Printer Friendly
The Free Library
19,607,050 articles and books
Member login
User name  
Password 
 
Join us Forgot password?

FPL Energy Announces Agreement to Purchase Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant.


JUNO BEACH This article is about the beach codenamed in WWII. For other uses, see Juno Beach (disambiguation)

Juno Beach was one of the landing sites for Allied invaders on the coast of Normandy during D-Day. It was situated between Sword Beach and Gold Beach.
, Fla. -- FPL Energy, LLC (Logical Link Control) See "LANs" under data link protocol.

LLC - Logical Link Control
, a subsidiary of FPL Group, Inc. (NYSE NYSE

See: New York Stock Exchange
: FPL) announced today it has reached an agreement to purchase the two-unit, 1,033-megawatt Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant located near Two Rivers, Wisconsin Two Rivers is a city in Manitowoc County, Wisconsin, United States. The population was 12,639 at the 2000 census. The city is located mostly within the Town of Two Rivers. A small portion extends west into the adjacent Town of Manitowoc. , about 30 miles southeast of Green Bay, from Wisconsin Electric Power Company (dba as We Energies), a subsidiary of Wisconsin Energy Corporation Wisconsin Energy Corporation (NYSE: WEC) is a company based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin that provides electricity and natural gas throughout Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The company also has several non-regulated, non-utility branches.  (NYSE: WEC WEC World Energy Council
WEC World Extreme Cagefighting (mixed martial arts sport)
WEC World Enduro Championship (FIM Motorcycle Event)
WEC World Environment Center
WEC Washington Environmental Council
).

Under the terms of the agreement, a wholly-owned subsidiary of FPL Energy will purchase the Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant for a total of approximately $998 million, including nuclear fuel, inventory and other items. The $998 million price represents $783 million for the plant itself and $215 million for fuel, inventory and other items.

Upon closing, FPL Energy will assume management and operation of Point Beach from Nuclear Management Company and will work with them to ensure a smooth transition.

Jim Robo, president and chief operating officer Chief Operating Officer (COO)

The officer of a firm responsible for day-to-day management, usually the president or an executive vice-president.
 of FPL Group, said, "We are excited to add the Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant to our power generation portfolio and pleased to further expand our relationship with We Energies, an important customer for whom we've been providing clean, renewable wind power for several years.

"This plant will further diversify our generating fleet and supports our strategy of building a diversified, well-hedged portfolio. Point Beach provides us with another low-cost, emission-free, baseload generation source in the Midwest and complements our existing nuclear and wind assets in the region."

All of the power from the Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant will be sold under a long-term contract to We Energies through the current NRC NRC
abbr.
1. National Research Council

2. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Noun 1. NRC - an independent federal agency created in 1974 to license and regulate nuclear power plants
 license terms of 2030 for Unit 1 and 2033 for Unit 2. The power from Point Beach is competitively priced and escalates each year of the contract.

FPL Energy will assume responsibility for eventual decommissioning Decommissioning is a general term for a formal process to remove something from operational status. Some specific instances include:
  • Ship decommissioning
See also:
 of the plant. Decommissioning funds transferred to FPL Energy at closing will be no less than $360 million. We Energies will retain the non-qualified nuclear decommissioning The decommissioning of nuclear power plants is sometimes referred to as nuclear decommissioning, to mark the difference between 'conventional' decommissioning and dismantling projects.  trust. We Energies has the option to transfer more than $360 million to FPL Energy for an additional purchase price adjustment.

FPL Energy expects to close the acquisition in the third quarter of 2007. Financing for the acquisition will be integrated into FPL Group's overall financing program with a continued commitment to strong credit quality. The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to earnings per share in the first three years, and increasingly so thereafter.

Point Beach is comprised of two pressurized water reactors Noun 1. pressurized water reactor - a nuclear reactor that uses water as a coolant and moderator; the steam produced can drive a steam turbine
PWR

water-cooled reactor - nuclear reactor using water as a coolant
 totaling 1,033 megawatts of capacity. Point Beach Unit 1 began commercial operation in December 1970; Unit 2 in March 1973. In December 2005, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), an independent U.S. government commission, created by the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 and charged with licensing and regulating civilian use of nuclear energy to protect the public and the environment.  renewed the operating licenses for Units 1 and 2 through 2030 and 2033, respectively (20-year extensions). The plant is in good material condition. The reactor vessel reactor vessel
n.
The protective containment vessel surrounding the nuclear fission core in a nuclear reactor.
 heads and steam generators have been replaced in both units.

The Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant currently has approximately 660 full-time employees. FPL Energy has agreed to retain non-bargaining unit employees at Point Beach at comparable wages and benefits for 18 months following the close of the sale. In addition, FPL Energy will honor all labor agreements for bargaining unit A bargaining unit in labor relations is a group of employees with a clear and identifiable community of interests who are (under U.S. law) represented by a single labor union in collective bargaining and other dealings with management.  employees.

"FPL Energy has been a member of the Wisconsin community for several years through our ownership and operation of our Montfort Wind Energy Center. We have a strong track record of community involvement and giving back to the communities where we operate. We look forward to developing new opportunities and partnerships due to our ownership of Point Beach," said Robo.

Approvals for the transaction are needed from federal and state regulatory agencies state regulatory agency A state body responsible for establishing professional standards, and for certifying professionals or organizations through appropriate documentation , including the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin as well as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) is the United States federal agency with jurisdiction over electricity sales, wholesale electric rates, hydroelectric licensing, natural gas pricing, and oil pipeline rates. , Department of Justice clearance under the Hart Scott Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 and various other regulatory bodies.

FPL Energy will utilize the experience of the Point Beach team, as well as the experience gained operating the 592-megawatt Duane Arnold Energy Center The Duane Arnold Energy Center is located on a 500 acre (2 km²) site on the west bank of the Cedar River, two miles north of Palo, Iowa, USA, or eight miles northwest of Cedar Rapids. It is Iowa's only nuclear power plant.

DAEC entered operation in June 1974.
 in Iowa, the 1,220-megawatt Seabrook Station in New Hampshire New Hampshire, one of the New England states of the NE United States. It is bordered by Massachusetts (S), Vermont, with the Connecticut R. forming the boundary (W), the Canadian province of Quebec (NW), and Maine and a short strip of the Atlantic Ocean (E). , and the expertise of the FPL Group nuclear team to manage and operate the plant.

The addition of Point Beach will nearly double FPL Energy's owned power generation in the Midwest. The company currently owns and operates more than 660 megawatts of wind power throughout Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota North Dakota, state in the N central United States. It is bordered by Minnesota, across the Red River of the North (E), South Dakota (S), Montana (W), and the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba (N). , South Dakota South Dakota (dəkō`tə), state in the N central United States. It is bordered by North Dakota (N), Minnesota and Iowa (E), Nebraska (S), and Wyoming and Montana (W). , Minnesota, and Kansas. In addition, FPL Energy owns a majority interest in the Duane Arnold Energy Center and operates the plant.

In addition to the Duane Arnold nuclear plant in Iowa, FPL Energy currently operates and owns a majority interest in the Seabrook nuclear plant in New Hampshire. FPL Group's other subsidiary, Florida Power & Light Company, operates four nuclear units in Florida at two sites, Turkey Point and St. Lucie St. Lucie may refer to:
  • St. Lucie, Florida
  • St. Lucie County, Florida
  • St. Lucie nuclear power plant
See also
  • Saint Lucy
  • Saint Lucia (disambiguation)
, representing 1,386 megawatts and 1,678 megawatts, respectively.

Seabrook, Duane Arnold, Turkey Point and St. Lucie have traditionally ranked among the highest in safety and operational performance based upon the Nuclear Regulatory Commission's safety indicators as well as the World Association of Nuclear Operators' overall performance index.

"FPL Group's Nuclear Division has an excellent track record operating nuclear power plants safely and reliably," said Art Stall, senior vice president of FPL Group's Nuclear Division. "FPL Group and Point Beach nuclear programs are focused on safety and continuous improvement. We look forward to working with Point Beach employees in further providing safe, clean and reliable nuclear power to the Wisconsin market for many years to come."

FPL Energy also announced today that it was providing two wind energy options for We Energies. The first allows We Energies to select FPL Energy to equip and construct the We Energies Blue Sky Green Field Wind Project in northeastern Fond du Lac Fond du Lac (fŏn` də lăk', –jə–), city (1990 pop. 37,757), seat of Fond du Lac co., E central Wis., in a resort region at the south end of Lake Winnebago; inc. 1852.  County. This project is currently under regulatory review. The second option allows We Energies to acquire a site under development by FPL Energy in central Wisconsin Central Wisconsin is a colloquial term for a region of Wisconsin. This region generally coincides with the Wausau-Rhinelander Television Market. Counties in Central Wisconsin
  • Adams County
  • Florence County
  • Forest County
  • Langlade County
. We Energies may exercise either of these options independent of the sale of Point Beach.

