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WEC Energy Group, Inc. (WEC)

Q2 2011 Earnings Call· Thu, Jul 28, 2011

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Transcript

Operator

Operator

Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for waiting, and welcome Wisconsin Energy’s Quarterly Conference Call. This conference is being recorded for rebroadcast and all participants are in a listen-only mode at this time. Before the conference call begins, I will read the forward-looking language. All statements in this presentation, other than historical facts, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which are subject to change at any time. Such statements are made based on management’s expectations at the time they are made. In addition to the assumptions and other factors referred to in connection with the statements, factors described in the company’s latest Form 10-K and subsequent reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated. During the discussions, referenced earnings per share will be based on diluted earnings per share, unless otherwise noted. After the presentation, the conference will be open to analysts for questions and answers. In conjunction with this call, Wisconsin Energy has posted on its website a package of detailed financial information at www.wisconsinenergy.com. A replay of our remarks will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of this call. And now, I would like to introduce Mr. Gale Klappa, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wisconsin Energy Corporation.

Gale Klappa

Management

Colleen, thank you. Good afternoon, everyone and thank you for joining us as we review the company’s 2011 second quarter results. Let me begin as always by introducing the members of the Wisconsin Energy Management team who are here with me today. We have Allen Leverett, President and CEO of We generation; Rick Kuester, our Chief Financial Officer; Jim Fleming, our generous General Counsel; Pat Keyes, our Treasurer; and Steve Dickson, our Controller. Rick will review our financial results in detail in just a moment, but as you saw from our news release this morning, we reported earnings from continuing operations of $0.41 a share for the second quarter of 2011. This compares with $0.37 a share for the comparable period last year. Our second quarter 2011 were driven by earnings from our $668 million investment in the second expansion unit at expansion unit at Oak Creek, which as you know came on line in January this year. Overall, we are quite pleased with our second quarter and our year-to-date performance. Now I would like to focus for a few minutes on the economy across our service area. After nearly double-digit rebound in 2010, electric sales to our large commercial and industrial customers rose by a little more than 1% in the first half of the 2011. When we take a look a little deeper inside the numbers, we see that the demand destruction from five large plant closings during the great recession is now being largely offset by modest growth and recovery in other sectors of the region’s economy. For example, we are seeing strength in iron ore mining, specialty steel production and in the paper and printing industries. And from talking with our largest customers, we are cautiously optimistic that the recovery will continue throughout the remainder of…

Frederick Kuester

Management

Thanks Gale. As Gale mentioned earlier, our 2011 second quarter earnings from continuing operation were $0.41 per share. The results were slightly better than our plan because of lower than the expected benefits cost and a favorable adjustment related to income tax expense. Although, I’ll focus my comments in operating income from continuing operations by segment and then touch on other income statement items, I did want to mention that we also recorded a gain of $0.05 per share from discontinued operations. As a result of the resolution of several state and federal tax issues. I will also discuss year-to-date cash flows and guidance for the third quarter and the full year. Our consolidated operating income in the second quarter of 2011 was $174 million as compared to $163 million in last year’s second quarter, an increase of $11 million. We clearly benefited from a full quarter’s earnings from the second expansion unit at (inaudible). Operating income in our utility energy segment totaled $88 million which is down $10 million from the prior year. As we discuss on our last call we expect our utility earnings to be down this quarter because of warmer than normal second quarter in 2010 and increased operating cost in 2011. Colder weather negatively impacted this quarter results but our calls came in slightly better than anticipated. We estimate that a cooler April and May helped our gas margins by $11 million as compared to second quarter 2010. However we experienced a mild June this year and we estimate weather reduced our electrical margins $16 million as compared to second quarter last year. When we combine the electric and gas margins. We experienced to decline of $5 million on the year-over-year basis due to weather. The other significant factor in packing utility operating income for…

Gale Klappa

Management

Rick, Thank you very much. Overall, we are on track and focused on delivering value for our customers and our stockholders.

Operator

Operator

(Operator Instructions) Your first question comes from the line of Paul Ridzon with KeyBanc.

