1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 <TABLE> <CAPTION> COMMISSION REGISTRANT AND STATE OF INCORPORATION IRS EMPLOYER FILE NO. ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER IDENTIFICATION NO. - ------------------ ---------------------------------------------- --------------------- <S> <C> <C> 333-47647 American States Water Company 95-4676679 (A California Corporation) 630 East Foothill Boulevard San Dimas, California 91773-9016 909-394-3600 000-01121 Southern California Water Company 95-1243678 (A California Corporation) 630 East Foothill Boulevard San Dimas, California 91773-9016 909-394-3600 </TABLE> Indicate by check mark whether Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. American States Water Company Yes [x] No [ ] Southern California Water Company Yes [x] No [ ] APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS: As of May 5, 2000, the number of Common Shares outstanding, No Par Value with Stated Value of $2.50, of American States Water Company was 8,957,671, all of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. As of May 5, 2000, all of the 100 outstanding Common Shares of Southern California Water Company are owned by American States Water Company.
2 AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER COMPANY FORM 10-Q INDEX <TABLE> <CAPTION> PAGE NO. -------- <S> <C> PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1: Financial Statements 1 Consolidated Balance Sheets of American States Water Company as of March 31, 2000 and December 31, 1999 2 - 3 Consolidated Statements of Income of American States Water Company for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2000 and March 31, 1999 4 Consolidated Statements of Income of American States Water Company for the Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2000 and March 31, 1999 5 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow of American States Water Company for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2000 and March 31, 1999 6 Consolidated Balance Sheets of Southern California Water Company as of March 31, 2000 and December 31, 1999 7 - 8 Consolidated Statements of Income of Southern California Water Company for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2000 and March 31, 1999 9 Consolidated Statements of Income of Southern California Water Company for the Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2000 and March 31, 1999 10 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow of Southern California Water Company for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2000 and March 31, 1999 11 Notes to Financial Statements 12 - 14 Item 2: Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation 15 - 29 Item 3: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks 29 PART II OTHER INFORMATION Item 1: Legal Proceedings 29 - 31 Item 2: Changes in Securities 31 Item 3: Defaults Upon Senior Securities 31 Item 4: Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 31 - 32 Item 5: Other Information 32 Item 6: Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 32 </TABLE> i
3 PART I ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS General The basic financial statements included herein have been prepared by Registrant, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although Registrant believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of results for the interim period have been made. It is suggested that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto in the latest Annual Report on Form 10-K of American States Water Company. Filing Format This quarterly report on Form 10-Q is a combined report being filed by two separate Registrants: American States Water Company (hereinafter "AWR") and Southern California Water Company (hereinafter "SCW"). For more information, please see Note 1 to the Notes to Financial Statements and the heading entitled General in Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation. References in this report to "Registrant" are to AWR and SCW, collectively unless otherwise specified. SCW makes no representations as to the information contained in this report relating to AWR and its subsidiaries, other than SCW. 1
4 AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS ASSETS <TABLE> <CAPTION> March 31, December 31, 2000 1999 ----------- ------------ (Unaudited) UTILITY PLANT, at cost (in thousands) <S> <C> <C> Water ...................................... $ 537,558 $ 532,007 Electric ................................... 36,349 36,349 --------- --------- 573,907 568,356 Less - Accumulated depreciation ............ (156,000) (151,733) --------- --------- 417,907 416,623 Construction work in progress .............. 37,736 32,972 --------- --------- 455,643 449,595 --------- --------- OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS ............... 11,486 10,583 --------- --------- CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents .................. 1,994 2,189 Accounts receivable - Customers, less reserves of $575 in 2000 and $487 in 1999 ............... 7,054 10,135 Other .................................... 5,051 4,347 Unbilled revenue ........................... 10,113 11,345 Materials and supplies, at average cost .... 1,165 1,153 Supply cost balancing accounts ............. 5,840 4,774 Prepayments and other ...................... 4,571 4,851 Accumulated deferred income taxes - net .... 6,169 5,546 --------- --------- 41,957 44,340 --------- --------- DEFERRED CHARGES Regulatory tax-related assets .............. 19,550 19,941 Other deferred charges ..................... 9,228 8,722 --------- --------- 28,778 28,663 --------- --------- $ 537,864 $ 533,181 ========= ========= </TABLE> The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial 2
5 AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES <TABLE> <CAPTION> March 31, December 31, 2000 1999 ----------- ------------ (Unaudited) (in thousands) <S> <C> <C> CAPITALIZATION Common shareholders' equity ................ $158,852 $158,846 Preferred shares ........................... 1,600 1,600 Preferred shares subject to mandatory redemption requirements .................. 360 360 Long-term debt ............................. 167,332 167,363 -------- -------- 328,144 328,169 -------- -------- CURRENT LIABILITIES Notes payable to banks ..................... 25,000 21,000 Long-term debt and preferred shares due within one year ...................... 340 340 Accounts payable ........................... 9,594 13,777 Taxes payable .............................. 7,611 5,432 Accrued interest ........................... 3,388 1,584 Other accrued liabilities .................. 11,857 12,832 -------- -------- 57,790 54,965 -------- -------- OTHER CREDITS Advances for construction .................. 58,801 57,485 Contributions in aid of construction ....... 39,145 38,895 Accumulated deferred income taxes - net .... 48,694 48,302 Unamortized investment tax credits ......... 3,042 3,064 Regulatory tax-related liability ........... 1,850 1,861 Other ...................................... 398 440 -------- -------- 151,930 150,047 -------- -------- $537,864 $533,181 ======== ======== </TABLE> The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 3
6 AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 AND 1999 (UNAUDITED) <TABLE> <CAPTION> MARCH 31, --------------------- 2000 1999 ------- ------- (in thousands, except per share amounts) <S> <C> <C> OPERATING REVENUES Water ........................................ $34,587 $32,213 Electric ..................................... 4,011 3,873 Other ........................................ 151 46 ------- ------- 38,749 36,132 ------- ------- OPERATING EXPENSES Water purchased .............................. 7,555 6,948 Power purchased for pumping .................. 1,461 1,442 Power purchased for resale ................... 1,975 1,191 Groundwater production assessment ............ 2,253 1,710 Supply cost balancing accounts ............... (1,067) (474) Other operating expenses ..................... 3,887 3,538 Administrative and general expenses .......... 5,913 6,384 Depreciation ................................. 3,802 3,510 Maintenance .................................. 2,557 2,138 Taxes on income .............................. 2,412 2,267 Other taxes .................................. 1,799 1,624 ------- ------- 32,547 30,278 ------- ------- Operating income ............................. 6,202 5,854 OTHER INCOME/(LOSS) .............................. 13 99 ------- ------- Income before interest charges ............... 6,215 5,953 INTEREST CHARGES ................................. 3,320 2,976 ------- ------- NET INCOME ....................................... 2,895 2,977 DIVIDENDS ON PREFERRED SHARES .................... (22) (22) ------- ------- EARNINGS AVAILABLE FOR COMMON SHAREHOLDERS ....... $ 2,873 $ 2,955 ======= ======= WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING .... 8,958 8,958 ======= ======= Basic Earnings Per Common Share .................. $ 0.32 $ 0.33 ======= ======= Dividends Declared Per Common Share .............. $ 0.32 $ 0.32 ======= ======= </TABLE> The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 4
7 AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 AND 1999 (UNAUDITED) <TABLE> <CAPTION> TWELVE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, ----------------------- 2000 1999 -------- -------- (in thousands, except per share amounts) <S> <C> <C> OPERATING REVENUES Water ......................................... $162,068 $140,840 Electric ...................................... 13,475 13,284 Other ......................................... 495 112 -------- -------- 176,038 154,236 -------- -------- OPERATING EXPENSES Water purchased ............................... 36,751 32,512 Power purchased for pumping ................... 7,413 7,145 Power purchased for resale .................... 7,903 4,817 Groundwater production assessment ............. 7,713 7,797 Supply cost balancing accounts ................ (1,065) (129) Other operating expenses ...................... 15,942 14,739 Administrative and general expenses ........... 28,128 23,006 Depreciation .................................. 13,942 13,073 Maintenance ................................... 10,218 7,613 Taxes on income ............................... 13,490 10,928 Other taxes ................................... 6,741 6,203 -------- -------- 147,176 127,704 -------- -------- Operating income .............................. 28,862 26,532 OTHER INCOME/(LOSS) ............................... 446 725 -------- -------- Income before interest charges ................ 29,308 27,257 INTEREST CHARGES .................................. 13,288 11,501 -------- -------- NET INCOME ........................................ 16,020 15,756 DIVIDENDS ON PREFERRED SHARES ..................... (87) (89) -------- -------- EARNINGS AVAILABLE FOR COMMON SHAREHOLDERS ........ $ 15,933 $ 15,667 ======== ======== WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING ..... 8,958 8,958 ======== ======== Basic Earnings Per Common Share ................... $ 1.78 $ 1.75 ======== ======== Dividends Declared Per Common Share ............... $ 1.280 $ 1.265 ======== ======== </TABLE> The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 5
