(Mark One)

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C., 20549
FORM 10-Q

   

[X]

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2003

OR

   

[  ]

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

   

For the transition period from ___________ to __________

   


Commission
File
Number
_______________

Exact Name of
Registrant
as specified
in its charter
_______________


State or other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation
______________


IRS Employer
Identification
Number
___________

       

1-12609

PG&E Corporation

California

94-3234914

1-2348

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

California

94-0742640

 

Pacific Gas and Electric Company
77 Beale Street
P.O. Box 770000
San Francisco, California 94177
________________________________________

PG&E Corporation
One Market, Spear Tower
Suite 2400
San Francisco, California 94105
______________________________________

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

Pacific Gas and Electric Company
(415) 973-7000
________________________________________

PG&E Corporation
(415) 267-7000
______________________________________

Registrant's telephone number, including area code

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants (1) have filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding twelve months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

   

Yes       x       

No               

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

   

Yes       x      

No               

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of latest practicable date.

 

Common Stock Outstanding, May 9, 2003:

 

PG&E Corporation

409,191,299 shares

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Wholly owned by PG&E Corporation

 

 

PG&E CORPORATION AND
PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY,
FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2003
TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PAGE

ITEM 1.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
 

PG&E Corporation

 
   

Consolidated Statements of Operations

3

   

Consolidated Balance Sheets

5

   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

8

 

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, A Debtor-In-Possession

 
   

Consolidated Statements of Operations

10

   

Consolidated Balance Sheets

11

   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

13

 

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
 

NOTE 1:

General

14

 

NOTE 2:

The Utility Chapter 11 Filing

22

 

NOTE 3:

PG&E NEG Liquidity and Financial Matters

29

 

NOTE 4:

Discontinued Operations and Assets Held for Sale

34

 

NOTE 5:

Price Risk Management

36

 

NOTE 6:

Commitments and Contingencies

41

 

NOTE 7:

Segment Information

52

 

ITEM 2.

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

 
 

Overview

54

 

Liquidity and Financial Resources

59

 

Commitments and Capital Expenditures

61

 

Cash Flows

66

 

Results of Operations

72

 

Regulatory Matters

77

 

Risk Management Activities

88

 

Critical Accounting Policies

95

 

Accounting Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted

96

 

Taxation Matters

97

 

Additional Security Measures

98

 

Other Long-Term Capital Expenditures

98

 

Utility Customer Information System

98

 

Environmental and Legal Matters

98

 

ITEM 3.

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

99

ITEM 4.

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

99

 

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

100

 

ITEM 1.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

100

ITEM 3.

DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

104

ITEM 4.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

105

ITEM 5.

OTHER INFORMATION

108

ITEM 6.

EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

108

 

SIGNATURE AND CERTIFICATION

111

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1: CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

PG&E CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in millions, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

Three months ended

March 31,

----------------------------------

2003

2002

------------

------------

Operating Revenues

Utility

$

2,067 

$

2,453 

Energy commodities and services

540 

482 

-------------

-------------

Total operating revenues

2,607 

2,935 

-------------

-------------

Operating Expenses

Cost of electricity and natural gas for utility

1,027 

149 

Cost of energy commodities and services

364 

306 

Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning

336 

303 

Operating and maintenance

774 

860 

Impairments, write-offs, and other charges

200 

Reorganization professional fees and expenses

35 

16 

-------------

-------------

Total operating expenses

2,736 

1,634 

-------------

-------------

Operating Income (Loss)

(129)

1,301 

Reorganization interest income

10 

22 

Interest income

10 

Interest expense

(375)

(334)

Other income (expense), net

20 

-------------

-------------

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes

(487)

1,019 

Income tax provision (benefit)

(209)

396 

-------------

-------------

Income (Loss) From Continuing Operations

(278)

623 

Discontinued Operations

Earnings (loss) from operations of USGenNE, Mountain View, and ET
   Canada (net of income tax expense (benefit) of $(35) million in 2003
   and $5 million in 2002)

(65)

Net loss on disposal of USGenNE, Mountain View, and ET Canada

   (net of income tax (benefit) of $(2) million in 2003)

(5)

-------------

-------------

Net Income (Loss) Before Cumulative Effect of Changes in Accounting
   Principles


(348)


631 

Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles

   (net of income tax (benefit) of $(4) million in 2003)

(6)

-------------

-------------

Net Income (Loss)

$

(354)

$

631 

========

========

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding, Basic

382 

364 

-------------

-------------

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

from Continuing Operations, Basic

$

(0.73)

$

1.71 

========

========

Net Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share, Basic

$

(0.93)

$

1.73 

========

========

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

from Continuing Operations, Diluted

$

(0.73)

$

1.69 

========

========

Net Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share, Diluted

$

(0.93)

$

1.71 

========

========

See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

PG&E CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions)

Balance at

----------------------------------------

March 31,

December 31,

2003
(Unaudited)

2002

----------------

-----------------

ASSETS

Current Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$

4,568 

$

3,895 

Restricted cash

567 

708 

Accounts receivable:

Customers (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of

$109 million in 2003 and $113 million in 2002)

2,307 

2,747 

Regulatory balancing accounts

126 

98 

Price risk management

717 

498 

Inventories

240 

347 

Assets held for sale

266 

707 

Prepaid expenses and other

449 

472 

-----------------

-----------------

Total current assets

9,240 

9,472 

-----------------

-----------------

Property, Plant and Equipment

Utility

27,811 

27,045 

Non-utility:

Electric generation

997 

636 

Gas transmission

1,779 

1,761 

Construction work in progress

1,315 

1,560 

Other

187 

177 

-----------------

-----------------

Total property, plant and equipment

32,089 

31,179 

Accumulated depreciation and decommissioning

(13,223)

(14,251)

-----------------

-----------------

Net property, plant and equipment

18,866 

16,928 

-----------------

-----------------

Other Noncurrent Assets

Regulatory assets

1,984 

2,053 

Nuclear decommissioning funds

1,314 

1,335 

Price risk management

264 

398 

Deferred income taxes

958 

657 

Assets held for sale

810 

916 

Other

1,857 

1,937 

-----------------

-----------------

Total other noncurrent assets

7,187 

7,296 

-----------------

-----------------

TOTAL ASSETS

$

35,293 

$

33,696 

==========

==========

See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

PG&E CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions)

Balance at

---------------------------------------

March 31,

December 31,

2003
(Unaudited)

2002

---------------

-----------------

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Liabilities Not Subject to Compromise

Current Liabilities

Debt in default

$

4,373 

$

4,230 

Long-term debt, classified as current

601 

298 

Current portion of rate reduction bonds

290 

290 

Accounts payable:

Trade creditors

1,327 

1,273 

Regulatory balancing accounts

337 

360 

Other

721 

660 

Interest payable

219 

139 

Income taxes payable

129 

Price risk management

642 

506 

Liabilities of operations held for sale

353 

699 

Other

660 

685 

-----------------

-----------------

Total current liabilities

9,523 

9,269 

-----------------

-----------------

Noncurrent Liabilities

Long-term debt

4,279 

4,345 

Rate reduction bonds

1,086 

1,160 

Asset retirement obligations

1,374 

Deferred income taxes

1,605 

1,439 

Deferred tax credits

139 

144 

Price risk management

259 

305 

Liabilities of operations held for sale

758 

793 

Other

3,286 

2,963 

-----------------

-----------------

Total noncurrent liabilities

12,786 

11,149 

-----------------

-----------------

Liabilities Subject to Compromise

Financing debt

5,605 

5,605 

Trade creditors

3,611 

3,580 

-----------------

-----------------

Total liabilities subject to compromise

9,216 

9,185 

-----------------

-----------------

Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 1, 2, 3, and 6)

-----------------

-----------------

Preferred Stock of Subsidiaries

480 

480 

Common Stockholders' Equity

Common stock, no par value, authorized 800,000,000 shares, issued

408,610,591 common and 1,569,260 restricted shares in 2003 and    405,486,015 common shares in 2002

6,318 

6,274 

Common stock held by subsidiary, at cost, 23,815,500 shares

(690)

(690)

Unearned compensation

(21)

Accumulated deficit

(2,233)

(1,878)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(86)

(93)

-----------------

-----------------

Total common stockholders' equity

3,288 

3,613 

-----------------

-----------------

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

$

35,293 

$

33,696 

==========

==========

See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

PG&E CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions)

(Unaudited)

Three months ended

March 31,

-------------------------------

2003

2002

----------

----------

Cash Flows From Operating Activities

Net income (loss)

$

(354)

$

631 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to

net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning

336 

320 

Deferred income taxes and tax credits, net

(48)

(82)

Reversal of ISO accrual (Note 2)

(970)

Price risk management assets and liabilities, net

12 

23 

Other deferred charges and noncurrent liabilities

94 

107 

Loss on impairment or disposal of assets

200 

Loss from discontinued operations

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

10 

Net effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Restricted cash

141 

Accounts receivable

433 

428 

Inventories

107 

120 

Accounts payable

177 

344 

Accrued taxes

(129)

479 

Regulatory balancing accounts, net

(51)

125 

Other working capital

93 

(40)

Payments authorized by the Bankruptcy Court on amounts classified as     liabilities subject to compromise (Note 2)

(39)

(248)

Assets and liabilities of operations held for sale, net

(20)

(41)

Other, net

(36)

(11)

-------------

-------------

Net cash provided by operating activities

933 

1,190 

-------------

-------------

Cash Flows From Investing Activities

Capital expenditures

(472)

(711)

Proceeds from disposal of discontinued operations

102 

Other, net

30 

(6)

-------------

-------------

Net cash used by investing activities

(340)

(717)

-------------

-------------

Cash Flows From Financing Activities

Net borrowings under credit facilities

76 

Long-term debt issued

152 

190 

Long-term debt matured, redeemed, or repurchased

(18)

(340)

Rate reduction bonds matured

(75)

(75)

Common stock issued

21 

21 

Other, net

(20)

-------------

-------------

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities

80 

(148)

-------------

-------------

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

673 

325 

Cash and cash equivalents at January 1

3,895 

5,355 

-------------

-------------

Cash and cash equivalents at March 31

$

4,568 

$

5,680 

========

========

 

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information

Cash received for:

Reorganization interest income

$

11  

$

22 

Cash paid for:

Interest (net of amounts capitalized)

149 

108 

Income taxes paid (refunded), net

Reorganization professional fees and expenses

22 

Supplemental disclosures of noncash investing and financing activities

Transfer of liabilities and other payables subject to compromise
   from operating assets and liabilities

47 

75 

See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY, A DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in millions)

(Unaudited)

Three months ended

March 31,

-------------------------------

2003

2002

---------

---------

Operating Revenues

Electric

$

1,237 

$

1,778 

Natural gas

830 

675 

-------------

 

-------------

Total operating revenues

2,067 

2,453 

-------------

-------------

Operating Expenses

Cost of electricity

541 

(166)

Cost of natural gas

486 

315 

Operating and maintenance

646 

769 

Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning

310 

271 

Reorganization professional fees and expenses

35 

16 

-------------

-------------

Total operating expenses

2,018 

1,205 

-------------

-------------

Operating Income

49 

1,248 

Reorganization interest income

10 

22 

Interest income

Interest expense (non-contractual interest of $30 million in 2003
   and $65 million in 2002)

(220)

(263)

Other income (expense), net

(5)

-------------

-------------

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes

(156)

1,002 

Income tax provision (benefit)

(84)

406 

-------------

-------------

Income (Loss) Before Cumulative Effect of Changes in
   Accounting Principles

(72)

596 

Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles

   (net of income taxes of $(1) million in 2003)

(1)

-------------

-------------

Net Income (Loss)

(73)

596 

Preferred dividend requirement

-------------

-------------

Income Available for (Loss Allocated to) Common Stock

$

(79)

$

590 

========

========

See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY, A DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions)

Balance at

------------------------------------------

March 31,

December 31,

2003
(Unaudited)

2002

---------------

-----------------

ASSETS

Current Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$

3,646 

$

3,343 

Restricted cash

191 

150 

Accounts receivable:

Customers (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of

$63 million in 2003 and $59 million in 2002)

1,511 

1,900 

Related parties

18 

17 

Regulatory balancing accounts

126 

98 

Inventories:

Gas stored underground and fuel oil

82 

154 

Materials and supplies

122 

121 

Income taxes receivable

226 

50 

Prepaid expenses

66 

110 

Deferred income taxes

-----------------

-----------------

Total current assets

5,988 

5,948 

-----------------

-----------------

Property, Plant and Equipment

Electric

19,641 

18,922 

Gas

8,170 

8,123 

Construction work in progress

491 

427 

-----------------

-----------------

Total property, plant and equipment

28,302 

27,472 

Accumulated depreciation and decommissioning

(12,485)

(13,515)

-----------------

-----------------

Net property, plant and equipment

15,817 

13,957 

-----------------

-----------------

Other Noncurrent Assets

Regulatory assets

1,949 

2,011 

Nuclear decommissioning funds

1,314 

1,335 

Other

1,248 

1,300 

-----------------

-----------------

Total other noncurrent assets

4,511 

4,646 

-----------------

-----------------

TOTAL ASSETS

$

26,316 

$

24,551 

==========

==========

See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

 

PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY, A DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in millions)

Balance at

------------------------------------------

March 31,

December 31,

2003
(Unaudited)

2002

---------------

-----------------

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Liabilities Not Subject to Compromise

Current Liabilities

Long-term debt, classified as current

$

591 

$

281 

Current portion of rate reduction bonds

290 

290 

Accounts payable:

Trade creditors

468 

380 

Related parties

141 

130 

Regulatory balancing accounts

337 

360 

Other

388 

374 

Interest payable

189 

126 

Deferred income taxes

73 

Other

527 

625 

-----------------

-----------------

Total current liabilities

3,004 

2,566 

-----------------

-----------------

Noncurrent Liabilities

Long-term debt

2,429 

2,739 

Rate reduction bonds

1,086 

1,160 

Regulatory liabilities

1,814 

1,461 

Asset retirement obligations

1,371 

Deferred income taxes

1,529 

1,485 

Deferred tax credits

139 

144 

Other

1,293 

1,274 

-----------------

-----------------

Total noncurrent liabilities

9,661 

8,263 

-----------------

-----------------

Liabilities Subject to Compromise

Financing debt

5,605 

5,605 

Trade creditors

3,794 

3,786 

-----------------

-----------------

Total liabilities subject to compromise

9,399 

9,391 

-----------------

-----------------

Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 1, 2, and 6)

-----------------

-----------------

Preferred Stock With Mandatory Redemption Provisions

6.30% and 6.57%, outstanding 5,500,000 shares, due 2002-2009

137 

137 

Stockholders' Equity

Preferred stock without mandatory redemption provisions

Nonredeemable, 5% to 6%, outstanding 5,784,825 shares

145 

145 

Redeemable, 4.36% to 7.04%, outstanding 5,973,456 shares

149 

149 

Common stock, $5 par value, authorized 800,000,000 shares,

issued 321,314,760 shares

1,606 

1,606 

Common stock held by subsidiary, at cost, 19,481,213 shares

(475)

(475)

Additional paid-in capital

1,964 

1,964 

Reinvested earnings

726 

805 

-----------------

-----------------

Total stockholders' equity

4,115 

4,194 

-----------------

-----------------

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

$

26,316 

$

24,551 

==========

==========

See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY, A DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in millions)

(unaudited)

Three months ended

March 31,

-------------------------------

2003

2002

---------

---------

Cash Flows From Operating Activities

Net income (loss)

$

(73)

$

596 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to

net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning

310 

271 

Deferred income taxes and tax credits, net

117 

(113)

Other deferred charges and noncurrent liabilities

80 

70 

Reversal of ISO accrual (Note 2)

(970)

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

Net effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Restricted cash

(41)

Accounts receivable

381 

208 

Inventories

71 

111 

Income taxes receivable

(176)

Accounts payable

122 

453 

Income taxes payable

519 

Regulatory balancing accounts, net

(51)

125 

Other working capital

24 

95 

Payments authorized by the Bankruptcy Court on amounts

classified as liabilities subject to compromise (Note 2)

(39)

(225)

Other, net

14 

-------------

-------------

Net cash provided by operating activities

734 

1,159 

-------------

-------------

Cash Flows From Investing Activities

Capital expenditures

(371)

(353)

Proceeds from sale of assets

Other, net

(7)

-------------

-------------

Net cash used by investing activities

(357)

(360)

-------------

-------------

Cash Flows From Financing Activities

Long-term debt matured, redeemed, or repurchased

(333)

Rate reduction bonds matured

(75)

(75)

Other, net

-------------

-------------

Net cash used by financing activities

(74)

(408)

-------------

-------------

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

303 

391 

Cash and cash equivalents at January 1

3,343 

4,341 

-------------

-------------

Cash and cash equivalents at March 31

$

3,646 

$

4,732 

========

========

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information

Cash received for:

Reorganization interest income

$

11 

$

22 

Cash paid for:

Interest (net of amount capitalized)

116 

65 

Reorganization professional fees and expenses

22 

Supplemental disclosures of noncash investing and financing activities

Transfer of liabilities and other payables subject to

compromise from operating assets and liabilities, net

47 

75 

See accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 1: GENERAL

Organization and Basis of Presentation

PG&E Corporation was incorporated in California in 1995 and became the holding company of Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a debtor-in-possession (the Utility), and its subsidiaries on January 1, 1997. The Utility, incorporated in California in 1905, is the predecessor of PG&E Corporation. The Utility delivers electric service to approximately 4.8 million customers and natural gas service to approximately 4.0 million customers in Northern and Central California. Both PG&E Corporation and the Utility are headquartered in San Francisco. As discussed further in Note 2, on April 6, 2001, the Utility filed a voluntary petition for relief under the provisions of Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (Bankruptcy Code) in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California (Bankruptcy Court). Pursuant to Chapter 11, the Utility retains control of its assets and is authorized to operate its business as a debtor-in-possession while being subject to the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court.

PG&E Corporation's other significant subsidiary is PG&E National Energy Group, Inc. (PG&E NEG) and its subsidiaries, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland. PG&E NEG was incorporated on December 18, 1998, as a wholly-owned subsidiary of PG&E Corporation. Shortly thereafter, PG&E Corporation contributed various subsidiaries to PG&E NEG. PG&E NEG's principal subsidiaries include:

During February and March of 2003, certain lenders of PG&E Corporation exercised options to purchase 3 percent of the shares of PG&E NEG. No gain or loss was recognized by PG&E Corporation upon this transaction.

The Consolidated Financial Statements of PG&E Corporation and of the Utility have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates continuity of operations, realization of assets, and repayment of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. However, as a result of the bankruptcy of the Utility and current liquidity concerns at PG&E NEG and its subsidiaries, as further discussed below, such realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities are subject to uncertainty.

PG&E NEG currently is focused on power generation and natural gas transmission in the United States. As a result of the sustained downturn in the power industry, PG&E NEG and its affiliates have experienced a financial downturn, which caused the major credit rating agencies to downgrade PG&E NEG's and its affiliates' credit ratings in the second half of 2002 to below investment grade. PG&E NEG is currently in default under various recourse debt agreements and guaranteed equity commitments totaling approximately $2.9 billion. In addition, other PG&E NEG subsidiaries are in default under various debt agreements totaling $2.7 billion, but this debt is non-recourse to PG&E NEG.

PG&E NEG, its subsidiaries, and their lenders have been engaged in discussions to restructure PG&E NEG's and its subsidiaries' debt obligations and other commitments since October 2002. No agreement has been reached yet and there can be no assurance that an agreement will be reached. Any restructuring agreement that may be reached would be implemented through a reorganization proceeding under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. Although PG&E NEG and its subsidiaries are continuing their efforts to maximize cash and reduce liabilities, such efforts are not expected to restore the financial condition of PG&E NEG and its subsidiaries. Absent a negotiated agreement, the lenders may exercise their default remedies or force PG&E NEG and certain of its subsidiaries into an involuntary proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code. Notwithstanding the status of current negotiations, PG&E NEG and certain of its subsidiaries also may elect to voluntarily seek protection under the Bankruptcy Code as early as the second quarter of 2003. Although PG&E Corporation continues to provide assistance to PG&E NEG, its subsidiaries and its lenders in their negotiations, management does not expect the outcome of any bankruptcy proceeding involving PG&E NEG or any of its subsidiaries to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of PG&E Corporation or the Utility.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is a combined report of PG&E Corporation and the Utility. Therefore, the Notes to the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements apply to both PG&E Corporation and the Utility. PG&E Corporation's Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of PG&E Corporation, the Utility, PG&E NEG, and other wholly-owned and controlled subsidiaries. The Utility's Consolidated Financial Statements include its accounts and those of its wholly-owned and controlled subsidiaries.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility believe that the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments that are necessary to present a fair statement of the consolidated financial position and results of operations for the interim periods. All material adjustments are of a normal recurring nature unless otherwise disclosed in this Form 10-Q. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated from the Consolidated Financial Statements.

This quarterly report should be read in conjunction with PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements incorporated by reference in their combined 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, and PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) since their combined 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, was filed.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingencies. As these estimates involve judgments on a wide range of factors, including future economic conditions that are difficult to predict, actual results could differ from these estimates.

PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' Statement of Position (SOP) 90-7, "Financial Reporting by Entities in Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code," and on a going-concern basis, which contemplates continuity of operation, realization of assets, and liquidation of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. However, as a result of the Utility's Chapter 11 filing and PG&E NEG's current liquidity concerns, such realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities are subject to uncertainty. Under SOP 90-7, certain liabilities of the Utility existing prior to the Utility's Chapter 11 filing are classified as Liabilities Subject to Compromise on PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, professional fees and expenses directly related to the Chapter 11 proceeding and interest income on funds accumulated during the bankruptcy are reported separately as reorganization items. Finally, the extent to which the Utility's reported interest expense differs from its stated contractual interest is disclosed on the Utility's Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Certain amounts in the 2002 Consolidated Financial Statements have been reclassified to conform to the 2003 presentation. These reclassifications did not affect the consolidated net income reported by PG&E Corporation and the Utility for the periods presented.

Adoption of New Accounting Policies and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accounting principles used by PG&E Corporation and the Utility include those necessary for rate-regulated enterprises, which reflect the ratemaking policies of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Except as disclosed below, PG&E Corporation and the Utility are following the same accounting principles discussed in their combined 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended.

Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees

PG&E Corporation incorporated the clarified disclosure requirements from Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 45, "Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others" (FIN 45) into its December 31, 2002, disclosures of guarantees. Beginning January 1, 2003, PG&E Corporation applied the initial recognition and initial measurement provisions of FIN 45 to guarantees issued or modified after December 31, 2002.

FIN 45 elaborates on existing disclosure requirements for most guarantees. It also clarifies that at the time a company issues a guarantee, it must recognize an initial liability for the fair value of the obligation it assumes under that guarantee, including its ongoing obligation to stand ready to perform over the term of the guarantee in the event that specified triggering events or conditions occur. This information also must be disclosed in interim and annual financial statements.

FIN 45 does not prescribe a specific account for the guarantor's offsetting entry when it recognizes the liability at the inception of the guarantee, noting that the offsetting entry would depend on the circumstances in which the guarantee was issued. There also is no prescribed approach included for subsequently measuring the guarantor's recognized liability over the term of the related guarantee. It is noted that the liability typically would be reduced by a credit to earnings as the guarantor is released from risk under the guarantee. The adoption of this interpretation did not have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements of PG&E Corporation or the Utility.

Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations

On January 1, 2003, PG&E Corporation adopted Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations" (SFAS No. 143). SFAS No. 143 provides accounting requirements for costs associated with legal obligations to retire tangible long-lived assets. SFAS No. 143 requires that an asset retirement obligation be recorded at fair value in the period in which it is incurred, if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. In the same period, the associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. In each subsequent period, the liability is accreted to its present value and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the long-lived asset. Rate-regulated entities may recognize regulatory assets or liabilities as a result of timing differences between the recognition of costs as recorded in accordance with this Statement and costs recovered through the ratemaking process.

The impacts of adopting SFAS No. 143 were as follows:

  • The Utility has identified its nuclear generation and certain fossil generation facilities as having asset retirement obligations as of January 1, 2003. No additional asset retirement obligations had been identified as of March 31, 2003. Through December 31, 2002, the Utility had recorded $1.4 billion for its nuclear and fossil decommissioning obligations in accumulated depreciation and decommissioning in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Upon adoption of this Statement, the Utility reclassified the decommissioning liabilities recorded through December 31, 2002, as asset retirement obligations in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. To record the decommissioning liabilities at fair value as required by SFAS No. 143, the Utility then reduced the asset retirement obligations by $53 million. The Utility increased its property, plant and equipment balance by $332 million to reflect the fair value of the asset retirement costs as of the date the obligation was incurred, less accumulated depreciation from the date the obligation was incurred through December 31, 2002. Finally, the Utility recorded a regulatory liability of $387 million to reflect the cumulative effect of adoption for its nuclear facilities. This regulatory liability represents timing differences between recognition of nuclear decommissioning obligations in accordance with GAAP and ratemaking purposes. The cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle for the Utility's fossil facilities as a result of adopting this Statement was a loss of $1 million, after-tax.

If this Statement had been adopted on January 1, 2002, the pro forma effects on earnings of the accounting change for the three months ended March 31, 2002, would not have been material. The amounts recorded upon adoption of this Statement reflect the pro forma effects on the Consolidated Balance Sheets had this Statement been adopted on December 31, 2002.

The Utility has established trust funds that are legally restricted for purposes of settling its nuclear decommissioning obligations. As of March 31, 2003, the fair value of these trust funds was approximately $1.3 billion.

The Utility may have potential asset retirement obligations under various land right documents associated with its transmission and distribution facilities. The majority of the Utility's land rights are perpetual. Any non-perpetual land rights generally are renewed continuously because the Utility intends to utilize these facilities indefinitely. Since the timing and extent of any potential asset retirements are unknown, the fair value of any obligations associated with these facilities cannot be reasonably estimated.

The Utility collects estimated removal costs in rates through depreciation in accordance with regulatory treatment. These amounts do not represent SFAS No. 143 asset retirement obligations and will continue to be recorded within accumulated depreciation. As of March 31, 2003, the Utility estimated the removal costs recorded in accumulated depreciation were approximately $1.7 billion.

  • PG&E NEG has identified its generating facilities as having asset retirement obligations as of January 1, 2003. Upon implementation of SFAS No. 143, PG&E NEG recorded $2 million to its property, plant and equipment to reflect the fair value of the asset retirement costs as of the date the obligation was incurred, and recognized $3 million for asset retirement obligations. The cumulative effect of the change in accounting principle as a result of adopting this Statement was a loss of $3 million, after-tax, on PG&E Corporation Consolidated Statements of Operations. The impact to PG&E NEG of implementing SFAS No. 143 by its unconsolidated affiliates is immaterial.

If this Statement had been adopted on January 1, 2002, the pro forma effects on earnings of the accounting change for the three months ended March 31, 2002, would not have been material.

PG&E GTN may have potential asset retirement obligations under various land right documents associated with its gas transmission facilities. The majority of PG&E GTN's land rights are perpetual. Any non-perpetual land rights generally are renewed continuously because PG&E GTN intends to utilize these facilities indefinitely. Since the timing and extent of any potential asset retirements are unknown, the fair value of any obligations associated with these facilities cannot be reasonably estimated.

PG&E GTN collects estimated removal costs in rates through depreciation in accordance with regulatory treatment. These amounts do not represent SFAS No. 143 asset retirement obligations and will continue to be recorded within accumulated depreciation. PG&E GTN estimated the related removal costs accrued within accumulated depreciation were approximately $11.5 million at March 31, 2003.

Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities

On January 1, 2003, PG&E Corporation adopted SFAS No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities." This Statement supersedes previous accounting guidance, principally Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 94-3, "Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity" (EITF 94-3). SFAS No. 146 requires that the liability for costs associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized when the liability is incurred. Under EITF 94-3, a liability for an exit cost is recognized at the commitment date of an exit plan. SFAS No. 146 also establishes that the liability initially should be measured and recorded at fair value. The adoption of this Statement did not have any current impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements of PG&E Corporation or the Utility.

Change from Gross to Net Method of Reporting Revenues and Expenses on Trading Activities

Effective at the quarter ended September 30, 2002, PG&E Corporation changed its method of reporting gains and losses associated with energy trading contracts from the gross method of presentation to the net method. PG&E Corporation believes that the net method provides a more accurate and consistent presentation of energy trading activities on the financial statements. Amounts to be presented under the net method include all gross margin elements related to energy trading activities.

Before implementation of the net method and the subsequent rescission of EITF Issue No. 98-10, "Accounting for Contracts Involved in Energy Trading and Risk Management Activities" (EITF 98-10), as noted below, PG&E Corporation had reported unrealized gains and losses on trading activities on a net basis in operating revenues. However, PG&E Corporation had reported realized gains and losses on a gross basis in operating income, as both operating revenues and costs of commodity sales and fuel. PG&E Corporation now is reporting realized gains and losses from trading activities on a net basis as operating revenues, and in accordance with the rescission of EITF 98-10, unrealized gains and losses on energy trading activities no longer are reported as these contracts are accounted for under the cost method.

Implementation of the net method has no net effect on gross margin, operating income, or net income. Accordingly, PG&E Corporation continues to report realized income from non-trading activities on a gross basis in operating revenues and operating expenses. Prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the net method.

The schedule below summarizes the amounts impacted by the change in methodology on PG&E Corporation's Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2002:

 

 

Prior Method of Presentation
(Gross Method)
--------------------------------------

As Presented
(Net Method)
----------------------------


(in millions)

Three months ended
March 31, 2002

Three months ended
March 31, 2002

 

----------------------------

----------------------------

Energy commodities and services (1)

$

2,114                   

$

498          

Cost of commodities and services (2)

1,956                   

340          

 

---------------                   

-------------          

Net Subtotal

$

158                   

$

158          

 

=========                   

========          

(1)  These amounts, as presented in the net method, differ from the financial statements due to the exclusion of equity earnings in affiliates and eliminations and other, which amounted to net charges of $16 million at March 31, 2002.

(2)  These amounts, as presented in the net method, differ from the financial statements due to the exclusion of eliminations and other, which amounted to a benefit of $34 million at March 31, 2002.

Rescission of EITF 98-10

In October 2002, the EITF rescinded EITF 98-10. Energy trading contracts that are derivatives in accordance with SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," as amended by SFAS No. 138, "Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities" (collectively, SFAS No. 133), will continue to be accounted for at fair value under SFAS No. 133. Contracts that previously were marked to market as trading activities under EITF 98-10 and that did not meet the definition of a derivative now are accounted for at cost, through a one-time adjustment recorded as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. This requirement was effective as of January 1, 2003, and resulted in a $2 million loss, net of tax, reflected on the PG&E Corporation's Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2003. For PG&E Corporation, the majority of trading contracts are derivative instruments as defined in SFAS No. 133. The rescission of EITF 98-10 has no effect on the accounting for derivative instruments used for non-trading purposes, which continue to be accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 133. The reporting requirements associated with the rescission of EITF 98-10 were applied prospectively for all EITF 98-10 energy trading contracts entered into after October 25, 2002, although the number of energy trading contracts subject to the prospective implementation was considered immaterial.

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss), adjusted for convertible note interest and amortization, by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the assumed issuance of common shares for all dilutive securities.

The following is a reconciliation of PG&E Corporation's net income (loss) and weighted average common shares outstanding for calculating basic and diluted net income (loss) per share:

Three months ended
March 31,

-----------------------------------

(in millions, except per share amounts)

2003

2002

-------------

-------------

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$

(278)

$

623 

Discontinued operations

(70)

-------------

-------------

Net income (loss) before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

(348)

631 

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

(6)

-------------

-------------

Net income (loss)

$

(354)

$

631 

========

========

Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic

382 

364 

Add:

Employee stock options and PG&E Corporation

   shares held by grantor trusts

-------------

-------------

Shares outstanding for diluted calculations

382 

368 

========

========

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share, Basic

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$

(0.73)

$

1.71 

Discontinued operations

(0.18)

0.02 

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

(0.02)

-------------

-------------

Net earnings (loss)

$

(0.93)

$

1.73 

========

========

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share, Diluted

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$

(0.73)

$

1.69 

Discontinued operations

(0.18)

0.02 

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

(0.02)

-------------

-------------

Net earnings (loss)

$

(0.93)

$

1.71 

========

========

The diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2003, excludes approximately one million incremental shares related to employee stock options and shares held by grantor trusts, five million incremental shares related to warrants, and 18 million incremental shares related to the 9.5 percent Convertible Subordinated Notes, and includes associated interest expense of $4 million (net of income taxes of $3 million) due to the anti-dilutive effect upon loss from continuing operations.

PG&E Corporation reflects the preferred dividends of subsidiaries as other expense for computation of both basic and diluted earnings per share.

Stock-Based Compensation

PG&E Corporation and the Utility account for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," as allowed by SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," as amended by SFAS No. 148, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation - Transition and Disclosure, an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 123." Under the intrinsic value method, PG&E Corporation and the Utility do not recognize any compensation expense for stock options, as the exercise price is equal to the fair market value of a share of PG&E Corporation common stock at the time the options are granted. Had compensation expense been recognized using the fair value-based method under SFAS No. 123, PG&E Corporation's pro forma consolidated earnings (loss) and earnings (loss) per share would have been as follows:

Three months ended

March 31,

-----------------------------

(in millions, except per share amounts)

2003

2002

------------

------------

Net income (loss):

As reported

$

(354)

$

631 

  Deduct: Total stock-based employee
     compensation expense determined
     under the fair value based method
     for all awards, net of related tax effects

(5)

(5)

------------

------------

Pro forma

$

(359)

$

626 

=======

=======

Basic earnings (loss) per share:

As reported

$

(0.93)

$

1.73 

Pro forma

$

(0.94)

$

1.72 

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:

As reported

$

(0.93)

$

1.71 

Pro forma

$

(0.94)

$

1.70 

Had compensation expense been recognized using the fair value-based method under SFAS No. 123, the Utility's pro forma consolidated earnings (loss) would have been as follows:

Three months ended

March 31,

-----------------------------

(in millions)

2003

2002

------------

------------

Income available for (loss allocated to) common stock:

As reported

$

(79)

$

590 

  Deduct: Total stock-based employee
     compensation expense determined
     under the fair value based method
     for all awards, net of related tax effects

(2)

(2)

------------

------------

Pro forma

$

(81)

$

588 

=======

=======

On January 2, 2003, PG&E Corporation awarded 1.6 million shares of restricted PG&E Corporation common stock to eligible employees of PG&E Corporation and its subsidiaries. The shares were granted with restrictions and are subject to forfeiture unless certain conditions are met.

The restricted shares were issued at the grant date and are held in an escrow account. The shares become available to the employees as the restrictions lapse. In general, the restrictions on 80 percent of the shares lapse automatically over a period of four years at the rate of 20 percent per year. Restrictions to the remaining 20 percent of the shares will lapse at a rate of 5 percent per year if PG&E Corporation is in the top quartile of its comparator group as measured by annual total shareholder return for each year ending immediately before each annual lapse date.

Total compensation expense resulting from the restricted stock issuance reflected on PG&E Corporation's Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2003, was $1.4 million, of which $0.8 million was recognized by the Utility.

Comprehensive Income

PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's comprehensive income (loss) consists principally of changes in the market value of certain cash flow hedges under SFAS No. 133, as amended.

 

PG&E Corporation

 

Utility

--------------------------

-------------------------

(in millions)

2003

 

2002

 

2003

 

2002

----------

---------

---------

---------

Three months ended March 31

                     

Net income available for (loss allocated to) common stock

$

(354)

 

$

631 

 

$

(79)

 

$

590

Net gain (loss) in other comprehensive income (OCI)
  from current period hedging transactions and price
  changes in accordance with SFAS No. 133

(1)

(75)

-

Net reclassification from OCI to earnings

-

Foreign currency translation adjustment

------------

------------

----------

----------

Comprehensive income (loss)

$

(347)

 

$

561 

 

$

(79)

 

$

590

 

=======

 

=======

 

======

 

======

The above changes to OCI are stated net of income taxes of $48 million at March 31, 2003, and $38 million at March 31, 2002.

Income Taxes

In 2003, PG&E Corporation increased its valuation allowance due to the continued uncertainty in realizing certain state deferred tax assets arising at PG&E NEG. During the first quarter of 2003, valuation allowances of $10 million were recorded in continuing operations. Additional valuation allowances of $7 million were recorded in discontinued operations, and $5 million in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

In addition to the above reserves, PG&E NEG recorded valuation allowances due to continued uncertainty in realizing federal deferred tax assets. These valuation allowances were determined on a stand-alone basis. During the first quarter of 2003, valuation allowances of $66 million were recorded in continuing operations. Additional valuation allowances of $37 million were recorded in discontinued operations, $3 million recorded in cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, and $48 million recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. These reserves were eliminated in consolidation, as PG&E Corporation believes that it is more likely than not that the federal deferred tax assets will be realized on a consolidated basis.

Related Party Transactions

In accordance with various agreements, the Utility and other subsidiaries provide and receive various services to and from their parent, PG&E Corporation. The Utility and PG&E Corporation exchange administrative and professional support services in support of operations. These services are priced either at the fully loaded cost (i.e., direct costs and allocation of overhead costs) or at the higher of fully loaded cost or fair market value, depending on the nature of the services provided. PG&E Corporation also allocates certain other corporate administrative and general costs to the Utility and other subsidiaries using a variety of factors, including the number of employees, operating expenses excluding fuel purchases, total assets, and other cost-causal methods. Additionally, the Utility purchases gas commodity and transmission services from, and sells reservation and other ancillary services to, PG&E NEG. These services are priced at either tariff rates or fair market value depending on the nature of the services provided. Intercompany transactions are eliminated in consolidation; therefore, no profit results from these transactions. The Utility's significant related party transactions were as follows:

Three months ended
March 31,

-------------------------------

(in millions)

2003

2002

------------

-------------

Utility proceeds from:

Administrative services provided to PG&E Corporation

$

2

$

1

Gas reservation services provided to PG&E ET

3

3

Trade deposit due from PG&E GTN

3

-

Utility payments for:

Administrative services received from PG&E Corporation

$

13

$

27

Interest accrued on pre-petition liability

2

-

Administrative services received from PG&E NEG

1

-

Gas commodity and transmission services received from PG&E ET

10

19

Transmission services received from PG&E GTN

15

12

Trade deposit due to PG&E ET

1

-

Accounting Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted

Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

In April 2003, the FASB issued Statement No. 149, "Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" (SFAS No. 149). SFAS No. 149 amends and clarifies the accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivatives embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133. The amendments in SFAS No. 149 require that contracts with comparable characteristics be accounted for similarly. The Statement clarifies under what circumstances a contract with an initial net investment meets the characteristics of a derivative according to SFAS No. 133 and when a derivative contains a financing component that warrants special reporting in the statement of cash flows. In addition, the Statement amends the definition of an underlying to conform it to language used in FIN No. 45, "Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others", and amends certain other existing pronouncements. The provisions of the Statement that relate to SFAS No. 133 Implementation Issues that have been effective for periods that began prior to June 15, 2003, should continue to be applied in accordance with their respective effective dates.

The requirements of SFAS No. 149 are effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003, and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. PG&E Corporation is currently evaluating the impacts, if any, of SFAS No. 149 on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities

In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities" (FIN 46), which expands upon existing accounting guidance addressing when a company should include in its financial statements the assets, liabilities, and activities of another entity or arrangement it is involved with . FIN 46 notes that many of what are now referred to as "variable interest entities" have commonly been referred to as special-purpose entities or off-balance sheet structures. However, the Interpretation's guidance is to be applied to not only these entities but to all entities and arrangements found within a company. FIN 46 provides some general guidance as to the definition of a variable interest entity. PG&E Corporation is currently evaluating all entities and arrangements it is involved with to determine if they meet the FIN 46 criteria as variable interest entities.

Until the issuance of FIN 46, a company generally included another entity in its Consolidated Financial Statements only if it controlled the entity through voting interests. FIN 46 changes that by requiring a variable interest entity to be consolidated by a company if that company is subject to a majority of the risk of loss from the variable interest entity's activities or entitled to receive a majority of the entity's residual returns, or both. A company that consolidates a variable interest entity is now referred to as the "primary beneficiary" of that entity.

FIN 46 requires disclosure of variable interest entities that the company is not required to consolidate but in which it has a significant variable interest.

The consolidation requirements of FIN 46 apply immediately to variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003. There were no new variable interest entities created by PG&E Corporation between February 1, 2003, and March 31, 2003. The consolidation requirements apply to variable interest entities created before January 31, 2003, in the first fiscal year or interim period beginning after June 15, 2003, so these requirements would be applicable to PG&E Corporation in the third quarter of 2003. Certain new and expanded disclosure requirements must be applied to PG&E Corporation's March 31, 2003 disclosures if there is an assessment that it is reasonably possible that an enterprise will consolidate or disclose information about a variable interest entity when FIN 46 becomes effective. PG&E Corporation is currently evaluating the impacts of FIN 46's initial recognition, measurement, and disclosure provisions on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

NOTE 2: THE UTILITY CHAPTER 11 FILING

Electric Industry Restructuring

In 1998, California implemented electric industry restructuring and established a market framework for electric generation in which generators and other electricity providers were permitted to charge market-based prices for electricity sold on the wholesale market. The restructuring of the electric industry was mandated by the California Legislature in Assembly Bill (AB) 1890. The mandate included a retail electricity rate freeze and a plan for recovery of generation-related costs that were expected to be uneconomic under the new market framework (transition costs). Additionally, the CPUC strongly encouraged the Utility to sell more than 50 percent of its fossil fuel-fired generation facilities and made it economically unattractive for the Utility to retain its remaining generation facilities. The new market framework called for the creation of the Power Exchange (PX) and the Independent System Operator (ISO). Before it ceased operation in January 2001, the PX established market-clearing prices for electricity. The ISO's role is to schedule delivery of electricity for all market participants and operate certain markets for electricity. Until December 15, 2000, the Utility was required to sell all of its owned and contracted generation to, and purchase all electricity for its retail customers from, the PX. Customers were given the choice of continuing to buy electricity from the Utility, or to buy electricity from independent power generators or retail electricity suppliers (customers who chose to buy from independent power generators or retail electricity suppliers are referred to as direct access customers). Most of the Utility's customers continued to buy electricity from the Utility.

For the seven-month period from June 2000 through December 2000, wholesale electric prices in California averaged $0.18 per kilowatt-hour (kWh). During this period, the Utility's retail electric rates were frozen and provided only approximately $0.05 per kWh to pay for the Utility's electricity costs.

The frozen rates were designed to allow the Utility to recover its authorized costs and, to the extent the frozen rates generated revenues in excess of the Utility's authorized costs, recover its transition costs. During the California energy crisis, frozen rates were insufficient to cover the Utility's electricity procurement and other costs. Since the Utility no longer could conclude that its under-collected purchased power and remaining transition costs were probable of recovery, the Utility charged $6.9 billion to expense for these costs at December 31, 2000. The Utility's inability to recover procurement costs from customers ultimately resulted in billions of dollars in defaulted debt and unpaid bills, and caused the Utility to file a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court on April 6, 2001.

In January 2001, the CPUC increased electric rates by $0.01 per kWh, and in March 2001 by another $0.03 per kWh, and restricted use of these surcharge revenues to "ongoing procurement costs" and "future power purchases."

In May 2001, the CPUC authorized the Utility to collect an additional $0.005 per kWh in revenues for 12 months to make up for the time lag between March 2001, when the CPUC authorized the $0.03 surcharge, and June 2001, when the Utility began collecting the $0.03 surcharge. Although the collection of this "half-cent" surcharge originally was scheduled to end on May 31, 2002, the CPUC issued a resolution ordering the Utility to continue collecting the half-cent surcharge until further consideration by the CPUC and to record the surcharge revenues in a balancing account.

In November 2002, the CPUC approved a decision modifying the restrictions on the use of revenues generated by the surcharges to permit the revenues to be used for the purpose of securing or restoring the Utility's reasonable financial health, as determined by the CPUC. The CPUC will determine in other proceedings how the surcharge revenues can be used, whether there is any cost or other basis to support specific surcharge levels, and whether the resulting rates are just and reasonable. After the CPUC determines when the AB 1890 rate freeze ended, the CPUC will determine the extent and disposition of the Utility's under-collected costs, if any, remaining at the end of the rate freeze. If the CPUC determines that the Utility recovered revenues in excess of its transition costs or in excess of other permitted uses, the CPUC may require the Utility to refund such excess revenues.

In December 2002, the CPUC issued a decision authorizing the Utility to record amounts related to the $0.01 and $0.03 surcharge revenues as an offset to unrecovered transition costs.

Based on the November and December 2002 CPUC decisions discussed above and an agreement between the CPUC and another California investor-owned utility, Southern California Edison (SCE), in which SCE was allowed to use its half-cent surcharge to offset its California Department of Water Resources (DWR) revenue requirement, the Utility believes it can continue to recognize revenues related to the $0.01, $0.03, and half-cent surcharges after the statutory end of the rate freeze, which was March 31, 2002. As such, the Utility has not recorded a regulatory liability for these surcharge revenues, or any portion thereof, in its financial statements. If the CPUC requires the Utility to refund any of these revenues in the future, the Utility's earnings could be materially affected.

Recovery of Transition Costs

During 2001, the price of wholesale electricity stabilized. In 2001 and 2002, as a result of the wholesale electricity price stabilization and the CPUC-authorized surcharges, the Utility's total generation-related electric revenues were greater than its generation-related costs, resulting in the partial recovery of previously written-off under-collected purchased power and transition costs. As of December 31, 2000, the Utility had accumulated a total of approximately $4.1 billion (after-tax) in unrecovered purchased power and generation-related transition costs. This amount was charged to earnings at that time because the Utility could no longer conclude that such costs were probable of collection through regulated rates. Generation-related costs in excess of generation-related revenues continue to be expensed as they are incurred. As of March 31, 2003, the outstanding balance of the Utility's unrecovered purchased power and transition costs amounted to $2.4 billion (after-tax) compared to a balance of $2.2 billion (after-tax) at December 31, 2002. The increase in the unrecovered balance from December 31, 2002, to March 31, 2003, was due to first quarter 2003 generation-related costs in excess of generation-related revenues. Typically, electric revenues are lower in the winter because of lower consumption and lower winter rates.

The recovery of these remaining under-collected purchased power costs and transition costs will depend on a number of factors, including the ultimate outcome of the Utility's bankruptcy and future regulatory and judicial proceedings, including the outcome of the Utility's filed rate doctrine litigation. (The filed rate doctrine litigation refers to a lawsuit filed in November 2000 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California by the Utility against the CPUC Commissioners, asking the court to declare that the federally approved wholesale electricity costs that the Utility has incurred to serve its customers are recoverable in retail rates under the federal filed rate doctrine.)

Under AB 1890, the rate freeze was scheduled to end on the earlier of March 31, 2002, or the date that the Utility recovered all of its generation-related transition costs as determined by the CPUC. However, in January 2002, the CPUC issued a decision finding that new California legislation, AB 6X, had materially affected the implementation of AB 1890. The CPUC scheduled further proceedings to address the impact of AB 6X on the AB 1890 rate freeze for the Utility and to determine the extent and disposition of the Utility's remaining unrecovered transition costs. In its November 2002 decision regarding the surcharge revenues discussed above, the CPUC reiterated that it had yet to decide when the rate freeze ended and the disposition of any under-collected costs remaining at the end of the rate freeze.

During the third quarter of 2002, and again during the first quarter of 2003, the CPUC represented that, since utilities now are required under state law (AB 6X) to retain their generating assets and the CPUC has regained its traditional rate authority over those assets, costs associated with those assets may be recovered by the utilities in the traditional way under cost-based regulation. Based on these CPUC decisions and representations, the Utility believes it can continue to record revenues collected under its existing overall retail rates, subsequent to the statutory end of the rate freeze.

However, the CPUC's proceedings to consider the impact of AB 6X on the AB 1890 rate freeze and the disposition of the Utility's unrecovered transition costs are still pending. The California Supreme Court currently is considering the authority of the CPUC to enter into a settlement with SCE, which allows SCE to recover under-collected procurement and transition costs in light of the provisions of AB 1890. Oral argument has been set before the California Supreme Court in this case on May 27, 2003. Either in response to judicial decisions such as this one, or on its own initiative, it is possible that at some future date the CPUC may change its interpretation of law or otherwise seek to change the Utility's overall retail electric rates retroactively. The Utility has not provided reserves for potential refunds of any of these revenues as of March 31, 2003. If the CPUC requires the Utility to refund any of these revenues in the future, the Utility's earnings could be materially affected.

Electricity Purchases

In January 2001, as wholesale electric prices continued to exceed retail rates, the major credit rating agencies lowered their ratings for the Utility and PG&E Corporation to non-investment grade levels. Consequently, the Utility lost access to its bank facilities and capital markets, and no longer could continue buying electricity to deliver to its customers. As a result, in the first quarter of 2001, the California Legislature and the Governor of California authorized the DWR to purchase electricity for the Utility's customers and to issue revenue bonds to finance electricity purchases (governed by AB 1X). Initially, the DWR indicated that it intended to buy electricity only at "reasonable prices" to meet the Utility's net open position, leaving the ISO to purchase the remainder in order to avoid blackouts. The Utility accrued approximately $1 billion for ISO billings for the period January 17, 2001, through April 6, 2001. However, in 2001 and 2002, the FERC issued a series of orders directing the ISO to buy electricity only on behalf of creditworthy entities. The Utility currently acts as a billing and collection agent for electricity provided to its customers by the DWR. As such, revenues associated with these activities are passed through to the DWR and are not included in the Utility's results of operations.

In February 2002, the CPUC approved a decision, which was further modified in March 2002, that set the statewide DWR revenue requirement for 2001 and 2002. The DWR revenue requirement decision allows the DWR to collect amounts from ratepayers to provide the revenues needed by the DWR to procure electricity for the customers of the Utility and the other California investor-owned utilities (IOUs).

The DWR's revenue requirement included the procurement charges previously billed by the ISO and accrued by the Utility. As such, because of certain 2001 and 2002 FERC orders and the February and March 2002 CPUC decisions, in the first quarter of 2002 the Utility reversed the excess of the ISO accrual (for the period from January 17, 2001, through April 6, 2001) over the amount of the additional DWR revenue requirement applicable to 2001, for a net reduction of accrued purchased power costs of approximately $595 million (pre-tax).

In October 2002, the DWR filed a proposed amendment to the CPUC's May 16, 2002, servicing order requesting both prospective and retrospective changes to the calculation that determines the amount of revenue the Utility is required to pass through to the DWR. Under its statutory authority, the DWR may request the CPUC to order utilities to implement such amendments, and the CPUC has approved such amendments in the past without significant change. In December 2002, the CPUC issued an operating order requiring the Utility to perform the operational, dispatch, and administrative functions for the DWR's allocated contracts beginning on January 1, 2003. The operating order, which applies prospectively, includes the DWR's proposed method of calculating the amount of revenues that the Utility must pass through to the DWR but does not change the servicing order relating to the same calculation. In March 2003, the DWR submitted a letter to the CPUC reaffirming its position and quantifying the amount of revenues that the DWR has requested the CPUC to order the Utility to pass through to the DWR. As a result, the Utility has accrued an additional $96 million (pre-tax) liability for pass-through revenues for electricity previously provided by the DWR to the Utility's customers. In total as of March 31, 2003, the Utility has accrued an additional $539 million (pre-tax) liability for pass-through revenues to the DWR based on the DWR's October 2002 proposed amendment, the CPUC's December 2002 operating order, and the March 2003 letter from the DWR. Of this amount, $369 million (pre-tax) had been accrued at December 31, 2002.

In April 2003, the Utility and the DWR entered into an operating agreement, which has been approved by the CPUC. Effective in April 2003, the operating agreement supersedes the operating order. The operating agreement provides that the Utility will begin passing through revenues to the DWR consistent with the DWR's October 2002 and March 2003 requests for amendments to the servicing order, but subject to the outcome of the CPUC's consideration of the DWR's requests. In addition, if the CPUC grants the DWR's request for changes to the servicing order, the Utility would be required to make additional cash payments to the DWR consistent with its accrual of pass-through revenues to the DWR for the periods prior to the effective date of the operating agreement.

In October 2002, the Utility filed a lawsuit in a California court asking the court to find that the DWR's revenue requirements had not been demonstrated to be "just and reasonable" (as required by AB 1X) and lawful. The Utility asked the court to order the DWR's revenue requirement determination to be withdrawn as invalid, and that the DWR be precluded from imposing its revenue requirements on the Utility and its customers until it has complied with the law. The lawsuit is scheduled to be considered by the court during the third or fourth quarter of 2003.

Senate Bill 1976

Under AB 1X, the DWR is prohibited from entering into new agreements to purchase electricity to meet the net open position of the IOUs after December 31, 2002. In September 2002, the Governor signed California Senate Bill (SB) 1976 into law. As required by SB 1976, each California IOU submitted an electricity procurement plan to meet the residual net open position associated with that utility's customer demand.

A central feature of the SB 1976 regulatory framework is its direction to the CPUC to create new electric procurement balancing accounts to track and allow recovery of the differences between recorded revenues and costs incurred under an approved procurement plan. The CPUC must review the revenues and costs associated with the Utility's electric procurement plan at least semi-annually and adjust rates or order refunds, as appropriate, to properly amortize the balancing accounts. The CPUC must establish a schedule for amortizing the over-collections or under-collections in the electric procurement balancing accounts so that the aggregate over-collections or under-collections reflected in the accounts do not exceed 5 percent of the IOUs' actual recorded generation revenues for the prior calendar year, excluding revenues collected on behalf of the DWR. Mandatory semi-annual review and adjustment of the balancing accounts will continue until January 1, 2006, after which time the CPUC will conduct electric procurement balancing account reviews and adjust retail ratemaking amortization schedules for the balancing accounts as the CPUC deems appropriate and in a manner consistent with the requirements of SB 1976 for timely recovery of electricity procurement costs. Additionally, in a December 2002 interim opinion, the CPUC established a maximum annual procurement disallowance for administration of all contracts and least-cost dispatch of resources equal to twice the Utility's annual administrative costs of managing procurement activities, including the administration and dispatch of electricity associated with DWR allocated contracts.

In December 2002, the CPUC issued an interim opinion adopting the Utility's electricity procurement plan for 2003. On January 1, 2003, the Utility resumed the function of procuring electricity to meet the portion of its customers' needs that is not covered by the combination of the allocation of electricity from existing DWR contracts and the Utility's own electric resources and contracts. To meet this requirement, the Utility entered into contracts for fuel supply, capacity, and transmission rights that limit exposure to potentially high congestion charges. These one-year term contracts did not have a material impact on the Utility's commitments previously disclosed in its 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended.

The Utility filed its long-term procurement plan (long-term plan), which covers the next 20 years, with the CPUC on April 15, 2003. The Utility's long-term plan states that certain important policy issues, including the restoration of the Utility's financial health and investment grade credit rating, should be resolved before the CPUC can adopt a credible long-term plan for the Utility. The long-term plan indicates that a fundamental requirement for restoring the Utility's credit rating is the provision of procurement cost recovery by the CPUC. The Utility also mentions other conditions that the CPUC should consider implementing before adopting its long-term plan, including providing comprehensive guidelines that give the Utility the flexibility to react quickly to changing market conditions and determining which customers the Utility will serve and under what price. In this latter condition, the Utility notes that it will continue to be exposed to unrecovered costs unless the CPUC requires customer classes to pay the full amount of costs incurred on their behalf. While the long-term plan states that there is no immediate need for the Utility to construct or make long-term commitments to new resources, it notes that the Utility's role in future generation development will be directly impacted by its credit rating.