Gale Klappa

Management

Hi, Paul. Good afternoon. Paul Ridzon – KeyBanc: Good afternoon. Congratulations.

Gale Klappa

Management

Thank you. Is there anything particular you’re congratulating us about, Paul? Paul Ridzon – KeyBanc: Solid quarter, good company, good management.

Gale Klappa

Management

Keep on, I like that. Thank you, Paul. What can we do for you? Paul Ridzon – KeyBanc: Just wondering the lower benefits you experienced in the second quarter, was there a timing issues or should that fall through the rest of the year?

Gale Klappa

Management

Actually, it’s a very good question. And let me say this. One of the benefits that we saw in terms of lower costs in the first half was related to employee healthcare, our active medical plans and the cost they incurred. Whether that really transcend through the entire year this year. We just don’t know yet. But certainly that was one of the major factors that helped us achieve lower O&M cost during the first half of the year. As you know sometime these medical claims content to be lumpy, but we did have a very good experience on medical claims and medical payments in the first half. Paul Ridzon – KeyBanc: Okay, thank you.

Gale Klappa

Management

You’re welcome.

Operator

Operator

Your next question comes from the line of Brian Russo with Ladenburg Thalmann. Brian Russo – Ladenburg Thalmann: Hi, good afternoon.

Gale Klappa

Management

Hi, Brian, how are you doing today? Brian Russo – Ladenburg Thalmann: Good, thanks. Could you just remind us when the share buyback program went into effect? And it looks like you’ve done $20 million worth of buyback. It was in effect, just wondering if that’s kind of a run rate we should expect?

Gale Klappa

Management

Well, obviously we’re looking at this as we go. I wouldn’t necessarily project the continuous run rate. But the share buyback program was authorized by our board. At the board meeting right before annual meeting on May 5, and I believe we actually began repurchasing some shares in July. Brian Russo – Ladenburg Thalmann: Okay. And then, on the tax rate, I think you said 34% to 35% in ‘11, is – will it revert back to 36% tax rate post 2011? Or is that kind of the new-tax basis?

Gale Klappa

Management

We’ll ask our controller Steve Dickson to answer that question for you.

Steve Dickson

Analyst

I think next year it’ll take up a little bit slightly. This year we’re getting the benefit from equity AFUDC, as Rick had mention on the air quality project and – excuse the, wind mill in the glacier hills. So, once those (inaudible) and the service will stop having AFUDC equity, which has – as a permanent item. That’s giving us a little benefit this year and we’ll lose a little bit of that next near. Brian Russo – Ladenburg Thalmann: Great, thank you.

Gale Klappa

Management

Thank you, Brian. Appreciate your questions.

Operator

Operator

Your next question comes from the line of Michael Lapides with Goldman Sachs.

Gale Klappa

Management

There are going to be football, Michael. Michael Lapides – Goldman Sachs: There is going to be football although. I’m more of a college guy, so NFL plays, and NFL players. As long as the SEC is meaning the southeastern conference has been busy is busy, I’m okay.

Gale Klappa

Management

Yeah, roll tight, okay. Michael Lapides – Goldman Sachs: You got it. Question for you. When you think about procedurally how kind of what happens from here at the PSCW around your request kind of the accounting order for such having a full bloom GRC. And if you wind up having a full bloom GRC, what would the timeline in the implementation of rates look like, I mean you’re kind of already – several months behind in the process, if you’re about the start up a typical nine or 10 month process.

Gale Klappa

Management

Good question, Michael. First of all, we do expect that the commission will vote on our proposal in August. So I don’t think we’re going to see a significant delay from here in getting a decision from the commission on Door A or Door B. Door A being our creative approach to holding base rates flat or us filing a full rate case and moving through that proceeding. One bit of insight into, if we had to go through Door B, which obviously we believe the company would be just fine going through Derby. We have already filed – when we filed on May 26, we already filed all the backup data related to our projected revenue requirements for 2012. And when the staff did its memo relating to various options or various ideas that they had, what they actually published in that memo was a preliminary audit of our 2012 – what a 2012 rate case might look like. So we are not as far behind procedurally if we had to go through Derby as one might expect because all the data has been on file. We would refresh the data and if the Commission wants us to proceed with a full general rate case, my guess is, we could file the remaining refreshed data within a couple of weeks after that decision. Michael Lapides – Goldman Sachs: Got it. Okay. So we wouldn’t be starting from August into a nine or 10 months process? We would be in kind of the mid-point of it and you would start getting briefs and final briefs and have hearings and go from there in the back end half of the year?

