon vesting of restricted stock.


39


 

 

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED SELECTED FINANCIAL AND STATISTICAL DATA

Financial

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

Year Ended December 31

Net income - Continuing Operations (Millions)

$              358.6 

$              336.5 

$              312.5 

$              303.6 

$              219.6 

Earnings per share - Continuing Operations

Basic

$                3.06 

$                2.88 

$                2.67 

$                2.59 

$                1.87 

Diluted

$                3.03 

$                2.84 

$                2.64 

$                2.56 

$                1.84 

Dividends per share of common stock

$                1.08 

$                1.00 

$                0.92 

$                0.88 

$                0.83 

Operating revenues (Millions)

Utility energy

$           4,424.5 

$           4,224.8 

$           3,979.0 

$           3,793.0 

$           3,375.4 

Non-utility energy

126.2 

75.7 

69.1 

40.0 

19.9 

Eliminations and Other

(119.7)

(62.7)

(51.7)

(17.5)

10.8 

Total operating revenues

$           4,431.0 

$           4,237.8 

$           3,996.4 

$           3,815.5 

$           3,406.1 

At December 31 (Millions)

Total assets

$         12,617.8 

$         11,720.3 

$         11,130.2 

$         10,462.0 

$           9,565.4 

Long-term debt (including current maturities) and

capital lease obligations

$           4,136.5 

$           3,525.3 

$           3,370.1 

$           3,527.0 

$           3,340.5 

Common Stock Closing Price

$              41.98 

$              48.71 

$              47.46 

$              39.06 

$              33.71 

CONSOLIDATED SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)

(Millions of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts) (a)

March

June

Three Months Ended

2008

2007

2008

2007

Operating revenues

$           1,431.8 

$           1,301.1 

$              946.1 

$              906.5 

Operating income

217.9 

184.5 

108.2 

105.1 

Income from Continuing Operations

123.2 

101.1 

58.3 

57.7 

Income (loss) from Discontinued Operations

-     

(0.2)

(0.3)

(0.2)

Total Net Income

$              123.2 

$              100.9 

$                58.0 

$                57.5 

Earnings per share of common stock (basic) (b)

Continuing operations

$                1.05 

$                0.86 

$                0.50 

$                0.49 

Discontinued operations

-    

-    

-    

-    

Total earnings per share (basic)

$                1.05 

$                0.86 

$                0.50 

$                0.49 

Earnings per share of common stock (diluted) (b)

Continuing operations

$                1.04 

$                0.85 

$                0.49 

$                0.49 

Discontinued operations

-    

-    

-    

-    

Total earnings per share (diluted)

$                1.04 

$                0.85 

$                0.49 

$                0.49 

September

December

Three Months Ended

2008

2007

2008

2007

Operating revenues

$              852.5 

$              881.5 

$           1,200.6 

$           1,148.7 

Operating income

139.0 

153.1 

195.5 

185.8 

Income from Continuing Operations

77.0 

83.1 

100.1 

94.6 

Income (loss) from Discontinued Operations

0.5 

(0.2)

0.3 

(0.3)

Total Net Income

$                77.5 

$                82.9 

$              100.4 

$                94.3 

Earnings per share of common stock (basic) (b)

Continuing operations

$                0.66 

$                0.71 

$                0.86 

$                0.81 

Discontinued operations

-    

-    

-    

-    

Total earnings per share (basic)

$                0.66 

$                0.71 

$                0.86 

$                0.81 

Earnings per share of common stock (diluted) (b)

Continuing operations

$                0.65 

$                0.70 

$                0.85 

$                0.80 

Discontinued operations

-    

-    

-    

-    

Total earnings per share (diluted)

$                0.65 

$                0.70 

$                0.85 

$                0.80 

(a)

Quarterly results of operations are not directly comparable because of seasonal and other factors.  See Management's Discussion

and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

(b)  

Quarterly earnings per share may not total to the amounts reported for the year because the computation is based on

the weighted average common shares outstanding during each quarter.


40


 

 

ITEM 7.

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

CORPORATE DEVELOPMENTS

INTRODUCTION

Wisconsin Energy Corporation is a diversified holding company with subsidiaries primarily in a utility energy segment and a non-utility energy segment. Unless qualified by their context, when used in this document the terms Wisconsin Energy, the Company, our, us or we refer to the holding company and all of its subsidiaries.

Our utility energy segment, consisting of Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas, both doing business under the trade name of "We Energies", and Edison Sault, is engaged primarily in the business of generating electricity and distributing electricity and natural gas in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Our non-utility energy segment primarily consists of We Power. We Power is principally engaged in the engineering, construction and development of electric power generating facilities for long-term lease to Wisconsin Electric under our PTF strategy.

 

CORPORATE STRATEGY

Business Opportunities

We seek to increase stockholder value by leveraging on our core competencies. Our key corporate strategy, announced in September 2000, is PTF. This strategy is designed to address Wisconsin's growing electric supply needs by increasing the electric generating capacity in the state while maintaining a fuel-diverse, reasonably priced electric supply. It is also designed to improve the delivery of energy within our distribution systems to meet increasing customer demands and to support our commitment to improved environmental performance. Our PTF strategy, which is discussed further below, is having and is expected to continue to have, a significant impact on our utility and non-utility energy segments. In July 2005, the first of four new electric generating units under our PTF strategy was placed into service. The second unit was placed in service in May 2008. Construction on the remaining two units is underway with OC 1 scheduled to be placed in service by the end of 2009 and OC 2 scheduled to be placed in service in the fall of 2010.

Utility Energy Segment:    Our utility energy segment strives to provide reasonably priced energy delivered at high levels of customer service and reliability. We expect our prices to continue to be established by our regulatory bodies under traditional rate based, cost of service methodologies. We continue to gain efficiencies and improve the effectiveness of our service deliveries through the combined support operations of our electric and gas businesses. We work to obtain a reliable, reasonably-priced supply of electricity through plants that we operate and various long-term supply contracts.

Non-Utility Energy Segment:    Our primary focus in this segment is to improve the supply of electric generation in Wisconsin. We Power was formed to design, construct, own and lease new generation assets under our PTF strategy.

Power the Future Strategy:    In February 2001, we filed a petition with the PSCW that would allow us to begin implementing our 10-year PTF strategy to improve the supply and reliability of electricity in Wisconsin. PTF is intended to meet a growing demand for electricity and ensure a diverse fuel mix while keeping electricity prices reasonable. Under PTF, we are (1) investing approximately $2.6 billion in 2,120 MW of new natural gas-fired and coal-fired generating capacity at existing sites; (2) upgrading our existing electric generating facilities; and (3) investing in upgrades of our existing energy distribution system.

In November 2001, we created We Power to design, construct, own and lease the new generating capacity. Wisconsin Electric will lease each new generating facility from We Power as well as operate and maintain the new plants under 25- to 30-year lease agreements approved by the PSCW. Based upon the structure of the leases, we expect to recover the investments in We Power's new facilities over the initial lease term. At the end of the leases, Wisconsin Electric will have the right to acquire the plants outright at market value or to renew the leases.

41


Wisconsin Electric expects that payments under the plant leases will be recoverable in rates under the provisions of the Wisconsin Leased Generation Law.

Under our PTF strategy, we expect a significant portion of our future generation needs will be met through We Power's construction of the PWGS units and the Oak Creek expansion.

As of December 31, 2008:

  •  

We completed the construction of our two 545 MW natural gas-fired intermediate load units in Port Washington, Wisconsin (PWGS 1 and PWGS 2). PWGS 1 and PWGS 2 were placed in service in July 2005 and May 2008, respectively. Both units are fully operational and were completed within the PSCW approved cost parameters.

  •  

We have made significant progress on construction of the two 615 MW coal-fired base load units (OC 1 and OC 2) adjacent to the site of our existing Oak Creek Power Plant in Oak Creek, Wisconsin (the Oak Creek expansion), with OC 1 scheduled to be in service in late 2009 and OC 2 in fall 2010. All environmental permits have been received. The WDNR issued a final modified WPDES Permit in July 2008.

  •  

We completed the planned sale of approximately a 17% (200 MW) ownership interest in the Oak Creek expansion to two co-owners.

Through December 31, 2008, we have financed our PTF expenditures with internally generated cash, asset sales and debt financings. Future expenditures are expected to be financed with internally generated cash and debt financings. We currently do not plan to issue any new common equity as part of our PTF strategy.

Our primary risks under PTF are construction risks associated with the schedule and costs for our Oak Creek expansion; changes in applicable laws or regulations; adverse interpretation or enforcement of permit conditions, laws or regulations by the permitting agencies; the ability to obtain necessary operating permits in a timely manner; obtaining the investment capital from outside sources necessary to implement the strategy; governmental actions; and events in the global economy.

For further information concerning PTF capital requirements, see Liquidity and Capital Resources below. For additional information regarding risks associated with our PTF strategy, including a discussion of the claims submitted by Bechtel, the contractor for the Oak Creek expansion, and the regulatory process and specific regulatory approvals, see Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources below.

Sale of Point Beach:    In September 2007, Wisconsin Electric sold Point Beach to an affiliate of FPL for approximately $924 million. Pursuant to the terms of the sale agreement, the buyer purchased Point Beach, its nuclear fuel and associated inventories and assumed the obligation to decommission the plant. Wisconsin Electric retained approximately $506 million of the sales proceeds, which represents the net book value of the assets sold and certain transaction costs. In addition, Wisconsin Electric deferred the net gain on the sale of approximately $418 million as a regulatory liability and deposited those proceeds into a restricted cash account.

In connection with the sale, Wisconsin Electric also transferred $390 million of decommissioning funds to the buyer. Wisconsin Electric then liquidated the balance of the decommissioning trust assets and retained approximately $552 million, which was also placed into the restricted cash account. We are using the cash in the restricted cash account and the interest earned on the balance for the benefit of our customers and to pay certain taxes related to the liquidation of the qualified decommissioning trust. Our regulators are directing the manner in which these proceeds will benefit customers. For further information on the 2008 rate case, see Utility Rates and Regulatory Matters under Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources in this report.

A long-term power purchase agreement with the buyer became effective upon closing of the sale. Pursuant to this agreement, Wisconsin Electric is purchasing all of the energy produced by Point Beach. The power purchase agreement extends through 2030 for Unit 1 and 2033 for Unit 2. Based on the agreement, we are paying a pre-determined price per MWh for energy delivered. For additional information on the sale of Point Beach, see Nuclear Operations under Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources in this report.


42


 

Divestiture of Assets

Our PTF strategy led to a decision to divest non-core businesses. These non-core businesses primarily included non-utility generation assets located outside of Wisconsin and a substantial amount of Wispark's real estate portfolio, as well as our manufacturing business. In addition, in 2001 we contributed our transmission assets to ATC and received cash proceeds of $119.8 million and an economic interest in ATC. Finally, in 2006 we concluded that it was in the best interests of customers and stockholders to sell Point Beach. In 2007, we sold Point Beach for approximately $924 million. Since 2000, we have received total proceeds of approximately $3.1 billion from the divestiture of assets.

 

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS

The following table compares our operating income by business segment and our net income for 2008, 2007 and 2006:

 

Wisconsin Energy Corporation

2008

2007

2006

(Millions of Dollars)

Utility Energy

$581.9   

$586.0   

$532.8   

Non-Utility Energy

89.3   

47.4   

43.1   

Corporate and Other

(10.6)  

(4.9)  

(7.4)   

   Total Operating Income

660.6   

628.5   

568.5   

Equity in Earnings of Transmission Affiliate

51.8   

43.1   

38.6   

Other Income and Deductions, net

17.0   

48.9   

53.1   

Interest Expense, net

153.7   

167.6   

172.7   

   Income From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes

575.7   

552.9   

487.5   

Income Taxes

217.1   

216.4   

175.0   

   Income From Continuing Operations

358.6   

336.5   

312.5   

   Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax

0.5   

(0.9)  

3.9   

Net Income

$359.1   

$335.6   

$316.4   

Diluted Earnings Per Share

   Continuing Operation

$3.03   

$2.84   

$2.64   

   Discontinued Operations

0.01   

(0.01)  

0.03   

Total Diluted Earnings Per Share

$3.04   

$2.83   

$2.67   

Diluted Earnings Per Share

An analysis of contributions to operating income by segment and a more detailed analysis of results in 2008, 2007 and 2006 follow.

 

UTILITY ENERGY SEGMENT CONTRIBUTION TO OPERATING INCOME

2008 vs. 2007:    Our utility energy segment contributed $581.9 million of operating income during 2008 compared with $586.0 million of operating income during 2007. During 2008, we experienced less favorable weather in the summer months, which decreased electric sales. In addition, our fuel and purchased power costs increased primarily as a result of the power purchase agreement entered into upon the sale of Point Beach. Finally, our other operating and maintenance expenses were higher due primarily to increased regulatory amortizations allowed in rates. These items were largely offset by our rate increases and increased margin from gas sales due to colder weather.


43


2007 vs. 2006:    Our utility energy segment contributed $586.0 million of operating income during 2007 compared with $532.8 million of operating income during 2006. During 2007, we experienced more favorable weather which increased electric and gas sales. In addition, we experienced an increase in retail sales as a result of customer growth and we reached a settlement regarding a billing dispute with our largest customers, two iron ore mines. These items were partially offset by an increase in fuel and purchased power expenses.

The following table summarizes our utility energy segment's operating income during 2008, 2007 and 2006:

Utility Energy Segment

2008

2007

2006

(Millions of Dollars)

Operating Revenues

   Electric

$2,686.4   

$2,705.7    

$2,529.4    

   Gas

1,694.6   

1,481.2    

1,419.9    

   Other

43.5   

37.9    

29.7    

Total Operating Revenues

4,424.5   

4,224.8    

3,979.0    

   Fuel and Purchased Power (a)

1,244.9   

1,000.6    

806.2    

   Cost of Gas Sold

1,221.3   

1,052.7    

1,018.3    

Gross Margin

1,958.3   

2,171.5    

2,154.5    

Other Operating Expenses

   Other Operation and Maintenance (a)

1,452.8   

1,174.2    

1,211.1    

   Depreciation, Decommissioning

     and Amortization (a)

304.1   

315.2    

314.0    

   Property and Revenue Taxes

107.6   

102.6    

96.6    

Total Operating Expenses

4,330.7   

3,645.3    

3,446.2    

   Amortization of Gain

488.1   

6.5    

   -       

Operating Income

$581.9   

$586.0    

$532.8    

(a)

In September 2007, we sold Point Beach and commenced purchasing power from the new owner under a power purchase agreement. As a result of the sale and the power purchase agreement, our 2008 earnings reflect higher fuel and purchased power costs as compared to 2007. In addition, our 2008 operating income reflects lower other operation and maintenance costs and lower depreciation, decommissioning and amortization costs as we no longer own Point Beach.

In January 2008, Wisconsin Electric received a rate order from the PSCW that authorized a 17.2% increase in electric rates to recover increased costs associated with transmission expenses, our PTF program, environmental expenditures, continued investment in renewable and efficiency programs and recovery of previously deferred regulatory assets. The PSCW allowed us to issue bill credits to our customers from the proceeds of the net gain and excess decommissioning funds associated with the sale of Point Beach to mitigate this increase. As a result of these bill credits, we estimate that the January 2008 PSCW rate order resulted in a net 3.2% increase in electric rates paid by our Wisconsin customers in 2008 and will result in another net increase of 3.2% in 2009. The bill credits that we issue to our customers and the proceeds immediately applied to regulatory assets are reflected on our income statement in the amortization of the gain on the sale of Point Beach. As we issue the bill credits, we transfer the cash from a restricted account to an unrestricted account. The transferred cash is equal to the bill credits, less taxes.


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Electric Utility Gross Margin

The following table compares our electric utility gross margin during 2008 with similar information for 2007 and 2006, including a summary of electric operating revenues and electric sales by customer class:

Electric Revenues and Gross Margin

MWh Sales

Electric Utility Operations

2008

2007

2006

2008

2007

2006

(Millions of Dollars)

(Thousands, Except Degree Days)

Customer Class

  Residential

$977.1  

$929.6  

$883.2  

8,448.1  

8,586.6  

8,322.7  

  Small Commercial/Industrial

890.6  

861.7  

814.8  

9,260.3  

9,430.3  

9,142.2  

  Large Commercial/Industrial

659.6  

676.9  

647.5  

10,903.0  

11,245.6  

11,173.1  

  Other-Retail

21.2  

19.7  

19.3  

167.7  

168.7  

169.9  

     Total Retail Sales

2,548.5  

2,487.9  

2,364.8  

28,779.1  

29,431.2  

28,807.9  

  Wholesale - Other

58.9  

95.1  

78.0  

2,281.1  

2,178.5  

2,057.6  

  Resale - Utilities

37.5  

81.6  

51.2  

881.0  

1,434.5  

1,025.7  

  Other Operating Revenues

41.5  

41.1  

35.4  

-      

-      

-      

Total

$2,686.4   

$2,705.7  

$2,529.4  

31,941.2  

33,044.2  

31,891.2  

Fuel and Purchased Power

  Fuel

570.8  

570.1  

487.9  

  Purchased Power

660.6  

419.7  

309.8  

Total Fuel and Purchased Power

1,231.4  

989.8  

797.7  

Total Electric Gross Margin

$1,455.0  

$1,715.9  

$1,731.7  

Weather -- Degree Days (a)

  Heating (6,677 Normal)

7,073  

6,508  

6,043  

  Cooling (719 Normal)

593  

800  

723  

(a)

As measured at Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Normal degree days are based upon a twenty-year moving average.

Electric Utility Revenues and Sales

2008 vs. 2007:    Our electric utility operating revenues decreased by $19.3 million, or 0.7%, when compared to 2007. The largest factor in this decline was a one-time $62.5 million FERC approved refund to our wholesale customers associated with their share of the gain on the sale of Point Beach. Consistent with past practices, the refund was recorded as a reduction in wholesale revenues. Because the refund came from the restricted cash associated with the sale of Point Beach, a corresponding entry was made to amortize the gain on the sale of Point Beach.

We also estimate that weather reduced our revenues by approximately $28.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2008 as compared the same period in 2007. As measured by cooling degree days, 2008 was approximately 25.9% cooler than 2007 and 17.5% cooler than normal. Opportunity sales declined by approximately $44.1 million primarily because of less favorable weather, which reduced demand for our higher cost generation that was not being utilized to serve our retail customers. In addition, we experienced a $9.0 million decrease in revenue related to the settlement of a billing dispute with our largest customers, two iron ore mines, that occurred in 2007. Partially offsetting these decreases, we estimate that our electric revenues were approximately $142.9 million higher than the same period in 2007 because of pricing increases we received in the January 2008 PSCW rate case, the interim April 2008 and final July 2008 PSCW fuel orders and a wholesale rate increase effective in May 2007. For more information on the pricing increases and the fuel cost adjustment clause, see Utility Rates and Regulatory Matters in Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources.

We estimate that sales to large commercial and industrial customers will decline in 2009 because of the current economic conditions. However, we expect our total electric utility operating revenues to increase in 2009 primarily due to the scheduled reduction of Point Beach bill credits, the full year impact of the 2008 rate increase and the impact of the one-time refund to FERC wholesale customers in 2008.


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2007 vs. 2006:    Our electric utility operating revenues increased by $176.3 million, or 7.0%, when compared to 2006. The biggest drivers of the increase in revenues related to the recognition of revenues attributable to fuel and purchased power of approximately $37.4 million and increased revenues related to Resale - Utilities of approximately $30.4 million. Our policy for electric fuel revenues is to not recognize revenue for any currently billable amounts if it is probable that we will refund those amounts to customers. In 2006, we experienced lower than expected fuel and purchased power costs, and we established $37.4 million of reserves to reflect amounts that were refunded to customers. No such reserves were established in 2007 as we experienced higher fuel and purchased power costs. The increase in Resale - Utilities reflects our ability to sell electricity into the MISO and PJM markets due to the increased availability of our baseload plants.

In addition, we estimate that $27.1 million of the increase in operating revenues related to pricing increases. This increase primarily reflects rate increases received in late January 2006 that were in effect for the entire twelve months ended December 31, 2007 and a wholesale rate increase effective May 2007. We also estimate that $28.9 million of the increase was due to more favorable weather and $22.8 million relates to sales growth in residential and commercial sales. Finally, approximately $9.0 million of the increase relates to the settlement in the second quarter of 2007 of a billing dispute with our largest customers, two iron ore mines.

Our retail electric sales volume grew by approximately 2.2%. The increase in retail sales was driven by growth in residential and commercial sales and more favorable weather in 2007 as compared to the same period in 2006. In 2007, heating degree days increased by approximately 7.7% compared to 2006, and cooling degree days increased by approximately 10.7%.

 

Electric Fuel and Purchased Power Expenses

2008 vs. 2007:    Our fuel and purchased power costs increased by $241.6 million, or approximately 24.4%, when compared to 2007. The largest factor related to this increase was the power purchase agreement we entered into in connection with the sale of Point Beach, which increased costs by approximately $247.0 million. In addition, in connection with the January 2008 PSCW rate order, we recorded a $41.2 million one-time amortization of deferred fuel costs in the first quarter of 2008. After adjusting for the Point Beach power purchase agreement and one-time amortization of deferred fuel cost, fuel and purchased power costs decreased by approximately $46.6 million, or 4.7%. Cost increases resulting from higher natural gas prices, purchased energy and coal and related transportation prices were more than offset by lower costs resulting from reduced MWh sales during 2008 as compared to 2007.

We expect that electric fuel and purchased power expenses in 2009 will be impacted by the price of natural gas, the increased cost of coal and related transportation prices and changes in electric sales.

2007 vs. 2006:    Our fuel and purchased power expenses increased by $192.1 million, or approximately 24.1%, when compared to 2006. Our total electric sales volume increased by approximately 3.6%, when compared to 2006. However, our average fuel and purchased power costs increased by $4.86 per MWh, or approximately 20.6%. The largest factors for the higher cost per MWh are the power purchase agreement entered into in connection with the sale of Point Beach, which increased costs by approximately $47.0 million, increased coal and transportation costs, increased market prices for purchased energy and an increase in production of gas-fired generation used for opportunity sales.

Gas Utility Revenues, Gross Margin and Therm Deliveries

The following table compares our total gas utility operating revenues and gross margin (total gas utility operating revenues less cost of gas sold) during 2008, 2007 and 2006:


46


Gas Utility Operations

2008

2007

2006

(Millions of Dollars)

Operating Revenues

$1,694.6  

$1,481.2  

$1,419.9  

Cost of Gas Sold

1,221.3  

1,052.7  

1,018.3  

     Gross Margin

$473.3  

$428.5  

$401.6  

 

We believe gross margin is a better performance indicator than revenues because changes in the cost of gas sold flow through to revenue under GCRMs. The following table compares our gas utility gross margin and therm deliveries by customer class during 2008, 2007 and 2006:

Gross Margin

Therm Deliveries

Gas Utility Operations

2008

2007

2006

2008

2007

2006

(Millions of Dollars)

(Millions, Except Degree Days)

Customer Class

  Residential

$299.5  

$273.9   

$255.0   

841.8  

791.7   

727.9   

  Commercial/Industrial

109.3  

93.4   

86.0   

503.2  

461.9   

435.9   

  Interruptible

2.4  

2.0   

2.0   

23.0  

22.7   

21.3   

    Total Retail Gas Sales

411.2  

369.3   

343.0   

1,368.0  

1,276.3   

1,185.1   

  Transported Gas

52.2  

51.7   

51.3   

905.8  

921.6   

843.8   

  Other Operating

9.9  

7.5   

7.3   

-      

-      

-      

Total

$473.3  

$428.5   

$401.6   

2,273.8  

2,197.9   

2,028.9   

Weather - Degree Days (a)

  Heating (6,677 Normal)

7,073   

6,508   

6,043   

(a)

As measured at Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Normal degree days are based upon a twenty-year moving average.

2008 vs. 2007:    Our gas margins increased by $44.8 million, or approximately 10.5%, when compared to 2007. We estimate that approximately $22.5 million of this increase related to pricing increases that we received in the January 2008 PSCW rate order. Additionally, we estimate that weather had a positive impact on our gas margin of approximately $13.9 million. Temperatures (as measured by heating degree days) were 8.7% colder in 2008 as compared to 2007, and 5.9% colder than normal.

We expect our gas margins in 2009 will be impacted by weather; however, as noted above, 2008 was colder than normal.

2007 vs. 2006:    Our gas margins increased by $26.9 million, or 6.7%, between the comparative periods. We estimate that approximately $21.7 million of this increase related to increased sales as a result of more normal winter weather. Temperatures (as measured by heating degree days) were approximately 7.7% colder in 2007 as compared to 2006. As a result, our retail therm deliveries increased approximately 7.7% from 2006. In addition, we estimate that our gas margins improved by $6.6 million due to a rate order that went into effect in the latter part of January 2006 and was effective for the entire twelve months ended December 31, 2007.


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Other Operation and Maintenance Expense

2008 vs. 2007:    Our other operation and maintenance expenses increased by approximately $278.6 million, or 23.7%, when compared to 2007. The January 2008 PSCW rate order allowed for pricing increases related to transmission costs, PTF lease costs and the amortization of other deferred costs. These items were $262.8 million higher in 2008 as compared to 2007. In addition to these regulatory amortizations, in connection with the January 2008 PSCW rate order, we recorded a one-time $43.8 million amortization of deferred bad debt costs in the first quarter of 2008. We also incurred approximately $64.1 million of increased expenses related to the operation and maintenance of our power plants and electric distribution system. These increased costs were also considered in the rate setting process. These increases were partially offset by a $119.7 million decrease in nuclear operation and maintenance expense related to Point Beach as we no longer own the plant.

Our utility operation and maintenance expenses are influenced by wage inflation, employee benefit costs, plant outages and the amortization of regulatory assets. We expect our 2009 other operation and maintenance expense to decrease due to the impact of the $43.8 million one-time amortization of deferred bad debt costs in 2008 and other overall cost reduction efforts implemented in response to the current economic recession.

2007 vs. 2006:    Our other operation and maintenance expense decreased by $36.9 million, or 3.0%, when compared to 2006. This decrease was primarily because of a decline in nuclear operations expense of approximately $37.8 million because we owned Point Beach for only nine months in 2007 as compared to a full year in 2006. Additionally, fossil operations expense decreased by approximately $6.0 million due to fewer planned outages in 2007 as compared to 2006. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $12.7 million in regulatory amortizations as a result of the January 2006 rate order. The January 2006 rate order covered increased expenses related to transmission costs, bad debt costs and PTF costs.

Depreciation, Decommissioning and Amortization Expense

2008 vs. 2007:    Depreciation, decommissioning and amortization expense decreased by approximately $11.1 million, or 3.5%, when compared to 2007. The 2007 sale of Point Beach reduced depreciation, decommissioning and amortization expense by approximately $24 million as we no longer own the plant. Partially offsetting this decline was higher depreciation related to new projects including the Blue Sky Green Field wind project that was placed in service in May 2008.

We expect depreciation, decommissioning and amortization expense to increase in 2009 as a result of an overall increase in utility plant in service.

2007 vs. 2006:    Depreciation, decommissioning and amortization expense increased by $1.2 million, or 0.4%, when compared to 2006. This increase was the result of increased depreciation for normal plant additions and coal- related environmental controls that were placed in service in November 2006. These increases were partially offset by a reduction in depreciation and decommissioning costs as a result of the sale of Point Beach in September 2007.

Amortization of Gain

In connection with the September 2007 sale of Point Beach, we reached agreement with our regulators to allow for the net gain on the sale of approximately $902.2 million to be used for the benefit of our customers. The majority of the benefits are being returned to customers in the form of bill credits. The net gain was originally recorded as a regulatory liability, and it is being amortized to the income statement as we issue bill credits or make refunds to customers. When the bill credits and refunds are issued to customers, we transfer cash from the restricted accounts to the unrestricted accounts, adjusted for taxes.


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During 2008 and 2007, the Amortization of Gain was as follows:

Amortization of Gain

 

2008

 

2007

   

(Millions of Dollars)

         

Bill Credits - Retail

 

$340.6   

 

$6.5   

One-Time FERC Refund

 

62.5   

 

-     

One-Time Amortization to Offset Regulatory Asset

 

85.0   

 

-     

Total Amortization of Gain

 

$488.1   

 

$6.5   

In 2009, we expect to see a reduction in the Amortization of Gain because of the one-time entries identified above, as well as an expected approximately $100 million decrease in bill credits to retail customers compared to 2008.

 

NON-UTILITY ENERGY SEGMENT CONTRIBUTION TO OPERATING INCOME

The most significant subsidiary included in this segment is We Power, which constructs and owns power plants associated with our PTF strategy and leases them to Wisconsin Electric. This segment primarily reflects revenues billed under the leases for PWGS 1, PWGS 2 and the Oak Creek coal handling system, and the related depreciation expense.

The following table compares our non-utility energy segment's operating income during 2008, 2007 and 2006:

Non-Utility Energy Segment

2008

2007

2006

(Millions of Dollars)

Operating Revenues

$126.2  

$75.7   

$69.1   

Other Operating Expenses

   Other Operation and Maintenance

14.6  

15.9   

14.4   

   Depreciation, Decommissioning and Amortization

21.9  

12.1   

11.2   

   Property and Revenue Taxes

0.4  

0.3   

0.4   

Operating Income

$89.3  

$47.4   

$43.1   

Note: We Power's PTF lease revenues and Wisconsin Electric's lease costs are eliminated in consolidation.

2008 vs. 2007:    Our non-utility energy segment contributed $89.3 million of operating income in 2008 compared to operating income of $47.4 million in 2007. This increase was primarily related to lease income from PWGS 2, which was placed in service in May 2008, and the full year impact of the coal handling system for Oak Creek, which was placed in service in November 2007.

In 2009, we expect our non-utility energy segment to generate higher operating income as PWGS 2 will be in service for a full year. In addition, we will recognize lease income on the new water intake system for Oak Creek that was placed in service in January 2009, which supplies cooling water to the existing units at Oak Creek.

2007 vs. 2006:    Our non-utility energy segment contributed $47.4 million of operating income in 2007 compared to operating income of $43.1 million in 2006. This increase was primarily related to the Oak Creek coal handling system that was placed in service during the fourth quarter of 2007.

CORPORATE AND OTHER CONTRIBUTION TO OPERATING INCOME

2008 vs. 2007:    Corporate and other affiliates had an operating loss of $10.6 million in 2008 compared with an operating loss of $4.9 million in 2007. The increase in operating loss was primarily related to reduced real estate sales during 2008 as compared to 2007. In the foreseeable future, we expect to have slight operating losses as we have minimal business operations in this segment.


49


2007 vs. 2006:    Corporate and other affiliates had an operating loss of $4.9 million in 2007 compared with an operating loss of $7.4 million in 2006. The favorable change was primarily related to our Wispark operations, which had operating income during 2007 as compared to operating losses throughout 2006.

 

CONSOLIDATED OTHER INCOME AND DEDUCTIONS, NET

The following table identifies the components of consolidated other income and deductions, net during 2008, 2007 and 2006:

Other Income and Deductions, net

2008

2007

2006

(Millions of Dollars)

Carrying Costs

$0.8  

$28.8  

$25.0  

Gain on Property Sales

2.6  

13.1  

3.2  

Gain on Sale of Guardian Investment

  -   

  -   

2.8  

AFUDC - Equity

7.8  

5.2  

14.6  

Other, net

5.8  

1.8  

7.5  

  Total Other Income and Deductions, net

$17.0  

$48.9  

$53.1  

2008 vs. 2007:    Other income and deductions, net decreased by $31.9 million when compared to 2007. In connection with the January 2008 PSCW rate order, we stopped accruing carrying charges on regulatory assets as we are now allowed a current return on them. Additionally, in 2007 we recognized approximately $13.1 million on property sales, most of which related to land sales in northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, as compared to $2.6 million in 2008.

During 2009 we expect to see an increase in Other Income and Deductions, net as we expect AFUDC - Equity to increase for the Oak Creek AQCS project.

2007 vs. 2006:    Other income and deductions, net decreased by $4.2 million when compared to 2006. The reduction primarily reflects a decrease in AFUDC of $9.4 million in connection with the environmental controls related to the new scrubber placed in service at our Pleasant Prairie Power Plant in the fourth quarter of 2006. This scrubber was installed as part of the implementation of our EPA consent decree. For further information on the consent decree with the EPA, see Note S -- Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this report. This reduction was offset, in part, by an increase in gains on sales of property primarily associated with land sold in northern Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

 

CONSOLIDATED INTEREST EXPENSE, NET

Interest Expense, net

2008

2007

2006

(Millions of Dollars)

Gross Interest Costs

$240.3  

$240.9  

$212.6  

Less: Capitalized Interest

86.6  

73.3  

39.9  

Interest Expense, net

$153.7  

$167.6  

$172.7  

2008 vs. 2007:    Interest expense, net decreased by $13.9 million in 2008 when compared with 2007. Our gross interest costs decreased by $0.6 million because of lower short-term interest rates that were offset in part by higher debt balances. Our capitalized interest increased $13.3 million, primarily because of increased construction in progress at our Oak Creek units.

During 2009, we expect gross interest expense to increase due to increased debt levels to fund our planned construction activity; however, these increases are expected to be mitigated by increases in our capitalized interest.


50


2007 vs. 2006:    Interest expense, net decreased by $5.1 million in 2007 when compared with 2006. Our gross interest costs increased by $28.3 million because of higher debt levels primarily related to our PTF construction program. However, our capitalized interest increased by $33.4 million due to higher levels of construction in progress at our PTF plants, which resulted in a reduction of our net interest expense.

CONSOLIDATED INCOME TAXES

2008 vs. 2007:    Our effective tax rate applicable to continuing operations was 37.7% in 2008 compared to 39.2% in 2007. This reduction in our effective tax rate was the result of increases in the production tax deductions and wind credits. These items were considered by the PSCW in setting our rates in the January 2008 PSCW rate order; therefore, the lower effective tax rate did not have a significant impact on net income. For further information see Note H -- Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. We expect our 2009 annual effective tax rate to range between 35% and 37%.

2007 vs. 2006:    Our effective tax rate applicable to continuing operations was 39.2% in 2007 compared to 35.9% in 2006. In 2006, we reversed $5.8 million of valuation allowance associated with state net operating loss carry forwards as we concluded that it was more likely than not that we would realize these benefits. Excluding these items, our 2006 effective tax rate was 37.1%.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

The following table identifies the primary components of net income (loss) from discontinued operations during 2008, 2007 and 2006:

Discontinued Operations

2008

2007

2006

(Millions of Dollars)

Manufacturing

$  -     

$  -     

$2.4   

Non-Utility and Other

0.5   

(0.9)  

1.5   

   Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax

$0.5   

($0.9)  

$3.9   

Our 2008 and 2007 earnings from discontinued operations reflect resolution of tax liabilities. Our 2006 earnings from discontinued operations reflect a loss on the sale of Minergy Neenah LLC, the 2006 operations of the plant and income of approximately $2.4 million related to the favorable resolution of tax liabilities.

See Note D -- Asset Sales, Divestitures and Discontinued Operations in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the transactions described above.


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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

CASH FLOWS

The following table summarizes our cash flows during 2008, 2007 and 2006:

Wisconsin Energy Corporation

2008

2007

2006

(Millions of Dollars)

Cash Provided by (Used in)

   Operating Activities

$737.0   

$532.5   

$730.0   

   Investing Activities

($906.9)  

($543.2)  

($939.5)  

   Financing Activities

$175.0    

$1.1   

$173.3   

Operating Activities

2008 vs. 2007:    Cash provided by operating activities was $737.0 million during 2008 which was $204.5 higher than 2007, primarily because of higher cash earnings and lower tax payments.

During 2008, our cash earnings were higher than in 2007 because of increased amortizations of deferred costs associated with regulatory assets. During 2008, our cash taxes were $289.2 million lower than 2007, primarily because of additional tax depreciation, increased deductions for contributions to our pension plan and deferred taxes associated with the nuclear decommissioning trust assets. In accordance with IRS guidelines, we completed a review in 2008 and concluded that certain timing items that historically had been capitalized and depreciated for tax purposes could be deducted currently. In January 2009, we contributed $270 million to our qualified pension plan which resulted in a tax deduction for 2008.

2007 vs. 2006:     Cash provided by operating activities was $532.5 million during 2007, which is $197.5 million lower than 2006. This decline was due primarily to higher tax payments, lower fuel recoveries and changes in working capital. In 2007, we paid approximately $108 million in cash taxes because of the Point Beach sale and the liquidation of the nuclear decommissioning trust. In addition, cash taxes from operating income were higher due to higher taxable income. Our cash from fuel collections was unfavorable in 2007 as compared to 2006 because in 2006 we over-collected fuel and purchased power costs and in 2007 we under-collected such costs.

Investing Activities

2008 vs. 2007:    Cash used in investing activities was $906.9 million during 2008, an increase of $363.7 million over 2007. This increase reflects a reduction in proceeds from asset sales, partially offset by lower capital expenditures and an increase in restricted cash from the sale of Point Beach released to us.

During 2008, we released $345.1 million of restricted cash. In September 2007, we sold Point Beach and received approximately $924 million and retained approximately $552 million of decommissioning funds. We placed approximately $924 million in restricted accounts to be used for the payment of taxes and for the benefit of our customers. We release the restricted cash, adjusted for taxes, as we issue bill credits to our customers, which is reflected as an amortization of the gain on our income statement. We expect to release approximately $214.1 million of restricted cash during 2009 as we issue fewer bill credits to our retail customers from the Point Beach proceeds pursuant to the terms of our 2008 rate order.

During 2008, our capital expenditures decreased $74.4 million primarily due to reduced construction spending related to our PTF generation plants. This was partially offset by increased spending at Wisconsin Electric related to the completion of our Blue Sky Green Field wind project and the start of construction of the Oak Creek AQCS project. During 2009, we expect our capital expenditures to be lower than 2008 because we are nearing the completion of construction of the PTF generation plants.

2007 vs. 2006:     Cash used in investing activities was $543.2 million during 2007, a reduction of $396.3 million over 2006. The two most significant factors related to cash used in investing activities related to capital expenditures and the unrestricted proceeds we received from the sale of Point Beach. Our 2007 capital expenditures exceeded $1.2 billion, an increase of $282.8 million over 2006. This increase was expected and it primarily reflects the continued construction efforts with our PTF generation plants.


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During 2007, we experienced a significant inflow of cash related to the sale of Point Beach; however, we restricted a significant amount of that cash as it will be used for the benefit of our customers. The 2007 cash flows related to the Point Beach sale are summarized as follows:

(Millions of Dollars)

Proceeds from the sale of Point Beach

$924.1          

Proceeds from the liquidation of decommissioning trusts

552.4          

Total Proceeds

1,476.5          

Less: Proceeds restricted for the benefit of customers, net of taxes and bill credits

(731.6)         

Unrestricted cash to the Company

$744.9          

As the gain on the Point Beach sale is given back to customers, primarily in the form of bill credits, we release the restricted cash.

The following table identifies capital expenditures by year:

Capital Expenditures

2008

2007

2006

(Millions of Dollars)

Utility

$607.4  

$540.3    

$459.9    

We Power

529.3  

667.3    

466.1    

Other

0.4  

3.9    

2.7    

Total Capital Expenditures

$1,137.1  

$1,211.5    

$928.7    

Financing Activities

The following table summarizes our cash flows from financing activities:

2008

2007

2006

(Millions of Dollars)

Increase in Debt

$316.8   

$148.4   

$299.7   

Dividends on Common Stock

(126.3)  

(116.9)  

(107.6)  

Common Stock, Net

(11.4)  

(31.7)  

(21.2)  

Other

(4.1)  

1.3   

2.4   

Cash Provided by Financing

$175.0   

$1.1   

$173.3   

2008 vs. 2007:    During 2008, cash provided by financing activities was $175.0 million compared to $1.1 million in 2007. During 2008, we issued a total of $966 million in long-term debt and retired $350.8 million of long-term debt. The net proceeds were used to repay short-term debt. For additional information on the debt issues, see Note K -- Long-Term Debt in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Our common stock dividends increased in 2008 as we raised our dividend rate by 8%. In January 2009, our Board of Directors approved a 25% increase in the quarterly common stock dividend.

2007 vs. 2006:     During 2007, cash provided by financing activities was $1.1 million compared to $173.3 million in 2006. This decline occurred because we did not issue as much net new debt in 2007 as compared to 2006. The decline in the amount of net new debt is directly related to the unrestricted cash we received from the sale of Point Beach as discussed above.

During 2007, we issued $500 million principal amount of Junior Notes and we used the net proceeds from these notes to pay down short-term debt incurred to fund our PTF construction and for other working capital purposes. In December 2007, Wisconsin Electric retired $250 million of 3.50% Notes due December 1, 2007.


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No new shares of Wisconsin Energy's common stock were issued in 2008, 2007 or 2006. During these years, our plan agents purchased, in the open market, 0.5 million shares at a cost of $23.0 million, 1.4 million shares at a cost of $67.8 million and 1.1 million shares at a cost of $48.0 million, respectively, to fulfill exercised stock options and restricted stock awards. In 2008, 2007 and 2006, we received proceeds of $11.6 million, $36.1 million and $26.8 million, respectively, related to the exercise of stock options. In addition, we instructed our independent agents to purchase shares of our common stock in the open market to satisfy our obligation under our dividend reinvestment plan and various employee benefit plans.

 

CAPITAL RESOURCES AND REQUIREMENTS

In 2000, we announced a growth strategy which, among other things, called for us to sell certain assets and reduce our debt levels. Our debt to total capital ratio has decreased from 68.3% at September 30, 2000 to 58.5% at December 31, 2008 due primarily to these asset sales. Over the next several years, we expect to have some limited asset sales, but at levels significantly lower than prior years. For more information, see Note D -- Asset Sales, Divestitures and Discontinued Operations in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this report.

Capital Resources

We anticipate meeting our capital requirements during 2009 primarily through internally generated funds and short-term borrowings, supplemented by the issuance of intermediate or long-term debt securities depending on market conditions and other factors. Beyond 2009, we anticipate meeting our capital requirements through internally generated funds supplemented, when required, by short-term borrowings and the issuance of debt securities.

During the second half of 2008, the global credit markets suffered a significant contraction, including the failure of some large financial institutions. As a result, interest rates on our short-term and variable rate tax-exempt debt increased during the second half of 2008, but have since stabilized. Despite the turmoil in the credit markets, Wisconsin Electric was able to remarket its $147 million tax-exempt bonds in August 2008 and to issue in October 2008 $300 million of 6.00% Debentures due April 1, 2014 and in December 2008 $250 million of 6.25% Debentures due December 1, 2015. Also in December 2008, Wisconsin Energy borrowed $260 million under an eighteen-month credit agreement.

As indicated above, despite the recent turmoil in the global credit markets, we still currently have access to the capital markets and have been able to generate funds internally and externally to meet our capital requirements. Our ability to attract the necessary financial capital at reasonable terms is critical to our overall strategic plan. We currently believe that we have adequate capacity to fund our operations for the foreseeable future through our existing borrowing arrangements, access to capital markets and internally generated cash. Our short-term interest rates have stabilized and currently are lower than they were during the second half of 2008.

Wisconsin Energy, Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas maintain bank back-up credit facilities, which provide liquidity support for each company's obligations with respect to commercial paper and for general corporate purposes.

An affiliate of Lehman Brothers Holdings, which filed for bankruptcy in September 2008, provided approximately $80 million of commitments under our bank back-up credit facilities on a consolidated basis. We have no current plans to replace Lehman's commitments. Excluding Lehman's commitments, as of December 31, 2008, we had approximately $1.6 billion of available, undrawn lines under our bank back-up credit facilities. As of December 31, 2008, we had approximately $602.3 million of short-term debt outstanding on a consolidated basis that was supported by the available lines of credit.


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We review our bank back-up credit facility needs on an ongoing basis and expect to be able to maintain adequate credit facilities to support our operations. The following table summarizes such facilities at December 31, 2008:



Company


Total
Facility *


Letters of
Credit


Credit
Available *


Facility
Expiration


Facility
Term

(Millions of Dollars)

  Wisconsin Energy

$857.5     

$1.5       

$856.0     

April 2011   

5 year     

  Wisconsin Electric

$476.4     

$4.1       

$472.3     

March 2011   

5 year     

  Wisconsin Gas

$285.8     

$  -         

$285.8     

March 2011   

5 year     

*

Excludes Lehman's commitments

Each of these facilities has a renewal provision for two one-year extensions, subject to lender approval.

In connection with the conversion of the interest rate determination method for certain Wisconsin Electric tax-exempt bonds in August 2008, Wisconsin Electric terminated its $100 million six-month bank back-up credit facility that was scheduled to expire in September 2008.

The following table shows our capitalization structure as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, as well as an adjusted capitalization structure that we believe is consistent with the manner in which the rating agencies currently view the Junior Notes:

 

   

2008

 

2007

Capitalization Structure

 

Actual

 

Adjusted

 

Actual

 

Adjusted

   

(Millions of Dollars)

                 

Common Equity

 

$3,336.9 

 

$3,586.9 

 

$3,099.2  

 

$3,349.2  

Preferred Stock of Subsidiary

30.4  

30.4  

30.4  

30.4  

Long-Term Debt (including current maturities)

 


4,136.5 

 


3,886.5 

 


3,525.3  

 


3,275.3  

Short-Term Debt

 

602.3 

 

602.3 

 

900.7  

 

900.7  

Total Capitalization

 

$8,106.1 

 

$8,106.1 

 

$7,555.6  

 

$7,555.6  

                 

Total Debt

 

$4,738.8 

 

$4,488.8 

 

$4,426.0  

 

$4,176.0  

                 

Ratio of Debt to Total    Capitalization

 


58.5% 

 


55.4% 

 


58.6% 

 


55.3%  

Included in Long-Term Debt on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, is $500 million aggregate principal amount of the Junior Notes. The adjusted presentation attributes $250 million of the Junior Notes to Common Equity and $250 million to Long-Term Debt. We believe this presentation is consistent with the 50% equity credit the majority of rating agencies currently attribute to the Junior Notes.

The adjusted presentation of our consolidated capitalization structure is presented as a complement to our capitalization structure presented in accordance with GAAP. Management evaluates and manages Wisconsin Energy's capitalization structure, including its total debt to total capitalization ratio, using the GAAP calculation as adjusted by the rating agency treatment of the Junior Notes. Therefore, we believe the non-GAAP adjusted presentation reflecting this treatment is useful and relevant to investors in understanding how management and the rating agencies evaluate our capitalization structure.

As described in Note J -- Common Equity, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, certain restrictions exist on the ability of our subsidiaries to transfer funds to us. We do not expect these restrictions to have any material effect on our operations or ability to meet our cash obligations.


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Access to capital markets at a reasonable cost is determined in large part by credit quality. The following table summarizes the ratings of our debt securities and the debt securities and preferred stock of our subsidiaries by S&P, Moody's and Fitch as of December 31, 2008:

S&P

Moody's

Fitch

Wisconsin Energy

   Commercial Paper

A-2

P-2

F2

   Unsecured Senior Debt

BBB+

A3

A-

   Unsecured Junior Notes

BBB-

Baa1

BBB+

Wisconsin Electric

   Commercial Paper

A-2

P-1

F1

   Secured Senior Debt

A-

Aa3

AA-

   Unsecured Debt

A-

A1

A+

   Preferred Stock

BBB

A3

A

Wisconsin Gas

   Commercial Paper

A-2

P-1

F1

   Unsecured Senior Debt

A-

A1

A+

Wisconsin Energy Capital Corporation

   Unsecured Debt

BBB+

A3

A-

In July 2008, S&P affirmed the corporate credit ratings of Wisconsin Energy, Wisconsin Electric, Wisconsin Gas and Wisconsin Energy Capital Corporation and changed the ratings outlooks assigned each company from stable to positive.

On April 30, 2008, Fitch affirmed the ratings of Wisconsin Energy, Wisconsin Electric, Wisconsin Gas and Wisconsin Energy Capital Corporation and the stable ratings outlook of Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas. Fitch also revised the ratings outlook of Wisconsin Energy and Wisconsin Energy Capital Corporation from negative to stable.

The security rating outlooks assigned by Moody's for Wisconsin Energy, Wisconsin Electric, Wisconsin Gas and Wisconsin Energy Capital Corporation are all stable.

Subject to other factors affecting the credit markets as a whole, we believe these security ratings should provide a significant degree of flexibility in obtaining funds on competitive terms. However, these security ratings reflect the views of the rating agencies only. An explanation of the significance of these ratings may be obtained from each rating agency. Such ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities, but rather an indication of creditworthiness. Any rating can be revised upward or downward or withdrawn at any time by a rating agency if it decides that the circumstances warrant the change. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.


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Capital Requirements

Our estimated 2009, 2010 and 2011 capital expenditures are as follows:

Capital Expenditures

2009

2010

2011

(Millions of Dollars)

Utility

$628  

$754  

$982  

We Power

240  

61  

28  

Other

7  

4  

-    

     Total

$875  

$819  

$1,010  

Due to changing environmental and other regulations such as air quality standards and electric reliability initiatives that impact our utility energy segments, future long-term capital requirements may vary from recent capital requirements.

The expected decline in the We Power capital expenditures reflects the anticipated completion of the new Oak Creek units in 2010. The expected increase in the Utility capital expenditures is related to the AQCS project at Oak Creek that is projected to be completed in 2012 and the Glacier Hills Wind Park that is also expected to be completed by 2012.

Investments in Outside Trusts:    We have funded our pension obligations and certain other post-retirement obligations in outside trusts. Collectively, these trusts had investments of approximately $878 million as of December 31, 2008. These trusts hold investments that are subject to the volatility of the stock market and interest rates.

We have defined benefit pension plans that cover substantially all of our employees. During 2008, we contributed $38.6 million to our qualified pension plan. As of December 31, 2008, the returns on our pension plan assets were significantly below our expected annual returns of 8.5%. In January 2009, we contributed $270 million to our qualified pension plan. Future contributions to the plans will be dependent upon many factors, including the performance of existing plan assets and long-term discount rates. For further information see Note O -- Benefits in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements:    We are a party to various financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk as a part of our normal course of business, including financial guarantees and letters of credit which support construction projects, commodity contracts and other payment obligations. We believe that these agreements do not have, and are not reasonably likely to have, a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to our investors. For further information, see Note P -- Guarantees in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

We have identified two tolling and purchased power agreements with third parties but have been unable to determine if we are the primary beneficiary of these two variable interest entities as defined by FIN 46. As a result, we do not consolidate these entities. Instead, we account for one of these contracts as a capital lease and for the other contract as an operating lease, and both are reflected in the Contractual Obligations/Commercial Commitments table below. A similar power purchase agreement expired during the second quarter of 2008. For additional information, see Note G -- Variable Interest Entities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


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Contractual Obligations/Commercial Commitments:    We have the following contractual obligations and other commercial commitments as of December 31, 2008:

Payments Due by Period


Contractual Obligations (a)


Total

Less than
1 year


1-3 years


3-5 years

More than 5 years

(Millions of Dollars)

Long-Term Debt Obligations (b)

$7,204.1     

$279.3     

$1,145.8   

$744.4   

$5,034.6   

Capital Lease Obligations (c)

403.8     

34.9     

73.7   

79.3   

215.9   

Operating Lease Obligations (d)

97.8     

23.6     

41.6   

20.0   

12.6   

Purchase Obligations (e)

15,350.3     

1,430.6     

1,990.9   

1,092.4   

10,836.4   

Other Long-Term Liabilities (f)

75.5     

74.0     

1.5   

-         

-       

Total Contractual Obligations

$23,131.5     

$1,842.4   

$3,253.5   

$1,936.1  

$16,099.5   

(a)

The amounts included in the table are calculated using current market prices, forward curves and other estimates. Contracts with multiple unknown variables have been omitted from the analysis.

(b)

Principal and interest payments on Long-Term Debt (excluding capital lease obligations). For the purpose of determining our contractual obligations and commercial commitments only, we assumed the Junior Notes would be retired in 2017 with the proceeds from the issuance of qualifying securities pursuant to the terms of the RCC.

(c)

Capital Lease Obligations of Wisconsin Electric for power purchase commitments.

(d)

Operating Lease Obligations for power purchase commitments and vehicle and rail car leases.

(e)

Purchase Obligations under various contracts for the procurement of fuel, power, gas supply and associated transportation related to utility operations and for construction, information technology and other services for utility and We Power operations. This includes the power purchase agreement for all of the energy produced by Point Beach.

(f)

Other Long-Term Liabilities includes the expected 2009 supplemental executive retirement plan obligation and the non-discretionary pension contribution. For additional information on employer contributions to our benefit plans see Note O -- Benefits in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The table above does not include FIN 48 liabilities. For further information regarding FIN 48 liabilities, refer to Note H -- Income Taxes in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this report.

Obligations for utility operations have historically been included as part of the rate making process and therefore are generally recoverable from customers. For a discussion of 2009, 2010 and 2011 estimated capital expenditures, see Capital Requirements above.

 

FACTORS AFFECTING RESULTS, LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

MARKET RISKS AND OTHER SIGNIFICANT RISKS

We are exposed to market and other significant risks as a result of the nature of our businesses and the environment in which those businesses operate. These risks, described in further detail below, include but are not limited to:

Large Construction Projects:    In November 2003, the PSCW issued a written order granting a CPCN to commence construction of two 615 MW super critical pulverized coal generating units adjacent to the site of Wisconsin Electric's existing Oak Creek Power Plant. The order approves key financial terms of the leased generation contracts including a target construction cost of the Oak Creek expansion of $2.191 billion, plus, subject to PSCW approval, cost over-runs of up to 5%, costs attributable to force majeure events, excused events and event of loss provisions. For additional information, see Power the Future -- Oak Creek Expansion.


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Large construction projects of this type are subject to usual construction risks over which we will have limited or no control and which might adversely affect project costs and completion time. These risks include, but are not limited to, shortages of, the inability to obtain or the cost of labor or materials, the inability of the general contractor or subcontractors to perform under their contracts, strikes, adverse weather conditions, legal challenges, changes in applicable laws or regulations, adverse interpretation or enforcement of permit conditions, laws and regulations by the courts or permitting agencies, the inability to obtain necessary operating permits in a timely manner, other governmental actions and events in the global economy. See Power the Future -- Oak Creek Expansion below for a discussion of claims for schedule and cost relief submitted by Bechtel.

If final costs of the Oak Creek expansion are within 5% of the target cost, and the additional costs are deemed to be prudent by the PSCW, the final lease payments for the Oak Creek expansion recovered from Wisconsin Electric would be adjusted to reflect the actual construction costs. Costs above the 5% cap would not be included in lease payments or recovered from customers absent a finding by the PSCW of extenuating circumstances, such as force majeure conditions.

Regulatory Recovery:    Our utility energy segment accounts for its regulated operations in accordance with SFAS 71. Our rates are determined by regulatory authorities. Our primary regulator is the PSCW. SFAS 71 allows regulated entities to defer certain costs that would otherwise be charged to expense, if the regulated entity believes the recovery of these costs is probable. We record regulatory assets pursuant to specific orders or by a generic order issued by our regulators, and recovery of these deferred costs in future rates is subject to the review and approval of those regulators. We assume the risks and benefits of ultimate recovery of these items in future rates. If the recovery of these costs is not approved by our regulators, the costs are charged to income in the current period. We expect to recover our outstanding regulatory assets in rates over a period of no longer than 20 years. Regulators can impose liabilities on a prospective basis for amounts previously collected from customers and for amounts that are expected to be refunded to customers. Under SFAS 71, we record these items as regulatory liabilities.

Commodity Prices:    In the normal course of providing energy, we are subject to market fluctuations of the costs of coal, natural gas, purchased power and fuel oil used in the delivery of coal. We manage our fuel and gas supply costs through a portfolio of short and long-term procurement contracts with various suppliers for the purchase of coal, natural gas and fuel oil. In addition, we manage the risk of price volatility by utilizing gas and electric hedging programs.

Wisconsin's retail electric fuel cost adjustment procedure mitigates some of Wisconsin Electric's risk of electric fuel cost fluctuation. If cumulative fuel and purchased power costs for electric utility operations deviate from a prescribed range (plus or minus 2% for 2009) when compared to the costs projected in the most recent retail rate proceeding, retail electric rates may be adjusted prospectively. For information regarding the current fuel rules, see Utility Rates and Regulatory Matters.

The PSCW has authorized dollar for dollar recovery for the majority of natural gas costs for our gas utility operations through GCRMs, which mitigates most of the risk of gas cost variations. For information concerning the natural gas utilities' GCRMs, see Utility Rates and Regulatory Matters.

Natural Gas Costs:    Significant volatility in the cost of natural gas affects our electric and gas utility operations. Although the cost of natural gas has decreased recently, natural gas costs have generally increased since 2003. We expect that demand for natural gas will remain high into the foreseeable future and that significant price relief will not occur until additional natural gas resources are developed.

Higher natural gas costs increase our working capital requirements and result in higher gross receipts taxes in the state of Wisconsin. Higher natural gas costs combined with slower economic conditions also expose us to greater risks of accounts receivable write-offs as more customers are unable to pay their bills. Because federal and state energy assistance dollars have not kept pace with rising natural gas costs over the recent year, our risks related to bad debt expenses have increased.

In February 2005, the PSCW authorized the use of the escrow method of accounting for bad debt costs allowing for deferral of Wisconsin residential bad debt expense that exceeds amounts allowed in rates. In July 2008, we filed an application with the PSCW for a three year extension of use of the escrow method for bad debt costs. In December

59


2008, the PSCW approved a one year extension of use of the escrow method of accounting for bad debt costs through March 2010.

As a result of GCRMs, our gas distribution subsidiaries receive dollar for dollar recovery on the cost of natural gas. However, increased natural gas costs increase the risk that customers will switch to alternative fuel sources, which could reduce future gas margins.

Weather:    Our Wisconsin utility rates are set by the PSCW based upon estimated temperatures which approximate 20-year averages. Wisconsin Electric's electric revenues are unfavorably sensitive to below normal temperatures during the summer cooling season, and to some extent, to above normal temperatures during the winter heating season. Our gas revenues are unfavorably sensitive to above normal temperatures during the winter heating season. A summary of actual weather information in the utility segment's service territory during 2008, 2007 and 2006, as measured by degree-days, may be found above in Results of Operations.

Interest Rate:     We have various short-term borrowing arrangements to provide working capital and general corporate funds. We also have variable rate long-term debt outstanding as of December 31, 2008. Borrowing levels under these arrangements vary from period to period depending on capital investments and other factors. Future short-term interest expense and payments will reflect both future short-term interest rates and borrowing levels.

We performed an interest rate sensitivity analysis at December 31, 2008 of our outstanding portfolio of $602.3 million of short-term debt with a weighted average interest rate of 4.01% and $424.4 million of variable-rate long-term debt with a weighted average interest rate of 2.48%. A one-percentage point change in interest rates would cause our annual interest expense to increase or decrease by approximately $6.0 million before taxes from short-term borrowings and $4.0 million before taxes from variable rate long-term debt outstanding.

Marketable Securities Return:     We fund our pension and OPEB obligations through various trust funds, which in turn invest in debt and equity securities. Changes in the market prices of these assets can affect future pension and OPEB expenses. Additionally, future contributions can also be affected by changes in the market price of trust fund assets. We expect that the risk of expense and contribution variations as a result of changes in the market price of trust fund assets would be mitigated in part through future rate actions by our various utility regulators.

At December 31, 2008, we held the following total trust fund assets at fair value, primarily consisting of publicly traded debt and equity security investments:

Wisconsin Energy Corporation

Millions of Dollars

Pension trust funds

$719.2   

Other post-retirement benefits trust funds

$158.7   

Fiduciary oversight of the pension and OPEB trust fund investments is the responsibility of an Investment Trust Policy Committee. Qualified external investment managers are engaged to manage the investments. Asset/liability studies are periodically conducted with the assistance of an outside investment advisor. The current study for the pension fund projects long-term annualized returns of approximately 8.25%.

Credit Ratings:     We do not have any credit agreements that would require material changes in payment schedules or terminations as a result of a credit rating downgrade. We do have certain agreements in the form of commodity contracts and employee benefit plans that could require collateral or a termination payment only in the event of a credit rating change to below investment grade. As of December 31, 2008, we estimate that the collateral or the termination payment required under these agreements totaled approximately $166.5 million. In addition, we have commodity contracts that in the event of a credit rating downgrade could result in a reduction of our unsecured credit granted by counterparties.

Economic Conditions:    We are exposed to market risks in the regional midwest economy for our utility energy segment. Although the economy in our service territories has not been hit as hard as in other parts of the country, we are beginning to see an increase in unemployment and declines in industrial production demand. We expect the weakening economy to negatively impact our utility sales growth and bad debt levels.


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Inflation:    We continue to monitor the impact of inflation, especially with respect to the costs of medical plans, fuel, transmission access, construction costs, regulatory and environmental compliance and new generation in order to minimize its effects in future years through pricing strategies, productivity improvements and cost reductions. We do not believe the impact of general inflation will have a material impact on our future results of operations.

For additional information concerning risk factors, including market risks, see the Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information at the beginning of this report and Risk Factors in Item 1A.

 

POWER THE FUTURE

Under our PTF strategy, we expect to meet a significant portion of our future generation needs through the construction of the PWGS and the Oak Creek expansion by We Power. We Power will lease the new plants to Wisconsin Electric under long-term leases, and we expect Wisconsin Electric to recover the lease payments in its electric rates.

The PTF units include PWGS 1, PWGS 2, OC 1 and OC 2. The following table identifies certain key items related to the units:

Unit Name

Scheduled In Service

Authorized Cash Costs (a)

PWGS 1

July 2005 (Actual)     

$    333 million (Actual)  

PWGS 2

May 2008 (Actual)     

$    331 million (Actual)  

     OC 1

Late 2009          

$ 1,300 million                  

     OC 2

Fall 2010          

$    640 million                  

(a)

Authorized cash costs represent the PSCW approved costs and the increases for factors such as inflation as identified in the PSCW approved lease terms and adjusted for our ownership percentages in the case of OC 1 and OC 2.

The lease payments are based on the cash costs authorized by the PSCW. Under the lease terms, our return is calculated using a 12.7% return on equity and the equity ratio is assumed to be 53% for the PWGS Units and 55% for the OC Units. The interest component of the return is determined up to 180 days prior to the date that the units are placed in service.

 

Power the Future - Port Washington

Background:     In December 2002, the PSCW issued a written order (the Port Order) granting a CPCN for the construction of PWGS consisting of two 545 MW natural gas-fired combined cycle generating units on the site of Wisconsin Electric's existing Port Washington Power Plant, the natural gas lateral to supply the new plant, and the transmission system upgrades required of ATC. Wisconsin Gas completed construction of the natural gas lateral in December 2004. We Power completed construction of PWGS 1 and PWGS 2 within the PSCW approved cost parameters and the units were placed in service in July 2005 and May 2008, respectively.

Lease Terms:     The PSCW approved the lease agreements and related documents under which Wisconsin Electric will staff, operate and maintain PWGS 1 and PWGS 2. Key terms of the leased generation contracts include:

  • Initial lease term of 25 years with the potential for subsequent renewals at reduced rates;
  • Cost recovery over a 25 year period on a mortgage basis amortization schedule;
  • Imputed capital structure of 53% equity, 47% debt;
  • Authorized rate of return of 12.7% after tax on equity;
  • Fixed construction cost of PWGS 1 and PWGS 2 at $309.6 million and $280.3 million (2001 dollars) subject to escalation at the GDP inflation rate;
  • Recovery of carrying costs during construction; and
  • Ongoing PSCW supervisory authority over those lease terms and conditions specifically identified in the Port Order, which do not include the key financial terms.

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Legal and Regulatory Matters:     As a result of the enactment of the Energy Policy Act, FERC, through an amendment to Section 203 of the Federal Power Act, has been given jurisdiction over the acquisition of generation (which includes leasing generation). Under FERC's rules implementing the Energy Policy Act, Wisconsin Energy, Wisconsin Electric and We Power filed a joint application for FERC authorization to transfer the generating assets and limited interconnection facilities of PWGS 2 through a lease arrangement between We Power and Wisconsin Electric. We received approval from FERC for this asset transfer in December 2006.

Power the Future -  Oak Creek Expansion

Background:     In November 2003, the PSCW issued an order (the Oak Creek Order) granting Wisconsin Energy, Wisconsin Electric and We Power a CPCN to commence construction of two 615 MW coal-fired units (the Oak Creek expansion) to be located adjacent to the site of Wisconsin Electric's existing Oak Creek Power Plant. OC 1 is scheduled to be operational in late 2009 and OC 2 is scheduled to be operational in fall 2010. The Oak Creek Order concluded, among other things, that there was a need for additional electric generation for Southeastern Wisconsin and that a diversity of fuel sources best serves the interests of the State. The total cost for the two units was set at $2.191 billion, and the order provided for recovery of excess costs of up to 5% of the total project, subject to a prudence review by the PSCW. Costs above the 5% cap would not be included in lease payments or recovered from customers absent a finding by the PSCW of extenuating circumstances, such as force majeure conditions. The CPCN was granted contingent upon us obtaining the necessary environmental permits. All necessary permits have been received at this time. In June 2005, construction commenced at the site. In November 2005, we completed the sale of approximately a 17% interest in the project to two unaffiliated entities, who will share ratably in the construction costs.

The Oak Creek expansion includes a new coal handling system that will serve both the existing units at Oak Creek and OC 1 and OC 2. The new coal handling system was placed into service during the fourth quarter of 2007 at a cost of approximately $175.0 million. A total of $24.1 million of additional costs related to the coal handling system were incurred during 2008. The most significant component of this additional cost was the rail cars that will supply coal to OC 1 and OC 2.

The Oak Creek expansion also includes a new water intake system that will serve both the existing units at Oak Creek and OC 1 and OC 2. The new water intake system was placed into service in January 2009 at a cost of approximately $133.0 million.

Lease Terms:     In October 2004, the PSCW approved the lease generation contracts between Wisconsin Electric and We Power for the Oak Creek expansion. Key terms of the leased generation contracts include:

  • Initial lease term of 30 years with the potential for subsequent renewals at reduced rates;
  • Cost recovery over a 30 year period on a mortgage basis amortization schedule with the potential for subsequent renewals at reduced rates;
  • Imputed capital structure of 55% equity, 45% debt;
  • Authorized rate of return of 12.7% after tax on equity;
  • Recovery of carrying costs during construction; and
  • Ongoing PSCW supervisory authority over those lease terms and conditions specifically identified in the Oak Creek Order, which do not include the key financial terms.

Construction Status:    In July 2008, Bechtel, the contractor of the Oak Creek expansion under a fixed price contract, notified us in a letter that it forecasts the in-service date of unit 1 to be delayed three months beyond the guaranteed contract date of September 29, 2009. Bechtel also advised us in the letter that it forecasts the in-service date of unit 2 to be one month earlier than the guaranteed contract date of September 29, 2010.

According to the letter, reasons for the delay of unit 1 include severe winter weather experienced during the winters of 2006-2007 and 2007-2008, exacerbated by severe rain storms in April and June of 2008, changes in local labor conditions from those anticipated by Bechtel, the cumulative impact of a large number of change orders and delay in receiving FNTP in 2005 as a result of the court challenges by certain opposition groups to the CPCN for the Oak Creek expansion. Bechtel advised that they expected to submit a claim for cost and schedule relief associated with these issues by the end of 2008.


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Based on Bechtel's earlier communications, we notified Bechtel on September 29, 2008 that we were invoking the formal dispute resolution process provided in the contract in order to resolve certain issues related to the rights of the parties under the contract.

We received Bechtel's claims for schedule and cost relief on December 22, 2008. Bechtel continues to target an in-service date for unit 1 three months beyond the guaranteed contract date of September 29, 2009, and an in-service date for unit 2 one month earlier than the guaranteed contract date of September 29, 2010. However, Bechtel does request schedule relief that would result in six months of relief from liquidated damages beyond the guaranteed contract date for unit 1 and three months of relief from liquidated damages beyond the guaranteed contract date for unit 2.

Bechtel's first claim is based on the alleged impact of severe weather and certain labor-related matters. Bechtel is requesting approximately $413 million in costs related to changed weather and labor conditions. Although Bechtel has reserved the right to request future additional costs and schedule relief, this amount includes $45 million of projected future costs in addition to those already incurred.

The weather events for which Bechtel seeks cost and schedule relief are (i) extreme winds from September 2006 through April 2007, (ii) snowstorms from December 2007 through April 2008, and (iii) rain storms in June 2008. Bechtel contends that these weather events constituted events of force majeure. We will conduct a detailed analysis of Bechtel's force majeure claim to determine whether Bechtel is entitled to any schedule relief as a result of these weather events. We believe Bechtel's request for cost relief related to its claim of force majeure is without merit. Bechtel also claims that these same weather events constituted changed local conditions that it could not have reasonably foreseen and that caused it to incur additional costs. We believe that the claim for additional costs and schedule relief based on a change in local conditions is without merit.

The alleged changes in labor conditions for which Bechtel seeks cost and schedule relief are (i) a significant shortage in the availability of craft labor, (ii) significant increases in competing projects, (iii) the overtime and per diems allegedly necessary to attract labor, and (iv) alleged restrictions that our Project Labor Agreement placed on Bechtel's ability to attract and retain craft labor. Bechtel describes these as changed local conditions for which it believes we should bear the risk. Under the terms of the contract, we agreed to accept labor-related risk only as to wage escalation in excess of 4% annually as measured by published wage bulletins. Therefore, we believe that this claim is without merit.

Bechtel's second claim of approximately $72 million seeks cost and schedule relief for the alleged effects of ERS-directed changes and delays allegedly caused by ERS prior to the issuance of the FNTP in July 2005 as follows: (i) the delay in issuing certain limited notices to proceed; (ii) the delay in issuing the FNTP until the final resolution of litigation brought by certain opposition groups that challenged the CPCN for the Oak Creek expansion; (iii) the imposition of additional limits to third party cancellation charges which allegedly restricted Bechtel's ability to issue purchase orders; (iv) the reduction of the pre-FNTP monthly payments below the amounts required by the contract; and (v) the request by ERS to perform design studies and issue design changes during the pre-FNTP period. We believe that this claim is without merit. We believe Bechtel was fully compensated for any and all impacts of the delayed start as indicated in certain change orders entered into between ERS and Bechtel prior to the start of construction of the Oak Creek expansion. Further, we do not believe that the contract provides for relief based upon the cumulative impact of change orders.

We continue to believe that the only circumstances and events for which we currently retain price adjustment risk under the contract are force majeure, wage escalation in excess of 4% annually as measured by published wage bulletins, delays caused by us, changes in scope or performance requested by us and unforeseen sub-surface ground conditions.

We are currently in the mediation phase with respect to determining the parties' rights under the contract and Bechtel's claims. We are currently unable to predict the ultimate outcome of the claims.

We estimate that for each month of delay of the in-service date of unit 1 beyond September 29, 2009, earnings for 2009 would be reduced by $0.03 per share after-tax compared to what they otherwise would have been. In addition, we estimate that for each month of acceleration of the in-service date of unit 2 in advance of September 29, 2010, earnings for 2010 would increase by $0.02 per share after-tax compared to what they otherwise would have been.

WPDES Permit:    In March 2007, on appeal, the Dane County Circuit Court affirmed in part an earlier decision by an ALJ in a contested case hearing, to uphold the WDNR's issuance of the WPDES permit. The Court also

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remanded certain aspects of the ALJ's decision for further consideration based on the January 2007 decision by the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit that found certain portions of the federal rule concerning water intake systems for existing facilities (the Phase II Rule) impermissible and remanded several parts of the rule to the EPA for further consideration or potential rulemaking. In July 2007, the EPA formally suspended the Phase II rule in its entirety and directed states to use their "best professional judgment" in evaluating intake systems for existing facilities.

In November 2007, the ALJ determined that the Oak Creek expansion units were new facilities under Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act. The ALJ remanded the WPDES permit to the WDNR and directed the WDNR to reissue or modify the permit to reflect "best technology available" to comply with the standards applicable to new facilities under Wisconsin state law. In July 2008, the WDNR issued the final modified permit. The time period for any party to challenge the modified WPDES permit has expired.

In July 2008, we and the other two joint owners of the Oak Creek expansion reached an agreement with Clean Wisconsin, Inc. and Sierra Club, the groups who were opposing the WPDES permit. Under the settlement agreement, these groups agreed to withdraw their opposition to the modified WPDES permit for the existing and expansion units at Oak Creek.

In the agreement with Clean Wisconsin, Inc. and Sierra Club, we committed to contribute our share of $5 million (approximately $4.2 million) towards projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We also agreed (i) for the 25 year period ending 2034, subject to regulatory approval and cost recovery, to contribute our share of up to $4 million per year (approximately $3.3 million) to fund projects to address Lake Michigan water quality, and (ii) subject to regulatory approval and cost recovery, to develop new solar and biomass generation projects. We also agreed to support state legislation to increase the renewable portfolio standard to 10 percent by 2013 and 25 percent by 2025, and to retire 116 MW of coal-fired generation at our Presque Isle Power Plant.

Other Regulatory Matters:    As a result of the enactment of the Energy Policy Act, FERC, through an amendment to Section 203 of the Federal Power Act, has been given jurisdiction over the acquisition of generation (which includes leasing generation). Under FERC's rules implementing the Energy Policy Act, Wisconsin Energy, Wisconsin Electric and We Power filed a joint application for FERC authorization to transfer the generating assets and limited interconnection facilities of OC 1 and OC 2 through a lease arrangement between We Power and Wisconsin Electric. We received approval from FERC on these leases in December 2006.

 

UTILITY RATES AND REGULATORY MATTERS

The PSCW regulates our retail electric, natural gas, steam and water rates in the state of Wisconsin, while FERC regulates our wholesale power, electric transmission and interstate gas transportation service rates. The MPSC regulates our retail electric rates in the state of Michigan. Within our regulated segment, we estimate that approximately 90% of our electric revenues are regulated by the PSCW, 6% are regulated by the MPSC and the balance of our electric revenues is regulated by FERC. All of our natural gas, steam and water revenues are regulated by the PSCW. Orders from the PSCW can be viewed at http://psc.wi.gov/ and orders from the MPSC can be viewed at www.michigan.gov/mpsc/.

The table below summarizes the anticipated annualized revenue impact of the recent Wisconsin Electric rate changes:


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Incremental

Annualized

Percent

Revenue

Change

Effective

Service - Wisconsin Electric

Increase

in Rates

Date

(Millions)

    Fuel electric, Michigan

$5.4     

4.0%     

January 1, 2009  

    Retail electric, Michigan

$7.2     

4.6%     

January 1, 2009  

    Fuel electric, Wisconsin

$118.9     

5.1%     

July 8, 2008  

    Retail electric, Wisconsin

$389.1     

17.2%     

January 17, 2008  

    Retail gas, Wisconsin

$4.0     

0.6%     

January 17, 2008  

    Retail steam, Wisconsin

$3.6     

11.2%     

January 17, 2008  

    Retail electric, Michigan

$0.3     

0.6%     

May 23, 2007  

    Fuel electric, Michigan

$3.4     

7.5%     

January 1, 2007  

    Retail electric, Wisconsin

$222.0     

10.6%     

January 26, 2006  

    Retail gas, Wisconsin

$21.4     

2.9%     

January 26, 2006  

    Retail steam, Wisconsin

$7.8     

31.5%     

January 26, 2006  

    Fuel electric, Michigan

$2.7     

5.9%     

January 1, 2006  

2008 Pricing :    During 2007, Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas initiated rate proceedings. Wisconsin Electric asked the PSCW to approve a comprehensive plan which would result in price increases of $648.6 million for its electric customers in Wisconsin. This price increase would be reduced by expected bill credits resulting from the sale of Point Beach. The initial rate filing estimated bill credits of $371.0 million in 2008 and $187.5 million in 2009, resulting in net pricing increases of 7.5% in 2008 and 7.5% in 2009. In addition, Wisconsin Electric requested a 1.8% price increase in 2008 for its gas customers and an approximately 16.0% price increase in 2008 for all steam customers in metropolitan Milwaukee. Wisconsin Gas filed for a 4.1% price increase in 2008 for its gas customers.

Electric pricing increases were needed to allow us to continue progress on previously approved initiatives, including: costs associated with our new PTF plants; recovery of costs associated with transmission; compliance with environmental regulations; continuation of investment in renewable and efficiency programs, including the Blue Sky Green Field wind project; and scheduled recovery of regulatory assets.

On January 17, 2008, the PSCW approved pricing increases for Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas as follows:

    • $389.1 million (17.2%) in electric rates for Wisconsin Electric - the pricing increase will be offset by $315.9 million in bill credits in 2008 and $240.7 million in bill credits in 2009, resulting in a net increase of $73.2 million (3.2%) and $75.2 million (3.2%), respectively;
    • $4.0 million (0.6%) for natural gas service from Wisconsin Electric;
    • $3.6 million (11.2%) for steam service from Wisconsin Electric; and
    • $20.1 million (2.2%) for natural gas service from Wisconsin Gas.

In addition, the PSCW lowered the return on equity for Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas from 11.2% to 10.75%. The PSCW also determined that $85.0 million of the Point Beach proceeds should be immediately applied to offset certain regulatory assets.

Wisconsin Electric expects to provide a total of approximately $710.0 million of bill credits to its Wisconsin customers over the three year period ending December 31, 2010. As of December 31, 2008, we have issued approximately $296.4 million to Wisconsin retail customers.

Michigan Price Increase :   In January, 2008, Wisconsin Electric filed a rate increase request with the MPSC. This request represents an increase in electric rates of 14.7%, or $22.0 million, to support the growing demand for electricity, continued investment in renewable programs, compliance with environmental regulations, addition of distribution infrastructure and increased operational expenses. In November 2008, a settlement agreement with the MPSC staff and intervenors for a rate increase of $7.2 million, or 4.6%, was approved by the MPSC, effective January 1, 2009.


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2006 Pricing:    In January 2006, Wisconsin Electric received an order from the PSCW that allowed it to increase annual electric revenues by approximately $222.0 million, or 10.6%, to recover increased costs associated with investments in our PTF units, transmission services and fuel and purchased power, as well as costs associated with additional sources of renewable energy. The rate increase was based on an authorized return on equity of 11.2%. The order also required Wisconsin Electric to refund to customers, with interest, any fuel revenues that it receives that are in excess of fuel and purchased power costs that it incurs, as defined by the Wisconsin fuel rules. The original order stipulated that any refund would also include interest at short-term rates. This refund provision did not extend past December 31, 2006.

During 2006, we experienced lower than expected fuel and purchased power costs. In September 2006, we requested and received approval from the PSCW to refund favorable fuel recoveries including accrued interest at a short-term rate. In addition, in September 2006 the PSCW determined that if the total recoveries for 2006 exceeded $36 million, interest on the amount in excess of $36 million would be paid at the rate of 11.2%, our authorized return on equity rather than at short-term rates as originally set forth in the order. During October 2006, we refunded $28.7 million, including interest, to Wisconsin retail customers as a credit on their bill and we received approval from the PSCW to refund an additional $10 million, including interest, in the first quarter of 2007.

Our gas operations went through a traditional rate proceeding whereby the revenues were set to recover projected costs and to provide a return on rate base. The January 2006 order provided for increases in gas revenues totaling $60.1 million ($21.4 million, or 2.9%, for Wisconsin Electric gas operations and $38.7 million, or 3.7%, for Wisconsin Gas gas operations). The rate increases were based on an authorized return on equity of 11.2% for the gas operations of both Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas.

The steam rate proceeding was a traditional rate proceeding. The January 2006 order provided for an increase in steam rates of $7.8 million, or 31.5%, to be phased in over a two year period beginning in 2006. The rate increase was based on an authorized return on equity of 11.2%.

