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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION(Release No. 35-27649; 70-10087)SCANA Corporation, et al.Order Authorizing Various Financing Transactions; Issuance of Common Stock for Compensation Plans; Payment of Dividends out of Capital or Unearned Surplus by Nonutility Subsidiaries; Development and Administrative Activities; Intermediate Subsidiaries; Internal Reorganization of Existing Investments; and Reservations of JurisdictionSCANA Corporation ("SCANA"), a registered holding company, SCANA's three public-utility subsidiary companies, South Carolina Electric & Gas Company ("SCE&G"), Public Service Company of North Carolina ("PSNC"), South Carolina Generating Company, Inc. ("GENCO"), and SCANA's nonutility subsidiary companies, SCANA Services, Inc. ("SCANA Services"), SCANA Energy Marketing, Inc., SCANA Resources, Inc., South Carolina Fuel Company, Inc. ("Fuel Company"), South Carolina Pipeline Corporation, SCG Pipeline, Inc., SCANA Energy Trading, LLC, SCANA Public Service Company, LLC, SCANA Communications, Inc. , ServiceCare, Inc., Primesouth, Inc., Palmark, Inc., SCANA Development Corporation, SCANA Services, Inc., PSNC Blue Ridge Corporation, PSNC Cardial Pipeline Company and Clean Energy Enterprises Inc. (collectively, the "Applicants"), each located in Columbia, South Carolina, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("Commission") an application-declaration ("Application") under sections 6(a), 7, 9(a), 10, 12(b), and 12(c) of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended ("Act") and rules 43, 45, 46, 53, and 54 under the Act.1 The Commission issued a notice of the filing of the Application on January 15, 2003 (Holding Co. Act Release No. 27639). I. Background and Current ProposalBy order dated February 14, 2000,2 the Commission authorized (as supplemented and amended in subsequent Commission orders, collectively, the "Financing Orders"),3 SCANA, the Utility Subsidiaries and the Nonutility Subsidiaries, among other things, subject to certain limitations, to engage in the following activities: (i) external issuances by SCANA of common stock, long-term debt, short-term debt, and other securities for cash; (ii) the entering into by SCANA of transactions to manage interest rate risk ("hedging transactions"); (iii) issuances of debt securities (including commercial paper) and the entering into of hedging transactions by the Utility Subsidiaries; (iv) issuances by Nonutility Subsidiaries of debt securities which are not exempt under rule 52 of the Act; (v) the establishment of a utility money pool (the "Utility Money Pool") and a nonutility money pool (the "Nonutility Money Pool"); (vi) the issuance of intrasystem guarantees by SCANA and the Nonutility Subsidiaries on behalf of Subsidiaries; (vii) the ability of wholly-owned Subsidiaries to alter their capital stock in order to engage in financing transactions with their parent company and to engage in a reverse stock split to reduce franchise taxes, subject, in the case of Utility Subsidiaries, to the approval of, if required, the applicable state commission; (viii) the ability of PSNC to pay dividends out of capital or unearned surplus; (ix) the formation of financing entities and the issuance by such entities of securities otherwise authorized to be issued and sold under the Financing Orders; and (x) the ability of SCANA to keep outstanding advances in favor of certain of its Subsidiaries in an amount of approximately $600 million following the acquisition of PSNC and, indirectly, of PSNC's subsidiaries ("Merger").4 Further, by order dated June 9, 2000 ("Plan Order"), 5 the Commission authorized SCANA to: (i) grant awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, performance shares and performance units under its long-term equity compensation plan, (ii) issue up to five million shares of its common stock under the plan through June 8, 2003, and (iii) solicit proxies with respect to the plan at SCANA's 2000 annual meeting of shareholders. Applicants state that the authority sought in this Application will replace and substitute for all the authority granted by the Financing Orders with respect to financing activities and will also replace and substitute for the authority granted by the Plan Order with respect to issuance of shares of common stock for benefit plans described in the Application. Applicants now request authority to engage in a variety of financing transactions, credit support arrangements, and other related proposals, as more fully discussed below, commencing on the effective date of an order issued under this filing and ending April 15, 2006 ("Authorization Period"). Applicants state that the proceeds from the sale of securities issued in external financing transactions will be used for general corporate purposes including (i) the financing, in part, of the capital expenditures of the SCANA system; (ii) the financing of working capital requirements of the SCANA system; (iii) the acquisition, retirement or redemption under rule 42 of securities previously issued by SCANA or its Subsidiaries or as otherwise authorized by the Commission; (iv) direct