SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2007

 

 

or

 

 

o

Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

for the transition period from                      to                    

 

Commission file number   001-14431

American States Water Company

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

California

 

95-4676679

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

630 E. Foothill Blvd, San Dimas, CA

 

91773-1212

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

 

 

(909) 394-3600

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

 

 

Not Applicable

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

Commission file number   001-12008

Golden State Water Company

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

California

 

95-1243678

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

630 E. Foothill Blvd, San Dimas, CA

 

91773-1212

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

 

 

(909) 394-3600

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

 

 

Not Applicable

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

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 o

Golden State Water Company

 

Yes x   No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a nonaccelerated file. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated file” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

American States Water Company

 

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer x

 

Nonaccelerated filer o

Golden State Water Company

 

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer o

 

Nonaccelerated filer x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)

American States Water Company

 

Yes ¨   No x

Golden State Water Company

 

Yes ¨   No x

 

As of August 8, 2007, the number of Common Shares outstanding, of American States Water Company was 17,113,878 shares.

As of August 8, 2007, all of the 122 outstanding Common Shares of Golden State Water Company were owned by American States Water Company.

 




AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
and
GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
FORM 10-Q

INDEX

Part I

Financial Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1:

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets of American States Water Company as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Income of American States Water Company for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Income of American States Water Company for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow of American States Water Company for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance Sheets of Golden State Water Company as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statements of Income of Golden State Water Company for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statements of Income of Golden State Water Company for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statements of Cash Flow of Golden State Water Company for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2:

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3:

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4:

Controls and Procedures

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part II

Other Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1:

Legal Proceedings

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1A:

Risk Factors

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2:

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3:

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4:

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5:

Other Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6:

Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

 

 




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 accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. In the opinion of management, all adjustments consisting of normal recurring items and estimates 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 and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Golden State 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 Golden State Water Company (hereinafter “GSWC”). For more information, please see Note 1 to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and the heading entitled General in Item 2 - Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. References in this report to “Registrant” are to AWR and GSWC collectively, unless otherwise specified. GSWC makes no representations as to the information contained in this report relating to AWR and its subsidiaries, other than GSWC.

Forward-Looking Information

Certain matters discussed in this report (including the 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 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. Such statements address future events and conditions concerning capital expenditures, earnings, litigation, rates, water quality and other regulatory matters, adequacy of water supplies,  the ability to recover supply costs from ratepayers, contract operations, liquidity and capital resources, and accounting matters. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements, by reason of factors such as changes in utility regulation, including ongoing local, state and federal activities; recovery of regulatory assets not yet included in rates; future economic conditions, including changes in customer demand and changes in water and energy supply costs; future climatic conditions; and legislative, legal proceedings, regulatory and other circumstances affecting anticipated revenues and costs.

1




AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
(Unaudited)

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

Utility Plant, at cost

 

 

 

 

 

Water

 

$

948,153

 

$

936,810

 

Electric

 

64,609

 

64,103

 

 

 

1,012,762

 

1,000,913

 

Less - Accumulated depreciation

 

(302,053

)

(286,951

)

 

 

710,709

 

713,962

 

Construction work in progress

 

46,416

 

36,639

 

Net utility plant

 

757,125

 

750,601

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Property and Investments

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

11,593

 

11,614

 

Other property and investments

 

10,003

 

9,977

 

Total other property and investments

 

21,596

 

21,591

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

5,274

 

3,223

 

Accounts receivable-customers (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $659 in 2007 and $796 in 2006)

 

15,714

 

14,816

 

Unbilled revenue

 

20,318

 

15,696

 

Receivable from the U.S. government

 

4,883

 

6,388

 

Other accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $420 in 2007 and $300 in 2006)

 

5,379

 

5,368

 

Income taxes receivable

 

247

 

1,100

 

Materials and supplies, at average cost

 

1,649

 

1,565

 

Regulatory assets - current

 

4,271

 

3,905

 

Prepayments and other current assets

 

2,628

 

2,787

 

Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts

 

5,865

 

4,495

 

Deferred income taxes - current

 

3,982

 

5,093

 

Total current assets

 

70,210

 

64,436

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulatory and Other Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Regulatory assets

 

88,819

 

84,686

 

Other accounts receivable

 

9,564

 

9,335

 

Deferred income taxes

 

2

 

16

 

Other

 

8,525

 

6,290

 

Total regulatory and other assets

 

106,910

 

100,327

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

955,841

 

$

936,955

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

2




AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
(Unaudited)

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

Capitalization

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares, no par value, no stated value

 

$

177,442

 

$

175,135

 

Earnings reinvested in the business

 

114,996

 

108,599

 

Total common shareholders’ equity

 

292,438

 

283,734

 

Long-term debt

 

267,628

 

267,833

 

Total capitalization

 

560,066

 

551,567

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable to banks

 

28,500

 

32,000

 

Long-term debt - current

 

596

 

603

 

Accounts payable

 

25,020

 

23,984

 

Income taxes payable

 

2,208

 

103

 

Accrued employee expenses

 

5,564

 

5,320

 

Accrued interest

 

2,469

 

2,583

 

Unrealized loss on purchased power contracts

 

1,180

 

3,654

 

Regulatory liabilities - current

 

3,919

 

3,546

 

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts

 

1,739

 

2,038

 

Other

 

12,660

 

12,072

 

Total current liabilities

 

83,855

 

85,903

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Credits

 

 

 

 

 

Advances for construction

 

83,169

 

83,203

 

Contributions in aid of construction - net

 

98,302

 

91,702

 

Deferred income taxes

 

85,500

 

80,727

 

Unamortized investment tax credits

 

2,382

 

2,427

 

Accrued pension and other postretirement benefits

 

31,595

 

31,042

 

Regulatory liabilities

 

572

 

588

 

Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts

 

2,477

 

2,005

 

Other

 

7,923

 

7,791

 

Total other credits

 

311,920

 

299,485

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Capitalization and Liabilities

 

$

955,841

 

$

936,955

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

3




AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE THREE MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, 2007 AND 2006
(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

2007

 

2006

 

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Water

 

$

60,826

 

$

53,444

 

Electric

 

6,255

 

7,027

 

Contracted services

 

12,165

 

2,567

 

Total operating revenues

 

79,246

 

63,038

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Water purchased

 

12,077

 

10,916

 

Power purchased for pumping

 

2,673

 

2,416

 

Groundwater production assessment

 

2,549

 

2,239

 

Power purchased for resale

 

2,915

 

3,248

 

Unrealized loss on purchased power contracts

 

236

 

923

 

Supply cost balancing accounts

 

(1,190

)

(825

)

Other operating expenses

 

6,559

 

5,886

 

Administrative and general expenses

 

13,664

 

10,902

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

7,088

 

6,610

 

Maintenance

 

4,353

 

3,246

 

Property and other taxes

 

2,843

 

2,480

 

Construction expenses

 

8,260

 

809

 

Net gain on sale of property

 

(238

)

 

Total operating expenses

 

61,789

 

48,850

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

17,457

 

14,188

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income and Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(5,570

)

(5,433

)

Interest income

 

586

 

963

 

Other

 

63

 

 

Total other income and expenses

 

(4,921

)

(4,470

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations before income tax expense

 

12,536

 

9,718

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

5,214

 

3,449

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

$

7,322

 

$

6,269

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding

 

17,094

 

16,881

 

Basic Earnings Per Common Share

 

$

0.42

 

$

0.36

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average Number of Diluted Shares

 

17,146

 

16,947

 

Fully Diluted Earnings Per Share

 

$

0.42

 

$

0.36

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends Declared Per Common Share

 

$

0.235

 

$

0.225

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

4




AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE SIX MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, 2007 AND 2006

(Unaudited)

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

2007

 

2006

 

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Water

 

$

111,153

 

$

104,199

 

Electric

 

15,124

 

15,372

 

Contracted services

 

25,239

 

7,867

 

Total operating revenues

 

151,516

 

127,438

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Water purchased

 

20,950

 

19,260

 

Power purchased for pumping

 

4,791

 

4,020

 

Groundwater production assessment

 

4,828

 

4,322

 

Power purchased for resale

 

7,196

 

7,811

 

Unrealized (gain) loss on purchased power contracts

 

(2,474

)

3,078

 

Supply cost balancing accounts

 

(1,910

)

(338

)

Other operating expenses

 

13,156

 

10,587

 

Administrative and general expenses

 

26,671

 

22,015

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

14,177

 

13,092

 

Maintenance

 

7,326

 

5,719

 

Property and other taxes

 

5,773

 

5,027

 

Construction expenses

 

17,329

 

4,511

 

Net gain on sale of property

 

(605

)

 

Total operating expenses

 

117,208

 

99,104

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

34,308

 

28,334

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income and Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(11,066

)

(10,688

)

Interest income

 

1,152

 

1,776

 

Other

 

132

 

 

Total other income and expenses

 

(9,782

)

(8,912

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations before income tax expense

 

24,526

 

19,422

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

10,220

 

7,252

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

$

14,306

 

$

12,170

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding

 

17,066

 

16,844

 

Basic Earnings Per Common Share

 

$

0.83

 

$

0.71

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted Average Number of Diluted Shares

 

17,121

 

16,905

 

Fully Diluted Earnings Per Share

 

$

0.82

 

$

0.71

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends Declared Per Common Share

 

$

0.470

 

$

0.450

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

5




AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2007 AND 2006

(Unaudited)

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

(in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

14,306

 

$

12,170

 

Adjustments for non-cash items:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

14,177

 

13,092

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

194

 

264

 

Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits

 

3,248

 

3,704

 

Unrealized (gain) loss on purchased power contracts

 

(2,474

)

3,078

 

Stock based compensation expense

 

530

 

325

 

Net gain on sale of property

 

(605

)

 

Other - net

 

520

 

421

 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable - customers

 

(982

)

(130

)

Unbilled revenue

 

(4,622

)

(3,730

)

Other accounts receivable

 

(350

)

1,717

 

Receivable from the U.S. government

 

1,505

 

(1,434

)

Materials and supplies

 

(84

)

(129

)

Prepayments and other current assets

 

2,633

 

832

 

Regulatory assets — supply cost balancing accounts

 

(1,910

)

(338

)

Other assets

 

616

 

(6,227

)

Accounts payable

 

1,036

 

1,222

 

Income taxes receivable/payable

 

3,150

 

1,559

 

Other liabilities

 

(541

)

660

 

Net cash provided

 

30,347

 

27,056

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Construction expenditures

 

(19,880

)

(34,122

)

Proceeds from sale of property

 

623

 

 

Net cash used

 

(19,257

)

(34,122

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of common shares

 

507

 

1,023

 

Proceeds from stock option exercises

 

1,127

 

3,421

 

Tax benefits from exercise of stock-based awards

 

122

 

897

 

Receipt of advances for and contributions in aid of construction

 

4,391

 

5,892

 

Refunds on advances for construction

 

(3,418

)

(2,196

)

Repayments of long-term debt

 

(212

)

(260

)

Net change in notes payable to banks

 

(3,500

)

1,000

 

Cash received on financing portion of purchased power contracts

 

 

1,333

 

Dividend equivalent rights

 

(67

)

(127

)

Tax benefits from payment of dividend equivalent rights

 

28

 

52

 

Dividends paid

 

(8,017

)

(7,567

)

Net cash (used) provided

 

(9,039

)

3,468

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

2,051

 

(3,598

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

3,223

 

13,032

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

5,274

 

$

9,434

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

6




GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
(Unaudited)

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

Utility Plant, at cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water

 

$

890,009

 

$

884,719

 

Electric

 

64,609

 

64,103

 

 

 

954,618

 

948,822

 

Less - Accumulated depreciation

 

(285,847

)

(271,716

)

 

 

668,771

 

677,106

 

Construction work in progress

 

45,111

 

34,438

 

Net utility plant

 

713,882

 

711,544

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Property and Investments

 

 

 

 

 

Other property and investments

 

7,721

 

7,745

 

Total other property and investments

 

7,721

 

7,745

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

3,135

 

1,735

 

Accounts receivable-customers (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $633 in 2007 and $771 in 2006)

 

15,296

 

14,465

 

Unbilled revenue

 

19,895

 

15,371

 

Inter-company receivable

 

22

 

111

 

Other accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $367 in 2007 and $283 in 2006)

 

4,448

 

4,066

 

Materials and supplies, at average cost

 

1,634

 

1,550

 

Regulatory assets - current

 

4,200

 

3,834

 

Prepayments and other current assets

 

2,411

 

2,575

 

Deferred income taxes - current

 

3,853

 

5,024

 

Total current assets

 

54,894

 

48,731

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Regulatory and Other Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Regulatory assets

 

88,819

 

84,686

 

Other accounts receivable

 

9,564

 

9,335

 

Other

 

8,082

 

5,620

 

Total regulatory and other assets

 

106,465

 

99,641

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Assets

 

$

882,962

 

$

867,661

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

7




GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
BALANCE SHEETS
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
(Unaudited)

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

(in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

Capitalization

 

 

 

 

 

Common shares, no par value, no stated value

 

$

162,098

 

$

161,459

 

Earnings reinvested in the business

 

109,394

 

105,506

 

Total common shareholder’s equity

 

271,492

 

266,965

 

Long-term debt

 

261,043

 

261,248

 

Total capitalization

 

532,535

 

528,213

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt - current

 

316

 

323

 

Accounts payable

 

21,224

 

19,818

 

Inter-company payable

 

13,449

 

12,272

 

Income taxes payable to Parent

 

3,489

 

1,642

 

Accrued employee expenses

 

5,078

 

4,887

 

Accrued interest

 

2,427

 

2,445

 

Unrealized loss on purchased power contracts

 

1,180

 

3,654

 

Regulatory liabilities – current

 

3,919

 

3,546

 

Other

 

12,277

 

11,654

 

Total current liabilities

 

63,359

 

60,241

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Credits

 

 

 

 

 

Advances for construction

 

77,033

 

76,646

 

Contributions in aid of construction – net

 

87,449

 

85,513

 

Deferred income taxes

 

81,635

 

76,678

 

Unamortized investment tax credits

 

2,382

 

2,427

 

Accrued pension and other postretirement benefits

 

31,595

 

31,042

 

Other

 

6,974

 

6,901

 

Total other credits

 

287,068

 

279,207

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Capitalization and Liabilities

 

$

882,962

 

$

867,661

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

8




GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE THREE MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, 2007 AND 2006

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

(in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Water

 

$

58,894

 

$

51,396

 

Electric

 

6,255

 

7,027

 

Total operating revenues

 

65,149

 

58,423

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Water purchased

 

11,877

 

10,702

 

Power purchased for pumping

 

2,506

 

2,218

 

Groundwater production assessment

 

2,549

 

2,239

 

Power purchased for resale

 

2,915

 

3,248

 

Unrealized loss on purchased power contracts

 

236

 

923

 

Supply cost balancing accounts

 

(1,190

)

(825

)

Other operating expenses

 

5,631

 

4,906

 

Administrative and general expenses

 

11,676

 

8,910

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

6,645

 

6,134

 

Maintenance

 

4,037

 

3,022

 

Property and other taxes

 

2,733

 

2,373

 

Net gain on sale of property

 

(238

)

 

Total operating expenses

 

49,377

 

43,850

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

15,772

 

14,573

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income and Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(5,182

)

(4,875

)

Interest income

 

528

 

928

 

Other

 

47

 

 

Total other income and expenses

 

(4,607

)

(3,947

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations before income tax expense

 

11,165

 

10,626

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

4,695

 

3,867

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

$

6,470

 

$

6,759

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

9




GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE SIX MONTHS
ENDED JUNE 30, 2007 AND 2006

(Unaudited)

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

(in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

Operating Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

Water

 

$

107,582

 

$

100,367

 

Electric

 

15,124

 

15,372

 

Total operating revenues

 

122,706

 

115,739

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Water purchased

 

20,586

 

18,877

 

Power purchased for pumping

 

4,522

 

3,733

 

Groundwater production assessment

 

4,828

 

4,322

 

Power purchased for resale

 

7,196

 

7,811

 

Unrealized (gain) loss on purchased power contracts

 

(2,474

)

3,078

 

Supply cost balancing accounts

 

(1,910

)

(338

)

Other operating expenses

 

11,331

 

9,434

 

Administrative and general expenses

 

23,171

 

19,094

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

13,289

 

12,165

 

Maintenance

 

6,807

 

5,341

 

Property and other taxes

 

5,562

 

4,802

 

Net gain on sale of property

 

(605

)

 

Total operating expenses

 

92,303

 

88,319

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income

 

30,403

 

27,420

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Income and Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(10,201

)

(9,678

)

Interest income

 

1,061

 

1,724

 

Other

 

99

 

 

Total other income and expenses

 

(9,041

)

(7,954

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations before income tax expense

 

21,362

 

19,466

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

8,990

 

7,362

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

$

12,372

 

$

12,104

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

10




GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2007 AND 2006

(Unaudited)

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

June 30,

 

(in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

12,372

 

$

12,104

 

Adjustments for non-cash items:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

13,289

 

12,165

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

154

 

239

 

Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits

 

3,309

 

3,417

 

Unrealized (gain) loss on purchased power contracts

 

(2,474

)

3,078

 

Stock based compensation expense

 

492

 

310

 

Net gain on sale of property

 

(605

)

 

Other — net

 

467

 

346

 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable - customers

 

(911

)

(74

)

Unbilled revenue

 

(4,524

)

(3,639

)

Other accounts receivable

 

(685

)

2,822

 

Materials and supplies

 

(84

)

(130

)

Prepayments and other current assets

 

2,638

 

874

 

Regulatory assets - supply cost balancing accounts

 

(1,910

)

(338

)

Other assets

 

1,937

 

(2,446

)

Accounts payable

 

1,406

 

857

 

Inter-company receivable/payable

 

266

 

(35

)

Income taxes receivable/payable from/to Parent

 

2,036

 

2,358

 

Other liabilities

 

(679

)

(200

)

Net cash provided

 

26,494

 

31,708

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Construction expenditures

 

(18,697

)

(33,116

)

Proceeds from sale of property

 

623

 

 

Net cash used

 

(18,074

)

(33,116

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Tax benefits from exercise of stock-based awards

 

121

 

897

 

Receipt of advances for and contributions in aid of construction

 

4,124

 

5,241

 

Refunds on advances for construction

 

(3,418

)

(2,173

)

Repayments of long-term debt

 

(212

)

(190

)

Net change in inter-company borrowings

 

1,000

 

2,500

 

Cash received on financing portion of purchased power contracts

 

 

1,333

 

Dividend equivalent rights

 

(61

)

(116

)

Tax benefits from payment of dividend equivalent rights

 

26

 

47

 

Dividends paid

 

(8,600

)

(8,600

)

Net cash used

 

(7,020

)

(1,061

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

1,400

 

(2,469

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

1,735

 

8,788

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

3,135

 

$

6,319

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

11




AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
AND
GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:

General / Nature of Operations: American States Water Company (“AWR”) is the parent company of Golden State Water Company (“GSWC”), Chaparral City Water Company (“CCWC”), and American States Utility Services, Inc. (“ASUS”) and its subsidiaries.  More than 90% of AWR’s assets consist of the common stock of GSWC and its revenues and operations are primarily those of GSWC. GSWC is a public utility engaged principally in the purchase, production, distribution and sale of water in California serving approximately 255,000 water customers. GSWC also distributes electricity in several California mountain communities serving over 23,000 electric customers. The California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) regulates GSWC’s water and electric business, including properties, rates, services, facilities and other matters. CCWC is a public utility regulated by the Arizona Corporation Commission (“ACC”) serving over 13,000 customers in the town of Fountain Hills, Arizona and a portion of the City of Scottsdale, Arizona. ASUS performs water related services and operations on a contract basis. There is no direct regulatory oversight by either the CPUC or the ACC of the operation or rates of the contracted services provided by ASUS and its wholly-owned subsidiaries or AWR.

ASUS, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, has entered into agreements with the U.S. government to operate and maintain the water and wastewater systems at various military bases pursuant to 50-year fixed price contracts.  In December 2006, ASUS, through one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, finalized an agreement with the U.S. government for the construction of certain improvements to the existing wastewater infrastructure located at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.  The $20.6 million project is a firm-fixed price contract and is an amendment to the original 50-year contract with the U.S. government to manage the entire water and wastewater systems at Fort Bliss.  Construction on this project began in 2007 and revenues from this agreement have been recognized under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting during the three and six months ended June 30, 2007.  The project is scheduled to be completed by August 15, 2007 and there will be no further construction revenues associated with this amendment after that date.  Earnings and cash flows from amendments to the original 50-year contracts with the U.S. government are sporadic and may or may not continue in future periods.

Basis of Presentation: The consolidated financial statements of AWR include the accounts of AWR and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned. These financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in the AWR consolidated financial statements. Investments in partially-owned affiliates are accounted for by the equity method when Registrant’s interest exceeds 20%.  The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Registrant, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with acc ounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for annual financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal, recurring items and estimates necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods, have been made. It is suggested that these consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed with the SEC. Certain prior-period amounts were reclassified to conform to the June 30, 2007 financial statement presentation.

GSWC’s Related Party Transactions: GSWC and other subsidiaries provide and receive various services to and from their parent, AWR, and among themselves. In addition, AWR has an $85 million syndicated credit facility. AWR borrows under this facility and provides funds to its subsidiaries, including GSWC, in support of their operations. Amounts owed to AWR for borrowings under this facility represent the majority of the inter-company payables on GSWC’s balance sheets as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006. The interest rate charged to GSWC is equal to the amounts sufficient to cover AWR’s interest cost under the credit facility. GSWC also allocates certain corporate office administrative and general costs to its affiliates using agreed upon allocation factors.

12




Advances for Construction and Contributions in Aid of Construction:  For CCWC, advances for construction represent amounts advanced by developers which are refundable over 10 to 20 years. Refund amounts under the CCWC contracts are based on annual revenues from the extensions, as authorized by the ACC.  After all refunds are made, any remaining balance is transferred to contributions-in-aid of construction.  Contributions-in-aid of construction are similar to advances, but require no refunding and are amortized over the useful lives of the related property. During the second quarter of 2007, approximately $2.2 million of CCWC advances that expired were transferred to contributions-in-aid of construction.

New Accounting Pronouncements:  In March 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) issued EITF No. 06-03, “How Sales Taxes Collected From Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement.”  A consensus was reached that entities may adopt a policy of presenting sales taxes in the income statement on either a gross or net basis, based on their accounting policy, which should be disclosed.  If such taxes are significant, and are presented on a gross basis, an entity should also disclose the amounts of those taxes.  Effective January 1, 2007, Registrant adopted the guidance of EITF No. 06-03.  GSWC bills certain sales and use taxes levied by state or local governments to its customers. Included in these sales and use taxes are franchise fees, which GSWC pays to various municipalities (based on ordinances adopted by these municipalities) in order to operate within the limits of the municipality. GSWC bills these franchise fees to its customers based on a CPUC-authorized rate. These franchise fees, which are required to be paid regardless of GSWC’s ability to collect from the customer, are accounted for on a gross basis. GSWC’s franchise fees billed to customers and recorded as operating revenue were approximately $619,000 and $554,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and $1,352,000 and $1,132,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. When GSWC acts as an agent, and the tax is not required to be remitted if it is not collected from the customer, the taxes are accounted for on a net basis.

In July 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”).  Effective January 1, 2007, Registrant adopted the provisions of FIN 48.  In addition, in May 2007, the FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) issued FSP FIN 48-1, “Definition of Settlement in FASB Interpretation No. 48”, which amends FIN 48 to provide guidance on how an enterprise should determine whether a tax position is effectively settled for the purpose of recognizing previously unrecognized tax benefits.  See Note 5 for further details and information on the impact of the adoption of FIN 48 and FSP FIN 48-1 on Registrant.

In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is encouraged, provided that Registrant has not yet issued financial statements for that fiscal year, including any financial statements for an interim period within that fiscal year. Registrant will implement the new standard effective January 1, 2008. Registrant is currently evaluating the impact SFAS No. 157 may have on its financial statements and disclosures.