2010 Pricing:     We anticipate filing rate cases for Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas in the first half of 2009 for new rates effective in January 2010.

Limited Rate Adjustment Requests

2008 Fuel Recovery Request:    In March 2008, Wisconsin Electric filed a rate increase request with the PSCW to recover forecasted increases in fuel and purchased power costs. The increase in fuel costs was being driven primarily by increases in the price of natural gas and the higher cost of transporting coal by rail as a result of increases in the cost of diesel fuel. On April 11, 2008, the PSCW approved an annual increase of $76.9 million (3.3%) in Wisconsin retail electric rates on an interim basis. In July 2008, we received the final rate order, which authorized an additional $42.0 million in rate increases, for a total increase of $118.9 million (5.1%). Any over-collection of fuel surcharge revenue in calendar year 2008 was subject to refund with interest at a rate of 10.75%. During the first quarter of 2009, we expect to refund approximately $8.6 million, including interest, to Wisconsin retail customers related to the over-collection of fuel costs in 2008.

Other Utility Rate Matters

Oak Creek Air Quality Control System Approval:    As anticipated, in July 2008 we received approval from the PSCW granting Wisconsin Electric authority to construct wet flue gas desulfurization and selective catalytic reduction facilities at Oak Creek Power Plant Units 5-8. Construction of these emission controls began in late July 2008, and we expect the installation to be completed during 2012. We originally estimated the cost of this project to be $830 million, including AFUDC ($750 million excluding AFUDC). We now expect the cost of completing this project to be approximately $885 million, including AFUDC ($800 million excluding AFUDC). The cost increase is primarily attributable to increases in material prices that occurred prior to the commencement of construction and material procurement activities in July 2008. The cost of constructing these facilities has been included in our previous estimates of the costs to implement the Consent Decree with the EPA. The Citizens Utility Board and Clean Wisconsin Inc., the two groups that opposed controlling Oak Creek Power Plant Units 5-8, petitioned the PSCW for rehearing and reconsideration of its order. The PSCW denied their request and the petitioners did not appeal the PSCW's decision.


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Michigan Legislation:    During October 2008, Michigan enacted legislation to make significant changes in regulatory procedures, which should provide for more timely cost recovery. Public Act 286 allows the use of a forward-looking test year in rate cases rather than historical data, and allows us to put interim rates into effect six months after filing a complete case. Rate filings for which an order is not issued within 12 months are deemed approved. In addition, we could seek a CPCN for new investment, and could recover interest on the investment during construction. Public Act 286 also gives the MPSC expanded authority over proposed mergers and acquisitions, and requires action within 180 days of filing. In addition, Public Act 295 calls for the implementation of a renewable portfolio standard of 10% by 2015, and energy optimization (efficiency) targets up to 1% annually by 2015. Public Act 295 specifically calls for current recovery of costs incurred to meet the standards, and provides for ongoing review and revision to assure the measures taken are cost-effective.

Fuel Cost Adjustment Procedure:    Within the state of Wisconsin, Wisconsin Electric operates under a fuel cost adjustment clause for fuel and purchased power costs associated with the generation and delivery of electricity and purchase power contracts. Embedded within its base rates is an amount to recover fuel costs. Under the current fuel rules, no adjustments are made to rates as long as fuel and purchased power costs are expected to be within a band of the costs embedded in current rates for the twelve month period ending December 31. If, however, annual fuel costs are expected to fall outside of the band, and actual costs fall outside of established fuel bands, then we may file for a change in fuel recoveries on a prospective basis.

In June 2006, the PSCW opened a docket (01-AC-224) to consider revisions to the existing fuel rules (Chapter PSC 116). Public comments from stakeholders, including regulated utilities, were received by the PSCW. In July 2008, the PSCW ordered a second comment period on a revised rule, and hearings were held in August 2008. The current version of the revised rule recommends modifications to allow for annual plan and reconciliation filings of fuel costs by each regulated utility. In the period between plan and reconciliation, escrow accounting would be used to record fuel costs outside a plus or minus 2% annual band of the total fuel costs allowed in rates. The proposed rule further recommends that the escrow balance be trued-up annually following the end of each calendar year. The earliest that we expect any possible action on the fuel rules is the summer of 2009.

Edison Sault and Wisconsin Electric's operations in Michigan operate under a Power Supply Cost Recovery mechanism which generally allows for the recovery of fuel and purchased power costs on a dollar for dollar basis.

Electric Transmission Cost Recovery:    Wisconsin Electric divested its transmission assets with the formation of ATC in January 2001. We now procure transmission service from ATC at FERC approved tariff rates. In connection with the formation of ATC, our transmission costs have escalated due to the socialization of costs within ATC and increased transmission infrastructure requirements in the state. In 2002, in connection with the increased costs experienced by our customers, the PSCW issued an order which allowed us to use escrow accounting whereby we defer transmission costs that exceed amounts embedded in our rates. We are allowed to earn a return on the unrecovered transmission costs we deferred at our weighted average cost of capital. As of December 31, 2008, we have deferred $199 million of unrecovered transmission costs. The January 2008 rate order provided for the recovery of these costs over six years beginning in January 2008; and the escrow accounting treatment has been discontinued.

Gas Cost Recovery Mechanism:    Our natural gas operations operate under GCRMs as approved by the PSCW. Generally, the GCRMs allow for a dollar for dollar recovery of gas costs. There is an incentive mechanism under the GCRMs which allows for increased revenues if we acquire gas lower than benchmarks approved by the PSCW. During 2008, approximately $2.6 million of additional revenues were earned. During 2007 and 2006, no additional revenues were earned under the incentive portion of the GCRMs.

Bad Debt Costs:    In January 2006, the PSCW issued an order approving the amortization over the next five years of bad debts deferred in 2004 for our gas operations. The bad debts deferred in 2004 related to electric operations will be considered for recovery in future rates, subject to audit and approval of the PSCW.

In March 2005, the PSCW approved our use of escrow accounting for residential bad debt costs. The escrow method of accounting for bad debt costs allows for deferral of Wisconsin residential bad debt expense that exceeds amounts allowed in rates . As a result of this approval from the PSCW, which extends through March 2009, we escrowed approximately $8.1 million, $8.9 million and $3.7 million in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively, related to bad debt costs. In July 2008, we filed an application with the PSCW for a three year extension of use of the escrow

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method for bad debt costs. In December 2008, the PSCW approved a year extension for the use of escrow method of accounting for bad debt costs through March 2010.

MISO Energy Markets:    The PSCW approved deferral treatment for our costs related to the implementation of the MISO Energy Markets. Amounts deferred through December 31, 2007 are being recovered in rates. For additional information, see Industry Restructuring and Competition -- Electric Transmission and Energy Markets.

Coal Generation Forced Outage - 2007:     In March 2007, we requested and received approval from the PSCW to defer as a regulatory asset approximately $13.2 million related to replacement power costs due to a forced outage of Unit 1 at the Pleasant Prairie Power Plant. The outage extended from February 2007 through March 2007. These costs were recovered as part of the $85 million one-time recovery using Point Beach proceeds pursuant to the 2008 rate order in a write-off during the first quarter of 2008.

Wholesale Electric Pricing:    In August 2006, Wisconsin Electric filed a wholesale rate case with FERC. The filing requested an annual increase in rates of approximately $16.7 million applicable to four existing wholesale electric customers. This includes a mechanism for fuel and other cost adjustments. In November 2006, FERC approved the rate filing subject to refund with interest. Three of the existing customers' rates were effective in January 2007. The remaining wholesale customer's rates were effective in May 2007. FERC approved a settlement of the rate filing in September 2007.

In August 2008, we issued a one-time $62.5 million refund to our wholesale customers pursuant to a FERC approved settlement related to the sale of Point Beach.

Depreciation Rates:     Periodically, we engage consultants to perform depreciation studies on our utility assets to determine our depreciation rates. In 2008, a consultant completed a depreciation study that concluded that we should reduce our utility depreciation rates because of longer asset lives and increased salvage values. The consultant estimated that the new proposed rates would reduce annual depreciation expense by approximately $55 million. In January 2009, we filed the depreciation study with the PSCW. If the PSCW approves the depreciation study, we would expect to implement the new depreciation rates in late 2009. We do not expect the new depreciation rates to have a material impact on earnings because we anticipate that the new depreciation rates will be considered when the PSCW sets our 2010 electric and gas prices. For information on our current depreciation rates, see Note A -- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Renewables, Efficiency and Conservation:     In March 2006, Wisconsin revised the requirements for renewable energy generation by enacting Act 141.  Act 141 defines "baseline renewable percentage" as the average of an energy provider's renewable energy percentage for 2001, 2002 and 2003. A utility's renewable energy percentage is equal to the amount of its total retail energy sales that are provided by renewable sources. Wisconsin Electric's baseline renewable energy percentage is 2.27%. Act 141 provides that for the years 2006-2009, Wisconsin Electric may not decrease its renewable energy percentage, and for the years 2010-2014, it must increase its renewable energy percentage at least two percentage points to a level of 4.27%. Act 141 further requires that for the year 2015 and beyond, the renewable energy percentage must increase at least six percentage points above the baseline to a level of 8.27%. Act 141 establishes a goal that 10% of all electricity consumed in Wisconsin be generated by renewable resources by December 31, 2015. Assuming the bulk of additional renewables is wind generation, Wisconsin Electric must obtain approximately 362 MW of additional renewable capacity by 2012 and another approximately 300 MW of additional renewable capacity by 2015 to meet the requirements of Act 141. We have already started development of additional sources of renewable energy which will assist us in complying with Act 141. See Wind Generation discussion below.

In 2008, the Governor of Wisconsin established the Governor's Task Force on Global Warming. The Task Force issued its final report in July 2008 that includes an increased renewable portfolio standard. Pursuant to the Task Force's recommendations, the renewable portfolio standard would increase to 10% by 2013, 20% by 2020 and 25% by 2025. The legislature is expected to review these recommendations in 2009.

Act 141 allows the PSCW to delay a utility's implementation of the renewable portfolio standard if it finds that achieving the renewable requirement would result in unreasonable rate increases or would lessen reliability, or that new renewable projects could not be permitted on a timely basis or could not be served by adequate transmission facilities. The previous law did not include similar provisions. Act 141 provides that if a utility is in compliance with the renewable energy and energy efficiency requirements as determined by the PSCW, then the utility may not

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be ordered to achieve additional energy conservation or efficiency. Prior to Act 141, there had been no agreement on how to determine compliance with the Energy Priorities law, which provides that it is the policy of the PSCW, to the extent it is cost-effective and technically feasible, to consider the following options in the listed order when reviewing energy-related applications: (1) energy conservation and efficiency, (2) noncombustible renewable energy resources, (3) combustible renewable energy resources,
(4) natural gas, (5) oil or low sulfur coal and (6) high sulfur coal and other carbon-based fuels.

Act 141 also redirects the administration of energy efficiency, conservation and renewable programs from the DOA back to the PSCW and/or contracted third parties. In addition, Act 141 requires that 1.2% of utilities' annual operating revenues be used to fund these programs. The Governor of Wisconsin's Task Force on Global Warming recommended in July 2008 that this amount be increased to approximately 4%. It is not known at this time if that recommendation will be implemented.

Public Act 295 enacted in Michigan calls for the implementation of a renewable portfolio standard by 2015 and energy optimization (efficiency) targets up to 1% annually by 2015. Public Act 295 specifically calls for current recovery of costs incurred to meet the standards and provides for ongoing review and revision to assure the measures taken are cost-effective.

Wind Generation:    In June 2005, we purchased the development rights to a wind farm project (Blue Sky Green Field) from Navitas Energy, Inc. We began construction in June 2007 and the project reached commercial operation in May 2008. Land restoration, road repairs and other post construction activities are near completion. The cost of this project was approximately $301.7 million, including AFUDC, as of December 31, 2008.

In addition, in October 2007 we provided notice to FPL Energy, a subsidiary of FPL, that we were exercising the option we received in connection with the sale of Point Beach to purchase all rights to a new wind farm site in central Wisconsin, Glacier Hills Wind Park. In July 2008, the purchase was completed and in October 2008, we filed a request for a CPCN with the PSCW for the Glacier Hills Wind Park. We currently expect to install wind turbines with approximately 132 to 207 MW of generating capacity, subject to the final site configuration and the turbine equipment selected. We expect 2012 to be the first full year of operation, subject to regulatory approvals and turbine availability.

 

ELECTRIC SYSTEM RELIABILITY

In response to customer demand for higher quality power required by modern equipment, we are evaluating and updating our electric distribution system. We are taking steps to reduce the likelihood of outages by upgrading substations and rebuilding lines to upgrade voltages and reliability. These improvements, along with better technology for analysis of our existing system, better resource management to speed restoration and improved customer communication, are near-term efforts to enhance our current electric distribution infrastructure. For the long-term, we have developed a distribution system asset management strategy that requires increased levels of automation of both substations and line equipment to consistently provide the level of reliability needed for a digital economy.

We had adequate capacity to meet all of our firm electric load obligations during 2008 and 2007. All of our generating plants performed well during the warmest periods of the summer and all power purchase commitments under firm contract were received. During this period, public appeals for conservation were not required and we did not interrupt or curtail service to non-firm customers who participate in load management programs.

We expect to have adequate capacity to meet all of our firm load obligations during 2009. However, extremely hot weather, unexpected equipment failure or unavailability could require us to call upon load management procedures as we have in past years.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

Consistent with other companies in the energy industry, we face significant ongoing environmental compliance and remediation challenges related to current and past operations. Specific environmental issues affecting our utility and non-utility energy segments include but are not limited to (1) air emissions such as CO 2 , SO 2 , NO x , small

69


particulates and mercury, (2) disposal of combustion by-products such as fly ash and (3) remediation of former manufactured gas plant sites.

We are currently pursuing a proactive strategy to manage our environmental issues including (1) improving our overall energy portfolio by adding more efficient generation as part of our PTF strategy, (2) developing additional sources of renewable electric energy supply, (3) reviewing water quality matters such as discharge limits and cooling water requirements, (4) adding emission control equipment to existing facilities to comply with new ambient air quality standards and federal clean air rules, (5) entering into agreement with the EPA to reduce emissions of SO 2 and NO x by more than 65% by 2013, (6) evaluating and implementing improvements to our cooling water intake systems, (7) continuing the beneficial re-use of ash and other solid products from coal-fired generating units and (8) conducting the clean-up of former manufactured gas plant sites. The capital cost of implementing the EPA Consent Decree is estimated to be approximately $1.2 billion over the 10 years ending 2013. These costs are principally associated with the installation of air quality controls on Pleasant Prairie Units 1 and 2 and Oak Creek Units 5-8. In June 2007, we submitted an application to the PSCW requesting approval to construct environmental controls at Oak Creek Units 5-8 by 2012 as required by the Consent Decree. We expect the cost of completing this project to be approximately $885 million, including AFUDC. Through December 31, 2008, we have spent approximately $506.7 million associated with implementing the EPA Consent Decree. For further information concerning the Consent Decree, see Note S -- Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this report.

National Ambient Air Quality Standards:     In 2000 and 2001, Michigan and Wisconsin finalized state rules implementing phased emission reductions required to meet the NAAQS for 1-hour ozone. In 2004, the EPA began implementing NAAQS for 8-hour ozone and PM 2.5 . In December 2006, the EPA further revised the PM 2.5 standard, and in March 2008, the EPA announced its decision to further lower the 8-hour ozone standard.

8-hour Ozone Standard:    In April 2004, the EPA designated 10 counties in southeastern Wisconsin as non-attainment areas for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS. States were required to develop and submit SIPs to the EPA by June 2007 to demonstrate how they intended to comply with the 8-hour ozone NAAQS. Instead of submitting a SIP, Wisconsin submitted a request to redesignate all counties in southeastern Wisconsin to be in attainment with the standard. In addition to the request for redesignation, Wisconsin also adopted the RACT rule that applies to emissions from our power plants in the affected areas of Wisconsin. We believe compliance with the NO x emission reduction requirements under the Consent Decree will substantially mitigate costs to comply with the RACT rule. In March 2008, the EPA issued a determination that the state of Wisconsin had failed to submit a SIP. We do not anticipate any further requirements to reduce emissions as a result of this finding, but we are unable to predict that outcome until Wisconsin responds to this finding (expected in July 2009) and the EPA subsequently takes a final approval action. In March 2008, the EPA announced its decision to further lower the 8-hour standard. Although additional counties may be designated as non-attainment areas under the revised standard, until those designations become final and until any potential additional rules are adopted, we are unable to predict the impact on the operation of our existing coal-fired generation facilities.

PM 2.5 Standard:    In December 2004, the EPA designated PM 2.5 non-attainment areas in the country. All counties in Wisconsin and all counties in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan were designated as in attainment with the standard. In December 2006, a more restrictive federal standard became effective; however, on February 24, 2009 the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision on the revised standard and remanded it back to the EPA for revision. The court's decision will likely result in an even more stringent annual PM 2.5 standard. Until such time as the EPA revises the standard consistent with the court's decision and the states develop rules and submit SIPs to the EPA to demonstrate how they intend to comply with the standard, we are unable to predict the impact of this more restrictive standard on the operation of our existing coal-fired generation facilities or our new PTF generating units being leased by Wisconsin Electric including OC 1, OC 2 and PWGS.

Clean Air Interstate Rule:    The EPA issued the final CAIR in March 2005 to facilitate the states in meeting the 8-hour ozone and PM 2.5 standards by addressing the regional transport of SO 2 and NO x . CAIR required NO x and SO 2 emission reductions in two phases from electric generating units located in a 28-state region within the eastern United States. Wisconsin and Michigan are affected states under CAIR. CAIR was to be implemented in two phases. Overall, CAIR is expected to result in a 70% reduction in SO 2 emissions and a 65% reduction in NO x emissions from 2002 emission levels. A final CAIR rule was adopted in Wisconsin and Michigan. Subsequently, in

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July 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit vacated CAIR and determined that the EPA must promulgate a rule consistent with its decision, but did not issue a mandate that would put its ruling into effect. In December 2008, the Court remanded CAIR to the EPA, but did not vacate it. Therefore, CAIR will remain in place while the EPA drafts a replacement rule. The Court's decision did not include a deadline for the replacement rule. We previously determined that compliance with the NO x and SO 2 emission reductions requirements under the Consent Decree would substantially mitigate costs to comply with CAIR and will achieve the levels necessary under at least the first phase of CAIR. It will be necessary to see what the revised rule contains before we can determine if any additional reductions will be required.

Clean Air Mercury Rule:    The EPA issued the final CAMR in March 2005, following the agency's 2000 regulatory determination that utility mercury emissions should be regulated. CAMR would limit mercury emissions from new and existing coal-fired power plants and cap utility mercury emissions in two phases, applicable in 2010 and 2018. The caps would limit emissions at approximately 20% and ultimately 70% below current utility mercury levels.

The federal rule was challenged by a number of states including Wisconsin and Michigan. In February 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit vacated CAMR and sent the rule back to the EPA for re-consideration.  The D.C. Circuit denied a request for a rehearing and the parties subsequently petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court for review of the D.C. Circuit's decision. In February 2009, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the petition for certiorari.  In December 2008, a number of environmental groups also filed a complaint with the D.C. Circuit asking that the court place the EPA on a schedule for promulgating Maximum Achievable Control Technology limits for electric utilities. This latest complaint is still being processed by the D.C. Circuit.

In October 2004, the WDNR issued mercury emission control rules that affect electric utilities in Wisconsin. The Wisconsin rules explicitly recognize an underlying state statutory restriction that state regulations cannot be more stringent than those included in any federal program and require that the WDNR must adopt state rule changes within 18 months of publication of any federal rules. In March 2007, the WDNR proposed changes to this rule to include an implementation plan for CAMR, along with a proposal for more stringent state-only rules. WDNR did not take any final action on the March 2007 rule proposal.

In March 2008, the WDNR once again proposed changes to the existing state-only mercury rule. In June 2008, the Natural Resources Board approved the proposed rule. The rule was approved and went into effect in December 2008. The new rule requires 90% mercury emission reductions from utilities by 2015, or, under a multi-emission option, 70% reductions by 2015, 80% by 2018 and 90% by 2021, provided utilities meet stringent NO x and SO 2 emission reduction requirements by 2015. The rule eliminates the 2008-2009 emission cap, but retains the 40% emission reduction requirement for the period 2010-2014. Our plan is to maximize mercury reductions from our initial emission control investments. Enhanced mercury reductions from refinements to SO 2 and NO x controls are expected to be developed over the next several years. Because control technology is under development, it is difficult to estimate what the cost will be to comply with the Wisconsin requirements. We believe the range of possible expenditures could be approximately $50 million to $200 million.

As of January 2008, the MDEQ has also proposed a rule to both implement CAMR and impose state-only requirements for achieving 90% emission reductions in 2015. The MDEQ has revised the draft rule to remove the requirements related to the now vacated CAMR, but is proceeding with the remainder of the state-only rule. As part of a new technology demonstration which we undertook in partnership with the DOE, technology for the control of mercury has been installed at our Presque Isle Power Plant. We plan to continue the operation of that equipment beyond the test period. We anticipate that this equipment will be sufficient to comply with reductions that would be required under the state-only rule.

Clean Air Visibility Rule:    The EPA issued CAVR in June 2005 to address Regional Haze, or regionally-impaired visibility caused by multiple sources over a wide area. The rule defines BART requirements for electric generating units and how BART will be addressed in the 28 states subject to EPA's CAIR. Under CAVR, states are required to identify certain industrial facilities and power plants that affect visibility in the nation's 156 Class I protected areas. States are then required to determine the types of emission controls that those facilities must use to control their emissions. The pollutants from power plants that reduce visibility include particulate matter or compounds that contribute to fine particulate formation, NO x , SO 2 and ammonia. States were required to submit SIPs to implement CAVR to the EPA by December 2007. Wisconsin has not yet submitted a SIP. Michigan submitted a SIP, which was partially approved. The reductions associated with the state plans are scheduled to begin to take effect in 2014, with full implementation before 2018. In response to a citizen suit, in January 2009, the EPA issued a finding of

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failure to 37 states, including Wisconsin and Michigan, regarding their failure to submit SIPs. The finding starts a two-year window for the EPA to issue Federal Implementation Plans, unless a state submits and receives SIP approval. Failure to submit an approved SIP does not initiate any federal sanctions against the states.

Wisconsin and Michigan have completed the BART rules, which cover one aspect of CAVR regulations. Wisconsin BART rules became effective July 2008 and Michigan BART rules became effective in September 2008.

Both Wisconsin and Michigan BART rules are based, in part, on utility reductions of NO x and SO 2 that were expected to occur under CAIR. Therefore, we will not be able to determine final impacts of these rules until the EPA completes a new CAIR rule.

Clean Water Act:    Section 316(b) of the CWA requires that the location, design, construction and capacity of cooling water intake structures reflect the BTA for minimizing adverse environmental impact. This law dates back to 1972; however, prior to September 2004, there were no federal rules that defined precisely how states and EPA regions determined that an existing intake met BTA requirements. The Phase II rule established, for the first time, national performance standards and compliance alternatives for existing facilities that are designed to minimize the potential adverse environmental impacts to aquatic organisms associated with water withdrawals from cooling water intakes. Costs associated with implementation of the 316(b) rules for Wisconsin Electric's Oak Creek Power Plant, We Power's Oak Creek expansion and PWGS were included in project costs.

In January 2007, the Federal Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit issued a decision concerning the Phase II rule for existing facilities (Riverkeeper, Inc. v. EPA, Nos. 04-6692-ag(L) (2d Cir. 2007)). The Second Circuit found certain portions of the rule impermissible and remanded several parts of the Phase II rule to the EPA for further consideration or potential additional rulemaking. Consistent with its announcement in March, in July 2007, the EPA formally suspended the Phase II rule in its entirety and directed states to use their "best professional judgment" in evaluating intake systems. We will work with the relevant state agencies as permits for our facilities come due for renewal to determine what, if any, actions need to be taken. Until the EPA completes its reconsideration and rulemaking, we cannot predict what impact these changes to the federal rules may have on our facilities. For additional information on this matter related to the Oak Creek expansion, see Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Power the Future -- Oak Creek Expansion in this report.

EPA Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking:    In July 2008, the EPA issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on a large array of possible regulatory actions it is contemplating under the federal CAA to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The proposed rules impact virtually all aspects of the economy including electric and natural gas utilities. The EPA document follows a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year requiring the EPA to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under the CAA if it finds that they endanger public health or welfare. The document seeks comment on whether the EPA should make that finding and, if so, the types of regulations it should adopt. The comment period has closed, and there has been no additional formal activity in the rule process. We cannot predict at this time what impact, if any, such a finding would have on us.

Manufactured Gas Plant Sites:     We are voluntarily reviewing and addressing environmental conditions at a number of former manufactured gas plant sites. For further information, see Note S -- Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Ash Landfill Sites:     We aggressively seek environmentally acceptable, beneficial uses for our combustion byproducts. For further information, see Note S -- Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

EPA Consent Decree:    In April 2003, Wisconsin Electric and the EPA announced that a Consent Decree had been reached that resolved all issues related to a request for information that had been issued by the EPA. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin approved the amended Consent Decree and entered it in October 2007. For further information, see Note S -- Commitments and Contingencies in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Greenhouse Gases:    We continue to take measures to reduce our emissions of greenhouse gases. We support flexible, market-based strategies to curb greenhouse gas emissions, including emissions trading, joint implementation projects and credit for early actions. We support a voluntary approach that encourages technology development and transfer and includes all sectors of the economy and all significant global emitters.


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Our emissions in future years will continue to be influenced by several actions completed, planned or underway, including:

  • Repowering the Port Washington Power Plant from coal to natural gas-fired combined cycle units.
  • Adding coal-fired units as part of the Oak Creek expansion that will be the most thermally efficient coal units in our system.
  • Increasing investment in energy efficiency and conservation.
  • Additional renewable capacity and promoting increased participation in the Energy for Tomorrow® renewable energy program.
  • Retirement of Coal units 1-4 at the Presque Isle Power Plant.

Federal, state, regional and international authorities have undertaken efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Legislative proposals that would impose mandatory restrictions on CO 2 emissions continue to be considered in the U.S. Congress, and the new President and his administration have made it clear that they are focused on reducing CO 2 emissions. Although the ultimate outcome of these efforts cannot be determined at this time, mandatory restrictions on our CO 2 emissions could result in significant compliance costs that could affect future results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. For additional information, see the caption "We may face significant costs to comply with the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions." under Item 1A Risk Factors in this report.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

Arbitration Proceedings:    In May 2007, we reached a settlement with our largest electric customers, two iron ore mines, that operate in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The mines represent approximately 6.5% of our 2008 electric sales; however, they provide a much smaller percentage of earnings. The mines had special negotiated contracts that expired in December 2007. The contracts had price caps for approximately 80% of the energy sales. We did not recognize revenue on amounts billed that exceeded the price caps.

The incremental power costs in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan are now determined by MISO. In April 2005, we began to bill the mines the incremental power costs as quantified by the MISO Energy Markets. The mines notified us that they were disputing these billings and a portion of these disputed amounts were deposited in escrow. In September 2005, the mines notified us that they filed for formal arbitration related to the contracts. We notified the mines that we believe that they failed to comply with certain notification provisions related to annual production as specified within the contracts.

In May 2007, Wisconsin Electric entered into a settlement agreement with the mines. The settlement was a full and complete resolution of all claims and disputes between the parties for electric service rendered by Wisconsin Electric under the power purchase agreements through March 31, 2007. Pursuant to the settlement, the mines paid Wisconsin Electric approximately $9.0 million and Wisconsin Electric released to the mines all funds held in escrow. The estimated earnings impact of the payment from the mines was $0.04 per share, which was recorded in 2007. The settlement also provided a mutually satisfactory pricing structure through the power purchase agreement expiration date of December 31, 2007. Beginning in January 2008, the mines began receiving electric service from Wisconsin Electric in accordance with tariffs approved by the MPSC.

Stray Voltage:     On July 11, 1996, the PSCW issued a final order regarding the stray voltage policies of Wisconsin's investor-owned utilities. The order clarified the definition of stray voltage, affirmed the level at which utility action is required, and placed some of the responsibility for this issue in the hands of the customer. Additionally, the order established a uniform stray voltage tariff which delineates utility responsibility and provides for the recovery of costs associated with unnecessary customer demanded services.

In recent years, dairy farmers have commenced actions or made claims against Wisconsin Electric for loss of milk production and other damages to livestock allegedly caused by stray voltage, and, more recently, ground currents resulting from the operation of its electrical system, even though that electrical system has been operated within the parameters of the PSCW's order. The Wisconsin Supreme Court has rejected the arguments that, if a utility company's measurement of stray voltage is below the PSCW "level of concern," that utility could not be found negligent in stray voltage cases. Additionally, the Court has held that the PSCW regulations regarding stray voltage were only minimum standards to be considered by a jury in stray voltage litigation. As a result of this case, claims

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by dairy farmers for livestock damage have been based upon ground currents with levels measuring less than the PSCW "level of concern."

In December 2008, a stray voltage lawsuit was filed against Wisconsin Electric. We do not believe the lawsuit has merit and we will vigorously defend the case. This lawsuit against Wisconsin Electric is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our financial statements. In June 2007, a stray voltage lawsuit filed against Wisconsin Electric in May 2005 was settled. This settlement did not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. We continue to evaluate various options and strategies to mitigate this risk.

 

NUCLEAR OPERATIONS

Point Beach Nuclear Plant:     Wisconsin Electric previously owned two electric generating units (Unit 1 and Unit 2) at Point Beach in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. During 2007 and 2006 Point Beach provided approximately 17.3% and 25.3% respectively, of our net electric energy supply.

On September 28, 2007, Wisconsin Electric sold Point Beach to an affiliate of FPL for approximately $924 million. Pursuant to the terms of the sale agreement, the buyer purchased Point Beach, its nuclear fuel and associated inventories and assumed the obligation to decommission the plant. Wisconsin Electric retained approximately $506 million of the sales proceeds, which represents the net book value of the assets sold and certain transaction costs. In addition, Wisconsin Electric deferred the net gain on the sale of approximately $418 million as a regulatory liability and deposited those proceeds into a restricted cash account.

In connection with the sale, Wisconsin Electric also transferred $390 million of decommissioning funds to the buyer. Wisconsin Electric then liquidated the balance of the decommissioning trust assets and retained approximately $552 million, which was also placed into the restricted cash account. We are using the cash in the restricted cash account and the interest earned on the balance for the benefit of our customers and to pay certain taxes. Our regulators are directing the manner in which these proceeds will benefit customers. For further information on the 2008 rate case, see Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources - Utility Rates and Regulatory Matters in this report.

A long-term power purchase agreement with the buyer became effective upon closing of the sale. Pursuant to this agreement, Wisconsin Electric is purchasing all of the energy produced by Point Beach. The power purchase agreement extends through 2030 for Unit 1 and 2033 for Unit 2. Based on the agreement, we are paying a pre-determined price per MWh for energy delivered according to a schedule that is established in the agreement. Under the agreement, if our credit rating and the credit rating of Wisconsin Electric from either S&P or Moody's fall below investment grade, or if the holders of any indebtedness in excess of $100.0 million accelerate or have the right to accelerate the maturity of such indebtedness as a result of a default, we would need to provide collateral in the amount of $100.0 million (escalating at 3% per year commencing in 2024).

Used Nuclear Fuel Storage and Disposal:    During Wisconsin Electric's ownership of Point Beach, Wisconsin Electric was authorized by the PSCW to load and store sufficient dry fuel storage containers to allow Point Beach Units 1 and 2 to operate to the end of their original operating licenses, but not to exceed the original 48-canister capacity of the dry fuel storage facility. The original operating licenses were set to expire in October 2010 for Unit 1 and in March 2013 for Unit 2 before they were renewed and extended by the NRC in December 2005.

Temporary storage alternatives at Point Beach are necessary until the DOE takes ownership of and permanently removes the used fuel as mandated by the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended in 1987. The Nuclear Waste Policy Act established the Nuclear Waste Fund which is composed of payments made by the generators and owners of such waste and fuel. Effective January 31, 1998, the DOE failed to meet its contractual obligation to begin removing used fuel from Point Beach, a responsibility for which Wisconsin Electric paid a total of $215.2 million into the Nuclear Waste Fund over the life of its ownership of Point Beach.

In August 2000, the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled in a lawsuit brought by Maine Yankee and Northern States Power Company that the DOE's failure to begin performance by January 31, 1998 constituted a breach of the Standard Contract, providing clear grounds for filing complaints in the Court of Federal Claims. Consequently, Wisconsin Electric filed a complaint in November 2000 against the DOE in the Court of Federal Claims. In October 2004, the Court of Federal Claims granted Wisconsin Electric's motion for summary

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judgment on liability. The Court held a trial during September and October 2007 to determine damages. We anticipate a decision during 2009. Wisconsin Electric incurred substantial damages prior to the sale of Point Beach and we are seeking recovery of our damages in this lawsuit, and we expect that any recoveries would be considered in setting future rates.

 

INDUSTRY RESTRUCTURING AND COMPETITION

Electric Utility Industry

The regulated energy industry continues to experience significant changes. FERC continues to support large RTOs, which will affect the structure of the wholesale market. To this end, the MISO implemented bid-based markets, the MISO Energy Markets, including the use of LMP to value electric transmission congestion and losses. The MISO Energy Markets commenced operation in April 2005 for energy distribution and in January 2009 for operating reserves. Increased competition in the retail and wholesale markets, which may result from restructuring efforts, could have a significant and adverse financial impact on us. It is uncertain when retail access might be implemented, if at all, in Wisconsin; however, Michigan has adopted retail choice which potentially affects our Michigan operations. The Energy Policy Act, which included tax subsidies for electric utilities, amended federal energy laws and provided FERC with new oversight responsibilities, continues to significantly impact the electric utility industry. We continue to focus on infrastructure issues through our PTF growth strategy.

Restructuring in Wisconsin:     Electric utility revenues in Wisconsin are regulated by the PSCW. Due to many factors, including relatively competitive electric rates charged by the state's electric utilities, the PSCW has been focused on electric reliability infrastructure issues for the state of Wisconsin in recent years. These issues include:

  • Addition of new generating capacity in the state;
  • Modifications to the regulatory process to facilitate development of merchant generating plants;
  • Development of a regional independent electric transmission system operator;
  • Improvements to existing and addition of new electric transmission lines in the state; and
  • Addition of renewable generation.

The PSCW continues to maintain the position that the question of whether to implement electric retail competition in Wisconsin should ultimately be decided by the Wisconsin legislature. No such legislation has been introduced in Wisconsin to date.

Restructuring in Michigan:    Our Michigan retail customers are allowed to remain with their regulated utility at regulated rates or choose an alternative electric supplier to provide power supply service. We have maintained our generation capacity and distribution assets and provide regulated service as we have in the past. We continue providing distribution and customer service functions regardless of the customer's power supplier.

Competition and customer switching to alternative suppliers in our service territories in Michigan has been limited. With the exception of two general inquiries, no alternate supplier activity has occurred in our service territories in Michigan. We believe that this lack of alternate supplier activity reflects our small market area in Michigan, our competitive regulated power supply prices and a general lack of interest in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan as a market for alternative electric suppliers.

Electric Transmission and Energy Markets

In MISO, base transmission costs are currently being paid by LSEs located in the service territories of each MISO transmission owner. In February 2008, FERC issued several orders confirming that the current transmission cost allocation methodology is just and reasonable and should continue in the future. These orders are subject to rehearings or appeals.

In April 2006, FERC issued an order determining that MISO had not applied its energy markets tariff correctly in the assessment of RSG charges. FERC ordered MISO to resettle all affected transactions retroactive to the commencement of the energy market. In October 2006 and March 2007, we received additional rulings from FERC on these issues. FERC's rulings have been challenged by MISO and numerous other market participants. MISO

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commenced with the resettlement of the market in accordance with the orders in July 2007. The resettlement was completed in January 2008 and resulted in a net cost increase of $7.8 million to us. Several entities filed formal complaints with FERC on the assessment of these charges. We filed in support of these complaints.

In November 2007, FERC issued another RSG order related to the rehearing requests previously filed. This order provided a clarification that was contrary to how MISO implemented the last resettlement. Once again, several parties, including Wisconsin Electric, filed for rehearing and/or clarification with FERC.

In addition, FERC ruled on the formal complaints filed by other entities in August 2007. FERC ruled that the current RSG cost allocation methodology may be unjust and unreasonable and established a refund effective date of August 10, 2007. MISO was ordered to file a new cost allocation methodology by March 2008. MISO filed new tariff language which indicated the new cost allocation methodology cannot be applied retroactively. We extended our previous rehearing/clarification request to include the timeframe from the established refund date through March 2008. In September 2008, FERC set a paper hearing for the formal complaints filed in 2007. FERC ruled on the outstanding rehearing/clarification requests and formal complaints in November 2008. FERC's ruling orders the resettlements to begin from the date the MISO Energy Markets commenced in order to correct the RSG cost allocation methodology. Additionally, the order also set a new RSG cost allocation effective August 10, 2007. However, numerous entities filed rehearing requests in objection of these rulings. MISO requested a postponement of the resettlements until the matter is resolved. Based on our analysis of the FERC decision and MISO's proposed implementation of FERC's ruling, we estimate that there could be a refund to us of up to $15 million. Due to the uncertainty around the ultimate outcome of the RSG cost allocation, we have not reflected the potential impact of this potential resettlement on our financial statements as of December 31, 2008.

As part of MISO, a market-based platform was developed for valuing transmission congestion premised upon the LMP system that has been implemented in certain northeastern and mid-Atlantic states. The LMP system includes the ability to mitigate or eliminate congestion costs through ARRs and FTRs. ARRs are allocated to market participants by MISO and FTRs are purchased through auctions. A new allocation and auction was completed for the period of June 1, 2008 through May 31, 2009. The resulting ARR valuation and the secured FTRs should adequately mitigate our transmission congestion risk for that period.

MISO has developed a market for two ancillary services, regulation reserves and contingency reserves. In February 2007, MISO filed tariff revisions to include ancillary services. The MISO ancillary services market began in January 2009. We previously self-provided both regulation reserves and contingency reserves. In the MISO ancillary services market, we buy/sell regulation and contingency reserves from/to the market. The MISO ancillary services market is expected to reduce overall ancillary services costs in the MISO footprint. The MISO ancillary services market is also expected to enable MISO to assume significant balancing area responsibilities such as frequency control and disturbance control .

 

Natural Gas Utility Industry

Restructuring in Wisconsin:    The PSCW previously instituted generic proceedings to consider how its regulation of gas distribution utilities should change to reflect the changing competitive environment in the natural gas industry. To date, the PSCW has made a policy decision to deregulate the sale of natural gas in customer segments with workably competitive market choices and has adopted standards for transactions between a utility and its gas marketing affiliates. However, work on deregulation of the gas distribution industry by the PSCW is presently on hold. Currently, we are unable to predict the impact of potential future deregulation on our results of operations or financial position.

 

ACCOUNTING DEVELOPMENTS

New Pronouncements:    See Note B -- Recent Accounting Pronouncements in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in this report for information on new accounting pronouncements.


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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

Preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in compliance with GAAP requires the application of appropriate technical accounting rules and guidance, as well as the use of estimates. The application of these policies necessarily involves judgments regarding future events, including the likelihood of success of particular projects, legal and regulatory challenges and anticipated recovery of costs. These judgments, in and of themselves, could materially impact the financial statements and disclosures based on varying assumptions. In addition, the financial and operating environment may also have a significant effect, not only on the operation of our business, but on our results reported through the application of accounting measures used in preparing the financial statements and related disclosures, even if the nature of the accounting policies applied have not changed.

The following is a list of accounting policies that are most significant to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and that require management's most difficult, subjective or complex judgments:

Regulatory Accounting:     Our utility subsidiaries operate under rates established by state and federal regulatory commissions which are designed to recover the cost of service and provide a reasonable return to investors. Under SFAS 71, the actions of our regulators may allow us to defer costs that non-regulated entities would expense. The actions of our regulators may also require us to accrue liabilities that non-regulated companies would not. As of December 31, 2008, we had $1,343.6 million in regulatory assets and $1,395.3 million in regulatory liabilities. In the future, if we move to market based rates, or if the actions of our regulators change, we may conclude that we are unable to follow SFAS 71. In this situation, continued deferral of certain regulatory asset and liability amounts on the utilities' books, as allowed under SFAS 71, may no longer be appropriate and the unamortized regulatory assets net of the regulatory liabilities would be recorded as an extraordinary after-tax non-cash charge to earnings. We continually review the applicability of SFAS 71 and have determined that it is currently appropriate to continue following SFAS 71. In addition, each quarter we perform a review of our regulatory assets and our regulatory environment and we evaluate whether we believe that it is probable that we will recover the regulatory assets in future rates. See Note C -- Regulatory Assets and Liabilities in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Pension and OPEB:    Our reported costs of providing non-contributory defined pension benefits (described in Note O -- Benefits in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements) are dependent upon numerous factors resulting from actual plan experience and assumptions of future experience. Pension costs are impacted by actual employee demographics (including age, compensation levels and employment periods), the level of contributions made to plans and earnings on plan assets. Changes made to the provisions of the plans may also impact current and future pension costs. Pension costs may also be significantly affected by changes in key actuarial assumptions, including anticipated rates of return on plan assets and the discount rates used in determining the projected benefit obligation and pension costs.

In accordance with SFAS 87 and SFAS 158, changes in pension obligations associated with these factors may not be immediately recognized as pension costs on the income statement, but generally are recognized in future years over the remaining average service period of plan participants. As such, significant portions of pension costs recorded in any period may not reflect the actual level of cash benefits provided to plan participants.

The following chart reflects pension plan sensitivities associated with changes in certain actuarial assumptions by the indicated percentage. Each sensitivity reflects a change to the given assumption, holding all other assumptions constant:

Pension Plan

Impact on

Actuarial Assumption

Annual Cost

(Millions of Dollars)

0.5% decrease in discount rate and lump sum conversion rate

$6.0

0.5% decrease in expected rate of return on plan assets

$5.0

In addition to pension plans, we maintain OPEB plans which provide health and life insurance benefits for retired employees (described in Note O -- Benefits in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements). We account for these plans in accordance with SFAS 106. Our reported costs of providing these post-retirement benefits are dependent upon numerous factors resulting from actual plan experience including employee demographics

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(age and compensation levels), our contributions to the plans, earnings on plan assets and health care cost trends. Changes made to the provisions of the plans may also impact current and future OPEB costs. OPEB costs may also be significantly affected by changes in key actuarial assumptions, including anticipated rates of return on plan assets and the discount rates used in determining the OPEB and post-retirement costs. Our OPEB plan assets are primarily made up of equity and fixed income investments. Fluctuations in actual equity market returns, as well as changes in general interest rates, may result in increased or decreased other post-retirement costs in future periods. Similar to accounting for pension plans, the regulators of our utility segment have adopted SFAS 106 for rate making purposes.

The following chart reflects OPEB plan sensitivities associated with changes in certain actuarial assumptions by the indicated percentage. Each sensitivity reflects a change to the given assumption, holding all other assumptions constant:

OPEB Plan

Impact on

Actuarial Assumption

Annual Cost

(Millions of Dollars)

0.5% decrease in discount rate

$1.9

0.5% decrease in health care cost trend rate in all future years

($2.3)

0.5% decrease in expected rate of return on plan assets

$0.8

Unbilled Revenues:    We record utility operating revenues when energy is delivered to our customers. However, the determination of energy sales to individual customers is based upon the reading of their meters, which occurs on a systematic basis throughout the month. At the end of each month, amounts of energy delivered to customers since the date of their last meter reading are estimated and corresponding unbilled revenues are calculated. This unbilled revenue is estimated each month based upon actual generation and throughput volumes, recorded sales, estimated customer usage by class, weather factors, estimated line losses and applicable customer rates. Significant fluctuations in energy demand for the unbilled period or changes in the composition of customer classes could impact the accuracy of the unbilled revenue estimate. Total utility operating revenues during 2008 of approximately $4.4 billion included accrued utility revenues of, $341.2 million as of December 31, 2008.

 

 

ITEM 7A.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

See Factors Affecting Results, Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Market Risks and Other Significant Risks in Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this report for information concerning potential market risks to which Wisconsin Energy and its subsidiaries are exposed.


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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

Year Ended December 31

2008

2007

2006

(Millions of Dollars, Except Per Share Amounts)

Operating Revenues

$        4,431.0 

$        4,237.8 

$        3,996.4 

Operating Expenses

Fuel and purchased power

1,240.7 

996.4 

802.0 

Cost of gas sold

1,221.3 

1,052.7 

1,018.3 

Other operation and maintenance

1,361.5 

1,135.3 

1,183.7 

Depreciation, decommissioning and amortization

326.8 

328.2 

326.4 

Property and revenue taxes

108.2 

103.2 

97.5 

Total Operating Expenses

4,258.5 

3,615.8 

3,427.9 

Amortization of Gain

488.1 

6.5 

-   

Operating Income

660.6 

628.5 

568.5 

Equity in Earnings of Transmission Affiliate

51.8 

43.1 

38.6 

Other Income and Deductions, net

17.0 

48.9 

53.1 

Interest Expense, net

153.7 

167.6 

172.7 

Income from Continuing

Operations Before Income Taxes

575.7 

552.9 

487.5 

Income Taxes

217.1 

216.4 

175.0 

Income from Continuing Operations

358.6 

336.5 

312.5 

Income (loss) from Discontinued

Operations, Net of Tax

0.5 

(0.9)

3.9 

Net Income

$           359.1 

$           335.6 

$           316.4 

Earnings Per Share (Basic)

Continuing Operations

$             3.06 

$             2.88 

$             2.67 

Discontinued Operations

0.01 

(0.01)

0.03 

Total Earnings Per Share (Basic)

$             3.07 

$             2.87 

$             2.70 

Earnings Per Share (Diluted)

Continuing Operations

$             3.03 

$             2.84 

$             2.64 

Discontinued Operations

0.01 

(0.01)

0.03 

Total Earnings Per Share (Diluted)

$             3.04 

$             2.83 

$             2.67 

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (Millions)

Basic

116.9 

116.9 

117.0 

Diluted

118.2 

118.5 

118.4 

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.


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WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

December 31

ASSETS

2008

2007

(Millions of Dollars)

     Property, Plant and Equipment

In service

$        9,925.6 

$        8,959.1 

Accumulated depreciation

(3,314.8)

(3,123.9)

6,610.8 

5,835.2 

Construction work in progress

1,830.0 

1,764.1 

Leased facilities, net

76.2 

81.9 

     Net Property, Plant and Equipment

8,517.0 

7,681.2 

     Investments

Restricted cash

172.4 

323.5 

Equity investment in transmission affiliate

276.3 

238.5 

Other

41.6 

42.7 

     Total Investments

490.3 

604.7 

     Current Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

32.5 

27.4 

Restricted cash

214.1 

408.1 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for

doubtful accounts of $48.8 and $38.0

369.5 

361.8 

Accrued revenues

341.2 

312.2 

Materials, supplies and inventories

344.7 

361.3 

Regulatory assets

82.5 

164.7 

Prepayments and other

308.6 

214.2 

     Total Current Assets

1,693.1 

1,849.7 

     Deferred Charges and Other Assets

Regulatory assets

1,261.1 

961.6 

Goodwill

441.9 

441.9 

Other

214.4 

181.2 

     Total Deferred Charges and Other Assets

1,917.4 

1,584.7 

     Total Assets

$      12,617.8 

$      11,720.3 

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.


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WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

December 31

CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES

2008

2007

(Millions of Dollars)

     Capitalization

Common equity

$       3,336.9 

$       3,099.2 

Preferred stock of subsidiary

30.4 

30.4 

Long-term debt

4,074.7 

3,172.5 

     Total Capitalization

7,442.0 

6,302.1 

     Current Liabilities

Long-term debt due currently

61.8 

352.8 

Short-term debt

602.3 

900.7 

Accounts payable

441.0 

478.3 

Regulatory liabilities

310.8 

563.1 

Other

318.9 

207.9 

     Total Current Liabilities

1,734.8 

2,502.8 

     Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities

Regulatory liabilities

1,084.4 

1,314.3 

Asset retirement obligations

57.3 

54.5 

Deferred income taxes - long-term

814.0 

551.7 

Accumulated deferred investment tax credits

41.6 

47.8 

Deferred revenue, net

545.4 

347.7 

Pension and other benefit obligations

635.0 

310.1 

Other long-term liabilities

263.3 

289.3 

     Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities

3,441.0 

2,915.4 

     Commitments and Contingencies (Note S)

     Total Capitalization and Liabilities

$     12,617.8 

$     11,720.3 

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.


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WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Year Ended December 31

2008

2007

2006

(Millions of Dollars)

Operating Activities

Net income

$              359.1 

$              335.6 

$              316.4 

Reconciliation to cash

Depreciation, decommissioning and amortization

332.3 

338.0 

336.8 

Amortization of gain

(488.1)

(6.5)

-    

Equity in earnings of transmission affiliate

(51.8)

(43.1)

(38.6)

Distributions from transmission affiliate

39.0 

33.2 

30.4 

Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits, net

296.6 

20.4 

(54.0)

Deferred revenue

203.2 

164.5 

80.3 

Contributions to benefit plans

(48.4)

(24.2)

(59.4)

Change in -

Accounts receivable and accrued revenues

(36.7)

(36.9)

61.2 

Inventories

16.6 

31.3 

34.4 

Other current assets

(50.0)

(5.4)

(26.5)

Accounts payable

50.3 

10.1 

(36.3)

Accrued income taxes, net

(89.4)

(106.9)

50.2 

Deferred costs, net

81.5 

(56.3)

(29.1)

Other current liabilities

110.9 

(21.6)

(21.2)

Other, net

11.9 

(99.7)

85.4 

Cash Provided by Operating Activities

737.0 

532.5 

730.0 

Investing Activities

Capital expenditures

(1,137.1)

(1,211.5)

(928.7)

Investment in transmission affiliate

(25.3)

-    

(14.6)

Proceeds from asset sales, net

14.3 

963.1

102.4 

Proceeds from liquidation of nuclear decommissioning trust

-    

552.4 

-    

Change in restricted cash

345.1 

(731.6)

-    

Nuclear fuel

-    

(23.8)

(47.7)

Proceeds from investments within nuclear decommissioning trust

-    

1,528.7 

530.7 

Other activity within nuclear decommissioning trust

-    

(1,528.7)

(530.7)

Other, net

(103.9)

(91.8)

(50.9)

Cash Used in Investing Activities

(906.9)

(543.2)

(939.5)

Financing Activities

Exercise of stock options

11.6 

36.1 

26.8 

Purchase of common stock

(23.0)

(67.8)

(48.0)

Dividends paid on common stock

(126.3)

(116.9)

(107.6)

Issuance of long-term debt

1,113.0 

523.4 

337.9 

Retirement and repurchase of long-term debt

(497.8)

(363.8)

(493.8)

Change in short-term debt

(298.4)

(11.2)

455.6 

Other, net

(4.1)

1.3 

2.4 

Cash Provided by Financing Activities

175.0 

1.1 

173.3 

Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents

5.1 

(9.6)

(36.2)

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year

27.4 

37.0 

73.2 

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year

$                32.5 

$                27.4 

$                37.0 

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

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WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON EQUITY

Accumulated

Other

Stock

Common

Other Paid

Retained

Comprehensive

Unearned

Options

Stock

In Capital

Earnings

Income (Loss)

Compensation

Exercisable

Total

(Millions of Dollars)

Balance - December 31, 2005

$         1.2 

$         770.3 

$         1,924.5 

$                      (11.5)

$                   (5.4)

$               1.0 

$         2,680.1 

Net income

316.4 

316.4 

Other comprehensive income

Minimum pension liability

2.5 

2.5 

Hedging, net

0.4 

0.4 

Comprehensive income

-    

-    

316.4 

2.9 

-    

-    

319.3 

Common stock cash

dividends of $0.92 per share

(107.6)

(107.6)

Exercise of stock options

26.8 

26.8 

Purchase of common stock

(48.0)

(48.0)

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

8.4 

8.4 

Stock-based compensation and awards of

restricted stock

9.8 

9.8 

Modification of performance share awards

(6.3)

(6.3)

Reclassification of unearned compensation

to Other Paid In Capital upon the adoption

of SFAS 123R -- Note J

(5.4)

5.4 

-    

Adoption of SFAS 158

7.0 

7.0 

Other

(0.1)

(0.4)

(0.5)

Balance - December 31, 2006 as

originally reported

1.2 

755.5 

2,133.3 

(1.6)

-    

0.6 

2,889.0 

Cumulative effect of FIN 48. See Note H.

(0.3)

(0.3)

Balance - January 1, 2007 adoption of FIN 48

1.2 

755.5 

2,133.0 

(1.6)

-    

0.6 

2,888.7 

Net income

335.6 

335.6 

Other comprehensive income

Hedging, net

0.3 

0.3 

Comprehensive income

-    

-    

335.6 

0.3 

-    

-    

335.9 

Common stock cash

dividends of $1.00 per share

(116.9)

(116.9)

Exercise of stock options

36.1 

36.1 

Purchase of common stock

(67.8)

(67.8)

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

10.8 

10.8 

Stock-based compensation and awards of

restricted stock

12.7 

12.7 

Other

0.2 

(0.3)

(0.2)

(0.3)

Balance - December 31, 2007

1.2 

747.5 

2,351.4 

(1.3)

-    

0.4 

3,099.2 

Net income

359.1 

359.1 

Other comprehensive income

Hedging, net

0.4 

0.4 

Comprehensive income

-    

359.1 

0.4 

-    

-    

359.5 

Common stock cash

dividends of $1.08 per share

(126.3)

(126.3)

Exercise of stock options

11.6 

11.6 

Purchase of common stock

(23.0)

(23.0)

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

3.3 

3.3 

Stock-based compensation and awards of

restricted stock

12.6 

12.6 

Other

0.3 

(0.3)

-    

Balance - December 31, 2008

$         1.2 

$         752.3 

$         2,584.2 

$                        (0.9)

$                     -    

$               0.1 

$         3,336.9 

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.

83


 

 

WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CAPITALIZATION

December 31

2008

2007

(Millions of Dollars)

Common Equity (see accompanying statement)

$ 3,336.9 

$         3,099.2 

Preferred Stock

Wisconsin Energy

$.01 par value; authorized 15,000,000 shares; none outstanding

-    

-    

Wisconsin Electric

Six Per Cent. Preferred Stock - $100 par value;

authorized 45,000 shares; outstanding - 44,498 shares

4.4 

4.4 

Serial preferred stock -

$100 par value; authorized 2,286,500 shares; 3.60% Series

redeemable at $101 per share; outstanding - 260,000 shares

26.0 

26.0 

$25 par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares; none outstanding

-    

-    

Total Preferred Stock

30.4 

30.4 

Long-Term Debt

Debentures (unsecured)

4.50% due 2013

300.0 

300.0 

6.60% due 2013

45.0 

45.0 

6.00% due 2014

300.0 

-    

5.20% due 2015

125.0 

125.0 

6.25% due 2015

250.0 

-    

6-1/2% due 2028

150.0 

150.0 

5.625% due 2033

335.0 

335.0 

5.90% due 2035

90.0 

90.0 

5.70% due 2036

300.0 

300.0 

6-7/8% due 2095

100.0 

100.0 

Notes (secured, nonrecourse)

2% stated rate due 2011

0.1 

0.2 

4.81% effective rate due 2030

2.0 

2.0 

4.91% due 2008-2030

143.3 

146.9 

6.00% due 2008-2033

154.6 

-    

Notes (unsecured)

7.75% due 2008

-    

0.3 

5.50% due 2008

-    

300.0 

6.21% due 2008

-    

20.0 

6.48% due 2008

-    

25.4 

5-1/2% due 2009

50.0 

50.0 

6.25% due 2010

10.0 

10.0 

3.47% variable rate due 2010 (a)

260.0 

-    

6.50% due 2011

450.0 

450.0 

6.51% due 2013

30.0 

30.0 

1.92% variable rate due 2015 (a)

17.4 

17.4  

0.80% variable rate due 2016 (a)

67.0 

67.0 

6.94% due 2028

50.0 

50.0 

0.80% variable rate due 2030 (a)

80.0 

80.0 

6.20% due 2033

200.0 

200.0 

Junior Notes (unsecured)

6.25% due 2067

500.0 

500.0 

Obligations under capital leases

154.1 

157.5 

Unamortized discount, net and other

(27.0)

(26.4)

Long-term debt due currently

(61.8)

(352.8)

Total Long-Term Debt

4,074.7 

3,172.5 

Total Capitalization

$         7,442.0 

$         6,302.1 

(a)

Variable interest rate as of December 31, 2008.

The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these financial statements.


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WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

A -- SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

General:     Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Wisconsin Energy Corporation (Wisconsin Energy, the Company, our, we or us), a diversified holding company, as well as our subsidiaries in the following operating segments:

  • Utility Energy Segment  -- Consisting of Wisconsin Electric, Wisconsin Gas and Edison Sault; engaged primarily in the generation of electricity and the distribution of electricity and natural gas; and
  • Non-Utility Energy Segment  -- Consisting primarily of We Power; engaged principally in the design, development, construction and ownership of electric power generating facilities for long-term lease to Wisconsin Electric.

Our Corporate and Other segment primarily includes Wispark, which develops and invests in real estate. We have eliminated all intercompany transactions and balances from the consolidated financial statements.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenues:    We recognize energy revenues on the accrual basis and include estimated amounts for services rendered but not billed.

Our retail electric rates in Wisconsin are established by the PSCW and include base amounts for fuel and purchased power costs. The electric fuel rules in Wisconsin allow us to request rate increases if fuel and purchased power costs exceed the band established by the PSCW. We are also required to reduce rates if fuel and purchased power costs fall below the band established by the PSCW.

Our retail gas rates include monthly adjustments which permit the recovery or refund of actual purchased gas costs. We defer any difference between actual gas costs incurred (adjusted for a sharing mechanism) and costs recovered through rates as a current asset or liability. The deferred balance is returned to or recovered from customers at intervals throughout the year.

For information regarding revenue recognition for PTF, see Note E.

Accounting for MISO Energy Transactions:    MISO implemented the MISO Energy Markets on April 1, 2005. The MISO Energy Markets operate under both day-ahead and real-time markets. We record energy transactions in the MISO Energy Markets on a net basis for each hour.


85


 

Other Income and Deductions, Net:    We recorded the following items in Other Income and Deductions, net for the years ended December 31:

Other Income and Deductions, net

2008

2007

2006

(Millions of Dollars)

Carrying Costs

$  0.8  

$28.8  

$25.0  

Gain on Property Sales

2.6  

13.1  

3.2  

Gain on Sale of Guardian Investment

  -    

  -    

2.8  

AFUDC - Equity

7.8  

5.2  

14.6  

Other, net

5.8  

1.8  

7.5  

  Total Other Income and Deductions, net

$17.0  

$48.9  

$53.1  

Property and Depreciation:     We record property, plant and equipment at cost. Cost includes material, labor, overheads and capitalized interest. Utility property also includes AFUDC - Equity. Additions to and significant replacements of property are charged to property, plant and equipment at cost; minor items are charged to maintenance expense. The cost of depreciable utility property less salvage value is charged to accumulated depreciation when property is retired.

We had the following property in service by segment as of December 31:

Property In Service

2008

2007

(Millions of Dollars)

Utility Energy

$8,894.2  

$8,309.2  

Non-Utility Energy

959.4  

568.2  

Other

72.0  

81.7  

     Total

$9,925.6  

$8,959.1  

Our utility depreciation rates are certified by the PSCW and MPSC and include estimates for salvage value and removal costs. Depreciation as a percent of average depreciable utility plant was 3.7% in 2008, 2007 and 2006.

For assets other than our regulated assets, we accrue depreciation expense at straight-line rates over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Estimated useful lives for non-regulated assets are 3 to 40 years for furniture and equipment, 2 to 5 years for software and 30 to 40 years for buildings.

Our regulated utilities collect in their rates amounts representing future removal costs for many assets that do not have an associated ARO. W e record a regulatory liability on our balance sheet for the estimated amounts we have collected in rates for future removal costs less amounts we have spent in removal activities. This regulatory liability was $693.5 million as of December 31, 2008 and $664.5 million as of December 31, 2007.

We recorded the following CWIP by segment at December 31:

CWIP

2008

2007

(Millions of Dollars)

Utility Energy

$   191.4  

$   309.7  

Non-Utility Energy

1,638.6  

1,389.9  

Other

-     

64.5  

     Total

$1,830.0  

$1,764.1  

Allowance For Funds Used During Construction - Regulated:    AFUDC is included in utility plant accounts and represents the cost of borrowed funds (AFUDC - Debt) used during plant construction, and a return on stockholders'

86


capital (AFUDC - Equity) used for construction purposes. AFUDC - Debt is recorded as a reduction of interest expense, and AFUDC - Equity is recorded in Other Income and Deductions, net.

During 2008, Wisconsin Electric accrued AFUDC at a rate of 9.09% as authorized by the PSCW in its 2008 test year in docket 5-UR-103. Consistent with that order, Wisconsin Electric accrues AFUDC on 50% of all utility CWIP projects except its Oak Creek AQCS project which accrues AFUDC on 100% of CWIP. Wisconsin Electric's rates were set to provide a current return on CWIP that does not accrue AFUDC. During 2007 and 2006, Wisconsin Electric accrued AFUDC at a rate of 8.94%, as authorized by the PSCW.

During 2008, Wisconsin Gas accrued AFUDC at a rate of 10.80% on 50% of its CWIP as authorized by the PSCW in the 2008 test year in docket 5-UR-103. Wisconsin Gas' rates were set to provide a current return on CWIP that does not accrue AFUDC. During 2007 and 2006, Wisconsin Gas accrued AFUDC at a rate of 11.31%, as authorized by the PSCW.

Our regulated segment recorded the following AFUDC for the years ended December 31:

2008

2007

2006

(Millions of Dollars)

AFUDC - Debt

$3.3  

$1.8  

$5.2  

AFUDC - Equity

$7.8  

$5.2  

$14.6  

Capitalized Interest and Carrying Costs - Non-Regulated Energy:    As part of the construction of the power plants under our PTF program, we capitalize interest during construction in accordance with SFAS 34. Under the lease agreements associated with our PTF power plants, we are able to collect from utility customers the carrying costs associated with the construction of these power plants. We defer these carrying costs collected on our balance sheet and they will be amortized to revenue once the asset is placed in service over the individual lease term. For further information on the accounting for capitalized interest and deferred carrying costs associated with the construction of our PTF power plants, see Note E.

Earnings per Common Share:    We compute basic earnings per common share by dividing our net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share reflect the potential reduction in earnings per common share that could occur when potentially dilutive common shares are added to common shares outstanding.

We derive our potentially dilutive common shares by calculating the number of shares issuable relating to stock options utilizing the treasury stock method. The future issuance of shares underlying the outstanding stock options depends on whether the exercise prices of the stock options are less than the average market price of the common shares for the respective periods. Shares that are anti-dilutive are not included in the calculation.

Materials, Supplies and Inventories:    Our inventory at December 31 consists of:

Materials, Supplies and Inventories

2008

2007

(Millions of Dollars)

Fossil Fuel

$132.4  

$125.1  

Natural Gas in Storage

113.3  

140.6  

Materials and Supplies

99.0  

95.6  

     Total

$344.7  

$361.3  

Substantially all fossil fuel, materials and supplies and natural gas in storage inventories are recorded using the weighted-average method of accounting.

Regulatory Accounting:    Our utility energy segment accounts for its regulated operations in accordance with SFAS 71. This statement sets forth the application of GAAP to those companies whose rates are determined by an independent third-party regulator. The economic effects of regulation can result in regulated companies recording

87


costs that have been or are expected to be allowed in the rate making process in a period different from the period in which the costs would be charged to expense by an unregulated enterprise. When this occurs, costs are deferred as assets on the balance sheet (regulatory assets) and recorded as expenses in the periods when those same amounts are reflected in rates. We defer all of our regulatory assets pursuant to specific orders or by a generic order issued by our primary regulator, the PSCW. Additionally, regulators can impose liabilities upon a regulated company for amounts previously collected from customers and for amounts that are expected to be refunded to customers (regulatory liabilities). We expect to recover our outstanding regulatory assets in rates over a period of no longer than 20 years. Regulatory assets and liabilities that are expected to be amortized within one year are recorded as current on the balance sheet. For further information, see Note C.

Asset Retirement Obligations:    Consistent with SFAS 143 and FIN 47, we record a liability for a legal ARO in the period in which it is incurred. When a new legal obligation is recorded, we capitalize the costs of the liability by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. We accrete the liability to its present value each period and depreciate the capitalized cost over the useful life of the related asset. At the end of the asset's useful life, we settle the obligation for its recorded amount or incur a gain or loss. As it relates to our regulated operations, we apply SFAS 71 and recognize regulatory assets or liabilities for the timing differences between when we recover legal AROs in rates and when we would recognize these costs under SFAS 143. For further information, see Note F.

Derivative Financial Instruments:    We have derivative physical and financial instruments as defined by SFAS 133 which we report at fair value. For further information, see Note M.

Cash and Cash Equivalents:     Cash and cash equivalents include marketable debt securities acquired three months or less from maturity.

Restricted Cash:    Cash proceeds that we received from the sale of Point Beach that are to be used for the benefit of our customers are recorded as restricted cash.

Margin Accounts:    Cash deposited in brokerage accounts for margin requirements is recorded in Other Current Assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets:    We account for goodwill and other intangible assets following SFAS 142. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, we had $441.9 million of goodwill recorded at the utility energy segment, which related to our acquisition of Wisconsin Gas in 2000.

Under SFAS 142, goodwill and other intangibles with indefinite lives are not subject to amortization. However, goodwill and other intangibles are subject to fair value-based rules for measuring impairment, and resulting write-downs, if any, are to be reflected in operating expense. We assess the fair value of our SFAS 142 reporting unit by considering future discounted cash flows, a comparison of fair value based on public company trading multiples, and merger and acquisition transaction multiples for similar companies. This evaluation utilizes the information available under the circumstances, including reasonable and supportable assumptions and projections. We perform our annual impairment test for the reporting unit as of August 31. There was no impairment to the recorded goodwill balance as of our annual 2008 impairment test date for our reporting unit.

Impairment or Disposal of Long Lived Assets:    We carry property, equipment and goodwill related to businesses held for sale at the lower of cost or estimated fair value less cost to sell. As of December 31, 2008, we had no assets classified as Held for Sale. Consistent with SFAS 144, long-lived assets are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable from the use and eventual disposition of the asset based on the remaining useful life. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of an asset is not recoverable and exceeds the fair value of the asset. The carrying amount of an asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. An impairment loss is measured as the excess of the carrying amount of the asset in comparison to the fair value of the asset. For further information, see Note D.

Investments:    We account for investments in other affiliated companies in which we do not maintain control using the equity method. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, we had a total ownership interest of approximately 26.2% and 26.9% in ATC. We are represented by one out of ten ATC board members, each of whom has one vote. Due to

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the voting requirements, no individual member has more than 10% of the voting control. For further information regarding such investments, see Note R.

Income Taxes:    We follow the liability method in accounting for income taxes as prescribed by SFAS 109. SFAS 109 requires the recording of deferred assets and liabilities to recognize the expected future tax consequences of events that have been reflected in our financial statements or tax returns and the adjustment of deferred tax balances to reflect tax rate changes. We are required to assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets would expire before being realized. We have established a valuation allowance against certain deferred tax assets. GAAP requires that, if we conclude in a future period that it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets would be realized before expiration, we reverse the related valuation allowance in that period. Any change to the allowance, as a result of a change in judgment about the realization of deferred tax assets, is reported in income tax expense.

Investment tax credits associated with regulated operations are deferred and amortized over the life of the assets. We file a consolidated Federal income tax return. Accordingly, we allocate Federal current tax expense benefits and credits to our subsidiaries based on their separate tax computations. For further information, see Note H.

We recognize interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in Income Taxes in our Consolidated Income Statements, as well as Regulatory Assets or Regulatory Liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

We collect sales and use taxes from our customers and remit these taxes to governmental authorities. These taxes are recorded in our Consolidated Income Statements on a net basis.

Stock Options:    Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted SFAS 123R, using the modified prospective method and use a binomial pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock options granted subsequent to that date. SFAS 123R also requires that we report unearned stock-based compensation associated with non-vested restricted stock and performance share awards activity within "other paid in capital" in our Consolidated Statements of Common Equity. We do report excess tax benefits as a financing cash inflow. Historically, all stock options have been granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant and expire no later than ten years from the grant date. Accordingly, no compensation expense was recognized in connection with option grants. For further discussion of this standard and the impacts to our Consolidated Financial Statements, see Note J.

The fair value of our stock options was calculated using a binomial option-pricing model using the following weighted average assumptions:

 

2008

2007

2006

Risk free interest rate

2.9% - 3.9%

4.7% - 5.1%

4.3% - 4.4%

Dividend yield

2.1%

2.2%

2.4%

Expected volatility

20.0%

13.0% - 20.0%

17.0% - 20.0%

Expected life (years)

6.7

6.0

6.3

Expected forfeiture rate

2.0%

2.0%

2.0%

Pro forma weighted average fair

   value of our stock options granted

$9.93

$8.72

$7.55

 

 

B -- RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

Fair Value Measurements:    In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS 157. SFAS 157 provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities, defines fair value, provides a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures related to fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We partially adopted the provisions of SFAS 157 effective January 1, 2008. We fully adopted the provisions of SFAS 157 effective January 1, 2009. The adoption of SFAS 157 did not have a significant financial impact on our consolidated financial statements. See Note N -- Fair Value Measurements for further information on SFAS 157.


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Fair Value Option :    In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS 159. SFAS 159 permits an entity to measure certain financial assets and financial liabilities at fair value and also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements. SFAS 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entity's first fiscal year beginning after November 15, 2007. We adopted the provisions of SFAS 159 effective January 1, 2008. The adoption of SFAS 159 did not have any financial impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities:    In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161. SFAS 161 requires qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. SFAS 161 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. We adopted the provisions of SFAS 161 effective January 1, 2009. The adoption of SFAS 161 did not have any financial impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Disclosures by Public Entities about Interests in Variable Interest Entities:    In December 2008, the FASB issued FSP FIN 46(R)-8. FSP FIN 46(R)-8 amends FIN 46 to require public entities, including sponsors that have a variable interest in a variable interest entity, to provide additional disclosures regarding their involvement with variable interest entities. FSP FIN 46(R)-8 is effective for the first operating period (interim or annual) ending after December 15, 2008. We adopted the provisions of FSP FIN 46(R)-8 effective December 31, 2008. The adoption of FSP FIN 46(R)-8 did not have any financial impact on our consolidated financial statements. See Note G -- Variable Interest Entities for further information on FSP FIN 46(R)-8.

 

 

C -- REGULATORY ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Our utility energy segment accounts for its regulated operations in accordance with SFAS 71.

Our primary regulator, the PSCW, considers our regulatory assets and liabilities in two categories, escrowed and deferred. In escrow accounting we expense amounts that are included in rates. If actual costs exceed, or are less than the amounts that are allowed in rates, the difference in cost is escrowed on the balance sheet as a regulatory asset or regulatory liability and the escrowed balance is considered in setting future rates. Under deferred cost accounting, we defer amounts to our balance sheet based upon orders or correspondence with our primary regulator. These deferred costs will be considered in future rate setting proceedings. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, we had approximately $28.2 million and $58.3 million, respectively, of net regulatory assets that were not earning a return.

In January 2008, the PSCW issued a rate order that, among other things, reaffirmed our accounting for the regulatory assets and liabilities identified below. In addition, the rate order provided for the immediate recovery in January 2008 of $85.0 million related to deferred fuel costs and escrowed bad debt costs. The rate order also provided for the recovery over a six year period of the balance of the deferred fuel costs, escrowed bad debt costs and escrowed transmission costs. The order also specified that the deferred Point Beach gain would be passed on to customers over a three year period. Finally, the order eliminated the use of escrow accounting for transmission costs that are incurred after December 31, 2007.


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Our regulatory assets and liabilities as of December 31 consist of:

 

2008

2007

(Millions of Dollars)

 Regulatory Assets

    Deferred unrecognized pension costs

$593.6   

$303.8   

    Escrowed electric transmission costs

199.0   

240.9   

    Deferred unrecognized OPEB costs

107.7   

58.9   

    Deferred SFAS 133 Amounts

84.4   

24.3   

    Deferred plant related -- capital lease

77.9   

74.7   

    Deferred income tax related

73.4   

90.9   

    Deferred environmental costs

56.8   

63.9   

    Deferred fuel related costs

47.1   

86.7   

    Escrowed bad debt costs

20.6   

61.1   

    Other, net

83.1   

121.1   

 Total regulatory assets

$1,343.6   

$1,126.3   

 Regulatory Liabilities

    Deferred cost of removal obligations

$693.5   

$664.5   

    Deferred Point Beach related

431.5   

906.8   

    Deferred income tax related

89.2   

119.4   

    Other, net

181.0   

186.7   

Total regulatory liabilities

$1,395.2   

$1,877.4   

We have concluded that substantially all of the unrecognized costs resulting from the recognition of the funded status of our pension and OPEB plans qualify as a regulatory asset.

Our regulated subsidiaries record deferred regulatory assets and liabilities representing the future expected impact of deferred taxes on utility revenues, see Note A.

Consistent with a generic order from, and past rate-making practices of, the PSCW, we defer as a regulatory asset costs associated with the remediation of former manufactured gas plant sites. As of December 31, 2008, we have recorded $56.8 million of environmental costs associated with manufactured gas plant sites as a regulatory asset, including $23.9 million of deferrals for actual remediation costs incurred and a $32.9 million accrual for estimated future site remediation (see Note S). In addition, we have deferred $7.4 million of insurance recoveries associated with the environmental costs as regulatory liabilities. We amortize the deferred costs actually incurred and insurance recoveries over five years in accordance with rate-making treatment.

As of December 31, 2008, we have $20.6 million of escrowed bad debt costs. The PSCW authorized escrow accounting for residential bad debt costs for both Wisconsin Gas and Wisconsin Electric whereby they defer actual bad debt write-offs that exceed amounts allowed in rates.



D -- ASSET SALES, DIVESTITURES AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

Point Beach:     Prior to September 28, 2007, Wisconsin Electric owned two 518 MW electric generating units (Unit 1 and Unit 2) at Point Beach in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. On September 28, 2007, Wisconsin Electric sold Point Beach to an affiliate of FPL for approximately $924 million. Pursuant to the terms of the sale agreement, the buyer purchased Point Beach, its nuclear fuel and associated inventories and assumed the obligation to decommission the plant. Wisconsin Electric retained approximately $506 million of the sales proceeds, which represents the net book value of the assets sold and certain transaction costs. In addition, Wisconsin Electric deferred the net gain on the sale of approximately $418 million as a regulatory liability and deposited those proceeds into a restricted cash account.


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In connection with the sale, Wisconsin Electric also transferred $390 million of decommissioning funds to the buyer. Wisconsin Electric then liquidated the balance of the decommissioning trust assets and retained approximately $552 million of that cash. This cash was also placed into the restricted cash account. We are using the cash in the restricted cash account, and the interest earned on the balance, for the benefit of our customers and to pay certain taxes related to the liquidation of the qualified decommissioning trust. Our regulators are directing the manner in which these proceeds will benefit customers.

As of December 31, 2008, we have given approximately $347.1 million in bill credits to our Wisconsin and Michigan retail customers and issued a refund of approximately $62.5 million to wholesale customers in a one-time FERC-approved settlement. In addition, pursuant to the January 2008 PSCW rate order, during the first quarter of 2008, we used $85.0 million of restricted cash proceeds to recover $85.0 million of regulatory assets.

A long-term power purchase agreement with the buyer became effective upon closing of the sale. Pursuant to this agreement, Wisconsin Electric is purchasing all of the energy produced by Point Beach. The power purchase agreement extends through 2030 for Unit 1 and 2033 for Unit 2. Based on the agreement, we will be paying a predetermined price per MWh for energy delivered. Under the agreement, if our credit rating and the credit rating of Wisconsin Electric from either S&P or Moody's fall below investment grade, or if the holders of any indebtedness in excess of $100.0 million accelerate or have the right to accelerate the maturity of such indebtedness as a result of a default, we would need to provide collateral in the amount of $100.0 million (escalating at 3% per year commencing in 2024). For further information regarding our former nuclear operations, see Note I.

Minergy Neenah, LLC:    Effective September 27, 2006, we sold 100% of the membership interest in Minergy Neenah, LLC to a third party. The primary assets of Minergy Neenah, LLC were a Glass Aggregate plant and related operating contracts. The largest source of revenue for Minergy Neenah, LLC was a long-term steam contract with an adjacent paper mill. The mill was permanently closed as of June 30, 2006. Pursuant to the steam contract, the mill owner paid Minergy Neenah, LLC a contract termination payment. In the third quarter of 2006, we received gross proceeds from the sale of the plant and the contract termination totaling $12.2 million and we recorded a net loss of $0.4 million that is included in Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of tax.

We have recorded the operating results of Minergy Neenah, LLC as Income from Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax in the accompanying Consolidated Income Statements for the year ended December 31, 2006.

The total effect on operating revenues for Minergy Neenah, LLC was $14.3 million in 2006. The income before taxes was $2.4 million for the same year. The gain on discontinued operations for 2008, 2007 and 2006 was not material.

 

E -- ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING FOR pOWER THE FUTURE GENERATING UNITS

Background:   As part of our PTF strategy, our non-utility subsidiary, We Power, is building four new generating units (PWGS 1 and 2 and OC 1 and 2) that will be leased to our utility subsidiary, Wisconsin Electric, under long-term leases that have been approved by the PSCW, our primary regulator. The leases are designed to recover the capital costs of the plant including a return. PWGS 1 was placed in service in July 2005 and PWGS 2 was placed in service in May 2008.

The construction of the Oak Creek expansion includes projects that will benefit the existing units at this site as well as the new units. These projects include a coal handling facility and a water intake system. The costs associated with these projects are included in the OC 1 captions below. In November 2007, the coal handling system for Oak Creek was placed in service, and the water intake system was placed in service in January 2009. The accompanying consolidated financial statements eliminate all intercompany transactions between We Power and Wisconsin Electric and reflect the cash inflows from Wisconsin Electric customers and the cash outflows to our vendors and suppliers.

During Construction:    Under the terms of each lease, we collect in current rates amounts representing our pre-tax cost of capital (debt and equity) associated with capital expenditures for the PTF units. Our pre-tax cost of capital

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is approximately 14%. The carrying costs that we collect in rates are recorded as deferred revenue and will be amortized to revenue over the term of the lease once the respective unit is placed in service. During the construction of our PTF units, we capitalize interest costs at an overall weighted-average pre-tax cost of interest of approximately 6%. Capitalized interest is included in the total cost of the PTF units.