Gale Klappa

Management

That certainly would be our thinking. We would not be in anyway share perform into a nine or 10 months process from there. I just do not see that. And is to say, we are really ahead of the curve from the standpoint of – really on May 26, we filed all the necessary data to allow the staff to audit the revenue projections and the cost for 2012. Michael Lapides – Goldman Sachs: Got it. Okay. Thank you, guys. Much appreciate it.

Gale Klappa

Management

Rick is making a point, Michael. We did that for base rates. And then under the new fuel rules, all the utilities have to file their separate fuel plan really within a matter over the next few weeks. Michael Lapides – Goldman Sachs: Got it. Okay. I will follow-up offline in the fuel plan stuff.

Gale Klappa

Management

Okay. Terrific. Thank you, Michael. Michael Lapides – Goldman Sachs: Thank you.

Operator

Operator

Your next question comes from the line of Paul Patterson with Glenrock Associates.

Gale Klappa

Management

Hello, Paul. How are you today? Paul Patterson – Glenrock Associates: All right. Good afternoon. I want to follow-up on Michael’s question on the rate case.

Gale Klappa

Management

Do you have Michael’s number? Paul Patterson – Glenrock Associates: No. I don’t. I don’t actually. But I wanted to ask you about, I mean, it sounded like they were giving you – that they were presenting options and when I – and maybe I got it wrong, but I was at the impression that this is sort of a take or leave it option that you are providing in terms of this alternative? That in other words, you basically go to a full on rate case as opposed to some of the alternatives that they were proposing. Could you elaborate a little bit on that or where that stands now?

Gale Klappa

Management

Sure, I’ll be happy to. The staffs did seem to – as we went through the staff memo, the staffs certainly did seem to provide some potential alternatives adjustments. I’m not sure as I’ve read through that they have actually recommended anything except that they put on the table several other options. One, I think compelling point, as we’ve read through that staff memo is that, if the answer is zero then getting to zero with staff adjustments versus getting the zero with our proposal, leaves the customer in exactly the same spot in 2012. The customers now better off. But if the staff makes adjustments, then the company would be weaker. So our view as I mentioned in the script is really our only two viable, workable options here. One is, the creative approach with the order that we described or we will certainly proceed with the full case and that’s because the real issue here is how to make room for and how to begin recovering almost $1.3 billion of new investments in projects the commission is already approved and projects are on time and on budget. So the issue we are trying to deal with here is, we clearly have under Wisconsin regulation, we clearly have $1.3 billion but has to begin being recovered in rates next year and we thought we could find a way through the accounting order and the seizing of the amortization of some of the commission I’ll use, they’ve given us. We thought we could manage the company and stay flat with base rates next year but if that’s not the case, in other words if they feel like that’s just not the way to go. Then you’re correct, the only viable alternative is to proceed with the full case. Paul Patterson – Glenrock Associates: Okay. And then switching to the MISO market and the capacity proposal that they came up with now I know that you are mostly regulated and I would think that they probably want to be that much opportunity from a profit and loss perspective perhaps doing capacity sales or what have you into another market. But I was just wondering if there was any impact on rates or any comment that you have with respect to the MISO capacity market filing, what they made it for it?

Gale Klappa

Management

Well certainly let Alan give you his view of just to frame it. Again all of the new capacity we have built– you’re absolutely right. It’s dedicated to retail customers. So I wouldn’t see from the MISO capacity proposal really any significant impact on any of the power of the future units. We do make opportunity sales, but I don’t see any major impact, Alan, do you?

Allen Leverett

Analyst · Glenrock Associates.

No I think from a practical standpoint. Given the capacity situation in the MISO foot print as a whole, meaning a reserved margin as a whole as MISO act. I don’t see any impact really of any significant degree on us for a quite a long time. Paul Patterson – Glenrock Associates: Okay.