FPL Energy was advised by J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. as exclusive financial advisor, and represented in the transaction by Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP is an international, full-service law firm with strengths in the energy, financial services, real estate and technology sectors and offices located throughout the United States and the world, including key financial centers such as New York, , LLP LLP - Lower Layer Protocol .
[TABLE OMITTED]


FPL Group, with annual revenues of more than $12 billion, is nationally known as a high-quality, efficient, and customer-driven organization focused on energy-related products and services. With a growing presence in 26 states, it is widely recognized as one of the country's premier power companies. Its principal subsidiary, Florida Power & Light Company, serves more than 4.4 million customer accounts in Florida. FPL Energy, LLC, FPL Group's competitive energy subsidiary, is a leader in producing electricity from clean and renewable fuels Renewable fuels are alternative fuel sources such as ethanol, biodiesel (e.g. soy, vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant greases) or hydrogen, in contrast to non-renewable fuels such as natural gas, LPG (propane). . Additional information is available on the Internet at www.FPLGroup.com, www.FPL.com and www.FPLEnergy.com.

Cautionary Statements And Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results

In connection with the safe harbor Safe Harbor

1. A legal provision to reduce or eliminate liability as long as good faith is demonstrated.

2. A form of shark repellent implemented by a target company acquiring a business that is so poorly regulated that the target itself is less attractive.
 provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (PSLRA) implemented several significant substantive changes affecting certain cases brought under the federal securities laws, including changes related to pleading, discovery, liability, class representation and awards fees and  of 1995 (Reform Act), FPL Group, Inc. (FPL Group) and Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) are hereby providing cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause FPL Group's or FPL's actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking statements forward-looking statement

A projected financial statement based on management expectations. A forward-looking statement involves risks with regard to the accuracy of assumptions underlying the projections.
 (as such term is defined in the Reform Act) made by or on behalf of FPL Group and FPL in this press release, on their respective websites, in response to questions or otherwise. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as will likely result, are expected to, will continue, is anticipated, believe, could, estimated, may, plan, potential, projection, target, outlook) are not statements of historical facts and may be forward-looking. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties. Accordingly, any such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to, and are accompanied by, the following important factors (in addition to any assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with such forward-looking statements) that could cause FPL Group's or FPL's actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of FPL Group and FPL.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and FPL Group and FPL undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances, including unanticipated events, after the date on which such statement is made. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all of such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

The following are some important factors that could have a significant impact on FPL Group's and FPL's operations and financial results, and could cause FPL Group's and FPL's actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements:

FPL Group and FPL are subject to complex laws and regulations and to changes in laws and regulations as well as changing governmental policies and regulatory actions, including initiatives regarding deregulation Deregulation

The reduction or elimination of government power in a particular industry, usually enacted to create more competition within the industry.

Notes:
Traditional areas that have been deregulated are the telephone and airline industries.
 and restructuring of the energy industry and environmental matters. FPL holds franchise agreements with local municipalities and counties, and must renegotiate re·ne·go·ti·ate  
tr.v. re·ne·go·ti·at·ed, re·ne·go·ti·at·ing, re·ne·go·ti·ates
1. To negotiate anew.

2. To revise the terms of (a contract) so as to limit or regain excess profits gained by the contractor.
 expiring agreements. These factors may have a negative impact on the business and results of operations of FPL Group and FPL.

* FPL Group and FPL are subject to complex laws and regulations, and to changes in laws or regulations, including the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act The Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (or PURPA) was a law passed in 1978 by the United States Congress as part of the National Energy Act. It was meant to promote greater use of renewable energy.  of 1978, as amended, the Public Utility Holding Company Act Public Utility Holding Company Act

The 1935 act that gives the SEC authority over the security issues, the accounting systems, the corporate structures, and the intercompany transactions of public utilities.
 of 2005, the Federal Power Act, the Atomic Energy Act The Atomic Energy Act may refer to a number of different laws around the world, usually meant to govern nuclear power and/or nuclear weapons production.