Cash Flows:   The following table identifies key pre-tax cash outflows and inflows for the year ended December 31 related to the construction of our PTF units as compared to Wisconsin Energy overall:

 

Capital Expenditures (Millions of Dollars)

 

Total

 

PWGS1

 

PWGS 2

 

OC 1

 

OC 2

 

PTF

 

WEC

2008

$     -    

 

$50.8    

 

$271.9    

 

$203.7    

 

$526.4    

 

$1,137.1    

2007

$     -    

 

$94.2    

 

$416.5    

 

$154.9    

 

$665.6    

 

$1,211.5    

2006

$     -    

 

$121.3    

 

$268.0    

 

$76.8    

 

$466.1    

 

$928.7    

                       
 

Capitalized Interest (Millions of Dollars)

 

Total

 

PWGS 1

 

PWGS 2

 

OC 1

 

OC 2

 

PTF

 

WEC

2008

$     -    

 

$7.1     

 

$50.8     

 

$25.4     

 

$83.3     

 

$86.6     

2007

$     -    

 

$15.4     

 

$41.7     

 

$14.3     

 

$71.4     

 

$73.3     

2006

$     -    

 

$8.3     

 

$19.3     

 

$6.8     

 

$34.4     

 

$39.9     

                       
 

Deferred Revenue (Millions of Dollars)

 

Total

 

PWGS 1

 

PWGS 2

 

OC 1

 

OC 2

 

PTF

 

WEC

2008

$     -    

 

$16.9    

 

$124.0    

 

$62.3    

 

$203.2    

 

$203.2    

2007

$     -    

 

$34.9    

 

$96.4    

 

$33.2    

 

$164.5    

 

$164.5    

2006

$     -    

 

$19.1    

 

$45.3    

 

$15.9    

 

$80.3    

 

$80.3    

 

Balance Sheet:    As noted above, we collect in current rates carrying costs that are calculated based on the cash expenditures included in CWIP multiplied by our pre-tax cost of capital. The carrying costs are recorded as deferred revenue and included in long-term liabilities. Our total CWIP balance includes cash expenditures, capitalized interest and accruals. The following table identifies key amounts related to our PTF units that are recorded on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2008 and 2007:

 

CWIP - Cash Expenditures (Millions of Dollars)

Total

PWGS 1

PWGS 2

OC 1

OC 2

PTF

December 31, 2008

$     -      

$  -       

$952.9    

$520.8    

$1,473.7    

December 31, 2007

$     -      

$286.4    

$738.6    

$314.7    

$1,339.7    

Total CWIP (Millions of Dollars)

Total

PWGS 1

PWGS 2

OC 1

OC 2

PTF

WEC

December 31, 2008

$     -      

$     -      

$1,065.5    

$571.3    

$1,636.8    

$1,830.0    

December 31, 2007

$     -      

$313.3    

$800.4    

$339.9    

$1,453.6    

$1,764.1    

Net Plant in Service (Millions of Dollars)

Total

PWGS 1

PWGS 2

OC 1

OC 2

PTF

WEC

December 31, 2008

$332.7   

$360.3  

$194.0    

$     -    

$887.0   

$6,610.8   

December 31, 2007

$342.0   

$     -    

$175.0    

$     -    

$517.0   

$5,835.2   

Deferred Revenue (Millions of Dollars)

Total

PWGS 1

PWGS 2

OC 1

OC 2

PTF

WEC

December 31, 2008

$62.7    

$77.3    

$285.5    

$119.9    

$545.4    

$545.4    

December 31, 2007

$65.5    

$62.2    

$162.4    

$57.6    

$347.7    

$347.7    


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Income Statement:     Once the PTF units are placed in service, we expect to recover in rates the lease costs which reflect the authorized cash construction costs of the units plus a return on the investment. The authorized cash costs are established by the PSCW. The authorized cash costs exclude capitalized interest since carrying costs are recovered during the construction of the units. The lease payments are expected to be levelized, except that OC 1 and OC 2 will be recovered on a levelized basis that has a one time 10.6% escalation after the first five years of the leases. The leases established a set return on equity component of 12.7% after tax. The interest component of the return is determined up to 180 days prior to the date that the units are placed in service.

We recognize revenues related to the lease payments that are included in our rates. In addition, our revenues include the amortization of the deferred revenues that reflect the carrying costs that are collected during construction. The deferred revenue is amortized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. We depreciate the units on a straight-line basis over their expected service life.

In July 2005, PWGS 1 was placed in service. This asset had a cost of approximately $364.3 million, which included approximately $31.1 million of capitalized interest. The asset is being depreciated over its estimated useful life of approximately 37 years. The cost of the plant, plus a return on the investment, is expected to be recovered through Wisconsin Electric's rates over a 25 year period at an annual amount of approximately $48 million.

In November 2007, the coal handling system for Oak Creek was placed into service. As of December 31, 2008, this asset had a cost of approximately $199.1 million, which included approximately $9.6 million of capitalized interest. This asset is being depreciated over its estimated useful life of approximately 40 years. The cost of the system, plus a return on the investment, is expected to be recovered through Wisconsin Electric's rates over a 32 year period at an annual amount of approximately $24 million.

In May 2008, PWGS 2 was placed in service. As of December 31, 2008, this asset had a cost of approximately $366.3 million, which included approximately $34.0 million of capitalized interest. The asset is being depreciated over its estimated useful life of approximately 37 years. The cost of the plant, plus a return on the investment, is expected to be recovered through Wisconsin Electric's rates over a 25 year period at an annual amount of approximately $49 million.

 

F -- ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

The following table presents the change in our AROs during 2008:

 

Balance at
12/31/07

Liabilities
Incurred

Liabilities
Settled


Accretion

Cash Flow
Revisions

Balance at
12/31/08

 

(Millions of Dollars)


AROs


$54.5     


$0.2     


($0.5)    


$3.1     


$   -    


$57.3     

Our AROs were significantly reduced during 2007 due to the sale of Point Beach. Upon closing of the sale, the buyer assumed the liability to decommission the plant, including the ARO spent fuel and the obligation to return the site to greenfield status.

 

 

G -- VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES

Under FIN 46 and FIN 46R, the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity must consolidate the related assets and liabilities. In December 2008, the FASB issued FSP FIN 46(R)-8 requiring additional disclosures by sponsors, significant interest holders in variable interest entities and potential variable interest entities.

We assess our relationships to potential variable interest entities such as our coal suppliers, natural gas suppliers, coal and gas transporters, and other counterparties in power purchase agreements and joint ventures as prescribed by FIN 46R. We consider the potential that our contracts or other arrangements provide subordinated financial support,

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the potential for us to absorb losses or rights to residual returns of the entity, the ability to directly or indirectly make decisions about the entities' activities and other factors.

We have identified two tolling and purchased power agreements with third parties but have been unable to determine if we are the primary beneficiary of these two variable interest entities as defined by FIN 46. The requested information required to make this determination has not been supplied. As a result, we do not consolidate these entities. Instead, we account for one of these contracts as a capital lease and the other contract as an operating lease. A similar power purchase agreement expired during the second quarter of 2008. We continue to evaluate our tolling and purchased power agreements with third parties on a quarterly basis. We have approximately $471.5 million of required payments over the remaining terms of these two agreements, which expire over the next 14 years. We believe the required payments or any replacement power purchased will continue to be recoverable in rates. Total capacity and minimum lease payments under these contracts in 2008, 2007 and 2006 were $66.4 million, $70.4 million and $68.9 million, respectively.

 

 

H -- INCOME TAXES

The following table is a summary of income tax expense for each of the years ended December 31:

Income Taxes

2008

2007

2006

(Millions of Dollars)

Current tax expense (benefit)

($79.5) 

$300.6  

$229.0  

Deferred income taxes, net

302.9  

(80.0) 

(49.7) 

Investment tax credit, net

(6.3) 

(4.2) 

(4.3) 

     Total Income Tax Expense

$217.1  

$216.4  

$175.0  

 

The provision for income taxes for each of the years ended December 31 differs from the amount of income tax determined by applying the applicable U.S. statutory federal income tax rate to income before income taxes as a result of the following:

2008

2007

2006

Effective

Effective

Effective

Income Tax Expense

 Amount 

Tax Rate

 Amount 

Tax Rate

 Amount 

Tax Rate

(Millions of Dollars)

Expected tax at

  statutory federal tax rates

$201.5  

35.0%  

$193.5  

35.0%  

$170.6  

35.0%  

State income taxes net of federal tax benefit

30.2  

5.2%  

26.9  

4.9%  

24.1  

4.9%  

Domestic production activities deduction

(8.0) 

(1.4%) 

-  

- %  

-   

- %   

Investment tax credit restored

(6.3) 

(1.0%) 

(4.2) 

(0.8%) 

(4.3) 

(0.9%) 

Other, net

(0.3) 

(0.1%) 

0.2  

0.1%  

(15.4) 

(3.1%) 

     Total Income Tax Expense

$217.1  

37.7%  

$216.4  

39.2%  

$175.0  

35.9%  


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The components of SFAS 109 deferred income taxes classified as net current liabilities and net long-term liabilities at December 31 are as follows:

 

2008

2007

(Millions of Dollars)

Deferred Tax Assets

Current

  Deferred Gain

$37.0     

$98.0     

  Employee benefits and compensation

14.9     

13.6     

  Other

12.8     

5.1     

Total Current Deferred Tax Assets

$64.7     

$116.7     

Non-current

  Deferred revenues

$204.6     

$122.1     

  Construction advances

109.6     

97.3     

  Employee benefits and compensation

95.1     

134.4     

  Property-Related

52.9     

59.6     

  Deferred Gain

27.2     

77.5     

  Emission allowances

13.0     

20.3     

  State NOL's

3.9     

14.6     

  Other

20.5     

40.6     

Total Non-current Deferred Tax Assets

$526.8     

$566.4     

Total Deferred Tax Assets

$591.5     

$683.1     

2008

2007

(Millions of Dollars)

Deferred Tax Liabilities

Current

  Prepaid items

$45.2     

$40.4     

  Uncollectible account expense

  -       

11.7     

Total Current Deferred Tax Liabilities

$45.2     

$52.1     

Non-current

  Property-related

$986.1     

$820.7     

  Employee benefits and compensation

169.9     

79.3     

  Deferred transmission costs

76.4     

95.9     

  Investment in transmission affiliate

59.5     

50.8     

  Other

48.9     

71.4     

Total Non-current Deferred Tax Liabilities

$1,340.8     

$1,118.1     

Total Deferred Tax Liabilities

$1,386.0     

$1,170.2     

Consolidated Balance Sheet Presentation

2008

2007

  Current Deferred Tax Asset

$19.5     

$64.6     

  Non-current Deferred Tax Liability

($814.0)    

($551.7)    

Consistent with ratemaking treatment, deferred taxes are offset in the above table for temporary differences which have related regulatory assets or liabilities.

As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, we had recorded $3.2 million and $3.3 million, respectively, of valuation allowances primarily related to the uncertainty of our ability to benefit from state loss carryforwards in the future. Portions of these state loss carryforwards began expiring in 2008.


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We adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

2008

2007

(Millions of Dollars)

Balance, January 1

$33.2           

$36.3           

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year

   -             

   -             

Additions for tax positions of prior years

5.6           

0.4           

Reductions for tax positions of prior years

(0.6)          

(2.7)          

Reductions due to statute of limitations

(1.2)          

   -             

Settlements during the period

   -             

(0.8)          

Balance, December 31

$37.0           

$33.2           

The amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, excludes FIN 48 related deferred tax assets of $13.2 million and $8.5 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, the net amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate for continuing operations was approximately $9.3 million and $9.2 million, respectively.

We recognize interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. For the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, we recognized approximately $3.3 million and $3.0 million, respectively, of accrued interest in the Consolidated Income Statements. For the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, we recognized no penalties in the Consolidated Income Statements. We had approximately $9.0 million and $6.2 million of interest and $0.9 million and $1.0 million of penalties accrued on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

We do not anticipate any significant increases or decreases in the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.

Our primary tax jurisdictions include Federal and the state of Wisconsin. Currently, the tax years of 2004 through 2008 are subject to Federal and Wisconsin examination.

 

 

I -- NUCLEAR OPERATIONS

The sale of Point Beach was completed on September 28, 2007. The discussion below reflects decommissioning and nuclear operations through September 28, 2007.

Nuclear Decommissioning:    We recorded decommissioning expense in amounts equal to the amounts collected in rates and funded to the external trusts. Nuclear decommissioning costs were accrued over the expected service lives of the nuclear generating units and were included in electric rates. The decommissioning funding was $11.2 million through September 2007 and $17.6 million for the year ended 2006. We liquidated our decommissioning trust assets as part of the sale of Point Beach. We had no investments in our Nuclear Decommissioning Trusts as of December 31, 2008 and 2007.

Our investments in the trusts were recorded at fair value and we were allowed regulatory treatment for the fair value adjustment. Realized gains and losses for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

2008

2007

(Millions of Dollars)

Realized Gains

$  -          

$320.6   

Realized (Losses)

  -          

(8.3)  

     Net Realized Gain

$  -          

$312.3   


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Total gains and total losses by security type for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

2008

Total Gains

Total (Losses)

Net Gain (Loss)

Debt

$  -      

$  -      

$  -      

Equity

  -      

  -      

  -      

     Total

$  -      

$  -      

$  -      


2007

Total Gains

Total (Losses)

Net Gain (Loss)

Debt

$2.2   

($3.0)   

($0.8)  

Equity

318.4   

(5.3)   

313.1   

     Total

$320.6   

($8.3)   

$312.3   

Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund:    The Energy Policy Act of 1992 established a D&D Fund for the DOE's nuclear fuel enrichment facilities. Deposits to the D&D Fund are derived in part from special assessments on utilities using enrichment services. In October 2006, a final payment was made to the DOE. As a result, a liability no longer exists for this fund. The deferred regulatory asset was amortized to nuclear fuel expense and included in utility rates through September 2007.

 

J -- Common equity

As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, we had 325,000,000 shares of common stock authorized under our charter, of which 116,917,790 and 116,943,072 common shares, respectively, were outstanding. All share-based compensation is currently fulfilled by purchases on the open market by our independent agents and do not dilute shareholders' ownership.

Share-Based Compensation Plans:    We have a plan that was approved by stockholders that enables us to provide a long-term incentive through equity interests in Wisconsin Energy, to outside directors, selected officers and key employees of the Company. The plan provides for the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards and performance shares. Awards may be paid in common stock, cash or a combination thereof. Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted SFAS 123R using the modified prospective method. We utilize the straight-line attribution method for recognizing share-based compensation expense under SFAS 123R. Accordingly, for employee awards, equity classified share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period. There were no modifications to the terms of outstanding stock options during the period.

The following table summarizes recorded pre-tax share-based compensation expense and the related tax benefit for share-based awards made to our employees and directors as of December 31:

 

   

2008

 

2007

 

2006

   

(Millions of Dollars)

             

  Stock options

 

$12.2   

 

$12.2   

 

$ 7.6   

  Performance units

 

9.5   

 

5.4   

 

7.0   

  Restricted stock

 

1.1   

 

1.2   

 

1.2   

  Share-based compensation expense

$22.8   

$ 18.8   

$15.8   

  Related Tax Benefit

$  9.1   

$   7.6   

$6.3   


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Stock Options:    The exercise price of a stock option under the plan is to be no less than 100% of the common stock's fair market value on the grant date and options may not be exercised within six months of the grant date except in the event of a change in control. Option grants consist of non-qualified stock options and vest on a cliff-basis after a three year period. Options expire no later than ten years from the date of grant. For further information regarding stock-based compensation and the valuation of our stock options, see Note A.

Stock options to purchase 12,000, 1,366,625 and 1,357,365 shares of common stock at $42.56, $47.76 and $48.04 per share, respectively, were outstanding as of December 31, 2008, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share, because they were anti-dilutive.

The following is a summary of our stock options issued through December 31, 2008:

Stock Options

 

Number of Options

 

Weighted-Average Exercise Price

 

Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (Years)

 

Aggregate Intrinsic Value (Millions)

 

Outstanding as of January 1, 2008

7,694,239  

$34.30    

   Granted

 

1,362,160  

 

$48.04    

         

   Exercised

 

(502,500) 

 

$25.81    

         

   Forfeited

 

(10,335) 

 

$45.59    

         

Outstanding as of December 31, 2008

8,543,564  

$36.97    

6.2

$58.9     

Exercisable as of December 31, 2008

4,945,185  

$30.89    

4.8

$56.2     

We expect that substantially all of the outstanding options as of December 31, 2008 will be exercised.

In January 2009, the Compensation Committee awarded 1,216,625 non-qualified stock options with an exercise price of $42.22 to our officers and key executives under its normal schedule of awarding long-term incentive compensation.

The intrinsic value of options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 was $10.2 million, $30.0 million and $21.1 million, respectively. Cash received from options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 was $11.6 million, $36.1 million and $26.8 million, respectively. The actual tax benefit realized for the tax deductions from option exercises for the same periods was approximately $3.5 million, $11.2 million and $8.4 million, respectively.

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2008:

Options Outstanding

Options Exercisable

Weighted-Average

Weighted-Average

Range of Exercise Prices

Number of Options

Exercise Price

Remaining Contractual Life (Years)

Number of Options

Exercise Price

Remaining Contractual Life (Years)

$12.79  to  $31.07

2,094,174   

$25.06   

3.5

2,094,174  

$25.06   

3.5

$33.44  to  $39.48

3,713,400   

$35.66   

6.0

2,622,251  

$34.07   

5.5

$42.56  to  $48.04

2,735,990   

$47.87   

8.5

228,760  

$47.79   

8.1

8,543,564   

$36.97   

6.2

4,945,185  

$30.89   

4.8


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The following table summarizes information about our non-vested options through December 31, 2008:

Number

Weighted-

Of

Average

Non-Vested Stock Options

 Options 

Fair Value

Non-vested as of January 1, 2008

3,466,243  

$8.21    

   Granted

1,362,160  

$9.93    

   Vested

(1,219,689) 

$8.36    

   Forfeited

(10,335) 

$8.96    

Non-Vested as of December 31, 2008

3,598,379  

$8.81    

As of December 31, 2008, total compensation costs related to non-vested stock options not yet recognized was approximately $9.8 million, which is expected to be recognized over the next 20 months on a weighted-average basis.

Restricted Shares:    The Compensation Committee has also approved restricted stock grants to certain key employees and directors. The following restricted stock activity occurred during 2008:

Weighted-

Number

Average

Of

Market

Restricted Shares

 Shares 

   Price   

Outstanding as of January 1, 2008

146,306  

     Granted

14,058  

$47.61   

     Released / Forfeited

(43,991) 

$30.96   

Outstanding as of December 31, 2008

116,373  

Recipients of the restricted shares have the right to vote the shares and receive dividends. Forfeiture provisions on restricted stock generally expire 10 years after the award date subject to an accelerated expiration schedule for some of the shares based on the achievement of certain financial performance goals.

We record the market value of the restricted stock awards on the date of grant and then we charge their value to expense over the vesting period of the awards. We also adjust expense for acceleration of vesting due to achievement of performance goals. The intrinsic value of restricted stock vesting was $2.1 million, $2.9 million and $0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. The actual tax benefit realized for the tax deductions from released restricted shares for the same years was $0.5 million, $1.1 million and $0.5 million, respectively.

As of December 31, 2008, total compensation cost related to restricted stock not yet recognized was approximately $1.6 million, which is expected to be recognized over the next 37 months on a weighted-average basis.

Performance Units:    In January 2009, 2008 and 2007 the Compensation Committee granted 333,720, 133,855 and 136,905 performance units, respectively, to officers and other key employees under the Wisconsin Energy Performance Unit Plan. Under the grants, the ultimate number of units which will be awarded is dependent upon the achievement of certain financial performance of our stock over a three year period. Under the terms of the award, participants may earn between 0% and 175% of the base performance award. All grants are settled in cash. We are accruing compensation costs over the three year performance period based on our estimate of the final expected value of the award. In July 2006, the Compensation Committee amended the terms of performance shares granted in 2004 to allow the recipients to receive cash or common stock upon settlement. During the third quarter of 2006, we transferred $6.3 million from Common Equity to Other Liabilities to reflect participant elections to take cash under this amendment. Performance units earned as of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 had a total intrinsic value of $8.4 million, $5.2 million and $7.2 million, respectively. The awards were subsequently distributed to our officers and key employees in January 2009, 2008 and 2007. The actual tax benefit realized for the tax deductions from the distribution of performance units was approximately $3.1 million, $1.8 million and $2.1 million,

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respectively. As of December 31, 2008, total compensation cost related to performance units not yet recognized was approximately $6.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over the next 19 months on a weighted-average basis.

Common Stock Activity:   We do not expect to issue new shares under our various employee benefit plans and our dividend reinvestment and share purchase plan; rather, we instruct independent plan agents to purchase the shares in the open market. In that regard, no new shares of common stock were issued in 2008, 2007 or 2006.

During 2008, 2007 and 2006, our plan agents purchased 0.5 million shares at a cost of $23.0 million, 1.4 million shares at a cost of $67.8 million and 1.1 million shares at a cost of $48.0 million, respectively, to fulfill exercised stock options and restricted stock awards. In 2008, 2007 and 2006, we received proceeds of $11.6 million, $36.1 million and $26.8 million, respectively, related to the exercise of stock options.

Restrictions:     Wisconsin Energy's ability to pay common dividends depends on the availability of funds received from our principal utility subsidiaries, Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas. During 2008, Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas collectively provided Wisconsin Energy with $431.6 million of dividends. In the future, as the new PTF plants continue to be placed in service, we expect that We Power will also provide funds for Wisconsin Energy to pay dividends.

Various financing arrangements and regulatory requirements impose certain restrictions on the ability of our principal utility subsidiaries to transfer funds to Wisconsin Energy in the form of cash dividends, loans or advances. In addition, under Wisconsin law, Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas are prohibited from loaning funds, either directly or indirectly, to Wisconsin Energy.

The January 2008 rate order requires Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas to maintain capital structures as set forth by the PSCW. These capital structures differ from GAAP as they reflect regulatory adjustments. Wisconsin Electric is required to maintain a common equity ratio range of between 48.5% and 53.5% and Wisconsin Gas is to maintain a capital structure which has a common equity range of between 45.0% and 50.0%. Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas must obtain PSCW approval if they pay dividends above the test year levels that would cause either company to fall below the authorized levels of common equity.

Wisconsin Electric may not pay common dividends to Wisconsin Energy under Wisconsin Electric's Restated Articles of Incorporation if any dividends on Wisconsin Electric's outstanding preferred stock have not been paid. In addition, pursuant to the terms of Wisconsin Electric's 3.60% Serial Preferred Stock, Wisconsin Electric's ability to declare common dividends would be limited to 75% or 50% of net income during a twelve month period if Wisconsin Electric's common stock equity to total capitalization, as defined in the preferred stock designation, is less than 25% and 20%, respectively.

We have the option to defer interest payments on the Junior Notes, from time to time, for one or more periods of up to 10 consecutive years per period. During any period in which we defer interest payments, we may not declare or pay any dividends or distributions on, or redeem, repurchase or acquire, our common stock.

As of December 31, 2008, the restricted net assets of consolidated and unconsolidated subsidiaries and our equity in undistributed earnings of 50% or less owned investees accounted for by the equity method total approximately $2.8 billion. This amount exceeds 25% of our consolidated net assets as of December 31, 2008.

See Note L for discussion of certain financial covenants related to the bank back-up credit facilities of Wisconsin Energy, Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas.

We do not believe that these restrictions will materially affect our operations or limit any dividend payments in the foreseeable future.


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K -- LONG-TERM DEBT

Debentures and Notes:    As of December 31, 2008, the maturities and sinking fund requirements of our long-term debt outstanding (excluding obligations under capital leases) were as follows:

(Millions of Dollars)

  2009

$56.7        

  2010

277.1        

  2011

457.5        

  2012

7.9        

  2013

383.3        

  Thereafter

2,826.9        

      Total

$4,009.4        

We amortize debt premiums, discounts and debt issuance costs over the lives of the debt and we include the costs in interest expense.

During 2008, our subsidiaries issued $706 million of senior notes, including $550 million of notes under an existing $800 million shelf registration statement filed by Wisconsin Electric with the SEC in August 2007. Of the total amount issued during 2008, $156 million was issued by PWGS and is secured by a collateral assignment of the leases between PWGS and Wisconsin Electric related to PWGS 2. The net proceeds were used to repay short-term debt.

In addition, in December 2008, Wisconsin Energy borrowed $260 million under an 18- month credit facility and used such amount to repay short-term debt. Similar to Wisconsin Energy's bank back-up credit facility, this agreement requires us to maintain, subject to certain exclusions, a minimum funded debt to capitalization ratio of less than 70%, and also contains customary covenants, including certain limitations on our ability to sell assets. The credit facility also contains customary events of default. In addition, Wisconsin Energy must ensure that certain of its subsidiaries comply with many of the covenants contained therein. As of December 31, 2008, Wisconsin Energy was in compliance with all covenants under the credit agreement.

Wisconsin Electric is the obligor under two series of tax-exempt pollution control refunding bonds in outstanding principal amount of $147 million. The bonds previously bore interest at an "auction rate". In March 2008, because of substantial disruptions in the auction rate bond market, Wisconsin Electric purchased (in lieu of redemption) these bonds at a purchase price of par plus accrued interest to the date of purchase. In August 2008, Wisconsin Electric converted the interest rate determination method for the bonds to a weekly rate and they were remarketed to third parties. Letters of credit from Wells Fargo Bank, National Association now provide credit and liquidity support for the remarketed bonds. Prior to the remarketing, Wisconsin Electric held the bonds and they remained outstanding; however, because they were held by Wisconsin Electric, they were not reflected in our consolidated long-term debt.

During December 2008, Wisconsin Energy retired $350.8 million of notes through the issuance of short-term debt.

In May 2007, we issued $500 million of Junior Notes. Due to certain features of the Junior Notes, rating agencies consider them to be hybrid instruments with a combination of debt and equity characteristics. These securities were issued under a shelf registration statement filed with the SEC in May 2007 for an unlimited number of debt securities, which became effective upon filing. The Junior Notes bear interest at 6.25% per year until May 15, 2017. Beginning May 15, 2017, the Junior Notes bear interest at the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 2.1125%, reset quarterly. The proceeds from this issuance were used to repay short-term debt incurred to both fund PTF and for other working capital purposes.

In connection with the issuance of the Junior Notes, we executed the RCC for the benefit of persons that buy, hold or sell a specified series of long-term indebtedness (covered debt). Our 6.20% Senior Notes due April 1, 2033 have been initially designated as the covered debt under the RCC. The RCC provides that we may not redeem, defease or purchase and our subsidiaries may not purchase any Junior Notes on or before May 15, 2037, unless, subject to

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certain limitations described in the RCC, during the 180 days prior to the date of redemption, defeasance or purchase, we have received a specified amount of proceeds from the sale of qualifying securities.

During December 2007, Wisconsin Electric retired $250 million of notes through the issuance of short-term debt.

During November 2006, Wisconsin Electric issued $300 million of notes due December 1, 2036 under an existing shelf registration statement filed by Wisconsin Electric with the SEC.

Obligations Under Capital Leases:    In 1997, Wisconsin Electric entered into a 25-year power purchase contract with an unaffiliated independent power producer. The contract, for 236 MW of firm capacity from a gas-fired cogeneration facility, includes no minimum energy requirements. When the contract expires in 2022, Wisconsin Electric may, at its option and with proper notice, renew for another ten years or purchase the generating facility at fair value or allow the contract to expire. We account for this contract as a capital lease and recorded the leased facility and corresponding obligation under the capital lease at the estimated fair value of the plant's electric generating facilities. We are amortizing the leased facility on a straight-line basis over the original 25-year term of the contract.

We treat the long-term power purchase contract as an operating lease for rate-making purposes and we record our minimum lease payments as purchased power expense on the Consolidated Income Statements. We paid a total of $28.1 million, $27.1 million and $26.1 million in minimum lease payments during 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. We record the difference between the minimum lease payments and the sum of imputed interest and amortization costs calculated under capital lease accounting as a deferred regulatory asset on our Consolidated Balance Sheets (see Regulatory Assets - Deferred plant related -- capital lease in Note C). Due to the timing and the amounts of the minimum lease payments, we expect the regulatory asset to increase to approximately $78.5 million during 2009, at which time the regulatory asset will be reduced to zero over the remaining life of the contract. The total obligation under the capital lease was $154.1 million at December 31, 2008 and will decrease to zero over the remaining life of the contract.

Wisconsin Electric had a nuclear fuel leasing arrangement with Wisconsin Electric Fuel Trust, which was treated as a capital lease. Under this arrangement, Wisconsin Electric leased and amortized nuclear fuel to fuel expense as power was generated. In connection with the sale of Point Beach, the nuclear fuel leasing arrangement with Wisconsin Electric Fuel Trust was dissolved in September 2007. Wisconsin Electric terminated the lease and paid off all of Wisconsin Electric Fuel Trust's outstanding commercial paper, aggregating $76.2 million.

Following is a summary of our capitalized leased facilities as of December 31:

Capital Lease Assets

2008

2007

(Millions of Dollars)

Leased Facilities

  Long-term power purchase commitment

$140.3        

$140.3    

  Accumulated amortization

(64.1)       

(58.4)   

Total Leased Facilities

$76.2        

$81.9    

Future minimum lease payments under our capital lease and the present value of our net minimum lease payments as of December 31, 2008 are as follows:


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Power

Capital Lease Obligations

Commitment

(Millions of Dollars) 

   2009

$34.9      

   2010

36.2      

   2011

37.5      

   2012

38.9      

   2013

40.4      

   Thereafter

215.9     

Total Minimum Lease Payments

403.8      

Less:  Estimated Executory Costs

(92.9)     

Net Minimum Lease Payments

310.9      

Less:  Interest

(156.8)     

Present Value of Net

   Minimum Lease Payments

154.1      

Less:  Due Currently

(5.1)     

$149.0      

 

 

L -- SHORT-TERM DEBT

Short-term notes payable balances and their corresponding weighted-average interest rates as of December 31 consist of:

2008

2007

Interest

Interest

Short-Term Debt

Balance

Rate

Balance

Rate

(Millions of Dollars, except for percentages)

Commercial paper

$602.3   

4.01%   

$900.7    

5.18%    



The following information relates to Short-Term Debt for the years ended December 31:

2008

2007

(Millions of Dollars, except for percentages)

Maximum Short-Term Debt Outstanding

$1,114.7     

$974.5     

Average Short-Term Debt Outstanding

$875.1     

$721.8     

Weighted-Average Interest Rate

3.26%     

5.40%     

Wisconsin Energy, Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas have entered into various bank back-up credit facilities to maintain short-term credit liquidity which, among other terms, require the companies to maintain, subject to certain exclusions, a minimum total funded debt to capitalization ratio of less than 70%, 65% and 65%, respectively.

An affiliate of Lehman Brothers Holdings, which filed for bankruptcy in September 2008, provided approximately $80 million of commitments under our bank back-up facilities on a consolidated basis. As of December 31, 2008, excluding Lehman's commitments, we had approximately $1.6 billion of available undrawn lines under our bank back-up credit facilities on a consolidated basis. Our bank back-up credit facilities expire in March 2011 and April 2011, but may be renewed for two one-year extensions, subject to lender approval.

The Wisconsin Energy, Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas bank back-up credit facilities contain customary covenants, including certain limitations on the respective companies' ability to sell assets. The credit facilities also contain customary events of default, including payment defaults, material inaccuracy of representations and

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warranties, covenant defaults, bankruptcy proceedings, certain judgments, ERISA defaults and change of control. In addition, pursuant to the terms of Wisconsin Energy's credit agreement, Wisconsin Energy must ensure that certain of its subsidiaries comply with many of the covenants contained therein.

As of December 31, 2008, we were in compliance with all covenants.

 

M -- DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

We follow SFAS 133, as amended by SFAS 149, which requires that every derivative instrument be recorded on the balance sheet as an asset or liability measured at its fair value and that changes in the derivative's fair value be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. For most energy related physical and financial contracts in our regulated operations that qualify as derivatives under SFAS 133, the PSCW allows the effects of the fair market value accounting to be offset to regulatory assets and liabilities. We do not offset fair value amounts recognized for the right to reclaim cash collateral or the obligation to return cash collateral against fair value amounts recognized for derivatives executed with the same counterparty under the same master netting arrangement. As of December 31, 2008, we recognized $84.4 million in regulatory assets and $11.9 million in regulatory liabilities related to derivatives in comparison to $24.3 million in regulatory assets and $14.5 million in regulatory liabilities as of December 31, 2007.

For the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, we reclassified $0.4 million, $0.3 million and $0.4 million respectively, in treasury lock agreement settlement payments deferred in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, as an increase to Interest Expense. We estimate that during the next 12 months, $0.4 million will be reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income as a reduction in earnings.

 

 

N -- FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

We adopted SFAS 157 as of January 1, 2008, which among other things, requires enhanced disclosures about assets and liabilities that are measured and reported at fair value. SFAS 157 establishes a hierarchal disclosure framework which prioritizes and ranks the level of observable inputs used in measuring fair value.

As defined in SFAS 157, fair value is the price that would be received upon the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). We primarily apply the market approach for recurring fair value measurements and attempt to utilize the best available information. Accordingly, we also utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. We are able to classify fair value balances based on the observability of those inputs. The hierarchy established under SFAS 157 gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement).

Assets and liabilities measured and reported at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following categories:

Level 1 -- Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities as of the reporting date.  Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur in sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. Instruments in this category consist of financial instruments such as exchange-traded derivatives, cash equivalents and restricted cash investments.

Level 2 -- Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date, and fair value is determined through the use of models or other valuation methodologies. Instruments in this category include non-exchange-traded derivatives such as OTC forwards and options.


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Level 3 -- Pricing inputs include significant inputs that are generally less observable from objective sources. The inputs in the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation. At each balance sheet date, we perform an analysis of all instruments subject to SFAS 157 and include in Level 3 all instruments whose fair value is based on significant unobservable inputs.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an instrument's level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the instrument.

The following table summarizes our financial assets and liabilities by level within the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2008:

Recurring Fair Value Measures

               
   

Level 1

 

Level 2

 

Level 3

 

Total

   

(Millions of Dollars)

Assets:

               

   Cash Equivalents

 

$9.1   

 

$   -     

 

$   -     

 

$9.1   

   Restricted Cash

 

$386.5   

 

$   -     

 

$   -     

 

$386.5   

   Derivatives

 

$   -     

 

$4.2   

 

$8.8   

 

$13.0   

      Total

 

$395.6   

 

$4.2   

 

$8.8   

 

$408.6   

Liabilities:

               

   Derivatives

 

$38.9   

 

$32.1   

 

$   -    

 

$71.0   

     Total

 

$38.9   

 

$32.1   

 

$   -    

 

$71.0   

Cash Equivalents consist of certificates of deposit and money market funds. Restricted cash consists of certificates of deposit and government backed interest bearing securities and represents the remaining funds to be distributed to customers resulting from the net proceeds received from the sale of Point Beach. Derivatives reflect positions we hold in exchange-traded derivative contracts and OTC derivative contracts. Exchange-traded derivative contracts, which include futures and exchange-traded options, are generally based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are classified within Level 1. Some OTC derivative contracts are valued using broker or dealer quotations, or market transactions in either the listed or OTC markets utilizing a mid-market pricing convention (the mid-point between bid and ask prices), as appropriate. In such cases, these derivatives are classified within Level 2. Certain OTC derivatives may utilize models to measure fair value. Generally, we use a similar model to value similar instruments. Valuation models utilize various inputs which include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, other observable inputs for the asset or liability, and market-corroborated inputs (i.e., inputs derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means). Where observable inputs are available for substantially the full term of the asset or liability, the instrument is categorized in Level 2. Certain OTC derivatives are in less active markets with a lower availability of pricing information which might not be observable in or corroborated by the market. When such inputs have a significant impact on the measurement of fair value, the instrument is categorized in Level 3.

The following table summarizes the fair value of derivatives classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy:

 

Fair Value of Derivatives

 

2008

(Millions of Dollars)

Balance as of January 1

 

$13.0   

   Realized and unrealized gains (losses)

 

-     

   Purchases, issuances and settlements

 

(4.2)  

   Transfers in and/or out of Level 3

 

-     

Balance as of December 31

 

$8.8   

     

Change in unrealized gains (losses) relating to    instruments still held as of December 31, 2008

 


$  -    


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Derivative instruments reflected in Level 3 of the hierarchy include FTRs allocated by MISO that are measured at fair value each reporting period using monthly or annual auction shadow prices from relevant auctions. Changes in fair value for Level 3 recurring items are recorded on our balance sheet in accordance with SFAS 71. See Note M -- Derivative Instruments, for further information on the offset to regulatory assets and liabilities.

The carrying amount and estimated fair value of certain of our recorded financial instruments as of December 31 are as follows:

2008

2007

Carrying

Fair

Carrying

Fair

Financial Instruments

Amount

Value

Amount

Value

(Millions of Dollars)

Preferred stock, no redemption required

$30.4   

$19.0   

$30.4  

$22.3  

Long-term debt including

  current portion

$4,009.4   

$3,711.9   

$3,394.2  

$3,313.2  

The carrying value of net accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term borrowings approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair value of our preferred stock is estimated based upon the quoted market value for the same or similar issues. The fair value of our long-term debt, including the current portion of long-term debt, but excluding capitalized leases, is estimated based upon quoted market value for the same or similar issues or upon the quoted market prices of U.S. Treasury issues having a similar term to maturity, adjusted for the issuing company's bond rating and the present value of future cash flows.

 

 

O -- BENEFITS

Pensions and Other Post-retirement Benefits:    We have defined benefit pension plans that cover substantially all of our employees. The plans provide defined benefits based upon years of service and final average salary.

We also have OPEB plans covering substantially all of our employees. The health care plans are contributory with participants' contributions adjusted annually; the life insurance plans are noncontributory. The accounting for the health care plans anticipates future cost-sharing changes to the written plans that are consistent with our expressed intent to maintain the current cost sharing levels. The post-retirement health care plans include a limit on our share of costs for recent and future retirees.

We follow SFAS 158 and use a year-end measurement date to measure the funded status of all of our pension and OPEB plans. Due to the regulated nature of our business, we have concluded that substantially all of the unrecognized costs resulting from the recognition of the funded status of our pension and OPEB plans qualify as a regulatory asset.


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The following table presents details about our pension and OPEB plans:


Pension


OPEB

2008

2007

2008

2007

(Millions of Dollars)

Change in Benefit Obligation

  Benefit Obligation at January 1

$1,161.0  

$1,253.6  

$331.0  

$332.9  

    Service cost

17.5  

29.5  

10.3  

11.2  

    Interest cost

71.1  

71.2  

20.0  

19.2  

    Plan amendments

5.9  

(4.4) 

0.3  

1.0  

    Actuarial (gain)

(29.1) 

(41.6) 

(26.9) 

(15.7) 

    Divestitures

   -     

(38.9) 

   -      

(7.9) 

    Benefits paid

(86.4) 

(108.4) 

(11.4) 

(11.4) 

    Federal subsidy on benefits paid

N/A  

N/A  

1.3  

1.7  

  Benefit Obligation at December 31

$1,140.0  

$1,161.0  

$324.6  

$331.0  

Change in Plan Assets

  Fair Value at January 1

$1,007.2  

$1,057.7  

$201.5  

$203.7  

    Actual earnings (loss) on plan assets

(247.1) 

64.0  

(54.3) 

6.7  

    Employer contributions

45.5  

26.7  

22.9  

2.5  

    Divestitures

   -     

(32.8) 

   -     

   -     

    Benefits paid

(86.4) 

(108.4) 

(11.4) 

(11.4) 

  Fair Value at December 31

$719.2  

$1,007.2  

$158.7   

$201.5  

  Net Liability

($420.8) 

($153.8)  

($165.9) 

($129.5) 

The accumulated benefit obligation for all defined benefit plans was $1,117.2 million and $1,147.8 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

The following table shows the amounts that have not yet been recognized in our net periodic benefit cost as of December 31 and are recorded as a regulatory asset on our balance sheet:


Pension


OPEB

2008

2007

2008

2007

(Millions of Dollars)

    Net actuarial loss

$567.4  

$ 281.0 

$130.2  

$  91.3 

   Prior service costs (credits)

21.3  

17.9 

(24.2) 

(37.1)

    Transition obligation

-    

-   

1.3  

1.6 

    Total

$588.7  

$ 298.9 

$107.3  

$  55.8 

The following table shows the estimated amounts that will be amortized as a component of net periodic benefit costs during 2009:

Pension

OPEB

(Millions of Dollars)

    Net actuarial loss

$18.7  

$9.2  

    Prior service costs (credits)

2.2  

(12.6) 

    Transition obligation

-    

0.3  

    Total

$20.9 

($3.1) 


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Information for pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of the fair value of assets as of December 31 is as follows:

2008

2007

(Millions of Dollars)

    Projected benefit obligation

$1,140.0      

$1,161.0     

    Accumulated benefit obligation

$1,117.2      

$1,147.8     

    Fair value of plan assets

$719.2      

$1,007.2     

The components of net periodic pension and OPEB costs for the years ended December 31 are as follows:

Pension

OPEB

2008

2007

2006

2008

2007

2006

(Millions of Dollars)

Net Periodic Benefit Cost

    Service cost

$17.5  

$29.5  

$33.8  

$10.3  

$11.2  

$12.3  

    Interest cost

71.1  

71.2  

69.6  

20.0  

19.2  

17.9  

    Expected return on plan assets

(84.7) 

(83.9) 

(81.6) 

(17.5) 

(15.5) 

(14.9) 

Amortization of:

    Transition obligation

-    

-    

-    

0.3  

0.3  

0.3  

    Prior service cost (credit)

2.5  

5.5  

5.4  

(12.6) 

(12.5) 

(13.4) 

    Actuarial loss

16.3  

15.8  

23.4  

6.0  

7.1  

8.8  

Net Periodic Benefit Cost

$22.7  

$38.1  

$50.6  

$6.5  

$9.8  

$11.0  


In connection with the sale of Point Beach in September 2007, we incurred a $3.7 million net settlement/curtailment credit related to our benefit plans. We have deferred this net gain as a regulatory liability.

Pension

OPEB

2008

2007

2006

2008

2007

2006

(Millions of Dollars)

Weighted-Average assumptions used to

  determine benefit obligations at Dec. 31

Discount rate

6.5%

6.05%

5.75%

6.5%

6.10%

5.75%

Rate of compensation increase

4.0

4.5 to 5.0

4.5 to 5.0

N/A

N/A

N/A

Weighted-Average assumptions used to

  determine net cost for year ended Dec. 31

Discount rate

6.05%

5.75%

5.50%

6.10%

5.75%

5.50%

Expected return on plan assets

8.5

8.5

8.5

8.5

8.5

8.5

Rate of compensation increase

4.5 to 5.0

4.5 to 5.0

4.5 to 5.0

N/A

N/A

N/A

Assumed health care cost trend rates at Dec. 31

2008

2007

2006

Health care cost trend rate assumed for next year (Pre 65 / Post 65)

7.5/9

8/11

9/11

Rate that the cost trend rate gradually adjusts to

5

5

5

Year that the rate reaches the rate it is assumed to remain at

2014

2014

2011

The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was 8.5% in 2008, 2007 and 2006. This return expectation on plan assets was determined by reviewing actual pension historical returns as well as calculating expected total trust returns using the weighted-average of long-term market returns for each of the asset categories utilized in the pension fund.


109


A one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:

1% Increase

1% Decrease

(Millions of Dollars)

Effect on

  Post-retirement benefit obligation

$23.0      

($19.6)     

  Total of service and interest cost components

$3.2      

($2.7)     

We use various Employees' Benefit Trusts to fund a major portion of OPEB. The majority of the trusts' assets are mutual funds or commingled indexed funds.

Plan Assets:    In our opinion, current pension trust assets and amounts which are expected to be contributed to the trusts in the future will be adequate to meet pension payment obligations to current and future retirees. Our pension plans asset allocation at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and our target allocation for 2009, by asset category, are as follows:


Asset Category

Target
Allocation


Actual Allocation

2009

2008

2007

Equity Securities

65%

54%

63%

Debt Securities

35%

46%

37%

Total

100%

100%

100%

Our OPEB plans asset allocation at December 31, 2008 and 2007, and our target allocation for 2009, by asset category, are as follows:


Asset Category

Target
Allocation


Actual Allocation

2009

2008

2007

Equity Securities

61%

56%

61%

Debt Securities

39%

43%

38%

Other

-

1%

1%

Total

100%

100%

100%

Our common stock is not included in equity securities.

The target asset allocations were established by our Investment Trust Policy Committee, which oversees investment matters related to all of our funded benefit plans. The asset allocations are monitored by the Investment Trust Policy Committee.

Cash Flows:   

Employer Contributions

Pension

OPEB

(Millions of Dollars)

2006

$60.9   

$15.1   

2007

$26.7   

$2.5   

2008

$45.5   

$22.9   

In January 2009, we contributed $270 million to our qualified pension plan and approximately $19 million to our OPEB plan. We contributed $38.6 million, $20.0 million and $55.4 million to our qualified pension plan during 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.


110


The entire contribution to the OPEB plans during 2008 was discretionary as the plans are not subject to any minimum regulatory funding requirements.

The following table identifies our expected benefit payments over the next 10 years:




Year




Pension




Gross OPEB

Expected
Medicare
Part D
Subsidy

(Millions of Dollars)

2009

$73.3     

$19.1    

($1.1)    

2010

$87.1     

$20.5    

($1.0)    

2011

$100.9     

$21.7    

($0.6)    

2012

$112.4     

$21.0    

$  -       

2013

$107.5     

$22.0    

$  -       

2014-2018

$550.2     

$119.0    

$  -       

Savings Plans:    We sponsor savings plans which allow employees to contribute a portion of their pre-tax and or after-tax income in accordance with plan-specified guidelines. Under these plans we expensed matching contributions of $14.8 million, $12.1 million and $10.4 million during 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

 

P -- GUARANTEES

We enter into various guarantees to provide financial and performance assurance to third parties on behalf of our affiliates. As of December 31, 2008, we had the following guarantees:

Maximum Potential Future Payments

Outstanding as of
December 31, 2008

Liability Recorded
as of December 31, 2008

(Millions of Dollars)

Wisconsin Energy

    Non-Utility Energy

$    -      

$  -       

$  -      

    Other

2.5     

2.5     

-      

Wisconsin Electric

2.9     

0.1     

-      

Subsidiary

4.9     

4.9     

-      

  Total

$10.3     

$7.5     

$  -      

A non-utility energy segment guarantee in support of Wisvest-Connecticut, which we sold in December 2002 to PSEG, provides financial assurance for potential obligations relating to environmental remediation under the original purchase agreement for Wisvest-Connecticut with The United Illuminating Company. The potential obligations for environmental remediation, which are unlimited, are reimbursable by PSEG under the terms of the sale agreement in the event that we are required to perform under the guarantee.

Other guarantees support obligations of our affiliates to third parties under loan agreements and surety bonds. In the event our affiliates fail to perform, we would be responsible for the obligations.

Wisconsin Electric is subject to the potential retrospective premiums that could be assessed under its insurance program.

Subsidiary guarantees support loan obligations and surety bonds between our affiliates and third parties. In the event our affiliates fail to perform, our subsidiary would be responsible for the obligations.


111


Postemployment benefits:    Postemployment benefits provided to former or inactive employees are recognized when an event occurs. The estimated liability, excluding severance benefits, for such benefits was $18.6 million as of December 31, 2008.

 

 

Q -- SEGMENT REPORTING

Our reportable operating segments at December 31, 2008 include a utility energy segment and a non-utility energy segment. We have organized our reportable operating segments based in part upon the regulatory environment in which our utility subsidiaries operate. In addition, the segments are managed separately because each business requires different technology and marketing strategies. The accounting policies of the reportable operating segments are the same as those described in Note A.

Our utility energy segment primarily includes our electric and natural gas utility operations. Our electric utility operation engages in the generation, distribution and sale of electric energy in southeastern (including metropolitan Milwaukee), east central and northern Wisconsin and in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Our natural gas utility operation is engaged in the purchase, distribution and sale of natural gas to retail customers and the transportation of customer-owned natural gas throughout Wisconsin. Our non-utility energy segment derives its revenues primarily from the ownership of electric power generating facilities for long-term lease to Wisconsin Electric.

Summarized financial information concerning our reportable operating segments for each of the three years ended December 31, 2008 is shown in the following table. The segment information below includes income from discontinued operations as a result of sales of non-utility businesses announced or completed in 2006:


Reportable Operating Segments

Corporate & Other (a) &

Energy

Reconciling

Total

Year Ended

Utility

Non-Utility

Eliminations

Consolidated

(Millions of Dollars)

December 31, 2008

Operating Revenues (b)

$4,424.5    

$126.2    

($119.7)   

$4,431.0    

Depreciation, Decommissioning

  and Amortization

$304.1    

$21.9    

$0.8    

$326.8    

Operating Income (Loss)

$581.9    

$89.3    

($10.6)   

$660.6    

Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates

$51.8    

$      -    

($0.5)   

$51.3    

Interest Expense, Net

$107.2    

$12.0    

$34.5    

$153.7    

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

$203.5    

$32.5    

($18.9)  

$217.1    

Income from Discontinued Operations,
  Net of Tax

$       -     

$      -    

$0.5    

$0.5    

Net Income (Loss)

$334.1    

$48.6    

($23.6)   

$359.1    

Capital Expenditures

$607.4    

$529.3    

$0.4    

$1,137.1    

Total Assets (c)

$10,791.6    

$2,516.7    

($690.5)   

$12,617.8    


112



Reportable Operating Segments

Corporate & Other (a) &

Energy

Reconciling

Total

Year Ended

Utility

Non-Utility

Eliminations

Consolidated

(Millions of Dollars)

December 31, 2007

Operating Revenues (b) 

$4,224.8    

$75.7    

($62.7)   

$4,237.8    

Depreciation, Decommissioning

  and Amortization

$315.2    

$12.1    

$0.9    

$328.2    

Operating Income (Loss)

$586.0    

$47.4    

($4.9)   

$628.5    

Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates

$43.1    

$      -    

$0.9    

$44.0    

Interest Expense, Net

$113.8    

$7.4    

$46.4    

$167.6    

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

$221.2    

$14.3    

($19.1)  

$216.4    

Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations,
  Net of Tax

$       -     

$      -    

($0.9)   

($0.9)   

Net Income (Loss)

$338.0    

$23.7    

($26.1)   

$335.6    

Capital Expenditures

$540.3    

$669.3    

$1.9    

$1,211.5    

Total Assets (c)

$10,243.7    

$1,974.5    

($497.9)   

$11,720.3    


Reportable Operating Segments

Corporate & Other (a) &

Energy

Reconciling

Total

Year Ended

Utility

Non-Utility

Eliminations

Consolidated

(Millions of Dollars)

December 31, 2006

Operating Revenues (b)

$3,979.0    

$69.1    

($51.7)   

$3,996.4    

Depreciation, Decommissioning

  and Amortization

$314.0    

$11.2    

$1.2    

$326.4    

Operating Income (Loss)

$532.8    

$43.1    

($7.4)   

$568.5    

Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates

$38.6    

$      -    

$4.5    

$43.1    

Interest Expense, net

$108.0    

$14.8    

$49.9    

$172.7    

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

$192.3    

$11.7    

($29.0)   

$175.0    

Income from Discontinued Operations,
  Net of Tax (a)

$       -     

$      -    

$3.9    

$3.9    

Net Income (Loss)

$315.2    

$18.3    

($17.1)   

$316.4    

Capital Expenditures

$459.9    

$468.6    

$0.2    

$928.7    

Total Assets

$10,133.9    

$1,265.2    

($268.9)   

$11,130.2    

(a)

Other includes all other non-utility activities, primarily non-utility real estate investment and development by Wispark, non-utility investment in renewable energy and recycling technologies by Minergy as well as interest on corporate debt. A gain on the sale of the manufacturing segment in 2004 resulted in a 2006 tax adjustment and is reflected in Corporate and Other. In 2006, we sold Minergy Neenah and the gain from the sale is included in Income from Discontinued Operations, Net. Certain overheads reported for Minergy Neenah continue to exist following the sale and are reported in continuing operations, while certain other costs are directly attributable to the discontinued operations.

(b)

An elimination for intersegment revenues of $119.0 million, $70.3 million and $64.1 million is included in Operating Revenues for 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. This elimination is primarily between We Power and Wisconsin Electric.

(c)

An elimination of $794.0 million and $465.4 million is included in Total Assets at December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, for the PWGS 1, PWGS 2 and Oak Creek coal handling leases between We Power and Wisconsin Electric.


113


 

R -- RELATED PARTIES

We receive and/or provide certain services to other associated companies in which we have an equity investment.

American Transmission Company LLC:    As of December 31, 2008, we have a 26.2% interest in ATC. We pay ATC for transmission and other related services it provides. In addition, we provide a variety of operational, maintenance and project management work for ATC, which are reimbursed to us by ATC. We are required to pay the cost of needed transmission infrastructure upgrades for new generation projects while projects are under construction, including generating units being constructed as part of our PTF strategy. ATC will reimburse us for these costs when new generation is placed into service. As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, we had a receivable of $32.6 million and $35.8 million, respectively, for these items.

Nuclear Management Company:    Prior to the Point Beach sale, we had a partial ownership in NMC. NMC held the operating licenses of Point Beach. Upon the sale of Point Beach, NMC transferred the operating licenses to the buyer and our relationship with NMC was terminated.

We provided and received services from the following associated companies during 2008, 2007 and 2006:

Equity Investee

2008

2007

2006

(Millions of Dollars)

Services Provided

    -ATC

$20.7   

$17.8   

$16.6   

Services Received

    -ATC

$199.4   

$176.8   

$149.4   

    -NMC

$  -     

$50.6   

$65.2   

As of December 31, 2008 and 2007, our Consolidated Balance Sheets included receivable and payable balances with ATC as follows:

Equity Investee

2008

2007

(Millions of Dollars)

Services Provided

    -ATC

$2.1   

$1.1   

Services Received

    -ATC

$16.6   

$14.5   

 

 

S -- COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Capital Expenditures:    We have made certain commitments in connection with 2009 capital expenditures. During 2009, we estimate that total capital expenditures will be approximately $875 million.

Operating Leases:    We enter into long-term purchase power contracts to meet a portion of our anticipated increase in future electric energy supply needs. These contracts expire at various times through 2013. Certain of these contracts were deemed to qualify as operating leases. In addition, we have various other operating leases including leases for vehicles and coal cars.


114


Future minimum payments for the next five years and thereafter for our operating lease contracts are as follows:

(Millions of Dollars)

      2009

$23.6        

      2010

20.7        

      2011

20.9        

      2012

14.5        

      2013

5.5        

  Thereafter

12.6        

      Total

$97.8        

 

Divested Assets:   Pursuant to the sale of Point Beach, we have agreed to indemnification provisions customary to transactions involving the sale of nuclear assets.  

Pursuant to the terms of the sale agreement for Minergy Neenah, we have agreed to customary indemnification provisions related to post-closing obligations and other matters. Our maximum aggregate exposure under the indemnification provisions is $0.3 million.

Pursuant to the terms of the sales agreement for the manufacturing business, Wisconsin Energy agreed to customary indemnification provisions related to certain environmental, asbestos, and product liability matters. In addition, the amount of cash taxes and future deferred income tax benefits are subject to a number of factors including appraisals of the fair value of Wisconsin Gas assets and applicable tax laws. Any changes in the estimates of taxes and indemnification matters will be recorded as an adjustment to the gain on sale and reported in discontinued operations in the period the adjustment is determined. We have established reserves related to these customary indemnification and tax matters.

Environmental Matters:    We periodically review our exposure for environmental remediation costs as evidence becomes available indicating that our liability has changed. Given current information, including the following, we believe that future costs in excess of the amounts accrued and/or disclosed on all presently known and quantifiable environmental contingencies will not be material to our financial position or results of operations.

We have a program of comprehensive environmental remediation planning for former manufactured gas plant sites and coal-ash disposal sites. We perform ongoing assessments of manufactured gas plant sites and related disposal sites used by Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas, and coal ash disposal/landfill sites used by Wisconsin Electric, as discussed below. We are working with the WDNR in our investigation and remediation planning. At this time, we cannot estimate future remediation costs associated with these sites beyond those described below.

Manufactured Gas Plant Sites:    We have identified several sites at which Wisconsin Electric, Wisconsin Gas, or a predecessor company historically owned or operated a manufactured gas plant. These sites have been substantially remediated or are at various stages of investigation, monitoring and remediation. We have also identified other sites that may have been impacted by historical manufactured gas plant activities. Based upon ongoing analysis, we estimate that the future costs for detailed site investigation and future remediation costs may range from $25 to $50 million over the next ten years. This estimate is dependent upon several variables including, among other things, the extent of remediation, changes in technology and changes in regulation. As of December 31, 2008, we have established reserves of $32.9 million related to future remediation costs.

The PSCW has allowed Wisconsin utilities, including Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas, to defer the costs spent on the remediation of manufactured gas plant sites, and has allowed for these costs to be recovered in rates over five years. Accordingly, we have recorded a regulatory asset for remediation costs.

Ash Landfill Sites:    Wisconsin Electric aggressively seeks environmentally acceptable, beneficial uses for its coal combustion by-products. However, these coal-ash by-products have been, and to a small degree continue to be, disposed of in company-owned, licensed landfills. Some early designed and constructed landfills may allow the release of low levels of constituents resulting in the need for various levels of monitoring or adjusting. Where Wisconsin Electric has become aware of these conditions, efforts have been made to define the nature and extent of any release, and work has been performed to address these conditions. The costs of these efforts are recovered

115


under the fuel clause for Wisconsin Electric and are expensed as incurred. During 2008, 2007 and 2006, Wisconsin Electric incurred $1.3 million, $0.8 million and $0.5 million respectively, in coal-ash remediation expenses. As of December 31, 2008, we have no reserves established related to ash landfill sites.

EPA - Consent Decree:    In April 2003, Wisconsin Electric and the EPA announced that a Consent Decree had been reached that resolved all issues related to a request for information that had been issued by the EPA. In July 2003, the Consent Decree was amended to include the state of Michigan. Under the Consent Decree, Wisconsin Electric agreed to significantly reduce its air emissions from its coal-fired generating facilities. The reductions are expected to be achieved by 2013 through a combination of installing new pollution control equipment, upgrading existing equipment and retiring certain older units. Through December 31, 2008, we have spent approximately $506.7 million associated with implementing the Consent Decree. The total cost of implementing this agreement is estimated to be $1.2 billion through the year 2013. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin approved the amended Consent Decree and entered it in October 2007.

Oak Creek:    In July 2008, Bechtel, the contractor of the Oak Creek expansion under a fixed price contract, notified us in a letter that it forecasts the in-service date of unit 1 to be delayed three months beyond the guaranteed contract date of September 29, 2009. Bechtel also advised us in the letter that it forecasts the in-service date of unit 2 to be one month earlier than the guaranteed contract date of September 29, 2010.

According to the letter, reasons for the delay of unit 1 include severe winter weather experienced during the winters of 2006-2007 and 2007-2008, exacerbated by severe rain storms in April and June of 2008, changes in local labor conditions from those anticipated by Bechtel, the cumulative impact of a large number of change orders and delay in receiving FNTP in 2005 as a result of the court challenges by certain opposition groups to the CPCN for the Oak Creek expansion. Bechtel advised that they expected to submit a claim for cost and schedule relief associated with these issues by the end of 2008.

Based on Bechtel's earlier communications, we notified Bechtel on September 29, 2008, that we were invoking the formal dispute resolution process provided in the contract in order to resolve certain issues related to the rights of the parties under the contract.

We received Bechtel's claims for schedule and cost relief on December 22, 2008. Bechtel continues to target an in-service date for unit 1 three months beyond the guaranteed contract date of September 29, 2009, and an in-service date for unit 2 one month earlier than the guaranteed contract date of September 29, 2010. However, Bechtel does request schedule relief that would result in six months of relief from liquidated damages beyond the guaranteed contract date for unit 1 and three months of relief from liquidated damages beyond the guaranteed contract date for unit 2.

Bechtel's first claim is based on the alleged impact of severe weather and certain labor-related matters. Bechtel is requesting approximately $413 million in costs related to changed weather and labor conditions. Although Bechtel has reserved the right to request future additional costs and schedule relief, this amount includes $45 million of projected future costs in addition to those already incurred.

The weather events for which Bechtel seeks cost and schedule relief are (i) extreme winds from September 2006 through April 2007, (ii) snowstorms from December 2007 through April 2008, and (iii) rain storms in June 2008. Bechtel contends that these weather events constituted events of force majeure. We will conduct a detailed analysis of Bechtel's force majeure claim to determine whether Bechtel is entitled to any schedule relief as a result of these weather events. We believe Bechtel's request for cost relief related to its claim of force majeure is without merit. Bechtel also claims that these same weather events constituted changed local conditions that it could not have reasonably foreseen and that caused it to incur additional costs. We believe that the claim for additional costs and schedule relief based on a change in local conditions is without merit.

The alleged changes in labor conditions for which Bechtel seeks cost and schedule relief are (i) a significant shortage in the availability of craft labor, (ii) significant increases in competing projects, (iii) the overtime and per diems allegedly necessary to attract labor, and (iv) alleged restrictions that our Project Labor Agreement placed on Bechtel's ability to attract and retain craft labor. Bechtel describes these as changed local conditions for which it believes we should bear the risk. Under the terms of the contract, we agreed to accept labor-related risk only as to


116


 

wage escalation in excess of 4% annually as measured by published wage bulletins. Therefore, we believe that this claim is without merit.

Bechtel's second claim of approximately $72 million seeks cost and schedule relief for the alleged effects of ERS-directed changes and delays allegedly caused by ERS prior to the issuance of the FNTP in July 2005 as follows: (i) the delay in issuing certain limited notices to proceed; (ii) the delay in issuing the FNTP until the final resolution of litigation brought by certain opposition groups that challenged the CPCN for the Oak Creek expansion; (iii) the imposition of additional limits to third party cancellation charges which allegedly restricted Bechtel's ability to issue purchase orders; (iv) the reduction of the pre-FNTP monthly payments below the amounts required by the contract; and (v) the request by ERS to perform design studies and issue design changes during the pre-FNTP period. We believe that this claim is without merit. We believe Bechtel was fully compensated for any and all impacts of the delayed start as indicated in certain change orders entered into between ERS and Bechtel prior to the start of construction of the Oak Creek expansion. Further, we do not believe that the contract provides for relief based upon the cumulative impact of change orders.

We continue to believe that the only circumstances and events for which we currently retain price adjustment risk under the contract are force majeure, wage escalation in excess of 4% annually as measured by published wage bulletins, delays caused by us, changes in scope or performance requested by us and unforeseen sub-surface ground conditions.

We are currently in the mediation phase with respect to determining the parties' rights under the contract and Bechtel's claims. We are currently unable to predict the ultimate outcome of the claims.

 

 

T -- SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, we paid $144.2 million in interest, net of amounts capitalized, and $2.4 million in income taxes, net of refunds. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2007, we paid $191.4 million in interest, net of amounts capitalized, and $291.6 million in income taxes, net of refunds. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2006, we paid $183.4 million in interest, net of amounts capitalized, and $154.2 million in income taxes, net of refunds.

As of December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, the amount of accounts payable related to capital expenditures was $45.1 million, $132.6 million and $62.9 million, respectively.


117


 

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Wisconsin Energy Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of capitalization of Wisconsin Energy Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, common equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008.  Our audits also included the financial statement schedules listed in the Index at Item 15.  These financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Wisconsin Energy Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2008, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 25, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

 

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
February 25, 2009


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Wisconsin Energy Corporation:

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Wisconsin Energy Corporation and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.  Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules as of and for the year ended December 31, 2008 of the Company and our report dated February 25, 2009 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and financial statement schedules.

 

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Milwaukee, Wisconsin
February 25, 2009


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ITEM 9.

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

 

 

ITEM 9A.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon such evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective (i) in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act and (ii) to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of Wisconsin Energy Corporation's and subsidiaries internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on its evaluation, our management concluded that Wisconsin Energy Corporation's and subsidiaries internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2008.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.  Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as auditors of our financial statements has issued an attestation report on the effectiveness of Wisconsin Energy Corporation's and its subsidiaries' internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2008. Deloitte & Touche LLP's report is included in this report.

 

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2008 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

ITEM 9B.    OTHER INFORMATION

None.


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PART III

ITEM 10.

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE OF THE REGISTRANT

The information under "Proposal 1: Election of Directors - Terms Expiring in 2010", "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance", "Corporate Governance - Frequently Asked Questions: What is the process used to identify director nominees and how do I recommend a nominee to the Corporate Governance Committee?", "Corporate Governance - Frequently Asked Questions: Are the Audit and Oversight, Corporate Governance and Compensation Committees comprised solely of independent directors?", "Corporate Governance - Frequently Asked Questions: Are all the members of the audit committee financially literate and does the committee have an audit committee financial expert?" and "Committees of the Board of Directors - Audit and Oversight" in our definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A to be filed with the SEC for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 7, 2009 (the "2009 Annual Meeting Proxy Statement") is incorporated herein by reference. Also see "Executive Officers of the Registrant" in Part I of this report.

We have adopted a written code of ethics, referred to as our Code of Business Conduct, that all of our directors, executive officers and employees, including the principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, must comply with. We have posted our Code of Business Conduct on our website, www.wisconsinenergy.com. We have not provided any waiver to the Code for any director, executive officer or other employee. Any amendments to, or waivers for directors and executive officers from, the Code of Business Conduct will be disclosed on our website or in a current report on Form 8-K.

Our website, www.wisconsinenergy.com, also contains our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the charters of our Audit and Oversight, Corporate Governance and Compensation Committees.

Our Code of Business Conduct, Corporate Governance Guidelines and committee charters are also available without charge to any stockholder of record or beneficial owner of our common stock by writing to the corporate secretary, Susan H. Martin, at our principal business office, 231 West Michigan Street, P.O. Box 1331, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201.

 

 

ITEM 11.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information under "Compensation, Discussion and Analysis", "Executive Officers' Compensation", "Director Compensation", "Committees of the Board of Directors - Compensation" and "Compensation Committee Report" in the 2009 Annual Meeting Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.


121


 

 

 

ITEM 12.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The security ownership information called for by Item 12 of Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference to this information included under "WEC Common Stock Ownership" in the 2009 Annual Meeting Proxy Statement.

 

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The following table sets forth information about our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2008:

   

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

 


Plan Category

 


Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights

 


Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights

 

Number of securities remaining available for
future issuance under equity
compensation plans (excluding
securities reflected in column (a))

Equity compensation
plans approved by
security holders



 8,519,539   (1) 



$37.03            



2,943,493               

Equity compensation
plans not approved
by security holders

 



      -                 

 



     -               



     -                      

Total (2)

 

8,519,539        

 

$37.03            

 

2,943,493               

             

(1)

Represents options to purchase our common stock granted under our 1993 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan, as amended.

   

(2)

Also outstanding were options to purchase 24,025 shares of our common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $17.72 per share granted under the stock option plans of WICOR and assumed in connection with the acquisition of WICOR in April 2000. No further awards were or will be made under the WICOR stock option plans.

 

 

 

ITEM 13.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information under "Corporate Governance - Frequently Asked Questions: Who are the independent directors?", "Corporate Governance - Frequently Asked Questions: What are the Board's standards of independence" and "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions" in the 2009 Annual Meeting Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference. A full description of the guidelines our Board uses to determine director independence is located in Appendix A of our Corporate Governance Guidelines, which can be found on our website, www.wisconsinenergy.com.

 

 

ITEM 14.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information regarding the fees paid to, and services performed by, our independent auditors and the pre-approval policy of our audit and oversight committee under "Independent Auditors' Fees and Services" in the 2009 Annual Meeting Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.


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PART IV

ITEM 15.

EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a) 1.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND REPORTS OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM INCLUDED IN PART II OF THIS REPORT

Consolidated Income Statements for the three years ended December 31, 2008.

Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2008 and 2007.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three years ended December 31, 2008.

Consolidated Statements of Common Equity for the three years ended December 31, 2008.

Consolidated Statements of Capitalization at December 31, 2008 and 2007.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

 

 

    2.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES INCLUDED IN PART IV OF THIS REPORT

Schedule I Condensed Parent Company Financial Statements, including Income Statements and Cash Flows for the three years ended December 31, 2008 and Balance Sheets at December 31, 2008 and 2007.

Schedule II, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts, for the three years ended December 31, 2008.

Other schedules are omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required or because the required information is given in the financial statements or notes thereto.

 

 

    3.

EXHIBITS AND EXHIBIT INDEX

See the Exhibit Index included as the last part of this report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Each management contract and compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this report is identified in the Exhibit Index by two asterisks (**) following the description of the exhibit.


123




WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION

INCOME STATEMENTS
(Parent Company Only)

SCHEDULE I -- CONDENSED PARENT COMPANY
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Year Ended December 31

2008

2007

2006

(Millions of Dollars)

Other Income, Net

$31.8  

$23.4      

$25.5      

Corporate Expense

3.4  

3.3      

7.5      

Interest Expense

68.8  

70.3      

65.5      

Loss before Taxes

(40.4) 

(50.2)     

(47.5)     

Income Tax Benefit

17.7  

20.9      

21.5      

Loss after Taxes

(22.7) 

(29.3)     

(26.0)     

Equity in Subsidiaries' Continuing Operations

381.3  

365.8      

338.5      

Income from Continuing Operations

358.6  

336.5      

312.5      

Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations   including Equity in Subsidiaries' Discontinued   Operations



0.5  



(0.9)     



3.9      

Net Income

$359.1  

$335.6      

$316.4      

See accompanying notes to condensed parent company financial statements.

 

 

 

WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Parent Company Only)

SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED PARENT COMPANY
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Cont'd)

Year Ended December 31

2008

2007

2006

(Millions of Dollars)

Operating Activities

  Net income

$359.1  

$335.6   

$316.4   

  Reconciliation to cash

    Equity in subsidiaries' earnings

(381.3) 

(365.8)   

(340.0)   

    Dividends from subsidiaries

451.0  

268.7   

276.6   

     Deferred income taxes, net

23.2  

13.1   

4.8   

     Accrued income taxes, net

(57.6) 

35.6   

(68.8)   

     Change in - Other current assets

(0.1) 

0.1   

-     

     Change in - Other current liabilities

(0.3) 

5.5   

(3.6)   

     Change in - Accounts receivable

(46.5) 

(245.9)   

(26.7)   

     Other

(6.4) 

(9.4)   

8.0   

Cash Provided by Operating Activities

341.1  

37.5   

166.7   

Investing Activities

  Proceeds from asset sales, net

-      

-      

38.5   

  Capital contributions to associated companies

(140.0) 

(273.7)  

(447.6)  

  Other

(41.9) 

(39.9)  

(17.7)  

Cash Used In Investing Activities

(181.9) 

(313.6)  

(426.8)  

Financing Activities

  Issuance of common stock and exercise of stock options

11.6  

36.1   

26.8   

  Purchase of common stock

(23.0) 

(67.8)  

(48.0)  

  Dividends paid on common stock

(126.3) 

(116.9)  

(107.6)  

  Issuance of long-term debt

257.5  

493.0   

10.0   

  Retirement of long-term debt

(300.0) 

-    

(250.0)  

  Change in short-term debt

11.7  

(86.3)  

573.9   

  Other

8.2  

20.0   

13.2   

Cash Provided by (Used In) Financing Activities

(160.3) 

278.1   

218.3   

Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents

(1.1) 

2.0   

(41.8)  

Cash and Cash Equivalents

    at Beginning of Year

3.0  

1.0   

42.8   

Cash and Cash Equivalents

    at End of Year

$1.9  

$3.0   

$1.0   

See accompanying notes to condensed parent company financial statements.


124


 

 

WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION

BALANCE SHEETS
(Parent Company Only)

SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED PARENT COMPANY
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Cont'd)

December 31

2008

2007

(Millions of Dollars)

Assets

Current Assets

  Cash and cash equivalents

$         1.9   

$        3.0   

  Accounts and notes receivable

    from associated companies

517.9   

471.4   

  Prepaid taxes and other

126.6   

69.3   

      Total Current Assets

646.4   

543.7   

Property and Investments

  Investment in subsidiary companies

4,624.2   

4,517.6   

  Other

89.5   

67.6   

      Total Property and Investments

4,713.7   

4,585.2   

Deferred Charges and Other Assets

88.1   

99.1   

Total Assets

$  5,448.2   

$  5,228.0   

Liabilities and Equity

Current Liabilities

  Long-term debt due currently

$             -   

$  300.0   

  Short-term debt

499.4   

487.7   

  Other

65.5   

67.3   

      Total Current Liabilities

564.9   

855.0   

Long-Term Debt

1,410.7   

1,149.3   

Other Long-Term Liabilities

135.7   

124.5   

Stockholder's Equity

3,336.9   

3,099.2   

Total Liabilities and Equity

$  5,448.2   

$  5,228.0   

See accompanying notes to condensed parent company financial statements.


125


 

WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Parent Company Only)

SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED PARENT COMPANY
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Cont'd)

1.     For Parent Company only presentation, investment in subsidiaries are accounted for using the equity method. The condensed Parent Company financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes of Wisconsin Energy Corporation appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

2.    Wisconsin Energy's ability as a holding company to pay common dividends primarily depends on the availability of funds received from the Parent Company's principal utility subsidiaries, Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas. During 2008, Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas collectively provided Wisconsin Energy with $431.6 million of dividends and distributions. In the future, as the new PTF plants continue to be placed in service, it is expected that We Power will also be a source for distributions to Wisconsin Energy.

Various financing arrangements and regulatory requirements impose certain restrictions on the ability of the Parent Company's principal utility subsidiaries to transfer funds to the Parent Company in the form of cash dividends or advances. In addition, under Wisconsin law, Wisconsin Electric and Wisconsin Gas are prohibited from loaning funds, either directly or indirectly, to the Parent Company.

Wisconsin Energy does not believe that these restrictions will materially affect the Parent Company's operations or limit any dividend payments in the foreseeable future.

 

3.    As of December 31, 2008, the maturities of the Parent Company long-term debt outstanding were as follows:

(Millions of Dollars)

2009

-     

2010

270.0    

2011

450.0    

2012

-     

2013

-     

Thereafter

700.0    

    Total

$  1,420.0    


126


Wisconsin Energy amortizes debt premiums, discounts and debt issuance costs over the lives of the debt and includes the costs in interest expense.

In December 2008, Wisconsin Energy borrowed $260 million under an 18-month credit agreement and used such amount to repay short-term debt. Similar to Wisconsin Energy's bank back-up credit facility, this agreement requires Wisconsin Energy to maintain, subject to certain exclusions, a minimum funded debt to capitalization ratio of less than 70%, and also contains customary covenants, including certain limitations on our ability to sell assets. The credit agreement also contains customary events of default. In addition, Wisconsin Energy must ensure that certain of its subsidiaries comply with many of the covenants contained therein. As of December 31, 2008, Wisconsin Energy was in compliance with all covenants under the credit agreement.

During 2008, Wisconsin Energy retired $300 million of notes through the issuance of short-term debt.

In May 2007, Wisconsin Energy issued $500 million of Junior Notes. Due to certain features of the Junior Notes, rating agencies consider them to be hybrid instruments with a combination of debt and equity characteristics. These securities were issued under a shelf registration statement filed with the SEC in May 2007 for an unlimited number of debt securities, which became effective upon filing. The Junior Notes bear interest at 6.25% per year until

127


May 15, 2017. Beginning May 15, 2017, the Junior Notes bear interest at the three-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus 2.1125%, reset quarterly. The proceeds from this issuance were used to repay short-term debt incurred to both fund PTF and for other working capital purposes.

In connection with the issuance of the Junior Notes, Wisconsin Energy executed the RCC for the benefit of persons that buy, hold or sell a specified series of long-term indebtedness (covered debt). Wisconsin Energy's 6.20% Senior Notes due April 1, 2033 have been initially designated as the covered debt under the RCC. The RCC provides that Wisconsin Energy may not redeem, defease or purchase and our subsidiaries may not purchase any Junior Notes on or before May 15, 2037, unless, subject to certain limitations described in the RCC, during the 180 days prior to the date of redemption, defeasance or purchase, we have received a specified amount of proceeds from the sale of qualifying securities.

Wisconsin Energy has entered into a bank back-up credit facility to maintain short-term liquidity which, among other terms, requires Wisconsin Energy to maintain, subject to certain exclusions, a minimum total funded debt to capitalization ratio of less than 70%.

Wisconsin Energy's bank back-up credit facility contains customary covenants, including certain limitations on its ability to sell assets. The credit facility also contains customary events of default, including payment defaults, material inaccuracy of representations and warranties, covenant defaults, bankruptcy proceedings, certain judgments, ERISA defaults and change of control. In addition, pursuant to the terms of the credit facility, Wisconsin Energy must ensure that certain of its subsidiaries comply with many of the covenants contained therein.

As of December 31, 2008, Wisconsin Energy was in compliance with all covenants.

 

4.    Wisconsin Energy and certain of its subsidiaries enter into various guarantees to provide financial and performance assurance to third parties on behalf of affiliates. As of December 31, 2008, Wisconsin Energy had the following guarantees:

Maximum
Potential
Future
Payments



Outstanding at
Dec 31, 2008


Liability
Recorded at
Dec 31, 2008

(Millions of Dollars)

  Wisconsin Energy Guarantees

    Utility

$10.6       

$10.6       

$ -         

    Non-Utility Energy

274.1       

159.7       

-         

    Other

2.8       

2.5       

-         

  Total

$287.5       

$172.8       

$ -         

  Letters of Credit

$1.5       

$0.2      

$ -         

Utility guarantees support obligations of the utility segment under surety bonds, worker's compensation and interconnection agreements.

The guarantees which support We Power are for obligations under purchase, construction and lease agreements with the utility segment and third parties.

Wisconsin Energy's guarantees in support of our non-utility Energy segment guaranty performance and payment obligations of We Power and Wisvest. A guarantee in support of Wisvest-Connecticut which we sold in December 2002 to PSEG provides financial assurance for potential obligations relating to environmental remediation under the original purchase agreement with the United Illuminating Company. The potential obligations for environmental remediation, which are unlimited, are reimbursable by PSEG under the terms of the sale agreement in the event that Wisconsin Energy is required to perform under the guarantee. Guarantees also support obligations to third parties under the agreement with PSEG for the sale of Wisvest-Connecticut and post-closing obligations including indemnity obligations related to environmental condition and other matters under the Calumet facility sale agreement which was effective May 31, 2005. Wisconsin Energy's maximum aggregate

128


exposure under the indemnification provisions of the Calumet facility sale agreement, except for retention of the full exposure to indemnify for environmental claims related to certain property no longer leased or owned by Wisconsin Energy or its subsidiaries, is $35 million.

Wisconsin Energy's other guarantees support an environmental indemnification, which is unlimited, associated with the Minergy Neenah plant and indemnifications related to the post-closing obligations under the Minergy Neenah sale agreement which was effective September 7, 2006.

Wisconsin Energy's other guarantees also support obligations to third parties under purchase and loan agreements and surety bonds. In the event the guarantee fails to perform, Wisconsin Energy would be responsible for the obligations.

 

5.   During the twelve months ended December 31, 2008, Wisconsin Energy paid $65.6 million in interest, net of amounts capitalized, and $1.3 million in income taxes, net of refunds. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2007, Wisconsin Energy paid $63.5 million in interest, net of amounts capitalized, and received $70.5 million in refunds from income taxes. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2006, Wisconsin Energy paid $62.4 million in interest, net of amounts capitalized, and $32.0 million in income taxes, net of refunds.


