February 2010 Filed by FirstEnergy Corp. Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933 and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended Subject Company: Allegheny Energy, Inc. Commission File No: 001-00267 |
2 Safe Harbor - FirstEnergy This communication includes forward-looking statements based on information
currently available to management. Such statements are subject to certain
risks and uncertainties. These statements include declarations regarding managements intents, beliefs and current expectations. These statements typically contain, but are not limited to, the terms anticipate, potential, expect, believe, estimate and similar words. Forward- looking statements involve estimates, assumptions, known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relating to the proposed
merger include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the
proposed merger involving Allegheny and FirstEnergy, including future financial and operating results, Allegheny's and FirstEnergy's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, the expected timing of completion of the
transaction, and other statements relating to the merger that are not
historical facts. Actual results may differ materially due to the speed and nature of increased competition in the electric utility industry and legislative and regulatory changes affecting how generation rates will be determined following the expiration of
existing rate plans in Pennsylvania, the impact of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohios regulatory process on the Ohio utility subsidiaries associated with the distribution rate case, business and regulatory impacts from American Transmission System, Incorporateds realignment into PJM
Interconnection L.L.C., economic or weather conditions affecting future
sales and margins, changes in markets for energy services, changing energy and commodity market prices and availability, replacement power costs being higher than anticipated or inadequately hedged, the
continued ability of FirstEnergys regulated utilities to collect transition and other charges or to recover increased transmission costs, operating and
maintenance costs being higher than anticipated, other legislative and
regulatory changes, revised environmental requirements, including possible greenhouse gas emission regulations, the potential impacts of the U.S. Court of Appeals July 11, 2008 decision requiring revisions to the Clean Air Interstate Rules and the scope of any laws, rules or regulations that may ultimately take their place, the uncertainty of the timing and
amounts of the capital expenditures needed to, among other things,
implement FirstEnergys Air Quality Compliance Plan (including that such amounts could be higher than anticipated or that certain generating units may need to be shut down) or levels of emission reductions related to the Consent Decree resolving the New Source Review litigation or other similar potential regulatory initiatives or actions, adverse
regulatory or legal decisions and outcomes (including, but not limited to, the revocation of necessary licenses or operating permits and oversight) by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Met-Eds and Penelecs transmission service charge filings with the PaPUC, the continuing availability of generating units and their ability to operate at or near full capacity, the ability to comply with applicable state and federal reliability standards, the ability to accomplish or realize anticipated benefits from strategic goals (including employee workforce initiatives), the ability to improve electric commodity margins and to experience growth in the distribution business, the changing market conditions that could affect the value of assets held in
FirstEnergys nuclear decommissioning trusts, pension trusts and other
trust funds, and cause it to make additional contributions sooner, or in an amount that is larger than currently anticipated, the ability to access the public securities and other capital and credit markets in accordance with
FirstEnergys financing plan and the cost of such capital, changes in general economic conditions affecting the company, the state of the capital and credit markets affecting the company, interest rates and any actions taken by credit rating agencies that could negatively affect
FirstEnergys access to financing or its costs or increase its requirements to post additional collateral to support outstanding commodity positions, letters of credit
and other financial guarantees, the continuing decline of the national
and regional economy and its impact on the companys major industrial and commercial customers, issues concerning the soundness of financial institutions and counterparties with which FirstEnergy does business, and the risks and other factors discussed from time to time in its SEC filings, and other similar factors. |
3 Safe Harbor - FirstEnergy (Continued) With respect to the proposed merger, actual results may differ materially due to the
risks and uncertainties relating to the ability to obtain the requisite
Allegheny and FirstEnergy stockholder approvals; the risk that FirstEnergy or Allegheny may be unable to obtain governmental and regulatory approvals required for the merger, or required governmental and regulatory
approvals may delay the merger or result in the imposition of conditions
that could reduce the anticipated benefits from the merger or cause the parties to abandon the merger; the risk that a condition to closing of the merger may not be satisfied; the timing to consummate the proposed
merger; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully;
the risk that the cost savings and any other synergies from the transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain
relationships with customers, employees or suppliers; the diversion of management time on merger-related issues; and the risk that the credit ratings of
the combined company or its subsidiaries may be different from what the
companies expect. The foregoing review of factors should
not be construed as exhaustive. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor assess the impact of any such factor on FirstEnergys business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in
any forward-looking statements. FirstEnergy expressly disclaims any
current intention to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. |
4 Safe Harbor - Allegheny In addition to historical information, this presentation may contain a number of
"forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as anticipate, expect, project, intend, plan, believe, and words and terms of similar substance used in connection with any discussion of future plans, actions, or events identify
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relating to the proposed merger include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the
proposed merger involving Allegheny and FirstEnergy, including future
financial and operating results, Allegheny's and FirstEnergy's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, the expected timing of completion of the transaction, and other statements relating to the merger that are not historical
facts. Additional forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to rate regulation and the status of retail
generation service supply competition in states served by Alleghenys distribution business, Allegheny Power; financing plans; demand for energy and the cost
and availability of raw materials, including coal; provider-of- last-resort and power supply contracts; results of litigation; results of
operations; internal controls and procedures; capital expenditures; status and condition of plants and equipment; capacity purchase commitments; and regulatory
matters. Forward-looking statements involve estimates, expectations and
projections and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that actual results will not materially differ from expectations.
