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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION(Release No. 35-27694; 70-10122)FirstEnergy Corp., et al.Order Authorizing External and Intrasystem Financing and Related Transactions; Authorizing Service Agreements; and Reserving JurisdictionJune 30, 2003 FirstEnergy Corp. ("FirstEnergy"), a registered holding company, its utility subsidiaries: Ohio Edison Company ("Ohio Edison"), American Transmission Systems, Incorporated ("ATSI"), The Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company ("Cleveland Electric"), The Toledo Edison Company ("Toledo Edison"), Pennsylvania Power Company ("Penn Power"), Northeast Ohio Natural Gas Corp. ("NONGC"), Jersey Central Power & Light Company ("JCP&L"), Pennsylvania Electric Company ("Penelec"), Metropolitan Edison Company ("Met-Ed"), York Haven Power Company ("York Haven"), and Waverly Electric Power & Light Company ("Waverly Electric"), and their respective subsidiaries; and FirstEnergy's nonutility subsidiaries: FE Acquisition Corp., FirstEnergy Properties, Inc., FirstEnergy Facilities Services Group, LLC ("FEFSG"), FE Holdings, LLC, FELHC, Inc., FirstEnergy Securities Transfer Company, FirstEnergy Nuclear Operating Company, FirstEnergy Solutions Corp., FirstEnergy Generation Corp. ("GenCo"), FirstEnergy Ventures Corp., MARBEL Energy Corporation, Centerior Indemnity Trust, Centerior Service Company, FirstEnergy Service Company, GPU Capital, Inc., GPU Electric, Inc., GPU Diversified Holdings, LLC, GPU EnerTech Holdings, Inc., GPU Power, Inc., GPU Advanced Resources, Inc., GPU Telcom Services, Inc., GPU Nuclear, Inc., and MYR Group, Inc., and their respective subsidiaries; all based in Akron, Ohio; (collectively, "Applicants"), have filed with Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") an application-declaration, as amended ("Application"), under sections 6(a), 7, 9(a), 10, 12(b), (c), and 13(b) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended ("Act") and rules 42, 43, 45, 46, 53, 54, 87, and 90-92 under the Act. Applicants request authority to engage in various financing transactions, credit support arrangements, and other related proposals, as more fully discussed below, commencing on the effective date of an order issued in this proceeding and ending December 31, 2005 ("Authorization Period"). The Commission issued a notice of the Application on June 2, 2003 (Holding Co. Act Release No. 27683). The Commission did not receive any requests for a hearing. I. IntroductionFirstEnergy is authorized under its Amended Articles of Incorporation to issue 375,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $.10 per share ("Common Stock"), of which 297,636,276 shares were issued and outstanding as of May 9, 2003. FirstEnergy is also authorized under its Amended Articles of Incorporation to issue 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $100 per share ("Preferred Stock"), of which none are currently issued and outstanding. In addition, at March 31, 2003, FirstEnergy had outstanding $4,300,000,000 principal amount of senior unsecured notes having various maturity dates through 2032, and $445 million of unsecured borrowings under a $500 million revolving credit facility that expires in November 2004. FirstEnergy's senior unsecured debt is currently rated BBB- by Standard & Poor's Inc. ("S&P") and Baa2 by Moody's Investor Service ("Moody's"). For the twelve months ended December 31, 2002, FirstEnergy had total operating revenues of $12,151,997,000, of which $9,165,805,000 (75.4%) were derived from electric utility operations and $2,986,192,000 (24.6%) from unregulated businesses. At December 31, 2002, FirstEnergy had total consolidated assets of $33,580,773,000, including net utility plant of $11,820,797,000. FirstEnergy's electric and gas utility subsidiaries are referred to collectively as the "Utility Subsidiaries." Ohio Edison, Cleveland Electric, Toledo Edison, JCP&L, Penelec, Penn Power and Met-Ed are sometimes referred to in the Application as the "Primary Utility Subsidiaries." As used in this Application, the term "Nonutility Subsidiaries" includes the nonutility subsidiaries named above and their respective subsidiaries, as well as any other nonutility company later acquired or formed, directly or indirectly, by FirstEnergy under rule 58 or pursuant to an order of the Commission (including the order approving this Application). The Utility Subsidiaries and Nonutility Subsidiaries are referred to collectively as the "Subsidiaries." FirstEnergy and the Subsidiaries are referred to collectively as the "Applicants." II. Current and Requested Financing AuthorityBy order dated October 29, 2001, in File No. 70-9793 (Holding Co. Act Release No. 27459), as supplemented by supplemental orders dated November 8, 2001 (Holding Co. Act Release No. 27463) and December 23, 2002 (Holding Co. Act Release No. 27628) (as so supplemented, the "Merger Order"), the Commission authorized the merger between FirstEnergy and GPU, Inc. ("GPU") ("Merger"). The Merger became effective on November 7, 2001, with FirstEnergy as the surviving entity, and FirstEnergy registered under the Act as a holding company on the same day. The Merger Order also authorized FirstEnergy and its subsidiaries to engage in a program of external financing, intrasystem financing, and other related transactions for the period through and including June 30, 2003. In the Merger Order, the Commission authorized, through June 30, 2003, among other things:
In addition, by orders dated May 21, 2001 (Holding Co. Act Release No. 27401), May 2, 2001 (Holding Co. Act Release No. 27391), December 15, 2000 (Holding Co. Act Release No. 27302), June 22, 1999 (Holding Co. Act Release No. 26544), December 22, 1997 (Holding Co. Act Release No. 26801) and July 17, 1996 (Holding Co. Act Release No. 26544) (collectively, the "Prior GPU Order"), JCP&L, Met-Ed and Penelec are currently authorized to issue and sell from time to time through December 31, 2003, commercial paper and other forms of short-term indebtedness having maturities of not more than nine months, and to provide security for such indebtedness. Applicants state that the authority sought in the Application will supersede and replace the current authorization of the Applicants under the Merger Order and Prior GPU Order to engage in the financing activities and related transaction described above. III. Financing ConditionsApplicants' effective cost of money on new long-term debt securities having maturities of one year or more up to fifty years ("Long-term Debt") of any series will not exceed at the time of issuance the greater of: (1) 500 basis points over the yield to maturity of a U.S. Treasury Security having a remaining term approximately equal to the term of such series of Long-term Debt or; (2) a gross spread over a U.S. Treasury Security that is consistent with similar securities of comparable credit quality and maturities issued by other companies. Applicants' dividend or distribution rate on any series of Preferred Stock and other forms of preferred securities (including trust preferred securities) (collectively, "Preferred Securities") will not exceed at the time of issuance the greater of: (1) 500 basis points over the yield to maturity of a U.S. Treasury Security having a remaining term equal to the term of such series of Preferred Securities or; (2) a rate that is consistent with similar securities of comparable credit quality and maturities (or perpetual preferred stock) issued by other companies. The effective cost of money on commercial paper, promissory notes and other forms of short-term indebtedness having maturities of less than one year ("Short-term Debt") will not exceed the greater of: (1) 500 basis points over the comparable term London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"); or (2) a gross spread over LIBOR that is consistent with similar securities of comparable credit quality and maturities issued by other companies. All debt issued by FirstEnergy will be unsecured. The maturity of any series of Long-term Debt will not exceed 