129


 

 

 

 

 

    SCHEDULE II

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

 



Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Balance at Beginning of the Period



Expense



Deferral


Net
Write-offs

Balance at
End of the Period

(Millions of Dollars)

December 31, 2008

$38.0  

$54.2  

$8.1  

($51.5) 

$48.8  

December 31, 2007

$35.1  

$38.2  

$8.9  

($44.2) 

$38.0  

December 31, 2006

$36.6  

$36.5  

$3.7  

($41.7) 

$35.1  


130




 

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION

By

/s/GALE E. KLAPPA                

Date:    February 27, 2009

Gale E. Klappa, Chairman of the Board, President

and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

/s/GALE E. KLAPPA                                                                  

February 27, 2009

Gale E. Klappa, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief

Executive Officer and Director -- Principal Executive Officer

/s/ALLEN L. LEVERETT                                                           

February 27, 2009

Allen L. Leverett, Executive Vice President and Chief

Financial Officer -- Principal Financial Officer

/s/STEPHEN P. DICKSON                                                         

February 27, 2009

Stephen P. Dickson, Vice President and
Controller -- Principal Accounting Officer

/s/JOHN F. BERGSTROM                                                          

February 27, 2009

John F. Bergstrom, Director

/s/BARBARA L. BOWLES                                                        

February 27, 2009

Barbara L. Bowles, Director

/s/PATRICIA W. CHADWICK                                                          

February 27, 2009

Patricia W. Chadwick, Director

/s/ROBERT A. CORNOG                                                          

February 27, 2009

Robert A. Cornog, Director

/s/CURT S. CULVER                                                                 

February 27, 2009

Curt S. Culver, Director

/s/THOMAS J. FISCHER                                                           

February 27, 2009

Thomas J. Fischer, Director

/s/ULICE PAYNE, JR.                                                               

February 27, 2009

Ulice Payne, Jr., Director

/s/FREDERICK P. STRATTON, JR.                                         

February 27, 2009

Frederick P. Stratton, Jr., Director


131




 

WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION
(Commission File No. 001-09057)

EXHIBIT INDEX
to
Annual Report on Form 10-K
For the year ended December 31, 2008

 

The following exhibits are filed or furnished with or incorporated by reference in the report with respect to Wisconsin Energy Corporation. (An asterisk (*) indicates incorporation by reference pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 12b-32.)

  Number  

                                               Exhibit                                                    

3

Articles of Incorporation and By-laws

3.1*

Restated Articles of Incorporation of Wisconsin Energy Corporation, as amended and restated effective June 12, 1995. (Exhibit (3)-1 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 06/30/95 Form 10-Q.)

3.2*

Bylaws of Wisconsin Energy Corporation, as amended to May 5, 2005. (Exhibit 3.2(b) to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 12/31/04 Form 10-K.)

4

Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures

4.1*

Reference is made to Article III of the Restated Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws of Wisconsin Energy Corporation. (Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2 herein.)

4.2*

Replacement Capital Covenant, dated May 11, 2007, by Wisconsin Energy Corporation for the benefit of certain debtholders named therein. (Exhibit 4.2 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 05/08/07 Form 8-K.)

Indentures and Securities Resolutions:

4.3*

Indenture for Debt Securities of Wisconsin Electric Power Company (the "Wisconsin Electric Indenture"), dated December 1, 1995. (Exhibit (4)-1 under File No. 1-1245, Wisconsin Electric's 12/31/95 Form 10-K.)

4.4*

Securities Resolution No. 1 of Wisconsin Electric under the Wisconsin Electric Indenture, dated December 5, 1995. (Exhibit (4)-2 under File No. 1-1245, Wisconsin Electric's 12/31/95 Form 10-K.)

4.5*

Securities Resolution No. 2 of Wisconsin Electric under the Wisconsin Electric Indenture, dated November 12, 1996. (Exhibit 4.44 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 12/31/96 Form 10-K.)

4.6*

Securities Resolution No. 3 of Wisconsin Electric under the Wisconsin Electric Indenture, dated May 27, 1998. (Exhibit (4)-1 under File No. 1-1245, Wisconsin Electric's 06/30/98 Form 10-Q.)

4.7*

Securities Resolution No. 4 of Wisconsin Electric under the Wisconsin Electric Indenture, dated November 30, 1999. (Exhibit 4.46 under File No. 1-1245, Wisconsin Energy Corporation's/Wisconsin Electric's 12/31/99 Form 10-K.)

4.8*

Securities Resolution No. 5 of Wisconsin Electric under the Wisconsin Electric Indenture, dated as of May 1, 2003. (Exhibit 4.47 filed with Post-Effective

E-1


Amendment No. 1 to Wisconsin Electric's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-101054), filed May 6, 2003.)

4.9*

Securities Resolution No. 6 of Wisconsin Electric under the Wisconsin Electric Indenture, dated as of November 17, 2004. (Exhibit 4.48 filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Wisconsin Electric's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-113414), filed November 23, 2004.)

4.10*

Securities Resolution No. 7 of Wisconsin Electric under the Wisconsin Electric Indenture, dated as of November 2, 2006. (Exhibit 4.1 to Wisconsin Electric's 11/02/06 Form 8-K.)

4.11*

Securities Resolution No. 8 of Wisconsin Electric under the Wisconsin Electric Indenture, dated as of September 25, 2008. (Exhibit 4.1 to Wisconsin Electric's 09/25/08 Form 8-K.)

4.12*

Securities Resolution No. 9 of Wisconsin Electric under the Wisconsin Electric Indenture, dated as of December 8, 2008. (Exhibit 4.1 to Wisconsin Electric's 12/08/08 Form 8-K.)

4.13*

Indenture for Debt Securities of Wisconsin Energy Corporation (the "Wisconsin Energy Indenture"), dated as of March 15, 1999. (Exhibit 4.46 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 03/25/99 Form 8-K.)

4.14*

Securities Resolution No. 1 of Wisconsin Energy under the Wisconsin Energy Indenture, dated as of March 16, 1999. (Exhibit 4.47 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 03/25/99 Form 8-K.)

4.15*

Securities Resolution No. 2 of Wisconsin Energy under the Wisconsin Energy Indenture, dated as of March 23, 2001. (Exhibit 4.1 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 03/31/01 Form 10-Q.)

4.16*

Securities Resolution No. 3 of Wisconsin Energy under the Wisconsin Energy Indenture, dated as of November 13, 2001. (Exhibit 4.52 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 12/31/01 Form 10-K.)

4.17*

Securities Resolution No. 4 of Wisconsin Energy under the Wisconsin Energy Indenture, dated as of March 17, 2003. (Exhibit 4.12 filed with Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-69592), filed March 20, 2003.)

4.18*

Securities Resolution No. 5 of Wisconsin Energy under the Wisconsin Energy Indenture, dated as of May 8, 2007. (Exhibit 4.1 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 05/08/07 Form 8-K.)

Certain agreements and instruments with respect to unregistered long-term debt not exceeding 10 percent of the total assets of the Registrant and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis have been omitted as permitted by related instructions. The Registrant agrees pursuant to Item 601(b)(4) of Regulation S-K to furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, a copy of all such agreements and instruments.

E-2


10

Material Contracts

10.1*




10.2*




10.3*

Asset Sale Agreement by and among Wisconsin Electric Power Company, FPL Energy Point Beach, LLC, as Buyer, and FPL Group Capital Inc., as Buyer's Parent, dated December 19, 2006 (the "Asset Sale Agreement"). (Exhibit 2.1 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 12/31/06 Form 10-K.)

Letter Agreement between Wisconsin Electric Power Company and FPL Energy Point Beach, LLC, dated May 24, 2007, which effectively amends the Asset Sale Agreement. (Exhibit 2.1 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 06/30/07 Form

10-Q.)

Letter Agreement between Wisconsin Electric Power Company, FPL Energy Point Beach, LLC and FPL Group Capital, Inc., dated September 28, 2007, which amends the Asset Sale Agreement. (Exhibit 2.3 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 09/28/07 Form 8-K).

10.4*

Stock Purchase Agreement among Pentair, Inc., WICOR, Inc. and Wisconsin Energy Corporation, dated February 3, 2004 ("Stock Purchase Agreement"). (Exhibit 2.1 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 06/30/04 Form 10-Q.)

10.5*

Amendment to the Stock Purchase Agreement dated July 28, 2004. (Exhibit 2.2 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 06/30/04 Form 10-Q.)

10.6*

Credit Agreement, dated as of April 6, 2006, among Wisconsin Energy Corporation, as Borrower, the Lenders identified therein, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Fronting Bank. (Exhibit 10.1 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 03/31/06 Form 10-Q.)

10.7*

Credit Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2006, among Wisconsin Electric Power Company, as Borrower, the Lenders identified therein, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent and Fronting Bank. (Exhibit 10.2 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 03/31/06 Form 10-Q.)

10.8*

Credit Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2006, among Wisconsin Gas LLC, as Borrower, the Lenders identified therein, Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Fronting Bank. (Exhibit 10.3 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 03/31/06 Form 10-Q.)

10.9

Wisconsin Energy Corporation Supplemental Pension Plan, effective as of January 1, 2005.** See Note.

10.10*

Service Agreement, dated April 25, 2000, between Wisconsin Electric Power Company and Wisconsin Gas Company (n/k/a Wisconsin Gas LLC). (Exhibit 10.32 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 12/31/00 Form 10-K.)

10.11*

Executive Deferred Compensation Plan of Wisconsin Energy Corporation, as amended and restated as of July 23, 2004 (including amendments approved effective as of November 2, 2005) (the "Legacy EDCP"). (Exhibit 10.2 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 09/30/05 Form 10-Q.)** See Note.

10.12

First Amendment to the Legacy EDCP, effective as of January 1, 2005.** See Note.

E-3


10.13

Wisconsin Energy Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, effective as of January 1, 2005.** See Note.

10.14*

Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan of Wisconsin Energy Corporation, as amended and restated as of May 1, 2004 (the "Legacy DDCP"). (Exhibit 10.3 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 06/30/04 Form 10-Q.)** See Note.

10.15

First Amendment to the Legacy DDCP, effective as of January 1, 2005.** See Note.

10.16

Wisconsin Energy Corporation Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan, effective as of January 1, 2005.** See Note.

10.17*

Wisconsin Energy Corporation Short-Term Performance Plan, as amended and restated as of January 1, 2005. (Exhibit 10.1 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 12/04/08 Form 8-K.)** See Note.

10.18

Wisconsin Energy Corporation Amended and Restated Executive Severance Policy, effective as of January 1, 2008.** See Note.

10.19*

Service Agreement, dated December 29, 2000, between Wisconsin Electric Power Company and American Transmission Company LLC. (Exhibit 10.33 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 12/31/00 Form 10-K.)

10.20*

Restated Non-Qualified Trust Agreement by and between Wisconsin Energy Corporation and The Northern Trust Company dated February 11, 2004, regarding trust established to provide a source of funds to assist in meeting of the liabilities under various nonqualified deferred compensation plans made between Wisconsin Energy Corporation or its subsidiaries and various plan participants. (Exhibit 10.16 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 12/31/07 Form 10-K)** See Note.

10.21

Base Salaries of Named Executive Officers of the Registrant.** See Note.

10.22*

Employment arrangement with Charles R. Cole, effective August 1, 1999. (Exhibit 10.3 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 12/31/00 Form 10-K.)** See Note.

10.23

Amendment of the employment arrangement with Charles R. Cole, dated December 11, 2008.** See Note.

10.24*

Affiliated Interest Agreement (Service Agreement), dated December 12, 2002, by and among Wisconsin Energy Corporation and its affiliates. (Exhibit 10.14 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 12/31/02 Form 10-K.)

10.25

Amended and Restated Senior Officer Employment and Non-Compete Agreement between Wisconsin Energy Corporation and Gale E. Klappa, dated as of December 29, 2008.** See Note.

10.26

Amended and Restated Senior Officer Employment and Non-Compete Agreement between Wisconsin Energy Corporation and Allen L. Leverett, dated as of December 30, 2008.** See Note.

E-4


10.27

Amended and Restated Senior Officer Employment and Non-Compete Agreement between Wisconsin Energy Corporation and Frederick D. Kuester, dated as of December 30, 2008.** See Note.

10.28*

Letter Agreement by and between Wisconsin Energy Corporation and James C. Fleming, dated as of November 23, 2005, which became effective January 3, 2006. (Exhibit 10.31 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 12/31/05 Form 10-K.)** See Note.

10.29

Amendment to the Letter Agreement between Wisconsin Energy Corporation and James C. Fleming, dated December 23, 2008.** See Note.

10.30

Amended and Restated Senior Officer, Change in Control, Severance and Non-Compete Agreement between Wisconsin Energy Corporation and Kristine A. Rappé, dated as of December 30, 2008.** See Note.

10.31*

Supplemental Pension Benefit Agreement between Wisconsin Energy Corporation and Stephen Dickson, effective May 23, 2001. (Exhibit 10.1 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 06/30/01 Form 10-Q.)** See Note.

10.32

Amendment to the Supplemental Pension Benefit Agreement between Wisconsin Energy Corporation and Stephen Dickson, dated December 29, 2008.** See Note.

10.33

Amended and Restated Non-Compete and Special Severance Tax Protection Agreement between Wisconsin Energy Corporation and Stephen P. Dickson, effective as of January 1, 2008.** See Note.

10.34*

Forms of Stock Option Agreements under 1993 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan. (Exhibit 10.5 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 12/31/95 Form 10-K. Updated as Exhibit 10.1(a) and 10.1(b) to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 03/31/00
Form 10-Q.)** See Note.

10.35*

1998 Revised forms of award agreements under 1993 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan for non-qualified stock option awards to non-employee directors, restricted stock awards and option awards. (Exhibit 10.11 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 12/31/98 Form 10-K.)** See Note.

10.36*

2001 Revised forms of award agreements under 1993 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan for restricted stock awards, incentive stock option awards and non-qualified stock option awards. (Exhibit 10.3 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 03/31/01 Form 10-Q.)** See Note.

10.37

1993 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan, as approved by the stockholders at the 2001 annual meeting of stockholders, amended and restated effective as of January 1, 2008.** See Note.

10.38*

2005 Terms and Conditions Governing Non-Qualified Stock Option Award under 1993 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan. (Exhibit 10.1 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 12/28/04 Form 8-K.)** See Note.

10.39*

Terms and Conditions Governing Non-Qualified Stock Option Award under the 1993 Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan. (Exhibit 10.1 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 09/30/07 Form 10-Q.)** See Note.

E-5


10.40

Wisconsin Energy Corporation Performance Unit Plan, amended and restated effective as of October 11, 2007.** See Note.

10.41*

Form of Award of Performance Units under the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Performance Unit Plan. (Exhibit 10.2 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 12/06/04 Form 8-K.)** See Note.

10.42*

Port Washington I Facility Lease Agreement between Port Washington Generating Station, LLC, as Lessor, and Wisconsin Electric Power Company, as Lessee, dated as of May 28, 2003. (Exhibit 10.7 to Wisconsin Electric Power Company's 06/30/03 Form 10-Q (File No. 001-01245).)

10.43*

Port Washington II Facility Lease Agreement between Port Washington Generating Station, LLC, as Lessor, and Wisconsin Electric Power Company, as Lessee, dated as of May 28, 2003. (Exhibit 10.8 to Wisconsin Electric Power Company's 06/30/03 Form 10-Q (File No. 001-01245).)

10.44*

Elm Road I Facility Lease Agreement between Elm Road Generating Station Supercritical, LLC, as Lessor, and Wisconsin Electric Power Company, as Lessee, dated as of November 9, 2004. (Exhibit 10.56 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 12/31/04 Form 10-K.)

10.45*

Elm Road II Facility Lease Agreement between Elm Road Generating Station Supercritical, LLC, as Lessor, and Wisconsin Electric Power Company, as Lessee, dated as of November 9, 2004. (Exhibit 10.57 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 12/31/04 Form 10-K.)

10.46*

Point Beach Nuclear Plant Power Purchase Agreement between FPL Energy Point Beach, LLC and Wisconsin Electric Power Company, dated as of December 19, 2006 (the "PPA"). (Exhibit 10.1 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 03/31/08 Form 10-Q.)

10.47*

Letter Agreement between Wisconsin Electric Power Company and FPL Energy Point Beach, LLC dated October 31, 2007, which amends the PPA. (Exhibit 10.45 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 12/31/07 Form 10-K.)


Note:  Two asterisks (**) identify management contracts and executive compensation plans or arrangements required to be filed as exhibits pursuant to Item 15(b) of Form 10-K.

21

Subsidiaries of the registrant

21.1

Subsidiaries of Wisconsin Energy Corporation.

23

Consents of experts and counsel

23.1

Deloitte & Touche LLP -- Milwaukee, WI, Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

E-6



31

Rule 13a-14(a) / 15d-14(a) Certifications

31.1

Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2

Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a), as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32

Section 1350 Certifications

32.1

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

99

Additional exhibits

99.1*

Turnkey Engineering Procurement and Construction Contract for Supercritical Pulverized Coal Fired Electric Generation Facility between Elm Road Services, LLC and Bechtel Power Corporation, dated April 19, 2004, as amended (the "EPC Contract"). (Exhibit 99.1 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 09/30/08 Form 10-Q.)***

99.2*

Change Order No. 8 to the EPC Contract. (Exhibit 99.2 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 09/30/08 Form 10-Q.)

99.3*

Change Order No. 12A to the EPC Contract. (Exhibit 99.3 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 09/30/08 Form 10-Q.)

99.4*

Change Order No. 12b to the EPC Contract. (Exhibit 99.4 to Wisconsin Energy Corporation's 09/30/08 Form 10-Q.)

***Wisconsin Energy has received confidential treatment of certain portions of this document from the SEC.


E-7


Exhibit 10.9

W ISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION
SUPPLEMENTAL PENSION PLAN

Effective as of January 1, 2005



INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................1

Article 1 DEFINITIONS ...........................................................................1

Article 2 SERP BENEFIT ......................................................................... 6

2.1 Eligibility and Participation .................................................6

2.2 Vesting .............................................................................7

2.3 SERP Benefit A ................................................................7

2.4 SERP Benefit B ................................................................8

Article 3 PENSION MAKE-WHOLE BENEFIT .......................................8

3.1 Eligibility and Participation .................................................8

3.2 Vesting

3.3 Pension Make-Whole Benefit .............................................9

Article 4 TIME AND FORM OF PAYMENT ............................................10

4.1 Application of Time and Form of Payment Provisions .........10

4.2 Time for Distribution ..........................................................10

4.3 Payment Form ...................................................................10

4.4 Election Form Requirements. ..............................................11

4.5 Discretion to Accelerate Distribution. ..................................12

Article 5 DEATH BENEFITS ......................................................................13

5.1 Death While In Pay Status. .................................................13

5.2 Death While Actively Employed ..........................................14

Article 6 BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION .................................................14

6.1 Beneficiary .........................................................................14

6.2 Beneficiary Designation; Change .........................................14

6.3 Acknowledgment ................................................................15

6.4 No Beneficiary Designation .................................................15

6.5 Doubt as to Beneficiary .......................................................15

6.6 Discharge of Obligations ......................................................15

Article 7 TERMINATION, AMENDMENT OR MODIFICATION .............15

7.1 Termination. .........................................................................15

7.2 Amendment ..........................................................................16

7.3 Effect of Payment .................................................................16

Article 8 ADMINISTRATION ......................................................................17

8.1 Plan Administration ..............................................................17

8.2 Powers, Duties and Procedures ............................................17

8.3 Administration Upon Change In Control ...............................17

8.4 Agents ................................................................................18

8.5 Binding Effect of Decisions ...................................................18

8.6 Indemnity of Committee .......................................................18

8.7 Employer Information ...........................................................18

8.8 Coordination with Other Benefits ..........................................18

i


Article 9 CLAIMS PROCEDURES ...............................................................18

9.1 Presentation of Claim ............................................................18

9.2 Decision on Initial Claim ........................................................18

9.3 Right to Review .....................................................................19

9.4 Decision on Review ...............................................................19

9.5 Form of Notice and Decision .................................................20

9.6 Legal Action ..........................................................................20

Article 10 TRUST ............................................................................................20

10.1 Establishment of the Trust .....................................................20

10.2 Interrelationship of the Plan and the Trust ..............................20

10.3 Distributions From the Trust ..................................................20

Article 11 MISCELLANEOUS ........................................................................21

11.1 Status of Plan ........................................................................21

11.2 Unsecured General Creditor ..................................................21

11.3 Employer's Liability ................................................................21

11.4 Nonassignability .....................................................................21

11.5 Not a Contract of Employment ...............................................21

11.6 Furnishing Information ............................................................22

11.7 Receipt and Release ...............................................................22

11.8 Incompetent ............................................................................22

11.9 Governing Law and Severability ..............................................22

11.10 Notices and Communications .................................................22

11.11 Successors ............................................................................22

11.12 Insurance ...............................................................................23

11.13 Legal Fees To Enforce Rights After Change in Control ............23

11.14 Terms ....................................................................................23

11.15 Headings .................................................................................23


ii


 

WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION
SUPPLEMENTAL PENSION PLAN

INTRODUCTION

Wisconsin Energy Corporation, a Wisconsin Corporation (the "Company"), previously established the Legacy Wisconsin Energy Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (previously named the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan) (the "Legacy Plan") to attract and retain key employees by providing such employees with supplemental pension benefits. The Company most recently amended and restated the Legacy Plan effective April 1, 2004. The Company amended the Legacy Plan to cease participation to new employees in the Legacy Plan effective as of January 1, 2005 and to preserve frozen legacy benefits. The terms and conditions of the Legacy Plan continue to govern any Legacy Plan benefits derived from compensation paid and credited to the Legacy Plan before January 1, 2005, provided the benefits were otherwise vested as of December 31, 2004.

In addition, the Company provides supplemental pension benefits (known as "pension make-whole benefits") under the Legacy Wisconsin Energy Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan ("Legacy EDCP"), the Wisconsin Energy Short-Term Performance Plan ("STPP") and the 2003 Mezzanine Incentive Plan for We Power, LLC ("MEZ Plan"). When considered together, provisions of these plans coordinate to provide a single pension make-whole benefit to eligible employees. Similar to the Legacy Plan, the Company amended the Legacy EDCP, STPP and MEZ Plan to preserve legacy pension make-whole benefits derived from compensation paid and credited to such plans before January 1, 2005, provided the benefits were otherwise vested as of December 31, 2004 and to cease participation for such benefits to new employees effective as of such date. The terms and conditions of the Legacy EDCP, STPP and MEZ Plan shall continue to govern the pension make-whole benefits derived from compensation paid and credited to such plans before January 1, 2005.

Effective as of January 1, 2005, the Company hereby establishes the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Supplemental Pension Plan (the "Plan"), as set forth herein. The Plan operates as a replacement plan for any earned, but unvested benefts under the Legacy Plan as of December 31, 2004. Beginning January 1, 2005, the Plan also serves to consolidate provisions applicable to pension make-whole benefits that would have been earned under the EDCP, STPP and MEZ Plan on and after such date. As such, beginning January 1, 2005, all supplemental pension benefits accrued pursuant to the Legacy Plan formula and all pension make-whole benefits accrued pursuant to the EDCP, STPP and MEZ Plan formulas shall be provided under the Plan. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, payment elections made at the end of the Code Section 409A transition period apply to benefits derived from compensation paid in 2005 and later and supersede any payment election or election to defer made during such period, in accordance with Code Section 409A relief provided in Notice 2006-79, Notice 2007-86 and proposed regulations promulgated under Code Section 409A.

The Plan is intended to comply with the provisions of Code Section 409A, and any guidance and regulations issued thereunder. The Plan shall be interpreted and administered consistent with this intent and shall apply to all amounts credited under the Plan on or after January 1, 2005. Such amounts include any amounts previously credited under the Legacy Plan,




but not vested as of December 31, 2004. Pension make-whole benefits accrued under the Legacy EDCP, STPP and MEZ Plans were immediately vested, therefore, all such benefits earned as of December 31, 2004 are preserved and considered exempt from Code Section 409A.

    ARTICLE 1
    Definitions

Whenever used herein, the following terms have the meanings set forth below, unless a different meaning is clearly required by the context:

1.1       "Annual Installment Method" shall mean equal annual installment payments over a specified number of years that is actuarially equivalent to the immediate life annuity that would have normally been payable to the Participant upon the Participant's benefit commencement date. To determine the annual installment payments, the Plan will utilize the actuarial assumptions set forth under the RAP for determining lump sum distributions from the RAP.

1.2       "Base Annual Salary" shall mean the annual cash compensation relating to services performed during a Plan Year, whether or not paid in, or included on the Form W-2 for, such Plan Year, excluding severance payments, non-qualified supplemental pension payments, performance awards, bonuses, commissions, overtime, fringe benefits, relocation expenses, incentive payments, non-monetary awards, directors' fees and other fees, automobile and other allowances paid to a Participant for employment services rendered (whether or not such allowances are included in the Participant's gross income), stock options, restricted stock, performance shares or units, dividends, dividend equivalents and any other equity-based award provided under a plan or arrangement of an Employer. Base Annual Salary shall be calculated before it is deferred or contributed by the Participant under a qualified or non-qualified plan of an Employer and shall include amounts not otherwise included in the Participant's gross income under Code Sections 125, 132(f)(4), 402(e)(3), 402(h) or 403(b) pursuant to plans established by an Employer; provided, however, that all such amounts shall be included in Base Annual Salary only to the extent that, had there been no such plan, the amount would have been payable in cash to the Participant.

1.3       "Beneficiary" shall mean one or more persons, trusts, estates or other entities designated by the Participant in accordance with Article 6 that are entitled to receive benefits under this Plan upon the death of a Participant.

1.4       "Board" shall mean the board of directors of the Company.

1.5       "Change in Control" shall mean, with respect to the Company, the occurrence of any one of the following dates, interpreted consistent with Treasury Regulation Section-1.409A-3(i)(5).

a. Change in Ownership . The date any one Person, or more than one Person Acting as a Group, acquires ownership of stock of the Company that, together with stock held by such Person or Group, constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company. Notwithstanding the

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foregoing, for purposes of this paragraph, if any one Person, or more than one Person Acting as a Group, is considered to own more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company, the acquisition of additional stock by the same Person or Persons is not considered to cause a Change in Control.

b. Change in Effective Control .

i. The date any one Person, or more than one Person Acting as a Group, acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such Person or Persons) ownership of stock of the Company possessing 30% or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of this subparagraph, if any one Person, or more than one Person Acting as a Group, is considered to effectively control the Company, the acquisition of additional control of the Company by the same Person or Persons is not considered to cause a Change in Control; or

ii. The date a majority of the members of the Company's Board is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Company's Board before the date of the appointment or election.

c. Change in Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Company's Assets . The date any one Person, or more than one Person Acting as a Group, acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such Person or Persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 40% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately before such acquisition or acquisitions. For purposes of this paragraph (c), "gross fair market value" means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transfer of assets is not treated as a Change in Control if the assets are transferred to:

i. An entity that is controlled by the shareholders of the transferring corporation;

ii. A shareholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to its stock;

iii. An entity, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company;

iv. A Person, or more than one Person Acting as a Group, that owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company; or


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v. An entity, at least 50% of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person described in clause (iv).

d. " Person" and "Acting as a Group. "

i. For purposes of this Section, "Person" shall have the meaning set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

ii. For purposes of this Section, Persons shall be considered to be "Acting as a Group" if they are owners of a corporation that enter into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company. If a Person, including an entity, owns stock in both corporations that enter into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar transaction, such shareholder is considered to be Acting as a Group with the other shareholders only with respect to the ownership in that corporation before the transaction giving rise to the change and not with respect to the ownership interest in the other corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Persons shall not be considered to be Acting as a Group solely because they purchase or own stock of the same corporation at the same time, or as a result of the same public offering.

1.6        "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

1.7        "Committee" shall mean an internal administrative committee appointed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company to administer the Plan in accordance with Article 8.

1.8        "Company" shall mean Wisconsin Energy Corporation, a Wisconsin corporation, and any successor to all or substantially all of the Company's assets or business.

1.9       "Compensation Committee" shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board.

1.10       "EDCP" shall mean the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, effective as of January 1, 2005, as may be amended from time to time or any successor to such plan.

1.11 "Election Form" shall mean the form or forms established from time to time by the Committee that a Participant completes, signs and returns to the Committee to designate a form of payment pursuant to Article 4. To the extent authorized by the Committee, such form may be electronic or set forth in some other media.

1.12 "Employer" shall mean the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries (now in existence or hereafter formed or acquired).

1.13 "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

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1.14 "IRS Limitations" shall mean the limitation on tax-qualified benefits imposed by Code Section 415, Code Section 401(a)(17), or any other limitation on tax-qualified benefits to which a participant may be entitled under a plan sponsored by the Company.

1.15 "MEZ Plan" shall mean the 2003 Mezzanine Incentive Plan For We Power, LLC, as amended and restated effective as of January 1, 2005, and as may be amended from time to time thereafter or any successor to such plan.

1.16 "Participant" shall mean an individual selected to participate in the Plan and earn a benefit under either Article 2 or Article 3. A spouse or former spouse of a Participant shall not be treated as a Participant in the Plan, even if she has an interest in the Participant's benefit as a result of applicable law or property settlements resulting from legal separation or divorce.

1.17 "Pension Eligible Earnings" shall mean a Participant's established base salary for assigned responsibilities including payments for absences, without regard for any limitations imposed by the Code on benefits or compensation and including any amounts of base salary that would have been paid to the Participant, but were not paid because of deferral elections made by the Participant under a savings or other deferred compensation plan, and including the total of any incentive performance award determined under the STPP or other bonus plan of the Company which has been approved by the Board, Committee or Chief Executive Officer of the Company for inclusion into Pension Eligible Earnings for this Plan. Amounts of base salary and annual incentive shall be calculated without regard to any amounts deferred from such base salary or annual incentive compensation. For purposes of this definition, base salary shall be defined with reference to the RAP, as modified above, as in effect from time to time for a Plan Year.

1.18 "Pension Make-Whole Benefit" shall mean the benefit provided pursuant to Article 3.

1.19 "Plan Year" shall mean the calendar year.

1.20 "RAP" shall mean the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Retirement Account Plan, as amended from time to time or any successor to such plan, the Company's tax-qualified defined benefit plan under Code Section 401(a).

1.21 "SERP Benefit" shall mean SERP Benefit A and/or SERP Benefit B provided pursuant to Article 2.

1.22 "SERP Benefit A" means the benefit provided pursuant to Section 2.3.

1.23 "SERP Benefit B" means the benefit provided pursuant to Section 2.4.

1.24 "Separation from Service" shall mean the Participant's termination of employment with all Employers and other entities affiliated with the Company, voluntarily or involuntarily, for any reason other than on account of death, or as otherwise provided by the Department of Treasury in regulations promulgated under Code Section 409A. For purposes of the foregoing, whether an entity is affiliated with the Company shall be determined pursuant to the controlled group rules of Code Section 414, as modified

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by Code Section 409A. Unless the employment relationship is terminated earlier by the Employer or the Participant, the following shall apply for determining a Separation from Service for Code Section 409A only:

a. Except as provided in paragraph (b), the Participant's employment relationship with the Employer shall be treated as continuing intact while the individual is on a military leave, sick leave or other bona fide leave of absence if the period of such leave does not exceed six months (or longer, if required by statute or contract). If the period of the leave exceeds six months and the Participant's right to reemployment is not provided either by statute or contract, the employment relationship is deemed to terminate on the first date immediately following such six-month period.

b. Where a leave of absence is due to any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than six months, where such impairment causes the Participant to be unable to perform the duties of her position of employment or any substantially similar position of employment, the Participant's relationship with the Employer shall be treated as continuing intact for a period of 29 months and will be deemed to terminate on the first date immediately following such 29 month period.

1.25 "STPP" shall mean shall mean the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Short-Term Performance Plan, as amended and restated effective as of January 1, 2005, and as may be amended from time to time thereafter or any successor to such plan.

1.26 "Trust" shall mean the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Rabbi Trust Agreement dated December 1, 2000 between the Company and The Northern Trust Company, and as amended from time to time.

1.27 "Vest" or "Vested" shall mean the Participant has a nonforfeitable right to the SERP Benefit and/or Pension Make-Whole Benefit, as the case may be, as determined under Section 2.2 or Section 3.2.

ARTICLE 2
SERP BENEFIT

2.1 Eligibility and Participation . The Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board may designate those key employees of the Employer as a Participant for a SERP Benefit, provided that participation in the Plan shall be limited to a select group of management and highly compensated employees of the Employer (as defined in ERISA Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1)). An employee may be designated as a Participant for purposes of SERP Benefit A and/or SERP Benefit B.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board shall have the discretion to exclude a Participant from continued participation in the SERP Benefit with such exclusion becoming effective as of the first

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day of the immediately following Plan Year. In such event, the Participant shall be eligible to receive a Pension Make-Whole Benefit in lieu of any SERP Benefit that accrued before such exclusion to avoid any duplication of benefits under the Plan.

2.2 Vesting . A Participant shall become Vested in her SERP Benefit upon the earlier of (i) attaining age 60 while employed with an Employer, (ii) death or (iii) a Change in Control. The Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board has the authority to Vest a Participant who experiences a Separation from Service before age 60 or incurs a disability. "Disability" shall mean the Participant is eligible for a benefit under the Company's long-term disability program, as may be in effect from time to time. In the event a Participant forfeits her SERP benefit due to a Separation from Service before she is Vested, the Participant shall be entitled to a Pension Make-Whole Benefit, if any, pursuant to Article 3.

2.3 SERP Benefit A . SERP Benefit A provides a supplemental pension benefit, the amount of which shall be equal to the greater of (a) or (b), if applicable, subject to (c) below.

a. The benefit formula described in this paragraph (a) is intended to calculate a supplemental cash balance benefit that will be calculated as if it were held in an account (the "Account Balance") for the Participant's credit under the RAP. This Account Balance is a lump sum amount that increases each year as additional amounts are credited in two ways: a benefit credit and an interest credit.

i. Benefit Credit . Beginning as early as 1995, for each Plan Year in which a Participant is eligible to accrue a SERP Benefit A, the Participant's Account Balance will be credited with a benefit credit equal to (i) the "relevant percentage" of her Pension Eligible Earnings for the Plan Year less (ii) the amount credited to the Participant's RAP cash balance account for such year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Participant experiences a Separation from Service during the Plan Year, the Participant's benefit credit will equal the relevant percentage of the Participant's Pension Eligible Earnings through the Participant's Separation from Service less the amount credited to her RAP cash balance account for the same time period.

For purposes of the above, the relevant percentage will be the same percentage as is determined under the RAP for the Plan Year of determination except that to be eligible for a relevant percentage of more than the minimum guaranteed benefit credit as determined under the RAP, the Participant must be actively employed on December 31 of that year.

ii. Interest Credit . For each Plan Year, the Participant's Account Balance will receive an interest credit on her Account Balance at the beginning of the year. This interest credit will be the same percentage that has been applied to the RAP for that year. If the Participant did not have an Account Balance at the beginning of the year, the Account Balance will not receive an interest credit at the end of the year. If the Participant has a

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distribution from her Account Balance, either in whole or in part (under an installment payment or annuity) before December 31, a prorata Interest Credit will be credited for the Plan Year that includes the distribution, determined in the same manner as under the RAP. Interest credits cease with the commencement of payment.

b. The benefit formula described in this paragraph (b) will be calculated for Participants who were actively employed by an Employer on December 31, 1995 and who were covered under the RAP as of such date, thereby entitling them to a grandfathered pension benefit. Such Participants will be eligible to have their SERP Benefit A determined under the grandfathered minimum benefit , as described in Appendix A.

c. The SERP Benefit A provides a benefit for Participants who otherwise would lose benefits under the RAP due to certain limitations for included compensation under the RAP. Effective January 1, 2008, eligible compensation for determining benefits under the RAP for both the cash balance and grandfathered minimum benefit formulas was expanded to include STPP awards. As a result of this change, for certain participants, the total benefit payable as a final retirement benefit from both the RAP and this Plan may be fully payable from the RAP under the formula for the grandfathered minimum benefit. In this case, no further benefit would be payable from this Plan.

2.4 SERP Benefit B . SERP Benefit B provides Participants with a life annuity of 10% of the monthly average of the Participant's Pension Eligible Earnings received from the Employer during whichever period of 36 consecutive months produces the highest monthly average. The monthly average of Pension Eligible Earnings during such 36 month period includes the monthly average of:

a. any performance award determined under the STPP or any other plan as designated by the Board, calculated as of the date of determination as if then paid in full as base salary, and

b. any amounts of base salary that would have been paid to the Participant during such 36-month period but are not paid due to deferral elections made by the Participant under a savings or other deferred compensation plan.

Effective as of January 1, 2005, no new individuals are eligible to earn a SERP B Benefit. The provisions relating to SERP Benefit B shall only apply to those Participants who were designated as eligible to earn a SERP Benefit B before January 1, 2005.

ARTICLE 3
PENSION MAKE_WHOLE BENEFIT

3.1 Eligibility and Participation . Participation in the Pension Make-Whole Benefit shall be limited to a select group of management and highly-compensated employees of the Employers, as determined by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the Board or the Compensation Committee. From that group, the Chief Executive Officer of the

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Company, the Board or the Compensation Committee shall select employees to participate in the Pension Make-Whole Benefit and shall have the discretionary authority to exclude a Participant from continued participation in the Pension Make-Whole Benefit. Any such exclusion shall become effective as of the first day of the immediately following Plan Year. Such Participant shall remain a Participant until her accrued Pension Make-Whole Benefit is paid in full, unless such Participant becomes designated as eligible to earn a SERP Benefit.

3.2 Vesting. Pension Make-Whole Benefits are immediately vested , unless a Participant becomes designated as eligible for a SERP Benefit and Vested in the SERP Benefit. If a Participant becomes eligible to earn a SERP Benefit and becomes Vested in such benefit, no Pension Make-Whole Benefit shall be paid to such Participant in order to avoid any duplication of supplemental pension benefits provided under the Plan.

3.3 Pension Make-Whole Benefit . The Pension Make-Whole Benefit provided pursuant to this Article shall equal (a) less (b), subject to (c) below:

a. The pension benefit which would have accrued to the Participant's credit under the RAP, calculated without regard to IRS Limitations and taking into account:

i. all Base Annual Salary, whether paid and/or deferred to the EDCP,

ii. STPP awards, whether paid and/or deferred to the EDCP;

iii. any other bonus award which has been approved by the Board, Committee or Chief Executive Officer of the Company; and

iv. any MEZ Plan award with respect to reaching the 2005 and/or 2008 MEZ Plan milestone, whether paid and/or deferred to the EDCP.

b. The pension benefit which has actually accrued to the credit of the Participant under the RAP.

c. The Pension Make-Whole Benefit provides a benefit for Participants who otherwise would lose benefits under the RAP due to certain limitations for included compensation under the RAP. Effective January 1, 2008, eligible compensation for determining benefits under the RAP for both the cash balance and grandfathered minimum benefit formulas was expanded to include STPP awards. As a result of this change, for certain participants, the total benefit payable as a final retirement benefit from both the RAP and this Plan may be fully payable from the RAP under the formula for the grandfathered minimum benefit. In this case, no further Pension Make-Whole Benefit would be payable from this Plan.

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ARTICLE 4
TIME AND FORM OF PAYMENT

4.1 Application of Time and Form of Payment Provisions . The provisions of this Article apply to all supplemental pension benefits provided pursuant to Article 2 and Article 3, unless otherwise specified pursuant to a separate written agreement.

4.2 Time for Distribution . Distribution of a Participant's SERP Benefit or Pension Make-Whole Benefit shall be made following the earliest to occur of:

a. The Participant's Separation from Service; or

b. The Participant's death.

Payment shall be paid or begin to be paid by the end of the Plan Year in which the distribution event occurs or, if later, by the 15 th day of the third month following the event. If an Annual Installment Method is in effect, the second installment payment shall be made within the first 90 days of the Plan Year following the Plan Year in which the first installment payment was made and subsequent installment payments shall be made thereafter during the first 90 days of the Plan Year in which the installment is due.

Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, distributions made to "specified employees" (determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i)) upon a Separation from Service for any reason other than death shall be paid or begin to be paid as of the first day of the seventh month following the Participant's Separation from Service. If a monthly annuity is payable, the monthly payments otherwise scheduled to be made pending such six-month delay will be aggregated and paid in a lump sum payment as of the first day of the seventh month following the Participant's Separation from Service. No interest shall be payable on any amounts delayed due to the Participant's status as a specified employee.

4.3 Payment Form . The form in which a Participant's benefit shall be paid is dependent upon the Participant's accrued benefit value determined as of the first day of the month following the distribution event (the "determination date"), even if such payment is delayed for a specified employee pursuant to Section 4.2.

a. Separation from Service or Death .

i. A Participant whose accrued benefit is $75,000 or less as of the determination date, payment shall be made in a lump sum.

ii. A Participant whose accrued benefit is greater than $75,000 may elect, pursuant to Section 4.4, to receive payment:

A. in any number of installments between five and ten, using the Annual Installment Method to determine the amount of each installment, or

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B. in the form of a life annuity.

A Participant electing to receive payment in the form of a life annuity may select among actuarially equivalent life annuities, the forms of which shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. Actuarial equivalence shall be determined using the factors then in effect under the RAP. Such annuity selection may be made at the time distribution of the Participant's benefit is to begin without such selection being treated as a subsequent change in election pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2). In the event a Participant elected a life annuity but does not make a selection as to the specific annuity form, payment shall be made in the form of a single life annuity for unmarried Participants or a joint and 50% survivor annuity for married Participants.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if no valid Election Form is in effect upon the distribution event, then payment shall be made in (1) a lump sum if the value of a Participant's accrued benefit falls within the payment tier described in clause (i) and (2) five installments using the Annual Installment Method to determine the amount of each installment if the value of a Participant's accrued benefit falls within the payment tier described in clause (ii).

b. Separation from Service After Change in Control . A lump sum payment shall be made upon a Separation from Service that occurs within 18 months following a Change in Control. Such lump sum payment shall be in an amount equal to the then present value of all benefits then accrued under this Plan, calculated using (i) an interest rate equal to a 36 consecutive month average, using the rates as of the last business day of each month (the "Month End Rate"), of the five-year United States Treasury Note yields (the "36 Month Average Rate") in effect ending with the Month End Rate immediately prior to the month in which the Separation from Service occurred as such yield is reported in the Wall Street Journal or comparable publication, and (ii) the mortality table used for purposes of determining lump sum amounts then in use under the RAP.

4.4 Election Form Requirements .

a. Election Timing Generally . At the times indicated below, a Participant may file with the Committee an Election Form indicating the desired form of payment in the event the Participant's benefit has a value greater than $75,000.

i. Participants eligible for a SERP Benefit A or Pension Make-Whole Benefit may file an Election Form with the Committee no later than January 30 th of the Plan Year immediately following the first Plan Year in which the Participant began to accrue either benefit. An Election Form is irrevocable as of January 30 of such Plan Year.

ii. SERP Benefit B Participants must file an Election Form with the Committee before the beginning of the first Plan Year in which a benefit is accrued. An Election Form is irrevocable as of the first day of the Plan Year in which the benefit first accrues.

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b. Changes to Elected Form of Payment . A Participant may elect to change the form of payment for amounts that are subject to an election that is irrevocable.

i. A Participant who has an installment form of payment in effect may change such election to an annuity payment, provided the annuity commencement date shall be deferred to a date that is at least five years after the date the initial installment payment would otherwise have commenced.

ii. A Participant who has an annuity payment election in effect may change such election to an installment form of payment, provided that the first installment payment shall be deferred to a date that is at least five years after the date the annuity payments would otherwise have commenced.

iii. A Participant who has an installment election in effect may change the number of installments, provided that the first installment payment shall be deferred to a date that is at least five years after the date the initial installment payment would otherwise have commenced.

Any such election changes pursuant to this paragraph shall be completed in accordance with Committee rules and must be made at least 12 months before the event triggering distribution occurs. Therefore, if the event triggering distribution occurs before such 12 month period has elapsed, then the election to change the payment form shall not take effect.

c. Elections Pursuant to s409A Transition Relief . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, on or before December 31, 2008, Participants may make or change payment form elections consistent with transition relief provided by the Department of the Treasury in Notice 2006-79, Notice 2007-86 and proposed regulations promulgated under Code Section 409A. If a Participant makes such an election or change, then the last election validly in effect as of December 31, 2008 shall be treated as the "initial" election. Participants whose SERP Benefit A vested and began to be paid on and after January 1, 2005 and before January 1, 2009 received either the default payment form of a joint and survivor annuity payment or an actuarial equivalent form of annuity payment, as provided under the Legacy Plan's form of payment provisions. In addition, a Participant who began to be paid any portion of his Pension Make-Whole Benefit that is subject to Code Section 409A on and after January 1, 2005 and before January 1, 2009, received payment of such benefit in the form selected pursuant to his timely filed election(s), or if none, in a lump sum, as provided under the Legacy Plan.

4.5 Discretion to Accelerate Distribution .

a. The Committee shall have the discretion to make a distribution, or accelerate the time or schedule of payment of a Participant's vested accrued benefit if payment is required for:

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i. FICA, FUTA and/or the corresponding withholding provisions of applicable state and local taxes with respect to compensation accrued under the Plan. Any such distribution shall not exceed the aggregate of such tax withholding and shall reduce the Participant's accrued vested benefit to the extent of such distributions; or

ii. payment of state, local or foreign tax obligations arising from participation in the Plan that apply to an amount accrued under the Plan and FUTA resulting from such payment. Any such payment shall not exceed the amount of such taxes due as a result of Plan participation.

b. The Committee or a Plan representative is authorized to accelerate the time or schedule of a payment under the Plan to an individual other than the Participant, or to make a payment under the Plan to an individual other than the Participant, to the extent necessary to fulfill a domestic relations order (as defined in Code Section 414(p)(1)(B)). Payment to an alternate payee under a domestic relations order shall be made in a lump sum within 90 days after the Committee or Plan representative approves such order.

c. The Committee shall have the discretion to accelerate the time or schedule of a payment under the Plan if the Plan fails to meet the requirements of Code Section 409A and regulations promulgated thereunder, provided that any such payment does not exceed the amount required to be included in income as a result of such failure.

ARTICLE 5
DEATH BENEFITS

5.1 Death While In Pay Status .

a. Death After Payment Commencement.

i. Lump Sum. If the Participant dies after the lump sum payment is made by the Plan, no further payments shall be made from the Plan.

ii. Installment Payments. If the Participant dies after installment payments begin, but before the entire benefit is paid in full, the Participant's unpaid benefit payments shall continue to be paid to the Participant's Beneficiary over the remaining number of years as that benefit would have been paid to the Participant had the Participant survived.

iii. Joint and Survivor Annuity. If payments to the Participant have begun under a joint and survivor annuity and the Participant then dies, the Participant's spouse shall begin receiving the survivor annuity payments for her life.

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iv. Single Annuity. If payments to the Participant have begun under a single life annuity and the Participant then dies, all payments shall cease upon the Participant's death.

b. Death After Separation from Service but Before Payment Commencement.

In the event a Participant dies after his Separation from Service and before payment of his benefit is scheduled to be made, whether a benefit is paid to his Beneficiary will depend on the form of payment the Participant was scheduled to receive, determined as follows:

i. Lump Sum or Installment Payments. If payment to the Participant was scheduled to be made in a lump sum or installments, payment to the Participant's Beneficiary shall be made or begin to be made pursuant to the Participant's election during the first 90 days of the Plan Year following the Plan Year of the Participant's Separation from Service.

ii. Joint and Survivor Annuity. If payment to the Participant was scheduled to be made in a joint and survivor annuity, the Participant's spouse shall begin receiving the survivor annuity payments at the time the Participant would have begun receiving payments had she survived.

iii. Single Annuity. If payment to the Participant was scheduled to be made in a single life annuity, no further payment shall be made following the Participant's death.

5.2 Death While Actively Employed . If a Participant dies while actively employed with an Employer, the Participant's benefit shall be paid to the Participant's Beneficiary in a lump sum by the end of the Plan Year in which the Participant dies or, if later, by the 15 th day of the third month following the Participant's death , regardless of whether the Participant is a specified employee.

A RTICLE 6
BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION

6 .1 Beneficiary . Each Participant may, at any time, designate one or more Beneficiaries (both primary as well as contingent) to receive any benefits payable under the Plan upon her death. The Beneficiary designated under this Plan may be the same as or different from the Beneficiary designation under any other plan of an Employer in which the Participant participates.

6.2 Beneficiary Designation; Change . A Participant shall designate her Beneficiary by completing and signing a beneficiary designation form established by the Committee or its delegate, and returning it to the Committee or its designated agent. A Participant may change her Beneficiary designation by completing, signing and otherwise complying with the terms of the beneficiary designation form and the Committee's rules and procedures, as in effect from time to time. Upon the acceptance by the Committee of a new beneficiary designation form, all Beneficiary designations previously filed shall be

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canceled. The Committee shall rely on the last completed beneficiary designation form filed by the Participant and accepted by the Committee before her death.

6.3 Acknowledgment . No Beneficiary designation or change in Beneficiary designation shall be effective until accepted by the Committee or a Plan representative.

6.4 No Beneficiary Designation . If a Participant fails to designate a Beneficiary as provided in this Article 6 or, if all designated Beneficiaries predecease the Participant or die before complete distribution of the Participant's benefit (applicable only if an installment payment is in effect), then the Participant's designated Beneficiary shall be deemed to be her surviving spouse. If the Participant has no surviving spouse, but was survived by a designated Beneficiary who was receiving benefits or was entitled to receive distribution under this Plan but died before a complete distribution of the Participant's benefit (applicable only if an installment payment is in effect), the remaining benefits shall be paid to such designated Beneficiary's estate. If the Participant leaves no surviving spouse and was not survived by a designated Beneficiary as provided in the foregoing sentence, the Participant's benefit shall be paid to the Participant's estate.

6.5 Doubt as to Beneficiary . If the Committee has any doubt as to the proper Beneficiary to receive payments under this Plan, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, require the Participant's Employer to withhold such payments until the matter is resolved to the Committee's satisfaction.

6.6 Discharge of Obligations . The complete payment of benefits under the Plan to a Beneficiary shall fully and completely discharge all Employers and the Committee from all further obligations under this Plan with respect to the Participant, and the Participant's Election Form shall terminate upon such full payment of benefits.

A RTICLE 7
TERMINATION, AMENDMENT OR MODIFICATION

7.1 Termination .

a. Although each Employer anticipates that it will continue the Plan for an indefinite period of time, there is no guarantee that an Employer will continue the Plan or will not terminate the Plan at any time in the future. Accordingly, each Employer reserves the right to discontinue its participation in the Plan and/or to terminate the Plan at any time with respect to all of its Participants, by action of its Board of Directors or Compensation Committee. The termination of the Plan shall not reduce the amount of any benefit to which the Participant or Beneficiary is entitled to receive under the Plan as of the termination date. Except as provided in paragraph (b) below, benefits shall be maintained under the Plan until such amounts would otherwise have been distributed in accordance with the terms of the Plan and Participants' validly filed payment elections.

b. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, upon termination of the Plan, the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee reserves the discretion to accelerate distribution of Participants' benefits (including those Participants in

15


pay status)
in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Department of the Treasury under Code Section 409A.

7.2 Amendment . The Company may, in its sole discretion, amend or modify the Plan at any time, in whole or in part, by action of its Board, Compensation Committee or the Committee; provided, however, that (i) no amendment shall decrease the amount of a Participant's accrued benefit in existence at the time the amendment or modification is made, and (ii) no amendment shall adversely affect any benefit to which a Participant or Beneficiary has become entitled as of the date of the amendment, in either case, without the Participant's consent. Further, during the pendency of a Potential Change in Control (as defined below) and at all times following a Change in Control, no amendment or modification may be made which in any way adversely affects the interests of any Participant with respect to benefits accrued as of the date of the amendment. A "Potential Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if one of the following events occurs:

a. The Company enters into an agreement, the consummation of which would result in the occurrence of a Change in Control;

b. The Company or any Person publicly announces an intention to take or to consider taking actions which, if consummated, would constitute a Change in Control;

c. Any Person becomes the Beneficial Owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), directly or indirectly, of Stock representing 15% or more of either the then outstanding shares of stock of the Company or the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding Stock (not including the Stock beneficially owned by such Person or any Stock acquired directly from the Company or its affiliates); or

d. The Board adopts a resolution to the effect that, for purposes of this Plan, a Potential Change in Control has occurred.

Except as otherwise noted, the capitalized terms in the above definition have the same meaning as set forth in Section 1.5. The Company's power to amend or modify the Plan includes the power to suspend or freeze participation in the Plan, provided such suspension or freeze does not cause a prohibited acceleration of compensation under Code Section 409A. In such circumstance, the Company may, in its sole discretion, rescind such modification at any time, provided such action is taken consistent with Code Section 409A. Such action may be taken by the Company's Board of Directors, the Compensation Committee or the Committee referred to in Article 8 below.

7.3 Effect of Payment . The full payment of the Participant's benefit under any provision of the Plan shall completely discharge the Plan's and Employer's obligations to the Participant and her Beneficiaries under this Plan.

16


A RTICLE 8
ADMINISTRATION

8.1 Plan Administration . Except as otherwise provided in this Article 8 and as specifically referenced in the Plan, the Compensation Committee has delegated administration of the Plan to the Committee. Members of the Committee may be Participants under this Plan. Any individual serving on the Committee who is a Participant shall not vote or act on any matter relating solely to himself or herself. The Chief Executive Officer may not act on any matter involving such officer's own participation in the Plan.

8.2 Powers, Duties and Procedures . The Committee (or the Chief Executive Officer if such individual chooses to so act) shall have full and complete discretionary authority to (i) make, amend, interpret and enforce all appropriate rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan, and (ii) decide or resolve any and all questions including interpretations of the Plan, as may arise in connection with the claims procedures set forth in Article 9 or otherwise with regard to the Plan. The Committee shall have complete control and authority to determine the rights and benefits of all claims, demands and actions arising out of the provisions of the Plan of any Participant or Beneficiary or other person having or claiming to have any interest under the Plan. When making a determination or calculation, the Committee may rely on information furnished by a Participant or the Employer. Benefits under the Plan shall be paid only if the Committee decides in its sole discretion that the Participant or Beneficiary is entitled to them. The Committee or the Chief Executive Officer may delegate such powers and duties as it determines for the efficient administration of the Plan.

8.3 Administration Upon Change In Control . For purposes of this Plan, the Company shall be the "Administrator" at all times before a Change in Control. Upon and after a Change in Control, the Administrator shall be an independent third party selected by the individual who, at any time before such event, was the Company's Chief Executive Officer or, if there is no such officer or such officer does not act, by the Company's then highest ranking officer (the "Appointing Officer"). Upon a Change in Control, the Administrator shall have full and complete discretionary power to determine all questions arising in connection with the administration of the Plan and the interpretation of the Plan and Trust including, but not limited to, benefit entitlement determinations. Upon and after a Change in Control, the Company shall (i) pay all reasonable administrative expenses and fees of the Administrator, (ii) indemnify the Administrator against any costs, expenses and liabilities (including, without limitation, attorney's fees) of whatever kind and nature which may be imposed on, asserted against or incurred by the Administrator in connection with the performance of the duties hereunder, except with respect to matters resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrator or its employees or agents, and (iii) supply full and timely information to the Administrator on all matters relating to the Plan, the Trust, the Participants and their Beneficiaries, the benefits of the Participants, including the dates of disability, death or Separation from Service and such other pertinent information as the Administrator may reasonably require. Upon and after a Change in Control, the Administrator may be terminated (and a replacement appointed) only by an Appointing Officer. Upon and after a Change in Control, the Administrator may not be terminated by the Company.

17


8.4 Agents . In the administration of this Plan, the Committee may, from time to time, employ agents and delegate to them such administrative duties as it sees fit (including acting through a duly appointed representative) and may from time to time consult with counsel who may be counsel to an Employer.

8.5 Binding Effect of Decisions . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Committee or its delegate shall have complete discretion to interpret the Plan and to decide all matters under the Plan. Any such interpretation shall be final, conclusive and binding on all Participants, Beneficiaries and any person claiming under or through any Participant, in the absence of clear and convincing evidence that the Committee acted arbitrarily and capriciously.

8.6 Indemnity of Committee . All Employers shall indemnify and hold harmless the members of the Committee, and any other employee to whom the duties of the Committee may be delegated, and the Administrator, as defined in Section 8.2, against any and all claims, losses, damages, expenses or liabilities arising from any action or failure to act with respect to this Plan, except in the case of willful misconduct by the Committee, any of its members or any such employee or the Administrator.

8.7 Employer Information . To enable the Committee and/or Administrator to perform its functions, each Employer shall supply full and timely information to the Committee on all matters relating to the compensation of its Participants, the dates of the disability, death or Separation from Service and such other pertinent information as the Committee may reasonably require.

8.8 Coordination with Other Benefits . The benefits provided to a Participant and the Beneficiary under the Plan are in addition to any other benefits available to such Participant under any other plan or program for employees of an Employer. The Plan shall supplement and shall not supersede, modify or amend any other such plan or program except as may otherwise be expressly provided.

A RTICLE 9
CLAIMS PROCEDURES

9.1 Presentation of Claim . Any Participant or Beneficiary (such Participant or Beneficiary being referred to below as a "Claimant") may deliver to the Committee a written claim for benefits. If such a claim relates to the contents of a notice received by the Claimant, the claim must be made within 90 days after such notice was received by the Claimant. All other claims shall be made within 180 days of the date on which the event that caused the claim to arise occurred. The claim shall state with particularity the determination desired by the Claimant. A claim shall be considered to have been made when a written communication made by the Claimant or the Claimant's representative is received by the Committee.

9.2 Decision on Initial Claim . The Committee shall consider a Claimant's claim and provide written notice to the Claimant of any denial within a reasonable time, but no later than 90 days after receipt of the claim. If an extension of time beyond the initial 90-day

18


period for processing is required, written notice of the extension shall be provided to the Claimant before the initial 90-day period expires indicating the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Committee expects to render a final decision. In no event shall the period, as extended, exceed 180 days. If the Committee denies, in whole or in part, the claim, the notice shall set forth in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant:

        1. The specific reasons for the denial of the claim, or any part thereof;
        2. Specific references to pertinent Plan provisions upon which such denial was based;
        3. A description of any additional material or information necessary for the Claimant to perfect the claim, and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and
        4. An explanation of the claim review procedure set forth in Section 9.3 below, which explanation shall also include a statement of the Claimant's right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a) following a denial of the claim upon review.

9.3 Right to Review . A Claimant is entitled to appeal any claim that has been denied in whole or in part. To do so, the Claimant must submit a written request for review with the Committee within 60 days after receiving a notice from the Committee that a claim has been denied, in whole or in part. Absent receipt by the Committee of a written request for review within such 60-day period, the claim shall be deemed to be conclusively denied. The Claimant (or the Claimant's duly authorized representative) may:

a. Review and/or receive copies of, upon request and free of charge, all documents, records and other information relevant to the Claimant's claim;

b. Submit written comments, documents, records or other information relating to her claim, which the Committee shall take into account in considering the claim on review, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial review of the claim; and/or

c. Request a hearing, which the Committee, in its sole discretion, may grant.

If a Claimant requests to review and/or receive copies of relevant information pursuant to paragraph (a) above, the 60-day period for submitting the written request for review will be tolled during the period beginning on the date the Claimant makes such request and ending on the date the Claimant reviews or receives such relevant information.

9.4 Decision on Review . The Committee shall render its decision on review promptly, and not later than 60 days after it receives a written request for review of the denial, unless a hearing is held or other special circumstances require additional time. In such case, the Committee will notify the Claimant, before the expiration of the initial 60-day period and

19


in writing, of the need for additional time, the reason the additional time is necessary, and the date (no later than 60 days after expiration of the initial 60-day period) by which the Committee expects to render its decision on review. The decision on review shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant, and shall contain:

a. Specific reasons for the decision;

b. Specific references to the pertinent Plan provisions upon which the decision was based;

c. A statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records or other information relevant (within the meaning of Department of Labor Regulation Section 2560.503-1(m)(8)) to the Claimant's claim;

d. A statement of the Claimant's right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a) following a wholly or partially denied claim for benefits; and

e. Such other matters as the Committee deems relevant.

9.5 Form of Notice and Decision . Any notice or decision by the Committee under this Article 9 may be furnished electronically in accordance with Department of Labor Regulation Section 2520.104b-(1)(c)(i), (iii) and (iv).

9.6 Legal Action . Any final decision by the Committee shall be binding on all parties. A Claimant's compliance with the foregoing provisions of this Article 9 is a mandatory prerequisite to a Claimant's right to commence any legal action with respect to any claim for benefits under this Plan. Any such legal action must be initiated no later than 180 days after the Committee renders its final decision. If a final determination of the Committee is challenged in court, such determination shall not be subject to de novo review and shall not be overturned unless proven to be arbitrary and capricious based on the evidence considered by the Committee at the time of such determination.

ARTICLE 10
TRUST

10.1 Establishment of the Trust . The Company shall establish the Trust and each Employer shall contribute such amounts to the Trust from time to time as it deems desirable.

10.2 Interrelationship of the Plan and the Trust . The provisions of the Plan shall govern the rights of a Participant to receive distributions pursuant to the Plan. The provisions of the Trust shall govern the rights of the Employers, Participants and the creditors of the Employers to the assets transferred to the Trust. Each Employer shall at all times remain liable to carry out its obligations under the Plan.

10.3 Distributions From the Trust . Each Employer's obligations under the Plan may be satisfied with Trust assets distributed pursuant to the terms of the Trust, and any such distribution shall reduce the Employer's obligations under this Plan.

20


ARTICLE 11
MISCELLANEOUS

11.1 Status of Plan . The Plan is intended to be a plan that is not qualified within the meaning of Code Section 401(a) and that is unfunded for tax purposes and "is maintained by an employer primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select group of management or highly compensated employees" (within the meaning of ERISA). The Plan shall be administered and interpreted in a manner consistent with that intent.

11.2 Unsecured General Creditor . Participants and their Beneficiaries, heirs, successors and assigns shall have no legal or equitable rights, interests or claims in any property or assets of an Employer, Company or of any other person and nothing in the Plan shall be construed to give any employee or any other person such rights. The Plan constitutes a mere promise by the Company or Employer to make payments in accordance with the terms of the Plan and Participants and Beneficiaries shall have the status of general unsecured creditors solely of the Employer employing the Participant.

11.3 Employer's Liability . The amount of an Employer's liability for the payment of benefits shall be defined only by the Plan and any Election Forms, as entered into between the Employer and a Participant. An Employer shall have no obligation to a Participant under the Plan except as expressly provided in the Plan.

11.4 Nonassignability . Neither a Participant nor any other person shall have any right to commute, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, anticipate, mortgage or otherwise encumber, transfer, hypothecate, alienate or convey in advance of actual receipt, the amounts, if any, payable hereunder, or any part thereof, which are, and all rights to which are expressly declared to be, unassignable and non-transferable to the maximum extent allowed by law. No part of the amounts payable shall, before actual payment, be subject to seizure, attachment, garnishment or sequestration for the payment of any debts, judgments, alimony or separate maintenance owed by a Participant or any other person, nor shall any part of the same, to the maximum extent allowed by law, be transferable by operation of law in the event of a Participant's or any other person's bankruptcy or insolvency or, except as provided in Section 4.5(b), be transferable to a spouse as a result of a property settlement or otherwise.

11.5 Not a Contract of Employment . The terms and conditions of this Plan shall not be deemed to constitute a contract of employment between any Employer and the Participant. Such employment is hereby acknowledged to be an "at will" employment relationship that can be terminated at any time for any reason, or no reason, with or without cause, and with or without notice, unless expressly provided in a written employment agreement between an Employer and a Participant. Nothing in this Plan shall be deemed to give a Participant the right to be retained in the service of any Employer as an employee, or to interfere with the right of any Employer to discipline or discharge the Participant at any time, with or without cause, or to modify the Base Annual Salary or annual or long-term performance award at any time.

21


11.6 Furnishing Information . A Participant or Beneficiary shall cooperate with the Committee by furnishing any and all information requested by the Committee and take such other actions as may be requested in order to facilitate the administration of the Plan and the payments of benefits hereunder.

11.7 Receipt and Release . Any payment to any Participant or Beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of the Plan shall, to the extent thereof, be in full satisfaction of all claims against the Employer, the Committee and a trustee (if any) under the Plan, and the Committee may require such Participant or Beneficiary, as a condition precedent to such payment, to execute a receipt and release to such effect.

11.8 Incompetent . If any Participant or Beneficiary is determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, to be incompetent by reason of physical or mental disability (including minority) or is determined to be incapable of handling disposition of that person's property, the Committee may direct payment of such benefit to the guardian, legal representative or person having the care and custody of such minor, incompetent or incapable person. In such circumstance, the Committee, the Employer or a trustee (if any) shall have no responsibility to follow the application of such funds. The Committee may require proof of minority, incompetence, incapacity or guardianship, as it may deem appropriate prior to distribution of the benefit. Any payment of a benefit shall be a payment for the account of the Participant and the Participant's Beneficiary, as the case may be, and shall be a complete discharge of any liability under the Plan for such payment amount.

11.9 Governing Law and Severability . To the extent not preempted by ERISA, the provisions of this Plan shall be construed, administered and interpreted according to the internal laws of the State of Wisconsin without regard to its conflicts of laws principles. If any provisions is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof shall continue to be fully effective.

11.10 Notices and Communications . All notices, statements, reports and other communications from the Committee to any employee, Participant, Beneficiary or other person required or permitted under the Plan shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered to, when transmitted via facsimile or other electronic media or when mailed overnight or by first-class mail, postage prepaid and addressed to, such employee, Participant, Beneficiary or other person at her last known address on the Employer's or Company's records. All elections, designations, requests, notices, instructions and other communications from a Participant, Beneficiary or other person to the Committee required or permitted under the Plan shall be in such form as is prescribed from time to time by the Committee, and shall be mailed by first-class mail, transmitted via facsimile or other electronic media or delivered to such location as shall be specified by the Committee. Such communication shall be deemed to have been given and delivered only upon actual receipt by the Committee at such location.

11.11 Successors . The provisions of this Plan shall bind and inure to the benefit of the Participant's Employer and its successors and assigns and the Participant and the Participant's designated Beneficiaries.

22


11.12 Insurance . An Employer, on its own behalf or on behalf of the trustee of the Trust, and, in its sole discretion, may apply for and procure insurance on the life of the Participant, in such amounts and in such forms as the Employer may choose. The Employer or the trustee of the Trust, as the case may be, shall be the sole owner and beneficiary of any such insurance. The Participant shall have no interest whatsoever in any such policy or policies, and at the request of the Employer shall submit to medical examinations and supply such information and execute such documents as may be required by the insurance company or companies to whom the Employer has applied for insurance. The Participant may elect not to be insured.

11.13 Legal Fees To Enforce Rights After Change in Control . The Employer is aware that upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, the Board (which might then be composed of new members) or a shareholder of the Employer, or of any successor corporation, might then cause or attempt to cause the Employer or such successor to refuse to comply with its obligations under the Plan and might cause or attempt to cause the Employer to institute, or may institute, litigation seeking to deny Participants the benefits intended under the Plan. In these circumstances, the purpose of the Plan could be frustrated. Accordingly, if, following a Change in Control, it should appear to any Participant that the Employer or any successor corporation has failed to comply with any of its obligations under the Plan or any agreement thereunder or, if the Employer or any other person takes any action to declare the Plan void or unenforceable or institutes any litigation or other legal action designed to deny, diminish or to recover from any Participant the benefits intended to be provided, then the Employer irrevocably authorizes such Participant to retain counsel of her choice at the expense of the Employer (who shall be jointly and severally liable for all reasonable fees of such counsel) to represent such Participant in connection with the initiation or defense of any litigation or other legal action, whether by or against the Employer or any director, officer, shareholder or other person affiliated with the Employer or any successor thereto in any jurisdiction. If paid by the Participant, the Employer shall reimburse such legal fees no later than December 31 st of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred.

11.14 Terms . Whenever any words are used herein in the feminine, they shall be construed as though they were in the masculine in all cases where they would so apply; and whenever any words are used herein in the singular or in the plural, they shall be construed as though they were used in the plural or the singular, as the case may be, in all cases where they would so apply.

11.15 Headings . Headings and subheadings in the Plan are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of its provisions.

23


APPENDIX A

GRANDFATHERED MINIMUM BENEFITS FOR PARTICIPANTS WHO ON DECEMBER 31, 1995 WERE BOTH ACTIVELY EMPLOYED BY THE COMPANY AND COVERED UNDER THE WE RETIREMENT ACCOUNT PLAN

A Participant who was actively employed by the Company on December 31, 1995 and who was then covered by the WE Retirement Account Plan and who continued as an active employee of the Company until his or her commencement of benefits under the WE Retirement Account Plan, shall be eligible for the Benefit A Grandfather Alternative. The Benefit A Grandfather Alternative will be equal to the greater of (x) or (y), where:

(x) is the benefit that would have accrued for such Participant under the provisions of the special formula minimum retirement income grandfather sections (the "Grandfathered Benefit Provisions") of the WE Retirement Account Plan, if the WE Retirement Account Plan were administered using all Pension Eligible Earnings as defined in this Plan, less the amount of the qualified pension benefit that such Participant would be actually entitled to receive were the Grandfathered Benefit Provisions of the WE Retirement Account Plan applied, and

(y) is the benefit that would have accrued for such Participant under the provisions of the cash balance formula of the WE Retirement Account Plan, if the WE Retirement Account Plan was administered using all Pension Eligible Earnings as defined in this Plan, less the amount of the qualified benefit that such Participant would be actually entitled to receive under the cash balance formula of the WE Retirement Account Plan were such formula applied.

Credited service and Pension Eligible Earnings after December 31, 2010, will not be used to calculate this Benefit A Grandfather Alternative, but existing early retirement reductions based upon the Participant's age and service applicable to the Grandfathered Benefit Provisions will continue in accordance with the terms of the WE Retirement Account Plan.

An example of the Benefit A Grandfather Alternative is as follows:

Assume the Participant actually receives a cash payment at retirement from the WE Retirement Account Plan of $380,000. At the time the Participant receives that benefit, calculations are made to convert the formula (x) benefit above into a lump sum amount that is the actuarial equivalent of a life annuity for the life of the Participant commencing at the later of age 60 or the Participant's age at benefit commencement. This is accomplished in three steps. First, the portion of the formula (x) benefit calculated using all Pension Eligible Earnings is multiplied by the early retirement reduction factor as determined under the WE Retirement Account Plan. Secondly, the resulting benefit is converted into a lump sum actuarial equivalent ($1,450,000 in the illustration below) of the life annuity form described above, with actuarial equivalency determined for this purpose by using the interest rate and mortality table referenced in Article VII (with such interest rate to be that in effect on the last business day on the month prior to payment). Thirdly, the value of the lump sum to which the Participant would actually be entitled

24


under the WE Retirement Account were the Grandfathered Benefit Provisions applied is subtracted ($350,000 in the illustration below) to obtain the formula (x) net lump sum amount ($1,100,000 in the illustration below). Calculations are also made under formula (y) which compare the lump sum account balance that would have been generated for the Participant using all Pension Eligible Earnings under the regular cash balance formula of the WE Retirement Account Plan ($520,000 in the illustration below) with the actual lump sum account balance that would be payable to the Participant were the regular cash balance formula applied ($380,000 in the illustration below). The following comparisons result:

WE Retirement Account Plan:

Cash Balance Formula $380,000

Grandfather Formula 350,000

SERP Benefit A Grandfather Alternative, calculated under:

Cash Balance Formula $ 520,000

Grandfather Formula 1,450,000

Actual SERP Benefit A Grandfather is $1,100,000, which is the greater of
2(a) - 1(a) [$140,000] or 2(b) - 1(b) [$1,100,000].


25


Exhibit 10.12

First Amendment to the
Wisconsin Energy Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan
As Amended and Restated Effective July 23, 2004
(and further amended as of November 2, 2005)

        WHEREAS , Wisconsin Energy Corporation (the "Company") previously amended and restated the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan as of July 23, 2004 and further amended as of November 2, 2005 (the "Plan");

        WHEREAS, Section 11.2 of the Plan permits the Company to amend the Plan by action of its Board of Directors, Compensation Committee or the EDCP Committee; and

        WHEREAS, the Company desires to amend the Plan to (1) provide that amounts credited and vested under the Plan as of December 31, 2004 are grandfathered, within the meaning of, and as determined under, regulations issued by the Department of the Treasury under Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") Section 409A, (2) provide that no new employees will participate in the Plan effective as of January 1, 2005, and (3) rename the Plan the "Legacy Wisconsin Energy Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan."

        NOW, THEREFORE, the Plan is amended, effective as of January 1, 2005, in the following respects:

    1. The introductory section entitled "Purpose" is amended by adding a new paragraph at the end thereto to read as follows:
    2. "Except as provided in the next sentence, any amounts that are earned, deferred and vested under the Plan as of December 31, 2004 are 'grandfathered' (within the meaning of, and as determined in accordance with, Code Section 409A and the Treasury Regulations thereunder). Grandfathered pension make-whole benefits provided under Section 5.4 are those benefits derived from compensation paid and credited to the Plan before January 1, 2005, provided such benefits were vested as of December 31, 2004. Therefore, such grandfathered amounts are not subject to Code Section 409A and shall continue to be governed by the terms set forth herein. Effective as of January 1, 2005, the Company renamed the Plan the Legacy Wisconsin Energy Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. The Company also established the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the 'ECDP') as a new nonqualified deferred compensation plan and as a replacement plan for the portion of the Plan that maintained account balances during the Code Section 409A transition period from January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2008 and that are subject to provisions of Code Section 409A. As a result, no new employees shall participate in the Plan effective as of January 1, 2005, but shall begin participation in the EDCP if otherwise eligible pursuant to the terms of the EDCP."

    3. Section 1.39 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:
    4. "'Plan' shall mean the Legacy Wisconsin Energy Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan."




    5. Section 2.1 is amended by adding the following sentence at the end thereto to read as follows:

"Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, effective as of January 1, 2005, no new employees shall be eligible to participate in the Plan."


2


Exhibit 10.13

W ISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION
EXECUTIVE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

Effective as of January 1, 2005



INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................1

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS ...............................................................................1

ARTICLE 2 ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION .........................................7

2.1 Selection by Committee .............................................................7

2.2 Participation ..............................................................................7

2.3 Enrollment Requirements ...........................................................8

2.4 Cessation of Participation. .........................................................8

ARTICLE 3 DEFERRALS AND CONTRIBUTIONS .......................................8

3.1 Base Annual Salary ....................................................................8

3.2 Annual or Long-Term Performance Awards ...............................8

3.3 Restricted Stock .........................................................................9

3.4 Performance Shares or Units .......................................................9

3.5 Dividend Equivalents ...................................................................10

3.6 Newly-Eligible Employees ...........................................................11

3.7 Annual Company Contribution Amount ........................................11

3.8 Company Matching Amount ........................................................11

ARTICLE 4 ACCOUNTS ....................................................................................13

4.1 Establishment of Accounts ............................................................13

4.2 Vesting .........................................................................................14

4.3 Deemed Investments .....................................................................14

4.4 Taxes ...........................................................................................17

ARTICLE 5 DISTRIBUTION OF ACCOUNT .....................................................17

5.1 Time for Distribution ......................................................................17

5.2 In-Service Payout ..........................................................................17

5.3 Benefits Upon Retirement ..............................................................18

5.4 Benefits Upon Separation from Service ..........................................18

5.5 Benefits Upon Death ......................................................................19

5.6 Changes to Form of Payment .........................................................20

5.7 Unforeseeable Emergency .............................................................20

5.8 Change in Control .........................................................................21

5.9 Discretion to Accelerate Distribution .............................................21

ARTICLE 6 LEAVE OF ABSENCE .....................................................................22

ARTICLE 7 BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION ......................................................23

7.1 Beneficiary .....................................................................................23

7.2 Beneficiary Designation; Change ......................................................23

7.3 Acknowledgment ............................................................................23

7.4 No Beneficiary Designation ..............................................................23

7.5 Doubt as to Beneficiary ...................................................................23

i


7.6 Discharge of Obligations .................................................................23

ARTICLE 8 TERMINATION, AMENDMENT OR MODIFICATION .................24

8.1 Termination. ...................................................................................24

8.2 Amendment .....................................................................................24

8.3 Effect of Payment .............................................................................25

ARTICLE 9 ADMINISTRATION ............................................................................25

9.1 Plan Administration ...........................................................................25

9.2 Powers, Duties and Procedures ........................................................25

9.3 Administration Upon Change In Control .............................................26

9.4 Agents ...............................................................................................26

9.5 Binding Effect of Decisions .................................................................26

9.6 Indemnity of Committee ......................................................................26

9.7 Employer Information .........................................................................26

9.8 Coordination with Other Benefits .........................................................27

ARTICLE 10 CLAIMS PROCEDURES .....................................................................27

10.1 Presentation of Claim ........................................................................27

10.2 Decision on Initial Claim ....................................................................27

10.3 Right to Review .................................................................................27

10.4 Decision on Review ............................................................................28

10.5 Form of Notice and Decision ..............................................................29

10.6 Legal Action .......................................................................................29

ARTICLE 11 TRUST ....................................................................................................29

11.1 Establishment of the Trust ...................................................................29

11.2 Interrelationship of the Plan and the Trust .............................................29

11.3 Distributions From the Trust .................................................................29

ARTICLE 12 MISCELLANEOUS .................................................................................29

12.1 Status of Plan ......................................................................................29

12.2 Unsecured General Creditor ................................................................29

12.3 Employer's Liability ..............................................................................30

12.4 Nonassignability ...................................................................................30

12.5 Not a Contract of Employment .............................................................30

12.6 Furnishing Information ...........................................................................30

12.7 Receipt and Release ..............................................................................30

12.8 Incompetent ...........................................................................................30

12.9 Governing Law and Severability .............................................................31

12.10 Notices and Communications ...............................................................31

12.11 Successors ..........................................................................................31

12.12 Insurance ............................................................................................31

12.13 Legal Fees To Enforce Rights After Change in Control ........................31

12.14 Terms .................................................................................................32

ii


12.15 Headings .............................................................................................32

 

iii


WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION
EXECUTIVE DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

INTRODUCTION

Wisconsin Energy Corporation, a Wisconsin Corporation (the "Company"), previously established the Legacy Wisconsin Energy Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (previously named the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan) (the "Legacy Plan"). The Company most recently amended and restated the Legacy Plan effective July 23, 2004. The Company froze the Legacy Plan effective December 31, 2004 with respect to new deferrals such that all earned and vested amounts credited under the Legacy Plan are "grandfathered" within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") enacted under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.

Effective as of January 1, 2005, the Company hereby establishes the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Plan"), as set forth herein, to provide benefits to a select group of management and highly compensated employees who contribute materially to the continued growth, development and future business success of the Company and its subsidiaries, if any. The Plan shall be unfunded for tax purposes and for purposes of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA").

The Plan is intended to comply with the provisions of Code Section 409A, and any guidance and regulations issued thereunder. The Plan shall be interpreted and administered consistent with this intent and shall apply to all amounts deferred under the Plan on or after January 1, 2005. Such amounts include any amounts previously earned and deferred under the Legacy Plan but not vested as of December 31, 2004. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the Code Section 409A transition period in effect from January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2008, the Company permitted distribution elections and changes consistent with IRS transition relief, the elections and changes of which are otherwise documented via completed election forms.

    ARTICLE 1
    DEFINITIONS

Whenever used herein, the following terms have the meanings set forth below, unless a different meaning is clearly required by the context:

    1.1       "Account" shall mean a bookkeeping account established for the benefit of a Participant under Article 4 utilized solely to measure and determine the amounts credited under the Plan on behalf of a Participant or her Beneficiary. A Participant's Account may include one or more of the following sub-Accounts, as more fully described in Article 4.

      1. Company Contribution Account,
      2. Company Matching Account,
      3. Deferral Account,
      4. Dividend Deferral Account,




      5. Performance Share Account,
      6. Performance Unit Account, and
      7. Restricted Stock Account.

    1.2       "Annual or Long-Term Performance Award" shall mean any compensation, in addition to Base Annual Salary relating to services performed during any Plan Year, whether or not paid in such Plan Year or included on the Form W-2 for such Plan Year, payable to a Participant under an Employer's annual performance award and cash incentive plans, including any long-term incentive plans as may be in existence from time to time, but excluding severance payments, non-qualified supplemental pension payments and any stock options or related gains, restricted stock, performance shares or units, dividends, dividend equivalents and any other equity-based award provided under a plan or arrangement of any Employer.

