埃克西爾能源 (XEL) 2012 Q3 法說會逐字稿

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to the Xcel Energy third quarter 2012 earnings conference call. At this time, all participants are in listen only mode. Following the presentation, we will conduct a question-and-answer session, and instructions will be provided at that time.

(Operator Instructions)

I would like to remind everyone that this conference call is being recorded today, Thursday, October 25, 2012, 9.00 AM Central time. I will now turn the conference over to Mr. Paul Johnson, Vice President Investor Relations and Financial Management. Please go ahead, sir.

Thank you, and welcome to Xcel Energy's 2012 third quarter earnings release conference call. Joining me today are Ben Fowke, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Teresa Madden, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Dave Sparby, Senior Vice President and Revenue Group President, Scott Wilensky, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, George Tyson, Vice President and Treasurer and Jeff Savage, Vice President and Controller.

This morning we will provide with you an update on third quarter results and recent business developments, update you on our 2012 guidance and introduce our new five-year capital forecast financing plan and 2013 earnings guidance. There are slides that accompany today's conference call available on our web page. In addition, we will post a brief video of Teresa Madden summarizing our financial results on the website.

As a reminder, some of the comments during this morning's conference call may contain forward-looking information. Significant factors that could cause results to differ from those anticipated are described in our earnings release and our filings with the SEC. Today's press release refers to both ongoing and GAAP earnings. 2012 third quarter GAAP earnings of $0.81 per share reflect a $0.03 per share positive impact of a restoration of a tax benefit previously expensed in 2012 associated with federal subsidies for prescription drug plans. This benefit is not included in ongoing earnings which is consistent with our treatment in 2010. Management believes ongoing earnings, which remove the impact of nonrecurring items, provides a more meaningful comparison. As a result, comments will focus on ongoing earnings. With that I will now turn the call over the Ben Fowke.

Thanks, Paul, and good morning. I'm very pleased to report 2012 third quarter ongoing earnings increased to 13% to $0.78 per share compared to $0.69 per share in 2011. As you know, we make it a priority to invest in our system with projects that provide long-term value to our customers. We achieve constructive and timely recovery of such investments in several jurisdictions which contributed to this quarter's performance. In addition, O&M expenses decreased slightly for the quarter reflecting our continued cost control measures. Finally, warmer than normal weather increased third quarter earnings by just over $0.07 per share. Since we also experienced a hot summer last year, this summer's weather didn't create a variance when making the quarterly comparison.

Our third quarter earnings are in contrast with the rather slow start we had to the year marked by warm winter weather, lower sales, and a couple of disappointing regulatory decisions. Recall that we responded immediately by implementing cost control measures to partially offset these negative factors and indicated we expected to deliver earnings within the lower half of our guidance range. With continued careful cost management and the improvement in weather during the summer, we now expect to deliver 2012 ongoing earnings within our earnings guidance range of $1.75 to $1.85 per share. Our 2012 GAAP earnings are expected to be in the upper half of the guidance range as a result of the $0.03 per share tax benefit that Paul just discussed.

Teresa will discuss our quarterly earnings in greater detail in a few moments. I will now comment on a few recent developments, starting with the introduction of our updated five-year capital forecast which you will find in our earnings release. We anticipate spending approximately $13.2 billion over the next -- over the five-year timeframe of 2013 to 2017. This is slightly less than our previous forecast. Additionally, we have reduced our projected equity needs by $350 million. The reduction in future equity needs is primarily driven by lower capital investment, the timing of those investments, and improved cash flows.

Let me highlight some of the changes to the updated capital forecast. Our previous capital forecast included $470 million of investment to meet Casper requirements in Texas. We have removed the SPS environmental projects from our forecast following the court's decision to vacate Casper. The court stated that the EPA must continue administering care pending adoption of a valid replacement. At SPS, we plan to comply with care through modest allowance purchases beginning in 2015.