50 years. All series of Preferred Securities (other than Preferred Stock, which may be perpetual) will be redeemed no later than 50 years after their issuance. The underwriting fees, commissions or other similar remuneration paid in connection with the non-competitive issue, sale or distribution of a security under the Application (not including any original issue discount) will not exceed 5% of the principal or total amount of the security being issued. The proceeds from the sale of securities in external financing transactions will be used for general corporate purposes, including financing, in part, of the capital expenditures of FirstEnergy and its Subsidiaries, financing of working capital requirements of FirstEnergy and its Subsidiaries, the acquisition, retirement or redemption under rule 42 of securities previously issued by FirstEnergy or its Subsidiaries, and other lawful purposes, including direct or indirect investments in EWGs, FUCOs, ETCs, Rule 58 Subsidiaries, Energy Related Companies or other businesses approved by the Commission. In addition, financings by each Applicant will be subject to the following conditions: (1) FirstEnergy will maintain common equity as a percentage of consolidated capitalization (as reflected on the balance sheets contained in its most recent Form 10-K or Form 10-Q filed with the Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("1934 Act"), and including short-term debt and current maturities of long-term debt) at 30% or higher at all times during the Authorization Period; (2) each Utility Subsidiary will maintain common equity as a percentage of consolidated capitalization (determined in the same manner specified above) at 30% or higher during the Authorization Period. The consequence of failing to maintain common equity of at least 30% of consolidated capitalization when required is that FirstEnergy and its Subsidiaries (or if such failure were only by a Utility Subsidiary, such company) would not be authorized to issue securities in a transaction subject to Commission approval except for securities which would result in an increase in such common equity percentage. FirstEnergy requests that the Commission reserve jurisdiction over the issuance of securities in those circumstances where FirstEnergy or a Utility Subsidiary does not comply with the 30% common equity criteria, pending completion of the record upon filing of a post-effective amendment. Applicants further represent that, except for securities issued for the purpose of funding money pool operations and Common Stock, no guarantees or other securities may be issued in reliance upon the authorization granted by the Commission pursuant to this Application, unless (i) the security to be issued, if rated, is rated investment grade; (ii) all outstanding securities of the issuer that are rated are rated investment grade; and (iii) all outstanding securities of the top level registered holding company that are rated, are rated investment grade (collectively, the "Investment Grade Ratings Criteria"). For purposes of this provision, a security will be deemed to be rated "investment grade" if it is rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization ("NRSRO"), as that term is used in paragraphs (c)(2)(vi)(E), (F) and (H) of Rule 15c3-1 under the 1934 Act. Applicants request that the Commission reserve jurisdiction over the issuance of any securities in reliance upon the authorization granted by the Commission pursuant to this Application/Declaration where one or more of the Investment Grade Ratings Criteria are not met. IV. FirstEnergy External FinancingFirstEnergy requests authority to increase its capitalization by issuing and selling from time to time during the Authorization Period, directly or indirectly through one or more Financing Subsidiaries: (1) additional Common Stock and/or options, warrants, equity-linked securities or stock purchase contracts convertible into or exercisable for Common Stock, (2) Preferred Stock (3) Long-term Debt, and (4) Short-term Debt in an aggregate amount not to exceed $4.5 billion (other than for purposes for purposes of refunding or replacing other outstanding securities where FirstEnergy's capitalization is not increased as a result) ("External Financing Limit"), provided that the aggregate amount of Short-term Debt at any time outstanding shall not exceed $1.5 billion. All securities issued by FirstEnergy in accordance with the authorization requested in this Application, including, without limitation, securities issued for the purpose of refunding or retiring outstanding securities, will comply with the applicable financing parameters set forth above. In addition, FirstEnergy seeks the flexibility to enter into certain hedging transactions to manage interest rate risk associated with indebtedness. A. Common StockFirstEnergy proposes to issue and sell Common Stock or options, warrants, equity-linked securities or other stock purchase rights exercisable for Common Stock. Common Stock financings may be effected in accord with underwriting agreements of a type generally standard in the industry. Public distributions may be made through private negotiation with underwriters, dealers or agents or effected through competitive bidding among underwriters. In addition, sales may be made through private placements or other non-public offerings to one or more persons. All such Common Stock sales will be at rates or prices and under conditions negotiated or based upon, or otherwise determined by, competitive capital markets. FirstEnergy may sell Common Stock covered by this Application in any one of the following ways: (1) through underwriters or dealers; (2) through agents; (3) directly to a limited number of purchasers or a single purchaser; or (4) directly to employees (or to trusts established for their benefit), shareholders and others through Stock Plans. Under rule 58 and sections 32, 33 and 34 of the Act, FirstEnergy is or will be authorized to acquire securities of companies engaged in functionally related businesses, Rule 58 Subsidiaries, EWGs, FUCOs, ETCs and, to the extent approved in this proceeding, Energy Related Companies. In connection with any of these transactions, FirstEnergy may conclude that it would be advantageous for tax or other reasons to issue shares of Common Stock or options, warrants or other stock purchase rights exercisable for Common Stock as consideration for the equity securities or assets of other companies to be acquired, provided that the acquisition of any such equity securities or assets has been authorized in this proceeding or in a separate proceeding or is exempt under the Act or the rules under the Act. Under the Merger Order, the Commission authorized FirstEnergy to implement the terms of a Rights Agreement, dated as of November 18, 1997, between FirstEnergy and The Bank of New York, as rights agent ("Rights Agreement"). Under the Rights Agreement, FirstEnergy assigned one Right for each outstanding share of Common Stock. The Rights expire on November 28, 2007. Each Right entitles the registered holder of the associated share of Common Stock to purchase from FirstEnergy one share of Common Stock at a price of $70 per share (the "Purchase Price") when the Rights become exercisable, subject to adjustment following certain specified takeover events such that a holder of a Right (other than any "Acquiring Persons," as defined in the Rights Agreement) would have the right to receive, upon exercise thereof, shares of Common Stock having a current value equal to double the Purchase Price. FirstEnergy requests a continuation through the Authorization Period of its authority under the Merger Order to implement the Rights Agreement. Any shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of the Rights will not be counted against the External Financing Limit. B. Preferred SecuritiesApplicants request authorization during the Authorization Period to issue Preferred Stock or other types of Preferred Securities (including, without limitation, trust preferred securities or monthly income preferred securities) directly or indirectly