Allocation of DWR Electricity to Customers of the IOUs

Since 2001, the Utility and the other California IOUs have acted as the billing and collection agents for the DWR's sales of its electricity to retail customers. In September 2002, the CPUC issued a decision allocating the electricity provided under existing DWR contracts to the customers of the IOUs. This decision required the Utility, along with the other IOUs, to begin performing all the day-to-day scheduling, dispatch, and administrative functions associated with the DWR contracts allocated to the IOUs' respective portfolios by January 1, 2003.

Although the DWR retains legal and financial responsibility for these contracts, the DWR has stated publicly that it intends to transfer full legal title of, and responsibility for, the DWR electricity contracts to the IOUs as soon as possible. However, SB 1976 does not contemplate a transfer of title of the DWR contracts to the IOUs. In addition, the operating agreement approved by the CPUC in April 2003 (implementing the Utility's operational and scheduling responsibility with respect to the DWR allocated contracts) specifies that the DWR will retain legal and financial responsibility for the contracts. The Utility's proposed plan of reorganization prohibits the Utility from accepting, directly or indirectly, assignment of legal or financial responsibility for the DWR contracts. Either the State of California (State) or the CPUC may seek to provide the DWR with authority to effect such a transfer of legal title in the future. The Utility has informed the CPUC, the DWR, and the State that the Utility would vigorously oppose any attempt to transfer the DWR allocated contracts to the Utility without the Utility's consent.

Chapter 11 Filing

On April 6, 2001, the Utility filed for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, causing the Utility to become subject to the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court. Throughout the Chapter 11 proceeding, the Utility has maintained control over its assets and has been authorized to operate its business as a debtor-in-possession. Subsidiaries of the Utility, including PG&E Funding, LLC (which holds rate reduction bonds) and PG&E Holdings, LLC (which holds stock of the Utility), are not included in the Utility's Chapter 11 filing. PG&E Corporation, the Utility's parent, and PG&E NEG have not filed for Chapter 11 and are not included in the Utility's Chapter 11 filing. PG&E Corporation, however, is a co-proponent of the Utility's proposed plan of reorganization (Plan) described below.

In connection with the Utility's Chapter 11 filing, various parties filed claims with the Bankruptcy Court totaling approximately $50.1 billion through March 31, 2003. Of these claims, approximately $26.5 billion have been disallowed or withdrawn. Of the remaining $23.6 billion of filed claims, pursuant to the Plan and alternative plan (discussed below), claims asserted in the amount of approximately $5.5 billion are expected to pass through the bankruptcy proceeding and be determined in the appropriate court or other tribunal during the bankruptcy proceeding or after it concludes.

The Utility has objected to approximately $1 billion of the remaining $23.6 billion of filed claims. These objections are pending in the Bankruptcy Court. The Utility intends to object to approximately $4.4 billion of the remaining $23.6 billion of filed claims. These objections relate primarily to generator claims. Generator claims could be reduced significantly based on the FERC's March 26, 2003, decision finding that electricity suppliers significantly overcharged California buyers, including IOUs, from October 2, 2000, to June 20, 2001. The Utility has recorded its estimate of all valid claims at March 31, 2003, as $9.4 billion of Liabilities Subject to Compromise and $3.0 billion of Long-Term Debt. The Utility has paid certain claims authorized by the Bankruptcy Court, as discussed below, and reduced the amount of outstanding claims accordingly. In addition, since its Chapter 11 filing, the Utility has accrued interest on all claims it considers valid. This additional interest accrual is not included in the original $50.1 billion of claims filed.

In addition to other parties, the City of Palo Alto and the Northern California Power Agency (NCPA) filed an objection to the Plan and the CPUC's alternative proposed plan of reorganization. The objection asserts that, by virtue of the Utility's termination of a wholesale electric transmission contract between the NCPA and the Utility, NCPA members, including Palo Alto, will now be required to obtain transmission service through the California ISO and will be subject to substantial ISO charges. Palo Alto and the NCPA further assert that the Utility's motivation for terminating the NCPA transmission contract was anticompetitive and violated federal antitrust laws. They claim that damages associated with these increased ISO congestion charges could exceed $1 billion (which Palo Alto and the NCPA have indicated they would seek to treble under federal antitrust law). In January 2003, the Bankruptcy Court held an estimation hearing to determine what value to put on a possible future damages award that Palo Alto and the NCPA might receive, should they file, pursue, and establish liability on their antitrust claim. The Utility believes that Palo Alto's and the NCPA's claims are without merit.

The Bankruptcy Court has authorized certain payments and actions necessary for the Utility to continue its normal business operations while operating as a debtor-in-possession. For example, the Utility is authorized to pay employee wages and benefits, amounts payable to certain qualified facilities (QFs), interest on certain secured and unsecured debt, environmental remediation expenses, and expenditures related to property, plant and equipment. In addition, the Utility is authorized to refund certain customer deposits, use certain bank accounts and cash collateral, and assume responsibility for various hydroelectric contracts. The Utility also has received permission from the Bankruptcy Court to make payments on (1) pre- and post-petition interest on certain claims, (2) pre-petition trade payables to the majority of QFs and to certain other vendors, and (3) pre-petition secured debt that has matured.

As specified in the Plan described below, the Utility has agreed to pay pre- and post-petition interest on Liabilities Subject to Compromise at the rates set forth below, plus additional interest on certain claims as discussed below.

Amount Owed
(in millions)

Agreed Upon
Interest Rate
(per annum)

------------------

----------------------

Commercial Paper Claims

$

873

7.466%

Floating Rate Notes

1,240

7.583%

(Implied yield of
7.690%)

Senior Notes

680

9.625%

Medium-Term Notes

287

5.810% to 8.450%

Revolving Line of Credit Claims

938

8.000%

Majority of QFs

75

5.000%

Other Claims

5,306

Various

------------------

Liabilities Subject to Compromise at March 31, 2003

$

9,399

===========

Since the Plan did not become effective on or before February 15, 2003, the interest rates for Commercial Paper Claims, Floating Rate Notes, Senior Notes, Medium-Term Notes, and Revolving Line of Credit Claims have been increased by 37.5 basis points above the rates presented above, for periods on and after February 15, 2003. If the Plan does not become effective on or before September 15, 2003, the interest rates for these claims on and after such date will be increased by an additional 37.5 basis points. Finally, if the effective date does not occur on or before March 15, 2004, the interest rates for these claims on and after such date will be increased by an additional 37.5 basis points. For other claims, the Utility has recorded interest at the contractual or FERC-tariffed interest rate. When those rates do not apply, the Utility has recorded interest at the federal judgment rate.

Proposed Plan of Reorganization

The Utility and PG&E Corporation jointly have proposed a plan of reorganization, referred to as the Plan, which would allow the Utility to restructure its businesses and refinance the restructured businesses. The Plan is designed to align the Utility's existing businesses under the regulators that best match the business functions. Retail assets (natural gas and electricity distribution) would remain under the retail regulator, the CPUC. The wholesale assets (electric transmission, interstate natural gas transportation, and electric generation) would be placed under wholesale regulators, the FERC and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). After this realignment, the retail-focused business would be a natural gas and electricity distribution company (Reorganized Utility), representing approximately 70 percent of the book value of the Utility's current assets.

In contemplation of the Plan becoming effective, the Utility has created three new limited liability companies, the LLCs, which currently are owned by the Utility's wholly-owned subsidiary, Newco Energy Corporation (Newco). On the effective date of the Plan, the Utility would transfer substantially all the assets and liabilities primarily related to the Utility's electricity generation business to Electric Generation LLC (Gen), the assets and liabilities primarily related to the Utility's electricity transmission business to ETrans LLC (ETrans), and the assets and liabilities primarily related to the Utility's natural gas transportation and storage business to GTrans LLC (GTrans).

The Plan proposes that on the effective date of the Plan, the Utility would distribute to PG&E Corporation all of the outstanding common stock of Newco. Each of ETrans, GTrans, and Gen would continue to be an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of PG&E Corporation. Finally, on the effective date of the Plan or as promptly thereafter as practicable, PG&E Corporation would distribute all the shares of the Utility's common stock that it then holds to its existing shareholders in a spin-off transaction. After the spin-off, the Reorganized Utility would be an independent publicly held company. The common stock of the Reorganized Utility generally would be freely tradable by the recipients. The Reorganized Utility would retain the name "Pacific Gas and Electric Company," and apply to list its common stock on the New York Stock Exchange.

Although the Reorganized Utility would be legally separated from the LLCs, the Reorganized Utility would have significant operating relationships with the LLCs covering a range of functions and services after the effective date of the Plan.

During 2002, the Utility undertook several initiatives to prepare for separation under the Plan. The Utility has spent approximately $43 million in 2002 and approximately $15 million in 2003 on these initiatives. Of this amount, approximately $4 million has been capitalized to Property, Plant and Equipment in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Plan proposes to satisfy allowed claims with cash, long-term notes issued by the LLCs, or a combination of cash and such notes. Each of ETrans, GTrans, and Gen would issue long-term notes to the Reorganized Utility and the Reorganized Utility then would transfer the notes to certain holders of allowed claims. In addition, each of the Reorganized Utility, ETrans, GTrans, and Gen would issue "new money" notes in registered public offerings. These notes would be secured if necessary to obtain investment-grade credit ratings as required by the Plan. The LLCs then would transfer the proceeds of the sale of the new money notes, less working capital reserves, to the Utility for payment of allowed claims.

PG&E Corporation has agreed to contribute up to $700 million in cash to the Utility's capital from the issuance of equity or from other available sources, to the extent necessary to satisfy the cash obligations of the Utility in respect of allowed claims and required deposits into escrow for disputed claims, or to obtain investment-grade ratings for the debt to be issued by the Reorganized Utility and the LLCs. If PG&E Corporation is required to issue equity, PG&E Corporation's amended and restated credit agreement dated October 18, 2002 (Credit Agreement) will require mandatory prepayment of outstanding loans in an amount equal to the net cash proceeds from the issuance or sale of equity by PG&E Corporation. In addition, PG&E Corporation generally is prohibited by the terms of the Credit Agreement from making investments in the Utility, except as specifically permitted by the terms of the loans or as required by applicable law or the conditions adopted by the CPUC with respect to holding companies. To the extent lender consent is required, PG&E Corporation intends to negotiate with its lenders. Absent any required lender consent, PG&E Corporation intends to seek to refinance its indebtedness.

If the Plan is confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court, the Plan requires that certain conditions must be satisfied or waived before the Plan can become effective, including, among other conditions:

If one or more of the conditions have not been satisfied or waived, the confirmation order would be vacated and the Utility's obligations with respect to claims and equity interests would remain unchanged.

In connection with the Plan, PG&E Corporation and the Utility contend that bankruptcy law expressly preempts state law in connection with the implementation of a plan of reorganization. The Bankruptcy Court rejected this contention. PG&E Corporation and the Utility appealed this decision to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (District Court). The District Court reversed the Bankruptcy Court's ruling and remanded the case back to the Bankruptcy Court for further proceedings, ruling that the Bankruptcy Code expressly preempts "nonbankruptcy laws that would otherwise apply to bar, among other things, transactions necessary to implement the reorganization plan." The District Court entered judgment on September 19, 2002, and the CPUC and several other parties thereafter initiated an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The Ninth Circuit has scheduled arguments to be heard on May 14, 2003.

On February 27, 2003, the California counties of Alameda, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, Sonoma, and the City and County of San Francisco (collectively, the Counties) filed a motion for summary judgment denying confirmation of the Plan, arguing that the Plan is not feasible because it purports to transfer to Gen, or a subsidiary of Gen, the Utility's beneficial interests in the Nuclear Facilities Qualified CPUC Decommissioning Master Trust Agreement (Trust). The Counties contend that the contemplated transfer is unlawful because the Utility's interests in the Trust do not constitute property of the Utility's estate. The Counties also argue that prior CPUC approval of the transfer is necessary but the Utility has not requested such approval. The Utility vigorously contests the Counties' allegations.

The CPUC/OCC's Alternative Plan of Reorganization

The CPUC and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (OCC) jointly have proposed an alternative plan of reorganization (CPUC/OCC plan) for the Utility that does not call for realignment of the Utility's existing businesses. The alternative plan instead provides for the continued regulation of all of the Utility's current operations by the CPUC. The alternative plan proposes to satisfy all allowed creditor claims in full either through reinstatement or payment in cash, using a combination of cash on hand and the proceeds from the issuance of $7.3 billion of new senior secured debt and the issuance of $1.5 billion of new unsecured debt and preferred securities. The alternative plan also proposes to establish a $1.75 billion regulatory asset, which would be included in the Utility's rate base and would be amortized over ten years.

The CPUC/OCC plan also provides that it would not become effective until the Utility and the CPUC enter into a "reorganization agreement" under which the CPUC promises to establish retail electric rates on an ongoing basis sufficient to facilitate achieving and maintaining investment grade credit ratings for portions of the Utility's securities and to recover in rates (1) the interest and dividends payable on, and the amortization and redemption of, the securities to be issued under the alternative plan, and (2) certain recoverable costs (defined as the amounts the Utility is authorized by the CPUC to recover in retail electric rates in accordance with historical practice for all of its prudently incurred costs, including capital investment in property, plant and equipment, a return of capital, and a return on capital and equity to be determined by the CPUC from time to time in accordance with its past practices).

PG&E Corporation and the Utility believe the alternative plan is not credible or confirmable. PG&E Corporation and the Utility do not believe the alternative plan would restore the Utility or its debt securities to investment-grade status if the alternative plan is to become effective. Additionally, PG&E Corporation and the Utility believe the alternative plan would violate applicable federal and state law.

Confirmation Hearings

The trial on confirmation of the alternative plan began on November 18, 2002. The trial on the Plan began on December 16, 2002, with objections common to both plans slated for trial during the Plan trial. On March 4, 2003, the Bankruptcy Court ordered the Utility, the CPUC, and other parties involved in the confirmation trial to participate in settlement negotiations. On March 11, 2003, the Bankruptcy Court then issued an order staying nearly all the proceedings in the confirmation trial until May 12, 2003. On April 23, 2003, the Bankruptcy Court extended this stay for an additional 30 days. A status conference is scheduled for June 16, 2003.

The Utility is unable to predict which plan, if any, the Bankruptcy Court will confirm. If either plan is confirmed, implementation of the confirmed plan may be delayed due to appeals, CPUC actions or proceedings, or other regulatory hearings that could be required in connection with the regulatory approvals necessary to implement that plan, and other events. The uncertainty regarding the outcome of the bankruptcy proceeding and the related uncertainty around the plan of reorganization that is ultimately adopted and implemented will have a significant impact on the Utility's future liquidity and results of operations. The Utility is unable at this time to predict the outcome of its bankruptcy case or the effect of the reorganization process on the claims of the Utility's creditors or the interests of the Utility's preferred shareholders. However, the Utility believes, based on information presently available to it, that cash and cash equivalents on hand at March 31, 2003, of $3.6 billion and cash available from operations will provide sufficient liquidity to allow it to continue as a going concern through 2003.

NOTE 3: PG&E NEG LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL MATTERS

Credit Ratings

Prior to July 31, 2002, most of the various debt instruments of PG&E NEG and its subsidiaries carried investment-grade credit ratings as assigned by S&P and Moody's, two major credit rating agencies. Since July 31, 2002, PG&E NEG's rated entities have been downgraded several times. The result of these downgrades has left all of PG&E NEG consolidated rated entities and debt instruments at below investment-grade.

The downgrade of PG&E NEG's credit ratings impacted various guarantees and financial arrangements that require PG&E NEG to maintain certain credit ratings from S&P and/or Moody's. Because of the downgrades, PG&E NEG's counterparties have demanded PG&E NEG to provide additional security for performance in the form of cash, letters of credit, acceptable replacement guarantees, or advanced funding of obligations. Other counterparties continue to have the right to make such demands. If PG&E NEG fails to provide this additional collateral within defined cure periods, PG&E NEG may be in default under contractual terms. In addition to agreements containing ratings triggers, other agreements allow counterparties to seek additional security for performance whenever such counterparty becomes concerned about PG&E NEG's or its subsidiaries' creditworthiness. PG&E NEG's credit downgrades constrained its access to additional capital and triggered increases in cost of indebtedness under many of its outstanding debt arrangements.

The credit downgrades also impacted PG&E NEG's and its subsidiaries' ability to service their financial obligations by putting constraints on the ability to move cash from one subsidiary to another or to PG&E NEG itself. PG&E NEG's subsidiaries now must independently determine, in light of each company's financial situation, whether any proposed dividend, distribution, or intercompany loan is permitted and is in such subsidiary's interest.

The effects of the credit downgrades on PG&E NEG's debt facilities and other contractual arrangements are described below. Amounts required to be paid under debt agreements and other significant contractual commitments also are described below.

Debt Restructuring

PG&E NEG is currently in default under various debt agreements and guaranteed equity commitments totaling approximately $2.9 billion. In addition, other PG&E NEG subsidiaries are in default under various debt agreements totaling approximately $2.7 billion, but this debt is non-recourse to PG&E NEG. On November 14, 2002, PG&E NEG defaulted on the repayment of the $431 million 364-day tranche of its corporate revolving credit facility (Corporate Revolver). Loans and letters of credit outstanding as of March 31, 2003, under the two-year tranche of the Corporate Revolver were $258 million, consisting of $185 million of letters of credit and $73 million of loans. The default under the Corporate Revolver also constitutes a cross-default as of March 31, 2003, under (1) PG&E NEG Senior Unsecured Notes ($1 billion outstanding), (2) its guarantee of a turbine revolving credit agreement ($205 million outstanding), and (3) various equity commitment guarantees totaling $960 million. In addition, on November 15, 2002, PG&E NEG failed to pay a $52 million interest payment due under PG&E NEG Senior Unsecured Notes. PG&E NEG currently does not have sufficient cash to meet its financial obligations and has ceased making payments on its debt and equity commitments.

PG&E NEG, its subsidiaries, and their lenders have been engaged in discussions to restructure PG&E NEG's and its subsidiaries' debt obligations and other commitments since October 2002. No agreement has been reached yet and there can be no assurance that an agreement will be reached. Any restructuring agreement that may be reached would be implemented through a reorganization proceeding under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. Although PG&E NEG and its subsidiaries are continuing their efforts to maximize cash and reduce liabilities, such efforts are not expected to restore the financial condition of PG&E NEG and its subsidiaries. Absent a negotiated agreement, the lenders may exercise their default remedies or force PG&E NEG and certain of its subsidiaries into an involuntary proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code. Notwithstanding the status of current negotiations, PG&E NEG and certain of its subsidiaries also may elect to voluntarily seek protection under the Bankruptcy Code as early as the second quarter of 2003. Although PG&E Corporation continues to provide assistance to PG&E NEG, its subsidiaries and its lenders in their negotiations, management does not expect the outcome of any bankruptcy proceeding involving PG&E NEG or any of its subsidiaries to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of PG&E Corporation or the Utility.

Debt in Default and Long-Term Debt

The schedule below summarizes PG&E NEG's and its subsidiaries' outstanding debt in default and long-term debt as of March 31, 2003, and December 31, 2002:

(in millions)

Outstanding Balance At

----------------------------------

     

March 31,

December 31,

Description

Maturity

Interest Rates

2003

2002

----------------------------------------------------------------

----------------

-------------------------------

--------------

-----------------

Debt in Default

       

PG&E NEG, Inc. Senior Unsecured Notes

2011

10.375%

$

1,000

$

1,000

PG&E NEG, Inc. Credit Facility-Tranche B (364-day)

11/14/02

Prime plus credit spread

431

431

PG&E NEG, Inc. Credit Facility-Tranche A (2-year
   facility with a $258 million maximum commitment)

8/23/03

Prime plus credit spread

73

42

Turbine and Equipment Facility

12/31/03

Prime plus credit spread

205

205

GenHoldings Construction Facility Tranche A

12/5/03

LIBOR plus credit spread

194

118

GenHoldings Construction Facility Tranche B

12/5/03

LIBOR plus credit spread

1,068

1,068

GenHoldings Swap Termination

   

50

50

Lake Road Construction Facility Tranche A

12/11/02

Prime plus credit spread

227

227

Lake Road Construction Facility Tranche B

12/11/02

Prime plus credit spread

219

219

Lake Road Construction Facility Tranche C

 

Prime plus credit spread

-

-

Lake Road Working Capital Facility

12/9/03

Prime plus credit spread

27

23

Lake Road Swap Termination

12/11/02

 

61

61

La Paloma Construction Facility Tranche A

12/11/02

Prime plus credit spread

374

367

La Paloma Construction Facility Tranche B

12/11/02

Prime plus credit spread

296

291

La Paloma Construction Facility Tranche C

12/11/02

Prime plus credit spread

21

20

La Paloma Working Capital Facility

12/9/03

 

46

29

La Paloma Swap Termination

12/11/02

 

81

79

---------------

---------------

   Subtotal

   

$

4,373

$

4,230

---------------

---------------

Long-term debt

       

PG&E GTN Senior Unsecured Notes

2005

7.10%

$

250

$

250

PG&E GTN Senior Unsecured Debentures

2025

7.80%

150

150

PG&E GTN Senior Unsecured Notes

2012

6.62%

100

100

PG&E GTN Medium-Term Notes

2003

6.96%

6

6

PG&E GTN Credit Facility

5/2/05

LIBOR plus credit spread

40

58

USGenNE Credit Facility

9/1/03

LIBOR plus credit spread

75

75

Plains End Construction Facility

9/6/06

LIBOR plus credit spread

65

56

Other Debt Related to Attala

Various

Principally LIBOR plus
credit spread

237

-

Mortgage Loan Payable

2010

CP rate + 6.07%

7

7

Other

Various

Various

20

20

---------------

---------------

   Subtotal

   

$

950

$

722

---------------

---------------

Total Debt in Default and Long-term Debt

   

$

5,323

$

4,952

=========

=========

Amounts Classified as:

       

Debt in Default

   

$

4,373

$

4,230

Long-term Debt, Classified as Current

   

10

17

Long-term Debt

   

865

630

Amount Related to Liabilities of Operations Held for
   Sale, Classified as Current

75

75

     

---------------

---------------

Total Debt in Default and Long-term Debt

   

$

5,323

$

4,952

     

=========

=========

Accrued Interest

For the period ended March 31, 2003, accrued interest was recorded on the following debt instruments:

(in millions)

 

PG&E NEG

     

----------------

 

PG&E NEG Senior Unsecured Notes

 

$

91  

 

PG&E NEG Inc. Credit Facility

 

17  

 

Turbine and Equipment Facility

 

7  

 

Lake Road Facilities

 

16  

 

La Paloma Facilities

 

4  

 

PG&E GTN Facilities

 

11  

-----------  

Total

$

146  

=======  

 

GenHoldings Construction Facility

In December 2001, PG&E NEG entered into a $1.075 billion 5-year non-recourse credit facility for a portfolio of generating projects held by GenHoldings I, LLC (GenHoldings), a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of PG&E NEG. The credit facility, which increased to $1.5 billion on April 5, 2002, is secured by the Millennium, Harquahala, Covert, and Athens projects. The facility was intended to be used to reimburse PG&E NEG and lenders for a portion of the construction costs already incurred on these projects and to fund a portion of the balance of the construction costs through completion.

GenHoldings has defaulted under its credit agreement by failing to make equity contributions to fund construction draws for the Athens, Harquahala, and Covert projects. In November and December 2002, GenHoldings' lenders executed waivers and amendments to the credit agreement under which they agreed to continue to waive GenHoldings' equity default until March 31, 2003 and increased loan commitments to cover such shortfall.

In connection with the lenders' waiver of various defaults and additional funding commitments, PG&E NEG has agreed to cooperate with any reasonable proposal by the lenders regarding disposition of the equity in or assets of any or all of the PG&E NEG subsidiaries holding the Athens, Covert, Harquahala, and Millennium projects.

As of March 21, 2003, the lenders executed a waiver letter extending to June 30, 2003, the waiver of GenHoldings' equity default. In addition, the waiver letter also waives other existing defaults in order to permit the continued availability of loan facilities to fund construction and operation of the projects until such time as a transfer of the projects to the GenHoldings lenders may be completed. An event of default will occur if such transfer is not accomplished by June 30, 2003. A default would trigger lender remedies, including the right to foreclose on the Millennium, Harquahala, Athens, and Covert projects.

Under the waiver, PG&E NEG has re-affirmed its guarantee of GenHoldings' remaining obligation to make equity contributions to these projects of approximately $355 million. Neither PG&E NEG nor GenHoldings currently expects to have sufficient funds to make this payment. The requirement to pay $355 million will remain an obligation of PG&E NEG that would survive the transfer of the projects.

Lake Road and La Paloma Construction Facilities

In September 1999 and March 2000, Lake Road Generating Company, LP (Lake Road) and La Paloma Generating Company, LLC (La Paloma) entered into Participation Agreements to finance the construction of the two plants. In November 2002, Lake Road and La Paloma defaulted on their obligations to pay interest and swap payments. In addition, as a result of PG&E NEG's downgrade to below investment grade by both S&P and Moody's, PG&E NEG, as guarantor of certain debt obligations of Lake Road and La Paloma, became required to make equity contributions to Lake Road and La Paloma of $230 million and $375 million respectively. The lenders have accelerated all debt existing prior to December 11, 2002, including the guaranteed portion of the debt and made a payment under the PG&E NEG guarantee. Neither PG&E NEG, Lake Road nor La Paloma has sufficient funds to make these payments.

As of December 4, 2002, PG&E NEG and certain subsidiaries entered into various agreements with the respective lenders for each of the Lake Road and La Paloma generating projects providing for (1) funding of construction costs required to complete the La Paloma facility, and (2) additional working capital facilities to enable each subsidiary to timely pay for its fuel requirements and to provide its own collateral to support natural gas pipeline capacity reservations and independent transmission system operator requirements, as well as for general working capital purposes. Lenders extending new credit under these agreements have received liens on the projects that are senior to the existing lenders' liens. These agreements provide, among other things, that the failure to transfer right, title and interest in, to and under the Lake Road and La Paloma projects to the respective lenders by June 9, 2003 will constitute a default under the agreements. The failure to transfer the facilities would entitle the lenders to accelerate the new indebtedness and exercise other remedies. The requirement to pay $230 million and $375 million for Lake Road and La Paloma, respectively, will remain an obligation of PG&E NEG that would survive the transfer of the projects.

Impairments, Write-offs, and Other Charges

Consolidation and Impairment of Attala Generating Company LLC

On May 7, 2002, Attala Generating Company LLC (Attala Generating), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of PG&E NEG, completed a $340 million sale and leaseback transaction whereby it sold and leased back a 526-megawatt ( MW) generation facility (Facility) in Mississippi to two third-party special-purpose entities (SPEs). These entities funded the acquisition of their undivided interests in the Facility through proceeds from the issuance of debt and equity. The SPEs funded $103 million, or approximately 30 percent of the total fair value of the Facility on the transaction date, from the issuance of equity. The related transaction was accounted for as a lease because the owners of the SPEs had made an initial substantive residual equity capital investment that was intended to be at risk during the entire term of the lease.

During January 2003, the SPEs distributed cash to their equity holders, which resulted in the SPEs no longer meeting the substantive equity at risk criteria, under current accounting requirements. PG&E NEG now consolidates the assets and liabilities of the SPEs.

The consolidation of the SPEs resulted in an increase in assets of $62 million, representing the estimated fair value of the Facility and related inventories, and debt of $237 million, representing the bonds issued to finance the sale-leaseback transaction. As the liabilities of the SPEs exceed their assets, a pre-tax charge to earnings of $175 million was recorded in the first quarter of 2003.

In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities" (FIN 46). See Note 1, "General - Adoption of New Accounting Policies," for a more complete description of FIN 46. PG&E NEG currently is evaluating the impacts of FIN 46's initial recognition, measurement, and disclosure provisions on its Consolidated Financial Statements when these requirements become effective by the beginning of the third quarter of 2003.

PG&E NEG believes that, upon the adoption of FIN 46, it will not be required to continue to consolidate the SPEs associated with the sale-leaseback of the Facility since it has neither an equity investment nor a significant variable interest in the SPEs. Depending on the method of adopting FIN 46 by PG&E NEG, either the difference between the book values of the SPEs' assets and liabilities will be recognized through earnings, or first quarter 2003 financial statements will be restated to eliminate the impact of initially consolidating the SPEs. Future earnings may also be impacted by the accrual of any probable payments under the Attala guarantee arrangement disclosed in Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Shaw Settlement Charges

In connection with the terms of a proposed settlement of all pending disputes among Shaw Group Inc. (Shaw), Harquahala Generating Company, LLC (Harquahala), Covert Generating Company, LLC (Covert) and PG&E NEG, PG&E NEG has recognized a pre-tax charge of approximately $32 million for anticipated legal settlement costs.

Harquahala generating facility, owned by Harquahala, is a 1,092-MW plant in Tonopah, Arizona, with about 88 percent of the construction complete. Covert generating facility, owned by Covert, is a 1,170-MW plant in Covert, Michigan, with about 84 percent of construction complete. The equity in Covert and Harquahala is owned by GenHoldings. On August 13, 2001, Harquahala and Covert entered into engineering procurement and construction contracts (EPCs) with Shaw to design, procure materials and equipment for, and construct these generating facilities.

During November and December 2002, Harquahala commenced arbitration against Shaw seeking a declaration that it was not obligated to withhold payments from a certain third party connected with the construction of the facility. Subsequently, Shaw commenced arbitration against Covert and Harquahala to recover the value of certain change order requests. In addition, Shaw filed a lawsuit against Harquahala, Covert, PG&E NEG, and NEG Construction Finance Company, LLC (CFC), alleging that it had not received adequate assurance of payment from PG&E NEG.

Under the terms of the proposed settlement, PG&E NEG will pay approximately $32 million to Shaw, the EPC contracts will be increased in the aggregate by $65 million (the balance funded by the lenders), the completion deadlines will be extended, the cost-sharing agreements and related guarantees will be terminated, and PG&E NEG's completion guarantees to the lenders will be released. The parties are now negotiating definitive agreements.

Mantua Creek Project

The Mantua Creek project is a nominal 897 MW combined cycle merchant power plant located in the Township of West Depford, New Jersey. Due to liquidity concerns, PG&E NEG could no longer provide equity contributions to the project and beginning in the fourth quarter of 2002, began to suspend or terminate contracts with vendors. At December 31, 2002, PG&E NEG wrote off capitalized development and construction costs of $257 million and established an additional accrual of $22 million for charges and associated termination costs. For the period ending March 31, 2003, various termination cost accruals were adjusted as settlements occurred resulting in an approximate $8 million reduction in impairment expense.

NOTE 4: DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS AND ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

USGen New England

In September 1998, USGen New England, Inc. (USGenNE) acquired the non-nuclear generating assets of the New England Electric System (NEES) for approximately $1.8 billion. These assets included:

Consistent with its previously announced strategy to dispose of certain merchant assets, in December 2002 the Board of Directors of PG&E Corporation approved management's plans for the proposed sale of USGenNE. Under the provisions of SFAS No. 144, the equity of USGenNE has been accounted for as an asset held for sale at December 31, 2002. This requires that the asset be recorded at the lower of fair value, less costs to sell, or book value. Based on the current estimated fair value (based on the estimated proceeds) of a sale of USGenNE, PG&E NEG recorded a pre-tax loss of $1.1 billion in the fourth quarter of 2002. PG&E NEG recorded an additional pre-tax loss on disposal of $23 million in the first quarter of 2003. It was anticipated that the arrangements for the disposition of the USGenNE assets would be made during 2003. However, as a result of required regulatory approval by the FERC, it is anticipated that any disposals will not be consummated until 2004. The operating results from USGenNE are being reported as discontinued operations in the PG&E Corporation Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2003, and 2002. Also under the provisions of SFAS No. 144, no depreciation has been recorded on the restated assets.

Mountain View

On September 17 and 28, 2001, PG&E NEG purchased Mountain View Power Partners, LLC and Mountain View Power Partners II, LLC, respectively (collectively referred to as Mountain View), from SeaWest Wind Power, Inc. These companies own 44- and 22-MW wind energy projects, respectively, near Palm Springs, California (SeaWest). PG&E NEG contracted with SeaWest for the operation and maintenance of the wind units. Total consideration for these two companies was $92 million. The two companies were merged on October 1, 2002. The power is sold to the DWR under a 10-year contract.

In December 2002, the Board of Directors of PG&E Corporation approved the sale of Mountain View. On December 18, 2002, a subsidiary of PG&E NEG entered into an agreement to sell Mountain View to Centennial Power, Inc. The sale occurred on January 3, 2003. PG&E NEG received $102 million in proceeds for the sale of Mountain View, resulting in a $19 million pre-tax gain.

Under the provisions of SFAS No. 144, Mountain View is accounted for as an asset held for sale at March 31, 2003, and December 31, 2002. The operating results from Mountain View are being reported as discontinued operations in the PG&E Corporation Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2003, and 2002.

ET Canada

On March 18, 2003, PG&E Energy Trading-Gas Corporation (ET-Gas), a subsidiary of PG&E NEG, completed the sale of 100 percent of the stock of PG&E Energy Trading, Canada Corporation (ET Canada) to Seminole Canada Gas Company, a Nova Scotia unlimited liability company (Seminole). Seminole transferred approximately $86 million at closing to ET-Gas and several of its affiliates, representing the purchase price and the return of collateral posted by ET-Gas and ET Canada to support ET Canada's energy trading transactions, plus interest. Most of the proceeds were used to repay principal and interest on an outstanding loan of $76 million to another affiliate.

Seminole also has agreed within 30 days after the closing to replace certain letters of credit issued to support ET Canada's energy trading transactions and to obtain the release of ET-Gas and its affiliates, including PG&E GTN and PG&E NEG from obligations under guarantees issued for the same reasons. Seminole has indemnified ET-Gas for any liability under the letters of credit or the guarantees. As previously disclosed, in the fourth quarter of 2002, PG&E NEG recorded a $25 million pre-tax loss on the anticipated disposition of ET Canada. In the first quarter of 2003, an additional $3 million pre-tax loss on disposal was recorded.

The following table reflects the combined operating results of USGenNE, Mountain View, and ET Canada before reclassification to discontinued operations for the three months ended March 31, 2003, and 2002:

 

Three months ended
March 31,

----------------------------

(in millions)

2003

2002

------------

------------

Operating Revenues

$

122 

$

216 

Operating Expenses

   

   Cost of commodity sales and fuel

172 

131 

   Operations, maintenance, and management

52 

63 

   Depreciation and amortization

17 

-------------

-------------

Total operating expense

$

224 

$

211 

-------------

-------------

Operating Income (Loss)

(102)

   Interest income

10 

   Interest expense

(1)

   Other expense, net

(4)

(2)

-------------

-------------

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes

$

(100)

$

13 

   Income tax expense (benefit)

(35)

-------------

-------------

Earnings (Loss) from Assets classified as Discontinued
   Operations

$

(65)

$

=======

=======

The following table reflects the components of assets and liabilities held for sale of USGenNE before reclassification to discontinued operations at March 31, 2003, and the combined components of assets and liabilities held for sale of USGenNE, Mountain View, and ET Canada at December 31, 2002:

 

Balance At

--------------------------------

 

March 31,

December 31,

(in millions)

2003

2002

-------------

-----------------

ASSETS

   

Current Assets

   

   Cash and cash equivalents

$

52 

$

32 

   Accounts receivable - trade

157 

300 

   Inventory

53 

82 

   Price risk management

196 

   Prepaid expenses, deposits and other

97 

-------------

-------------

      Total current assets held for sale

266 

707 

-------------

-------------

Property, Plant and Equipment

   

   Total property, plant and equipment (1)

718 

799 

   Accumulated depreciation

(279)

(285)

-------------

-------------

       Net property, plant and equipment

439 

514 

-------------

-------------

Other Noncurrent Assets

   

   Long-term receivables (2)

303 

319 

   Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $37
      million and $37 million

20 

20 

   Price risk management

30 

   Other

41 

33 

-------------

-------------

       Total noncurrent assets held for sale

810 

916 

-------------

-------------

TOTAL ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

$

1,076 

$

1,623 

 

========

========

LIABILITIES

   

Current Liabilities

   

   Long-term debt, classified as current

$

75 

$

75 

   Accounts payable and Accrued expenses

31 

207 

   Price risk management

161 

331 

   Out-of-market contractual obligations (3)

86 

86 

-------------

-------------

      Total current liabilities of operations held for sale

353 

699 

-------------

-------------

Noncurrent Liabilities

   

   Price risk management

241 

272 

   Out-of-market contractual obligations (3)

501 

501 

   Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credit

16 

20 

-------------

-------------

      Total noncurrent liabilities held for sale

758 

793 

-------------

-------------

TOTAL LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE

1,111 

1,492 

-------------

-------------

NET ASSETS (LIABILITIES) HELD FOR SALE

$

(35)

$

131 

 

========

========

(1) Includes impairment charges made against property, plant and equipment.

(2) USGenNE receives payments from a wholly-owned subsidiary of NEES, related to the assumption of power supply agreements, which are payable monthly through January 2008. The long-term receivables are valued at the present value of the scheduled payments using a discount rate that reflects NEES' credit rating on the date of acquisition.

(3) Commitments contained in the underlying Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) by USGenNE, gas commodity and transportation agreements (collectively, the Gas Agreements), and Standard Offer Agreements acquired by USGenNE in September 1998 were recorded at fair value, based on management's estimate of either or both the gas commodity and gas transportation markets and electric markets over the life of the underlying contracts, discounted at a rate commensurate with the risks associated with such contracts. Standard Offer Agreements reflect a commitment to supply electric capacity and energy necessary for certain affiliates to meet their obligations to supply fixed-rate service. PPAs and Gas Agreements are amortized on a straight-line basis over their specific lives. The Standard Offer Agreements are amortized using an accelerated method, since the decline in value is greater in earlier years due to increasing contract pricing terms designed to reduce demand for supply service over time.

Included in the assets and liabilities held for sale summary above, are certain amounts paid to USGenNE related to the assumption of power supply agreements and certain purchase obligations assumed by USGenNE from the acquisition that occurred in 1998.

NOTE 5: PRICE RISK MANAGEMENT

PG&E NEG is in the process of reducing and unwinding its trading positions. Additionally, asset hedge positions associated with the merchant plants will either remain with the assets or be terminated. PG&E NEG has significantly reduced its energy trading operations in an ongoing effort to raise cash and reduce debt. PG&E NEG's objective is to limit its asset trading and risk management activities to only what is necessary for energy management services to facilitate the transition of PG&E NEG's merchant generation facilities through their sale, transfer, or abandonment process. PG&E NEG will then further reduce and transition to retain only limited capabilities to ensure fuel procurement and power logistics for PG&E NEG's retained independent power plant operations.

Non-Trading Activities

At March 31, 2003, PG&E Corporation had cash flow hedges of varying durations associated with commodity price risk, interest rate risk, and foreign currency risk, the longest of which extend through December 2011, March 2014, and December 2004, respectively.

The amount of commodity hedges included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income or Loss (OCI), net of tax, at March 31, 2003, was a loss of $36 million. The amount of interest rate hedges included in OCI, net of tax, at March 31, 2003, was a loss of $49 million. The amount of foreign currency hedges included in OCI, net of tax, at March 31, 2003, was a loss of $1 million.

PG&E Corporation's net derivative losses included in OCI at March 31, 2003, were $86 million, of which approximately $45 million is expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months based on the contractual terms of the contracts or the termination of the hedge position. The actual amounts reclassified from OCI to earnings will differ as a result of market price changes. The Utility did not have any cash flow hedges at March 31, 2003, or at March 31, 2002. PG&E Corporation's ineffective portion of changes in amounts of cash flow hedges was immaterial for the three months ended March 31, 2003, and March 31, 2002.

The schedule below summarizes the activities affecting Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax, from derivative instruments:





(in millions)

Three months ended
March 31, 2003

 

Three months ended
March 31, 2002

------------------------------

-----------------------------

PG&E
Corporation


Utility

 

PG&E
Corporation


Utility

----------------

-----------

----------------

-----------

Derivative gains (losses) included in accumulated other
   comprehensive income (loss) at beginning of period


$


(90)


$


 


$


36 


$


Net gain (loss) from current period hedging transactions
   and price changes

(1)

 


(75)

Net reclassification to earnings

 

---------------

------------

---------------

------------

Derivative gains (losses) included in accumulated other
   comprehensive income at end of period

(86)

 


(34)

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

(5)

(2)

Other

 

(1)

---------------

------------

---------------

------------

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at end
   of period

$

(86)

$

$

(40)

$

(2)

=========

=======

=========

=======

Normally, most non-trading activity earnings are recognized on an accrual basis as revenues are earned and as expenses are incurred. For example, the effective portion of contracts accounted for as cash flow hedges have no mark-to-market effect on earnings; these contracts are presented on a mark-to-market basis on the balance sheet in price risk management (PRM) assets and liabilities and OCI. Other non-trading contracts are exempt from the SFAS No. 133 fair value requirements under the normal purchases and sales exception and thus have no mark-to-market effect on earnings.

Cash flow hedge accounting was discontinued for commodity cash flow hedges on January 1, 2003. Accordingly, such non-trading activities affect PG&E NEG's earnings on a mark-to-market basis. PG&E NEG recognizes the prospective change in fair value relating to commodity hedges and the ineffective portion of the changes in the fair value of all cash flow hedges in earnings. PG&E NEG also has certain derivative contracts that, while they are meant for non-trading purposes, do not qualify for cash flow hedge accounting or for the normal purchases and sales exception to SFAS No. 133. These derivatives are reported in earnings on a mark-to-market basis. These contracts primarily consist of those derivative commodity contracts for which normal purchases and sales treatment was disallowed upon PG&E NEG's implementation of Derivative Implementation Group (DIG) C15 and C16 effective April 1, 2002.

PG&E NEG's pre-tax earnings for the period ended March 31, 2003, include gains of $50 million related to commodity hedges, previously deferred in OCI, after it became probable that the forecasted transactions will not occur.

Trading Activities

Unrealized gains and losses from trading activities, including the reversal of unrealized gains and losses previously recognized on contracts that go to settlement or delivery, are presented on a net basis in operating revenues. Realized gains and losses from trading activities also are presented on a net basis in operating revenues, beginning in the third quarter of 2002, as more fully described in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Gains and losses on trading contracts affect PG&E Corporation's gross margin in the accompanying PG&E Corporation Consolidated Statements of Operations on an unrealized, mark-to-market basis as the fair value of the forward positions on these contracts fluctuate. Settlement or delivery on a contract generally does not result in incremental net income recognition because the profit or loss on a contract is recognized in income on an unrealized, mark-to-market basis during the periods before settlement occurs.

Gains and losses on trading contracts affect PG&E Corporation's cash flow when these contracts are settled. Net realized gains reported in the table below primarily reflect the net effect of contracts that have been settled in cash. Net realized gains also include certain non-cash items, including amortization of option premiums that were paid or received in cash in earlier periods, but are considered realized when the related options are exercised or expire.

PG&E Corporation's net gains (loss) on trading activities are as follows:

Three months ended

March 31,

-------------------------------

(in millions)

2003

2002

-----------

-----------

Trading activities:

Unrealized gains (loss), net

$

$

(3) 

Realized gains (loss), net

(33)

45  

------------

------------

Total

$

(25)

$

42  

=======

=======


Price Risk Management Assets and Liabilities

PRM assets and liabilities on the accompanying PG&E Corporation Consolidated Balance Sheets reflect the aggregation of the fair values of outstanding contracts. These fair values are calculated on a mark-to-market basis for contracts that will be settled in future periods. PRM assets and liabilities at March 31, 2003, include amounts for trading and non-trading activities, as described below:

PRM
Assets

PRM
Liabilities

Net Assets
(Liabilities)

--------------------------

---------------------------

--------------

(in millions)

Current

Noncurrent

Current

Noncurrent

-----------

--------------

-----------

--------------

Trading activities

$

688 

$

202 

$

(632)

$

(247)

$

11 

Non-trading activities

29 

62 

(10)

(12)

69 

------------

--------------

--------------

--------------

--------------

Total consolidated PRM assets and
  liabilities


$


717 


$


264 


$


(642)


$


(259)


$


80 

=======

========

========

========

========

Non-trading activities include certain long-term contracts that are not included in PG&E Corporation's trading portfolio but, due to certain pricing provisions and volumetric variability, are unable to receive hedge accounting treatment or the normal purchases and sales exception, as outlined by interpretations of SFAS No. 133. PG&E Corporation has certain other non-trading derivative commodity contracts for the physical delivery of purchases and sales quantities transacted in the normal course of business. These other non-trading activities include contracts that are exempt from SFAS No. 133 fair value requirements under the normal purchases and sales exemption, as described previously. Although the fair value of these other non-trading contracts is not required to be presented on the balance sheet, revenues and expenses generally are recognized in income using the same timing and basis as are used for the non-trading activities accounted for as cash flow hedges. Hence, revenues are recognized as earned and expenses are recognized as incurred.

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk of loss that PG&E Corporation and the Utility would incur if counterparties failed to perform their contractual obligations (these obligations are reflected as Accounts Receivable - Customers, net; notes receivable included in Other Noncurrent Assets - Other; Price Risk Management (PRM) assets; and Assets Held For Sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheets of PG&E Corporation and the Utility, as applicable). PG&E Corporation and the Utility conduct business primarily with customers or vendors, referred to as counterparties, in the energy industry. These counterparties include other investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities, energy trading companies, financial institutions, and oil and gas production companies located in the United States and Canada. This concentration of counterparties may impact PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's overall exposure to credit risk because their counterparties may be similarly affected by economic or regulatory changes, or other changes in conditions.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility manage their credit risk in accordance with the PG&E Corporation Risk Management Policy. This establishes processes for assigning credit limits to counterparties before entering into agreements with significant exposure to PG&E Corporation and the Utility. These processes include an evaluation of a potential counterparty's financial condition, net worth, credit rating, and other credit criteria as deemed appropriate, and are performed at least annually.

Credit exposure is calculated daily, and in the event that exposure exceeds the established limits, PG&E Corporation and the Utility take immediate action to reduce the exposure, or obtain additional collateral, or both. Further, PG&E Corporation and the Utility rely heavily on master agreements that require the counterparty to post security, referred to as credit collateral, in the form of cash, letters of credit, corporate guarantees of acceptable credit quality, or eligible securities if current net receivables and replacement cost exposure exceed contractually specified limits.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility calculate gross credit exposure for each counterparty as the current mark-to-market value of the contract (that is, the amount that would be lost if the counterparty defaulted today) plus or minus any outstanding net receivables or payables, prior to the application of the counterparty's credit collateral.

During the three months ended March 31, 2003, PG&E Corporation's credit risk decreased primarily due to contract terminations with PG&E NEG counterparties. During the three months ended March 31, 2003, the Utility's credit risk increased due primarily to an increase in commodity prices and to downgrades of some counterparties' credit ratings to levels below investment grade. The downgrades increase the Utility's credit risk because any collateral provided by these counterparties in the form of corporate guarantees or eligible securities may be of lesser or no value. Therefore, in the event these counterparties failed to perform under their contracts, the Utility may face a greater potential maximum loss. In contrast, the Utility does not face any additional risk if counterparties' credit collateral is in the form of cash or letters of credit, as this collateral is not affected by a credit rating downgrade.

During the three months ended March 31, 2003, PG&E Corporation and the Utility recognized no losses due to the contract defaults or bankruptcies of counterparties.

At March 31, 2003, PG&E Corporation had no single counterparty that represented greater than 10 percent of PG&E Corporation's net credit exposure. At March 31, 2003, the Utility had one investment-grade counterparty that represented 17 percent of the Utility's net credit exposure.

The schedule below summarizes PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's credit risk exposure to counterparties that are in a net asset position, with the exception of exchange-traded futures (the exchange provides for contract settlement on a daily basis), as well as PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's credit risk exposure to counterparties with a greater than 10 percent net credit exposure, at March 31, 2003, and December 31, 2002:

 

 

(in millions)

Gross Credit
Exposure Before
Credit Collateral (1)

Credit
Collateral (2)

Net Credit
Exposure (2)

Number of
Counterparties
>10 percent

Net Exposure of
Counterparties
>10 percent

 

------------------------

----------------

----------------

--------------------

----------------------

At March 31, 2003

         

PG&E Corporation

$

789           

$

198      

$

591      

$

-          

$

-           

Utility  (3)

306           

116      

190      

1          

32           

At December 31, 2002

PG&E Corporation

$

1,165           

$

195      

$

970      

$

-          

$

-          

Utility  (3)

288           

113      

175      

2          

55          

(1) Gross credit exposure equals mark-to-market value, notes receivable, and net  (payables) receivables where netting is allowed. Gross and net credit exposure amounts reported above do not include adjustments for time value, liquidity, model, or credit reserves.

(2) Net credit exposure is the gross credit exposure minus credit collateral (cash deposits and letters of credit).

(3) The Utility's gross credit exposure includes wholesale activity only. Retail activity and payables incurred prior to the Utility's bankruptcy filing are not included. Retail activity at the Utility consists of the accounts receivable from the sale of gas and electricity to millions of residential and small commercial customers.

The schedule below summarizes the credit quality of PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's net credit risk exposure to counterparties at March 31, 2003, and December 31, 2002.


Credit Quality (1)

Net Credit
Exposure (2)

Percentage of Net
Credit Exposure

--------------------------------

----------------

-----------------------

(in millions)

At March 31, 2003

PG&E Corporation

   Investment-grade (3) (4)

$

380

64%

   Noninvestment-grade

119

20%

   Not rated (4)

92

16%

---------------

Total

$

591

100%

=========

Utility

   Investment-grade (3) (4)

$

110

58%

   Noninvestment-grade

80

42%

   Not rated (4)

-

-

---------------

Total

$

190

100%

=========

At December 31, 2002

PG&E Corporation

   Investment-grade (3) (4)

$

700

72%

   Noninvestment-grade

205

21%

   Not rated (4)

65

7%

---------------

Total

$

970

100%

=========

Utility

   Investment-grade (3) (4)

$

111

63%

   Noninvestment-grade

64

37%

   Not rated (4)

-

-

---------------

Total

$

175

100%

=========

(1)

Credit ratings are determined by using publicly available credit ratings of the counterparty. If the counterparty provides a guarantee by a higher rated entity (e.g., its parent), the rating determination is based on the rating of its guarantor.

(2)

Net credit exposure is the gross credit exposure minus credit collateral (cash deposits and letters of credit).

(3)

Investment-grade is determined using publicly available information, i.e., rated at least Baa3 by Moody's Investors Services and BBB- by Standard & Poor's.

(4)

Most counterparties with no ratings are governmental authorities which are not rated but which PG&E Corporation has assessed as equivalent to investment-grade based upon an internal credit rating of credit quality, and are designated as "investment-grade" above. Other counterparties with no rating, and designated as "not rated" above, are subject to an internal assessment of their credit quality and a credit rating designation.

PG&E Corporation has regional concentrations of credit exposure to counterparties that conduct business primarily throughout North America. The Utility has a regional concentration of credit risk associated with its receivables from residential and small commercial customers in Northern California. However, the risk of material loss due to nonperformance from these customers is not considered likely. Reserves for uncollectible accounts receivable are provided for the potential loss from nonpayment by these customers based on historical experience. At March 31, 2003, the Utility had a net regional concentration of credit exposure totaling $190 million to counterparties that conduct business primarily throughout North America.

NOTE 6: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

PG&E Corporation has substantial financial commitments and contingencies in connection with agreements entered into supporting the Utility's and PG&E NEG's operating, construction, and development activities. These commitments and contingencies are discussed more fully in the PG&E Corporation and Utility combined 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended. The following summarizes PG&E Corporation's, the Utility's, and PG&E NEG's contingencies and cancelled, new, and significantly modified commitments since the combined 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, was filed.

Utility


The Utility has significant gain and loss contingencies related to California electric industry restructuring and its Chapter 11 filing. See Note 2 for a discussion of these matters.

Nuclear Insurance

The Utility has several types of nuclear insurance for its Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP) and Humboldt Bay Power Plant (HBPP). The Utility has insurance coverage for property damages and business interruption losses as a member of Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited (NEIL). NEIL is a mutual insurer owned by utilities with nuclear facilities. Under this insurance, if any nuclear generating facility insured by NEIL suffers severe losses, the NEIL Board of Directors could require the Utility to pay additional premiums of up to $32 million to cover property damages and business interruption for DCPP and up to $1.4 million to cover property damages for HBPP.

Under federal law, the Price-Anderson Act (Act), public liability claims from a nuclear incident are limited to $9.5 billion. As required by the Act, the Utility has purchased the maximum available public liability insurance of $300 million for DCPP. The balance of the $9.5 billion of liability protection is covered by a loss-sharing program (secondary financial protection) among utilities owning nuclear reactors. Under the Act, secondary financial protection is required for all reactors of 100 MW or higher. If a nuclear incident results in costs in excess of $300 million, then the Utility may be responsible for up to $88 million per reactor, with payments in each year limited to a maximum of $10 million per incident until the Utility has fully paid its share of the liability. Since the Utility has two nuclear reactors of over 100 MW, the Utility may be assessed up to $176 million per incident, with payments in each year limited to a maximum of $20 million per incident. In February 2003, a provision extending the Price-Anderson Act through the end of 2003 was adopted by the United States Congress. No other material terms of the Price-Anderson Act changed as a result of the provision.

Additionally, the Utility has purchased $53.3 million of private liability insurance for HBPP and has a $500 million indemnification from the NRC for public liability arising from nuclear incidents covering liabilities in excess of the $53.3 million of private liability insurance for HBPP.

Workers' Compensation Security

The Utility is self-insured for workers' compensation. The Utility must deposit collateral with the State Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) to maintain its status as a self-insurer for workers' compensation claims made against the Utility. Acceptable forms of collateral include surety bonds, letters of credit, cash, or securities. The Utility currently provides collateral in the form of approximately $365 million in surety bonds.

In February 2001, several surety companies provided cancellation notices because of the Utility's financial situation. The DIR has not agreed to release the canceling sureties from their obligations for claims occurring prior to the cancellation and has continued to apply the cancelled bond amounts, totaling $185 million, towards the $365 million amount of collateral. The Utility was able to supplement the difference through three additional active surety bonds totaling $180 million. At March 31, 2003, the cancelled bonds have not impacted the Utility's self-insured status under California law. PG&E Corporation has guaranteed the Utility's reimbursement obligation associated with these surety bonds and the Utility's underlying obligation to pay workers' compensation claims.

Balancing Account Reserves

In 2002, the CPUC ordered the Utility to create certain electric balancing accounts to track specific electric-related amounts, primarily including revenue shortfalls from baseline allowance increases and costs related to the self-generation incentive program, for which the CPUC has not yet determined a specific recovery method. In the decisions ordering the creation of these balancing accounts, the CPUC indicated that the recovery method of these amounts would be determined in the future. Because the Utility cannot conclude that the amounts in these balancing accounts are considered probable of recovery in future rates, the Utility has reserved these balances by recording a charge against earnings. As of March 31, 2003, the reserve for these balances was approximately $190 million.