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”.  SFAS No. 159 allows measurement at fair value of eligible financial assets and liabilities that are not otherwise measured at fair value.  The election to measure a financial asset or liability at fair value can be made on an instrument-by-instrument basis and is irrevocable. The difference between carrying value and fair value at the election date is recorded as a transition adjustment to opening retained earnings. Subsequent changes in fair value are recognized in earnings.  SFAS No. 159 also establishes additional disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparison between companies that choose different measurement attributes for similar type assets and liabilities.  SFAS No. 159 is effective for Registrant’s fiscal year beginning January 1, 2008.  Registrant is evaluating the potential impact that SFAS No. 159 may have on its financial statements.

In March 2007, the FASB issued EITF 06-11, “Accounting for Income Tax Benefits of Dividends on Share-Based Payment”, which concludes that a realized income tax benefit from dividends or dividend equivalents that are charged to retained earnings and are paid to employees for equity classified nonvested equity shares, nonvested equity share units, and outstanding equity share options should be recognized as an increase in additional paid-in capital.  Registrant will commence recognizing this tax benefit as an increase in additional paid- in capital commencing January 1, 2008. The impact of this change is not expected to be material to Registrant’s financial statements.

13




Note 2 — Regulatory Matters:

In accordance with accounting principles for rate-regulated enterprises, Registrant records regulatory assets, which represent probable future revenue associated with certain costs that will be recovered from customers through the ratemaking process, and regulatory liabilities, which represent probable future reductions in revenue associated with amounts that are to be credited to customers through the ratemaking process. At June 30, 2007, Registrant had $7.4 million of regulatory assets not accruing carrying costs. Of this amount, $6.6 million relates to deferred income tax representing accelerated tax benefits flowed-through to ratepayers, which will be included in rates concurrently with recognition of the associated future tax expense. In addition, there are other expenses that Registrant recovers in rates over a short period that do not provide for recovery of carrying costs. At June 30, 2007, $784,000 was recorded as other regulatory assets for such expenses to be recovered.  Regulatory assets, less regulatory liabilities, included in the consolidated balance sheets are as follows:

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

(In thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

GSWC

 

 

 

 

 

Supply cost balancing accounts

 

$

18,585

 

$

17,321

 

Supply cost memorandum accounts net under-collections

 

8,132

 

7,429

 

Costs deferred for future recovery on Aerojet case

 

21,362

 

21,313

 

Pensions and other postretirement obligations

 

21,062

 

22,815

 

Flow-through taxes, net

 

6,591

 

7,243

 

Electric transmission line abandonment costs

 

3,230

 

3,288

 

Asset retirement obligations

 

3,372

 

3,197

 

Low income rate assistance balancing accounts

 

4,247

 

3,807

 

Refund of water right lease revenues

 

(3,293

)

(3,565

)

Santa Maria adjudication memorandum accounts

 

3,928

 

 

Other regulatory assets

 

1,884

 

2,126

 

Total GSWC

 

$

89,100

 

$

84,974

 

CCWC

 

 

 

 

 

Asset retirement obligations

 

$

50

 

$

48

 

Other regulatory liabilities, net

 

(551

)

(565

)

Total AWR

 

$

88,599

 

$

84,457

 

 

Regulatory matters are discussed in detail in the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed with the SEC.  Discussion below focuses on significant matters and changes since December 31, 2006.

Supply Cost Balancing and Memorandum Accounts:

Electric Supply Cost Balancing Account — Electric power costs incurred by GSWC’s Bear Valley Electric division continue to be charged to its electric supply cost balancing account. The under-collection in the electric supply cost balancing account is $18.7 million at June 30, 2007. The balance in the electric supply balancing account is primarily impacted by: (i) a surcharge to decrease previously under-collected energy costs, (ii) changes in purchased energy costs, and (iii) changes in power system delivery costs.

The CPUC has authorized GSWC to collect a surcharge from its customers of 2.2¢ per kilowatt hour through August 2011, to enable GSWC to recover an under-collection of approximately $23.1 million at the end of 2001 which had been incurred during the energy crisis in late 2000 and 2001. GSWC sold 30,724,243 and 33,448,999 kilowatt hours of electricity to its Bear Valley Electric division customers for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and  sold 73,408,022 and 75,743,077 kilowatt hours of electricity to its customers for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.   As a result, the supply cost balancing account was reduced by approximately $663,000 and $687,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and $1,581,000 and $1,567,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  Approximately $15.6 million of the under-collection incurred during the energy crisis in late 2000 and 2001 has been recovered through this surcharge. GSWC anticipates the surcharge, based on electricity sales, to be sufficient for it to recover by August 2011 the amount of the under-collected balance incurred during the energy crisis.  However, in 2011, if GSWC has not fully recovered the amount of this under collection, GSWC will seek recovery of any amounts not recovered through this surcharge.

14




The purchased energy costs that are recorded in the supply cost balancing account are subject to a price cap by terms of the 2001 CPUC decision. The Bear Valley Electric division of GSWC is allowed to include up to a weighted average annual purchased energy cost of $77 per megawatt-hour (“MWh”) through August 2011 in its electric supply cost balancing account.  To the extent that the actual weighted average annual cost for power purchased exceeds the $77 per MWh amount, GSWC will not be able to include these amounts in its balancing account and such amounts will be expensed. There were no amounts expensed over the $77 per MWh cap during the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006.  During the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, the amounts expensed were $29,000 and $40,000, respectively.

Charges to GSWC by Southern California Edison (“Edison”), a subsidiary of Edison International,  associated with the transportation of energy over Edison’s power system and the abandonment of a transmission line upgrade have increased under Edison’s tariff to levels that exceed the amounts authorized by the CPUC in Bear Valley Electric’s retail power rates to its customers. The incremental cost increase to GSWC from the tariff for the abandonment of a transmission line upgrade, which is not included in rates, is $38,137 per month. These increases have been included in the balancing account for subsequent recovery from customers, subject to CPUC approval. The incoming power system delivery costs are not subject to the $77 per MWh price cap referenced above.  Other components, such as interest accrued on the cumulative under-collected balance and power loss during transmission, also affect the balance of the electric supply cost balancing account.

In summary, for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, the under-collection decreased by approximately $406,000 and $367,000, respectively, and $1,189,000 and $586,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Water Supply Cost Memorandum/Balancing Accounts — All water utilities regulated by the CPUC were required to seek review of supply cost under- and over- collections by filing an advice letter annually and to reduce the utility’s recovery of such expenses by the amount exceeding the authorized rate of return. Upon approval by the CPUC, the memorandum accounts are transferred to water supply cost balancing accounts.  On April 13, 2006, the CPUC approved a decision eliminating the earnings test that limited recovery of expenses recorded in these accounts. The decision also eliminated the need to make an annual filing. Pursuant to this order, GSWC recognized a cumulative under-collection of approximately $636,000 to the supply cost memorandum account provisions in the second quarter of 2006 for the under-collected balances not recognized at March 31, 2006 and began recording under- and over- collections on a monthly basis thereafter commencing with the second quarter of 2006.  For the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, approximately, $1.6 million and $599,000 of under-collections, respectively, were recorded in the water supply cost memorandum/balancing accounts, including amortization of approximately $250,000 over-collection and $283,000 under-collection, respectively.  For the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, approximately, $3.1 million and $361,000 of under-collections, respectively, were recorded in the water supply cost memorandum/balancing accounts, including amortization of approximately $570,000 over-collection and $520,000 under-collection, respectively.

GSWC filed advice letters with the CPUC in October 2006 for review of $2.0 million net under-collections of Region I’s  2005 and 2006 water supply cost memorandum account balance as of August 31, 2006 and its net balance after amortization of the 2001-2003 balancing account.  On January 3, 2007, the CPUC approved the advice letters as filed.  As a result, the total $2.0 million net under-collection was transferred to the water supply cost balancing account in January 2007.  There was no impact to earnings in 2007 as this net under-collection was recorded as a regulatory asset in prior periods.

Costs Deferred for Future Recovery:

In 1999, GSWC sued Aerojet-General Corporation (“Aerojet”) for contaminating the Sacramento County Groundwater Basin, which affected certain GSWC wells. On a related matter, GSWC also filed a lawsuit against the State of California (the “State”). The CPUC authorized memorandum accounts to allow for recovery, from customers, of costs incurred by GSWC in prosecuting the cases against Aerojet and the State, less any recovery from the defendants or others. On July 21, 2005, the CPUC authorized GSWC to collect approximately $21.3 million of the Aerojet litigation memorandum account, through a rate surcharge, which will continue for no longer than 20 years. Beginning in October 2005, new rates went into effect to begin amortizing the memorandum account over a 20-year period.

A rate surcharge generating approximately $285,000 and $289,000 was billed to customers during the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and $505,000 and $499,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. GSWC will keep the Aerojet memorandum account open until the earlier of full amortization of the balance or 20 years.  However, no costs will be added to the memorandum account, other than on-going interest charges approved by the decision.  Pursuant to the decision, additional interest of approximately $278,000 and $554,000 was added to the Aerojet litigation memorandum account during the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, respectively.  It is management’s intention to offset any settlement proceeds received from Aerojet pursuant to the settlement agreement against the balance in

15




the memorandum account, with the exception of an $8.0 million payment guaranteed by Aerojet. The $8.0 million plus interest on the unpaid balance is scheduled to be paid in installments over five years beginning in 2009 and is expected to be used to make certain capital investments useful in managing the contamination which was the basis of the suit against Aerojet.  Pursuant to such settlement agreement, Aerojet has agreed to reimburse GSWC an additional $17.5 million, plus interest accruing from January 1, 2004, for GSWC’s past legal and expert costs. The recovery of the $17.5 million is contingent upon the issuance of land use approvals for development in a defined area within Aerojet property in Eastern Sacramento County and the receipt of certain fees in connection with such development.

On April 7, 2006, GSWC filed an advice letter with the CPUC to incorporate the Westborough development, which represents a portion of the defined property, into its Rancho Cordova service area and to provide water service to that new development. The City of Folsom (the “City”) filed a protest of GSWC’s advice letter on April 27, 2006. On January 30, 2007, the CPUC rejected the advice letter without prejudice, and invited GSWC to refile the advice letter once the City’s protest was resolved, or file an application for CPUC approval of the service territory expansion.  In June 2007, GSWC signed an agreement with the City.  Pursuant to the agreement, the City relinquishes all claims concerning GSWC’s providing water service to the Westborough area, and as compensation to the City to resolve its claim, GSWC has agreed to pay the City $550,000 as the settlement payment, of which Aerojet will reimburse GSWC for 50% or $275,000.  Accordingly, as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, GSWC has recorded an obligation of $550,000 to the City, an additional receivable of $275,000 from Aerojet for the amount to be reimbursed, and a net charge to expense in the amount of $275,000 for GSWC’s share of the settlement payment.  GSWC intends to refile the application for service territory expansion with the CPUC.

Santa Maria Adjudication Memorandum Accounts:

As more fully discussed in Note 7, GSWC has incurred costs of approximately $6.5 million as of June 30, 2007, including legal and expert witness fees, in defending its water supply from the Santa Maria Basin dedicated to customer service in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties.  Such costs had been recorded in utility plant for rate recovery.  In February 2006, GSWC filed an application with the CPUC for recovery of $5.5 million of these costs, representing the amount of the costs that had been incurred as of December 31, 2005.  In February 2007, GSWC reached a settlement with the CPUC’s Division of Ratepayer Advocates authorizing recovery of the $5.5 million requested in GSWC’s application.  The settlement deferred review of the remaining legal costs pending final resolution of the lawsuit.  In May 2007, the CPUC issued a decision that approved the settlement with the Division of Ratepayer Advocates.  Pursuant to the decision, GSWC was ordered to place in rate base $2.7 million of the $5.5 million of previously incurred litigation costs in the Santa Maria groundwater basin adjudication.  GSWC was also ordered to amortize, with interest, the remaining $2.8 million of the $5.5 million in rates over a ten-year period.  This amount has been transferred into a separate memorandum account included within regulatory assets and a surcharge has been implemented in the third quarter of 2007 for recovery of these costs.  All litigation costs that have been incurred since December 31, 2005, totaling approximately $1.1 million, have also been transferred from rate base to a separate new memorandum account, subject to a reasonableness review by the CPUC in a subsequent phase of this proceeding or in a new proceeding.  Management believes that these additional costs will be approved and the recovery of these costs through rates is probable.

Other Regulatory Matters:

On February 15, 2007, the CPUC issued a subpoena to GSWC in connection with an investigation of certain work orders and charges paid to a specific contractor used by GSWC for numerous construction projects.  The CPUC’s investigation focuses on whether these charges were approved in customer rates and whether they were just and reasonable.  In June 2007, GSWC received notification from the CPUC instituting an audit.  The purpose of the audit will be to examine for the period 1994 to the present, GSWC’s policies, procedures, and practices throughout all of its Regions regarding the granting or awarding of construction contracts or jobs. Management cannot predict the outcome of the investigation or audit at this time.

On April 16, 2007, GSWC’s Bear Valley Electric division filed a compliance report with the CPUC regarding its purchases of energy from renewable energy resources.  The filing included an indication that Bear Valley Electric had not achieved interim target purchase levels of renewable energy resources and thus, on its face, might be subject to a possible penalty.  GSWC has formally contested the potential penalty reflected in the compliance report.  Management does not believe it is probable that GSWC will ultimately be assessed any penalty (which the form indicates would be as high as $592,000), and accordingly, no provision for loss has been recorded in the financial statements.  The CPUC is considering the future timing and applicability of renewable energy resource requirements as they apply to smaller energy utilities like Bear Valley Electric.  It is GSWC’s objective to comply with the 20% renewable energy requirement by the year 2010.

16




Note 3 — Earnings per Share/Capital Stock:

Registrant computes earnings per share (“EPS”) in accordance with EITF No. 03-06, “Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method under FASB Statement No. 128”.  EITF No. 03-06 provides the accounting guidance for the effect of participating securities on EPS calculations and the use of the “two-class” method. The guidance requires the use of the “two-class” method of computing EPS for companies with participating securities. The “two-class” method is an earnings allocations formula that determines EPS for each class of common stock and participating security.  AWR has participating securities related to stock options and restricted stock units that earn dividend equivalents on an equal basis with Common Shares that have been issued under AWR’s 2000 Stock Incentive Plan and 2003 Non-Employee Directors Stock Plan. In applying the “two-class” method, undistributed earnings are allocated to both Common Shares and participating securities. The following is a reconciliation of Registrant’s net income and weighted average Common Shares outstanding for calculating basic earnings per share:

 

 

For The Three

 

For The Six Months

 

Basic EPS

 

Months Ended June 30,

 

Ended June 30,

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Net income

 

$

7,322

 

$

6,269

 

$

14,306

 

$

12,170

 

Less:

(a)

Distributed earnings to common shareholders

 

4,017

 

3,798

 

8,021

 

7,580

 

 

 

Distributed earnings to participating securities

 

64

 

79

 

128

 

154

 

Undistributed earnings

 

3,241

 

2,392

 

6,157

 

4,436

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(b)

Undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders

 

3,190

 

2,345

 

6,061

 

4,348

 

 

Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities

 

51

 

48

 

96

 

88

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total income available to common shareholders, basic (a)+(b)

 

$

7,207

 

$

6,143

 

$

14,082

 

$

11,928

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average Common Shares outstanding, basic

 

17,094

 

16,881

 

17,066

 

16,844

 

Basic earnings per Common Share

 

$

0.42

 

$

0.36

 

$

0.83

 

$

0.71

 

 

Diluted EPS is based upon the weighted average number of Common Shares including both outstanding shares and shares potentially issuable in connection with stock options and restricted stock units granted under Registrant’s 2000 Stock Incentive Plan and 2003 Non-Employee Directors Stock Plan, and net income available to common shareholders. At June 30, 2007 and 2006 there were 580,215 and 645,389 stock options outstanding, respectively, under these Plans. At June 30, 2007 and 2006, there were also approximately 61,081 and 47,129 restricted stock units outstanding, respectively. The following is a reconciliation of Registrant’s net income available to common shareholders and weighted average Common Shares outstanding for calculating diluted earnings per share:

 

 

For The Three

 

For The Six Months

 

Diluted EPS

 

Months Ended June 30,

 

Ended June 30,

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Common shareholders earnings, basic

 

$

7,207

 

$

6,143

 

$

14,082

 

$

11,928

 

Undistributed earnings for dilutive stock options (1)

 

 

 

 

 

Total common shareholders earnings, diluted

 

$

7,207

 

$

6,143

 

$

14,082

 

$

11,928

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic

 

17,094

 

16,881

 

17,066

 

16,844

 

Stock-based compensation (2)

 

52

 

66

 

55

 

61

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted

 

17,146

 

16,947

 

17,121

 

16,905

 

Diluted earnings per Common Share

 

$

0.42

 

$

0.36

 

$

0.82

 

$

0.71

 

 


(1)        Undistributed earnings allocated to participating securities were not included due to their antidilutive effect on diluted earnings per share.

(2)          In applying the treasury stock method of reflecting the dilutive effect of outstanding stock-based compensation in the calculation of diluted EPS, 276,574 and 241,962 stock options at June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, were deemed to be outstanding in accordance with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share”.

17




Stock options of 87,041 and 94,917 were outstanding at June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, but not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the related option exercise price was greater than the average market price of AWR’s Common Shares for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006.  Stock options of 216,600 and 308,510, and restricted stock units of 61,081 and 47,129 were outstanding at June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, but not included in the computation of diluted EPS because they were antidilutive.

Registrant has a Shareholder Rights Plan designed to protect the Company’s shareholders in the event of an unsolicited unfair offer to acquire the Company. The rights for Junior Participating Preferred Shares (the “Rights”) are exercisable based solely on “a non-market-based contingency”, and are not contingent upon the market price of  AWR’s stock. Therefore, the shares that would be issued if the Rights are exercised are not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share.

During the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, Registrant issued 6,419 and 13,245 Common Shares, for approximately $235,000 and $494,000, respectively, under the Registrant’s Common Share Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment (“DRP”) Plan and the 401(k) Plan. During the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, Registrant issued 13,494 and 29,102 Common Shares, for approximately $507,000 and $1,023,000, respectively, under the Registrant’s DRP Plan and the 401(k) Plan.  In addition, during the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, Registrant issued 46,787 and 148,832 Common Shares for approximately $1,127,000 and $3,421,000, respectively, as a result of the exercise of stock options under the Company’s stock incentive plans.  No cash proceeds received by AWR as a result of the exercise of these stock options have been distributed to any subsidiaries of AWR.

During the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, Registrant purchased 3,271 and 10,737, respectively, and 3,553 and 24,821 for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, Common Shares on the open market under the Registrant’s DRP and 401(k) Plans, which were used to satisfy the requirements of these plans.

During the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, AWR paid quarterly dividends to the shareholders of approximately $4.0 million, or $0.235 per share, and $3.8 million, or $0.225 per share, respectively.  During the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, AWR paid quarterly dividends to the shareholders of approximately $8.0 million, or $0.470 per share, and $7.6 million, or $0.450 per share, respectively.

Note 4 — Derivative Instruments:

Registrant has certain block-forward purchase power contracts that are subject to SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”, as amended by SFAS Nos. 138 and 149. A derivative financial instrument or other contract derives its value from another investment or designated benchmark. SFAS No. 133 requires companies to record derivatives on the balance sheet as assets and liabilities, and to measure those instruments at their fair value.  During 2002, GSWC became a party to block-forward purchase power contracts that qualified as derivative instruments under SFAS No. 133. Contracts with Pinnacle West Marketing & Trading Company, LLC (formerly Pinnacle West Capital Corporation), which became effective in November 2002 have not been designated as normal purchases and normal sales. As a result, on a monthly basis, the related asset or liability is adjusted to reflect the fair market value at the end of the month. For the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, GSWC recognized a pretax unrealized loss of $236,000 and $923,000, respectively.  For the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, GSWC recognized a pretax unrealized gain of $2,474,000 and a pretax unrealized loss of $3,078,000, respectively. As this contract is settled, the realized gains or losses are recorded in power purchased for resale, and the previously recorded unrealized gains or losses are reversed. These contracts have been recognized at fair market value on the balance sheets resulting in a cumulative unrealized loss of $1,180,000 as of June 30, 2007.

The market prices used to determine the fair value for this derivative instrument were estimated based on independent sources such as broker quotes and publications. Settlement of this contract occurred on a cash or net basis through 2006 and by physical delivery thereafter through 2008. Registrant has no other derivative financial instruments.

18




Note 5 — Income Taxes:

As a regulated utility, GSWC treats certain temporary differences as flow-through adjustments in computing its income tax provision consistent with the income tax approach approved by the CPUC for ratemaking purposes. Flow-through adjustments increase or decrease tax expense in one period, with an offsetting increase or decrease occurring in another period. Giving effect to these temporary differences as flow-through adjustments typically results in a greater variance between the effective tax rate (“ETR”) and the statutory federal and state income tax rates in any given period than would otherwise exist if GSWC were not required to account for its income taxes as a regulated enterprise.

In July 2006, the FASB issued FIN 48.  FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes by prescribing the recognition threshold a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements.  FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.  Effective January 1, 2007, Registrant adopted FIN 48. As a result of adoption, Registrant increased retained earnings by $181,000.  As of the adoption date and at June 30, 2007, Registrant’s total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $4.8 million, of which $118,000, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.

With the adoption of FIN 48, Registrant continued its policy of classifying interest on income tax over/underpayments in interest income/expense and penalties in “other operating expenses.”  At June 30, 2007, Registrant included $404,000 of net interest receivables from taxing authorities in other assets ($103,000 as current), of which $42,000 and $83,000 were included in interest income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007, respectively.  For the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, Registrant recognized $381,000 of income-tax-related interest income.  At June 30, 2007, Registrant had no accruals for income-tax-related penalties and did not recognize any such penalty expense during the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006.

Registrant files federal and various state income tax returns.  The U.S. federal filings for the years 1997 through 1999 and 2002 came under examination during the first quarter of 2007 as a result of Registrant having filed an amended 2002 return during the third quarter of 2006 for which Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and Congressional Joint Committee of Taxation (“JCT”) reviews are required.  The 2002 return was amended primarily as a result of the IRS consenting to Registrant’s request for approval to change a tax accounting method.  In relation to this consent, Registrant’s total amount of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly increase or decrease within twelve months of June 30, 2007.  An estimate of the range of the reasonably possible change cannot be made at June 30, 2007.  Registrant is unable to anticipate when the IRS and JCT reviews will be concluded.

The California filing for 2001 also came under examination by the Franchise Tax Board during the first quarter of 2007 as a result of Registrant having filed an amended 2001 return in the first quarter of 2006.  The Franchise Tax Board completed its review during July 2007 without proposing any material changes to the amended return as filed by Registrant.

Registrant’s 2003 through 2005 tax years also remain subject to examination by the IRS and its 2002 through 2005 tax years remain subject to examination by state taxing authorities.

There were no material differences between AWR and GSWC with respect to their accounting for income taxes.

Note 6 — Employee Benefit Plans:

The components of net periodic benefit costs, before allocation to the overhead pool, for Registrant’s pension plan, postretirement plan, and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 are as follows:

 

 

For The Three Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postretirement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

Benefits

 

SERP

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Components of Net Periodic Benefits Cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

940

 

$

991

 

$

105

 

$

107

 

$

106

 

$

32

 

Interest cost

 

1,243

 

1,175

 

168

 

155

 

41

 

35

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(1,133

)

(984

)

(57

)

(50

)

 

 

Amortization of transition

 

 

 

105

 

105

 

 

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

41

 

41

 

(50

)

(50

)

40

 

37

 

Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss

 

154

 

292

 

25

 

37

 

(6

)

(3

)

Net periodic pension cost

 

$

1,245

 

$

1,515

 

$

296

 

$

304

 

$

181

 

$

101

 

 

19




 

 

 

For The Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postretirement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

Benefits

 

SERP

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Components of Net Periodic Benefits Cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

1,880

 

$

1,982

 

$

210

 

$

214

 

$

212

 

$

64

 

Interest cost

 

2,486

 

2,350

 

336

 

310

 

82

 

70

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(2,266

)

(1,968

)

(114

)

(100

)

 

 

Amortization of transition

 

 

 

210

 

210

 

 

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

82

 

82

 

(100

)

(100

)

80

 

74

 

Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss

 

308

 

584

 

50

 

74

 

(12

)

(6

)

Net periodic pension cost

 

$

2,490

 

$

3,030

 

$

592

 

$

608

 

$

362

 

$

202

 

 

Registrant expects to contribute a minimum of approximately $4,974,000 and $800,000 to the pension and postretirement medical plans in 2007, respectively.  Registrant contributed its first payment of $1,125,000 to the pension plan during the second quarter of 2007.  A second payment of $695,000 was made in July 2007.  No contributions to the postretirement plan were made during the three and six months ended June 30, 2007.