Allen Leverett

Analyst · Glenrock Associates.

And once I impact any sort of additional credits coming back to retail customers. Paul Patterson – Glenrock Associates: Okay. Great I appreciate it.

Gale Klappa

Management

You’re more than welcomed. Thanks for your question.

Operator

Operator

Your next question comes from the line of (inaudible) with TDP Capitals.

Unidentified Analyst

Analyst

Well (inaudible) how are you today?

Gale Klappa

Management

I’m doing well. Good afternoon.

Unidentified Analyst

Analyst

I got to ask now – are you being paid in Canadian dollars on in U. S. dollars because I’m worried about the exchange rates.

Unidentified Analyst

Analyst

U. S. unfortunately. So we will see.

Gale Klappa

Management

Well, try to renegotiate this.

Unidentified Analyst

Analyst

Well, I’m domestic. So, I won’t have a currency translation issue.

Gale Klappa

Management

Okay. How are you doing?

Unidentified Analyst

Analyst

I’m doing well. My question is – as I recall vaguely, and you can remind me whether, what I’m thinking of – I thought there was like I think, either the – Wisconsin or a municipal entity had sold, like a power plant or something like that within the state of Wisconsin. And I’m wondering as you have opportunities to deploy capital, besides from, renewables and maybe additional ATC opportunity et cetera. Are there – do you could see the opportunity for assets within state of Wisconsin that are currently owned by cooperative sort of municipal’s that may be going through financial to us right now given the economy and everything like that or simply priorities that may become available to you that – we are to be that could be possible?

Gale Klappa

Management

Very good question but you will – and you have seen some something, I’m sure referring to and some of the new stories about the state budget issues. The state does own, the state of Wisconsin itself, does own 29 different steam or power generation facilities, many of them co-gen facilities, scattered throughout the state of Wisconsin. These facilities have traditionally been owned by the state operated by state employees and generally provide energy services or steam services to state buildings ranging from the University of Wisconsin campus in Madison to the state actually. Walker administration has taken a position that they believe given the major amounts of capital that will probably have to be spend to upgrade a number of these plants with modern environmental control, that they might consider a sale, of those state own power plants, that would take a piece of legislation. We believe the legislation might be introduced this fall, to enable the Department of Administration, to basically conduct a sale of some or all of those plants. So that is probably what you are hearing. We would have some interest in some of those facilities and it certainly could be if the legislation pass, the potential investment opportunity for us right here inside the state of Wisconsin.

Unidentified Analyst

Analyst

And, does that appear that – that’s probable?

Gale Klappa

Management

Again I think the Walker Administration is going to assess whether or not they will not introduce the legislation this fall. We have some recall elections that are underway in the state right now and I don’t think anything will be decided in terms of a particular piece of legislation on this or any other subject now until after the recall elections. Recall election should be completed by mid-August and then I would think we would have a much clear view of the landscape.

Unidentified Analyst

Analyst

Okay. That was it. Thank you very much.

Gale Klappa

Management

Thank you, (inaudible).

Operator

Operator

Your next question comes from the line of Andrew Levi with Caris & Company. Just, I had missed, reason you took up guidance was why?

Gale Klappa

Management

The reason, I don’t know why that made me laugh. Andy, because we wanted to make your day. How’s that. Andrew Levi – Caris & Company: That’s fine. I didn’t hear, I apologize.

Gale Klappa

Management

No, no problem. We had a solid first half. Much of it driven by a colder winter. We have effective cost controls and as we look at where we stand erect, we decided it was the right thing to do to raise the guidance.

Steve Dickson

Analyst

Yep. Maybe a little bit improvement in electric sales in the second quarter to (inaudible). Andrew Levi – Caris & Company: Okay. And just to understand there’s Door A, Door B on this proposal, but there’s no Door C, that’s basically what you’re saying.