or indirect investment in companies authorized under the Act or by Commission rule (including exempt wholesale generators ("EWGs") or foreign utility companies ("FUCOs") or in a separate proceeding; and (v) other lawful purposes. Applicants represent that no financing proceeds will be used to acquire a new subsidiary unless the acquisition is consummated in accordance with an order of the Commission or an available exemption under the Act. The aggregate amount of proceeds of financings and guaranties used to fund investments in EWGs and FUCOs will not, when added to SCANA's "aggregate investment" in these entities at any point in time, exceed 50% of SCANA's "consolidated retained earnings" as defined in rule 53(a)(1). II. General Terms, Conditions and Financing ParametersFinancing by each Applicant will be subject to the following limitations ("Financing Parameters"): (i) the effective cost of capital on debt and preferred or equity-linked financings will not exceed competitive market rates available at the time of issuance for securities having the same or reasonably similar terms and conditions issued by similar companies of reasonably comparable credit quality, provided that in no event will the effective cost of capital on (a) long-term debt borrowings exceed 500 basis points over the comparable term U.S. Treasury securities and (b) short-term debt borrowings exceed 500 basis points over the comparable term London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"); (ii) the maturity of indebtedness will not exceed 50 years, and, preferred stock or preferred or equity-linked securities (other than perpetual preferred stock) will be redeemed no later than 50 years after the issuance thereof, unless converted into common stock; and (iii) the underwriting fees, commissions or other similar remuneration paid in connection with the non-competitive issue, sale or distribution of securities under this Application will not exceed 7% of the principal or total amount of the securities being issued. Applicants represent that at all times during the Authorization Period, SCANA and each Utility Subsidiary will each maintain common equity (as reflected in the most recent 10-K or 10-Q filed with the Commission under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, ("1934 Act") adjusted to reflect changes in capitalization since the balance sheet date therein) of at least 30% of its consolidated capitalization (common equity, preferred stock, long-term and short-term debt), provided that SCANA will, in any event, be authorized to issue common stock (including under the dividend reinvestment or employment plans described below), to the extent authorized in this filing. Applicants further represent that, apart from the securities issued for the purpose of funding money pool operations, no guarantees or other securities, other than common stock, may be issued in reliance upon this Order, unless: (i) the security to be issued, if rated, is rated investment grade; (ii) all outstanding securities of the issuer that are rated are rated investment grade; and (iii) all outstanding securities of the top-level registered holding company that are rated are rated investment grade. For purposes of this condition, a security will be considered rated investment grade if it is rated investment grade by at least one nationally recognized statistical rating organization, as that term is used in paragraphs (c)(2)(vi)(E), (F) and (H) of Rule 15c3-1 under the 1934 Act. Applicants request that the Commission reserve jurisdiction over the issuance by SCANA or Subsidiaries of any securities that are rated below investment grade. Applicants further request that the Commission reserve jurisdiction over the issuance of any guarantee or other securities at any time that the conditions set forth in clauses (i) through (iii) above are not satisfied. III. SCANA External FinancingSCANA requests authority to obtain funds externally through sales of common stock, preferred stock, preferred and equity-linked securities,6 long-term debt and short-term debt securities. In addition, SCANA seeks the flexibility to enter into certain hedging transactions to manage interest rate risk. Applicants propose that the aggregate amount of financing obtained by SCANA during the Authorization Period from issuance and sale of common stock, no par value (other than for employee benefit plans or stock purchase and dividend reinvestment plans, as discussed below), when combined with issuances of preferred stock, preferred and equity-linked securities and long-term debt, as described in this section, and other than for refunding or replacement of securities where capitalization is not increased as a result thereof, shall not exceed $2.2 billion. In addition, SCANA proposes to issue up to $500 million of short-term debt. A. Common StockSCANA requests authority to sell common stock in any one of the following ways: (i) through underwriters or dealers; (ii) through agents; (iii) directly to a limited number of purchasers or a single purchaser; or (iv) directly to employees (or to trusts established for their benefit), shareholders and others. SCANA also requests