    1.3       "Annual Company Contribution Amount" shall mean, for any one Plan Year, the amount determined in accordance with Section 3.7.

    1.4       "Annual Deferral Amount" shall mean the portion of a Participant's Base Annual Salary and/or Annual or Long-Term Performance Award that a Participant elects to defer in accordance with Article 3 for any one Plan Year.

    1.5       "Annual Installment Method" shall mean an annual installment payment over a specified number of years as further described in Sections 5.3 and 5.4. To determine the value of the Participant's Account balance for calculating an installment payment, the Participant's Account balance shall be valued as of the close of business on the last business day of the Plan Year preceding the Plan Year for which payment is to be made. Notwithstanding the foregoing, when determining the Account balance for calculating the first installment payment for a Participant who is a "specified employee" within the meaning of Code Section 409A subject to a payment delay pursuant to Section 5.3 or 5.4, the Participant's Account balance shall be valued as of the close of business on the last business day of the calendar quarter preceding the date the first payment is scheduled to occur. Each annual installment shall be calculated by multiplying the Account balance determined above, as the case may be, by a fraction, the numerator of which is one, and the denominator of which is the remaining number of annual payments due to the Participant. For example, if a 10-year Annual Installment Method is specified, the first payment shall be 1/10 of the Account balance, valued as described herein. The following Plan Year, the payment shall be 1/9 of the Account balance, valued as described herein.

    1.6       "Base Annual Salary" shall mean the annual cash compensation relating to services performed during a Plan Year, whether or not paid in, or included on the Form W-2 for, such Plan Year, excluding severance payments, non-qualified supplemental pension payments, performance awards, bonuses, commissions, overtime, fringe benefits, relocation expenses, incentive payments, non-monetary awards, directors' fees and other fees, automobile and other allowances paid to an Eligible Employee for employment services rendered (whether or not such allowances are included in the Eligible

    2


    Employee's gross income), stock options, restricted stock, performance shares or units, dividends, dividend equivalents and any other equity-based award provided under a plan or arrangement of an Employer. Base Annual Salary shall be calculated before it is deferred or contributed by the Eligible Employee under a qualified or non-qualified plan of an Employer and shall include amounts not otherwise included in the Eligible Employee's gross income under Code Sections 125, 132(f)(4), 402(e)(3), 402(h) or 403(b) pursuant to plans established by an Employer; provided, however, that all such amounts shall be included in Base Annual Salary only to the extent that the amount would have been payable in cash to the Eligible Employee had there been no such plan.

    1.7       "Beneficiary" shall mean one or more persons, trusts, estates or other entities designated by the Participant in accordance with Article 7 that are entitled to receive benefits under this Plan upon the death of a Participant.

    1.8       "Board" shall mean the board of directors of the Company.

    1.9       "Change in Control" shall mean, with respect to the Company, the occurrence of any one of the following dates, interpreted consistent with Treasury Regulation Section-1.409A-3(i)(5).

      1. Change in Ownership . The date any one Person, or more than one Person Acting as a Group, acquires ownership of stock of the Company that, together with stock held by such Person or Group, constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of this paragraph, if any one Person, or more than one Person Acting as a Group, is considered to own more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company, the acquisition of additional stock by the same Person or Persons is not considered to cause a Change in Control.
      2. Change in Effective Control .
        1. The date any one Person, or more than one Person Acting as a Group, acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such Person or Persons) ownership of stock of the Company possessing 30% or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of this subparagraph, if any one Person, or more than one Person Acting as a Group, is considered to effectively control the Company, the acquisition of additional control of the Company by the same Person or Persons is not considered to cause a Change in Control; or
        2. The date a majority of the members of the Company's Board is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Company's Board before the date of the appointment or election.


        3


      3. Change in Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Company's Assets . The date any one Person, or more than one Person Acting as a Group, acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such Person or Persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 40% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately before such acquisition or acquisitions. For purposes of this paragraph (c), "gross fair market value" means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transfer of assets is not treated as a Change in Control if the assets are transferred to:
        1. An entity that is controlled by the shareholders of the transferring corporation;
        2. A shareholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to its stock;
        3. An entity, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company;
        4. A Person, or more than one Person Acting as a Group, that owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company; or
        5. An entity, at least 50% of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person described in clause (iv).

      4. " Person" and "Acting as a Group. "
        1. For purposes of this Section, "Person" shall have the meaning set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
        2. For purposes of this Section, Persons shall be considered to be "Acting as a Group" if they are owners of a corporation that enter into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company. If a Person, including an entity, owns stock in both corporations that enter into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar transaction, such shareholder is considered to be Acting as a Group with the other shareholders only with respect to the ownership in that corporation before the transaction giving rise to the change and not with respect to the ownership interest in the other corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Persons shall not be considered to be Acting as a Group solely because they purchase or own stock of the same corporation at the same time, or as a result of the same public offering.

      4


    1.10       "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

    1.11       "Committee" shall mean an internal administrative committee appointed by the CEO to administer the Plan in accordance with Article 9.

    1.12       "Company" shall mean Wisconsin Energy Corporation, a Wisconsin corporation, and any successor to all or substantially all of the Company's assets or business.

    1.13       "Company Matching Amount" shall mean, for any one Plan Year, the amount determined in accordance with Section 3.8.

    1.14       "Election Form" shall mean the form or forms established from time to time by the Committee that a Participant completes, signs and returns to the Committee to make a deferral election, make or change a payment form election, and/or make or change an investment election. To the extent authorized by the Committee, such form may be electronic or set forth in some other media or format.

    1.15       "Eligible Employee" shall mean an employee of an Employer who satisfies the eligibility requirements set forth in Article 2.

    1.16       "Employer" shall mean the Company and/or any of its subsidiaries (now in existence or hereafter formed or acquired).

    1.17       "Ending Valuation Date" shall mean the last business day of the Plan Year immediately preceding the Plan Year of distribution of a lump sum payment or final installment payment, as the case may be.

    1.18        "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.

    1.19       "401(k) Plan" shall mean all tax-qualified defined contribution retirement plans maintained by the Employer that permit employee elective deferral contributions in accordance with Code Section 401(k).

    1.20       "In-Service Payout" shall mean distribution of all or a portion of an Annual Deferral Amount (including the related Company Matching Amount, if any), as of a specified date elected by a Participant.

    1.21       "Measurement Funds" shall mean the hypothetical investment funds available under the Plan, as provided in Section 4.3, to determine the earnings and losses credited to a Participant's Account.

    1.22       "Participant" shall mean a current or former Eligible Employee who participates in the Plan in accordance with Article 2 and maintains an Account balance hereunder. A spouse or former spouse of a Participant shall not be treated as a Participant in the Plan or have an Account under the Plan, even if she has an interest in the Participant's Account as a result of applicable law or property settlements resulting from legal separation or divorce.

    5


    1.23       "Performance Shares" shall mean unvested shares with respect to Stock the amount of which vests based on achievement of certain performance criteria, all as determined under the applicable plan or arrangement of an Employer.

    1.24       "Performance Share Amount" shall mean, for any grant of Performance Shares, the amount that would have been distributed to the Participant, but for an election to defer such amount under the Plan.

    1.25       "Performance Units" shall mean unvested units representing the right to receive a cash payment whereby one unit has a value equal to one share of Stock, the amount of which vests based on achievement of certain performance criteria, all as determined and established pursuant to the applicable plan or arrangement of an Employer.

    1.26       "Performance Unit Amount" shall mean, for any grant of Performance Units, the amount that would have been distributed to the Participant, but for an election to defer such amount under the Plan.

    1.27       "Plan" shall mean the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, including any amendments adopted hereto.

    1.28       "Plan Year" shall mean the calendar year.

    1.29       "Restricted Stock" shall mean unvested shares of Stock which is restricted stock selected by the Compensation Committee, approved by the Board in its sole discretion, and awarded to the Participant under any Company stock incentive plan or arrangement.

    1.30       "Restricted Stock Amount" shall mean, for any grant of Restricted Stock, the amount equal to the value of such Restricted Stock, calculated using the closing price for the Stock as of the day such Restricted Stock would otherwise vest (if a business day) or as of the next following business day.

    1.31       "Retirement," "Retire(s)" or "Retired" shall mean an Employee's Separation From Service on or after attaining age 55 for any reason other than a leave of absence or death.

    1.32       "Separation from Service" shall mean the Participant's termination of employment with all Employers and other entities affiliated with the Company, voluntarily or involuntarily, for any reason other than on account of death, or as otherwise provided by the Department of Treasury in regulations promulgated under Code Section 409A. For purposes of the foregoing, whether an entity is affiliated with the Company shall be determined pursuant to the controlled group rules of Code Section 414, as modified by Code Section 409A. Unless the employment relationship is terminated earlier by the Employer or the Participant, the following shall apply for determining a Separation from Service for Code Section 409A only:

      1. Except as provided in paragraph (b), the Participant's employment relationship with the Employer shall be treated as continuing intact while the individual is on a military leave, sick leave or other bona fide leave of absence if the period of such leave does not exceed six months (or longer, if required by statute or contract). If

        6


        the period of the leave exceeds six months and the Participant's right to reemployment is not provided either by statute or contract, the employment relationship is deemed to terminate on the first date immediately following such six-month period.
      2. Where a leave of absence is due to any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than six months, where such impairment causes the Participant to be unable to perform the duties of her position of employment or any substantially similar position of employment, the Participant's relationship with the Employer shall be treated as continuing intact for a period of 29 months and will be deemed to terminate on the first date immediately following such 29 month period.

    1.33       "Stock" shall mean Wisconsin Energy Corporation common stock.

    1.34       "Trust" shall mean the fund created by the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Rabbi Trust Agreement dated December 1, 2000 between the Company and The Northern Trust Company, and as amended from time to time.

    1.35       "Unforeseeable Emergency" shall mean, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, a severe financial hardship to the Participant resulting from (i) an illness or accident of the Participant, the Participant's spouse, the Participant's Beneficiary, or the Participant's dependent (as defined in Code Section 152, without regard to Code Section 152(b)(1), (b)(2), and (d)(1)(B)), (ii) loss of the Participant's property due to casualty (including the need to rebuild a home following damage to a home not otherwise covered by insurance), or (iii) other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant.

    ARTICLE 2
    Eligibility and Participation

      2.1       Selection by Committee . Participation in the Plan shall be limited to a select group of management and highly compensated employees of the Employer (as defined in ERISA Sections 201(2), 301(a)(3) and 401(a)(1)), as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. From that group, the Committee shall select the Eligible Employees to participate in the Plan. The Committee may limit the types of deferrals (identified in Article 3) an Eligible Employee may make under the Plan.

      2.2       Participation . To begin participation in the Plan, an Eligible Employee shall properly complete and timely submit an Election Form to the Committee in accordance with the Committee's rules. An Eligible Employee shall become a Participant on the first day on which a deferral of an elected amount is first credited to her Account. The Committee or its delegate may establish from time to time such other enrollment requirements as it determines in its sole discretion are necessary. Such Participant shall remain a Participant in the Plan until her Account balance is paid in full.

      7


      2.3 Enrollment Requirements . Election Forms shall be completed and filed with the Committee by the time periods set forth in Article 3 for the particular type of compensation elected for deferral or during such other enrollment period as the Committee determines in accordance with such Article. A Participant may change or revoke a deferral election any time before such election becomes irrevocable, which shall occur as of the applicable deadline specified in Article 3 unless the Committee establishes an earlier deadline. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, a new Election Form shall be required for each Plan Year in which a Participant wants to defer a type of compensation eligible for deferral. A Participant's Election Form shall specify the form of payment, which shall be paid at the times specified in Article 5. Beginning with the enrollment period held in 2008, the form of payment elected on the Participant's Election Form shall govern all amounts credited to her Account beginning in 2009 and shall apply to each subsequent Plan Year's deferrals, until changed on either a prospective or retroactive basis by the Participant pursuant to Section 5.6. Distribution elections made during the Code Section 409A transition period that relate to amounts deferred in Plan Years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, as the case may be, shall be honored for such respective amounts, even if such amounts are not credited to a Participant's Account until a later Plan Year.

      2.4       Cessation of Participation .

      1. The Committee shall have the sole discretionary authority to exclude a Participant from making further deferrals under the Plan with such exclusion becoming effective as of the first day of the immediately following Plan Year. Such Participant shall remain a Participant in the Plan until her Account balance is paid in full.
      2. Elective deferrals made by a Participant or Beneficiary who receives a distribution due to an Unforeseeable Emergency pursuant to Section 5.7 shall be cancelled due to such distribution if the Committee so decides in its discretion. In either event, the Participant (or Beneficiary, as applicable) shall remain a Participant in the Plan until her Account balance is paid in full.
      3. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, upon the earlier to occur of a Participant's Separation from Service or death, any outstanding deferral election shall be given effect to the extent any amounts covered by such election are paid after such event. Payment of deferred amounts shall be made pursuant to Article 5.

    ARTICLE 3
    DEFERRALS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

      3.1       Base Annual Salary .

      1. For each Plan Year, a Participant may elect to defer up to 75% (in whole percentage or fixed dollar amount) of her Base Annual Salary.

      2. 8


      3. A Participant's Election Form with respect to the deferral of Base Annual Salary shall be filed with the Committee before the beginning of each Plan Year in which the Base Annual Salary is earned.
      4. Subject to Section 2.3, such deferral elections shall be irrevocable as of the first day of the Plan Year to which the Election Form relates. Elections for Participants are separate and independent elections from an election to defer compensation under the 401(k) Plan.

      3.2       Annual or Long-Term Performance Awards .

      1. For each Plan Year, a Participant may elect to defer up to 75% (in whole percentage or fixed dollar amount) of her Annual or Long-Term Performance Award.
      2. A Participant's Election Form with respect to the deferral of an Annual or Long-Term Performance Award shall be filed with the Committee before the beginning of the Plan Year in which the Award is earned. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent the Committee determines that an Annual or Long-Term Performance Award constitutes "performance based compensation" (within the meaning of Code Section 409A and regulations issued thereunder), the Committee may permit a Participant to file an Election Form with the Committee on or before a date that occurs no later than six months before the end of the performance period. In no event shall an Election Form for performance based compensation be filed when such compensation is readily ascertainable (within the meaning of Code Section 409A and regulations issued thereunder).
      3. Subject to Section 2.3, such deferral elections shall be irrevocable as of the first day of the Plan Year to which the Election Form relates or the deadline established by the Committee for performance-based compensation, as the case may be.

      3.3       Restricted Stock .

      1. For any grant of Restricted Stock, a Participant may elect to defer up to 100% (in whole percentage or fixed dollar amount) of her Restricted Stock Amount, subject to such other terms or conditions as set forth in the plan or agreement under which such Restricted Stock was granted.
      2. A Participant's Election Form with respect to the deferral of Restricted Stock Amounts shall be filed with the Committee before the beginning of the Plan Year in which the Restricted Stock is awarded, as determined under the terms of the plan or arrangement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the discretion of the Committee, an Election Form may be submitted within 30 days after the Restricted Stock is awarded, provided that the Restricted Stock's first vesting date is at least 12 months after the date the completed Election Form is delivered to and accepted by the Committee (taking into account any automatic vesting

        9


        provisions upon certain terminations from employment that may occur before such 12 month period).
      3. Subject to Section 2.3, such deferral elections shall be irrevocable as of the first day of the Plan Year to which the Election Form relates, or the 30 th day after the Restricted Stock is awarded, as the case may be.

      3.4       Performance Shares or Units .

      1. A Participant may elect to defer up to 100% (in whole percentage or fixed dollar amount) of her Performance Share or Unit Amount, as the case may be, subject to such other terms or conditions as set forth in the plan or arrangement under which such Performance Shares were granted.
      2. A Participant's Election Form with respect to the deferral of Performance Share Amounts or Performance Unit Amounts shall be filed with the Committee at the following times, determined at the Committee's discretion:
        1. Before the beginning of the Plan Year in which the Performance Shares or Performance Units are awarded, as determined under the terms of the plan or arrangement;
        2. Within 30 days after the Performance Shares or Performance Units are awarded, provided that the Performance Shares' or Performance Units' first vesting date is at least 12 months from the date the completed Election Form is delivered to and accepted by the Committee (taking into account any automatic vesting provisions upon certain terminations from employment that may occur before such 12 month period); or
        3. A date that occurs no later than six months before the end of the performance period for such Award to the extent that the Committee determines that Performance Shares or Performance Units constitute "performance based compensation" (within the meaning of Code Section 409A and regulations issued thereunder). In no event shall an Election Form for performance based compensation be filed when such compensation is readily ascertainable (within the meaning of Code Section 409A and regulations issued thereunder).

      3. Subject to Section 2.3, such deferral elections shall be irrevocable as of: (i) the first day of the Plan Year to which the Election Form relates, (ii) the 30 th  day after the Performance Share or Unit Award was granted, or (iii) the deadline established by the Committee for performance-based compensation, as the case may be.

      4. 10


      3.5       Dividend Equivalents .

      1. A Participant may elect to defer up to 100% (in whole percentage or fixed dollar amount) of the dividend equivalents on any unvested Performance Shares or Performance Units under a plan or arrangement of an Employer.
      2. If dividend equivalents on Performance Shares and Performance Units are earned and paid annually, a Participant's Election Form with respect to the deferral of such dividend equivalents shall be filed with the Committee before the beginning of the Plan Year in which the dividend equivalents to be deferred are otherwise earned and paid.
      3. Subject to Section 2.3, such deferral elections shall be irrevocable as of the first day of the Plan Year to which the Election Form relates.

      3.6       Newly-Eligible Employees . Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, a newly-Eligible Employee shall be given 30 days from the date she becomes eligible to participate in the Plan (as determined in accordance with plan aggregation rules set forth in Code Section 409A) to complete and submit an Election Form with respect to Base Annual Salary and Annual or Long-Term Performance Award, and such election shall apply only to amounts paid for services performed after the date on which the election is effective.

      3.7       Annual Company Contribution Amount . For each Plan Year, an Employer, in its sole discretion, may, but is not required to, credit any amount it desires as an Annual Company Contribution Amount to the Company Contribution Account of one or more Eligible Employees. The Annual Company Contribution Amount credited to a Participant may be smaller or larger than the amount credited to any other Participant, and the amount credited to any Participant for a Plan Year may be zero, even though one or more other Participants receive an Annual Company Contribution Amount for that Plan Year. Crediting of an Annual Company Contribution Amount for one Plan Year does not guarantee an Annual Company Contribution Amount for subsequent Plan Years. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any portion of the Annual Company Contribution Amounts credited to a Participant's Company Contribution Account under the Legacy Plan remains unvested as of December 31, 2004, such Amounts shall be treated as contributed under this Plan, and shall be subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein. Participants shall be permitted to make changes to payment form elections previously filed with respect to such amounts pursuant to Section 5.6(c). If a Participant Separates from Service for any reason other than Retirement or death before the last day of a Plan Year, any Annual Company Contribution Amount previously credited for that Plan Year shall be forfeited and become zero, unless the Employer in its sole discretion determines otherwise.

      3.8       Company Matching Amount . A Company Matching Amount shall be made for any month in which Base Annual Salary and/or an Annual Performance Award is credited to a Participant's Account under this Plan. If no Base Annual Salary and/or Annual

      11


      Performance Award is credited to a Participant's Account in a month, then no Company Matching Amount will be provided for such month.

      1. The Company Matching Amount shall be determined by using the "matching contribution formula" under the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Employee Retirement Savings Plan (the "ERSP"), regardless of the actual 401(k) Plan, if any, that applies to the Participant. Between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2007 (inclusive), the matching contribution formula under the ERSP is 50% on 6% of eligible compensation. On and after January 1, 2008, the matching contribution formula under the ERSP is 100% on up to 1% of eligible compensation and 50% on the next 6% of eligible compensation. Such matching contribution formula is subject to change under the ERSP. In this regard, any amendment to the ERSP that makes such change shall be incorporated herein by reference effective as of the date of any such change.
      2. The formula for a Participant's Company Matching Amount is the applicable matching rate multiplied by "X." For purposes of the formula, X is the difference between (i) and (ii):
        1. the result of the matching contribution formula calculated using the Participant's gross compensation for the month that is eligible under the relevant Employer 401(k) Plan determined before any reduction for deferrals of Base Annual Salary and Annual Performance Awards, if applicable, under this Plan and without regard to any Code limitations, and
        2. the Participant's "Deemed Maximum Match" ("DMM"). The DMM for any Participant is equal to the result of the matching contribution formula calculated using the Participant's gross compensation for the month that is eligible for matching under the relevant Employer 401(k) Plan. For purposes of this clause (ii), such Participant's gross compensation shall first be reduced by Base Annual Salary and Annual Performance Award deferrals under this Plan. Further, for each month in which the DMM is calculated, it will be assumed that the Participant is contributing the necessary elective deferral amount to the relevant 401(k) Plan for such month so that the Participant would receive the maximum match under the ERSP. Notwithstanding the foregoing, when determining the DMM, the Plan will apply the relevant Code limitations, determined on an annual basis, including maximum Compensation that can be considered under Code Section 401(a)(17), and the maximum allowable elective deferral permitted under Code Section 402(g).

    If the relevant 401(k) Plan does not operate on the calendar year, the Committee in its sole discretion shall determine how the Participant's Company Matching Amount shall be calculated. The Committee may modify the method of calculating the Company Matching Amount, as it determines necessary, in its sole discretion.

    12


    ARTICLE 4
    ACCOUNTS

      4.1       Establishment of Accounts . Bookkeeping accounts shall be established for each Participant to reflect the deferrals of amounts made for the Participant's benefit, together with adjustments for income, gains or losses attributable thereto, and any payments from the respective sub-Accounts. Accounts are established solely for the purpose of tracking deferrals made by Participants or contributions made by an Employer and any income adjustments thereto. The Accounts shall not be used to segregate assets for payment of any amounts deferred or allocated under the Plan, and shall not constitute or be treated as a trust fund of any kind. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, the Plan shall maintain and credit the following sub-Accounts:

      1. Company Contribution Account . The Annual Company Contribution Amount, if any, shall be credited to the Company Contribution Account as of the last day of the Plan Year, unless the Employer in its sole discretion determines otherwise.
      2. Company Matching Account . The Participant's Company Matching Amount shall be credited to the Company Matching Account no later than the end of the month following the month to which such amount relates.
      3. Deferral Account . The Participant's Deferral Account shall reflect a Participant's Annual Deferral Amounts credited on her behalf.
        1. Base Annual Salary deferrals shall be withheld from each regularly scheduled payroll, as adjusted from time to time for increases and decreases in Base Annual Salary, and credited to the Deferral Account as of the regularly scheduled payroll date or as soon as administratively feasible thereafter.
        2. Annual or Long-Term Performance Award deferrals shall be withheld and credited to the Deferral Account at the time the Annual or Long-Term Performance Award would otherwise be paid to the Participant.

      4. Dividend Deferral Account . Dividend equivalent deferrals shall be credited to the Dividend Deferral Account at the time the deferred dividend equivalents would otherwise have been paid in cash, but for the election to defer.
      5. Performance Share Account . Performance Share Amount deferrals shall be credited to the Performance Share Account as of the date the Performance Shares would otherwise be paid following vesting, as determined under the terms of the plan or arrangement pursuant to which the Performance Shares were granted, but for the election to defer.
      6. Performance Unit Account . Performance Unit Amount deferrals shall be credited to the Performance Unit Account as of the date the Performance Units would otherwise be paid following vesting, as determined under the terms of the plan or arrangement pursuant to which the Performance Units were granted, but for the election to defer.

      7. 13


      8. Restricted Stock Account . Restricted Stock Amount deferrals shall be credited to the Restricted Stock Account as of the date the Restricted Stock would otherwise vest under the terms of the plan or arrangement pursuant to which the Restricted Stock was granted, but for the election to defer.

      4.2       Vesting . A Participant shall be vested and have a nonforfeitable right to the amounts credited to her Accounts, adjusted for deemed income, gains and losses attributable thereto, as follows:

      1. A Participant shall at all times be 100% vested and have a nonforfeitable right to amounts credited to her Company Matching Account, Deferral Account, Dividend Deferral Account, Performance Share Account, Performance Unit Account and Restricted Stock Account.
      2. A Participant shall be vested and have a nonforfeitable right to amounts credited, if any, in her Company Contribution Account in accordance with the vesting schedule, if any, set forth in her Election Form or other written agreement with such Participant. However, in the event of a Change in Control, amounts credited to a Participant's Company Contribution Account shall immediately become 100% vested.

      Notwithstanding the foregoing, the vesting schedule for a Participant's Annual Company Contribution Amounts shall not be accelerated to the extent that the Committee determines that such acceleration would cause the deduction limitations of Code Section 280G to become effective. If all of a Participant's Annual Company Contribution Amounts are not vested pursuant to such a determination, the Participant may request independent verification of the Committee's calculations with respect to the application of Code Section 280G. In such case, the Committee shall provide to the Participant within 15 business days of such request an opinion (which need not be unqualified) of the Company's independent auditors, which opinion shall state that any limitation in the vested percentage hereunder is necessary to avoid the limits of Code Section 280G and contain supporting calculations. The cost of such opinion shall be paid by the Company.

      4.3       Deemed Investments . Subject to paragraphs (b) and (h) below, and in accordance with, and subject to, the rules and procedures that are established from time to time by the Committee in its sole discretion, amounts shall be credited or debited to a Participant's Account in accordance with the following rules. The Committee's discretion includes the right to supersede the specific rights identified below, with or without retroactive effect:

      1. Measurement Funds . Amounts credited to each Participant's Account shall be deemed invested, in accordance with the Participant's directions, in one or more Measurement Funds that are available under the Plan. The hypothetical

        14


        investment funds available under the Plan shall be those designated by the Committee, from time to time in its discretion, following recommendations by the WEC Investment Trust Policy Committee. Subject to paragraphs (b) and (h) below, a Participant may elect one or more of the following Measurement Funds for the purpose of crediting additional amounts to her Account: (i) any Measurement Fund selected by the Committee from time to time, (ii) the Prime Rate Fund (described as a mutual fund that is 100% invested in a hypothetical debt instrument which earns interest at an annualized interest rate equal to the "Prime Rate" as reported each business day by the Wall Street Journal , with interest deemed reinvested in additional units of such hypothetical debt instrument), or (iii) a Company Stock Measurement Fund (described as a mutual fund that is 100% invested in shares of Company Stock, with dividends deemed reinvested in additional shares of Company Stock).
      2. Subject to paragraphs (b) and (h) below, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, discontinue, substitute or add a Measurement Fund, subject to such advance notice to Participants if the Committee determines, in its sole discretion, that such notice is necessary.

      3. Special Rule for Restricted Stock and Performance Share Amounts . Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, the Participant's Restricted Stock Amounts and Performance Share Amounts deferred under the Plan that would have otherwise been distributed in Stock shall be deemed invested in the Company Stock Measurement Fund at all times before distribution from this Plan. Further, the Participant's Restricted Stock and Performance Share Amounts shall be distributed from this Plan in the form of cash.
      4. Election of Measurement Funds . Subject to paragraphs (b) and (h), a Participant shall elect on her initial Election Form one or more Measurement Funds to be used to determine the additional amounts to be credited to her Account, unless changed pursuant to rules as the Committee shall determine, in its discretion, from time to time. However, subject to paragraphs (b) and (h) and any rules and procedures established from time to time by the Committee in its sole discretion, the Participant may elect, by submitting an Election Form to the Committee that is accepted by the Committee, to add or delete one or more Measurement Funds to be used to determine the additional amounts to be credited to her Account, or to change the portion of her Account allocated to each previously or newly elected Measurement Fund. Such rules may include, but are not limited to, rules and/or trading policies that govern the timing, frequency, and manner in which elections are made to allocate or reallocate deemed investment amounts among the Measurement Funds, and may be modified at any time and from time to time by the Committee in its sole discretion. If an election is made to change a Measurement Fund, it shall become effective and apply thereafter in accordance with the rules of the Committee for all subsequent periods in which the Participant participates in the Plan, unless changed in accordance with the previous provisions. All rights of a Participant or any other person to elect or change the Measurement Funds under this Section shall be deemed to have ceased

        15


        as of the Ending Valuation Date and no adjustment in the value of an Account balance shall be considered for any purpose under the Plan after such Ending Valuation Date.
      5. Proportionate Allocation . In making any election described in paragraph (c) above, the Participant shall specify on the Election Form, in increments of 1%, the percentage of her Account balance to be allocated to a Measurement Fund (as if the Participant was making an investment in that Measurement Fund with that portion of her Account balance).
      6. Crediting or Debiting Method . The performance of each elected Measurement Fund (either positive or negative) shall be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, based on the performance of the Measurement Funds themselves. A Participant's Account shall be credited or debited on a periodic basis based on the performance of each Measurement Fund selected by the Participant, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, provided that no adjustment in the value of a Participant's Account balance shall be considered after the Ending Valuation Date.
      7. No Actual Investment . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, the Measurement Funds shall be used for measurement purposes only, and a Participant's election of any Measurement Fund, the allocation of her Account thereto, the calculation of additional amounts and the crediting or debiting of such amounts to a Participant's Account shall not be considered or construed in any manner as an actual investment of her Account balance in any such Measurement Fund. If the Employer or the trustee, in its sole discretion, decides to invest funds in any or all of the Measurement Funds, no Participant shall have any rights in or to such investments themselves. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Participant's Account balance shall at all times be a bookkeeping entry only and shall not represent any investment made on her behalf by the Employer or the trustee; the Participant shall at all times remain an unsecured creditor of the Company.
      8. Investment of Trust Assets . The trustee of the Trust shall be authorized, upon written instructions received from the Committee or an investment manager appointed by the Committee, to invest and reinvest the assets of the Trust in accordance with the applicable Trust Agreement, including the disposition of Stock and reinvestment of the proceeds in one or more investment vehicles designated by the Committee.
      9. Special Considerations for Participants Subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 . In order for any deferral election under this Plan by a Participant who is an officer subject to the reporting requirements and trading restrictions of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Section 16") to conform to Section 16, the Participant shall consult with the Company's designated individual responsible for Section 16 reporting and compliance before making any election to move any part of her Account into or out of the Company

        16


        Stock Measurement Fund.
        Any change of election to an alternative payout form made under Section 5.6 by such Participant may only be given effect if it is approved by the Compensation Committee or the Board. The Company reserves the right to impose such restrictions as it determines necessary, in its sole discretion, on any elections, transactions or other matters under this Plan relating to the Company Stock Measurement Fund to comply with or qualify for exemption under Section 16.

      4.4       Taxes . A Participant's Employer shall withhold from a Participant's non-deferred compensation any employment taxes the Employer is required to withhold with respect to amounts deferred under the Plan at the times required under applicable regulations promulgated by the Department of the Treasury. To the extent not previously withheld, the Employer, or the trustee of the Trust, shall withhold from any payments made to a Participant under this Plan all federal, state and local income, employment and other taxes required to be withheld by the Employer, or the trustee of the Trust, in connection with such payments, in amounts and in a manner to be determined in the sole discretion of the Employer or the trustee of the Trust, as the case may be.

    ARTICLE 5
    Distribution of Account

      5.1       Time for Distribution . Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.7, distribution of a Participant's Account shall be made on the earliest to occur of:

      1. The date elected by a Participant under Section 5.2 with respect to an In-Service Payout;
      2. The date set forth in Section 5.3 with respect to the Participant's Retirement;
      3. The date set forth in Section 5.4 with respect to the Participant's Separation from Service;
      4. The date set forth in Section 5.5 with respect to the Participant's death; or
      5. The date set forth in Section 5.8 with respect to a Separation from Service after a Change in Control.

      Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, in no event shall the distribution of any Account be accelerated to a time earlier than which it would otherwise have been paid, whether by amendment of the Plan, exercise of the Committee's discretion or otherwise, except as permitted by Section 5.9 or Treasury Regulations issued pursuant to Code Section 409A.

      5.2       In-Service Payout A Participant may irrevocably select, on her Election Form, a Plan Year to receive a lump sum In-Service Payout of all or part of an Annual Deferral Amount (including Company Matching Amounts thereto). The earliest Plan Year in which a Participant can elect an In-Service Payout is the third Plan Year after the Plan Year in which the deferral actually occurs. For example, an election to defer Base

      17


      Annual Salary in December 2004 that is actually deferred in 2005 may be distributed no earlier than in 2008. Payment shall be made during the first 90 days of the Plan Year elected for distribution.

      5.3       Benefits Upon Retirement . Upon a Participant's Retirement, the Participant's Account shall be paid or begin to be paid during the first 90 days of the Plan Year following the Plan Year of the Participant's Retirement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, distributions made to "specified employees" (determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i)) upon Retirement shall be paid or begin to be paid no earlier than the first day of the seventh month following the Participant's Retirement, unless the Participant dies during such six-month period in which case Section 5.5 shall apply. Subsequent installment payments shall be made thereafter during the first 90 days of the Plan Year in which the installment is due.

      Payment shall be made in such form as determined below, taking into account any changes to an elected form of payment pursuant to Section 5.6.

      1. A Participant's Account balance shall be paid in a lump sum if:
        1. timely elected by the Participant pursuant to the Plan,
        2. the Participant's Account balance at the time of Retirement is $10,000 or less even if the Participant elected an installment payment form, or
        3. no valid payment election is in effect when distribution is to be made.

      2. Subject to paragraph (a)(ii) and Section 5.8, a Participant may elect to receive payment of her Account balance in any number of installments up to ten. The amount of each installment shall be determined using the Annual Installment Method.

      5.4       Benefits Upon Separation from Service . Upon a Participant's Separation from Service for any reason other than Retirement or death, the Participant's Account shall be paid or begin to be paid during the first 90 days of the Plan Year following the Plan Year of the Participant's Separation from Service. Notwithstanding the foregoing, distributions made to "specified employees" (determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i)) upon such separation shall be paid or begin to be paid no earlier than the first day of the seventh month following the Participant's Separation from Service unless the Participant dies during such six-month period in which case Section 5.5 shall apply. If an Annual Installment Method is in effect, subsequent installment payments shall be made thereafter during the first 90 days of the Plan Year in which the installment is due.

      Payment shall be made in such form as determined below, taking into account any changes to an elected form of payment pursuant to Section 5.6.

      1. A Participant's Account balance shall be paid in a lump sum if:

        18


        1. timely elected by the Participant pursuant to the Plan,
        2. the Participant's Account balance at the time of Separation from Service is $25,000 or less even if the Participant elected an installment payment form, or
        3. no valid payment election is in effect when distribution is to be made.

      2. Subject to paragraph (a)(ii) and Section 5.8, a Participant may elect to receive payment of her Account balance in five installments. The amount of each installment shall be determined using the Annual Installment Method.

      5.5       Benefits Upon Death . Upon the Participant's death, the Plan Administrator shall pay to the Participant's Beneficiary a benefit equal to the remaining balance in the Participant's Account. Payment shall be made in accordance with the provisions below.

      1. Death While In Pay Status . If the Participant dies after commencing an installment form of payment, but before the entire benefit is paid in full, the Participant's unpaid installment payments shall continue to be paid to the Participant's Beneficiary over the remaining number of years as that benefit would have been paid to the Participant had the Participant survived. In the event a Participant dies after a Separation from Service, but before actual payment is made or begins, this paragraph shall apply and payment to the Participant's Beneficiary shall be paid or begin to be paid at the same time as if the Participant had survived.
      2. Death While Actively Employed . If a Participant dies while actively employed, the Participant's Account shall be paid or begin to be paid to the Participant's Beneficiary during the first 90 days of the Plan Year following the Plan Year of the Participant's death, regardless of whether the Participant is a specified employee. Payment shall be made in such form as determined below, taking into account any changes to an elected form of payment pursuant to Section 5.6.
        1. A Participant's Account balance shall be paid to her Beneficiary in a lump sum if:
          1. timely elected by the Participant pursuant to the Plan,
          2. the Participant's Account balance at the time of death $25,000 or less even if the Participant elected an installment payment form, or
          3. no valid payment election is in effect when distribution is to be made.

        2. Subject to clause (i)(B), a Participant may elect payment of her Account balance upon death in any number of installments up to ten. The amount of each installment shall be determined using the Annual Installment Method.

        3. 19


      5.6       Changes to Form of Payment .

      1. Prospective Changes . A Participant may select an alternate form of payment for amounts not yet subject to an irrevocable election in accordance with the rules for filing elections in Section 2.3 and Article 3.
      2. Retroactive Changes . A Participant may elect to change the form of payment for amounts that are subject to a deferral election that is irrevocable:
        1. A Participant who has elected a lump sum distribution may later change such election to an installment payment, provided the first installment payment shall be deferred to a date that is at least five years after the date the lump sum distribution would otherwise have been made.
        2. A Participant who has an installment election in effect may change such election to a lump sum payment, provided the lump sum payment shall be deferred to a date that is at least five years after the date the initial installment payment would otherwise have commenced.
        3. A Participant who has an installment election for payment upon Retirement, may change the number of installments, provided that the first installment payment shall be deferred to a date that is at least five years after the date the initial installment payment would otherwise have commenced.

        Any such election changes pursuant to this paragraph shall be completed in accordance with Committee rules and must be made at least 12 months before the event triggering distribution occurs. Therefore, if the event triggering distribution occurs before such 12 month period has elapsed, then the election to change the payment form shall not take effect. Notwithstanding anything in this paragraph (b) to the contrary, the five-year delay described above shall not apply to changes in the form of payment upon death.

      3. Changes Pursuant to s409A Transition Relief . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, on or before December 31, 2008, Participants may make changes to payment form elections previously filed with respect to amounts deferred under the Plan that relate to Plan Years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 consistent with transition relief provided by the Department of the Treasury in Notice 2006-79, Notice 2007-86 and proposed regulations promulgated under Code Section 409A. If a Participant makes such a change, then the last election validly in effect as of December 31, 2008 shall be treated as the "initial" election for purposes of applying the rules set forth in paragraph (b).

      5.7       Unforeseeable Emergency . A Participant may request that all or a portion of her Account be distributed in a lump sum at any time by submitting a written request to the Committee demonstrating that she has suffered an Unforeseeable Emergency, and that the distribution is necessary to alleviate the financial hardship created by the Unforeseeable Emergency.

      20


      1. The Committee shall have the sole discretionary authority to determine whether a Participant has suffered an Unforeseeable Emergency, which shall be determined based on the relevant facts and circumstances of each case. In making such a determination, no distribution pursuant to this Section shall be made to the extent that such Unforeseeable Emergency is or may be relieved through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise, or by liquidation of the Participant's assets (unless such liquidation itself would cause a severe financial hardship), or by the cessation of deferrals under the Plan. In this regard, all deferral elections scheduled for the remainder of the Plan Year in which such distribution is made shall be cancelled. If a Participant's outstanding deferral election is cancelled, a Participant shall be required to make a new election pursuant to Articles 2 and 3 to resume active participation in the Plan.
      2. Upon a finding that the Participant has suffered an Unforeseeable Emergency, the Committee shall distribute to the Participant the lesser of (i) the portion of her Account that is necessary to satisfy the Unforeseeable Emergency, plus taxes attributable thereto or (ii) the Account balance. Distributions made pursuant to this Section shall be made within 90 days after the Committee has reviewed and approved the request.

      5.8       Change in Control . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event a Participant incurs a Separation from Service within 18 months after a Change in Control, the Employer shall distribute the Participant's entire Account in a lump sum payment within 90 days after such Separation, except in the case of any individual who has previously filed a special written irrevocable deferral election form under a special written contract with an Employer (including, without limitation, the senior officer change in control, severance and non-compete agreements currently in effect) electing not to receive such an immediate lump sum but instead to be paid on another basis. Notwithstanding the foregoing, distributions made to "specified employees" (determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i)) upon Separation from Service shall be paid or begin to be paid no earlier than the first day of the seventh month following the Participant's Separation from Service, unless the Participant dies during such six-month period in which case Section 5.5 shall apply.

      5.9       Discretion to Accelerate Distribution

      1. The Committee shall have the discretion to make a distribution, or accelerate the time or schedule of payment, from a Participant's Account if payment is required for:
        1. FICA, FUTA and/or the corresponding withholding provisions of applicable state and local taxes with respect to compensation deferred under the Plan. Any such distribution shall not exceed the aggregate of such tax withholding and shall reduce the Participant's Account balance to the extent of such distributions; or

        2. 21


        3. payment of state, local or foreign tax obligations arising from participation in the Plan that apply to an amount deferred under the Plan and FUTA resulting from such payment. Any such payment shall not exceed the amount of such taxes due as a result of Plan participation.

      2. The Committee or a Plan representative is authorized to accelerate the time or schedule of a payment under the Plan to an individual other than the Participant, or to make a payment under the Plan to an individual other than the Participant, to the extent necessary to fulfill a domestic relations order (as defined in Code Section 414(p)(1)(B)). Payment to an alternate payee under a domestic relations order shall be made in a lump sum within 90 days after the Committee or Plan representative approves such order.
      3. The Committee shall have the discretion to accelerate the time or schedule of a payment under the Plan if the Plan fails to meet the requirements of Code Section 409A and regulations promulgated thereunder, provided that any such payment does not exceed the amount required to be included in income as a result of such failure.

    ARTICLE 6
    Leave of Absence

    If a Participant is authorized by an Employer to take a paid or unpaid bona fide leave of absence for any reason, the employment relationship is treated as continuing intact and deferral elections shall remain in force if the period of such leave does not exceed six months, or longer, so long as the Participant retains a right to reemployment under an applicable statute or by contract. If the Participant is on a leave of absence during the time for filing Election Forms, the Participant shall be permitted to complete an Election Form for the upcoming Plan Year. Upon return from leave, deferrals shall occur pursuant to the Election Form in effect for that Plan Year. If no election was made for the Plan Year in which the Participant returns from leave, no deferral shall be withheld.

    If the leave of absence exceeds six months and the Participant does not retain a right to reemployment under an applicable statute or by contract, the Participant shall be deemed to have incurred a Separation from Service as of the first date immediately following such six-month period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, where a leave of absence is due to any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than six months, where such impairment causes the Participant to be unable to perform the duties of her position of employment or any substantially similar position of employment, the Participant's relationship with the Employer shall be treated as continuing intact for a period of up to 29 months, unless earlier terminated by the Employer or Participant. In this event, the Participant's Account shall be distributed pursuant to Section 5.3 or 5.4, as applicable.

    22


    ARTICLE 7
    Beneficiary Designation

      7.1       Beneficiary . Each Participant may, at any time, designate one or more Beneficiaries (both primary as well as contingent) to receive any benefits payable under the Plan upon her death. The Beneficiary designated under this Plan may be the same as or different from the Beneficiary designation under any other plan of an Employer in which the Participant participates.

      7.2       Beneficiary Designation; Change . A Participant shall designate her Beneficiary by completing and signing a beneficiary designation form established by the Committee or its delegate, and returning it to the Committee or its designated agent. A Participant may change her Beneficiary designation by completing, signing and otherwise complying with the terms of the beneficiary designation form and the Committee's rules and procedures, as in effect from time to time. Upon the acceptance by the Committee of a new beneficiary designation form, all Beneficiary designations previously filed shall be canceled. The Committee shall rely on the last completed beneficiary designation form filed by the Participant and accepted by the Committee before her death.

      7.3       Acknowledgment . No Beneficiary designation or change in Beneficiary designation shall be effective until accepted by the Committee or a Plan representative.

      7.4       No Beneficiary Designation . If a Participant fails to designate a Beneficiary as provided in this Article 7 or, if all designated Beneficiaries predecease the Participant or die before complete distribution of the Participant's Account, then the Participant's designated Beneficiary shall be deemed to be her surviving spouse. If the Participant has no surviving spouse, but was survived by a designated Beneficiary who was receiving benefits or was entitled to receive distribution under this Plan but died before a complete distribution of the Participant's Account, the remaining benefits shall be paid to such designated Beneficiary's estate. If the Participant leaves no surviving spouse and was not survived by a designated Beneficiary as provided in the foregoing sentence, the Participant's Account shall be paid to the Participant's estate.

      7.5       Doubt as to Beneficiary . If the Committee has any doubt as to the proper Beneficiary to receive payments under this Plan, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, require the Participant's Employer to withhold such payments until the matter is resolved to the Committee's satisfaction.

      7.6       Discharge of Obligations . The complete payment of benefits under the Plan to a Beneficiary shall fully and completely discharge all Employers and the Committee from all further obligations under this Plan with respect to the Participant, and the Participant's Election Form shall terminate upon such full payment of benefits.

      23


    ARTICLE 8
    TERMINATION, AMENDMENT OR MODIFICATION

      8.1       Termination .

      1. Although each Employer anticipates that it will continue the Plan for an indefinite period of time, there is no guarantee that an Employer will continue the Plan or will not terminate the Plan at any time in the future. Accordingly, each Employer reserves the right to discontinue its participation in the Plan and/or to terminate the Plan at any time with respect to all of its participating Eligible Employees, by action of its Board of Directors or Compensation Committee. Upon the termination of the Plan with respect to any Employer, any elections to defer compensation under the Plan of Participants who are employed by that Employer shall terminate as of the last day of the Plan Year containing the termination date. The termination of the Plan shall not reduce the amount of any benefit to which the Participant or Beneficiary is entitled to receive under the Plan as of the termination date. Except as provided in paragraph (b) below, Account balances shall be maintained under the Plan until such amounts would otherwise have been distributed in accordance with the terms of the Plan and Participants' validly filed payment elections.
      2. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, upon termination of the Plan, the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee reserves the discretion to accelerate distribution of Participants' Account (including those Participants in pay status pursuant to an installment election) in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Department of the Treasury under Code Section 409A.

      8.2       Amendment . The Company may, in its sole discretion, amend or modify the Plan at any time, in whole or in part, by action of its Board, Compensation Committee or the Committee; provided, however, that no amendment shall decrease the amount of any Participant's Account as of the date of the amendment. Further, during the pendency of a Potential Change in Control (as defined below) and at all times following a Change in Control, no amendment or modification may be made which in any way adversely affects the interests of any Participant with respect to amounts credited to such Participant's Account as of the date of the amendment. A "Potential Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if one of the following events occurs:

      1. The Company enters into an agreement, the consummation of which would result in the occurrence of a Change in Control;
      2. The Company or any Person publicly announces an intention to take or to consider taking actions which, if consummated, would constitute a Change in Control;
      3. Any Person becomes the Beneficial Owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), directly or indirectly, of Stock representing 15% or more of either the then outstanding shares of stock of

        24


        the Company or the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding Stock (not including the Stock beneficially owned by such Person or any Stock acquired directly from the Company or its affiliates); or
      4. The Board adopts a resolution to the effect that, for purposes of this Plan, a Potential Change in Control has occurred.

      Except as otherwise noted, the capitalized terms in the above definition have the same meaning as set forth in Section 1.9. The Company's power to amend or modify the Plan includes the power to suspend or freeze participation in the Plan, provided such suspension or freeze does not cause a prohibited acceleration of compensation under Code Section 409A. In such circumstance, the Company may, in its sole discretion, re-institute the ability of any Participant or group of Participants to make deferrals under Article 3 at any time, provided such action is taken consistent with Code Section 409A. Such action may be taken by the Company's Board of Directors, the Compensation Committee or the Committee referred to in Article 9 below.

      8.3       Effect of Payment . The full payment of the Participant's Account under any provision of the Plan shall completely discharge the Plan's and Employer's obligations to the Participant and her Beneficiaries under this Plan and the Participant's Election Forms shall terminate.

    ARTICLE 9
    ADMINISTRATION

      9.1      Plan Administration . Except as otherwise provided in this Article 9, the Plan shall be administered by the Committee. Members of the Committee may be Participants under this Plan. Any individual serving on the Committee who is a Participant shall not vote or act on any matter relating solely to himself or herself. The Chief Executive Officer may not act on any matter involving such officer's own participation in the Plan. All references to the Committee shall be deemed to include reference to the Chief Executive Officer.

      9.2       Powers, Duties and Procedures . The Committee (or the Chief Executive Officer if such individual chooses to so act) shall have full and complete discretionary authority to (i) make, amend, interpret and enforce all appropriate rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan, and (ii) decide or resolve any and all questions including interpretations of the Plan, as may arise in connection with the claims procedures set forth in Article 10 or otherwise with regard to the Plan. The Committee shall have complete control and authority to determine the rights and benefits of all claims, demands and actions arising out of the provisions of the Plan of any Participant or Beneficiary or other person having or claiming to have any interest under the Plan. When making a determination or calculation, the Committee may rely on information furnished by a Participant or the Employer. Benefits under the Plan shall be paid only if the Committee decides in its sole discretion that the Participant or Beneficiary is entitled to them. The Committee or the Chief Executive Officer may delegate such powers and duties as it determines for the efficient administration of the Plan.

      25


      9.3       Administration Upon Change In Control . For purposes of this Plan, the Company shall be the "Administrator" at all times before a Change in Control. Upon and after a Change in Control, the Administrator shall be an independent third party selected by the individual who, at any time before such event, was the Company's Chief Executive Officer or, if there is no such officer or such officer does not act, by the Company's then highest ranking officer (the "Appointing Officer"). Upon a Change in Control, the Administrator shall have full and complete discretionary power to determine all questions arising in connection with the administration of the Plan and the interpretation of the Plan and Trust including, but not limited to, benefit entitlement determinations. Upon and after a Change in Control, the Company shall (i) pay all reasonable administrative expenses and fees of the Administrator, (ii) indemnify the Administrator against any costs, expenses and liabilities (including, without limitation, attorney's fees) of whatever kind and nature which may be imposed on, asserted against or incurred by the Administrator in connection with the performance of the duties hereunder, except with respect to matters resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrator or its employees or agents, and (iii) supply full and timely information to the Administrator on all matters relating to the Plan, the Trust, the Participants and their Beneficiaries, the Account balances of the Participants, including the dates of Retirement, Disability, death or Separation from Service and such other pertinent information as the Administrator may reasonably require. Upon and after a Change in Control, the Administrator may be terminated (and a replacement appointed) only by an Appointing Officer. Upon and after a Change in Control, the Administrator may not be terminated by the Company.

      9.4       Agents . In the administration of this Plan, the Committee may, from time to time, employ agents and delegate to them such administrative duties as it sees fit (including acting through a duly appointed representative) and may from time to time consult with counsel who may be counsel to an Employer.

      9.5       Binding Effect of Decisions . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Committee or its delegate shall have complete discretion to interpret the Plan and to decide all matters under the Plan. Any such interpretation shall be final, conclusive and binding on all Participants, Beneficiaries and any person claiming under or through any Participant, in the absence of clear and convincing evidence that the Committee acted arbitrarily and capriciously.

      9.6       Indemnity of Committee . All Employers shall indemnify and hold harmless the members of the Committee, and any other employee to whom the duties of the Committee may be delegated, and the Administrator, as defined in Section 9.2, against any and all claims, losses, damages, expenses or liabilities arising from any action or failure to act with respect to this Plan, except in the case of willful misconduct by the Committee, any of its members or any such employee or the Administrator.

      9.7       Employer Information . To enable the Committee and/or Administrator to perform its functions, each Employer shall supply full and timely information to the Committee on all matters relating to the compensation of its Participants, the dates of the Retirement,

      26


      disability, death or Separation from Service and such other pertinent information as the Committee may reasonably require.

      9.8       Coordination with Other Benefits . The benefits provided to a Participant and the Beneficiary under the Plan are in addition to any other benefits available to such Participant under any other plan or program for employees of an Employer. The Plan shall supplement and shall not supersede, modify or amend any other such plan or program except as may otherwise be expressly provided.

    ARTICLE 10
    CLAIMS PROCEDURES

      10.1       Presentation of Claim . Any Participant or Beneficiary (such Participant or Beneficiary being referred to below as a "Claimant") may deliver to the Committee a written claim for benefits. If such a claim relates to the contents of a notice received by the Claimant, the claim must be made within 90 days after such notice was received by the Claimant. All other claims shall be made within 180 days of the date on which the event that caused the claim to arise occurred. The claim shall state with particularity the determination desired by the Claimant. A claim shall be considered to have been made when a written communication made by the Claimant or the Claimant's representative is received by the Committee.

      10.2       Decision on Initial Claim . The Committee shall consider a Claimant's claim and provide written notice to the Claimant of any denial within a reasonable time, but no later than 90 days after receipt of the claim. If an extension of time beyond the initial 90-day period for processing is required, written notice of the extension shall be provided to the Claimant before the initial 90-day period expires indicating the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Committee expects to render a final decision. In no event shall the period, as extended, exceed 180 days. If the Committee denies, in whole or in part, the claim, the notice shall set forth in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant:

        1. The specific reasons for the denial of the claim, or any part thereof;
        2. Specific references to pertinent Plan provisions upon which such denial was based;
        3. A description of any additional material or information necessary for the Claimant to perfect the claim, and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and
        4. An explanation of the claim review procedure set forth in Section 10.3 below, which explanation shall also include a statement of the Claimant's right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a) following a denial of the claim upon review.

      10.3       Right to Review . A Claimant is entitled to appeal any claim that has been denied in whole or in part. To do so, the Claimant must submit a written request for review with the

      27


      Committee within 60 days after receiving a notice from the Committee that a claim has been denied, in whole or in part. Absent receipt by the Committee of a written request for review within such 60-day period, the claim shall be deemed to be conclusively denied. The Claimant (or the Claimant's duly authorized representative) may:

      1. Review and/or receive copies of, upon request and free of charge, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the Claimant's claim;
      2. Submit written comments, documents, records or other information relating to her claim, which the Committee shall take into account in considering the claim on review, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial review of the claim; and/or
      3. Request a hearing, which the Committee, in its sole discretion, may grant.

      If a Claimant requests to review and/or receive copies of relevant information pursuant to paragraph (a) above before filing a written request for review, the 60-day period for submitting the written request for review will be tolled during the period beginning on the date the Claimant makes such request and ending on the date the Claimant reviews or receives such relevant information.

      10.4       Decision on Review . The Committee shall render its decision on review promptly, and not later than 60 days after it receives a written request for review of the denial, unless a hearing is held or other special circumstances require additional time. In such case, the Committee will notify the Claimant, before the expiration of the initial 60-day period and in writing, of the need for additional time, the reason the additional time is necessary, and the date (no later than 60 days after expiration of the initial 60-day period) by which the Committee expects to render its decision on review. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Committee determines that an extension of the initial 60-day period is required due to the Claimant's failure to submit information necessary for the Committee to decide the claim, the time period by which the Committee must make its determination on review shall be tolled from the date on which the notification of the extension is sent to the Claimant until the date on which the Claimant responds to the request for additional information. The decision on review shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant, and shall contain:

      1. Specific reasons for the decision;
      2. Specific references to the pertinent Plan provisions upon which the decision was based;
      3. A statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records or other information relevant (within the meaning of Department of Labor Regulation Section 2560.503-1(m)(8)) to the Claimant's claim;
      4. A statement of the Claimant's right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a) following a wholly or partially denied claim for benefits; and

        28


      5. Such other matters as the Committee deems relevant.

      10.5       Form of Notice and Decision . Any notice or decision by the Committee under this Article 10 may be furnished electronically in accordance with Department of Labor Regulation Section 2520.104b-(1)(c)(i), (iii) and (iv).

      10.6       Legal Action . Any final decision by the Committee shall be binding on all parties. A Claimant's compliance with the foregoing provisions of this Article 10 is a mandatory prerequisite to a Claimant's right to commence any legal action with respect to any claim for benefits under this Plan. Any such legal action must be initiated no later than 180 days after the Committee renders its final decision. If a final determination of the Committee is challenged in court, such determination shall not be subject to de novo review and shall not be overturned unless proven to be arbitrary and capricious based on the evidence considered by the Committee at the time of such determination.

    ARTICLE 11
    TRUST

      11.1       Establishment of the Trust . The Company shall establish the Trust and each Employer shall contribute such amounts to the Trust from time to time as it deems desirable.

      11.2       Interrelationship of the Plan and the Trust . The provisions of the Plan shall govern the rights of a Participant to receive distributions pursuant to the Plan. The provisions of the Trust shall govern the rights of the Employers, Participants and the creditors of the Employers to the assets transferred to the Trust. Each Employer shall at all times remain liable to carry out its obligations under the Plan.

      11.3       Distributions From the Trust . Each Employer's obligations under the Plan may be satisfied with Trust assets distributed pursuant to the terms of the Trust, and any such distribution shall reduce the Employer's obligations under this Plan.

    ARTICLE 12
    Miscellaneous

      12.1       Status of Plan . The Plan is intended to be a plan that is not qualified within the meaning of Code Section 401(a) and that is unfunded for tax purposes and "is maintained by an employer primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select group of management or highly compensated employees" (within the meaning of ERISA). The Plan shall be administered and interpreted in a manner consistent with that intent.

      12.2       Unsecured General Creditor . Participants and their Beneficiaries, heirs, successors and assigns shall have no legal or equitable rights, interests or claims in any property or assets of an Employer, Company or of any other person and nothing in the Plan shall be construed to give any employee or any other person such rights. The Plan constitutes a mere promise by the Company or Employer to make payments in accordance with the terms of the Plan and Participants and Beneficiaries shall have the status of general unsecured creditors solely of the Employer employing the Participant.

      29


      12.3       Employer's Liability . The liability of an Employer for the payment of benefits shall be defined only by the Plan and any Election Forms, as entered into between the Employer and a Participant. An Employer shall have no obligation to a Participant under the Plan except as expressly provided in the Plan.

      12.4       Nonassignability . Neither a Participant nor any other person shall have any right to commute, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, anticipate, mortgage or otherwise encumber, transfer, hypothecate, alienate or convey in advance of actual receipt, the amounts, if any, payable hereunder, or any part thereof, which are, and all rights to which are expressly declared to be, unassignable and non-transferable to the maximum extent allowed by law. No part of the amounts payable shall, before actual payment, be subject to seizure, attachment, garnishment or sequestration for the payment of any debts, judgments, alimony or separate maintenance owed by a Participant or any other person, nor shall any part of the same, to the maximum extent allowed by law, be transferable by operation of law in the event of a Participant's or any other person's bankruptcy or insolvency or, except as provided in Section 5.9(b), be transferable to a spouse as a result of a property settlement or otherwise.

      12.5       Not a Contract of Employment . The terms and conditions of this Plan shall not be deemed to constitute a contract of employment between any Employer and the Participant. Such employment is hereby acknowledged to be an "at will" employment relationship that can be terminated at any time for any reason, or no reason, with or without cause, and with or without notice, unless expressly provided in a written employment agreement between an Employer and a Participant. Nothing in this Plan shall be deemed to give a Participant the right to be retained in the service of any Employer as an employee, or to interfere with the right of any Employer to discipline or discharge the Participant at any time, with or without cause, or to modify the Base Salary or Annual or Long-Term Performance Award at any time.

      12.6       Furnishing Information . A Participant or Beneficiary shall cooperate with the Committee by furnishing any and all information requested by the Committee and take such other actions as may be requested in order to facilitate the administration of the Plan and the payments of benefits hereunder.

      12.7       Receipt and Release . Any payment to any Participant or Beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of the Plan shall, to the extent thereof, be in full satisfaction of all claims against the Employer, the Committee and a trustee (if any) under the Plan, and the Committee may require such Participant or Beneficiary, as a condition precedent to such payment, to execute a receipt and release to such effect.

      12.8       Incompetent . If any Participant or Beneficiary is determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, to be incompetent by reason of physical or mental disability (including minority) or is determined to be incapable of handling disposition of that person's property, the Committee may direct payment of such benefit to the guardian, legal representative or person having the care and custody of such minor, incompetent or incapable person. In such circumstance, the Committee, the Employer or a trustee (if any) shall have no responsibility to follow the application of such funds. The Committee

      30


      may require proof of minority, incompetence, incapacity or guardianship, as it may deem appropriate prior to distribution of the benefit. Any payment of a benefit shall be a payment for the Account of the Participant and the Participant's Beneficiary, as the case may be, and shall be a complete discharge of any liability under the Plan for such payment amount.

      12.9       Governing Law and Severability . To the extent not preempted by ERISA, the provisions of this Plan shall be construed, administered and interpreted according to the internal laws of the State of Wisconsin without regard to its conflicts of laws principles. If any provisions is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof shall continue to be fully effective.

      12.10       Notices and Communications . All notices, statements, reports and other communications from the Committee to any employee, Participant, Beneficiary or other person required or permitted under the Plan shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered to, when transmitted via facsimile or other electronic media or when mailed overnight or by first-class mail, postage prepaid and addressed to, such employee, Participant, Beneficiary or other person at his or her last known address on the Employer's or Company's records. All elections, designations, requests, notices, instructions and other communications from a Participant, Beneficiary or other person to the Committee required or permitted under the Plan shall be in such form as is prescribed from time to time by the Committee, and shall be mailed by first-class mail, transmitted via facsimile or other electronic media or delivered to such location as shall be specified by the Committee. Such communication shall be deemed to have been given and delivered only upon actual receipt by the Committee at such location.

      12.11       Successors . The provisions of this Plan shall bind and inure to the benefit of the Participant's Employer and its successors and assigns and the Participant and the Participant's designated Beneficiaries.

      12.12       Insurance . An Employer, on its own behalf or on behalf of the trustee of the Trust, and, in its sole discretion, may apply for and procure insurance on the life of the Participant, in such amounts and in such forms as the Employer may choose. The Employer or the trustee of the Trust, as the case may be, shall be the sole owner and beneficiary of any such insurance. The Participant shall have no interest whatsoever in any such policy or policies, and at the request of the Employer shall submit to medical examinations and supply such information and execute such documents as may be required by the insurance company or companies to whom the Employer has applied for insurance. The Participant may elect not to be insured.

      12.13       Legal Fees To Enforce Rights After Change in Control . The Employer is aware that upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, the Board (which might then be composed of new members) or a shareholder of the Employer, or of any successor corporation, might then cause or attempt to cause the Employer or such successor to refuse to comply with its obligations under the Plan and might cause or attempt to cause the Employer to institute, or may institute, litigation seeking to deny Participants the benefits intended under the Plan. In these circumstances, the purpose of the Plan could be frustrated.

      31


      Accordingly, if, following a Change in Control, it should appear to any Participant that the Employer or any successor corporation has failed to comply with any of its obligations under the Plan or any agreement thereunder or, if the Employer or any other person takes any action to declare the Plan void or unenforceable or institutes any litigation or other legal action designed to deny, diminish or to recover from any Participant the benefits intended to be provided, then the Employer irrevocably authorizes such Participant to retain counsel of her choice at the expense of the Employer (who shall be jointly and severally liable for all reasonable fees of such counsel) to represent such Participant in connection with the initiation or defense of any litigation or other legal action, whether by or against the Employer or any director, officer, shareholder or other person affiliated with the Employer or any successor thereto in any jurisdiction. If paid by the Participant, the Employer shall reimburse such legal fees no later than December 31 st of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred.

      12.14       Terms . Whenever any words are used herein in the feminine, they shall be construed as though they were in the masculine in all cases where they would so apply; and whenever any words are used herein in the singular or in the plural, they shall be construed as though they were used in the plural or the singular, as the case may be, in all cases where they would so apply.

      12.15       Headings . Headings and subheadings in the Plan are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of its provisions.


32


Exhibit 10.15

First Amendment to the
Wisconsin Energy Corporation Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan
As Amended and Restated Effective May 1, 2004

        WHEREAS , Wisconsin Energy Corporation (the "Company") previously amended and restated the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan as of May 1, 2004 (the "Plan");

        WHEREAS, Section 8.2 of the Plan permits the Company to amend the Plan by action of its Board of Directors or Compensation Committee of its Board of Directors; and

        WHEREAS, the Company desires to amend the Plan to (1) provide that amounts credited and vested under the Plan as of December 31, 2004 are grandfathered, within the meaning of, and as determined under, regulations issued by the Department of the Treasury under Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") Section 409A, (2) provide that no new non-employees directors will participate in the Plan effective as of January 1, 2005, and (3) rename the Plan the "Legacy Wisconsin Energy Corporation Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan."

        NOW, THEREFORE, the Plan is amended, effective as of January 1, 2005, in the following respects:

    1. The introductory section entitled "Purpose" is amended by adding a new paragraph at the end thereto to read as follows:
    2. "Except as provided in the next sentence, any amounts that are earned, deferred and vested under the Plan as of December 31, 2004 are 'grandfathered' (within the meaning of, and as determined in accordance with, Code Section 409A and the Treasury Regulations thereunder). Therefore, such grandfathered amounts are not subject to Code Section 409A and shall continue to be governed by the terms set forth herein. Effective as of January 1, 2005, the Company renamed the Plan the Legacy Wisconsin Energy Corporation Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan. The Company also established the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan (the 'DDCP') as a new nonqualified deferred compensation plan and as a replacement plan for the portion of the Plan that maintained account balances during the Code Section 409A transition period from January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2008 and that are subject to provisions of Code Section 409A. As a result, no new non-employee directors shall participate in the Plan effective as of January 1, 2005, but shall begin participation in the DDCP if otherwise eligible pursuant to the terms of the DDCP."

    3. Section 1.15 is amended by adding the following sentence at the end thereto to read as follows:
    4. "Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, effective as of January 1, 2005, no new directors shall be eligible to participate in the Plan."

    5. Section 1.21 is amended in its entirety to read as follows:

"'Plan' shall mean the Legacy Wisconsin Energy Corporation Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan."

Exhibit 10.16

 

 

 

WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION

DIRECTORS' DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

Effective as of January 1, 2005




 

ARTICLE 1 DEFINITIONS ............................................................1

1.1 "Account" ...........................................1

1.2 "Annual Installment Method" ................1

1.3 "Beneficiary" ........................................2

1.4 "Board" ...............................................2

1.5 "Chairman" ..........................................2

1.6 "Change in Control" .............................2

1.7 "Code" ................................................4

1.8 "Committee" .........................................4

1.9 "Company" ..........................................4

1.10 "Director" ..........................................4

1.11 "Election Form" ..................................4

1.12 "Ending Valuation Date" ......................4

1.13 "Fees" .................................................4

1.14 "In-Service Payout" .............................4

1.15 "Measurement Funds" ..........................4

1.16 "Participant" ..........................................4

1.17 "Plan" ..................................................4

1.18 "Plan Year" .........................................4

1.19 "Restricted Stock" ...............................5

1.20 "Restricted Stock Amount" ..................5

1.21 "Separation from Service" ....................5

1.22 "Stock" ...............................................5

1.23 "Trust" ................................................5

1.24 "Unforeseeable Emergency" .................5

ARTICLE 2 PARTICIPATION. ........................................................5

2.1 Participation .........................................5

2.2 Enrollment Requirements .......................5

2.3 Cessation of Participation ......................6

ARTICLE 3 DEFERRALS AND CONTRIBUTIONS ......................6

3.1 Deferral of Fees ...................................6

3.2 Restricted Stock ...................................6

3.3 New Directors ......................................7

ARTICLE 4 ACCOUNTS .................................................................7

4.1 Establishment of Accounts .....................7

4.2 Vesting ..................................................7

4.3 Deemed Investments ..............................8

4.4 Taxes ....................................................10

ARTICLE 5 DISTRIBUTION OF ACCOUNT ..................................10

5.1 Time for Distribution ..............................10

i


5.2 In-Service Payout ..................................10

5.3 Benefits Upon Separation from Service .....11

5.4 Benefits Upon Death ................................11

5.5 Changes to Form of Payment ...................12

5.6 Unforeseeable Emergency ........................13

5.7 Change in Control ...................................13

5.8 Discretion to Accelerate Distribution ........13

ARTICLE 6 BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION ....................................14

6.1 Beneficiary ...............................................14

6.2 Beneficiary Designation; Change ...............14

6.3 Acknowledgment ......................................14

6.4 No Beneficiary Designation ........................14

6.5 Doubt as to Beneficiary ..............................15

6.6 Discharge of Obligations ..............................15

ARTICLE 7 TERMINATION, AMENDMENT OR MODIFICATION ..................15

7.1 Termination .................................................................15

7.2 Amendment .................................................................16

7.3 Effect of Payment .........................................................16

ARTICLE 8 ADMINISTRATION ............................................................................16

8.1 Plan Administration ......................................................16

8.2 Powers, Duties and Procedures ....................................17

8.3 Administration Upon Change In Control .........................17

8.4 Agents ...........................................................................17

8.5 Binding Effect of Decisions .............................................18

8.6 Indemnity of Committee .................................................18

8.7 Company and Participating Subsidiary Information ..........18

8.8 Coordination with Other Benefits ....................................18

ARTICLE 9 CLAIMS PROCEDURES .......................................................................18

9.1 Presentation of Claim ......................................................18

9.2 Decision on Initial Claim .................................................18

9.3 Right to Review ..............................................................19

9.4 Decision on Review ........................................................19

9.5 Form of Notice and Decision ..........................................20

9.6 Legal Action ...................................................................20

ARTICLE 10 TRUST ..................................................................................................20

10.1 Establishment of the Trust .............................................20

10.2 Interrelationship of the Plan and the Trust ......................20

10.3 Distributions From the Trust ..........................................21

ARTICLE 11 MISCELLANEOUS ..............................................................................21

ii


11.1 Unsecured General Creditor ........................................21

11.2 Company's Liability ....................................................21

11.3 Nonassignability ..........................................................21

11.4 Not a Contract of Service ............................................21

11.5 Furnishing Information ..................................................21

11.6 Receipt and Release ....................................................22

11.7 Incompetent .................................................................22

11.8 Governing Law and Severability ....................................22

11.9 Notices and Communications ........................................22

11.10 Successors ...................................................................22

11.11 Insurance .......................................................................22

11.12 Legal Fees To Enforce Rights After Change in Control ......23

11.13 Terms ................................................................................23

11.14 Headings ............................................................................23



iii


 

WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION
DIRECTORS' DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

Introduction

Wisconsin Energy Corporation, a Wisconsin Corporation (the "Company"), previously established the Legacy Wisconsin Energy Corporation Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan (previously named the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan) (the "Legacy Plan"). The Company most recently amended and restated the Legacy Plan effective May 1, 2004. The Company froze the Legacy Plan effective December 31, 2004 with respect to new deferrals such that all earned and vested amounts credited under the Legacy Plan are "grandfathered" within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") enacted under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.

Effective as of January 1, 2005, the Company hereby establishes the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Plan"), as set forth herein, as a method of paying directors' compensation which will aid the Company and its subsidiaries, if any, in attracting and retaining as members of their Boards of Directors persons whose abilities, experience and judgment can contribute to the continued progress of the Company and such subsidiaries. The Plan shall be unfunded for tax purposes.

The Plan is intended to comply with the provisions of Code Section 409A, and any guidance and regulations issued thereunder. The Plan shall be interpreted and administered consistent with this intent and shall apply to all amounts deferred under the Plan on or after January 1, 2005. Such amounts include any amounts previously earned and deferred under the Legacy Plan, but not vested as of December 31, 2004. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during the Code Section 409A transition period in effect from January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2008, the Company permitted distribution elections and changes consistent with IRS transition relief, the elections and changes of which are otherwise documented via completed election forms.



ARTICLE 1
DEFINITIONS

Whenever used herein, the following terms have the meanings set forth below, unless a different meaning is clearly required by the context:

    1.1       "Account" shall mean a bookkeeping account established for the benefit of a Participant under Article 4 utilized solely to measure and determine the amounts credited under the Plan on behalf of a Participant or her Beneficiary. A Participant's Account may include one or more of the following sub-accounts, as more fully described in Article 4.

    1. Deferral Account, and
    2. Restricted Stock Account.

    1.2       "Annual Installment Method" shall mean an annual installment payment over a specified number of years as further described in Section 5.3. To determine the value of the

    1


    Participant's Account balance for calculating an installment payment, the Participant's Account balance shall be valued as of the close of business on the last business day of the Plan Year preceding the Plan Year for which payment is to be made. Each annual installment shall be calculated by multiplying this Account balance by a fraction, the numerator of which is one, and the denominator of which is the remaining number of annual payments due to the Participant. For example, if a 10-year Annual Installment Method is specified, the first payment shall be 1/10 of the Account balance, valued as described herein. The following Plan Year, the payment shall be 1/9 of the Account balance, valued as described herein.

    1.3       "Beneficiary" shall mean one or more persons, trusts, estates or other entities designated by the Participant in accordance with Article 6 that are entitled to receive benefits under this Plan upon the death of a Participant.

    1.4       "Board" shall mean the board of directors of the Company, and the board of directors of any subsidiary of the Company on which Directors serve.

    1.5       "Chairman" . shall mean the Chairman of the Board of the Company.

    1.6       "Change in Control" shall mean, with respect to the Company, the occurrence of any one of the following dates, interpreted consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5).

    1. Change in Ownership . The date any one Person, or more than one Person Acting as a Group, acquires ownership of stock of the Company that, together with stock held by such Person or Group, constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of this paragraph, if any one Person, or more than one Person Acting as a Group, is considered to own more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company, the acquisition of additional stock by the same Person or Persons is not considered to cause a Change in Control.
    2. Change in Effective Control .
      1. The date any one Person, or more than one Person Acting as a Group, acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such Person or Persons) ownership of stock of the Company possessing 30% or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of this subparagraph, if any one Person, or more than one Person Acting as a Group, is considered to effectively control the Company, the acquisition of additional control of the Company by the same Person or Persons is not considered to cause a Change in Control; or
      2. The date a majority of the members of the Company's Board is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is

        2


        not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Company's Board before the date of the appointment or election.

    3. Change in Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Company's Assets . The date any one Person, or more than one Person Acting as a Group, acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such Person or Persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 40% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately before such acquisition or acquisitions. For purposes of this paragraph (c), "gross fair market value" means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transfer of assets is not treated as a Change in Control if the assets are transferred to:
      1. An entity that is controlled by the shareholders of the transferring corporation;
      2. A shareholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to its stock;
      3. An entity, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company;
      4. A Person, or more than one Person Acting as a Group, that owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company; or
      5. An entity, at least 50% of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person described in clause (iv).

    4. "Person" and "Acting as a Group."
      1. For purposes of this Section, "Person" shall have the meaning set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
      2. For purposes of this Section, Persons shall be considered to be "Acting as a Group" if they are owners of a corporation that enter into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company. If a Person, including an entity, owns stock in both corporations that enter into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar transaction, such shareholder is considered to be Acting as a Group with the other shareholders only with respect to the ownership in that corporation before the transaction giving rise to the change and not with respect to the ownership interest in the other corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Persons shall not be considered to be Acting as a Group solely because they purchase or own

        3


        stock of the same corporation at the same time, or as a result of the same public offering.

    1.7       "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

    1.8       "Committee" shall mean the Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan Policy Committee appointed by the Company's Chairman to administer the Plan in accordance with Article 8.

    1.9       "Company" shall mean Wisconsin Energy Corporation, a Wisconsin corporation, and any successor to all or substantially all of the Company's assets or business.

    1.10       "Director" shall mean, solely for purposes of this Plan, any director of the Company or a participating subsidiary who is not also an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. This Plan is solely for "outside" Directors.

    1.11       "Election Form" shall mean the form or forms established from time to time by the Committee that a Participant completes, signs and returns to the Committee to make a deferral election, make or change a payment form election, and/or make or change an investment election. To the extent authorized by the Committee, such form may be electronic or set forth in some other media or format.

    1.12       "Ending Valuation Date" shall mean the last business day of the Plan Year immediately preceding the Plan Year of distribution of a lump sum payment or final installment payment, as the case may be.

    1.13       "Fees" shall mean the annual fees, meeting fees and any other fees payable to a Director for her services, and shall exclude any income from stock options or other equity-based awards.

    1.14       "In-Service Payout" shall mean distribution, as of a specified date elected by a Participant, of all or a portion of Fees deferred in accordance with Article 3.

    1.15       "Measurement Funds" shall mean the hypothetical investment funds available under the Plan, as provided in Section 4.3, to determine the earnings and losses credited to a Participant's Account.

    1.16       "Participant" shall mean any Director who elects to participate in the Plan in accordance with Article 2 and maintains an Account balance hereunder. A spouse or former spouse of a Participant shall not be treated as a Participant in the Plan or have an Account under the Plan, even if she has an interest in the Participant's Account as a result of applicable law or property settlements resulting from legal separation or divorce.

    1.17       "Plan" shall mean the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan, including any amendments adopted hereto.

    1.18       "Plan Year" shall mean the calendar year.

    4


    1.19       "Restricted Stock" shall mean unvested shares of Stock which is restricted stock selected by the Compensation Committee, approved by the Board in its sole discretion, and awarded to the Participant under any Company stock incentive plan or arrangement.

    1.20       "Restricted Stock Amount" shall mean, for any grant of Restricted Stock, the amount equal to the value of such Restricted Stock, calculated using the average of the reported high and low prices for the Stock as of the day such Restricted Stock would otherwise vest (if a business day) or as of the next following business day.

    1.21       "Separation from Service" shall mean the Participant's termination of service with the Company and other entities affiliated with the Company, voluntarily or involuntarily, for any reason other than death, or as otherwise provided by the Department of Treasury in regulations promulgated under Code Section 409A. For purposes of the foregoing, whether an entity is affiliated with the Company shall be determined pursuant to the controlled group rules of Code Section 414, as modified by Code Section 409A.

    1.22       "Stock" shall mean Wisconsin Energy Corporation common stock.

    1.23       "Trust" shall mean the fund created by the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Rabbi Trust Agreement dated December 1, 2000 between the Company and The Northern Trust Company, and as amended from time to time.

    1.24       "Unforeseeable Emergency" shall mean, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, a severe financial hardship to the Participant resulting from (i) an illness or accident of the Participant, the Participant's spouse, the Participant's Beneficiary, or the Participant's dependent (as defined in Code Section 152, without regard to Code Section 152(b)(1), (b)(2), and (d)(1)(B)), (ii) loss of the Participant's property due to casualty (including the need to rebuild a home following damage to a home not otherwise covered by insurance), or (iii) other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant.

ARTICLE 2
PARTICIPATION

    2.1        Participation To begin participation in the Plan, a Director shall properly complete and timely submit an Election Form to the Committee in accordance with the Committee's rules. A Director shall become a Participant on the first day on which a deferral of an elected amount is first credited to her Account. The Committee or its delegate may establish from time to time such other enrollment requirements as it determines in its sole discretion are necessary. Such Participant shall remain a Participant in the Plan until her Account balance is paid in full.

    2.2 Enrollment Requirements Election Forms shall be completed and filed with the Committee by the time periods set forth in Article 3 for the particular type of compensation elected for deferral or during such other enrollment period as the Committee determines in accordance with such Article. A Participant may change or revoke a deferral election any time before such election becomes irrevocable, which shall

    5


    occur as of the applicable deadline specified in Article 3 unless the Committee establishes an earlier deadline. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, a new Election Form shall be required for each Plan Year in which a Participant wants to defer a type of compensation eligible for deferral. A Participant's Election Form shall specify the form of payment, which shall be paid at the times specified in Article 5. Beginning with the enrollment period held in 2008, the form of payment elected on the Participant's Election Form shall govern all amounts credited to her Account beginning in 2009 and shall apply to each subsequent Plan Year's deferrals, until changed on either a prospective or retroactive basis by the Participant pursuant to Section 5.5. Distribution elections made during the Code Section 409A transition period that relate to amounts deferred in Plan Years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, as the case may be, shall be honored for such respective amounts, even if such amounts are not credited to a Participant's Account until a later Plan Year or the Participant chose a form of payment that was offered under the Legacy Plan, but not under the Plan.