Longer term, it's possible that future regulations could require the addition of FCRs and scrubbers at our SPS coal facilities. However, because of the uncertainty of any additional regulations, including timing, these potential investments are expected to be beyond the current five-year forecast. Our updated capital forecast also reflects increased infrastructure investment, particularly related to natural gas pipeline integrity and electric distribution projects. Most of the larger projects, such as CapEx 2020, the Clean Air, Clean Jobs act, and the nuclear upgrade and life extensions remain significant components of the five-year plan.

I do want to point out that this forecast includes the Prairie Island upgrade project which represents about $200 million of CapEx spend, primarily in 2016 and 2017. Earlier this year we filed a change of circumstance with the Minnesota Commission because the benefits of this project had narrowed since it was originally proposed. While under review, circumstances have continued to evolve and now indicate that the benefits of the upgrade are less than we anticipated in our March filing. At this point, we conclude that further investment in the project will not benefit our customers. The project is being reviewed by the commission, as well as other parties, and we expect a determination sometime in 2013.

Turning to operations, we continue to make great progress on our CapEx 2020 transmission project. The first four projects, representing approximately 700 miles and $1 billion of capital investment for Xcel Energy have all received state regulatory approval and are now in construction phase. Approximately one-half of this project's planned investment will be made in 2012 and 2013.

In September, the second segment of the Bemidji to Grand Rapids transmission line was completed and energized. The entire 70-mile line is now in service. Overall, the CapEx 2020 transmission project remains on time and on budget, demonstrating our continued ability to manage complicated projects and deliver value to all our stakeholders.

Looking ahead, 2013 will be an active year for us as we plan to file several rate cases this fall. In early November, we'll file a Minnesota electric rate case which will reflect significant capital investment going into service associated with nuclear and other infrastructure projects, as well as the decline electric sales that we've experienced in Minnesota. Teresa will speak to the drivers of that request in a few moments.

We also plan to make filings for Colorado Gas and electric filings in Texas, New Mexico and North Dakota before the end of the year, all of which are in addition to open dockets in South Dakota and Wisconsin. So, 2013 will be a busy regulatory year for us. With that, I will turn the call over to Teresa.

Thanks, Ben, and good morning. Today I will discuss third quarter results, provide an update on our regulatory proceedings, review our 2012 financing plan and update you on our 2012 and 2013 earnings guidance. Let's begun by reviewing our third quarter results at each of our four operating companies.

Third quarter earnings at PSCo increased $0.07 per share, primarily due to electric rate increase implemented in May associated with the approved multiyear plan. Quarterly results also benefited from lower O&M expenses and warmer summer weather. For 2012, we are on track to earn close to our authorized ROE of 10% in Colorado. Earnings at NSC Minnesota declined $0.01 per share for the quarter. In addition, NSC Minnesota earnings were down on a year to date basis driven by sluggish sales, increased property taxes, higher O&M expense, and unfavorable weather.

In 2012, we expect to earn well below our authorized ROE. Clearly, this highlights the need to file a 2013 electric rate case in Minnesota. SPS earnings increased $0.02 per share for the quarter. New rate increases in New Mexico and Texas implemented in January were partially offset by the impact of milder weather, higher depreciation expense and property taxes. We currently project SPS to earn in the mid 9% range in 2012.

Finally, third quarter earnings at NSP-Wisconsin were flat. In 2012 we expect NSP Wisconsin to earn in the upper 9% ROE range. On a consolidated basis, we continue to project our 2012 ROE will be greater than 10%.

I will now discuss some of the key drivers that affected the income statement, beginning with retail electric margin. Third quarter electric margin increased $57 million. Primary drivers of the higher margin were $46 million from new rate increases in several states, including Colorado, $13 million from increased conservation and DSM incentives, and $11 million from higher transmission revenue. These positive items were partially offset by lower firm wholesale revenues due to the expiration of a long-term agreement with Black Hills Corporation in January 2012.