PG&E NEG

Letters of Credit

In addition to the outstanding balances under the credit facilities described in Note 3, PG&E NEG has commitments available under facilities to issue letters of credit. The following table lists the various letter of credit facilities that have the capacity to issue letters of credit :

(in millions)



Borrower



Maturity


Letter of Credit
Capacity

Letter of Credit
Outstanding
March 31, 2003

----------------

------------

---------------------

-----------------------

PG&E NEG

8/03

$

185         

$

185           

USGenNE

8/03

25         

13           

PG&E Gen

12/04

7         

7           

PG&E ET

9/03

19         

19           

PG&E ET

11/03

35         

33           

 

Tolling Agreements

PG&E ET entered into tolling agreements with several counterparties under which it, at its discretion, supplies the fuel to the power plants and then sells the plant's output in the competitive market. Payments to counterparties are reduced if the plants do not achieve agreed-upon levels of performance. The face amount of PG&E NEG's and its subsidiaries' guarantees relating to PG&E ET's tolling agreements is approximately $600 million. The tolling agreements are with: (1) Liberty Electric Power, L.P. (Liberty) guaranteed by both PG&E NEG and PG&E GTN for an aggregate amount of up to $150 million, (2) DTE-Georgetown, LLC (DTE) guaranteed by PG&E GTN for up to $24 million, (3) Calpine Energy Services, L.P. (Calpine) for which no guarantee is in place, (4) Southaven Power, LLC (Southaven) guaranteed by PG&E NEG for up to $175 million, and (5) Caledonia Generating, LLC (Caledonia) guaranteed by PG&E NEG for up to $250 million.

Liberty - Liberty has provided notice to PG&E ET that the ratings downgrade of PG&E NEG constituted a material adverse change under the tolling agreement, requiring PG&E ET to replace the guarantee and post security in the amount of $150 million. PG&E ET has not posted such security. Under the terms of the guarantees, Liberty has the right to terminate the agreement and seek recovery of a termination payment for a maximum amount of up to $150 million. Liberty first must proceed against PG&E NEG's guarantee, and can demand payment under PG&E GTN's guarantee only if (1) PG&E NEG is in bankruptcy, or (2) Liberty has made a payment demand on PG&E NEG which remains unpaid five business days after the payment demand is made. In addition, PG&E ET has provided notices to Liberty of several breaches of the tolling agreement by Liberty and has advised Liberty that, unless cured, these breaches would constitute a default under the agreement. If these defaults remain uncured, PG&E ET has the right to terminate the agreement and seek recovery of a termination payment.

DTE-Georgetown - By letter dated October 14, 2002, DTE provided notice to PG&E ET that the downgrade of PG&E GTN constituted a material adverse change under the tolling agreement between PG&E ET and DTE and that PG&E ET was required to post replacement security within ten days. By letter dated October 23, 2002, PG&E ET advised DTE that because there had not been a material adverse change with respect to PG&E GTN within the meaning of the tolling agreement, PG&E ET was not required to post replacement security. If PG&E ET was required to post replacement security and it failed to do so, DTE would have the right to terminate the tolling agreement and seek recovery of a termination payment.

Calpine - The tolling agreement states that on or before October 15, 2002, Calpine was to have issued a full notice to proceed under its construction contract to its engineering, procurement, and construction contractor for the Otay Mesa facility. On October 16, 2002, PG&E ET asked Calpine to confirm that it had issued this full notice to proceed and Calpine was not able to do so to the satisfaction of PG&E ET. Consequently, PG&E ET advised Calpine by letter dated October 30, 2002, that it was terminating the tolling agreement effective November 29, 2002. Calpine has indicated that this termination was improper and constituted a default under the agreement, but has not taken any further action.

Southaven and Caledonia Tolling Agreements - PG&E ET signed a tolling agreement with Southaven dated as of June 1, 2000, under which PG&E ET is required to provide credit support as defined in the tolling agreement. PG&E ET satisfied this obligation by providing an investment-grade guarantee from PG&E NEG as defined in the tolling agreement. The amount of the guarantee now does not exceed $175 million. By letter dated August 31, 2002, Southaven advised PG&E ET that it believed an event of default under the tolling agreement had taken place with respect to this obligation because PG&E NEG was no longer investment-grade as defined in the tolling agreement, and because PG&E ET had failed to provide, within 30 days from the downgrade, substitute credit support that met the requirements of the tolling agreement. Southaven has the right to terminate the agreement and seek a termination payment. In addition, PG&E ET provided Southaven with a notice of default respecting Southaven's performance under the tolling agreement and concerning the inability of the facility to inject its output into the local grid. Southaven has not cured this default and on February 4, 2003, PG&E ET provided a notice of termination.

In addition, PG&E ET signed a tolling agreement with Caledonia dated as of September 20, 2000, under which PG&E ET is required to provide credit support, as defined in the tolling agreement. PG&E ET satisfied this obligation by providing a guarantee from PG&E NEG that was investment-grade, as defined in the tolling agreement. The amount of the guarantee does not exceed $250 million. By letter dated August 31, 2002, Caledonia advised PG&E ET that it believed an event of default under the tolling agreement had taken place with respect to this obligation because PG&E NEG was no longer investment-grade, as defined in the tolling agreement, and because PG&E ET had failed to provide, within 30 days from the downgrade, substitute credit support that met the requirements of the tolling agreement. Caledonia has the right to terminate the tolling agreement and seek a termination payment. In addition, PG&E ET provided Caledonia with a notice of default respecting Caledonia's performance under the tolling agreement and concerning the inability of the facility to inject its output into the local grid. Caledonia has not cured this default and on February 4, 2003, PG&E ET provided a notice of termination.

On February 7, 2003, Southaven and Caledonia filed emergency petitions to compel arbitration or, in the alternative, for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction with the Circuit Court of Montgomery County, Maryland (Court). On March 3, 2003, the Court issued an order ruling that PG&E ET must continue to perform under the agreements. PG&E ET appealed this decision to an intermediate Maryland appellate court. However, on April 8, 2003, the highest appellate court in Maryland issued, on its own motion, an order taking jurisdiction of the appeal.

PG&E ET is not able to predict whether the counterparties will seek to terminate the agreements or whether the Court will grant the requested relief. Accordingly, it is not able to predict whether or the extent to which these proceedings will have a material adverse effect on PG&E NEG's financial condition or results of operations.

Under each tolling agreement, determination of the termination payment is based on a formula that takes into account a number of factors, including market conditions such as the price of power and the price of fuel. In the event of a dispute over the amount of any termination payment that the parties are unable to resolve by negotiation, the tolling agreement provides for mandatory arbitration. The dispute resolution process could take as long as six months to more than a year to complete. To the extent that PG&E ET did not pay these damages, the counterparties could seek payment under the guarantees for an aggregate amount not to exceed $600 million. PG&E NEG is unable to predict whether counterparties will seek to terminate their tolling agreements. PG&E NEG currently does not expect to be able to pay any termination payments that may become due.

Guarantees

PG&E NEG and certain subsidiaries have provided guarantees as of March 31, 2003, to approximately 188 counterparties in support of PG&E ET's energy trading and non-trading activities related to PG&E NEG's merchant energy portfolio in the face amount of $2.2 billion. Typically, the overall exposure under these guarantees is only a fraction of the face value of these guarantees, since not all counterparty credit limits are fully used at any time. As of March 31, 2003, PG&E NEG and its rated subsidiaries' aggregate exposure under these guarantees was approximately $150 million. The amount of such exposure varies daily depending on changes in market prices and net changes in position. In light of the downgrades, some counterparties have sought and others may seek replacement security to collateralize the exposure guaranteed by PG&E NEG and its subsidiaries. PG&E GTN and PG&E ET have terminated the arrangements pursuant to which PG&E GTN provided guarantees on behalf of PG&E ET such that PG&E GTN will provide no new guarantees on behalf of PG&E ET.

At March 31, 2003, PG&E ET's estimated exposure not covered by a guarantee (excluding exposure under tolling agreements) is approximately $96 million.

To date, PG&E ET has met those replacement security requirements properly demanded by counterparties and has not defaulted under any of its master trading agreements, although one counterparty has alleged a default. No demands have been made upon the guarantors of PG&E ET's obligations under these trading agreements. In the past, PG&E ET has been able to negotiate acceptable arrangements and reduce its overall exposure to counterparties when PG&E ET or its counterparties have faced similar situations. There can be no assurance that PG&E ET can continue to negotiate acceptable arrangements in the current circumstances. PG&E NEG cannot quantify with any certainty the actual future calls on PG&E ET's liquidity. PG&E NEG's and its subsidiaries' ability to meet these calls on their liquidity will vary with market price volatility, uncertainty with respect to PG&E NEG's financial condition, and the degree of liquidity in the energy markets. The actual calls for collateral will depend largely upon the ability to enter into forbearance agreements and pre- and early-pay arrangements with counterparties, the continued performance of PG&E NEG companies under the underlying agreements with counterparties, whether counterparties have the right to demand such collateral, the execution of master netting agreements and offsetting transactions, changes in the amount of exposure, and the counterparties' other commercial considerations.

Other Guarantees

PG&E NEG has provided guarantees related to other obligations by PG&E NEG companies to counterparties for goods or services. PG&E NEG does not believe that it has significant exposure under these guarantees. The most significant of these guarantees relates to performance under certain construction contracts. In the event PG&E NEG is unable to provide any additional or replacement security that may be required as a result of rating downgrades, the counterparty providing the goods or services could suspend performance or terminate the underlying agreement and seek recovery of damages. These guarantees represent guarantees of subsidiary obligations for transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business. Some of the guarantees relate to the construction or development of PG&E NEG's power plants and pipelines. These guarantees are described below.

PG&E NEG has issued guarantees to construction financing lenders for the performance of the contractors building the Harquahala and Covert generating projects for up to $555 million.

PG&E NEG has issued $100 million of guarantees to the construction contractor of the Harquahala and Covert projects to cover certain separate cost-sharing arrangements.

PG&E NEG has provided a $300 million guarantee to support a tolling agreement that a wholly-owned subsidiary, Attala Energy Company, LLC, has entered into with another wholly-owned subsidiary, Attala Generating Company, LLC.

The balance of the guarantees are for commitments undertaken by PG&E NEG or its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business for services such as facility and equipment leases, ash disposal rights, and surety bonds.

 

 

PG&E Corporation

As further discussed above, PG&E Corporation has guaranteed the Utility's reimbursement obligation associated with certain surety bonds and the Utility's obligation to pay workers' compensation claims.

Environmental Matters

Utility

The Utility may be required to pay for environmental remediation at sites where it has been, or may be, a potentially responsible party under the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act and similar state environmental laws. These sites include former manufactured gas plant sites, power plant sites, and sites used by the Utility for the storage, recycling, or disposal of potentially hazardous materials. Under federal and California laws, the Utility may be responsible for remediation of hazardous substances even if the Utility did not deposit those substances on the site.

The Utility records an environmental remediation liability when site assessments indicate remediation is probable and a range of likely clean-up costs can be reasonably estimated. The Utility reviews its remediation liability on a quarterly basis for each site that may be exposed to remediation responsibilities. The liability is an estimate of costs for site investigations, remediation, operations and maintenance, monitoring, and site closure using (1) current technology, (2) enacted laws and regulations, (3) experience gained at similar sites, and (4) the probable level of involvement and financial condition of other potentially responsible parties. Unless there is a better estimate within this range of possible costs, the Utility records the lower end of this range.

The Utility had an undiscounted environmental remediation liability of $286 million at March 31, 2003, and $331 million at December 31, 2002. During the first quarter, the liability was reduced by $45 million primarily due to a reassessment of the estimated cost of remediation. The $286 million accrued at March 31, 2003, includes (1) $103 million related to the pre-closing remediation liability associated with divested generation facilities, and (2) $183 million related to remediation costs for those generation facilities that the Utility still owns, manufactured gas plant sites, gas gathering sites, and compressor stations. Of the $286 million environmental remediation liability, the Utility has recovered $153 million through rates charged to its customers, and expects to recover approximately $96 million of the balance in future rates. The Utility also is recovering its costs from insurance carriers and from other third parties whenever it is possible.

The cost of the hazardous substance remediation ultimately undertaken by the Utility is difficult to estimate. A change in the estimate may occur in the near term due to uncertainty concerning the Utility's responsibility, the complexity of environmental laws and regulations, and the selection of compliance alternatives. The Utility estimates the upper limit of the range using assumptions least favorable to the Utility, which is based upon a range of reasonably possible outcomes. The Utility's future costs could increase to as much as $396 million if (1) the other potentially responsible parties are not financially able to contribute to these costs, (2) the extent of contamination or necessary remediation is greater than anticipated, or (3) the Utility is found to be responsible for clean-up costs at additional sites.

On June 28, 2001, the Bankruptcy Court authorized the Utility to continue its hazardous waste remediation program and to expend (1) up to $22 million in hazardous substance remediation programs and procedures in each calendar year in which the Chapter 11 case is pending, and (2) any additional amounts in emergency situations involving post-petition releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances subject to the Bankruptcy Court's specific approval.

The California Attorney General, on behalf of various state environmental agencies, filed claims in the Utility's bankruptcy proceeding for environmental remediation at numerous sites totaling approximately $770 million. For most if not all of these sites, the Utility is in the process of remediation in cooperation with the relevant agencies and other parties responsible for contributing to the clean-up in the normal course of business. Since the Utility's proposed plan of reorganization provides that the Utility intends to respond to these types of claims in the regular course of business, and since the Utility has not argued that the bankruptcy proceeding relieves the Utility of its obligations to respond to valid environmental remediation orders, the Utility believes the claims seeking specific cash recoveries are invalid.

PG&E NEG

In May 2000, USGenNE, an indirect subsidiary of PG&E NEG, received an Information Request from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), pursuant to Section 114 of the Federal Clean Air Act (CAA). The Information Request asked USGenNE to provide certain information relative to the compliance of its Brayton Point and Salem Harbor plants with the CAA. No enforcement action has been brought by the EPA to date. USGenNE has had preliminary discussions with the EPA to explore a potential settlement of this matter. Management believes that it is not possible to predict at this point whether any such settlement will occur or, in the absence of a settlement, the likelihood of whether the EPA will bring an enforcement action.

As a result of the EPA Information Request and environmental regulatory initiatives by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, USGenNE is exploring ways to achieve significant reductions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions. Additional requirements for the control of mercury and carbon dioxide emissions also will be forthcoming as part of these regulatory initiatives. Management believes that USGenNE would meet these requirements through installation of controls at the Brayton Point and Salem Harbor plants and estimates that capital expenditures on these environmental projects could approximate $376 million over the next four years. These estimates are currently under review and it is possible that actual expenditures may be higher. Based on an emission control plan filed for Brayton Point under the regulations implementing these initiatives, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) ruled that Brayton Point is required to meet the newer, more stringent emission limitations for sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide by 2006. In April 2002, USGenNE filed with the DEP a revised plan for Salem Harbor that it believes meets the DEP requirements for the 2006 compliance date. However, on June 7, 2002, the DEP ruled that Salem Harbor must satisfy these limitations by 2004. USGenNE has since filed a number of appeals challenging this decision and unless and until the decision is reversed, the compliance date for Salem Harbor remains October 2004. USGenNE and the DEP recently have agreed to enter into negotiations concerning Salem Harbor's compliance schedule with the DEP regulation, in an attempt to develop a schedule that USGenNE could meet, assuming that financing and all other necessary approvals are in place. USGenNE will not be able to operate Salem Harbor unless it is in compliance with these emission limitations. PG&E NEG believes that it is impossible to meet the October 2004 deadline. Therefore, it may not be able to operate the facility after that deadline. USGenNE and the DEP recently have agreed to enter into negotiations concerning a Salem Harbor compliance schedule with the DEP regulation on a schedule that USGenNE could meet, assuming that financing and all other necessary approvals are in place.

Various aspects of the DEP's regulations allow for public participation in the process through which the DEP determines whether the 2004 or 2006 deadline applies and approves the specific activities that USGenNE will undertake to meet the new regulations. A number of local environmental groups are now participants in this process.

The EPA is required under the CAA to establish new regulations for controlling hazardous air pollutants from combustion turbines and reciprocating internal combustion engines. Although the EPA has yet to propose the regulations, the CAA required that they be promulgated by November 2000. Another provision in the CAA requires companies to submit case-by-case Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) determinations for individual plants if the EPA fails to finalize regulations within 18 months past the deadline. The EPA has extended this deadline through previous rulemakings. In late 2002, the EPA proposed a rule that would require the case-by-case MACT applications to be submitted by October 30, 2003, if the EPA has not promulgated a MACT rule as of that date. The EPA intends to finalize the MACT regulations before this date, thus eliminating the need for the plant-specific permits. PG&E NEG will not be able to accurately quantify the economic impact of the future regulations until more details are available through the rulemaking process.

PG&E NEG's existing power plants are subject to federal and state water quality standards with respect to discharge constituents and thermal effluents. Three of the fossil-fueled plants owned and operated by USGenNE (Salem Harbor, Manchester Street, and Brayton Point) are operating pursuant to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits that have expired. For the facilities whose NPDES permits have expired, permit renewal applications are pending, and all three facilities are continuing to operate under existing terms and conditions until new permits are issued. On July 22, 2002, the EPA and the DEP issued a draft NPDES permit for Brayton Point that, among other things, substantially limits the discharge of heat by Brayton Point into Mount Hope Bay. Based on its initial review of the draft permit, USGenNE believes that the draft permit is excessively stringent. It is estimated that USGenNE's cost to comply with the new permit conditions could be as much as $248 million through 2006, but this is a preliminary estimate. There are various administrative and judicial proceedings that must be completed before the draft NPDES permit for Brayton Point becomes final, and these proceedings are not expected to be completed during 2003. In addition, the EPA, as well as local environmental groups, previously expressed concern that the metal vanadium is not addressed at Brayton Point or Salem Harbor under the terms of the old NPDES permits. Based upon the lack of an identified control technology, USGenNE believes it is unlikely that the EPA will require that vanadium be addressed pursuant to a NPDES permit. However, if the EPA does insist on including vanadium in the NPDES permit, USGenNE may have to spend a significant amount to comply with such a provision. In addition, it is possible that the new permits for Salem Harbor and Manchester Street also may contain more stringent limitations than prior permits and that the cost to comply with the new permit conditions could be greater than the current estimate of $4 million. Lastly, the issuance of any final NPDES permits may be affected by the EPA's proposed regulations under Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act.

On March 27, 2002, the Rhode Island Attorney General notified USGenNE of his belief that Brayton Point "is in violation of applicable statutory and regulatory provisions governing its operations," including "protections accorded by common law" respecting discharges from the facility into Mount Hope Bay. He stated that he intends to seek judicial relief "to abate these environmental law violations and to recover damages" within the next 30 days. PG&E NEG believes that Brayton Point is in full compliance with all applicable permits, laws, and regulations. The complaint has not yet been filed or served. In early May 2002, the Rhode Island Attorney General stated that he did not plan to file the action until the EPA issues a draft Clean Water Act NPDES permit for Brayton Point. The EPA issued this draft permit on July 22, 2002, and the Rhode Island Attorney General has since stated he has no intention of pursuing this matter until he reviews USGenNE's response to the draft permit which was submitted on October 4, 2002. Management is unable to predict whether he will pursue this matter and, if he does, the extent to which it will have a material adverse effect on PG&E NEG's financial condition or results of operations.

On April 9, 2002, the EPA proposed regulations under Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act for cooling water intake structures. The regulations would affect existing power generation facilities using over 50 million gallons per day typically including some form of "once-through" cooling. Brayton Point, Salem Harbor, and Manchester Street are among an estimated 539 plants nationwide that would be affected by this rulemaking. The proposed rule calls for a set of performance standards that vary with the type of water body and that are intended to reduce impacts to aquatic organisms. The final regulations are scheduled to be promulgated in February 2004. The extent to which they may require additional capital investment will depend on the timing of the NPDES permit proceedings for the affected facilities.

During April 2000, an environmental group served USGenNE and other PG&E NEG subsidiaries with a notice of its intent to file a citizen's suit under the Resource Conservation Recovery Act. In September 2000, PG&E NEG signed a series of agreements with the DEP and the environmental group to resolve these matters that require PG&E NEG to alter its existing wastewater treatment facilities at its Brayton Point and Salem Harbor generating facilities. PG&E NEG began the activities during 2000 and is expected to complete them in 2003. PG&E NEG incurred expenditures related to these agreements of $5.4 million in 2000, $2.6 million in 2001, and $4.7 million in 2002. In addition to the costs previously incurred, PG&E NEG maintains a reserve in the amount of $6 million relating to its estimate of the remaining expenditures to fulfill its obligations under these agreements. PG&E NEG has deferred costs associated with capital expenditures and has set up a receivable account for amounts it believes are probable of recovery from insurance proceeds.

PG&E NEG believes that it may be required to spend up to approximately $636 million, excluding insurance proceeds, through 2008 for environmental compliance to continue operating these facilities. This amount may change, however, and the timing of any necessary capital expenditures could be accelerated in the event of a change in environmental regulations or the commencement of any enforcement proceeding against PG&E NEG. PG&E NEG has not made any commitments to spend these amounts. In the event PG&E NEG does not spend or is unable to spend because of liquidity constraints amounts needed in order to comply with these requirements, PG&E NEG may not be able to continue to operate one or all of these facilities.

Global climate change is a significant environmental issue that is likely to require sustained global action and investment over many decades. PG&E NEG has been engaged on the climate change issue for several years and is working with others on developing appropriate public policy responses to this challenge. PG&E NEG continuously assesses the financial and operational implications of this issue; however, the outcome and timing of these initiatives are uncertain.

PG&E NEG emits varying quantities of six greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, in the course of its operations. Depending on the ultimate regulatory regime put into place for greenhouse gases, PG&E NEG's operations, cash flows, and financial condition could be adversely affected. Given the uncertainty of the regulatory regime, it is not possible to predict the extent to which climate change regulation will have a material adverse effect on PG&E NEG's financial condition or results of operations.

Legal Matters

In the normal course of business, PG&E Corporation, the Utility, and PG&E NEG are named as parties in a number of claims and lawsuits. The most significant of these are discussed below. The Utility's Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing on April 6, 2001, discussed in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, automatically stayed the litigation described below against the Utility, except as otherwise noted.

 

 

 

Chromium Litigation

There are 15 civil suits pending against the Utility in several California state courts. One of these suits also names PG&E Corporation as a defendant. One additional civil suit, Kearney v. Pacific Gas and Electric Company , was filed against the Utility and PG&E Corporation after the Utility's bankruptcy filing and was dismissed without prejudice while the plaintiffs sought the right to file and pursue late claims in the Bankruptcy Court. In the Kearney case, the Bankruptcy Court ruled that the six adult plaintiffs could not file untimely bankruptcy claims against the Utility. The court also ruled that the 24 minor plaintiffs could file untimely bankruptcy claims against the Utility. The suits allege personal injuries, wrongful death, and loss of consortium and seek compensatory and punitive damages based on claims arising from alleged exposure to chromium in the vicinity of the Utility's gas compressor stations at Hinkley and Kettleman, California, and the area of California near Topock, Arizona. Currently, there are approximately 1,200 plaintiffs in the chromium litigation cases.

The Utility is responding to the suits in which it has been served and is asserting affirmative defenses. The Utility will pursue appropriate legal defenses, including statute of limitations, exclusivity of workers' compensation laws, and factual defenses, including lack of exposure to chromium and the inability of chromium to cause certain of the illnesses alleged.

Approximately 1,260 individuals have filed proofs of claims with the Bankruptcy Court (most are plaintiffs in the 15 cases) alleging that exposure to chromium in soil, air, or water at or near the Utility's compressor stations at Hinkley and Kettleman, California, and the area of California near Topock, Arizona, caused personal injuries, wrongful death, or related damages. Approximately 1,035 of these claimants have filed proofs of claims requesting an approximate aggregate amount of $580 million and approximately another 225 claimants have filed claims for an "unknown amount." On November 14, 2001, the Utility filed objections to these claims and requested the Bankruptcy Court to transfer the chromium claims to the federal District Court. On January 8, 2002, the Bankruptcy Court denied the Utility's request to transfer the chromium claims and granted certain claimants' motion for relief from stay so that the state court lawsuits pending before the Utility filed its bankruptcy petition can proceed. Orders granting relief from stay have been entered.

As of April 6, 2001, the Utility had filed 13 summary judgment motions challenging the claims of the trial test plaintiffs and had completed discovery of plaintiffs' experts. Plaintiffs' discovery of the Utility's experts was underway. Plaintiffs currently are completing discovery of the Utility's experts and of related issues, and four of the 13 summary judgment motions are scheduled for hearing in 2003. At a status conference on March 17, 2003, the Los Angeles Superior Court scheduled a trial of eighteen test cases to commence in March 2004.

The Utility has recorded a reserve in its financial statements in the amount of $160 million for these matters. PG&E Corporation and the Utility believe that, after taking into account the reserves recorded at March 31, 2003, the ultimate outcome of this matter will not have a material adverse impact on PG&E Corporation's or the Utility's financial condition or future results of operations.

Natural Gas Royalties Litigation

This litigation involves the consolidation of approximately 77 False Claims Act cases filed in various federal district courts by Jack J. Grynberg (called a relator in the parlance of the False Claims Act) on behalf of the United States of America, against more than 330 defendants, including the Utility and PG&E GTN. The cases were consolidated for pretrial purposes in the District of Wyoming. The current case grows out of prior litigation brought by the same relator in 1995 that was dismissed in 1998.

Under procedures established by the False Claims Act, the United States, acting through the Department of Justice (DOJ), is given an opportunity to investigate the allegations and to intervene in the case and take over its prosecution if it chooses to do so. In April 1999, the U.S. DOJ declined to intervene in any of the cases.

The complaints allege that the various defendants (most of which are pipeline companies or their affiliates) incorrectly measured the volume and heat content of natural gas produced from federal or Indian leases. As a result, it is alleged that the defendants underpaid, or caused others to underpay, the royalties that were due to the United States for the production of natural gas from those leases. The complaints do not seek a specific dollar amount or quantify the royalties claim. The complaints seek unspecified treble damages, civil penalties, and expenses associated with the litigation.

The relator has filed a claim in the Utility's bankruptcy case for $2.5 billion, $2 billion of which is based upon the plaintiff's calculation of penalties sought against the Utility.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility believe the allegations to be without merit and intend to present a vigorous defense. PG&E Corporation and the Utility believe that the ultimate outcome of the litigation will not have a material adverse effect on their financial condition or results of operations.

Federal Securities Lawsuit

On April 16, 2001, a complaint was filed against PG&E Corporation and the Utility in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The Utility subsequently was dismissed, due to its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. By order entered on or about May 31, 2001, the case was transferred to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (District Court). On August 9, 2001, the plaintiff filed a first amended complaint in the District Court. An executive officer of PG&E Corporation also has been named as a defendant. The first amended complaint, purportedly brought on behalf of all persons who purchased PG&E Corporation common stock or certain shares of the Utility's preferred stock between July 20, 2000, and April 9, 2001, claimed that the defendants caused PG&E Corporation's Consolidated Financial Statements for the second and third quarters of 2000 to be materially misleading in violation of federal securities laws as a result of recording as a deferred cost and capitalizing as a regulatory asset the under-collections that resulted when escalating wholesale energy prices caused the Utility to pay far more to purchase electricity than it was permitted to collect from customers. On January 14, 2002, the District Court granted the defendants' motion to dismiss the plaintiffs' first amended complaint, finding that the complaint failed to state a claim in light of the public disclosures by PG&E Corporation, the Utility, and others regarding the under-collections, the risk that they might not be recoverable, the financial consequences of non-recovery, and other information from which analysts and investors could assess for themselves the probability of recovery.

On February 4, 2002, the plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint that, in addition to containing many of the same allegations as were in the first amended complaint, contains many of the same allegations that appear in the California Attorney General's complaint discussed below. The plaintiffs sought an unspecified amount of compensatory damages, plus costs and attorneys' fees. On March 11, 2002, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the second amended complaint. After a hearing held on June 24, 2002, the District Court issued an order on June 25, 2002, granting the defendants' motion to dismiss the second amended complaint. The dismissal is with prejudice, prohibiting the plaintiffs from filing a further complaint. On November 15, 2002, the plaintiffs filed an appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, advancing substantially the same arguments that the District Court had rejected previously. The defendants filed their answer to the appeal on January 2, 2003, and expect that oral argument regarding the appeal will be heard in 2003.

PG&E Corporation believes the allegations to be without merit and intends to present a vigorous defense. PG&E Corporation believes that the ultimate outcome of the litigation will not have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.

Order Instituting Investigation (OII) into Holding Company Activities and Related Litigation

On April 3, 2001, the CPUC issued an OII into whether the California IOUs, including the Utility, have complied with past CPUC decisions, rules, or orders authorizing their holding company formations and/or governing affiliate transactions, as well as applicable statutes. The order states that the CPUC will investigate (1) the utilities' transfer of money to their holding companies since deregulation of the electric industry commenced, including during times when their utility subsidiaries were experiencing financial difficulties, (2) the failure of the holding companies to financially assist the utilities when needed, (3) the transfer by the holding companies of assets to unregulated subsidiaries, and (4) the holding companies' action to "ringfence" their unregulated subsidiaries. The CPUC also will determine whether additional rules, conditions, or changes are needed to adequately protect ratepayers and the public from dangers of abuse stemming from the holding company structure. The CPUC will investigate whether it should modify, change, or add conditions to the holding company decisions, make further changes to the holding company structure, alter the standards under which the CPUC determines whether to authorize the formation of holding companies, otherwise modify the decisions, or recommend statutory changes to the California Legislature. As a result of the investigation, the CPUC may impose remedies, prospective rules, or conditions, as appropriate.

On January 9, 2002, the CPUC issued an interim decision and order interpreting the "first priority condition" adopted in the CPUC's holding company decision. This condition requires that the capital requirements of the Utility, as determined to be necessary and prudent to meet the Utility's obligation to serve or to operate the Utility in a prudent and efficient manner, be given first priority by the board of directors of the holding company. In the interim order, the CPUC stated, "the first priority condition does not preclude the requirement that the holding company infuse all types of capital into their respective utility subsidiaries where necessary to fulfill the Utility's obligation to serve." The three major California investor-owned energy utilities and their parent holding companies had opposed the broader interpretation, first contained in a proposed decision released for comment on December 26, 2001, as being inconsistent with the prior 15 years' understanding of that condition as applying more narrowly to a priority on capital needed for investment purposes. The CPUC also interpreted the first priority condition as prohibiting a holding company from (1) acquiring assets of its utility subsidiary for inadequate consideration, and (2) acquiring assets of its utility subsidiary at any price, if such acquisition would impair the utility's ability to fulfill its obligation to serve or to operate in a prudent and efficient manner. The utilities' applications for rehearing were denied on July 17, 2002.

In a related decision, the CPUC denied the motions filed by the California utility holding companies to dismiss the holding companies from the pending investigation on the basis that the CPUC lacks jurisdiction over the holding companies. However, in the interim decision interpreting the first priority condition discussed above, the CPUC separately dismissed PG&E Corporation (but no other utility holding company) as a respondent to the proceeding. In its written decision adopted on January 9, 2002, the CPUC stated that PG&E Corporation was being dismissed so that an appropriate legal forum could decide expeditiously whether adoption of the Utility's proposed Plan of Reorganization would violate the first priority condition. The utilities' applications for rehearing were denied on July 17, 2002.

The holding companies have filed petitions for review of both the CPUC's capital requirements and jurisdiction decisions in several state appellate courts, and the utilities also have filed petitions for review of the capital requirements decision with the California appellate courts. The CPUC moved to consolidate all proceedings in the San Francisco state appellate court and requested that the court extend the deadline by which the CPUC must file its responses to the petitions for review until after the consolidation occurred. The CPUC's request for consolidation was granted and all of the petitions are now before the First Appellate District in San Francisco, California.

On January 10, 2002, the California Attorney General filed a complaint in the San Francisco Superior Court against PG&E Corporation and its directors, as well as against directors of the Utility, alleging that PG&E Corporation violated various conditions established by the CPUC in decisions approving the holding company formation, among other allegations. The Attorney General also alleged that the December 2000 and January and February 2001 ringfencing transactions by which PG&E Corporation subsidiaries complied with credit rating agency criteria to establish independent credit ratings violated the holding company conditions.

Among other allegations, the Attorney General alleged that, through the Utility's bankruptcy proceedings, PG&E Corporation and the Utility engaged in unlawful, unfair, and fraudulent business practices in alleged violation of California Business and Professions Code Section 17200 by seeking to implement the transactions contemplated in the proposed Plan of Reorganization filed in the Utility's bankruptcy proceeding. The complaint also seeks restitution of assets allegedly wrongfully transferred to PG&E Corporation from the Utility. In February 2002, PG&E Corporation filed a notice of removal in the Bankruptcy Court to transfer the Attorney General's complaint to the Bankruptcy Court, as well as a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, or in the alternative, to stay the suit with the Bankruptcy Court. Subsequently, the Attorney General filed a motion to remand the action to state court. In June 2002, the Bankruptcy Court held that federal law preempted the Attorney General's allegations concerning PG&E Corporation's participation in the Utility's bankruptcy proceedings. The Bankruptcy Court directed the Attorney General to file an amended complaint omitting these allegations and remanded the amended complaint to the San Francisco Superior Court. Both parties have appealed the Bankruptcy Court's remand order. The appeal and cross-appeal are pending in the District Court.

On August 9, 2002, the Attorney General filed its amended complaint in the San Francisco Superior Court, omitting the allegations concerning PG&E Corporation's participation in the Utility's bankruptcy proceedings. PG&E Corporation and the directors named in the complaint have filed a motion to strike certain allegations of the amended complaint. In February 2003, the court denied the motions to strike on the grounds that they were premature, and stated that it would defer making a judgment on the merits of the defendants' arguments until the factual context of the case is more fully developed. A status conference has been scheduled for June 4, 2003.

The California Attorney General's case has been coordinated by the San Francisco Superior Court with the cases filed by the City and County of San Francisco and Cynthia Behr, both discussed below.

On February 11, 2002, a complaint entitled City and County of San Francisco; People of the State of California v. PG&E Corporation, and Does 1-150, was filed in San Francisco Superior Court. The complaint contains some of the same allegations contained in the Attorney General's complaint, including allegations of unfair competition. In addition, the complaint alleges causes of action for conversion, claiming that PG&E Corporation "took at least $5.2 billion from the Utility," and for unjust enrichment. The City seeks injunctive relief, the appointment of a receiver, payment to ratepayers, disgorgement, the imposition of a constructive trust, civil penalties, and costs of suit.

After removing the city's action to the Bankruptcy Court in February 2002, PG&E Corporation filed a motion to dismiss the complaint. Subsequently, the City filed a motion to remand the action to state court. In June 2002, the Bankruptcy Court issued an Amended Order on Motion to Remand stating that the Bankruptcy Court retained jurisdiction over the causes of action for conversion and unjust enrichment, finding that these claims belong solely to the Utility and cannot be asserted by the City and County, but remanding the Section 17200 cause of action to state court. Both parties have appealed the Bankruptcy Court's remand order. The appeal and cross-appeal are pending in the District Court.

Following remand, PG&E Corporation brought a motion to strike. In February 2003, the court denied the motion to strike on the grounds that it was premature, and stated that it would defer making a judgment on the merits of the defendants' arguments until the factual context of the case is more fully developed. A status conference has been scheduled for June 4, 2003.

PG&E Corporation also moved to coordinate this case with the Section 17200 case brought by Cynthia Behr, which is discussed below. That motion was granted. Subsequently, the court coordinated the California Attorney General's case with the City and County of San Francisco and Behr cases.

In addition, a third case, entitled Cynthia Behr v. PG&E Corporation, et al ., was filed on February 14, 2002, by a private plaintiff (who also has filed a claim in bankruptcy) in Santa Clara Superior Court also alleging a violation of California Business and Professions Code Section 17200. The Behr complaint also names the directors of PG&E Corporation and the Utility as defendants. The allegations of the complaint are similar to the allegations contained in the Attorney General's complaint but also include allegations of conspiracy, fraudulent transfer, and violation of the California bulk sales laws. The plaintiff requests the same remedies as the Attorney General's case and in addition requests damages, attachment, and restraints upon the transfer of defendants' property. In March 2002, PG&E Corporation filed a notice of removal in the Bankruptcy Court to transfer the complaint to the Bankruptcy Court. Subsequently, the plaintiff filed a motion to remand the action to state court. In its June 2002 ruling mentioned above as to the Attorney General's and the City's cases, the Bankruptcy Court retained jurisdiction over Behr's fraudulent transfer claim and bulk sales claim, finding them to belong to the Utility's estate. The Bankruptcy Court remanded Behr's Section 17200 claim to the Santa Clara Superior Court. Both parties have appealed the Bankruptcy Court's remand order. The appeal and cross-appeal are pending in the District Court.

Following remand, PG&E Corporation moved to have the Behr case coordinated with the City's case described above. That motion was granted, and the Behr case now is proceeding in San Francisco Superior Court. The Behr case also has been coordinated with the California Attorney General's case discussed above.

In September 2002, the defendants asked the San Francisco Superior Court to dismiss Behr's complaint. In April 2003, the court denied the request as to Behr's Section 17200 claim, but granted the request with respect to Behr's civil conspiracy cause of action. A status conference has been scheduled for June 4, 2003.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility believe that they have complied with applicable statutes, CPUC decisions, rules, and orders. Neither the Utility nor PG&E Corporation, however, can predict what the outcome of the CPUC's investigation will be or whether the outcome will have a material adverse effect on their results of operations or financial condition. PG&E Corporation believes that the allegations of the complaints are without merit and will vigorously respond to and defend the litigation. PG&E Corporation cannot predict whether the outcome of the litigation will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition.

William Ahern, et al. v. Pacific Gas and Electric Company

On February 27, 2002, a group of 25 ratepayers filed a complaint against the Utility at the CPUC demanding an immediate reduction of approximately $0.035 kWh in allegedly excessive electric rates and a refund of alleged recent over-collections in electric revenue since June 1, 2001. The complaint claims that electric rate surcharges adopted in the first quarter of 2001 due to the high cost of wholesale power (surcharges that increased the average electric rate by $0.04 per kWh) became excessive later in 2001. The only alleged over-collection amount calculated in the complaint is approximately $400 million during the last quarter of 2001. On April 2, 2002, the Utility filed an answer, arguing that the complaint should be denied and dismissed immediately as an impermissible collateral action and on the basis that the alleged facts, even if assumed to be true, do not establish that currently authorized electric rates are not reasonable. On May 10, 2002, the Utility filed a motion to dismiss the complaint. The CPUC has not yet issued a decision. However, in November 2002, the CPUC issued a decision jointly in this complaint case and in the rate stabilization proceedings modifying the restrictions on use of revenues generated by the surcharges to permit the revenues to be used for the purpose of securing or restoring the Utility's reasonable financial health, as determined by the CPUC. After the CPUC determines when the AB 1890 rate freeze ended, the CPUC will determine the extent and disposition of the Utility's under-collected costs, if any, remaining at the end of the rate freeze. If the CPUC determines that the Utility recovered revenues in excess of its transition costs or in excess of other permitted uses, the CPUC may require the Utility to refund such excess revenues. If the CPUC requires the Utility to refund any of these revenues in the future, the Utility's earnings could be materially affected.

Mitsubishi Litigation

Mitsubishi Power Systems, Inc. (MPS) has alleged a default under its contract for the sale and purchase of gas turbines and other equipment for failure to pay $14 million. PG&E NEG's subsidiary has disputed this default notice because the payments were not due until January and July 2003. MPS terminated the contract for this alleged default on November 21, 2002. Although PG&E NEG does not agree that MPS had the right to do so, neither PG&E NEG nor any of its affiliates intended to challenge the termination. On January 31, 2003, PG&E NEG paid $4.5 million of the $14 million.

On May 7, 2003, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Inc. (MHI) filed suit in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland against PG&E NEG, PG&E National Energy Group, LLC (NEG LLC), and PG&E National Energy Group Construction Company, LLC (Construction). The defendants have not yet been served. In its complaint, MHI alleges damages totaling approximately $300 million under the turbine purchase agreement and related contracts. MHI's claims arise from a dispute between the parties to a turbine purchase agreement regarding payments allegedly past due from Construction in respect of reservation fees ($9.5 million) and gas generator equipment manufacture ($30 million). MPS also requested that PG&E NEG cash collateralize its $75 million guarantee issued in connection with the turbine purchase agreement. PG&E NEG and Construction have maintained (and will maintain in defense of MHI's claims) that no amounts were or are due.

PG&E Corporation cannot predict whether the outcome of the litigation will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition.

Recorded Liability for Legal Matters

In accordance with SFAS No. 5 "Accounting for Contingencies," PG&E Corporation makes a provision for a liability when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. These provisions are reviewed quarterly and adjusted to reflect the impacts of negotiations, settlements and payments, rulings, advice of legal counsel, and other information and events pertaining to a particular case.

The provision for legal matters is included in PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's Other Noncurrent Liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and totaled $200 million at March 31, 2003, and $202 million at December 31, 2002.

NOTE 7: SEGMENT INFORMATION

PG&E Corporation has identified three reportable operating segments based on similarities in the following characteristics:

The Utility is one reportable operating segment and the other two are part of PG&E NEG. These three reportable operating segments provide different products and services and are subject to different forms of regulation or jurisdictions.

 

Segment information for the three months ended March 31, 2003, and 2002, was as follows:

PG&E National Energy Group

------------------------------------------------------------------







(in millions)







Utility





Total
PG&E
NEG




Integrated
Energy &
Marketing
Activities





Interstate
Pipeline
Operations




PG&E
NEG
Elimi-
nations

PG&E
Corpora-
tion,
Elimi-
nations
and
Other (1)







Total

-------------

------------

----------------

--------------

------------

--------------

------------

Three months ended March 31, 2003

Operating revenues

$

2,064 

$

543 

$

512 

$

49 

$

(18)

$

$

2,607 

Intersegment revenues (2)

22 

15 

(25)

-------------

------------

----------------

--------------

------------

--------------

------------

Total operating revenues

2,067 

565 

519 

64 

(18)

(25)

2,607 

Income (Loss) from continuing operations (3)

(78)

(254)

(150)

16 

(120)

54 

(278)

Net income (loss) (4)

(79)

(369)

(217)

16 

(168)

94 

(354)

Three months ended March 31, 2002 (5)

Operating revenues (6)

2,450 

485 

442 

47 

(4)

2,935 

Intersegment revenues (2)

31 

19 

12 

(34)

-------------

------------

----------------

--------------

------------

--------------

------------

Total operating revenues

2,453 

516 

461 

59 

(4)

(34)

2,935 

Income (Loss) from continuing operations (3)

590 

29 

18 

18 

(7)

623 

Net income (loss) (4)

590 

37 

26 

18 

(7)

631 

Total assets at March 31, 2003 (7)

$

26,316 

$

7,613 

$

7,254 

$

1,350 

$

(991)

$

1,364 

$

35,293 

Total assets at March 31, 2002 (7)

$

25,279 

$

10,669 

$

9,212 

$

1,290 

$

167 

$

350 

$

36,298 

(1)

Includes PG&E Corporation, PG&E Ventures LLC, and elimination entries. For the three months ended March 31, 2003, PG&E Corporation eliminated $106 million of deferred tax asset valuation reserves recorded at PG&E NEG. PG&E Corporation believes it is more likely than not that it will be able to realize these deferred tax assets on a consolidated basis.

(2)

Intersegment electric and gas revenues are recorded at market prices, except for the Utility, which uses rates set by the CPUC, and PG&E NEG's Interstate Pipeline Operations, which uses rates set by the FERC.

(3)

Corresponds to Utility's Income Available for (Loss Allocated to) Common Stock excluding Cumulative Effect of Changes in Accounting Principles.

(4)

Corresponds to Utility's Income Available for (Loss Allocated to) Common Stock.

(5)

Prior period amounts have been restated to reflect the reclassification of USGenNE, Mountain View, and ET Canada operating results to discontinued operations.

(6)

Operating revenues and operating expenses reflect the adoption of a new accounting policy in the third quarter of 2002 implementing a retroactive change from gross to net method of reporting revenues and expenses on trading activities. The amounts for trading activities for this period have been reclassified to conform with the new net presentation.

(7)

PG&E Corporation's assets exclude its investment in subsidiaries.

 

ITEM 2:  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

PG&E Corporation is an energy-based holding company headquartered in San Francisco, California, that conducts its business through two principal subsidiaries: Pacific Gas and Electric Company (the Utility), an operating public utility engaged primarily in the business of providing electricity, natural gas distribution, and transmission services throughout most of Northern and Central California, and PG&E National Energy Group, Inc. (PG&E NEG), a company currently engaged in power generation and natural gas transmission.

The Utility filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (Bankruptcy Code) in the U. S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California (Bankruptcy Court) on April 6, 2001. Pursuant to Chapter 11, the Utility retains control of its assets and is authorized to operate its business as a debtor-in-possession while being subject to the jurisdiction of the Bankruptcy Court. The factors causing the Utility to take this action are discussed in this Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

PG&E NEG and its principal subsidiaries include:

As a result of the sustained downturn in the power industry, PG&E NEG and its affiliates have experienced a financial downturn, which caused the major credit rating agencies to downgrade PG&E NEG's and its affiliates' credit ratings to below investment grade. PG&E NEG is currently in default under various recourse debt agreements and guaranteed equity commitments totaling approximately $2.9 billion. In addition, other PG&E NEG subsidiaries are in default under various debt agreements totaling $2.7 billion, but this debt is non-recourse to PG&E NEG. At March 31, 2003, PG&E NEG had total liabilities in excess of total assets of approximately $1.4 billion dollars.

PG&E NEG, its subsidiaries, and their lenders have been engaged in discussions to restructure PG&E NEG's and its subsidiaries' debt obligations and other commitments since October 2002. No agreement has been reached yet and there can be no assurance that an agreement will be reached. Any restructuring agreement that may be reached would be implemented through a reorganization proceeding under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. Although PG&E NEG and its subsidiaries are continuing their efforts to maximize cash and reduce liabilities, such efforts are not expected to restore the financial condition of PG&E NEG and its subsidiaries. Absent a negotiated agreement, the lenders may exercise their default remedies or force PG&E NEG and certain of its subsidiaries into an involuntary proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code. Notwithstanding the status of current negotiations, PG&E NEG and certain of its subsidiaries also may elect to voluntarily seek protection under the Bankruptcy Code as early as the second quarter of 2003. Although PG&E Corporation continues to provide assistance to PG&E NEG, its subsidiaries and its lenders in their negotiations, management does not expect the outcome of any bankruptcy proceeding involving PG&E NEG or any of its subsidiaries to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of PG&E Corporation or the Utility.

The factors affecting PG&E NEG's business and causing these defaults as well as the principal actions being taken by PG&E NEG are discussed later in this MD&A and in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Consolidated Financial Statements of PG&E Corporation and of the Utility have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates continuity of operations, realization of assets, and repayment of liabilities in the ordinary course of business. However, as a result of the bankruptcy of the Utility and current liquidity concerns at PG&E NEG and its subsidiaries, as further discussed below, such realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities are subject to uncertainty.

During the fourth quarter of 2002, PG&E NEG and certain subsidiaries agreed to sell or sold certain assets, abandoned other assets, and significantly reduced energy trading operations. As a result, PG&E NEG incurred significant charges in the fourth quarter of 2002. As a result, PG&E NEG expects to incur substantial charges to earnings in 2003 as it continues to restructure its operations.

PG&E Corporation has identified three reportable operating segments:

These segments were determined based on similarities in the following characteristics:

These three reportable operating segments provide different products and services and are subject to different forms of regulations or jurisdictions. Financial information about each reportable operating segment is provided in this MD&A and in Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

This MD&A explains the general financial condition and the results of operations of PG&E Corporation and its subsidiaries, including:

This is a combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of PG&E Corporation and the Utility and includes separate Consolidated Financial Statements for each of these two entities. The Consolidated Financial Statements of PG&E Corporation reflect the accounts of PG&E Corporation, the Utility, PG&E NEG, and other wholly-owned and controlled subsidiaries. The Consolidated Financial Statements of the Utility reflect the accounts of the Utility and its wholly-owned and controlled subsidiaries. This combined MD&A should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included herein. Further, this Quarterly Report should be read in conjunction with PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements incorporated by reference in their combined 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended.

Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors

This combined Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including this MD&A, contains forward-looking statements that are necessarily subject to various risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions which management believes are reasonable and on information currently available to management. These forward-looking statements are identified by words such as "estimates," "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "believes," "could," "should," "would," "may," and other similar expressions. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements.

Although PG&E Corporation and the Utility are not able to predict all the factors that may affect future results, some of the factors that could cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, or from historical results, include:

Recovery of Under-Collected Power Procurement and Transition Costs Previously Written Off. The extent to which the Utility is able to recover its under-collected power procurement and transition costs previously written off depends on many factors, including:

Refundability of Amounts Previously Collected. Whether the Utility is required to refund to ratepayers amounts previously collected depends on many factors, including:

Outcome of the Utility's Bankruptcy Case. The pace and outcome of the Utility's bankruptcy case will be affected by:

Operating Environment. The amount of operating income and cash flows the Utility may record may be influenced by the following:

Legislative and Regulatory Environment. PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's business may be impacted by:

Regulatory Proceedings and Investigations. PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's business may be affected by:

Pending Legal Proceedings. PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's future results of operations and financial conditions may be affected by the outcomes of:

Competition. PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's future results of operations and financial conditions may be affected by:

Environmental and Nuclear Matters. PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's future results of operations and financial conditions may be affected by:

Accounting and Risk Management. PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's future results of operations and financial conditions may be affected by:

Potential Bankruptcy Filing. The timing and manner in which bankruptcy proceedings involving PG&E NEG and certain of its subsidiaries commence will be affected by:

Efforts to Restructure Operations. PG&E NEG's future results of operations and financial condition will be affected by the success of its efforts to restructure its operations, including:

Current Conditions in the Energy Markets and the Economy. PG&E Corporation's future results of operations and financial condition will be affected by changes in the energy markets, changes in the general economy, wars, embargoes, financial markets, interest rates, other industry participant failures, the markets' perception of energy merchants and other factors.

Actions of PG&E NEG Counterparties. PG&E Corporation's future results of operations and financial condition may be affected by:

As the ultimate impact of these and other factors is uncertain, these and other factors may cause future earnings to differ materially from historical results or outcomes currently sought or expected.

Market Conditions and Business Environment

During 2002, adverse changes in the electric power and gas utility industry and energy markets affected PG&E Corporation, the Utility, and PG&E NEG's business, including:

LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL RESOURCES

Utility

In 1998, the State of California implemented electric industry restructuring and established a framework allowing generators and other electricity providers to charge market-based prices for electricity sold on the wholesale market. The implementing legislation also established a retail electricity rate freeze and a plan for recovery of generation-related costs that were expected to be uneconomic under the new market framework. State regulatory action further strongly encouraged the Utility to sell a majority of its fossil fuel-fired generation facilities and made it economically unattractive to retain its remaining generation facilities. The resulting sales of generation facilities and the inability to enter into long-term purchased power contracts in turn made the Utility more dependent on spot purchases from the newly deregulated wholesale electricity market. Beginning in June 2000, wholesale prices for electricity began to increase. Prices moderated somewhat in the fall before increasing to unprecedented levels in November 2000 and later months. Since the Utility's retail rates were frozen, it financed the higher costs of wholesale electricity by issuing debt and drawing on its credit facilities.

In the beginning of 2001, the major credit rating agencies lowered their ratings for the Utility and PG&E Corporation to non-investment grade levels. Consequently, the Utility lost access to its bank facilities and capital markets, and could no longer continue buying electricity to deliver to its customers. As a result of the Utility's lack of creditworthiness and similar conditions at the other California IOUs, in January 2001 the California Legislature and the Governor of California authorized the DWR to begin purchasing electricity for the State of California. Until January 2003, the DWR purchased the electricity needed to cover the Utility's net open position (the amount of electricity needed by retail electric customers that cannot be met by utility-owned generation and electricity under contract to the Utility).

The Utility's inability to recover its electric procurement costs from customers ultimately resulted in billions of dollars in defaulted debt and unpaid bills and caused the Utility to file a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court on April 6, 2001.

While in bankruptcy, the Utility is not allowed to pay liabilities incurred before it filed for bankruptcy without permission from the Bankruptcy Court. Additionally,

Since filing for bankruptcy, the Utility has received permission from the Bankruptcy Court to make payments on (1) pre- and post-petition interest on certain claims, (2) pre-petition amounts payable to qualifying facilities (QFs) and certain other vendors, and (3) matured pre-petition secured debt.

Since filing for bankruptcy, the Utility has been accruing interest on its pre-petition liabilities at the required rates included in the Utility's proposed plan of reorganization. As a result, the payment of such interest did not have a material adverse impact on its financial condition or results of operations.

The Utility will continue to accrue interest on its pre-petition liabilities at the required rates in 2003. However, due to the uncertainty of the ultimate outcome of the bankruptcy proceedings, the Utility is not able to estimate the amount of interest that will be paid in 2003 and beyond.

The Utility and PG&E Corporation have jointly filed a proposed plan of reorganization (Plan) that, if approved, would enable the Utility to emerge from bankruptcy. In November 2002, the Bankruptcy Court began the confirmation trial to determine which plan, if any, the Bankruptcy Court will confirm. On March 4, 2003, the Bankruptcy Court ordered the Utility, the CPUC, and other parties involved in the confirmation trial to participate in settlement negotiations. On March 11, 2003, the Bankruptcy Court then issued an order staying nearly all the proceedings in the confirmation trial until May 12, 2003. On April 23, 2003, the Bankruptcy Court extended this stay for an additional 30 days. A status conference is scheduled for June 16, 2003. PG&E Corporation and the Utility are not able to predict the ultimate outcome of the Utility's bankruptcy proceedings, including which plan, if any, the Bankruptcy Court may confirm.

Both the Plan and the alternative plan propose issuing new debt as part of the reorganization. PG&E Corporation and the Utility have incurred, and will continue to incur throughout the reorganization process, legal, accounting, trustee, and other fees associated with the proposed debt issuance. In addition, PG&E Corporation and the Utility have incurred and will continue to incur consulting fees for assistance with the implementation of either plan. Though a small amount of the costs directly related to the proposed debt issuance have been capitalized, the majority of the reorganization costs have been expensed and are included in Reorganization Professional Fees and Expenses in PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Although the Utility still relies on electricity supplied by DWR contracts to service a significant portion of its total load, on January 1, 2003, the Utility and other California IOUs resumed procuring electricity to meet their customers' residual net open position under California Senate Bill (SB) 1976. In order to enter into short-term purchase contracts needed to cover its residual net open position, the Utility has posted collateral with the ISO and several other counterparties.

For further discussion of the California energy crisis, the Utility's voluntary petition for relief under the Bankruptcy Code, the status of the Chapter 11 confirmation hearings and the provisions of SB 1976, see Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

PG&E NEG

PG&E NEG currently is focused on power generation and natural gas transmission in the United States. As a result of the sustained downturn in the power industry, PG&E NEG and its affiliates have experienced a financial downturn, which caused the major credit rating agencies to downgrade PG&E NEG's and its affiliates' credit ratings to below investment grade. PG&E NEG is currently in default under various recourse debt agreements and guaranteed equity commitments totaling approximately $2.9 billion. In addition, other PG&E NEG subsidiaries are in default under various debt agreements totaling $2.7 billion, but this debt is non-recourse to PG&E NEG.