As of December 31, 2006, Registrant’s pension obligation was determined by an actuarial valuation using actual beginning -of-year (January 1, 2006) census data.  During the second quarter of 2007, Registrant’s actuaries completed a revised valuation with updated census data as of December 31, 2006.  As a result of using updated data, Registrant recorded a $1.1 million reduction to the projected benefit obligation with a corresponding decrease to the regulatory asset during the second quarter of 2007.

Note 7 — Contingencies:

Water Quality-Related Litigation:

In 1997, GSWC was named as a defendant in nineteen lawsuits that alleged that GSWC and other water utilities delivered unsafe water to their customers in the San Gabriel Valley and Pomona Valley areas of Los Angeles County. Plaintiffs in these actions sought damages, including general, special, and punitive damages, as well as attorney’s fees on certain causes of action, costs of suit, and other unspecified relief.  On August 4, 2004, GSWC was dismissed from all nineteen Los Angeles County cases. The Court found GSWC did not violate established water quality standards and dismissed the cases after allowing reasonable time and opportunity for the plaintiffs to prove otherwise. GSWC has long asserted that it provides water within the standards established by the CPUC in cooperation with the health authorities. On September 21, 2004, GSWC received notice that all of the plaintiffs filed an appeal to the trial court’s order dismissing GSWC. Briefs and reply briefs were filed in the appeal. On February 7, 2006, the Second Appellate District in which the briefs were filed, moved the California Supreme Court to transfer the appeal to the First Appellate District, the District in which prior appeals regarding these cases had been heard.  The Supreme Court granted the transfer.  Argument in the court of appeal was held before the First Appellate District on June 20, 2007, and a ruling is expected by September 20, 2007.  GSWC is unable to predict the outcome of this appeal.

GSWC is subject to self-insured retention (deductible) provisions in its applicable insurance policies and has either expensed the self-insured amounts or has reserved against payment of these amounts as appropriate. GSWC’s various insurance carriers have, to date, provided reimbursement for much of the costs incurred above the self-insured amounts for defense against these lawsuits, subject to a reservation of rights. In addition, the CPUC has issued certain decisions, which authorize GSWC to establish a memorandum account to accumulate costs for future recovery.

Perchlorate and/or Volatile Organic Compounds (“VOC”) have been detected in five wells servicing GSWC’s South San Gabriel System. GSWC filed suit in federal court, along with two other affected water purveyors and the San Gabriel Basin Water Quality Authority (“WQA”), against some of those allegedly responsible for the contamination of two of these wells. Some of the other potential defendants settled with GSWC, other water purveyors and the WQA (the “Water Entities”) on VOC related issues prior to the filing of the lawsuit. In response to the filing of the lawsuit, the Potentially Responsible Party (“PRP”) defendants filed motions to dismiss the suit or strike certain portions of the suit. The judge issued a ruling on April 1, 2003 granting in part and denying in part the PRP’s motions. A key ruling of the court was that the water purveyors, including GSWC, by virtue of their ownership of wells contaminated with hazardous chemicals are themselves PRPs under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA”).

20




Registrant has, pursuant to permission of the court, amended its suit to claim certain affirmative defenses as an “innocent” party under CERCLA. Registrant is presently unable to predict the outcome of this ruling on its ability to fully recover from the PRPs future costs associated with the treatment of these wells. In this same suit, the PRPs have filed cross-complaints against the Water Entities, the Metropolitan Water District, the Main San Gabriel Basin Watermaster and others on the theory that they arranged for and did transport contaminated water into the Main San Gabriel Basin for use by Registrant and the other two affected water purveyors and for other related claims.

On August 29, 2003, the US Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) issued Unilateral Administrative Orders (“UAO”) against 41 parties deemed responsible for polluting the groundwater in that portion of the San Gabriel Valley from which two of GSWC’s impacted wells draw water. GSWC was not named as a party to the UAO. The UAO requires that these parties remediate the contamination. The judge in the lawsuit has appointed a special master to oversee mandatory settlement discussions between the PRPs and the Water Entities. EPA is also conducting settlement discussions with several PRPs regarding the UAO. The Water Entities and EPA are working to coordinate their settlement discussions under the special master in order to arrive at a complete resolution of all issues affecting the lawsuit and the UAO.  Settlements with a number of the PRPs are being finalized; however, Registrant is presently unable to predict the ultimate outcome of these settlement discussions.

Registrant is unable to predict an estimate of the loss, if any, resulting from any of these suits or administrative proceedings.

Condemnation of Properties:

The laws of the State of California and the State of Arizona provide for the acquisition of public utility property by governmental agencies through their power of eminent domain, also known as condemnation, where doing so is necessary and in the public interest. In addition, however, the laws of the State of California provide: (i) that the owner of utility property may contest whether the condemnation is actually necessary and in the public interest, and (ii) that the owner is entitled to receive the fair market value of its property if the property is ultimately taken.

Although the City of Claremont, California located in GSWC’s Region III, has not initiated the formal condemnation process pursuant to California law, the City has expressed various concerns to GSWC about the rates charged by GSWC and the effectiveness of the CPUC’s rate setting procedures. The City hired a consultant to perform an appraisal of the value of GSWC’s water system serving the City. The value was estimated in 2004 by the City’s consultant at $40 - $45 million. GSWC disagrees with the consultant’s valuation assessment. As of June 30, 2007, management believes that the fair market value of the Claremont water system exceeds the $38.3 million recorded net book value and also exceeds the consultant’s estimates of its value.  The Claremont City Council held a project priorities workshop in April 2007.  The council members agreed that the acquisition of GSWC’s water system was to remain a priority and authorized staff to obtain updated appraisals for the value of the water systems.  Requests for proposals have been sent to consulting firms.

The Town of Apple Valley is located in GSWC’s Region III and was evaluating the potential takeover of GSWC’s Apple Valley water systems as well as the water systems of another utility serving the Town.  On March 13, 2007, the Town Council voted to formally abandon its review of the potential acquisitions.  GSWC was notified of the Town Council’s action by a letter from the Town Manager dated April 3, 2007.

Except for the City of Claremont and the Town of Apple Valley, Registrant has not been, within the last three years, involved in activities related to the potential condemnation of any of its other water customer service areas or in its Bear Valley Electric customer service area. No formal condemnation proceedings have been filed against any of the Registrant’s  service areas during the past three years.

Santa Maria Groundwater Basin Adjudication:

In 1997, the Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District (“plaintiff”) filed a lawsuit against multiple defendants, including GSWC, the City of Santa Maria, and several other public water purveyors. The plaintiff’s lawsuit seeks an adjudication of the Santa Maria Groundwater Basin.  A stipulated settlement of the lawsuit has been reached, subject to CPUC approval. The settlement, among other things, if approved by the CPUC, would preserve GSWC’s historical pumping rights and secure supplemental water rights for use in case of drought or other reductions in the natural yield of the Basin. There are also a few nonsettling parties, and the case is going forward as to these parties. The settlement, if approved, would preserve GSWC’s position with the settling parties independent of the outcome of the case as it moves forward with the nonsettling parties.

21




Air Quality Management District:

In 1998, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (“AQMD”) issued a permit to GSWC for the installation and use of air stripping equipment at one of GSWC’s groundwater treatment systems in its Region II service area.   In 2005, the AQMD conducted an inspection of this facility and issued a Notice of Violation (“NOV”) for exceeding the amount of groundwater permitted to be treated by the treatment system during calendar year 2004.  Since receiving the NOV, changes in GSWC procedures have avoided additional violations at the facility.  The AQMD could have assessed penalties associated with an NOV that can range from $10,000 up to $75,000 per day of violation.  GSWC estimates that it was in violation approximately 180 days in 2004.  GSWC met with AQMD on numerous occasions to resolve the NOV and to ensure future compliance.  As part of this process, GSWC also submitted an application to amend the permit, because an amendment may have been necessary for continued operation of the subject air stripping equipment.

GSWC finalized a settlement of the NOV with the AQMD in June 2007.  As part of the settlement, GSWC agreed to withdraw its application for an amended air discharge permit and perform a Supplemental Environmental Program (“SEP”).  A SEP typically involves capital expenditures resulting in a change of process, equipment, material, or indirect source reduction for the purposes of eliminating or reducing air contaminant emissions.  The SEP prepared by GSWC involves installation and operation of granular activated carbon filters at the facility.  Installation of the filters will eliminate the use of the air stripping equipment at the facilities involved with the NOV and thus improve air quality.  The AQMD accepted the SEP and assessed a nominal penalty of $25,000.  During the six months ended June 30, 2007, GSWC paid the penalty of $25,000 and agreed to perform its obligations under the SEP.  It is estimated that the total capital cost of the SEP will be approximately $1.8 million with a required estimated completion date of April 30, 2009.  Upon timely performance of all its obligations under the SEP, GSWC shall be deemed released from any and all claims or penalties arising from the NOV.  Management believes that GSWC will be able to timely fulfill its obligations under the SEP and no further penalties are expected to be assessed.  Management also believes it is probable that the capital costs of the SEP will be approved in rate base by the CPUC.

Other Litigation:

A former officer of the Company has asserted a potential claim against the Company for retaliation against the former officer and others in connection with alleged discriminatory conduct by the Company and its Board of Directors. Although management believes that the allegations are without merit and intends to vigorously defend against them, the Company retained an independent investigator to review the allegations and investigate the facts. Based upon the results of such investigation, the Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of this matter will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Registrant is also subject to other ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business.  Management believes that rate recovery, proper insurance coverage and reserves are in place to insure against property, general liability and workers’ compensation claims incurred in the ordinary course of business.

22




Note 8 — Business Segments:

AWR has three reportable segments, water, electric and contracted services, whereas GSWC has two segments, water and electric. Within the segments, AWR has three principal business units: water and electric service utility operations conducted through GSWC, a water-service utility operation conducted through CCWC, and a contracted services unit conducted through ASUS and its subsidiaries. All activities of GSWC are geographically located within California. All activities of CCWC are located in the state of Arizona.  Activities of ASUS and its subsidiaries are conducted in California, Maryland, New Mexico, Texas and Virginia.  Both GSWC and CCWC are regulated utilities. 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 GSWC’s operating segments, CCWC, ASUS and its subsidiaries, and other matters.  Certain assets, revenues and expenses have been allocated in the amounts set forth. The identifiable assets are net of respective accumulated provisions for depreciation. Capital additions reflect capital expenditures paid in cash and exclude property installed by developers and conveyed to GSWC or CCWC.

 

 

As Of And For The Three Months Ended June 30, 2007

 

 

 

GSWC

 

CCWC

 

ASUS

 

AWR

 

Consolidated

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Water

 

Electric

 

Water

 

Contracts

 

Parent

 

AWR

 

Operating revenues

 

$

58,894

 

$

6,255

 

$

1,932

 

$

12,165

 

$

 

$

79,246

 

Pretax operating income (loss)

 

15,812

 

(40

)(1)

169

 

1,527

 

(11

)

17,457

 

Interest expense, net

 

4,284

 

370

 

97

 

272

 

(39

)

4,984

 

Identifiable assets

 

674,361

 

39,521

 

42,179

 

1,064

 

 

757,125

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

6,111

 

534

 

395

 

48

 

 

7,088

 

Capital additions

 

8,524

 

634

 

444

 

313

 

 

9,915

 

 

 

 

As Of And For The Three Months Ended June 30, 2006

 

 

 

GSWC

 

CCWC

 

ASUS

 

AWR

 

Consolidated

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Water

 

Electric

 

Water

 

Contracts

 

Parent

 

AWR

 

Operating revenues

 

$

51,396

 

$

7,027

 

$

2,048

 

$

2,567

 

$

 

$

63,038

 

Pretax operating income (loss)

 

14,669

 

(96

)(1)

393

 

(765

)

(13

)

14,188

 

Interest expense, net

 

3,655

 

292

 

154

 

264

 

105

 

4,470

 

Identifiable assets

 

651,440

 

41,439

 

37,603

 

920

 

 

731,402

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

5,593

 

541

 

423

 

53

 

 

6,610

 

Capital additions

 

13,765

 

543

 

486

 

 

 

14,794

 

 

 

 

As Of And For The Six Months Ended June 30, 2007

 

 

 

GSWC

 

CCWC

 

ASUS

 

AWR

 

Consolidated

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Water

 

Electric

 

Water

 

Contracts

 

Parent

 

AWR

 

Operating revenues

 

$

107,582

 

$

15,124

 

$

3,571

 

$

25,239

 

$

 

$

151,516

 

Pretax operating income (loss)

 

26,791

 

3,612

(2)

320

 

3,691

 

(106

)

34,308

 

Interest expense, net

 

8,422

 

718

 

215

 

557

 

2

 

9,914

 

Identifiable assets

 

674,361

 

39,521

 

42,179

 

1,064

 

 

757,125

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

12,222

 

1,067

 

792

 

96

 

 

14,177

 

Capital additions

 

17,502

 

1,195

 

839

 

344

 

 

19,880

 

 

 

 

As Of And For The Six Months Ended June 30, 2006

 

 

 

GSWC

 

CCWC

 

ASUS

 

AWR

 

Consolidated

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Water

 

Electric

 

Water

 

Contracts

 

Parent

 

AWR

 

Operating revenues

 

$

100,367

 

$

15,372

 

$

3,832

 

$

7,867

 

$

 

$

127,438

 

Pretax operating income (loss)

 

28,601

 

(1,181

)(2)

725

 

251

 

(62

)

28,334

 

Interest expense, net

 

7,365

 

589

 

264

 

476

 

218

 

8,912

 

Identifiable assets

 

651,440

 

41,439

 

37,603

 

920

 

 

731,402

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

11,089

 

1,076

 

838

 

89

 

 

13,092

 

Capital additions

 

31,740

 

1,376

 

804

 

202

 

 

34,122

 

 


(1)      Includes $236,000 and $923,000 unrealized loss on purchased power contracts for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

(2)      Includes $2,474,000 unrealized gain on purchased power contracts and $3,078,000 unrealized loss on purchased power contracts for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

23




Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

General

American States Water Company (“AWR”) is the parent company of Golden State Water Company (“GSWC”), American States Utility Services, Inc. (“ASUS”) and its subsidiaries, and Chaparral City Water Company (“CCWC”). AWR was incorporated as a California corporation in 1998 as a holding company.

GSWC is a California public utility company engaged principally in the purchase, production and distribution of water. GSWC also distributes electricity in one customer service area. GSWC is regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) and was incorporated as a California corporation on December 31, 1929. GSWC is organized into one electric customer service area and three water service regions consisting of 21 customer service areas operating within 75 communities in 10 counties in the State of California. Region I consists of 7 customer service areas in northern and central California; Region II consists of 4 customer service areas located in Los Angeles County; and Region III consists of 10 customer service areas in eastern Los Angeles County, and in Orange, San Bernardino and Imperial counties. GSWC also provides electric service to the City of Big Bear Lake and surrounding areas in San Bernardino County through its Bear Valley Electric service division.  GSWC served 254,880 water customers and 23,213 electric customers at June 30, 2007, or a total of 278,093 customers, compared with 276,841 total customers at June 30, 2006. GSWC’s utility operations exhibit seasonal trends. Although GSWC’s water utility operations have a diversified customer base, residential and commercial customers account for the majority of GSWC’s water sales and revenues. Revenues derived from commercial and residential water customers accounted for approximately 82.7% of total water revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2007, as compared to 87.4% for the three months ended June 30, 2006.  Revenues derived from commercial and residential water customers accounted for approximately 86.1% of total water revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2007, as compared to 88.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2006.  In addition, effective January 1, 2007, ASUS assigned service contracts with various municipalities to provide billing and meter reading services to GSWC.

CCWC is an Arizona public utility company serving 13,444 customers as of June 30, 2007, compared with 13,219 customers at June 30, 2006. Located in the town of Fountain Hills, Arizona and a portion of the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, the majority of CCWC’s customers are residential. The Arizona Corporation Commission (“ACC”) regulates CCWC.

ASUS contracts, either directly or through wholly-owned subsidiaries, with the U.S. government and various municipalities and private entities to provide water and wastewater services, including the operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems and water marketing. ASUS commenced operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems through a wholly-owned subsidiary at its first military base in Texas in October 2004.  Since that date, ASUS commenced operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems at military bases through wholly-owned subsidiaries in Maryland and Virginia in February 2006. All of these contracts may be terminated, in whole or in part, prior to the end of the 50-year term for convenience of the U.S. government or as a result of default or nonperformance by ASUS or through its wholly-owned subsidiaries.  In either event, ASUS would be made whole and shall be entitled to recover the remaining amount of its capital investment pursuant to the terms of a termination settlement with the U.S. government at the time of termination as provided in each of the contracts.  The contract price for each of these contracts is subject to redetermination two years after commencement of operations and every three years thereafter to the extent provided in each of the contracts. However, ASUS has experienced delays in the redetermination of prices at Fort Bliss following completion of the first two years of operation in October 2006.  Prices are also subject to equitable adjustment based upon changes in circumstances and changes in wages and fringe benefits to the extent provided in each of the contracts.  In addition, a subsidiary of ASUS has executed a contract for the construction of infrastructure improvements at the military base in Texas.  This contract is a fixed-price contract.  Prices may be increased by the execution of change orders if significant unforeseen issues are encountered during construction that would increase overall costs.  Revenues are recognized under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting for this contract.

ASUS and GSWC have been pursuing an opportunity to provide contract services for wastewater treatment and retail water services respectively, within the service area of the Natomas Central Mutual Water Company (“Natomas”). Natomas is a California mutual water company which currently provides water service to its shareholders, primarily for agricultural irrigation in portions of Sacramento and Sutter counties in northern California. In August 2004, Natomas and ASUS entered into a contract under which ASUS acts as the exclusive agent for marketing water that has become temporarily surplus to the internal needs of Natomas, and that arises under water rights permits and contracts owned or controlled by Natomas, to third parties outside the Natomas service area. On January 31, 2006, ASUS and Natomas entered into a water purchase and sale agreement under which ASUS will acquire 5,000 acre-feet of permanent Sacramento River water diversion

24




rights from Natomas. Pursuant to the terms of this agreement, Natomas will sell, transfer and convey to ASUS, in perpetuity, water rights and entitlements to divert from the Sacramento River up to 5,000 acre-feet of water per year, subject to certain regulatory approvals. Terms of the acquisition, among other things, include a base price of $2,500 per acre-foot of water, with payments contingent on achievement of specific milestones and events over a 10-year period. Pursuant to the marketing services agreement described above, Natomas will pay to ASUS a commission of 16% of the sale price over the same 10-year period for any temporary surplus water successfully marketed by ASUS. At the same time that the water purchase agreement was completed, Natomas and ASUS also entered into a settlement agreement that released Natomas from previously established reimbursement obligations under prior agreements. ASUS may use the water rights acquired from Natomas to serve existing customers, to re-sell to other beneficial users, or to pursue and serve expanded service territories.

GSWC and Natomas have also entered into a water transfer agreement under which GSWC agreed to purchase and Natomas agreed to sell up to 30,000 acre-feet of water to be used exclusively by GSWC to serve customers in Sutter County, California. Additionally, GSWC filed for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity with the CPUC on May 31, 2006 to provide retail water service in a portion of Sutter County, California within the Natomas service area.  CPUC review of the application has been deferred pending completion of an environmental assessment for the proposed new water service. All of the agreements with Natomas are subject to receipt of various regulatory approvals required for their full implementation.

Overview

Our revenues, operating income, and cash flows are earned primarily through delivering drinking water to homes and businesses over 2,900 miles of water distribution pipelines.  Rates charged to customers of GSWC and CCWC are determined by either the CPUC or ACC. These rates are intended to allow recovery of operating costs and a reasonable rate of return on capital. Factors recently affecting our financial performance include the process and timing of setting rates charged to customers; our ability to recover, and the process for recovering in rates, the costs of distributing water and electricity; weather; the impact of increased water quality standards on the cost of operations and capital expenditures; pressures on water supply caused by population growth, more stringent water quality standards, deterioration in water quality and water supply from a variety of causes; capital expenditures needed to upgrade water systems and increased costs and risks associated with litigation relating to water quality and water supply, including suits initiated by the Company to protect its water supply.

We plan to continue to seek additional rate increases in future years to recover our operating and supply costs and receive reasonable returns on invested capital. Capital expenditures in future years are expected to remain at much higher levels than depreciation expense. Cash solely from operations is not expected to be sufficient to fund our needs for capital expenditures, dividends, investments in our contract business and other cash requirements. We expect to fund these needs through a combination of debt and common stock offerings in the ensuing years.  AWR expects to issue equity in late 2007 or early 2008.

Operating revenues and income from our contracted services are earned primarily from the operation and maintenance of water and wastewater systems for the U.S. government at various military bases.  All of the operations and maintenance contracts with the U.S. government are 50-year fixed-price redetermination-prospective contracts.  We also may generate revenues from the construction of infrastructure improvements at these bases pursuant to the terms of these 50-year contracts or pursuant to supplemental contracts.  Revenues generated by our contract operations are primarily dependent on these new business activities, including military base operations and the construction of new and/or replacement infrastructure at these military bases.  As a result, we are subject to risks that are different than those of our regulated water and electric activities.   We plan to continue seeking opportunities to bid on other contracts for the privatization of water and wastewater services at military bases.

25




Summary Results by Segment

AWR has three reportable segments: water, electric and contracted services. Within the segments, AWR has three principal business units: water and electric service utility operations conducted through GSWC, a water-service utility operation conducted through CCWC, and a contracted services unit conducted through ASUS and its subsidiaries. 

Second Quarter Results

The tables below set forth summaries of the results by segment (in thousands) for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006:

 

 

Operating Revenues

 

Pretax Operating Income

 

 

 

3 Mos.

 

3 Mos.

 

 

 

 

 

3 Mos.

 

3 Mos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

$

 

%

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

$

 

%

 

 

 

6/30/2007

 

6/30/2006

 

CHANGE

 

CHANGE

 

6/30/2007

 

6/30/2006

 

CHANGE

 

CHANGE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water

 

$

60,826

 

$

53,444

 

$

7,382

 

13.8

%

$

15,981

 

$

15,062

 

$

919

 

6.1

%

Electric

 

6,255

 

7,027

 

(772

)

-11.0

%

(40

)

(96

)

56

 

58.3

%

Contracted services

 

12,165

 

2,567

 

9,598

 

373.9

%

1,527

 

(765

)

2,292

 

299.6

%

AWR parent

 

 

 

 

 

(11

)

(13

)

2

 

15.4

%

Totals from operation

 

$

79,246

 

$

63,038

 

$

16,208

 

25.7

%

$

17,457

 

$

14,188

 

$

3,269

 

23.0

%

 

Water - For the three months ended June 30, 2007, pretax operating income for water increased by $919,000, or 6.1%, as a result of a $6.1 million increase in water margin as compared to the same period of 2006 due to increased water rates approved by the CPUC that were effective January 1, 2007, an increase in water consumption over that in the prior period, and a favorable change in the water supply mix.  This increase in margin was partially offset by higher operating, maintenance, administrative and general, and other expenses, which decreased operating income by $5.1 million, as more fully described below.

Electric - - For the three months ended June 30, 2007, pretax operating income for electric increased 58.3% primarily due to a $687,000 decrease in the pretax unrealized loss on purchased power contracts.  Partially offsetting this was an 11% decrease in revenues primarily due to warmer weather during the second quarter of 2007 as compared to the same period in 2006.  During the second quarter of 2006, cooler weather allowed for snow-making at the ski resorts to continue beyond the first quarter as well as provided for higher residential usage associated with heating needs.  In 2007, temperatures began to warm up in February resulting in a cessation of snow-making operations along with a reduction in residential energy demand.  There was also an increase in operating expenses that contributed to lower pretax operating income.