We continue to experience sluggish sales trends. On a year to date and weather normalized basis, electric sales were flat. However, if you adjust for the additional day of sales due to leap year, electric sales actually declined 0.3%. Part of this decline is to the loss of one of our largest customers in Minnesota. In May, the Verso paper mill in Sartell, Minnesota experienced a fire. The Company subsequently decided not to reopen the facility. In 2011, this paper mill represented approximately 1.4% of total retail electric sales at NSP-Minnesota and 0.6% of Xcel Energy's retail electric sales. On a consolidated basis, we continue to forecast flat sales levels for 2012.

Turning to expenses, we continue to successfully manage O&M in an effort to match our spending with the negligible sales growth we've experienced to date, as well as other headwinds we've faced in 2012. As a result of the cost management initiatives that we began implementing in January, our O&M expenses were essentially flat for both the third quarter and the year to date period. However, we don't expect to maintain the flat O&M trends for the remainder of the year. After experiencing a hot summer, we plan to put some money into our system to ensure that we continue to maintain high levels of reliability. Also, after postponing merit increases earlier this year, we reinstated them in October. As a result, we now expect 2012 O&M expense to increase by approximately 2% for the year.

Other taxes increased approximately $11.6 million, or about 13%, largely due to increased property taxes in Minnesota. As a reminder, our request for deferred accounting treatment was denied by the Minnesota Commission earlier this year. Higher property taxes incurred in Colorado related to the electric retail business are being deferred as part of the multiyear rate settlement approved by the Colorado commission in May.

I will now provide an update on several regulatory proceedings. We currently have three notable regulatory proceedings underway. We filed for rate relief in South Dakota and Wisconsin. Late last week, the Wisconsin staff filed their recommendation which we viewed as constructive. In Colorado, we are seeking recovery of the full amount of our smart grid city investment. Details of these cases are provided in our earnings release. We anticipate resolution of each of these cases later this year.

In addition, we continue to make preparations to file several cases before year end, including electric cases in Minnesota, New Mexico, North Dakota and Texas, as well as the gas case in Colorado. We'll be able to discuss these cases in more detail at our year-end conference call in January.

In Minnesota, we plan to file an electric rate case next week. Until the case is filed, there are limited details that we can share with you. Our plan is to file a one-year 2013 test year rate case with interim rates expected to be effective in January 2013. Primary drivers of the case are the continued high level of investment to keep our system safe and reliable over the long term such as our investments extend the lives of our nuclear plant and obtain more power from the Monticello nuclear facility.

Recovery of these investments, as well as other general business cost increases, would be at the level you would expect, given our CapEx progress. This case will also address the increases in property tax that we have experienced which we forecast to be even higher in 2013. In addition, we will reset rates using current projected sales levels which are lower than what we used in our most recent rate case, driven primarily by the economy and the loss of some large customers.

We also plan to include proposals for how we can help support economic growth to help mitigate the sales effects over time. We are looking forward to working constructively with stakeholders and customers as we file and move through the K. While we plan to file the one-year rate case, we remain interested in working with the parties to arrive at a framework that can address 2014 and beyond to better manage the financial impact of substantial capital investment in an environment with flat or declining electric sales. The Minnesota Commission has opened a proceeding on a multiyear rate plan. Assuming that process results in constructive framework, we would expect to submit a plan during 2013 or 2014 and beyond. We will continue to participate in this ongoing docket which will serve to help shape this filing.

Now I would like to update you on the completion of our 2012 financing plan. We're pleased to have had the opportunity to take advantage of historically low interest rates, issuing a total of $1.8 billion of first mortgage bonds in 2012. During the third quarter and into early October, we issued $800 million of first mortgage bonds at both NSP-Minnesota and PSCo, as well as $100 million of first mortgage bonds at NSP-Wisconsin. As a result of these transactions, we dramatically lowered our cost of debt and extended maturities. This was particularly true at NSP-Minnesota and PSCo where we refinanced over $1.2 billion in bonds that had interest rates of about 8%.