8 AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 AND 1999 (UNAUDITED) <TABLE> <CAPTION> THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, ---------------------- 2000 1999 ------- -------- (in thousands) <S> <C> <C> CASH FLOWS FROM Operating Activities: Net income ............................................ $ 2,895 $ 2,977 Adjustments for non-cash items: Depreciation and amortization .......................... 3,948 3,640 Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits ............................. 127 802 Other - net .......................................... (2,744) (751) Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable .................................. 3,468 736 Prepayments .......................................... 280 48 Supply cost balancing accounts ....................... (1,067) (474) Accounts payable ..................................... (4,183) (595) Taxes payable ........................................ 2,179 567 Unbilled revenue ..................................... 1,232 242 Other ................................................ (274) 2,404 ------- -------- Net Cash Provided .................................. 5,861 9,596 ------- -------- Investing Activities: Construction expenditures ............................... (9,850) (8,887) ------- -------- Net Cash Used ..................................... (9,850) (8,887) ------- -------- Financing Activities: Issuance of securities ................................. -- 40,000 Receipt of advances and contributions .................. 3,173 2,128 Repayments of long-term debt, net of redemption of preferred shares ....................... (32) (340) Refunds on advances ................................... (459) (409) Changes in notes payable to banks ...................... 4,000 (38,000) Common and preferred dividends paid .................... (2,888) (2,888) ------- -------- Net Cash Provided ................................. 3,794 491 ------- -------- Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents ..... (195) 1,200 Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of period ........... 2,189 620 ------- -------- Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of period ................. $ 1,994 $ 1,820 ======= ======== </TABLE> The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 6
9 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER COMPANY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS ASSETS <TABLE> <CAPTION> MARCH 31 DECEMBER 31, 2000 1999 ----------- ------------ (UNAUDITED) UTILITY PLANT, at cost (in thousands) <S> <C> <C> Water ...................................... $ 537,558 $ 532,007 Electric ................................... 36,349 36,349 --------- --------- 573,907 568,356 Less - Accumulated depreciation ............ (156,000) (151,733) --------- --------- 417,907 416,623 Construction work in progress .............. 37,736 32,972 --------- --------- 455,643 449,595 --------- --------- OTHER PROPERTY AND INVESTMENTS ............... 10,140 10,233 --------- --------- CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents .................. 1,614 2,020 Accounts receivable - Customers, less reserves of $575 in 2000 and $487 in 1999 ............... 7,139 10,135 Other .................................... 6,029 4,275 Unbilled revenue ........................... 10,113 11,345 Materials and supplies, at average cost .... 1,165 1,153 Supply cost balancing accounts ............. 5,840 4,774 Prepayments and other ...................... 4,571 4,851 Accumulated deferred income taxes - net .... 6,198 5,573 --------- --------- 42,669 44,126 --------- --------- DEFERRED CHARGES Regulatory tax-related assets .............. 19,550 19,941 Other deferred charges ..................... 8,931 8,599 --------- --------- 28,481 28,540 --------- --------- $ 536,933 $ 532,494 ========= ========= </TABLE> The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 7
10 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER COMPANY CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES <TABLE> <CAPTION> MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31, 2000 1999 ----------- ------------ (Unaudited) (in thousands) <S> <C> <C> CAPITALIZATION Common shareholders' equity ................ $159,757 $160,023 Long-term debt ............................. 167,331 167,363 -------- -------- 327,088 327,386 -------- -------- CURRENT LIABILITIES Notes payable to banks ..................... 25,000 21,000 Long-term debt and preferred shares due within one year ...................... 340 340 Accounts payable ........................... 9,594 13,619 Taxes payable .............................. 7,898 5,700 Accrued interest ........................... 3,388 1,584 Other accrued liabilities .................. 11,714 12,818 -------- -------- 57,934 55,061 -------- -------- OTHER CREDITS Advances for construction .................. 58,801 57,485 Contributions in aid of construction ....... 39,145 38,895 Accumulated deferred income taxes - net .... 48,675 48,302 Unamortized investment tax credits ......... 3,042 3,064 Regulatory tax-related liability ........... 1,850 1,861 Other ...................................... 398 440 -------- -------- 151,911 150,047 -------- -------- $536,933 $532,494 ======== ======== </TABLE> The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 8
11 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 AND 1999 (UNAUDITED) <TABLE> <CAPTION> THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, ----------------------- 2000 1999 -------- -------- ($ in thousands, except per share amounts) <S> <C> <C> OPERATING REVENUES Water ......................................... $34,587 $32,213 Electric ...................................... 4,011 3,873 ------- ------- 38,598 36,086 ------- ------- OPERATING EXPENSES Water purchased ............................... 7,555 6,948 Power purchased for pumping ................... 1,461 1,442 Power purchased for resale .................... 1,975 1,191 Groundwater production assessment ............. 2,253 1,710 Supply cost balancing accounts ................ (1,067) (474) Other operating expenses ...................... 3,830 3,528 Administrative and general expenses ........... 5,781 6,322 Depreciation .................................. 3,802 3,376 Maintenance ................................... 2,553 2,137 Taxes on income ............................... 2,430 2,316 Other taxes ................................... 1,798 1,623 ------- ------- 32,371 30,119 ------- ------- Operating income .............................. 6,227 5,967 OTHER INCOME/(LOSS) ............................... 13 99 ------- ------- Income before interest charges ................ 6,240 6,066 INTEREST CHARGES .................................. 3,320 2,976 ------- ------- NET INCOME ........................................ 2,920 3,090 DIVIDENDS ON PREFERRED SHARES ..................... -- -- ------- ------- EARNINGS AVAILABLE FOR COMMON SHAREHOLDERS ........ $ 2,920 $ 3,090 ======= ======= WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING ..... 100 100 ======= ======= Basic Earnings Per Common Share ................... $29,200 $30,900 ======= ======= Dividends Declared Per Common Share ............... $32,000 $30,900 ======= ======= </TABLE> The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 9
12 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER COMPANY CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 AND 1999 (UNAUDITED) <TABLE> <CAPTION> TWELVE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, ----------------------- 2000 1999 -------- -------- ($ in thousands, except per share amounts) OPERATING REVENUES <S> <C> <C> Water ......................................... $162,068 $140,840 Electric ...................................... 13,475 13,284 -------- -------- 175,543 154,124 -------- -------- OPERATING EXPENSES Water purchased ............................... 36,751 32,512 Power purchased for pumping ................... 7,413 7,145 Power purchased for resale .................... 7,903 4,817 Groundwater production assessment ............. 7,713 7,797 Supply cost balancing accounts ................ (1,065) (129) Other operating expenses ...................... 15,777 14,702 Administrative and general expenses ........... 27,536 22,842 Depreciation .................................. 13,942 12,672 Maintenance ................................... 10,210 7,612 Taxes on income ............................... 13,588 11,207 Other taxes ................................... 6,737 6,201 -------- -------- 146,505 127,378 -------- -------- Operating income .............................. 29,038 26,746 OTHER INCOME ...................................... 423 1,186 -------- -------- Income before interest charges ................ 29,461 27,932 INTEREST CHARGES .................................. 13,290 11,500 -------- -------- NET INCOME ........................................ 16,171 16,432 DIVIDENDS ON PREFERRED SHARES ..................... -- (23) -------- -------- EARNINGS AVAILABLE FOR COMMON SHAREHOLDERS ........ $ 16,171 $ 16,409 ======== ======== WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING ..... 100 100 ======== ======== Basic Earnings Per Common Share ................... $161,710 $164,090 ======== ======== Dividends Declared Per Common Share ............... $121,500 $118,004 ======== ======== </TABLE> The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 10
13 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER COMPANY CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2000 AND 1999 (UNAUDITED) <TABLE> <CAPTION> THREE MONTH ENDED MARCH 31, ---------------------- 2000 1999 ------- -------- (in thousands) <S> <C> <C> CASH FLOWS FROM Operating Activities: Net income ............................................ $ 2,920 $ 3,090 Adjustments for non-cash items: Depreciation and amortization .......................... 3,948 3,506 Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits ............................. 106 799 Other - net .......................................... (1,574) (867) Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable .................................. 2,996 633 Prepayments .......................................... 280 48 Supply cost balancing accounts ....................... (1,067) (474) Accounts payable ..................................... (4,021) (549) Taxes payable ........................................ 2,198 620 Unbilled revenue ..................................... 1,232 242 Other ................................................ (1,070) 2,550 ------- -------- Net Cash Provided .................................. 5,948 9,598 ------- -------- Investing Activities: Construction expenditures ............................... (9,850) (8,887) ------- -------- Net Cash Used ..................................... (9,850) (8,887) ------- -------- Financing Activities: Issuance of securities ................................. -- 40,000 Receipt of advances and contributions .................. 3,173 2,128 Repayments of long-term debt, net of redemption of preferred shares ....................... (18) (340) Refunds on advances .................................... (459) (409) Changes in notes payable to banks ...................... 4,000 (38,000) Common and preferred dividends paid .................... (3,200) (3,090) ------- -------- Net Cash Provided (Used) .......................... 3,496 289 ------- -------- Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents ..... (406) 1,000 Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of period ........... 2,020 524 ------- -------- Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of period ................. $ 1,614 $ 1,524 ======= ======== </TABLE> The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 11