Gale Klappa

Management

That is correct. And we’re not trying to difficult about it. It’s just that, we have real situations with 1.3 billion of capital, coming into service on project that commission has approved. And that has to be dealt with. So that’s why there’s only a Door A, or Door B. Andrew Levi – Caris & Company: And when we get comments tomorrow, I guess, then the next open meeting or open is what August 3rd or something like that? And then August 10th, after that is that kind of where we should think there might be some type of oath by the commissioners?

Gale Klappa

Management

I believe, although I don’t think there are seven concrete I believe it’s August 3, and August 11. Andrew Levi – Caris & Company: 11, okay, thank you. And just to understand the $100 million that was the revenue deficiency? That was based on what 10, 5 ROE?

Gale Klappa

Management

No, that was based on our current allowed ROE. Andrew Levi – Caris & Company: Which is the – what is that – it had them?

Gale Klappa

Management

10 forward. Andrew Levi – Caris & Company: 10 forward.

Gale Klappa

Management

And Andy, you’ll see some tomorrow. All of the parties in our proceeding year are supposed to have their comments in tomorrow. Andrew Levi – Caris & Company: All right.

Gale Klappa

Management

Well, actually see in our comments a chart, that lays out how – that lays out how we get to that roughly $100 million based on staff adjustments revenue deficiency for 2012. Andrew Levi – Caris & Company: Okay.

Gale Klappa

Management

That will be very clear for you tomorrow, and for everyone to see. Andrew Levi – Caris & Company: Okay. So you guys will be filing something tomorrow as well.

Gale Klappa

Management

Absolutely, we upgrade. Andrew Levi – Caris & Company: Okay. Thank you very much guys. And doing a great job as Mr. Richard said.

Gale Klappa

Management

Thank you very much.

Operator

Operator

(Operator Instructions). Your next question comes from the line of Dan Jenkins, State of Wisconsin Conference.

Gale Klappa

Management

Dan? Dan Jenkins – State of Wisconsin Conference: Hi.

Unidentified Analyst

Analyst

I have ask this but how was I make it bike riding? Dan Jenkins – State of Wisconsin Conference: Unfortunately, I didn’t see it. I wasn’t a participant, but I didn’t see it unfortunately.

Gale Klappa

Management

Let me get this straight about medicine law. Someone said it’s only illegal to do that if you get complained about. Dan Jenkins – State of Wisconsin Conference: I think that’s subject to interpretation.

Gale Klappa

Management

Well. I’m glad you knew relative (inaudible)

Steve Dickson

Analyst

What can we do for you, Dan? Dan Jenkins – State of Wisconsin Conference: First a little bit on the Wisconsin rate filing, are there any interveners involved in that case beyond the staff and the company that have taken positions yet or expected to take positions?

Gale Klappa

Management

Yes, Dan, there are two traditional participants in the case other than the staff and the company and that’s CUB, the Citizens Utility Board and WIEG, the Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group. Their initial comments were we don’t have a philosophical opposition to door A or door B, but they’d like to see some numbers from the staff. So now that the staff has done its memo, we would expect that CUB and WIEG would make some comments. They certainly have been invited to by the deadline by the end of the day tomorrow. Dan Jenkins – State of Wisconsin Conference: Okay. So that will pretty much all clarified by tomorrow.

Gale Klappa

Management

That would be our thought. Dan Jenkins – State of Wisconsin Conference: Okay. And then related to the Michigan rate request, I missed them, what was the amount of that again?

Gale Klappa

Management

The request is $17.5 million, of which under Michigan law, we would plan to self-implement a portion of that about $7.7 million in January. And then we would expect a – under Michigan procedures and law, we would expect a decision from the Michigan Commission on the full case by July of next – sometimes July of next year. Dan Jenkins – State of Wisconsin Conference: Okay. And what was the ROE that you requested in that case?

Gale Klappa

Management

I believe it’s exactly same ROE, 10.4. Dan Jenkins – State of Wisconsin Conference: 10.4. Okay. And then I was curious on your electric forecast, the fact that you did raise guidance a little bit. I was wondering what your second half assumptions are related to retail sales growth and in terms of megawatt hours both topline and for the large CNI group?