Contracted Services - For the three months ended June 30, 2007, pretax operating income for contracted services increased by $2.3 million.  This was primarily due to a new construction contract with the U.S. government.  In December 2006, a subsidiary of ASUS finalized an agreement with the U.S. government for the construction of certain improvements to the existing wastewater infrastructure located at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.  The $20.6 million project is a firm-fixed price contract, subject to change orders if significant issues are encountered during construction that would increase the overall cost of the project.  This construction project is an amendment and supplement to the 50-year contract with the U.S. government to manage the entire water and wastewater systems at Fort Bliss.  Revenues from this agreement are being recognized under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting.  As a result of this new project, operating income increased by $2.1 million during the second quarter of 2007. The project is scheduled to be completed by August 15, 2007 and there will be no further construction revenues associated with this amendment after that date.  Earnings and cash flows from amendments to the original 50-year contracts with the U.S. government are sporadic and may or may not continue in future periods.

26




Year-to-Date Results

The tables below set forth summaries of the results by segment (in thousands) for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006:

 

 

Operating Revenues

 

Pretax Operating Income

 

 

 

6 Mos.

 

6 Mos.

 

 

 

 

 

6 Mos.

 

6 Mos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

$

 

%

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

$

 

%

 

 

 

6/30/2007

 

6/30/2006

 

CHANGE

 

CHANGE

 

6/30/2007

 

6/30/2006

 

CHANGE

 

CHANGE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water

 

$

111,153

 

$

104,199

 

$

6,954

 

6.7

%

$

27,111

 

$

29,326

 

$

(2,215

)

-7.6

%

Electric

 

15,124

 

15,372

 

(248

)

-1.6

%

3,612

 

(1,181

)

4,793

 

405.8

%

Contracted services

 

25,239

 

7,867

 

17,372

 

220.8

%

3,691

 

251

 

3,440

 

1370.5

%

AWR parent

 

 

 

 

 

(106

)

(62

)

(44

)

-71.0

%

Totals from operation

 

$

151,516

 

$

127,438

 

$

24,078

 

18.9

%

$

34,308

 

$

28,334

 

$

5,974

 

21.1

%

 

Water - For the six months ended June 30, 2007, pretax operating income for water decreased compared to the same period in 2006 by $2.2 million, or 7.6%, primarily due to a favorable decision issued by the CPUC on April 13, 2006 regarding GSWC’s water rights lease revenues received from the City of Folsom, which generated a one-time revenue increase in 2006.  This decision added about $2.3 million of additional revenues in the first quarter of 2006 for amounts that had been received from the City of Folsom in 2004 and 2005.  Prior to the decision, these amounts had been recorded as regulatory liabilities.  The 2006 decision resulted in GSWC recognizing $2.3 million of lease revenues in the first quarter of 2006, but there was no corresponding revenue recognition amount in 2007.  Instead, GSWC will record in 2007 the on-going annual Folsom lease revenues of approximately $1.3 million.  Higher operating expenses as described below also contributed to the decrease in operating income for the water segment, offset by increased water rates approved by the CPUC that were effective January 1, 2007, an increase in water consumption over that in the prior period, and a favorable change in the water supply mix.

Electric - For the six months ended June 30, 2007, pretax operating income for electric increased by $4.8 million, due in large part to an unrealized gain on Bear Valley Electric’s purchased power contracts during the six months ended June 30, 2007 as a result of increasing energy prices versus an unrealized loss on purchased power contracts in the same period of 2006. The gain for the first six months of 2007 increased operating income by approximately $2.5 million as compared to a loss decreasing operating income by $3.1 million for the same period in 2006.  The net effect was an increase in electric operating income by $5.6 between the two periods.  This increase was partially offset by a decrease in consumption and an increase in operating expenses.

Contracted Services - For the six months ended June 30, 2007, pretax operating income for contracted services increased by $3.4 million.  This was primarily due to a new contract with the U.S. government previously discussed in the second quarter results. As a result of this new construction project, operating income increased by $4.3 million during the first six months of 2007. The project is scheduled to be completed by August 15, 2007 and there will be no further construction revenues associated with this amendment after that date.  As previously mentioned, earnings and cash flows from amendments to the original 50-year contracts with the U.S. government are sporadic and may or may not continue in future periods. Partially offsetting this increase was the recovery and reimbursement in 2006 of transition period operating expenses of about $672,000 as a result of operating and maintaining the water and wastewater systems at military bases in Virginia and Maryland pursuant to the contracts with the U.S. government commencing during the six months ended June 30, 2006.  We took over the operation and maintenance of the water and wastewater systems at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on February 1, 2006 and commenced operation of these systems on that date.  In addition, we assumed the operation and maintenance of the wastewater systems at Fort Lee in Virginia on February 23, 2006 and the water and wastewater systems at Fort Eustis, Fort Monroe and Fort Story in Virginia on April 3, 2006 and commenced operation and maintenance of these systems on those dates.  Therefore, we operated these bases partially during the first six months of 2006 and entirely during same period of 2007.

The following discussion and analysis provides information on AWR’s consolidated operations and assets.  Where necessary, the following discussion and analysis includes specific references to AWR’s individual segments and/or other subsidiaries CCWC, ASUS and its subsidiaries.

27




Consolidated Results of Operations — Three Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 (in thousands):

 

 

3 Mos.

 

3 Mos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

$

 

%

 

 

 

6/30/2007

 

6/30/2006

 

CHANGE

 

CHANGE

 

OPERATING REVENUES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water

 

$

60,826

 

$

53,444

 

$

7,382

 

13.8

%

Electric

 

6,255

 

7,027

 

(772

)

-11.0

%

Contracted services

 

12,165

 

2,567

 

9,598

 

373.9

%

Total operating revenues

 

79,246

 

63,038

 

16,208

 

25.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water purchased

 

12,077

 

10,916

 

1,161

 

10.6

%

Power purchased for pumping

 

2,673

 

2,416

 

257

 

10.6

%

Groundwater production assessment

 

2,549

 

2,239

 

310

 

13.8

%

Power purchased for resale

 

2,915

 

3,248

 

(333

)

-10.3

%

Unrealized loss on purchased power contracts

 

236

 

923

 

(687

)

-74.4

%

Supply cost balancing accounts

 

(1,190

)

(825

)

(365

)

44.2

%

Other operating expenses

 

6,559

 

5,886

 

673

 

11.4

%

Administrative and general expenses

 

13,664

 

10,902

 

2,762

 

25.3

%

Depreciation and amortization

 

7,088

 

6,610

 

478

 

7.2

%

Maintenance

 

4,353

 

3,246

 

1,107

 

34.1

%

Property and other taxes

 

2,843

 

2,480

 

363

 

14.6

%

Construction expenses

 

8,260

 

809

 

7,451

 

921.0

%

Net gain on sale of property

 

(238

)

 

238

 

100.0

%

Total operating expenses

 

61,789

 

48,850

 

12,939

 

26.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING INCOME

 

17,457

 

14,188

 

3,269

 

23.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(5,570

)

(5,433

)

137

 

2.5

%

Interest income

 

586

 

963

 

(377

)

-39.1

%

Other

 

63

 

 

63

 

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

12,536

 

9,718

 

2,818

 

29.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

5,214

 

3,449

 

1,765

 

51.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME

 

$

7,322

 

$

6,269

 

$

1,053

 

16.8

%

 

Net income for the second quarter ended June 30, 2007 increased by 16.8% to $7.3 million, equivalent to $0.42 per common share on both a basic and fully diluted basis, compared to $6.3 million or $0.36 per  share on both a basic and diluted basis for the three months ended June 30, 2006. Impacting the comparability in the results of the two periods are the following significant items, which are also discussed in greater detail below:

·              An increase in the margin for the water segment’s pretax operations of $6.1 million, or $0.21 per share, as compared to the same period of 2006, due to increased water rates approved by the CPUC that were effective January 1, 2007, an increase in water consumption over that in the prior period, and a favorable change in the supply mix.

28




·                     An unrealized loss on purchased power contracts which decreased pretax income by $236,000, or approximately $0.01 per share for the three months ended June 30, 2007, as compared to a $923,000 unrealized loss, or $0.03 per share, for the three months ended June 30, 2006.

·                     An increase in contracted services’ pretax operating income of $2.3 million, or $0.08 per share, as compared to the same period of 2006 for operating, maintaining and improving the water and wastewater systems at military bases for the U.S. government including a special wastewater expansion project. The increases include revenue recognized for certain special projects under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting.

·                     Higher operating expenses, a change in the effective tax rate, and other items described below, resulting in a decrease of $0.25 per share compared to the results of operations from 2006.

Operating Revenues

For the three months ended June 30, 2007, revenues from water operations increased by 13.8% to $60.8 million, compared to $53.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006.  This increase was due primarily to an increase of about 17.1% in billed water consumption resulting from warmer weather in 2007, which increased revenues by approximately $6.3 million. Differences in temperature and rainfall in Registrant’s service areas impact sales of water to customers, causing fluctuations in Registrant’s revenues and earnings between comparable periods.  There were also rate increases approved by the CPUC, effective January 1, 2007, which contributed approximately $1.1 million in increased water revenues.   Included in these rate increases in 2007 was an interim rate increase effective January 1, 2007, subject to refund, totaling approximately $260,000 for the second quarter ($1.2 million for the entire 2007 year) due to the CPUC’s delays in processing GSWC’s general rate applications for rate increases in Region II and for general office expenses at the corporate headquarters.  A proposed decision and an alternate decision were issued on July 24, 2007, which recommend rate increases in 2007 for Region II ranging from $6.3 million to $6.7 million.  In addition, GSWC’s Region III received an interim annual rate increase of $135,000 effective January 1, 2007 to cover general office expenses.  The proposed decision issued by the Administrative Law Judge on July 24, 2007 also recommends rate increases of $3.0 million for 2007 to recover the rate increases for general office expenses allocated to Region III.  The amounts ultimately decided by the CPUC will be retroactive to January 1, 2007.  Once the CPUC issues its final decisions, GSWC will implement a temporary surcharge to recover the revenue difference between the interim rates implemented on January 1, 2007 and the final rates authorized by the CPUC for the period from January 1 to the implementation of the new final rates.  The final decisions are expected in the third quarter of this year.

For the three months ended June 30, 2007, revenues from electric operations decreased by 11.0% to $6.3 million compared to $7.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006. The decrease reflects a 10.6% decrease in kilowatt-hour usage by residential and commercial customers due to warmer weather conditions during the second quarter of 2007 as compared to the same period in 2006.  Cooler weather in the 2006 period allowed for snow-making into early second quarter along with higher residential demand related to heating requirements.  Warmer weather in the second quarter of 2007 eliminated the ability for snow-making and reduced energy demands for residential heating purposes.

Registrant relies upon rate approvals by state regulatory agencies in California and Arizona in order to recover operating expenses and provide for a return on invested and borrowed capital used to fund utility plant. Without such adequate rate relief granted in a timely manner, revenues and earnings can be negatively impacted.  As noted above, interim rates were implemented due to delays by the CPUC.

Revenues from contracted services are comprised of construction revenues and management fees for operating and maintaining the water and wastewater systems at military bases. For the three months ended June 30, 2007, revenues from contracted services increased by $9.6 million, or 373.9%, to $12.2 million compared to $2.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006 due primarily to an increase of approximately $9.7 million related to construction revenues earned from the U.S. government recognized on the percentage-of completion method. The revenues earned were for the construction of certain improvements, renewals and replacements to the existing water and wastewater infrastructure at Fort Bliss and at other military bases located in Virginia and Maryland pursuant to new operation and maintenance contracts entered into in early 2006.  Certain of the construction projects are fixed-price contracts and are a supplement to ASUS’s 50-year contracts with the U.S. government.  In particular, ASUS entered into a $20.6 million project for the construction of certain improvements to the existing wastewater infrastructure located at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.  The $20.6 million project is a firm-fixed price contract and was an amendment and supplement to the 50-year contract with the U.S. government to manage the entire water and wastewater systems at Fort Bliss.  Revenues from this agreement have been recognized under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting.  As a result of this new project, which began in 2007, revenues for contracted services increased by $9.1 million during the second quarter of 2007. The project is scheduled to be completed by August 15, 2007, and there will be no further construction revenues associated with this amendment after that date.  Earnings and cash flows from amendments and modifications to the original 50-year contracts with the U.S. government are sporadic and may or may not continue in future periods.

29




Operating Expenses:

Supply Costs

Supply costs for the water segment consist of purchased water, purchased power for pumping, groundwater production assessments and water supply cost balancing accounts.  Supply costs included in electric supply costs consist of purchased power for resale and the electric supply cost balancing account.  Water and electric margins are computed by taking total revenues, less total supply costs.  Registrant uses these margins and related percentages as an important measure in evaluating its operating results.  Registrant believes this non-GAAP measure to be a useful internal benchmark in evaluating the utility business performance within its water and electric segments.   Registrant reviews these measurements regularly and compares them to historical periods and to our operating budget as approved.  However, this non-GAAP measure may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other entities and should not be considered as an alternative to operating income, which is determined in accordance with GAAP, as an indicator of operating performance.

Total supply costs comprise the largest segment of total operating expenses.  Supply costs accounted for approximately 30.8% and 36.8% of total operating expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The table below provides the amount of increases (decreases), percent changes in supply costs, and margins during the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 (amounts in thousands):

 

 

3 Mos.

 

3 Mos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

$

 

%

 

 

 

6/30/2007

 

6/30/2006

 

CHANGE

 

CHANGE

 

WATER OPERATING REVENUES (1)

 

$

60,826

 

$

53,444

 

$

7,382

 

13.8

%

WATER SUPPLY COSTS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water purchased (1)

 

12,077

 

10,916

 

1,161

 

10.6

%

Power purchased for pumping (1)

 

2,673

 

2,416

 

257

 

10.6

%

Groundwater production assessment (1)

 

2,549

 

2,239

 

310

 

13.8

%

Water supply cost balancing accounts (1)

 

(1,631

)

(1,235

)

(396

)

32.1

%

 

 

$

15,668

 

$

14,336

 

$

1,332

 

9.3

%

WATER MARGIN (2)

 

$

45,158

 

$

39,108

 

$

6,050

 

15.5

%

PERCENT MARGIN - WATER

 

74.2

%

73.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ELECTRIC OPERATING REVENUES (1)

 

$

6,255

 

$

7,027

 

$

(772

)

-11.0

%

ELECTRIC SUPPLY COSTS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Power purchased for resale (1)

 

2,915

 

3,248

 

(333

)

-10.3

%

Electric supply cost balancing accounts (1)

 

441

 

410

 

31

 

7.6

%

 

 

$

3,356

 

$

3,658

 

$

(302

)

-8.3

%

ELECTRIC MARGIN (2)

 

$

2,899

 

$

3,369

 

$

(470

)

-14.0

%

PERCENT MARGIN - ELECTRIC

 

46.3

%

47.9

%

 

 

 

 

 


(1)          As reported on AWR’s Consolidated Statements of Income, except for supply cost balancing accounts.  The sum of water and electric supply cost balancing accounts in the table above are shown on AWR’s Consolidated Statements of Income and totaled ($1,190,000) and ($825,000) for the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

(2)          Water and electric margins do not include any depreciation and amortization, maintenance expense, or other operating expenses.

30




Two of the principal factors affecting water supply costs and gross margin are the amount of water produced and the source of the water.  Generally, the cost of producing water from wells costs less than water purchased from wholesale suppliers.  In addition, GSWC is authorized to establish water and electric supply cost balancing/memorandum accounts for increases and/or decreases in costs due to changes in rates charged by its suppliers providing our purchased water and purchased power, and by agencies assessing groundwater related pump taxes for our water service areas in California.   Higher or lower actual costs as compared to costs authorized by the CPUC will either be recovered from or refunded to customers in the future.   However, changes in the water resource mix between water supplied from purchased sources and that supplied from Registrant’s own wells can increase/decrease actual supply-related costs relative to that approved for recovery through rates, thereby impacting earnings either negatively or positively. GSWC has the opportunity to change the supply-related costs recovered through rates by application to the appropriate regulatory body. GSWC believes that its applications for recovery of supply-related costs accurately reflect the water supply situation as it is known at the time. Without a “full-cost” balancing account authorized by the CPUC, it is impossible to adequately protect earnings from adverse changes in supply costs related to unforeseen contamination or other loss of water supply.

For the three months ended June 30, 2007, 41.5% of the Company’s water supply mix was purchased as compared to 43.9% purchased for the three months ended June 30, 2006.  This change in mix resulted in improved margins in 2007 compared to same period in 2006.

Purchased water costs increased by 10.6% to $12.1 million compared to $10.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006. The increase is due primarily to an increase in water supply demand resulting from higher customer consumption and increased water rates charged by wholesale water suppliers.  In general, the supply cost memorandum account as discussed above allows GSWC to track incremental rate changes from suppliers, for future recovery in water rates.   These increases were offset by a favorable change in the supply mix discussed above.  Certain wells that had been removed from service in 2006 as a result of water quality issues and mechanical problems were either returned to service or otherwise supplemented in 2007.

For the three months ended June 30, 2007, the increases in power purchased for pumping and groundwater production assessments were due to higher water supply demand and an increase in pumping volume resulting from the favorable supply mix change as discussed. There were also increases in assessment rates levied against groundwater production, effective July 2006. Average pump tax rates increased in Regions II and III by approximately 2% and 4%, respectively.  Again, the supply cost memorandum account tracks the increases in pump tax rates for future recovery in water rates.

The supply cost balancing account tracks differences between the current cost for supply items (water, power, and pump taxes) charged by GSWC’s suppliers and the cost for those items incorporated into GSWC’s rates.  Overcollections occur when the current cost of these items is less than the amount in rates and have the effect of increasing the supply cost balancing account in the Statements of Income. Undercollections occur when the current cost exceeds the amount in rates for these items and, conversely have the effect of decreasing the supply cost balancing account in the Statements of Income.  Typically, overcollections or undercollections, when they occur, are tracked in the supply cost memorandum/balancing accounts for future refund or recovery through a surcredit (in the event of an overcollection) or surcharge (in the event of an undercollection) on customers’ bills.  Once in rates, the amortization of surcharges that are in place to recover under-collections from customers have the effect of increasing the supply cost balancing account in the Statements of Income.  Conversely, the amortization of surcredits that are in rates to refund over-collections to customers have the effect of decreasing the supply cost balancing account.  A decrease of $396,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2007 in the water supply cost balancing account as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2006 was primarily caused by a $533,000 decrease in the amortization of the water supply cost balancing accounts due to the expiration in October 2006 of the surcharge that was in rates to recover Region III’s under-collection.  This was partially offset by the recording of $181,000 net under-collection adjustment relating to 2005 due to the CPUC’s earning test requirement, which was eliminated in April 2006 by a CPUC decision. Under-collections and over-collections are now recorded on a monthly basis.

For the three months ended June 30, 2007, the cost of power purchased for resale to customers in GSWC’s Bear Valley Electric division decreased by 10.3% to $2.9 million compared to $3.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006, reflecting primarily lower customer demand during the second quarter of 2007, because of a lack of snowfall in this ski resort community.

31




Unrealized (Gain) Loss on Purchased Power Contracts

Unrealized gain and loss on purchased power contracts represent gains and losses recorded for GSWC’s purchased power agreements with Pinnacle West Marketing & Trading Company, LLC (“PWMT”) (formerly Pinnacle West Capital Corporation), which qualify as derivative instruments under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”.  The $236,000 pretax unrealized loss on purchased power contracts for the three months ended June 30, 2007 is due to a decrease in the current forward market prices since March 31, 2007, compared to a $923,000 pretax unrealized loss on purchased power contracts for the three months ended June 30, 2006. Unrealized gains and losses at Bear Valley Electric will continue to impact earnings during the life of the contract with PWMT, which terminates at the end of 2008.

Other Operating Expenses

The components of other operating expenses include primarily payroll, material and supplies, chemicals and water treatment, and contract service costs of operating the regulated water systems, including the costs associated with water transmission and distribution, pumping, water quality, meter reading, billing, and operations of district offices.  For the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, other operating expenses by segment consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):

 

 

3 Mos.

 

3 Mos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

$

 

%

 

 

 

6/30/2007

 

6/30/2006

 

CHANGE

 

CHANGE

 

Water Services

 

$

5,375

 

$

4,666

 

$

709

 

15.2

%

Electric Services

 

433

 

408

 

25

 

6.1

%

Contracted Services

 

751

 

812

 

(61

)

-7.5

%

Total other operating expenses

 

$

6,559

 

$

5,886

 

$

673

 

11.4

%

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2007, other operating expenses for water services increased by $709,000 due primarily to higher chemical and water treatment costs, including supplies and materials at GSWC’s Region II and III services areas.  In addition, these costs are being incurred throughout the year whereas in prior years they were generally deferred to the latter part of the year.

Administrative and General Expenses

Administrative and general expenses include payroll related to administrative and general functions, all employee benefits charged to expense accounts, insurance expenses, outside legal and consulting fees, regulatory utility commissions’ expenses, expenses associated with being a public company, and general corporate expenses.  For the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, administrative and general expenses by segment consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):

 

 

3 Mos.

 

3 Mos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

$

 

%

 

 

 

6/30/2007

 

6/30/2006

 

CHANGE

 

CHANGE

 

Water Services

 

$

10,694

 

$

8,249

 

$

2,445

 

29.6

%

Electric Services

 

1,531

 

1,168

 

363

 

31.1

%

Contracted Services

 

1,439

 

1,485

 

(46

)

-3.1

%

Total administratvive and general expenses

 

$

13,664

 

$

10,902

 

$

2,762

 

25.3

%

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2007, administrative and general expenses increased by $2.8 million in water and electric services compared to the three months ended June 30, 2006 due to: (i) an increase of approximately $907,000 in outside services relating primarily to additional tax, audit and legal services in 2007; (ii) the CPUC’s approval in April 2006 of Region II’s outside services memorandum account totaling approximately $709,000; upon approval by the CPUC, these legal costs,

32




which were incurred in prior periods, were reversed in the second quarter of 2006 and recorded as a regulatory asset;  there was no such adjustment in 2007; (iii) an approximate $577,000 increase in labor costs due to higher wages largely related to Registrant’s annual performance-based salary review program; (iv) a $225,000 increase in rent expense for office space and the telephone system; (v) an agreement with the City of Folsom to dismiss all opposition to service the Westborough development;  the agreement requires GSWC to pay the City of Folsom $550,000 with Aerojet reimbursing GSWC for 50% or $275,000 of the settlement payment; as of and for the three months ended June 30, 2007, GSWC has recorded an obligation to the City of Folsom for $550,000, an additional receivable of $275,000 from Aerojet for the amount to be reimbursed and a net charge to administrative and general expenses in the amount of $275,000 for its share of the settlement payment, and (vi) an increase of $115,000 in miscellaneous expenses.

A proposed decision and an alternate decision on GSWC’s Region II rate case were issued on July 24, 2007. The final decision may result in increased administrative and general expenses being allocated to contracted services.  However, management is unable to predict the final outcome of this rate case.

Depreciation and Amortization

For the three months ended June 30, 2007, depreciation and amortization expense increased by 7.2% to $7.1 million compared to $6.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006 reflecting, among other things, the effects of closing approximately $73 million of additions to utility plant during 2006, depreciation on which began in January 2007. Registrant anticipates that depreciation expense will continue to increase due to Registrant’s on-going construction program at its regulated subsidiaries. Registrant believes that depreciation expense related to property additions approved by the appropriate regulatory agency will be recovered through water and electric rates.

Maintenance

For the three months ended June 30, 2007, maintenance expense increased by 34.1% to $4.4 million compared to $3.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006 due principally to an increase in required and emergency maintenance on GSWC’s wells and water supply sources, primarily in its Region II and III service areas.

Property and Other Taxes

For the three months ended June 30, 2007, property and other taxes increased by 14.6% to $2.8 million compared to $2.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006 reflecting additional property taxes resulting from higher assessed values, and increases in payroll taxes based on increased labor costs.

Construction Expenses

For the three months ended June 30, 2007, ASUS construction expenses increased to $8.3 million compared to $809,000 for the same period in 2006 reflecting the costs incurred for the construction of various improvements, renewals and replacements to the existing water and wastewater infrastructure at Fort Bliss and at the military bases located in Virginia and Maryland pursuant to new contracts entered into in early 2006.  The increase in construction activity resulted from amendments to the original 50-year contracts with the U.S. government which required the construction of additional improvements at the various military bases.  As previously mentioned, ASUS entered into a $20.6 million project for the construction of certain improvements to the existing wastewater infrastructure located at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.   As a result of this new project, construction expenses increased by $7.0 million during the second quarter of 2007. The project is scheduled to be completed by August 15, 2007.