14 AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY AND SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER COMPANY NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) 1. American States Water Company (AWR) was incorporated in 1998 in connection with the formation of a holding company by Southern California Water Company (SCW) and became a public company on July 1, 1998. AWR has no material assets other than the common stock of Southern California Water Company (SCW). SCW is a public utility company engaged principally in the purchase, production, distribution and sale of water, and the distribution and sale of electric energy in several mountain communities. Unless otherwise stated in this report, the term Registrant applies to both AWR and SCW, collectively. 2. For a summary of significant accounting policies and other information relating to these interim financial statements, reference is made to pages 24 through 31 of the 1999 Annual Report to Shareholders of AWR under the caption "Notes to Financial Statements." 3. Basic earnings per common share are calculated pursuant to SFAS No. 128 Earnings per Share - and are based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period and net income after deducting preferred dividend requirements. Registrant has no dilutive securities outstanding and, accordingly, diluted earnings per share is not shown. 4. On April 22, 1999, the CPUC issued an order denying SCW's application seeking approval of its recovery through rates of costs associated with its participation in the Coastal Aqueduct Extension of the State Water Project (SWP). SCW's participation in the SWP commits it to a 40-year entitlement with a value of approximately $9.5 million. SCW's investment in SWP is currently included in Other Property and Investments. The remaining balance of the related liability of approximately $7 million is recorded as other long-term debt. SCW intends to recover its investment in SWP through contributions from developers on a per-lot or other basis, and, failing that, sale of its 500 acre-foot entitlement in SWP. SCW believes that its full investment and on-going costs associated with its ownership will be fully recovered. See the section entitled "Rates and Regulation" for more information. 5. In March 2000, SCW has filed applications to increase rates for ratemaking districts in SCW's Region I as well as to combine those tariff schedules into regional rates. Applications for new rates for four water ratemaking districts in SCW's Region III and to combine tariff schedules into regional rates for the customer service areas that make up SCW's Region III were filed in March 1999 and are pending a final decision from the CPUC. See the section entitled "Rates and Regulation" for more information. 6. As permitted by the CPUC, SCW maintains water and electric supply cost balancing accounts to account for under-collections and over-collections of revenues designed to recover such costs. Recovery or refund of such over/under collections are recorded in income when received from customers and charged to balancing accounts when such costs are incurred. The balancing accounts are reversed when such costs are recovered through rate adjustments. 12
15 7. AWR has two principal business units: a water and electric distribution unit, through its SCW subsidiary, and a non-regulated activity unit through the American States Utility Services (ASUS) subsidiary. All activities currently are geographically located within California, except for one contract providing customer service and billing services to a utility located in Arizona. SCW is a regulated utility, which operates both water and electric systems. AWR has no material operations other than its SCW subsidiary. On a stand-alone basis, AWR has no material assets other than its investments in its subsidiaries. The tables below set forth information relating to SCW's operating segments. SCW manages its operations on a regional basis using the five categories below as broad-level measures of profitability. Region I incorporates service areas in northern and central California; Region II contains service areas throughout Los Angeles; Region III encompasses water operations in eastern Los Angles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County and Imperial County. SCW also provides electric service to the City of Big Bear Lake and surrounding areas. Included in the amounts set forth, certain assets, revenues and expenses have been allocated. The identifiable assets are net of respective accumulated provisions for depreciation. <TABLE> <CAPTION> (dollars in thousands) For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2000 - ------------------------------------ ---------------------------------- ----------- ----------- Water ---------------------------------- Total Region I Region II Region III Electric SCW ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> Operating revenues $5,472 $16,937 $12,178 $4,011 $38,598 Operating income before income taxes 977 3,509 2,755 1,417 $8,658 Identifiable assets 109,291 141,535 178,914 25,903 $455,643 Depreciation expense 732 1,200 1,520 350 $3,802 Capital additions $3,952 $2,787 $3,149 $577 $10,465 ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- </TABLE> <TABLE> <CAPTION> (dollars in thousands) For The Three Months Ended March 31,1999 - ------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------- Water ---------------------------------- Total Region I Region II Region III Electric SCW ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> Operating revenues $5,322 $14,873 $12,018 $3,873 $36,086 Operating income before income taxes 818 2,914 2,918 1,633 $8,283 Identifiable assets 100,478 126,049 170,099 25,105 $421,731 Depreciation expense 683 1,009 1,348 336 $3,376 Capital additions $3,721 $4,307 $2,392 $471 $10,891 ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- </TABLE> <TABLE> <CAPTION> (dollars in thousands) For The Twelve Months Ended March 31, 2000 - ------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------- Water ---------------------------------- Total Region I Region II Region III Electric SCW ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> Operating revenues $27,372 $72,838 $61,858 $13,475 $175,543 Operating income before income taxes 6,727 16,436 15,859 3,604 $42,626 Identifiable assets 109,291 141,535 178,914 25,903 $455,643 Depreciation expense 2,778 4,239 5,569 1,356 $13,942 Capital additions $13,663 $20,869 $13,545 $2,278 $50,355 ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- </TABLE> <TABLE> <CAPTION> (dollars in thousands) For The Twelve Months Ended March 31, 1999 - ------------------------------------ ---------------------------------------------------------- Water ---------------------------------- Total Region I Region II Region III Electric SCW ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- <S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> Operating revenues $25,613 $60,035 $55,196 $13,284 $154,128 Operating income before income taxes 6,861 12,142 14,783 4,167 $37,953 Identifiable assets 100,478 126,049 170,099 25,105 $421,731 Depreciation expense 2,601 3,538 4,818 1,715 $12,672 Capital additions $13,936 $16,312 $14,273 $1,846 $46,367 ---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- </TABLE> 13
16 8. On March 10, 2000, Registrant entered into an agreement to acquire the common stock of Chaparral City Water Company, a privately operated water company serving approximately 10,000 customers in the town of Fountain Hills, Arizona and portions of Scottsdale, Arizona for an aggregate value of $31.2 million, including assumption of approximately $12 million in debt, Chaparral City Water Company was purchased from MCO Properties Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of MAXXAM Inc. this marks the first acquisition outside of California for Registrant. The sale of Chaparral City Water Company requires notification to the Arizona Corporation Commission and other conditions customary in transactions of this type. The approval of Registrant's shareholders is not required. It is anticipated that the transaction will close within one year. 14
17 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATION FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Certain matters discussed in this report (including any documents incorporated herein by reference) are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the "safe harbor" from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such because the context of the statement will include words such as the Company or Registrant "believes," "anticipates," "expects" or words of similar import. Similarly, statements that describe Registrant's future plans, objectives, estimates or goals are also forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements. Such statements address future events and conditions concerning capital expenditures, earnings, litigation, rates, water quality and other regulatory matters, adequacy of water supplies, liquidity and capital resources, opportunities related to operations of municipally-owned water systems and accounting matters. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements, by reason of factors such as utility restructuring, including ongoing local, state and federal activities; future economic conditions, including changes in customer demand and changes in market conditions for debt and equity; future climatic conditions; legislative, regulatory and other circumstances affecting anticipated revenues and costs; the number and effectiveness of competitors in Registrant's markets; changes in legislation; the nature and pace of technological changes; Registrant's ability to identify future markets and successfully expand existing ones; the mix of products and services offered in Registrant's target markets; and abilities of other companies to remain or become year 2000 ready. These important factors should be considered in evaluating any statement contained herein and/or made by Registrant or on its behalf. GENERAL American States Water Company (AWR) was incorporated in 1998 in connection with the formation of a holding company by Southern California Water Company (SCW) and became a public company on July 1, 1998. AWR has no material assets other than the common stock of SCW. SCW is a public utility company engaged principally in the purchase, production, distribution and sale of water (SIC No. 4941). SCW also distributes electricity in one customer service area (SIC No. 4911). SCW is regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and was incorporated on December 31, 1929 under the laws of the State of California. AWR has another subsidiary, American States Utility Services, Inc. (ASUS) which contracts to lease, operate and maintain governmentally owned water and wastewater systems and to provide other services to local governments to assist them in the operation and maintenance of their water and wastewater systems. Neither AWR nor ASUS are regulated by the CPUC. SCW is organized into three regions and one electric customer service area operating within 75 communities in 10 counties in the State of California and provides water service in 21 customer service areas (CSAs). Region I incorporates 7 CSAs in northern and central California; Region II has 4 CSAs located in Los Angeles; Region III incorporates 10 water CSAs. SCW also provides electric service to the City of Big Bear Lake and surrounding areas in San Bernardino County. All electric energy sold by SCW to customers in its Bear Valley Electric CSA was purchased under an energy brokerage contract with Sempra Energy Corporation from March 26, 1996 to May 1, 1999, then with Illinova Energy Partners (Illinova) from May 1, 1999 to April 30, 2000, and with Dynegy Energy Services (Dynegy) since May 1, 2000 as a result of the merger of Dynegy and Illinova. 15