authority to issue common stock to third parties in consideration for the acquisition by SCANA or a Nonutility Subsidiary of equity or debt securities of a company being acquired under an exemption under the Act (e.g., sections 32, 33 or 34) or pursuant to Commission rule (e.g., rule 58) or specific authorization by an order issued by the Commission. The SCANA common stock to be exchanged may be purchased on the open market under rule 42, or may be original issue. Original issue stock may be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), but at present it is expected that the common stock would not be registered and the common stock acquired by the third parties would be subject to resale restrictions under rule 144 under the 1933 Act. B. Preferred Stock and Preferred and Equity-linked SecuritiesSCANA requests Commission authority during the Authorization Period to issue preferred stock (subject to approval by shareholders of the necessary amendment to the Articles of Incorporation)7 and to issue directly or indirectly through one or more financing subsidiaries, as described in the Financing Orders, ("Financing Subsidiaries") preferred securities (including, specifically, trust preferred securities) or equity-linked securities (including, specifically, debt or preferred securities that are convertible, either mandatorily or at the option of the holder, into common stock or SCANA indebtedness and forward purchase contracts for common stock). SCANA requests that the Commission reserve jurisdiction over its issuance of equity-linked securities pending completion of the record. The aggregate amount of financing obtained by SCANA during the Authorization Period from issuance and sale of preferred stock and preferred and equity-linked securities, when combined with issuances of common stock (other than for employee benefit plans or stock purchase and dividend reinvestment plans) and long-term debt, as described below, and other than for refunding or replacement of securities where capitalization is not increased from that in place at September 30, 2002,8 shall not exceed $2.2 billion. Any refunding or replacement where capitalization is not increased from that in place at September 30, 2002 will be through the issuances of securities of the type authorized in this order. Applicants propose that preferred stock and preferred equity-linked securities may be sold directly or indirectly through underwriters or dealers in connection with an acquisition similar to that described for common stock above. C. Long-Term DebtSCANA requests Commission authority during the Authorization Period to issue unsecured long-term debt securities in an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time which, when combined with issuances of common stock (other than for benefit plans or stock purchase and dividend reinvestment plans), preferred stock, and preferred and equity-linked securities, as described above, and other than for refunding or replacement of securities where capitalization is not increased, shall not exceed $2.2 billion. At September 30, 2002, SCANA had $3.236 billion of long-term obligations outstanding. The amounts issued under this order will not count against any financing limits provided for in this order, to the extent they will exclusively constitute refunding transactions that will not increase total capitalization. Any refunding or replacement of securities where long-term debt is not increased from that in place at September 30, 2002 will be through the issuance of the type authorized in this order. Long-term debt securities may be comprised of bonds, notes, medium-term notes or debentures under one or more indentures (the "SCANA Indenture") or long-term indebtedness under agreements with banks or other institutional lenders. Any long-term debt security would have such designation, aggregate principal amount, maturity, interest rate(s) or methods of determining the same, terms of payment of interest, redemption provisions, sinking fund terms, terms for conversion into any other security of SCANA and other terms and conditions as SCANA may determine at the time of issuance. Applicants state that the maturity dates, interest rates, redemption and sinking fund provisions, tender or repurchase and conversion features, if any, with respect to the long-term securities of a particular series, as well as any associated placement, underwriting or selling agent fees, commissions and discounts, if any, will be established by negotiation or competitive bidding. Borrowings from banks and other financial institutions will be pari passu with debt securities issued under the SCANA Indenture and the short-term credit facilities (as described below. Applicants state that specific terms of any borrowings will continue to be determined by SCANA at the time of issuance and will comply in all regards with the parameters on financing authority in this order. D. Short-Term DebtSCANA requests authority to have outstanding at any one time during the Authorization Period, up to $500 million of short-term debt, which may include institutional borrowings, commercial paper or bid notes (all as described below) and