    2.3       Cessation of Participation

    1. Elective deferrals made by a Participant or Beneficiary who receives a distribution due to an Unforeseeable Emergency pursuant to Section 5.6 will be canceled due to such distribution if the Committee so decides in its discretion. In either event, the Participant (or Beneficiary, as applicable) shall remain a Participant in the Plan until her Account balance is paid in full.
    2. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, upon the earlier to occur of a Participant's Separation from Service or death, any outstanding deferral election shall be given effect to the extent any amounts covered by such election are paid after such event. Payment of deferred amounts shall be made pursuant to Article 5.


ARTICLE 3
DEFERRALS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

    3.1        Deferral of Fees . For each Plan Year, a Director may elect to defer all or any Fees. A Participant's Election Form with respect to any Fees shall be filed with the Committee before the beginning of each Plan Year in which such Fees are earned. Subject to Section 2.2, such deferral elections shall be irrevocable as of the first day of the Plan Year to which the Election Form relates.

    3.2       Restricted Stock .

    1. For any grant of Restricted Stock, a Participant may elect to defer up to 100% (in whole percentage or fixed dollar amount) of her Restricted Stock Amount, subject to such other terms or conditions as set forth in the plan or agreement under which such Restricted Stock was granted.
    2. A Participant's Election Form with respect to the deferral of Restricted Stock Amounts shall be filed with the Committee before the beginning of the Plan Year

      6


      in which the Restricted Stock is awarded, as determined under the terms of the plan or arrangement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the discretion of the Committee, an Election Form may be submitted within 30 days after the Restricted Stock is awarded, provided that the Restricted Stock's first vesting date is at least 12 months after the date the completed Election Form is delivered to and accepted by the Committee (taking into account any automatic vesting provisions upon certain terminations from service that may occur before such 12 month period).
    3. Subject to Section 2.2, such deferral elections shall be irrevocable as of the first day of the Plan Year to which the Election Form relates, or the 30 th day after the Restricted Stock is awarded, as the case may be.

    3.3       New Directors . . Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, a newly-elected Director who is first eligible to participate in the Plan (as determined in accordance with plan aggregation rules set forth in Code Section 409A) shall be given 30 days from the date she becomes first elected as a Director to complete and submit an Election Form with respect to Fees, and such election shall apply only to Fees paid for services performed after the date on which the election is effective.

ARTICLE 4
ACCOUNTS

    4.1       Establishment of Accounts Bookkeeping accounts shall be established for each Participant to reflect the deferrals of amounts made for the Participant's benefit, together with adjustments for income, gains or losses attributable thereto, and any payments from the respective sub-accounts. Accounts are established solely for the purpose of tracking deferrals made by Participants and any income adjustments thereto. The Accounts shall not be used to segregate assets for payment of any amounts deferred or allocated under the Plan, and shall not constitute or be treated as a trust fund of any kind. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, the Plan shall maintain and credit the following sub-accounts:

    1. Deferral Account . The Participant's Deferral Account shall reflect a Participant's Fee deferrals credited on her behalf. Fee deferrals shall be withheld and credited to the Deferral Account as of the date or dates on which the Fees would otherwise be paid to the Participant or as soon as administratively feasible.
    2. Restricted Stock Account . Restricted Stock Amount deferrals shall be credited to the Restricted Stock Account as of the date the Restricted Stock would otherwise vest under the terms of the plan or arrangement pursuant to which the Restricted Stock was granted, but for the election to defer.

    4.2       Vesting A Participant shall at all times be 100% vested and have a nonforfeitable right to amounts credited to her Deferral Account and Restricted Stock Account, adjusted for deemed income, gains and losses attributable thereto.

    7


    4.3       Deemed Investments Subject to paragraphs (b) and (h) below, and in accordance with, and subject to, the rules and procedures that are established from time to time by the Committee in its sole discretion, amounts shall be credited or debited to a Participant's Account in accordance with the following rules. The Committee's discretion includes the right to supersede the specific rights identified below, with or without retroactive effect:

    1. Measurement Funds . Amounts credited to each Participant's Account shall be deemed invested, in accordance with the Participant's directions, in one or more Measurement Funds that are available under the Plan. The hypothetical investment funds available under the Plan shall be those designated by the Committee, from time to time in its discretion, following recommendations by the WEC Investment Trust Policy Committee. Subject to paragraphs (b) and (h) below, a Participant may elect one or more of the following Measurement Funds for the purpose of crediting additional amounts to her Account: (i) any Measurement Fund selected by the Committee from time to time, (ii) the Prime Rate Fund (described as a mutual fund that is 100% invested in a hypothetical debt instrument which earns interest at an annualized interest rate equal to the "Prime Rate" as reported each business day by the Wall Street Journal, with interest deemed reinvested in additional units of such hypothetical debt instrument), or (iii) a Company Stock Measurement Fund (described as a mutual fund that is 100% invested in shares of Company Stock, with dividends deemed reinvested in additional shares of Company Stock).
    2. Subject to paragraphs (b) and (h) below, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, discontinue, substitute or add a Measurement Fund, subject to such advance notice to Participants if the Committee determines, in its sole discretion, that such notice is necessary.

    3. Special Rule for Restricted Stock Amounts . Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, the Participant's Restricted Stock Amounts deferred under the Plan that would have otherwise been distributed in Stock shall be deemed invested in the Company Stock Measurement Fund at all times before distribution from this Plan. Further, the Participant's Restricted Stock Amounts shall be distributed from this Plan in the form of cash.
    4. Election of Measurement Funds . Subject to paragraphs (b) and (h), a Participant shall elect on her initial Election Form one or more Measurement Funds to be used to determine the additional amounts to be credited to her Account, unless changed pursuant to rules as the Committee shall determine, in its discretion, from time to time. However, subject to paragraphs (b) and (h) and any rules and procedures established from time to time by the Committee in its sole discretion, the Participant may elect, by submitting an Election Form to the Committee that is accepted by the Committee, to add or delete one or more Measurement Funds to be used to determine the additional amounts to be credited to her Account, or to change the portion of her Account allocated to each previously or newly elected Measurement Fund. Such rules may include, but are not limited to, rules and/or trading policies that govern the timing, frequency, and manner in which elections

      8


      are made to allocate or reallocate deemed investment amounts among the Measurement Funds, and may be modified at any time and from time to time by the Committee in its sole discretion. If an election is made to change a Measurement Fund, it shall become effective and apply thereafter in accordance with the rules of the Committee for all subsequent periods in which the Participant participates in the Plan, unless changed in accordance with the previous provisions.
      All rights of a Participant or any other person to elect or change the Measurement Funds under this Section shall be deemed to have ceased as of the Ending Valuation Date and no adjustment in the value of an Account balance shall be considered for any purpose under the Plan after such Ending Valuation Date.
    5. Proportionate Allocation . In making any election described in paragraph (c) above, the Participant shall specify on the Election Form, in increments of 1%, the percentage of her Account balance to be allocated to a Measurement Fund (as if the Participant was making an investment in that Measurement Fund with that portion of her Account balance).
    6. Crediting or Debiting Method . The performance of each elected Measurement Fund (either positive or negative) shall be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, based on the performance of the Measurement Funds themselves. A Participant's Account shall be credited or debited on a periodic basis based on the performance of each Measurement Fund selected by the Participant, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, provided that no adjustment in the value of a Participant's Account balance shall be considered after the Ending Valuation Date.
    7. No Actual Investment . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, the Measurement Funds shall be used for measurement purposes only, and a Participant's election of any Measurement Fund, the allocation to her Account thereto, the calculation of additional amounts and the crediting or debiting of such amounts to a Participant's Account shall not be considered or construed in any manner as an actual investment of her Account balance in any such Measurement Fund. If the Company or the trustee, in its sole discretion, decides to invest funds in any or all of the Measurement Funds, no Participant shall have any rights in or to such investments themselves. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Participant's Account balance shall at all times be a bookkeeping entry only and shall not represent any investment made on her behalf by the Company or the trustee; the Participant shall at all times remain an unsecured creditor of the Company.
    8. Investment of Trust Assets . The trustee of the Trust shall be authorized, upon written instructions received from the Committee or an investment manager appointed by the Committee, to invest and reinvest the assets of the Trust in accordance with the applicable Trust Agreement, including the disposition of Stock and reinvestment of the proceeds in one or more investment vehicles designated by the Committee.


    9. 9


    10. Special Considerations for Participants Subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 . In order for any deferral election under this Plan by a Participant who is a Director subject to the reporting requirements and trading restrictions of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Section 16") to conform to Section 16, the Participant shall consult with the Company's designated individual responsible for Section 16 reporting and compliance before making any election to move any part of her Account into or out of the Company Stock Measurement Fund. Any change of election to an alternative payout form made under Section 5.5 by such Participant may only be given effect if it is approved by the Chairman (or if such change is requested by the Chairman at any time when the Chairman is also a Director participating in this Plan, such change may be given effect only if it is approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board, excluding the Chairman). The Company reserves the right to impose such restrictions as it determines necessary, in its sole discretion, on any elections, transactions or other matters under this Plan relating to the Company Stock Measurement Fund to comply with or qualify for exemption under Section 16.

    4.4       Taxes Any applicable tax withholding or reporting requirements with regard to amounts paid from this Plan shall be satisfied as determined by the Company in its sole discretion.

ARTICLE 5
DISTRIBUTION OF ACCOUNT

    5.1       Time for Distribution Except as otherwise provided in Section 5.6, distribution of a Participant's Account shall be made on the earliest to occur of:

    1. The date elected by a Participant under Section 5.2 with respect to an In-Service Payout;
    2. The date set forth in Section 5.3 with respect to the Participant's Separation from Service;
    3. The date set forth in Section 5.4 with respect to the Participant's death; or
    4. The date set forth in Section 5.7 with respect to a Separation from Service after a Change in Control.

    Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, in no event shall the distribution of any Account be accelerated to a time earlier than which it would otherwise have been paid, whether by amendment of the Plan, exercise of the Committee's discretion or otherwise, except as permitted by Section 5.8 or Treasury Regulations issued pursuant to Code Section 409A.

    5.2       In-Service Payout A Participant may irrevocably select, on her Election Form, a Plan Year to receive a lump sum In-Service Payout of all or part of an annual Fee deferral amount. The earliest Plan Year in which a Participant can elect an In-Service Payout is the third Plan Year after the Plan Year in which the deferral actually occurs. For

    10


    example, an election to defer Fees in December 2004 that is actually deferred in 2005 may be distributed no earlier than in 2008. Payment shall be made during the first 90 days of the Plan Year elected for distribution.

    5.3       Benefits Upon Separation from Service . Upon a Participant's Separation from Service for any reason other than death, the Participant's Account shall be paid or begin to be paid during the first 90 days of the Plan Year following the Plan Year of the Participant's Separation from Service. Subsequent installment payments shall be made thereafter during the first 90 days of the Plan Year in which the installment is due.

    Subject to Section 5.7 and taking into account any changes to an elected form of payment pursuant to Section 5.5, a Participant may elect to receive payment of her Account balance:

      1. in a lump sum, or
      2. in any number of installments up to ten. The amount of each installment shall be determined using the Annual Installment Method.

    Notwithstanding any election to receive payment in installments, if the Participant's Account Balance at the time of his Separation from Service is $10,000 or less, the Participant's Account Balance will be paid in a lump sum. In addition, if no valid payment election is in effect when distribution is to be made, then the Participant's Account balance shall be paid in a lump sum.

    5.4       Benefits Upon Death Upon the Participant's death, the Plan Administrator shall pay to the Participant's Beneficiary a benefit equal to the remaining balance in the Participant's Account. Payment shall be made in accordance with the provisions below.

    1. Death While In Pay Status . If the Participant dies after commencing an installment form of payment, but before the entire benefit is paid in full, the Participant's unpaid installment payments shall continue to be paid to the Participant's Beneficiary over the remaining number of years as that benefit would have been paid to the Participant had the Participant survived. In the event a Participant dies after a Separation from Service, but before actual payment is made or begins, this paragraph shall apply and payment to the Participant's Beneficiary shall be paid or begin to be paid at the same time as if the Participant had survived.
    2. Death While In Service . If a Participant dies during a period of service as a Director, the Participant's Account shall be paid or begin to be paid to the Participant's Beneficiary during the first 90 days of the Plan Year following the Plan Year of the Participant's death. Payment shall be made in such form as determined below, taking into account any changes to an elected form of payment pursuant to Section 5.5.
      1. A Participant's Account balance shall be paid to her Beneficiary in a lump sum if:


      2. 11


        1. timely elected by the Participant pursuant to the Plan,
        2. the Participant's Account balance at the time of death is $25,000 or less even if the Participant elected an installment payment form, or
        3. no valid payment election is in effect when distribution is to be made.

      3. Subject to clause (i)(B), a Participant may elect payment of her Account balance upon death in any number of installments up to ten. The amount of each installment shall be determined using the Annual Installment Method.

    5.5       Changes to Form of Payment

    1. Prospective Changes . A Participant may select an alternate form of payment for amounts not yet subject to an irrevocable election in accordance with the rules for filing elections in Section 2.2 and Article 3.
    2. Retroactive Changes . A Participant may elect to change the form of payment for amounts that are subject to a deferral election that is irrevocable:
      1. A Participant who has elected a lump sum distribution may later change such election to an installment payment, provided the first installment payment shall be deferred to a date that is at least five years after the date the lump sum distribution would otherwise have been made.
      2. A Participant who has an installment election in effect may change such election to a lump sum payment, provided the lump sum payment shall be deferred to a date that is at least five years after the date the initial installment payment would otherwise have commenced.
      3. A Participant who has an installment election for payment upon Separation from Service, may change the number of installments, provided that the first installment payment shall be deferred to a date that is at least five years after the date the initial installment payment would otherwise have commenced.

      Any such election changes pursuant to this paragraph shall be completed in accordance with Committee rules and must be made at least 12 months before the event triggering distribution occurs. Therefore, if the event triggering distribution occurs before such 12 month period has elapsed, then the election to change the payment form shall not take effect. Notwithstanding anything in this paragraph (b) to the contrary, the five-year delay described above shall not apply to changes in the form of payment upon death.

    3. Changes Pursuant to s409A Transition Relief . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, on or before December 31, 2008, Participants may

      12


      make changes to payment form elections previously filed with respect to amounts deferred under the Plan that relate to Plan Years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 consistent with transition relief provided by the Department of the Treasury in Notice 2006-79, Notice 2007-86 and proposed regulations promulgated under Code Section 409A.
      If a Participant makes such a change, then the last election validly in effect as of December 31, 2008 shall be treated as the "initial" election for purposes of applying the rules set forth in paragraph (b).

    5.6       Unforeseeable Emergency A Participant may request that all or a portion of her Account be distributed in a lump sum at any time by submitting a written request to the Committee demonstrating that she has suffered an Unforeseeable Emergency, and that the distribution is necessary to alleviate the financial hardship created by the Unforeseeable Emergency.

    1. The Committee shall have the sole discretionary authority to determine whether a Participant has suffered an Unforeseeable Emergency, which shall be determined based on the relevant facts and circumstances of each case. In making such a determination, no distribution pursuant to this Section shall be made to the extent that such Unforeseeable Emergency is or may be relieved through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise, or by liquidation of the Participant's assets (unless such liquidation itself would cause a severe financial hardship), or by the cessation of deferrals under the Plan. In this regard, all deferral elections scheduled for the remainder of the Plan Year in which such distribution is made may be cancelled, as determined by the Committee in its discretion. If the Committee cancels a Participant's outstanding deferral election, a Participant shall be required to make a new election pursuant to Article 2 and Article 3 to resume active participation in the Plan.
    2. Upon a finding that the Participant has suffered an Unforeseeable Emergency, the Committee shall distribute to the Participant the lesser of (i) the portion of her Account that is necessary to satisfy the Unforeseeable Emergency, plus taxes attributable thereto or (ii) the Account balance. Distributions made pursuant to this Section shall be made within 90 days after the Committee or Plan representative has reviewed and approved the request.

    5.7       Change in Control Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, in the event a Participant incurs a Separation from Service within 18 months after a Change in Control, the Company shall distribute the Participant's entire Account in a lump sum payment within 90 days after such Separation .

    5.8       Discretion to Accelerate Distribution . .

    1. The Committee shall have the discretion to make a distribution, or accelerate the time or schedule of payment, from a Participant's Account if payment is required:
      1. Under the withholding provisions of applicable state and local taxes with respect to compensation deferred under the Plan. Any such distribution

        13


        shall not exceed the aggregate of such tax and shall reduce the Participant's Account balance to the extent of such distributions; or
      2. For payment of state, local or foreign tax obligations arising from participation in the Plan that apply to an amount deferred under the Plan. Any such payment shall not exceed the amount of such taxes due as a result of Plan participation.

    2. The Committee or a Plan representative is authorized to accelerate the time or schedule of a payment under the Plan to an individual other than the Participant, or to make a payment under the Plan to an individual other than Participant, to the extent necessary to fulfill a domestic relations order (as defined in Code Section 414(p)(1)(B)). Payment to an alternate payee under a domestic relations order shall be made in a lump sum within 90 days after the Committee or Plan representative approves such order.
    3. The Committee shall have the discretion to accelerate the time or schedule of a payment under the Plan if the Plan fails to meet the requirements of Code Section 409A and regulations promulgated thereunder, provided that any such payment does not exceed the amount required to be included in income as a result of such failure.

ARTICLE 6
Beneficiary Designation
.

    6.1       Beneficiary Each Participant may, at any time, designate one or more Beneficiaries (both primary as well as contingent) to receive any benefits payable under the Plan upon her death. The Beneficiary designated under this Plan may be the same as or different from the Beneficiary designation under any other Company plan in which the Participant participates.

    6.2       Beneficiary Designation; Change A Participant shall designate her Beneficiary by completing and signing a beneficiary designation form established by the Committee or its delegate, and returning it to the Committee or its designated agent. A Participant may change her Beneficiary designation by completing, signing and otherwise complying with the terms of the beneficiary designation form and the Committee's rules and procedures, as in effect from time to time. Upon the acceptance by the Committee of a new beneficiary designation form, all Beneficiary designations previously filed shall be canceled. The Committee shall rely on the last completed beneficiary designation form filed by the Participant and accepted by the Committee before her death.

    6.3       Acknowledgment No Beneficiary designation or change in Beneficiary designation shall be effective until accepted by the Committee or a Plan representative.

    6.4       No Beneficiary Designation If a Participant fails to designate a Beneficiary as provided in this Article 6 or, if all designated Beneficiaries predecease the Participant or die before complete distribution of the Participant's Account, then the Participant's designated

    14


    Beneficiary shall be deemed to be her surviving spouse. If the Participant has no surviving spouse, but was survived by a designated Beneficiary who was receiving benefits or was entitled to receive distribution under this Plan but died before a complete distribution of the Participant's Account, the remaining benefits shall be paid to such designated Beneficiary's estate. If the Participant leaves no surviving spouse and was not survived by a designated Beneficiary as provided in the foregoing sentence, the Participant's Account shall be paid to the Participant's estate.

    6.5       Doubt as to Beneficiary If the Committee has any doubt as to the proper Beneficiary to receive payments under this Plan, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, require the Company or a participating subsidiary to withhold such payments until the matter is resolved to the Committee's satisfaction.

    6.6       Discharge of Obligations The complete payment of benefits under the Plan to a Beneficiary shall fully and completely discharge the Company, each participating subsidiary and the Committee from all further obligations under this Plan with respect to the Participant, and the Participant's Election Form shall terminate upon such full payment of benefits.

ARTICLE 7
Termination, Amendment or Modification

    7.1       Termination . .

    1. Although the Company anticipates that it will continue the Plan for an indefinite period of time, there is no guarantee that the Company will continue the Plan or will not terminate the Plan at any time in the future. Accordingly, the Company reserves the right to discontinue its participation in the Plan and/or to terminate the Plan at any time or to exclude any participating subsidiary from further participation at any time by action of the Company's Board of Directors or Compensation Committee. Upon the termination of the Plan by the Company or exclusion of any participating subsidiary, any election to defer compensation under the Plan by Participants who are then in service shall terminate as of the last day of the Plan Year containing the termination date. The termination of the Plan shall not reduce the amount of any benefit to which the Participant or Beneficiary is entitled to receive under the Plan as of the termination date. Except as provided in paragraph (b) below, Account balances shall be maintained under the Plan until such amounts would otherwise have been distributed in accordance with the terms of the Plan and Participants' validly filed payment elections.
    2. Upon termination of the Plan, the Company's Board of Directors or Compensation Committee reserves the discretion to accelerate distribution of Participants' Account (including those Participants in pay status pursuant to an installment election) in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Department of the Treasury under Code Section 409A.

    3. 15


    7.2       Amendment The Company may, in its sole discretion, amend or modify the Plan at any time, in whole or in part, by action of its Board, Compensation Committee or the Committee; provided, however, that no amendment shall decrease the amount of any Participant's Account as of the date of the amendment. Further, during the pendency of a Potential Change in Control (as defined below) and at all times following a Change in Control, no amendment or modification may be made which in any way adversely affects the interests of any Participant with respect to amounts credited to such Participant's Account as of the date of the amendment. A "Potential Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if one of the following events occurs:

    1. The Company enters into an agreement, the consummation of which would result in the occurrence of a Change in Control;
    2. The Company or any Person publicly announces an intention to take or to consider taking actions which, if consummated, would constitute a Change in Control;
    3. Any Person becomes the Beneficial Owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), directly or indirectly, of Stock representing 15% or more of either the then outstanding shares of stock of the Company or the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding Stock (not including the Stock beneficially owned by such Person or any Stock acquired directly from the Company or its affiliates); or
    4. The Company's Board adopts a resolution to the effect that, for purposes of this Plan, a Potential Change in Control has occurred.

    Except as otherwise noted, the capitalized terms in the above definition have the same meaning as set forth in Section 1.6. The Company's power to amend or modify the Plan includes the power to suspend or freeze participation in the Plan, provided such suspension or freeze does not cause a prohibited acceleration of compensation under Code Section 409A. In such circumstance, the Company may, in its sole discretion, re-institute the ability of any Participant or group of Participants to make deferrals under Article 3 at any time, provided such action is taken consistent with Code Section 409A. Such action may be taken by the Company's Board of Directors, the Compensation Committee or the Committee referred to in Article 8 below.

    7.3       Effect of Payment . The full payment of the Participant's Account under any provision of the Plan shall completely discharge the obligations of the Company and each participating subsidiary to the Participant and her Beneficiaries under this Plan, and the Participant's Election Forms shall terminate.

ARTICLE 8
Administration

    8.1       Plan Administration Except as otherwise provided in this Article 8, the Plan shall be administered by the Committee. Members of the Committee may be Participants under

    16


    this Plan. Any individual serving on the Committee who is a Participant shall not vote or act on any matter relating solely to himself or herself. The Chairman may not act on any matter involving such individual's own participation in the Plan. All references to the Committee shall be deemed to include reference to the Chairman.

    8.2       Powers, Duties and Procedures . . The Committee (or the Chairman if such individual chooses to so act) shall have full and complete discretionary authority to (i) make, amend, interpret and enforce all appropriate rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan, and (ii) decide or resolve any and all questions including interpretations of the Plan, as may arise in connection with the claims procedures set forth in Article 9 or otherwise with regard to the Plan. The Committee shall have complete control and authority to determine the rights and benefits of all claims, demands and actions arising out of the provisions of the Plan of any Participant or Beneficiary or other person having or claiming to have any interest under the Plan. When making a determination or calculation, the Committee may rely on information furnished by a Participant or the Company. Benefits under the Plan shall be paid only if the Committee decides in its sole discretion that the Participant or Beneficiary is entitled to them. The Committee or the Chairman may delegate such powers and duties as it determines for the efficient administration of the Plan.

    8.3       Administration Upon Change In Control For purposes of this Plan, the Company shall be the "Administrator" at all times before a Change in Control. Upon and after a Change in Control, the Administrator shall be an independent third party selected by the individual who, at any time before such event, was the Company's Chief Executive Officer or, if there is no such officer or such officer does not act, by the Company's then highest ranking officer (the "Appointing Officer"). Upon a Change in Control, the Administrator shall have full and complete discretionary power to determine all questions arising in connection with the administration of the Plan and the interpretation of the Plan and Trust including, but not limited to, benefit entitlement determinations. Upon and after a Change in Control, the Company shall (i) pay all reasonable administrative expenses and fees of the Administrator, (ii) indemnify the Administrator against any costs, expenses and liabilities (including, without limitation, attorney's fees) of whatever kind and nature which may be imposed on, asserted against or incurred by the Administrator in connection with the performance of the duties hereunder, except with respect to matters resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Administrator or its employees or agents, and (iii) supply full and timely information to the Administrator on all matters relating to the Plan, the Trust, the Participants and their Beneficiaries, the Account balances of the Participants, including the dates of death or Separation from Service and such other pertinent information as the Administrator may reasonably require. Upon and after a Change in Control, the Administrator may be terminated (and a replacement appointed) only by an Appointing Officer. Upon and after a Change in Control, the Administrator may not be terminated by the Company.

    8.4       Agents In the administration of this Plan, the Committee may, from time to time, employ agents and delegate to them such administrative duties as it sees fit (including acting through a duly appointed representative) and may from time to time consult with counsel who may be counsel to the Company.

    17


    8.5       Binding Effect of Decisions Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Committee or its delegate shall have complete discretion to interpret the Plan and to decide all matters under the Plan. Any such interpretation shall be final, conclusive and binding on all Participants, Beneficiaries and any person claiming under or through any Participant, in the absence of clear and convincing evidence that the Committee acted arbitrarily and capriciously.

    8.6       Indemnity of Committee The Company and each participating subsidiary shall indemnify and hold harmless the members of the Committee, and any other person who is an employee of the Company or a participating subsidiary and to whom the duties of the Committee may be delegated, and the Administrator, as defined in Section 8.2, against any and all claims, losses, damages, expenses or liabilities arising from any action or failure to act with respect to this Plan, except in the case of willful misconduct by the Committee, any of its members or any such employee or the Administrator.

    8.7       Company and Participating Subsidiary Information To enable the Committee and/or Administrator to perform its functions, the Company and each participating subsidiary shall supply full and timely information to the Committee on all matters relating to the compensation of its Participants, the dates of death or Separation from Service and such other pertinent information as the Committee may reasonably require.

    8.8       Coordination with Other Benefits The benefits provided to a Participant and the Beneficiary under the Plan are in addition to any other benefits available to such Participant under any other plan or program in which she is eligible to participate. The Plan shall supplement and shall not supersede, modify or amend any other such plan or program except as may otherwise be expressly provided.

ARTICLE 9
Claims Procedures

    9.1      Presentation of Claim Any Participant or Beneficiary (such Participant or Beneficiary being referred to below as a "Claimant") may deliver to the Committee a written claim for benefits. If such a claim relates to the contents of a notice received by the Claimant, the claim must be made within 90 days after such notice was received by the Claimant. All other claims shall be made within 180 days of the date on which the event that caused the claim to arise occurred. The claim shall state with particularity the determination desired by the Claimant. A claim shall be considered to have been made when a written communication made by the Claimant or the Claimant's representative is received by the Committee.

    9.2       Decision on Initial Claim The Committee shall consider a Claimant's claim and provide written notice to the Claimant of any denial within a reasonable time, but no later than 90 days after receipt of the claim. If an extension of time beyond the initial 90-day period for processing is required, written notice of the extension shall be provided to the Claimant before the initial 90-day period expires indicating the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Committee expects to render a

    18


    final decision. In no event shall the period, as extended, exceed 180 days. If the Committee denies, in whole or in part, the claim, the notice shall set forth in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant:

      1. The specific reasons for the denial of the claim, or any part thereof;
      2. Specific references to pertinent Plan provisions upon which such denial was based;
      3. A description of any additional material or information necessary for the Claimant to perfect the claim, and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and
      4. An explanation of the claim review procedure set forth in Section 9.3 below, which explanation shall also include a statement of the Claimant's right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a) following a denial of the claim upon review.

    9.3       Right to Review A Claimant is entitled to appeal any claim that has been denied in whole or in part. To do so, the Claimant must submit a written request for review with the Committee within 60 days after receiving a notice from the Committee that a claim has been denied, in whole or in part. Absent receipt by the Committee of a written request for review within such 60-day period, the claim shall be deemed to be conclusively denied. The Claimant (or the Claimant's duly authorized representative) may:

    1. Review and/or receive copies of, upon request and free of charge, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the Claimant's claim;
    2. Submit written comments, documents, records or other information relating to her claim, which the Committee shall take into account in considering the claim on review, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial review of the claim; and/or
    3. Request a hearing, which the Committee, in its sole discretion, may grant.

    If a Claimant requests to review and/or receive copies of relevant information pursuant to paragraph (a) above before filing a written request for review, the 60-day period for submitting the written request for review will be tolled during the period beginning on the date the Claimant makes such request and ending on the date the Claimant reviews or receives such relevant information.

    9.4       Decision on Review . The Committee shall render its decision on review promptly, and not later than 60 days after it receives a written request for review of the denial, unless a hearing is held or other special circumstances require additional time. In such case, the Committee will notify the Claimant, before the expiration of the initial 60-day period and in writing, of the need for additional time, the reason the additional time is necessary, and the date (no later than 60 days after expiration of the initial 60-day period) by which the Committee expects to render its decision on review. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if

    19


    the Committee determines that an extension of the initial 60-day period is required due to the Claimant's failure to submit information necessary for the Committee to decide the claim, the time period by which the Committee must make its determination on review shall be tolled from the date on which the notification of the extension is sent to the Claimant until the date on which the Claimant responds to the request for additional information. The decision on review shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the Claimant, and shall contain:

    1. Specific reasons for the decision;
    2. Specific references to the pertinent Plan provisions upon which the decision was based;
    3. A statement that the Claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records or other information relevant (within the meaning of Department of Labor Regulation Section 2560.503-1(m)(8)) to the Claimant's claim;
    4. A statement of the Claimant's right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a) following a wholly or partially denied claim for benefits; and
    5. Such other matters as the Committee deems relevant.

    9.5       Form of Notice and Decision Any notice or decision by the Committee under this Article 9 may be furnished electronically in accordance with Department of Labor Regulation Section 2520.104b-(1)(c)(i), (iii) and (iv).

    9.6       Legal Action Any final decision by the Committee shall be binding on all parties. A Claimant's compliance with the foregoing provisions of this Article 10 is a mandatory prerequisite to a Claimant's right to commence any legal action with respect to any claim for benefits under this Plan. Any such legal action must be initiated no later than 180 days after the Committee renders its final decision. If a final determination of the Committee is challenged in court, such determination shall not be subject to de novo review and shall not be overturned unless proven to be arbitrary and capricious based on the evidence considered by the Committee at the time of such determination.

ARTICLE 10
Trust

    10.1       Establishment of the Trust The Company shall establish the Trust and the Company and each participating subsidiary shall contribute such amounts to the Trust from time to time as it deems desirable.

    10.2       Interrelationship of the Plan and the Trust The provisions of the Plan shall govern the rights of a Participant to receive distributions pursuant to the Plan. The provisions of the Trust shall govern the rights of the Company and each participating subsidiary, Participants and the creditors of the Company and each participating subsidiary to the

    20


    assets transferred to the Trust. The Company and each participating subsidiary shall at all times remain liable to carry out their obligations under the Plan.

    10.3       Distributions From the Trust The obligations of the Company and each participating subsidiary under the Plan may be satisfied with Trust assets distributed pursuant to the terms of the Trust, and any such distribution shall reduce their obligations under this Plan.

ARTICLE 11
Miscellaneous

    11.1       Unsecured General Creditor Participants and their Beneficiaries, heirs, successors and assigns shall have no legal or equitable rights, interests or claims in any property or assets of the Company and each participating subsidiary or any other person, and nothing in the Plan shall be construed to give any Director or any other person such rights. The Plan constitutes a mere promise by the Company and each participating subsidiary to make payments in accordance with the terms of the Plan, and Participants and Beneficiaries shall have the status of general unsecured creditors solely of the Company or participating subsidiary making such promise.

    11.2       Company's Liability The liability of the Company and each participating subsidiary for the payment of benefits shall be defined only by the Plan and any Election Forms, as entered into between the Company and a Participant. Neither the Company nor any participating subsidiary shall have any obligation to a Participant under the Plan except as expressly provided in the Plan.

    11.3       Nonassignability . Neither a Participant nor any other person shall have any right to commute, sell, assign, transfer, pledge, anticipate, mortgage or otherwise encumber, transfer, hypothecate, alienate or convey in advance of actual receipt, the amounts, if any, payable hereunder, or any part thereof, which are, and all rights to which are expressly declared to be, unassignable and non-transferable to the maximum extent allowed by law. No part of the amounts payable shall, before actual payment, be subject to seizure, attachment, garnishment or sequestration for the payment of any debts, judgments, alimony or separate maintenance owed by a Participant or any other person, nor shall any part of the same, to the maximum extent allowed by law, be transferable by operation of law in the event of a Participant's or any other person's bankruptcy or insolvency or, except as provided in Section 5.8(b), be transferable to a spouse as a result of a property settlement or otherwise.

    11.4       Not a Contract of Service . Nothing in this Plan shall be deemed to give a Participant the right to be retained in the service of the Company or any participating subsidiary.

    11.5       Furnishing Information A Participant or Beneficiary shall cooperate with the Committee by furnishing any and all information requested by the Committee and take such other actions as may be requested in order to facilitate the administration of the Plan and the payments of benefits hereunder.

    21


    11.6       Receipt and Release . Any payment to any Participant or Beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of the Plan shall, to the extent thereof, be in full satisfaction of all claims against the Company and each participating subsidiary, the Committee and a trustee (if any) under the Plan, and the Committee may require such Participant or Beneficiary, as a condition precedent to such payment, to execute a receipt and release to such effect.

    11.7       Incompetent . If any Participant or Beneficiary is determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, to be incompetent by reason of physical or mental disability (including minority) or is determined to be incapable of handling disposition of that person's property, the Committee may direct payment of such benefit to the guardian, legal representative or person having the care and custody of such minor, incompetent or incapable person. In such circumstance, the Committee, the Company or a trustee (if any) shall have no responsibility to follow the application of such funds. The Committee may require proof of minority, incompetence, incapacity or guardianship, as it may deem appropriate prior to distribution of the benefit. Any payment of a benefit shall be a payment for the Account of the Participant and the Participant's Beneficiary, as the case may be, and shall be a complete discharge of any liability under the Plan for such payment amount.

    11.8       Governing Law and Severability To the extent not preempted by ERISA, the provisions of this Plan shall be construed, administered and interpreted according to the internal laws of the State of Wisconsin without regard to its conflicts of laws principles. If any provisions is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof shall continue to be fully effective.

    11.9       Notices and Communications All notices, statements, reports and other communications from the Committee to any employee, Participant, Beneficiary or other person required or permitted under the Plan shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered to, when transmitted via facsimile or other electronic media or when mailed overnight or by first-class mail, postage prepaid and addressed to, such employee, Participant, Beneficiary or other person at his or her last known address on the Company's records. All elections, designations, requests, notices, instructions and other communications from a Participant, Beneficiary or other person to the Committee required or permitted under the Plan shall be in such form as is prescribed from time to time by the Committee, and shall be mailed by first-class mail, transmitted via facsimile or other electronic media or delivered to such location as shall be specified by the Committee. Such communication shall be deemed to have been given and delivered only upon actual receipt by the Committee at such location.

    11.10       Successors The provisions of this Plan shall bind and inure to the benefit of the Company and each participating subsidiary and their successors and assigns and the Participant and the Participant's designated Beneficiaries.

    11.11       Insurance The Company and each participating subsidiary, on their own behalf or on behalf of the trustee of the Trust, and, in its sole discretion, may apply for and procure insurance on the life of the Participant, in such amounts and in such forms as the Company or participating subsidiaries may choose. The Company and each participating

    22


    subsidiary or the trustee of the Trust, as the case may be, shall be the sole owner and beneficiary of any such insurance. The Participant shall have no interest whatsoever in any such policy or policies, and at the request of the Company or a participating subsidiary shall submit to medical examinations and supply such information and execute such documents as may be required by the insurance company or companies to whom the Company or a participating subsidiary has applied for insurance. The Participant may elect not to be insured.

    11.12       Legal Fees To Enforce Rights After Change in Control The Company and each participating subsidiary are aware that upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, the Company Board or the board of directors of a Participant's participating subsidiary (which might then be composed of new members) or a shareholder of the Company, or of any successor corporation, might then cause or attempt to cause the Company, a participating subsidiary or such successor to refuse to comply with its obligations under the Plan and might cause or attempt to cause the Company or a participating subsidiary to institute, or may institute, litigation seeking to deny Participants the benefits intended under the Plan. In these circumstances, the purpose of the Plan could be frustrated. Accordingly, if, following a Change in Control, it should appear to any Participant that the Company, a participating subsidiary or any successor corporation has failed to comply with any of its obligations under the Plan or any agreement thereunder or, if the Company, such a participating subsidiary or any other person takes any action to declare the Plan void or unenforceable or institutes any litigation or other legal action designed to deny, diminish or to recover from any Participant the benefits intended to be provided, then the Company and such participating subsidiary irrevocably authorize such Participant to retain counsel of her choice at the expense of the Company and such participating subsidiary (who shall be jointly and severally liable for all reasonable fees of such counsel) to represent such Participant in connection with the initiation or defense of any litigation or other legal action, whether by or against the Company, the participating subsidiary or any director, officer, shareholder or other person affiliated with the Company, the participating subsidiary or any successor thereto in any jurisdiction. If paid by the Participant, the Company or such participating subsidiary shall reimburse such legal fees no later than December 31 st of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred.

    11.13       Terms Whenever any words are used herein in the feminine, they shall be construed as though they were in the masculine in all cases where they would so apply; and whenever any words are used herein in the singular or in the plural, they shall be construed as though they were used in the plural or the singular, as the case may be, in all cases where they would so apply.

    11.14       Headings Headings and subheadings in the Plan are inserted for convenience only and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of its provisions.


23


Exhibit 10.18

WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION
AMENDED AND RESTATED
EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE POLICY

Introduction

Wisconsin Energy Corporation ("Wisconsin Energy"), a Wisconsin corporation, through the Board of Directors of Wisconsin Energy (the "Board"), has determined that appropriate steps should be taken to assure Wisconsin Energy of the continued employment, attention, and dedication to duty of its employees and to seek to ensure the availability of their continued service by affording them with reasonable security against changes in their employment relationship should a change in control of Wisconsin Energy occur. Therefore, in order to fulfill the above purposes, the following plan was developed and adopted.

ARTICLE I
ESTABLISHMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF PLAN

EEffective as of the date WICOR, Inc., became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wisconsin Energy, Wisconsin Energy established the Wisconsin Energy Executive Severance Policy (the "Plan"), to assure employees of Wisconsin Energy of the continued employment, attention, and dedication to duty of its employees and to seek to ensure the availability of their continued service, notwithstanding the closing of the WICOR transaction. Wisconsin Energy most recently amended the Plan on April 25, 2000, to afford certain employees reasonable security against changes in their employment relationship should a change in control of Wisconsin Energy occur entirely apart from the WICOR transaction. The Plan is hereby further amended and restated, effective as of January 1, 2008 for compliance with Code Section 409A.

ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS

As used herein the following words and phrases shall have the following respective meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

    1. Annual Compensation . The sum of a Participant's Annual Salary and Annual Incentive Award.
    2. Annual Incentive Award . The highest annual cash incentive award earned by a Participant during any of the 3 years prior to a termination of employment entitling the Participant to a Separation Benefit.
    3. Annual Salary . The Participant's regular annual base salary immediately prior to his or her termination of employment, including compensation converted to other benefits under a flexible pay arrangement maintained by the Corporation or deferred pursuant to a written plan or agreement with the Corporation, but excluding overtime pay, allowances, premium pay, compensation paid or payable under any Corporation long-term or short-term incentive plan or any similar payment.



    4. Beneficial Owner . The term "Beneficial Owner" has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.
    5. Board . The Board of Directors of Wisconsin Energy.
    6. Change in Control . The term "Change in Control" means, with respect to the Corporation, the occurrence of any one of the following dates, interpreted consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5).
      1. Change in Ownership . The date any one Person, or more than one Person Acting as a Group, acquires ownership of stock of the Corporation that, together with stock held by such Person or Group, constitutes more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of this subsection, if any one Person, or more than one Person Acting as a Group, is considered to own more than 50% of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Corporation, the acquisition of additional stock by the same Person or Persons is not considered to cause a Change in Control.
      2. Change in Effective Control .
        1. The date any one Person, or more than one Person Acting as a Group, acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such Person or Persons) ownership of stock of the Corporation possessing 30% or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of this subsection, if any one Person, or more than one Person Acting as a Group, is considered to effectively control the Corporation, the acquisition of additional control of the Corporation by the same Person or Persons is not considered to cause a Change in Control; or
        2. The date a majority of the members of the Corporation's Board is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Corporation's Board before the date of the appointment or election.

      3. Change in Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Corporation's Assets . The date any one Person, or more than one Person Acting as a Group, acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such Person or Persons) assets from the Corporation that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 40% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Corporation immediately before such acquisition or acquisitions. For purposes of this clause (iii), "gross fair market value" means the value of the assets of the Corporation, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to

        2


        any liabilities associated with such assets. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transfer of assets is not treated as a Change in Control if the assets are transferred to:
        1. An entity that is controlled by the shareholders of the transferring corporation;
        2. A shareholder of the Corporation (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to its stock;
        3. An entity, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Corporation;
        4. A Person, or more than one Person Acting as a Group, that owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Corporation; or
        5. An entity, at least 50% of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person described in paragraph D.

      4. "Person" and "Acting as a Group."
        1. For purposes of this Section, "Person" shall have the meaning set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
        2. For purposes of this Section, Persons shall be considered to be "Acting as a Group" if they are owners of a corporation that enter into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Corporation. If a Person, including an entity, owns stock in both corporations that enter into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar transaction, such shareholder is considered to be Acting as a Group with the other shareholders only with respect to the ownership in that corporation before the transaction giving rise to the change and not with respect to the ownership interest in the other corporation. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Persons shall not be considered to be Acting as a Group solely because they purchase or own stock of the same corporation at the same time, or as a result of the same public offering.

    7. Code . The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
    8. Committee . The Compensation Committee of the Board.
    9. Corporation . Wisconsin Energy Corporation and any successor thereto.

    10. 3


    11. Covered Termination Associated with a Change in Control . The termination of a Participant's employment with the Employer under any of the following circumstances:
      1. a termination of employment by the Employer other than for Cause or because of disability, which occurs within a period of 2 years following the first date on which a Change in Control of the Corporation occurs; or
      2. a termination of employment by the Employer other than for Cause or because of disability within a period of 6 months prior to the first date on which a Change in Control of the Corporation occurs, and it is reasonably demonstrated by the Participant that such termination of employment was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or otherwise arose in connection with or in anticipation of a Change in Control; or
      3. a termination of employment by the Participant for Good Reason:
        1. within a period of 2 years following the first date on which a Change in Control of the Corporation occurs; or
        2. within a period of 6 months prior to the first date on which a Change in Control of the Corporation occurs, and it is reasonably demonstrated by the Participant that such event occurred at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or otherwise arose in connection with or in anticipation of a Change in Control.

    12. Date of Termination . The date on which a Participant ceases to be an Employee.
    13. Employee . Any full-time, regular-benefit, non-bargaining employee of an Employer. The term shall exclude all individuals employed as independent contractors, temporary employees, other benefit employees, non-benefit employees, leased employees, even if it is subsequently determined that such classification is incorrect.
    14. Employer . The Corporation or a Subsidiary which participates in the Plan pursuant to Article V hereof.
    15. Exchange Act . The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.
    16. Good Reason . The Participant ceases to be an Employee by his or her own action after the occurrence, without the Participant's consent, of any of the following events, but only if the Participant provides his or her Employer with notice of the event within 90 days after the initial occurrence of the event, the Employer fails to remedy the

      4


      event within the 30-day period after receiving such notice, and the Participant ceases to be an Employee immediately following expiration of the 30-day period.
      1. The Participant's Annual Salary is materially reduced below the higher of (A) the amount in effect immediately before the Change in Control and (B) the highest amount in effect at any time thereafter;
      2. The Participant's duties and responsibilities are materially diminished in comparison to the duties and responsibilities the Participant had immediately before the Change in Control; or
      3. There is a material change in the geographic location at which the Participant is required to be based and perform services from the location at which the Participant was required to be based and perform services immediately before the Change in Control.

    17. Participant . An individual who is designated as such pursuant to Section 3.1.
    18. Person . The term "Person" has the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include (i) the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Corporation or any of its affiliates, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (iv) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Corporation in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the stock of the Corporation.
    19. Plan . The Wisconsin Energy Executive Severance Policy, as set forth herein and as amended from time to time.
    20. Separation Benefits . The benefits described in Section 4.3 that are provided to qualifying Participants under the Plan.
    21. Separation Period . The period beginning on a Participant's Date of Termination and ending on the third anniversary thereof for a Participant designated on Schedule 1 as eligible for a Tier 2 Separation Benefit, ending on the second anniversary thereof for a Participant designated as eligible for a Tier 3 Separation Benefit, and ending on the first anniversary thereof for a Participant designated as eligible for a Tier 4 Separation Benefit.
    22. Subsidiary . Any corporation in which the Corporation, directly or indirectly, holds a majority of the voting power of such corporation's outstanding shares of capital stock.

    23. 5


    24. Target Annual Incentive . The Annual Incentive Award that the Participant would have earned for the year in which his or her Date of Termination occurs, if the target goals had been achieved.

ARTICLE III
SEPARATION BENEFITS

   3.1     Participation . Each of the individuals named on Schedule 1 hereto shall be a Participant in the Plan. Schedule 1 may be amended by the Board from time to time to add individuals as Participants. All Participants will also be designated on Schedule 1 as eligible for either a Tier 2, Tier 3 or Tier 4 Separation Benefit under the provisions of Section 4.3(b)(ii) hereof.

   3.2     Duration of Participation . A Participant shall only cease to be a Participant in the Plan as a result of an amendment or termination of the Plan complying with Article VII of the Plan, or when he ceases to be an Employee of any Employer, unless, at the time he ceases to be an Employee, such Participant is entitled to payment of Separation Benefits as provided in the Plan or there has been an event or occurrence described in Section 4.2(a) which would enable the Participant to terminate his employment and receive Separation Benefits. A Participant entitled to payment of a Separation Benefit or any other amounts under the Plan shall remain a Participant in the Plan until the full amount of the Separation Benefit and any other amounts payable under the Plan have been paid to the Participant. The Board may remove any Participant from coverage under the Plan. The removal may be accomplished by the Board's causing the Employer to provide written notice of such removal to the Participant at least one year in advance of the effective date of removal. If prior to the effective date of such removal, the Participant has become entitled to payment of a Separation Benefit or any other amounts under the Plan, such individual shall remain a Participant in the Plan until the full amount of the Separation Benefit and any other amounts payable under the Plan have been paid to the Participant.


  • SEPARATION BENEFITS
    1. Right to Separation Benefit . A Participant shall be entitled to receive Separation Benefits in accordance with Section 4.3 if the Participant ceases to be an Employee for any reason specified in Section 4.2(a).
    2. Termination of Employment .
      1. Terminations Which Give Rise to Separation Benefits Under This Plan .
        1. In the event of a Covered Termination Associated with a Change in Control, a Participant shall be entitled to receive Separation Benefits in accordance with Section 4.3;

        2. 6


        3. An Employer or any affiliate of an Employer sells or otherwise distributes or disposes of the subsidiary, branch or other business unit in which the Participant was employed before such sale, distribution or disposition and the requirements of Section 4.2(b)(iii) are not met, and the Participant ceases to be an Employee by action of the Employer upon or within 90 days after such sale, distribution or disposition.

      2. Terminations Which Do Not Give Rise to Separation Benefits Under This Plan . If a Participant's employment is terminated for Cause, disability, death, or a qualified sale of business (as those terms are defined below), or voluntarily by the Participant (whether on account of retirement or otherwise and other than for Good Reason as described Section 2(j)(iii)) the Participant shall not be entitled to Separation Benefits under the Plan.
        1. A termination for disability shall have occurred where a Participant is terminated because illness or injury has prevented him or her from performing his or her duties (as they existed immediately prior to the illness or injury) on a full time basis for 180 consecutive business days.
        2. A termination for Cause shall have occurred where a Participant is terminated because of:
          1. the willful and continued failure of the Participant to perform substantially the Participant's duties with the Corporation or one of its affiliates (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness), after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Participant by the Board or an elected officer of the Corporation which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board or the elected officer believes that the Participant has not substantially performed the Participant's duties, or
          2. the willful engaging by the Participant in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Corporation.

          For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of the Participant, shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by the Participant in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the Participant's action or omission was in the best interests of the Corporation. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or upon the advice of counsel for the Corporation, shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the Participant in good faith and in the best interests of the Corporation.


          7


        3. A termination due to a qualified sale of business shall have occurred where an Employer or an affiliate of an Employer has sold, distributed or otherwise disposed of the subsidiary, branch or other business unit in which the Participant was employed before such sale, distribution or disposition and the Participant has been offered employment with the purchaser of such subsidiary, branch or other business unit or the corporation or other entity which is the owner thereof on substantially the same terms and conditions under which he worked for the Employer (including, without limitation, base salary, duties and responsibilities, program of benefits and location where based). Such terms and conditions shall also include, without limitation, a legally binding agreement or plan covering such Participant, providing that upon a termination of employment with the subsidiary, branch or business unit (or the corporation or other entity which is the owner thereof) or any successor thereto of the kind described in Article VI of this Plan, at any time before the end of a 2-year period following the first date on which a Change in Control of the Corporation occurs, the Participant's employer or any successor will pay to each such former Participant an amount equal to the Separation Benefit and other benefits that such former Participant would have received under the Plan had he been a Participant at the time of such termination. For purposes of this subsection, the new employer plan or agreement must treat service with any Employer (irrespective of whether the Employer was an affiliate of the Corporation or the Employee was a Participant at the time of such service) and the new employer as continuous service for purposes of calculating Separation Benefits.

    3. Separation Benefits .
      1. If a Participant's employment is terminated in circumstances entitling him to a separation benefit as provided in Section 4.2(a), the Participant's Employer shall pay such Participant, within 20 days of the Date of Termination, a cash lump sum as set forth in Section 4.3(b) and provide the continued benefits set forth in Section 4.3(c). For purposes of determining the benefits set forth in Sections 4.3(b) and 4.3(c), if the termination of the Participant's employment is based upon a reduction of the Participant's Annual Salary as described in Section 2(o)(i) or as described in Section 2(j)(iii), such reduction shall be ignored. Effective as of January 1, 2008, any deferral election filed pursuant to the terms of the Plan as in effect before January 1, 2008, shall be void.
      2. The cash lump sum referred to in Section 4.3(a) shall equal the aggregate of the following amounts:
        1. the sum of (A) the Participant's Annual Salary through the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (B) the product of (1) the Target Annual Incentive and (2) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in such year through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365, and (C) any accrued vacation pay, in each case to the extent not theretofore paid and in full satisfaction of the rights of the Participant thereto;

        2. 8


        3. an amount equal to the product of (A) the number specified below for the Tier level applicable to the Participant as set forth on Schedule 1, and (B) the sum of (1) the Participant's Annual Salary and (2) the higher of the Target Annual Incentive or the Annual Incentive Award:
        4. Tier Level

          Multiplier for (A) Above

          Tier 2

          Tier 3

          Tier 4

          3

          2

          1

        5. an amount equal to the difference between (A) the actuarial equivalent of the benefit under the Corporation's qualified defined benefit retirement plan (the "Retirement Plan") and any excess or supplemental retirement plans in which the Participant participates (together, the "SERP") which the Participant would receive if his or her employment continued during the Separation Period, assuming that the Participant's compensation during the Separation Period would have been equal to his or her compensation as in effect immediately before the termination or, if higher, immediately before the first date on which a Change in Control of the Corporation occurs, as the case may be, and (B) the actuarial equivalent of the Participant's actual benefit (paid or payable), if any, under the Retirement Plan and the SERP as of the Date of Termination. The actuarial assumptions used for purposes of determining actuarial equivalence shall be no less favorable to the Participant than the most favorable of those in effect under the Retirement Plan and the SERP on the Date of Termination or the first date on which a Change in Control of the Corporation occurs, as the case may be.

      3. The continued benefits referred to above in subsection (a) shall be the provision to the Participant and his or her family during the Separation Period of medical, dental and life insurance benefits as if the Participant's employment had not been terminated; provided, however, that if the Participant becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare benefits under another employer-provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits described herein shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan during such applicable period of eligibility. For purposes of determining eligibility (but not the time of commencement of benefits) of the Participant for retiree medical, dental and life insurance benefits under the Corporation's plans, practices, programs and policies, the Participant shall be considered to have remained employed during the Separation Period and to have retired on the last day of such period.

      To the extent that the period during which the continued provision of medical and dental benefits falls within the applicable COBRA continuation period, such continued provision of medical and dental benefits is exempt from Code Section 409A under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(B). To the extent that the period during which the continued provision of medical and dental benefits extends beyond the applicable

      9


      COBRA continuation period, the following shall apply: (a) the medical and dental expenses to which a Participant (and his or her family, if applicable) are eligible for reimbursement are those expenses covered under the terms of the applicable medical and/or dental plan under which the Participant (and his or her family, if applicable) continues to be covered by virtue of this Section 4.3(c); (b) the premiums for continued medical and dental coverage shall be paid on a monthly basis; (c) any amounts paid to or on behalf of the Participant as reimbursement for medical and/or dental expenses shall be paid on or before the last day of the year following the year in which such expense was incurred; (d) any amounts paid to or on behalf of the Participant as reimbursement for medical and/or dental expenses during one year will not affect the Participant's eligibility for amounts paid to or on behalf of the Participant as reimbursement for medical and/or dental expenses during any other year; and (e) the right to continued coverage beyond the applicable COBRA continuation period is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

    4. Other Benefits Payable . The cash lump sum and continuing benefits described in Section 4.3 above shall be payable in addition to, and not in lieu of, all other accrued or vested or earned but deferred compensation, rights, options or other benefits which may be owed to a Participant upon or following termination, including but not limited to accrued vacation or sick pay, amounts or benefits payable under any bonus or other compensation plans, stock option plan, stock ownership plan, stock purchase plan, restricted stock plan, life insurance plan, health plan, disability plan or similar or successor plan, but excluding any severance pay under any severance plan, practice or program or pay in lieu of notice required to be paid to such Participant under applicable law.
    5. Certain Reduction of Payments by the Corporation .
    6. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, if any portion of the Separation Benefits or any other payment under any other agreement with or plan of the Corporation or the Employer (in the aggregate "Total Payments"), would constitute an "excess parachute payment," then the Total Payments to be made to the Participant shall be reduced such that the value of the aggregate Total Payments that the Participant is entitled to receive shall be One Dollar ($1) less than the maximum amount which the Participant may receive without becoming subject to the tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") (or any successor provision) or which the Corporation may pay without loss of deduction under Section 280G(a) of the Code (or any successor provision). For purposes of this Plan, the terms "excess parachute payment" and "parachute payments" shall have the meaning assigned to them in Section 280G of the Code (or any successor provision), and such "parachute payments" shall be valued as provided therein. Present value for purposes of this Agreement shall be calculated in accordance with Section 1274(b)(2) of the Code (or any successor provision). Within 60 days following delivery of a notice by the Corporation to the Participant of its belief that there is a payment or benefit due the Participant which will result in an excess parachute payment as defined in Section 280G of the Code (or any successor provision), the Participant and the Corporation, at the Corporation's expense, shall obtain the opinion (which need not be unqualified) of the

      10


      Corporation's independent auditors which sets forth (A) the amount of the Base Period Income, (B) the amount and present value of Total Payments and (C) the amount and present value of any excess parachute payments without regard to the limitations of this Section 4.5. As used in this Section 4.5, "Base Period Income" means the Participant's "annualized includible compensation for the base period" as defined in Section 280G(d)(1) of the Code (or any successor provision). For purposes of such opinion, the value of any noncash benefits or any deferred payment or benefit shall be determined by the Corporation's independent auditors in accordance with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code (or any successor provisions), which determination shall be evidenced in a certificate of such auditors addressed to the Corporation and the Participant. Such opinion shall be dated as of the Participant's date of termination of employment and addressed to the Corporation and the Participant and shall be binding, absent manifest error, upon the Corporation and the Participant. If such opinion determines that there would be an excess parachute payment, the Separation Benefits hereunder or any other payment determined by such auditors to be includible in Total Payments shall be reduced or eliminated as specified by the Participant in writing delivered to the Corporation within 30 days of the Participant's receipt of such opinion or, if the Participant fails to so notify the Corporation, then as the Corporation shall reasonably determine, so that under the bases of calculations set forth in such opinion there will be no excess parachute payment. If such auditors so request in connection with the opinion required by this Section, the Participant and the Corporation shall obtain, at the Corporation's expense, and the auditors may rely on in providing the opinion, the advice of a firm of recognized executive compensation consultants as to the reasonableness of any item of compensation to be received by the Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the calculations provided for herein shall be based upon the conclusive presumption that the following are reasonable: the compensation payments made under Section 4.3(b)(i) as well as any other compensation, earned prior to the date of the Participant's termination of employment pursuant to the Corporation's compensation programs if such payments would have been made in the future in any event, even though the timing of such payment is triggered by the Change of Control. If the provisions of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code (or any successor provisions) are repealed without succession, then this Section 4.5 shall be of no further force or effect.

      The Participant shall notify the Corporation in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would subject the Participant to the tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable, but no later than 10 business days after the Participant is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Corporation of the nature of the claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Participant shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which he gives notice to the Corporation (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to the claim is due). If the Corporation notifies the Participant in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Participant agrees to give the Corporation any information reasonably requested by the Corporation in writing relating to such claim, to take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Corporation shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Corporation, to cooperate with the Corporation in good faith in

      11


      order to effectively contest such claim, to permit the Corporation to control any proceedings relating to such claim and to permit the Corporation to pursue or forego any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority with respect to such claim. The Corporation shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses, including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest. Further, provided only that the Corporation receives timely written notification from the Participant with respect to such claim, the Corporation will indemnify and hold the Participant harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code (including interest and penalties thereon), such that the net amount retained by the Participant after the deduction of any such excise tax and any interest or penalties thereon (but not any federal, state or local income tax) would be the same as if such excise tax had never applied.

    7. Payment Obligations Absolute; Offset for Wisconsin Energy Senior Executive Severance Policy . Subject to Section 4.5 and except for the offset described below, the obligations of the Corporation and the Employers to pay the separation benefits described in Section 4.3 shall be absolute and unconditional and shall not be affected by any circumstances, including, without limitation, any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries may have against any Participant. In no event shall a Participant be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to a Participant under any of the provisions of this Plan, nor shall the amount of any payment hereunder be reduced by any compensation earned by a Participant as a result of employment by another employer, except as specifically provided in Section 4.3(c). In the event a Participant becomes entitled to severance or termination pay under any other Corporation or Employer severance or termination plan, program, practice or arrangement separate and apart from this Plan, he shall receive payment and applicable benefits only under the plan or arrangement which provides the larger severance pay, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. In no event shall severance or termination pay be paid under more than one plan, program, practice or arrangement. A Participant's entitlement to any other compensation and benefits will be determined in accordance with the Corporation's or Employer's employee benefit plans and other applicable programs, policies and practices as in effect from time to time.


  • PARTICIPATING EMPLOYERS
  • Subsidiaries whose Employees are Participants pursuant to Section 3.1 shall participate in the Plan.


  • SUCCESSOR TO CORPORATION
  • This Plan shall bind any successor of the Corporation, its assets or its businesses (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) in the same manner and to the same extent that the Corporation would be obligated under this Plan if no succession had taken place.

    In the case of any transaction in which a successor would not by the foregoing provision or by operation of law be bound by this Plan, the Corporation shall require such successor expressly and unconditionally to assume and agree to perform the Corporation's obligations under this Plan, in the same manner and to the

    12


    same extent that the Corporation would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place. The term "Corporation," as used in this Plan, shall mean the Corporation as hereinbefore defined and any successor or assignee to the business or assets which by reason hereof becomes bound by this Plan.


    13



  • DURATION, AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
    1. Duration . This Plan was established on April 26, 2000 and it shall continue on a year by year basis. The Corporation reserves the right, however, to terminate this Plan at any time by providing written notice of such termination to each person who is then a Participant at least one year in advance of the effective date of the Plan's termination. However, if prior to the effective date of the Plan termination, a Participant has become entitled to payment of a Separation Benefit or any other amounts under the Plan, such individual shall remain a Participant in the Plan until the full amount of the Separation Benefit and any other amounts payable under the Plan have been paid to the Participant.
    2. Amendment . Except as provided in Section 7.1, the Plan shall not be subject to amendment, change, substitution, deletion, revocation or termination in any respect which adversely affects the rights of Participants.
    3. Form of Amendment . The form of any amendment of the Plan shall be a written instrument signed by a duly authorized officer or officers of the Corporation, certifying that the amendment has been approved by the Board.


  • MISCELLANEOUS
    1. Indemnification . If a Participant institutes any legal action in seeking to obtain or enforce or is required to defend in any legal action the validity or enforceability of, any right or benefit provided by this Plan, the Corporation or the Employer will pay for all actual reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred (as incurred) by such Participant, regardless of the outcome of such action.
    2. Employment Status . This Plan does not constitute a contract of employment or impose on the Participant or the Participant's Employer any obligation to retain the Participant as an Employee, to change the status of the Participant's employment, or to change the Corporation's policies or those of its Subsidiaries regarding termination of employment.
    3. Claim Procedure . If an Employee or former Employee makes a written request alleging a right to receive benefits under this Plan or alleging a right to receive an adjustment in benefits being paid under the Plan, the Corporation shall treat it as a claim for benefits. For purposes of this Section, the Corporation has delegated to the Employee Benefits Committee ("Committee") the authority to decide claims brought under the Plan.
      1. Initial Claims for Benefits . All claims for benefits under the Plan shall be sent to the Committee as Plan Administrator and must be received within 90 days after termination of employment. The Committee will make a determination on the claim for benefits and inform the claimant of its determination, in writing, within 90 days after the Committee's receipt of the claim, unless the Committee determines that additional time,

        14


        not exceeding an additional 90 days, is needed. If the Committee determines that additional time is needed, it will inform the claimant, in writing, of the need for additional time, the reason the additional time is necessary, and the date by which it expects to render its determination. If the Committee determines that any individual who has claimed a right to receive benefits, or different benefits, under the Plan is not entitled to receive all or any part of the benefits claimed, it will inform the claimant in writing of its determination and the reasons therefore in terms calculated to be understood by the claimant. The notice shall make specific reference to the pertinent Plan provisions on which the denial is based, describe any additional material or information that is necessary and the reason such information is necessary, inform the claimant what procedure the claimant should follow to take advantage of the review procedures set forth below in the event the claimant desires to contest the denial of the claim, and advise the claimant of his or her right to bring a civil action under ERISA Section 502(a) following an adverse benefit determination on review.
      2. Appeal of Initial Benefit Determination . The claimant may, within 90 days after receiving an adverse benefit determination, submit in writing to the Committee a notice that the claimant contests the denial of his or her claim by the Committee and desires a further review. The claimant may submit written comments, documents, records, and other information in support of his or her claim to the Committee. The claimant may review and/or receive copies of, upon request and free of charge, documents relevant to his or her claim. The Committee will notify the claimant of its final decision, in writing, within 60 days of the written request for review, unless the Committee determines additional time, not exceeding 60 days, is needed. In such case, the Committee will inform the claimant, in writing, before expiration of the initial 60-day period, of the need for additional time, the reason additional time is needed, and the date by which it expects to render its determination. The Committee's written notice of its final decision will include, for an adverse decision, the specific reasons for the decision, reference to the specific Plan provisions on which the decision is based, a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to and copies of all relevant information relating to its decision, a description of any voluntary appeal procedures available, and a statement that the claimant has the right to bring an action under ERISA Section 502(a).
      3. Legal Action . A claimant may not bring a legal action against the Plan in court unless he or she fully exhausts the claims procedures set forth above. Additionally, a claimant may not bring a legal action against the Plan in court after 180 days from the final disposition of the claim on appeal.


      15


    4. Validity and Severability . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of the Plan shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of the Plan, which shall remain in full force and effect, and any prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.
    5. Governing Law . The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of the Plan shall in all respects be governed by the laws of Wisconsin, without reference to principles of conflict of law, except to the extent preempted by federal law.
    6. Notices . All communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or five business days after having been mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the Employer (to the attention of the Secretary of the Employer) at its principal executive office and to the Participant at his/her principal residence, or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of a change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

    16


    SCHEDULE 1

    Participants Eligible for Separation
    Benefits if the Conditions Specified in
    Section 4.2(a) are Satisfied and Tier Level
    Applicable for Each Such Participant :

    1. Employees of the WICOR, Inc. Companies selected for participation by WICOR, Inc. pursuant to Section 3.15(f) of the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of June 27, 1999, as amended, among Wisconsin Energy, WICOR, Inc., and CEW Acquisition, Inc.
    2. i)

      For Tier 2:

      None

      ii)

      For Tier 3:

      Stephen Dickson

      iii)

      For Tier 4:

      Louise Horton

         

      Joseph Konrad

         

      Peter Newman

         

      Michael Rau

         

      Thelma Sias

         

      Mary Wolter

    3. Employees named by the Board:

    i)

    For Tier 2:

     
       

    Charles Cole

       

    Walter Kunicki

       

    Kristine Krause

       

    Scott Patulski

       

    Kristine Rappé

       

    Jeffrey West

       

    Richard White

    Arthur Zintek

    ii)

    For Tier 3:

       

    Sally Bentley

       

    Steven Cartwright

       

    James Keller

       

    Allan Mihm

       

    Donald Sawruk

       

    Robert Whitefoot

    James Schubilske

    iii)

    For Tier 4:

    William Beres

       

    Donna Conant

       

    Jewel Currie

       

    Richard Dowdell

       

    Roma Draba

       

    Phyllis Dube

       

    N. David Durment

       

    Robert Hall

    Colleen Henderson

       

    Anthony Jankowski

       

    Leslie Kowalski

       

    Ernest Maas

       

    Kris McKinney

       

    David Molinare

       

    Richard O'Conor

       

    Steven Quade

       

    Thomas Route

       

    Bruce Sasman

       

    Joan Shafer

       

    Paul Shorter


    17


    Exhibit 10.21

     

    BASE SALARIES OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

         Set forth below are the 2009 annual base salaries of the named executive officers (as defined in Item 402(a)(3) of Regulation S-K) of Wisconsin Energy Corporation. Unless otherwise noted, the named executive officers serve in the positions indicated for Wisconsin Energy Corporation (WEC) and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Wisconsin Electric Power Company (WE) and Wisconsin Gas LLC (WG). WE is a reporting company under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

             Gale E. Klappa                                                                  $1,129,000*
                 Chairman of the Board, President
                 and Chief Executive Officer

              Frederick D. Kuester                                                        $657,000*               
                  Executive Vice President of WEC and WG;
                  Executive Vice President and Chief
                  Operating Officer of WE

              Allen L. Leverett                                                               $607,680*
                  Executive Vice President and Chief
                  Financial Officer

              James C. Fleming                                                             $441,000*
                  Executive Vice President and
                  General Counsel

              Kristine A. Rappé                                                             $393,706*
                   Senior Vice President and Chief
                   Administrative Officer

    * Same as 2008 base salaries. The officers of Wisconsin Energy Corporation and its subsidiaries, including the named executive officers, did not receive an increase in base salary in 2009.

    Exhibit 10.23

     

    December 11, 2008

    Charles R. Cole
    [Home Address]


    Re: Your Employment Offer Letter Dated July 7, 1999, as amended April 3, 2001 (the "Employment Letter")

    Dear Charley,

    The WEC Compensation Committee is modifying the terms of your Employment Letter as it relates to the Special Deferred Compensation Benefit provided in paragraph 6, as amended via letter on April 3, 2001, to comply with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A ("Section 409A"). As you may know, Section 409A subjects non-qualified deferred compensation to various rules, including the time and form of payment of the compensation. Code Section 409A impacts your Special Deferred Compensation Benefit. This letter amends Section 6 of your Employment Letter, as amended, effective as of January 1, 2005, and updates the plan reference under which your SERP benefits will be provided.

    Specifically, paragraph 6 is amended to read as follows:

    "6. Special Deferred Compensation Benefit : The Company agrees to create a special bookkeeping account (the "Account") and to credit the same with Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) as of August 1, 1999. This amount will be adjusted as of December 31, 1999 with a pro rata share of investment results and annually thereafter as of December 31 of each year with annual investment results. Investment results will be the same as would have been credited to the Account had it been invested as a part of the funds of the Company's tax-qualified defined benefit plan, the Retirement Account Plan. The current value recorded in the Account will become payable on the first to occur of any of the following events.

        1. Your termination of employment for any reason at any time on or after age 60 (the 'Vesting Date').
        2. Your termination of employment at any time prior to the Vesting Date because of death.
        3. The Company's termination of your employment at any time prior to the Vesting Date without 'Cause.' 'Cause' shall mean any willful and continued failure on your part to substantially perform the duties of your job, or any willful act of misconduct or dishonest act by you involving the Company.



        4. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this letter, you shall become fully vested in the Account should a 'Change in Control' (as defined in the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Supplemental Pension Plan ('SPP'), as may be amended) occur while you are in the Company's employ (and the occurrence of such circumstances shall also be treated as a 'Vesting Date'). If your employment terminates (voluntarily or involuntarily) within eighteen (18) months after a Change Control, payment of 100% of the Account will be made to you in a lump sum.

    Except as provided in subparagraph (d), payment shall be made in the form provided under the SPP (including, if any, your last completed and timely filed payment election under the SPP) less applicable withholding. Payment will be made to you within ninety (90) days following one of the events described above, subject to the SPP provision requiring a six-month delay in payment if you are determined to be a 'specified employee' upon a 'separation from service,' both within the meaning of Code Section 409A.

    Should you voluntarily terminate your employment prior to the Vesting Date or should the Company terminate your employment for Cause prior to the Vesting Date, you will forfeit any interest in the Account. Values held in the Account or which become payable to you from the Account will not be included or taken into consideration in the calculation of any benefits due you under any other retirement or welfare benefit plan or program of the Company which bases benefits in whole or in part on compensation.

    The Account will be solely a bookkeeping reserve established by the Company as a device for determining amounts that may become payable to you and any right to receive payments under this paragraph will be an unsecured claim against the general assets of the Company. Any claims for payments under this paragraph will be subject to same claim procedure rules as apply to the Retirement Account Plan.

    You will have the right to name a beneficiary to receive any benefits that may become payable under this paragraph on your death, by filing a written notice with the Company on a form prescribed by it. If you fail to designate a beneficiary, any unpaid benefits due will be paid to your estate."

    In addition, the reference to the Wisconsin Energy Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan is updated to be the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Supplemental Pension Plan, effective as of January 1, 2005, as may be amended. This is the plan under which your SERP Benefits A and B will be provided.

    Management reserves the right in its discretion to change or terminate all current benefit plans or practices and other policies and procedures.

    2


     

    Please acknowledge your acceptance of the foregoing amendment by signing this letter and return it to me by December 15, 2008. Once signed by both parties, it will serve as a binding agreement between us and supersedes the applicable provisions of your Employment Letter, as amended. You will receive a copy of this agreement after it is executed by both parties. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call me.

    WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION

    By: /s/ Gale E. Klappa
    Name: Gale Klappa
    Title: Chairman and Chief Executive
            Officer
    Date signed: 12/30/08

    EXECUTIVE

    By: /s/ Charles R. Cole
    Name: Charles R. Cole
    Date signed: 12/22/08


    3


    Exhibit 10.25

    AMENDED AND RESTATED SENIOR OFFICER EMPLOYMENT
    AND NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT

     

    THIS AMENDED AGREEMENT is made as of December 29, 2008 between WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION (the "Company") and GALE KLAPPA (the "Executive").

    WHEREAS, the Executive is currently employed by the Company as its President;

    WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company originally entered into a Senior Officer Employment and Non-compete Agreement dated as of March 20, 2003 and an amended agreement as of December 3, 2003;

    WHEREAS, the parties now desire to amend and restate the Agreement solely to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, with such changes effective January 1, 2005.

    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the parties agree as follows:

    1. Defined Terms . All of the capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement are defined in the attached Appendix.
    2. Employment . Effective as of April 14, 2003 (the "Employment Starting Date"), the Company employed the Executive as the President and the Executive accepted and hereby again accepts such employment with the Company and agrees to serve in such position and to perform such other executive duties and serve in such other executive capacities not inconsistent with the position of President as the Board of Directors of the Company may request. The Executive's employment is not for any fixed term and the Executive acknowledges that he is an employee at-will. Further:
      1. Base Salary, Signing Bonus and Bonus Opportunity . Effective as of the Employment Starting Date, the Executive's annual base salary was initially established at an annual rate of $640,000. The Executive received a special lump sum signing bonus of $350,000, with $250,000 of this amount paid promptly after the Employment Starting Date and the balance of $100,000 payable six months later. The Executive's target bonus opportunity for 2003 under the Company's Short-Term Performance Plan (the "STPP") was fixed at 90% of base salary, with a minimum guaranteed bonus of $576,000 for 2003 and a maximum bonus opportunity of two times the target bonus. The Executive's target bonus opportunity under the STPP for 2004 and subsequent years will not be less than 90% of base salary, except under circumstances described in the next sentence. Circumstances under which an adjustment below the 90% target could take place would be limited to a general "Board Action" resulting in the lowering of targets for the entire senior executive group.
      2. Stock Based Incentives . Effective as of the Employment Starting Date, the Executive received a grant of non-qualified options for 250,000 shares of the Company's common stock (the "Stock") at an exercise price per share equal




        to the average of the lowest and highest reported sale prices for the Stock on the Employment Starting Date, and on other terms and conditions as specified for other senior officers in the grants made to such officers in January of 2003. Additionally, effective as of the Employment Starting Date, the Executive was granted an award of restricted stock, with the number of shares awarded determined by dividing $1,000,000 by the average of the lowest and highest reported sale prices for the Stock on such date and then rounding the number of shares to the nearest 10. The restricted Stock will vest at the rate of 10% per year of service with the Company by the Executive, and with 100% vesting to occur upon the Executive's death or disability while in the Company's employ.

    3. Other Benefits and Special Additional Pension Benefit . The Executive will be entitled to six weeks of vacation per year, to participate in all retirement and welfare benefit plans and programs generally available to employees in accordance with the terms of such plans and programs and to participate on a basis commensurate with other senior officers of the Company in any benefit plans and programs available to such officers, including the opportunity to participate in the Company's Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the "EDCP") or such successor plan, as amended from time to time. Additionally, and provided the Executive's retirement occurs at or after age 60, the Executive shall be entitled to (i) participate in the Company's Supplemental Pension Plan ("SPP") or such successor plan, as amended from time to time, with respect to "SERP Benefit A," which is designed to make up for any limitations imposed on the amount of Executive's accrued benefit under the Company's tax-qualified defined benefit plan (the "Retirement Account Plan") because of statutory or regulatory limits relating to the Internal Revenue Code, and (ii) receive a special additional pension benefit. Such special additional pension benefit will be equal to the difference between (a) and (b) below, less the monthly lifetime retirement benefits payable to the Executive from all qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans of previous employers of the Executive, calculated as if starting on the same date as the special additional pension benefit, where (a) and (b) are as follows:
      1. equals the monthly lifetime retirement benefit payable from the Company's Retirement Account Plan, plus any amount payable as "SERP Benefit A" under the SPP, and
      2. equals the monthly lifetime retirement benefit that would have been payable from the Management Employees' Retirement Plan of the Company as in effect on December 31, 1995 (the "1995 Management Plan") had the defined benefit formula then in effect continued until the Executive's retirement, calculated without regard to Internal Revenue Code limits, and as if the Executive had started participation in the 1995 Management Plan at age 27 and as if any deferrals elected by the Executive under the EDCP and any bonuses were all included in the Executive's compensation base for calculating benefits under the 1995 Management Plan.

      3. 2


      Such special additional pension benefit will be paid at the time and in the form provided under the terms of the SPP (including, if any, the Executive's last completed and timely filed payment election under the SPP and the SPP provision requiring a six-month delay in payment to a "specified employee" upon a "separation from service," both within the meaning of Code Section 409A).

    4. Additional Preretirement Spouse's Benefit . In the event of the Executive's death while in the Company's employ, the Company will pay to the Executive's surviving spouse, if any, a monthly benefit equal to the difference between (a) and (b) below, but reduced as provided below to reflect the vested value of all qualified and nonqualified defined benefit pension plans of previous employers of the Executive, where (a) and (b) are as follows:
      1. equals the monthly spouse's benefit that is payable from the Retirement Account Plan of the Company, plus any monthly amount payable under "SERP Benefit A" under the SPP, and
      2. equals the monthly spouse's benefit that would have been payable from the 1995 Management Plan had the defined benefit formula in effect on December 31, 1995 continued until the Executive's death, calculated on all the same assumptions as set forth in Section 3(b) above.

      The spouse's benefit will be paid in a monthly annuity for her life and will begin as soon as administratively practicable following the Executive's death, but no later than December 31 of the calendar year in which the Executive dies or, if later, the 15 th day of the third month following the Executive's death. Notwithstanding the foregoing, on or before December 31, 2008, the Executive may elect to have such benefit paid to the spouse in a lump sum.

      The reduction attributable to plans of previous employers as referenced above in the event the additional preretirement spouse's benefit becomes payable is to be applied by reducing the monthly surviving spouse benefit calculation as above set forth by one-half of the dollar amount of offset attributable to the plans of previous employers that would have resulted under the third sentence of Section 3 above if Section 3 were applicable.

      For the life of the spouse, the spouse shall be entitled to coverage under the Company's retiree medical and dental program upon the same terms as generally available to surviving spouses of retirees of the Company. To the extent that the medical and dental benefits for the spouse described in the preceding sentence cannot be provided pursuant to the retiree medical and dental program maintained by the Company or its affiliates, the Company shall provide such benefits outside the program at no cost (including, without limitation, tax cost) to the spouse.

