WEC 8-K

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):

December 18, 2009

                                    

Commission

Registrant; State of Incorporation

IRS Employer

File Number

Address; and Telephone Number

Identification No.

           

                                 

                  

     

001-09057

       WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION

39-1391525

 

                (A Wisconsin Corporation)

 
 

                231 West Michigan Street

 
 

                P.O. Box 1331

 
 

                Milwaukee, WI 53201

 
 

               (414) 221-2345

 
     
 

 

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))






WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION

                                    

ITEM 7.01 REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE.

2009

We previously provided guidance for our earnings from continuing operations for the year ending December 31, 2009 to be in the range of $3.05 to $3.15 per share of common stock. Based upon actual results to date, we anticipate that our earnings from continuing operations for the year ending December 31, 2009 will now be in the range of $3.12 to $3.17 per share.

2010

Assuming Unit 1 at the Oak Creek expansion goes in-service by mid-January 2010 and Unit 2 goes in-service by the end of August 2010, we anticipate that our earnings from continuing operations for 2010 will be between $3.65 and $3.75 per share of common stock. We estimate the earnings per share contributions from Unit 1 and Unit 2 would change $0.03 per month and $0.02 per month, respectively, if the turnover dates changed.

In addition, our dividend policy that we announced in December 2008 remains the same. We are targeting a dividend payout ratio between 40% and 45% of earnings for fiscal years 2010 and 2011. We plan to target a dividend payout ratio between 45% and 50% of earnings after 2011.

ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS.

Wisconsin Rate Order

On December 18, 2009, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin ("PSCW") authorized rate adjustments related to Wisconsin Electric Power Company's ("Wisconsin Electric") and Wisconsin Gas LLC's ("Wisconsin Gas") requests to increase electric, natural gas and steam rates. The PSCW approved the following rate adjustments:

These rate adjustments are effective January 1, 2010. In addition, the PSCW lowered the return on equity for Wisconsin Electric from 10.75% to 10.4% and for Wisconsin Gas from 10.75% to 10.5%.

The authorized increase in Wisconsin Electric's electric rates includes amounts to be paid pursuant to the settlement agreement entered into with the Sierra Club and Clean Wisconsin, Inc. to resolve matters related to the Wisconsin Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit at the Oak Creek expansion. The amount authorized by the PSCW related to this matter is based upon a proposal submitted to the PSCW by the parties to the settlement agreement. Clean Wisconsin and the Sierra Club have 30 days from the date of the PSCW order to make a decision as to whether to accept this resolution since the amount authorized by the PSCW is not the same as the amount originally agreed to in the settlement agreement.





The PSCW also made, among others, the following determinations:

Michigan Rate Case

On December 16, 2009, the Michigan Public Service Commission (the "MPSC") approved Wisconsin Electric's modified self-implementation plan to increase electric rates in Michigan by approximately $12 million (9.5%), effective upon commercial operation of Unit 1 at the Oak Creek expansion, which is currently targeted for mid-January 2010. This rate increase is subject to refund with interest, depending upon the MPSC's final decision on Wisconsin Electric's $42 million rate request, which is expected in July 2010.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements contained in this report are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are based upon management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning management's expectations and projections regarding earnings, dividend policies, completion of construction projects, regulatory matters, fuel costs, sources of electric energy supply, coal and gas deliveries, remediation costs, environmental and other capital expenditures, liquidity and capital resources and other matters. In some cases, forward-looking statements may be identified by reference to a future period or periods or by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "forecasts," "guidance," "intends," "may," "objectives," "plans," "possible," "potential," "projects," "should" or similar terms or variations of these terms.

Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in forward-looking statements. In addition to the assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with these statements, factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in any forward-looking statements or otherwise affect our future results of operations and financial condition include, among others, the following:









We expressly disclaim any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.





 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

   
   

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has

duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

   
   
   
 

WISCONSIN ENERGY CORPORATION

 

(Registrant)

   
 

/s/ STEPHEN P. DICKSON                                      

Date: December 22, 2009

Stephen P. Dickson -- Vice President and Controller