Net Gain on Sale of Property

For the three months ended June 30, 2007, Registrant recorded a net pretax gain of $238,000 on the sale of property it owned in the City of Claremont.  There was no similar gain in the same period of 2006.  Earnings and cash flows from property sales are sporadic and may or may not continue in future periods.

Interest Expense

For the three months ended June 30, 2007, interest expense increased by 2.5% to $5.6 million compared to $5.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006 primarily reflecting higher short-term interest rates.  There was also an increase in short-term cash borrowings. Average bank loan balances outstanding under an AWR credit facility for the second quarter of 2007 were approximately $33.4 million, as compared to an average of $31.0 million during the same period of 2006.

33




Interest Income

Interest income decreased by $377,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2007 due primarily to the receipt of  interest amounting to $381,000 related to a $3.0 million Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) refund in May 2006.

Income Tax Expense

For the three months ended June 30, 2007, income tax expense increased by 51.2% to $5.2 million compared to $3.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006 due, in part, to an increase in pretax income of 29.0%. In addition, the effective tax rate (“ETR”) for the three months ended June 30, 2007 was 41.6% as compared to a 35.5% ETR applicable to the three months ended June 30, 2006. The variance between the ETR and the statutory tax rate is primarily the result of differences between book and taxable income that are treated as flow-through adjustments in accordance with regulatory requirements. Flow-through adjustments increase or decrease tax expense in one period, with an offsetting increase or decrease occurring in another period.  In addition, during the third quarter of 2005, AWR filed an amended tax return for 2001 with the IRS which was subject to IRS and Congressional Joint Committee of Taxation (“JCT”) review. During the second quarter of 2006, the IRS and JCT reviews were completed and AWR received a refund in the amount of its original claim of $3.0 million, with interest. Consequently, in the second quarter of 2006, AWR recorded a tax benefit of $400,000, of which $351,000 was attributable to GSWC. The refund-claim benefit contributed 4.1 of the 6.1 percentage point ETR change referred to, above.

34




Consolidated Results of Operations — Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 (in thousands):

 

 

6 Mos.

 

6 Mos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

$

 

%

 

 

 

6/30/2007

 

6/30/2006

 

CHANGE

 

CHANGE

 

OPERATING REVENUES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water

 

$

111,153

 

$

104,199

 

$

6,954

 

6.7

%

Electric

 

15,124

 

15,372

 

(248

)

-1.6

%

Contracted services

 

25,239

 

7,867

 

17,372

 

220.8

%

Total operating revenues

 

151,516

 

127,438

 

24,078

 

18.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water purchased

 

20,950

 

19,260

 

1,690

 

8.8

%

Power purchased for pumping

 

4,791

 

4,020

 

771

 

19.2

%

Groundwater production assessment

 

4,828

 

4,322

 

506

 

11.7

%

Power purchased for resale

 

7,196

 

7,811

 

(615

)

-7.9

%

Unrealized (gain) loss on purchased power contracts

 

(2,474

)

3,078

 

(5,552

)

-180.4

%

Supply cost balancing accounts

 

(1,910

)

(338

)

(1,572

)

465.1

%

Other operating expenses

 

13,156

 

10,587

 

2,569

 

24.3

%

Administrative and general expenses

 

26,671

 

22,015

 

4,656

 

21.1

%

Depreciation and amortization

 

14,177

 

13,092

 

1,085

 

8.3

%

Maintenance

 

7,326

 

5,719

 

1,607

 

28.1

%

Property and other taxes

 

5,773

 

5,027

 

746

 

14.8

%

Construction expenses

 

17,329

 

4,511

 

12,818

 

284.1

%

Net gain on sale of property

 

(605

)

 

605

 

100.0

%

Total operating expenses

 

117,208

 

99,104

 

18,104

 

18.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING INCOME

 

34,308

 

28,334

 

5,974

 

21.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(11,066

)

(10,688

)

378

 

3.5

%

Interest income

 

1,152

 

1,776

 

(624

)

-35.1

%

Other

 

132

 

 

132

 

100.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

24,526

 

19,422

 

5,104

 

26.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

10,220

 

7,252

 

2,968

 

40.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME

 

$

14,306

 

$

12,170

 

$

2,136

 

17.6

%

 

Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2007 increased by 17.6% to $14.3 million, equivalent to $0.83 and $0.82 per common share on a basic and fully diluted basis, respectively, compared to $12.2 million or $0.71 per basic and diluted common shares for the six months ended June 30, 2006. Impacting the comparability in the results of the two periods are the following significant items:

·                  There was an unrealized gain on purchased power contracts in 2007 due to increasing energy prices versus an unrealized loss on purchased power contracts in 2006. The cumulative unrealized gain on purchased power contracts increased pretax income by approximately $2.5 million, or $0.09 per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2007, as compared to a cumulative unrealized loss on purchased power contracts that decreased pretax

35




income by $3.1 million, or $0.11 per share, for the same period in 2006.

·                  A decision issued by the CPUC on April 13, 2006 regarding the accounting treatment of GSWC’s water rights lease revenues, increased pretax operating income by about $2.3 million in March 2006, or approximately $0.08 per share, when compared to the same period in 2007. Pursuant to a March 2004 CPUC order, the apportionment of any Folsom lease revenues that GSWC may collect commencing in January 2004 was to be determined by a later decision. Pending that later decision and beginning in the first quarter of 2004, all amounts billed to the City of Folsom had been included in a regulatory liability account and no amounts were recognized as revenue until uncertainties about this matter were resolved with the CPUC. On April 13, 2006, the CPUC authorized GSWC to reinvest all lease revenues since January 2004, inclusive of the balances in the regulatory liability accounts established by GSWC for this matter, in water system infrastructure. These investments will be included in the rate base upon which GSWC earns a rate of return. In accordance with California law, GSWC has eight years in which to reinvest the proceeds, after which any amount remaining would inure to the customer’s benefit. As a result, in the second quarter of 2006, GSWC transferred about $2.3 million of water rights lease revenues received from the City of Folsom in 2004 and 2005 from the regulatory liability account, into water revenues.

·                     An increase, excluding the $2.3 million of water right lease revenues as discussed above, in the margin for the water segment of $3.8 million, or $0.13 per share, as compared to the same period of 2006 due to increased water rates approved by the CPUC that were effective January 1, 2007, an increase in water consumption over that in the prior period, and a favorable supply mix change.

·                  An increase in ASUS’s pretax operating income of $3.4 million, or $0.12 per share, as compared to the same period of 2006 for operating, maintaining and improving the water and wastewater systems at military bases for the U.S. government. The increases include revenue recognized for certain special projects under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting.

·                  Higher operating expenses, a change in the effective income tax rate, as well as other items described below, contributed to an overall decrease of $0.26 per basic share to the results of operations.

Operating Revenues

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, revenues from water operations increased by 6.7% to $111.2 million, compared to $104.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006.  Contributing to this increase were rate increases approved by the CPUC effective January 1, 2007, which contributed approximately $2.6 million in increased water revenues.  As more fully discussed in the quarterly results, included in the rate increases in 2007 was an interim rate increase effective January 1, 2007, subject to refund, totaling approximately $520,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2007 ($1.2 million for the entire 2007 year) due to the CPUC’s delays in processing GSWC’s general rate applications for rate increases in Region II and for general office expenses at the corporate headquarters.  Region III also received an interim rate increase of $135,000 effective January 1, 2007.  In addition, an increase of about 9.1% in billed water consumption resulting from much warmer and drier weather conditions increased revenues by approximately $6.6 million.  Differences in temperature and rainfall in Registrant’s service areas impact sales of water to customers, causing fluctuations in Registrant’s revenues and earnings between comparable periods.  Partially offsetting these increases was the fact that operating revenues for the first six months of 2006 were positively impacted by a CPUC decision issued on April 13, 2006 enabling GSWC to record $2.3 million of water rights lease revenues from the City of Folsom for the period from January 2004 to December 2005.  Prior to this decision, the apportionment of any lease revenues that GSWC collected in 2004 and 2005 had been included in a regulatory liability account and no amounts were recognized as revenues until regulatory uncertainties about this matter were resolved. There was no such adjustment in 2007.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, revenues from electric operations decreased by 1.6% to $15.1 million compared to $15.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. The decrease reflects lower kilowatt-hour usage by residential and commercial customers due warmer and drier weather conditions this spring.

Registrant relies upon rate approvals by state regulatory agencies in California and Arizona in order to recover operating expenses and provide for a return on invested and borrowed capital used to fund utility plant. Without such adequate rate relief granted in a timely manner, revenues and earnings can be negatively impacted.

Revenues from contracted services are comprised of construction revenues and management fees for operating and maintaining the water and wastewater systems at military bases.  For the six months ended June 30, 2007, revenues from contracted services increased by $17.4 million, or 220.8%, to $25.2 million compared to $7.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006 due primarily to an increase of approximately $17.0 million related to construction revenues earned from

36




the U.S. government and recognized on the percentage-of completion method. The revenues earned were for the construction of certain improvements, renewals and replacements to the existing water and wastewater infrastructure at Fort Bliss and at the military bases located in Virginia and Maryland pursuant to new contracts entered into in early 2006.  Certain of the construction projects are firm, fixed-price contracts and are supplemental to ASUS’s 50-year contracts with the U.S. government. As discussed in the quarterly results,  ASUS entered into a $20.6 million project for the construction of certain improvements to the existing wastewater infrastructure located at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, which was an amendment to the 50-year contract with the U.S. government. Revenues from this project have been recognized under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting.  As a result of this new project which began in 2007, revenues for contracted services increased by $19.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2007. The project is scheduled to be completed by August 15, 2007 and there will be no further construction revenues associated with this amendment after that date.  The increase on this project was partially offset by other non-recurring construction projects that were completed in 2006.  Earnings and cash flows from amendments and modifications to the original 50-year contracts with the U.S. government are sporadic and may or may not continue in future periods.   There were also additional management fee revenues totaling $776,000 during the six months ended June 30, 2007 generated from operating and maintaining the water and wastewater systems under the new contracts in Virginia and Maryland.

Operating Expenses:

Supply Costs

For general discussion on supply costs, see quarterly results.  Supply costs accounted for approximately 30.6% and 35.4% of total operating expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

The table below provides the amount of increases (decreases), percent changes in supply costs, and margins during the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 (amounts in thousands):

 

 

6 Mos.

 

6 Mos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

$

 

%

 

 

 

6/30/2007

 

6/30/2006

 

CHANGE

 

CHANGE

 

WATER OPERATING REVENUES (1)

 

$

111,153

 

$

104,199

 

$

6,954

 

6.7

%

WATER SUPPLY COSTS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Water purchased (1)

 

20,950

 

19,260

 

1,690

 

8.8

%

Power purchased for pumping (1)

 

4,791

 

4,020

 

771

 

19.2

%

Groundwater production assessment (1)

 

4,828

 

4,322

 

506

 

11.7

%

Water supply cost balancing accounts (1)

 

(3,157

)

(998

)

(2,159

)

216.3

%

 

 

$

27,412

 

$

26,604

 

$

808

 

3.0

%

WATER MARGIN (2)

 

$

83,741

 

$

77,595

 

$

6,146

 

7.9

%

PERCENT MARGIN - WATER

 

75.3

%

74.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ELECTRIC OPERATING REVENUES (1)

 

$

15,124

 

$

15,372

 

$

(248

)

-1.6

%

ELECTRIC SUPPLY COSTS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Power purchased for resale (1)

 

7,196

 

7,811

 

(615

)

-7.9

%

Electric supply cost balancing accounts (1)

 

1,247

 

660

 

587

 

88.9

%

 

 

$

8,443

 

$

8,471

 

$

(28

)

-0.3

%

ELECTRIC MARGIN (2)

 

$

6,681

 

$

6,901

 

$

(220

)

-3.2

%

PERCENT MARGIN - ELECTRIC

 

44.2

%

44.9

%

 

 

 

 

 


(1)          As reported on AWR’s Consolidated Statements of Income, except for supply cost balancing accounts.  The sum of water and electric supply cost balancing accounts in the table above are shown on AWR’s Consolidated Statements of Income and totaled ($1,910,000) and ($338,000) for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

(2)          Water and electric margins do not include any depreciation and amortization, maintenance expense, or other operating expenses.

37




For the six months ended June 30, 2007, 40.4% of the Company’s water supply mix was purchased as compared to 43.6% purchased for the six months ended June 30, 2006.  This change in mix resulted in improved margins in 2007 compared to same period in 2006.  Water gross margin for the six months ended June 30, 2006 included the $2.3 million water rights lease revenues from the City of Folsom.

Purchased water costs for the six months ended June 30, 2007 increased by 8.8% to $21.0 million compared to $19.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. The increase is due primarily to an increase in water supply demand resulting from higher customer consumption and increased water rates charged by suppliers.  In general, the supply cost memorandum account as discussed above allows GSWC to track incremental rate changes from suppliers, for future recovery in water rates.   In addition, GSWC entered into a one-time lease of pumped water rights with the City of Pomona in order to allow GSWC to pump more water.  The price of this lease paid by GSWC totaled $226,000 and was for 1,000 acre-feet of stored water in eastern Los Angeles County.  There were no water rights leased by GSWC from others in the same period of 2006.  These increases were offset by a favorable change in the supply mix discussed above, caused by less purchased water needed to replace groundwater supply not pumped in the prior year.  Certain wells had been removed from service in 2006 as a result of water quality issues and mechanical problems.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the increases in power purchased for pumping and groundwater production assessments were due to higher water supply demand and an increase in pumping volume resulting from the favorable supply mix change as discussed. There were also increases in assessment rates levied against groundwater production, effective July 2006. Average pump tax rates increased in Regions II and III by approximately 2% and 4%, respectively.  Again, the supply cost memorandum account tracks the increases in pump tax rates for future recovery in water rates.

For general discussion on increases and decreases to the supply cost balancing accounts in the Statements of Income, see quarterly results.  A decrease of $2.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2007 in the water supply cost balancing account provision as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2006 was primarily due to a net increase of $1.3 million of net under-collections in 2007 compared to same period in 2006 relating to memorandum accounts, caused by increased rates in purchased water and purchased power for pumping charged by GSWC’s suppliers and increased pump tax rates.  Under-collections in the memorandum accounts were not recorded in the first quarter of 2006 due to the CPUC’s earning test requirement, which was eliminated in April 2006 by a CPUC decision.  Under-collections are now recorded on a monthly basis.  There was also a $1.1 million decrease in amortization due to the expiration in October 2006 of the surcharge that was in rates to recover Region III’s under-collection.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, the cost of power purchased for resale to customers in GSWC’s Bear Valley Electric division decreased by 7.9% to $7.2 million compared to $7.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006, reflecting an increase in sales to the spot market at higher energy prices.  GSWC has a 15MW purchased power agreement with PWMT.  Purchased power in excess of demand is sold into the spot market at the market price.  There was an energy price increase of about $13/MWh, resulting in higher income from sales in the spot market.  Income from the spot market sales for the six months ended June 30, 2007 decreased the cost of power purchased for resale and increased the electric supply cost balancing account provision, respectively, as compared to the same period of 2006.   The decrease in the cost of power purchased for resale was also due to lower customer demand during the six months ended June 30, 2007 compared to same period of 2006.

Unrealized (Gain) Loss on Purchased Power Contracts

Unrealized gain and loss on purchased power contracts represent gains and losses recorded for GSWC’s purchased power agreements with PWMT, which qualify as derivative instruments under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities”. The $2.5 million pretax unrealized gain on purchased power contracts for the six months ended June 30, 2007 is due to an increase in the current forward market prices since December 31, 2006. There was a $3.1 million pretax unrealized loss on purchased power contracts for the six months ended June 30, 2006. Unrealized gains and losses at Bear Valley Electric will continue to impact earnings positively or negatively during the life of the contract with PWMT, which terminates at the end of 2008.

38




Other Operating Expenses

For the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, other operating expenses by segment consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):

 

 

6 Mos.

 

6 Mos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

$

 

%

 

 

 

6/30/2007

 

6/30/2006

 

CHANGE

 

CHANGE

 

Water Services

 

$

10,827

 

$

8,927

 

$

1,900

 

21.3

%

Electric Services

 

823

 

837

 

(14

)

-1.7

%

Contracted Services

 

1,506

 

823

 

683

 

83.0

%

Total other operating expenses

 

$

13,156

 

$

10,587

 

$

2,569

 

24.3

%

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, other operating expenses for water services increased by $1.9 million due primarily to higher chemicals and water treatment costs, including supplies and materials, of $1.1 million in particular at GSWC’s Region II and III services areas.  Region II incurred additional costs primarily for the removal of arsenic and Volatile Organic Compounds at six of its well sites, while Region III incurred additional costs primarily for two of its treatment plants.  There was also an increase in labor costs of $103,000 due to higher wages and related benefits, an increase of $80,000 in equipment rental, an increase in outside fees of $310,000 for services from an outside party to remove nitrate and perchlorate at treatment plants, and an increase of $307,000 in various other operating expenses.

There was also an increase in other operating expenses of $683,000 for contracted services primarily due to the commencement of the operation of water and wastewater systems at military bases in Maryland and Virginia that began in the first four months of 2006.  ASUS fully operated these bases during the six months ended June 30, 2007, whereas they were only operated by ASUS during part of the same period in 2006.

Administrative and General Expenses

For the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, administrative and general expenses by segment consisted of the following (amounts in thousands):

 

 

6 Mos.

 

6 Mos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

$

 

%

 

 

 

6/30/2007

 

6/30/2006

 

CHANGE

 

CHANGE

 

Water Services

 

$

21,358

 

$

17,635

 

$

3,723

 

21.1

%

Electric Services

 

2,972

 

2,468

 

504

 

20.4

%

Contracted Services

 

2,341

 

1,912

 

429

 

22.4

%

Total administratvive and general expenses

 

$

26,671

 

$

22,015

 

$

4,656

 

21.1

%

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, administrative and general expenses increased by $4.2 million in water and electric services compared to the six months ended June 30, 2006 due primarily to: (i) an increase of $1.9 million in outside services relating primarily to additional tax, audit and legal services; (ii) the CPUC’s approval in April 2006 of Region II’s outside services memorandum account totaling approximately $709,000 (upon approval by the CPUC, these legal costs, which were incurred in prior periods, were reversed in the second quarter of 2006 and recorded as a regulatory asset; there was no such adjustment in 2007); (iii) an approximate $955,000 increase in labor costs due to higher wages largely related to Registrant’s annual performance-based salary review program; (iv) an agreement with the City of Folsom to dismiss all opposition to service the Westborough development; the agreement requires GSWC to pay the City of Folsom $550,000 with Aerojet reimbursing GSWC for 50% or $275,000 of the settlement payment; as of and for the three months ended June 30, 2007, GSWC has recorded an obligation to the City of Folsom for $550,000, an additional receivable of $275,000 from Aerojet for the amount to be reimbursed and a net charge to administrative and general expenses in the amount of $275,000 for its share of the settlement payment, and (v) a $422,000 increase in rent expense for office space and the telephone system.

39




There was also an increase of $429,000 in contracted services administrative and general expenses due primarily to the recovery in 2006 of transition period operating expenses of about $672,000 at the various military bases pursuant to the contracts with the U.S. government.   There was no such recovery in 2007.  This was offset by a decrease of $265,000 in outside legal and consulting services.  A proposed decision and an alternate decision on GSWC’s Region II rate case were issued on July 24, 2007. The final decision may result in increased administrative and general expenses being allocated to contracted services.  However, management is unable to predict the final outcome of this rate case.

Depreciation and Amortization

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, depreciation and amortization expense increased by 8.3% to $14.2 million compared to $13.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006 reflecting, among other things, the effects of closing approximately $73 million of additions to utility plant during 2006, depreciation on which began in January 2007. Registrant anticipates that depreciation expense will continue to increase due to Registrant’s on-going construction program at its regulated subsidiaries. Registrant believes that depreciation expense related to property additions approved by the appropriate regulatory agency will be recovered through water and electric rates.

Maintenance

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, maintenance expense increased by 28.1% to $7.3 million compared to $5.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006 due principally to an increase in required and emergency maintenance on GSWC’s wells and water supply sources.

Property and Other Taxes

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, property and other taxes increased by 14.8% to $5.8 million compared to $5.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006 reflecting additional property taxes resulting from higher assessed values, and increases in payroll taxes based on increased labor costs.

Construction Expenses

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, ASUS construction expenses increased to $17.3 million compared to $4.5 million for the same period in 2006 reflecting the costs incurred for the construction of various improvements, renewals and replacements to the existing water and wastewater infrastructures at Fort Bliss and at the military bases located in Virginia and Maryland pursuant to new contracts entered into in early 2006.  The increase in construction activity resulted from amendments to the original 50-year contracts with the U.S. government which required the construction of additional improvements at the various military bases.  As previously mentioned, ASUS entered into a $20.6 million project for the construction of certain improvements to the existing wastewater infrastructure located at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.  As a result of this new project, construction expenses increased by $15.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2007. The project is scheduled to be completed by August 15, 2007.   The increase in construction expenses because of this project was partially offset by other non-recurring construction projects that were completed in 2006.

Net Gain on Sale of Property

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, Registrant recorded a net pretax gain of $605,000 on the sale of property. This gain includes a settlement of $325,000 reached with the Los Angeles Unified School District in connection with  the condemnation of  a parcel of land  for the purpose of constructing a high school.  This parcel of land had not been used for a number of years in GSWC’s public utility operations.  In addition, there was a gain of $238,000 related to the sale of property in the City of Claremont.  There were no similar gains in the same period of 2006.  Earnings and cash flows from these transactions are sporadic and may or may not continue in future periods.

Interest Expense

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, interest expense increased by 3.5% to $11.1 million compared to $10.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006 primarily reflecting higher interest rates.  There was also an increase in short-term cash borrowings. Average bank loan balances outstanding under an AWR credit facility for the six months ended June 30, 2007 were approximately $33.9 million, as compared to an average of $30.0 million during the same period of 2006.

40




Interest Income

Interest income decreased by $624,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2007 due primarily to the initial recording in the first quarter of 2006 of interest accrued on the uncollected balance of the Aerojet litigation memorandum account authorized by the CPUC.  As a result, the interest income accrued on the memorandum account decreased by $309,000 between the two periods.  In addition, interest income decreased reflecting the receipt of interest amounting to $381,000 related to a $3.0 million Internal Revenue Service refund received in May 2006.

Income Tax Expense

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, income tax expense increased by 40.9% to $10.2 million compared to $7.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006 due, in part, to an increase in pretax income of 26.3%. In addition, the effective tax rate (“ETR”) for the six months ended June 30, 2007 was 41.7% as compared to a 37.3% ETR applicable to the six months ended June 30, 2006. The variance between the ETR and the statutory tax rate is primarily the result of differences between book and taxable income that are treated as flow-through adjustments in accordance with regulatory requirements. Flow-through adjustments increase or decrease tax expense in one period, with an offsetting increase or decrease occurring in another period.  In addition, during the third quarter of 2005, AWR filed an amended tax return for 2001 with the IRS which was subject to IRS and Congressional Joint Committee of Taxation (“JCT”) review. During the second quarter of 2006, the IRS and JCT reviews were completed and AWR received a refund in the amount of its original claim of $3.0 million, with interest. Consequently, in the second quarter of 2006, AWR recorded a tax benefit of $400,000, of which $351,000 was attributable to GSWC. The refund-claim benefit contributed 2.1 of the 4.4 percentage point ETR change referred to above.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Critical accounting policies and estimates are those that are important to the portrayal of AWR’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, and require the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments of AWR’s management. The need to make estimates about the effect of items that are uncertain is what makes these judgments difficult, subjective and/or complex. Management makes subjective judgments about the accounting and regulatory treatment of many items. These judgments are based on AWR’s historical experience, terms of existing contracts, and AWR’s observance of trends in the industry, information provided by customers and information available from other outside sources, as appropriate. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

The critical accounting policies used in the preparation of the Registrant’s financial statements that we believe affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements presented in this report are described in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. Except for the adoption of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”), there have been no material changes to the critical accounting policies.  Effective January 1, 2007, Registrant adopted FIN 48. As a result of adoption, Registrant increased retained earnings by approximately $181,000.  As of the adop tion date and at June 30, 2007, Registrant’s total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $4.8 million, of which $118,000, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate.  See Note 5 (Income Taxes) of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

AWR

AWR funds its operating expenses and pays dividends on its outstanding Common Shares primarily through dividends from GSWC.  The ability of GSWC to pay dividends to AWR is restricted by California law. Under restrictions of the California tests, at June 30, 2007, approximately $109.4 million was available from the retained earnings of GSWC to pay dividends to AWR.  GSWC is also subject to contractual restrictions on its ability to pay dividends. GSWC’s maximum ability to pay dividends is restricted by certain Note Agreements to the sum of $21 million plus 100% of consolidated net income from various dates plus the aggregate net cash proceeds received from capital stock offerings or other instruments convertible into capital stock from various dates. Under the most restrictive of the Note Agreements, $216.8 million was available to pay dividends to AWR as of June 30, 2007. GSWC is also prohibited from paying dividends if, after giving effect to the dividend, its total indebtedness to capitalization ratio (as defined) would be more than ..6667 to 1.  Dividends in the amount of $8.6 million were paid to AWR by GSWC during each of the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006.