through one or more special-purpose Financing Subsidiaries organized by FirstEnergy. Preferred Stock or other types of Preferred Securities may be issued in one or more series with such rights, preferences and priorities as may be designated in the instrument creating each such series, as determined by FirstEnergy's Board of Directors. Dividends or distributions on Preferred Securities will be made periodically and to the extent funds are legally available for such purpose, but may be made subject to terms which allow the issuer to defer dividend payments for specified periods. Preferred Securities may be convertible or exchangeable into shares of FirstEnergy Common Stock or indebtedness. Preferred Securities may be sold directly through underwriters or dealers in connection with an acquisition. C. Long-Term DebtApplicants request authority to issue Long-term Debt directly by FirstEnergy or indirectly through one or more Financing Subsidiaries organized by FirstEnergy in the form of bonds, notes, medium-term notes or debentures under one or more indentures (each, the "FirstEnergy Indenture") or long-term indebtedness under agreements with banks or other institutional lenders. Each series of Long-term Debt would have such designation, aggregate principal amount, maturity, interest rate(s) or methods of determining the same, terms of payment of interest, redemption provisions, sinking fund terms and other terms and conditions as FirstEnergy may determine at the time of issuance. Any Long-term Debt (a) may be convertible into any other securities of FirstEnergy, (b) will have maturities ranging from one to 50 years, (c) may be subject to optional and/or mandatory redemption, in whole or in part, at par or at various premiums above the principal amount thereof, (d) may be entitled to mandatory or optional sinking fund provisions, (e) may provide for reset of the coupon under a remarketing arrangement, (f) may be subject to tender or the obligation of the issuer to repurchase at the election of the holder or upon the occurrence of a specified event, (g) may be called from existing investors by a third party and (h) may be entitled to the benefit of affirmative or negative financial or other covenants. D. Short-Term DebtFirstEnergy seeks authority to issue additional Short-term Debt in the form of commercial paper, promissory notes and/or other forms of short-term indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $1.5 billion. FirstEnergy proposes to establish from time to time new committed bank lines of credit, provided that only the principal amount of any borrowings outstanding under these new committed bank lines of credit will be counted against the proposed Short-term Debt limit. Credit lines may be set up for use by FirstEnergy for general corporate purposes in addition to credit lines to support commercial paper as described in this subsection. FirstEnergy will borrow and repay under these lines of credit, from time to time, as it is deemed appropriate or necessary. All borrowings under these credit lines will mature in less than one year. FirstEnergy may also engage in other types of short-term financing, including borrowings under uncommitted lines, generally available to borrowers with comparable credit ratings as it may deem appropriate in light of its needs and market conditions at the time of issuance. FirstEnergy may also sell commercial paper in established domestic or European commercial paper markets, from time to time, and this commercial paper would be sold to dealers at the discount rate or the coupon rate per annum prevailing at the date of issuance for commercial paper of comparable quality and maturities sold to commercial paper dealers generally. It is expected that the dealers acquiring commercial paper from FirstEnergy will reoffer such paper at a discount to corporate, institutional and, with respect to European commercial paper, individual investors. Institutional investors are expected to include commercial banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment trusts, foundations, colleges and universities and finance companies. E. Hedging Transactions1. Interest Rate Hedges FirstEnergy requests a continuation of its authority to enter into and perform Hedge Instruments in order to reduce or manage the volatility of interest rates on its or its Subsidiaries' outstanding indebtedness, including but not limited to interest rate swaps, caps, floors, collars and forward agreements or any other similar agreements. Hedge Instruments may also include issuance of structured notes (i.e., a debt instrument in which the principal and/or interest payments are indirectly linked to the value of an underlying asset or index), or transactions involving the purchase or sale, including short sales, of U.S. Treasury or Agency (e.g., FNMA) obligations or LIBOR-based swap instruments. The transactions would be for fixed periods and stated notional amounts. FirstEnergy would employ Hedge Instruments as a means of prudently managing the risk associated with any of its or its Subsidiaries' outstanding debt issued under this authorization or an applicable exemption by, in effect, synthetically (i) converting variable rate debt to fixed rate debt, (ii) converting fixed rate debt to variable rate debt and (iii) limiting the impact of changes in interest rates resulting from variable rate debt. In no case will the notional principal amount of any interest rate swap exceed the greater of the value of the underlying debt instrument or the present market value of the underlying debt instrument and related interest rate exposure. Each Hedge Instrument will be entered into for a fixed or determinable period. Thus, FirstEnergy will not engage in speculative transactions. FirstEnergy will only enter into agreements with counterparties ("Approved Counterparties") whose senior debt ratings, as published by a national recognized rating agency, are greater than or equal to "BBB," or an equivalent rating. 2. Anticipatory Hedges In addition, FirstEnergy requests authorization to enter into and perform Anticipatory Hedges with respect to its or its Subsidiaries' anticipated debt offerings, subject to certain limitations and restrictions. These Anticipatory Hedges would only be entered into with Approved Counterparties, and would be utilized to fix and/or limit the interest rate risk associated with any new issuance through (1) a forward sale of exchange-traded Hedge Instruments (a "Forward Sale"), (2) the purchase of put options on Hedge Instruments (a "Put Options Purchase"), (3) a Put Options Purchase in combination with the sale of call options Hedge Instruments (a "Zero Cost Collar"), (4) transactions involving the purchase or sale, including short sales, of Hedge Instruments, or (5) some combination of a Forward Sale, Put Options Purchase, Zero Cost Collar and/or other derivative or cash transactions, including, but not limited to, structured notes, caps and collars, appropriate for the Anticipatory Hedges. Anticipatory Hedges may be executed on-exchange ("On-Exchange Trades") with brokers through the opening of futures and/or options positions traded on the Chicago Board of Trade, the opening of over-the-counter positions with one or more counterparties ("Off-Exchange Trades"), or a combination of On-Exchange Trades and Off-Exchange Trades. FirstEnergy or the appropriate Subsidiary will determine the optimal structure of each Anticipatory Hedge transaction at the time of execution. FirstEnergy or the appropriate Subsidiary may decide to lock in interest rates and/or limit its exposure to interest rate increases. FirstEnergy will comply with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") 133 ("Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities") and SFAS 138 ("Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities") or such other standards relating to accounting for derivative transactions as are adopted and implemented by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"). The Hedge Instruments and Anticipatory Hedges approved in this order will qualify for hedge