PG&E NEG, its subsidiaries, and their lenders have been engaged in discussions to restructure PG&E NEG's and its subsidiaries' debt obligations and other commitments since October 2002. No agreement has been reached yet and there can be no assurance that an agreement will be reached. Any restructuring agreement that may be reached would be implemented through a reorganization proceeding under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. Although PG&E NEG and its subsidiaries are continuing their efforts to maximize cash and reduce liabilities, such efforts are not expected to restore the financial condition of PG&E NEG and its subsidiaries. Absent a negotiated agreement, the lenders may exercise their default remedies or force PG&E NEG and certain of its subsidiaries into an involuntary proceeding under the Bankruptcy Code. Notwithstanding the status of current negotiations, PG&E NEG and certain of its subsidiaries also may elect to voluntarily seek protection under the Bankruptcy Code by the end of the second quarter of 2003. Although PG&E Corporation continues to provide assistance to PG&E NEG, its subsidiaries and its lenders in their negotiations, management does not expect the outcome of any bankruptcy proceeding involving PG&E NEG or any of its subsidiaries to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of PG&E Corporation or the Utility. The factors affecting PG&E NEG's business causing these defaults and the principal actions being taken by PG&E NEG are discussed later in this MD&A and in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

PG&E NEG, and its subsidiaries are restructuring their operations to increase cash, reduce financial obligations, dispose of merchant plant facilities, and decrease energy trading operations. PG&E NEG's objective is to limit its asset trading and risk management activities to only what is necessary for energy management services to facilitate the transition of PG&E NEG's merchant generation facilities through their sale, transfer or abandonment. PG&E NEG will then further reduce and transition to retain only limited capabilities to ensure fuel procurement and power logistics for PG&E NEG's retained independent power plant operations.

COMMITMENTS AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

PG&E Corporation has substantial financial commitments in connection with agreements entered into supporting the Utility's and PG&E NEG's operating, construction, and development activities.

Utility

The Utility's contractual commitments include natural gas supply and transportation agreements, purchase power agreements (including agreements with QFs, irrigation districts and water agencies, bilateral power purchase contracts, and renewable energy contracts), nuclear fuel agreements, operating leases, and other commitments.

The Utility's commitments under financing arrangements include obligations to repay first and refunding mortgage bonds, senior notes, medium-term notes, pollution control loan agreements, Deferrable Interest Subordinated Debentures, lines of credit, letters of credit, floating rate notes, and commercial paper.

PG&E Funding LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Utility, is also obligated to make scheduled principal payments on its rate reduction bonds.

The Utility's contractual commitments and obligations are discussed in PG&E Corporation's 2002 Annual Report with updates to such disclosures included in Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

PG&E NEG

Guarantees

PG&E NEG's and its subsidiaries' guarantees fall into four broad categories:

PG&E NEG is currently in default under various debt agreements and guaranteed equity commitments totaling approximately $2.9 billion. In addition, other PG&E NEG subsidiaries are in default under various debt agreements totaling approximately $2.7 billion, but this debt is non-recourse to PG&E NEG. On November 14, 2002, PG&E NEG defaulted on the repayment of the $431 million 364-day tranche of its corporate revolving credit facility (Corporate Revolver). Loans and letters of credit outstanding as of March 31, 2003, under the two-year tranche of the Corporate Revolver was $258 million, $185 million of letters of credit and $73 million of loans. The default under the Corporate Revolver also constitutes a cross-default as of March 31, 2003, under (1) PG&E NEG's Senior Notes ($1 billion outstanding), (2) its guarantee of a turbine revolving credit agreement ($205 million outstanding), and (3) its equity commitment guarantees for the GenHoldings I, LLC (GenHoldings) credit facility ($355 million outstanding), the La Paloma credit facility ($375 million outstanding) and the Lake Road credit facility ($230 million outstanding). In addition, on November 15, 2002, PG&E NEG failed to pay a $52 million interest payment due under the Senior Notes. PG&E NEG currently does not have sufficient cash to meet its financial obligations and has ceased making payments on its debt and equity commitments.

Equity Commitments

GenHoldings Projects

GenHoldings, an indirect subsidiary of PG&E NEG, is obligated under its credit facility to make equity contributions to fund construction of the Harquahala, Covert, and Athens generating projects. This credit facility is secured by these projects in addition to the Millennium generating facility. GenHoldings defaulted under its credit agreement in October 2002, by failing to make equity contributions to fund construction draws for the Athens, Harquahala, and Covert generating projects. Although PG&E NEG has guaranteed GenHoldings' obligations to make equity contributions of up to $355 million, PG&E NEG notified the GenHoldings' lenders that it would not make further equity contributions on behalf of GenHoldings. In November and December 2002, the lenders executed waivers and amendments to the credit agreement under which they agreed to continue to waive, until March 31, 2003, the default caused by GenHoldings' failure to make equity contributions.

In connection with the lenders' waiver of various defaults and additional funding commitments, PG&E NEG has agreed to cooperate with any reasonable proposal by the lenders regarding disposition of the equity in or assets of any or all of the PG&E NEG subsidiaries holding the Athens, Covert, Harquahala, and Millennium projects.

As of March 21, 2003, the lenders executed a waiver letter extending to June 30, 2003, the waiver of GenHoldings' equity default. In addition, the waiver letter also waives other existing defaults in order to permit the continued availability of loan facilities to fund construction and operation of the projects until such time as a transfer of the projects to the GenHoldings lenders may be completed. An event of default will occur if such transfer is not accomplished by such deadline. Such a default would trigger lender remedies, including the right to foreclose on Millennium, Harquahala, Athens, and Covert.

Under the waiver, PG&E NEG has re-affirmed its guarantee of GenHoldings' remaining obligation to make equity contributions to these projects of approximately $355 million. Neither PG&E NEG nor GenHoldings currently expects to have sufficient funds to make this payment. The requirement to pay $355 million will remain an obligation of PG&E NEG that would survive the transfer of the projects.

Lake Road and La Paloma Projects

In September 1999 and March 2000, Lake Road Generating Company, LP (Lake Road) and La Paloma Generating Company, LLC (La Paloma) entered into Participation Agreements to finance the construction of the two plants. In November 2002, Lake Road and La Paloma defaulted on their obligations to pay interest and swap payments. In addition, as a result of PG&E NEG's downgrade to below investment grade by both S&P and Moody's, PG&E NEG, as guarantor of certain debt obligations of Lake Road and La Paloma, became required to make equity contributions to Lake Road and La Paloma of $230 million and $375 million respectively. The lenders have accelerated all debt existing prior to December 11, 2002, including the guaranteed portion of the debt and made a payment under the PG&E NEG guarantee. Neither PG&E NEG, Lake Road nor La Paloma has sufficient funds to make these payments.

As of December 4, 2002, PG&E NEG and certain subsidiaries entered into various agreements with the respective lenders for each of the Lake Road and La Paloma generating projects providing for (1) funding of construction costs required to complete the La Paloma facility, and (2) additional working capital facilities to enable each subsidiary to timely pay for its fuel requirements and to provide its own collateral to support natural gas pipeline capacity reservations and independent transmission system operator requirements, as well as for general working capital purposes. Lenders extending new credit under these agreements have received liens on the projects that are senior to the existing lenders' liens. These agreements provide, among other things, that the failure to transfer right, title and interest in, to and under the Lake Road and La Paloma projects to the respective lenders by June 9, 2003 will constitute a default under the agreements. The failure to transfer the facilities would entitle the lenders to accelerate the new indebtedness and exercise other remedies. The requirement to pay $230 million and $375 million for Lake Road and La Paloma, respectively, will remain an obligation of PG&E NEG that would survive the transfer of the projects.

Activities Related to Merchant Portfolio Operations

PG&E NEG and certain subsidiaries have provided guarantees as of January 31, 2003, to approximately 188 counterparties in support of PG&E ET's energy trading and non-trading activities related to PG&E NEG's merchant energy portfolio in the face amount of $2.2 billion. Typically, the overall exposure under these guarantees is only a fraction of the face value of these guarantees, since not all counterparty credit limits are fully used at any time. As of March 31, 2003, PG&E NEG and its subsidiaries' aggregate exposure under these guarantees was approximately $150 million. The amount of such exposure varies daily depending on changes in market prices and net changes in position. In light of the downgrades, some counterparties have sought and others may seek replacement security to collateralize the exposure guaranteed by PG&E NEG and its subsidiaries. PG&E GTN and PG&E ET have terminated the arrangements pursuant to which PG&E GTN provided guarantees on behalf of PG&E ET such that PG&E GTN will provide no new guarantees on behalf of PG&E ET.

At March 31, 2003, PG&E ET's estimated exposure not covered by a guarantee (excluding exposure under tolling agreements) is approximately $96 million.

To date, PG&E ET has met those replacement security requirements properly demanded by counterparties and has not defaulted under any of its master trading agreements although one counterparty has alleged a default. No demands have been made upon the guarantors of PG&E ET's obligations under these trading agreements. In the past, PG&E ET has been able to negotiate acceptable arrangements and reduce its overall exposure to counterparties when PG&E ET or its counterparties have faced similar situations. There can be no assurance that PG&E ET can continue to negotiate acceptable arrangements in the current circumstances. PG&E NEG cannot quantify with any certainty the actual future calls on PG&E ET's liquidity. PG&E NEG's and its subsidiaries' ability to meet these calls on their liquidity will vary with market price volatility, uncertainty with respect to PG&E NEG's financial condition, and the degree of liquidity in the energy markets. The actual calls for collateral will depend largely upon the ability to enter into forbearance agreements and pre- and early-pay arrangements with counterparties, the continued performance of PG&E NEG companies under the underlying agreements, whether counterparties have the right to demand such collateral, the execution of master netting agreements and offsetting transactions, changes in the amount of exposure, and the counterparties' other commercial considerations.

Tolling Agreements

PG&E ET has entered into tolling agreements with several counterparties under which at its discretion, it supplies the fuel to the power plants and then sells the plant's output in the competitive market. Payments to the counterparties are reduced if the plants do not achieve agreed-upon levels of performance. The face amount of PG&E NEG's and its subsidiaries' guarantees relating to PG&E ET's tolling agreements is approximately $600 million. The tolling agreements are with: (1) Liberty Electric Power, L.P. (Liberty) guaranteed primarily by PG&E NEG and secondarily by PG&E GTN for an aggregate amount of up to $150 million; (2) DTE-Georgetown, LLC (DTE) guaranteed by PG&E GTN for up to $24 million; (3) Calpine Energy Services, L.P. (Calpine) for which no guarantee is in place; (4) Southaven Power, LLC (Southaven) guaranteed by PG&E NEG for up to $175 million; and (5) Caledonia Generating, LLC (Caledonia) guaranteed by PG&E NEG for up to $250 million.

 

Liberty

Liberty has provided notice to PG&E ET that the ratings downgrade of PG&E NEG constituted a material adverse change under the tolling agreement requiring PG&E ET to replace the guarantee and post security in the amount of $150 million. PG&E ET has not posted such security. Under the terms of the guarantees, Liberty has the right to terminate the agreement and seek recovery of a termination payment for a maximum amount of up to $150 million. Liberty first must proceed against PG&E NEG's guarantee, and can demand payment under PG&E GTN's guarantee only if PG&E NEG is in bankruptcy or Liberty has made a payment demand on PG&E NEG which remains unpaid five business days after the payment demand is made. In addition, PG&E ET has provided notices to Liberty of several breaches of the tolling agreement by Liberty and has advised Liberty that, unless cured, these breaches would constitute a default under the agreement. If these defaults remain uncured, PG&E ET has the right to terminate the agreement and seek recovery of a termination payment.

DTE Georgetown

By letter dated October 14, 2002, DTE provided notice to PG&E ET that the downgrade of PG&E GTN constituted a material adverse change under the tolling agreement between PG&E ET and DTE and that PG&E ET was required to post replacement security within ten days. By letter dated October 23, 2002, PG&E ET advised DTE that because there had not been a material adverse change with respect to PG&E GTN within the meaning of the tolling agreement, PG&E ET was not required to post replacement security. If PG&E ET was required to post replacement security and it failed to do so, DTE would have the right to terminate the tolling agreement and seek recovery of a termination payment.

Calpine

The tolling agreement states that on or before October 15, 2002, Calpine was to have issued a full notice to proceed under its construction contract to its engineering, procurement, and construction contractor for the Otay Mesa facility. On October 16, 2002, PG&E ET asked Calpine to confirm that it had issued this full notice to proceed and Calpine was not able to do so to the satisfaction of PG&E ET. Consequently, PG&E ET advised Calpine by letter dated October 30, 2002, that it was terminating the tolling agreement effective November 29, 2002. Calpine has indicated that this termination was improper and constituted a default under the agreement, but has not taken any further action.

Southaven and Caledonia Tolling Agreements

PG&E ET signed a tolling agreement with Southaven dated as of June 1, 2000, under which PG&E ET is required to provide credit support as defined in the tolling agreement. PG&E ET satisfied this obligation by providing an investment-grade guarantee from PG&E NEG as defined in the tolling agreement. The amount of the guarantee now does not exceed $175 million. By letter dated August 31, 2002, Southaven advised PG&E ET that it believed an event of default under the tolling agreement had taken place with respect to this obligation because PG&E NEG was no longer investment-grade as defined in the tolling agreement and because PG&E ET had failed to provide, within 30 days from the downgrade, substitute credit support that met the requirements of the tolling agreement. Southaven has the right to terminate the agreement and seek a termination payment. In addition, PG&E ET has provided Southaven with a notice of default respecting Southaven's performance under the agreement and concerning the inability of the facility to inject its output into the local grid. Southaven has not cured this default and on February 4, 2003, PG&E ET provided a notice of termination.

In addition, PG&E ET signed a tolling agreement with Caledonia dated as of September 20, 2000, under which PG&E ET is required to provide credit support as defined in the tolling agreement. PG&E ET satisfied this obligation by providing a guarantee from PG&E NEG that was investment-grade as defined in the tolling agreement. The amount of the guarantee does not exceed $250 million. By letter dated August 31, 2002, Caledonia advised PG&E ET that it believed an event of default under the tolling agreement had taken place with respect to this obligation because PG&E NEG was no longer investment-grade as defined in the tolling agreement and because PG&E ET had failed to provide, within 30 days from the downgrade, substitute credit support that met the requirement of the tolling agreement. Caledonia has the right to terminate the agreement and seek a termination payment. In addition, PG&E ET provided Caledonia with a notice of default respecting Caledonia's performance under the agreement and concerning the inability of the facility to inject its output into the local grid. Caledonia has not cured this default and on February 4, 2003, PG&E ET provided a notice of termination.

On February 7, 2003, Southaven and Caledonia filed an emergency petition to compel arbitration or, in the alternative, for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction with the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, Maryland (Court). On March 3, 2003, the Court issued an order ruling that PG&E ET must continue to perform under the agreements. PG&E ET appealed this decision to an intermediate Maryland appellate court. However, on April 8, the highest appellate court in Maryland issued on its own motion and order taking jurisdiction of the appeal.

PG&E ET is not able to predict whether the counterparties will seek to terminate the agreements or whether the Court will grant the requested relief. Accordingly, it is not able to predict whether or the extent to which these proceedings will have a material adverse effect on PG&E NEG's financial condition or results of operations.

Under each tolling agreement, determination of the termination payment is based on a formula that takes into account a number of factors, including market conditions such as the price of power and the price of fuel. In the event of a dispute over the amount of any termination payment that the parties are unable to resolve by negotiation, the tolling agreement provides for mandatory arbitration. The dispute resolution process could take as long as six months to more than a year to complete. To the extent that PG&E ET did not pay these damages, the counterparties could seek payment under the guarantees for an aggregate amount not to exceed $600 million. PG&E NEG is unable to predict whether counterparties will seek to terminate their tolling agreements. PG&E NEG currently does not expect to be able to pay any termination payments that may become due.

Other Guarantees

PG&E NEG has provided guarantees related to other obligations by PG&E NEG companies to counterparties for goods or services. PG&E NEG does not believe that it has significant exposure under these guarantees. The most significant of these guarantees relates to performance under certain construction contracts. In the event PG&E NEG is unable to provide any additional or replacement security that may be required as a result of rating downgrades, the counterparty providing the goods or services could suspend performance or terminate the underlying agreement and seek recovery of damages. These guarantees represent guarantees of subsidiary obligations for transactions entered into in the ordinary course of business. Some of the guarantees relate to the construction or development of PG&E NEG's power plants and pipelines. These guarantees are described below.

PG&E NEG has issued guarantees to construction financing lenders for the performance of the contractors building the Harquahala and Covert generating projects for up to $555 million. The construction contractor and various equipment vendors currently are performing under their underlying contracts.

PG&E NEG has issued $100 million of guarantees to the constructor of the Harquahala and Covert projects to cover certain separate cost-sharing arrangements.

PG&E NEG has provided a $300 million guarantee to support a tolling agreement that a wholly-owned subsidiary, Attala Energy, has entered into with another wholly-owned subsidiary, Attala Generating Company, LLC.

The balance of the guarantees are for commitments undertaken by PG&E NEG or its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business for services such as facility and equipment leases, ash disposal rights, and surety bonds.

PG&E NEG has the following credit facilities outstanding at March 31, 2003 (in millions):



Total Bank
Commitment


Balance

 

----------------

 

-----------

PG&E NEG Inc. - Tranche A (2 year facility) (a)

$

258

 

$

258

PG&E NEG Inc. - Tranche B (364 day facility) (a)

431

 

431

PG&E ET & Subsidiaries - Facility One

35

 

33

PG&E ET & Subsidiaries - Facility Two

19

 

19

PG&E Gen

7

 

7

USGenNE

100

 

88

PG&E GTC and Subsidiaries

125

 

40

 

----------------

 

-----------

Total

$

975

$

876

==========

=======

(a) PG&E NEG is currently in default on both its Tranche A and Tranche B credit facility.

 

 

 

 

CASH FLOWS

Utility

The following section discusses the Utility's significant cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2003, and 2002.

Operating Activities

Results from the Utility's consolidated cash flows from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2003, and 2002 are as follows:

 

Three months ended
March 31,

 

------------------------------

(in millions)

2003

2002

------------

-----------

Net income (loss)

$

(73)

$

596 

Non-cash (income) expenses:

   
 

Depreciation and amortization

310 

271 

 

Interest

104 

228 

 

Income tax

(59)

406 

 

Net reversal of ISO accrual and DWR revenue requirement adjustment

(595)

Other uses of cash:

   
 

Payments authorized by the Bankruptcy Court on amounts classified as

   
 

   liabilities subject to compromise

(39)

(225)

Other changes in operating assets and liabilities

491 

478 

-------------

------------

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

734 

$

1,159 

========

=======

Cash provided by operating activities decreased by $425 million during the three months ended March 31, 2003, in comparison to the same period in the prior year. This decrease was mainly due to the following:

Investing Activities

Results from the Utility's consolidated cash flows from investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2003, and 2002 are as follows:

 

 

 

Three months ended
March 31,

-------------------------------

(in millions)

2003

2002

---------------

--------------

Capital expenditures

$

(371)

$

(353)

Net proceeds from sales of assets

Other investing activities

(7)

--------------

-------------

Net cash used by investing activities

$

(357)

$

(360)

 

========

========

Net cash used by investing activities decreased by $3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2003, in comparison to the same period in the prior year. The variance is mainly attributable to proceeds from the sale of assets during the first quarter of 2003 offset by an increase in capital expenditures.

Financing Activities

Results from the Utility's consolidated cash flows from financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2003, and 2002 are as follows:

 

Three months ended
March 31,

--------------------------------

(in millions)

2003

2002

-------------

------------

         

Long-term debt issued, matured, redeemed, or repurchased

$

-

$

(333)

Rate reduction bonds matured

(75)

(75)

Other financing activities

--------------

-------------

Net cash used by financing activities

$

(74)

$

(408)

 

========

=======

Net cash used by financing activities decreased by $334 million during the three months ended March 31, 2003, in comparison to the same period in the prior year. The variance is mainly due to $333 million in principal repaid on mortgage bonds in the first quarter of 2002 with no such repayments in the first quarter of 2003.

PG&E NEG

PG&E NEG's cash from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2003, and 2002 will not be indicative of its future cash flow from operations due to the changes in the operations of PG&E NEG discussed above. To the extent that the commitments of PG&E NEG and its subsidiaries can be restructured, future cash from operations will be principally generated by the PG&E NEG pipeline business as well as dividends from PG&E NEG independent power producer project companies which are principally accounted for under the equity method of accounting. If the commitments are not restructured, PG&E NEG will not generate sufficient funds to meet its outstanding cash requirements.

In addition to the impacts of PG&E NEG's downgrades, PG&E NEG's and its subsidiaries' ability to service these obligations is impacted by constraints on the ability to move cash from one subsidiary to another or to PG&E NEG itself. PG&E National Energy Group, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of PG&E Corporation, owns 97 percent of the stock of PG&E NEG. GTN Holdings LLC owns 100 percent of the stock of PG&E GTN, and PG&E Energy Trading Holdings, LLC owns 100 percent of the stock of PG&E ET. The organizational documents of PG&E NEG and these limited liability companies require unanimous approval of their respective boards of directors, including at least one independent director, before they can (a) consolidate or merge with any entity, (b) transfer substantially all of their assets to any entity, or (c) institute or consent to bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceedings or actions. The limited liability companies may not declare or pay dividends unless the respective boards of directors unanimously approve such action and PG&E NEG meets specified financial requirements.

PG&E NEG's subsidiaries must now independently determine, in light of each company's financial situation, whether any proposed dividend, distribution or intercompany loan is permitted and is in such subsidiary's interest. Therefore, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows quantifying PG&E NEG's cash and cash equivalents do not reflect the cash actually available to PG&E NEG or any particular subsidiary to meet its obligations.

At March 31, 2003, PG&E NEG and its subsidiaries had the following unrestricted cash and short-term investment balances:

 

(in millions)

PG&E NEG

$

110

PG&E ET and Subsidiaries

153

PG&E Gen and Subsidiaries

172

PG&E GTN and Subsidiaries

29

Other

49

------------

Consolidated PG&E NEG

$

513

=======

Operating Activities

Results from PG&E NEG's consolidated cash flows from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2002 are as follows on a summarized basis:

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

------------------------------

(in millions)

2003

2002

------------

----------

       

   Net income (loss)

$

(369)

 

$

37 

   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating
      activities before price risk management assets and liabilities

240 

 

(20)

------------

----------

         Subtotal

(129)

 

17 

      Price risk management assets and liabilities, net

(46)

 

21 

     Net effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities:

     

      Restricted cash

(65)

 

(12)

      Net, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities

83 

 

109 

      Inventories, prepaids, deposits and other

157 

 

(92)

------------

----------

         Net cash provided by operating activities

$

 

$

43 

========

======

During the three months ended March 31, 2003, PG&E NEG did not provide any net cash from operating activities versus cash generated from operating activities of $43 million for the three months ended March 31, 2002. Net cash from operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities and price risk management assets and liabilities was $146 million less for the three months ended March 31, 2003 versus 2002, principally as a result of operating losses. Change in price risk management assets and liabilities resulted in a $46 million use of cash for the three months ended March 31, 2003 versus $21 million provided for the same period in 2002 primarily due to realized losses from pricing changes and trade terminations. The change in inventories, prepaid expenses, deposits, and other liabilities created cash flow of $157 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003, versus $92 million used for the same period in 2002 primarily due to reduced inventory levels and prepaid expenses. Adding to these cash outflows were $65 million of increased restricted cash requirements.

Investing Activities

The cash outflows from PG&E NEG's investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2003, and 2002 will not be indicative of the future cash outflow from investing activities due to the changes in the operations of PG&E NEG (discussed above). Future cash outflows from investing operations will be principally related to maintenance of capital expenditures in the pipeline business.

Results from PG&E NEG's consolidated cash flows from investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2003, and 2002 are as follows:

 

Three months ended
March 31,

---------------------------

(in millions)

2003

2002

-----------

-----------

       

   Capital expenditures

$

(101)

 

$

(358)

   Proceeds from disposal of discontinued operations

102 

 

   Other, net

16 

 

 

-----------

 

------------

    Net cash provided by (used) in investing activities

$

17 

 

$

(357)

 

=======

 

=======

Total capital expenditures detailed by business segment and expenditure amount associated with construction work in progress for the three months ended March 31, 2003, and 2002 are as follows:

 

Three months ended
March 31,

---------------------------

(in millions)

2003

2002

-----------

-----------

       

   Integrated Energy and Marketing Activities

$

100

 

$

313

   Interstate Pipeline Operations

1

 

45

-----------

------------

      Total Capital Expenditures

$

101

 

$

358

 

-----------

 

------------

   Expenditure associated with Construction work in progress

$

90

 

$

315

 

=======

 

=======

During the three months ended March 31, 2003, PG&E NEG used net cash before proceeds of sale of assets of $85 million in investing activities compared to $357 million for the same period in 2002, or a decrease of $272 million. The decrease in cash used in investing activities from period to period was primarily due to reduced construction activities. In addition, PG&E NEG received proceeds on the sale of Mountain View during the first quarter of 2003 with no comparable like event occurring in the first quarter of 2002. Capital expenditures related to construction work in progress for the three months ended March 31, 2003 were $90 million versus $315 million in 2002 and were financed by non-recourse debt. In connection with the lenders' waiver of PG&E NEG's failure to make required equity contributions under its guarantees, these construction projects are required to be transferred to lenders during 2003.

Included in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2003, and 2002, are cash flows of $16 million and $21 million, respectively, related to the long-term receivable from New England Power Company associated with the assumption of power purchase agreements. These cash flows offset cash payments made to New England Power Company which are reflected in operating activities.

Financing Activities

Results from PG&E NEG's consolidated cash flows from financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2003, and 2002 are as follows:

 

Three months ended
March 31,

---------------------------

(in millions)

2003

2002

-----------

-----------

       

   Net borrowings under credit facilities

$

 

$

76 

   Long-term debt issued

152 

 

190 

   Long-term debt matured, redeemed, or repurchased

(18)

 

(7)

   Deferred financing costs

(1)

 

(20)

 

-----------

 

------------

    Net cash provided by financing activities

$

133 

 

$

239 

 

=======

 

=======

During the three months ended March 31, 2003, PG&E NEG provided net cash flows from financing activities of $133 million compared to $239 million for the same period in 2002. PG&E NEG's cash inflows from financing activities were primarily attributable to increases in long-term debt issued relating to increased borrowings under PG&E NEG's continuing construction facilities.

PG&E Corporation

The following section discusses PG&E Corporation's significant cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2003, and 2002.

Operating Activities

PG&E Corporation's sources and uses of cash from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2003, and 2002 are as follows:

 

Three months ended
March 31,

-------------------------------

(in millions)

2003

2002

------------

-----------

Net income (loss)

$

(354)

$

631 

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

   

   Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning

336 

320 

   Net effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities:

   

      Restricted cash

141 

      Accounts receivable

433 

428 

      Accounts payable

177 

344 

      Payments authorized by the Bankruptcy Court on amounts classified as

   

         liabilities subject to compromise

(39)

(248)

      Assets and liabilities of operations held for sale

(20)

(41)

   Other, net

259 

(249)

--------------

-------------

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

933 

$

1,190 

 

========

=======

Net cash provided by operating activities was $933 million in 2003 and $1,190 million in 2002. The decrease in 2003 was due primarily to the following factors:

 

Investing Activities

PG&E Corporation's sources and uses of cash from investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2003, and 2002 are as follows:

 

Three months ended
March 31,

-----------------------------

(in millions)

2003

2002

----------

----------

Capital expenditures

$

(472)

$

(711)

Proceeds from disposal of discontinued operations

102 

Other, net

30 

(6)

--------------

-------------

Net cash used by investing activities

$

(340)

$

(717)

 

========

========

Net cash used by investing activities was $340 million in 2003 and $717 million in 2002. The decrease in 2003 was due primarily to PG&E NEG's reduced construction activities, following PG&E NEG's failure to make required equity contributions under its guarantee. In addition, PG&E NEG received proceeds on the sale of Mountain View during the first quarter of 2003 with no comparable event occurring in the first quarter of 2002.

Financing Activities

PG&E Corporation's sources and uses of cash from financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2003, and 2002 are as follows:

 

Three months ended
March 31,

-------------------------------

(in millions)

2003

2002

------------

-----------

Net borrowings under credit facilities

$

$

76 

Long-term debt issued

152 

190 

Long-term debt matured, redeemed, or repurchased

(18)

(340)

Rate reduction bonds matured

(75)

(75)

Common stock issued

21 

21 

Other, net

(20)

--------------

-------------

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities

$

80 

$

(148)

 

========

=======

Net cash provided by financing activities was $80 million in 2003 and net cash used by financing activities was $148 million in 2002. The increase in 2003 was due primarily to the following factors:

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

In this section, PG&E Corporation discusses earnings and the factors affecting them for each operating segment. The table below details certain items from the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations by operating segment for the three months ended March 31, 2003, and 2002.

PG&E National Energy Group

------------------------------------------------------------------






(in millions)







Utility





Total
PG&E
NEG




Integrated
Energy &
Marketing
Activities





Interstate
Pipeline
Operations




PG&E
NEG
Elimi-
nations

PG&E
Corpora-
tion,
Elimi-
nations
and
Other (1)







 Total

-------------

------------

----------------

--------------

------------

--------------

------------

Three months ended March 31, 2003

Operating revenues

$

2,067 

$

565 

$

519 

$

64 

$

(18)

$

(25)

$

2,607 

Operating expenses

2,018 

744 

687 

27 

30 

(26)

2,736 

-------------

------------

----------------

--------------

------------

--------------

------------

Operating income (loss)

49 

(179)

(168)

37 

(48)

1

(129)

========

=======

==========

========

=======

========

Interest income

14 

Interest expense

(375)

Other income (expenses), net

------------

Loss before income taxes

(487)

Income taxes

(209)

------------

Loss from continuing operations

(278)

------------

Net loss

$

(354)

=======

Three months ended March 31, 2002 (2)

Operating revenues (3)

$

2,453 

$

516 

$

461 

$

59 

$

(4)

$

(34)

$

2,935 

Operating expenses

1,205 

460 

429 

26 

(31)

1,634 

-------------

------------

----------------

--------------

------------

--------------

------------

Operating income (loss)

1,248 

56 

32 

33 

(9)

(3)

1,301 

========

=========

==========

========

=======

========

Interest income

32 

Interest expense

(334)

Other income (expenses), net

20 

------------

Income before income taxes

1,019 

Income taxes

396 

------------

Income from continuing operations

623 

------------

Net income

$

631 

=======

(1)

PG&E Corporation eliminates all inter-segment transactions in consolidation.

(2)

Prior period amounts have been restated to reflect the reclassification of USGenNE, Mountain View, and ET Canada operating results to discontinued operations.

(3)

Operating revenues and operating expenses reflect the adoption of a new accounting policy in the third quarter of 2002 implementing a retroactive change from gross to net method of reporting revenues and expenses on trading activities. Amounts for trading activities for this period have been reclassified to conform with the new net presentation.

 

PG&E Corporation - Consolidated

Overall Results

PG&E Corporation's net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2003, was $354 million, compared to net income of $631 million for the same period in 2002.

The significant changes to items affecting net income attributable to the Utility and PG&E NEG for the three months ended March 31, 2003, as compared to the same period in 2002, are summarized in the table below:

(in millions)

Utility

    Electric revenues

$

(541)

    Natural gas revenues

155 

    Cost of electricity

(707)

    Cost of natural gas

(171)

    Operating and maintenance expenses

123 

    Depreciation,amortization, and decommissioning

(39)

    Reorganization fees and expenses

(19)

    Interest and other income

(11)

    Interest expense

43 

PG&E NEG

    Operating revenues

49 

    Cost of commodity sales and fuel

(49)

    Impairments, write-offs, and other charges

(200)

    Operations maintenance, and management expenses

(20)

    Administrative and general expenses

(16)

    Depreciation and amortization

    Interest expense

(89)

    Discontinued operations

(115)

    Cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles

(8)

PG&E Corporation's results of operations continue to be impacted by the California energy crisis, the Utility's bankruptcy filing, and the current liquidity and financial downturn at PG&E NEG. The results of the Utility and PG&E NEG are discussed separately below. See the "Liquidity and Financial Resources" section of this MD&A, and Notes 2 and 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

Dividends

No dividends were declared in 2003 or 2002 in accordance with the Credit Agreement with Lehman Commercial Paper, Inc., which prohibits PG&E Corporation from declaring or paying dividends until the term loans have been repaid.

Utility

Electric Revenues

The following table shows a breakdown of the Utility's electric revenue by customer class:

 

Three months ended
March 31,

-------------------------------

(in millions)

2003

2002

--------------

-------------

Residential

$

921 

$

945 

Commercial

845 

881 

Industrial

305 

336 

Agricultural

68 

65 

Miscellaneous

(64)

40 

Direct access credits

(81)

(109)

DWR pass-through revenue

(757)

(380)

--------------

-------------

   Total electric operating revenues

$

1,237 

$

1,778 

 

========

========

Electric revenues in the first quarter of 2003 decreased $541 million, or 30.4 percent, from 2002 primarily due to the following factors:

From January 2001 through December 2002, the DWR was responsible for procuring electricity required to cover the Utility's net open position (the amount of electricity needed by retail electric customers that cannot be met by utility-owned generation or electricity under contract to the Utility.) The Utility resumed procuring electricity on the open market in January 2003 but still relies on electricity provided by DWR contracts to service a significant portion of its total load. Revenues collected on behalf of the DWR and the related costs are not included in the Utility's Consolidated Statements of Operations, reflecting the Utility's role as a billing and collection agent for the DWR's sales to Utility's customers.

Cost of Electricity

The following table shows a breakdown of the Utility's cost of electricity:

 

Three months ended
March 31,

-----------------------------

(in millions)

2003

2002

----------

----------

Cost of purchased power

$

524

$

405 

Fuel used in own generation

17

24 

Adjustments to purchased power accruals

-

(595)

--------------

-------------

Total cost of electricity

$

541

$

(166) 

========

========

Average cost of purchased power per kWh

$

0.089

$

0.069 

 

========

========

Total purchased power (GWh)

5,879

5,906 

 

========

========

The cost of electricity in the first quarter of 2003 increased $707 million from 2002 primarily due to the following factors:

Natural Gas Revenues

Natural gas revenues are made up of bundled gas revenues and transportation-only revenues.

The following table shows a breakdown of the Utility's natural gas revenue:

 

Three months ended
March 31,

-----------------------------

(in millions)

2003

2002

----------

----------

Bundled gas revenues

$

949 

$

773 

Transportation service only revenue

66 

80 

Other

(185)

(178)

--------------

-------------

Total natural gas revenues

$

830 

$

675 

 

========

========

In the first quarter of 2003, natural gas revenues increased $155 million, or 23 percent, from 2002 primarily as a result of a higher average cost of natural gas, which was passed along to customers through higher rates. The average bundled price of natural gas sold in the first quarter of 2003 was $9.03 per thousand cubic feet (Mcf) as compared to $6.84 per Mcf in the first quarter of 2002.

The decrease in transportation service-only revenue resulted primarily from a decrease in demand for gas transportation services by gas-fired electric generators in California and warmer weather conditions in the first quarter of 2003.

Other natural gas revenue consists primarily of natural gas balancing account revenues. The Utility tracks natural gas revenues and costs in natural gas balancing accounts. Over-collections and under-collections are deferred until they are refunded to or received from the Utility's customers through rate adjustments.

Cost of Natural Gas

The following table shows a breakdown of the Utility's cost of natural gas:

 

Three months ended
March 31,

-------------------------------

(in millions)

2003

2002

-------------

------------

Cost of natural gas sold

$

450 

$

290 

Cost of gas transportation

36 

25 

--------------

-------------

Total cost of natural gas

$

486 

$

315 

 

========

========

In the first quarter of 2003, the Utility's cost of natural gas increased $171 million, or 54 percent, from 2002 primarily due to an increase in the average market price of natural gas purchased from $2.79 per Mcf in 2002 to $4.63 per Mcf in 2003.

The Utility's cost to transport gas to its service area increased in the first quarter of 2003 due to new pipeline demand charges paid on the El Paso pipeline. The Utility, along with other California utilities, was ordered by the CPUC in July 2002 to enter into long-term contracts to purchase transportation on the El Paso pipeline (see discussion in the "Regulatory Matters" section of this MD&A).

 

 

Operating and Maintenance

In the first quarter of 2003, the Utility's operating and maintenance expenses decreased $123 million, or 16 percent, from 2002. This decrease was primarily due to lower recorded costs for legal and environmental matters, and a decrease in the Utility's recorded liabilities for regulatory matters due to FERC and CPUC decisions on previous transmission owner rate cases and other matters. These decreases were partially offset by increases in employee benefit plan-related expenses and maintenance expenses due to maintenance performed during the scheduled refueling outage at the Diablo Canyon power plant.

Depreciation, Amortization, and Decommissioning

Depreciation, amortization, and decommissioning expenses increased $39 million, or 14 percent, in the first quarter of 2003. This increase was due mainly to an increase in amortization of the rate reduction bond regulatory asset, which began at the end of January 2002. Amortization of the rate reduction bond regulatory asset increased $23 million in the first quarter of 2003 from 2002. The increase reflects the amortization of the regulatory asset for all three months in the first quarter of 2003, as compared to the amortization of the regulatory asset for only two months in the first quarter of 2002.

Interest Income

In accordance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants' Statement of Position (SOP) 90-7, the Utility reports reorganization interest income separately on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Such income primarily includes interest earned on cash accumulated during the bankruptcy proceedings. Interest income decreased $11 million, or 50 percent, in the first quarter of 2003. The decrease in interest income in 2003 was due primarily to lower average interest rates on the Utility's short-term investments.

Interest Expense

In the first quarter of 2003, the Utility's interest expense decreased $43 million, or 16 percent, from the same period in 2002. This decrease was due to a reduction of interest on rate reduction bonds and a lower level of unpaid debts accruing interest.

Reorganization Fees and Expenses

In accordance with SOP 90-7, the Utility reports reorganization fees and expenses separately on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Such costs primarily include professional fees for services in connection with Chapter 11 proceedings and totaled $35 million in the first quarter of 2003 and $16 million in the first quarter of 2002.

PG&E NEG

PG&E NEG has experienced significant impacts to its results of operations from various acquisitions, disposals, and more recently from its efforts to raise cash and reduce indebtedness through sale, transfer or abandonment of assets.

Overall Results

PG&E NEG's net loss was $369 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003, a decrease of $406 million from the three months ended March 31, 2002.

The three months ended March 31, 2003 included a net pre-tax loss recognized on disposals and planned disposals of assets held for sale of $7 million. This amount related to the gain on sale of Mountain View of $19 million, offset by additional losses on USGenNE of $23 million and the sale of ET Canada of $3 million. No gains or losses on disposal of assets held for sale were reflected in the comparative period in 2002. In addition, pre-tax losses from discontinued operations were $100 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003 or a $108 million decrease as compared to the same period in 2002. These losses from discontinued operations were primarily due to lower gross margin results from USGenNE. Gross margin is defined as the difference between revenues and cost of commodity.

PG&E NEG's pre-tax operating loss of $293 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003 was $327 million lower as compared to the same period in 2002. The reduced pre-tax operating levels period over period were principally due to $200 million of impairment and write-offs charged to income in the first quarter 2003 resulting primarily from the consolidation and impairment of Attala Generating Company, LLC and the Shaw settlement as further discussed in Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. In addition, gross margins were $7 million less in the first quarter 2003 compared to the same period in 2002 primarily due to the winding down of PG&E NEG's energy trading operations. Increased operation and maintenance costs of $20 million and increased interest expense of $89 million in the first quarter 2003 compared to the same period in 2002 adversely impacted pre-tax operating income and were primarily due to new merchant plants in operation. Administrative and general expense were $16 million higher in the first quarter 2003 compared to 2002 primarily due to costs associated with PG&E NEG's debt restructuring efforts.

The following highlights PG&E NEG's principal changes in operating revenues and operating expenses.

Operating Revenues

PG&E NEG's operating revenues were $565 million in the three months ended March 31, 2003, an increase of $49 million from the three months ended March 31, 2002. These slight increases occurred primarily in the Integrated Energy and Marketing Activities segment and are primarily a result of the activities associated with the winding down of PG&E NEG's energy trading operations. Interstate Pipeline Operations operating revenues increased $5 million primarily due to the addition of the North Baja pipeline operations compared to the same period last year.

Operating Expenses

PG&E NEG's operating expenses were $744 million in the three-month period ended March 31, 2003, an increase of $284 million from the same period in the prior year. These increases occurred primarily as a result of $200 million impairment and write-off charges in the first quarter 2003. The cost of commodity sales and fuel increased $49 million in line with increases in operating revenues and were primarily attributable to the activities associated with the winding down of PG&E NEG's energy trading operations. Operations, maintenance and management costs increased $20 million in the first quarter of 2003 as compared to the same period last year principally due to additional merchant generation facilities in operations. Administrative and general expenses were $16 million higher in the first quarter 2003 compared to 2002 primarily due to costs associated with PG&E NEG's restructuring efforts.

REGULATORY MATTERS

A significant portion of PG&E Corporation's operations is regulated by federal and state regulatory commissions. These commissions oversee service levels and, in certain cases, PG&E Corporation's revenues and pricing for its regulated services.

The Utility is the only subsidiary with significant regulatory proceedings or issues at this time. The discussion of these matters below should be read in conjunction with the regulatory matters discussed in PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's combined 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended. Regulatory proceedings associated with electric industry restructuring are further discussed in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

DWR Revenue Requirement and Servicing Order

In accordance with Assembly Bill (AB) 1X, the DWR began purchasing the amount of electricity needed by the California IOUs' customers that could not be provided by the IOUs, either through their own generation or by suppliers under contracts with the IOUs. In addition to purchasing electricity on the spot market, the DWR entered into long-term contracts for the supply of electricity. Although AB 1X prohibits the DWR from purchasing on the spot market and from entering into new agreements to purchase electricity after December 31, 2002, the DWR is still legally and financially responsible for the long-term contracts it entered into before December 31, 2002. In September 2002, the CPUC allocated the DWR contracts among the California IOUs.

The DWR pays for its costs of purchasing electricity from a revenue requirement charged to Utility ratepayers (power charge) and from proceeds of the DWR's $11.3 billion bond financing completed in November 2002 (see "DWR Bond Charge" below). The DWR's statewide revenue requirements for 2001 and 2002 were approximately $9 billion, of which $4.4 billion was allocated to the Utility's customers.

The Utility provides billing, collection and other services on behalf of the DWR pursuant to a servicing order issued by the CPUC in May 2002. The servicing order contains the method for calculating the amount of money the Utility is required to remit to the DWR from customers. In October 2002, the DWR filed a proposed amendment to the servicing order requesting both prospective and retrospective changes to the calculation that determines the amount of revenues the Utility is required to pass through to the DWR.

The DWR's revised remittance methodology is also contained in a CPUC-approved operating order of December 2002, that requires the Utility to perform the operational, dispatch, and administrative functions for the DWR's contracts allocated to the Utility. However, the operating order did not change the servicing order relating to the same calculation. In March 2003, the DWR submitted a letter to the CPUC reaffirming its position and quantifying the amount of revenues that the DWR has requested the CPUC to order the Utility to pass through to the DWR. As a result, the Utility has accrued an additional $96 million (pre-tax) liability for pass-through revenues for electricity previously provided by the DWR to the Utility's customers. In total as of March 31, 2003, the Utility has accrued an additional $539 million (pre-tax) liability for pass-through revenues to the DWR based on the DWR's October 2002 proposed amendment, the CPUC's December 2002 operating order, and the March 2003 letter from the DWR. Of this amount, $369 million (pre-tax) had been accrued at December 31, 2002.

In April 2003, the Utility and the DWR entered into an operating agreement, which also has been approved by the CPUC. Effective in April 2003, the operating agreement supersedes the operating order. The operating agreement provides that the Utility will begin passing through revenues to the DWR consistent with the DWR's October 2002 and March 2003 requests for amendments to the servicing order but subject to the outcome of the CPUC's consideration of the DWR's requests. In addition, if the CPUC grants the DWR's request for changes to the servicing order, the Utility would be required to make additional cash payments to the DWR consistent with its accrual of pass-through revenues to the DWR for the periods prior to the effective date of the operating agreement. See "Operating Agreement" below.

A separate proceeding will consider a revision or adjustment for the revenue requirements remitted to the DWR for 2002 and 2001 costs once final 2002 cost data is available. This adjustment proceeding is scheduled for later in 2003. At this point, it is not possible to predict the extent to which the Utility's share of the DWR's $9 billion 2001-2002 revenue requirement, currently set at $4.4 billion, which will be revised.

In December 2002, the CPUC issued a decision allocating approximately $2 billion of the DWR's 2003 revenue requirement related to power charges to the Utility's customers. This revenue requirement includes the costs associated with the DWR contracts allocated to the Utility's customers by the CPUC in September 2002. The DWR plans to submit a revised 2003 power charge-related revenue requirement to the CPUC later in 2003.

In October 2002, the Utility filed a lawsuit in a California court asking the court to find that the DWR's revenue requirements had not been demonstrated to be "just and reasonable" (as required by AB 1X) and lawful. The Utility asked that the court order the DWR's revenue requirement determination to be withdrawn as invalid, and that the DWR be precluded from imposing its revenue requirements on the Utility and its customers until it has complied with the law. The lawsuit is scheduled to be considered by the court during the third or fourth quarter of 2003.

Until the CPUC modifies the current frozen rate structure, changes to the DWR's 2003 revenue requirement may affect the Utility's future earnings. Because the Utility acts as a collection agent for the DWR, amounts collected on behalf of the DWR (related to its revenue requirement) are excluded from the Utility's revenues.

DWR Bond Charge

In October 2002, the CPUC issued a decision that, in part, imposes bond charges to recover the DWR's bond costs from bundled and direct access customers starting November 15, 2002, as described below, although the decision found that the Utility would not need to increase customers' overall rates to incorporate the bond charge. The Utility expects to pass through approximately $340 million in bond-related charges during the 12 months ending November 14, 2003.

Until the CPUC implements bottoms-up billing (billing for specific rate components) for the Utility, any bond charges will reduce the amount of revenue available to recover previously written-off under-collected electricity procurement and transition costs.

Senate Bill 1976

Under AB 1X, the DWR is prohibited from entering into new agreements to purchase electricity to meet the net open position of the California IOUs after December 31, 2002. In September 2002, the Governor signed California SB 1976 into law. As required by SB 1976, each California IOU submitted an electricity procurement plan to meet the residual net open position associated with that utility's customer demand.

A central feature of the SB 1976 regulatory framework is its direction to the CPUC to create new electric procurement balancing accounts to track and allow recovery of the differences between recorded revenues and costs incurred under an approved procurement plan. The CPUC must review the revenues and costs associated with the IOU's electric procurement plan at least semi-annually and adjust rates or order refunds, as appropriate, to properly amortize the balancing accounts. The CPUC must establish the schedule for amortizing the over-collections or under-collections in the electric procurement balancing accounts so that the aggregate over-collections or under-collections reflected in the accounts do not exceed 5 percent of the IOU's actual recorded generation revenues for the prior calendar year, excluding revenues collected on behalf of the DWR. Mandatory semi-annual review and adjustment of the balancing accounts will continue until January 1, 2006. Thereafter, the CPUC is required to conduct electric procurement balancing account reviews and adjust retail ratemaking amortization schedules for the balancing accounts, as the CPUC deems appropriate and in a manner consistent with the requirements of SB 1976 for timely recovery of electric procurement costs.

Allocation of DWR Electricity to Customers of the IOUs

In September 2002, the CPUC issued a decision to allocate the electricity provided under existing DWR contracts to the customers of the IOUs. This decision required the Utility, along with the other IOUs, to begin performing all the day-to-day scheduling, dispatch, and administrative functions associated with the DWR contracts allocated to the IOUs' respective portfolios on January 1, 2003. The DWR retains legal and financial responsibility for these contracts.

Under AB 1X, the CPUC has no review authority over the reasonableness of procurement costs in the DWR's contracts, although the Utility's administration of DWR contracts allocated to its customers and its dispatch of the electricity associated with those contracts may be subject to reasonableness reviews. See further discussion below under "Energy Procurement."

The DWR has stated publicly that it intends to transfer full legal title of, and responsibility for, the DWR electricity contracts to the IOUs as soon as possible. However, SB 1976 does not contemplate a transfer of title of the DWR contracts to the IOUs. In addition, the operating agreement approved by the CPUC in April 2003 governing the Utility's operational and scheduling responsibility with respect to the DWR allocated contracts specifies that the DWR will retain legal and financial responsibility for the contracts and that the operating agreement does not result in an assignment of the DWR allocated contracts to the Utility (See further discussion below under "Operating Agreement."). However, either the State of California or the CPUC may provide the DWR with authority to affect such a transfer of legal title in the future. The Utility has informed the CPUC, the DWR, and the State of California that the Utility would vigorously oppose any attempt to transfer the DWR allocated contracts to the Utility without its consent.

Operating Agreement

In December 2002, the CPUC approved an operating order requiring the Utility to perform the operational, dispatch, and administrative functions for the DWR's allocated contracts beginning on January 1, 2003. In April 2003, the CPUC approved an operating agreement between the DWR and the Utility that effectively terminates the operating order but keeps a framework that is substantially similar to the operating order.

Although the operating order and the operating agreement have fundamentally the same objectives, the operating agreement, among other things:

Both the Utility and the DWR have filed petitions to modify certain terms of the operating agreement.

Energy Procurement

In October 2002, the CPUC issued a decision ordering the Utility to resume full procurement on January 1, 2003. In December 2002, the CPUC issued an interim opinion adopting the revised electricity procurement plan for 2003 that the Utility submitted in 2002 and authorized the Utility to enter into contracts designed to hedge its residual net open position in 2003 and the first quarter of 2004. The CPUC found that the maximum annual procurement disallowance exposure for administration of all contracts and least-cost dispatch of resources that each IOU should face for all of its procurement activities should be limited to twice the IOU's annual administrative costs of managing procurement activities, including its administration and dispatch of electricity associated with DWR contracts allocated to its customers. The Utility's direct annual administrative costs of managing procurement activities requested in the 2003 General Rate Case (GRC) are approximately $18 million.

Effective January 1, 2003, the Utility established the Energy Resource Recovery Account (ERRA) to record and recover electricity costs, excluding the DWR's electricity contract costs, associated with the Utility's authorized procurement plan. Electricity costs recorded in the ERRA include, but are not limited to, fuel costs for retained generation, QF contracts, inter-utility contracts, ISO charges, irrigation district contracts, other power purchase agreements, bilateral contracts, forward hedges, prepayments, collateral requirements associated with procurement, and ancillary services. The Utility offsets these costs by reliability-must-run revenues, the Utility's allocation of revenues from surplus electricity sales, and the ERRA revenue requirement.

In April 2001, the California Public Utilities Code was amended to require that the CPUC ensure that errors in estimates of demand elasticity or sales by the Utility do not result in material over-collections or under-collections of costs by the Utility. The Utility intends to address implementation of this new law in connection with pending proceedings at the CPUC relating to recovery of components of its costs of service.

The CPUC has authorized the Utility to file an application to change retail electricity rates at any time that its forecasts indicate it will face an under-collection of electricity procurement costs in excess of 5 percent of its prior year's generation and procurement revenues, excluding amounts collected for the DWR. The Utility currently estimates that its 5 percent threshold amount will be approximately $224 million. Actual implementation of the rate change as triggered by Utility under-collections is subject to further review by the CPUC.

In February 2003, the Utility filed its 2003 ERRA forecast application requesting that the CPUC reset the Utility's 2003 ERRA revenue requirement to $1.4 billion and that the ERRA trigger threshold of $224 million be adopted. The CPUC will examine the Utility's forecast of costs for 2003 and will finalize the Utility's starting ERRA revenue requirement and ERRA trigger threshold when it reviews the Utility's ERRA application.

The Utility filed its long-term procurement plan (long-term plan), covering the next 20 years, on April 15, 2003. The Utility's long-term plan states that certain important policy issues, including the restoration of the Utility's financial health and investment grade credit rating, should be resolved before the CPUC can adopt a credible long-term plan for the Utility. The long-term plan indicates that a fundamental requirement for restoring the Utility's credit rating is the provision of procurement cost recovery by the CPUC. The Utility also mentions other conditions that the CPUC should consider implementing before adopting its long-term plan including providing comprehensive guidelines which give the Utility the flexibility to react quickly to changing market conditions and determining which customers the Utility will serve and under what price. In this latter condition, the Utility notes that it will continue to be exposed to unrecovered costs unless the CPUC requires customer classes to pay the full amount of costs incurred on their behalf. While the long-term plan states that there is no immediate need for the Utility to construct or make long-term commitments to new resources, it goes on to indicate that the Utility's role in future generation development will be directly impacted by its credit rating.

The Utility plans to file its 2004 short-term procurement plan by May 15, 2003. The CPUC has stated that it plans to issue a final decision on the Utility's long-term procurement plan in November 2003.

2001 Annual Transition Cost Proceeding: Review of Reasonableness of Electricity Procurement

On January 11, 2002, as directed by the CPUC, the Utility filed a report with the CPUC detailing the reasonableness of the Utility's electric procurement and generation scheduling and dispatch activities for the period July 1, 2000, through June 30, 2001. In this proceeding, the CPUC will review the reasonableness of the Utility's procurement of wholesale electricity from the Power Exchange (PX) and the ISO during the height of the 2000-2001 California energy crisis. With the exception of a limited right to purchase electricity from third parties beginning in August 2000, all of the Utility's wholesale electric purchases during this period were required to be made exclusively from or through the PX and ISO markets pursuant to FERC-approved tariffs. Prior CPUC decisions have determined that such purchases should be deemed reasonable. In addition, the Utility's complaint against the CPUC Commissioners asserts that the costs of such purchases are recoverable in the Utility's retail rates without further review by the CPUC under the federal filed rate doctrine. However, a CPUC administrative law judge is asserting jurisdiction to review the reasonableness of the Utility's wholesale electric purchases from the PX and the ISO in the proceeding. A report from the CPUC's Office of Ratepayer Advocates (ORA) regarding the Utility's procurement activities for the covered period was issued on April 28, 2003, recommending that the CPUC disallow recovery of $434 million of the Utility's procurement costs based on an allegation that the Utility's market purchases during the period were imprudent due to a failure to develop and execute a reasonable hedging strategy. The ORA recommendation does not take into account any FERC-ordered refunds of the Utility's procurement costs during this period, which refunds could effectively reduce the amount of the recommended disallowance. The Utility believes that the ORA recommendation is unlawful, contrary to prior CPUC decisions, and factually unsupported, and intends to contest the recommendation vigorously. Hearings will be scheduled this year on the ORA recommendation, and a CPUC decision is expected later this year or early next year. The Utility cannot predict whether the outcome of this decision will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition.

Retained Generation Revenue Requirement

The CPUC approved a 2002 revenue requirement of $3 billion for recovery of costs for generation the Utility retains, including electric purchased power, depreciation, operating expenses, taxes, and return on investment, based on an assumed rate base of $1.9 billion adopted by the decision as of December 31, 2000.