In the United States, there are two federal laws known by the name:
 of 1954, as amended, the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (2005 Energy Act) and certain sections of the Florida statutes The Florida Statutes are the codified, statutory laws of the state of Florida. The laws are approved by the Florida Legislature, and signed into law by the Governor of Florida.  relating to relating to relate prepconcernant

relating to relate prepbezüglich +gen, mit Bezug auf +acc 
 public utilities, changing governmental policies and regulatory actions, including those of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC FERC Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FERC FEMA Emergency Response Capability
), the Florida Public Service Commission Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) is an independent regulatory agency serving the public of Florida by managing its public utilities such as telecommunications, electricity, natural gas, water, and wastewater.  (FPSC FPSC Florida Public Service Commission
FPSC Financial Planners Standards Council (Canada)
FPSC Field Programmable System Chip (Lucent Technologies)
FPSC Fundación Promoción Social de la Cultura
) and the legislatures and utility commissions of other states in which FPL Group has operations, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), with respect to, among other things, allowed rates of return, industry and rate structure, operation of nuclear power facilities, operation and construction of plant facilities, operation and construction of transmission facilities, acquisition, disposal, depreciation and amortization of assets and facilities, recovery of fuel and purchased power costs, decommissioning costs, return on common equity and equity ratio limits, and present or prospective wholesale and retail competition (including but not limited to retail wheeling and transmission costs). The FPSC has the authority to disallow To exclude; reject; deny the force or validity of.

The term disallow is applied to such things as an insurance company's refusal to pay a claim.
 recovery by FPL of any and all costs that it considers excessive or imprudently im·pru·dent  
adj.
Unwise or indiscreet; not prudent.



im·prudent·ly adv.

Adv. 1.
 incurred. The regulatory process generally restricts FPL's ability to grow earnings and does not provide any assurance as to achievement of earnings levels.

* FPL Group and FPL are subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental statutes as well as the effect of changes in or additions to applicable statutes, rules and regulations relating to air quality, water quality, waste management, wildlife mortality, natural resources and health and safety that could, among other things, restrict or limit the output of certain facilities or the use of certain fuels required for the production of electricity and/or require additional pollution control equipment and otherwise increase costs. There are significant capital, operating and other costs associated with compliance with these environmental statutes, rules and regulations, and those costs could be even more significant in the future.

* FPL Group and FPL operate in a changing market environment influenced by various legislative and regulatory initiatives regarding deregulation, regulation or restructuring of the energy industry, including deregulation or restructuring of the production and sale of electricity. FPL Group and its subsidiaries will need to adapt to these changes and may face increasing competitive pressure.

* FPL Group's and FPL's results of operations could be affected by FPL's ability to renegotiate franchise agreements with municipalities and counties in Florida The links in the column FIPS County Code are to the Census Bureau Info page for that county.

List of 67 counties in the U.S. state of Florida:

State
Abbr. FIPS
State Code State
FL 12 Florida
Index # on Map FIPS County Code County Name
1 001 Alachua County
.

The operation and maintenance of power generation facilities, including nuclear facilities, involve significant risks that could adversely affect the results of operations and financial condition of FPL Group and FPL.

* The operation and maintenance of power generation facilities involve many risks, including, but not limited to, start up risks, breakdown or failure of equipment, transmission lines or pipelines, the inability to properly manage or mitigate known equipment defects throughout our generation fleets unless and until such defects are remediated, use of new technology, the dependence on a specific fuel source, including the supply and transportation of fuel, or the impact of unusual or adverse weather conditions (including natural disasters such as hurricanes), as well as the risk of performance below expected or contracted levels of output or efficiency. This could result in lost revenues and/or increased expenses, including, but not limited to, the requirement to purchase power in the market at potentially higher prices to meet contractual obligations. Insurance, warranties or performance guarantees may not cover any or all of the lost revenues or increased expenses, including the cost of replacement power. In addition to these risks, FPL Group's and FPL's nuclear units face certain risks that are unique to the nuclear industry including, but not limited to, the ability to store and/or dispose of spent nuclear fuel Spent nuclear fuel, occasionally called used nuclear fuel, is nuclear fuel that has been irradiated in a nuclear reactor (usually at a nuclear power plant) to the point where it is no longer useful in sustaining a nuclear reaction. , the potential payment of significant retrospective insurance premiums, as well as additional regulatory actions up to and including shutdown of the units stemming from public safety concerns, whether at FPL Group's and FPL's plants, or at the plants of other nuclear operators. Breakdown or failure of an operating facility of FPL Energy may prevent the facility from performing under applicable power sales agreements which, in certain situations, could result in termination of the agreement or incurring a liability for liquidated damages Monetary compensation for a loss, detriment, or injury to a person or a person's rights or property, awarded by a court judgment or by a contract stipulation regarding breach of contract. .

The construction of, and capital improvements to, power generation facilities involve substantial risks. Should construction or capital improvement efforts be unsuccessful, the results of operations and financial condition of FPL Group and FPL could be adversely affected.