accounting treatment under the current FASB standards in effect and as determined at the date such Hedge Instruments or Anticipatory Hedges are entered into. FirstEnergy also requests authority to enter into Hedge Instruments and Anticipatory Hedges which do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment by the FASB, and requests that the Commission reserve jurisdiction on this request until the record is complete. V. Utility Subsidiary FinancingJCP&L, Penn Power, Penelec, Met-Ed, ATSI and NONGC will rely on rule 52 for all securities issuances except for the issuance of short-term debt securities, which is exempt from approval in the applicable states and therefore is subject to Commission approval under the Act. As previously indicated, JCP&L, Penelec and Met-Ed are currently authorized under the Prior GPU Order to issue and sell short-term indebtedness from time to time through December 31, 2003.1 In this proceeding, JCP&L, Penelec and Met-Ed are requesting authority to increase and extend their current authorization to issue short-term debt securities through the Authorization Period. Specifically, JCP&L, Penn Power, Met-Ed, Penelec, ATSI and NONGC propose to issue and sell Short-term Debt in the form of commercial paper, promissory notes and/or other forms of short-term indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed (1) in the case of JCP&L and Penn Power, the limitation on short-term indebtedness contained in their respective charters ($428 million and $50 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2002), (2) $250 million in the case of each of Penelec and Met-Ed, (3) $500 million in the case of ATSI, and (4) in the case of NONGC, the lesser of (A) five percent of the par value of the other stocks, bonds, notes or other evidence of indebtedness of NONGC and (B) $2 million. Commercial paper may be sold to dealers in established domestic or European commercial paper markets from time to time in the manner described above. In addition, JCP&L, Penn Power, Penelec, Met-Ed, ATSI and NONGC may establish and renew from time to time committed bank lines of credit, and engage in other types of short-term financing, including borrowings under uncommitted lines, generally available to borrowers with comparable credit ratings as they deem appropriate in light of their needs and market conditions at the time of borrowing. All Short-term Debt issued by JCP&L, Penn Power, Penelec, Met-Ed, ATSI and NONGC will comply with the parameters for Short-term Debt set forth above. To the extent not exempt under rule 52, the Utility Subsidiaries request authority to enter into and perform Hedge Instruments and Anticipatory Hedges subject to the limitations and requirements applicable to FirstEnergy described above. VI. Guarantees and Intrasystem Money PoolsA. GuaranteesFirstEnergy requests a continuation of its current authorization to provide FirstEnergy Guarantees with respect to the obligations of its Subsidiaries as may be appropriate or necessary to enable the Subsidiaries to carry on in the ordinary course of their respective businesses, including guarantees of non-affiliated third-party obligations in the ordinary course of FirstEnergy's business, in an aggregate amount that together with Nonutility Subsidiary Guarantees, shall not exceed $4.0 billion ("Guarantee Limit") outstanding at any one time, including obligations exempt under rule 45 and guarantees and other forms of credit support provided by FirstEnergy or any Nonutility Subsidiary that are outstanding on the effective date of the order issued in this proceeding. FirstEnergy requests that the Commission reserve jurisdiction over the issuance of guarantees for the benefit of non-affiliated third parties. In addition to guarantees that may be provided by FirstEnergy, the Nonutility Subsidiaries request authority during the Authorization Period to provide to other Nonutility Subsidiaries guarantees and other forms of credit support ("Nonutility Subsidiary Guarantees"). The Nonutility Subsidiary Guarantees, together with FirstEnergy Guarantees, will not exceed the Guarantee Limit outstanding at any one time. The Nonutility Subsidiary providing any such credit support may charge its associate company a fee for each guarantee provided on its behalf determined in the same manner as specified above. Any guarantees or other credit support arrangements outstanding at the end of the Authorization Period will remain in place and expire or terminate in accordance with their terms. As of March 31, 2003, the maximum potential future payments under outstanding guarantees and other assurances totaled $960.2 million. B. Money PoolsFirstEnergy and the Utility Subsidiaries request authorization to continue to maintain and fund the Utility Money Pool, and the Utility Subsidiaries, to the extent not exempt by rule 52, also request authorization to make unsecured short-term borrowings from the Utility Money Pool and to contribute surplus funds to the Utility Money Pool and to lend and extend credit to (and acquire promissory notes from) one another through the Utility Money Pool. No loans through the Utility Money Pool may be made to, and no borrowings through the Utility Money Pool may be made by, FirstEnergy. In addition, FirstEnergy and the remaining Subsidiaries, all of which are Nonutility Subsidiaries, request authorization to continue to maintain and fund the Nonutility Money Pool. Borrowings and extensions of credit under the Nonutility Money Pool by the Nonutility Subsidiaries are exempt from the prior approval requirements of the Act under rules 45(b) and 52. To the extent not exempt under rules 45(b) and 52, FirstEnergy is requesting authorization to contribute surplus funds and to lend and extend credit to (i) the Utility Subsidiaries through the Utility Money Pool and (ii) the Nonutility Subsidiaries through the Nonutility Money Pool. Under the Utility Money Pool agreement, short-term funds are available from the following sources for short-term loans to the Utility Subsidiaries from time to time: (1) surplus funds in the treasuries of Utility Money Pool participants other than FirstEnergy; (2) surplus funds in the treasury of FirstEnergy (funds in clauses (1) and (2) being referred to as "Internal Funds"); and (3) proceeds from bank borrowings by Utility Money Pool participants or the sale of commercial paper by FirstEnergy or the Utility Subsidiaries for loan to the Utility Money Pool (such funds being referred to as "External Funds"). Utility Money Pool participants that borrow would borrow pro rata from each company that lends, in the proportion that the total amount loaned by each such lending company bears to the total amount then loaned through the Utility Money Pool. On any day when more than one fund source (e.g., if there are External Funds as well as Internal Funds), with different rates of interest, is used to fund loans through the Utility Money Pool, each borrower would borrow pro rata from each such fund source in the Utility Money Pool in the same proportion that the amount of funds provided by that fund source bears to the total amount of short-term funds available to the Utility Money Pool. Borrowings under the Utility Money by the Primary Utility Subsidiaries have been authorized by each of the applicable state commissions and are therefore exempt under rule 52. ATSI, NONGC, Waverly Electric and York Haven each requests authorization to borrow up to $50 million at any time outstanding under the Utility Money Pool. If only Internal Funds make up the funds available in the Utility Money Pool, the interest rate applicable and payable to or by Utility Subsidiaries for all loans of such Internal Funds will be the greater of the 30-day LIBOR rate as quoted in The Wall Street Journal or the money market rate that a lending participant could have obtained if it placed its excess cash in such an investment. If only External Funds comprise the funds available in the Utility Money Pool, the interest rate applicable to loans of such External Funds would be equal to the lending company's cost for such External Funds (or, if