The CPUC authorized the Utility to recover reasonable costs incurred in 2002 for its own electric generation, subject to reasonableness review in the Utility's 2003 GRC or other proceeding. The decision does not change retail electric rates and the Utility does not expect it to have an impact on its results of operations. Instead, the decision defers consideration of future rate changes until the CPUC addresses the status of the retail rate freeze. The CPUC also deferred addressing recovery of the Utility's past unrecovered generation-related costs.

The CPUC is currently considering the Utility's 2003 non-fuel generation revenue requirement request of $1 billion in its 2003 GRC proceeding. This represents an increase in non-fuel generation revenue requirements of $149 million over the amount approved for 2002. On April 11, 2003, the CPUC ORA provided to the Utility and other parties the ORA's report on the Utility's 2003 GRC application. In its report, the ORA recommends a decrease of $2 million for utility-retained generation compared to the Utility's requested increase of $149 million. (See "2003 GRC" below.) Recovery of fuel and purchased power generation-related costs for 2003 was addressed in the Utility's ERRA proceeding (see "Energy Procurement" above).

Divestiture of Retained Generation Facilities

The California Legislature passed AB 6X in January 2001 prohibiting utilities from divesting their remaining power plants before January 1, 2006. The Utility believes this law does not supersede or repeal existing provisions of AB 1890, California's 1996 electric industry restructuring legislation, requiring the CPUC to establish a market value for the Utility's remaining generating assets by the end of 2001, based on appraisal, sale, or other divestiture. The Utility has filed comments on this matter with the CPUC. However, the CPUC has not yet issued a decision.

On January 2, 2002, the CPUC issued a decision finding that AB 6X had materially affected the implementation of AB 1890. The CPUC scheduled further proceedings to address the impact of AB 6X on the AB 1890 rate freeze and to determine the extent and disposition of the Utility's remaining unrecovered transition costs. In its November 2002 decision regarding surcharge revenues (see "One-Cent, Three-Cent, and Half-Cent Surcharge Revenues" below), the CPUC reiterated that it had yet to decide when the rate freeze ended and the disposition of any under-collected costs remaining at the end of the rate freeze.

On January 17, 2002, the Utility filed an administrative claim with the State of California Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (Claims Board) alleging that AB 6X violates the Utility's statutory rights under AB 1890. The Utility's claim seeks compensation for the denial of its right to at least a $4.1 billion market value of its retained generating facilities. On March 7, 2002, the Claims Board formally denied the Utility's claim. Having exhausted remedies before the Claims Board, on September 6, 2002, the Utility filed a complaint against the State of California for breach of contract in the California Superior Court. On January 9, 2003, the Superior Court granted the State's request to dismiss the Utility's complaint, finding that AB 1890 did not constitute a contract. The Utility filed a notice of appeal on March 7, 2003.

Direct Access Suspension and Cost Responsibility Surcharge

Until September 2001, California utility customers could choose to buy their electricity from the Utility (bundled customers) or from an alternative power supplier through "direct access" service. Direct access customers receive distribution and transmission service from the Utility, but purchase electricity (generation) from their alternative provider. In September 2001, the CPUC, pursuant to AB 1X, suspended the right of retail end-use customers to choose direct access service, thereby preventing additional customers from entering into contracts to purchase electricity from alternative providers. Customers that entered into direct access contracts on or before September 20, 2001, were permitted to remain on direct access.

In November 2002, the CPUC issued a decision assessing an exit fee, or non-bypassable charge, on direct access customers to avoid a shift of costs from direct access customers to bundled service customers.

The decision establishes the Cost Responsibility Surcharge (CRS) and imposes a cap of $0.027 per kWh. The CPUC required the utilities to implement this capped surcharge on January 1, 2003. The CPUC also has indicated that it will reach a decision on whether this cap should be adjusted and whether trigger mechanisms for adjusting the cap should be established, by July 1, 2003. The Utility implemented the $0.027 per kWh capped CRS on January 1, 2003.

When the direct access credit was established, direct access customers paid the full bundled rate less a credit based on the Schedule PX price. Under this methodology, when the Schedule PX price exceeded the bundled rates, the direct access customer received a bill credit. As a result, during the energy crisis, direct access customers did not contribute to the Utility's transition cost recovery nor did they pay for transmission and distribution services. When the CPUC established the CRS, direct access customers began paying a $0.027 per kWh capped surcharge, and stopped paying the $0.01 per kWh surcharge as discussed below. To implement this charge, the Utility adjusted the direct access credit such that the customer pays all transmission and distribution charges plus the $0.027 per kWh capped surcharge.

The CRS currently collects the direct access share of DWR power charges. The CRS may be expanded later to include the above-market portion of the Utility's ongoing procurement and generation costs as well as the DWR bond charge. Direct access customers subject to the CRS who have returned to bundled service will still be responsible for their share of the unrecovered costs resulting from the capping of the CRS. However, the CPUC has not authorized a method for collection of these costs from these customers. To the extent the cap results in an under-collection of DWR charges, the shortfall would have to be remitted to the DWR from bundled customers' funds. Since DWR pass-through revenues are determined based upon a fixed revenue requirement, to the extent that the Utility remits additional CRS revenues to the DWR, the Utility expects those remittances to reduce the amount of revenues it must pass through for bundled customers. The Utility expects to collect approximately $110 million per year more from direct access customers due to the CRS. On an interim basis while the CPUC examines a long-term plan for financing the CRS, interest on under-collections will be assessed at the interest rate paid by the DWR on bonds issued to finance electricity purchases.

The Utility does not expect that the CPUC's implementation of this decision or the level of the CRS cap will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition.

One-Cent, Three-Cent, and Half-Cent Surcharge Revenues

In January 2001, the CPUC increased electric rates by $0.01 per kWh, and in March 2001 by another $0.03 per kWh, and restricted use of these revenues to "ongoing procurement costs" and "future power purchases."

In May 2001, the CPUC authorized the Utility to collect an additional $0.005 per kWh surcharge revenue for 12 months to make up for the time lag between March 2001, when the CPUC authorized the $0.03 per kWh surcharge, and June 2001, when the Utility began collecting the $0.03 per kWh surcharge. Although the collection of this "half-cent" surcharge was originally scheduled to end on May 31, 2002, the CPUC issued a resolution ordering the Utility to continue collecting the half-cent surcharge until further consideration by the CPUC and to record the surcharge revenues in a balancing account.

In November 2002, the CPUC approved a decision modifying the restrictions on the use of revenues generated by the surcharges to permit use of the revenues for the purpose of securing or restoring the Utility's reasonable financial health, as determined by the CPUC. The CPUC will determine in other proceedings how the surcharge revenues can be used, whether there is any cost or other basis to support specific surcharge levels, and whether the resulting rates are just and reasonable. After the CPUC determines when the AB 1890 rate freeze ended, the CPUC will determine the extent and disposition of the Utility's under-collected costs, if any, remaining at the end of the rate freeze. If the CPUC determines that the Utility recovered revenues in excess of its transition costs or in excess of other permitted uses, the CPUC may require the Utility to refund such excess revenues.

In December 2002, the CPUC issued a decision authorizing the Utility to record amounts related to the $0.01 per kWh and $0.03 per kWh surcharge revenues as an offset to unrecovered transition costs.

Based on the November and December CPUC decisions discussed above and an agreement between the CPUC and another California IOU, Southern California Edison (SCE), in which SCE was allowed to use its half-cent surcharge to offset its DWR revenue requirement, the Utility believes it can continue to recognize revenues related to the $0.01 per kWh, $0.03 per kWh, and half-cent surcharges after the statutory end of the rate freeze, which was March 31, 2002. As such, as of March 31, 2003, the Utility does not have a regulatory liability recorded for these surcharge revenues in its financial statements.

The California Supreme Court is currently considering the authority of the CPUC to enter into a settlement agreement with SCE that allows SCE to recover under-collected procurement and transition costs in light of the provisions of AB 1890. Oral argument has been set before the California Supreme Court for May 27, 2003. Either in response to judicial decisions such as this one, or on its own initiative, it is possible that at some future date the CPUC may change its interpretation of law or otherwise seek to change the Utility's overall retail electric rates retroactively. (See further discussion in the "Recovery of Transition Costs" section of Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements). The Utility has not provided reserves for potential refunds of any of these revenues as of March 31, 2003.

If the CPUC requires the Utility to refund any of these revenues in the future, the Utility's earnings could be materially affected.

1999 GRC

Through a GRC proceeding, the CPUC authorizes an amount known as "base revenues" to be collected from ratepayers to recover the Utility's basic business and operational costs for its gas and electric distribution operations.

The 1999 GRC decision ordered an audit to assess the contribution of the Utility's 1999 electric and gas distribution capital additions to system reliability, capacity, and adequacy of service. The audit began in February 2002 and a final report was issued on November 8, 2002. The final report concludes, "in general the [Utility's] 1999 overall capital expenditure program appears quite acceptable." The final report offers recommendations to improve the Utility's distribution capital investment process, but recommends no adjustments to the Utility's distribution rate base.

In October 2001, the CPUC reopened the record in the 1999 GRC to review the Utility's actual 1998 capital spending on electric distribution compared with the forecast used to determine 1999 rates. On April 3, 2003, the CPUC issued a final decision that would result in an adjustment of the adopted 1998 capital spending forecast level to conform to the 1998 recorded level. The Utility has 45 days from the date of the final decision to file its adjusted revenue requirements with the CPUC for approval. The Utility does not expect a material impact on its financial position or results of operations from the remaining proceedings.

2003 GRC

In the 2003 GRC, the CPUC will determine the amount of authorized base revenues the Utility can collect from ratepayers to recover its basic business and operational costs for gas and electric distribution operations for 2003 through 2005. On November 8, 2002, the Utility requested a $447 million increase in its electric distribution revenue requirements and a $105 million increase in its gas distribution revenue requirements, over the current authorized amounts. The Utility will also seek an attrition rate adjustment (ARA) increase for 2004 and 2005. The ARA mechanism is designed to avoid a reduction in earnings in years between GRCs to reflect increases in rate base and expenses.

The electric distribution revenue requirement increase would not increase overall bundled electric rates over their current authorized levels. However, the gas bill for a typical residential customer would rise by approximately 4.1 percent, or $1.56 per month.

Additionally, as directed by the CPUC in the Utility's 2002 retained generation proceeding (see "Retained Generation Revenue Requirement" above), the Utility submitted testimony supporting the costs of operating the Utility's generation facilities, fuel, and purchased power costs. The Utility requested an increase of approximately $61 million over the interim 2002 retained generation revenue requirement authorized by the CPUC. In October 2002, the CPUC issued a decision ordering the Utility to resume the procurement function on January 1, 2003. That decision also directed the Utility to amend its GRC application to remove certain generation-related fuel and purchased power costs from its GRC and instead to include them in its ERRA proceeding (see "Energy Procurement" above). For the remaining non-fuel generation revenue requirement, the Utility requests an increase of $149 million over the amount approved for 2002.

On December 17, 2002, the CPUC granted the Utility's request that the revenue requirement established in the 2003 GRC be effective January 1, 2003, even though the CPUC will not issue a final decision on the 2003 GRC until sometime after that date. The CPUC Commissioner assigned to the 2003 GRC has adopted a schedule for this proceeding that includes a target date for a final decision on February 5, 2004.

On April 11, 2003, the ORA provided to the Utility and other parties the ORA's report on the Utility's 2003 GRC application. In its report, the ORA recommends an increase of $170 million in electric base revenues compared to the Utility's request for an increase of $447 million, and an increase in gas base revenues of $3.7 million compared to the Utility's request for an increase of $105 million over the current authorized amounts. The ORA also recommends a decrease of $2 million for utility-retained generation compared to the Utility's requested increase of $149 million.

The two largest components of the difference are administrative and general (A&G) expenses, which comprise 35 percent of the total difference, and depreciation expenses, which comprise 23 percent of the total difference. With respect to A&G expenses, the ORA recommends rejection of the Utility's request for pension fund contributions, reduction of certain employee incentive payments, and disallowance of certain allocated holding company costs, resulting in an A&G forecast of $188 million less in A&G expenses than the Utility's estimate. With respect to the $123 million difference between the Utility's and the ORA's estimates for depreciation expenses, the primary difference is due to the ORA's recommended rejection of the Utility's request for higher depreciation rates to reflect the increased costs to remove and dispose of aging utility distribution infrastructure. In addition, the ORA recommended that the Utility's next test year GRC be delayed until 2007, rather than 2006, and that the Utility file an ARA request for 2006.

The CPUC may accept all, part, or none of the ORA's recommendations. The Utility cannot predict what amount of revenue requirements, if any, the CPUC will authorize for the 2003 through 2005 period. In the event of an adverse decision by the CPUC, and if the Utility is unable to conform to the base revenue amounts adopted by the CPUC while maintaining safety and system reliability standards, the ability of the Utility to earn its authorized rate of return for the years until the next general rate case would be adversely affected. Any change in revenue requirements will not be recorded until such time that a final decision is received.

2002 ARA Request

In April 2002, the CPUC conditionally authorized a request by the Utility for interim attrition relief and made any attrition relief ultimately granted effective as of April 22, 2002. In June 2002, the Utility filed its 2002 ARA application, requesting a $76.7 million increase to its annual electric distribution revenue requirement, and a $19.5 million increase to its annual gas distribution revenue requirement. On March 13, 2003, the CPUC denied the Utility's request, finding that the Utility's recorded numbers were out of date because a review of the Utility's costs had not been made since its 1999 GRC and that the escalation rates were too uncertain to sustain a finding of just and reasonableness for a 2002 base revenue increase.

On April 16, 2003, the Utility filed an application for rehearing of the March 2003 decision, which denied the Utility's request for an annual total base revenue requirement increase of approximately $96.2 million for 2002. In the filing, the Utility argues that the CPUC's denial of attrition relief was in error because the decision applied the wrong legal standard and because its findings were not supported by substantial evidence. The Utility cannot predict when the CPUC will rule upon this application for rehearing, nor whether any decision the CPUC ultimately issues will have a material impact on the Utility's results of operations or financial condition.

Cost of Capital Proceedings

Each year, the Utility files an application with the CPUC to determine the authorized rate of return the Utility may earn on its electric and gas distribution and electric generation assets.

For its gas and electric distribution operations and electric generation operations, the Utility's currently authorized return on common equity (ROE) is 11.22 percent and its currently authorized cost of debt is 7.57 percent. The Utility also has a currently authorized capital structure of 48.00 percent common equity, 46.20 percent long-term debt, and 5.80 percent preferred equity. The November 2002 decision in the Utility's 2003 Cost of Capital proceeding adopted these authorized figures and held open the case to address the impact on the Utility's ROE, costs of debt and preferred stock, and ratemaking capital structure of the implementation and financing of a bankruptcy plan of reorganization. Subsequently, on February 21, 2003, the Utility filed a petition to modify the November 2002 decision to waive the normal requirement for the Utility to file a test year 2004 Cost of Capital application. If the Utility's request is granted, its currently authorized cost of capital will continue until the CPUC authorizes a new cost of capital for the Utility in the 2003 updated case, or in the Utility's next Cost of Capital application. If the petition is denied, the Utility will proceed with a 2004 Cost of Capital proceeding in which the CPUC may authorize a new cost of capital or capital structure for the Utility.

FERC Prospective Price Mitigation Relief

In response to the unprecedented increase in wholesale electricity prices during 2000 and 2001, the FERC issued a series of orders in the spring and summer of 2001 and July 2002 aimed at mitigating future extreme wholesale energy prices. These orders established a cap on bids for real-time electricity and ancillary services of $250 per megawatt-hour (MWh) and established various automatic mitigation procedures. Recently, the FERC proposed to adopt a safety net bid cap as part of the mitigation plan for wholesale energy markets and has requested comments on the appropriate value for such a bid cap.

Also, in June and July 2001, the FERC's chief administrative law judge (ALJ) conducted settlement negotiations among power sellers, the State of California, and the California IOUs in an attempt to resolve disputes regarding past electric sales. Various parties, including the Utility and the State of California, are seeking up to $8.9 billion in refunds for electricity overcharges on behalf of buyers. The negotiations did not result in a settlement, but the judge recommended that the FERC conduct further hearings to determine possible refunds and what the power sellers and buyers are each owed. On December 12, 2002, a FERC ALJ issued an initial decision finding that power companies overcharged the utilities, the State of California, and other buyers from October 2, 2000 to June 2001 by $1.8 billion, but that California buyers still owe the power companies $3.0 billion, leaving $1.2 billion in unpaid bills. The time period reviewed in the FERC hearings excludes the claims for refunds for overcharges that occurred before October 2, 2000, and after June 2001 when the DWR entered into contracts to buy electricity.

On March 26, 2003, the FERC confirmed most of the ALJ's findings, but modified the refund methodology in part, as discussed below. A FERC spokesman has estimated the total potential refunds, using the modified methodology, at $3.3 billion. This higher estimate reflects the FERC Staff Final Report on Price Manipulation in Western Markets recommending recalculation of natural gas prices using a new gas proxy methodology for calculating mitigated market prices. The FERC said the recalculation was necessary because of faulty natural gas price indices that were used previously. The FERC stated that it would allow the electricity suppliers and generators to obtain an additional fuel cost allowance if they submit evidence showing that their actual gas costs were higher than the new calculated price, which, if accepted by the FERC, would reduce the amount of the calculated overcharges.

The Utility has recorded $1.8 billion of claims filed by various power generators in its bankruptcy case as Liabilities Subject to Compromise. The Utility currently estimates that these claims would have been reduced to approximately $1.2 billion based on the recalculation of market prices according to the refund methodology recommended in the ALJ's initial decision. The recent recalculation of market prices according to the revised methodology adopted by the FERC could result in an additional several hundred million dollar decrease in the amount of the generators' claims offset by the amount of any additional fuel cost allowance for generators accepted by the FERC. If these claims are reduced, it would also reduce the Utility's previously written-off under-collected purchased power and transition costs.

Additional evidence of market manipulation and artificially inflated prices for electricity and natural gas for the period from January 1, 2000, to June 20, 2001, was presented to the FERC through March 3, 2003, and various power suppliers filed responsive materials by March 20, 2003. The FERC is still reviewing these materials. The California parties, including the Utility, have requested that the FERC apply its refund methodology to power purchases during the period from May 1, 2000, through October 1, 2000. The FERC has indicated that, rather than applying the refund methodology to this period, it may order disgorgement of profits from, or impose other remedies on, certain sellers.

El Paso Settlement

On March 21, 2003, the Utility, along with a number of other parties, entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with El Paso Corporation (El Paso) to settle claims against El Paso relating to the sale or delivery of natural gas and/or electricity to or in the western United States from September 1996 to present, including claims that El Paso took actions that resulted in artificially inflated gas prices during the California energy crisis of 2000 and 2001. Under the terms of the MOU, which has a nominal value of $1.7 billion, the parties plan to proceed to document and execute a final comprehensive settlement agreement. As consideration for the release of claims against it, among other terms of the proposed settlement, El Paso will pay $100 million in cash upon execution of the final settlement agreement and will issue $125 million in stock no later than the effective date of the settlement. El Paso will also make additional cash payments of $440 million, or $22 million each year for 20 years, starting one year after the final settlement agreement is executed. (El Paso has the option of making up to 50 percent of any such payment in stock.)

In addition, El Paso has agreed to deliver natural gas valued at $45 million per year to the California border over the next 20 years, beginning in January 2004. Also, the DWR's long-term contract with El Paso will be reduced by $125 million over the remaining term of the contract.

The agreement in principle will be finalized once a final settlement is signed and approved by required state and federal regulators and courts, including the CPUC, the FERC, and the Bankruptcy Court. It is uncertain whether a final executed agreement will be reached, whether required approvals will be obtained, and how the final agreement would affect the Utility's financial condition and results of operations.

Scheduling Coordinator Costs

The Utility serves as the scheduling coordinator to schedule transmission with the ISO for some of the Utility's existing wholesale transmission customers. The ISO bills the Utility for providing certain services associated with these customers' loads and resources. These ISO charges are referred to as "scheduling coordinator (SC) costs."

In November 1999, the Utility filed the Scheduling Coordinator Services (SCS) Tariff to recover the SC costs from the existing wholesale transmission customers. In January 2000, the FERC accepted the SCS Tariff and conditionally granted the Utility's request that the tariff be effective retroactive to March 31, 1998. However, the FERC also suspended the SCS Tariff case pending the outcome of another related FERC proceeding and ordered the Utility to defer billing SC customers while the SCS Tariff case was suspended. In August 2002, the FERC issued a final order in the related proceeding, and issued a subsequent order on rehearing in November 2002. In December 2002, the Utility and the SCS Tariff customers filed a joint brief asking the FERC to reactivate the SCS Tariff case. On March 28, 2003, the Utility submitted a supplemental filing for recovery of $83.1 million in SC costs for the period March 31, 1998, through August 31, 2002.

The Utility does not expect the outcome of this proceeding to have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition.

Gas Accord II

In 1998, the Utility implemented a ratemaking pact called the Gas Accord, separating its gas transportation and storage services from its distribution services, and changing the terms of service and rate structure for gas transportation. The Gas Accord allows residential and small commercial customers (core customers) to purchase gas from competing suppliers, establishes an incentive mechanism whereby the Utility recovers its core procurement costs, and establishes gas transportation rates through 2002 and gas storage rates through March 2003. Under the Gas Accord, the Utility is at risk for recovery of its gas transportation and storage costs and does not have regulatory balancing account protection for over-collections or under-collections of revenues. Under the Gas Accord, the Utility sells a portion of the transmission and storage capacity at competitive market-based rates. Revenues are sensitive to changes in the weather, levels of natural gas-fired generation, and price spreads between two delivery or pricing points.

In August 2002, the CPUC approved a settlement agreement among the Utility and other parties that provided for a one-year extension of its existing gas transportation and storage rates, referred to as the Gas Accord II settlement. The settlement also provided for a one-year extension of terms and conditions of service, including the Core Procurement Incentive Mechanism (for further discussion see "Utility Natural Gas Commodity Price Risk" below), as well as rules governing contract extensions and an open season for new contracts. The Gas Accord II settlement left open to subsequent litigation the issues raised in the application in so far as they relate to the second year of the two-year application.

In January 2003, the Utility filed an amended Gas Accord II application with the CPUC proposing to permanently retain the Gas Accord market structure, requesting a $55 million increase in the Utility's rates for gas transmission service for 2004, and for storage service for the period from April 1, 2004, to March 31, 2005. This request represented a 12.9 percent increase in the Utility's gas transmission and storage revenue requirement and a 13.4 percent return on equity for the gas transmission and storage assets. Subsequently, the CPUC removed the cost of capital issues from this proceeding and ordered the Utility to use a return on equity of 11.22 percent as a placeholder, pending resolution of this issue in the Utility's 2004 Cost of Capital proceeding. The change resulted in a $25 million reduction in the Utility's revenue requirement request. These proposals, if adopted, would be implemented only if the Utility's gas transmission and storage assets remain under CPUC jurisdiction beyond 2003.

The Gas Accord II proposal for 2004 requests a rate increase, calculated on a demand or throughput forecast basis. In addition, for the 12-month period ending December 31, 2004, for transmission capacity and for the 12-month period ending March 31, 2005, for storage capacity, the Utility proposes to provide an option for current holders of capacity to extend their rights and for an open season to be held for any capacity that is not contracted. The Utility may experience a material reduction in operating revenues if (1) the Utility were unable to renew or replace existing transportation contracts at the beginning or throughout the Gas Accord II period, (2) the Utility were to renew or replace those contracts on less favorable terms than adopted by the CPUC, or (3) overall demand for transportation and storage services were less than adopted by the CPUC in setting rates. In any of these cases, the Utility's financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. A decision in this proceeding is expected in early October 2003.

The Utility cannot predict what the outcome of this litigation will be, or whether the outcome will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition.

El Paso Capacity Decision

In July 2002, the CPUC ordered California IOUs to contract for certain El Paso pipeline capacity. The CPUC pre-approved such costs as just and reasonable.

The decision also addressed current capacity issues. It ordered the utilities to retain their current capacity levels on any interstate pipeline and to sell any excess capacity to a third party under short-term capacity release arrangements. It also ordered that to the extent the utilities comply with the decision, they will be able to fully recover their costs associated with existing capacity contracts.

In Phase II of this proceeding, the CPUC is addressing other issues that relate to these proposed rules, including (1) cost allocation of the El Paso pipeline capacity among the Utility's customers, (2) short-term capacity releases, and (3) details about the guaranteed rate recovery of the utilities' costs for subscription to interstate pipeline capacity. Phase II hearings began in late April 2003 and a decision is not expected until later in 2003.

Since the July CPUC decision, the Utility has signed contracts for capacity on the El Paso pipeline totaling approximately $50.8 million beginning November 2002 through December 2007, assuming no contracts set to expire before the end of 2007 are extended. The Utility has filed with the CPUC to recover both prepayments made to El Paso and ongoing capacity costs on the El Paso pipeline and the Transwestern Pipeline Company (Transwestern) pipelines. Under a previous CPUC decision, the Utility could not recover any costs paid to Transwestern for gas pipeline capacity through 1997. The Gas Accord (see "Gas Accord II" above) provided for partial recovery of Transwestern costs from 1998 forward. However, because of the El Paso decision, the Utility may be authorized to recover its future gas pipeline capacity purchases.

On December 19, 2002, the CPUC issued a resolution that would delay the Utility's recovery of some of these costs. The resolution grants the Utility's request to recover in rates El Paso pipeline capacity costs and prepayments made to El Paso. However, a petition for rehearing on this resolution was filed by The Utility Reform Network (TURN) and granted by the CPUC in April 2003. Pending the results of the rehearing, Phase II of this proceeding would allocate the cost of the transportation capacity between customer groups and would also determine the date on which all transportation capacity costs held by the Utility prior to July 2002 would be recoverable. In the meantime, the December resolution orders the Utility to continue to treat Transwestern capacity costs as it had prior to the July 2002 CPUC decision. The Utility does not expect the outcome of this matter to have a material adverse impact on its financial position or results of operations.

Annual Earnings Assessment Proceeding for Energy Efficiency Program Activities

The Utility administers general and low-income energy efficiency programs, and has been authorized to earn incentives based on a portion of the net present value of the savings achieved by the programs, incentives based on accomplishing certain tasks, and incentives based on expenditures. Each year the Utility files an earnings claim in the Annual Earnings Assessment Proceeding (AEAP), a forum for stakeholders to comment on, and for the CPUC to verify, the Utility's claim. On March 21, 2002, the CPUC eliminated the opportunity for shareholder incentives in connection with the California IOUs' 2002 energy efficiency programs. This decision does not preclude the opportunity to recover shareholder incentives in connection with previous years' energy efficiency programs.

In May 2002, 2001, and 2000, the Utility filed its annual applications claiming incentives of approximately $106 million. The CPUC has delayed action on these proceedings and the Utility has not included any earnings associated with incentives in the Utility's Consolidated Statements of Operations.

On March 13, 2002, an ALJ for the CPUC requested comments on whether incentives adopted for pre-1998 energy efficiency programs should be reduced or eliminated for claims in future years. Out of the total $106 million in shareholder incentives claimed by the Utility for its 2002, 2001, and 2000 AEAP filings, $74 million is related to pre-1998 energy efficiency programs. On March 19, 2003, an ALJ's ruling set forth the schedule and scope for the combined 2002, 2001, and 2000 AEAP filings. Further hearings for claims related to post-1997 energy efficiency programs are scheduled for July and October of this year.

The Utility does not expect the outcome of these proceedings will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition.

Baseline Allowance Increase

In April 2002, the CPUC required the Utility to increase baseline allowances for certain residential customers by May 1, 2002. An increase to a customer's baseline allowance increases the amount of their monthly usage that is covered under the lowest possible rate and is exempt from the $0.03 per kWh surcharge. The CPUC deferred consideration of corresponding rate changes until a later phase of the proceeding and ordered the utilities to track the under-collections associated with their respective baseline quantity changes in an interest-bearing balancing account. The Utility estimates the annual revenue shortfall to be approximately $101 million for electric and $11 million for gas. The Utility is charging the electric-related shortfall against earnings because it cannot predict the outcome of the second phase of the proceeding, nor can it conclude that recovery of the electric-related balancing account is probable. The total electric revenue shortfall for the period May through December 2002 was $70 million; the total electric revenue shortfall for the period January 1, 2003, through March 31, 2003, was $23 million.

Issues that may be resolved during the second phase of the proceeding in early 2003 include items that could involve additional revenues at risk such as demographic revisions to baseline allowances, special allowances, and changes to baseline territories or seasons. The Utility estimated additional annual revenue shortfalls from this second phase, if adopted, of $80 million for electric service and $11 million for gas service, plus $12 million in administration costs spread out over three to five years.

The Utility cannot predict what the outcome of the second phase of the proceeding will be, nor can it conclude that recovery of the electric baseline related balancing account is probable. Any electric revenue shortfalls will continue to be charged to earnings and will reduce revenue available to recover previously written-off under-collected purchased power costs and transition costs.

RISK MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES

PG&E Corporation and the Utility are exposed to various risks associated with their operations, the marketplace, contractual obligations, financing arrangements, and other aspects of their business. PG&E Corporation and the Utility actively manage these risks through risk management programs. These programs are designed to support business objectives, minimize costs, discourage unauthorized risk, reduce the volatility of earnings, and manage cash flows. At PG&E Corporation and the Utility, risk management activities often include the use of energy and financial derivative instruments and other instruments and agreements. These derivatives include forward contracts, futures, swaps, options, and other contracts.

PG&E Corporation uses derivatives for both non-trading (i.e., risk mitigation) and trading (i.e., speculative) purposes. The Utility uses derivatives for non-trading purposes only. PG&E Corporation and the Utility may use energy and financial derivatives and other instruments and agreements to mitigate the risks associated with an asset (e.g., the natural position embedded in asset ownership and regulatory arrangements), liability, committed transaction, or probable forecasted transaction. Additionally, PG&E Corporation may engage in trading activities for purposes of generating profit, gathering market intelligence, creating liquidity, and maintaining a market presence. These instruments are used in accordance with approved risk management policies adopted by a senior officer-level risk oversight committee. Derivative activity is permitted only after the risk oversight committee approves appropriate risk limits for such activity. The organizational unit proposing the activity must successfully demonstrate that there is a business need for such activity and that the market risks will be adequately measured, monitored, and controlled.

The activities affecting the estimated fair value of trading activities and the non-trading activities balances, included in net price risk management assets and liabilities, are presented below.

Three months ended
March 31,

----------------------------

(in millions)

2003

2002

----------

----------

Fair values of trading contracts at beginning of period

$

(22)

$

33 

Net (gain) loss on contracts settled during the period

33 

(45)

Fair value of new trading contracts when entered into

Other changes in fair values

43 

----------

----------

Fair values of trading contracts outstanding at end of period

11 

31 

Fair value of non-trading contracts at the end of the period

(324)

(28)

----------

----------

Net price risk management assets (liabilities) at end of period

$

(313)

$

======

======

Net price risk management assets (liabilities) held for sale

$

(393)

Net price risk management assets (liabilities) reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets

$

80 

======

PG&E Corporation estimates the gross mark-to-market value of its non-trading and trading contracts at March 31, 2003, using the mid-point of quoted bid and ask prices, where available. When market data is not available, PG&E Corporation uses a model that estimates forward power prices using the mid-point of the marginal cost curve (the lowest variable cost of generation available in a region) and the forecast curve (the price at which a generation unit will recover its capital costs and a return on investment). Interpolation methods are used for intermediate periods when broker quotes are unavailable. The gross mark-to-market valuation is then adjusted for the time value of money, creditworthiness of contractual counterparties, market liquidity in future periods, and other adjustments necessary to determine fair value. Most of PG&E Corporation's risk management models are reviewed by or purchased from third-party experts in specific derivative applications.

The following table shows the fair value of PG&E Corporation's trading contracts grouped by maturity at March 31, 2003.

 

Fair Value of Trading Contracts (1)

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Source of Prices Used in
   Estimating Fair Value

Maturity
Less than
One Year

 

Maturity
One-Three
Years

 

Maturity
Four-Five
Years

 

Maturity
in Excess of
Five Years

 

Total
Fair
Value

 

-----------

 

-------------

 

-----------

 

-------------

 

-----------

(in millions)

                 

Actively quoted markets (2)

$

18 

 

$

11 

 

$

 

$

 

$

29 

Provided by other external sources

59 

 

(82)

 

(18)

 

 

(41)

Based on models and other

                 

   valuation methods (3)

(20)

 

(8)

 

 

50 

 

23 

 

----------

 

------------

 

----------

 

------------

 

----------

Total Mark-to-Market

$

57 

 

$

(79)

 

$

(17)

 

$

50 

 

$

11 

 

======

 

=======

 

======

 

=======

 

======

(1)   Excludes all non-trading contracts, including non-trading contracts that receive mark-to-market accounting treatment.

(2)   Actively quoted markets are exchange traded quotes.

(3)   In many cases, these prices are an input into option models that calculate a gross mark-to-market value from which fair  value is derived.

The amounts disclosed above are not indicative of likely future cash flows. The future value of trading contracts may be impacted by changes in underlying valuations, new transactions, market liquidity, and PG&E Corporation's risk management portfolio needs and strategies.

Market Risk

Market risk is the risk that changes in market conditions will adversely affect earnings or cash flow. PG&E Corporation categorizes market risks as price risk, interest rate risk, foreign currency risk, and credit risk. These market risks may impact PG&E Corporation's and its subsidiaries' assets and trading portfolios.

Price Risk

Price risk is the risk that changes in commodity market prices will adversely affect earnings and cash flows. Below are descriptions of the Utility's and PG&E NEG's specific price risks.

Also described below is the value-at-risk methodology, which is PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's method for assessing the prospective risk that exists within a portfolio for price risk.

Utility Price Risk

The Utility is exposed to price risk which consists of electric commodity (including purchased power and nuclear fuel) and natural gas commodity price risks, as described below.

Utility Electric Commodity Price Risk

Purchased Power - In compliance with regulatory requirements, the Utility manages commodity price risk independently from the activities in PG&E Corporation's unregulated businesses. The Utility also reports its commodity price risk separately for its electric and natural gas businesses.

During 2001 and 2002, the DWR was responsible for procuring electricity required to cover the Utility's net open position. Under AB 1X, the DWR was prohibited from entering into new agreements to purchase electricity to meet the Utility's net open position after December 31, 2002. The DWR, however, remains legally and financially responsible for electricity contracts that it entered into before December 31, 2002 (existing contracts), and the Utility still relies on electricity provided by these contracts to service a significant portion of its total load. For further discussion, see "Allocation of DWR Electricity to Customers of the IOUs" in the "Regulatory Matters" section of this MD&A or Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Utility bills its customers for these DWR electricity purchases under existing contracts and remits amounts collected to the DWR based on the DWR's CPUC-approved revenue requirement. To the extent that the CPUC increases the portion of the DWR's revenue requirement allocated to the Utility's customers, and available revenues do not cover the Utility's procurement costs, the CPUC is obligated to increase rates if the shortfall exceeds 5 percent of the Utility's prior year's generation revenues, excluding amounts collected for the DWR. Additionally, the Utility is exposed to price risk to the extent that the cost of new electricity purchases increases, or the revenue from new wholesale sales decreases to the point where costs exceed available revenues. Furthermore, changes in the cost of new electricity purchases may also impact the amount of previously written-off purchased power and transition costs that the Utility is able to recover. For further discussion, see "Senate Bill 1976" and "Energy Procurement" in the "Regulatory Matters" section of this MD&A.

During the last half of 2002, SB 1976 and CPUC orders were approved that required the California IOUs, including the Utility, to resume responsibility for procuring the electricity to meet the residual net open position by January 1, 2003.

In December 2002, the CPUC issued an interim opinion granting the Utility authority to enter into contracts designed to meet and to hedge the residual net open position through the first quarter of 2004. The CPUC's interim opinion also established a maximum annual procurement disallowance for administration of all contracts and least-cost dispatch of resources equal to twice the Utility's annual administrative costs of managing procurement activities, including the administration and dispatch of electricity associated with DWR allocated contracts. However, the CPUC may increase or eliminate this maximum annual procurement disallowance in the future. Such a change would increase the Utility's exposure to electric commodity price risk.

The residual net open position is expected to increase over time due to periodic expirations of existing and DWR allocated procurement contracts. The Utility expects that electricity will continue to be available for purchase in quantities sufficient to satisfy the residual net open position for the short term. Over the longer term, when the western region of the United States has a need for new generation for reliability purposes, the Utility cannot assure that the electricity will continue to be available for purchase in quantities sufficient to satisfy the residual net open position. Even with purchases of electricity in quantities sufficient to satisfy the residual net open position, the Utility would be exposed to wholesale electricity commodity price fluctuations and uncertain commercial and credit terms.

Conversely, the amount of energy provided by the DWR contracts will likely result in significant excess electricity during various periods, which the Utility will be required to attempt to sell on the open market. If the Utility is unable to sell this excess electricity on the open market under terms and conditions that would recover its costs, its financial condition or results of operations may be adversely affected.

Nuclear Fuel - The Utility has purchase agreements for nuclear fuel components and services for use in operating the Diablo Canyon generating facility. The Utility relies on large, well-established international producers for its long-term agreements in order to diversify its commitments and ensure security of supply. Pricing terms are also diversified, ranging from fixed prices to base prices that are adjusted using published information.

In January 2002, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) imposed tariffs of up to 50 percent on imports from certain countries providing nuclear fuel. As of March 2003, the tariffs are still being imposed; however, the Court of International Trade in New York City is reviewing the ITC decision. The Utility's nuclear fuel costs have not increased based on the imposed tariffs because the terms of the existing long-term contracts did not include such costs. However, once these contracts expire in 2004, the costs under new nuclear fuel contracts may be higher than those under previous contracts if these tariffs remain in place. As noted above, the CPUC is obligated to change retail electricity rates at any time that the Utility's forecasts indicate it will face an under-collection of electricity procurement costs, including the cost of nuclear fuel, in excess of 5 percent of its prior year's generation revenues, excluding amounts collected for the DWR. Additionally, changes in the cost of nuclear fuel purchases may also impact the amount of previously written-off purchased power and transition costs that the Utility is able to recover.

 

 

Utility Natural Gas Commodity Price Risk

Through 2003, the Core Procurement Incentive Mechanism (CPIM) determines how much of the cost of procuring natural gas for its customers may be included in the Utility's natural gas procurement rates. Under the CPIM, the Utility's procurement costs are compared to an aggregate market-based benchmark based on a weighted average of published monthly and daily natural gas price indices at the points where the Utility typically purchases natural gas. Costs that fall within a range, or tolerance band, of 99 percent to 102 percent around the benchmark, are considered reasonable and may be fully recovered in customer rates. Ratepayers and shareholders share equally the costs and savings outside the tolerance band.

In addition, the Utility has contracts for transportation capacity on various natural gas pipelines. A recent CPUC decision found that the Utility's acquisition of additional interstate transportation capacity was reasonable and that all interstate transportation capacity already held by the Utility was also reasonable. A petition for rehearing on the CPUC decision regarding recovery of already held capacity was filed by TURN and granted by the CPUC in April 2003. Pending the results of the rehearing, a future decision would allocate the cost of the transportation capacity between customer groups and would also determine the date on which all transportation capacity costs held by the Utility prior to July 2002 would be recoverable.

Under the Gas Accord, shareholders are at risk for revenues from the sale of capacity on the Utility's gas transmissions and storage facilities. Capacity is sold at competitive market-based rates, within a cost-of-service tariff framework. Based on the underlying tariffs, revenues are generally lower when throughput volumes are lower than expected or when the price spread narrows between the gas transportation system's two principal receipt points. In August 2002, the CPUC approved a settlement agreement between the Utility and other parties that provided for a one-year extension of the Utility's existing gas transmission and storage rates and terms and conditions of service through the end of 2003. (The Gas Accord was originally scheduled to expire on December 31, 2002.) For further discussion, see "Gas Accord II" in the "Regulatory Matters" section of this MD&A.

PG&E NEG Price Risk

PG&E NEG is exposed to price risk from its portfolio of proprietary trading contracts and its portfolio of electric generation assets and supply contracts that serve wholesale and industrial customers, and various merchant plants currently in development and construction.

As described above, PG&E NEG is in the process of reducing and unwinding its trading positions. Additionally, asset hedge positions associated with the merchant plants will either remain with the assets or be terminated. PG&E NEG has significantly reduced its energy trading operations in an ongoing effort to raise cash and reduce debt. PG&E NEG's objective is to limit its asset trading and risk management activities to only what is necessary for energy management services to facilitate the transition of PG&E NEG's merchant generation facilities through their sale, transfer, or abandonment process. PG&E NEG will then further reduce and transition asset trading and risk management activities to only retain limited capabilities to ensure fuel procurement and power logistics for PG&E NEG's retained independent power plant operations.

Value-at-Risk

PG&E Corporation and the Utility measure price risk exposure using value-at-risk and other methodologies that simulate future price movements in the energy markets to estimate the probability of future potential losses. Price risk is quantified using what is referred to as the variance-covariance technique of measuring value-at-risk, which provides a consistent measure of risk across diverse energy markets and products. This methodology requires the selection of a number of important assumptions, including a confidence level for losses, price volatility, market liquidity, and a specified holding period. This technique uses historical price movement data and specific, defined mathematical parameters to estimate the characteristics of and the relationships between components of assets and liabilities held for price risk management activities. PG&E Corporation therefore uses the historical data for calculating the expected price volatility of its portfolio's contractual positions to project the likelihood that the prices of those positions will move together.

PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's value-at-risk calculation is a dollar amount reflecting the maximum potential one-day loss in the fair value of their portfolios due to adverse market movements over a defined time horizon within a specified confidence level. This calculation is based on a 95 percent confidence level, which means that there is a 5 percent probability that PG&E Corporation's portfolios will incur a loss in value in one day at least as large as the reported value-at-risk. For example, if the value-at-risk is calculated at $5 million, there is a 95 percent probability that if prices moved against current positions, the reduction in the value of the portfolio resulting from such one-day price movements would not exceed $5 million. There would also be a 5 percent probability that a one-day price movement would be greater than $5 million.

 

The value-at-risk exposure for the Utility's non-trading activities includes all derivatives in the gas portfolio over the entire length of the terms of the transactions. Since January 1, 2003, when the Utility resumed procurement of electricity, the Utility has been measuring certain of the risks embedded in the electric portfolio, and ensuring that it is within the risk limits adopted in the CPUC's December 2002 interim opinion on the Utility's electricity procurement plan. The Utility is in the process of developing a value-at-risk model and other methodologies appropriate for risk measurement of its electric portfolio. PG&E NEG's value-at-risk model includes all commodity derivatives and other financial instruments over the entire length of the terms of the transactions in the trading and non-trading portfolios.

The following table illustrates the potential one-day unfavorable impact for price risk as measured by the value-at-risk model, based on a one-day holding period. A comparison of daily values-at-risk as of March 31, 2003, and as of December 31, 2002, is included in order to provide context around the one-day amounts.

 

March 31,

December 31,

(in millions)

2003

2002

--------------

------------------

Utility

   

  Non-trading activities (1)

$

4  

$

4  

PG&E NEG

   

  Trading activities

16  

8  

  Non-trading activities:

   

     Non-trading contracts that receive mark-to-market accounting treatment (2)

10  

3  

     Non-trading contracts accounted for as hedges (3)

12  

9  

(1)    Includes the Utility's gas portfolio only.

(2)    Includes derivative power and fuel contracts that do not qualify as normal purchases and normal sales exceptions and do not qualify to be accounted for as cash flow hedges under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133.

(3)    Includes only the risk related to the derivative instruments that serve as hedges and does not include the related underlying hedged item. Any gain or loss on these derivative commodity instruments would be substantially offset by a corresponding gain or loss on the hedged commodity positions, which are not included.

Value-at-risk has several limitations as a measure of portfolio risk, including, but not limited to, underestimation of the risk of a portfolio with significant options exposure, inadequate indication of the exposure of a portfolio to extreme price movements, and the inability to address the risk resulting from intra-day trading activities. Value-at-risk also does not reflect the significant regulatory and legislative risks currently facing the Utility or the risks relating to the Utility's bankruptcy proceedings.

PG&E NEG's value-at-risk for trading and non-trading activities has increased as of March 31, 2003, as compared to levels as of December 31, 2002, due to strong prices and increased market volatility across all commodities. As PG&E NEG continues to wind down its trading positions, additional increases in prices or volatility could cause value-at-risk levels to increase. See the discussion above in the "Liquidity and Financial Resources - PG&E NEG" section of this MD&A for further information regarding PG&E NEG's current financial situation.

Interest Rate Risk

Interest rate risk is the risk that changes in interest rates could adversely affect earnings or cash flows. Specific interest rate risks for PG&E Corporation and the Utility include the risk of increasing interest rates on working capital facilities, variable rate tax-exempt pollution control bonds, and other variable rate debt.

PG&E Corporation may use the following interest rate instruments to manage its interest rate exposure: interest rate swaps, interest rate caps, floors or collars, swaptions, or interest rate forward and futures contracts. Interest rate risk sensitivity analysis is used to measure interest rate risk by computing estimated changes in cash flows as a result of assumed changes in market interest rates. At March 31, 2003, if interest rates changed by 1 percent for all variable rate debt at PG&E Corporation and the Utility, the change would affect net income by approximately $45 million for PG&E Corporation and $28 million for the Utility, based on variable rate debt and hedging derivatives and other interest rate-sensitive instruments outstanding.

Foreign Currency Risk

Foreign currency risk is the risk of changes in value of pending financial obligations in foreign currencies in relation to the U.S. dollar.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility are exposed to such risk associated with foreign currency exchange variations related to Canadian-denominated purchase and swap agreements. PG&E Corporation and the Utility may use forwards, swaps, and options to hedge foreign currency exposure.

For the Utility, changes in gas purchase costs due to fluctuations in the value of the Canadian dollar would be passed through to customers in rates, as long as the overall costs of purchasing gas are within a 99 percent to 102 percent tolerance band around the benchmark price under the CPIM mechanism, as discussed above. The Utility's customers and shareholders would share in the costs or savings outside of the tolerance band equally.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility use sensitivity analysis to measure their exchange rate exposure to the Canadian dollar. Based on a sensitivity analysis at March 31, 2003, a 10 percent devaluation of the Canadian dollar would be immaterial to PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's Consolidated Financial Statements.

Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk of loss that PG&E Corporation and the Utility would incur if counterparties failed to perform their contractual obligations (these obligations are reflected as Accounts Receivable - Customers, net; notes receivable included in Other Noncurrent Assets - Other; Price Risk Management (PRM) assets; and Assets Held For Sale on the Consolidated Balance Sheets of PG&E Corporation and the Utility, as applicable). PG&E Corporation and the Utility conduct business primarily with customers or vendors, referred to as counterparties, in the energy industry. These counterparties include other investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities, energy trading companies, financial institutions, and oil and gas production companies located in the United States and Canada. This concentration of counterparties may impact PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's overall exposure to credit risk because their counterparties may be similarly affected by economic or regulatory changes, or other changes in conditions.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility manage their credit risk in accordance with the PG&E Corporation Risk Management Policy. This establishes processes for assigning credit limits to counterparties before entering into agreements with significant exposure to PG&E Corporation and the Utility. These processes include an evaluation of a potential counterparty's financial condition, net worth, credit rating, and other credit criteria as deemed appropriate, and are performed at least annually.

Credit exposure is calculated daily, and in the event that exposure exceeds the established limits, PG&E Corporation and the Utility take immediate action to reduce the exposure, or obtain additional collateral, or both. Further, PG&E Corporation and the Utility rely heavily on master agreements that require the counterparty to post security, referred to as credit collateral, in the form of cash, letters of credit, corporate guarantees of acceptable credit quality, or eligible securities if current net receivables and replacement cost exposure exceed contractually specified limits.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility calculate gross credit exposure for each counterparty as the current mark-to-market value of the contract (that is, the amount that would be lost if the counterparty defaulted today) plus or minus any outstanding net receivables or payables, prior to the application of the counterparty's credit collateral.

During the three months ended March 31, 2003, PG&E Corporation's credit risk decreased primarily due to contract terminations with PG&E NEG counterparties. During the three months ended March 31, 2003, the Utility's credit risk increased due primarily to an increase in commodity prices and to downgrades of some counterparties' credit ratings to levels below investment grade. The downgrades increase the Utility's credit risk because any collateral provided by these counterparties in the form of corporate guarantees or eligible securities may be of lesser or no value. Therefore, in the event these counterparties failed to perform under their contracts, the Utility may face a greater potential maximum loss. In contrast, the Utility does not face any additional risk if counterparties' credit collateral is in the form of cash or letters of credit, as this collateral is not affected by a credit rating downgrade.

During the three months ended March 31, 2003, PG&E Corporation and the Utility recognized no losses due to the contract defaults or bankruptcies of counterparties.

At March 31, 2003, PG&E Corporation had no single counterparty that represented greater than 10 percent of PG&E Corporation's net credit exposure. At March 31, 2003, the Utility had one investment-grade counterparty that represented 17 percent of the Utility's net credit exposure.

The schedule below summarizes PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's credit risk exposure to counterparties that are in a net asset position, with the exception of exchange-traded futures (the exchange provides for contract settlement on a daily basis), as well as PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's credit risk exposure to counterparties with a greater than 10 percent net credit exposure, at March 31, 2003, and December 31, 2002:

(in millions)

Gross Credit
Exposure Before
Credit Collateral (1)

Credit
Collateral (2)

Net Credit
Exposure (2)

Number of
Counterparties
>10 percent

Net Exposure of
Counterparties
>10 percent

 

------------------------

----------------

----------------

--------------------

----------------------

At March 31, 2003

         

PG&E Corporation

$

789           

$

198      

$

591      

$

-          

$

-           

Utility  (3)

306           

116      

190      

1          

32           

At December 31, 2002

PG&E Corporation

$

1,165           

$

195      

$

970      

$

-          

$

-          

Utility  (3)

288           

113      

175      

2          

55          

(1) Gross credit exposure equals mark-to-market value, notes receivable, and net  (payables) receivables where netting is allowed. Gross and net credit exposure amounts reported above do not include adjustments for time value, liquidity, model, or credit reserves.

(2) Net credit exposure is the gross credit exposure minus credit collateral (cash deposits and letters of credit).

(3) The Utility's gross credit exposure includes wholesale activity only. Retail activity and payables incurred prior to the Utility's  bankruptcy filing are not included. Retail activity at the Utility consists of the accounts receivable from the sale of gas and electricity  to millions of residential and small commercial customers.

The schedule below summarizes the credit quality of PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's net credit risk exposure to counterparties at March 31, 2003, and December 31, 2002.


Credit Quality (1)

Net Credit
Exposure (2)

Percentage of Net
Credit Exposure

--------------------------------

----------------

-----------------------

(in millions)

At March 31, 2003

PG&E Corporation

   Investment-grade (3) (4)

$

380

64%

   Noninvestment-grade

119

20%

   Not rated (4)

92

16%

---------------

Total

$

591

100%

=========

Utility

   Investment-grade (3) (4)

$

110

58%

   Noninvestment-grade

80

42%

   Not rated (4)

-

-

---------------

Total

$

190

100%

=========

At December 31, 2002

PG&E Corporation

   Investment-grade (3) (4)

$

700

72%

   Noninvestment-grade

205

21%

   Not rated (4)

65

7%

---------------

Total

$

970

100%

=========

Utility

   Investment-grade (3) (4)

$

111

63%

   Noninvestment-grade

64

37%

   Not rated (4)

-

-

---------------

Total

$

175

100%

=========

(1)

Credit ratings are determined by using publicly available credit ratings of the counterparty. If the counterparty provides a guarantee by a higher rated entity (e.g., its parent), the rating determination is based on the rating of its guarantor.

(2)

Net credit exposure is the gross credit exposure minus credit collateral (cash deposits and letters of credit).

(3)

Investment-grade is determined using publicly available information, i.e., rated at least Baa3 by Moody's Investors Services and BBB- by Standard & Poor's.

(4)

Most counterparties with no ratings are governmental authorities which are not rated but which PG&E Corporation has assessed as equivalent to investment-grade based upon an internal credit rating of credit quality, and are designated as "investment-grade" above. Other counterparties with no rating, and designated as "not rated" above, are subject to an internal assessment of their credit quality and a credit rating designation.

PG&E Corporation has regional concentrations of credit exposure to counterparties that conduct business primarily throughout North America. The Utility has a regional concentration of credit risk associated with its receivables from residential and small commercial customers in Northern California. However, the risk of material loss due to nonperformance from these customers is not considered likely. Reserves for uncollectible accounts receivable are provided for the potential loss from nonpayment by these customers based on historical experience. At March 31, 2003, the Utility had a net regional concentration of credit exposure totaling $190 million to counterparties that conduct business primarily throughout North America.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America involves the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the recorded amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Certain of these estimates and assumptions are considered to be Critical Accounting Policies, due to their complexity, subjectivity, and uncertainty, along with their relevance to the financial performance of PG&E Corporation. Actual results may differ substantially from these estimates. These policies and their key characteristics are outlined below.

Derivatives and Energy Trading Activities

In 2001, PG&E Corporation and the Utility adopted Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," as amended by SFAS No. 138, "Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" (collectively, SFAS No. 133), which required all derivative instruments to be recognized in the financial statements at their fair value. Prior to its rescission, PG&E Corporation accounted for its energy trading activities in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) No. 98-10, "Accounting for Contracts Involved in Energy Trading and Risk Management Activities," and SFAS No. 133, which require certain energy trading contracts to be accounted for at fair values using mark-to-market accounting.

Effective for the third quarter ended September 30, 2002, PG&E Corporation adopted the net method of recognizing realized gains and losses on energy trading contracts. Under the net method, revenues and expenses are netted and trading gains (or losses) are reflected in revenues on the statement of operations, as opposed to reporting revenues and expenses under the previously used gross method.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility have derivative commodity contracts for the physical delivery of purchase and sale quantities such as natural gas and power transacted in the normal course of business. These derivatives are exempt from the requirements of SFAS No. 133 under the normal purchases and sales exception, and are not reflected on the balance sheet at fair value. See further discussion in Notes 1 and 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Unbilled and Surcharge Revenues

The Utility records revenue as electricity and natural gas are delivered. A portion of the revenue recognized has not yet been billed. Unbilled revenues are determined by factoring the actual load (energy) delivered with recent historical usage and rate patterns.

Since the CPUC authorized the collection of incremental surcharge revenues in January, March, and May 2001, the Utility has used generation-related revenues in excess of generation-related costs to recover approximately $1.7 billion (after-tax) in previously written-off under-collected purchased power and generation-related costs. The Utility has not provided reserves for potential refunds of these surcharges as it believes that recent regulatory orders and actions provide evidence that it is not probable that a refund will be ordered. However, it is possible that subsequent decisions by the CPUC may affect the amount and timing of these surcharge revenues recovered by the Utility and that subsequent CPUC decisions may order the Utility to refund all or a portion of the surcharge revenues collected. See Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and the risk factors discussion within the "Overview" section of this MD&A for further discussion.