Gale Klappa

Management

Well, Dan, essentially we are leaving our forecast unchanged. We make an annual forecast – really when you weather normalize our first half, we are dead on the forecast. Some segments are better, some segments are worse, but when you net it all through and weather normalize, our first half 2011 sales actually have been literally dead on the forecast. So we didn’t see a need to actually change the forecast, because that forecast, as you know, is done on a weather normal basis, but obviously we have seen very strong demand in July and that couple with the cold winter and solid earnings for the first half really lead us to a decision to raise the guidance. Dan Jenkins – State of Wisconsin Conference: Now do you anticipate the 1.8 that you saw from the large CNI in the second quarter being kind of the run rate going forward or do you have an opinion on what to expect in that class.

Gale Klappa

Management

We would hope so, but again at this stage of the game, we don’t think there’s a lot of merit in doing minor adjustments to the annual sales forecast. But again, there would be upside if we saw the stronger economic recovery in the industrial sectors in the second half. Dan Jenkins – State of Wisconsin Conference: Okay. And then the last thing I was wondering about relates to cash from operations, it’s quite a bit stronger in the first half versus last year and I know you had the tax settlements so forth in one of the big gain for us in the deferred income tax, investment tax credits. And then also on working capital, and so as well how we should think about those categories on the cash flow in the second half.

Gale Klappa

Management

Ric or Steve, you want to try to answer Dan’s question about, particularly about working capital.

Steve Dickson

Analyst

I think the question was cash from operations and it was strong, and I would see it continuing strong. Net income, we project it to be up over the prior year, depreciation, non-cash charges, those should increase over prior year’s, so those are good uses of cash. Our deferred income tax as I talked about it earlier is bonus depreciation as it carry through the end of the year, and our working capital, one of the guidance in there was we are able to reduce some of our inventory, so that was strong for the first six months. I think our working capital is one of the drivers there as our gap in storage and if you can tell us the gas price will be at the end of the year, we will have a better idea but we feel good about the first six months we are seeing it continuing through the year.

Gale Klappa

Management

And just to refresh your memory, Dan, we said we’ve about 100 million impact from bonus depreciation issue and $200 million next year as cash stand point Dan Jenkins – State of Wisconsin Conference: Okay. So I guess– how does that translate given you have about 600 million of CapEx in the second half into financings each in the second half.

Gale Klappa

Management

We, we have to look also at maturities when you look at our financing needs. I would expect because it’s in our financial plans, that we would, we would have a bond offering at Wisconsin electric level sometime in the second half of this year. Dan Jenkins – State of Wisconsin Conference: Okay. Thank you.

Gale Klappa

Management

You are more than welcome. Careful on the bike. Dan Jenkins – State of Wisconsin Conference: Okay.

Gale Klappa

Management

Bye. Dan Jenkins – State of Wisconsin Conference: Bye.

Operator

Operator

Our next question comes from the line of Tim Winter with Gabelli & Company

Gale Klappa

Management

Hi, Tim, how are you? Tim Winter – Gabelli & Company: There I go – how are you? I’ve got a couple, couple of questions. One is if you go down and have fully fall rate case. What – is it like and then extends into next year is it? Would it be likely that the rain increase would be retroactive to January 1st?

Gale Klappa

Management

No. Under Wisconsin law, there really is no retroactive rate making if you will. So – but there will be two pieces, obviously, there would be the separate fuel plan, fuel cost plan and under the new fuel rules that went into effect the commission would – we would file and we were not to do, nor was any other utility in Wisconsin due to file the fuel cost plan until next month. So we would be on time in terms of the normal schedule for a fuel adjustment, at the end of December starting in January. So that piece would not be affected by a schedule for a general rate case. So the only piece that would be, would be base rates. And there we would certainly try to work with the commission and the staff to try to get a timely decision. As you may have heard me answer one of the other callers, we’re really not all that far behind the curve because of all the data that was filed on May 26, that has already allowed the commission staff to do a preliminary audit of 2012 adjustments and expenses in revenue needs. Tim Winter – Gabelli & Company: Okay. Great. Then second question, can you update us on the ‘12 and ‘13 CapEx budget? And then maybe give some idea what types of rate base growth that you may have post 13?