more than one Utility Money Pool participant had made available External Funds on such day, the applicable interest rate would be a composite rate equal to the weighted average of the cost incurred by the respective Utility Money Pool participants for such External Funds). In cases where both Internal Funds and External Funds are concurrently borrowed through the Utility Money Pool, the rate applicable to all loans comprised of such "blended" funds would be a composite rate equal to the weighted average of (a) the cost of all Internal Funds contributed by Utility Money Pool participants (as determined pursuant to the second-preceding paragraph above) and (b) the cost of all such External Funds (as determined pursuant to the immediately preceding paragraph above). In circumstances where Internal Funds and External Funds are available for loans through the Utility Money Pool, loans may be made exclusively from Internal Funds or External Funds, rather than from a "blend" of such funds, to the extent it is expected that such loans would result in a lower cost of borrowings. Funds not required by the Utility Money Pool to make loans (with the exception of funds required to satisfy the Utility Money Pool's liquidity requirements) would ordinarily be invested in one or more short-term investments, including: (i) interest-bearing accounts with banks; (ii) obligations issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government and/or its agencies and instrumentalities, including obligations under repurchase agreements; (iii) obligations issued or guaranteed by any state or political subdivision thereof, provided that such obligations are rated not less than "A" by a nationally recognized rating agency; (iv) commercial paper rated not less than "A-1" or "P-1" or their equivalent by a nationally recognized rating agency; (v) money market funds; (vi) bank certificates of deposit; (vii) Eurodollar funds; and (viii) such other investments as are permitted by section 9(c) of the Act and rule 40 under the Act. The Nonutility Money Pool is operated on the same terms and conditions as the Utility Money Pool, except that FirstEnergy funds made available to the two money pools are made available to the Utility Money Pool first and thereafter to the Nonutility Money Pool. Under the Nonutility Money Pool agreement, no loans may be made to, and no borrowings may be made by, FirstEnergy. All contributions to, and borrowings from, the Nonutility Money Pool are exempt pursuant to the terms of rule 52 under the Act. VII. Other BorrowingsThe Nonutility Subsidiaries are engaged in and expect to continue to be active in the development and expansion of their existing energy-related or otherwise functionally-related, nonutility businesses. It will be necessary for the Nonutility Subsidiaries to have the ability to engage in financing transactions which are commonly accepted for such types of investments. In the limited circumstances where the Nonutility Subsidiary making the borrowing is not wholly owned by FirstEnergy, directly or indirectly, authority is requested under the Act for FirstEnergy or a Nonutility Subsidiary, as the case may be, to make such loans to such Subsidiaries at interest rates and maturities designed to provide a return to the lending company of not less than its effective cost of capital. If these loans are made to a less than wholly-owned Nonutility Subsidiary, such company will not sell any services to any associate Nonutility Subsidiary unless such purchasing company falls within one of the categories of companies to which goods and services may be sold on a basis other than "at cost" as described in the Application. VIII. Other TransactionsA. Financing SubsidiariesFirstEnergy and the Subsidiaries request authority to acquire, directly or indirectly, the equity securities of one or more Financing Subsidiaries. Financing Subsidiaries may be corporations, trusts, partnerships or other entities created specifically for the purpose of facilitating the financing of the authorized and exempt activities (including exempt and authorized acquisitions) of FirstEnergy and the Subsidiaries through the issuance of Long-term Debt or Preferred Securities, to third parties and the transfer of the proceeds of such financings to FirstEnergy or these Subsidiaries. FirstEnergy and, to the extent not exempt under rule 52, Subsidiaries also request authorization to issue their subordinated unsecured notes ("Subordinated Notes") to any Financing Subsidiary to evidence the loan of financing proceeds by a Financing Subsidiary to its parent company. The principal amount, maturity and interest rate on any such Subordinated Notes will be designed to parallel the amount, maturity and interest or distribution rate on the securities issued by a Financing Subsidiary in respect of which the Subordinated Note is issued. FirstEnergy or a Subsidiary may, if required, guarantee or enter into support or expense agreements in respect of the obligations of any such Financing Subsidiaries. Subsidiaries may also provide guarantees and enter into support or expense agreements, if required, on behalf of Financing Subsidiaries. The guarantees of securities issued by Financing Subsidiaries shall not be counted against the Guarantee Limit. The amount of securities issued by any Financing Subsidiary to third parties in accordance with the authorization requested in this Application will be included in the overall external financing limitation, if any, authorized for the immediate parent company of such Financing Subsidiary. However, the amount of Subordinated Notes issued by a parent company to its Financing Subsidiary will not be counted against such external financing limitation. Securities issued by any Financing Subsidiary to third parties shall be exempt under rule 52 (and therefore reportable on Form U-6B-2) only if such securities, if issued directly by the parent company of the Financing Subsidiary, would be exempt under rule 52. B. Nonutility Subsidiary ReorganizationsFirstEnergy requests authority, to the extent needed, to sell or otherwise transfer (i) nonutility businesses, (ii) the securities of current Subsidiaries engaged in some or all of these nonutility businesses or (iii) investments which do not involve a Subsidiary (i.e., less than 10% voting interest) to a Nonutility Holding Company or a Subsidiary of Nonutility Holding Company, and, to the extent approval is required, such Nonutility Holding Company or any such Subsidiary of a Nonutility Holding Company requests authority to acquire the assets of such businesses, securities or other investment interests. Alternatively, transfers of such securities or assets may be effected by share exchanges, share distributions or dividends followed by contribution of such securities or assets to the receiving entity.2 Following its direct or indirect acquisition of the securities of new Nonutility Subsidiaries, FirstEnergy may determine to transfer such securities or the assets of such Nonutility Subsidiaries and/or Nonutility Subsidiaries existing as of the date of the Merger, to other direct or indirect Nonutility Subsidiaries or to liquidate or merge Nonutility Subsidiaries. FirstEnergy requests authority to engage in these transactions, to the extent that they are not exempt under the Act, through the Authorization Period. C. Changes in Capital Stock of Majority Owned SubsidiariesApplicants state that proposed sales of capital securities (i.e., common stock or Preferred Stock) may in some cases exceed the then authorized capital stock of a Subsidiary. In addition, the Subsidiary may choose to use capital stock with no par value. Therefore, Applicants request authority to change the terms of any 50% or more owned Subsidiary's authorized capital stock capitalization or other equity interests by an amount deemed appropriate by FirstEnergy or other intermediate parent company; provided that the consents of all other shareholders have been obtained for the proposed change. This request for authorization is limited to FirstEnergy's 50% or more owned Subsidiaries and will not affect the