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities

PG&E Corporation and the Utility apply SFAS No. 71, "Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation," to their regulated operations. Under SFAS No. 71, regulatory assets represent capitalized costs that would otherwise be charged to expense. These costs are later recovered through regulated rates. Regulatory liabilities are rate actions of a regulator that will later be credited to customers through the rate making process. Regulatory assets and liabilities are recorded when it is probable that these items will be recovered or reflected in future rates. If it is determined that these items are no longer likely to be recovered under SFAS No. 71, they will be written-off at that time. At March 31, 2003, PG&E Corporation reported regulatory assets of $2.1 billion, including current regulatory balancing accounts receivable, and regulatory liabilities of $2.2 billion, including current regulatory balancing accounts payable.

Environmental Remediation Liabilities

The Utility records an environmental remediation liability when site assessments indicate that remediation is probable and the cost can be reasonably estimated. This liability is based on site investigations, remediation, operations, maintenance, monitoring, and closure. This liability is reviewed on a quarterly basis, and is recorded at the lower range of estimated costs, unless there is a better estimate available. At March 31, 2003, the Utility's undiscounted environmental remediation liability was $286 million. The Utility's future cost could increase to as much as $396 million if (1) the other potentially responsible parties are not financially able to contribute to these costs, (2) the extent of contamination or necessary remediation is greater than anticipated, or (3) the Utility is found to be responsible for clean-up costs at additional sites.

The process of estimating remediation liabilities is difficult and changes in the estimate could occur, given the uncertainty concerning the Utility's ultimate liability, the complexity of environmental laws and regulations, the selection of compliance alternatives, and the financial resources of other responsible parties. PG&E NEG estimates that it may be required to spend up to approximately $636 million before insurance proceeds for environmental compliance at certain of its operating facilities through 2008. To date, PG&E NEG has spent approximately $13 million on environmental compliance. See Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Chapter 11 Filing

Due to the Utility's Chapter 11 filing in 2001, the financial statements for both PG&E Corporation and the Utility are prepared in accordance with SOP 90-7, "Financial Reporting by Entities in Reorganization Under the Bankruptcy Code," which is used by reorganizing entities operating under the Bankruptcy Code. Under SOP 90-7, certain claims against the Utility prior to its bankruptcy filing are classified as Liabilities Subject to Compromise. The Utility reported a total of $9.4 billion of Liabilities Subject to Compromise at March 31, 2003. While the Utility operates under the protection of the Bankruptcy Court, the realization of assets and the liquidation of liabilities is subject to uncertainty, as additional claims to Liabilities Subject to Compromise can change due to such actions as the resolution of disputed claims or certain Bankruptcy Court actions. See Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the Utility's Chapter 11 status.

See Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of accounting policies and new accounting developments.

ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS ISSUED BUT NOT YET ADOPTED

Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

In April 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement No. 149, "Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" (SFAS No. 149). SFAS No. 149 amends and clarifies the accounting and reporting for derivative instruments, including certain derivatives embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133. The amendments in SFAS No. 149 require that contracts with comparable characteristics be accounted for similarly. The Statement clarifies under what circumstances a contract with an initial net investment meets the characteristics of a derivative according to SFAS No. 133 and when a derivative contains a financing component that warrants special reporting in the statement of cash flows. In addition, the Statement amends the definition of an underlying to conform it to language used in FASB Interpretation No. 45, "Guarantor's Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others", and amends certain other existing pronouncements. The provisions of the Statement that relate to SFAS No. 133 Implementation Issues that have been effective for periods that began prior to June 15, 2003, should continue to be applied in accordance with their respective effective dates.

The requirements of SFAS No. 149 are effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003, and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. PG&E Corporation is currently evaluating the impacts, if any, of SFAS No. 149 on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities

In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities" (FIN 46), which expands upon existing accounting guidance addressing when a company should include in its financial statements the assets, liabilities, and activities of another entity or arrangement it is involved with . FIN 46 notes that many of what are now referred to as "variable interest entities" have commonly been referred to as special-purpose entities or off-balance sheet structures. However, the Interpretation's guidance is to be applied to not only these entities but to all entities and arrangements found within a company. FIN 46 provides some general guidance as to the definition of a variable interest entity. PG&E Corporation is currently evaluating all entities and arrangements it is involved with to determine if they meet the FIN 46 criteria as variable interest entities.

Until the issuance of FIN 46, a company generally included another entity in its Consolidated Financial Statements only if it controlled the entity through voting interests. FIN 46 changes that by requiring a variable interest entity to be consolidated by a company if that company is subject to a majority of the risk of loss from the variable interest entity's activities or entitled to receive a majority of the entity's residual returns, or both. A company that consolidates a variable interest entity is now referred to as the "primary beneficiary" of that entity.

FIN 46 requires disclosure of variable interest entities that the company is not required to consolidate but in which it has a significant variable interest.

The consolidation requirements of FIN 46 apply immediately to variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003. There were no new variable interest entities created by PG&E Corporation between February 1, 2003, and March 31, 2003. The consolidation requirements apply to variable interest entities created before January 31, 2003, in the first fiscal year or interim period beginning after June 15, 2003, so these requirements would be applicable to PG&E Corporation in the third quarter of 2003. Certain new and expanded disclosure requirements must be applied to PG&E Corporation's March 31, 2003 disclosures if there is an assessment that it is reasonably possible that an enterprise will consolidate or disclose information about a variable interest entity when FIN 46 becomes effective. PG&E Corporation is currently evaluating the impacts of FIN 46's initial recognition, measurement, and disclosure provisions on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

TAXATION MATTERS

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has completed its audit of PG&E Corporation's 1997 and 1998 consolidated U.S. federal income tax returns and has assessed additional federal income taxes of $71 million (including interest). PG&E Corporation has filed protests contesting certain adjustments made by the IRS in that audit and is currently discussing these adjustments with the IRS' Appeals Office. The IRS also is auditing PG&E Corporation's 1999 and 2000 consolidated U.S. federal income tax returns, but has not issued its final report. However, the IRS has proposed adjustments totaling $78 million (including interest). The resolution of these matters with the IRS is not expected to have a material adverse effect on PG&E Corporation's earnings. All of PG&E Corporation's federal income tax returns prior to 1997 have been closed. In addition, California and certain other state tax authorities currently are auditing various state tax returns. The results of these audits are not expected to have a material adverse effect on PG&E Corporation's earnings.

In 2003, PG&E Corporation increased its valuation allowance due to the continued uncertainty in realizing state deferred tax assets arising at PG&E NEG. During the first quarter of 2003, valuation allowances of $10 million were recorded in continuing operations. Additional valuation allowances of $7 million were recorded in discontinued operations, and $5 million in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

In addition to the above reserves, PG&E NEG recorded valuation allowances due to continued uncertainty in realizing federal deferred tax assets. These valuation allowances were determined on a stand-alone basis. During the first quarter, valuation allowances of $66 million were recorded in continuing operations, $3 million were recorded in cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles, and $48 million were recorded accumulated other comprehensive loss. Additional valuation allowances of $37 million were recorded in discontinued operations. These reserves were eliminated in consolidation, as PG&E Corporation believes that it is more likely than not that the federal deferred tax assets will be realized on a consolidated basis.

ADDITIONAL SECURITY MEASURES

Various federal regulatory agencies including the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) have recently issued guidance regarding additional security measures to be taken at various facilities owned by PG&E Corporation and the Utility. Facilities affected by PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's assessments include generation facilities, transmission substations, and gas transmission facilities. The current and pending orders may require additional capital investment and an increased level of operating costs. However, neither PG&E Corporation nor the Utility believes these costs will have a material impact on their consolidated financial position or results of operations.

OTHER LONG-TERM CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

During a routine inspection conducted as part of DCPP's last refueling of Unit 2, the Utility has found indications of steam generator tube cracking in locations not previously detected. Though the Utility has restarted the unit with the NRC's approval and the Utility believes it has technical justification to operate without further steam generator inspection until Unit 2's next scheduled refueling in the fall of 2004, it is possible that the Utility might be required by the NRC to take a mid-cycle steam generator inspection outage towards the end of 2003 or beginning of 2004. In addition, added inspections of steam generators that the Utility now will need to perform at each refueling until the steam generators are replaced will lengthen future refueling outages. The Utility is also now planning to accelerate the replacement of steam generators, which is estimated to cost approximately $300 million for the two units combined, to 2008 and 2009 rather than 2009 and 2010 as originally contemplated.

UTILITY CUSTOMER INFORMATION SYSTEM

The Utility implemented a new customer information system at the end of 2002 and continues to work through various billing and collection issues associated with the change over to the new system. The implementation has, among other things, required the Utility to put into place new processes for recording and estimating revenues and electric related costs. The Utility does not expect the system changes to have a significant impact on its financial position and results of operations.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND LEGAL MATTERS

PG&E Corporation and the Utility are subject to laws and regulations established both to maintain and improve the quality of the environment. Where PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's properties contain hazardous substances, these laws and regulations require PG&E Corporation and the Utility to remove those substances or to remedy effects on the environment. Also, in the normal course of business, PG&E Corporation and the Utility are named as parties in a number of claims and lawsuits. See Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of environmental matters and significant pending legal matters.

 

ITEM 3: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

PG&E Corporation's and Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (the Utility) primary market risk results from changes in energy prices and interest rates. PG&E Corporation engages in price risk management activities for both trading and non-trading purposes. The Utility engages in price risk management activities for non-trading purposes only. Both PG&E Corporation and the Utility may engage in these price management activities using forwards, futures, options, and swaps to hedge the impact of market fluctuations on energy commodity prices, interest rates, and foreign currencies. (See the "Risk Management Activities" section included in Item 1: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.)

 

ITEM 4: CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Based on an evaluation of PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's disclosure controls and procedures conducted on April 28, 2003, and April 24, 2003, respectively, PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's principal executive officers and principal financial officers have concluded that such controls and procedures effectively ensure that information required to be disclosed by PG&E Corporation and the Utility in reports the companies file or submit under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules and forms.

There were no significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation.

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION ITEM

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bankruptcy

As previously disclosed in PG&E Corporation's and Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (the Utility) combined 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, the Utility filed a voluntary petition for relief under the provisions of Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code (Bankruptcy Code) in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California (Bankruptcy Court) on April 6, 2001. The Utility and PG&E Corporation have submitted a proposed plan of reorganization, the Utility Plan, that proposes to restructure the Utility's current businesses and to refinance the restructured businesses so that all allowed creditor claims would be paid in full with interest. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors have proposed an alternative plan of reorganization, the CPUC/OCC Plan. For a description of the Utility Plan and the alternative plan, see Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Utility Plan contemplates that the assets of the Utility's electric transmission, natural gas transportation and storage, and electric generation businesses would be transferred to three new limited liability companies: ETrans LLC, GTrans LLC, and Electric Generation LLC (Gen), or collectively the LLCs. The Utility Plan provides that allowed claims would be satisfied by cash, long-term notes issued by the LLCs or a combination of cash and such notes. Under the Utility Plan, each of ETrans, GTrans, and Gen would issue long-term notes to the reorganized Utility and the Utility would then transfer the notes to certain holders of allowed claims (Creditor Notes). In addition, each of the reorganized Utility, ETrans, GTrans, and Gen would issue notes in registered public offerings (New Money Notes). The LLCs would transfer the proceeds of the sale of the New Money Notes, less working capital reserves, to the Utility for payment of allowed claims. For more information regarding the Utility Plan, see "Note 2 - The Utility Chapter 11 Filing" of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

On February 24, 2003, the Utility filed amendments to the Utility Plan with the Bankruptcy Court that, among other modifications, commit PG&E Corporation to contribute up to $700 million in cash to the Utility's capital from the issuance of equity or from other available sources, to the extent necessary to satisfy the cash obligations of the Utility in respect of allowed claims and required deposits into escrow for disputed claims, or to obtain investment grade ratings for the debt to be issued by the reorganized Utility and the LLCs. If PG&E Corporation is required to issue equity, PG&E Corporation's amended and restated credit agreement dated October 18, 2002 (Credit Agreement), requires mandatory prepayment of outstanding loans in an amount equal to the net cash proceeds from the issuance or sale of equity by PG&E Corporation. In addition, PG&E Corporation is generally prohibited by the terms of the Credit Agreement from making investments in the Utility, except as specifically permitted by the terms of the loans or as required by applicable law or the conditions adopted by the CPUC with respect to holding companies. To the extent lender consent is required, PG&E Corporation intends to negotiate with its lenders. Absent any required lender consent, PG&E Corporation intends to seek to refinance its indebtedness.

In addition to the amendments to the Utility Plan, amendments to various filings at the FERC, and possibly other regulatory agencies, will be required in order to implement the changes to the Utility Plan.

On March 5, 2003, PG&E Corporation entered into a commitment agreement with Lehman Brothers, Inc. (Lehman) under which Lehman committed to purchase from PG&E Corporation $700 million of PG&E Corporation's common stock. The amount Lehman is required to purchase will be reduced by the net proceeds of any offering of equity or equity-linked securities by PG&E Corporation. PG&E Corporation is required to issue to Lehman a number of shares of common stock that equals the sum of (1) the amount of the purchase price Lehman is required to pay (i.e., up to $700 million minus the proceeds of any offering of equity or equity-linked securities) divided by the closing price of a share of PG&E Corporation common stock on the second trading day before the closing of the purchase, and (2) 100 percent of the number of shares so determined. If the net proceeds of Lehman's sale of such shares exceeds the amount Lehman paid for the shares including interest from the date of Lehman's purchase to the date of Lehman's sale (such amount is referred to as the adjusted purchase price), or if Lehman still owns shares after receiving the adjusted purchase price, Lehman is required to pay the excess proceeds and/or return such shares to PG&E Corporation. If the net proceeds of the sale of such shares are less than the adjusted purchase price, PG&E Corporation is required to pay the difference to Lehman and Lehman's commitment will terminate.

Lehman's commitment will expire upon written notice by Lehman to PG&E Corporation that any one of the following events has occurred:

Lehman's commitment is subject to the satisfaction of a number of conditions precedent, including without limitation:

In addition, on March 5, 2003, Lehman delivered a letter to PG&E Corporation in which Lehman stated that based upon current market conditions and Lehman's present understanding of the Utility Plan, it is highly confident, as of March 5, 2003, that it has the ability to sell or place the New Money Notes. Lehman's view as to its ability to sell or place the New Money Notes assumes the satisfaction of a number of conditions, including without limitation:

With respect to the application filed with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for permission to transfer the NRC operating licenses held by the Utility for its Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant to Gen, the Northern California Power Agency, or NCPA, filed a petition for review of the NRC's February 14, 2003 decision not to transfer the existing antitrust license conditions to any new licensee. The Utility has intervened in the case in support of the NRC's decision. The briefing and argument schedule has not yet been set. With respect to the NRC license transfer application, the NRC has not yet issued its final order consenting to the transfer. No hearing issues remain to be decided. The NRC Staff must complete its safety evaluation and then would be authorized to issue the transfer order.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has scheduled May 14, 2003 for oral argument on the appeal filed by the CPUC and other parties of the August 30, 2002 order issued by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California finding that the Bankruptcy Code expressly preempts "non-bankruptcy laws that would otherwise apply to bar, among other things, transactions necessary to implement the reorganization plan." The District Court order had reversed an earlier ruling by the Bankruptcy Court that found that bankruptcy law did not expressly preempt non-bankruptcy laws but that it could impliedly preempt non-bankruptcy laws in certain circumstances.

On February 27, 2003, the California counties of Alameda, Fresno, San Luis Obispo, Sonoma and the City and County of San Francisco (collectively, Counties) filed a motion for summary judgment denying confirmation of the Utility Plan, arguing that the Utility Plan is not feasible because it purports to transfer to Gen, or a subsidiary of Gen, the Utility's beneficial interests in the Nuclear Facilities Qualified CPUC Decommissioning Master Trust Agreement (Trust). The Counties contend that the contemplated transfer is unlawful because the Utility's interests in the Trust do not constitute property of the Utility's bankruptcy estate. The Counties also argue that prior CPUC approval of the transfer is necessary but that the Utility has not requested such approval. The Utility vigorously contests the Counties' allegations.

The trial on confirmation of the CPUC/OCC Plan began on November 18, 2002 and the trial on confirmation of the Utility Plan began on December 16, 2002. On March 4, 2003, the Bankruptcy Court ordered the parties to participate in a judicial settlement conference at which the parties could explore the possibility of resolving differences between the Utility Plan and the CPUC/OCC Plan. On March 11, 2003, at the request of the settlement conference judge, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order staying the confirmation hearing and related proceedings for 60 days. On April 23, 2003, again at the request of the settlement conference judge, the Bankruptcy Court continued the stay of the confirmation hearing and related proceedings for an additional 30 days. A status conference is scheduled for June 16, 2003.

For more information about the Utility's bankruptcy proceedings, see Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and "Item 3 - Legal Proceedings" and "Item 1-Business" of PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's combined 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended.

Neither PG&E Corporation nor the Utility can predict what the outcome of the Utility's bankruptcy proceeding will be.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company v. California Public Utilities Commissioners

For information regarding this matter, see PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's combined 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended.

Federal Securities Lawsuit

For information regarding this matter, see "Legal Matters" under Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and "Item 3 - Legal Proceedings" of PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's combined 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended.

In re: Natural Gas Royalties Qui Tam Litigation

For information regarding this matter, see "Legal Matters" under Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and "Item 3 - Legal Proceedings" of PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's combined 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended.

Moss Landing Power Plant

For information regarding this matter, see PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's combined 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended.

Diablo Canyon Power Plant

As previously disclosed in PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's combined 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, or DTSC, alleged that the Diablo Canyon Power Plant, or Diablo Canyon, failed to maintain an adequate financial assurance mechanism to cover closure costs for its hazardous waste storage facility for several months during 2001, after the Utility had filed for bankruptcy, and sought $340,000 in civil penalties. The DTSC also alleged a variety of hazardous waste violations at Diablo Canyon and sought $24,330 in civil penalties.

In April 2003, the Utility signed a final settlement agreement with the DTSC, under which the Utility will pay approximately $165,000 in civil penalties and approximately $30,000 in costs. The final agreement will be incorporated into a consent decree to be entered in California Superior Court. The California Attorney General had filed a claim in the Utility's bankruptcy case on behalf of DTSC, and the Utility currently is seeking withdrawal of those portions of the claim relating to financial assurance and hazardous waste matters.

PG&E Corporation and the Utility believe that the ultimate outcome of this matter will not have a material adverse impact on their financial condition or results of operations.

Compressor Station Chromium Litigation

For information regarding this matter, see "Legal Matters" under Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and "Item 3 - Legal Proceedings" of PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's combined 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended.

California Energy Trading Litigation

For information regarding these matters, see PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's combined 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended.

California Attorney General Complaint

For information regarding this matter, see "Legal Matters - Order Instituting Investigation (OII) into Holding Company Activities and Related Litigation" under Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and "Item 3 - Legal Proceedings" of PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's combined 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended.

Complaint Filed by the City and County of San Francisco and the People of the State of California

For information regarding this matter, see "Legal Matters - Order Instituting Investigation (OII) into Holding Company Activities and Related Litigation" under Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and "Item 3 - Legal Proceedings" of PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's combined 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended.

Cynthia Behr v. PG&E Corporation, et al.

For information regarding this matter, see "Legal Matters - Order Instituting Investigation (OII) into Holding Company Activities and Related Litigation" under Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and "Item 3 - Legal Proceedings" of PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's combined 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended.


William Ahern, et al. v. Pacific Gas and Electric Company

For information regarding this matter, see "Legal Matters" under Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

PG&E National Energy Group's Brayton Point Generating Station

For information regarding this matter, see "Environmental Matters - PG&E NEG" under Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. This information is also provided in PG&E Corporation's and the Utility's combined 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

At the time of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (Utility) bankruptcy filing on April 6, 2001, the Utility had defaulted on $873 million of commercial paper outstanding and had drawn and had outstanding $938 million under its bank credit facility, which was also in default. As authorized by the Bankruptcy Court, starting in May 2002, the Utility has made past-due and current interest payments on its commercial paper and bank credit facility.

With regard to certain pollution control bond-related debt of the Utility, the Utility has been in default under the credit agreements with the banks that provide letters of credit as credit and liquidity support for the underlying pollution control bonds. These defaults included the Utility's non-payment of other debt in excess of $100 million, the Utility's filing of a petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code, and non-payment of interest. As a result of these defaults, several of the letter of credit banks caused the acceleration and redemption of four series of pollution control bonds. All of these redemptions were funded by the letter of credit banks, resulting in loans from the banks to the Utility, which have not been paid. The total principal of the bonds (and related loans) accelerated and redeemed in April and May 2001 was $454 million. As authorized by the Bankruptcy Court, starting in May 2002, the Utility has made past-due and current interest payments on these loans.

In 2002, the Utility paid advances and interest on advances to banks providing letters of credit on pollution control bonds series 96C, 96E, 96F, and 97B. The Utility also made interest payments on pollution control bond series 96A backed by bond insurance. As authorized by the Bankruptcy Court, starting in May 2002, the Utility has paid past-due interest advances and is paying current interest monthly. With regard to certain pollution control bond-related debt of the Utility backed by the Utility's mortgage bonds, an event of default has occurred under the relevant loan agreements with the California Pollution Control Financing Authority due to the Utility's bankruptcy filing.

The Utility's filing of a petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code also constitutes a default under the indenture that governs its medium-term notes ($287 million aggregate amount outstanding), five-year 7.375 percent senior notes ($680 million aggregate amount outstanding), and floating rate notes ($1.24 billion aggregate amount outstanding). As authorized by the Bankruptcy Court, starting in May 2002, the Utility has made past-due and current interest payments on its medium-term notes, its 7.375 percent senior notes, and its $1.24 billion floating rate notes.

The Utility has not made principal payments on unsecured long-term debt of $155 million.

With regard to the 7.90 percent Quarterly Income Preferred Securities (QUIPS) and the related 7.90 percent Deferrable Interest Debentures (Debentures), the Utility's filing of a petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code is an event of default under the applicable indenture. Pursuant to the related trust agreement, the trustee was required to take steps to liquidate the trust and distribute the Debentures to the QUIPS holders. Pursuant to the trustee's notice dated April 24, 2002, the trust was liquidated on May 24, 2002. Upon liquidation of the trust, the former holders of QUIPS received a like amount of 7.90 percent Deferrable Interest Subordinated Debentures, or QUIDS. As authorized by the Bankruptcy Court, starting in May 2002, the Utility has made past-due and current interest payments on the QUIDS.

See Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

PG&E NEG is currently in default under various recourse debt agreements and guaranteed equity commitments totaling approximately $2.9 billion. In addition, other PG&E NEG subsidiaries are in default under various debt agreements totaling $2.7 billion, but this debt is non-recourse to PG&E NEG. For more information, please see Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Utility has authorized 75 million shares of First Preferred Stock ($25 par value) and 10 million shares of $100 First Preferred Stock ($100 par value), which may be issued as redeemable or non-redeemable preferred stock. (The Utility has not issued any $100 First Preferred Stock.) At March 31, 2003, the Utility had issued and outstanding 5,784,825 shares of non-redeemable preferred stock and 5,973,456 shares of redeemable preferred stock. The Utility's redeemable preferred stock is subject to redemption at the Utility's option, in whole or in part, if the Utility pays the specified redemption price plus accumulated and unpaid dividends through the redemption date. The Utility's redeemable preferred stock with mandatory redemption provisions consists of 3 million shares of the 6.57 percent series and 2.5 million shares of the 6.30 percent series at March 31, 2003. The 6.57 percent series and 6.30 percent series may be redeemed at the Utility's option beginning in 2002 and 2004, respectively, at par value plus accumulated and unpaid dividends through the redemption date. These series of preferred stock are subject to mandatory redemption provisions entitling them to sinking funds providing for the retirement of stock outstanding. At March 31, 2003, the redemption requirements for the Utility's redeemable preferred stock with mandatory redemption provisions are $4 million for 2002 and 2003 and $3 million per year beginning 2004, for the series 6.57 percent and 6.30 percent, respectively. The Utility is not permitted to make sinking fund payments unless all dividends on preferred stock have been paid. Therefore, the $4 million sinking fund payment that was due on July 31, 2002, to redeem 150,000 shares of the 6.57 percent series was not made. The sinking fund payments are cumulative so that if on any given year's July 31 the sinking fund payment is not made, the remaining shares of the 6.57 percent series required to be redeemed must be redeemed before any shares of another series with a required sinking fund can be redeemed, unless the redemption of shares of both series is pro rata.

Holders of the Utility's non-redeemable 5.0 percent, 5.5 percent, and 6.0 percent series of preferred stock have rights to annual dividends ranging from $1.25 to $1.50 per share.

Due to the California energy crisis and the Utility's pending bankruptcy, the Utility's Board of Directors has not declared the regular preferred stock dividends since the dividend paid with respect to the three-month period ended October 31, 2001.

Dividends on all Utility preferred stock are cumulative. All shares of preferred stock have voting rights and equal preference in dividend and liquidation rights. Accumulated and unpaid dividends through March 31, 2003, amounted to $56.9 million. Upon liquidation or dissolution of the Utility, holders of preferred stock would be entitled to the par value of such shares plus all accumulated and unpaid dividends, as specified for the class and series. Until cumulative dividends and cumulative sinking fund payments on its preferred stock are paid, the Utility may not pay any dividends on its common stock, nor may the Utility repurchase any of its common stock.

 

 

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

PG&E Corporation:


On April 16, 2003, PG&E Corporation held its annual meeting of shareholders. At the meeting, the shareholders voted as indicated below on the following matters:

1. Election of the following directors to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are elected and qualified (included as Item 1 in the proxy statement):

 

For

 

Withheld

 

----------------

 

--------------

David R. Andrews

262,647,039

 

16,221,360

David A. Coulter

262,543,903

 

16,324,496

C. Lee Cox

262,716,482

 

16,151,917

William S. Davila

262,660,314

 

16,208,085

Robert D. Glynn, Jr.

259,959,946

 

18,908,453

David M. Lawrence, MD

262,666,305

 

16,202,094

Mary S. Metz

262,560,778

 

16,307,621

Carl E. Reichardt

262,438,435

 

16,429,964

Barry Lawson Williams

262,593,772

 

16,274,627

2. Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent public accountants for 2003 (included as Item 2 in the proxy statement):

For:

267,006,494

Against:

8,217,738

Abstain:

3,644,167


The proposal was approved by a majority of the shares represented and voting (including abstentions) with respect to this proposal, which shares voting affirmatively also constituted a majority of the required quorum.

3. Consideration of a shareholder proposal regarding cumulative voting (included as Item 4 in the proxy statement):

For:

73,974,287

Against:

145,859,155

Abstain:

5,674,522

Broker non-vote (1) :

53,360,435


This shareholder proposal was not approved, as the number of shares voting affirmatively on the proposal constituted less than a majority of the shares represented and voting (including abstentions but excluding broker non-votes) with respect to the proposal.

4. Consideration of a shareholder proposal regarding independent directors (included as Item 5 in the proxy statement):

For:

80,272,507

Against:

139,622,593

Abstain:

5,612,864

Broker non-vote (1) :

53,360,435

This shareholder proposal was not approved, as the number of shares voting affirmatively on the proposal constituted less than a majority of the shares represented and voting (including abstentions but excluding broker non-votes) with respect to the proposal.

5. Consideration of a shareholder proposal regarding poison pills (shareholder rights plan) (included as Item 6 in the proxy statement):

For:

147,851,952

Against:

71,616,808

Abstain:

6,039,204

Broker non-vote (1) :

53,360,435

This shareholder proposal was approved, as the number of shares voting affirmatively on the proposal constituted more than a majority of the shares represented and voting (including abstentions but excluding broker non-votes) with respect to the proposal, and the affirmative votes also constituted a majority of the required quorum.

6. Consideration of a shareholder proposal regarding radioactive wastes (included as Item 7 in the proxy statement):

For:

15,300,187

Against:

189,391,988

Abstain:

20,815,789

Broker non-vote (1) :

53,360,435

This shareholder proposal was not approved, as the number of shares voting affirmatively on the proposal constituted less than a majority of the shares represented and voting (including abstentions but excluding broker non-votes) with respect to the proposal.

7. Consideration of a shareholder proposal regarding auditor conflicts (included as Item 8 in the proxy statement):

For:

43,042,042

Against:

176,599,964

Abstain:

5,865,958

Broker non-vote (1) :

53,360,435

This shareholder proposal was not approved, as the number of shares voting affirmatively on the proposal constituted less than a majority of the shares represented and voting (including abstentions but excluding broker non-votes) with respect to the proposal.

8. Consideration of a shareholder proposal regarding option expensing (included as Item 9 in the proxy statement):

For:

111,917,740

Against:

87,308,119

Abstain:

26,282,105

Broker non-vote (1) :

53,360,435

This shareholder proposal was not approved, as the number of shares voting affirmatively on the proposal constituted less than a majority of the shares represented and voting (including abstentions but excluding broker non-votes) with respect to the proposal.

9. Consideration of a shareholder proposal regarding greenhouse gas emissions (included as Item 10 in the proxy statement):

For:

18,646,120

Against:

186,110,000

Abstain:

20,751,844

Broker non-vote (1) :

53,360,435

This shareholder proposal was not approved, as the number of shares voting affirmatively on the proposal constituted less than a majority of the shares represented and voting (including abstentions but excluding broker non-votes) with respect to the proposal.

(1) A non-vote occurs when a broker or other nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner indicates a vote on one or more proposals, but does not indicate a vote on other proposals because the broker or other nominee does not have discretionary voting power as to such proposals and has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner as to such proposals.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company:

On April 16, 2003, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (the Utility) held its annual meeting of shareholders. Shares of capital stock of Pacific Gas and Electric Company consist of shares of common stock and shares of first preferred stock. As PG&E Corporation and a subsidiary own all of the outstanding shares of common stock, they hold approximately 95 percent of the combined voting power of the outstanding capital stock of the Utility. PG&E Corporation and the subsidiary voted all of their respective shares of common stock for the nominees named in the 2003 joint proxy statement, for the ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent public accountants for 2003, and for the management proposal to adopt the Utility's Long-Term Incentive Program. The balance of the votes shown below were cast by holders of shares of first preferred stock. At the annual meeting, the shareholders voted as indicated below on the following matters:

1. Election of the following directors to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are elected and qualified (included as Item 1 in the proxy statement):

 

For

 

Withheld

 

---------------

 

------------

David R. Andrews

322,307,424

 

90,260

David A. Coulter

322,308,258

 

89,426

C. Lee Cox

322,310,321

 

87,363

William S. Davila

322,310,889

 

86,795

Robert D. Glynn, Jr.

322,303,020

 

94,664

David M. Lawrence, MD

322,307,567

 

90,117

Mary S. Metz

322,311,232

 

86,452

Carl E. Reichardt

322,305,309

 

92,375

Gordon R. Smith

322,306,156

 

91,528

Barry Lawson Williams

322,310,064

 

87,620

2. Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent public accountants for 2003 (included as Item 2 in the proxy statement):

For:

322,311,738

Against:

46,010

Abstain:

39,936


The proposal was approved by a majority of the shares represented and voting (including abstentions) with respect to this proposal, which shares voting affirmatively also constituted a majority of the required quorum.

3. Management proposal regarding the Pacific Gas and Electric Company Long-Term Incentive Program (included as Item 3 in the proxy statement):

For:

322,125,117

Against:

181,169

Abstain:

91,398

Broker non-vote (2) :

0

This management proposal was approved, as the number of shares voting affirmatively on the proposal constituted more than a majority of the shares represented and voting (including abstentions but excluding broker non-votes) with respect to the proposal, and the affirmative votes also constituted a majority of the required quorum.

(2) A non-vote occurs when a broker or other nominee holding shares for a beneficial owner indicates a vote on one or more proposals, but does not indicate a vote on other proposals because the broker or other nominee does not have discretionary voting power as to such proposals and has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner as to such proposals.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company's (the Utility) earnings to fixed charges ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2003, was 0.31. The Utility's earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends ratio for the three months ended March 31, 2003, was 0.30. The statement of the foregoing ratios, together with the statements of the computation of the foregoing ratios filed as Exhibits 12.1 and 12.2 hereto, are included herein for the purpose of incorporating such information and exhibits into Registration Statement Nos. 33-62488, 33-64136, 33-50707, and 33-61959, relating to the Utility's various classes of debt and first preferred stock outstanding.

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)  Exhibits:

   

Exhibit 3.1

Restated Articles of Incorporation of PG&E Corporation effective as of May 29, 2002

Exhibit 3.2

Bylaws of PG&E Corporation amended as of February 19, 2003 (incorporated by reference to PG&E Corporation's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 (File No. 1-12609), Exhibit 3.3)

Exhibit 3.3

Bylaws of Pacific Gas and Electric Company amended as of February 19, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 (File No. 1-2348), Exhibit 3.5)

Exhibit 10.1

Operating Agreement between Pacific Gas and Electric Company and California Department of Water Resources dated as of April 17, 2003

Exhibit 10.2*

PG&E Corporation Executive Stock Ownership Program Guidelines dated as of February 19, 2003

Exhibit 10.3

Waiver Letter dated as of March 21, 2003, among GenHoldings I, LLC, various lenders identified as the GenHoldings Lenders, the Administrative Agent, and acknowledged and agreed to by PG&E National Energy Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to PG&E Corporation's and PG&E National Energy Group, Inc.'s Form 8-K filed April 2, 2003 (File Nos. 1-12609 and 333-66032), Exhibit 99.1)

Exhibit 10.4

Commitment Letter dated March 5, 2003, between PG&E Corporation and Lehman Brothers, Inc. (incorporated by reference to PG&E Corporation's Form 8-K filed March 6, 2003 (File No. 1-12609), Exhibit 99.2)

Exhibit 11

Computation of Earnings Per Common Share

Exhibit 12.1

Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges for Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Exhibit 12.2

Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends for Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Exhibit 99.1

Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of PG&E Corporation required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Exhibit 99.2

Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Pacific Gas and Electric Company required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

* Management contract or compensatory agreement

 

(b) The following Current Reports on Form 8-K (1) were filed during the first quarter of 2003 and through the date hereof:

1. January 6, 2003

Item 5.

Other Events

A.

Resumption of Power Procurement

B.

Motion to Extend Exclusivity Period

C.

2003 General Rate Case

D.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company bankruptcy - Monthly Operating Report

Item 7.

Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information, and Exhibits

Exhibit 99 - Pacific Gas and Electric Company Income Statement for the month

Ended November 30, 2002, and Balance Sheet dated November 30, 2002

2. January 16, 2003

Item 5.

Other Events

         PG&E Corporation and PG&E National Energy Group, Inc.

Item 7.

Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information, and Exhibits

Exhibit 99.1-Fourth Waiver and Amendment dated as of December 23, 2002, among GenHoldings I, LLC, various lenders identified as the GenHoldings Lenders, the Administrative Agent, and acknowledged and agreed to by PG&E National Energy Group, Inc.

Exhibit 99.2-Second Omnibus Restructuring Agreement dated as of December 4, 2002, among La Paloma Generating Company, LLC, La Paloma Generating Trust, Ltd., and various other parties, including PG&E National Energy Group, Inc.

Exhibit 99.3- Priority Credit and Reimbursement Agreement among La Paloma Generating Company, LLC, La Paloma Generating Trust Ltd., Wilmington Trust Company, in its individual capacity and as Trustee, Citibank, N.A., as the Priority Working Capital L/C Issuer, the Several Priority Lenders from time to time parties hereto, Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent, and Citibank, N.A., as priority agent, dated as of December 4, 2002

Exhibit 99.4- Second Omnibus Restructuring Agreement dated as of December 4, 2002, among Lake Road Generating Company, LLC, Lake Road Generating Trust, Ltd., and various other parties, including PG&E National Energy Group, Inc.

Exhibit 99.5-Priority Credit and Reimbursement Agreement among Lake Road Generating Company, LLC, Lake Road Trust Ltd., Wilmington Trust Company, in its individual capacity and as Trustee, Citibank, N.A., as the Priority L/C Issuer, the Several Priority Lenders from time to time parties hereto, Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent, and Citibank, N.A., as priority agent, dated as of December 4, 2002

3. March 6, 2003

Item 5.

Other Events: Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bankruptcy

A.

Updated Trial Schedule for Confirmation Hearings and Order Scheduling Pre-Settlement Conference

B.

Monthly Operating Report

C.

Proposed Securities Offerings in Connection with the Utility's Plan

Item 7.

Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information, and Exhibits

Exhibit 99.1 - Pacific Gas and Electric Company Income Statement for the month ended January 31, 2003, and Balance Sheet dated January 31, 2003

Exhibit 99.2 - Commitment Letter dated March 5, 2003, between PG&E Corporation and Lehman Brothers Inc.

4. March 12, 2003

Item 5.

Other Events: Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bankruptcy

A.

Stay of Confirmation Trial

B.

Express Preemption Appeal

5. March 17, 2003

Item 5.

Other Events

Pacific Gas and Electric Company's 2002 Attrition Revenue Adjustment

6. April 2, 2003

Item 5.

Other Events

A.

Agreement with El Paso Corporation

B.

FERC Decision to Increase Amount of Power Refunds

C.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bankruptcy - Monthly Operating Report

Item 7.

Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information, and Exhibits

Exhibit 99.1 - Pacific Gas and Electric Company Income Statement for the month ended February 28, 2003 and Balance Sheet dated February 28, 2003

7. April 2, 2003

Item 5.

Other Events

         PG&E Corporation and PG&E National Energy Group, Inc.

A.

GenHoldings I, LLC

B.

Options to Purchase Shares of PG&E NEG

Item 7.

Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information, and Exhibits

Exhibit 99.1 - Waiver Letter dated as of March 21, 2003, among GenHoldings I, LLC, various lenders identified as the GenHoldings Lenders, the Administrative Agent, and acknowledged and agreed to by PG&E National Energy Group, Inc.

8. April 21, 2003

Item 5.

Other Events

Pacific Gas and Electric Company's General Rate Case Proceeding

9. April 24, 2003

Item 5.

Other Events

Pacific Gas and Electric Company Bankruptcy--Further Stay of Confirmation Trial

(1)   Unless otherwise noted, all reports were filed under Commission File Number 1-2348 (Pacific Gas and Electric Company) and Commission File Number 1-12609 (PG&E Corporation).

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrants have duly caused this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

PG&E CORPORATION

 

BY:  /S/  CHRISTOPHER P. JOHNS

-------------------------------------------------------

CHRISTOPHER P. JOHNS

Senior Vice President and Controller

(duly authorized officer and principal accounting officer)

 

 

PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY

 

BY:  /S/  DINYAR B. MISTRY

-------------------------------------------------------

DINYAR B. MISTRY

Vice President and Controller

(duly authorized officer and principal accounting officer)

 

 

Dated:  May 13, 2003

 

I, Robert D. Glynn, Jr., certify that:

1.  I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of PG&E Corporation;

2.  Based on my knowledge, this quarterly 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 quarterly report;

3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly 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 quarterly report;

4.  The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

5.  The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

6.  The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date: May 13, 2003

 

/S/  ROBERT D. GLYNN, JR.                             

ROBERT D. GLYNN, JR.

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President

PG&E Corporation

 

 

I, Peter A. Darbee, certify that:

1.  I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of PG&E Corporation;

2.  Based on my knowledge, this quarterly 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 quarterly report;

3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly 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 quarterly report;

4.  The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

5.  The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

6.  The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date: May 13, 2003

 

/S/  PETER A. DARBEE                                        

PETER A. DARBEE

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

PG&E Corporation

 

I, Gordon R. Smith, certify that:

1.  I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Pacific Gas and Electric Company;

2.  Based on my knowledge, this quarterly 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 quarterly report;

3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly 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 quarterly report;

4.  The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

5.  The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

6.  The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date: May 13, 2003

/S/  GORDON R. SMITH                    

GORDON R. SMITH

President and Chief Executive Officer

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

 

I, Kent M. Harvey, certify that:

1.  I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Pacific Gas and Electric Company;

2.  Based on my knowledge, this quarterly 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 quarterly report;

3.  Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly 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 quarterly report;

4.  The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

5.  The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

6.  The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date: May 13, 2003

 

/S/  KENT M. HARVEY                                                          

KENT M. HARVEY

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit Index

   

Exhibit 3.1

Restated Articles of Incorporation of PG&E Corporation effective as of May 29, 2002

Exhibit 3.2

Bylaws of PG&E Corporation amended as of February 19, 2003 (incorporated by reference to PG&E Corporation's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 (File No. 1-12609), Exhibit 3.3

Exhibit 3.3

Bylaws of Pacific Gas and Electric Company amended as of February 19, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 (File No. 1-2348), Exhibit 3.5

Exhibit 10.1

Operating Agreement between Pacific Gas and Electric Company and California Department of Water Resources dated as of April 17, 2003

Exhibit 10.2*

PG&E Corporation Executive Stock Ownership Program Guidelines dated as of February 19, 2003

Exhibit 10.3

Waiver Letter dated as of March 21, 2003, among GenHoldings I, LLC, various lenders identified as the GenHoldings Lenders, the Administrative Agent, and acknowledged and agreed to by PG&E National Energy Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to PG&E Corporation's and PG&E National Energy Group, Inc.'s Form 8-K filed April 2, 2003) (File Nos. 1-12609 and 333-66032), Exhibit 99.1

Exhibit 10.4

Commitment Letter dated March 5, 2003, between PG&E Corporation and Lehman Brothers, Inc. (incorporated by reference to PG&E Corporation's Form 8-K filed March 6, 2003) (File No. 1-12609), Exhibit 99.2

Exhibit 11

Computation of Earnings Per Common Share

Exhibit 12.1

Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges for Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Exhibit 12.2

Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends for Pacific Gas and Electric Company

Exhibit 99.1

Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of PG&E Corporation required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

Exhibit 99.2

Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Pacific Gas and Electric Company required by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

* Management contract or compensatory agreement.

Exhibit 3.1             

RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

OF

PG&E CORPORATION

ROBERT D. GLYNN, JR. and LINDA Y.H. CHENG certify that:

     1.   They are the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, and President, and the Corporate Secretary, respectively, of PG&E Corporation, a California corporation.

     2.   The Articles of Incorporation of the corporation, as amended to the date of the filing of this certificate, including the amendments set forth herein but not separately filed (and with the omissions required by Section 910 of the California Corporations Code) are amended and restated as follows:

          FIRST:  The name of the Corporation shall be

                                PG&E CORPORATION

          SECOND:  The purpose of the Corporation is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the General Corporation Law of California other than the banking business, the trust company business or the practice of a profession permitted to be incorporated by the California Corporations Code.

          THIRD:

          I.   The Board of Directors of the Corporation shall consist of such number of directors, not less than seven (7) nor more than thirteen (13), as shall be prescribed in the Bylaws.

          II.  The Board of Directors by a vote of two-thirds of the whole Board may appoint from the directors an Executive Committee, which Committee may exercise such powers as may lawfully be conferred upon it by the Bylaws of the Corporation. Such Committee may prescribe rules for its own government and its meetings may be held at such places within or without California as said Committee may determine or authorize.

          FOURTH:  No shareholder may cumulate votes in the election of directors.  This Article FOURTH shall become effective only when the Corporation shall have become a "listed corporation" within the meaning of Section 301.5 of the California Corporations Code.

          FIFTH:  The liability of the directors of the Corporation for monetary damages shall be eliminated to the fullest extent permissible under California law.

          SIXTH:  The Corporation is authorized to provide indemnification of agents (as defined in Section 317 of the California Corporations Code) through bylaws, resolutions, agreements with agents, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise, in excess of the indemnification otherwise permitted by Section 317 of the California Corporations Code, subject only to the applicable limits set forth in Section 204 of the California Corporations Code.

          SEVENTH:

          I.   The Corporation is authorized to issue two classes of shares, to be designated respectively Preferred Stock ("Preferred Stock") and Common Stock ("Common Stock"). The total number of shares of capital stock that the Corporation is authorized to issue is 885,000,000, of which 85,000,000 shall be Preferred Stock and 800,000,000 shall be Common Stock.

          II.  The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors of the Corporation is expressly authorized to provide for the issue of all or any of the shares of the Preferred Stock in one or more series, and to fix the designation and number of shares and to determine or alter for each such series, such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other rights and such qualifications, limitations or

restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issue of such shares and as may be  permitted by the General Corporation Law of California. The Board of Directors is also expressly authorized to increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding) the number of shares of any series subsequent to the issue of shares of that series. If the number of shares of any such series shall be so decreased, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status that they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series.

           EIGHTH:

           The directors of the Corporation, when evaluating any proposal or offer which would involve (i) a merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries with another person, (ii) a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, (iii) a tender offer or exchange offer for any capital stock of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries, or (iv) any similar transaction, shall give due consideration to all factors they may consider relevant.  Such factors may include, without limitation, (a) the adequacy, both in amount and form, of the consideration offered in relation not only to the current market price of the Corporation’s outstanding securities, but also the current value of the Corporation in a freely negotiated transaction with other potential acquirers and the Board’s estimate of the Corporation’s future value (including the unrealized value of its properties, assets and prospects) as an independent going concern, (b) the financial and managerial resources and future prospects of the acquirer, and (c) the legal, economic, environmental, regulatory and social effects of the proposed transaction on the Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ employees, customers, suppliers and other affected persons and entities and on the communities and geographic areas in which the Corporation and its subsidiaries operate, provide utility service or are located, and in particular, the effect on the Corporation’s and its subsidiaries’ ability to safely and reliably meet any public utility obligations they may have at reasonable rates.

     3.   The foregoing amendments and restatement of the Articles of Incorporation have been duly approved by the Board of Directors of the corporation.

     4.   The foregoing amendments and restatement of the Articles of Incorporation (other than the omissions required by Section 910 of the California Corporations Code) have been duly approved by the required vote of the shareholders in accordance with Section 902 of the California Corporations Code.  The corporation has only one class of shares issued and outstanding which is common stock.  The number of outstanding shares entitled to vote with respect to the foregoing amendments is 364,206,190.  The number of shares voted in favor of the amendments exceeded the vote required.  The percentage vote required for approval of the amendments was more than 50%.

          We further declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the matters set forth in this certificate are true and correct of our own knowledge.

Date:   May 22, 2002

                                      

ROBERT D. GLYNN, JR.

--------------------------------

ROBERT D. GLYNN, JR.

Chairman of the Board,

Chief Executive Officer, and President

LINDA Y.H. CHENG

--------------------------------

LINDA Y.H. CHENG

Corporate Secretary

Exhibit10.1  


OPERATING AGREEMENT

       This OPERATING AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is between the State of California Department of Water Resources (“DWR”), acting solely under the authority and powers granted by AB1X, codified as Sections 80000 through 80270 of the Water Code, and not under its powers and responsibilities with respect to the State Water Resources Development System, and Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a California corporation (“Utility”).  DWR and Utility are sometimes collectively referred to herein as the “Parties” and individually referred to as a “Party.”  Unless otherwise noted, all capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth in Article I of this Agreement.

R E C I T A L S

       WHEREAS, under the Act, DWR has entered into a number of long-term power purchase agreements for the purpose of providing the net short requirements to the retail ratepayers of the State's electrical corporations, including Utility; and 

       WHEREAS, the Contract Allocation Order of the Commission provides that such long-term power purchase agreements are to be operationally allocated among the State's electrical corporations, including Utility, solely for the purpose of causing the State’s electrical corporations to perform certain specified functions on behalf of DWR, as DWR’s limited agent, including dispatching, scheduling, billing and settlements functions, and to sell surplus energy, all as such functions relate to those certain power purchase agreements that are operationally allocated to each electrical corporation under the Contract Allocation Order; and

       WHEREAS, DWR wishes to provide for the performance of such functions under the Allocated Contracts by Utility on behalf of DWR in accordance with such long-term power purchase agreements as provided in this Agreement; and

       WHEREAS, consistent with the Contract Allocation Order, DWR will retain legal and financial obligations, together with ongoing responsibility for any other functions not explicitly provided in this Agreement to be performed by Utility, with respect to each of the Allocated Contracts and it is the intent of DWR and the Utility that the provisions of this Agreement will not constitute an “assignment” of the Allocated Contracts or Interim Contracts to Utility.

       WHEREAS, consistent with the Interim Contract Order of the Commission, DWR expects to enter into certain Interim Contracts prior to January 1, 2003 and DWR wishes to provide for the administration of such Interim Contracts by Utility.

       NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual obligations of the Parties, the Parties agree as follows:


ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

       Section 1.01.  Definitions .  The following terms shall have the respective meanings in this Agreement: 

       The following terms, when used herein (and in the attachments hereto) with initial capitalization, shall have the meaning specified in this Section 1.01.  Certain additional terms are defined in the attachments hereto.  The singular shall include the plural and the masculine shall include the feminine and neuter, and vice versa .  “Includes” or “including” shall mean “including without limitation.”  References to a section or attachment shall mean a section or attachment of this Agreement, as the case may be, unless the context requires otherwise, and reference to a given agreement or instrument shall be a reference to that agreement or instrument as modified, amended, supplemented or restated through the date as of which such reference is made (except as otherwise specifically provided herein).   Unless the context otherwise requires, references to Applicable Laws or Applicable Tariffs shall be deemed references to such laws or tariffs as they may be amended, replaced or restated from time to time.  References to the time of day shall be deemed references to such time as measured by prevailing Pacific Time.

       “ Act ” means Chapter 4 of Statutes of 2001 (Assembly Bill 1 of the First 2001-02 Extraordinary Session) of the State of California, as amended.

       “ Agreement ”, means this Operating Agreement, together with all attached Schedules, Exhibits and Attachments, as such may be amended from time to time as evidenced by a written amendment executed by the Parties.

       “ Allocated Contracts” means the long-term power purchase agreements operationally allocated to Utility under the Contract Allocation Order, without legal and financial assignment of such agreements to Utility, as provided in Schedule 1 attached hereto.

       “ Allocated Power ” means all power and energy, including the use of such power or energy as ancillary services, delivered or to be delivered under the Contracts. 

       “ Applicable Commission Orders ” means such rules, regulations, decisions, opinions or orders as the Commission may lawfully issue or promulgate from time to time, which relate to the subject matter of this Agreement.

       “ Applicable Law ” means the Act, Applicable Commission Orders and any other applicable statute, constitutional provision, rule, regulation, ordinance, order, decision or code of a Governmental Authority.

        “ Applicable Tariffs ” means Utility’s tariffs, including all rules, rates, schedules and preliminary statements, governing electric energy service to Utility’s customers in its service territory, as filed with and approved by the Commission and, if applicable, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

        “ Assign(s) ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14.01.

        “ Bonds ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Rate Agreement.

        “ Bond Charges ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Rate Agreement.

        “ Business Day ” means the regular Monday through Friday weekdays that are customary working days, excluding holidays, as established by Applicable Tariffs.

        “ Commission ” means the California Public Utilities Commission.

        “ Confidential Information ” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11.01(c).

        “ Contracts ” means the Allocated Contracts and the Interim Contracts.

        “ Contract Allocation Order ” means Decision 02-09-053 of the Commission, issued on September 19, 2002, as such Decision may be modified, revised, amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by the Commission.

        “ DWR Power ” shall have the same meaning set forth in the Servicing Arrangement with such amendments to incorporate the Settlement Principles for Remittances and Surplus Revenues as provided in Exhibit C of this Agreement.

        “ DWR Revenues ” means those amounts required to be remitted to DWR by Utility in accordance with this Agreement and as further provided in the Servicing Arrangement.

        “ Effective Date ” means the effective date in accordance with Section 14.13, as such date is set forth on the cover page hereof.

        “ Fund ” means the Department of Water Resources Electric Power Fund established by Section 80200 of the California Water Code.

        “ Good Utility Practice ” means any of the practices, methods and acts engaged in or approved by a significant portion of the electric utility industry during the relevant time period, or any of the practices, methods and acts which, in the exercise of reasonable judgment in light of the facts known at the time the decision was made, could have been expected to accomplish the desired result at a reasonable cost consistent with good business practices, reliability, safety and expedition.  Good Utility Practice does not require the optimum practice, method, or act to the exclusion of all others, but rather is intended to include acceptable practices, methods, or acts generally accepted in the Western Electric Coordinating Council region.

        “ Governmental Authority ” means any nation or government, any state or other political subdivision thereof, and any entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining to a government, including the Commission.

       “ Governmental Program ” means any program or directive established by Applicable Law which directly or indirectly affects the rights or obligations of the Parties under this Agreement and which obligates or authorizes DWR to make payments or give credits to customers or other third parties under such programs or directives.

        “ ISO ” means the California Independent System Operator Corporation.

        “ Interim Contract Order ” means Decision 02-08-071 of the Commission, issued on August 22, 2002, as such Decision may be amended or supplemented from time to time by the Commission.

        “ Interim Contracts ” mean the power purchase or exchange arrangements between DWR and various Suppliers entered into by DWR at the request of Utility and consistent with the Interim Contract Order, as listed in Schedule 2 attached hereto.

        “ Order ” means Decision 02-12-069 of the Commission, issued on December 19, 2002 as such decision may be amended or supplemented from time to time by the Commission.

        “ Power Charges ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Rate Agreement.

        “ Priority Long Term Power Contract ” shall have the meaning set forth in the Rate Agreement.

        “ Rate Agreement ” means the Rate Agreement between DWR and the Commission adopted by the Commission on February 21, 2002 in Decision 02‑02‑051.

        “ Remittance ” means a payment by Utility to DWR or its Assign(s) in accordance with the Servicing Arrangement.

       “ Servicing Arrangement” means the Servicing Order as specified in Commission Decision 02-05-048, dated May 16, 2002.

       “ Supplier ” means those certain third parties who are supplying power pursuant to the Contracts.

       “ Term ” means term provided in Section 2.05 hereof.

       “ URG ” means utility-retained generation, including without limitation Utility’s portfolio of generation resources and power purchase agreements prior to or after the Effective Date by Utility.

       Section 1.02.  Undefined Terms .  Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in Section 1.01 herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Act or the Servicing Arrangement.

ARTICLE II
OPERATIONAL ALLOCATION OF POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENTS;
  MANAGEMENT OF THE CONTRACTS; ALLOCATED POWER; TERM

       Section 2.01.  Operational Allocation and Management of Power Purchase Agreements . On behalf of DWR, as its limited agent, Utility will perform certain day-to-day scheduling and dispatch functions, billing and settlements and surplus energy sales  and certain other tasks with respect to the Allocated Contracts and each Interim Contract, as more fully set forth in this Agreement. 

       As further provided in Contract Administration and Performance Test Monitoring Protocols set forth in Exhibit E, DWR will continue to monitor and audit the Supplier performance under the Contracts.  Upon development of a mutually agreeable plan, Utility will monitor the performance of Suppliers, as further provided in Exhibit E, subject, however, to DWR's right but not the obligation to audit and monitor all functions contemplated to be performed by Utility, all as further provided in this Agreement.

       Section 2.02. Standard of Contract Management .

     

        (a)  

     

Utility agrees to perform the functions specified in this Agreement relating to the Allocated Contracts and prior to novation, and Interim Contracts in a commercially reasonable manner, exercising Good Utility Practice, and in a fashion reasonably designed to serve the overall best interests of retail electric customers.  Utility shall provide to DWR such information specifically provided in Exhibit F hereto to facilitate DWR’s verification of Utility’s compliance with this Section 2.02.

     

        (b)  

    

To the extent requested by Utility, DWR shall provide evidence in Commission proceedings describing Utility’s and DWR’s performance, rights and obligations under this Agreement.

     

        (c)  

    

DWR acknowledges the Commission’s exclusive authority over whether the Utility has managed Allocated Power available under the Contracts in a just and reasonable manner and DWR and Utility agree that none of the provisions of this Agreement shall be interpreted to reduce, diminish, or otherwise limit the scope of any Commission authority or to give DWR any authority over such matters.