18 SCW served 244,214 water customers and 21,183 electric customers at March 31, 2000, or a total of 265,397 customers, compared with 263,780 total customers at March 31, 1999. SCW's utility operations exhibit seasonal trends. Although SCW's water utility operations have a diversified customer base, revenues derived from commercial and residential water customers accounted for approximately 96.3% and 90.9% of total water revenues for the three and twelve months ended March 31, 2000, respectively as compared to 94.0% and 90.8% for the three and twelve months ended March 31, 1999, respectively. ACQUISITION OF PEERLESS WATER CO. In December 1999, Registrant agreed to acquire Peerless Water Co., a privately owned water company in Bellflower, California, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, including CPUC approval. The number of Common Shares to be issued will be determined at the closing, but will in no event be greater than 131,036 shares nor less than 107,538 shares. ACQUISITION OF CHAPARRAL CITY WATER COMPANY On March 10, 2000, Registrant entered into an agreement to acquire the common stock of Chaparral City Water Company, a privately operated water company serving approximately 10,000 customers in the town of Fountain Hills, Arizona and portions of Scottsdale, Arizona for an aggregate value of $31.2 million, including assumption of approximately $12 million in debt. Chaparral City Water Company was purchased from MCO Properties Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of MAXXAM Inc. This marks the first acquisition outside of California for Registrant. The sale of Chaparral City Water Company requires notification to the Arizona Corporation Commission and other conditions customary in transactions of this type. The approval of Registrant's shareholders is not required. It is anticipated that the transaction will close within one year. See Notes to Financial Statements for more information. RESULTS OF OPERATION Basic earnings per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2000 decreased by 3.0% to $0.32 per share as compared to $0.33 per share for the comparable period last year for various reasons as discussed below. Basic earnings for the twelve months ended March 31, 2000 increased by 1.7% to $1.78 per share as compared to $1.75 per share for the twelve months ended March 31, 1999 primarily reflecting higher revenues as is more fully discussed below. As compared to last year, water operating revenues increased by 7.4% and 15.1% for the three and twelve months ended March 31, 2000, respectively, due to the increase in water volumes sold and increases in rates authorized by the CPUC. Water sales volumes for the three and twelve months ended March 31, 2000 were 4.2% and 6.8% higher than the same periods of last year, respectively. Additional increases in revenues for the three months ended March 2000 reflected the general rate case (GRC) step increase for Registrant's Metropolitan customer service area effective January 1, 2000. New rates in four customer service areas and implementation of regional rates in the customer service areas that comprise SCW's Region III are pending a final decision from the CPUC, which is expected during the second quarter of 2000. The delay resulted in a loss of approximately $900,000 in revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2000. See the section entitled "Rates and Regulation" for more information. Kilowatt-hour sales of electricity decreased by 2.9% and 0.4%, respectively, for the three and twelve months ended March 31, 2000 as compared to the same periods ended March 31, 1999 due principally to more winter snows experienced in Registrant's service area during the first quarter of this year, which decreased the use of snow making machines during off-peak hours. Despite the decrease in 16
19 sales, electric operating revenues for the three months and twelve months ended March 31, 2000 increased by 3.6% and 1.4%, respectively, due to a shift in the composition of sales towards commercial and residential usage which have relatively higher rates than industrial power users. Purchased water costs increased by 8.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2000 as compared to the same period ending in 1999 due to a 7.2% increase in volumes purchased resulting from higher sales, and reduced reimbursements from potentially responsible parties related to contamination in SCW's Culver City CSA of approximately $66,000 received during the three months ended March 31, 2000, compared with reimbursements of $286,000 received during the first quarter of 1999. As compared to the twelve months ended March 31, 1999, purchased water costs increased by 13.0% reflecting a 9.7% increase in volumes purchased. The twelve-month comparison is also affected by a decline in the receipt of reimbursements related to contamination as previously discussed. Registrant received approximately $1,145,000 during the twelve months ended March 31, 1999 as compared to reimbursements of $352,000 received during the period ended March 31, 2000. See the section entitled "Environmental Matters - Matters Related to Culver City System." Cost of power purchased for pumping increased by 1.3% and 3.8% for the three and twelve months ended March 31, 2000, respectively, due to an increase in pumped groundwater in SCW's water supply mix. As compared to the three and twelve months ended March 31, 1999, the cost of power purchased for resale increased by 65.8% and 64.1%, respectively, for the three and twelve months ended March 31, 2000 due primarily to additional demand charges from Registrant's energy supplier in 1999. An additional accrual for these demand charges was recorded in April 1999. Groundwater production assessments are 31.8% higher for the three months ended March 31, 2000 due primarily to an accrual to reflect excess pumping penalty assessments particularly associated with increased pumping in SCW's San Dimas and San Gabriel customer service areas. Although SCW anticipates incurring additional groundwater production assessments during the second quarter of 2000, these charges are offset through the balancing account and will be recovered in future offset rate increases. See the section entitled "Regulatory Matters" for more information. A positive entry for the provision for supply cost balancing accounts reflects recovery of previously under-collected supply costs. Conversely, a negative entry for the provision for supply cost balancing accounts reflects an under-collection of previously incurred supply costs. Registrant currently has a net under-collection position. A net under-collection of balancing accounts for the three months ended March 31, 2000 reflects previously discussed increase in energy demand charges and excess pumping penalty accruals. As compared to the twelve months ended March 31, 1999, the effect of increased energy demand charges for the twelve months ended March 2000 was partially offset by new rates effective January 1999 authorized to implement new supply costs and to increase collection of previously under-collected costs. Other operating expenses increased by 9.9% and 8.2% for the three and twelve months ended March 31, 2000, respectively, as compared to the same periods of last year. The increases were due to increased costs for water treatment, higher amounts accrued for uncollectible accounts as a result of increased revenues, and an increase in the amount of labor hours being charged to this category. Administrative and general expenses decreased by 7.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2000 as compared to the same period ended March 31, 1999 due to reduced accruals for litigation in 2000. As compared to the twelve months ended March 31, 1999, administrative and general expenses increased by 22.3% due to increased employee benefit costs, and additional amounts reserved for certain legal proceedings. See the section entitled "Legal Proceedings" for more information. 17
20 Depreciation expense increased by 8.3% and 6.6%, respectively, for the three and twelve months ended March 31, 2000 reflecting, among other things, the effects of recording approximately $52 million in net plant additions during 1999, depreciation on which began in January 2000. In addition, amortization of start-up and organizational costs associated with the formation of AWR was reflected in the twelve months ended March 31, 1999. There were no similar amortization costs for the twelve months ended March 31, 2000. As compared to the three and twelve months ended March 31, 1999, maintenance expense increased by 19.6% and 34.2%, respectively, due principally to increased maintenance on Registrant's water supply sources, and costs incurred on main replacements. The wet weather conditions during 1998 also hampered planned maintenance activities, thereby reducing maintenance expense for the twelve months ended March 31, 1999. Taxes on income increased by 6.4% and 23.4% for the three and twelve months ended March 31, 2000, respectively, as compared to the three and twelve months ended March 31, 1999 due to a higher effective tax rate resulting from the turn-around of depreciation-related temporary differences, the benefits of which were previously flowed-through for rate-making purposes. As compared to the twelve months ended March 1999, the increase was also due to a 12.0% increase in pre-tax operating income. Other taxes increased by 10.8% and 8.7%, respectively, for the three and twelve months ended March 31, 2000, respectively, as compared to the same periods last year reflecting increased franchise fee payments resulting from higher revenues, increased property taxes due to higher property valuation assessments, and increased payroll taxes due to higher labor costs and newly established annual incentive plan, distributed during the first quarter of 2000. As compared to the same periods ended March 31, 1999, other income for the three months ended March 31, 2000 decreased by 86.9%. The decrease was due to the effect of recording the State Water Project entitlement with a value of approximately $9.5 million, amortization on which began January 2000. As compared to the twelve months ended March 31, 1999, other income decreased by 38.43% in the comparable period ended March 31, 2000 due principally to the flow-through of tax benefits related to refinancing of long-term debt, partially offset by costs incurred in December 1998 associated with termination of the non-regulated joint venture agreement. There were no similar tax benefits and/or such costs in the twelve months ended March 2000. See the section entitled "Rates and Regulation" for more information. Interest expense increased by 11.6% and 15.6%, respectively, for the three and twelve months ended March 31, 2000 as compared to the three and twelve months ended March 31, 1999, primarily due to additional short-term borrowing to finance construction expenditures. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES AWR funds its operating expenses, dividends on its outstanding Common and Preferred Shares, and makes its mandatory sinking fund payments, principally through dividends from SCW. AWR has filed a Registration Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for issuance, from time to time, of up to $60 million in Common Shares, Preferred Shares and/or debt securities. The proceeds will be used primarily for investment in its subsidiaries. No securities had been issued under this Registration Statement as of March 31, 2000. SCW funds the majority of its operating expenses, interest payments on its debt and dividends on its outstanding Common Shares through internal sources. SCW continues to rely on external sources, 18