* FPL Group's and FPL's ability to successfully and timely complete their power generation facilities currently under construction, those projects yet to begin construction or capital improvements to existing facilities within established budgets is contingent upon Adj. 1. contingent upon - determined by conditions or circumstances that follow; "arms sales contingent on the approval of congress"
contingent on, dependant on, dependant upon, dependent on, dependent upon, depending on, contingent
 many variables and subject to substantial risks. Should any such efforts be unsuccessful, FPL Group and FPL could be subject to additional costs, termination payments under committed contracts, and/or the write-off of their investment in the project or improvement.

The use of derivative contracts by FPL Group and FPL in the normal course of business could result in financial losses that negatively impact the results of operations of FPL Group and FPL.

* FPL Group and FPL use derivative instruments Derivative instruments

Contracts such as options and futures whose price is derived from the price of an underlying financial asset.
, such as swaps, options and forwards to manage their commodity and financial market risks, and to a lesser extent, engage in limited trading activities. FPL Group could recognize financial losses as a result of volatility in the market values of these contracts, or if a counterparty fails to perform. In the absence of actively quoted market prices and pricing information from external sources, the valuation of these derivative instruments involves management's judgment or use of estimates. As a result, changes in the underlying assumptions or use of alternative valuation methods could affect the reported fair value of these contracts. In addition, FPL's use of such instruments could be subject to prudency challenges and if found imprudent im·pru·dent  
adj.
Unwise or indiscreet; not prudent.



im·prudent·ly adv.
, cost recovery could be disallowed by the FPSC.

FPL Group's competitive energy business is subject to risks, many of which are beyond the control of FPL Group, that may reduce the revenues and adversely impact the results of operations and financial condition of FPL Group.

* There are other risks associated with FPL Group's competitive energy business. In addition to risks discussed elsewhere, risk factors specifically affecting FPL Energy's success in competitive wholesale markets include the ability to efficiently develop and operate generating assets, the successful and timely completion of project restructuring activities, maintenance of the qualifying facility status of certain projects, the price and supply of fuel (including transportation), transmission constraints, competition from new sources of generation, excess generation capacity and demand for power. There can be significant volatility in market prices for fuel and electricity, and there are other financial, counterparty and market risks that are beyond the control of FPL Energy. FPL Energy's inability or failure to effectively hedge its assets or positions against changes in commodity prices, interest rates, counterparty credit risk or other risk measures could significantly impair FPL Group's future financial results. In keeping with industry trends, a portion of FPL Energy's power generation facilities operate wholly or partially without long-term power purchase agreements. As a result, power from these facilities is sold on the spot market or on a short-term contractual basis, which may affect the volatility of FPL Group's financial results. In addition, FPL Energy's business depends upon transmission facilities owned and operated by others; if transmission is disrupted or capacity is inadequate or unavailable, FPL Energy's ability to sell and deliver its wholesale power may be limited.

FPL Group's ability to successfully identify, complete and integrate acquisitions is subject to significant risks, including the effect of increased competition for acquisitions resulting from the consolidation of the power industry.

* FPL Group is likely to encounter significant competition for acquisition opportunities that may become available as a result of the consolidation of the power industry, in general, as well as the passage of the 2005 Energy Act. In addition, FPL Group may be unable to identify attractive acquisition opportunities at favorable prices and to successfully and timely complete and integrate them.

Because FPL Group and FPL rely on access to capital markets, the inability to maintain current credit ratings and access capital markets on favorable terms may limit the ability of FPL Group and FPL to grow their businesses and would likely increase interest costs.

* FPL Group and FPL rely on access to capital markets as a significant source of liquidity for capital requirements Capital requirements

Financing required for the operation of a business, composed of long-term and working capital plus fixed assets.
 not satisfied by operating cash flows Operating cash flow

Earnings before depreciation minus taxes. Measures the cash generated from operations, not counting capital spending or working capital requirements.
. The inability of FPL Group, FPL Group Capital Inc and FPL to maintain their current credit ratings could affect their ability to raise capital on favorable terms, particularly during times of uncertainty in the capital markets, which, in turn, could impact FPL Group's and FPL's ability to grow their businesses and would likely increase their interest costs.

Customer growth in FPL's service area affects FPL Group's results of operations.

* FPL Group's results of operations are affected by the growth in customer accounts in FPL's service area. Customer growth can be affected by population growth as well as economic factors in Florida, including job and income growth, housing starts and new home prices. Customer growth directly influences the demand for electricity and the need for additional power generation and power delivery facilities at FPL.