Notably, the NSP-Minnesota $300 million 10-year tranche priced at 2.15% coupons, and the $500 million 30-year tranche priced at 3.4% coupon. Both of these represented record low utility coupons for their respective tenor. The PSCo bonds were issued at slightly higher rates, but still among the lowest for the utility sector. These bonds there provide low-cost capital for our customer for years to come.

One additional financing related item. Moody's recently downgraded SPS by one notch based on the expected moderation of SPS's credit metrics due to high levels of capital expenditures and regulatory lag. The outlook is now stable. Considering the significant planned investment in the SPS system over the next five years, strong credit metrics and timely recovery of costs are critical. Clearly, we'll continue to work with our stakeholders, including state regulatory commissioners and staff, the office of the attorney general, key large customers, consumer advocates, state government officials and others to reinforce the importance of timely recovery associated with these investments as this is a critical factor in our decision making process.

Turning to our earnings guidance, we expect 2012 ongoing earnings guidance to be within the $1.75 to $1.85 range. However, GAAP earnings are now expected to be in the upper half of the range due to the tax benefit previously discussed. In a year where we face stiff headwinds early, we take great pride in our efforts to position the Company to deliver earnings within our guidance range for the eighth year in a row. Looking ahead, we're initiating our 2013 earnings guidance of $1.85 to $1.95. Based on the midpoint of our guidance range for both 2012 and 2013 this would represent 6% earnings growth consistent with our 5% to 7% target.

The key assumptions for 2013 are outlined in today's press release. I will now share with you some details behind a few of the assumptions. We assume constructive outcomes in all rate case proceedings. We forecast consolidated weather-adjusted electric utility sales growth of 0.5%. However, the forecast does vary by operating company. We anticipate sales growth of approximately 1% at PSCo. Sales declines of approximately 1% at NSP-Minnesota. Sales growth of approximately 3% at SPS and flat sales at NSP-Wisconsin.

For natural gas, we are projecting a weather-adjusted firm sales decline of 1%. O&M expenses are forecast to increase 4% to 5%. The primary drivers include rising pensions, medical, and nuclear costs in addition to our continued capital investment in our system. Depreciation is expected to increase $70 million to $80 million, also driven by continued capital investment in our system. Property taxes are expected to increase $35 million. As a result of recent refinancings to take advantage of low coupon debt, we expect interest expense to decline by $30 million to $35 million. And finally, our 2013 EPS guidance is based on a range of 490 million to 500 million common share equivalent.

In closing, we are pleased to deliver another strong quarter, well positioning the Company to meet our earnings objectives for the eighth consecutive year. Looking ahead, our guidance range for 2013 is consistent with our plan to grow earnings 5% to 7% annually.

Before I turn the call over to you for questions, I would like to comment on our plan for our annual analyst meeting. Over the last several months, we've spoken with many of you regarding the frequency with which we host our analyst meetings. The feedback we received clearly indicated that holding the meeting every other year or as needed was sufficient. As a result, we won't be hosting an analyst meeting this December. However, we currently intend to host one in December of 2013. That concludes my prepared remarks. Operator, we will now take questions.

Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, we will now conduct the question-and-answer session.

(Operator Instructions)

One moment for your first question. Your first question comes from Travis Miller from Morningstar Securities Research.

Good morning, thanks.

Good morning, Travis.

You guys mentioned in the release the cost savings initiatives that have helped keep that O&M flat. And then as you suggested, a pretty modest 2% for the full year. Can you detail what some of those have been this year and how sustainable, I guess, those are?

Well, we started the year in terms of with overall looking across the board in terms of where we could eliminate what we would call discretionary items. That could be consulting some costs. We eliminated our wage increase, which we have reinstated. But generally, they were just across the board where we looked for opportunities to lower our overall costs.

Okay. And you expect those to be -- other than the wage increase, obviously, expect some of those to be sustainable?

Yes, we do.

Great. Thank you.

Your next question comes from Kit Konolige with BGC Partners.