aggregate limits or other conditions contained in this Application. A Subsidiary would be able to change the par value, or change between par value and no-par stock, or change the form of such equity from common stock to limited partnership or limited liability company interests or similar instruments, or from such instruments to common stock, without additional Commission approval. Any such action by a Utility Subsidiary would be subject to and would only be taken upon the receipt of any necessary approvals by the state commission in the state or states where the Utility Subsidiary is incorporated and doing business. FirstEnergy will be subject to all applicable laws regarding the fiduciary duty of fairness of a majority shareholder to minority shareholders in any such 50% or more owned Subsidiary and will undertake to ensure that any change implemented under this paragraph is consistent with such legal requirements. D. Payment of DividendsFirstEnergy also proposes, on behalf of every direct or indirect Nonutility Subsidiary, that such companies be permitted to pay dividends with respect to the securities of such companies and/or acquire, retire or redeem any securities of such companies that are held by and associate company or affiliate, from time to time, through the Authorization Period, out of capital or unearned surplus, to the extent permitted under applicable corporate law. Without further approval of the Commission, no Nonutility Subsidiary will declare or pay any dividend and/or acquire, retire or redeem any security of such company held by any associate company or affiliate out of capital or unearned surplus if that Nonutility Subsidiary derives any material part of its revenues from sales of goods, services, electricity or natural gas to any of the Utility Subsidiaries. E. EWGs and FUCOsUnder the Merger Order, FirstEnergy was authorized to utilize the proceeds of authorized financing to increase its "aggregate investment," as defined in rule 53(a), in EWGs and FUCOs, as defined in sections 32 and 33 of the Act, to $5 billion ("EWG/FUCO Limit"), which includes FirstEnergy's and GPU's investments in EWGs and FUCOs at the time of the merger ("Current Investments") and amounts relating to certain facilities owned by Ohio Edison, Cleveland Electric, Toledo Edison, and Penn Power that may be transferred to EWGs ("GenCo Investments"). FirstEnergy committed that, during the authorization period under the Merger Order, new investments in EWGs and FUCOs would not exceed $1.5 billion and requested the Commission to reserve jurisdiction over an "aggregate investment," in EWGs and FUCOs, other than Current Investments and GenCo Investments, in an amount over $1.5 billion ("Other Investments") (collectively, the "Modified Rule 53 Test"). FirstEnergy is requesting a continuation, without change, of these limitations through the Authorization Period as applied to utilization of proceeds of financing authorized in this proceeding. FirstEnergy requests that the Commission continue to reserve jurisdiction over Other Investments that exceed such $1.5 billion amount. FirstEnergy states that it is in compliance with all requirements of rule 53(a) except clause (1). At March 31, 2003, the combined "aggregate investment," as defined in rule 53(a), of FirstEnergy in EWGs and FUCOs, as defined in sections 32 and 33 of the Act, was approximately $1.31 billion. Although FirstEnergy's aggregate investment exceeds the 50% "safe harbor" limitation contained in rule 53, FirstEnergy's aggregate investment is below the EWG/FUCO Limit authorized by the Merger Order. In addition, FirstEnergy states that it complies with the record-keeping requirements of rule 53(a)(2) and the employee limitation under rule 53(a)(3); FirstEnergy further states that it will comply with the limitation under rule 53(a)(4) concerning the submission of copies of certain filings under the Act to retail regulatory commissions. Finally, none of the circumstances described in rule 53(b) has occurred or is continuing. FirstEnergy represents that there has been no material adverse impact on its consolidated capitalization resulting from FirstEnergy's investments in EWGs and FUCOs since the date of the Merger Order and that the proposed transactions will not have any material impact on FirstEnergy's capitalization. Further, Applicants state that since the date of the Merger FirstEnergy's investments in EWGs and FUCOs have contributed positively to its level of earnings, other than for the negative impact on earnings due to FirstEnergy's writedowns of its investments in Avon Energy Partners Holdings ("Avon") and Empresa Distribuidora Electrica Regional S.A. and affiliates ("Emdersa").3 Applicants also state that since the date of the Merger Order, and, after taking into account the effects of the Merger, there has been no material change in FirstEnergy's level of earnings from EWGs and FUCOs. F. Stock and Incentive PlansFirstEnergy proposes, from time to time during the Authorization Period, to issue and/or acquire in open market transactions or by some other method which complies with applicable law and Commission interpretations then in effect for the purpose of reissuance up to 30 million additional shares of Common Stock under the FirstEnergy Stock Investment Plan and other existing dividend reinvestment and stock-based management incentive and employee benefit plans ("Stock Plans") described in the Application. Any newly issued shares of Common Stock will be counted against the External Financing Limit; shares of Common Stock purchased in the open market or otherwise acquired for the purpose of reissuance under Stock Plans will not be counted against the External Financing Limit. G. Tax Allocation AgreementIn the Merger Order, the Commission reserved jurisdiction over, among other things, a proposed tax allocation agreement ("Tax Allocation Agreement") that will allocate consolidated tax liability among FirstEnergy and its Subsidiaries. FirstEnergy financed the cash portion of the consideration paid in connection with the merger with GPU, approximately $2.2 billion, with borrowings under a credit agreement with a group of banks (the "Bank Bridge Loan"). Amounts outstanding under the Bank Bridge Loan were to be repaid by October 1, 2002, and carried an initial interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.25% per annum. Additional funds from the Bank Bridge Loan were used to repay approximately $1.5 billion of the short-term indebtedness of GPU and its subsidiaries outstanding immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger and to repay approximately $300 million of FirstEnergy's short-term indebtedness. Subsequently, on November 15, 2001, FirstEnergy issued $4 billion aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes ("Notes") having maturities of 2006 through 2031, the proceeds of which were used to repay in full the amounts outstanding under the Bank Bridge Loan. As used in the Application, the term "Acquisition Debt" includes that portion of the proceeds of the Notes used to repay the portions of the Bank Bridge Loan related to the $2.2 billion merger-related cash consideration and the $1.5 billion GPU-related short-term indebtedness. The term also includes indebtedness that may be incurred by FirstEnergy during the Authorization Period for the purposes of refinancing any of the foregoing indebtedness. Applicants request that the Commission authorize FirstEnergy and its Subsidiaries to enter into and allocate consolidated income taxes in accordance with the Tax Allocation Agreement. Under the proposed Tax Allocation Agreement, the consolidated tax would be allocated among the members of the group in proportion to the separate return tax liability of each member, provided that the tax apportioned to any subsidiary company of FirstEnergy will not exceed the "separate return tax" liability of such subsidiary. The Tax Allocation Agreement further provides that FirstEnergy will retain the benefit (in the form of the reduction in consolidated tax) that is attributable to the interest expense on the Acquisition