21 including short-term bank borrowing, contributions-in-aid-of-construction, advances for construction and install-and-convey advances, to fund the majority of its construction expenditures. Because of the seasonal nature of its water and electric operations, SCW utilizes its short-term borrowing capacity to finance current operating expenses. The aggregate short-term borrowing capacity available to SCW under its three bank lines of credit was $47 million as of March 31, 2000, of which a total of $25 million was outstanding. SCW routinely employs short-term bank borrowing as an interim financing source prior to funding capital expenditures on a long-term basis. In 1998, SCW filed a Registration Statement with the SEC for issuance, from time to time, of up to $60 million in long-term debt. As of March 31, 2000, $20 million remained for issuance as needed. SCW's construction program is designed to ensure its customers high quality service. SCW maintains an ongoing distribution main replacement program throughout its customer service areas, based on the priority of leaks detected, fire protection enhancement and a reflection of the underlying replacement schedule. In addition, SCW upgrades its electric and water supply facilities in accordance with industry standards, local requirements and CPUC requirements. SCW's Board of Directors has approved anticipated net capital expenditures of approximately $55.4 million for 2000. Of the amount authorized, $8.8 million has incurred as of March 31, 2000. Neither AWR nor ASUS have material capital commitments; however, ASUS actively seeks opportunities to own, lease or operate municipal water and wastewater systems, which may involve significant capital commitments. WATER SUPPLY For the three months ended March 31, 2000, SCW supplied a total of 16,541,000 ccf of water as compared to 16,118,000 ccf for the three months ended March 31, 1999. Of the total 16,541,000 ccf of water supplied during the first quarter of 2000, approximately 60.6% came from pumped sources and 39.4% was purchased from others, principally the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) and its member agencies. For the three months ended March 31, 1999, 62.2%, 37.8% was supplied from pumped sources and purchased from MWD, respectively. During the twelve months ended March 31, 2000, SCW supplied 85,750,000 ccf of water as compared to 80,609,000 ccf supplied during the twelve months ended March 31, 1999. During the twelve months ended March 31, 2000, pumped sources provided 57.9% of total supply, 40.5% was purchased from MWD and its member agencies. The remaining 1.6% of total supply came from the United States Bureau of Reclamation (the "Bureau) under a no-cost contract. For the twelve months ended March 31, 1999, 60.6%, 39.3% and 0.1%, respectively, was supplied from pumped sources, purchased from MWD and the Bureau. The MWD is a water district organized under the laws of the State of California for the purpose of delivering imported water to areas within its jurisdiction. Registrant has 52 connections to the water distribution facilities of MWD and other municipal water agencies. MWD imports water from two principal sources: the Colorado River and the State Water Project (SWP). Available water supplies from the Colorado River and the SWP have historically been sufficient to meet most of MWD's requirements and MWD's supplies from these sources are anticipated to remain adequate through 2000. MWD's import of water from the Colorado River is expected to decrease in future years due to the requirements of the Central Arizona Project. In response, MWD has taken a number of steps to secure additional storage capacity and to increase available water supplies, by effecting transfers of water rights from other sources. 19
22 Registrant's water supply and revenues are significantly affected, both in the short-run and the long-run, by changes in meteorological conditions. For the three months ended March 31, 2000, SCW's customer service areas experienced more rainfall and slightly cooler temperatures as compared to the same period ended March 31, 1999. The 2000 water year supply outlook remains adequate. This positive outlook is due to wetter-than-anticipated spring, the fact that reservoirs remain at significantly high levels, and groundwater levels are usually not diminished by a single year of below normal precipitation as was experienced during 1999. Although overall groundwater conditions remain at adequate levels, certain of SCW's groundwater supplies have been affected to varying degrees by various forms of contamination which, in some cases, have caused increased reliance on purchased water in its supply mix. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS 1996 Amendments to Federal Safe Drinking Water Act On August 6, 1996, amendments (the 1996 SDWA amendments) to the Safe Drinking Water Act (the SDWA) were signed into law. The 1996 SDWA revised the 1986 amendments to the SDWA with a new process for selecting and regulating contaminants. The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) can only regulate contaminants that may have adverse health effects, are known or likely to occur at levels of public health concern, and the regulation of which will provide "a meaningful opportunity for health risk reduction." The EPA has published a list of contaminants for possible regulation and must update that list every five years. In addition, every five years, the EPA must select at least five contaminants on that list and determine whether to regulate them. The new law allows the EPA to bypass the selection process and adopt interim regulations for contaminants in order to address urgent health threats. Current regulations, however, remain in place and are not subject to the new standard-setting provisions. The DOHS, acting on behalf of the EPA, administers the EPA's program in California. The 1996 SDWA amendments allow the EPA for the first time to base primary drinking water regulations on risk assessment and cost/benefit considerations and on minimizing overall risk. The EPA must base regulations on best available, peer-reviewed science and data from best available methods. For proposed regulations that involve the setting of maximum contaminant levels (MCL's), the EPA must use, and seek public comment on, an analysis of quantifiable and non-quantifiable risk-reduction benefits and cost for each such MCL. SCW currently tests its wells and water systems according to requirements listed in the SDWA. Water from wells found to contain levels of contaminants above the established MCLs is treated to reduce contaminants to acceptable levels before it is delivered to customers. Since the SDWA became effective, SCW has experienced increased operating costs for testing to determine the levels, if any, of the constituents in SCW's sources of supply and additional expense to lower the level of any contaminants in order to meet the MCL standards. Such costs and the costs of controlling any other contaminants may cause SCW to experience additional capital costs as well as increased operating costs. Registrant is currently unable to predict the ultimate impact that the 1996 SDWA amendments might have on its financial position or its results of operation. The CPUC ratemaking process provides SCW with the opportunity to recover prudently incurred capital and operating costs associated with water quality. Management believes that such incurred costs will be authorized for recovery by the CPUC. 20
23 Proposed Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule On July 29, 1994, the EPA proposed an Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (ESWTR), which would require increased surface-water treatment to decrease the risk of microbial contamination. The EPA has proposed several versions of the ESWTR for promulgation. The version selected for promulgation will be determined based on data collected by certain water suppliers and forwarded to the EPA pursuant to EPA's Information Collection Rule, which requires such water suppliers to monitor microbial and other contaminants in their water supplies and to conduct certain tests in respect of such contaminants. The EPA has adopted an Interim ESWTR applicable only to systems serving greater than 10,000 persons. EPA will publish the proposed the Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule and Filter Backwash Rule (LT1FBR) in the Federal Register in Spring, 2000. This proposed rule will apply to each of SCW's five surface water treatment plants and basically extends the requirements of the ESWTR to systems serving less than 10,000 persons and will require some systems to institute changes to the return of recycle filter backwash flows within the treatment process to reduce the effects of recycle on compromising microbial control. Registrant is presently unable to predict the ultimate impact of the LT1FBR, but it is anticipated that all five plants will achieve compliance within the three year to five-year time frames identified by EPA. Regulation of Disinfection/Disinfection By-Products Registrant is also subject to the new regulations concerning disinfection/disinfection by-products (DBP's), Stage I of which regulations were effective in November, 1998 with full compliance required by 2001. Stage I requires reduction of trihalomethane contaminants from 100 micrograms per liter to 80 micrograms per liter. Two of SCW's systems are immediately impacted by this rule. SCW implemented modifications to the treatment process in its Bay Point and Cordova systems. It is anticipated that both systems will be in full compliance by 2001. A third SCW plant will require treatment modifications in order tom comply with this rule. The Registrant is preparing to conduct studies in Calipatria to determine the best treatment methods to comply with this rule. The EPA must adopt Stage II rules pertaining to DBPs, according to a negotiated schedule by 2000. The EPA is not allowed to use the new cost/benefit analysis provided for in the 1996 SDWA amendments for establishing the Stage II rules applicable to DBPs but may utilize the regulatory negotiating process provided for in the 1996 SDWA amendments to develop the Stage II rule. The final rule is expected by 2002. Ground Water Rule By Spring 2000, the EPA is scheduled to propose regulations requiring disinfection of certain groundwater systems and provide guidance on determining which systems must provide disinfection facilities. The EPA may utilize the cost/benefit analysis provided in the 1996 SDWA amendments to establish such regulations. It is anticipated that the regulations will apply to several of SCW's systems using groundwater supplies. While no assurance can be given as to the nature and cost of any additional compliance measures, if any, Registrant does not believe that such regulations will impose significant compliance costs, since SCW already currently engages in disinfection of its groundwater systems. Regulation of Radon and Arsenic Registrant expects to be subject to new regulations regarding radon and arsenic. It is anticipated that the EPA will propose a reduction in the federal standard on arsenic from 50 parts per billion (ppb) to 21