41




Net cash provided by operating activities was $30.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to $27.1 million for the same period ended June 30, 2006. The overall increase of $3.2 million was primarily attributable to an increase in cash collected from the U.S. government on projects, primarily at Fort Bliss.  Increases in 2007 operating revenues for GSWC due to increased rates and consumption were offset by higher operating costs paid during the period and the timing of cash receipts and billings from/to customers, resulting in an increase in receivables and unbilled revenue.  The timing of cash receipts and disbursements related to other working capital items also affected the changes in net cash provided by operating activities.

Net cash used in investing activities, which consists primarily of construction expenditures, decreased to $19.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to $34.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006.  This decrease was primarily due to several water treatment, well and security construction projects that were completed in 2006 in GSWC’s Los Angeles County, Santa Maria and Barstow areas for which significant capital expenditures were incurred during the six months ended June 30, 2006. Also, in 2007, the capital expenditures were offset by $623,000 in proceeds received on the sale of property.

Net cash used in financing activities was $9.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to cash provided of $3.5 million for the same period in 2006. The decrease of $12.5 million in net cash provided by financing activities was primarily caused by: (i) a decrease of about $2.7 million in advances for and contributions in aid of construction, net of refunds made; (ii) a decrease of $1.3 million in the cash flows associated with the PWMT purchased power contracts; (iii) a net decrease of $4.5 million in notes payable to banks; (iv) a $3.6 million decrease in proceeds from stock option exercises and related tax benefit, and the issuance of Common Shares under the Registrant’s Common Share Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan and 401(k) Plan, and (v) an increase of $450,000 in dividends paid to shareholders.

During the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, AWR paid quarterly dividends to shareholders, totaling approximately $8.0 million and $7.6 million, respectively.  AWR’s ability to pay cash dividends on its Common Shares outstanding depends primarily upon cash flows from GSWC.  AWR presently intends to continue paying quarterly cash dividends in future years, on or about March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1, subject to earnings and financial condition, regulatory requirements and such other factors as the Board of Directors may deem relevant.

In June 2005, AWR amended and restated its credit agreement which increased its borrowing limit under this facility to $85 million and extended the maturity date to June 2010. Up to $20 million of this facility may be used for letters of credit. As of June 30, 2007, an aggregate of $28.5 million in cash borrowings were included in current liabilities and approximately $11.2 million of letters of credit were outstanding under this facility.  Average bank loan balances outstanding under an AWR credit facility for the six months ended June 30, 2007 were approximately $33.9 million, as compared to an average of $30.0 million during the same period of 2006.  AWR also has a Registration Statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the sale from time to time of debt and equity securities.  As of June 30, 2007, $156.5 million was available for issuance under this Registration Statement.

Registrant anticipates that interest costs will increase in future periods due to the need for additional external capital to fund its construction program, and potential market interest rate increases. Registrant believes that costs associated with capital used to fund construction at its regulated subsidiaries will continue to be recovered in water and electric rates charged to customers.

In February 2007, Standard & Poor’s (“S&P”) revised AWR’s rating outlook from stable to positive and affirmed the A- rating.  S&P debt ratings range from AAA (highest rating possible) to D (obligation is in default). Securities ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold a security and are subject to change or withdrawal at any time by the rating agency.

42




GSWC

Net cash provided by operating activities was $26.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to $31.7 million for the same period in 2006. The decrease of $5.2 million was primarily attributable to the timing of cash receipts and billings from/to customers resulting in an increase in receivables and unbilled revenue.  Increases in 2007 water revenues mainly due to an increase in cash collected from GSWC’s customers resulting from increased rates were offset by higher operating costs paid during the period.

Net cash used in investing activities decreased to $18.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to $33.1 million for the same period in 2006. This decrease was primarily due to several water treatment, well and security construction projects that were completed in 2006 in GSWC’s Los Angeles County, Santa Maria and Barstow areas for which significant capital expenditures were incurred in the six months ended June 30, 2006.  GSWC anticipates that its capital expenditures for calendar 2007 will approximate $60 million.  Also, in 2007, the capital expenditures were offset by $623,000 proceeds received on the sale of property.

Net cash used by financing activities was $7.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to $1.1 million for the same period in 2006.  The decrease in net cash provided by financing activities was primarily caused by: (i) a decrease of about $2.4 million in advances for and contributions in aid of construction, net of refunds; (ii) a decrease of $1.3 million in the cash flows associated from the PWMT purchased power contracts; (iii) a $776,000 decrease in proceeds from stock option exercises and the related tax benefit, and (iv) a $1.5 million decrease in the net change in inter-company borrowings.

GSWC funds the majority of its operating expenses, payments on its debt, and dividends on its outstanding common shares through internal sources. Internal sources of cash flow are provided primarily by retention of a portion of earnings from operating activities. Internal cash generation is influenced by factors such as weather patterns, environmental regulation, litigation, changes in supply costs and regulatory decisions affecting GSWC’s ability to recover these supply costs, and the timing of rate relief.

GSWC also relies on external sources, including equity investments and short-term borrowings from AWR, long-term debt, contributions-in-aid-of-construction, advances for construction and install-and-convey advances to fund the majority of its construction expenditures. GSWC has a Registration Statement on file with the SEC for issuance from time to time, of up to $100 million of debt securities. As of June 30, 2007, $50 million remained for issuance under this Registration Statement.

In February 2005, Moody’s Investor Services (“Moody’s”) changed the rating outlook for $175 million of senior unsecured debt at GSWC from A2 negative to A2 stable.  Moody’s debt ratings range from Aaa (best quality) to C (lowest quality). S&P changed its debt rating for GSWC from A- stable to A- positive in February 2007.  Securities ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold a security and are subject to change or withdrawal at any time by the rating agency.

CCWC

CCWC funds the majority of its operating expenses, payments on its debt and dividends, if any, through internal operating sources or short-term borrowings from AWR. CCWC also relies on external sources, including long-term debt, contributions-in-aid-of-construction, advances for construction and install-and-convey advances, to fund the majority of its construction expenditures.

ASUS

ASUS funds its operating expenses primarily through contracted services fees from the U.S. government and investments by or loans from AWR.  ASUS, in turn, provides funding to its subsidiaries.

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Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments

Registrant has various contractual obligations which are recorded as liabilities in the consolidated financial statements. Other items, such as certain purchase commitments and operating leases are not recognized as liabilities in the consolidated financial statements, but are required to be disclosed.  During the first quarter of 2007, GSWC entered into a new operating lease for a facility located in San Dimas, California that will house certain departments.  The term of the lease is for seven years.  The minimum base rent will total approximately $2.0 million over the seven years.

In addition, during the second quarter of 2007, GSWC finalized a settlement with the South Coast Air Quality Management District that approved a Supplemental Environmental Program (“SEP”) which obligates GSWC to install and operate a granular activated carbon filters at one of GSWC’s groundwater treatment facilities in Region II.  It is estimated that the total capital cost of the SEP will be approximately $1.8 million with a required estimated completion date of April 30, 2009.  Upon timely performance of all its obligations under the SEP, GSWC shall be deemed released from any and all claims or penalties arising from the Notice of Violation.  Management believes that GSWC will be able to timely fulfill its obligations under the SEP and no further penalties are expected to be assessed.  Management also believes it is probable that the capital costs of the SEP will be approved in rate base by the CPUC.

In addition to contractual maturities, Registrant has certain debt instruments that contain annual sinking fund or other principal payments. Registrant believes that it will be able to refinance debt instruments at their maturity through public issuance, or private placement, of debt or equity. Annual principal and interest payments are generally made from cash flow from operations.

There have been no other material changes to AWR’s contractual obligations and other commitments since December 31, 2006. See “Managements’ Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Contractual Obligations, Commitments and Off Balance Sheet Arrangements” section of the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2006 for a detailed discussion of contractual obligations and other commitments.

Regulatory Matters

GSWC is subject to regulation by the CPUC, which has broad powers with respect to service and facilities, rates, classification 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 public convenience and necessity as to the extension of services and facilities and various other matters. CCWC is subject to regulation by the ACC.

Rates that GSWC and CCWC are authorized to charge are determined by the CPUC and the ACC, respectively, in general rate cases and are derived using rate base, cost of service and cost of capital, as projected for a future test year in California and using an historical test year, as adjusted, in Arizona. Rates charged to customers vary according to customer class and rate jurisdiction and are generally set at levels allowing for recovery of prudently incurred costs, including a fair return on rate base. Rate base generally consists of the original cost of utility plant in service, plus certain other assets, such as working capital and inventory, less accumulated depreciation on utility plant in service, deferred income tax liabilities and certain other deductions.

GSWC is required to file a general rate case (“GRC”) application every three years for each of its water rate-making areas according to a schedule established by the CPUC. GRC’s typically include an increase in year one and rate changes for the second and third years. Rates are based on a forecast of expenses and capital costs, and GRC’s have a typical regulatory processing time of one year.   According to the new rate case plan just adopted in May 2007, GSWC rate cases, starting with the filing in July 2008, will have an 18 month processing schedule.  In California, rates may be increased by offsets for certain expense increases, including but not limited to supply cost offset and balancing account amortization, and advice letter filings related to certain plant additions and other operating cost increases. Offset rate increases and advice letter filings typically have a two to four month regulatory lag.

Neither the operations nor rates of AWR and ASUS are directly regulated by the CPUC or the ACC. The CPUC and the ACC do however regulate certain transactions between GSWC and its affiliates. The amounts charged by the subsidiaries of ASUS for water and wastewater services at military bases are based upon the terms of 50-year contracts with the U.S. government and supplemental fixed price construction contracts. The operations and maintenance contracts provide that prices will be redetermined at the end of two years after commencement of operations at each military base and every three years thereafter. However, ASUS has experienced delays in the redetermination of prices at Fort Bliss following completion of the first two years of operation in October 2006.  In addition, prices may be equitably adjusted for changes in law, wage and benefit increases and other circumstances.  The construction projects are fixed price.  Prices may be changed through the execution of change orders if significant unforeseen issues arise during the construction process.

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Recent Changes in Rates

On January 12, 2006, the CPUC approved GSWC’s Region III rate case. The authorized rate increase for 2006 was made effective January 19, 2006 and provided GSWC additional annual revenue approximating $5.4 million in 2006 based on a return on equity of 9.8%. The CPUC also approved the second year increases for Region III in an estimated amount of approximately $2.3 million, effective January 1, 2007.  In connection with this GRC, GSWC also filed an Application for Rehearing of the Region III GRC.  GSWC was granted limited re-hearing of that decision and was ordered to file a report.  GSWC filed that report in January 2007.  According to GSWC’s calculations, the adopted revenues in 2006 should have been increased by approximately $326,000, and the rates in 2007 should be approximately $285,000 higher than adopted.  DRA has submitted a response to our report and now the CPUC’s water division will make a final ruling.

In October 2006, GSWC filed advice letters with the CPUC for the third year increases (the attrition increases) for Region I of approximately $0.6 million, which were approved and became effective on January 1, 2007.

On November 14, 2005, GSWC filed advice letters with the CPUC for step increases for Region I in an amount of approximately $0.6 million and an attrition increase of approximately $5.2 million for Region II, both of which were approved and became effective on January 1, 2006.

Pending Rate Changes in 2007

In January 2007, GSWC filed an application with the CPUC for rate increases in Region I. In the filing, GSWC requested rate increases which are expected to generate approximately $10.6 million in annual revenues starting in 2008, with additional increases of $0.5 million in 2009 and $1.0 million in 2010. A decision on this application is expected in late 2007.

In February 2006, GSWC filed an application with the CPUC for rate increases in Region II and to cover general office expenses at the Corporate Headquarters.  Due to delays on this application, the CPUC approved an interim rate increase, subject to refund, totaling $1.2 million that became effective January 1, 2007.  A proposed decision issued by the Administrative Law Judge on July 24, 2007 recommends rate increases of $6.3 million, $4.5 million and $4.7 million, respectively, for 2007, 2008 and 2009.  An alternate decision was also issued on the same day recommending GSWC rate increases of $6.7 million, $4.6 million and $4.3 million, respectively, for 2007, 2008, and 2009.  The amounts ultimately decided by the CPUC will be retroactive to January 1, 2007.  Once the CPUC issues its final decision, GSWC will implement a temporary surcharge to recover the revenue difference between the interim rates implemented on January 1, 2007 and the final rates authorized by the CPUC for the period from January 1 to the implementation of the new final rates.  The proposed decisions also changes the revenue requirements related to the adopted rates for the supply cost memorandum accounts that will also be retroactive to January 1, 2007.  Accordingly, GSWC will re-calculate, among other items, the amount recorded in Region II’s supply cost memorandum account based on the new rates.  For the six months ended June 30, 2007, an amount of $1.3 million was recorded as an under-collection of supply costs which positively impacted earnings and increased regulatory assets for the period.  If either decision is approved, we expect most of the under-collected amount as recorded to be reversed, partially offsetting the retroactive revenues upon a final decision.  A final decision on this application is expected in the third quarter of this year.  The final decision may also result in increased administrative and general expenses being allocated to ASUS, a subsidiary of AWR.  Management is unable to predict the final outcome of this rate case.

The application for rate increases to cover general office expenses at the Corporate Headquarters was previously filed in 2005 with the Region III rate case and was deferred for one year to be combined with the Region II case as discussed.  GSWC and DRA agreed that when GSWC receives rate increases for general office expenses, still pending, that the increases could be applied immediately to Region III.  Region III received an interim annual rate increase of $135,000 effective January 1, 2007 to cover general office expenses.  The proposed decision issued by the Administrative Law Judge on July 24, 2007 also recommends rate increases of $3.0 million for 2007 to recover the rate increases for general office expenses allocated to Region III.   The amounts ultimately decided by the CPUC will also be retroactive to January 1, 2007.  Similar to Region II, once the CPUC issues its final decision, GSWC will implement a temporary surcharge to recover the revenue difference between the interim rates implemented on January 1, 2007 and the final rates authorized by the CPUC for the period from January 1 to the implementation of the new final rates.  A final decision is expected in the third quarter of this year.

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CCWC plans to file its next general rate case with the ACC during the third quarter of 2007, for its water system in Fountain Hills, Arizona.  The processing of this case is expected to take approximately 18 months.  CCWC filed its last rate case with the ACC in August 2004. In September 2005, the ACC approved a rate increase for CCWC. The rate increase was effective on October 1, 2005 and generated additional annual revenues of approximately $1.1 million, an 18% increase over 2004 revenues.   During this GRC, CCWC sought to have its rates determined using a fair value rate base. The ACC elected not to use fair value in setting the rates.  CCWC appealed ACC’s use of only original cost less depreciation rate base to determine the revenue requirement.   Because CCWC’s fair value rate base was higher, the use of original cost exclusively to determine the revenue requirement deprived CCWC of a substantial amount of operating income. Following the approval of this rate case, CCWC filed an appeal with the Arizona Court of Appeals.  On February 13, 2007, the Arizona Court of Appeals upheld CCWC’s challenge to the ACC’s failure to use fair value rate base in the determination of operating income.  The process the ACC utilized resulted in a lower revenue requirement and was found to be in violation of the Arizona Constitution.  However, the Court also held that ACC’s determination of the return on equity, while not well-explained, was made based on the evidence, was a matter within the agency’s substantial discretion and was lawful.  The ACC sought and received an extension of the deadline to seek review by the Arizona Supreme Court until May 14, 2007.  If the ACC seeks and obtains review, a final decision will take approximately 9-12 months.  If review is not sought or is denied, the matter will return to the ACC on remand for modification of the original ACC decision consistent with the decision of the Court of Appeals.  Remand proceedings would be expected to take at least another 6 months. The matter is officially on remand back to the ACC for modification of the decision in accordance with the Court’s ruling.

New Service Territory Application

On April 7, 2006, GSWC filed an advice letter with the CPUC to incorporate the Westborough development in Sacramento county into the Rancho Cordova service area and to provide water service to that new development. The City of Folsom filed a protest of GSWC’s advice letter on April 27, 2006.   On January 30, 2007, the CPUC rejected the advice letter without prejudice, and invited GSWC to re-file the advice letter once the City of Folsom protest was resolved, or file an application for CPUC approval of the service territory expansion.  In June 2007, GSWC signed an agreement with the City of Folsom and the City agreed not to contest GSWC’s providing water service to Westborough and relinquished all claims concerning GSWC’s providing water service to the area.  As compensation to the City of Folsom to resolve its claim, GSWC has agreed to pay the City of Folsom $550,000.  Aerojet will reimburse GSWC for 50% or $275,000 of the settlement payment.  As of and for the six months ended June 30, 2007, GSWC has recorded an obligation of $550,000 to the City of Folsom, an additional receivable of $275,000 from Aerojet for the amount to be reimbursed, and a net charge to expense in the amount of $275,000 for GSWC’s share of the settlement payment.

Santa Maria Groundwater Basin Adjudication

In 1997, the Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District (“plaintiff”) filed a lawsuit against multiple defendants, including GSWC, the City of Santa Maria, and several other public water purveyors. The plaintiff’s lawsuit seeks an adjudication of the Santa Maria Groundwater Basin.  A settlement of the lawsuit has been reached, subject to CPUC approval. The settlement, among other things, if approved, would preserve GSWC’s historical pumping rights and secure supplemental water rights for use in case of drought or other reductions in the natural yield of the Basin. There are also a few nonsettling parties, and the case is going forward as to these parties. The stipulation, if approved, would preserve GSWC’s position with the settling parties independent of the outcome of the case as it moves forward with the nonsettling parties.

From 1997 through June 30, 2007, GSWC has incurred costs of approximately $6.5 million in defending its groundwater rights in the Santa Maria Basin, including legal and expert witness fees, which had been recorded in utility plant for rate recovery.  In February 2006, GSWC filed an application with the CPUC for recovery of $5.5 million of these costs, representing the amount of the costs that had been incurred as of December 31, 2005.  In February 2007, GSWC reached a settlement with the CPUC’s Division of Ratepayer Advocates authorizing recovery of the $5.5 million requested in GSWC’s application.  The settlement deferred review of the remaining legal costs pending final resolution of the lawsuit.  In May 2007, the CPUC issued a decision that approved the settlement with the Division of Ratepayer Advocates.  Pursuant to the decision, GSWC was ordered to place in rate base $2.7 million of the $5.5 million of previously incurred litigation costs in the Santa Maria groundwater basin adjudication.  GSWC was also ordered to amortize, with interest, the remaining $2.8 million of the $5.5 million in rates over a ten-year period.  This amount has been transferred into a separate memorandum account included within regulatory assets and a surcharge has been implemented in the third quarter for recovery of these costs.  All litigation costs that have been incurred after December 31, 2005, totaling approximately $1.1 million, have also been transferred from rate base to a separate new memorandum account, subject to a reasonableness review by the CPUC in a subsequent phase of this proceeding or in a new proceeding.  Management believes that these additional costs will be approved and the recovery of these costs through rates is probable.

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Other Regulatory Matters

On April 16, 2007, GSWC’s Bear Valley Electric division filed a compliance report with the CPUC regarding its purchases of energy from renewable energy resources.  The filing included an indication that Bear Valley Electric had not achieved interim target purchase levels of renewable energy resources and thus, on its face, might be subject to a possible penalty.  GSWC has formally contested the potential penalty reflected in the compliance report.  Management does not believe it is probable that GSWC will ultimately be assessed any penalty (which the form indicates would be as high as $592,000), and accordingly, no provision for loss has been recorded in the financial statements.  The CPUC is considering the future timing and applicability of renewable energy resource requirements as they apply to smaller energy utilities like Bear Valley Electric.

Except for the items discussed above, there have been no other material changes to AWR’s other regulatory matters since December 31, 2006. See “Managements’ Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation—Regulatory Matters” section of the Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2006 for a detailed discussion of other regulatory matters.  Other regulatory matters included: New Service Territory Application, Finance Application, State-Wide Rate Application, Memorandum Supply Cost Accounts, Low Income Balancing Accounts, Santa Maria Groundwater Basin Adjudication, Refund of Water Rights Lease Revenues, Recovery of Cost of Tree Removal and Mitigation for Bark Beetle Infestation, and Outside Services Memorandum Account.

Environmental Matters

AWR’s subsidiaries are subject to increasingly stringent environmental regulations including the 1996 amendments to the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act; enhanced surface water treatment rules; regulation of disinfectant/disinfection by-products; the long-term enhanced surface water treatment rules; groundwater treatment rules; contaminant regulation of radon and arsenic; and unregulated contaminants monitoring rules.

In 1998, the South Coast Air Quality Management District (“AQMD”) issued a permit to GSWC for the installation and use of air stripping equipment at one of GSWC’s groundwater treatment systems in its Region II service area.   In 2005, the AQMD conducted an inspection of this facility and issued a Notice of Violation (“NOV”) for exceeding the amount of groundwater permitted to be treated by the treatment system during calendar year 2004.  Since receiving the NOV, changes in GSWC procedures have avoided additional violations at the facility.  The AQMD could have assessed penalties associated with an NOV that can range from $10,000 up to $75,000 per day of violation.  GSWC estimates that it was in violation approximately 180 days in 2004.  GSWC met with AQMD on numerous occasions to resolve the NOV and to ensure future compliance.  As part of this process, GSWC also submitted an application to amend the permit, because an amendment may have been necessary for continued operation of the subject air stripping equipment.

GSWC finalized a settlement of the NOV with the AQMD in June 2007.  As part of the settlement, GSWC agreed to withdraw its application for an amended air discharge permit and perform a Supplemental Environmental Program (“SEP”).  A SEP typically involves capital expenditures resulting in a change of process, equipment, material, or indirect source reduction for the purposes of eliminating or reducing air contaminant emissions.  The SEP prepared by GSWC involves installation and operation of granular activated carbon filters at the facility.  Installation of the filters will eliminate the use of the air stripping equipment at the facilities involved with the NOV and thus improve air quality.  The AQMD accepted the SEP and assessed a nominal penalty of $25,000.  During the six months ended June 30, 2007, GSWC paid the penalty of $25,000 and agreed to perform its obligations under the SEP.  It is estimated that the total capital cost of the SEP will be approximately $1.8 million with a required estimated completion date of April 30, 2009.  Upon timely performance of all its obligations under the SEP, GSWC shall be deemed released from any and all claims or penalties arising from the NOV.  Management believes that GSWC will be able to timely fulfill its obligations under the SEP and no further penalties are expected to be assessed.  Management also believes it is probable that the capital costs of the SEP will be approved in rate base by the CPUC.

Additional information on these requirements and other significant environmental matters is described in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” included in Registrant’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. There have been no other material changes in any of the environmental matters discussed in the Form 10-K since December 31, 2006.

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Water Supply

Water supply and revenues are significantly affected, both in the short-run and long-run, by changes in weather conditions.  Both California and Arizona have been experiencing lower-than-normal precipitation.  Severe drought conditions continue to grip California and Arizona.  Over the last 12 months from July 2006 to June 2007, Los Angeles, State of California as a whole and Phoenix have experienced the 1st , 5th, and 20th driest years on record, respectively.  Phoenix had the 3rd driest year on record in 2006.

Even with the low precipitation,  California reservoirs at the end of June 2007 were at 88% of average level for this time of year resulting from the above average precipitation in 2005 and 2006.  The Colorado River storage (Lake Powell and Lake Mead) was at 65% of average.  Inflow into Lake Powell for the water year has been 72% of average which is slightly better than the total season prediction of 70% of average.   The Salt River system is 11% above average and the Verde River system is only at 65% of average.  These are the two closest water storage systems to Chaparral City Water Company.