Important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. With respect to the proposed
merger, these factors include risks and uncertainties relating to the ability to obtain the requisite Allegheny and FirstEnergy stockholder approvals; the risk that FirstEnergy or Allegheny may be unable to obtain governmental and regulatory approvals required for the merger, or required governmental and
regulatory approvals may delay the merger or result in the imposition of
conditions that could reduce the anticipated benefits from the merger or cause the parties to abandon the merger; the risk that a condition to closing of the merger may not be satisfied; the length of time necessary to consummate the proposed merger; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully; the risk that the cost savings and any other synergies from the
transaction may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize
than expected; disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers; the diversion of management time on merger-related issues; the effect of future
regulatory or legislative actions on the companies; and the risk that the credit ratings of the combined company or its subsidiaries may be different from what
the companies expect. With respect to other forward-looking statements, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among
others, plant performance and unplanned outages; changes in the price of
power and fuel for electric generation; general economic and business conditions; changes in access to capital markets and actions of rating agencies; complications or other factors that render it difficult or impossible
to obtain necessary lender consents or regulatory authorizations on a timely
basis; environmental regulations; the results of regulatory proceedings, including proceedings related to rates; changes in industry capacity, development and other activities by Alleghenys competitors; changes in the weather
and other natural phenomena; changes in customer switching behavior
and their resulting effects on existing and future load requirements; changes in the underlying inputs and assumptions, including market conditions used to estimate the fair values of commodity contracts; changes in laws and regulations applicable to Allegheny, its markets or its activities; the loss of any significant customers or suppliers; dependence on other electric transmission and gas transportation systems and their constraints or availability; inflationary and interest rate trends changes in market rules, including changes to PJM participant rules and tariffs; the effect of accounting pronouncements issued periodically by accounting
standard-setting bodies and accounting issues facing our organization; and the continuing effects of global instability, terrorism and war. Additional risks and uncertainties are identified and discussed in Alleghenys reports filed with the SEC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of
this document. Allegheny undertakes no obligation to update its forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this
presentation. |
5 Additional Information and Where to Find It In connection with the proposed merger, FirstEnergy will file with the SEC a
Registration Statement on Form S-4 that will include a joint proxy
statement of FirstEnergy and Allegheny that also constitutes a prospectus of FirstEnergy. FirstEnergy and Allegheny will mail the joint proxy statement/prospectus to their respective
shareholders. FirstEnergy and Allegheny urge investors and shareholders
to read the joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding the proposed merger when it becomes available, as well as other documents filed with the SEC, because they will contain important information. You may obtain copies of all documents filed with the SEC regarding this transaction,
free of charge, at the SECs website (www.sec.gov). You may also obtain
these documents, free of charge, from FirstEnergys website (www.firstenergycorp.com) under the tab Investors and then under the heading Financial Information and then under the item SEC Filings. You may also obtain these documents, free of charge, from Alleghenys website
(www.alleghenyenergy.com) under the tab Investors and then under the heading SEC Filings. FirstEnergy, Allegheny and their respective directors, executive officers and certain other members of management and employees may be soliciting proxies from FirstEnergy and Allegheny shareholders in favor
of the merger and related matters. Information regarding the persons who
may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of FirstEnergy and Allegheny shareholders in connection with the proposed