24 5 ppb. This proposed arsenic rule is expected to be released in spring of 2000, with a 60-day comment period. It is anticipated that EPA will propose 5 ppb as the lead regulatory option, but will take comments on 3 ppb and 10 ppb options as well. Compliance with an MCL of 5 ppb will require Registrant to implement costly well-head treatment remedies such as ion exchange or, alternatively, to purchase additional and more expensive water supplies already in compliance, for blending with well sources. The EPA has proposed new radon regulations following a National Academy of Sciences risk assessment and study of risk-reduction benefits associated with various mitigation measures. The National Academy of Sciences study is in agreement with much of EPA's original findings but has slightly reduced the ingestion risk initially assumed by EPA. EPA established an MCL of 300 Pico Curies per liter based on the findings and has also established an alternative MCL of 4000 Pico Curies per liter, based upon potential mitigation measures for overall radon reduction. The final rule will be effective in August 2000. The Registrant is currently conducting studies to determine the best treatment for affected wells. Voluntary Efforts to Exceed Minimum Surface Water Treatment Requirements SCW is a voluntary member of the EPA's "Partnership for Safe Water", a national program designed to further protect the public from diseases caused by cryptosporidium and other microscopic organisms. As a volunteer in the program, SCW commits to exceed minimum operating requirements governing surface water treatment, optimize surface water treatment plant operations and ensure that its surface water treatment facilities are performing as efficiently as possible. Fluoridation of Water Supplies Registrant is subject to State of California Assembly Bill 733, which requires fluoridation of water supplies for public water systems serving more than 10,000 service connections. Although the bill requires affected systems to install treatment facilities only when public funds have been made available to cover capital and operating costs, the bill requires the CPUC to authorize cost recovery through rates should public funds for operation of the facilities, once installed, become unavailable in future years. Matters Relating to Arden-Cordova System In January 1997, SCW was notified that ammonium perchlorate in amounts above the state-determined action level had been detected in three of its 27 wells serving its Arden-Cordova system. Aerojet-General Corp. has, in the past, used ammonium perchlorate in their processing as an oxidizer of rocket fuels. SCW took the three wells detected with ammonium perchlorate out of service at that time. Although neither the EPA nor the DOHS has established a drinking water standard for ammonium perchlorate, DOHS has established an action level of 18 parts per billion (ppb) which required SCW to notify customers in its Arden-Cordova customer service area of detection of ammonium perchlorate in amounts in excess of this action level. In April 1997, SCW found ammonium perchlorate in three additional wells and, at that time, removed those wells from service until it was determined that the levels were below the state-determined action level. Those wells were returned to service. SCW periodically monitors these wells to determine that levels of perchlorate are below the action level currently in effect. In February 1998, SCW was informed that nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) had been detected in amounts in excess of the EPA reference dosage for health risks in four of its wells in its Arden-Cordova system. Each of the wells has been removed from service. Another well was also been removed from service in end of September 1999 due to the contamination. NDMA is an additional by-product from the production of rocket fuel and it is believed that such contamination is related to the activities of Aerojet- 22
25 General Corp. Aerojet-General Corp. has reimbursed SCW for constructing a pipeline to interconnect with the City of Folsom water system to provide an alternative source(s) of water supply in SCW's Arden-Cordova customer service area and has reimbursed SCW for costs associated with the drilling and equipping of two new wells. As of March 31, 2000, Aerojet-General Corp. has previously reimbursed Registrant $4.5 million. The remainder of the costs is subject to further reimbursement, including interest. The reimbursement from Aerojet-General Corp. reduces SCW's utility plant and costs of purchased water. SCW and Aerojet-General Corp. were in negotiations on other matters related to procedures to address cleanup of the contaminated groundwater basin, costs associated with the cleanup, increased costs of purchased water as compared to pumped sources and costs associated with developing new sources of groundwater supply. On October 25, 1999, SCW filed a lawsuit against the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (CRWQCB) alleging that the CRWQCB has willfully allowed portions of the Sacramento County Groundwater Basin to be injected with chemical pollution that is contaminating the underground water supply in SCW's Rancho Cordova customer service area. In a separate case, also filed on October 25, 1999, SCW sued Aerojet General Corp. for causing the contamination. On March 22, 2000 Aerojet General Corp. filed a cross complaint against SCW for negligence and constituting a public nuisance. Registrant is unable to determine at this time what, if any, potential liability it may have with respect to the cross complaint, but intends to vigorously defend itself against these allegations. Management cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings. See the section entitled "Legal Proceedings" for more information. Matters Relating to Culver City System The compound, methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE), has been detected in the Charnock Basin, located in the city of Santa Monica and within SCW's Culver City customer service area. MTBE is an oxygenate used in reformulated fuels. At the request of the Regional Water Quality Control Board, the City of Santa Monica and the California Environmental Protection Agency, SCW removed two of its wells in the Culver City system from service in October 1996 to help in efforts to avoid further spread of the MTBE contamination plume. Neither of these wells has been found to be contaminated with MTBE. SCW is purchasing water from the MWD at an increased cost to replace the water supply formerly pumped from the two wells removed from service. Pursuant to an agreement with SCW in December 1998, two of the potentially responsible parties (the Participants) have reimbursed SCW's legal and consulting costs related to this matter and for increased costs incurred by SCW in purchasing replacement water. However, a notice of termination from the Participants to the settlement agreement was received in October 1999 claiming overpayments for replacement water in excess of SCW's water rights. No assurances can be given that future negotiations will result in complete restoration of SCW's water rights or that continued reimbursement of SCW's costs will be forthcoming. On September 22, 1999, the U.S. EPA and the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board ordered Shell Oil Company, Shell Oil Products Company and Equilon Enterprises LLC to provide replacement drinking water to both SCW and the City of Santa Monica due to MTBE contamination of the Charnock Sub-Basin drinking water. The EPA has ordered Shell Oil to reimburse SCW for water replacement costs. The agencies are continuing to investigate the causes of MTBE pollution and intend to ensure that all responsible parties contribute to its clean up. Registrant is unable to predict the outcome of the EPA's enforcement efforts. 23
26 Bear Valley Electric SCW has been, in conjunction with the Southern California Edison unit of Edison International, planning to upgrade transmission facilities to 115kv (the 115kv Project) in order to meet increased energy and demand requirements. The 115kv Project is subject to an environmental impact report (EIR) and delays in approval of the EIR may impact service in SCW's Bear Valley Electric Service customer service area. SCW has, however, taken other measures, including some measures that will be enacted on an emergency basis, to meet load growth and mitigate delays in approval of the EIR. REGULATORY MATTERS SCW is subject to regulation by the CPUC, which has broad powers with respect to service and facilities, rates, classifications of accounts, valuation of properties, the purchase, disposition and mortgaging of properties necessary or useful in rendering public utility service, the issuance of securities, the granting of certificates of convenience and necessity as to the extension of services and facilities and various other matters. AWR and ASUS are not regulated by the CPUC. The CPUC does, however, regulate certain transactions between SCW and its non-regulated affiliates. The 22 customer service areas (CSAs) of SCW are grouped into 16 water districts and 1 electric district for ratemaking purposes. Water rates vary among the 16 ratemaking districts due to differences in operating conditions and costs. SCW monitors operations on a regional basis in each of these districts so that applications for rate changes may be filed, when warranted. Under the CPUC's practices, rates may be increased by three methods: general rate case increases (GRC's), offsets for certain expense increases and advice letter filings related to certain plant additions. GRC's are typically for three-year periods, which include step increases for the second and third year. Rates are based on a forecast of expenses and capital costs. GRC's have a typical regulatory lag of one year. Offset rate increases typically have a two to four month regulatory lag. Applications to increase water rates were filed for four water ratemaking districts in SCW's Region III in March 1999. A draft decision has been issued by the Administrative Law Judge assigned to this matter that supports the settlement on all issues reached between SCW and the CPUC Staff. SCW has also filed an application with the CPUC to combine tariff schedules into regional rates for the customer service areas that make up SCW's Region III. The Administrative Law Judge assigned to this matter has issued a draft decision that supports SCW's application. A final decision from the CPUC on both issues is anticipated in the second quarter of 2000. Pending receipt of the final decision, implementation of rates has been delayed. GRC step increase for Metropolitan CSA and General Office Allocation step increases for Arden-Cordova, Bay Point, Simi Valley and Santa Maria CSAs were effective beginning January, 2000. Attrition increases for Arden-Cordova and Bay Point CSAs were also in effect beginning January 2000. Applications to increase water rates by approximately $5.8 million for ratemaking districts in SCW's Region I as well as to combine those tariff schedules into regional rates were filed in March 2000. The new rates, if authorized in total or in part by the CPUC, would be effective January 1, 2001. An advice letter was filed with the CPUC on March 1, 2000 seeking recovery of capital expenditures associated with Y2K readiness, not already included in Registrant's water rates. 24
27 Registrant is unable to predict if the CPUC will authorize recovery of any or all of the costs. See the section entitled "Year 2000 Issue" for more information. On April 22, 1999, the CPUC issued an order denying SCW's application seeking approval of its recovery through rates of costs associated with its participation in the Coastal Aqueduct Extension of the State Water Project (SWP). SCW's participation in the SWP commits it to a 40-year entitlement. SCW's investment of approximately $9.5 million in SWP is currently included in Other Property and Investments. The remaining balance of the related liability of approximately $7 million is recorded as other long-term debt. SCW intends to recover its investment in SWP either through contributions from developers on a per-lot or other basis, or from the sale of its 500 acre-foot entitlement in SWP. See the Notes to Financial Statements for more information. YEAR 2000 ISSUE Registrant has no Y2K incidents, business disruptions, failures or legal proceedings to report. There were no actual or anticipated effects or changes to Registrant's operating trends or revenue patterns as a result of the transition from December 1999 to January 2000. SCW formally announced its 100% Y2K Ready status when it filed its Compliance Report with the CPUC on November 1, 1999. Registrant has filed its final Compliance Report with the CPUC in March 2000. Not all Y2K problems were necessarily expected to surface in early 2000. Registrant does not have, and may never fully have, sufficient information about the Y2K exposure of third parties to adequately predict the risks posed by them to Registrant. If the third parties later discover any Y2K problems that are not remedied, resulting problems could include temporary loss of utility services and disruption of water supplies. Costs incurred to address Y2K issues are estimated to be approximately $5.2 million. On March 1, 2000, Registrant filed an advice letter with the CPUC for recovery of Y2K related costs. Registrant believes that generally these expenditures will be recovered through rates, but can give no assurance that the CPUC will authorize recovery of all or some of these costs. RISK FACTOR SUMMARY This section (written in plain English to comply with certain SEC Standards) summarizes certain risks of our business that may affect our future financial results. We also periodically file with the Securities and Exchange Commission documents that include more information on these risks. It is important for investors to read these documents. Litigation SCW has recently been sued in eleven water-quality related lawsuits: - a suit filed on April 24, 1997 alleging personal injury and property damage as a result of the delivery of contaminated water from wells located in an area of the San Gabriel Valley that has been designated a federal superfund site - a suit filed on July 29, 1997 alleging personal injury and property damage as a result of the delivery contaminated of water; few of our systems are located in the geographical area covered by this suit - a suit filed on December 8, 1997 alleging personal injury and property damage as a result of the delivery of contaminated water in SCW's Arden-Cordova service area 25