Debt, rather than reallocate that tax savings to its subsidiary companies. In this respect, the proposed Tax Allocation Agreement does not comply with all of the requirements of rule 45(c). The proposed Tax Allocation Agreement will therefore have the effect of assigning the tax benefit associated with the interest expense on the Acquisition Debt to the entity that is legally obligated for its payment - FirstEnergy, as issuer of the Acquisition Debt. At the same time, in accordance with rule 45(c)(2), the portion of the consolidated tax allocated to any of FirstEnergy's subsidiaries will not exceed the "separate return tax" liability of such subsidiary (the "separate return limitation"). Thus, the proposed Tax Allocation Agreement will not have the effect of shifting a larger portion of the group's tax liability to any member of the group than such company would otherwise pay on a separate return basis. H. Investments in Nonutility SubsidiariesFirstEnergy seeks approvals to engage in certain activities described below relating to EWGs, FUCOs, ETCs (collectively, "Exempt Subsidiaries"), Rule 58 Subsidiaries and Energy Related Companies and make additional investments in other Nonutility Subsidiaries approved by the Commission (collectively, "Non-Exempt Subsidiaries"). Applicants state that to the extent any of these activities described in this Application constitute the providing of goods, services or construction from one associate company to another in the FirstEnergy system which would be subject to section 13 of the Act, these goods, services or construction will be provided at cost as defined in rules 90 and 91 unless an exemption from the at cost requirement is available under rule 90(d) or otherwise approved in the Commission's order in this proceeding. In the future, FirstEnergy proposes to make additional investments in Energy Related Companies (which, but for non-U.S. activities, would be Rule 58 Subsidiaries) in the form of purchases of common stock and other securities, capital contributions, loans or open account advances, guarantees, or any combination of the foregoing. It is also contemplated that Energy Related Companies may issue securities from time to time under the exemption provided in rule 52 to investors other than FirstEnergy for the purpose of financing their operations. Direct or indirect investments by FirstEnergy in Energy Related Companies would be subject to the limitations applicable to investments in Rule 58 Subsidiaries. In connection with existing and future nonutility businesses, FirstEnergy will engage directly or through Subsidiaries in preliminary development activities ("Development Activities") and administrative and management activities ("Administrative Activities") associated with such investments. Development Activities will be limited to: due diligence and design review; market studies; preliminary engineering; site inspection; preparation of bid proposals, including, in connection therewith, posting of bid bonds; application for required permits and/or regulatory approvals; acquisition of site options and options on other necessary rights; negotiation and execution of contractual commitments with owners of existing facilities, equipment vendors, construction firms, power purchasers, thermal "hosts," fuel suppliers and other project contractors; negotiation of financing commitments with lenders and other third-party investors; and such other preliminary activities as may be required in connection with the purchase, acquisition or construction of facilities or the securities of other companies. FirstEnergy proposes to expend directly or through Nonutility Subsidiaries up to $300 million in the aggregate outstanding at any time during the Authorization Period on all such Development Activities. Amounts expended in the development of projects leading to an investment in an Exempt Subsidiary will not count against the limitation on expenditures for Development Activities. Administrative Activities will include ongoing personnel, accounting, engineering, legal, financial and other support activities necessary to manage Development Activities and investments in Subsidiaries. FirstEnergy proposes to acquire directly or indirectly the securities of one or more corporations, trusts, partnerships, limited liability companies or other entities (collectively, "Intermediate Subsidiaries"), which would be organized exclusively for the purpose of acquiring, holding and/or financing the acquisition of the securities of or other interest in one or more Exempt Subsidiaries, Rule 58 Subsidiaries, Energy Related Companies or other Non-Exempt Subsidiaries, provided that Intermediate Subsidiaries may also engage in Development Activities and Administrative Activities. To the extent such transactions are not exempt from the Act or otherwise authorized or permitted by rule, regulation or order of the Commission, FirstEnergy requests authority for Intermediate Subsidiaries to engage in the activities described above. To the extent that FirstEnergy provides funds directly or indirectly to an Intermediate Subsidiary which are used for the purpose of making an investment in any EWG or FUCO, a Rule 58 Subsidiary or an Energy Related Company, the amount of such funds will be included in FirstEnergy's "aggregate investment" in these entities, as calculated in accordance with rule 53 or rule 58, as applicable. I. Sale of Certain Goods and Services Outside the United StatesFirstEnergy requests that the Commission authorize the Energy Related Companies to engage in sales of certain goods and services outside the United States. Specifically, Applicants request that the Commission: (i) approve the sale of energy management services and consulting services anywhere outside the United States, (ii) approve the sale of energy marketing in Canada and Mexico and retain jurisdiction with respect to energy marketing elsewhere outside the United States, and (iii) retain jurisdiction over the sale of infrastructure services anywhere outside the United States. The descriptions of these activities and the terms of the requests for reservation of jurisdiction are the same as in the Merger Order. In addition, FirstEnergy requests authority to provide through Subsidiaries other energy-related goods and services. These include incidental goods and services closely related to the consumption of energy and the maintenance of energy consuming property by customers. The need for these goods and services would arise as a result of, or evolve out of, the goods and services described above and do not differ materially from those goods and services. The proposed incidental goods and services would not involve the manufacture of energy consuming equipment but could be related to, among other things, the maintenance, financing, sale or installation of such equipment. IX. Service Company ApprovalsA. Transactions Involving Certain Categories of Nonutility CompaniesThe Applicants request authorization for FE ServCo and the Nonutility Subsidiaries to enter into agreements to provide construction, goods or services to certain associate companies at fair market prices determined without regard to cost and therefore requests an exemption (to the extent that rule 90(d) of the Act does not apply) under section 13(b) from the cost standards of rules 90 and 91. FirstEnergy requests relief, if the client company is: (1) a FUCO or an EWG that derives no part of its income, directly or indirectly, from the generation, transmission, or distribution of electric energy for sale within the United States; (2) an EWG that sells electricity at market-based rates which have been approved by FERC or an appropriate state public utility commission, provided that the purchaser of the EWG's electricity is not an affiliated public utility or an affiliate that re-sells such power to an affiliated public utility; (3) a Qualifying Facility ("QF") that sells electricity exclusively at rates negotiated at arm's length to one or more industrial or commercial customers purchasing such electricity for their own use and not for resale, or to an electric