Just to follow a little on your discussion of the five-year CapEx outlook and your equity plans. I think you mentioned, Teresa, the driver of the lowered equity needs was partly less CapEx, partly cash higher cash from operations? If you can go into a little detail on those points.

Well, Kit, the CapEx, if we look at the five-year period, even though it's slightly different, in terms of '12 to '16 or '13 to '17, it's still just over $13 billion. But two important things. In terms of removing Casper, which we had a higher front end, we've added some infrastructure costs in PSCo in terms of the gas replacement program. The removing of the Casper project had some regulatory lag with it, whereas if we are assuming relative to the gas infrastructure we do after a rider in place or through rate based recovery, that will help us work towards having a lower equity requirement.

And that's the primary driver of the delta in your expected equity need?

It really is, yes. Because over the period, the spend is pretty much the same in terms of just over $13 billion.

Can you discuss the timing of the equity issuance at all?

Well, we don't need equity in 2012. We believe in 2013 or 2014 we could have the need for equity, but it is going to depend on a lot of things that we consider. Overall market decisions, the ultimate timing of spend, credit metrics. We'll take that all into consideration.

I think the good news, Kit, is we're going need a lot less equity, and that gives us a lot more flexibility going forward.

I agree. That sounds like good news. And can you maybe touch on the dividend a little bit in that context as well? I think in the past, the discussion has been along the lines that dividend growth would be less than EPS growth for a number of years while the large CapEx budget was in place. As that declines, maybe that relationship between dividend and EPS growth changes some. Should we be thinking any differently about that at this point?

No, I think what we said before, and how we reward investors between the dividend and EPS growth still holds true, Kit. We still have a lot of rate-based growth obviously, in the next couple of years. And just like our equity needs, we've got a lot of flexibility in what we can do with the dividend. We've got, I think, a pretty modest payout ratio compared to our peers. So, it's an arrow in the proverbial quiver, if you will.

Thank you.

Your next question comes from Ali Agha from SunTrust.

Ben or Teresa, the $13.2 billion of CapEx spend budget for '13 through '17, would you then remind us what kind of annual rate-based growth does that support, say '12 over '13 -- '17, over that five-year period?

I think we're still growing in that 6% to 7% clip, Ali.

At least through 2014, Ali. Post that, it will start to come down as CapEx comes down.

Okay, okay. I don't have a chance to look at the numbers themselves. If I do it over a five-year period, 5% to 6% that would be reasonable?

Yes, I think that's probably right.

Okay. And then on the equity issue question, so the share count increase that you guys are assuming for '13 in your guidance right now, obviously there's a range there. So right now is that assuming drip, or -- I'm assuming the higher end of that would include equity issuance, as well. Can you give us a little better handle on that share count range for '13 and how you're thinking about equity in there?

Well, we're still assuming that we would have our drip and benefit programs in place at the same level, which has been around $80 million a year, and then we put the range in to provide for some flexibility. As I was just indicating that it could be 2013, it could be 2014, and as we move forward, we'll just consider all the circumstances and it could be either of the years. That's why we indicated a range this year.

I see. And final question. You laid out also your load forecast obviously for full year this year and for next year. Can you remind us the earnings sensitivities we should think about 1% move in load, what that means for EPS for you guys?

Generally, 1% load can range from margins of $20 million to $30 million. It just depends on which jurisdiction it's in, because we earn differently. And so that's what causes the range to be $20 million to $30 million.

And also what customer class.

What class, yes.

Yes, that's true.

Is that electric, gas, or is that a culmination of the two?

That's electric.

Gas is much lower.

Correct.

Right, right. Thank you.

Your next question comes from David Paz from Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Most of my questions have been answered, but I just want to go back to one point you made on the regulatory lag and how it corresponds with the CapEx. I think said higher -- you expect higher cash flow from operations in this five-year plan versus the prior plan due to more spend on the gas side, which has a rider and less spend on electric side, which in the jurisdiction still has some regulatory lag. Is that the increase of roughly -- does that explain the increase of, I don't know, I think it was like $400 million in your cash flow from operations plan versus prior plan?