     

        (d)  

   

The Utility acknowledges DWR’s separate and independent right to evaluate and enforce Utility’s commercial performance under this Agreement.

     

        (e)  

   

Utility agrees to provide any information not otherwise required herein that is reasonably necessary to allow DWR to exercise its rights in subsection (d) above, provided that all such information shall be used solely for the purposes of exercising such rights.

       Section 2.03.  Good Faith .  Each Party hereby covenants that it shall perform its actions, obligations and duties in connection with this Agreement in good faith.

       Section 2.04.  DWR Power .  During the term of this Agreement, the electric power and energy, including but not limited to capacity, and output, or any of them from the Contracts delivered to retail end-use customers in Utility’s service area shall constitute DWR Power for all purposes of the Servicing Arrangement.  Utility shall arrange for transmission service to accommodate surplus sales to the extent that transmission service is available and cost effective, all as further provided in Exhibit A. 

       Section 2.05.  Term .

    

      (a) 

     

The Term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall terminate on the earlier of (a) the termination of the Servicing Arrangement, or (b) the termination of this Agreement by DWR upon ninety days’ written notice to Utility, or (c) upon consultation with the Commission, the termination of the Agreement by DWR upon reasonable written notice to Utility no shorter than 30 days, or (d) pursuant to Article VII hereof, the termination of this Agreement by a non-defaulting Party after an Event of Default.   In addition, this Agreement will terminate as to each Contract that terminates in accordance with its terms.  DWR agrees to notify Utility as to the termination of each Contract as provided in Section 5.01(e) hereof.

     

     (b) 

    

If an event occurs which has the effect of materially altering and materially adversely impacting the economic position of the Parties or either of them under this Agreement, then the affected Party may, by written notice, request that the Commission approve amendments to this Agreement or other arrangements incidental to this Agreement as necessary to preserve or restore the economic position under this Agreement held by the affected Party immediately prior to such event.  Such notice shall describe the event and shall include reasonable particulars as to the manner and extent to which the economic position of the Party giving notice has been adversely affected.  The parties shall use their reasonable efforts during a 180-day period following such notice to negotiate and effect such amendments following which, if such efforts are unsuccessful, upon DWR’s sole discretion, DWR may terminate this Agreement immediately on notice.

ARTICLE III
LIMITED AGENCY / NO ASSIGNMENT

       Section 3.01.  Limited Agency .  Utility is hereby appointed as DWR’s agent for the limited purposes set forth in this Agreement.  Utility shall not be deemed to be acting, and shall not hold itself out, as agent for DWR for any purpose other than those described in this Agreement.  Utility’s duties and obligations shall be limited to those duties and obligations that are specified in this Agreement.

       Section 3.02.  No Assignment .  DWR shall remain legally and financially responsible for performance under each of the Contracts and shall retain liability to the counterparty for any failure of Utility to perform the functions referred to in this Agreement on behalf of DWR as its limited agent, under such Contracts in accordance with the terms thereof.  It is the intent of DWR and Utility that the provisions of this Agreement shall not constitute or result in an “assignment” of the Allocated Contracts in any respect.

ARTICLE IV
LIMITED DUTIES OF UTILITY

        Section 4.01. Limited Duties of Utility as to the Contracts .  During the Term of this Agreement, Utility shall:

     

  (a)

      

On behalf of DWR, as its limited agent, perform the day-to-day scheduling and dispatch functions, including day-ahead, hour-ahead and real time trading, scheduling transactions with all involved parties,  under the Allocated Contracts, perform billing and settlements functions and obtain relevant information for these functions such as transmission availability and others, with respect to the Allocated Contracts set forth in Schedule 1 hereto, all as more specifically provided in the Operating Protocols attached hereto as Exhibit A;

     

  (b)

      

On behalf of DWR, as its limited agent, enter into transactions for the purchase (or sale, as the case may be) of gas, gas transmission services, gas storage services and financial hedges, and perform the operational and administrative responsibilities for such purchases under gas tolling provisions under the Allocated Contracts, including the review of fuel plans and consideration of alternative fuel supply, all as more specifically provided in the Fuel Management Protocols attached hereto as Exhibit B;

     

  (c) 

     

On behalf of DWR, as its limited agent, perform all necessary billing and settlement functions under the Allocated Contracts in accordance with the terms of the applicable Allocated Contracts.  In addition, perform all necessary billing and settlement functions related to DWR Revenues and remit DWR Revenues to DWR, consistent with the Settlement Principles for Remittances and Surplus Revenues attached hereto as Exhibit C and the Servicing Arrangement;

    

 (d)

   

Assume financial responsibility for the ISO charges listed on Exhibit D attached hereto;

     

  (e) 

    

On behalf of DWR, as its limited agent, upon development of a mutually agreeable plan, monitor the performance of Suppliers under the Allocated Contracts and undertake the administration of the Allocated Contracts, as more specifically provided in the Contract Administration and Performance Monitoring Protocols attached hereto as Exhibit E;

     

  (f) 

     

Provide to DWR the necessary information required by DWR as more specifically provided in the DWR Data Requirements From Utility attached hereto as Exhibit F to facilitate DWR’s continued performance of financial obligations related to Allocated Contracts and to facilitate DWR’s verification, audit and monitoring related to the Allocated Contracts and reporting requirements set forth in Applicable Laws or agreements;

     

  (g) 

    

At all times in performing its obligations under this Agreement (i) comply with the provisions of each of the Allocated Contracts, (ii) follow Good Utility Practice, and (iii) comply with all Applicable Laws and Applicable Commission Orders;

     

  (h) 

    

Appoint a primary and secondary contact person, as set forth in Schedule 2 hereto, to coordinate the responsibilities listed in this Section 4.01; and

     

  (i)  

    

On behalf of DWR, as its limited agent, make surplus energy sales as more specifically provided in this Agreement; and

     

  (j)  

    

Prior to novation of the Interim Contracts by Utility in accordance with the terms of each such Interim Contract, comply with the provisions listed in paragraphs (a) through (i) of this Section 4.01, in each case substituting the defined term Interim Contract(s) for the term Allocated Contract(s).

Provided, however, in the event that DWR fails to provide or provides inaccurate information which results in Utility's non-compliance with its obligations under this Agreement, the resulting non-compliance by Utility shall not constitute an Event of Default under Section 7.01 hereof.

       Section 4.02.  Dispatch or Sale of Allocated Power .  Subject to any existing or new ISO tariff provisions that may affect the dispatch of such Contracts, Allocated Power from all Contracts shall be dispatched or sold, as the case may be, by Utility pursuant to the Operating Protocols attached hereto as Exhibit A. 

       Section 4.03.  DWR Revenues .  DWR Revenues shall be accounted and remitted to DWR consistent with the principles provided in the Settlement Principles for Remittances and Surplus Revenues attached hereto as Exhibit C and the provisions of the Servicing Arrangement.  Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, Utility will not be required at any time to advance or pay any of its own funds in the fulfillment of its responsibilities under this Agreement.

       Section 4.04.  Ownership of Allocated Power .  Notwithstanding any other provision herein, and in accordance with the Act and Section 80110 of the California Water Code, Utility and DWR agree that DWR shall retain title to all Allocated Power, including DWR Power.  In accordance with the Act and Section 80104 of the California Water Code, upon the delivery of Allocated Power to Utility’s customers, those customers shall be deemed to have purchased that power from DWR, and payment for such sale shall be a direct obligation of such customer to DWR.  In addition, Utility and DWR agree that DWR shall retain title to any surplus Allocated Power sold by Utility as limited agent to DWR as provided in this Agreement. 

ARTICLE V
DUTIES OF DWR

       Section 5.01. Duties of DWR .  Consistent with the Contract Allocation Order, during the Term of this Agreement, DWR shall:

     

  (a)

     

Remain legally and financially responsible under each of the Contracts and cooperate with Utility in the transition from DWR to Utility the performance of the functions provided in this Agreement;

     

  (b)

     

Assume legal and financial responsibilities and enter into or facilitate Utility’s entering into transactions as DWR’s limited agent, for the purchase (or sale, as the case may be) of gas, gas transmission services, gas storage services and financial hedges, and timely consent to or approve the Utility’s performance of the operational and administrative responsibilities for such purchases under gas tolling provisions under the Allocated Contracts, including the review of fuel plans and consideration of alternative fuel supply, all as more specifically provided in the Fuel Management Protocols attached hereto as Exhibit B;

     

  (c)

     

Pay invoices to the Suppliers and perform all necessary verification, audit and monitoring of the billing and settlement functions to be performed on DWR’s behalf, as its limited agent, by Utility relating to the Contracts and prior to novation, the Interim Contracts.  In addition, perform all necessary verification, audit and monitoring of the billing and settlement functions to be performed on DWR’s behalf, as its limited agent, by Utility related to DWR Revenues, consistent with the principles set forth in the Settlement Principles for Remittances and Surplus Revenues attached hereto as Exhibit C;

     

  (d)

     

Until such time as a mutually agreed upon plan may be entered into with Utility and approved by the Commission, and no earlier than January 1, 2004, continue to monitor the performance of Suppliers and conduct certain contract administration duties under the Allocated Contracts, all as more specifically provided in the Contract Administration and Performance Monitoring Protocols attached hereto as Exhibit E.  In addition, continue to perform all other administrative functions related to Contracts not explicitly provided in this Agreement to be performed by Utility on behalf of DWR, as its limited agent;

     

  (e)

     

Upon the termination of any Contract, submit in writing to Utility appropriate Schedules and Attachments to Exhibit A amended to reflect the termination of any Contract.  Such amended Schedules and Attachments shall become effective only upon the effective date of the termination of such Contract.  Provided, however, rights or obligations of the Parties that arise or relate to Utility’s performance of its duties under this Agreement in respect of any terminated Contract shall survive until the expiration of any such right or obligation;

     

  (f)

     

Appoint a primary and secondary contact person, as set forth in Schedule 3 hereto, to coordinate the responsibilities listed in this Section 5.01.

ARTICLE VI
SPECIAL CONTRACT TERMS

       Section 6.01.  Special Contract Terms.  In addition to the obligations set forth in this Agreement, Utility agrees to comply with the terms and provisions applicable to the Interim Contracts as set forth in Schedule 2 hereto.

ARTICLE VII
EVENTS OF DEFAULT

       Section 7.01. Events of Default . The following events shall constitute “Events of Default” under this Agreement:

     

  (a)

     

any material failure by a Party to pay any amount due and payable under this Agreement that continues unremedied for five (5) Business Days after the earlier of the day the defaulting Party receives written notice thereof from the non-defaulting Party; or

     

  (b)

    

any material failure by Utility to schedule and dispatch Contracts, consistent with the principles set forth in Exhibit A; or

     

  (c)

    

any failure (except as provided in (a) or (b)) by a Party to duly observe or perform in any material respect any other covenant or agreement of such Party set forth in this Agreement, which failure continues unremedied for a period of 15 calendar days after written notice of such failure has been given to such Party by the non-defaulting Party; or

     

  (d)

    

any material representation or warranty made by a Party shall prove to be false, misleading or incorrect in any material respect as of the date made; or

     

  (e)

    

an Event of Default (as defined under the Servicing Arrangement) shall have occurred and is continuing under the Servicing Arrangement.

       Section 7.02.  Consequences of Utility Event of Default .  Upon any Event of Default by Utility, DWR may, in addition to exercising any other remedies available under this Agreement or under Applicable Law, (i) terminate this Agreement in whole or in part; and (ii) apply in an appropriate forum for sequestration and payment to DWR or its Assign(s) of DWR Revenues or for specific performance of the functions related to the Contracts to be performed by Utility on behalf of DWR, as its limited agent, as provided in this Agreement. 

       Section 7.03.      Consequences of DWR Event of Default .  Upon an Event of Default by DWR, Utility may, in addition to exercising any other remedies available under this Agreement or under Applicable Law,  request that the Commission terminate this Agreement in whole or in part.

       Section 7.04. Remedies .  Subject to Article XIII of this Agreement, upon any Event of Default, the non-defaulting Party may exercise any other legal or equitable right or remedy that may be available to it under applicable law or under this Agreement. 

       Section 7.05. Remedies Cumulative .  Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all rights of termination, cancellation, or other remedies in this Agreement are cumulative.  Use of any remedy shall not preclude any other remedy available under this Agreement.

       Section 7.06. Waivers . None of the provisions of this Agreement shall be considered waived by either Party unless the Party against whom such waiver is claimed gives such waiver in writing.  The failure of either Party to insist in any one or more instances upon strict performance of any of the provisions of this Agreement or to take advantage of any of its rights hereunder shall not be construed as a waiver of any such provisions or the relinquishment of any such rights for the future, but the same shall continue and remain in full force and effect.  Waiver by either Party of any default by the other Party shall not be deemed a waiver of any other default.

ARTICLE VIII
PAYMENT OF FEES AND CHARGES

       Section 8.01.  Utility Fees and Charges .  As noted in the Contract Allocation Order, the details of the amount and recovery of administrative costs to Utility associated with the Contracts are expected to be considered in another Commission proceeding.  As such, the Parties agree that the administrative costs to Utility will be recovered pursuant to such Commission proceeding. Utility shall enter the cost of such fees and charges in its Purchased Electric Commodity Account, or its successor or another account designated by the Commission on a current basis, for recovery in retail rates subject to subsequent Commission review.

ARTICLE IX
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

       Section 9.01. Representations and Warranties .

     

  (a)

      

Each person executing this Agreement for the respective Parties expressly represents and warrants that he or she has authority to bind the Party on whose behalf he or she has executed this Agreement.

     

  (b)

      

Each Party represents and warrants that it has the full power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to perform its terms, that execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other action by such Party, and that this Agreement constitutes such Party’s legal, valid and binding obligation, enforceable against such Party in accordance with its terms.

     

  (c)

      

DWR represents and warrants that all necessary and appropriate notices, inducements, undertakings, approvals, and consents have been obtained from each Supplier to the Contract allocated to Utility in order for Utility to undertake its duties set forth in this Agreement in a timely and appropriate fashion. 

ARTICLE X
LIMITATIONS ON LIABILITY

       Section 10.01. Consequential Damages . In no event will either Party be liable to the other Party for any indirect, special, exemplary, incidental, punitive, or consequential damages under any theory.  Nothing in this Section 10.01 shall limit either Party’s rights as provided in Article VII above.

       Section 10.02. Limited Obligations of DWR . Any amounts payable by DWR under this Agreement shall be payable solely from moneys on deposit in the Department of Water Resources Electric Power Fund established pursuant to Section 80200 of the California Water Code (the “Fund”). 

       Section 10.03.  Sources of Payment; No Debt of State .  DWR's obligation to make payments hereunder shall be limited solely to the Fund and shall be payable as an operating expense of the Fund solely from Power Charges subject and subordinate to each Priority Long Term Power Contract in accordance with the priorities and limitations established with respect to the Fund’s operating expenses in any indenture providing for the issuance of Bonds and in the Rate Agreement and in the Priority Long Term Power Contracts.  Any liability of DWR arising in connection with this Agreement or any claim based thereon or with respect thereto, including, but not limited to, any payment arising as the result of any breach or Event of Default under this Agreement, and any other payment obligation or liability of or judgment against DWR hereunder, shall be satisfied solely from the Fund.  NEITHER THE FULL FAITH AND CREDIT NOR THE TAXING POWER OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA ARE OR MAY BE PLEDGED FOR ANY PAYMENT UNDER THIS AGREEMENT. Revenues and assets of the State Water Resources Development System, and Bond Charges under the Rate Agreement, shall not be liable for or available to make any payments or satisfy any obligation arising under this Agreement.  If moneys on deposit in the Fund are insufficient to pay all amounts payable by DWR under this Agreement, or if DWR has reason to believe such funds may become insufficient to pay all amounts payable by DWR under this Agreement, DWR shall diligently pursue an increase to its revenue requirements as permitted under the Act from the appropriate Governmental Authority as soon as practicable.  To the extent DWR’s obligations are “administrative costs,” they will require annual appropriation by the legislature.

       Section 10.04. Cap on Liability .  In no event will Utility be liable to DWR for damages under this Agreement, including indemnification obligations, whether in contract, warranty, tort (including negligence), strict liability or otherwise (referred to as “Damages” for purposes of this Section), in an amount in excess of: 1) on an annual calendar year basis, $5 million plus ten percent of Damages in excess of $5 million and 2) for the entire term of this Agreement, $50 million in total payments of Damages to DWR.  For example, if Damages for an event are $100 million, Utility’s total liability for this event would be $14.5 million ($5 million plus10% of $95 million) and that would be the full extent of Utility’s liability for such Damages.  All Damages associated with an event will apply only to the annual limit in the first year in which Damages for that event were assessed.  For example, if Damages for an event were paid as follows: $15 million in year 1 and $10 million in year 2, the Utility would pay DWR $7 million ($5 million plus10% of $10 million for year 1 and 10% of $10 million for year 2).  In this example, the $1 million paid to DWR in year 2 (10% of $10 million) does not count against the year 2 $5 million calendar year threshold.  DWR hereby releases Utility from any liability for Damages in excess of the limitations on liability set forth in this Section 10.04, provided however, that this limitation on Utility liability shall not apply to the extent the liability is a result of Utility’s gross negligence or willful misconduct.

ARTICLE XI
CONFIDENTIALITY

       Section 11.01.  Proprietary Information .

     

  (a)

     

Nothing in this Agreement shall affect Utility’s obligations to observe any Applicable Law prohibiting the disclosure of Confidential Information regarding its customers.

     

  (b)

     

Nothing in this Agreement, and in particular nothing in Sections 11.01(e)(x) through 11.01(e)(z) of this Agreement, shall affect the rights of the Commission to obtain from Utility, pursuant to Applicable Law, information requested by the Commission, including Confidential Information provided by DWR to Utility. Applicable Law, and not this Agreement, will govern what information the Commission may disclose to third parties, subject to any confidentiality agreement between DWR and the Commission.

     

  (c)

     

The Parties acknowledge that each Party may acquire information and material that is the other Party’s confidential, proprietary or trade secret information.  As used herein, “Confidential Information” means any and all technical, commercial, financial and customer information disclosed by one Party to the other (or obtained from one Party’s inspection of the other Party’s records or documents), including any patents, patent applications, copyrights, trade secrets and proprietary information, techniques, sketches, drawings, maps, reports, specifications, designs, records, data, models, inventions, know-how, processes, apparati, equipment, algorithms, software programs, software source documents, object code, source code, and information related to the current, future and proposed products and services of each of the Parties, and includes, without limitation, the Parties’ respective information concerning research, experimental work, development, design details and specifications, engineering, financial information, procurement requirements, purchasing, manufacturing, business forecasts, sales and merchandising, and marketing plans and information.  In all cases, Confidential Information includes proprietary or confidential information of any third party disclosing such information to either Party in the course of such third party’s business or relationship with such Party.  Utility’s Confidential Information also includes any and all lists of customers, and any and all information about customers, both individually and aggregated, including but not limited to customers’ names, street addresses of customer residences and/or facilities, email addresses, identification numbers, Utility account numbers and passwords, payment histories, energy usage, rate schedule history, allocation of energy uses among customer residences and/or facilities, and usage of DWR Power.  All Confidential Information disclosed by the disclosing Party (“Discloser”) will be considered Confidential Information by the receiving Party (“Recipient”) if identified as confidential and received from Discloser.

     

  (d)

     

Each Party agrees to take all steps reasonably necessary to hold in trust and confidence the other Party’s Confidential Information.  Without limiting the generality of the immediately preceding sentence, each Party agrees (i) to hold the other Party’s Confidential Information in strict confidence, not to disclose it to third parties or to use it in any way, commercially or otherwise, other than as permitted under this Agreement; and (ii) to limit the disclosure of the Confidential Information to those of its employees, agents or directly related subcontractors with a need to know who have been advised of the confidential nature thereof and who have acknowledged their express obligation to maintain such confidentiality.  DWR shall not disclose Confidential Information to employees, agents or subcontractors that are in any respect responsible for power marketing or trading activities associated with the State Water Resources Development System.

     

  (e)

     

The foregoing two paragraphs will not apply to any item of Confidential Information if:  (i) it has been published or is otherwise readily available to the public other than by a breach of this Agreement; (ii) it has been rightfully received by Recipient from a third party without breach of confidentiality obligations of such third party and outside the context of the provision of services under this Agreement; (iii) it has been independently developed by Recipient personnel having no access to the Confidential Information; (iv) it was known to Recipient prior to its first receipt from Discloser, or (v) it has been summarized, processed and incorporated for incorporation into reports, discussions, statements or any other further work product.  In addition, Recipient may disclose Confidential Information if and to the extent required by law or a Governmental Authority, provided that (x) Recipient shall give Discloser a reasonable opportunity to review and object to the disclosure of such Confidential Information, (y) Discloser may seek a protective order or confidential treatment of such Confidential Information, and (z) Recipient shall make commercially reasonable efforts to cooperate with Discloser in seeking such protective order or confidential treatment.  Discloser shall pay Recipient its reasonable costs of cooperating.

       Section 11.02.  No License .  Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as granting to a Party a license, either express or implied, under any patent, copyright, trademark, service mark, trade dress or other intellectual property right, or to any Confidential Information now or hereafter owned, obtained, controlled by, or which is or may be licensable by, the other Party.

       Section 11.03.  Survival of Provisions .  The provisions of this Article XI shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

ARTICLE XII
RECORDS AND AUDIT RIGHTS

       Section 12.01.  Records .  Utility shall maintain accurate records and accounts relating to the Contracts in sufficient detail to permit DWR to audit and monitor the functions to be performed by Utility on behalf of DWR, as its limited agent, under this Agreement.  In addition, Utility shall maintain accurate records and accounts relating to DWR Revenues to be remitted by Utility to DWR, consistent with the Settlement Principles for Remittances and Surplus Revenues set forth in Exhibit C hereto.  Utility shall provide to DWR and its Assign(s) access to such records.  Access shall be afforded without charge, upon reasonable request made pursuant to Section 12.02.  Access shall be afforded only during Business Hours and in such a manner so as not to interfere unreasonably with Utility’s normal operations.  Utility shall not treat DWR Revenues as income or assets of Utility or any affiliate for any tax, financial reporting or regulatory purposes, and the financial books or records of Utility and affiliates shall be maintained in a manner consistent with the absolute ownership of DWR Revenues by DWR and Utility’s holding of DWR Revenues in trust for DWR (whether or not held together with other monies).

       Section 12.02.  Audit Rights

     

  (a)

     

Upon 30 calendar days’ prior written notice, DWR may request an audit, conducted by DWR or its agents (at DWR’s expense), of Utility’s records and procedures, which shall be limited to records and procedures containing information bearing upon Utility’s performance of its obligations under this Agreement.  The audit shall be conducted during Business Hours without interference with Utility’s normal operations, and in compliance with Utility’s security procedures.

     

  (b)

     

As provided in the Act, the State of California Bureau of State Audits (the “Bureau”) shall conduct a financial and performance audit of DWR’s implementation of Division 27 (commencing with Section 80000) of the California Water Code, and the Bureau shall issue a final report on or before March 31, 2003.  In addition, as provided in Section 8546.7 of the California Government Code, Utility agrees that, pursuant to this Section 12.02, DWR or the State of California Department of General Services, the Bureau, or their designated representative (“DWR’s Agent”) shall have the right to review and to copy (at DWR’s expense) any non-confidential records and supporting documentation pertaining to the performance of this Agreement and to conduct an on-site review of any Confidential Information pursuant to Section 12.03 hereof.  Utility agrees to maintain such records for such possible audit for three years after final Remittance to DWR.  Utility agrees to allow such auditor(s) access to such records during Business Hours and to allow interviews of any employees who might reasonably have information related to such records.  Further, Utility agrees to include a similar right for DWR or DWR’s Agent to audit records and interview staff in any contract between Utility and a subcontractor directly related to performance of this Agreement.

       Section 12.03.  Confidentiality .  Materials reviewed by either Party or its agents in the course of an audit may contain Confidential Information subject to Article XI above.  The use of all materials provided to DWR or Utility or their agents, as the case may be pursuant to this Article XII, shall comply with the provisions in Article XI and shall be limited to use in conjunction with the conduct of the audit and preparation of a report for appropriate distribution of the results of the audit consistent with Applicable Law.

       Section 12.04.  Annual Certifications .  At least annually, and in no event later than the tenth Business Day after the end of the calendar year, Utility shall deliver to DWR a certificate of an authorized representative certifying that to the best of such representative’s knowledge, after a review of Utility performance under this Agreement, Utility has fulfilled its obligations under this Agreement in all material respects and is in compliance herewith in all material respects.

       Section 12.05.  Additional Applicable Laws .  Each Party shall make an effort to promptly notify the other Party in writing to the extent such Party becomes aware of any new Applicable Laws or changes (or proposed changes) in Applicable Tariffs hereafter enacted, adopted or promulgated that may have a material adverse effect on either Party’s ability to perform its duties under this Agreement.  A Party’s failure to so notify the other Party pursuant to this Section 12.05 will not constitute a material breach of this Agreement, and will not give rise to any right to terminate this Agreement or cause either Party to incur any liability to the other Party or any third party.

       Section 12.06.  Other Information .  Upon the reasonable request of DWR or its Assign(s), Utility shall provide to DWR or its Assign(s) any public financial information in respect of Utility applicable to services provided by Utility under this Agreement, to the extent such information is reasonably available to Utility, which (i) is reasonably necessary and permitted by Applicable Law to monitor the performance by Utility hereunder, or (ii) otherwise relates to the exercise of DWR’s rights or the discharge of DWR’s duties under this Agreement or any Applicable Law.  In particular, but without limiting the foregoing, Utility shall provide to DWR any such information that is necessary or useful to calculate DWR’s revenue requirements (as described in Sections 80110 and 80134 of the California Water Code).

       Section 12.07.  Data and Information Retention .  All data and information associated with the provision and receipt of services pursuant to this Agreement shall be maintained for the greater of (a) the retention time required by Applicable Law or Applicable Tariffs for maintaining such information, or (b) three (3) years.

ARTICLE XIII
DISPUTE RESOLUTION

       Section 13.01.  Dispute Resolution .  Should any dispute arise between the Parties or should any dispute between the Parties arise from the exercise of either Party’s audit rights contained in Section 12.02 hereof, the Parties shall remit any undisputed amounts and agree to enter into good faith negotiations as soon as practicable to resolve such disputes within (10) Business Days so as to resolve such disputes, as appropriate, within the timeframes provided under this Agreement, or as soon as possible thereafter.  For any disputed Remittances, if such resolution cannot be made before the remittance date, Utility shall remit the undisputed portion to DWR.  In addition, the disputed portion of the Remittances shall be deposited into an escrow account held by a qualified, independent escrow holder.  Upon resolution of such disputes, the Party that escrowed the disputed amount shall reimburse the other Party from the escrow account as necessary.

       Section 13.02.  ISO Settlements Disputes .  Utility shall review, validate and verify all ISO charges/credits contained on all ISO settlement statements, including any charges/credits resulting from functions related to the Contracts to be performed by Utility as provided in this Agreement.  Utility shall inform DWR of any discrepancies and shall dispute any such discrepancies with the ISO in accordance with the ISO’s tariff and protocols.  Except as provided in Section 13.03, if any ISO charge type settlement amount appearing on a Preliminary or Final Settlement Statement (as defined in the ISO tariff) resulting or relating to the Utility’s performance of functions related to the Contracts under this Agreement is in dispute, it shall be the responsibility of Utility, on behalf of DWR, as its limited agent, to seek resolution of said dispute through the ISO dispute resolution process as provided in the ISO’s tariff.  

       For disputes affecting Utility’s Remittances to DWR, including disputes on ISO charges to non-DWR parties that would affect Remittances to DWR, Utility shall provide to DWR: a) notification of submission of the dispute through the ISO dispute resolution process, identifying, among other items, the dispute type, quantity, price and allocation; b) a copy of the submitted dispute and all supporting data; and c) a copy of all ensuing documentation resulting from the ongoing dispute resolution process.  Utility shall track and validate all disputed ISO charges involving any financial responsibility of DWR.

       Section 13.03.  Supplier Invoice Disputes .  DWR shall continue to be responsible for all dispute resolution relating to Supplier invoices.  In addition, except as specifically provided in Exhibit E of this Agreement, all other contract administration functions shall remain DWR’s responsibility. 

       Section 13.04.  Good-Faith Negotiations .  Should any dispute arise between the Parties relating to this Agreement, the Parties shall undertake good-faith negotiations to resolve such dispute.  If the Parties are unable to resolve such dispute through good-faith negotiations, either Party may submit a detailed written summary of the dispute to the other Party.  Upon such written presentation, each Party shall designate an executive with authority to resolve the matter in dispute.  If the Parties are unable to resolve such dispute within 30 days from the date that a detailed summary of such dispute is presented in writing to the other Party, then either Party may, at its sole discretion, submit the dispute to the Commission for final resolution. 

       Section 13.05.  Costs .  Each Party shall bear its own respective costs and attorney fees in connection with respect to any dispute resolution process undertaken by it pursuant to this Article.  Provided, however, DWR shall reimburse Utility all reasonably incurred costs, including, but not limited to, in-house and retained attorneys, consultants, witnesses, and arbitration costs, arising from or pertaining to all disputes relating to ISO charges/credits contained on all ISO settlement statements resulting from the operational, dispatch and administrative functions related to the Contracts performed by Utility on behalf of DWR, as its limited agent, pursuant to the standards set forth in Section 2.02 herein and consistent with the provisions of the ISO tariff, as may be amended from time to time, including disputes on ISO charges to non-DWR parties that would affect Remittances to DWR.  These costs shall be recorded and invoiced in the manner set forth in Section 8.01 hereof.

ARTICLE XIV
MISCELLANEOUS

       Section 14.01.  Assignment

     

  (a)

     

Except as provided in paragraphs (b) (c), (d) and (e) below, neither Party shall assign or otherwise dispose of this Agreement, its right, title or interest herein or any part hereof to any  entity, without the prior written consent of the other Party.  No assignment of this Agreement shall relieve the assigning Party of any of its obligations under this Agreement until such obligations have been assumed by the assignee. When duly assigned in accordance with this Section 14.01(a) and when accepted by the assignee, this Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the assignee.  Any assignment in violation of this Section 14.01 (a) shall be void.

     

  (b)

     

Utility acknowledges and agrees that DWR may assign or pledge its rights to receive performance hereunder to a trustee or another party (“Assign(s)”) in order to secure DWR’s obligations under its bonds (as that term is defined in the Act), and any such Assign shall be a third party beneficiary of this Agreement; provided, however, that this authority to assign or pledge rights to receive performance hereunder shall in no event extend to any person or entity that sells power or other goods or services to DWR.

     

  (c)

     

Any person (i) into which Utility may be merged or consolidated, (ii) which may result from any merger or consolidation to which Utility shall be a party or (iii) which may succeed to the properties and assets of Utility substantially as a whole, which person in any of the foregoing cases executes an agreement of assumption to perform every obligation of Utility hereunder, shall be the successor to Utility under this Agreement without further act on the part of any of the Parties to this Agreement; provided, however, that Utility shall have delivered to  DWR and its Assign(s) an opinion of counsel reasonably acceptable to DWR stating that such consolidation, merger or succession and such agreement of assumption complies with this Section 13.01(c) and that all of Utility’s obligations hereunder have been validly assumed and are binding on any such successor or assign.

     

  (d)

     

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, DWR’s rights and obligations hereunder shall be transferred, without any action or consent of either Party hereto, to any entity created by the State legislature which is required under Applicable Law to assume the rights and obligations of DWR under Division 27 of the California Water Code.

     

  (e)

     

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Utility’s rights and obligations under this Agreement may be assigned to the reorganized debtor under a plan of reorganization approved by the Bankruptcy Court for Utility without any action or consent of either Party hereto.

       Section 14.02.  Force Majeure .  Neither Party shall be liable for any delay or failure in performance of any part of this Agreement (including the obligation to remit money at the times specified herein) from any cause beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to, unusually severe weather, flood, fire, lightning, epidemic, quarantine restriction, war, sabotage, act of a public enemy, earthquake, insurrection, riot, civil disturbance, strike, restraint by court order or Government Authority, or any combination of these causes, which by the exercise of due diligence and foresight such Party could not reasonably have been expected to avoid and which by the exercise of due diligence is unable to overcome. 

       Section 14.03.  Severability .  In the event that any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement shall for any reason be held to be unenforceable in any respect under applicable law, such unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement, but this Agreement shall be construed as if such unenforceable provision or provisions had never been contained herein.

       Section 14.04.  Survival of Payment Obligations .  Upon termination of this Agreement, each Party shall remain liable to the other Party for all amounts owing under this Agreement.  Utility shall continue to collect and remit, pursuant to the terms of the Servicing Arrangement and the principles provided in the Settlement Principles for Remittances and Surplus Revenues provided in Exhibit C hereto and any DWR Charges billed to customers or any DWR Surplus Energy Sales Revenues attributable to sales entered into before the effective date of termination of the Servicing Arrangement. 

       Section 14.05.  Third-Party Beneficiaries .  The provisions of this Agreement are exclusively for the benefit of the Parties and any permitted assignee of either Party and there are no third party beneficiaries under this Agreement.

       Section 14.06.  Governing Law .  This Agreement shall be interpreted, governed and construed under the laws of the State of California without regard to choice of law provisions.

       Section 14.07.  Multiple Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts, each of which shall be an original.

       Section 14.08.  Section Headings .  Section and paragraph headings appearing in this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be construed as interpretations of text.

       Section 14.09.  Amendments .  No amendment, modification, or supplement to this Agreement shall be effective unless it is in writing and signed by the authorized representatives of both Parties and approved as required, and by reference incorporates this Agreement and identifies the specific portions that are amended, modified, or supplemented or indicates that the material is new.  No oral understanding or agreement not incorporated in this Agreement is binding on either of the Parties.

       Section 14.10.  Amendment Upon Changed Circumstances .  The Parties acknowledge that compliance with any Commission decision, legislative action or other governmental action (whether issued before or after the Effective Date of this Agreement) affecting the operation of this Agreement, including but not limited to (i) dissolution of the ISO, (ii) changes in the ISO market structure, (iii) a decision regarding direct access currently pending before the Commission, (iv) the establishment of other Governmental Programs, or (v) a modification to the Contract Allocation Agreement may require that amendment(s) be made to this Agreement.  The Parties therefore agree that if either Party reasonably determines that such a decision or action would materially affect the services to be provided hereunder or the reasonable costs thereof, then upon the issuance of such decision or the approval of such action (unless and until it is stayed), the Parties will negotiate the amendment(s) to this Agreement that is (or are) appropriate in order to effectuate the required changes in services to be provided or the reimbursement thereof.  If the Parties are unable to reach agreement on such amendments within 60 days after the issuance of such decision or approval of such action, either Party may, in the exercise of its sole discretion, submit the disagreement to the Commission for proposed resolution.  Nothing herein shall preclude either Party from challenging the decision or action which such Party deems may adversely affect its interests in any appropriate forum of the Party’s choosing.

       The Parties agree that, if the rating agencies request changes to this Agreement which the Parties reasonably determine are necessary and appropriate, the Parties will negotiate in good faith, but will be under no obligation to reach agreement or to ask the Commission to amend this Agreement to accommodate the rating agency requests and will cooperate in obtaining any required approvals of the Commission or other entities for such amendments.

       Section 14.11  Indemnification .

     

  (a)

     

Indemnification of DWR .  Utility (the “Indemnitor”) shall at all times protect, indemnify, defend and hold harmless DWR, and its elected officials, appointed officers, employees, representatives, agents and contractors (each, an “Indemnified Party” or an “Indemnitee”) from and against (and pay the full amount of) any and all claims (whether in tort, contract or otherwise), demands, expenses (including, without limitation, in-house and retained attorneys’ fees) and liabilities for losses, damage, injury and liability of every kind and nature and however caused, and taxes (of any kind and by whomsoever imposed), to third parties arising from or in connection with (or alleged to arise from in connection with):  (1) any failure by Utility to perform its material obligations under this Agreement; (2) any material representation or warranty made by Utility shall prove to be false, misleading or incorrect in any material respect as of the date made; (3) the gross negligence or willful misconduct of Utility or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives, subcontractors or assignees in connection with this Agreement; and (4) any violation of or failure by Utility or Indemnitor to comply with any Applicable Commission Orders or Applicable Law; provided, however, that the foregoing indemnifications and protections shall not extend to any losses arising from gross negligence or willful misconduct of any Indemnified Party.

     

  (b)

     

Obligation of Utility . Consistent with the Contract Allocation Order, Utility shall not, in acting as limited agent of DWR hereunder be required to perform any obligations of any Supplier under any Allocated Contract or to make any payments on behalf of such Supplier or as the result of the failure of such Supplier to perform under any Allocated Contract.

     

  (c)

     

Indemnification of Utility . To the extent permitted by law, DWR (“Indemnitor”) shall at all times protect, indemnify, defend and hold harmless Utility, and its officers, employees, representatives, agents and contractors (each, an “Indemnified Party” or “Indemnitee”), from and against (and pay the full amount of) any and all claims (whether in tort, contract or otherwise), demands, expenses (including, without limitation, in-house and retained attorneys' fees) and liabilities for losses, damage, injury and liability of every kind and nature and however caused, and taxes (of any kind and by whomsoever imposed), to third parties arising from or in connection with (or alleged to arise from on in connection with):  (1)  any failure by DWR to perform its material obligations under this Agreement or any Allocated Contract and, prior to novation, any Interim Contract; (2) any material representation or warranty made by DWR shall prove to be false, misleading or incorrect in any material respect as of the date made; (3) the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the DWR or any of its officers, directors or employees, agents, representatives, subcontractors or assignees in connection with this Agreement; (4) any action claiming Utility failed to perform any Supplier's obligations under a Contract; and (5) any violation of or failure by DWR or Indemnitor to comply with any Applicable Law; and provided, however, that the foregoing indemnifications and protections shall not extend to any losses arising from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any Indemnified Party.

     

  (d)

     

Indemnification Procedures .  Indemnitee shall promptly give notice to Indemnitor of any claim or action to which it seeks indemnification from Indemnitor.  Indemnitor shall defend any such claim or action brought against it, and may also defend such claim or action on behalf of the Indemnitee (with counsel reasonably satisfactory to Indemnitor) unless there is any actual or potential conflict between Indemnitor and Indemnitee with respect to such claim or action.  If there is any actual or potential conflict between Indemnitor and Indemnitee with respect to such claim or action, Indemnitee shall have the opportunity to assume (at Indemnitor’s expense) defense of any claim or action brought against Indemnitee by a third party; however, failure by Indemnitee to request defense of such claim or action by the Indemnitor shall not affect Indemnitee’s right to indemnity under this Section 14.11.  In any action or claim involving Indemnitee, Indemnitor shall not settle or compromise any claim without the prior written consent of Indemnitee.

       Section 14.12.  Notices and Demands .  (a) Except as otherwise provided under this Agreement, all notices, demands, or requests pertaining to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given (i) on the date delivered in person, (ii) on the date when sent by facsimile (with receipt confirmed by telephone by the intended recipient or his or her authorized representative) or electronic transmission (with receipt confirmed telephonically or electronically by the intended recipient or his or her authorized representative) or by special messenger, or (iii) 72 hours following delivery to a United States post office when sent by certified or registered United States mail postage prepaid, and addressed as set forth below:

Utility:   

          

Pacific Gas and Electric Company
245 Market Street, Room 1267
San Francisco, CA 94105-1814

Attn:     

          

Roy Kuga
Lead Director of Gas and Electric Supply
Telephone: (415) 973-3806
Facsimile: (415) 973-0585
Email: rmk4@pge.com

DWR:   

         

 DWR:    State of California
The Resources Agency
Department of Water Resources
California Energy Resources Scheduling Division
3310 El Camino Avenue, Suite 120
Sacramento, California  95821

Attn:     

         

Peter S. Garris
Deputy Director
Telephone:  (916) 574-2733
Facsimile:  (916) 574-0301
Email:  pgarris@water.ca.gov

            

  (a)

   

Each Party  shall be entitled to specify as its proper address any other address in the United States, or specify any change to the above information, upon written notice to the other Party complying with this Section 14.12.

            

  (b)

   

Each Party shall designate on Attachment A the person(s) to be contacted with respect to specific operational matters.  Each Party shall be entitled to specify any change to such person(s) upon written notice to the other Party complying with this Section 14.12.

       Section 14.13.  Approval.   This Agreement shall be effective upon the execution by both Parties and approval of such executed agreement by the Commission.  Except as expressly provided otherwise herein, neither Party may commence performance hereunder until such date.  Any delay in the commencement of performance hereunder as a consequence of waiting for such approval(s) shall not be a breach or default under this Agreement.

       Section 14.14.  Government Code and Public Contract Code Inapplicable .  DWR has determined, pursuant to Section 80014(b) of the California Water Code, that application of certain provisions of the Government Code and Public Contract Code applicable to State contracts, including but not limited to advertising and competitive bidding requirements and prompt payment requirements, would be detrimental to accomplishing the purposes of Division 27 (commencing with Section 80000) of the California Water Code and that such provisions and requirements are therefore not applicable to or incorporated in this Agreement.

       Section 14.15. Annual Review . The provisions of the Exhibits are subject to annual review by DWR and Utility to ensure their relevance and usefulness.  In the event that the Parties mutually agree that certain provisions of the Exhibits should be amended or supplemented, an amendment to the Exhibit should be executed and Utility shall submit to the Commission for approval.

       Section 14.16 Other Operating Agreement .  It is DWR’s intent to have a consistent operating agreement with all three investor-owned utilities (IOUs).  Should DWR reach an operating agreement with another IOU relating to the subject matter of this Agreement, that in Utility’s judgment is more favorable on the whole than this Agreement, Utility shall have the right to receive the same terms and conditions as such other IOU.  This provision specifically does not allow Utility to select particular portions or provisions of such other IOU’s operating agreement.  In addition, if Utility elects to be subject to such other IOU’s operating agreement’s terms and conditions, Utility shall be subject to such other IOU’s operating agreement with only such modifications agreed to by DWR as necessary to address operating differences between that other IOU and Utility.  Utility shall exercise the foregoing right within 60 days following Commission approval of such other operating agreement.

PG&E Execution Copy

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the date or dates indicated below, to be effective as of the Effective Date.

CALIFORNIA STATE DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, acting solely under the authority and powers granted by AB1X, codified as Sections 80000 through 80270 of the Water Code, and not under its powers and responsibilities with respect to the State Water Resources Development System

   

PACIFIC GAS & ELECTRIC COMPANY, a California Corporation

                                                         

    

                                          

By:     /s/ Peter S. Garris
___________________________________

By:     /s/ Gregory M. Rueger
____________________________________

Name:     Peter S. Garris

Name:     Gregory M. Rueger

Title:     Deputy Director

Title:     Senior Vice President, Generation

Date:     4/17/03

Date:     April 17, 2003


PG&E EXHIBIT A

OPERATING PROTOCOLS

EXHIBIT A

OPERATING PROTOCOLS

Pursuant to Section 4.01 of this Agreement, on behalf of DWR as its limited agent, Utility shall perform the day-to-day scheduling and dispatch functions, including day-ahead, hour-ahead and real-time trading, scheduling of transactions with all involved parties, making surplus energy sales and obtaining relevant information for these functions such as transmission availability and others, with respect to the Allocated Contracts set forth in Schedule 1 to the Agreement, and, prior to novation, the Interim Contracts set forth in Schedule 2, all as more specifically provided below and in compliance with the provisions of each of the Contracts:

      

I.  

Resource Commitment and Dispatch .  Utility agrees to use good faith efforts to dispatch Allocated Contracts, and, prior to novation, Interim Contracts, based on the principle of “least cost dispatch” to retail customers, consistent with the Contract Allocation Order and other Applicable Commission Orders. Utility shall undertake these least cost dispatch functions both of the Contracts and its URG so as to minimize the cost of service to retail customers based on circumstances known or that reasonably could have been known by Utility at the time dispatch decisions are made.  DWR shall have no role in enforcement or review of Utility least cost dispatch under this Agreement and all issues of Utility compliance with least cost dispatch shall be within the sole review of the Commission.

                      

  A.  

Annual, Quarterly and Weekly Load and Resource Assessment Studies .  Utility shall provide to DWR copies of its annual and quarterly load and resource assessment studies.  Provided that Utility submits substantially the same information to the Commission, copies of the Commission submission will be simultaneously sent to DWR to satisfy requirements of this section.  In addition, Utility will provide a weekly commitment and dispatch plan for informational purposes to DWR in the same form that such plan is used internally.

 

                     

  B.  

Scheduling Protocols .

 

                                  

1.  

DWR is responsible for notifying the counter-party to each of the Allocated Contracts that scheduling under the Allocated Contracts will be performed by Utility before the first day that schedules are due to be submitted by Utility.  DWR is responsible for notifying Utility of any changes to the Allocated Contracts that it has negotiated, including changes to the scheduling terms.  DWR agrees to provide such notice as soon as possible following the negotiation of any changed provisions and in any case prior to the time that any changed provisions become effective.

 

   

                               

To the extent that any of the Interim Contracts are amended or modified by DWR or Utility, including changes to the scheduling terms, DWR and Utility agree to provide such notice to the other Party as soon as possible following the negotiation of any changed provisions and in any case prior to the time that any such changed provisions become effective.

 

                                    

2.  

Utility agrees to schedule Contracts in accordance with their terms and in accordance with the requirements of the Control Area operator or operators with whom the Contract must be scheduled to provide for power delivery.

 

      

II.  

ISO Ancillary Service (AS) Market .  Among the Contracts are resources that are or may be qualified to be bid into the ISO’s Ancillary Services (“AS”) market or that Utility may use in its self-provision of AS.  Utility is authorized to develop protocols and procedures for the use of DWR resources for AS.  Utility shall, upon DWR’s request, provide to DWR such information concerning Utility’s intended use of DWR resources for AS as DWR may reasonably request for planning and revenue requirement purposes.

                                  

III..  

Surplus Energy Sales and Energy Exchanges

     

  A.  

Over-generation .  If the ISO announces an  over-generation situation Utility will  back down resources in accordance with the ISO tariff and  Good Utility Practice. In order to reduce the need for physical curtailment in over-generation situations, DWR and Utility shall develop pay for curtailment protocols and procedures that will enable Utility to instruct a must-take resource not to deliver energy under specified conditions. The costs and charges associated with mitigation of an over-generation situation shall be allocated among the Parties on a pro-rata basis consistent with the surplus sales allocation principles set forth in Exhibit C. 

                                   

  B.  

Energy Exchange Arrangements .  Existing non-DWR/CERS exchanges and those that might be transacted post-2002, will be considered URG exchanges. The accounting of energy necessary to support energy exchanges is addressed in Exhibit C. 

                                     

  C.  

Surplus Energy Sales Arrangement.   Utility shall on a monthly basis prepare a sales plan addressing all surplus sales, including without limitation sales to manage over-generation, contemplated by the Utility for review by DWR.  Such plan shall address sales of power from the combined portfolio of URG resources and Allocated Contracts, which will be administered by Utility on its own behalf and acting as DWR’s limited agent. As specified in Section 2.02 of the Agreement, Utility shall pursue surplus sales in a fashion reasonably designed to serve the overall best interests of retail electric customers based on information known or could have been known by Utility at the time.  Utility agrees to include sufficient details in the sales plans to allow DWR to satisfy its financial management and reporting requirements. To the extent there is surplus power uncommitted to a forward energy surplus sales transaction, Utility shall be required to bid such surplus energy in the day-ahead, hour-ahead or real-time market.  Utility shall arrange for transmission service to accommodate surplus sales to the extent that transmission service is available and cost effective.  The costs of transmission service, ISO charges and the costs of firm transmission rights associated with such surplus energy sales transactions shall be treated in accordance with the Settlement Principles for Remittances and Surplus Revenues attached hereto as Exhibit C. 

 

      

IV.  

Outage Coordination and Determination of Resource Availability of Contracts .  Utility shall communicate with the Scheduling Coordinator of each Contract to coordinate, approve, document and report planned Contract outages.  For those Contracts where resource availability affects capacity payments, Utility will use good faith efforts to verify supplier actual resource availability, and keep records of resource availability as reported by Supplier.  In addition, Utility shall document all outages (forced and planned) and notices of outages of DWR contract resources and provide such documents to DWR within five (5) business days after the end of each calendar month.  Interim Contracts Utility and DWR agree that the Attachments and data requirements associated with this Agreement will be updated as needed to incorporate the addition of new Interim Contracts entered into after the execution date of this Agreement.

PG&E EXHIBIT B

FUEL MANAGEMENT PROTOCOLS

EXHIBIT B

FUEL MANAGEMENT PROTOCOLS

Certain of the Contracts listed on Schedule 1 of this Agreement provide DWR the option of either (i) letting the Supplier provide the necessary natural gas for its generating units at an index-based price or agreed upon fixed price or (ii) DWR procuring the gas supply and causing such supply to be delivered to the Supplier under a tolling arrangement (“Fuel Option”).  Certain of the Contracts with Fuel Option provide that DWR can decide on a monthly basis whether to procure the gas and others provide that the decision be made annually or semi-annually when DWR reviews the Supplier’s proposed fuel plan.

The purpose of this Exhibit B is to describe the relationship which will exist between DWR and Utility and the specific responsibilities of each as they all relate to managing the natural gas provisions of the Contracts which include Fuel Options.  Specifically, this Exhibit B will address responsibilities for the following activities: (i) determining types and lengths of gas contracts, (ii) nominating deliveries, (iii) contracting for gas transportation and storage, (iv) managing imbalances, (v) reviewing, authorizing and making payment of gas invoices and (vi) determining and implementing hedge strategies, as appropriate. 

I.  

Operating Relationship Between DWR and Utility

 

                                             

While DWR will retain legal and financial responsibility for gas and related services, Utility shall, as a limited agent acting for DWR, perform the administrative and operational activities, as further specified below, required to ensure adequate gas is supplied to Suppliers’ generating units, consistent with the tolling provisions included in the Contracts.  The intent of this relationship is to provide Utility sufficient flexibility and authority to execute normal day-to-day activities associated with managing the fuel provisions of tolling Contracts and procurement of natural gas and related services, as a limited agent acting on behalf of DWR without direct involvement by DWR but in a manner consistent with Utility Gas Supply Plans which have been reviewed and approved by DWR and the Commission. 

 

II.  

Fuel Activities

 

                                      

Consistent with the terms of the Contracts with Fuel Options, Utility shall have administrative and operational authority to act, as a limited agent, for fuel supply related activities, consistent with the following goals and guidelines whenever Utility has recommended, and DWR has reviewed and approved such recommendation that gas for a Contract with Fuel Option be caused to be supplied by Utility from a list of approved providers.

 

      

1.  

Utility shall use reasonable commercial efforts to secure delivery of gas in a reliable manner and consistent with gas requirements for producing scheduled energy.

                                      

2.  

Utility shall develop a portfolio of gas supply for the Contracts that contain Fuel Options and where Utility is to supply gas, acting as limited agent on behalf of DWR, consistent with the approved Utility Gas Supply Plans.  Such portfolio should be diversified in terms of price mechanism, period of performance, and gas suppliers.

                                      

3.  

Utility shall develop a portfolio of supply which is reasonably priced relative to the market and in accordance with an approved Utility Gas Supply Plan.

III.  

Review of Supplier Fuel Plans

                                      

In accordance with the terms of each of the Contracts with Fuel Options, Utility, acting as a limited agent on behalf of DWR, shall review each fuel plan prepared and submitted by the Supplier, and forwarded to the Utility by DWR, and determine whether to recommend (i) approval of the Supplier Fuel Plan and authorization for the Supplier to provide gas to its generating unit(s), or (ii) procurement and management of gas supplies to the generating unit(s) by Utility.  Utility, acting as a limited agent on behalf of DWR, shall advise DWR and the Commission on a timely basis of its recommendation regarding responsibility for supplying natural gas.  DWR shall, on a timely basis, review Utility’s recommendation and either approve or identify requested changes.  Once approved, Utility shall advise the Supplier in accordance with the time requirements included in the appropriate Contract with Fuel Option.  In addition, for any Supplier Fuel Plans which have been implemented and are operative as of the Effective Date, and where DWR has previously elected to be responsible for gas supply, Utility may advise DWR that it would rather have Supplier provide the gas as of the Effective Date.  DWR shall coordinate with Utility and Supplier to revise such Supplier Fuel Plans, to the extent possible, prior to the Effective Date.  

IV.  

Fuel Procurement Strategies

                                      

Under the Contracts with Fuel Option, upon Utility’s recommendation, and DWR’s review and approval of such recommendation, Utility will be responsible for procuring the natural gas fuel from a list of approved gas providers. Utility shall, acting as the limited agent of DWR, have administrative and operational responsibility for determining its gas procurement strategies, including but not limited to (i) types of contracts, (ii) length of contracts, (iii) pricing terms, (iv) use of storage, (v) types of gas transportation, (vi) delivery point(s), (vii) whether and how to obtain gas price forecasts, (viii) if and what risk management tools are to be used, and (ix) how to maintain current market intelligence. 

                                      

Utility shall consolidate these strategies and submit them to DWR and the Commission as a “Utility Gas Supply Plan” by April 17, 2003 and, thereafter on a semi-annual basis during the Term.  Utility may also provide a copy of such Gas Supply Plan to DWR in advance of the filing with the Commission so as to be able to indicate DWR’s approval of such plan.  Utility shall indicate in its Advice Letter filing to the Commission whether DWR has approved such plan as appropriate.  DWR shall also formally notify the Commission when it has approved such plan.

                                      

DWR and the Commission will review and approve the Utility Gas Supply Plans.  In the event of conflicting guidance between the Commission and DWR regarding various aspects of the Gas Supply Plan they respectively approve or reject, where DWR only approves a subset of what the Commission approves, then Utility shall operate within the sphere of DWR’s approval.  If, however, the Commission explicitly rejects portions of the Gas Supply Plan that DWR would authorize, then Utility must operate within the limitations of the Commission’s decision.  After a reasonable period of time operating within the framework of the Gas Supply Plans and the Commission’s and DWR’s respective approval and/or rejection of various pieces of the Gas Supply Plan, the Parties agree to meet and confer to determine whether the approval process may need to be revised in some manner, and Utility shall submit to Commission any such proposed revisions. Once approved, Utility may act within such Utility Gas Supply Plan without further DWR involvement, except as provided below.

V.  

Gas Purchasing

                                      

Utility and DWR shall jointly determine a list of approved gas providers who can be used to supply gas under the Contracts with Fuel Options.  Master agreements intended to cover normal day-to-day volumes will then be executed with such approved providers.  While DWR will be the executing party under all DWR gas contracts, such agreements shall specifically authorize Utility to act for and on behalf of DWR, as a limited agent, in negotiating specific prices, quantities and delivery periods for specific purchases under such master agreements; provided however, on the earliest practicable date after the execution of this Agreement, DWR agrees to provide to Utility in writing and in advance of such negotiations any limits, including without limitation any terms, that may be required by DWR.  If Utility determines it would be beneficial to enter into any DWR gas contract which exceeds 3 months or have a total value exceeding $10 million, it shall negotiate such agreement(s) and submit them to DWR for advance approval and execution.  

VI.  