    5. Covered Termination Not Associated with a Change in Control. In the event of a Covered Termination Not Associated with a Change in Control, then the Company shall provide the Executive with the following compensation and benefits:

    6. 3


      1. General Compensation and Benefits . The Company shall pay the Executive's full salary to the Executive from the time notice of termination is given through the date of Termination of Employment at the rate in effect at the time such notice is given or, if higher, at an annual rate not less than twelve times the Executive's highest monthly base salary for the twelve-month period immediately preceding the month in which the Effective Date occurs, together with all compensation and benefits payable to the Executive through the date of Termination of Employment under the terms of any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement maintained by the Company during such period. Such payments shall be made in a lump sum not later than ten business days after such termination. The Company shall also pay the Executive's normal post-termination compensation and benefits to the Executive as such payments become due, except that any normal cash severance benefits shall be superseded and replaced entirely by the benefits provided under this Agreement. Such post-termination compensation and benefits shall be determined under, and paid in accordance with, the Company's retirement, insurance and other compensation or benefit plans, programs and arrangements most favorable to the Executive in effect at any time during the 180-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to executives of the Company of comparable status and position to the Executive.
      2. Incentive Compensation . Notwithstanding any provision of any cash bonus or incentive compensation plan of the Company, the Company shall pay to the Executive, within ten business days after the Executive's Termination of Employment, a lump sum amount, in cash, equal to the sum of (i) any bonus or incentive compensation which has been allocated or awarded to the Executive for a fiscal year or other measuring period under the plan that ends prior to the date of Termination of Employment, but which has not yet been paid, and (ii) a pro rata portion of the Highest Bonus Amount for all uncompleted periods under any bonus or incentive compensation plan.
      3. Special Compensation . The Company shall pay to the Executive a lump sum equal to three times the sum of (a) the highest per annum base rate of salary in effect with respect to the Executive during the three-year period immediately prior to the Termination of Employment plus (b) the Highest Bonus Amount. Such lump sum shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within ten business days after the Executive's Termination of Employment, unless the provisions of Section 5(f) below apply. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of the Executive's voluntary Termination of Employment without Good Reason, as described in Section (c)(iv) of the Appendix to this Agreement, payment shall occur on the first day of the seventh month following the Executive's Termination of Employment, unless the provisions of Section 5(f) below apply. The amount of the aggregate


        4


        lump sum provided by this Section 5(c) shall not be counted as compensation for purposes of any other benefit plan or program applicable to the Executive.
      4. Special Retirement Plans Lump Sum . The Company shall pay to the Executive an aggregate lump sum equal to the total of the amounts described in (a) and (b) herein. Amount (a) is a lump sum equal to the difference between (i) the actuarial equivalent of the benefit under the Retirement Account Plan, the SPP "SERP Benefit A" and the special additional pension benefit provided under Section 3 above, which the Executive would receive if his employment continued for a three-year period following Termination of Employment, assuming that the Executive's compensation during such three-year period would have been equal to the Executive's salary as in effect immediately before the termination or, if higher, as in effect at any time during the 180-day period immediately preceding the termination date, and the Highest Bonus Amount with all non-qualified pension benefits determined on a fully vested basis and waiving the requirement that Executive have attained age 60, and (ii) the actuarial equivalent of the Executive's actual benefit (paid or payable) under the Retirement Account Plan, the SPP "SERP Benefit A" and the special additional pension benefit under Section 3 above. Actuarial equivalency for this purpose shall be determined using an interest rate equal to a 36 consecutive month (or shorter period, as explained in the next sentence) average, using the rates as of the last business day of each month starting with January 31, 2002 (the "Month End Rate") of the five year United States Treasury Note yields (the "36 Month Average Rate") in effect ending with the Month End Rate immediately prior to the Effective Date, as such yield is reported in the Wall Street Journal or comparable publication, and the mortality table used for purposes of determining lump sum amounts then in use under the Retirement Account Plan. Prior to January 31, 2005, the 36 Month Average Rate shall mean only the average of the Month End Rates which have occurred since January 31, 2002, even though less than 36. Amount (b) is a lump sum equal to the total of (i) the additional contributions which would have been made to the Executive's account under the Company's tax-qualified 401(k) plan, plus (ii) the additional contributions which would have been credited to the bookkeeping account balance of the Executive attributable to the 401(k) match feature of the EDCP, had the Executive continued in employment for a three-year period following Termination of Employment and assuming that the Executive's compensation would have been the same as set forth above and that the Executive had made maximum utilization of the pre-tax and after-tax opportunity in the qualified 401(k) plan and obtained the maximum matching contributions in such plan. The amount of the aggregate lump sum under this Section 5(d) shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within ten business days after the Executive's Termination of Employment, unless the provisions of Section 5(f) below apply. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event

        5


        of the Executive's voluntary Termination of Employment without Good Reason, as described in Section (c)(iv) of the Appendix to this Agreement, payment shall occur on the first day of the seventh month following the Executive's Termination of Employment, unless the provisions of Section 5(f) below apply. The amount of the lump sum provided by this Section 5(d) shall not be treated as compensation for purposes of any other benefit plan or program applicable to the Executive.
      5. Special Additional Monthly Pension Benefit . The Company shall pay to the Executive an additional monthly pension benefit equal to the difference between (i) the pension benefits the Executive would have received under all qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans of his former employer immediately prior to his employment with the Company had he remained with such former employer until age 60, calculated as if his pay with such employer had continued at its 2003 level, increased by 3% annually thereafter, and (ii) the sum of the pension benefits actually payable to the Executive under the Retirement Account Plan and under Section 3 above, which will become vested upon the Executive's termination under this Section 5 without regard to the Executive's age, plus the actuarial equivalent (calculated as provided in subsection (d) above) of the special retirement plans lump sum benefit provided in subsection (d) above, provided that the benefit calculated under (i) above is greater than the benefit calculated under (ii) above. Such additional monthly pension benefit shall be calculated as of the first day of the month following the Executive's Termination of Employment and be payable in the form of a monthly annuity for the Executive's life. Payment of the annuity shall commence on the first day of the seventh month following the Executive's Termination of Employment. The first payment shall also include a lump sum payment equal to the aggregate of the monthly payments otherwise scheduled to be made pending such six-month delay. No interest shall be payable on any amounts delayed due to the Participant's status as a specified employee for purposes of implementing the foregoing six-month delay.
      6. Election Pursuant to Section 409A Transition Relief . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, on or before December 31, 2008, the Executive may elect to have all or part of the special compensation provided by Section 5(c) and the special retirement plans lump sum otherwise provided for in Section 5(d) paid pursuant to his election filed under the EDCP that relates to amounts deferred in 2009. The amounts to which the election applies shall be credited with earnings in the manner as elected by the Executive under the terms of the EDCP. EDCP provisions shall apply to such amounts except that (i) any provisions for a mandatory lump sum payment upon separation from service following a "Change in Control" as defined in the EDCP shall not apply to deferrals made hereunder and (ii) the entire amount subject to the election made under this


        6


        Section 5(f) shall be paid in a lump sum by the Company immediately prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control to such grantor or "rabbi" trust as the Company shall have established as a vehicle to hold such amount pending payment, but with such trust designed so that the Executive's rights to payment of such benefits are no greater than those of an unsecured creditor.
      7. Welfare Benefits . Subject to Section 5(h) below, for a three-year period following Termination of Employment, the Company shall provide the Executive (and his family) with health, life and other welfare benefits (but excluding disability benefits) substantially similar to the benefits received by the Executive (and his family) pursuant to welfare benefit programs of the Company or its affiliates as in effect immediately during the 180 days preceding the Effective Date (or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect at any time thereafter until the Termination of Employment); provided, however, that no compensation or benefits provided hereunder shall be treated as compensation for purposes of any of the programs or shall result in the crediting of additional service thereunder. For purposes of determining the amount of such welfare benefits, any part of which shall be based on compensation, the Executive's compensation during the relevant three-year period shall be deemed to be equal to the Executive's salary as in effect immediately before the Termination of Employment or, if higher, as in effect at any time during the 180-day period immediately preceding the termination date, and the Highest Bonus Amount. To the extent that any of the welfare benefits covered by this Section 5(g) cannot be provided pursuant to the plan or program maintained by the Company or its affiliates, the Company shall provide such benefits outside the plan or program at no additional cost (including, without limitation, tax cost) to the Executive and his family. The Executive shall be entitled to be covered by a retiree medical and dental program at the end of the relevant three-year period, at a cost to the Executive not to exceed the lesser of the cost, if any, charged to other retirees or the COBRA continuation premium charged to terminees who elect to continue in the Company's health plan at their expense under applicable law. The Company shall become obligated to continue such benefits for the remainder of the Executive's life and that of his surviving spouse, notwithstanding any contrary provision or power of amendment or termination reserved to the Company in any otherwise applicable document.
      8. To the extent that the period during which the continued provision of medical and dental benefits falls within the applicable COBRA continuation period, such continued provision of medical and dental benefits is exempt from Code Section 409A under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(B). To the extent that the period during which the continued provision of medical and dental benefits extends beyond the applicable COBRA continuation period, the


        7


        following shall apply: (i) the premiums for continued medical and dental coverage shall be paid on a monthly basis; (ii) any amounts paid to or on behalf of the Executive as reimbursement for medical and/or dental expenses shall be paid on or before the last day of the year following the year in which such expense was incurred; (iii) any amounts paid to or on behalf of the Executive as reimbursement for medical and/or dental expenses during one year will not affect the Executive's eligibility for amounts paid to or on behalf of the Executive as reimbursement for medical and/or dental expenses during any other year; and (iv) the right to continued coverage beyond the applicable COBRA continuation period is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. This paragraph shall be administered and interpreted consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv).

      9. New Employment . If the Executive secures new employment during the three-year period following Termination of Employment, the level of any benefit being provided pursuant to Section 5(g) hereof shall be reduced to the extent that any such benefit is being provided by the Executive's new employer. The Executive, however, shall be under no obligation to seek new employment and, in any event, no other amounts payable pursuant to this Agreement shall be reduced or offset by any compensation received from new employment or by any amounts claimed to be owed by the Executive to the Company or its affiliates.
      10. Equity Incentive Awards . Notwithstanding the provisions in any stock option award, restricted stock award or other equity incentive compensation award (the "Awards"), the Executive shall become fully vested in all outstanding Awards and all otherwise applicable restrictions shall lapse and for purposes of determining the length of time the Executive has to exercise rights, if applicable under any such Award, the Executive shall be treated as if he had retired from the service of the Company at or after age 55 and completion of ten years of service.
      11. Outplacement and Financial Planning . The Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide the Executive with reasonable outplacement services, the scope and provider of which shall be selected by the Executive in his sole discretion (but at a cost to the Company of not more than $30,000) for a period of one year. The Company shall also continue to provide the Executive with financial planning counseling benefits through the third anniversary of the date of the Executive's Termination of Employment, on the same terms and conditions as were in effect immediately before the termination. The Executive shall be eligible to seek reimbursement for such benefits up to a fixed dollar amount that is at least equal to the amount in effect for the year before the Executive's Termination of Employment, unless the Company decides a higher amount. Any unused amounts


        8


        remaining in one year may not be carried over for use in another year. To the extent the Company reimburses the Executive for financial planning expenses incurred pursuant to this paragraph (j), such reimbursement shall occur on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense was incurred.

    7. Obligation of the Company on a Covered Termination of Employment Associated with a Change in Control of the Company . In the event of a Covered Termination of Employment Associated with a Change in Control of the Company, then the Company shall provide the Executive with the same compensation and benefits and subject to the same terms and conditions as are specified in Section 5 above, but the tax gross-up provisions of Section 7 hereof shall apply. Further, the transition election for the Executive described in Section 5(f) above shall apply, but only if the written irrevocable transition election form is filed in accordance with the procedures set forth in that election form by December 31, 2008.
    8. Certain Additional Payments by the Company .
      1. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, and whether or not a Covered Termination of Employment occurs, in the event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments required under this Section 7) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed on the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.
      2. Subject to the provisions of paragraph (c) of this Section 7, all determinations required to be made under this Section 7, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by a certified public accounting firm designated by the Executive (the "Accounting Firm"), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within fifteen business days of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control, the Executive shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder

        9


        (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 7, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within five days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 7 and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive is a "specified employee" (within the meaning of Code Section 409A) as of the date of the Executive's Termination of Employment, the Company shall pay any Gross-Up Payment and any Underpayment no earlier than the first day following the six-month anniversary of the Executive's Termination of Employment and no later than December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Executive pays the Excise Tax.
      3. The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the thirty-day period following the date on which he gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:
            1. give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim,
            2. take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,
            3. cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such claim, and

            4. 10


            5. permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim;

        provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (c) of Section 7, the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forego any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and provided, further, that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.

      4. If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 7, the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the Company's complying with the requirements of paragraph (c) of this Section 7) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 7, a determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of thirty days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

      5. 11


    9. Termination of Employment . The Company shall be entitled to terminate the Executive's employment on account of Disability pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section (e) of the Appendix, for Cause pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section (a) of the Appendix, or without Cause by giving written notice to the Executive of such termination. The Executive may terminate his employment for Good Reason by giving the Company written notice of the termination, setting forth in reasonable detail the specific conduct of the Company that constitutes Good Reason. A Termination of Employment by the Executive for Good Reason shall be effective on the fifth business day following the date such notice is given, unless the notice sets forth a later date (which date shall in no event be later than thirty days after the notice is given). In the event of a dispute regarding whether the Executive's voluntary termination qualifies as a termination for Good Reason, no claim by the Company that the same does not constitute a termination for Good Reason shall be given effect unless the Company establishes by clear and convincing evidence that such termination does not constitute a termination for Good Reason. The Executive may also terminate his employment without Good Reason by giving the Company written notice of such termination.
    10. Obligations of the Company on Termination of Employment for Death, Disability, for Cause or by the Executive Other than for Good Reason . If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of his death or Disability (but not under the circumstances covered by paragraph (c)(iv) of the Appendix), or if such employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or by the Executive other than for Good Reason, the Company will pay to the Executive's estate or legal representative or to the Executive, as the case may be, all accrued but unpaid base salary and all other benefits and amounts which may become due in accordance with the terms of any applicable benefit plan, contract, agreement or practice, including amounts which may have become due under the terms of Sections 3 and 4 plus in the event of Disability the benefit that would be payable under Section 5(e) if that Section had been applicable and all equity incentive awards shall be fully vested and payable on the same basis as provided under Section 5(i) of this Agreement if that Section had been applicable, but no other compensation or benefits will be paid under this Agreement.
    11. Non-Compete Agreement . In consideration of this Agreement, the Executive agrees that he will not, for a period of one year from the date of his or her Termination of Employment with the Company, directly or indirectly own, manage, operate, join, control, be employed by, or participate in the ownership, management, operation or control of, or be connected in any manner, including but not limited to, holding the position of shareholder, director, officer, consultant, independent contractor, executive partner, or investor with any "Competing Enterprise." For purposes of this paragraph, a "Competing Enterprise" means any entity, firm or person engaged in a business within the State of Wisconsin or the upper peninsula area of the State of Michigan (the "Territory") which is in competition with any of the businesses of the Company or any of its subsidiaries within the Territory as of the date the Executive's Termination of Employment, and whose aggregate gross revenues, calculated for the most recently completed fiscal year of the Competing Enterprise, derived from all such competing activities within the Territory during such fiscal year, equal at least 10% or more of such Enterprise's consolidated net revenues for such fiscal year. If

      12


      the Executive notifies the Company in writing of any employment or opportunity which the Executive proposes to undertake during the one year non-compete period, and supplies the Company with any additional information which the Company may reasonably request, the Company agrees to promptly notify the Executive within thirty days after all information reasonably requested by it has been provided, whether the Company considers the proposed employment or opportunity to be prohibited by these provisions and, if so, whether the Company is willing to waive the same. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 10, the Executive shall not be prohibited from acquiring or holding up to 2% of the common stock of an entity that is traded on a national securities exchange or a nationally recognized over-the-counter market.
    12. Relocation Benefit . The Company provided the Executive with the same relocation benefits for his move from his previous residence to a residence near the Company's principal office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as were provided on the date of the original Agreement by his then current employer.
    13. Successors and Binding Agreements .
      1. The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company expressly to assume and to agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent the Company would be required to perform if no succession had taken place. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and any such successor, and such successor shall thereafter be deemed the "Company" for the purposes of this Agreement.
      2. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's respective personal or legal representative, executor, administrator, successor, heirs, distributees and/or legatees.
      3. Neither the Company nor the Executive may assign, transfer or delegate this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder except as expressly provided in this Section. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Executive's right to receive payments hereunder shall not be assignable or transferable, whether by pledge, creation of a security interest or otherwise, other than by a transfer by will or the laws of descent and distribution. In the event the Executive attempts any assignment or transfer contrary to this Section, the Company shall have no liability to pay any amount so attempted to be assigned or transferred.

    14. Notices . All communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or five business days after having been mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the Company (to the attention of the Secretary of the Company) at its principal executive office and to the Executive at his principal residence, or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in

      13


      writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of a change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
    15. Indemnification . The Company will indemnify the Executive in accordance with the Company's by-laws and the Executive shall be entitled to the protection of any insurance policies the Company may elect to maintain generally for the benefit of its directors and officers.
    16. Governing Law . The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Wisconsin without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws of such state, except that Section 16 shall be construed in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act.
    17. Resolution of Disputes . The parties shall endeavor to resolve any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement by mediation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, under the Mediation Procedure of the Center for Public Resources ("CPR"). Unless the parties agree otherwise, the mediator will be selected from the CPR Panels of Distinguished Neutrals. Any such dispute which remains unresolved 45 days after appointment of a mediator, shall be finally resolved by arbitration in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by a sole arbitrator in accordance with the CPR Rules for Non-Administered Arbitration, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered by any court having jurisdiction thereof. The Company will pay any fees and costs of the mediator in connection with the mediation, but the parties agree to each pay one-half of the fees and costs of the arbitrator in connection with the arbitration.
    18. Validity . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement which shall remain in full force and effect. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable in part, the remaining portion of such provision, together with all other provisions of this Agreement, shall remain valid and enforceable and continue in full force and effect to the fullest extent consistent with law.
    19. Entire Agreement; Amendments . This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the parties with respect to the matters discussed herein and supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, written or oral, between the parties with respect thereto. There are no representations, warranties or agreements of any kind relating thereto that are not set forth in this Agreement. This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a written instrument signed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.
    20. Withholding . The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement all federal, state and other taxes as shall be legally required.
    21. Certain Limitations . Nothing in this Agreement shall grant the Executive any right to remain an executive, director or employee of the Company or of any of its subsidiaries for any period of time.

    22. 14


    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on December 29, 2008.




    /s/ Gale E. Klappa
    GALE KLAPPA

    WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION


    By: /s/ John Bergstrom


    15


    APPENDIX

    This is an appendix to the Amended Senior Officer Employment Agreement between WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION and GALE KLAPPA dated December 3, 2003 (the "Agreement"), as restated effective January 1, 2005 for compliance with Code Section 409A.

    As used in the Agreement, the terms set forth below shall have the following meanings:

      1. "Cause" means:
        1. the willful and continued failure of the Executive to substantially perform the Executive's duties (other than failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness), after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), or the Compensation Committee of the Board (the "Committee") which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board or the Committee believes that the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive's duties, or
        2. the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is determined by the Board to have been materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company. However, no act, or failure to act, on the Executive's part shall be considered "willful" unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive not in good faith and without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in the best interest of the Company.

        The Executive may only be terminated for Cause if the Company gives written notice to the Executive of its intention to terminate the Executive's employment for Cause, setting forth in reasonable detail the specific conduct of the Executive that it considers to constitute Cause and the specific provision(s) of this Agreement on which it relies, and stating the date, time and place of the Special Meeting for Cause. The "Special Meeting for Cause" means a meeting of the Board called and held specifically for the purpose of considering the Executive's termination for Cause, that takes place not less than ten and not more than twenty business days after the Executive receives the notice of termination for Cause. The Executive shall be given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard at the Special Meeting for Cause. The Executive's termination for Cause shall be effective when and if a resolution is duly adopted by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (⅔) of the entire membership of the Board, excluding employee directors, at the Special Meeting for Cause, stating that in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive is guilty of the conduct described in the notice of termination for Cause and that conduct constitutes Cause under this Agreement. In the event of a dispute regarding whether the Executive's employment has been terminated for Cause, no claim by the Company that Cause exists shall be given effect unless the Company establishes by clear and convincing evidence that Cause exists.

      2. A "Change in Control" with respect to the Company shall have the meaning set forth in the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, effective as of January 1, 2005 and as may be amended from time to time.

      3. 16


      4. "Covered Termination of Employment Associated with a Change in Control" means:
        1. a Termination of Employment by the Company other than because of death or Disability and without Cause, which occurs within a period of eighteen months following the Effective Date or,
        2. a Termination of Employment by the Company other than because of death or Disability and without Cause within a period of six months prior to the Effective Date, and it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such Termination of Employment was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or otherwise arose in connection with or in anticipation of a Change in Control, or
        3. a Termination of Employment by the Executive for Good Reason within a period of eighteen months following the Effective Date and also within a period of twelve months subsequent to the occurrence, without the Executive's written consent, of any event described in Section (g) after the Effective Date, or a Termination of Employment by the Executive within a period of six months prior to the Effective Date and following the occurrence without the Executive's consent of any event described in Section (g)(i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) and it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such event occurred at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or otherwise arose in connection or in anticipation of a Change in Control, or
        4. a voluntary Termination of Employment by the Executive without Good Reason following completion of one year of service after a Change in Control of the Company, provided that the voluntary termination must be effected by the Executive within six months after the completion of that one-year of service. Further, if the Executive gives written notice to the Company any time after a Change in Control of the Company but before completion of one year of service thereafter that the Executive intends to so voluntarily terminate and if the Executive should thereafter die while in the employ of the Company or incur a Termination of Employment because of Disability, in either case before completion of such one year of service, such death or Termination of Employment shall be treated as a Covered Termination Associated with a Change in Control.
        5. If within fifteen days after the Company notifies the Executive that it is terminating his employment for Cause or the Executive notifies the Company that he is terminating his employment for Good Reason, the party receiving such notice notifies the other party that a dispute exists concerning the termination, then for purposes of this Section (c) the date of the Executive's Termination of Employment shall not be deemed to have occurred until the earlier of (i) the date that is 18 months following the Effective Date or (ii) the date on which the dispute is finally resolved, either by mutual written agreement of the parties or by a final judgment, order or decree of an arbitrator or a court of competent jurisdiction (which is not appealable or with respect to which the time for appeal therefrom has expired and no appeal has been perfected); provided , however , that the date of termination shall be extended by a notice of dispute given by the Executive only if such notice is given in good faith and the Executive pursues the resolution of such dispute with reasonable diligence.


          17


        6. If a purported termination occurs prior to or following a Change in Control and the date of termination is extended in accordance with the preceding paragraph, the Company shall continue to pay the Executive the full compensation and benefits as are provided in the first sentence of Section 5(a) of the Agreement until the date of termination, as determined in accordance with the preceding paragraph. Amounts paid under this Section (c) are in addition to all other amounts due under the Agreement and shall not be offset against or reduce any other amounts due under the Agreement, other than amounts due under the first sentence of Section 5(a) of the Agreement. Each payment made pursuant to this paragraph shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of the short-term deferral rules under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4). As a result, payments made on or before the 15 th day of the third month of the calendar year following the applicable year containing the date on which notice of a dispute is provided by either party (the "short-term deferral deadline"), as the case may be, are exempt from the requirements of Code Section 409A. If the short-term deferral deadline occurs within six months after the date on which notice of a dispute is provided, then payments shall be suspended as of the short-term deferral deadline and will resume on the 1 st day of the seventh month following the date on which such notice is provided. Any suspended payments will be aggregated and paid in a lump sum on such date.

      5. "Covered Termination of Employment Not Associated with a Change in Control of the Company" means:
        1. a Termination of Employment by the Company other than because of death or Disability and without Cause, or
        2. a Termination of Employment by the Executive for Good Reason subsequent to the occurrence, without the Executive's written consent, of any event described in Section (g)(ii), (iii) or (iv).

      6. "Disability" means that the Executive has been unable, for a period of 180 consecutive business days, to perform the material duties of his job, as a result of physical or mental illness or injury and that a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or his legal representative, has determined that the Executive's incapacity is total and permanent. A termination of the Executive's employment by the Company for Disability shall be communicated to the Executive by written notice and shall be effective on the thirtieth day after receipt of such notice by the Executive, unless the Executive returns to full-time performance of his duties before the expiration of such thirty-day period.
      7. "Effective Date" means the first date on which a Change in Control of the Company occurs, except that if Section 5 of the Agreement applies, the term shall mean the date immediately prior to the Executive's Termination of Employment.
      8. "Good Reason" means:
        1. solely in the context of a Covered Termination Associated with a Change in Control, a material diminution in the Executive's authority, duties or responsibilities, or

        2. 18


        3. from and after the date of the Agreement, a material diminution in the Executive's base compensation, or
        4. a material change in the geographic location at which the Executive must perform services, or
        5. any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of this Agreement.

        The Executive must provide notice to the Company of the existence of one of more of the conditions described in paragraphs (i)-(iv) within a period not to exceed 90 days of the initial existence of the condition(s). The Company has a period of 30 days during which it may remedy the condition.

      9. "Highest Bonus Amount" means the higher of (i) the highest dollar bonus earned by the Executive under any cash bonus or incentive compensation plan of the Company during either the three complete fiscal years of the Company immediately prior to the Executive's Termination of Employment or the three complete fiscal years of the Company immediately preceding the Change in Control of the Company, whichever is more favorable to the Executive, or (ii) the Executive's bonus or incentive compensation "target" for the fiscal year in which the Termination of Employment occurs.
      10. "Termination of Employment" means a separation from service as determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h).

    19


    Exhibit 10.26

    AMENDED AND RESTATED SENIOR OFFICER EMPLOYMENT

    AND NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT

     

    THIS AMENDED AGREEMENT is made as of December 30, 2008 between WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION (the "Company") and Allen Leverett (the "Executive").

    WHEREAS, the Executive is currently employed by the Company as its Chief Financial Officer;

    WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company originally entered into a Senior Officer Employment and Non-compete Agreement dated as of June 20, 2003;

    WHEREAS, the parties now desire to amend and restate the Agreement solely to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, with such changes effective January 1, 2005.

    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the parties agree as follows:

    1. Defined Terms . All of the capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement are defined in the attached Appendix.
    2. Employment . Effective as of July 1, 2003 (the "Employment Starting Date"), the Company employed the Executive as the Chief Financial Officer and the Executive accepted and hereby again accepts such employment with the Company and agrees to serve in such position and to perform such other executive duties and serve in such other executive capacities not inconsistent with the position of Chief Financial Officer as the Board of Directors of the Company may request. The Executive's employment is not for any fixed term and the Executive acknowledges that he is an employee at-will. Further:
      1. Base Salary, Signing Bonus and Bonus Opportunity . Effective as of the Employment Starting Date, the Executive's annual base salary was initially established at an annual rate of $460,000. The Executive received a special lump sum signing bonus of $250,000, with $150,000 of this amount paid promptly after the Employment Starting Date and the balance of $100,000 paid six months later. The Executive's target bonus opportunity for 2003 under the Company's Short-Term Performance Plan (the "STPP") was fixed at 80% of base salary, with a minimum guaranteed bonus of $368,000 for 2003 and a maximum bonus opportunity of 160% of base salary. The Executive's target bonus opportunity under the STPP for 2004 and subsequent years will not be less than 80% of base salary, except under circumstances described in the next sentence. Circumstances under which an adjustment below the 80% target could take place would be limited to a general "Board Action" resulting in the lowering of targets for the entire senior executive group.
      2. Stock Based Incentives . Effective as of the Employment Starting Date, the Executive received a grant of non-qualified options for 200,000 shares of the


        1


        Company's common stock (the "Stock") at an exercise price per share equal to the average of the lowest and highest reported sale prices for the Stock on the Employment Starting Date, and on other terms and conditions as specified for other senior officers in the grants made to such officers in January of 2003. Additionally, effective as of the Employment Starting Date, the Executive was granted an award of restricted Stock, with the number of shares awarded determined by dividing $750,000 by the lower of the average of the lowest and highest reported sale prices for the Stock on such date, or $26.00, and then rounding the number of shares to the nearest 10. Two-thirds of such restricted Stock (rounded to the nearest whole share) vested on the second anniversary of the Employment Starting Date, with the remainder vesting at the rate of 20% for each year of service thereafter (i.e., starting with second anniversary of the Employment Starting Date) until 100% vesting of such remainder occurs on the seventh anniversary of the Employment Starting Date, provided further that 100% vesting of all such restricted Stock shall occur upon the Executive's death or disability while in the Company's employ.

    3. Other Benefits and Special Additional Pension Benefit . The Executive will be entitled to five weeks of vacation per year, to participate in all retirement and welfare benefit plans and programs generally available to employees in accordance with the terms of such plans and programs and to participate on a basis commensurate with other senior officers of the Company in any benefit plans and programs available to such officers, including the opportunity to participate in the Company's Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the "EDCP") or such successor plan, as amended from time to time. Additionally, the Executive shall be entitled to (i) participate in the Company's Supplemental Pension Plan ("SPP") or such successor plan, as amended from time to time, with respect to "SERP Benefit A," which is designed to make up for any limitations imposed on the amount of Executive's accrued benefit under the Company's tax-qualified defined benefit plan (the "Retirement Account Plan") because of statutory or regulatory limits relating to the Internal Revenue Code and shall vest in "SERP Benefit A" concurrent with vesting in the Retirement Account Plan, and (ii) receive a special additional pension benefit. Such special additional pension benefit, provided the Executive's retirement occurs at or after age 60, will be equal to the difference between (a) and (b) below, less the monthly lifetime retirement benefits payable to the Executive from all qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans of previous employers of the Executive, calculated as if starting on the same date as the special additional pension benefit, where (a) and (b) are as follows:
      1. equals the monthly lifetime retirement benefit payable from the Company's Retirement Account Plan, plus any amount payable as "SERP Benefit A" under the SPP, and
      2. equals the monthly lifetime retirement benefit that would have been payable from the Management Employees' Retirement Plan of the Company as in effect on December 31, 1995 (the "1995 Management Plan") had the defined benefit formula then in effect continued until the Executive's retirement, calculated without regard to Internal Revenue


        2


        Code limits, and as if the Executive had started participation in the 1995 Management Plan on January 1, 1989 and as if any deferrals elected by the Executive under the EDCP and any bonuses were all included in the Executive's compensation base for calculating benefits under the 1995 Management Plan.

      Such special additional pension benefit will be paid at the time and in the form provided under the terms of the SPP (including, if any, the Executive's last completed and timely filed payment election under the SPP and the SPP provision requiring a six-month delay in payment to a "specified employee" upon a "separation from service," both within the meaning of Code Section 409A).

    4. Additional Preretirement Spouse's Benefit . In the event of the Executive's death while in the Company's employ, the Company will pay to the Executive's surviving spouse, if any, a monthly benefit equal to the difference between (a) and (b) below, but reduced as provided below to reflect the vested value of all qualified and nonqualified defined benefit pension plans of previous employers of the Executive, where (a) and (b) are as follows:
      1. equals the monthly spouse's benefit that is payable from the Retirement Account Plan of the Company, plus any monthly amount payable under "SERP Benefit A" under the SPP, and

      2. equals the monthly spouse's benefit that would have been payable from the 1995 Management Plan had the defined benefit formula in effect on December 31, 1995 continued until the Executive's death, calculated on all the same assumptions as set forth in Section 3(b) above.

      The spouse's benefit will be paid in a monthly annuity for her life and will begin as soon as administratively practicable following the Executive's death, but no later than December 31 of the calendar year in which the Executive dies or, if later, the 15 th day of the third month following the Executive's death. Notwithstanding the foregoing, on or before December 31, 2008, the Executive may elect to have such benefit paid to the spouse in a lump sum.

      The reduction attributable to plans of previous employers as referenced above in the event the additional preretirement spouse's benefit becomes payable is to be applied by reducing the monthly surviving spouse benefit calculation as above set forth by one-half of the dollar amount of offset attributable to the plans of previous employers that would have resulted under the third sentence of Section 3 above if Section 3 were applicable.

      For the life of the spouse, the spouse shall be entitled to coverage under the Company's retiree medical and dental program upon the same terms as generally available to surviving spouses of retirees of the Company. To the extent that the medical and dental benefits for the spouse described in the preceding sentence cannot be provided pursuant to the retiree medical and dental program maintained by the Company or its affiliates, the Company


      3


      shall provide such benefits outside the program at no cost (including, without limitation, tax cost) to the spouse.

    5. Covered Termination Not Associated with a Change in Control. In the event of a Covered Termination Not Associated with a Change in Control, then the Company shall provide the Executive with the following compensation and benefits:
      1. General Compensation and Benefits . The Company shall pay the Executive's full salary to the Executive from the time notice of termination is given through the date of Termination of Employment at the rate in effect at the time such notice is given or, if higher, at an annual rate not less than twelve times the Executive's highest monthly base salary for the twelve-month period immediately preceding the month in which the Effective Date occurs, together with all compensation and benefits payable to the Executive through the date of Termination of Employment under the terms of any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement maintained by the Company during such period. Such payments shall be made in a lump sum not later than ten business days after such termination. The Company shall also pay the Executive's normal post-termination compensation and benefits to the Executive as such payments become due, except that any normal cash severance benefits shall be superseded and replaced entirely by the benefits provided under this Agreement. Such post-termination compensation and benefits shall be determined under, and paid in accordance with, the Company's retirement, insurance and other compensation or benefit plans, programs and arrangements most favorable to the Executive in effect at any time during the 180-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to executives of the Company of comparable status and position to the Executive.
      2. Incentive Compensation . Notwithstanding any provision of any cash bonus or incentive compensation plan of the Company, the Company shall pay to the Executive, within ten business days after the Executive's Termination of Employment, a lump sum amount, in cash, equal to the sum of (i) any bonus or incentive compensation which has been allocated or awarded to the Executive for a fiscal year or other measuring period under the plan that ends prior to the date of Termination of Employment, but which has not yet been paid, and (ii) a pro rata portion of the Highest Bonus Amount for all uncompleted periods under any bonus or incentive compensation plan.
      3. Special Compensation . The Company shall pay to the Executive a lump sum equal to two times the sum of (a) the highest per annum base rate of salary in effect with respect to the Executive during the three-year period immediately prior to the Termination of Employment plus (b) the Highest Bonus Amount. Such lump sum shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within ten business days after the


        4


        Executive's Termination of Employment, unless the provisions of Section 5(f) below apply. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of the Executive's voluntary Termination of Employment without Good Reason, as described in Section (c)(iv) of the Appendix to this Agreement, payment shall occur on the first day of the seventh month following the Executive's Termination of Employment, unless the provisions of Section 5(f) below apply. The amount of the aggregate lump sum provided by this Section 5(c) shall not be counted as compensation for purposes of any other benefit plan or program applicable to the Executive.
      4. Special Retirement Plans Lump Sum . The Company shall pay to the Executive an aggregate lump sum equal to the total of the amounts described in (a) and (b) herein. Amount (a) is a lump sum equal to the difference between (i) the actuarial equivalent of the benefit under the Retirement Account Plan, the SPP "SERP Benefit A" and the special additional pension benefit provided under Section 3 above, which the Executive would receive if his employment continued for a two-year period following Termination of Employment, assuming that the Executive's compensation during such two-year period would have been equal to the Executive's salary as in effect immediately before the termination or, if higher, as in effect at any time during the 180-day period immediately preceding the termination date, and the Highest Bonus Amount, and (ii) the actuarial equivalent of the Executive's actual benefit (paid or payable) under the Retirement Account Plan, the SPP "SERP Benefit A" and the special additional pension benefit under Section 3 above. Actuarial equivalency for this purpose shall be determined using an interest rate equal to a 36 consecutive month (or shorter period, as explained in the next sentence) average, using the rates as of the last business day of each month starting with January 31, 2002 (the "Month End Rate") of the five year United States Treasury Note yields (the "36 Month Average Rate") in effect ending with the Month End Rate immediately prior to the Effective Date, as such yield is reported in the Wall Street Journal or comparable publication, and the mortality table used for purposes of determining lump sum amounts then in use under the Retirement Account Plan. Prior to January 31, 2004, the 36 Month Average Rate shall mean only the average of the Month End Rates which have occurred since January 31, 2002, even though less than 36. Amount (b) is a lump sum equal to the total of (i) the additional contributions which would have been made to the Executive's account under the Company's tax-qualified 401(k) plan, plus (ii) the additional contributions which would have been credited to the bookkeeping account balance of the Executive attributable to the 401(k) match feature of the EDCP, had the Executive continued in employment for a two-year period following Termination of Employment and assuming that the Executive's compensation would have been the same as set forth above and that the Executive had made maximum utilization of the pre-tax and after-tax opportunity in the qualified 401(k) plan and


        5


        obtained the maximum matching contributions in such plan. The amount of the aggregate lump sum under this Section 5(d) shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within ten business days after the Executive's Termination of Employment, unless the provisions of Section 5(f) below apply. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of the Executive's voluntary Termination of Employment without Good Reason, as described in Section (c)(iv) of the Appendix to this Agreement, payment shall occur on the first day of the seventh month following the Executive's Termination of Employment, unless the provisions of Section 5(f) below apply. The amount of the lump sum provided by this Section 5(d) shall not be treated as compensation for purposes of any other benefit plan or program applicable to the Executive.
      5. Special Additional Monthly Pension Benefit . The Company shall pay to the Executive an additional monthly pension benefit equal to the difference between (i) the pension benefits the Executive would have received under all qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans of his former employer immediately prior to his employment with the Company had he remained with such former employer until age 60, calculated as if his pay with such employer had continued at its 2003 level, increased by 3% annually thereafter, and (ii) the sum of the pension benefits actually payable to the Executive under the Retirement Account Plan and under Section 3 above, which will become vested upon the Executive's termination under this Section 5 without regard to the Executive's age, plus the actuarial equivalent (calculated as provided in subsection (d) above) of the special retirement plans lump sum benefit provided in subsection (d) above, provided that the benefit calculated under (i) above is greater than the benefit calculated under (ii) above. Such additional monthly pension benefit shall be calculated as of the first day of the month following the Executive's Termination of Employment and be payable in the form of a monthly annuity for the Executive's life. Payment of the annuity shall commence on the first day of the seventh month following the Executive's Termination of Employment. The first payment shall also include a lump sum payment equal to the aggregate of the monthly payments otherwise scheduled to be made pending such six-month delay. No interest shall be payable on any amounts delayed due to the Participant's status as a specified employee for purposes of implementing the foregoing six-month delay.
      6. Election Pursuant to Section 409A Transition Relief . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, on or before December 31, 2008, the Executive may elect to have all or part of the special compensation provided by Section 5(c) and the special retirement plans lump sum otherwise provided for in Section 5(d) paid pursuant to his election filed under the EDCP that relates to amounts deferred in 2009. The amounts to which the election applies shall be credited with earnings in the manner as elected by the Executive

        6


        under the terms of the EDCP. EDCP provisions shall apply to such amounts except that (i) any provisions for a mandatory lump sum payment upon separation from service following a "Change in Control" as defined in the EDCP shall not apply to deferrals made hereunder and (ii) the entire amount subject to the election made under this Section 5(f) shall be paid in a lump sum by the Company immediately prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control to such grantor or "rabbi" trust as the Company shall have established as a vehicle to hold such amount pending payment, but with such trust designed so that the Executive's rights to payment of such benefits are no greater than those of an unsecured creditor.
      7. Welfare Benefits . Subject to Section 5(h) below, for a two-year period following Termination of Employment, the Company shall provide the Executive (and his family) with health, life and other welfare benefits (but excluding disability benefits) substantially similar to the benefits received by the Executive (and his family) pursuant to welfare benefit programs of the Company or its affiliates as in effect immediately during the 180 days preceding the Effective Date (or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect at any time thereafter until the Termination of Employment); provided, however, that no compensation or benefits provided hereunder shall be treated as compensation for purposes of any of the programs or shall result in the crediting of additional service thereunder. For purposes of determining the amount of such welfare benefits, any part of which shall be based on compensation, the Executive's compensation during the relevant two-year period shall be deemed to be equal to the Executive's salary as in effect immediately before the Termination of Employment or, if higher, as in effect at any time during the 180-day period immediately preceding the termination date, and the Highest Bonus Amount. To the extent that any of the welfare benefits covered by this Section 5(g) cannot be provided pursuant to the plan or program maintained by the Company or its affiliates, the Company shall provide such benefits outside the plan or program at no additional cost (including, without limitation, tax cost) to the Executive and his family. The Executive shall be entitled to be covered by a retiree medical and dental program at the end of the relevant two-year period, at a cost to the Executive not to exceed the lesser of the cost, if any, charged to other retirees or the COBRA continuation premium charged to terminees who elect to continue in the Company's health plan at their expense under applicable law. The Company shall become obligated to continue such benefits for the remainder of the Executive's life and that of his surviving spouse, notwithstanding any contrary provision or power of amendment or termination reserved to the Company in any otherwise applicable document.
      8. To the extent that the period during which the continued provision of medical and dental benefits falls within the applicable COBRA continuation period, such continued provision of medical and dental


        7


        benefits is exempt from Code Section 409A under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(B). To the extent that the period during which the continued provision of medical and dental benefits extends beyond the applicable COBRA continuation period, the following shall apply: (i) the premiums for continued medical and dental coverage shall be paid on a monthly basis; (ii) any amounts paid to or on behalf of the Executive as reimbursement for medical and/or dental expenses shall be paid on or before the last day of the year following the year in which such expense was incurred; (iii) any amounts paid to or on behalf of the Executive as reimbursement for medical and/or dental expenses during one year will not affect the Executive's eligibility for amounts paid to or on behalf of the Executive as reimbursement for medical and/or dental expenses during any other year; and (iv) the right to continued coverage beyond the applicable COBRA continuation period is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. This paragraph shall be administered and interpreted consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv).

      9. New Employment . If the Executive secures new employment during the two-year period following Termination of Employment, the level of any benefit being provided pursuant to Section 5(g) hereof shall be reduced to the extent that any such benefit is being provided by the Executive's new employer. The Executive, however, shall be under no obligation to seek new employment and, in any event, no other amounts payable pursuant to this Agreement shall be reduced or offset by any compensation received from new employment or by any amounts claimed to be owed by the Executive to the Company or its affiliates.
      10. Equity Incentive Awards . Notwithstanding the provisions in any Stock option award, restricted Stock award or other equity incentive compensation award (the "Awards"), the Executive shall become fully vested in all outstanding Awards and all otherwise applicable restrictions shall lapse and for purposes of determining the length of time the Executive has to exercise rights, if applicable under any such Award, the Executive shall be treated as if he had retired from the service of the Company at or after age 55 and completion of ten years of service.
      11. Outplacement and Financial Planning . The Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide the Executive with reasonable outplacement services, the scope and provider of which shall be selected by the Executive in his sole discretion (but at a cost to the Company of not more than $30,000) for a period of one year. The Company shall also continue to provide the Executive with financial planning counseling benefits through the third anniversary of the date of the Executive's Termination of Employment, on the same terms and conditions as were in effect immediately before the termination. The


        8


        Executive shall be eligible to seek reimbursement for such benefits up to a fixed dollar amount that is at least equal to the amount in effect for the year before the Executive's Termination of Employment, unless the Company decides a higher amount. Any unused amounts remaining in one year may not be carried over for use in another year. To the extent the Company reimburses the Executive for financial planning expenses incurred pursuant to this paragraph (j), such reimbursement shall occur on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense was incurred.

    6. Obligation of the Company on a Covered Termination of Employment Associated with a Change in Control of the Company . In the event of a Covered Termination of Employment Associated with a Change in Control of the Company, then the Company shall provide the Executive with the same compensation and benefits and subject to the same terms and conditions as are specified in Section 5 above; provided, however that (i) the special compensation provided for in Section 5(c) shall be three times (rather than two times) the sum of the amounts specified in subsection (a) and (b) of Section 5(c), (ii) the special retirement plans lump sum provided for in Section 5(d) shall be calculated as if the Executive's employment has continued for a three-year period (rather than a two-year period) following his Termination of Employment and (iii) the welfare benefits provision of Section 5(f) shall be provided for a three-year period (rather than a two-year period). In addition, the tax gross-up provisions of Section 7 hereof shall apply. Further, the transition election for the Executive described in Section 5(f) above shall apply, but only if the written irrevocable transition election form is filed in accordance with the procedures set forth in that election form by December 31, 2008.
    7. Certain Additional Payments by the Company .
      1. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, and whether or not a Covered Termination of Employment occurs, in the event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments required under this Section 7) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed on the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.

      2. 9


      3. Subject to the provisions of paragraph (c) of this Section 7, all determinations required to be made under this Section 7, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by a certified public accounting firm designated by the Executive (the "Accounting Firm"), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within fifteen business days of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control, the Executive shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 7, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within five days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 7 and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive is a "specified employee" (within the meaning of Code Section 409A) as of the date of the Executive's Termination of Employment, the Company shall pay any Gross-Up Payment and any Underpayment no earlier than the first day following the six-month anniversary of the Executive's Termination of Employment and no later than December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Executive pays the Excise Tax.
      4. The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the thirty-day period following the date on which he gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:

      5. 10


        1. give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim,
        2. take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,
        3. cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such claim, and
        4. permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim;

        provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (c) of Section 7, the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forego any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and provided, further, that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.

      6. If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 7, the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the Company's complying with the requirements of paragraph (c) of this


        11


        Section 7) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 7, a determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of thirty days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

    8. Termination of Employment . The Company shall be entitled to terminate the Executive's employment on account of Disability pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section (e) of the Appendix, for Cause pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section (a) of the Appendix, or without Cause by giving written notice to the Executive of such termination. The Executive may terminate his employment for Good Reason by giving the Company written notice of the termination, setting forth in reasonable detail the specific conduct of the Company that constitutes Good Reason. A Termination of Employment by the Executive for Good Reason shall be effective on the fifth business day following the date such notice is given, unless the notice sets forth a later date (which date shall in no event be later than thirty days after the notice is given). In the event of a dispute regarding whether the Executive's voluntary termination qualifies as a termination for Good Reason, no claim by the Company that the same does not constitute a termination for Good Reason shall be given effect unless the Company establishes by clear and convincing evidence that such termination does not constitute a termination for Good Reason. The Executive may also terminate his employment without Good Reason by giving the Company written notice of such termination.
    9. Obligations of the Company on Termination of Employment for Death, Disability, for Cause or by the Executive Other than for Good Reason . If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of his death or Disability (but not under the circumstances covered by paragraph (c)(iv) of the Appendix), or if such employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or by the Executive other than for Good Reason, the Company will pay to the Executive's estate or legal representative or to the Executive, as the case may be, all accrued but unpaid base salary and all other benefits and amounts which may become due in accordance with the terms of any applicable benefit plan, contract, agreement or practice, including amounts which may have become due under the terms of Sections 3 and 4 of this Agreement, but no other compensation or benefits will be paid under this Agreement.
    10. Non-Compete Agreement . In consideration of this Agreement, the Executive agrees that he will not, for a period of one year from the date of his or her Termination of Employment with the Company, directly or indirectly own, manage, operate, join, control, be employed by, or participate in the ownership, management, operation or control of, or be connected in any manner, including but not limited to, holding the position of shareholder, director, officer, consultant, independent contractor, executive partner, or investor with any "Competing Enterprise." For purposes of this paragraph, a "Competing Enterprise" means any entity, firm or person engaged in a


      12


      business within the State of Wisconsin or the upper peninsula area of the State of Michigan (the "Territory") which is in competition with any of the businesses of the Company or any of its subsidiaries within the Territory as of the date the Executive's Termination of Employment, and whose aggregate gross revenues, calculated for the most recently completed fiscal year of the Competing Enterprise, derived from all such competing activities within the Territory during such fiscal year, equal at least 10% or more of such Enterprise's consolidated net revenues for such fiscal year. If the Executive notifies the Company in writing of any employment or opportunity which the Executive proposes to undertake during the one year non-compete period, and supplies the Company with any additional information which the Company may reasonably request, the Company agrees to promptly notify the Executive within thirty days after all information reasonably requested by it has been provided, whether the Company considers the proposed employment or opportunity to be prohibited by these provisions and, if so, whether the Company is willing to waive the same. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 10, the Executive shall not be prohibited from acquiring or holding up to 2% of the common stock of an entity that is traded on a national securities exchange or a nationally recognized over-the-counter market.
    11. Relocation Benefit . The Company provided the Executive with the same relocation benefits for his move from his previous residence to a residence near the Company's principal office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as were provided on the date of the original Agreement to the Company's President.
    12. Successors and Binding Agreements .
      1. The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company expressly to assume and to agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent the Company would be required to perform if no succession had taken place. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and any such successor, and such successor shall thereafter be deemed the "Company" for the purposes of this Agreement.
      2. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's respective personal or legal representative, executor, administrator, successor, heirs, distributees and/or legatees.
      3. Neither the Company nor the Executive may assign, transfer or delegate this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder except as expressly provided in this Section. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Executive's right to receive payments hereunder shall not be assignable or transferable, whether by pledge, creation of a security interest or otherwise, other than by a transfer by will or the laws of descent and distribution. In the event the Executive attempts any assignment or transfer contrary to this Section, the Company shall have no liability to pay any amount so attempted to be assigned or transferred.

      4. 13


    13. Notices . All communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or five business days after having been mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the Company (to the attention of the Secretary of the Company) at its principal executive office and to the Executive at his principal residence, or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of a change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
    14. Indemnification . The Company will indemnify the Executive in accordance with the Company's by-laws and the Executive shall be entitled to the protection of any insurance policies the Company may elect to maintain generally for the benefit of its directors and officers.
    15. Governing Law . The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Wisconsin without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws of such state, except that Section 16 shall be construed in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act.
    16. Resolution of Disputes . The parties shall endeavor to resolve any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement by mediation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, under the Mediation Procedure of the Center for Public Resources ("CPR"). Unless the parties agree otherwise, the mediator will be selected from the CPR Panels of Distinguished Neutrals. Any such dispute which remains unresolved 45 days after appointment of a mediator, shall be finally resolved by arbitration in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by a sole arbitrator in accordance with the CPR Rules for Non-Administered Arbitration, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered by any court having jurisdiction thereof. The Company will pay any fees and costs of the mediator in connection with the mediation, but the parties agree to each pay one-half of the fees and costs of the arbitrator in connection with the arbitration.
    17. Validity . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement which shall remain in full force and effect. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable in part, the remaining portion of such provision, together with all other provisions of this Agreement, shall remain valid and enforceable and continue in full force and effect to the fullest extent consistent with law.
    18. Entire Agreement; Amendments . This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the parties with respect to the matters discussed herein and supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, written or oral, between the parties with respect thereto. There are no representations, warranties or agreements of any kind relating thereto that are not set forth in this Agreement. This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a written instrument signed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.
    19. Withholding . The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement all federal, state and other taxes as shall be legally required.

    20. 14


    21. Certain Limitations . Nothing in this Agreement shall grant the Executive any right to remain an executive, director or employee of the Company or of any of its subsidiaries for any period of time.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on December 30, 2008.

     

     

    /s/ Allen L. Leverett

    ALLEN LEVERETT

    WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION


    By: /s/ Gale E. Klappa

       


    15


    APPENDIX

    This is an appendix to the Amended Senior Officer Employment Agreement between WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION and Allen Leverett dated June 20, 2003 (the "Agreement"), as restated January 1, 2005 for compliance with Code Section 409A.

    As used in the Agreement, the terms set forth below shall have the following meanings:

      1. "Cause" means:
        1. the willful and continued failure of the Executive to substantially perform the Executive's duties (other than failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness), after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), or the Compensation Committee of the Board (the "Committee") which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board or the Committee believes that the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive's duties, or
        2. the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is determined by the Board to have been materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company. However, no act, or failure to act, on the Executive's part shall be considered "willful" unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive not in good faith and without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in the best interest of the Company.

        The Executive may only be terminated for Cause if the Company gives written notice to the Executive of its intention to terminate the Executive's employment for Cause, setting forth in reasonable detail the specific conduct of the Executive that it considers to constitute Cause and the specific provision(s) of this Agreement on which it relies, and stating the date, time and place of the Special Meeting for Cause. The "Special Meeting for Cause" means a meeting of the Board called and held specifically for the purpose of considering the Executive's termination for Cause, that takes place not less than ten and not more than twenty business days after the Executive receives the notice of termination for Cause. The Executive shall be given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard at the Special Meeting for Cause. The Executive's termination for Cause shall be effective when and if a resolution is duly adopted by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (⅔) of the entire membership of the Board, excluding employee directors, at the Special Meeting for Cause, stating that in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive is guilty of the conduct described in the notice of termination for Cause and that conduct constitutes Cause under this Agreement. In the event of a dispute regarding whether the Executive's employment has been terminated for Cause, no claim by the Company that Cause exists shall be given effect unless the Company establishes by clear and convincing evidence that Cause exists.

      2. A "Change in Control" with respect to the Company shall have the meaning set forth in the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, effective as of January 1, 2005 and as may be amended from time to time.

      3. 16


      4. "Covered Termination of Employment Associated with a Change in Control" means:
        1. a Termination of Employment by the Company other than because of death or Disability and without Cause, which occurs within a period of eighteen months following the Effective Date or,
        2. a Termination of Employment by the Company other than because of death or Disability and without Cause within a period of six months prior to the Effective Date, and it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such Termination of Employment was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or otherwise arose in connection with or in anticipation of a Change in Control, or
        3. a Termination of Employment by the Executive for Good Reason within a period of eighteen months following the Effective Date and also within a period of twelve months subsequent to the occurrence, without the Executive's written consent, of any event described in Section (g) after the Effective Date, or a Termination of Employment by the Executive within a period of six months prior to the Effective Date and following the occurrence without the Executive's consent of any event described in Section (g)(i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) and it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such event occurred at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or otherwise arose in connection or in anticipation of a Change in Control, or
        4. a voluntary Termination of Employment by the Executive without Good Reason following completion of one year of service after a Change in Control of the Company, provided that the voluntary termination must be effected by the Executive within six months after the completion of that one-year of service. Further, if the Executive gives written notice to the Company any time after a Change in Control of the Company but before completion of one year of service thereafter that the Executive intends to so voluntarily terminate and if the Executive should thereafter die while in the employ of the Company or incur a Termination of Employment because of Disability, in either case before completion of such one year of service, such death or Termination of Employment shall be treated as a Covered Termination Associated with a Change in Control.
        5. If within fifteen days after the Company notifies the Executive that it is terminating his employment for Cause or the Executive notifies the Company that he is terminating his employment for Good Reason, the party receiving such notice notifies the other party that a dispute exists concerning the termination, then for purposes of this Section (c) the date of the Executive's Termination of Employment shall not be deemed to have occurred until the earlier of (i) the date that is 18 months following the Effective Date or (ii) the date on which the dispute is finally resolved, either by mutual written agreement of the parties or by a final judgment, order or decree of an arbitrator or a court of competent jurisdiction (which is not appealable or with respect to which the time for appeal therefrom has expired and no appeal has been perfected); provided , however , that the date of termination shall be extended by a notice of dispute given by the Executive only if such notice is given in good faith and the Executive pursues the resolution of such dispute with reasonable diligence.


          17


        6. If a purported termination occurs prior to or following a Change in Control and the date of termination is extended in accordance with the preceding paragraph, the Company shall continue to pay the Executive the full compensation and benefits as are provided in the first sentence of Section 5(a) of the Agreement until the date of termination, as determined in accordance with the preceding paragraph. Amounts paid under this Section (c) are in addition to all other amounts due under the Agreement and shall not be offset against or reduce any other amounts due under the Agreement, other than amounts due under the first sentence of Section 5(a) of the Agreement. Each payment made pursuant to this paragraph shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of the short-term deferral rules under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4). As a result, payments made on or before the 15 th day of the third month of the calendar year following the applicable year containing the date on which notice of a dispute is provided by either party (the "short-term deferral deadline"), as the case may be, are exempt from the requirements of Code Section 409A. If the short-term deferral deadline occurs within six months after the date on which notice of a dispute is provided, then payments shall be suspended as of the short-term deferral deadline and will resume on the 1 st day of the seventh month following the date on which such notice is provided. Any suspended payments will be aggregated and paid in a lump sum on such date.

      5. "Covered Termination of Employment Not Associated with a Change in Control of the Company" means:
        1. a Termination of Employment by the Company other than because of death or Disability and without Cause, or
        2. a Termination of Employment by the Executive for Good Reason subsequent to the occurrence, without the Executive's written consent, of any event described in Section (g)(ii), (iii) or (iv).

      6. "Disability" means that the Executive has been unable, for a period of 180 consecutive business days, to perform the material duties of his job, as a result of physical or mental illness or injury and that a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or his legal representative, has determined that the Executive's incapacity is total and permanent. A termination of the Executive's employment by the Company for Disability shall be communicated to the Executive by written notice and shall be effective on the thirtieth day after receipt of such notice by the Executive, unless the Executive returns to full-time performance of his duties before the expiration of such thirty-day period.
      7. "Effective Date" means the first date on which a Change in Control of the Company occurs, except that if Section 5 of the Agreement applies, the term shall mean the date immediately prior to the Executive's Termination of Employment.
      8. "Good Reason" means:
        1. solely in the context of a Covered Termination Associated with a Change in Control, a material diminution in the Executive's authority, duties or responsibilities, or

        2. 18


        3. from and after the date of the Agreement, a material diminution in the Executive's base compensation, or
        4. a material change in the geographic location at which the Executive must perform services, or
        5. any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of this Agreement.

        The Executive must provide notice to the Company of the existence of one of more of the conditions described in paragraphs (i)-(iv) within a period not to exceed 90 days of the initial existence of the condition(s). The Company has a period of 30 days during which it may remedy the condition.

      9. "Highest Bonus Amount" means the higher of (i) the highest dollar bonus earned by the Executive under any cash bonus or incentive compensation plan of the Company during either the three complete fiscal years of the Company immediately prior to the Executive's Termination of Employment or the three complete fiscal years of the Company immediately preceding the Change in Control of the Company, whichever is more favorable to the Executive, or (ii) the Executive's bonus or incentive compensation "target" for the fiscal year in which the Termination of Employment occurs.
      10. "Termination of Employment" means a separation from service as determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h).


    19


    Exhibit 10.27

    AMENDED AND RESTATED SENIOR OFFICER EMPLOYMENT

    AND NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT

     

    THIS AMENDED AGREEMENT is made as of December 30, 2008 between WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION (the "Company") and Frederick D. Kuester (the "Executive").

    WHEREAS, the Executive is currently employed by the Company as President and Chief Executive Officer of its We Generation operations and as Chief Operating Officer of its subsidiary Wisconsin Electric Power Company;

    WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company originally entered into a Senior Officer Employment and Non-compete Agreement dated as of September 12, 2003;

    WHEREAS, the parties now desire to amend and restate the Agreement solely to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, with such changes effective January 1, 2005.

    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the parties agree as follows:

    1. Defined Terms . All of the capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement are defined in the attached Appendix.
    2. Employment . Effective as of October 13, 2003 (the "Employment Starting Date"), the Company employed the Executive as President and Chief Executive Officer of its We Generation operations and as Chief Operating Officer of its subsidiary Wisconsin Electric Power Company and the Executive accepted and hereby again accepts such employment and agrees to serve in such positions and to perform such other executive duties and serve in such other executive capacities not inconsistent with such positions as the Board of Directors of the Company or its Chief Executive Officer may request. The Executive's employment is not for any fixed term and the Executive acknowledges that he is an employee at-will. Further:
      1. Base Salary, Signing Bonus and Bonus Opportunity . Effective as of the Employment Starting Date, the Executive's annual base salary was initially established at an annual rate of $500,000. Unless base salaries are reduced by the Board of Directors of the Company for all senior executives, the Executive's base salary for 2004 and subsequent years will not be less than $500,000, and the Executive's base salary will be subject to annual review on a basis commensurate with other senior officers of the Company. The Executive received a signing bonus of $100,000 payable promptly after the Employment Starting Date, and was paid an additional signing bonus of $100,000 on the Company's last regular payroll disbursement date in January of 2004. The Executive's target bonus opportunity for 2003 under the Company's Short-Term Performance Plan (the "STPP") was fixed at $150,000. The Executive's target bonus opportunity under the STPP for 2004 and subsequent years was and shall continue to be not less than 80% of base salary, unless target bonus levels are reduced by the Board of




        Directors of the Company for all senior executives, and the maximum bonus opportunity was and shall continue to be two times the target bonus.
      2. Stock Based Incentives . Effective as of the Employment Starting Date, the Executive received a grant of non-qualified options for 200,000 shares of the Company's common stock (the "Stock") at an exercise price per share equal to the average of the lowest and highest reported sale prices for the Stock on the Employment Starting Date. Such options vested at the rate of 25% per year of service with the Company by the Executive and were on such other terms and conditions as specified for other senior officers of the Company in the grants made to such officers in January of 2003. Additionally, effective as of the Employment Starting Date, the Executive was granted an award of restricted Stock, with the number of shares awarded determined by dividing $750,000 by the average of the lowest and highest reported sale prices for the Stock on such date and then rounding the number of shares to the nearest 10. The restricted Stock will vest at the rate of 10% per year of service with the Company by the Executive, and with 100% vesting to occur upon the Executive's death or disability while in the Company's employ. For 2004 and subsequent years, the Executive has been and will continue to be eligible for equity and equity-linked awards on a basis commensurate with other senior officers of the Company.

    3. Other Benefits and Special Additional Pension Benefit . The Executive will be entitled to six weeks of vacation per year, to participate in all retirement and welfare benefit plans and programs generally available to employees in accordance with the terms of such plans and programs and to participate on a basis commensurate with other senior officers of the Company in any benefit plans and programs available to such officers, including club memberships and the opportunity to participate in the Company's Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the "EDCP") or such successor plan, as amended from time to time. Additionally, and provided the Executive's retirement occurs at or after age 60, the Executive shall be entitled to (i) participate in the Company's Supplemental Pension Plan ("SPP") or such successor plan, as amended from time to time, with respect to "SERP Benefit A," which is designed to make up for any limitations imposed on the amount of Executive's accrued benefit under the Company's tax-qualified defined benefit plan (the "Retirement Account Plan") because of statutory or regulatory limits relating to the Internal Revenue Code, and (ii) receive a special additional pension benefit. Such special additional pension benefit will be equal to the difference between (a) and (b) below, less the monthly lifetime retirement benefits payable to the Executive from all qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans of previous employers of the Executive, calculated as if starting on the same date as the special additional pension benefit, where (a) and (b) are as follows:
      1. equals the monthly lifetime retirement benefit payable from the Company's Retirement Account Plan, plus any amount payable as "SERP Benefit A" under the SPP, and
      2. equals the monthly lifetime retirement benefit that would have been payable from the Management Employees' Retirement Plan of the


        2


        Company as in effect on December 31, 1995 (the "1995 Management Plan") had the defined benefit formula then in effect continued until the Executive's retirement, calculated without regard to Internal Revenue Code limits, and as if the Executive had started participation in the 1995 Management Plan at age 22 and as if any deferrals elected by the Executive under the EDCP and any bonuses were all included in the Executive's compensation base for calculating benefits under the 1995 Management Plan.

      Such special additional pension benefit will be paid at the time and in the form provided under the terms of the SPP (including, if any, the Executive's last completed and timely filed payment election under the SPP and the SPP provision requiring a six-month delay in payment to a "specified employee" upon a "separation from service," both within the meaning of Code Section 409A).

    4. Additional Preretirement Spouse's Benefit . In the event of the Executive's death while in the Company's employ, the Company will pay to the Executive's surviving spouse, if any, a monthly benefit equal to the difference between (a) and (b) below, but reduced as provided below to reflect the vested value of all qualified and nonqualified defined benefit pension plans of previous employers of the Executive, where (a) and (b) are as follows:
      1. equals the monthly spouse's benefit that is payable from the Retirement Account Plan of the Company, plus any monthly amount payable under "SERP Benefit A" under the SPP, and
      2. equals the monthly spouse's benefit that would have been payable from the 1995 Management Plan had the defined benefit formula in effect on December 31, 1995 continued until the Executive's death, calculated on all the same assumptions as set forth in Section 3(b) above.

      The spouse's benefit will be paid in a monthly annuity for her life and will begin as soon as administratively practicable following the Executive's death, but no later than December 31 of the calendar year in which the Executive dies or, if later, the 15 th day of the third month following the Executive's death. Notwithstanding the foregoing, on or before December 31, 2008, the Executive may elect to have such benefit paid to the spouse in a lump sum.

      The reduction attributable to plans of previous employers as referenced above in the event the additional preretirement spouse's benefit becomes payable is to be applied by reducing the monthly surviving spouse benefit calculation as above set forth by one-half of the dollar amount of offset attributable to the plans of previous employers that would have resulted under the third sentence of Section 3 above if Section 3 were applicable.

      For the life of the spouse, the spouse shall be entitled to coverage under the Company's retiree medical and dental program upon the same terms as generally available to surviving spouses of retirees of the Company. To the


      3


      extent that the medical and dental benefits for the spouse described in the preceding sentence cannot be provided pursuant to the retiree medical and dental program maintained by the Company or its affiliates, the Company shall provide such benefits outside the program at no cost (including, without limitation, tax cost) to the spouse.

    5. Covered Termination Not Associated with a Change in Control. In the event of a Covered Termination Not Associated with a Change in Control, then the Company shall provide the Executive with the following compensation and benefits:
      1. General Compensation and Benefits . The Company shall pay the Executive's full salary to the Executive from the time notice of termination is given through the date of Termination of Employment at the rate in effect at the time such notice is given or, if higher, at an annual rate not less than twelve times the Executive's highest monthly base salary for the twelve-month period immediately preceding the month in which the Effective Date occurs, together with all compensation and benefits payable to the Executive through the date of Termination of Employment under the terms of any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement maintained by the Company during such period. Such payments shall be made in a lump sum not later than ten business days after such termination. The Company shall also pay the Executive's normal post-termination compensation and benefits to the Executive as such payments become due, except that any normal cash severance benefits shall be superseded and replaced entirely by the benefits provided under this Agreement. Such post-termination compensation and benefits shall be determined under, and paid in accordance with, the Company's retirement, insurance and other compensation or benefit plans, programs and arrangements most favorable to the Executive in effect at any time during the 180-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to executives of the Company of comparable status and position to the Executive.
      2. Incentive Compensation . Notwithstanding any provision of any cash bonus or incentive compensation plan of the Company, the Company shall pay to the Executive, within ten business days after the Executive's Termination of Employment, a lump sum amount, in cash, equal to the sum of (i) any bonus or incentive compensation which has been allocated or awarded to the Executive for a fiscal year or other measuring period under the plan that ends prior to the date of Termination of Employment, but which has not yet been paid, and (ii) a pro rata portion of the Highest Bonus Amount for all uncompleted periods under any bonus or incentive compensation plan.
      3. Special Compensation . The Company shall pay to the Executive a lump sum equal to two times the sum of (a) the highest per annum base rate of salary in effect with respect to the Executive during the


        4


        three-year period immediately prior to the Termination of Employment plus (b) the Highest Bonus Amount. Such lump sum shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within ten business days after the Executive's Termination of Employment, unless the provisions of Section 5(f) below apply. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of the Executive's voluntary Termination of Employment without Good Reason, as described in Section (c)(iv) of the Appendix to this Agreement, payment shall occur on the first day of the seventh month following the Executive's Termination of Employment, unless the provisions of Section 5(f) below apply. The amount of the aggregate lump sum provided by this Section 5(c) shall not be counted as compensation for purposes of any other benefit plan or program applicable to the Executive.
      4. Special Retirement Plans Lump Sum . The Company shall pay to the Executive an aggregate lump sum equal to the total of the amounts described in (a) and (b) herein. Amount (a) is a lump sum equal to the difference between (i) the actuarial equivalent of the benefit under the Retirement Account Plan, the SPP "SERP Benefit A" and the special additional pension benefit provided under Section 3 above, which the Executive would receive if his employment continued for a two-year period following Termination of Employment, assuming that the Executive's compensation during such two-year period would have been equal to the Executive's salary as in effect immediately before the termination or, if higher, as in effect at any time during the 180-day period immediately preceding the termination date, and the Highest Bonus Amount with all non-qualified pension benefits determined on a fully vested basis and waiving the requirement that Executive have attained age 60, and (ii) the actuarial equivalent of the Executive's actual benefit (paid or payable) under the Retirement Account Plan, the SPP "SERP Benefit A" and the special additional pension benefit under Section 3 above. Actuarial equivalency for this purpose shall be determined using an interest rate equal to a 36 consecutive month (or shorter period, as explained in the next sentence) average, using the rates as of the last business day of each month starting with January 31, 2002 (the "Month End Rate") of the five year United States Treasury Note yields (the "36 Month Average Rate") in effect ending with the Month End Rate immediately prior to the Effective Date, as such yield is reported in the Wall Street Journal or comparable publication, and the mortality table used for purposes of determining lump sum amounts then in use under the Retirement Account Plan. Prior to January 31, 2005, the 36 Month Average Rate shall mean only the average of the Month End Rates which have occurred since January 31, 2002, even though less than 36. Amount (b) is a lump sum equal to the total of (i) the additional contributions which would have been made to the Executive's account under the Company's tax-qualified 401(k) plan, plus (ii) the additional contributions which would have been credited to the bookkeeping account balance of the Executive attributable to the 401(k) match feature of the EDCP, had


        5


        the Executive continued in employment for a two-year period following Termination of Employment and assuming that the Executive's compensation would have been the same as set forth above and that the Executive had made maximum utilization of the pre-tax and after-tax opportunity in the qualified 401(k) plan and obtained the maximum matching contributions in such plan. The amount of the aggregate lump sum under this Section 5(d) shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within ten business days after the Executive's Termination of Employment, unless the provisions of Section 5(f) below apply. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of the Executive's voluntary Termination of Employment without Good Reason, as described in Section (c)(iv) of the Appendix to this Agreement, payment shall occur on the first day of the seventh month following the Executive's Termination of Employment, unless the provisions of Section 5(f) below apply. The amount of the lump sum provided by this Section 5(d) shall not be treated as compensation for purposes of any other benefit plan or program applicable to the Executive.
      5. Special Additional Monthly Pension Benefit . The Company shall pay to the Executive an additional monthly pension benefit equal to the difference between (i) the pension benefits the Executive would have received under all qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans of his former employer immediately prior to his employment with the Company had he remained with such former employer until age 60, calculated as if his pay with such employer had continued at its 2003 level, increased by 3% annually thereafter, and (ii) the sum of the pension benefits actually payable to the Executive under the Retirement Account Plan and under Section 3 above, which will become vested upon the Executive's termination under this Section 5 without regard to the Executive's age, plus the actuarial equivalent (calculated as provided in subsection (d) above) of the special retirement plans lump sum benefit provided in subsection (d) above, provided that the benefit calculated under (i) above is greater than the benefit calculated under (ii) above. Such additional monthly pension benefit shall be calculated as of the first day of the month following the Executive's Termination of Employment and be payable in the form of a monthly annuity for the Executive's life. Payment of the annuity shall commence on the first day of the seventh month following the Executive's Termination of Employment. The first payment shall also include a lump sum payment equal to the aggregate of the monthly payments otherwise scheduled to be made pending such six-month delay. No interest shall be payable on any amounts delayed due to the Participant's status as a specified employee for purposes of implementing the foregoing six-month delay.
      6. Election Pursuant to Section 409A Transition Relief . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, on or before December 31, 2008, the Executive may elect to have all or part of the


        6


        special compensation provided by Section 5(c) and the special retirement plans lump sum otherwise provided for in Section 5(d) paid pursuant to his election filed under the EDCP that relates to amounts deferred in 2009. The amounts to which the election applies shall be credited with earnings in the manner as elected by the Executive under the terms of the EDCP. EDCP provisions shall apply to such amounts except that (i) any provisions for a mandatory lump sum payment upon separation from service following a "Change in Control" as defined in the EDCP shall not apply to deferrals made hereunder and (ii) the entire amount subject to the election made under this Section 5(f) shall be paid in a lump sum by the Company immediately prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control to such grantor or "rabbi" trust as the Company shall have established as a vehicle to hold such amount pending payment, but with such trust designed so that the Executive's rights to payment of such benefits are no greater than those of an unsecured creditor.
      7. Welfare Benefits . Subject to Section 5(h) below, for a two-year period following Termination of Employment, the Company shall provide the Executive (and his family) with health, life and other welfare benefits (but excluding disability benefits) substantially similar to the benefits received by the Executive (and his family) pursuant to welfare benefit programs of the Company or its affiliates as in effect immediately during the 180 days preceding the Effective Date (or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect at any time thereafter until the Termination of Employment); provided, however, that no compensation or benefits provided hereunder shall be treated as compensation for purposes of any of the programs or shall result in the crediting of additional service thereunder. For purposes of determining the amount of such welfare benefits, any part of which shall be based on compensation, the Executive's compensation during the relevant two-year period shall be deemed to be equal to the Executive's salary as in effect immediately before the Termination of Employment or, if higher, as in effect at any time during the 180-day period immediately preceding the termination date, and the Highest Bonus Amount. To the extent that any of the welfare benefits covered by this Section 5(g) cannot be provided pursuant to the plan or program maintained by the Company or its affiliates, the Company shall provide such benefits outside the plan or program at no additional cost (including, without limitation, tax cost) to the Executive and his family. The Executive shall be entitled to be covered by a retiree medical and dental program at the end of the relevant two-year period, at a cost to the Executive not to exceed the lesser of the cost, if any, charged to other retirees or the COBRA continuation premium charged to terminees who elect to continue in the Company's health plan at their expense under applicable law. The Company shall become obligated to continue such benefits for the remainder of the Executive's life and that of his surviving spouse, notwithstanding any


        7


        contrary provision or power of amendment or termination reserved to the Company in any otherwise applicable document.
      8. To the extent that the period during which the continued provision of medical and dental benefits falls within the applicable COBRA continuation period, such continued provision of medical and dental benefits is exempt from Code Section 409A under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(B). To the extent that the period during which the continued provision of medical and dental benefits extends beyond the applicable COBRA continuation period, the following shall apply: (i) the premiums for continued medical and dental coverage shall be paid on a monthly basis; (ii) any amounts paid to or on behalf of the Executive as reimbursement for medical and/or dental expenses shall be paid on or before the last day of the year following the year in which such expense was incurred; (iii) any amounts paid to or on behalf of the Executive as reimbursement for medical and/or dental expenses during one year will not affect the Executive's eligibility for amounts paid to or on behalf of the Executive as reimbursement for medical and/or dental expenses during any other year; and (iv) the right to continued coverage beyond the applicable COBRA continuation period is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. This paragraph shall be administered and interpreted consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv).

      9. New Employment . If the Executive secures new employment during the two-year period following Termination of Employment, the level of any benefit being provided pursuant to Section 5(g) hereof shall be reduced to the extent that any such benefit is being provided by the Executive's new employer. The Executive, however, shall be under no obligation to seek new employment and, in any event, no other amounts payable pursuant to this Agreement shall be reduced or offset by any compensation received from new employment or by any amounts claimed to be owed by the Executive to the Company or its affiliates.
      10. Equity Incentive Awards . Notwithstanding the provisions in any stock option award, restricted stock award or other equity incentive compensation award (the "Awards"), the Executive shall become fully vested in all outstanding Awards and all otherwise applicable restrictions shall lapse and for purposes of determining the length of time the Executive has to exercise rights, if applicable under any such Award, the Executive shall be treated as if he had retired from the service of the Company at or after age 55 and completion of ten years of service.
      11. Outplacement and Financial Planning . The Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide the Executive with reasonable outplacement services, the scope and provider of which shall be


        8


        selected by the Executive in his sole discretion (but at a cost to the Company of not more than $30,000) for a period of one year. The Company shall also continue to provide the Executive with financial planning counseling benefits through the second anniversary of the date of the Executive's Termination of Employment, on the same terms and conditions as were in effect immediately before the termination. The Executive shall be eligible to seek reimbursement for such benefits up to a fixed dollar amount that is at least equal to the amount in effect for the year before the Executive's Termination of Employment, unless the Company decides a higher amount. Any unused amounts remaining in one year may not be carried over for use in another year. To the extent the Company reimburses the Executive for financial planning expenses incurred pursuant to this paragraph (j), such reimbursement shall occur on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense was incurred.

    6. Obligation of the Company on a Covered Termination of Employment Associated with a Change in Control of the Company . In the event of a Covered Termination of Employment Associated with a Change in Control of the Company, then the Company shall provide the Executive with the same compensation and benefits and subject to the same terms and conditions as are specified in Section 5 above; provided, however that (i) the special compensation provided for in Section 5(c) shall be three times (rather than two times) the sum of the amounts specified in subsection (a) and (b) of Section 5(c), (ii) the special retirement plans lump sum provided for in Section 5(d) shall be calculated as if the Executive's employment has continued for a three-year period (rather than a two-year period) following his Termination of Employment, (iii) the welfare benefits described in Section 5(g) shall be provided for a three-year period (rather than a two-year period), (iv) the reference to a two-year period in Section 5(h) shall instead be a reference to a three-year period and (v) the reference to the second anniversary in Section 5(j) shall instead be a reference to the third anniversary. In addition, the tax gross-up provisions of Section 7 hereof shall apply. Further, the transition election for the Executive described in Section 5(f) above shall apply, but only if the written irrevocable transition election form is filed in accordance with the procedures set forth in that election form by December 31, 2008.
    7. Certain Additional Payments by the Company .
      1. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, and whether or not a Covered Termination of Employment occurs, in the event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments required under this Section 7) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and


        9


        penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed on the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments
      2. Subject to the provisions of paragraph (c) of this Section 7, all determinations required to be made under this Section 7, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by a certified public accounting firm designated by the Executive (the "Accounting Firm"), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within fifteen business days of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control, the Executive shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 7, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within five days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 7 and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive is a "specified employee" (within the meaning of Code Section 409A) as of the date of the Executive's Termination of Employment, the Company shall pay any Gross-Up Payment and any Underpayment no earlier than the first day following the six-month anniversary of the Executive's Termination of Employment and no later than December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Executive pays the Excise Tax.
      3. The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the Executive is


        10


        informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the thirty-day period following the date on which he gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:
            1. give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim,
            2. take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company.
            3. cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such claim, and
            4. permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim;

        provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (c) of Section 7, the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forego any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and provided, further, that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be limited


        11


        to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.

      4. If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 7, the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the Company's complying with the requirements of paragraph (c) of this Section 7) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 7, a determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of thirty days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

    8. Termination of Employment . The Company shall be entitled to terminate the Executive's employment on account of Disability pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section (e) of the Appendix, for Cause pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section (a) of the Appendix, or without Cause by giving written notice to the Executive of such termination. The Executive may terminate his employment for Good Reason by giving the Company written notice of the termination, setting forth in reasonable detail the specific conduct of the Company that constitutes Good Reason. A Termination of Employment by the Executive for Good Reason shall be effective on the fifth business day following the date such notice is given, unless the notice sets forth a later date (which date shall in no event be later than thirty days after the notice is given). In the event of a dispute regarding whether the Executive's voluntary termination qualifies as a termination for Good Reason, no claim by the Company that the same does not constitute a termination for Good Reason shall be given effect unless the Company establishes by clear and convincing evidence that such termination does not constitute a termination for Good Reason. The Executive may also terminate his employment without Good Reason by giving the Company written notice of such termination.
    9. Obligations of the Company on Termination of Employment for Death, Disability, for Cause or by the Executive Other than for Good Reason . If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of his death or Disability (but not under the circumstances covered by paragraph (c)(iv) of the Appendix), or if such employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or by the Executive other than for Good Reason, the Company will pay to the Executive's estate or legal representative or to the Executive, as the case may be, all accrued but unpaid base salary and all other benefits and amounts which may become due in accordance with the terms of any applicable benefit plan, contract, agreement or practice, including amounts which may have become due under the terms of Sections 3 and 4, plus in the event of Disability the benefit that would be payable under Section 5(e) if that Section had


      12


      been applicable and all equity incentive awards shall be fully vested and payable on the same basis as provided under Section 5(i) of this Agreement if that Section had been applicable, but no other compensation or benefits will be paid under this Agreement.
    10. Non-Compete Agreement . In consideration of this Agreement, the Executive agrees that he will not, for a period of one year from the date of his or her Termination of Employment with the Company, directly or indirectly own, manage, operate, join, control, be employed by, or participate in the ownership, management, operation or control of, or be connected in any manner, including but not limited to, holding the position of shareholder, director, officer, consultant, independent contractor, executive partner, or investor with any "Competing Enterprise." For purposes of this paragraph, a "Competing Enterprise" means any entity, firm or person engaged in a business within the State of Wisconsin or the upper peninsula area of the State of Michigan (the "Territory") which is in competition with any of the businesses of the Company or any of its subsidiaries within the Territory as of the date the Executive's Termination of Employment, and whose aggregate gross revenues, calculated for the most recently completed fiscal year of the Competing Enterprise, derived from all such competing activities within the Territory during such fiscal year, equal at least 10% or more of such Enterprise's consolidated net revenues for such fiscal year. If the Executive notifies the Company in writing of any employment or opportunity which the Executive proposes to undertake during the one year non-compete period, and supplies the Company with any additional information which the Company may reasonably request, the Company agrees to promptly notify the Executive within thirty days after all information reasonably requested by it has been provided, whether the Company considers the proposed employment or opportunity to be prohibited by these provisions and, if so, whether the Company is willing to waive the same. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 10, the Executive shall not be prohibited from acquiring or holding up to 2% of the common stock of an entity that is traded on a national securities exchange or a nationally recognized over-the-counter market.
    11. Relocation Benefit . The Company provided the Executive with the same relocation benefits for his move from his previous residence to a residence near the Company's principal office in Milwaukee, Wisconsin as were provided on the date of the original Agreement to the President of the Company and which relocation benefits included a guarantee of the Company that the amount realized by Executive on the sale of his current residence would be the greater of the purchase price paid by the Executive for such residence or the then-appraised value of such residence.
    12. Successors and Binding Agreements .
      1. The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company expressly to assume and to agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent the Company would be required to perform if no succession had taken place. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the


        13


        benefit of the Company and any such successor, and such successor shall thereafter be deemed the "Company" for the purposes of this Agreement.
      2. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's respective personal or legal representative, executor, administrator, successor, heirs, distributees and/or legatees.
      3. Neither the Company nor the Executive may assign, transfer or delegate this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder except as expressly provided in this Section. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Executive's right to receive payments hereunder shall not be assignable or transferable, whether by pledge, creation of a security interest or otherwise, other than by a transfer by will or the laws of descent and distribution. In the event the Executive attempts any assignment or transfer contrary to this Section, the Company shall have no liability to pay any amount so attempted to be assigned or transferred.