Weather affects FPL Group's and FPL's results of operations.

* FPL Group's and FPL's results of operations are affected by changes in the weather. Weather conditions directly influence the demand for electricity and natural gas and affect the price of energy commodities, and can affect the production of electricity at wind and hydro-powered facilities. FPL Group's and FPL's results of operations can be affected by the impact of severe weather which can be destructive, causing outages and/or property damage, may affect fuel supply, and could require additional costs to be incurred. At FPL, recovery of these costs is subject to FPSC approval.

FPL Group and FPL are subject to costs and other effects of legal proceedings All actions that are authorized or sanctioned by law and instituted in a court or a tribunal for the acquisition of rights or the enforcement of remedies.  as well as changes in or additions to applicable tax laws, rates or policies, rates of inflation, accounting standards, securities laws and corporate governance Corporate Governance

The relationship between all the stakeholders in a company. This includes the shareholders, directors, and management of a company, as defined by the corporate charter, bylaws, formal policy, and rule of law.
 requirements.

* FPL Group and FPL are subject to costs and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings, settlements, investigations and claims, as well as the effect of new, or changes in, tax laws, rates or policies, rates of inflation, accounting standards, securities laws and corporate governance requirements.

Threats of terrorism and catastrophic events that could result from terrorism may impact the operations of FPL Group and FPL in unpredictable ways.

* FPL Group and FPL are subject to direct and indirect effects of terrorist threats and activities. Generation and transmission facilities, in general, have been identified as potential targets. The effects of terrorist threats and activities include, among other things, terrorist actions or responses to such actions or threats, the inability to generate, purchase or transmit power, the risk of a significant slowdown in growth or a decline in the U.S. economy, delay in economic recovery in the U.S., and the increased cost and adequacy of security and insurance.

The ability of FPL Group and FPL to obtain insurance and the terms of any available insurance coverage could be affected by national, state or local events and company-specific events.

* FPL Group's and FPL's ability to obtain insurance, and the cost of and coverage provided by such insurance, could be affected by national, state or local events as well as company-specific events.

FPL Group and FPL are subject to employee workforce factors that could affect the businesses and financial condition of FPL Group and FPL.

* FPL Group and FPL are subject to employee workforce factors, including loss or retirement of key executives, availability of qualified personnel, collective bargaining agreements The contractual agreement between an employer and a Labor Union that governs wages, hours, and working conditions for employees and which can be enforced against both the employer and the union for failure to comply with its terms.  with union employees and work stoppage that could affect the businesses and financial condition of FPL Group and FPL.

The risks described herein are not the only risks facing FPL Group and FPL. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to FPL Group or FPL, or that are currently deemed to be immaterial, also may materially adversely affect FPL Group's or FPL's business, financial condition and/or future operating results.

Note to Editors: High-resolution logos and executive head shots are available for download at http://www.fpl.com/news/logos.shtml.
COPYRIGHT 2006 Business Wire
No portion of this article can be reproduced without the express written permission from the copyright holder.
Copyright 2006, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.

 Reader Opinion

Title:

Comment:



 

Article Details
Printer friendly Cite/link Email Feedback
Publication:Business Wire
Date:Dec 20, 2006
Words:3621
Previous Article:Research and Markets: WEST PUBLISHING CO. Is A Major Player In The Global Contract Manufacturing Industry: Get An Insight In To Company Activities.
Next Article:TeliaSonera International Carrier Selects HP and IXeurope to Serve the Growing Online Gaming Market with Complete Networking Services.
Topics:



Related Articles
NUCLEAR PLANT CONTROLS FOUND FROZEN BY GLUE.
Iowa Utilities Board Allows Sale of Duane Arnold Energy Center to FPL Energy to Proceed.
FPL Group Reports 2005 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Earnings.
New Power Plant Needed to Meet Customer Growth and Electricity Demand; FPL's West County Energy Center Project Deemed Most Cost-Effective Option.
FPL Group Announces First Quarter Earnings.
FPL Announces Plans to Build Advanced Technology Coal Generating Plant In Glades County.
FPL Group Reports 2006 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Earnings.
FPL Presents Its Case for an Advanced Clean Coal Technology Power Plant During a Need Determination Hearing.
FPL Group Announces Approximately 20 Percent Growth in First Quarter Adjusted Earnings.
FPL Urges State to Look at Facts Regarding Its Proposed Clean Coal Plant.

Terms of use | Copyright © 2012 Farlex, Inc. | Feedback | For webmasters | Submit articles