I think it's a function of the reduction in overall CapEx spend. That's about $200 million. Then improvement in the cash flows that Teresa mentioned is the other half of that, basically. And that's just -- that's a function of when we put the spend in at -- in for Casper, and remember, that was front end loaded.

That's another factor that helps us reduce the equity needs, that we have a smoother spend. When we put in that in, we did not have the regulatory recovery mechanism established. Now, we were obviously going seek that, and we'll continue to seek that going forward if we do have to make environmental spend, But at this point, we didn't have it. We had regulatory lag. Contrast that with our infrastructure spend in Colorado where we do have a rider, which eliminates lag, so that's the delta that Teresa and we're referring to.

Got it. Okay, great. That helps a lot. My other question, just in your transmission line item, other major projects, notice a slight bump in 2017. I was just curious, is there a major transmission project down the pipe that maybe we've missed here?

I don't think so. We're obviously have our CapEx 2020 programs which are lined out in that in program, and then the other major CapEx programs would be at SPS and some in Colorado, but these are all projects that we've been discussing.

Great. And on interest costs, I just want to make sure I understand the decline for 2013 -- embedded in your 2013 guidance versus 2012. Is it really just a function of the lower interest rate, or are there some --maybe you can term some out before their maturity dates?

It's primarily the interest rate.

Okay. Last question, just in terms of your weather benefit year to date. I know you had a -- for Q1, but better rest of the year. What's the net weather benefit year to date?

The net --

Versus normal.

It's $0.05.

Great. Thank you so much.

Your next question comes from Eli Kraicer from Millennium Partners.

Good morning, it's actually Steve Gambuzza. The rate case that you are going to file in Minnesota, what will be the test year for that rate case?

2013.

Okay, and so will you use a forecasted capital structure for 2000 -- the balance sheet, there's no update, so it will just be an entirely forecasted set of financials?

That's correct.

Okay, and just on the CapEx forecast, I know you spent some time in your opening remarks talking about the op rates. Have you left -- is the op rate spend related to the Minnesota project which you discussed? Is that still in the CapEx forecast, or has that been removed?

It's the $200 million spend, it's still in there.

It's in the '16 and '17 time frame.

Okay, so if your request to the regulator is granted, then will you not spend that money?

Correct.

Okay. And then just back to some of David's questions on the rider, it sounds like -- I was looking at the nature of the capital changes. It looks like distribution CapEx for electric went up by about -- both electric and gas distribution spend went up by about 20% or 30% versus the prior forecast. Is most of that spend now rider eligible? I know you have it in Colorado. Do you -- this increase in CapEx that you have for both electric and gas distribution, is the majority of that going to fall under riders?

I think the gas spend, as we talked about, should be under a rider. The electric spend, it subsumed in a multiyear plan, and -- but most of it is going to be picked up in general cases. And obviously, we're trying to go to multiyear and some other things to cover that, but it's really a reflection, by the way, of just aging infrastructure. We've done a really good job with reliability for our customers, and we want to continue to keep that high standard in existence, And it takes investment, and I think our commissions will see that.

Okay. And then, my final question is just on the transmission CapEx and looking at the updated cable. I see the CapEx 2020 spend in the 2013 to '15 time frame, and then there's other major transmission projects, $320 million in '16 and then $415 million in '17. Can you just remind us what projects those are? I know you've talked about it a bunch besides CapEx 2020, just want to get a feel for, is this a handful of project or a bunch of projects?

Probably in between a handful and a bunch. We've got -- we have the TUCO, Moreland project, the Hitchland-Woodward project in Texas, we've got the step projects in Texas. At PSCo we have some of the SP 100. They're relatively small to the end of the five-year time frame. A number of smaller projects. We have some things going on in Wisconsin as well, so --

There's nothing -- no large -- no one or two large projects that are driving it?