Over the next three months, the National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center (“CPC”) expects the severe drought conditions to continue or worsen in California while Arizona should have some relief due to the summer thunderstorm season.  According to the CPC outlook for the rest of the year, after reviewing several weather forecasting models, it is reasonable to expect either a slower evolution towards La Nina conditions or the continuation of ENSO-neutral conditions.  Either way, above average rainfall is not in the forecast for the rest of 2007.

Registrant serves its customers’ demands for water in naturally arid parts of the country.  Recognizing this, Registrant encourages conservation of water and energy resources.   Registrant also manages its portfolio of water resources with the goal of reliably and affordably meeting its customers’ demand for high quality water service.

The productivity of the water supplies managed by Registrant varies from year to year depending upon a variety of factors, including the amount and location of rainfall, the availability of imported water from the Colorado River and from northern California, the amount of water stored in reservoirs and groundwater basins accessible by the Registrant, the amount of water used by our customers and others, evolving challenges to water quality, and a variety of legal limitations on use.

GSWC and CCWC own facilities and water rights that allow us to produce locally available groundwater to serve nearly half of our customers’ demand in an average year.  Population growth in the regions we serve and increases in the amount of groundwater used have resulted in both cooperative and judicially-enforced regimes for managing groundwater basins for long-term sustainability.  Registrant actively participates in efforts to protect groundwater basins from over-use and from contamination and to protect its water rights.  In some periods, such efforts require reductions in groundwater pumping and increased reliance on alternative water resources.  However, because sustainable groundwater only meets a portion of customer demand, Registrant also manages a portfolio of water supply arrangements including purchasing water from water supply wholesalers to insure the reliability, quality and affordability of water.

State Water Project

To augment local groundwater, Registrant relies on supplemental supplies imported from distant watersheds either naturally through river systems or artificially through integrated systems of reservoirs and conveyance facilities. GSWC contracts, either directly or through intermediate wholesalers, for imported supplemental water supplies with a variety of governmental agencies which manage water projects, including the California Department of Water Resources (State Water Project).  GSWC contracts for supplemental water supplies from the State Water Project (“SWP”) through several member agencies of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (“MWD”) which act as sub-wholesalers.  To receive such supplies, Registrant maintains physical connections to the MWD imported water distribution system throughout the six-county area encompassing most of metropolitan southern California.  In addition to the more generalized challenges facing all Western water projects, the SWP faces particular challenges to the operation of its pumping plant located at the southern end of the San Joaquin/Sacramento River Delta which naturally drains to the Pacific Ocean through San Francisco Bay.  Because of its diversion of water for export to central, coastal and southern California through the pumping plant, the SWP is subject to a variety of operating limitations and permitting processes designed, collectively, to balance the need for water exports with the need to restore and protect the Bay/Delta environment.  In the first quarter of 2007, the SWP received a court order to comply with certain endangered species permitting requirements or cease pumping operations.  The SWP is currently attempting to comply with the court order. However, because SWP operations in the Delta threatened fish protected under state and federal Endangered Species Acts, pumping operations were severely curtailed at the end of May and beginning of June.  Adequate levels of stored water south of the Delta as well as locally available groundwater have prevented immediate curtailments of water for distribution to GSWC customers.  Significant additional restrictions on SWP operations, however, would pose a substantial challenge to the water use patterns throughout California. Registrant is monitoring developments and working with MWD and its member agencies to safeguard the supply and evaluate potential emergency responses to prolonged reduction in SWP deliveries.

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Conservation

In light of supply variability and the general scarcity and value of water supplies available in the Western U.S., Registrant  promotes active conservation by all customer classes.  However, customer conservation can result in lower water sales than would otherwise occur, and lower volumes of water sold can have a negative impact on Registrant’s earnings.  In order to remedy the financial disincentive associated with water conservation, Registrant has worked collaboratively with the  CPUC and the  ACC to address rate structure issues.  Currently, Registrant is actively participating in the CPUC’s Conservation Order Initiating Investigation (“OII”).  Through the Conservation OII, the CPUC proposes to eliminate disincentives to promote conservation.  Among other potential solutions being considered by the CPUC are revisions to tariff structures to create increasing rate blocks, so that greater consumption will be tempered by higher unit pricing to consumers, and sales adjustment mechanisms, to essentially de-couple volume of sales from Registrant’s revenue.

Additional information on water supply issues are described in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” included in our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Registrant is exposed to certain market risks, including fluctuations in interest rates, and commodity price risk primarily relating to changes in the market price of electricity. Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in prevailing market rates and prices. There have been no material changes regarding Registrant’s market risk position from the information provided in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. The quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk are discussed in Item 7A-Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, contained in Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), we have carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness, as of the end of the fiscal quarter covered by this report, of the design and operation of our “disclosure controls and procedures” as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, the CEO and the CFO concluded that disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of such fiscal quarter, were adequate and effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2007, that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Santa Maria Groundwater Basin Adjudication:

In 1997, the Santa Maria Valley Water Conservation District (“plaintiff”) filed a lawsuit against multiple defendants, including GSWC, the City of Santa Maria, and several other public water purveyors. The plaintiff’s lawsuit seeks an adjudication of the Santa Maria Groundwater Basin.  A settlement of the lawsuit has been reached, subject to CPUC approval. The settlement, among other things, if approved by the CPUC, would preserve GSWC’s historical pumping rights and secure supplemental water rights for use in case of drought or other reductions in the natural yield of the Basin. There are also a few nonsettling parties, and the case is going forward as to these parties. The stipulation, if approved, would preserve GSWC’s position with the settling parties independent of the outcome of the case as it moves forward with the nonsettling parties.

From 1997 through June 30, 2007, GSWC has incurred costs of approximately $6.5 million in defending its groundwater rights in the Santa Maria Basin, including legal and expert witness fees, which have been recorded in utility plant for rate recovery.  In February 2006, GSWC filed an application with the CPUC for recovery of $5.5 million of these costs, representing the amount of the costs that had been incurred as of December 31, 2005.  In February 2007, GSWC reached a settlement with the CPUC’s Division of Ratepayer Advocates authorizing recovery of the $5.5 million requested in GSWC’s application.  The settlement deferred review of the remaining legal costs pending final resolution of the lawsuit.  In May 2007, the CPUC issued a decision that approved the settlement.  Management believes that all of the legal costs will be approved and the recovery of additional future costs through rates is probable.

There have been no other material developments in any of the legal proceedings described in our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Registrant is subject to ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business. Other than those disclosed in Registrant’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, no other legal proceedings are pending, which are believed to be material. Management believes that rate recovery, proper insurance coverage and reserves are in place to insure against property, general liability and workers’ compensation claims incurred in the ordinary course of business.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

We commenced the operation and maintenance of our water and wastewater systems for the U.S. government at a first military base in October 2004.  We began the operation and maintenance of additional water and wastewater systems at military bases in Virginia and Maryland in 2006.  All of these contracts are fixed price contracts.  We also commenced the construction of infrastructure improvements at these bases in 2006 pursuant to fixed price contracts.  Revenues generated by our contract operations are primarily dependent on these new business activities.  As a result, we are subject to risks that are different than those we previously faced as a regulated utility.

Our operations and maintenance contracts on military bases create certain risks that are different from that of our regulated utility operations.

We have entered into contracts to provide water and wastewater services at military bases pursuant to 50-year contracts, subject to termination, in whole or in part, for the convenience of the U.S. government.  In addition, the U.S. government may stop work under the terms of the contracts, delay performance of our obligations under the contracts or modify the contracts at its convenience.

Our contract pricing was based on a number of assumptions, including assumptions about prices and availability of labor, equipment and materials.  We may be unable to recover all of our costs if any of these assumptions are inaccurate or we failed to consider all costs that we may incur in connection with performing the work.   Our operations and maintenance contracts are also subject to periodic price adjustments at the time of price redetermination or in connection with requests for equitable adjustments or other changes permitted by terms of the contracts.

We are subject to audits, cost review and investigations by contracting oversight agencies.  During the course of an audit, the oversight agency may disallow costs.  Such cost disallowances may result in adjustments to previously reported revenues.

50




Payment under these contracts is subject to appropriations by Congress.  We may experience delays in receiving payment or delays in redetermination of prices or other price adjustments due to cancelled or delayed appropriations specific to our projects or reductions in government spending for the military or generally.  Appropriations and the timing of payment, may be influenced by, among other things, the state of the economy, competing political priorities, budget constraints, the timing and amount of tax receipts and the overall level of government expenditures for the military.

In addition, we must maintain the proper management of water and wastewater facilities and find state-certified and other qualified employees to support the operation of these facilities.  Failure to do so could put us at risk of, among other things, operations errors at the military bases and for improper billing and collection procedures as well as loss of contracts, assessment of penalties for operational failures and loss of revenues.

Our contracts for the construction of infrastructure improvements on military bases create risks that are different, in some respects, from that of our operations and maintenance contracts.

We have entered into contracts for the construction of infrastructure improvements to water and wastewater systems at military bases.  Many of these contracts are fixed-price contracts.  Under fixed-price contracts, we benefit from cost savings and earnings from approved contract change orders, but are generally unable to recover any cost overruns to the approved contract price.

Revenues from these types of contracts are recognized using the percentage-of-completion method of accounting.  This accounting practice that we use results in our recognizing contract revenues and earnings ratably over the contract term in proportion to our incurrence of contract costs.  The earnings or losses recognized on individual contracts are based on  periodic estimates of contract revenues, costs and profitability as the construction projects progress.

We establish prices for these types of fixed-price contracts, in part, on cost estimates that are subject to a number of assumptions, including assumptions regarding future economic conditions.  If these estimates prove inaccurate or circumstances change, cost overruns could have a material adverse effect on our contract business operations and results of operations for contracted services.

We may be adversely affected by disputes with the U.S. government regarding our performance of contract services on military bases or by failure to properly perform the contract services.

If there is a dispute with the U.S. government regarding performance under these contracts or the amounts owed to us, the U.S. government may delay, reject or withhold payment to us.  If we are ultimately unable to collect these payments on a timely basis, our profits and cash flows will be adversely affected.

If we fail to comply with the terms of one or more of our U.S. government contracts, other agreements with the U.S. government or U.S. government regulations and statutes, we could be suspended or barred from future U.S. government contracts for a period of time and be subject to possible civil or criminal fines and penalties and damage to our reputation in the water and wastewater industry.

We are dependent upon subcontractors for the performance of contracted services on military bases.

We primarily rely on a single subcontractor for the operation and maintenance of wastewater systems at military bases pursuant to our existing contracts with the U.S. government.  The failure of this subcontractor to perform services for us in accordance with the terms of our contracts with the U.S. government could result in the termination of contracts to provide wastewater services at these bases, a loss of revenues and increases in costs to correct the subcontractor’s performance failures.

We also rely on third-party manufacturers as well as third-party subcontractors to complete our construction projects.  To the extent that we cannot engage subcontractors or acquire equipment or materials, our ability to complete a project in a timely fashion or at a profit may be impaired.  If the amount we are required to pay for these goods and services exceeds the amount we have estimated in bidding for fixed-price work, we could experience losses in the performance of these contracts.  In addition, if a subcontractor or manufacturer is unable to deliver its services, equipment or materials according to the negotiated terms for any reason, including the deterioration of its financial condition, we may be required to purchase the services, equipment of materials from another source at a higher price.  This may reduce the profit to be realized or result in a loss on a project for which the services, equipment or materials were needed.

51




If these subcontractors fail to perform services to be provided to us or fail to provide us with the proper equipment or materials, we may be penalized for their failure to perform.

We continue to incur costs associated with the expansion of our contract activities.

We continue to incur additional costs in connection with the expansion of our contract operations associated with the preparation of bids and the negotiation of the terms of new contracts.  Our ability to recover these costs and to earn a profit on our contract operations will depend upon the extent to which we are successful in obtaining new contracts and our ability to recover those costs and other costs from revenues from new contracts.

There have been no other significant changes in the risk factors disclosed in our 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The shareholders of AWR have approved the material features of all equity compensation plans under which AWR directly issues equity securities. AWR did not directly issue any unregistered equity securities during the first quarter of 2007.  The following table provides information about repurchases of Common Shares by AWR during the second quarter of 2007:

Period

 

Total Number of
Shares
Purchased

 

Average Price Paid
per Share

 

Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs(1)

 

Maximum Number
of Shares That May
Yet Be Purchased
under the Plans or
Programs

 

April 1 – 30, 2007

 

32

 

$

36.88

 

 

NA

(3)

May 1 – 31, 2007

 

54

 

$

36.67

 

 

NA

(3)

June 1 - 30, 2007

 

3,185

 

$

34.82

 

 

NA

(3)

Total

 

3,271

(2)

$

34.87

 

 

NA

(3)

 


(1)          None of the Common Shares were purchased pursuant to any publicly announced stock repurchase program.

(2)          Of this amount, 3,000 Common Shares were acquired on the open  market for employees pursuant to the Company’s 401(k) Plan.  The remainder of the Common Shares were acquired on the open market for participants in the Company’s Common Share Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan.

(3)          None of these plans contain a maximum number of Common Shares that may be purchased in the open market under the plans.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

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

The annual meeting of shareholders was held on May 22, 2007. The following table presents the voting results of the election of Class I directors at this meeting:

Name

 

“Votes For”

 

“Votes Withheld”

 

James L. Anderson

 

15,295,715

 

364,357

 

Diana M. Bontá

 

15,290,483

 

369,589

 

Anne M. Holloway

 

15,293,248

 

366,825

 

Floyd E. Wicks

 

15,245,580

 

414,492

 

 

Registrant has one other class of directors, which include N.P. Dodge, Jr., Robert F. Kathol, Gary F. King and Lloyd E. Ross, whose terms will expire at the annual meeting in 2008.

Registrant’s shareholders also ratified the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm, with 15,617,047 voting in favor of the appointment, 103,556 opposing the appointment, and 212,468 abstaining from voting on the appointment.

52




Item 5. Other Information

(a)          On July 31, 2007, the Board of Directors of AWR declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.235 per Common Share. The dividend will be paid September 1, 2007 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on August 10, 2007.

(b)         There have been no material changes during the second quarter of 2007 to the procedures by which shareholders may nominate persons to the Board of Directors of AWR.

Item 6. Exhibits

(a)          The following documents are filed as Exhibits to this report:

10.1

 

Form of American States Water Company Three-Year Dividend Equivalent Right Certificate(1)(3)

 

 

 

10.2

 

Golden State Water Company Pension Restoration Plan, as amended (1)(3)

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for AWR (1)

 

 

 

31.1.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for GSWC (1)

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for AWR (1)

 

 

 

31.2.1

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for GSWC (1)

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (2)

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (2)

 


(1)          Filed concurrently herewith

(2)          Furnished concurrently herewith

(3)          Management or compensatory contract

53




SIGNATURE

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 thereunto duly authorized and as its principal financial officer.

 

AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY

 

and its subsidiary

 

GOLDEN STATE WATER COMPANY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Robert J. Sprowls

 

 

Robert J. Sprowls

 

 

Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial

 

 

Officer,

 

 

Treasurer and Corporate Secretary

 

 

Dated: August 9, 2007

54



Exhibit 10.1

AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
THREE YEAR DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHT CERTIFICATE
STATEMENT OF TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1.                    Crediting of Dividend Equivalents. We will maintain a bookkeeping account in your name (your “Account”). As of each date (after the date of grant of this award and in respect of applicable record dates occurring prior to the third anniversary of such grant date, unless your employment by us or one of our subsidiaries is terminated for cause as defined in the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan) that we pay a cash dividend or make a cash distribution on our common stock, we will credit your Account with a cash amount equal to the cash dividends or cash distribution that would be payable on that date on a number of shares of our common stock equal to the number of shares that were subject to the portion of your Corresponding Option that was outstanding and unexercised at the start of business on the corresponding record date for the dividend payment or other distribution. The cash amount so credited to your account is referred to as a “dividend equivalent.” No interest or other earnings will be credited with respect to your Account. No dividend equivalents will be credited: (1) with respect to any portion of the Corresponding Option that has been exercised, expired, or otherwise terminated; (2) if your employment by us or one of our subsidiaries terminates for cause as defined in the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan; (3) to the extent that such dividend equivalent would duplicate benefits conferred or preserved under the Corresponding Option by an adjustment in the number of shares or exercise price thereof or the property subject thereto made pursuant to the adjustment provisions set forth in the applicable option agreement or option plan; (4) with respect to any non-cash dividends or distributions on our common stock, or (5) in respect of dividend or distribution record dates occurring after the third anniversary of the date of grant of this award.

2.                    Payment. The dividend equivalents credited to your Account with respect to a share subject to the Corresponding Option will become payable (in an equal amount of cash) on the date that the cash dividend or distribution is paid on the class of shares corresponding to such share. We will reduce your Account by the amount of dividend equivalents that are paid. You may not elect any accelerated payments or other payment dates. No interest or other charge will accrue on amounts payable.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if we determine in good faith that there is a reasonable likelihood that any benefits paid to you for a taxable year would not be deductible by us or one of our affiliates solely by reason of the limitation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, then to the extent reasonably deemed necessary by us to ensure that the entire amount of any payment to you pursuant to this agreement is deductible, we may defer all or any portion of a payment under this agreement. The amounts so deferred shall be paid (without interest) at the earliest possible date, as determined by us in good faith, on which the deductibility of compensation paid or payable to you for the taxable year in which the payment is made will not be limited by Section 162(m).

3.                    No Employment/Service Commitment. Nothing contained in this agreement constitutes an employment or service commitment by us or our affiliates, affects your status, if you are an employee, as an employee at will who is subject to termination without cause (subject to any express written employment agreement, other than this agreement, to the contrary), confers upon you any right to remain employed by or in service to us or our affiliates, interferes in any way with any right that we or our affiliates may have at any time to terminate your employment or service, or affects our right and our affiliates rights to increase or decrease your other compensation.

4.                    Procedure for Exercise. You should not have to take any affirmative steps to exercise this award — your dividend equivalents should be paid to you as described above in Section 2. However, if you believe that you have not received a payment to which you are entitled, you should promptly contact the Company’s Chief Financial Officer’s office at 630 East Foothill Boulevard, San Dimas, California 91773 (telephone number 909-394-3600).

5.                    Tax Withholding. You will be solely responsible for all income and employment taxes arising in connection with this agreement and the payment of benefits hereunder. We may satisfy any state or federal employment tax or income tax withholding obligation arising from the crediting of dividend

1




equivalents and/or the payment of cash in respect of this agreement by deducting such amount(s) from any amount of compensation otherwise payable to you by us or any of our affiliates, by deducting such amount from your Account, and/or by deducting such amount(s) from any amount otherwise payable to you pursuant to this agreement.

6.                    Non-Transferability and Other Restrictions. Your dividend equivalents and other benefits under this agreement are not assignable or transferable and any purported transfer, assignment, pledge or other encumbrance or attachment of any payments or benefits under this agreement, or any interest therein will not be permitted or recognized. Notwithstanding the foregoing, your benefits may be assigned, in full or in part, pursuant to a domestic relations order of a court of competent jurisdiction or, following your death, paid as described in Section 7.

7.                    Payments in the Event of Your Death or Incapacity. In the event of your death, any dividend equivalents that may become payable under this agreement upon or after your death will be paid to the duly appointed and currently acting personal representative of your estate. In any case where there is no such personal representative of your estate duly appointed and acting in that capacity within 90 days after your death (or such extended period as we may determine to be reasonably necessary to allow such personal representative to be appointed, but not to exceed 180 days after your death), then we will make payment to any person or persons who can verify by affidavit or court order to our satisfaction that they are legally entitled to receive the benefits specified hereunder. In the event any amount is payable under this agreement to a minor, payment will not be made to the minor, but instead be paid (a) to that person’s living parent(s) to act as custodian, (b) if that person’s parents are then divorced, and one parent is the sole custodial parent, to such custodial parent, or (c) if no parent of that person is then living, to a custodian selected by us to hold the funds for the minor under the Uniform Transfers or Gifts to Minors Act in effect in the jurisdiction in which the minor resides. If no parent is living and we decide not to select another custodian to hold the funds for the minor, then payment will be made to the duly appointed and currently acting guardian of the estate for the minor or, if no guardian of the estate for the minor is duly appointed and currently acting within 60 days after the date the amount becomes payable, payment will be deposited with the court having jurisdiction over the estate of the minor. In the event that any amount becomes payable to a person who, in our sole judgment, is considered by reason of physical or mental condition to be unable to give a valid receipt therefore, we may make such payment to any person found by us, in our sole judgment, to have assumed the care of such person. Any payment made pursuant to such determination shall constitute a full release and discharge of our obligations under this agreement with respect to the corresponding dividend equivalents.

8.                    Adjustments. We reserve the right to make adjustments to this award and the dividend equivalents credited or to be credited to your Account, in the event of any change in the outstanding shares of our common stock by reason of a stock dividend or split, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange of shares, or other similar corporate change.

9.                    Compliance With Law; Governing Law. This agreement and/or the payment of money under this agreement are subject to compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations. This agreement shall be construed, governed and administered in accordance with the laws of the State of California. If any provisions of this instrument shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof shall continue to be fully effective.

10.             Limited Rights. Your Account will be a memorandum account on our books. Your dividend equivalents credited to your Account will not be treated as property or as a trust fund of any kind. You have no rights as a Company shareholder with respect to this award. Your rights with respect to this award are merely those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company to receive payment as described herein subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein. You and your heirs, successors, and assigns have no legal or equitable rights, claims, or interest in any specific property or assets of the Company or any of our affiliates. No assets of the Company or any of our affiliates will be held under any trust or held in any way as collateral security for the fulfilling our obligations under this agreement.

2




AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY
THREE YEAR DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHT CERTIFICATE

American States Water Company, a California corporation (“we” or the “Company”), has granted to you, the award recipient identified below, dividend equivalent rights on the terms and conditions set forth in the attached Statement of Terms and Conditions with respect to the stock option identified below (the “Corresponding Option”).

Award Recipient

 

 

 

 

 

Date of Grant of this Award

 

 

 

 

 

Corresponding Option Information —

 

 

 

 

 

Date of Grant

 

 

 

 

 

Number of Shares

 

 *

 

Your acceptance of this Certificate constitutes your acknowledgement of and agreement to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the attached Statement of Terms and Conditions. The Statement of Terms and Conditions is incorporated herein by this reference. You are not required to accept this award. If you choose not to accept this award or if you do not agree to the terms and conditions of this award, you should, no later than ten business days after the date of grant of this award set forth above, notify the Company’s Chief Financial Officer at 630 East Foothill Boulevard, San Dimas, California 91773 (telephone number 909-394-3600) that you do not accept this award and return this Certificate to the Chief Financial Officer at that address. This award is granted as a matter of a separate incentive and is not in lieu of salary or any other compensation for services.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused its duly authorized officer to execute this Dividend Equivalent Right Certificate as of the date of grant of this award first set forth above.

AMERICAN STATES WATER COMPANY, a California corporation

By

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Print Name

 

Floyd E. Wicks

 

 

 

 

 

Its

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 


*                    Subject to adjustment for stock splits and similar events in accordance with the applicable award agreement and option plan.