28 - a suit filed on February 2, 1998 alleging personal injury and property damage as a result of the delivery of contaminated water from wells located in an area of the San Gabriel Valley that has been designated a superfund site - a suit filed on February 4, 1998 alleging personal injury and property damage as a result of the delivery of contaminated water from wells located in an area of the San Gabriel Valley that has been designated a superfund site - a suit filed in March 2, 1998 alleging personal injury and property damage as a result of the delivery of contaminated water in SCW's Arden-Cordova service area - a suit filed on June 29, 1998 alleging personal injury and property damage as a result of the delivery of contaminated water from wells located in an area of the San Gabriel Valley that has been designated a superfund site - two suits filed on July 30, 1998 alleging personal injury and property damage as a result of the delivery of contaminated water from wells located in an area of the San Gabriel Valley that has been designated a superfund site - a suit filed on December 3, 1998 alleging personal injury and property damage as a result of the delivery of contaminated water from wells located in an area of the San Gabriel Valley that has been designated a superfund site - a suit filed in July 22, 1999 alleging personal injury and property damage as a result of the delivery of contaminated water from wells located in an area of the San Gabriel Valley that has been designated a superfund site On September 1, 1999, the First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco, held that the CPUC had preemptive jurisdiction over regulated public utilities and ordered dismissal of a series of lawsuits against water utilities, including seven of the lawsuits against SCW. On October 11, one group of plaintiffs appealed the decision to the California Supreme Court, which has accepted the petition. Management cannot predict the outcome of the proceeding. In March 1998, the CPUC issued an Order Instituting Investigation (the OII) as a result of these types of suits being filed against water utilities in California. The CPUC is seeking to determine: - whether existing standards and policies regarding drinking water quality adequately protect the public health - whether water utilities are in compliance with existing standards The Administrative Law Judge assigned to the OII has issued a draft decision finding that water utilities, including SCW, have complied with DOHS regulation and requirements. SCW is unable to predict whether the draft decision will be approved in part or in its entirety. The CPUC has authorized a memorandum account for legal expenses incurred by water utilities, including SCW, in the water quality lawsuits. Under the memorandum account procedure, SCW may recover litigation costs from ratepayers to the extent authorized by the CPUC. The CPUC has not yet authorized SCW to recover any of its litigation costs. As of March 31, 2000, Registrant had incurred $866,000 in the OII-related memorandum account. Environmental Regulation SCW is subject to increasingly stringent environmental regulations that will result in increasing capital and operating costs. These regulations include: 26
29 - the 1996 amendments to the Safe Drinking Water Act that require increased testing and treatment of water to reduce specified contaminants to minimum containment levels - interim regulations expected to be adopted before the end of 2000 requiring increased surface-water treatment to decrease the risk of microbial contamination; these regulations will affect SCW's five surface water treatment plants - additional regulation of disinfection/disinfection byproducts expected to be adopted before the end of 2002; these regulations will potentially affect two of SCW's systems - additional regulations expected to be adopted before the end of 2000 requiring disinfection of certain groundwater systems; these regulations will potentially impact several of SCW's systems using groundwater supplies - potential regulation of radon and arsenic - new California requirements to fluoridate public water systems serving over 10,000 customers SCW may be able to recover costs incurred to comply with these regulations through the ratemaking process for our regulated systems. We may also be able to recover certain of these costs under our contractual arrangements with municipalities. In certain circumstances, we may recover costs from parties responsible or potentially responsible for contamination. Rates and Regulation SCW is subject to regulation by the CPUC. AWR and ASUS are not directly subject to CPUC regulation. The CPUC may, however, regulate transactions between SCW and AWR, including the manner in which overhead costs are allocated between SCW and AWR and the pricing of services rendered by SCW to AWR. SCW's revenues depend substantially on the rates that it is permitted to charge its customers. SCW may increase rates in three ways: - by filing for a general rate increase - by filing for recovery of certain expenses - by filing an "advice letter" for certain plant additions, thereby increasing rate base In addition, SCW recovers certain supply costs through a balancing account mechanism. Supply costs include the cost of purchased water and power and groundwater production assessments. The balancing account mechanism is intended to insulate SCW's earnings from changes in supply costs that are beyond SCW's control. The balancing account is not, however, designed to insulate SCW's earnings against changes in supply mix. As a result, SCW may not recover increased costs due to increased use of purchased water through the balancing account mechanism. In addition, balancing account adjustments, if authorized by the CPUC, may result in either increases or decreases in revenues attributable to supply costs incurred in prior periods, depending upon whether there has been an undercollection or overcollection of supply costs. There are also a number of matters pending before the CPUC that may affect our future financial results. These matters include: - applications filed by SCW to increase rates in 4 of its Region III rate-making jurisdictions; a final decision is not expected until second quarter of 2000 although a tentative settlement has been worked out 27
30 - an application filed to consolidate the rate-making jurisdictions located in SCW's Region III area into a single tariff - the OII - applications filed by SCW to increase rates and consolidate all of its Region I rate-making jurisdictions - an advice letter filed to seek recovery of capital expenditures associated with Y2K readiness - new guidelines under consideration by the CPUC for the acquisition and merger of water utilities and for privatization transactions - new guidelines under consideration by the CPUC for the use of regulated assets for non-regulated activities Adequacy of Water Supplies The adequacy of water supplies varies from year to year depending upon a variety of factors, including - rainfall - the amount of water stored in reservoirs - the amount used by our customers and others - water quality, and - legal limitations on use. As a result of heavier than normal rainfall in the winter of 1998-1999 as well as the rains during the first quarter of 2000, most of California's reservoirs remain at or near capacity and the outlook for water supply in the near term is generally favorable. Population growth and increases in the amount of water used have, however, increased limitations on use to prevent overdrafting of groundwater basins. The import of water from the Colorado River, one of our important sources of supply, is expected to decrease in future years due to the requirements of the Central Arizona Project. We also have in recent years taken wells out of service due to water quality problems. Water shortages could be caused by the above factors and may affect us in several ways: - they adversely affect supply mix by causing Registrant to rely on more expensive purchased water - they adversely affect operating costs - they may result in an increase in capital expenditures for building pipelines to connect to alternative sources of supplies and reservoirs and other facilities to conserve or reclaim water We may be able to recover increased operating and construction costs for our regulated systems through the ratemaking process. Registrant may also be able to recover certain of these costs under the terms of our contractual agreements with municipalities. In certain circumstances, we may recover these costs from third parties that may be responsible, or potentially responsible, for groundwater contamination. As of March 31, 2000, Aerojet General Corp. has previously reimbursed Registrant approximately $4.5 million for costs associated with the cleanup of the groundwater supply for our Arden-Cordova System and for the increased costs of purchasing water 28
31 and developing new sources of groundwater supply. On October 25, 1999, we sued the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (CRWQCB) alleging that it has willfully allowed portions of the Sacramento County Groundwater Basin to be injected with chemical pollution that is contaminating the underground water supply in our Rancho Cordova customer service area. In a separate lawsuit, also filed on October 25, 1999, we sued Aerojet General Corp. for causing the contamination. On March 22, 2000 Aerojet General Corp. filed a cross complaint against us for negligence and constituting a public nuisance. We cannot predict the outcome of these lawsuits but we will defend ourselves against these allegations. Two potentially responsible parties on matter relating to the clean-up and purchase of replacement water in the Charnock Basin located in the cities of Santa Monica and Culver City have previously reimbursed us for replacement water and certain legal and consulting expenses. The Charnock Basin is in our Culver City customer service area. ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK Registrant has no derivative financial instruments, financial instruments with significant off-balance sheet risks or financial instruments with concentrations of credit risk. The disclosure required is, therefore, not applicable. PART II ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS SCW is a defendant in eleven lawsuits involving claims pertaining to water quality. Nine of the lawsuits involve customer service areas located in Los Angeles County in the southern portion of the State of California; two of the lawsuits involve a customer service area located in Sacramento County in northern California. See the section entitled "Risk Factor Summary" for more information. On September 1, 1999, the First District Court of Appeal in San Francisco, in a published opinion entitled Hartwell Corporation v. The Superior Court of Ventura County, held that the CPUC had preemptive jurisdiction over regulated public utilities and ordered dismissal of a series of lawsuits pertaining to water quality filed against water utilities, including SCW. Seven out of eleven lawsuits against SCW have been ordered for dismissal by the state Court of Appeals -- the Adler (Case No. 1), Santamaria (Case No. 2), Anderson (Case No. 3), Dominguez (Case No. 4), Celi (Case No. 5), Boswell (Case No. 6), and Demciuc (Case No. 7) Matters. On October 11, 1999, one group of plaintiffs has appealed to the California Supreme Court, which has accepted the case. Management is unable to predict the outcome of this proceeding but, in any event, does not anticipate a decision prior to 2001. On December 3, 1998, SCW was named as a defendant in a complaint in multiple counts, styled Abarca, et al. v. City of Pomona, et al. (Case No. 8), filed in Los Angeles Superior Court which seeks recovery for negligence, wrongful death, strict liability, permanent trespass, continuing trespass, continuing nuisance, permanent nuisance, negligence per se, absolute liability for ultrahazardous activity, fraudulent concealment, conspiracy/fraudulent concealment, battery and unfair business practices on behalf of 383 plaintiffs (the Abarca Matter). Plaintiffs seek damages, including general and special damages according to proof, punitive and exemplary damages, as well as attorney's fees, costs of suit and other unspecified relief. SCW was served on June 18, 1999. SCW was named as a defendant, along with the City of Pomona, California and Xerox Corporation in the matter styled Adejare, et al. v. Southern California Water Company, et al. (Case No. 9), filed on July 22, 1999 in Los Angeles Superior Court which seeks recovery for wrongful death, battery and fraudulent concealment (the Adejare Matter). Plaintiffs seek damages, including general and 29
32 special damages according to proof, punitive and exemplary damages, as well as attorney's fees, costs of suit and other unspecified relief. In December 1997 SCW was named a defendant in the matter of Nathaniel Allen, Jr., et al. v. Aerojet-General Corporation, et al. (Case No. 10), which was filed in Sacramento Superior Court. The complaint makes claims based on wrongful death, personal injury, property damage as a result of nuisance and trespass, medical monitoring, and diminution of property values (the Allen Matter). Plaintiffs allege that SCW and other defendants have delivered water to plaintiffs which allegedly is, or has been in the past, contaminated with a number of chemicals, including TCE, PCE, carbon tetrachloride, perchlorate, Freon-113, hexavalent chromium and other, unnamed, chemicals. SCW filed Demurrers and Motion to Strike in this matter on June 5, 1998. On August 31, 1998, the judge assigned to the Allen Matter, acting on the Court's own motion, issued a stay of all proceedings in the Allen matter pending the outcome of the CPUC's Order Instituting Investigation (OII) proceeding. The plaintiffs petitioned the Third District Court of Appeal for a Writ of Mandamus to overrule the stay. The Court denied the petition. Plaintiff's then petitioned the California Supreme Court for relief from the Appellate Court's ruling. The California Supreme Court denied plaintiff's petition. Thus the stay in the Allen Matter remains in effect. In March 1998, SCW was named a defendant in the matter of Daphne Adams, et al. v. Aerojet General, et al. (Case No. 11) that was filed in Sacramento Superior Court (the Adams Matter). The complaint makes claims based on negligence, strict liability, trespass, public nuisance, private nuisance, negligence per se, absolute liability for ultrahazardous activity, fraudulent concealment, violation of California Business and Professions Code section 17200 et seq., intentional infliction of emotional distress, intentional spoilage of evidence, negligent destruction of evidence needed for prospective civil litigation, wrongful death and medical monitoring. Plaintiffs seek damages, including general, punitive and exemplary damages, as well as attorney's fees, costs of suit, injunctive and restitutionary relief, disgorged profits and civil penalties, medical monitoring according to proof and other unspecified relief. SCW filed its Demurrers and Motion to Strike in this matter on June 5, 1998. On August 31, 1998, the judge assigned to the Adams Matter, acting on the Court's own motion, issued a stay of all proceedings in the Adams matter pending the outcome of the CPUC's OII proceeding. The plaintiff's petitioned the Third District Court of Appeal for a Writ of Mandamus to overrule the stay. The Court denied the petition. Plaintiff's then petitioned the California Supreme Court for relief from the Appellate Court's ruling. The California Supreme Court denied plaintiff's petition. Thus the stay in the Adams Matter remains in effect. In light of the breadth of plaintiffs' claims in these matters, the lack of factual information regarding plaintiffs' claims and injuries, if any, and the fact that no discovery has yet been completed, SCW is unable at this time to determine what, if any, potential liability it may have with respect to these claims. Registrant believes there are no merits to these claims and intends to vigorously defend against them. ORDER INSTITUTING INVESTIGATION In March 1998, the CPUC issued an OII to regulated water utilities in the state of California, including SCW. The purpose of the OII is to determine whether existing standards and policies regarding drinking water quality adequately protect the public health and whether those standards and policies are being uniformly complied with by those water utilities. The OII delineates the constitutional and statutory jurisdiction of the CPUC and the California Department of Health Services (DOHS) in establishing and enforcing adherence to water quality standards. The CPUC's jurisdiction provides for the establishment of rates, which permit water utilities to furnish water service meeting the established water quality standards at prices, which are both affordable and allow the utility to earn a reasonable return on its investment. SCW has provided its response to a series of questions dealing with the adequacy of current drinking water standards, compliance by water utilities with such standards, 30
33 appropriate remedies for failure to comply with safe drinking water standards and whether increased enforcement and additional drinking water standards are necessary. On June 10, 1999, the CPUC issued an interim order, which established that the CPUC has jurisdiction to conduct the investigation regarding matters related to water quality over those water utilities subject to its authority. The Administrative Law Judge assigned to the OII has issued a draft decision finding that water utilities, including SCW, have complied with DOHS regulation and requirements. SCW is unable to predict whether the draft decision will be approved in part or in its entirety by the CPUC. SCW anticipates a final decision by the CPUC on this matter in 2000. OTHER LITIGATION On October 25, 1999, SCW filed a lawsuit against the California Regional Water Quality Control Board (CRWQCB) alleging that the CRWQCB has willfully allowed portions of the Sacramento County Groundwater Basin to be injected with chemical pollution that is destroying the underground water supply in SCW's Rancho Cordova customer service area. In a separate case, also filed on October 25, 1999, SCW sued Aerojet General Corp. for causing the contamination. On March 22, 2000 Aerojet General Corp. filed a cross complaint against SCW for negligence and constituting a public nuisance. Registrant is unable to determine at this time what, if any, potential liability it may have with respect to the cross complaint, but intends to vigorously defend itself against these allegations. Management cannot predict the outcome of these proceedings. Registrant is also subject to ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business. Other than as disclosed above, no legal proceedings are pending, except such incidental litigation, to which Registrant is a party or of which any of its properties is the subject, which are believed to be material. ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES As of March 31, 2000, earned surplus amounted to $61,521,000, none of which was restricted as to payment of cash dividends on Registrant's Common Shares by any terms of Registrant's debt instruments. As of March 31, 2000, authorized but unissued Common Shares include 500,000 and 571,408 Common Shares reserved for issuance under Registrant's Dividend Reinvestment and Common Share Purchase Program and Investment Incentive Program (401-k), respectively. Common Shares reserved for the 401-k Plan are in relation to the matching contributions by SCW and for investment purposes by participants. ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES None. ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS On or about March 24, 2000, common and preferred shareholders of AWR were mailed a Notice of Annual Meeting and a Proxy Statement. Shareholders were requested to vote their shares for two items: 1. Election of a slate of four Class II directors to serve for a two-year term expiring at the end of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2002, or until their successors are chosen and qualified. The 31
34 following table presents the results of the election presented at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 2, 2000: <TABLE> <CAPTION> PERCENT VOTE NAME "FOR" "WITHHELD" - ---------------- ------------ ------------ <S> <C> <C> Jean E. Auer 98.22% 1.78% N.P. Dodge, Jr. 98.15% 1.85% Robert F. Kathol 98.20% 1.80% Lloyd E. Ross 98.41% 1.59% </TABLE> 2. Consideration of a proposal to approve a stock incentive plan. The purpose of the "2000 Plan" is to promote the success of Registrant by attracting, motivating, rewarding, retaining and aligning the interests of Registrant's employees, including officers, with those of shareholders generally. The results of the voting are presented in the table below: <TABLE> <CAPTION> PROPOSAL "FOR" "AGAINST" "ABSTAIN" - --------- ------ --------- --------- <S> <C> <C> <C> 2000 Plan 75.50% 22.84% 1.66% </TABLE> ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION On May 1, 2000, the Board of Directors of Registrant declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.32 per common share. The dividend will be paid June 1, 2000 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 12, 2000. In other actions, the Board of Directors declared regular quarterly dividends of $0.25 per share, $0.265625 per share and $0.3125 per share on its 4%, 4-1/4% and 5% Cumulative Preferred Shares, respectively. ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K <TABLE> <S> <C> Exhibit 10.18 American States Water Company 2000 Stock Incentive Plan. (Submitted in electronic format only to the Securities and Exchange Commission.) Exhibit 27. Schedule UT. (Submitted in electronic format only to the Securities and Exchange Commission.) </TABLE> No Reports of Form 8-K were filed during the period covered by this report. 32
35 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned duly authorized officer and chief financial officer. AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY and its subsidiary SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER COMPANY By : s/ McClellan Harris III ---------------------------------- McClellan Harris III Vice President - Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary By : s/ Linda J. Matlick ---------------------------------- Linda J. Matlick Controller Southern California Water Company Dated: May 8, 2000 33