    13. Notices . All communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or five business days after having been mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the Company (to the attention of the Secretary of the Company) at its principal executive office and to the Executive at his principal residence, or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of a change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
    14. Indemnification . The Company will indemnify the Executive in accordance with the Company's by-laws and the Executive shall be entitled to the protection of any insurance policies the Company may elect to maintain generally for the benefit of its directors and officers.
    15. Governing Law . The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Wisconsin without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws of such state, except that Section 16 shall be construed in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act.
    16. Resolution of Disputes . The parties shall endeavor to resolve any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement by mediation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, under the Mediation Procedure of the Center for Public Resources ("CPR"). Unless the parties agree otherwise, the mediator will be selected from the CPR Panels of Distinguished Neutrals. Any such dispute which remains unresolved 45 days after appointment of a mediator, shall be finally resolved by arbitration in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by a sole arbitrator in accordance with the CPR Rules for Non-Administered Arbitration, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered by any court having jurisdiction thereof. The Company will pay any fees and costs of the mediator in connection with the mediation, but the parties agree to each pay one-half of the fees and costs of the arbitrator in connection with the arbitration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive is the prevailing party in the arbitration, the Executive will be entitled to recover, in addition to any other relief, all


      14


      reasonable costs and expenses, including fees and expenses of Executive's attorneys, incurred in connection therewith. If the Executive prevails on specific issues, the arbitrator may allocate the costs and expenses incurred by the Executive on a basis the arbitrator deems appropriate.
    17. Validity . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement which shall remain in full force and effect. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable in part, the remaining portion of such provision, together with all other provisions of this Agreement, shall remain valid and enforceable and continue in full force and effect to the fullest extent consistent with law.
    18. Entire Agreement; Amendments . This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the parties with respect to the matters discussed herein and supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, written or oral, between the parties with respect thereto. There are no representations, warranties or agreements of any kind relating thereto that are not set forth in this Agreement. This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a written instrument signed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.
    19. Withholding . The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement all federal, state and other taxes as shall be legally required.
    20. Certain Limitations . Nothing in this Agreement shall grant the Executive any right to remain an executive, director or employee of the Company or of any of its subsidiaries for any period of time.

     

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement on December 30, 2008.




    /s/ Frederick D. Kuester
    FREDERICK D. KUESTER

    WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION


    By: /s/ Gale E. Klappa
    GALE E. KLAPPA


    15


    APPENDIX

    This is an appendix to the Amended Senior Officer Employment Agreement between WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION and Frederick D. Kuester dated September 12, 2003 (the "Agreement"), as restated effective January 1, 2005 for compliance with Code Section 409A.

    As used in the Agreement, the terms set forth below shall have the following meanings:

      1. "Cause" means:
        1. the willful and continued failure of the Executive to substantially perform the Executive's duties (other than failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness), after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), or the Compensation Committee of the Board (the "Committee") which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board or the Committee believes that the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive's duties, or
        2. the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is determined by the Board to have been materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company. However, no act, or failure to act, on the Executive's part shall be considered "willful" unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive not in good faith and without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in the best interest of the Company.

        The Executive may only be terminated for Cause if the Company gives written notice to the Executive of its intention to terminate the Executive's employment for Cause, setting forth in reasonable detail the specific conduct of the Executive that it considers to constitute Cause and the specific provision(s) of this Agreement on which it relies, and stating the date, time and place of the Special Meeting for Cause. The "Special Meeting for Cause" means a meeting of the Board called and held specifically for the purpose of considering the Executive's termination for Cause, that takes place not less than ten and not more than twenty business days after the Executive receives the notice of termination for Cause. The Executive shall be given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard at the Special Meeting for Cause. The Executive's termination for Cause shall be effective when and if a resolution is duly adopted by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (⅔) of the entire membership of the Board, excluding employee directors, at the Special Meeting for Cause, stating that in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive is guilty of the conduct described in the notice of termination for Cause and that conduct constitutes Cause under this Agreement. In the event of a dispute regarding whether the Executive's employment has been terminated for Cause, no claim by the Company that Cause exists shall be given effect unless the Company establishes by clear and convincing evidence that Cause exists.

      2. A "Change in Control" with respect to the Company shall have the meaning set forth in the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, effective as of January 1, 2005 and as may be amended from time to time.

      3. 16


      4. "Covered Termination of Employment Associated with a Change in Control" means:
        1. a Termination of Employment by the Company other than because of death or Disability and without Cause, which occurs within a period of eighteen months following the Effective Date or,
        2. a Termination of Employment by the Company other than because of death or Disability and without Cause within a period of six months prior to the Effective Date, and it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such Termination of Employment was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or otherwise arose in connection with or in anticipation of a Change in Control, or
        3. a Termination of Employment by the Executive for Good Reason within a period of eighteen months following the Effective Date and also within a period of twelve months subsequent to the occurrence, without the Executive's written consent, of any event described in Section (g) after the Effective Date, or a Termination of Employment by the Executive within a period of six months prior to the Effective Date and following the occurrence without the Executive's consent of any event described in Section (g)(i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) and it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such event occurred at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or otherwise arose in connection or in anticipation of a Change in Control, or
        4. a voluntary Termination of Employment by the Executive without Good Reason following completion of one year of service after a Change in Control of the Company, provided that the voluntary termination must be effected by the Executive within six months after the completion of that one-year of service. Further, if the Executive gives written notice to the Company any time after a Change in Control of the Company but before completion of one year of service thereafter that the Executive intends to so voluntarily terminate and if the Executive should thereafter die while in the employ of the Company or incur a Termination of Employment because of Disability, in either case before completion of such one year of service, such death or Termination of Employment shall be treated as a Covered Termination Associated with a Change in Control.
        5. If within fifteen days after the Company notifies the Executive that it is terminating his employment for Cause or the Executive notifies the Company that he is terminating his employment for Good Reason, the party receiving such notice notifies the other party that a dispute exists concerning the termination, then for purposes of this Section (c) the date of the Executive's Termination of Employment shall not be deemed to have occurred until the earlier of (i) the date that is 18 months following the Effective Date or (ii) the date on which the dispute is finally resolved, either by mutual written agreement of the parties or by a final judgment, order or decree of an arbitrator or a court of competent jurisdiction (which is not appealable or with respect to which the time for appeal therefrom has expired and no appeal has been perfected); provided , however , that the date of termination shall be extended by a notice of dispute given by the Executive only if such notice is given in good faith and the Executive pursues the resolution of such dispute with reasonable diligence.


          17


        6. If a purported termination occurs prior to or following a Change in Control and the date of termination is extended in accordance with the preceding paragraph, the Company shall continue to pay the Executive the full compensation and benefits as are provided in the first sentence of Section 5(a) of the Agreement until the date of termination, as determined in accordance with the preceding paragraph. Amounts paid under this Section (c) are in addition to all other amounts due under the Agreement and shall not be offset against or reduce any other amounts due under the Agreement, other than amounts due under the first sentence of Section 5(a) of the Agreement. Each payment made pursuant to this paragraph shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of the short-term deferral rules under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4). As a result, payments made on or before the 15 th day of the third month of the calendar year following the applicable year containing the date on which notice of a dispute is provided by either party (the "short-term deferral deadline"), as the case may be, are exempt from the requirements of Code Section 409A. If the short-term deferral deadline occurs within six months after the date on which notice of a dispute is provided, then payments shall be suspended as of the short-term deferral deadline and will resume on the 1 st day of the seventh month following the date on which such notice is provided. Any suspended payments will be aggregated and paid in a lump sum on such date.

      5. "Covered Termination of Employment Not Associated with a Change in Control of the Company" means:
        1. a Termination of Employment by the Company other than because of death or Disability and without Cause, or
        2. a Termination of Employment by the Executive for Good Reason subsequent to the occurrence, without the Executive's written consent, of any event described in Section (g)(i), (ii) or (iii).

      6. "Disability" means that the Executive has been unable, for a period of 180 consecutive business days, to perform the material duties of his job, as a result of physical or mental illness or injury and that a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or his legal representative, has determined that the Executive's incapacity is total and permanent. A termination of the Executive's employment by the Company for Disability shall be communicated to the Executive by written notice and shall be effective on the thirtieth day after receipt of such notice by the Executive, unless the Executive returns to full-time performance of his duties before the expiration of such thirty-day period.
      7. "Effective Date" means the first date on which a Change in Control of the Company occurs, except that if Section 5 of the Agreement applies, the term shall mean the date immediately prior to the Executive's Termination of Employment.
      8. "Good Reason" means:
        1. from and after the date of the Agreement, a material diminution in the Executive's base compensation, or

        2. 18


        3. a material change in the geographic location at which the Executive must perform services, or
        4. any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of this Agreement.

        The Executive must provide notice to the Company of the existence of one of more of the conditions described in paragraphs (i)-(iii) within a period not to exceed 90 days of the initial existence of the condition(s). The Company has a period of 30 days during which it may remedy the condition.

      9. "Highest Bonus Amount" means the higher of (i) the highest dollar bonus earned by the Executive under any cash bonus or incentive compensation plan of the Company during either the three complete fiscal years of the Company immediately prior to the Executive's Termination of Employment or the three complete fiscal years of the Company immediately preceding the Change in Control of the Company, whichever is more favorable to the Executive, or (ii) the Executive's bonus or incentive compensation "target" for the fiscal year in which the Termination of Employment occurs.
      10. "Termination of Employment" means a separation from service as determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h).


    19


    Exhibit 10.29

     

     

    December 23, 2008

    Mr. James Fleming
    [Home Address]

    RE: Your Employment Offer Letter Dated October 21, 2005 (the "Employment Letter")

    Dear Jim:

    This letter modifies the terms of your Employment Letter as they relate to severance benefits to comply with Internal Revenue Code Section 409A ("Section 409A"). As you may know, Section 409A subjects non-qualified deferred compensation (including certain severance benefits) to various rules, including rules requiring specificity as to the time and form of payment of benefits. The modifications are effective as of November 23, 2005.

    Severance Benefits . Your Employment Letter provides that you will be eligible for severance benefits commensurate with the Change in Control severance benefits provided to other Executive Vice Presidents of the Company. In the event of certain involuntary terminations by the Company without Cause or a Good Reason termination in connection with a Change in Control of the Company, you will receive a lump sum payment of any severance payments within ten business days after your Termination of Employment.

    You will also be eligible for severance benefits commensurate with those provided to other Executive Vice Presidents of the Company in the event you voluntarily terminate your employment during a six month period that begins on the one year anniversary of a Change in Control. If you voluntarily terminate your employment during this period, the lump sum payment of your severance will be paid as of the first day of the seventh month following your Termination of Employment.

    280G Gross-Up Payment . Any Section 280G gross-up payment will be paid within five days of the date the gross-up payment amount is determined. However, if you are a 'specified employee' (within the meaning of Code Section 409A) as of the date of your Termination of Employment, payment will be made no earlier than the first day following the six-month anniversary of your Termination of Employment and no later than December 31 of the year following the year in which you pay the excise tax.

    Continued Welfare Benefits . If you are entitled to severance, you will receive continued health, life, and other welfare benefits (excluding disability benefits) commensurate with the




    Change in Control severance benefits provided to other Executive Vice Presidents of the Company. To the extent that the period during which the continued provision of medical and dental benefits falls within the applicable COBRA continuation period, such continued provision of medical and dental benefits is exempt from Code Section 409A under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(B).

    To the extent that the period during which the continued provision of medical and dental benefits extends beyond the applicable COBRA continuation period, the following shall apply: (i) the premiums for continued medical and dental coverage shall be paid on a monthly basis; (ii) any amounts paid to or on your behalf as reimbursement for medical and/or dental expenses shall be paid on or before the last day of the year following the year in which such expense was incurred; (iii) any amounts paid to or on your behalf as reimbursement for medical and/or dental expenses during one year will not affect your eligibility for amounts paid to or on your behalf as reimbursement for medical and/or dental expenses during any other year; and (iv) the right to continued coverage beyond the applicable COBRA continuation period is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. This paragraph shall be administered and interpreted consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv).

    Disputes . If within fifteen days after the Company has notified you that your employment is being terminated for Cause or you notify the Company that you are terminating employment for Good Reason, there is a dispute concerning the termination, your Termination of Employment will not be deemed to have occurred under the earlier of (i) 18 months following the Change in Control or (ii) the date on which the dispute is resolved. During this dispute period, the Company will continue to pay you full compensation and benefits until the date of termination.

    Each payment made during the dispute period will be treated as a separate payment event for purposes of the short-term deferral rules under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4). As a result, payments made on or before March 15 th of the year following the year in which notice of the dispute was provided ("short-term deferral deadline") are exempt from Section 409A. If the short-term deferral deadline occurs within six months after the date on which the notice of a dispute is provided, then payments will be suspended as of the short-term deferral deadline and will resume on the first day of the seventh month following the date on which such notice is provided. Any suspended payments will be aggregated and paid in a lump sum on such date.

    The capitalized terms used above have the meaning set forth in the Amended Senior Officer Employment and Non-Compete Agreement for the Company's Chief Financial Officer, as amended and restated effective January 1, 2005, as it may be further amended from time to time.

    In addition, references in your Employment Letter to the Wisconsin Energy Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan are updated to be the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Supplemental Pension Plan, effective as of January 1, 2005, as may be amended ("SPP"). This is the plan


    2


    pursuant to which your SERP Benefit A will be provided and your special supplemental pension benefit will be paid.

    If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call me.

    Sincerely,

    /s/ Gale E. Klappa

    Gale E. Klappa
    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

    Accepted: /s/ James C. Fleming

    Date: 12/29/08


    3


    Exhibit 10.30

    AMENDED AND RESTATED SENIOR OFFICER, CHANGE IN CONTROL, SEVERANCE AND NON-COMPETE AGREEMENT

    THIS AMENDED AGREEMENT is made as of December 30, 2008 between WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION (the "Company") and Kristine A. Rappé (the "Executive").

    WHEREAS, the Executive is currently employed by the Company as its Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer;

    WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company originally entered into a Senior Officer, Change in Control, Severance and Non-Compete Agreement dated as of July 28, 2005 and an amended agreement as of December 19, 2007;

    WHEREAS, the parties now desire to amend and restate the Agreement solely to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, with such changes effective January 1, 2008.

    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of their mutual promises, the parties agree as follows:

    1. Defined Terms . All of the capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement are defined in the attached Appendix.
    2. Purpose of Agreement . This Agreement is intended to set forth certain terms and conditions of the Executive's employment with the Company, to provide the Executive with certain minimum compensation rights in the event of her Termination of Employment under certain circumstances as set forth herein and to provide for a non compete agreement from the Executive.
    3. Employment . The Executive is currently employed as the Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of the Company. The Executive's employment is not for any fixed term and the Executive acknowledges that she is an employee at-will. The Executive's annual base salary was initially established at an annual rate of $345,000. The Executive's target bonus opportunity under the Company's Short-Term Performance Plan (the "STPP") for the remainder of 2005 after the original Agreement effective date and subsequent years will not be less than 60% of base salary, except under circumstances described in the next sentence. Circumstances under which an adjustment below the 60% target could take place would be limited to a general "Board Action" resulting in the lowering of targets for the entire senior executive group.
    4. Other Benefits and Special Additional Pension Benefit . The Executive will be entitled to participate in all retirement and welfare benefit plans and programs generally available to employees in accordance with the terms of such plans and programs and to participate on a basis commensurate with other senior officers of the Company in any benefit plans and programs available to such officers,




      including the opportunity to participate in the Company's Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (the "EDCP"), or such successor plan, as amended from time to time. Additionally, and provided the Executive's retirement occurs at or after age 60, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in the Company's Supplemental Pension Plan ("SPP") or such successor plan, as amended from time to time, which shall include (i) "SERP Benefit A," which is designed to make up for any limitations imposed on the amount of Executive's accrued benefit under the Company's tax-qualified defined benefit plan (the "Retirement Account Plan") because of statutory or regulatory limits relating to the Internal Revenue Code, and which shall be calculated without regard to applicable early retirement reduction factors, and (ii) "SERP Benefit B," which provides a life annuity equal to a percentage of the Executive's eligible earnings over her highest 36-month earnings period, as both "SERP Benefit A" and "SERP Benefit B" shall be calculated under the SPP.
    5. Covered Termination Not Associated with a Change in Control . In the event of a Covered Termination Not Associated with a Change in Control, then the Company shall provide the Executive with the following compensation and benefits:
      1. General Compensation and Benefits . The Company shall pay the Executive's full salary to the Executive from the time notice of termination is given through the date of Termination of Employment at the rate in effect at the time such notice is given, and all compensation and benefits payable to the Executive through the date of Termination of Employment under the terms of any compensation or benefit plan, program or arrangement maintained by the Company during such period. Such payments shall be made within the next pay period after the Executive's Termination of Employment. The Company shall also pay the Executive's normal post-termination compensation and benefits to the Executive as such payments become due in accordance with the Company's retirement, insurance and other compensation or benefit plans, programs and arrangements, except that any normal cash severance benefits shall be superseded and replaced entirely by the benefits provided under this Agreement.
      2. Incentive Compensation . Notwithstanding any provision of any cash bonus or incentive compensation plan of the Company, the Company shall pay to the Executive, within the next pay period after the Executive's Termination of Employment, a lump sum amount, in cash, equal to the sum of (i) any bonus or incentive compensation which has been allocated or awarded to the Executive for a fiscal year or other measuring period under the plan that ends prior to the date of Termination of Employment, but which has not yet been paid, and (ii) a pro rata portion of the Target Bonus Amount for all uncompleted periods under any bonus or incentive compensation plan.

      3. 2


      4. Special Compensation . The Company shall pay to the Executive a lump sum equal to two times the sum of (a) the highest per annum base rate of salary in effect with respect to the Executive during the three-year period immediately prior to the Termination of Employment plus (b) the Target Bonus Amount. Such lump sum shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within next pay period after the Executive's Termination of Employment, unless the provisions of Section 5(e) below apply. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of the Executive's voluntary Termination of Employment without Good Reason, as described in Section (c)(iv) of the Appendix to this Agreement, payment shall occur on the first day of the seventh month following the Executive's Termination of Employment, unless the provisions of Section 5(e) below apply. The amount of the aggregate lump sum provided by this Section 5(c) shall not be counted as compensation for purposes of any other benefit plan or program applicable to the Executive.
      5. Special Retirement Plans Lump Sum . The Company shall pay to the Executive an aggregate lump sum equal to the total of the amounts described in (a) and (b) herein. Amount (a) is a lump sum equal to the difference between (i) the actuarial equivalent of the benefit under the Retirement Account Plan, the SPP "SERP Benefit A" which the Executive would receive if her employment continued for a two-year period following Termination of Employment, assuming that the Executive's compensation during such two-year period would have been equal to the Executive's salary as in effect immediately before the termination or, if higher, as in effect at any time during the 180-day period immediately preceding the termination date, and the Target Bonus Amount and waiving the requirement that Executive have attained age 60, and (ii) the actuarial equivalent of the Executive's actual benefit (paid or payable) under the Retirement Account Plan, the SPP "SERP Benefit A". Actuarial equivalency for this purpose shall be determined using an interest rate equal to a 36 consecutive month (or shorter period, as explained in the next sentence) average, using the rates as of the last business day of each month starting with January 31, 2002 (the "Month End Rate") of the five year United States Treasury Note yields (the "36 Month Average Rate") in effect ending with the Month End Rate immediately prior to the Effective Date, as such yield is reported in the Wall Street Journal or comparable publication, and the mortality table used for purposes of determining lump sum amounts then in use under the Retirement Account Plan. Prior to January 31, 2005, the 36 Month Average Rate shall mean only the average of the Month End Rates which have occurred since January 31, 2002, even though less than 36. Amount (b) is a lump sum equal to the total of (i) the additional contributions which would have been made to the Executive's account by the Company under the Company's tax-qualified 401(k) plan, plus (ii) the additional contributions which would have been credited to the bookkeeping account balance of the Executive attributable to the 401(k) match feature of the EDCP, had the Executive


        3


        continued in employment for a two-year period following Termination of Employment and assuming that the Executive's compensation would have been the same as set forth above and that the Executive had made maximum utilization of the pre-tax and after-tax opportunity in the qualified 401(k) plan and obtained the maximum matching contributions in such plan. The amount of the aggregate lump sum under this Section 5(d) shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within the next pay period after the Executive's Termination of Employment, unless the provisions of Section 5(e) below apply. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of the Executive's voluntary Termination of Employment without Good Reason, as described in Section (c)(iv) of the Appendix to this Agreement, payment shall occur on the first day of the seventh month following the Executive's Termination of Employment, unless the provisions of Section 5(e) below apply. The amount of the lump sum provided by this Section 5(d) shall not be treated as compensation for purposes of any other benefit plan or program applicable to the Executive.
      6. Election Pursuant to Section 409A Transition Relief . Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, on or before December 31, 2008, the Executive may elect to have all or part of the special compensation provided by Section 5(c) and the special retirement plans lump sum otherwise provided for in Section 5(d) paid pursuant to her election filed under the EDCP that relates to amounts deferred in 2009. The amounts to which the election applies shall be credited with earnings in the manner as elected by the Executive under the terms of the EDCP. EDCP provisions shall apply to such amounts except that (i) any provisions for a mandatory lump sum payment upon separation from service following a "Change in Control" as defined in the EDCP shall not apply to deferrals made hereunder and (ii) the entire amount subject to the election made under this Section 5(e) shall be paid in a lump sum by the Company immediately prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control to such grantor or "rabbi" trust as the Company shall have established as a vehicle to hold such amount pending payment, but with such trust designed so that the Executive's rights to payment of such benefits are no greater than those of an unsecured creditor.
      7. Welfare Benefits . Subject to Section 5(g) below, for a two-year period following Termination of Employment, the Company shall provide the Executive (and her family) with health, life and other welfare benefits (but excluding disability benefits) substantially similar to the benefits received by the Executive (and her family) pursuant to welfare benefit programs of the Company or its affiliates as in effect immediately during the 180 days preceding the Effective Date (or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect at any time thereafter until the Termination of Employment); provided, however, that no compensation or benefits provided hereunder shall be treated as compensation for purposes of any of the programs or shall result in the crediting of additional service thereunder. For purposes


        4


        of determining the amount of such welfare benefits, any part of which shall be based on compensation, the Executive's compensation during the relevant two-year period shall be deemed to be equal to the Executive's salary as in effect immediately before the Termination of Employment or, if higher, as in effect at any time during the 180-day period immediately preceding the termination date, and the Target Bonus Amount. To the extent that any of the welfare benefits covered by this Section 5(f) cannot be provided pursuant to the plan or program maintained by the Company or its affiliates, the Company shall provide such benefits outside the plan or program at no additional cost (including, without limitation, tax cost) to the Executive and her family. The Executive shall be entitled to be covered by a retiree medical and dental program at the end of the relevant two-year period, at a cost to the Executive not to exceed the lesser of the cost, if any, charged to other retirees or the COBRA continuation premium charged to terminees who elect to continue in the Company's health plan at their expense under applicable law. The Company shall become obligated to continue such benefits for the remainder of the Executive's life and that of her surviving spouse, notwithstanding any contrary provision or power of amendment or termination reserved to the Company in any otherwise applicable document.
      8. To the extent that the period during which the continued provision of medical and dental benefits falls within the applicable COBRA continuation period, such continued provision of medical and dental benefits is exempt from Code Section 409A under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(B). To the extent that the period during which the continued provision of medical and dental benefits extends beyond the applicable COBRA continuation period, the following shall apply: (i) the premiums for continued medical and dental coverage shall be paid on a monthly basis; (ii) any amounts paid to or on behalf of the Executive as reimbursement for medical and/or dental expenses shall be paid on or before the last day of the year following the year in which such expense was incurred; (iii) any amounts paid to or on behalf of the Executive as reimbursement for medical and/or dental expenses during one year will not affect the Executive's eligibility for amounts paid to or on behalf of the Executive as reimbursement for medical and/or dental expenses during any other year; and (iv) the right to continued coverage beyond the applicable COBRA continuation period is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. This paragraph shall be administered and interpreted consistent with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv).

      9. New Employment . If the Executive secures new employment during the two-year period following Termination of Employment, the level of any benefit being provided pursuant to Section 5(f) hereof shall be reduced to the extent that any such benefit is being provided by the Executive's new employer. The Executive, however, shall be under no obligation to seek new employment and, in any event, no other amounts payable pursuant to


        5


        this Agreement shall be reduced or offset by any compensation received from new employment or by any amounts claimed to be owed by the Executive to the Company or its affiliates.
      10. Equity Incentive Awards . Notwithstanding the provisions in any stock option award, restricted stock award, performance shares or other equity incentive compensation award (the "Awards"), the Executive shall become fully vested in all outstanding Awards and all otherwise applicable restrictions shall lapse and for purposes of determining the length of time the Executive has to exercise rights, if applicable under any such Award, the Executive shall be treated as if she had retired from the service of the Company at or after age 55 and completion of ten years of service.
      11. Outplacement and Financial Planning . The Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide the Executive with reasonable outplacement services, the scope and provider of which shall be selected by the Executive in her sole discretion (but at a cost to the Company of not more than $30,000) for a period of one year. The Company shall also continue to provide the Executive with financial planning counseling benefits through the second anniversary of the date of the Executive's Termination of Employment, on the same terms and conditions as were in effect immediately before the termination or, if more favorable, on the Effective Date. The Executive shall be eligible to seek reimbursement for such benefits up to a fixed dollar amount that is at least equal to the amount in effect for the year before the Executive's Termination of Employment, unless the Company decides a higher amount. Any unused amounts remaining in one year may not be carried over for use in another year. To the extent the Company reimburses the Executive for financial planning expenses incurred pursuant to this paragraph (i), such reimbursement shall occur on or before the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense was incurred.

    6. Obligation of the Company on a Covered Termination of Employment Associated with a Change in Control of the Company . In the event of a Covered Termination of Employment Associated with a Change in Control of the Company, then the Company shall provide the Executive with the same compensation and benefits and subject to the same terms and conditions as are specified in Section 5 above; provided, however that (i) the special compensation provided for in Section 5(c) shall be three times (rather than two times) the sum of the amounts specified in subsection (a) and (b) of Section 5(c), (ii) the special retirement plans lump sum provided for in Section 5(d) shall be calculated as if the Executive's employment has continued for a three-year period (rather than a two-year period) following her Termination of Employment and (iii) the welfare benefits provision of Section 5(f) shall be provided for a three-year period (rather than a two-year period). In addition, the tax gross-up provisions of Section 7 hereof shall apply. Further, the transition election for the Executive described in Section 5(e) above shall apply, but only if the written irrevocable transition election form is filed in


      6


      accordance with the procedures set forth in that election form by December 31, 2008.
    7. Certain Additional Payments by the Company .
      1. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, and whether or not a Covered Termination of Employment occurs, in the event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments required under this Section 7) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed on the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments
      2. Subject to the provisions of paragraph (c) of this Section 7, all determinations required to be made under this Section 7, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by a certified public accounting firm designated by the Executive (the "Accounting Firm"), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within fifteen business days of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control, the Executive shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 7, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within five days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments


        7


        which will not have been made by the Company should have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 7 and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive is a "specified employee" (within the meaning of Code Section 409A) as of the date of the Executive's Termination of Employment, the Company shall pay any Gross-Up Payment and any Underpayment no earlier than the first day following the six-month anniversary of the Executive's Termination of Employment and no later than December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Executive pays the Excise Tax.
      3. The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the thirty-day period following the date on which she gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:
          1. give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim,
          2. take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company.
          3. cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such claim, and
          4. permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim;

        provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive


        8


        harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (c) of Section 7, the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forego any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and provided, further, that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.

      4. If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 7, the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the Company's complying with the requirements of paragraph (c) of this Section 7) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 7, a determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of thirty days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

    8. Termination of Employment . The Company shall be entitled to terminate the Executive's employment on account of Disability pursuant to the procedures set


      9


      forth in Section (e) of the Appendix, for Cause pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section (a) of the Appendix, or without Cause by giving written notice to the Executive of such termination. The Executive may terminate her employment for Good Reason by giving the Company written notice of the termination, setting forth in reasonable detail the specific conduct of the Company that constitutes Good Reason. A Termination of Employment by the Executive for Good Reason shall be effective on the fifth business day following the date such notice is given, unless the notice sets forth a later date (which date shall in no event be later than thirty days after the notice is given). In the event of a dispute regarding whether the Executive's voluntary termination qualifies as a termination for Good Reason, no claim by the Company that the same does not constitute a termination for Good Reason shall be given effect unless the Company establishes by clear and convincing evidence that such termination does not constitute a termination for Good Reason. The Executive may also terminate her employment without Good Reason by giving the Company written notice of such termination.
    9. Obligations of the Company on Termination of Employment for Death, Disability, for Cause or by the Executive Other than for Good Reason . If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason of her death or Disability (but not under the circumstances covered by paragraph (c)(iv) of the Appendix), or if such employment is terminated by the Company for Cause or by the Executive other than for Good Reason, the Company will pay to the Executive's estate or legal representative or to the Executive, as the case may be, all accrued but unpaid base salary and all other benefits and amounts which may become due in accordance with the terms of any applicable benefit plan, contract, agreement or practice, including amounts which may have become due under the terms of Section 3 of this Agreement, but no other compensation or benefits will be paid under this Agreement.
    10. Non-Compete Agreement . In consideration of this Agreement, the Executive agrees that she will not, for a period of one year from the date of her Termination of Employment with the Company, directly or indirectly own, manage, operate, join, control, be employed by, or participate in the ownership, management, operation or control of, or be connected in any manner, including but not limited to, holding the position of shareholder, director, officer, consultant, independent contractor, executive partner, or investor with any "Competing Enterprise." For purposes of this paragraph, a "Competing Enterprise" means any entity, firm or person engaged in a business within the State of Wisconsin or the upper peninsula area of the State of Michigan (the "Territory") which is in competition with any of the businesses of the Company or any of its subsidiaries within the Territory as of the date the Executive's Termination of Employment, and whose aggregate gross revenues, calculated for the most recently completed fiscal year of the Competing Enterprise, derived from all such competing activities within the Territory during such fiscal year, equal at least 10% or more of such Enterprise's consolidated net revenues for such fiscal year. If the Executive notifies the Company in writing of any employment or opportunity which the Executive proposes to undertake during the one year non-compete period, and supplies the


      10


      Company with any additional information which the Company may reasonably request, the Company agrees to promptly notify the Executive within thirty days after all information reasonably requested by it has been provided, whether the Company considers the proposed employment or opportunity to be prohibited by these provisions and, if so, whether the Company is willing to waive the same. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 10, the Executive shall not be prohibited from acquiring or holding up to 2% of the common stock of an entity that is traded on a national securities exchange or a nationally recognized over-the-counter market.
    11. Release . As a condition to payment of post-termination compensation and benefits under this Agreement, Executive must execute a general release and waiver, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, of all claims relating to her employment with the Company and its affiliates and the termination of such employment, including, but not limited to, discrimination claims, employment-related tort claims, and contract claims (other than claims with respect to benefits under the Company's tax-qualified retirement plans or continuation of coverage or benefits solely as required by COBRA). The release shall be furnished to Executive as soon as practicable after Termination of Employment, but in no event later than the latest date that will insure that any revocation provided for in the release will expire not later than March 1 of the calendar year after the calendar year of the Executive's Termination of Employment. If Executive fails to execute the release within a reasonable period of time, the Company's obligations under Sections 5 and 6 shall terminate.
    12. Successors and Binding Agreements .
      1. The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company expressly to assume and to agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent the Company would be required to perform if no succession had taken place. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and any such successor, and such successor shall thereafter be deemed the "Company" for the purposes of this Agreement.
      2. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's respective personal or legal representative, executor, administrator, successor, heirs, distributees and/or legatees.
      3. Neither the Company nor the Executive may assign, transfer or delegate this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder except as expressly provided in this Section. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Executive's right to receive payments hereunder shall not be assignable or transferable, whether by pledge, creation of a security interest or otherwise, other than by a transfer by will or the laws of descent


        11


        and distribution. In the event the Executive attempts any assignment or transfer contrary to this Section, the Company shall have no liability to pay any amount so attempted to be assigned or transferred.

    13. Notices . All communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or five business days after having been mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the Company (to the attention of the Secretary of the Company) at its principal executive office and to the Executive at her principal residence, or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of a change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
    14. Governing Law . The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Wisconsin without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws of such state, except that Section 15 shall be construed in accordance with the Federal Arbitration Act.
    15. Resolution of Disputes . The parties shall endeavor to resolve any dispute arising out of or relating to this Agreement by mediation in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, under the Mediation Procedure of the Center for Public Resources ("CPR"). Unless the parties agree otherwise, the mediator will be selected from the CPR Panels of Distinguished Neutrals. Any such dispute which remains unresolved 45 days after appointment of a mediator, shall be finally resolved by arbitration in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by a sole arbitrator in accordance with the CPR Rules for Non-Administered Arbitration, and judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered by any court having jurisdiction thereof. The Company will pay any fees and costs of the mediator in connection with the mediation, but the parties agree to each pay one-half of the fees and costs of the arbitrator in connection with the arbitration.
    16. Validity . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement which shall remain in full force and effect. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable in part, the remaining portion of such provision, together with all other provisions of this Agreement, shall remain valid and enforceable and continue in full force and effect to the fullest extent consistent with law.
    17. Entire Agreement; Amendments . This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the parties with respect to the matters discussed herein and supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, written or oral, between the parties with respect thereto. There are no representations, warranties or agreements of any kind relating thereto that are not set forth in this Agreement. This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a written instrument signed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.

    18. 12


    19. Withholding . The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement all federal, state and other taxes as shall be legally required.
    20. Certain Limitations . Nothing in this Agreement shall grant the Executive any right to remain an executive, director or employee of the Company or of any of its subsidiaries for any period of time.

    21. 13


    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement effective as of the date indicated below:




    /s/ Kristine A. Rappe
    Kristine A. Rappé

    WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION


    By: /s/ Gale E. Klappa
    Gale E. Klappa

       

    12/22/08
    Date


    14


    APPENDIX

    This is an appendix to the Amended Senior Officer Employment Agreement between WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION and Kristine A. Rappé originally dated July 28, 2005 (the "Agreement"), as restated effective January 1, 2008 for compliance with Code Section 409A.

    As used in the Agreement, the terms set forth below shall have the following meanings:

      1. "Cause" means:
        1. the willful and continued failure of the Executive to substantially perform the Executive's duties (other than failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness), after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), or the Compensation Committee of the Board (the "Committee") which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board or the Committee believes that the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive's duties, or
        2. the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is determined by the Board to have been materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company. However, no act, or failure to act, on the Executive's part shall be considered "willful" unless done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive not in good faith and without reasonable belief that her action or omission was in the best interest of the Company.

        The Executive may only be terminated for Cause if the Company gives written notice to the Executive of its intention to terminate the Executive's employment for Cause, setting forth in reasonable detail the specific conduct of the Executive that it considers to constitute Cause and the specific provision(s) of this Agreement on which it relies, and stating the date, time and place of the Special Meeting for Cause. The "Special Meeting for Cause" means a meeting of the Board called and held specifically for the purpose of considering the Executive's termination for Cause, that takes place not less than ten and not more than twenty business days after the Executive receives the notice of termination for Cause. The Executive shall be given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard at the Special Meeting for Cause. The Executive's termination for Cause shall be effective when and if a resolution is duly adopted by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the entire membership of the Board, excluding employee directors, at the Special Meeting for Cause, stating that in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive is guilty of the conduct described in the notice of termination for Cause and that conduct constitutes Cause under this Agreement. In the event of a dispute regarding whether the Executive's employment has been terminated for Cause, no claim by the Company that Cause exists shall be given effect unless the Company establishes by clear and convincing evidence that Cause exists.

      2. A "Change in Control" with respect to the Company shall have the meaning set forth in the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Executive Deferred


        15


        Compensation Plan, effective as of January 1, 2005 and as may be amended from time to time.
      3. "Covered Termination of Employment Associated with a Change in Control" means:
        1. a Termination of Employment by the Company other than because of death or Disability and without Cause, which occurs within a period of eighteen months following the Effective Date or,
        2. a Termination of Employment by the Company other than because of death or Disability and without Cause within a period of six months prior to the Effective Date, and it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such Termination of Employment was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or otherwise arose in connection with or in anticipation of a Change in Control, or
        3. a Termination of Employment by the Executive for Good Reason within a period of eighteen months following the Effective Date and also within a period of twelve months subsequent to the occurrence, without the Executive's written consent, of any event described in Section (g) after the Effective Date, or a Termination of Employment by the Executive within a period of six months prior to the Effective Date and following the occurrence without the Executive's consent of any event described in Section (g)(i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) and it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such event occurred at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or otherwise arose in connection or in anticipation of a Change in Control, or
        4. a voluntary Termination of Employment by the Executive without Good Reason following completion of one year of service after a Change in Control of the Company, provided that the voluntary termination must be effected by the Executive within six months after the completion of that one-year of service. Further, if the Executive gives written notice to the Company any time after a Change in Control of the Company but before completion of one year of service thereafter that the Executive intends to so voluntarily terminate and if the Executive should thereafter die while in the employ of the Company or incur a Termination of Employment because of Disability, in either case before completion of such one year of service, such death or Termination of Employment shall be treated as a Covered Termination Associated with a Change in Control.
        5. If within fifteen days after the Company notifies the Executive that it is terminating her employment for Cause or the Executive notifies the Company that she is terminating her employment for Good Reason, the party receiving such notice notifies the other party that a dispute exists concerning the termination, then for purposes of this Section (c) the date of the Executive's Termination of Employment shall not be deemed to have


          16


          occurred until the earlier of (i) the date that is 18 months following the Effective Date or (ii) the date on which the dispute is finally resolved, either by mutual written agreement of the parties or by a final judgment, order or decree of an arbitrator or a court of competent jurisdiction (which is not appealable or with respect to which the time for appeal therefrom has expired and no appeal has been perfected); provided , however , that the date of termination shall be extended by a notice of dispute given by the Executive only if such notice is given in good faith and the Executive pursues the resolution of such dispute with reasonable diligence.

        6. If a purported termination occurs prior to or following a Change in Control and the date of termination is extended in accordance with the preceding paragraph, the Company shall continue to pay the Executive the full compensation and benefits as are provided in the first sentence of Section 5(a) of the Agreement until the date of termination, as determined in accordance with the preceding paragraph. Amounts paid under this Section (c) are in addition to all other amounts due under the Agreement and shall not be offset against or reduce any other amounts due under the Agreement, other than amounts due under the first sentence of Section 5(a) of the Agreement. Each payment made pursuant to this paragraph shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of the short-term deferral rules under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4). As a result, payments made on or before the 15 th day of the third month of the calendar year following the applicable year containing the date on which notice of a dispute is provided by either party (the "short-term deferral deadline"), as the case may be, are exempt from the requirements of Code Section 409A. If the short-term deferral deadline occurs within six months after the date on which notice of a dispute is provided, then payments shall be suspended as of the short-term deferral deadline and will resume on the 1 st day of the seventh month following the date on which such notice is provided. Any suspended payments will be aggregated and paid in a lump sum on such date.

      4. "Covered Termination of Employment Not Associated with a Change in Control of the Company" means:
        1. a Termination of Employment by the Company other than because of death or Disability and without Cause, or
        2. a Termination of Employment by the Executive for Good Reason subsequent to the occurrence, without the Executive's written consent, of any event described in Section (g)(ii), (iii) or (iv).

      5. "Disability" means that the Executive has been unable, for a period of 180 consecutive business days, to perform the material duties of her job, as a result of physical or mental illness or injury and that a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or her legal representative, has determined that the Executive's incapacity is total and permanent. A termination of the Executive's employment by the Company for Disability shall be communicated to the Executive by written notice and shall be effective on the thirtieth day after receipt of such notice by


        17


        the Executive, unless the Executive returns to full-time performance of her duties before the expiration of such thirty-day period.
      6. "Effective Date" means the first date on which a Change in Control of the Company occurs, except that if Section 5 of the Agreement applies, the term shall mean the date immediately prior to the Executive's Termination of Employment.
      7. "Good Reason" means:
        1. solely in the context of a Covered Termination Associated with a Change in Control, a material diminution in the Executive's authority, duties or responsibilities, or
        2. from and after the date of the Agreement, a material diminution in the Executive's base compensation, or
        3. a material change in the geographic location at which the Executive must perform services, or
        4. any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of this Agreement.

        The Executive must provide notice to the Company of the existence of one of more of the conditions described in paragraphs (i)-(iv) within a period not to exceed 90 days of the initial existence of the condition(s). The Company has a period of 30 days during which it may remedy the condition.

      8. "Target Bonus Amount" means the Executive's bonus or incentive compensation "target" for the fiscal year in which the Termination of Employment occurs.
      9. "Termination of Employment" means a separation from service as determined pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h).


    18


    Exhibit 10.32

    December 29, 2008

    Mr. Stephen Dickson
    [Home Address]

    Re:    Supplemental Pension Benefit

    Dear Stephen:

    This letter amends and restates your May 22, 2001 letter agreement with Wisconsin Energy Corporation (the "Company") that provides for a special supplemental pension benefit. As you may know, this benefit is subject to Internal Revenue Code Section 409A ("Code Section 409A"), which governs the time and form of payment of non-qualified deferred compensation such as your supplemental pension benefit. This letter amends the time and form of your supplemental pension benefit for compliance with Code Section 409A, effective as of January 1, 2005, as follows:

    1. Supplemental Pension Benefit : The Company will provide a supplemental pension benefit to you upon your retirement at or after age 55. This supplemental pension benefit will be equal to the difference, if any, remaining after (a) below has been subtracted from (b) below, less the amount of the monthly vested retirement benefit payable to you at age 65 or that would have been payable to you at that age from defined benefit plans of previous employers for periods of employment prior to your employment by the Company or its affiliate had you elected to receive your accrued benefits from such plans of such prior employers at age 65 (the "Reduction Amount"), where (a) and (b) are defined as follows:
      1. equals the monthly retirement benefit that is payable from the Retirement Account Plan of Wisconsin Electric Power Company (the "Retirement Account Plan"), plus the amounts of any actual "Pension Make-Whole Benefit" due under the provisions of the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Supplemental Pension Plan, effective as of January 1, 2005, and as may be amended (the "SPP"), plus any amount payable as "SERP Benefit A" under the SPP, and
      2. equals the monthly retirement benefit that would have been payable from the Management Employees' Retirement Plan of Wisconsin Electric Power Company as in effect on December 31, 1995 (the "1995 Management Plan") had the defined benefit formula in effect on December 31, 1995 continued until your retirement, calculated without regard to any limitations imposed by Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code or any limitation on annual compensation imposed by Section 401(a)(17) of such Code and under the assumptions that (i) your participation in the 1995 Management Plan had commenced on the first day of the month following your 25th birthday and continued uninterrupted thereafter, (ii) any deferrals of base salary you elected under the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Executive Deferred Compensation Plan were disregarded and instead included in your compensation base for calculating retirement income under the 1995 Management Plan, and (iii) the amount of any Performance Award or Incentive




        Award, calculated at the time of its determination by the Board of Directors had also been included in your compensation base for calculating retirement income under the 1995 Management Plan.

      The Reduction Amount shall be converted into an actuarial equivalent of a life annuity form of payment payable at age 65 using the actuarial equivalency factors under the Retirement Account Plan, but shall be subtracted, without any further adjustment, from any additional pension benefit calculated as above set forth, whenever the same commences, whether before or after your 65th birthday. Further, the Reduction Amount applies to any additional pension benefit calculated as above set forth and expressed as a life annuity form of benefit and shall be made prior to the application of factors applicable for any other form of benefit available under the 1995 Management Plan. Prior to the date of your retirement, you will provide the Company with certified information regarding the Reduction Amount.

    2. Supplemental Preretirement Spouse's Benefit : Further in the event of your death while in the employ of the Company, the Company will pay to your surviving spouse (if any) a monthly benefit equal to the difference, if any, remaining after (a) below has been subtracted from (b) below, but reduced as provided below to reflect the value of any vested defined benefit retirement benefits attributable to prior employment (the "Reduction Amount" as defined above), where (a) and (b) are defined as follows:
      1. equal the monthly spouse's benefit that is payable from the Retirement Account Plan, plus the amounts of any actual "Pension Make-Whole Benefit" due under the SPP, plus any amount payable as "SERP Benefit A" under the SPP (and if you are married at the time of your death and your spouse survives you, such spouse will be deemed to be the sole beneficiary with respect to the Retirement Account Plan and the SPP, notwithstanding any provision in such plans or your actual beneficiary designations to the contrary), and
      2. equals the monthly spouse's benefit which would have been payable from the 1995 Management Plan had the defined benefit formula in effect on December 31, 1995 continued until your death, calculated on all the same assumptions as set forth in paragraph 1(b) above.

      The Reduction Amount in the event the above surviving spouse benefit becomes payable is to be applied by reducing the monthly surviving spouse benefit calculated as above set forth by 1/2 of the dollar amount of the Reduction Amount that would have been offset in the event the additional pension benefit provisions of paragraph 1(a) and (b) above were applicable.

    3. Conditions of Payment Regarding Supplemental Pension Benefits; The supplemental pension benefits provided for in paragraphs 1 and 2 hereof shall be paid at the time and in the form pursuant to the terms of the SPP (including the SPP provision requiring a six-


      2


      month delay in payment upon a "separation from service" if you are determined to be a "specified employee," both within the meaning of Code Section 409A and as defined in the SPP) and, if applicable, your last completed and timely filed payment election under the SPP.
    4. Further, upon the occurrence of a "Change in Control" of the Wisconsin Energy Corporation (as defined in the SPP), then notwithstanding any other provision hereof, you will have a vested right to the supplemental pension benefit (to the extent that you do not otherwise have a vested right at the time of the Change in Control). Such supplemental pension benefit will be paid to you in a lump sum if you have a separation from service (as defined in the SPP) within 18 months after the Change in Control occurs. If a lump sum payment is payable, it shall be calculated using (i) an interest rate equal to the 5-Year United States Treasury Note yield in effect on the last business day of the month prior to the date when his separation from service occurred (as reported in the Wall Street Journal or comparable publication), and (ii) the mortality tables then in use under the Retirement Account Plan. If you have a separation from service after such 18 month period, payment will be made to you as described in the preceding paragraph.

    5. All the benefits described above which are further defined in plan documents are subject to all of the terms in those documents which supersede any other description.

    Please acknowledge your acceptance of the foregoing amendment by signing this letter and return it to me by December 15, 2008. Once signed by both parties, it will serve as a binding agreement between us and supersedes your May 22, 2001 letter in its entirety. You will receive a copy of this agreement after it is executed by both parties. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call me.

    Sincerely,

    WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION


    By: /s/ Gale E. Klappa
    Gale E. Klappa

    The foregoing is hereby accepted as of this
    29th day of December, 2008.


    /s/ Stephen Dickson
    Stephen Dickson

    3


    Exhibit 10.33

    AMENDED AND RESTATED
    NON-COMPETE AND SPECIAL SEVERANCE
    TAX PROTECTION AGREEMENT

    THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT is effective as of January 1, 2008, between WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION (the "Company") and Stephen P. Dickson (the "Executive"). This Agreement amends and restates the agreement made on August 30, 2000, between the Company and the Executive, to comply with Internal Revenue Code Section 409(A), which governs the time and form of payment of non-qualified deferred compensation, including the tax gross-up provided under this Agreement.

    The Executive is currently a key executive of the Company and a participant in the Amended and Restated Executive Severance Policy (the "ESP") and the Board of Directors of the Company wishes to provide certain further protection to the Executive with regard to certain benefits under the ESP in return for an agreement by the Executive not to compete with the Company.

    In consideration of the terms and conditions set forth below, the parties agree as follows:

    1. Incorporation of ESP . The ESP, as may be amended from time to time, is incorporated by reference and made a part of this Agreement. All of the capitalized terms used in this Agreement, if not otherwise defined, have the meaning given to them in the ESP.
    2. Non-Compete Agreement . In consideration of this Agreement, the Executive agrees that, should the Executive incur a Covered Termination Associated with a Change in Control, and as a result become entitled to receive Separation Benefits under the ESP, the Executive will not, for a period of one year from the date of such Covered Termination Associated with a Change in Control, directly or indirectly own, manage, operate, join, control, be employed by, or participate in the ownership, management, operation or control of, or be connected in any manner, including but not limited to, holding the position of shareholder, director, officer, consultant, independent contractor, executive, partner, or investor with any "Competing Enterprise" within the "Territory." For purposes of this Section 2, a "Competing Enterprise" means any entity, firm or person engaged in a business involving the distribution and sale of electrical, gas, steam or other energy sources to end users in competition with such business conducted by the Company or its Subsidiaries, and the "Territory" means the State of Wisconsin, the upper peninsula area of the State of Michigan and any other territory in which the Company or its Subsidiaries is involved in the same business in competition with a Competing Enterprise as of the date of the Executive's termination of employment. The Executive recognizes that the Territory may change as the scope of business conducted by the Company or its Subsidiaries which is in competition with Competing Enterprises changes and the Executive acknowledges that it is reasonable for the Territory to include not only the areas in which the Company and its Subsidiaries are presently operating, but also those areas into which such business of the Company and its Subsidiaries may expand. If the Executive notifies the Company in writing of any employment or opportunity which the Executive proposes to undertake during the one year non-compete period, and supplies the Company with any additional information which the Company may reasonably request, the Company agrees to promptly notify the Executive within thirty




      days after all information reasonably requested by it has been provided, whether the Company considers the proposed employment or opportunity to be prohibited by these provisions and, if so, whether the Company is willing to waive the same. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 2, the Executive shall not be prohibited from acquiring or holding up to 2% of the common stock of an entity that is traded on a national securities exchange or a nationally recognized over-the-counter market.
    3. Severance Tax Protection . Should the Executive incur a Covered Termination Associated with a Change in Control, and as a result become entitled to receive Separation Benefits under the ESP, then the provisions of the ESP that provide for a reduction in the Total Payments to be made to the Executive to avoid operation of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, shall not apply. Instead, no limitation shall be applied to the Total Payments otherwise payable to the Executive and the Executive shall be entitled to the benefit of a "Gross-Up Payment" as defined below and subject to the following provisions:
      1. In the event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of the ESP or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments required under this Section 3) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed on the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.
      2. Subject to the provisions of paragraph (c) of this Section 3, all determinations required to be made under this Section 3, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by a certified public accounting firm designated by the Executive (the "Accounting Firm"), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within fifteen business days of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change in Control, the Executive shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 3, shall be paid by the Company to the


        2


        Executive within five days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 3 and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall pay any Gross-Up Payment and any Underpayment no later than December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Executive pays the Excise Tax, provided that if the Executive is a "specified employee" (within the meaning of Code Section 409A) as of the date of his termination of employment, payment shall not be earlier than the first day of the seventh month following the Executive's termination of employment.
      3. The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the thirty-day period following the date on which he gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:
        1. give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim,
        2. take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,
        3. cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such claim, and
        4. permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim;

        provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with


        3


        such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this paragraph (c) of Section 3, the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forego any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including-interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and provided, further, that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.

      4. If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 3, the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the Company's complying with the requirements of paragraph (c) of this Section 3) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to paragraph (c) of this Section 3, a determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of thirty days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

    4. Successors and Binding Agreement . The Company shall require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) and the direct and indirect parent of any such successor, to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company expressly to assume and to agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent the Company would be required to perform if no succession had taken place. This Agreement shall be binding upon and


      4


      inure to the benefit of the Company and any such successor, and such successor shall thereafter be deemed the "Company" for the purposes of this Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's respective personal or legal representative, executor, administrator, successor, heirs, distributees and/or legatees.
    5. Attorneys' Fees . If the Executive institutes any legal action in seeking to obtain or enforce, or is required to defend in any legal action the validity or enforceability of, any right or benefit provided by this Agreement, the Company will pay for all actual reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred (as incurred) by the Executive, regardless of the outcome of such action.
    6. Notices . All communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or five business days after having been mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the Company (to the attention of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company) at its principal executive office and to the Executive at his/her principal residence, or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of a change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
    7. Governing Law . The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Wisconsin without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws of such state.
    8. Validity and Severability . The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement which shall remain in full force and effect. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or unenforceable in part; the remaining portion of such provision, together with all other provisions of this Agreement, shall remain valid and enforceable and continue in full force and effect to the fullest extent consistent with law.
    9. Entire Agreement; Amendments . This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the parties with respect to the matters discussed herein and supersedes all other prior agreements and understandings, written or oral, between the parties with respect thereto. There are no representations, warranties or agreements of any kind relating thereto that are not set forth in this Agreement. This Agreement may not be amended or modified except by a written instrument signed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.
    10. Withholding . The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement all federal, state and other taxes as shall be legally required.
    11. Employment Status . This Agreement does not constitute a contract of employment or impose on the Executive or the Company or any of its Subsidiaries any obligation to retain the Executive as an employee, to change the status of the Executive's employment,


      5


      or to change the policies of the Company or its Subsidiaries regarding termination of employment.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above.




    /s/ Stephen P. Dickson
    Stephen P. Dickson

    WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION


    By: /s/ Gale E. Klappa
    Gale E. Klappa

    12/29/08
    Date

    By: 12/30/08
    Date


    6


    Exhibit 10.37

    WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION

    OMNIBUS STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

    Amended and Restated Effective as of January 1, 2008



    WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION

    OMNIBUS STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

    1.   Purpose . The Wisconsin Energy Corporation Omnibus Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan") was originally established effective as of December 15, 1993 and most recently amended effective as of May 2, 2001. The purpose of the Plan is to enable Wisconsin Energy Corporation (the "Company") to offer directors, officers and key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries performance-based incentives and other equity interests in the Company, thereby attracting, retaining and rewarding such individuals and strengthening the mutuality of interest between such individuals and the Company's shareholders. The Plan is hereby amended and restated effective as of January 1, 2008 solely to comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and regulations issued thereunder regarding deferred compensation.
    2. Administration . The Plan shall be administered by a committee (the "Committee") which shall be the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors or another committee consisting of not less than two directors of the Company appointed by the Board of Directors who are not employees. It is intended that the Committee members shall, at all times, qualify as "non-employee" directors within the meaning of Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation Section 240.16b-3 and as "outside directors" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended. However, the failure to so qualify shall not affect the validity of any actions taken by the Committee in accordance with the provisions of the Plan. If for any reason the Committee does not qualify to administer the Plan, the Board of Directors may appoint a new Committee so as to comply.
    3. Eligibility . Benefits under the Plan shall be granted only to directors, officers and key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries selected initially and from time-to-time thereafter by the Committee on the basis of the special importance of their services in the management, development and operations of the Company and its subsidiaries.
    4. Benefits . The benefits awarded under the Plan shall consist of (a) stock options, (b) stock appreciation rights, (c) stock awards, and (d) performance units.
    5. Shares Reserved . There is hereby reserved for issuance under the Plan an aggregate of 20,000,000 shares of common stock of the Company which may be authorized but unissued, treasury, or repurchased shares. All of such shares may, but need not, be issued pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options. The maximum number of option shares which may be awarded to any participant in any year during the term of the Plan is 750,000 shares. No more than 750,000 shares may be issued as stock awards and performance units during the term of the Plan. If there is a lapse, expiration, termination or cancellation of any option prior to the issuance of shares thereunder or if shares are issued and thereafter are reacquired by the Company pursuant to rights reserved upon issuance thereof, those shares may again be used for new awards under this Plan.
    6. Stock Options . Stock options shall consist of options to purchase shares of common stock of the Company and shall be either incentive stock options or non-qualified stock options




      as determined by the Committee. The option price shall be not less than 100% of the fair market value of the shares on the date the option is granted and the price may be paid by check or, in the discretion of the Committee, by means of tendering, either directly or by attestation, shares of common stock of the Company then owned by the participant. Stock options shall be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as shall be determined by the Committee at grant; provided, however, that except as otherwise provided in paragraph 11, no stock option shall be exercisable prior to six months after the option grant date nor later than ten years after the grant date. The aggregate fair market value (determined as of the time the option is granted) of the shares of common stock with respect to which incentive stock options are exercisable for the first time by a participant during any calendar year (under all option plans of the Company and its subsidiaries) shall not exceed $100,000.
    7. Stock Appreciation Rights . Stock appreciation rights may be granted to the holder of any stock option granted hereunder and shall be subject to such terms and conditions consistent with the Plan as the Committee shall impose from time to time, including the following:
      1. A stock appreciation right may be granted with respect to a stock option at the time of its grant or at any time thereafter up to six months prior to its expiration.
      2. Stock appreciation rights will permit the holder to surrender any related stock option or portion thereof which is then exercisable and elect to receive in exchange therefor cash in an amount equal to:
        1. The excess of the fair market value on the date of such election of one share of common stock over the option price, multiplied by
        2. The number of shares covered by such option or portion thereof which is so surrendered.

      3. The Committee shall have the discretion to satisfy a participant's right to receive the amount of cash determined under paragraph (b) hereof in whole or in part by the delivery of common stock of the Company valued as of the date of the participant's election.
      4. In the event of the exercise of a stock appreciation right, the number of shares reserved for issuance hereunder shall be reduced by the number of shares covered by the stock option or portion thereof surrendered.

    8. Stock Awards . Stock awards will consist of common stock transferred to participants without other payment therefor as additional compensation for their services to the Company or one of its subsidiaries. A stock award shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee determines appropriate including, without limitation, restrictions on the sale or other disposition of such shares, the right of the Company to reacquire such shares upon termination of the participant's employment within specified periods and conditions requiring that the shares be earned in whole or in part upon the achievement of performance goals established by the Committee over a designated period of time. The goals established by the Committee may include earnings per share, total return on shareholder equity, or such other goals as may be established by the Committee in its discretion. To the extent a stock award is subject to Code


      2


      Section 409A, in no event shall payment be made later than March 15 of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such award is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, as provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4). Any right to defer payment of any stock award under a non-qualified deferred compensation plan maintained by the Company shall be disregarded for purposes of applying the short-term deferral rules to payments made under awards granted hereunder, as provided under in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4).
    9. Performance Units . Performance units shall consist of monetary units granted to participants which may be earned in whole or in part if the Company achieves certain performance goals established by the Committee over a designated period of time. The initial performance units granted under the Plan will be contingent dividend awards. The amount which a participant can earn pursuant to a contingent dividend award will be determined by reference to the actual dividends paid on a specified number of shares of the Company's common stock for a specified number of years. Part or all of the amount of contingent dividend award will be paid to the participant if the Company's total shareholder return (appreciation in the value of its stock plus dividends) over a stated period of time compares favorably to the return earned by other companies in the Company's industry peer group, except that there will be no payout if the Company's total shareholder return is negative over the course of such period. In no event shall payment of any performance units be made later than March 15 of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such award is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, as provided in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4). Any right to defer payment of any performance unit under a non-qualified deferred compensation plan maintained by the Company shall be disregarded for purposes of applying the short-term deferral rules to payments made under awards granted hereunder, as provided under in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4).
    10. Non-transferability . Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, stock options and other benefits granted under this Plan shall not be transferable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and each stock option and stock appreciation right shall be exercisable during the participant's lifetime only by the participant or the participant's guardian or legal representative.
    11. Change in Control . In the event of a change in control of the Company, all outstanding stock options and stock appreciation rights shall become immediately exercisable and all other benefits shall immediately vest with all performance goals deemed fully achieved. For these purposes, a "change in control" shall be deemed to have occurred if the event set forth in any one of the following subparagraphs shall have occurred:
      1. any person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its affiliates) representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities, excluding any person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in connection with a transaction described in clause (i) of paragraph (c) below; or

      2. 3


      3. the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors then serving: individuals who, on the date hereof, constitute the Board and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to the election of directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company's shareholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the date hereof or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended; or
      4. there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company with any other corporation, other than (i) a merger or consolidation immediately following which the directors of the Company immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continue to constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the Company, the surviving entity or any parent thereof or (ii) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities Beneficially Owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its affiliates) representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities; or
      5. the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated an agreement (or series of related agreements) for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets, disregarding any sale or disposition to a company at least a majority of the directors of which were directors of the Company immediately prior to such sale or disposition; or
      6. the Board determines in its sole and absolute discretion that there has been a Change in Control of the Company.

      For purposes of this "change of control" definition, the following terms shall have the meaning set forth below:

      " Beneficial Owner " shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.

      " Exchange Act " shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

      " Person " shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include (i) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its affiliates, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (iv) a corporation owned, directly


      4


      or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the stock of the Company.

    12. Other Provisions . The award of any benefit under the Plan may also be subject to other provisions (whether or not applicable to the benefit awarded to any other participant) as the Committee determines appropriate, including such provisions as may be required to comply with federal or state securities laws and stock exchange requirements and understandings or conditions as to the participant's employment.
    13. Fair Market Value . The fair market value of the Company's common stock at any time shall be determined in such manner as the Committee may deem equitable or as required by applicable law or regulation which shall include regulations regarding the determination of fair market value promulgated under Code Section 409A.
    14. Adjustment Provisions.
      1. If the Company shall at any time change the number of issued shares of common stock without new consideration to the Company (such as by stock dividend or stock split), the total number of shares reserved for issuance under this Plan, the number of shares covered by each outstanding benefit and the exercise price of each outstanding benefit shall be adjusted so that the aggregate consideration payable to or by the Company, if any, shall not be changed.
      2. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, and without affecting the number of shares reserved or available hereunder, the Board of Directors may authorize the issuance or assumption of benefits in connection with any merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, or reorganization upon such terms and conditions as it may deem appropriate.
      3. In the event of any merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Company with any other corporation, there shall be substituted, on an equitable basis as determined by the Committee, for each share of common stock then reserved for issuance under the Plan and for each share of common stock then subject to a benefit granted under the Plan, the number and kind of shares of stock, other securities, cash or other property to which holders of common stock of the Company will be entitled pursuant to the transaction.

    15. Taxes . The Company shall be entitled to withhold the amount of any tax attributable to any shares deliverable under the Plan after giving the person entitled to receive the shares notice as far in advance as practicable and the Company may defer making delivery as to any benefit if any such tax is payable until indemnified to its satisfaction. The Committee may, in its discretion and subject to rules which it may adopt, permit a participant to pay all or a portion of the taxes arising in connection with any benefit under the Plan by electing to have the Company withhold shares of common stock from the shares otherwise deliverable to the participant, having a fair market value equal to the amount to be withheld. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 5 above, any such withheld shares shall not become available again for new awards under this Plan.

    16. 5


    17. Term of Program; Amendment, Modification or Cancellation of Benefits . No benefit shall be granted more than ten years after the date of the approval of the amendments to this Plan by the shareholders of the Company as presented for approval at the 2001 annual meeting or any adjournment thereof; provided, however, that the terms and conditions applicable to any benefits granted prior to such date may at any time be amended, modified or canceled by mutual agreement between the Committee and the participant or any other persons as may then have an interest therein. However, the Company will not reduce the exercise price of outstanding options or cancel outstanding options and grant replacement options having a lower exercise price without the approval of the Company's shareholders.
    18. Amendment or Termination of Plan . The Board of Directors may, at any time, amend or terminate the Plan, provided that (i) no such action may adversely affect any outstanding benefit previously awarded, in the absence of written consent by the participant or other person as may then have an interest in any such benefit, (ii) no amendment will provide for reduction in the exercise price of outstanding options or cancellation of outstanding options and the granting of replacement options having a lower exercise price without the approval of the Company's shareholders, and (iii) adjustments pursuant to paragraph 14 shall not be subject to the foregoing limits of this paragraph 17.
    19. Shareholder Approval . The Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors on December 15, 1993, subject to shareholder approval which was obtained at the 1994 annual meeting. Shareholder approval of amendments to the Plan shall be obtained if required pursuant to securities laws or exchange requirements on which the Company's stock is listed.

    20. 6


    Exhibit 10.40

    Wisconsin Energy Corporation
    Performance Unit Plan

    1. Purpose. The purposes of the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Performance Unit Plan (the "Plan") are to enhance the long-term stockholder value of Wisconsin Energy Corporation (the "Company") by reinforcing the incentives of key executives to achieve long-term performance goals of the Company; to link a significant portion of executives' compensation to total shareholder return; to attract and motivate executives and to encourage their continued employment on a competitive basis. The purposes of the Plan are to be achieved by the grant of Performance Units. Capitalized terms used in the Plan shall have the meanings set forth in Section 8 of this Plan, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The Plan was originally effective January 1, 2005 and is hereby amended and restated effective as of October 11, 2007.
    2. Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have full and final authority to:
      1. designate the employees to whom Performance Units shall be granted;
      2. determine the number of Performance Units to be granted to each employee;
      3. impose such limitations, restrictions and conditions upon any such Performance Units as the Committee shall deem appropriate;
      4. waive in whole or in part any limitations, restrictions or conditions imposed upon any such Performance Units as the Committee shall deem appropriate; and
      5. interpret the provisions of the Plan.

      All decisions of the Committee shall be final and binding upon all parties including the Company, its stockholders and Employees.

    3. Eligibility and Participation. Key employees of the Company and/or its subsidiaries are designated for participation in the Plan by the Committee. The Committee shall also designate the number of Performance Units to be granted to the Employee at the Target 100% rate.
    4. Performance Units.
      1. Performance Unit Defined. A Performance Unit is a right to receive a cash payment from the Company that is based upon the value of shares of Company Stock and is contingent on the Company's Total Shareholder Return during a three-year performance period. The Committee may establish the three-year performance periods. The Performance Units granted under this Plan will be reflected in a book account maintained by the Company for each Employee until they have become vested or have been forfeited.



      2. Regular Vesting Of Performance Units. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (c) below, Performance Units shall be vested based upon the Company's rank in Total Shareholder Return over the three-year performance period, relative to selected benchmark electric utilities with similar long-term strategies. The regular vesting schedule for the Performance Units is as set forth in the following schedule:
      3. Percentile Rank

        Vesting %

        <25 th Percentile

        25 th Percentile

        Target (50th Percentile)

        75 th Percentile

        90 th Percentile or above

        0%

        25%

        100%

        125%

        175%

        The calculation of the Employee's vesting percentage shall be subject to the following rules:

          1. The Committee shall select the benchmark electric utilities at the beginning of the three-year performance period.
          2. The Committee shall make appropriate changes to the percentile rank calculations to reflect corporate transactions affecting the benchmark electric utilities (e.g., corporate mergers). The Committee's determination regarding such changes shall be binding upon the Company and Employees.
          3. In the event that the Company's percentile rank is between the benchmarks identified in the left hand column, the vesting percentage shall be determined by interpolating the appropriate vesting percentage. For example, if the Company ranks 12th best of 30 benchmark electric utilities (or 60th percentile), the vesting percentage would be 110%, and if the Company ranks 6th best of the 30 benchmark electric utilities (or 80th percentile), the vesting percentage would be 141.66%.

        Except as provided in paragraph (c) below, any unvested Performance Units are immediately forfeited upon the Employee's cessation of employment with the Company or a subsidiary prior to the completion of the three-year performance period.

      4. Special Vesting Of Performance Units . The Performance Units shall become immediately vested at the Target 100% rate upon the occurrence of any of the following events (the "Special Vesting Events"):
          1. the termination of the Employee's employment with the Company or a subsidiary by reason of Disability or death, or
          2. the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company while the Employee is employed by the Company or a subsidiary.

          3. 2


        Further, a prorated number of the Performance Units shall become vested upon the termination of the Employee's employment with the Company or a subsidiary by reason of Retirement prior to the end of the three-year performance period. The number of Performance Units becoming vested shall be determined by multiplying the number of Performance Units at the Target 100% rate by a fraction, with the numerator of the fraction being the number of completed calendar months between Employee's Retirement date and the beginning of the performance period and the denominator being thirty-six (36). Therefore, if Employee retires on September 15 of the second year in the three-year performance period, the number of Performance Units becoming vested as a result of Employee's Retirement shall be equal to the number of Performance Units at the Target 100% rate times 20/36.

      5. Cash Dividend Adjustment. Whenever the Company declares a cash dividend on Company Stock, an Employee who is employed on the dividend declaration date shall be entitled to receive a cash amount determined by multiplying (a) the number of Performance Units at the Target 100% rate on the dividend declaration date, times (b) the amount of the cash dividend paid by the Company on a share of Company Stock. The deemed dividend equivalent shall be paid to the Employee within a reasonable period of time after the dividends are paid to Company stockholders.
      6. Settlement Of Performance Units . As soon as practicable after the Performance Units become vested pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) above, the Company shall pay to the Employee an amount in cash determined by multiplying (i) the number of Performance Units which have become vested, by (ii) the Fair Market Value of the Company Stock. In no event shall payment be made later than March 15 of the taxable year following the taxable year in which such Performance Units vest pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) above.

    5. Shareholder Rights; Voting. An Employee shall not, by reason of any Performance Units granted hereunder, have any rights of a shareholder of the Company and shall have no voting rights with respect to any Performance Units.
    6. Non-transferability. Performance Units are not transferable otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. If an Employee dies prior to the payment, any amount payable under the Plan shall be paid to the Employee's "Designated Beneficiary." The "Designated Beneficiary" shall be the beneficiary or beneficiaries designated by the Employee in a writing filed with the Committee in such form and at such time as the Committee may require. In the absence of a living Designated Beneficiary, any rights or benefits that would have been exercisable by or distributable to the Employee shall be exercised by or distributed to the legal representative of Employee's estate or the person to whom the benefit passes by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
    7. Adjustments. Notwithstanding any other provision herein, in the event of any merger, reorganization, consolidation, recapitalization, liquidation, stock dividend, split-up, share combination, or other change in the corporate structure of the Company affecting the Company Stock, such adjustment shall be made in the number of Performance Units


      3


      granted to Employees as may be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion, to be appropriate and equitable to prevent dilution or enlargement of rights.
    8. Definitions . For Plan purposes, except where the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
      1. " Beneficial Owner " shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.
      2. " Board " shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company
      3. " Change in Control " shall be deemed to have occurred if the event set forth in any one of the following subparagraphs shall have occurred:
        1. any person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities beneficially owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its subsidiaries) representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities, excluding any person who becomes such a Beneficial Owner in connection with a transaction described in clause (i) of paragraph (iii) below; or
        2. the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors then serving: individuals who, on the date hereof, constitute the Board and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest, including but not limited to a consent solicitation, relating to the election of directors of the Company) whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company's shareholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the date hereof or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so approved or recommended; or
        3. there is consummated a merger or consolidation of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company with any other corporation, other than (i) a merger or consolidation immediately following which the directors of the Company immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continue to constitute at least a majority of the board of directors of the Company, the surviving entity or any parent thereof or (ii) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) in which no person is or becomes the Beneficial Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities Beneficially Owned by such Person any securities acquired directly from the Company or its subsidiaries) representing 20% or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities; or

        4. 4


        5. the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or there is consummated an agreement (or series of related agreements) for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets, disregarding any sale or disposition to a company at least a majority of the directors of which were directors of the Company immediately prior to such sale or disposition; or
        6. the Committee determines in its sole and absolute discretion that there has been a Change in Control of the Company.

      4. " Committee " means the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board.
      5. " Company " means Wisconsin Energy Corporation, or any successor thereto.
      6. " Company Stock " shall mean the common stock of the Company, and such other stock and securities as may be substituted therefor.
      7. " Disability " means separation from the service of the Company or a subsidiary because of such illness or injury as renders the Employee unable to perform the material duties of the Employee's job.
      8. " Employee " shall mean an employee who has been selected to participate in the Plan by the Committee.
      9. " Exchange Act " means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or any successor Act thereto.
      10. " Fair Market Value " means:
        1. for purposes of determining the amount payable pursuant to paragraph (b), the closing price for a share of Company Stock on the last day in the performance period on which the New York Stock Exchange (or such other exchange or over the counter on which Company Stock is listed) is open for active trading; and
        2. for purposes of determining the amount payable pursuant to paragraph (c), the closing price for a share of Company Stock on the date the Performance Units become vested pursuant to such paragraph. If the New York Stock Exchange (or such other exchange or over the counter on which Company Stock is listed) is not open for active trading on such date, then the nearest date before such date on which the New York Stock Exchange (or such other exchange or over the counter on which Company Stock is listed) is open shall be used.

      11. " Person " shall have the meaning given in Section 3(a)(9) of the Exchange Act, as modified and used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) thereof, except that such term shall not include (i) the Company or any of its subsidiaries, (ii) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or


        5


        any of its subsidiaries, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to an offering of such securities, or (iv) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the stock of the Company.
      12. " Plan " means the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Performance Unit Plan.
      13. " Retirement " means separation from the service of the Company or a subsidiary at or after age 60.
      14. " Total Shareholder Return " means: the calculation of total return (stock price appreciation plus reinvested dividends) for a peer electric utility based upon an initial investment of $100 and subsequent $100 investments at the end of each quarter during the three-year performance period.

    9. Tax Withholding . The Company shall have the right to deduct from any payment made under the Plan the amount of any federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to the grant, vesting, payment or settlement of an award under this Plan, or to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such taxes.
    10. Governing Law . The law of the State of Wisconsin, except its law with respect to choice of law, shall be controlling in all matters relating to the Plan.
    11. Plan Amendment and Termination . The Committee may, in its sole discretion, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time, with or without advance notice to Employees, provided that no amendment, modification or termination of the Plan may adversely affect in a material manner any right of any Employee with respect to any Performance Units theretofore granted without such Employee's written consent.

    12. 6


    Exhibit 21.1

    WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION
    SUBSIDIARIES AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2008

    The following table includes the subsidiaries of Wisconsin Energy Corporation, a diversified holding company incorporated in the state of Wisconsin, as well as the percent of ownership, as of December 31, 2008:

     

    State of

     
     

    Incorporation

    Percent

    Subsidiary (a)

    or Organization

    Ownership

         

    Wisconsin Electric Power Company

    Wisconsin

    100%

     

    ATC Management Inc.

    Wisconsin

    26.23%

     

    American Transmission Company LLC

    Wisconsin

    23.03%

     

    Bostco LLC

    Wisconsin

    100%

         

    Wisconsin Gas LLC

    Wisconsin

    100%

         

    Edison Sault Electric Company

    Michigan

    100%

     

    American Transmission Company LLC

    Wisconsin

    3.20%

         

    W.E. Power, LLC

    Wisconsin

    100%

     

    Elm Road Generating Station Supercritical, LLC

    Wisconsin

    100%

     

    Elm Road Services, LLC

    Wisconsin

    100%

     

    Port Washington Generating Station, LLC

    Wisconsin

    100%

         

    Wisvest LLC

    Wisconsin

    100%

         

    Minergy LLC

    Wisconsin

    100%

         

    Wispark LLC

    Wisconsin

    100%

     

    CenterPoint Wispark Land Company LLC

    Wisconsin

    33.32%

         

    Wisconsin Energy Capital Corporation

    Wisconsin

    100%

         

    (a)

    Omits the names of certain subsidiaries, which if considered in the aggregate as a single

     

    subsidiary, would not constitute a "significant subsidiary" as of December 31, 2008.

     

    Indirectly owned subsidiaries are listed under the subsidiaries through which

     

    Wisconsin Energy Corporation holds ownership.

    Exhibit 23.1

    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

    We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 333-154892 and 333-142664 on Form S-3 and Registration Statement Nos. 333-35798, 333-35800, 333-65356, and 333-86467 on Form S-8 of our reports dated February 25, 2009, relating to the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules of Wisconsin Energy Corporation and subsidiaries, and the effectiveness of Wisconsin Energy Corporation and subsidiaries' internal control over financial reporting, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Wisconsin Energy Corporation and subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2008.

     

    /s/DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

    Milwaukee, Wisconsin
    February 25, 2009

    Exhibit 31.1

    Certification Pursuant to
    Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a),
    as Adopted Pursuant to
    Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

    I, Gale E. Klappa, certify that:

    1.   I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Wisconsin Energy Corporation;

    2.   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

    3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

    4.   The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

    a)      Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

    (b)     Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

    c)      Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

    d)      Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

    5.   The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

    a)      All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

    b)      Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

    Date:  February 27, 2009


                       /s/GALE E. KLAPPA                
                      Gale E. Klappa
                      Chief Executive Officer

    Exhibit 31.2

    Certification Pursuant to
    Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a),
    as Adopted Pursuant to
    Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

    I, Allen L. Leverett, certify that:

    1.   I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Wisconsin Energy Corporation;

    2.   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

    3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

    4.   The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

    a)      Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

    (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

    c)      Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

    d)      Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

    5.   The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

    a)      All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

    b)      Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

    Date:  February 27 , 2009


                       /s/ALLEN L. LEVERETT                
                      Allen L. Leverett
                      Chief Financial Officer

    Exhibit 32.1

    Certification Pursuant to
    18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
    As Adopted Pursuant to
    Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

    In connection with the Annual Report of Wisconsin Energy Corporation (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2009 (the "Report"), I, Gale E. Klappa, as Chief Executive Officer of the Company, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to the best of my knowledge, that:

            (1)     The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

            (2)     The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

     

    /s/GALE E. KLAPPA                           
    Gale E. Klappa
    Chief Executive Officer
    February 27, 2009

     

    Exhibit 32.2

    Certification Pursuant to
    18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
    As Adopted Pursuant to
    Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

    In connection with the Annual Report of Wisconsin Energy Corporation (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2009 (the "Report"), I, Allen L. Leverett, as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, to the best of my knowledge, that:

            (1)     The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

            (2)     The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

     

    /s/Allen L. Leverett                                     
    Allen L. Leverett
    Chief Financial Officer
    February 27, 2009