No, but they're not -- a lot of those projects are covered through. The major projects that we refer to in the table, the majority of those are covered by riders. Great. Thanks very much for your time.

Thank you.

Your next question comes from Mark Reader from PartnerRE Asset Management. Please go ahead.

Yes, hi. With the five-year CapEx spending so front end loaded, I'm just wondering how much debt you plan to issue in 2013 and then how that affects the credit metrics if you don't issue equity.

We're planning to issue, it's right around $1.2 billion, $1.4 billion.

And the credit metrics?

They'll stay the same as they are, which we are assuming that we have in that release.

We shared our plan with rating agencies, and so everybody -- we're very transparent about what the metrics look like with both investors and the credit agencies.

Okay. And then just one quick question on how much more secured debt you can issue at SPS before you trip the negative pledge in the existing bonds.

It's about $160 million.

And will you hit that limit next year?

Not necessarily.

All right, thank you.

(Operator Instructions)

Your next question comes from Cleo Zagrean from Macquarie Capital.

Hi, good morning. Could you please remind us of your expectations post '13 in terms of trend growth rate for EPS, given the slower load growth and reduced Cap Ex? Now we understand, looks it's going to be $13 billion. And the update -- any update on the mix between earnings growth and dividend yield for total return? Thank you.

Your first and second question kind of have the same answer for both. I think we continue to see some pretty robust rate based growth over the next couple of years. You get into that '14 time frame and beyond. Perhaps it modulates a bit. There's a number of factors that will affect how much it modulates. But overall, we're very confident that the total shareholder return of 10% can be met. Whether it's a little less on EPS growth and a little more on dividend, that mix ultimately remains to be seen, based upon a number of variables. But we've got a lot of levers, I think, to use to continue to reward our shareholders.

Thank you. And as a follow-up with regards to load growth challenges, can you give us a brief overview of the types of regulatory recovery you're looking for besides accounting for a lower growth rate in your request? And the signals you've received so far from regulators in terms of progress on formula rates? We -- my impression was that you were hoping maybe to move faster in Minnesota? Thank you.

Formula rates, you mean the multiyear plan?

Yes.

It's not really a formula rate, but the progress on a multiyear plan has gone a bit slower in Minnesota than we originally thought. There's a docket that's been opened, and it will be very much addressed in '13. But we need to file a rate case now. So, we filed a rate case.

We'll continue to work with parties to develop a plan that might make sense. And part of that will be economic development, frankly, and it will address things like how we help be part of the solution to get sales back on track in the state. I think that's an important thing we can do and we have done. We already have examples of that, by the way, that have played, I think, very well with our stakeholders.

So, having regulatory certainty, having our plans understood by all our stakeholders, those ultimately lead the multiyear plans. But in the meantime, we'll file a rate case. Last time we did it, we did it the same way, we got a step increase for the off years. There's a lot of different ways that we can ensure that we have appropriate regulatory recovery, and I'm actually pretty excited about the ways we can help improve sales growth and encourage growth in the state. You'll see that in rate design and some other things that we'll offer.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

Your next question comes from Timothy Yee from Keybanc Capital Markets.

Just one quick question. For your planned rate filings in the other jurisdiction other than Minnesota, I think would be New Mexico and North Dakota, or Texas and Colorado gas, when would you expect those new rates to be in place by?

It varies by the jurisdictions. In North Dakota we would expect interim rates early. Texas would be in the latter part of next year. New Mexico would be potentially about the same. Colorado gas -- oh, that's right, New Mexico would be 2014. And then Colorado gas would be by the winter season next year.

Okay. Thank you.

There are no further questions at this time. I would now like to turn it over to Ms. Teresa Madden. Please go ahead.

Thank you all for participating in our third quarter earnings call this morning. We look forward to meeting with you at EEI Financial Conference in a few weeks. Until then, Paul Johnson and the IR team are available to take your call.

Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes the conference call for today. Thank you for participating. You may now disconnect your lines.