utility company other than an affiliated electric utility at the purchaser's "avoided cost" determined under PURPA; (4) an EWG or a QF that sells electricity at rates based upon its costs of service, as approved by FERC or any state public utility commission having jurisdiction, provided that the purchaser of the electricity is not an affiliated public utility; or (5) a Rule 58 Subsidiary or any other Nonutility Subsidiary that (a) is partially owned, provided that the ultimate purchaser of goods or services is not a Utility Subsidiary, (b) is engaged solely in the business of developing, owning, operating and/or providing services or goods to Nonutility Companies described in (1) through (4) above or (c) does not derive, directly or indirectly, any part of its income from sources within the United States and is not a public-utility company operating within the United States. B. Continuation of Interim ExemptionUnder the Merger Order, FEFSG is authorized to provide maintenance and repair services to FirstEnergy's pre-merger Utility Subsidiaries (namely, Ohio Edison, Toledo Edison, Cleveland Electric, Penn Power, NONGC and ATSI) under certain At-Market Service Arrangements. The Merger Order granted an interim exemption under section 13(b) of the Act permitting FEFSG to provide such services at market rates determined without regard to cost. This interim exemption will expire on June 30, 2003. Applicants note that several of the longer-term At-Market Service Arrangements are still in place. FEFSG therefore requests that the Commission extend such interim exemption from June 30, 2003 to December 31, 2003. FEFSG will not undertake to provide any new maintenance and repair services and will either terminate the At-Market Service Arrangements effective December 31, 2003, or amend such agreements to provide that the prices charged for maintenance and repair services after December 31, 2003, are in accordance with the requirements of rules 90 and 91. X. ReportingA. FirstEnergyFirstEnergy will continue to file rule 24 certificates, within 60 days after the end of the first three calendar quarters and 90 days after the end of the last calendar quarter, commencing with the first calendar quarter ended at least 45 days following the date of this order. The rule 24 certificates will contain the following information:
Future Registration Statements filed under the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to securities that are subject of the Application/Declaration will be filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the next certificate filed pursuant to rule 24. B. Nonutility Holding CompaniesThe Nonutility Holding Companies will continue to file a single consolidated quarterly report under rule 24 of all investments in Subsidiaries. The reports will be filed within 60 days after the end of the first three calendar quarters and 90 days after the end of the last calendar quarter, in which transactions occur commencing with the first calendar quarter ended at least 45 days following the date of the Commission's order in this proceeding. Concurrently with the filing of such report, a copy of the report will be furnished to each state commission having jurisdiction over retail rates of the Utility Subsidiaries. It is proposed that the combined report also be in lieu of any separate notification on Form U-6B-2 that would otherwise be required with respect to exempt securities issuances. The rule 24 report shall include:
Fees and expenses in connection with the preparation and filing of the Application will not exceed $50,000. Applicants state that fees, commissions and expenses to be incurred in connection with any specific financing transaction proposed in the Application will be within the parameters outlined in the Application. FirstEnergy further states that no state or federal commission, other than this Commission, has jurisdiction over the proposed external financing transactions for which FirstEnergy is seeking authorization. Due notice of the filing of the Application has been given in the manner prescribed by rule 23 under the Act, and no hearing has been requested of or ordered by the Commission. Based on the facts in the record, the Commission finds that, except as to those matters over which jurisdiction has been reserved, the applicable standards of the Act are satisfied and that no adverse findings are necessary. IT IS ORDERED, under the applicable provisions of the Act and rules under the Act, that, except as to those matters over which jurisdiction has been reserved, the Application be granted and permitted to become effective immediately, subject to the terms and conditions prescribed in rule 24 under the Act as stated above. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that jurisdiction is reserved, pending completion of the record, over: (1) the issuance of securities in those circumstances where FirstEnergy or a Utility Subsidiary does not comply with the 30% common equity criteria; (2) securities issued in reliance upon the authorization granted by the Commission pursuant to this Application where one or more of the Investment Grade Ratings Criteria are not met; (3) the entering into Hedge Instruments and Anticipatory Hedges by FirstEnergy which do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment by the FASB; (4) the issuance by FirstEnergy of guarantees on behalf of its Subsidiaries for the benefit of non-affiliated third parties; (5) the ability of FirstEnergy to make Other Investments in EWGs and FUCOs in an amount over $1.5 billion; (6) the ability of Energy Related Companies to engage in energy marketing outside of the United States, Canada and Mexico; and (7) the ability of Energy Related Companies to engage in the sale of infrastructure services anywhere outside the United States. For the Commission, by the Division of Investment Management, pursuant to delegated authority.
1 York Haven and Waverly Electric will continue to obtain financing through intercompany borrowings from their parent corporations or otherwise through the Utility Money Pool and likely will not engage in third-party financing. 2 The transactions proposed will not involve the sale or other disposition of any utility assets of the Utility Subsidiaries and will not involve any corporate reorganization involving the Utility Subsidiaries. The approval sought also does not extend to the acquisitions of any new businesses or activities. 3 At the time of the Merger Order, FirstEnergy identified certain former GPU EWG and FUCO investments for divestiture within one year. Among those identified were Avon, a holding company for Midlands Electricity plc, an electric distribution business in the United Kingdom and GPU Emdersa, an electric distribution business in Argentina. In May 2002, FirstEnergy sold 79.9% of its interest in Avon, and in the fourth quarter of 2002, recorded a $50 million charge ($32.5 million net of tax) to reduce the carrying value of its remaining 20.1% interest. Additionally, FirstEnergy did not reach a definitive agreement to sell Emdersa as of December 31, 2002, and therefore, the Emdersa assets could no longer be treated as "assets pending sale" on the FirstEnergy consolidated balance sheets. On November 1, 2002, FirstEnergy began consolidating the results of Emdersa's operations in its financial statements. In the fourth quarter of 2002, FirstEnergy recorded a one-time, after-tax charge of $88.8 million (comprised of $104.1 million in currency transaction losses arising principally from U.S. dollar denominated debt, offset by $15.3 million of operating income). In addition to the currency transaction losses, FirstEnergy recognized a currency translation adjustment in other comprehensive income of $91.5 million as of December 31, 2002. These accounting charges, in the aggregate, resulted in a $212.8 million decrease in FirstEnergy's consolidated capitalization of $21.55 billion as of December 31, 2002, which amount includes short-term borrowings.
http://www.sec.gov/divisions/investment/opur/filing/35-27694.htm
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