Gas Transportation

                                      

Utility shall have responsibility for recommending to DWR which pipelines should transport gas if Utility, acting as limited agent on behalf of DWR is to supply gas  under a Contract with Fuel Option.  Following approval of or revision of Utility Gas Supply Plan, Utility shall negotiate firm and/or interruptible agreements with such pipelines, consistent with the Utility Gas Supply Plan and submit them to DWR for execution.  While DWR will be the executing party, such agreements with pipelines shall specifically authorize Utility to act for and on behalf of DWR in nominating gas deliveries, making imbalance trades and managing gas volumes transported under such agreements  provided, however, on the earliest practicable date after the execution of this Agreement, DWR agrees to provide to Utility in writing and in advance of such negotiations any limits, including without limitation any terms, that may be required by DWR.

VII.  

Gas Scheduling

                                      

If permitted under the Allocated Contracts, the Utility shall have full administrative and operational responsibility for scheduling gas deliveries, whether to a specific generating plant or to storage for all gas contracts entered into by DWR or by Utility on DWR’s behalf pursuant to this Exhibit B.  This function includes use of interstate and intrastate gas pipeline provider websites, confirming via telephone, and all other activities required to move gas from the designated delivery point, as determined by the Utility, to its destination, as determined by the Utility.

VIII.  

Storage Capacity, Injections and Withdrawals

                                      

Utility shall have responsibility for devising plans for gas storage, if Utility, acting as limited agent on behalf of DWR,  is to supply gas under Contracts with Fuel Option from a list of approved providers.   Following approval of the Utility Gas Supply Plans, Utility shall negotiate firm and/or interruptible agreements with such storage service providers and submit them to DWR for execution.  While DWR will be the executing party with DWR remaining the principal under such contracts, such agreements with storage service providers shall specifically authorize Utility to act for and on behalf of DWR in nominating gas injections and withdrawals under such agreements; provided, however, on the earliest practicable date after the execution of this Agreement, DWR agrees to provide to Utility in writing and in advance of such negotiations any limits, including without limitation any terms, that may be required by DWR.  

IX.  

Managing Gas Delivery/Usage Imbalances

                                      

For gas that it purchases and transports on behalf of DWR, Utility shall have full administrative and operational responsibility for monitoring and managing the daily status of gas usage vs. gas deliveries (i.e. gas imbalances).  In addition, to the extent that gas transportation providers issue operational flow orders or require adjustments in scheduled gas deliveries due to system constraints, Utility, acting as limited agent on behalf of DWR, shall be responsible for compliance with such orders.  Utility shall also be responsible for any penalties imposed by gas transportation providers for imbalances caused by Utility, due to its failure to exercise prudent gas management practices.

                                      

X.  

Invoice Review, Approval and Payment

                                      

For natural gas, pipeline transportation and storage services it purchases in accordance with this Exhibit B, Utility, acting as limited agent on behalf of DWR, shall have responsibility for receiving invoices from gas, transportation and storage suppliers, reviewing them for accuracy, approving/rejecting invoices for payment and forwarding to DWR for payment; provided, however, on the earliest practicable date after the execution of this Agreement, DWR agrees to cause Utility to be authorized to receive such information from Suppliers.  Utility shall provide DWR sufficient documentation to verify payment of the invoices.

                                      

XI.  

Forecasting

                                      

Utility shall be responsible for all gas price, demand and supply forecasts which Utility believes are consistent with any accepted gas supply responsibilities. 

                                      

XII.  

Risk Management

                                      

Utility shall develop and include in its Gas Supply Plans, plans for the hedging of DWR Fuel Supply costs.  Final decisions relating to the use or non-use of financial tools such as futures, options and swaps to hedge future gas price exposure on any gas volumes not hedged by Utility under the Utility Gas Supply Plans shall be made and implemented by DWR.  Any such contracts executed by DWR on a “portfolio basis” should be utility-specific.

                                      

XIII .   

Market Intelligence

                                      

Any and all efforts to obtain, analyze and utilize market intelligence for decision-making purposes shall be the responsibility of Utility. 

                                      

XIV.  

Payment of Gas Costs

                                      

For natural gas, pipeline transportation, financial hedges and storage services that are purchased and provided by a Supplier under an approved Fuel Supply Plan, DWR shall pay such gas related costs as part of the invoice for commodity, product, or services submitted by the Supplier.  For natural gas, pipeline transportation and storage services provided under DWR contracts and administered by Utility on behalf of DWR, DWR shall pay invoices after they have been reviewed and approved for payment by Utility.

                                      

XV.  

Allocation of Existing DWR Gas Contracts

                                      

DWR has entered into gas supply, transportation and storage contracts as provided in Attachment 1 to this Exhibit B that have expiration dates after the Effective Date of this Agreement.  The administrative and operational control of the contracts listed on Attachment 1 to this Exhibit B will become the responsibility of Utility.  This shall include (i) scheduling gas transportation, (ii) confirming gas deliveries, (iii) nominating gas withdrawals from and injections into storage, if applicable, (iv) and reviewing and approving invoices for payment.  When approved, invoices shall be transmitted to DWR for payment within 10 days of receipt of invoice from the gas supplier, gas storage or gas transportation provider.

                                      

XVI.  

Pre-existing Financial Hedge Instruments

                                      

If DWR has entered into any financial hedge transactions that will remain operable after the Effective Date of this Agreement, DWR shall retain full administrative and operational control over such transactions.

PG&E EXHIBIT C

SETTLEMENT PRINCIPLES
FOR REMITTANCES AND
SURPLUS REVENUES

EXHIBIT C

SETTLEMENT PRINCIPLES FOR REMITTANCES AND SURPLUS
  REVENUES

This Exhibit C outlines the principles by which Utility will calculate revenues associated with surplus energy sales and DWR energy delivered to retail customers.  This Exhibit C also addresses the information that Utility will provide to DWR to support DWR payment of Contract invoices, and invoices from natural gas supplier(s) for fuel provided to service DWR Contracts where tolling options have been implemented. 

This Exhibit C works in conjunction with the applicable Servicing Arrangement with Utility for purposes of determining the remittance amounts by Utility, which serves as DWR’s billing and collection agent.


In accordance with the Contract Allocation Order (*) , this Exhibit C provides that:

   ●   Revenues will be allocated for both surplus sales and retail customer deliveries

   ●   Revenues will be allocated pro rata, based on dispatched quantities of energy

   ●   The principle of balancing least cost economic dispatch while maintaining reliability is reinforced through these revenue allocation protocols.

   ●   Surplus sales quantities will be calculated as the difference between Utility’s Energy Delivery Obligations (EDO) and the combination of energy from URG and energy dispatched from the Contracts.

Where Utility’s Energy Delivery Obligations is defined as: (1) Utility’s retail load (**) which includes distribution losses, (2) all pump-back loads, (3) energy exchange transactions between Utility and counter parties, (4) existing wholesale obligations, and (5) transmission losses.

The principles herein, together with the applicable methods and calculations contained in the Servicing Arrangement, form a substantive component of the accounting protocols required to implement the Contract Allocation Order. This Exhibit should also be read in conjunction with Exhibit F (“Data Requirements”).

(*)  Contract Allocation Order is CPUC Decision (D.) 02-09-053.
(**)  PG&E retail load obligations per CPUC May 2002 Service Order (D.02-05-048) includes Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) load, although this load is not retail load.

Exhibit F may periodically be modified to include all data that DWR will require to verify the remittances of revenues as remittance or implementation protocols change.  Utility and DWR agree to modify Exhibit F to include or exclude information reasonable determined by DWR to allow DWR to verify Net DWR Retail Supply and the surplus remittances.

I.  

Utility Remittance to DWR

                    

Utility shall remit to DWR an Energy Payment for the delivery of Contract energy to  Utility retail customers (including the delivery or Contract energy to WAPA)  and a separate payment for DWR’s share of Surplus Energy Sales Revenues.  The principles for the remittances to DWR of Surplus Energy Sales Revenue and Energy Payment are contained in Sections A and B of this Exhibit C, respectively.  The details for determination of the remittances to DWR by Utility are contained in the Servicing Arrangement.

                    

A.  

Utility Remittance to DWR of Revenue from Surplus Energy Sales

                    

Surplus Energy and Revenues

                    

Surplus energy exists when dispatched supply from Utility portfolio and DWR Contracts exceeds Utility’s Energy Delivery Obligations.  When such a condition exists, the revenues from the sale of surplus energy shall be shared between Utility and DWR.  Surplus sale revenues can occur either through a forward market sale or a delivery of the excess energy into the ISO real time market.  In addition to the sharing of surplus energy revenues, the quantity of any surplus energy shall likewise be shared between Utility and DWR, and used in the determination of the Hourly Percentage Factor described in Section I.(B).

                    

Surplus energy sales revenues shall be placed by Utility into a separate account (Surplus Sales Fund) to be held in trust and shall be disbursed by Utility to DWR in accordance with the pro-rata allocation principles in Exhibit C and consistent with the provisions of Attachment J of the Servicing Arrangement.  For surplus energy sales to third parties, Utility shall apply reasonable credit risk management criteria that is consistent with industry accepted credit standards.

                    

Surplus Energy Quantity

                    

The Surplus Energy quantity shall be determined by subtracting Utility’s Energy Delivery Obligations from the sum of dispatched URG energy and dispatched DWR Supply.  URG energy shall include dispatched energy from URG, new Utility contracts and Utility market purchases with adjustments for Ancillary Services and ISO Instructed Energy as described under “Definitions and Adjustments.”  DWR Supply shall include dispatched energy from DWR must take and dispatchable contracts plus adjustments described below.  

                    

DWR Surplus Energy quantity shall be the product of Surplus Energy quantity multiplied by the DWR Surplus Energy Percentage.  Utility Surplus Energy quantity shall be the remaining portion of Surplus Energy.  Both Utility and DWR Surplus Energy quantities shall be applied to the respective Party’s energy supply quantities for determination of the Hourly Percentage Factor described in Section (B).

                    

Surplus Energy Sales Revenues

                    

Surplus Energy Sales Revenues shall be shared between Utility and DWR in the same manner as Surplus Energy.  

                    

Forward Market Sale

                    

DWR share of revenues from a forward market sale of surplus energy shall be the product of the net revenue multiplied by the DWR Surplus Energy Percentage.  Utility share of these revenues shall be net revenue less DWR share of net revenues.  Revenues from a forward market sale shall not be distributed to the Parties until after Utility receives the revenues from the sales and pays sale‑related charges.  Shared revenues from forward market sales shall be net of transmission costs and broker fees.

                    

ISO Real Time Market Sales

                    

Revenues from delivery of surplus energy to the ISO real time market shall be determined from the product of positive load or supply deviation multiplied by the ISO real time market price.  These revenues will be netted against any ISO charges related to the load deviation, including a negative ISO price.  Load deviation is determined by subtracting the Utility metered supply from the Final Hour Ahead Supply Schedule, however only positive quantities, where schedule exceeds meter, reflect surplus conditions for revenue sharing. Supply deviation is determined by subtracting the Final Hour Ahead Supply Schedule (adjusted by real time instructions) from metered supply, however, only positive quantities, where meter exceeds the adjusted schedule, reflect surplus conditions for revenue sharing.

                    

DWR share of revenues from delivery of surplus energy to ISO real time market shall be the product of the net revenues multiplied by the DWR Surplus Energy Percentage.  Utility share of these net revenues shall be the net revenue less DWR share of net revenues.  Revenues from delivery of surplus energy to the ISO real-time market shall not be distributed to the Parties until after the Utility received payment for final monthly invoice from the ISO for the month in which the surplus energy was delivered.

                    

Over-generation Periods

                    

During periods of over-generation condition as announced by the ISO, surplus sales may be made at very low, zero or even negative prices.  In such conditions, the surplus sale revenue calculations as described above still hold.  However it is recognized that the sales may result in little or no revenue.  Sales could even be done at a cost to the seller.  That seller could be Utility or the ISO selling in an “out-of-market” condition.  During these conditions, ISO-related charges assigned to Utility for such sales (e.g. – ISO selling out‑of‑market) are included in the surplus sales revenue as a cost.  During over-generation conditions there may be no market in which to sell surplus energy.  In that event, or in expectation of that event, Utility shall declare that no valid market exists for surplus energy and shall begin curtailing must-take resources in accordance with Utility’s procedures for mitigating over-generation conditions.  Such mitigation measures shall be consistent with good utility practice, specifically hydroelectric facilities at spill or near-spill conditions and nuclear facilities scheduled by Utility are the last resources to be reduced in power output.

                    

Over-generation for purposes of this Exhibit C is defined as the condition in which total supply exceeds total loads in the ISO control area.

                    

Revenues or costs from delivery of surplus energy to the ISO real time market under an over-generation condition shall not be distributed to the Parties until after Utility receives payment for final monthly invoice from the ISO for the month in which the surplus energy was delivered.

                    

Calculation of Surplus Energy Percentage

                    

DWR Surplus Energy Percentage shall be equal to the pro rata share of DWR Supply to the sum of Utility Supply and DWR Supply, expressed as follows:

                    

DWR Surplus Energy Percentage = DWR Supply / (Utility Supply + DWR Supply) 

                    

Where:

                    

DWR Supply is total energy dispatched from DWR Contracts with adjustments for transmission losses, Ancillary Services and ISO Instructed Energy transactions described below.

                    

Utility Supply is total energy dispatched from URG, new Utility contracts and Utility market purchases with adjustments for transmission losses, existing wholesale obligations, WAPA load, Ancillary Services and ISO Instructed Energy, exchange transactions, and ISO Uninstructed Energy as described below.

                    

Definitions and Adjustments

                    

Certain energy and capacity transactions, which may be conducted by Utility in its normal course of business, may affect the Utility and DWR Supply quantities used in pro rata calculations.

                    

Exchanges are transactions where energy is delivered to a third party in one period and a similar, but not necessarily equal, amount of energy is returned by third party in a different period.  For the purposes of pro rata share calculation, exchanges use and supplement energy from the Utility Supply.

                    

Forward Sales are transactions where energy is sold in a forward market to balance supply with demand.  In general, for the purposes of remittance determination, forward sales are made using energy from the joint Utility/DWR portfolio.

                    

Ancillary Services are transactions where capacity from certain qualifying resources is sold to ISO for ancillary services rather than being used as energy to serve retail load.   Resources from both Utility portfolio and DWR Contracts may qualify for use as ancillary services.  Since the capacity used for ancillary services does not serve retail energy load, ancillary service capacity is not considered as a joint Utility/DWR portfolio transaction for the purpose of remittance determination.  If Utility or DWR Contract resource capacity is used for ancillary services, the capacity quantity will not be included in the supply quantity of the owning party for the purpose of pro rata share calculations, and owning party will retain all the revenues from the ancillary services as well as all associated transaction costs and ISO charges. 

                    

ISO Instructed Energy is a transaction where certain qualifying resources are able to sell energy from unused capacity to the ISO in the real time market.  The energy delivered from these resources is directed by the ISO in real time to balance supply and load imbalances on the grid.  Either Utility portfolio or DWR Contracts may contain resources that have ability to provide instructed energy to ISO.  Since instructed energy is resource specific and does not directly serve the retail load of any utility, instructed energy is not considered as a joint Utility/DWR portfolio transaction for the purpose of remittance determination.  If Utility or DWR Contract resources are dispatched as instructed energy, the energy quantity will not be included in the supply quantity of the owning party for the purpose of pro rata share calculations, and owning party will retain all the revenues from the instructed energy as well as all associated transaction costs and ISO charges.   

                    

ISO Uninstructed Energy is a transaction where energy is delivered or received from the ISO grid in the real time based on the actual consumption of retail load and actual deliveries of supply resources.   

                    

Uninstructed Load Deviations

                    

Uninstructed load deviations are the difference between scheduled load and metered load.  If load deviations are positive (schedule exceeds meter), it is considered that excess supply was dispatched from the joint Utility/DWR portfolio in excess of quantity needed to serve retail load, and that the ISO credit for the excess supply should be shared pro rata as described above.  If load deviations are negative (meter exceed schedule), it is considered that Utility had to procure additional supply from ISO real time market.  The negative load deviation quantity procured from ISO real time market is considered a Utility market purchase and the quantity will be included in Utility Supply for pro rata share calculation purposes.

                    

Uninstructed Supply Deviations

                    

Uninstructed supply deviations are the difference between scheduled supply and metered supply plus an ISO allocation for transmission losses.  Since all DWR Contract energy will be delivered to Utility as SC to SC transfers, no uninstructed energy deviations will be assessed by the ISO to DWR Contracts.  All uninstructed supply deviations, whether positive or negative, reflect over or under deliveries from Utility supply portfolio and purchases by Utility to cover allocated transmission losses.  Any supply deviation is considered as either a net Utility market purchase or a net Utility supply reduction, and the supply deviation quantity, positive or negative, will be included in Utility Supply for pro rata share calculation purposes.

                    

Transmission Losses

                    

Transmission loss is defined as Energy that is lost due to the process of transmitting energy from supply source to load.  Therefore, supply resources from DWR Contracts and Utility Supply have distinct and identifiable quantity of transmission losses.  Utility and DWR Supply should be net of transmission losses because of energy that is delivered to retail customers (i.e. load) equals quantity of supply les losses.

                    

B.  

Utility Remittance to DWR for Sales of DWR Energy to Utility Retail Customers –Energy Payment

                    

Utility shall remit to DWR its Energy Payments according to the terms of each Utility’s respective Servicing Arrangement.

                    

The DWR Energy Payment is billed by each utility to customers in accordance with the terms of each applicable Utility Servicing Arrangement.  The DWR Energy Payment is billed kWhs served by Net DWR Supply at the applicable CPUC approved DWR rate.  Net DWR Supply is total DWR Supply less DWR share of surplus energy.  The DWR Energy Payment is allocated based on the percentage of energy supplied by DWR to Utility, which is the “Hourly Percentage Factor” multiplied by the retail load of each customer.  The Hourly Percentage Factor is determined by calculating the percentage of net energy supplied by DWR to Utility to serve retail load, as expressed below:

                    

Hourly Percentage Factor = Net DWR Supply / (Net Utility Supply + Net DWR Supply)

                    

Where:

                    

Net DWR Supply is DWR Supply quantity used for the determination of DWR Surplus Energy Percentage less DWR share of surplus energy quantity, which is determined by the product of surplus energy multiplied by DWR Surplus Energy Percentage.

                    

Net Utility Supply is Utility Supply quantity used for the determination of DWR Surplus Energy Percentage less Utility share of surplus energy quantity, which is total surplus energy less the DWR share of surplus energy quantity.

                    

In the Event of any conflict between the formulas and procedures in this Exhibit C and the formulas and procedures in Utility’s Servicing Arrangement, those contained in Utility’s Servicing Arrangement shall govern.

                    

II.  

Bilateral Settlement

                    

Under the Contract Allocation Order DWR remains financially obligated for the Contracts. DWR will continue to pay suppliers and this requires DWR to apply appropriate procedures and controls to ensure that payments are made accurately and in a timely manner. Information supporting Contract settlements will be provided by Utility, and additional information may also be required to address contract performance issues (such as availability and other items as discussed in Exhibit E) and to allow DWR to settle disputes in an appropriate manner.

                    

DWR requires sufficient information to support payment requests so that it can meet the accountability requirements of the State Controller’s Office and the State Auditor, and simultaneously comply with the applicable statutes concerning disbursement of public monies. The Utility shall reconcile schedules with suppliers invoice.  DWR shall make the associated payments to suppliers after performing its verification, and Utility will provide the data as required in Exhibit F to allow it to perform these duties in a timely manner as set forth herein.

                    

DWR shall continue to perform validation of settlement data and invoices and pay Contract costs directly to the suppliers upon validation of invoices.

                    

III.  

Fuel Cost Verification and Settlement

                    

Exhibit B provides a detailed discussion concerning Utility’s responsibility for fuel management. DWR will continue to pay fuel suppliers and others involved in providing fuel management services for the delivery of fuel for those DWR Contracts where the Fuel Option has been elected.   Consistent with the above, Utility will perform settlements activities to reconcile quantities and associated charges, and DWR will perform verification, audit and monitoring to support its disbursement of funds.  Utility will comply with the requirements contained in Exhibit F to provide DWR with the necessary information to apply appropriate procedures and controls to ensure that fuel payments and payments for fuel management services are made accurately and in a timely manner and to allow DWR to settle disputes in an appropriate manner.


PG&E EXHIBIT D

ISO SCHEDULING COORDINATOR CHARGES


EXHIBIT D

ISO SCHEDULING COORDINATOR CHARGES

       The financial obligation for ISO charges incurred as of the  Effective Date will be allocated to the Utility, unless otherwise extended under the existing and any future   Applicable Commission Orders.  Unless specifically provided in Exhibit C hereto, all ISO charges incurred after the Effective Date attributable to load and resources shall be the responsibility of Utility.  

       Utility agrees that any refunds, reruns or credits through the ISO attributable to costs incurred by DWR for trade dates beginning Hour Ending 2200, January 17, 2001  up to the Effective Date, which are separate from ISO charges subject to Commission Decision No. 02-05-048, shall belong to DWR and Utility shall take all necessary action to remit such refunds or credits to DWR within reasonable time.  In addition, DWR shall be responsible for any ISO charges incurred during this period pursuant to the existing letter agreement between the Parties.  Utility shall invoice DWR for such ISO charges within a reasonable period of time and DWR shall pay Utility for such ISO charges within 10 days of receipt of such invoice.  Without making any assurances as to Commission action, DWR agrees to take appropriate action to ensure that such refunds or credits are applied consistent with DWR’s Revenue Requirement cost allocation method for the same trade dates.

       DWR agrees that any refunds, reruns, or credits through the ISO attributable to ISO charges invoiced to DWR under the November 7, 2001 order of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and subsequent orders but which are further subject to Commission Decision No.02-05-048, which directs Utility to directly reimburse DWR for such ISO charges incurred starting Hour Ending 2200, January 17, 2001 up to the Effective Date, shall belong to Utility and DWR shall take all necessary action to remit such refunds or credits directly to Utility within reasonable time.


PG&E EXHIBIT E

CONTRACT MANAGEMENT AND
ADMINISTRATION PROTOCOLS


EXHIBIT E

CONTRACT MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION PROTOCOLS

DWR will retain all contract management, administration and monitoring responsibilities for the Contracts, including due diligence, performance testing, contract performance assessment, formal correspondence and notifications with Suppliers, exercise of contract options, contract interpretation and dispute resolution, and financial reporting.  In the event Utility and DWR agree in the future to transition the Due Diligence and Performance Test Monitoring functions set forth in this Exhibit E from DWR to the Utility, the Parties will first develop a mutually acceptable plan of performance, a transition schedule, and a transition plan for transfer of such functions from DWR to the Utility for review and approval by the Commission. . Upon agreement of the Parties to an acceptable plan and completion of the transition period, the agreed upon functions will transfer from DWR to the Utility (“the Transition Date”).

I.  Due-Diligence

The Due Diligence function assesses the progress of permitting, construction and performance capability of new generating facilities under to the Contracts.  Due Diligence includes (i) monitoring activities associated with the development, construction, and performance of new generating facilities; (ii) identification and tracking of key projects milestones including permitting, equipment procurement, construction, commissioning, and performance testing; (iii) coordination with permitting agencies and the Suppliers, review of project documents, physical inspections, and witnessing of acceptance tests, (iv) verification that the new facilities can perform in a manner that is consistent with the obligations under the appropriate Contract and (v) review and approval of commercial operation dates and documentation.

II.   Performance Test Monitoring

A.  Annual Performance Tests

Annual Performance Tests verify ongoing compliance with the Contracts and establish plants capacities and efficiencies that are used to calculate contract payments, either for capacity or energy.  Annual Performance Test responsibilities generally consist of (i) verification of testing procedures, (ii) witness of performance tests, (iii) review of test results and test reports for compliance with Contract terms and conditions, and (iv) identification of contract non-compliance for dispute resolution with the Supplier.  Prior to the Transition Date, the Utility will cooperate and assist DWR with scheduling of upcoming Annual Performance Tests, and the Utility may have its staff witness such testing. 

B.  Scheduled Performance Tests

Prior to the Transition Date, on occasion, DWR may request that Utility schedule a peaking or dispatchable generating facility for testing (to assure that such generation facility is available according to the terms of the contract between such generation facility and DWR). The utility will cooperate and shall coordinate with the DWR on a mutually acceptable date for performance of the test.  On the date agreed upon, the Utility shall schedule the specified facility or unit for operation to test the availability, reliability, and performance of the scheduled unit. 

C.  Test Procedures and Protocols

Prior to January 1, 2003, Utility shall meet with DWR staff to review, discuss, and verify test procedures and protocols developed by DWR. 

III.  Contract Performance Assessments

DWR shall continue to perform an after-the-fact review (“Performance Assessment”) of each Contract on a periodic basis.  The purpose of the Performance Assessment is to assess, analyze, and document the overall performance of each contract Supplier, assure that the Supplier is satisfying the terms and conditions of their respective contract(s), and identify potential issues, disputes, and other matters that may require corrective action by either Utility or DWR as part of contract administration. 

IV.  Other Administrative Matters

A.  Correspondence with Suppliers

Utility and DWR agree to copy each other on all written correspondence and written notifications sent to or received from a Supplier of an Allocated Contract or Interim Contract related to the activities described in this Exhibit E. The Parties agree to provide additional information as requested related to verification and support of the activities described in this Exhibit E.

B.  Reports

Results of the activities described in this Exhibit E will be documented by DWR in written reports (“Reports”) and shall be discussed periodically between DWR and the Utility.  Such Reports may include, but are not limited to, summary of test results, status of projects, recommendations for operational changes, procedural changes, dispute resolution, and results of Performance Assessments. 

Such Reports, documentation, or other material developed by either Party shall be shared and reviewed with the other Party on a timely basis.


PG&E EXHIBIT F

DWR DATA REQUIREMENTS FROM UTILITY


EXHIBIT F

DWR DATA REQUIREMENTS FROM UTILITY

To effectively fulfill its legal and financial responsibilities, DWR requires access to standard and reliable information on a timely basis. Post transition, DWR remains statutorily and contractually obligated to collect, account for, and remit funds for the power it provides to the IOU’s retail customers.  More specifically, post transition, DWR must have readily available access to information that is currently available in-house due to DWR’s operational responsibilities.  The primary source of this information post transition will be the three utilities.

The information being requested is required to:

   ●   Verify, audit, monitor and authorize payment for bilateral invoices for allocated DWR contracts;

   ●   Manage disputes between DWR and the bilateral counterparties;

   ●   Verify, audit, monitor and authorize payment for fuel procured by the utilities relating to DWR allocated contracts;

   ●   Verify, audit, monitor, collect and IOU remittances relating to repayment of Energy Supplied and Bond Funds;

   ●   Forecast, manage and monitor DWR monetary requirements and associated accounts;

   ●   Ongoing reporting responsibilities under AB1X, the rate agreement and bond indenture;

   ●   Audit and monitor long-term contract performance and associated risks prior to contract assignment or novation.

The table below contains a brief description of the information to be provided by Utility, the frequency for which Utility shall provide such information to DWR, and the effective date for when Utility shall provide such information to DWR.

The following table outlines DWR data requirements relating to general contract/trade information:

Contract/Trade

Requirement

Description

Freq

Effective

Delivery Method

Surplus Energy Sales Plan

Monthly utility’s surplus energy sales plan updated weekly.  Sales plan will outline all surplus sales contemplated by the utility, including but not limited to balance of month, weekly balance of week and other short-term sales.

Monthly plan, updated weekly

1/1/2003

Email/Fax - Standard Form TBD

Surplus Energy Sales

Contract/Deal information relating to the forward sale of DWR surplus energy.  This would include but is not limited to Counter party, Term (Start/End Date), Hourly Contract Volumes, Hourly Price, Location, any fee information, etc.

When executed

All surplus forward sales  entered into after 1/1/2003

Email/Fax - Standard Form TBD


The following table outlines DWR data requirements relating to long-term contract schedule information and associated bilateral invoices:

Schedule/Bilateral Invoice

Requirement

Description

Freq

Effective

Delivery Method

Final Schedule Volumes, Long Term Contracts

For all long-term contracts allocated to the utilities and any surplus energy sales, the detailed hourly final schedule volumes and pricing information by contract by counterparty, by day.

Final schedule volumes are defined as the final volume for the hour at the completion of the real-time market.  These volumes represent the hour ahead scheduled volumes adjusted to include any real-time market adjustments by the ISO.  Absent any real time adjustments, this data will be the same as Final Hour Ahead Schedule.

File should include, but is not limited to; Utility identifier, file type identifier (i.e. final, HA), SC identifier, counterparty identifier, contract identifier, schedule type identifier (i.e. sale), delivery location, date, volume scheduled by hour, price per hour.

T+1 (Daily)

1/2/2003

Secure Electronic – Format TBD

Hour Ahead  Schedule Volumes, Long Term Contracts

For all long-term contracts allocated to the utilities and any surplus energy sales, the detailed hour ahead final schedule volumes and pricing information by contract, by counterparty, by day.

Format and data elements of the file provided should be identical to what was specified above in Final Schedule volumes.

(Note: This cannot be the ISO Hour Ahead Final Schedule template as this file does not provide transactional level details but consolidates/collapses information based on certain ISO rules.)

T+1 (Daily)

1/2/2003

Secure Electronic – Format TBD

Reconciled Monthly bilateral invoices

Monthly invoice and supporting documentation for bilateral contracts relating to DWR long-term contracts, reviewed and approved by utility for payment by DWR to the counterparyy.

Monthly – 5 business days prior to payment due date

Feb 03

TBD

In the event of a bilateral invoice dispute with the counterparty, DWR may also request from the utility the additional schedule information.  This information would be in the same format as outlined in the table above.  As mentioned above, DWR is requesting transactional level information and not the associated ISO template files due to the consolidation/collapsing of schedules with the template files.  Schedule information required would include :

Hour Ahead Preferred Schedule Volumes

Day Ahead Final Schedule Volumes

Day Ahead Adjusted Schedule Volumes

Day Ahead Revised Preferred Schedule Volumes

Day Ahead Preferred Schedule Volumes

The following table outlines DWR data requirements relating to the verification of fuel costs.  It assumes DWR will retain legal and financial responsibility for gas and related services while the utility will perform administrative and operational responsibilities as outlined in Exhibit B.

Fuel Costs

Requirement

Description

Freq

Effective

Delivery Method

Generator fuel plan proposal

Proposal and supporting analysis on whether or not to accept or reject of generator fuel plan.

Based on individual contracts

Jan-03

TBD

Utility Fuel Procurement Plan

Utility will provide a bi-annual fuel procurement plan for utility supplied fuel.

Bi-Annual

Jan-03

TBD

Tolling agreement Settlement Report

Monthly report on each DWR tolling agreement that includes but is not limited to: tolling contract identifier, who provided the gas (generator/utility) and daily quantity of gas supplied.

Monthly

Feb-03

Electronic Format TBD

Reconciled Monthly Gas Invoice

Suppliers monthly invoice and supporting documentation for fuel procurement relating to DWR tolling agreements, reviewed and approved by Utility for payment by DWR to the supplier.

Monthly – 5‑business days prior to payment due date

Feb-03

Electronic – Format TBD

Gas Transportation Contract Information

Details relating to the Utility negotiated firm and/or interruptible transportation agreements for DWR review and authorization.

When executed

All contracts effective after 1/1/2003

E-mail/Fax Standard Form TBD

 

Gas Storage Contract Information

Details relating to the Utility/negotiated firm and/or interruptible storage agreements for DWR review and authorization.

When executed

All contracts effective after 1/1/03

E-mail/Fax Standard Form TBD

Reconciled Monthly gas transportation invoices

Suppliers monthly invoice and supporting documentation for natural gas transportation costs relating to DWR tolling agreements, reviewed and approved by utility for payment by DWR to the supplier.

Monthly – 5‑business days prior to payment due date

Feb-03

Electronic – Format TBD

Reconciled  Monthly gas storage invoices

Supplier’s monthly invoice and supporting documentation for storage relating to DWR tolling agreements, reviewed and approved by utility for payment by DWR to the supplier.

Monthly – 5‑business days prior to payment due date

Feb-03

Electronic – Format TBD

 


The following table outlines additional DWR data relating to utility revenue remittance:

Utility Revenue Remittance

 

Requirement

Description

Freq

Effective

Delivery Method

 

Utility ISO Preliminary Settlement and Supporting Files

The complete Utility preliminary settlement statement and supporting files in original ISO template format. 

T + 38 business days

Ongoing

Secure Electronic-ISO Template Direct from ISO

 

Utility Final ISO Settlement Statement and Supporting Files

The complete Utility final ISO settlement statement and supporting files in ISO original template format.  This information also required for remittance calculation purposes.

T + 45 business days

Ongoing

Secure Electronic-ISO Template Direct from ISO

 

Scheduled Retail Load by hour

Utilities estimated retail load information by hour, by day used for the preliminary remittance.

T + 1

1/1/2003

TBD

 

Hourly aggregate final schedule of Utility’s resource portfolio

Utilities total hourly scheduled volumes for the entire Utilities portfolio.  This is an aggregate total for the day, by hour and represents the total volume supplied by the utility.

T+1

(Daily)

1/2/2003

TBD

 

Wholesale Obligation Volumes

Utilities total hourly scheduled volumes for pre-existing wholesale commitments in aggregate by the hour for each day.

T+1 (Daily)

1/2/03

TBD

 

Hourly Distribution Loss Factor

Utility DLF % by hour

When changes required

1/1/2003

TBD

 

Estimated DWR remittance %

Utility estimated remittance percentage.

When changes required

1/1/2003

TBD

 

Energy Sales billed (kWh)*

Monthly kWh billed by Utility to end users

Monthly

Ongoing

Standard DWR Form/File (TBD)

 

DWR Power Charge volumes*

Monthly kWh billed by Utility to end users

Monthly

Ongoing

Standard DWR Form/File (TBD)

 

DWR Power Charge billed to Customer*

Monthly dollar amount of DWR Power Charge being billed to customer including identification of dates billed.

Monthly

Ongoing

Standard DWR Form/File (TBD)

Ongoing

Standard DWR Form/File

DWR Power Charge Remitted to DWR*

Daily dollar amount being remitted by Utility to DWR for the DWR Power Charge collected from customers including identification of dates billed.

Daily

Ongoing

Standard DWR Form/File (TBD)

*This information is already provided pursuant to the Servicing Arrangement, and supports the daily remittance calculation for each month and subsequent true-ups.  The Servicing Arrangement will be modified as necessary to conform to this Operating Agreement.

As various Commission proceedings are finalized DWR will also require specific data related to Bond Charge remittances and to Direct Access exit fees.  The specific nature and format of this data will be agreed with between the utilities and DWR.


The following table outlines DWR data requirements relating to resource information:

Resource Information

Requirement

Description

Freq

Effective

Delivery Method

Load and Resource Assessment Studies

 

Copies of Utilities annual and quarter load and resource assessment studies as provided to the PUC.

Annually and quarterly

Jan-03

TBD

Update Description of Resources

Updated description of URG resources .

Annually or when significant changes

Jan 1, 04

TBD

Unit Commitment Studies

  As provided to the PUC.

Weekly

Jan-03

TBD

DWR Non-Dispatched Resources Report

Report of Resources that were economic to run, but were not dispatched.

Ad hoc

1/1/03

TBD

DWR Resource Unavailability Form

Utility notification to DWR for resources within an allocated contracts becoming unavailable, or scheduled to become unavailable.

Note: This information could be provided directly from the generator to DWR and would therefore not be required from Utility.

As outlined in operating agreement

1/1/2003

Standard DWR Form – Email/Fax

Upon the reasonable request of DWR, Utility will provide to DWR any information in respect of Utility that is applicable to the rights and obligations of the Parties under this Agreement or any material information that is reasonably necessary for DWR to monitor and manage their risks and perform their fiduciary responsibilities.  Upon the reasonable request of Utility, DWR will provide to Utility any information in respect of DWR that is applicable to the rights and obligations of the Parties under this Agreement or any material information that is reasonably necessary for Utility to operationally administer Contracts under this Agreement.

For the information identified above, or any additional information identified through the term of this Agreement, standard submission formats will be used or be developed by DWR for use by each of the investor-owned utilities, including Utility.  In the cases where the information requirements result in a large volume of data (e.g., schedule information), DWR will use or develop standard detailed file definitions for use by all of the investor-owned utilities, including Utility.  Data will be submitted to DWR by Utility through a secure electronic communication medium, unless other medium is reasonably requested by DWR.

As a result of the relative short implementation timeframes, it is anticipated an interim delivery protocol (e.g., comma delimited file via email, compact diskettes) will be utilized until the final data transmission media are in place.  DWR shall work jointly with Utility to ensure the required data is available by January 1, 2003.

In the event that DWR incurs additional costs, including but not limited to penalties, interest or other such costs, due to Utility’s failure to timely provide the data set forth in this Exhibit F, any such direct cost increase invoiced or assessed to DWR shall be borne by Utility.

The provisions of this Exhibit are subject to annual review by DWR and Utility to ensure that data reporting remains relevant and useful.

Exhibit 10.2

PG&E CORPORATION
EXECUTIVE STOCK OWNERSHIP PROGRAM

Administrative Guidelines
(As amended February 19, 2003)

1.          Description .  The Executive Stock Ownership Program (“Program”) was approved by the Nominating and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors on October 15, 1997.  The Program is an important element of the Committee’s compensation policy of aligning executive interests with those of the Corporation’s shareholders.  As an integral part of the Program, the Committee also authorized the use of Special Incentive Stock Ownership Premiums (“SISOPs”) which are designed to provide incentives to Eligible Executives to assist in achieving minimum stock ownership targets established by the Committee.  These Guidelines were originally adopted by the Committee on November 19, 1997, amended by the Committee on July 22, 1998, October 21, 1998, February 16, 2000, September 19, 2000, and February 19, 2003.  These amended Guidelines, along with the written materials provided to the Committee on October 15, 1997, describe the Program which became effective on January 1, 1998.  The Program is administered by the Corporation’s Senior Human Resources Officer.

2.          Eligible Executives .  The Chief Executive Officer shall designate the officers of the Corporation and its affiliates who shall be Eligible Executives covered by the Program. The officers covered by the Guidelines and the applicable total stock ownership target (“Target”) are: 


Officer Band


Position

Total Stock
Ownership Target

1

CEO

3 x base salary

2

Heads of Business Lines,
CFO, & General Counsel


2 x base salary

3

SVPs of Corp. & Utility

1.5 x base salary


3.          AnnualMilestones .   Under the Guidelines, Targets are designed to be achieved by the end of the fifth calendar year following the calendar year in which an officer first becomes an Eligible Executive (“Target Date”).  Annual Milestones have been established as a means of measuring progress towards achieving Targets and of providing incentives for Eligible Executives to expeditiously meet their Targets.  The Annual Milestone at the end of the first full calendar year is 20 percent of the Target, and the Annual Milestone for each succeeding year is an additional 20 percent of the Target.  Annual Milestones shall be adjusted to reflect changes in base salary; provided, however, that in each instance any such modification shall be amortized over the remaining original five-year term.  Following the Target Date, Targets also shall be modified to reflect changes in base salary. 

4.          Calculation of Stock Ownership Levels .  Stock ownership level is the dollar value of stock and stock equivalents owned by an Eligible Executive and calculated as of the last day of the calendar year (“Measurement Date”).  The purpose of this calculation is to determine the value of the stock or stock equivalents owned by the Eligible Executive as compared with the Annual Milestone or Target for that executive.  For purposes of this calculation, the value per share of stock or stock equivalent ("Measurement Value") is the average closing price of PG&E Corporation common stock as traded on the New York Stock Exchange for the last thirty (30) trading days of the year.

         a)         The value of stock beneficially owned by the Eligible Executive is determined by multiplying the number of shares owned beneficially on the Measurement Date times the Measurement Value.

         b)         The value of PG&E Corporation phantom stock units credited to the Eligible Executive's account in the PG&E Corporation Supplemental Retirement Savings Plan (“SRSP”) is determined by multiplying the number of phantom stock units credited to the Eligible Executive's SRSP account on the Measurement Date times the Measurement Value.

         c)         The value of stock held in the PG&E Corporation stock fund of any defined contribution plan maintained by PG&E Corporation or any of its subsidiaries is determined by multiplying the number of shares in such plan on the Measurement Date times the Measurement Value.

         d)         The value of restricted stock held by the Eligible Executive is determined by multiplying the number of shares held by the Eligible Executive on the Measurement Date times the Measurement Value (for purposes of this calculation, restricted stock shall include any shares that have been approved by the Nominating, Compensation and Governance Committee but not yet issued as of the Measurement Date).

         e)         For Eligible Executive’s whose Target Date is on or before 12/31/2004, the value of the frozen share-equivalent units of the vested "in the money" stock options as of 12/31/2000 is the difference between the number of options on 12/31/2000 multiplied by the Measurement Value on 12/31/2000 minus the number of options on 12/31/2000 multiplied by the option exercise price (for purposes of this calculation, any value attributable to dividend equivalents is excluded).

5.          Award of SISOPs .  SISOPs are awarded to Eligible Executives who achieve and maintain stock ownership levels prior to the end of the third year following the year in which an officer first became an Eligible Executive.  For purposes of determining awards, the total stock ownership level is calculated as set forth under paragraph 4 on the Measurement Date; however, such calculations will exclude the value of restricted stock held by the Eligible Executive as defined in paragraph 4(d).  The amount of a SISOP award shall be equal to:

         a)         For the first year, 20 percent of the amount of the Eligible Executive’s stock ownership level at the end of the year, up to the Annual Milestone, plus an additional 30 percent of the amount by which the stock ownership level exceeds the Annual Milestone up to the Target; and

         b)         For each of the second and third years, the current stock ownership level is reduced by the stock ownership level used to calculate previous SISOP awards to determine the new ownership then 20 percent of the amount up to the Annual Milestone by which the end of the year stock ownership level exceeds the beginning of the year stock ownership level, plus an additional 30 percent of the amount by which the end of the year balance exceeds the Annual Milestone, up to the Target.

Each time a SISOP award calculation is made, a second calculation also is made to determine the minimum number of shares which must be retained by the Eligible Executive to avoid forfeiture of the SISOP award ("Minimum Ownership Level") as discussed below in paragraph 8.  This calculation converts the dollar value of the stock ownership level used as the basis for qualifying for SISOPs into a number of shares of stock by dividing that stock ownership level by the Measurement Value.  Thus, for example, if an Eligible Executive's stock ownership level (less restricted stock held) was $250,000 and the Measurement Value was $25 per share, then the Minimum Ownership Level would be 10,000 shares.

For purposes of this calculation, the maximum share ownership level used is the Eligible Executive's Target.  If an Eligible Executive has a share ownership level higher than his/her Target, the increment over the Target is not included.  Thus, for example, if an Eligible Executive has a Target of $750,000 and his/her share ownership level is $900,000, then only $750,000 is used to calculate the Minimum Ownership Level.

6.          SISOPs Credited to the SRSP.   Upon award, SISOPs are credited to the Eligible Executive's SRSP account and converted into units of phantom stock each equal in value to a share of PG&E Corporation common stock ("SISOP units") as determined in accordance with the SRSP.  The SISOP units constitute "incentive awards" authorized to be awarded by the Committee to Eligible Executives under the PG&E Corporation Long-Term Incentive Program ("LTIP").  Upon credit of SISOP units to an Eligible Executive's SRSP account, an equal number of shares of PG&E Corporation common stock shall be reserved for issuance from the pool of shares authorized for issuance under the LTIP.  Once a SISOP unit is credited to the Eligible Executive's SRSP account, it shall be subject to all of the terms and conditions specifically applicable to SISOP units under the SRSP.  Once vested in accordance with paragraph 7 below, SISOP units are distributed in the form of an equal number of shares of PG&E Corporation common stock as provided in the SRSP. 

7.          Vesting.   SISOPs vest only upon the expiration of three years after the date of award (provided the Eligible Executive continues to be employed on such date), or, if earlier, upon an Eligible Executive's death, disability, Retirement, upon a Change in Control, as defined in the LTIP, or upon a termination of employment coincident with the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation.  An Eligible Executive's unvested SISOPs will be forfeited upon termination of employment unless otherwise provided in the PG&E Corporation Officer Severance Policy or by another separation agreement

8.          Forfeiture of SISOP Units .  So long as SISOP units remain unvested, such units are subject to forfeiture if, on each Measurement Date, the Eligible Executive's stock ownership is less than the Minimum Ownership Level established when the SISOPs were granted (see paragraph 5).  To determine forfeiture, the following steps are followed on each Measurement Date:

         a)         The total stock and stock equivalents owned by an Eligible Executive is determined as set forth under
paragraph 4.  This total ("Current Holdings") is compared with the Minimum Ownership Level determined when the SISOPs were granted.  If the Current Holdings are equal to or greater than the Minimum Ownership Level, then no unvested SISOP units are forfeited.  If the Current Holdings are less than the Minimum Ownership Level, then the unvested SISOP units are forfeited in the same proportion as the Current Holdings are less than Minimum Ownership Level (for example, if the Current Holdings are 20 percent less than the Minimum Ownership Level, then 20 percent of the SISOP units are forfeited).

9.          Failure to Achieve or Maintain Target.   Failure to achieve stock ownership levels at Target on the Target Date, or to maintain stock ownership levels at Target on any Measurement Date thereafter, will result in the deferral into the PG&E Corporation Phantom Stock Fund of the SRSP of annual awards from the Performance Unit Plan (“PUP”) and the Short-Term Incentive Plan (“STIP”).  As of any Measurement Date, to the extent that stock ownership levels are below Target, PUP awards shall be converted into PG&E Corporation Phantom Stock Units and held in the PG&E Corporation Phantom Stock Fund of the SRSP.  If, with the addition of the phantom stock units attributable to the PUP award, the stock ownership level is still below Target for any Measurement Date, any STIP award above target STIP also shall be converted into phantom stock units, to the extent necessary to achieve the Target stock ownership level.  Such conversion of PUP and STIP awards shall continue for successive Measurement Dates, if necessary, until Target is met.  Phantom stock units attributable to PUP and STIP awards described in this paragraph 9 will be paid from the SRSP in a lump sum in January of the year following the year in which the Eligible Executive's employment terminates, or upon such earlier date as may have been elected by the Eligible Executive within thirty days after the date of mandatory deferral of PUP and/or STIP awards which date shall not be earlier than three (3) years after the date of mandatory deferral.  

EXHIBIT 11
PG&E CORPORATION
COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE

Three months ended
March 31,

-----------------------------------

(in millions, except per share amounts)

2003

2002 (4)

------------

------------

Income (Loss) from continuing operations

$

(278)

$

623 

Discontinued operations

(70)

------------

------------

Net income (loss) before cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

(348)

631 

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

(6)

------------

------------

Net income (loss)

$

(354)

$

631 

=======

=======

Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic (1)

382 

364 

Add:

Employee Stock Options and PG&E Corporation

   shares held by grantor trusts

------------

------------

Shares outstanding for diluted calculations

382 

368 

=======

=======

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share, Basic (2)

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$

(0.73)

$

1.71 

Discontinued operations

(0.18)

0.02 

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

(0.02)

------------

------------

Net earnings (loss)

$

(0.93)

$

1.73 

=======

=======

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share, Diluted (2) (3)

Income (loss) from continuing operations

$

(0.73)

$

1.69 

Discontinued operations

(0.18)

0.02 

Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle

(0.02)

------------

------------

Net earnings (loss)

$

(0.93)

$

1.71 

=======

=======

(1) Weighted average common shares outstanding exclude shares held by a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (23,815,500 shares at March 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively) and PG&E Corporation shares held by grantor trusts to secure deferred compensation obligations (281,985 shares at March 31, 2003 and 2002, respectively).

(2) This presentation is submitted in accordance with Item 601(b)(11) of Regulation S-K and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128.

(3) The diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2003, excludes approximately one million incremental shares related to employee stock options and shares held by grantor trusts, five million incremental shares related to warrants, and 18 million incremental shares related to the 9.5 percent Convertible Subordinated Notes and includes associated interest expense of $4 million (net of income taxes of $3 million) due to the antidilutive effect upon loss from continuing operations.

(4) Prior year amounts have been restated to reflect the reclassification of USGenNE, Mountain View, and ET Canada operating results to discontinued operations.

EXHIBIT 12.1
PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY
A DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION
COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES





(in millions)

Three months
ended
March 31,



Year ended December 31,

----------------

----------------------------------------------------------------

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

 

----------------

----------------------------------------------------------------

Earnings:

           

Net income (loss)

$  (73)    

$ 1,819

$ 1,015

$(3,483)   

$   788

$   729

Adjustments for minority interest
  in losses of less than 100% owned
  affiliates and the Company's equity
  in undistributed income (losses)
  of less than 50% owned affiliates





-     





-





-





-    





-





-

Income taxes provision (benefit)

(84)    

1,178

596

(2,154)   

648

629

Net fixed charges

227     
--------     

1,029
----------

1,019
----------

648    
----------   

637
---------

673
---------

Total earnings (loss)

$    70     
=====     

$ 4,026
======

$ 2,630
======

$(4,989)   
======   

$2,073
=====

$2,031
=====

Fixed Charges:

           

Interest on short-term borrowings
  and long-term debt, net


$  222     


$    996


$    981


$    616    


$   604


$   635

Interest on capital leases

-     

2

2

2    

3

2

AFUDC debt

5     

21

12

6    

7

12

Earnings required to cover the
  preferred stock dividend and
  preferred security distribution
  requirements of majority owned
  trust





-     
--------     





10
----------





24
----------





24    
----------   





24
---------





24
---------

Total fixed charges

$  227     
=====     

$ 1,029
======

$ 1,019
======

$    648    
======   

$   638
=====

$   673
=====

Ratios of Earnings (Loss) to
Fixed Charges


0.31     
=====     


3.91
======


2.58
======


(7.70) (1)
======   


3.25
=====


3.02
=====


Note:

For the purpose of computing Pacific Gas and Electric Company's ratios of earnings to fixed charges, "earnings" represent net income adjusted for the minority interest in losses of less than 100% owned affiliates, cash distributions from and equity in undistributed income or loss of Pacific Gas and Electric Company's less than 50% owned affiliates, income taxes and fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest). "Fixed charges" include interest on long-term debt and short-term borrowings (including a representative portion of rental expense), amortization of bond premium, discount and expense, interest of subordinated debentures held by trust, interest on capital leases, and earnings required to cover the preferred stock dividend requirements.

(1) The ratio of earnings to fixed charges indicates a deficiency of less than one-to-one coverage aggregating $5,637 million.

EXHIBIT 12.2
PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY
A DEBTOR-IN-POSSESSION
COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED
FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS





(in millions)

Three months
ended
March 31,



Year ended December 31,

----------------

---------------------------------------------------------------

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

1998

----------------

---------------------------------------------------------------

Earnings:

           

Net income (loss)

$  (73)    

$ 1,819

$ 1,015

$(3,483)  

$   788

$   729

Adjustments for minority interest in
  losses of less than 100% owned
  affiliates and the Company's equity
  in undistributed income (losses) of
  less than 50% owned affiliates





-     





-





-





-   





-





-

Income taxes provision (benefit)

(84)    

1,178

596

(2,154)  

648

629

Net fixed charges

227     
--------     

1,029
----------

1,019
----------

648   
----------  

637
--------

673
--------

Total Earnings (Loss)

$    70     
=====     

$ 4,026
======

$ 2,630
======

$(4,989)  
======  

$2,073
=====

$2,031
=====

Fixed Charges:

           

Interest on short-term borrowings
  and long-term debt, net


$  222     


$    996


$    981


$    616   


$   604


$   635

Interest on capital leases

-     

2

2

2   

3

2

AFUDC debt

5     

21

12

6   

7

12

Earnings required to cover the preferred
  stock dividend and preferred security
  distribution requirements of majority
  owned trust




-     
--------     




10
----------




24
----------




24   
----------  




24
--------




24
--------

Total Fixed Charges

227     
--------     

1,029
----------

1,019
----------

648   
----------  

638
--------

673
--------

Preferred Stock Dividends:

           

Tax deductible dividends

2     

9

9

9   

9

9

Pretax earnings required to cover
  non-tax deductible preferred stock
  dividend requirements



7     
--------     



28
----------



27
----------



27   
----------  



27
--------



31
--------

Total Preferred Stock Dividends

9     
--------     

37
----------

36
----------

36   
----------  

36
--------

40
--------

Total Combined Fixed Charges and
  Preferred Stock Dividends


$  236     
=====     


$ 1,066
======


$ 1,055
======


$    684   
======  


$   674
=====


$   713
=====

Ratios of Earnings (Loss) to   Combined Fixed Charges and
  Preferred Stock Dividend



0.30     
=====     



3.78
======



2.49
======



(7.29) (1)
======  



3.08
=====



2.85
=====


Note:

For the purpose of computing Pacific Gas and Electric Company's ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends, "earnings" represent net income adjusted for the minority interest in losses of less than 100% owned affiliates, cash distributions from and equity in undistributed income or loss of Pacific Gas and Electric Company's less than 50% owned affiliates, income taxes and fixed charges (excluding capitalized interest). "Fixed charges" include interest on long-term debt and short-term borrowings (including a representative portion of rental expense), amortization of bond premium, discount and expense, interest on capital leases, interest of subordinated debentures held by trust, and earnings required to cover the preferred stock dividend requirements of majority owned subsidiaries. "Preferred stock dividends" represent pretax earnings that is required to pay the dividends on outstanding preference securities.

(1) The ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends indicates a deficiency of less than one-to-one coverage aggregating $5,673 million.

Exhibit 99.1

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

            In connection with the accompanying Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of PG&E Corporation for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, I, Robert D. Glynn, Jr., Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of PG&E Corporation, 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 and belief, that:

            (1)            such Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of PG&E Corporation for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, 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 such Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of PG&E Corporation for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of PG&E Corporation.

                                                                                   

/s/ ROBERT D. GLYNN, JR.

ROBERT D. GLYNN, JR.

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President

May 12, 2003

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to PG&E Corporation and will be retained by PG&E Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

            In connection with the accompanying Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of PG&E Corporation for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, I, Peter A. Darbee, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of PG&E Corporation, 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 and belief, that:

            (1)           such Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of PG&E Corporation for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, 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 such Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of PG&E Corporation for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of PG&E Corporation.

                                                                                      

/s/ PETER A. DARBEE

PETER A. DARBEE

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

May 12, 2003

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to PG&E Corporation and will be retained by PG&E Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

Exhibit 99.2

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

            In connection with the accompanying Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Pacific Gas and Electric Company for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, I, Gordon R. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer of Pacific Gas and Electric 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 and belief, that:

            (1)            such Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Pacific Gas and Electric Company for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, 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 such Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Pacific Gas and Electric Company for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

                                                                       

/s/ GORDON R. SMITH____

GORDON R. SMITH

President and Chief Executive Officer


May 12, 2003

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Pacific Gas and Electric Company and will be retained by Pacific Gas and Electric Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

            In connection with the accompanying Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Pacific Gas and Electric Company for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, I, Kent M. Harvey, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Pacific Gas and Electric 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 and belief, that:

            (1)            such Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Pacific Gas and Electric Company for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, 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 such Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Pacific Gas and Electric Company for the quarter ended March 31, 2003, fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

                                                                                      

/s/ KENT M. HARVEY___

KENT M. HARVEY

Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

and Treasurer

May 12, 2003

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Pacific Gas and Electric Company and will be retained by Pacific Gas and Electric Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.