Exhibit 10.2

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER COMPANY
PENSION RESTORATION PLAN




TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

Page

 

ARTICLE I

 

1

 

 

 

1.1 - Title

 

1

 

 

 

1.2 - Purpose

 

1

 

 

 

1.3 - Definitions

 

2

 

ARTICLE II

 

3

 

 

 

2.1 - Eligibility Requirements

 

3

 

ARTICLE III

 

3

 

 

 

3.1 - Payment

 

3

 

ARTICLE IV

 

3

 

 

 

4.1 - Retirement Benefit

 

3

 

 

 

4.2 - Benefit Limitation

 

4

 

 

 

4.3 - Payment of Retirement Benefits

 

4

 

 

 

4.4 - Small Benefit

 

5

 

 

 

4.5 - Forfeiture of Benefits

 

5

 

 

 

4.6 - Spouse Pre-Retirement Death Benefit

 

5

 

ARTICLE V

 

6

 

 

 

5.1 - Committee

 

6

 

 

 

5.2 - Agents

 

7

 

 

 

5.3 - Binding Effect of Decisions

 

7

 

 

 

5.4 - Indemnity

 

7

 

 

 

5.5 - Claim Procedure

 

8

 

ARTICLE VI

 

8

 

 

 

6.1 - Amendments and Termination

 

8

 

 

 

6.2 - Protection of Accrued Benefits

 

8

 

ARTICLE VII

 

9

 

 

 

7.1 - Unfunded Plan

 

9

 

 

 

7.2 - Unsecured General Creditor

 

9

 

 

 

7.3 - Trust Fund

 

10

 

 

 

7.4 - Nonassignability

 

10

 

 

 

7.5 - Limitation on Participants’ Rights

 

10

 

 

 

7.6 - Participants Bound

 

11

 

 

 

7.7 - Receipt and Release

 

11

 

 

 

7.8 - Federal Law Governs

 

11

 

 

 

7.9 - Headings and Subheadings

 

12

 

 

 

7.10-Successors and Assigns

 

12

 

 

i




SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER COMPANY

PENSION RESTORATION PLAN

THIS PLAN is adopted, effective the 1st day of January, 1997, by SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER COMPANY, a California corporation (“Company”), and evidences the terms of a Pension Restoration Plan for certain executives.

W I T N E S S E T H

ARTICLE I

TITLE, PURPOSE AND DEFINITIONS

1.1 - Title.

This plan shall be known as the “Southern California Water Company Pension Restoration Plan.”

1.2 - Purpose.

The purpose of this Plan is to supplement retirement benefits payable to certain participants in the Southern California Water Company Pension Plan, as amended and in effect from time to time (“Pension Plan”) by making up benefits which are reduced by virtue of Sections 401(a)(17) or 415 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.  No payment shall be made under this Plan which duplicates a benefit payable under any other deferred compensation plan or employment agreement of the Company.

1




1.3 - Definitions.

Unless defined herein, any word, phrase or term used in this Plan with initial capitals shall have the meaning given therefor in the Pension Plan.

“Company” means Southern California Water Company or any successor corporation by merger, consolidation, or otherwise.

“Employer” means the Company and any subsidiary or any other member of its consolidated group (for federal tax purposes) designated by the Board of Directors to participate in the Plan.

“Eligible Employee” means each individual who meets each of the following requirements:  (1) he or she is an officer of the Employer; (2) he or she is a participant in the Pension Plan; (3) his or her Pension Plan benefits are reduced by the application of Sections 401(a)(17) or 415 of the Code; and (4) he or she is designated as an Eligible Employee by the Board of Directors.

“Participant” means any Eligible Employee who is eligible for participation in this Plan as specified in Section 2.1.

“Plan” means the Southern California Water Company Pension Restoration Plan as set forth in this Agreement and all subsequent amendments hereto.

“Plan Year” means the calendar year.

2




ARTICLE II

PARTICIPATION

2.1 - Eligibility Requirements.

An Employee who is an Eligible Employee shall become a Participant on the later of the date he or she becomes vested under the Pension Plan or becomes an Eligible Employee.

ARTICLE III

PAYMENT OF BENEFITS

3.1 - Payment.

There shall be no funding of any benefit which may become payable hereunder.  The Company may, but is not obligated to, invest in any assets or in life insurance policies which it deems desirable to provide assets for payments under this Plan but all such assets or life insurance policies shall remain the general assets of the Company.  In connection with any such investments and as a condition of further participation in this Plan, Participants shall execute any documentation reasonably requested by the Company.

ARTICLE IV

RETIREMENT BENEFITS

4.1 - Retirement Benefit.

Subject to Section 4.3, a Participant’s retirement benefit under this Plan shall equal the excess of A over B where:

3




A equals the Participant’s vested retirement benefit under the Pension Plan, commencing on the date benefits commence under the Pension Plan, and payable in form of benefit elected by the Participant (and spouse, if applicable) under the Pension Plan, calculated by ignoring Sections 401(a)(17) and 415 of the Code (and the Pension Plan provisions implementing those Code sections), and

B equals the vested retirement benefit actually payable under the Pension Plan, commencing on the date benefits commence under the Pension Plan, and payable in form of benefit elected by the Participant (and spouse, if applicable) under the Pension Plan.

4.2 - Benefit Limitation.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, in the event that any benefit provided under this agreement would, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, not be deductible in whole or in part in the calculation of the federal income tax of the Company by reason of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), the aggregate benefits provided hereunder shall be reduced so that no portion of any amount which is paid to the Participant or Beneficiary is not deductible for tax purposes by reason of Section 280G of the Code.

4.3 - Payment of Retirement Benefits.

Upon a Participant’s commencement of benefits under the Pension Plan, the Employer shall commence to pay to such retired Participant (or beneficiary, if applicable, after the Participant’s death) the monthly retirement benefit to which the Participant is entitled under

4




this Plan, commencing on the date benefits commence under the Pension Plan, and payable in form of benefit elected by the Participant (and spouse, if applicable) under the Pension Plan.  No benefits shall be payable under this Plan while the Participant is an Employee.

4.4 - Small Benefit.

Notwithstanding any other provision or provisions of this Plan to the contrary, if any benefit hereunder is for an amount of less than fifty dollars per month, such benefit shall instead be paid in a lump sum which is the Actuarial Equivalent of such monthly benefit.

4.5 - Forfeiture of Benefits.

Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, no benefits shall be payable under this Plan with respect to any Participant if the Participant confesses to, is convicted of, or pleads no contest to, any act of fraud, theft or dishonesty arising in the course of, or in connection with, his or her employment with the Employer.

4.6 - Spouse Pre-Retirement Death Benefit.

If a Participant’s spouse is entitled to a pre-retirement death benefit under Section 4.12 of the Pension Plan, the monthly benefit, if any, payable upon the death of a Participant to the Participant’s spouse, commencing upon the date that monthly benefits to such spouse commence under Section 4.12 of the Pension Plan and payable for the period such benefit is payable under the Pension Plan, shall be equal to the excess, if any, of:

5




(a)           The monthly death benefit determined in accordance with Section 4.12 of the Pension Plan, calculated by ignoring Sections 401(a)(17) and 415 of the Code (and the Pension Plan provisions implementing those Code sections),

over

(b)           The amount of the monthly spouse death benefit payable to the Participant’s spouse pursuant to Section 4.12 of the Pension Plan.

No benefits under this Section 4.7 shall be paid if the benefits payable pursuant to any other provisions of this Article IV have already commenced.

ARTICLE V

COMMITTEE

5.1 - Committee.

This Plan shall be administered by the Committee.  The Committee shall have the authority to (i) make, amend, interpret, and enforce all appropriate rules and regulations for the administration of this Plan and (ii) decide or resolve any and all questions, including interpretations and constructions of this Plan as may arise in connection with the Plan.  The Committee shall also have all rights and duties set forth in Section 6.3 of the Pension Plan.  The Committee shall have full discretion to construe and interpret the terms and provisions of this Plan.  The Committee members may be Participants under this Plan.

6




5.2 - Agents.

The Committee may, from time to time, employ other agents and delegate to them such administrative duties as it sees fit, and may from time to time consult with counsel who may be counsel to the Company.

5.3 - Binding Effect of Decisions.

The decision or action of the Committee in respect of any questions arising out of or in connection with the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan and the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder shall be final and conclusive and binding upon all persons having any interest in the Plan.

5.4 - Indemnity.

To the extent permitted by applicable federal and state laws the Company shall indemnify and save harmless the Board of Directors, the Committee and each member of each thereof, and any employee appointed pursuant to Section 5.2, against any and all expenses, liabilities and claims, including legal fees to defend against such liabilities and claims, arising out of their discharge in good faith of responsibilities under or incident to the Plan, excepting only expenses and liabilities arising out of willful misconduct or gross negligence.  This indemnity shall not preclude such further indemnities as may be available under insurance purchased by the Company or provided by the Company under any Bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, as such indemnities are permitted under state law.

7




5.5 - Claim Procedure.

The entire claim procedure set forth in Section 6.3(g) of the Pension Plan, as amended from time to time, is hereby incorporated by reference.

ARTICLE VI

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

6.1 - Amendments and Termination.

The Company shall have the right to amend this Plan (and to amend or cancel any amendments) from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.  Such amendment shall be stated in an instrument in writing, executed by the Company in the same manner as this Plan.  The Company also reserves the right to terminate this Plan at any time by resolution of the Board of Directors.

6.2 - Protection of Accrued Benefits.

This Plan is strictly a voluntary undertaking on the part of the Company and shall not be deemed to constitute a contract between the Company and any Eligible Employee (or any other employee) or a consideration for, or an inducement or condition of employment for the performance of services by any Eligible Employee or employee.  Although the Company reserves the right to amend or terminate this Plan at any time and, subject at all times to the provisions of Section 4.3, no such amendment or termination shall result in the forfeiture of benefits accrued pursuant to this Plan as of the date of termination.  The benefits accrued at that time shall be the lesser of (1) the

8




benefit that would be payable if the Participant terminated employment on the date of termination, or (2) the benefit that would be payable at actual retirement under the Pension Plan (or death, if earlier) if this Plan were terminated.

ARTICLE VII

MISCELLANEOUS

7.1 - Unfunded Plan.

All benefits due under this Plan to a Participant shall be paid by the Employer that employed that Participant.  This Plan is intended to be an unfunded plan maintained primarily to provide deferred compensation benefits for a select group of “management or highly compensated employees” within the meaning of Section 201, 301 and 401 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and therefore to be exempt from the provisions of Parts 2, 3 and 4 of Title I of ERISA.

7.2 - Unsecured General Creditor.

In the event of an Employer’s insolvency, Participants and their Beneficiaries, heirs, successors and assigns shall have no legal or equitable rights, interest or claims in any property or assets of Employer, nor shall they be beneficiaries of, or have any rights, claims or interest in any life insurance policies, annuity contracts or the proceeds therefrom owned or which may be acquired by Employer.  In that event, any and all of Employer’s assets and policies shall be, and remain, unrestricted by the provisions of this Plan.  An Employer’s obligation under the Plan shall be that of an unfunded and unsecured promise of Employer to pay money in the future.

9




7.3 - Trust Fund.

Each Employer shall be responsible for the payment of all benefits provided under the Plan to Participants employed by it.  At its discretion, the Company may establish one or more trusts, with such trustees as the Board may approve, for the purpose of providing for the payment of such benefits.  Such trust or trusts may be irrevocable, but the assets thereof shall be subject to the claims of the Company’s creditors.  To the extent any benefits provided under the Plan are actually paid from any such trust, the Employer shall have no further obligation with respect thereto, but to the extent not so paid, such benefits shall remain the obligation of, and shall be paid by, the Employer.

7.4 - Nonassignability.

None of the benefits, payments, proceeds or claims of any Participant or Beneficiary shall be subject to any claim of any creditor and, in particular, the same shall not be subject to attachment or garnishment or other legal process by any creditor, nor shall any Participant or Beneficiary have any right to alienate, anticipate, commute, pledge, encumber or assign any of the benefits or payments or proceeds which he may expect to receive, contingently or otherwise, under this agreement.

7.5 - Limitation on Participants’ Rights.

Participation in this Plan shall not give any Eligible Employee the right to be retained in the Employer’s employ or any right or interest in the Plan other than as herein

10




provided.  The Employer reserves the right to dismiss any Eligible Employee without any liability for any claim against the Employer, except to the extent provided herein.

7.6 - Participants Bound.

Any action with respect to this Plan taken by the Committee or by the Company, or any action authorized by or taken at the direction of the Committee or the Company, shall be conclusive upon all Participants and Beneficiaries entitled to benefits under the Plan.

7.7 - Receipt and Release.

Any payment to any Participant or Beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of this Plan shall, to the extent thereof, be in full satisfaction of all claims against the Employer and the Committee, and the Committee may require such Participant or Beneficiary, as a condition precedent to such payment, to execute a receipt and release to such effect.  If any Participant or Beneficiary is determined by the Committee to be incompetent by reason of physical or mental disability (including minority) to give a valid receipt and release, the Committee may cause the payment or payments becoming due to such person to be made to another person for his or her benefit without responsibility on the part of the Committee or the Company to follow the application of such funds.

7.8 - Federal Law Governs.

This Plan shall be construed, administered, and governed in all respects under federal law (except as otherwise provided by Section 5.4), and to the extent that federal law is inapplicable, under the laws of the State of California, provided, however, that if any provision is susceptible to more than one interpretation, such interpretation shall be given thereto as

11




consistent with this Plan being an unfunded plan described in Section 7.1.  If any provision shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof shall continue to be fully effective.

7.9 - Headings and Subheadings.

Headings and subheadings in this agreement are inserted for convenience of records only and are not to be considered in the construction of the provisions hereof.

7.10 -  Successors and Assigns.

This agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the parties hereto and their successors and assigns.

12




FIRST AMENDMENT
TO THE
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER COMPANY
PENSION RESTORATION PLAN

Effective as of the date set forth below, the Southern California Water Company Pension Restoration Plan (the “Plan”) is amended to provide that:

FIRST:                   With respect to Participants who retire on or after November 1, 2005, Section 4.1 is amended in its entirety to provide as follows:

“4.1 — Retirement Benefit.

Subject to Section 4.3, a Participant’s retirement benefit under this Plan shall equal the excess of A over B where:

A equals the Participant’s vested retirement benefit under the Pension Plan, commencing on the date benefits commence under the Pension Plan, and payable in the form of benefit elected by the Participant (and spouse, if applicable) under the Pension Plan, calculated by ignoring Section 401(a)(17) and 415 of the Code (and the Pension Plan provisions implementing those Code Sections) and including in the definition of “Compensation” payments made to a Participant pursuant to any “cash pay” annual performance incentive plan of the Company (other than any extraordinary bonus, including any holiday, year end, anniversary or signing bonus) and dividend equivalents paid in cash to the Participant in connection with awards granted prior to 2006 under an equity incentive plan of the Company, and

B equals the vested retirement benefit actually payable under the Pension Plan, commencing on the date benefits commence under the Pension Plan, and payable in the form of benefit elected by the Participant (and spouse, if applicable) under the Pension Plan.”

SECOND:              With respect to Participants who die on or after November 1, 2005, Section 4.6 is amended in its entirety to provide as follows:

“4.6 — Spouse Pre-Retirement Death Benefit.

If a Participant’s spouse is entitled to a pre-retirement death benefit under Section 4.12 of the Pension Plan, the monthly benefit, if any, payable upon the death of a Participant to the Participant’s spouse, commencing upon the date that monthly benefits to such spouse commence under Section 4.12 of the Pension Plan and payable for the period of such benefit is payable under the Pension Plan, shall be equal to the excess, if any, of:




(a)           The monthly death benefit determined in accordance with Section 4.12 of the Pension Plan, calculated by ignoring Section 401(a)(17) and 415 of the Code (and the Pension Plan provisions implementing those Code sections) and including in the definition of “Compensation” payments made to a Participant pursuant to any “cash pay” annual performance incentive plan of the Company (other than any extraordinary bonus, including any holiday, year end, anniversary or signing bonus) and dividend equivalents paid in cash to the Participant in connection with awards granted under an equity incentive plan of the Company,

over

(b)           The amount of monthly spouse death benefit payable to the Participant’s spouse pursuant to Section 4.12 of the Pension Plan.”

Golden State Water Company

 

 

 

 

Dated: November 7, 2005

/s/ FLOYD E. WICKS

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 




SECOND AMENDMENT
TO THE
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WATER COMPANY
PENSION RESTORATION PLAN

Effective as of the dates set forth below, the Southern California Water Company Pension Restoration Plan (the “Plan”) is amended to provide that:

FIRST:                   Effective July 31, 2006, the name of the Plan is changed to the Golden State Water Company Pension Restoration Plan.

SECOND:              Effective July 31, 2006, Section 4.1 is amended in its entirety to provide as follows:

“4.1 — Retirement Benefit.

Subject to Section 4.3, a Participant’s retirement benefit under this Plan shall equal the excess of (1) over (2) where:

(1) equals the Participant’s vested retirement benefit under the Pension Plan, commencing on the date benefits commence under the Pension Plan, and payable in the form of benefit elected by the Participant (and spouse, if applicable) under the Pension Plan, calculated by (i) ignoring Section 401(a)(17) and 415 of the Code (and the Pension Plan provisions implementing those Code Sections); (ii) including in the definition of “Compensation” payments made to a Participant pursuant to any “cash pay” annual performance incentive plan of the Company (other than any extraordinary bonus, including any holiday, year end, anniversary or signing bonus) and dividend equivalents paid in cash to the Participant in connection with awards granted prior to 2006 under an equity incentive plan of the Company; and (iii) treating “A” in Section 4.2 of the Pension Plan as equaling 2% per year of Credited Service (including partial years) prior to 2006 (or, if later, the date the individual becomes a Plan Participant) and 3% per year of Credited Service (including partial years) after 2005 (or, if later, the date the individual becomes a Plan Participant) up to a combined maximum of 60% for the total sum.  This modified formula is calculated as 2% times X plus 3% times Y (up to a maximum of 60% for the total sum) minus Z where X is the Participant’s years of Credited Service (including partial years) before 2006 (or, if later, the date the individual becomes a Plan Participant) and Y is the Participant’s years of Credited Service (including partial years) after 2005 (or, if later, the date the individual becomes a Plan Participant) and Z is the lesser of 1.67% of the Participant’s Old Age Retirement Benefit (as defined in the Pension Plan) or 1% of Compensation times the Participant’s years of Credited Service (including partial years); and




(2) equals the vested retirement benefit actually payable under the Pension Plan, commencing on the date benefits commence under the Pension Plan, and payable in the form of benefit elected by the Participant (and spouse, if applicable) under the Pension Plan.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to Participants employed on January 1, 2006, if greater, the amount under (1) above will equal the Participant’s vested retirement benefit under the Pension Plan, (based on the normal retirement benefit formula described in Section 4.2 of the Pension Plan) commencing on the date benefits commence under the Pension Plan, and payable in the form of benefit elected by the Participant (and spouse, if applicable) under the Pension Plan, calculated by ignoring Section 401(a)(17) and 415 of the Code (and the Pension Plan provisions implementing those Code Sections) and including in the definition of “Compensation” payments made to a Participant pursuant to any “cash pay” annual performance incentive plan of the Company (other than any extraordinary bonus, including any holiday, year end, anniversary or signing bonus) and dividend equivalents paid in cash to the Participant in connection with awards granted prior to 2006 under an equity incentive plan of the Company.” 

THIRD:                  Effective July 31, 2006, Section 4.6 is amended in its entirety to provide as follows:

“4.6 — Spouse Pre-Retirement Death Benefit.

If a Participant’s Spouse is entitled to a pre-retirement death benefit under Section 4.12 of the Pension Plan, the monthly benefit, if any, payable upon the death of a Participant to the Participant’s spouse, commencing upon the date that monthly benefits to such spouse commence under Section 4.12 of the Pension Plan and payable for the period of such benefit is payable under the Pension Plan, shall be equal to the excess, if any, of:

(1)           The monthly death benefit determined in accordance with Section 4.12 of the Pension Plan, calculated by (i) ignoring Section 401(a)(17) and 415 of the Code (and the Pension Plan provisions implementing those Code sections); (ii) including in the definition of “Compensation” payments made to a Participant pursuant to any “cash pay” annual performance incentive plan of the Company (other than any extraordinary bonus, including any holiday, year end, anniversary or signing bonus) and dividend equivalents paid in cash to the Participant in connection with awards granted prior to 2006 under an equity incentive plan of the Company; and (iii) treating “A” in Section 4.2 of the Pension Plan as equaling 2% per year of Credited Service (including partial years) prior to 2006 (or, if later, the date the individual becomes a Plan Participant) and 3% per year of Credited Service (including partial years) after 2005 (or, if later, the date the individual becomes a Plan Participant) up to a combined maximum of 60% for the total sum.  This modified formula is calculated as 2% times X plus 3% times




Y (up to a maximum of 60% for the total sum) minus Z where X is the Participant’s years of Credited Service (including partial years) before 2006 (or, if later, the date the individual becomes a Plan Participant) and Y is the Participant’s years of Credited Service (including partial years) after 2005 (or, if later, the date the individual becomes a Plan Participant) and Z is the lesser of 1.67% of the Participant’s Old Age Retirement Benefit (as defined in the Pension Plan) or 1% of Compensation times the Participant’s years of Credited Service (including partial years),

over

(2)           The amount of monthly spouse death benefit payable to the Participant’s spouse pursuant to Section 4.12 of the Pension Plan.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, with respect to Participants employed on January 1, 2006, if greater, (1) above will equal the monthly death benefit determined in accordance with Section 4.12 of the Pension Plan, (based on the pre-retirement surviving spouse benefit described in Section 4.12 of the Pension Plan), calculated by ignoring Section 401(a)(17) and 415 of the Code (and the Pension Plan provisions implementing those Code sections) and including in the definition of “Compensation” payments made to a Participant pursuant to any “cash pay” annual performance incentive plan of the Company (other than any extraordinary bonus, including any holiday, year end, anniversary or signing bonus) and dividend equivalents paid in cash to the Participant in connection with awards granted prior to 2006 under an equity incentive plan of the Company.”

Golden State Water Company

 

 

 

 

Dated:

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 



Exhibit 31.1

Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for AWR

I, Floyd E. Wicks, certify that:

1)              I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2007 of American States Water Company (referred to as “the Registrant”);

2)              Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3)              Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4)              The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Registrant and have:

a)              designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)             designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)              evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)             disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

5)              The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

a)              all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)             any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.

Dated: August 9, 2007

By:

/s/ FLOYD E. WICKS

 

 

 

Floyd E. Wicks

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

1



Exhibit 31.1.1

 Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for GSWC

I, Floyd E. Wicks, certify that:

1)              I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2007 of Golden State Water Company (referred to as “GSWC”);

2)              Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3)              Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of GSWC as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4)              GSWC’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for GSWC and have:

a)              designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to GSWC, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)             evaluated the effectiveness of GSWC’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

c)              disclosed in this report any change in GSWC’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during GSWC’s most recent fiscal quarter (GSWC’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, GSWC’s internal control over financial reporting.

5)              GSWC’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the GSWC’s auditors and the audit committee of GSWC’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

a)              all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the GSWC’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)             any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in GSWC’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

Dated: August 9, 2007

By:

/s/ FLOYD E. WICKS

 

 

 

Floyd E. Wicks

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

1



Exhibit 31.2

Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for AWR

I, Robert J. Sprowls, certify that:

1)              I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2007 of American States Water Company (referred to as “the Registrant”);

2)              Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3)              Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4)              The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Registrant and have:

a)              designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)             designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)              evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)             disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

5)              The Registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

a)              all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)             any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting.

Dated: August 9, 2007

By:

/s/ ROBERT J. SPROWLS

 

 

 

Robert J. Sprowls

 

 

Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial

 

 

Officer, Treasurer and Secretary

 

1



Exhibit 31.2.1

 Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for GSWC

I, Robert J. Sprowls, certify that:

1)              I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period June 30, 2007 of Golden State Water Company (referred to as “GSWC”);

2)              Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3)              Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of GSWC as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4)              GSWC’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for GSWC and have:

a)              designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to GSWC, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)             evaluated the effectiveness of GSWC’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

c)              disclosed in this report any change in GSWC’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during GSWC’s most recent fiscal quarter (GSWC’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, GSWC’s internal control over financial reporting.

5)              GSWC’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to GSWC’s auditors and the audit committee of Registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):

a)              all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect GSWC’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)             any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in GSWC’s internal controls over financial reporting.

 

Dated: August 9, 2007

By:

/s/ ROBERT J. SPROWLS

 

 

 

Robert J. Sprowls

 

 

Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial

 

 

Officer and Secretary

 

1



Exhibit 32.1

Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

(18 U.S.C. Section 1350)

In connection with the Quarterly Report of American States Water Company and Golden State Water Company (the “Registrant”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I Floyd E. Wicks, Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

/s/ Floyd E. Wicks

 

 

Floyd E. Wicks

Chief Executive Officer

 

Date: August 9, 2007

 



Exhibit 32.2

Certification pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
(18 U.S.C. Section 1350)

In connection with the Quarterly Report of American States Water Company and Golden State Water Company (the “Registrant”) on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2007, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I Robert J. Sprowls, Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

/s/ Robert J. Sprowls

 

 

Robert J. Sprowls

Senior Vice President-Finance, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary

 

Date: August 9, 2007

 

1