merger will be set forth in the joint proxy statement/prospectus when it is
filed with the SEC. You can find information about FirstEnergys
executive officers and directors in its definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 1, 2009. You can find information about Allegheny's executive officers and directors in its
definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on March 20, 2009. Additional
information about FirstEnergy's executive officers and directors and Alleghenys executive officers and directors can be found in the above-referenced
Registration Statement on Form S-4 when it becomes available. You can obtain free copies of these documents from FirstEnergy and Allegheny
using the contact information above. Participants In The Merger Solicitation |
6 Agenda Combination Rationale Transaction Terms Combined Company Profile Financial Highlights Regulatory Timeline & Next Steps Summary |
7 Combination Rationale |
8 FirstEnergy Combination Rationale Consistent with our strategy to build a balanced, integrated and diversified portfolio of assets Adjacent geographic footprint complements existing businesses and our retail sales
strategy Generation anchored by efficient nuclear and supercritical fossil baseload assets
Transaction creates a significant presence in region and sector 6.1MM customers
~35% increase in customer base 24 GW of combined generation capacity (21 GW in competitive markets)
~70% increase
in generating capacity Transaction provides numerous opportunities to create value Increased scale, scope and diversification improves operating performance and
geographic reach More cost-effective fuel procurement options and O&M savings Improved risk profile through existing and planned FERC regulated transmission
investments Attractive shareholder return potential Diversified avenues for growth between regulated and generation businesses Solid balance sheet with strong operating cash flows Anticipate transaction to be accretive to earnings in the first year following the
close |
9 Allegheny Combination Rationale Substantial upfront value to shareholders 32% premium to Allegheny's current price (as of February 10 th closing price) FirstEnergys current dividend would represent a 145% increase for Allegheny
shareholders, supported by combined companys strong balance sheet and cash
flows Larger, more diversified platform of generation and utility assets with
additional value drivers Diversified generation fleet with significant non-carbon emitting capacity reduces
exposure to changing environmental requirements Enhanced retail marketing capability Greater utility scale and regulatory diversification Expanded transmission platform with major projects underway More cost-effective fuel procurement options, O&M savings and other
synergies Maintains leverage to recovery in economy and power prices
|
10 Transaction Terms |
11 Key Transaction Terms Consideration: 100% stock Offer Price: 0.667 shares of FirstEnergy per Allegheny share Premium: 32% based on February 10 th closing prices and 22% to the average stock price of Allegheny over the last 60 days Pro Forma 73% FirstEnergy shareholders Ownership: 27% Allegheny shareholders Governance: Tony Alexander to be President and CEO Paul Evanson to be Executive Vice Chairman Two Allegheny Board members added to FirstEnergy Board Timing: Expected to close within 12-14 months Approvals: Shareholders, Federal, State |
12 Combined Company Profile |
13 An Integrated, Regional Platform 1. 12/31/2009 data, except where noted 2. Excludes American Transmission Systems Incorporated (ATSI) and Allegheny Energy
Transmission, LLC 3. 2009 estimate Revenue: Regulated Utilities Electric Customers: Regulated States: Rate Base: Total Generation: Competitive Generation: Service Territory: Employees: $16.4Bn 10 2 6.1MM 7 States $10.8Bn 2,3 24 GW 21 GW 67,000 sq miles ~17,750 Combined Statistics 1 FirstEnergy Service Territory Allegheny Service Territory FirstEnergy Plants Allegheny Plants |
14 Diverse Competitive Generation Portfolio Combined Competitive Capacity 1 19% 42% 20% 7% 12% Combined Competitive Production 2 Nuclear Gas / Oil 28% 52% 18% Supercritical Coal Nuclear Gas / Oil <1% Hydro/Wind ~2% Total Combined Capacity: 21 GW Total Combined Production: 117 TWh 1. Capacity as of year-end 2009 2. Production as of year-end 2008 Hydro/Wind Subcritical Coal Supercritical Coal Subcritical Coal |
15 Highly Efficient Coal-Fired Fleet 4,945 (32%) 224,600 (72%) Pre-1965 Typically Unscrubbed Heat Rates ~11,000 Btu/kWh Higher Cost ~$30-35/MWh Subcritical Units Supercritical Units 15,332 MW 312,000 MW 10,387 (68%) 87,400 (28%) Post-1965 Typically Scrubbed Heat Rates ~9,800 Btu/kWh Lower Cost ~$20-25/MWh Combined Companies (MW) U.S. Total (MW) Supercritical units are newer, more efficient and more environmentally-friendly