Gale Klappa

Management

Absolutely, we would be happy, Rick and I will do that together. And we’re turning to a page right now where we have our ‘12 and ‘13 broken down.

Steve Dickson

Analyst · Gabelli & Company

This is on our website too.

Gale Klappa

Management

We have about – just to start off. We have about a run rate on depreciation. We have about $250 million a year, $250 to $260. For actually it would be going up to – 2012 would be $310 and 2013 would be $320, that’s our estimate of depreciation in each of those two years. And then as you know – we have a significant amount of capital spend that we need to do on what I call network renewal. And a lot of that is simply replacement of aging powerful transformers, substations, conductors etcetera. So we have a run rate of about $400 million a year in ‘12 and ‘13 for network renewal and then we also have additional spending on environmental and renewable, Rick?

Frederick Kuester

Management

Yeah. And then if you look at our rate base, we are showing our rate bases $6.7 billion in $2012 and essentially flat to 2013 because of the effects of the bonus depreciation. So basically a flat rate base from ‘12 to ‘13 exactly right, if you would have looked at this slide, that’s on our website, six months ago or some months ago we would have been projecting about a $7 billion rate base in 2013. With the bonus depreciation, which gives us cash now, basically it took the rate base growth down back, took the rate base growth down and that’s why we are showing the 67 and 67 in terms of projected rate base for 12, 13. Is that respond to your question. Tim Winter – Gabelli & Company: Yeah. So I was just wondering, what sorts of longer-term projects post our team, that you’re considering?

Gale Klappa

Management

We have a very significant list of projects that we are systematically working our way through. We talked about a couple of them earlier, one is the possibility that the state may divest some of its energy assets. And that would certainly give us an investment opportunity. We know, as I mentioned in the script that we’re going to under the current law need additional renewables beyond 2016. We still have to deal with aging gas and electric distribution infrastructure. And I’m very confident that we’re going to be seeing additional capital spending probably in that ‘13 and ‘14 timeframe and we have budgeted related to – additional regulations related to gas distribution and pipeline safety. Of those regulations and those proposals are being debated right now by FERC and the Congress. But remember we have a pretty sizable natural gas distribution business. And I’m quite confident we’re going to see to meet additional requirements of the gas network in particular additional capital spend. And then as you know, EPA is continuing to form related additional air quality control rules and air quality control, it’s the water intake rules as well of many of the power plants. The plants that don’t have cooling towers today. So there is a whole range of potential investment opportunities and we are systematic working our way through those to see what our 2014, 2015, 2013 capital spend looks like. Rick anything you would like to add?

Frederick Kuester

Management

Thank you very much. Gale. Tim Winter – Gabelli & Company: Great. Thank you guys.

Frederick Kuester

Management

You’re welcome.

Operator

Operator

Our next question comes from the line of Andy Levi with Caris & Company.

Gale Klappa

Management

Hi, Andy. You’re back. Andy Levi – Caris & Company: Yeah. And just a quick follow-up, the 210 to 214 can we carry out through to 2012.

Gale Klappa

Management

Andy, right now, because of where we stand in terms of trying to work through the 2012 revenues with the commission, I think, we really can’t give you 2012 guidance right now. But we certainly wanted to give our best look at the remainder of 2011. Inspired Andy Levi – Caris & Company: I understand the guidance, but in the sense the things that get you to the 210, 214 or sustainable in 2012.

Gale Klappa

Management

Well, part of what get us to the cold winter and hot July. So I would leave that to your discretion but I would say that at the present time we need to keep our power cool here for 2012 dry exactly. But the other hand is that why we do have some APDC in there for Glacier Hills went apart and the air controls that swap or create like that is kind of centerpiece of next year right case whether be door A or door B and we would expect to cover on those projects such are going into service. Andy Levi – Caris & Company: Okay, thank you.

Gale Klappa

Management

You’re welcome, Andy.

Operator

Operator

All right. With that, ladies and gentlemen, I believe concludes our conference call for today. Thank you so much for participating. If you have any others, our favorite, Colleen Henderson will be available in the Investor Relations Officer and her direct line, 414-221-2590. Thanks everyone, have a good day.