1. Total coal-fired capacity (regulated and competitive), as of
12/31/2009 1 |
16 Combined Fleet is Well Positioned for Changing Environmental Regulation 1. Regulated and competitive capacity as of 12/31/2009 2. Includes nuclear, wind and hydro 3. Includes Sammis Units 6 and 7 AQC project being completed in 2010 4. Sammis Units 1 5, Ft. Martin, Hatfield, and Mitchell Total Capacity 17% 26% 9% 19% 29% Non-Emitting SO 2 / NO x Controls SO 2 Controls Natural Gas Unscrubbed 3 24.1 Total Fleet 4.5 Unscrubbed 2.2 Natural Gas 4.1 SO 2 Controls 7.1 SO 2 / NOx Controls 6.2 Non-Emitting GWs by Category 4 2 1 |
17 Regulated Utilities 10 Regulated Utilities Across Seven States 1 6.1MM customers in OH, PA, MD, WV, NJ, VA and NY 194,000 miles of distribution and nearly 20,000 miles of transmission lines 67,000 square miles 1. Excludes American Transmission Systems Incorporated (ATSI) and Allegheny Energy
Transmission, LLC 2. 12/31/2009 data 6,079,900 Total 383,600 Monongahela Power 483,400 Potomac Edison 714,900 West Penn Power 1,095,000 Jersey Central Power & Light 551,000 Met-Ed 160,000 Penn Power 590,000 Penelec 754,000 The Illuminating Company 1,038,000 Ohio Edison 310,000 Toledo Edison Customers 2 |
18 Additional Transmission Expansion 500 kV transmission line extending 149 miles from western PA through WV and into VA ROE: 12.7% Equity: 50% Cost: $850MM Status: Approved in all states Construction progressing On track for in-service date in 2011 765 kV transmission line extending 275 miles from WV to MD ROE: 14.3% Equity: 50% Cost: $1.2Bn Status: PJM determined PATH may not be needed by 2014 Updated timeline expected in June 2010 |
19 Financial Highlights |
20 (28) (28) (35) (95) (165) 530 480 450 350 180 (250) (100) 50 200 350 500 650 Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Estimated Annual Synergies Overview of Transaction Synergies $MM Synergies By Category 10% 19% 50% 21% Corporate Generation and Fuel Information Services Utility Gross Pre-Tax Synergies Costs to Achieve |
21 Pro Forma Earnings Impact Anticipate transaction to be accretive to earnings in the first year following the close, including purchase accounting adjustments Purchase accounting adjustments expected to be modest Estimated asset and liability step-ups reduce earnings by approximately $7MM in year 1 and $30MM in year 2 |
22 Solid Balance Sheet 51% 55% 51% 55% Debt / Capital 3.0x 3.5x 3.0x 3.5x Debt / EBITDA 4.3x 4.7x 3.7x 4.3x Funds from Operations Interest Coverage 20% 23% 18% 21% Funds from Operations / Total Debt Year 2 Year 1 Pro Forma Key Ratios Combined company metrics support stable investment grade ratings
|
23 Summary Expected Financial Highlights Synergies realized across wide range of business segments but primarily derived from competitive operations Anticipate transaction to be accretive to earnings in the first year following the close Solid balance sheet and strong operating cash flow generation Credit metrics consistent with a stable investment grade rating
|
24 Regulatory Timeline & Next Steps |
25 Regulatory Timeline & Next Steps Forming a transition team and transition steering committee Comprised of key FirstEnergy and Allegheny management and senior executives Begin filings for regulatory approvals and shareholder vote Companies expect to complete the transaction within 12-14 months |
26 Summary |
27 Summary Combination creates a leading regional energy provider Complementary portfolio of generating assets strengthens the combined companys operational performance Scale and scope of combined distribution and transmission assets create new opportunities Meaningful synergy opportunities, primarily in the competitive operations Expected strong financial position to support growth and to provide shareholders with attractive total return potential Experienced management with a proven ability to integrate companies and to create long-term shareholder value |
28 |
29 FirstEnergy Update |
30 2009 Fourth Quarter & Full-Year GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation 3.77 0.77 Basic Earnings Per Share (Non-GAAP) 0.42 0.42 Power Contract Mark-To-Markets Adjustment (0.52) Non-Core Asset Sales/Impairments (0.53) (0.49) Income Tax Issue Resolution 0.31 0.01 Debt Redemption Premiums 0.14 Organizational Restructuring/Incremental Strike Costs 0.09 0.05 Trust Securities Impairment 0.55 Regulatory Charges 3.31 0.78 Basic Earnings Per Share (GAAP) Excluding Special Items Full Year 2009 Fourth Quarter 2009 ($ Per Share) 2010 Non-GAAP Earnings Guidance of $3.50 to $3.70 per share affirmed
|