short-term debt issued under the SCANA Indenture or otherwise. This request represents an increase of $50 million over the authority previously granted in the Financing Orders. The authority for short-term debt is in addition to the $2.2 billion requested for common stock, preferred stock and preferred and equity-linked securities and long-term debt as described above. SCANA requests authority to sell commercial paper, from time to time, in established domestic commercial paper markets. Commercial paper would be sold to dealers at the discount rate or the coupon rate per annum prevailing at the date of issuance for commercial paper of comparable quality and maturities sold to commercial paper dealers generally. Applicants expect that the dealers acquiring commercial paper from SCANA will reoffer such paper at a discount to corporate and institutional investors. Institutional investors are expected to include commercial banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment trusts, foundations, colleges and universities and finance companies. SCANA further requests authority to, without counting against the $500 million limit, maintain back-up lines of credit in connection with a commercial paper program in an aggregate amount not to exceed the amount of authorized commercial paper. E. Financing Risk Management DevicesSCANA requests authority to enter into, perform, purchase and sell financial instruments intended to reduce or manage the volatility of interest rates, including but not limited to interest rate swaps, caps, floors, collars and forward agreements. Hedges may also include issuance of structured notes (i.e., a debt instrument in which the principal and/or interest payments are indirectly linked to the value of an underlying asset or index), or transactions involving the purchase or sale, including short sales, of U.S. Treasury or U.S. governmental agency (e.g., Federal National Mortgage Association) obligations or LIBOR based swap instruments (collectively referred to as "Hedge Instruments"). Applicants contend that the transactions would be for fixed periods and stated notional amounts. SCANA would employ interest rate derivatives as a means of prudently managing the risk associated with any of its outstanding debt issued under this authority or an applicable exemption by, in effect, synthetically (i) converting variable rate debt to fixed rate debt, (ii) converting fixed rate debt to variable rate debt and (iii) limiting the impact of changes in interest rates resulting from variable rate debt. In no case will the notional principal amount of any interest rate swap exceed the value of the underlying debt instrument and related interest rate exposure. Transactions will be entered into for a fixed or determinable period. SCANA will not engage in speculative transactions. SCANA will only enter into agreements with counterparties ("Approved Counterparties") whose senior debt ratings, as published by a national recognized rating agency, are greater than or equal to "BBB," or an equivalent rating. In addition, SCANA requests authority to enter into interest rate hedging transactions with respect to anticipated debt offerings (the "Anticipatory Hedges"), subject to certain limitations and restrictions. Such Anticipatory Hedges would only be entered into with Approved Counterparties, and would be utilized to fix and/or limit the interest rate risk associated with any new issuance through (i) a forward sale of exchange-traded Hedge Instruments (a "Forward Sale"), (ii) the purchase of put options on Hedge Instruments (a "Put Options Purchase"), (iii) a Put Options Purchase in combination with the sale of call options Hedge Instruments (a "Zero Cost Collar"), (iv) transactions involving the purchase or sale, including short sales, of Hedge Instruments, or (v) some combination of a Forward Sale, Put Options Purchase, Zero Cost Collar and/or other derivative or cash transactions, including, but not limited to, structured notes, caps and collars, appropriate for the Anticipatory Hedges. Anticipatory Hedges may be executed on-exchange ("On-Exchange Trades") with brokers through the opening of futures and/or options positions traded on the Chicago Board of Trade ("CBOT"), the opening of over-the-counter positions with one or more counterparties ("Off-Exchange Trades"), or a combination of On-Exchange Trades and Off-Exchange Trades. SCANA or the appropriate Subsidiary will determine the optimal structure of each Anticipatory Hedge transaction at the time of execution. SCANA or the appropriate Subsidiary may decide to lock in interest rates and/or limit its exposure to interest rate increases. SCANA states that it will comply with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") 133 ("Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities"), SFAS 138 ("Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities") or such other standards relating to accounting for derivative transactions as are adopted and implemented by the FASB. Applicants commit that the Hedge Instruments and Anticipatory Hedges will qualify for hedge accounting treatment under the current FASB standards in effect and as determined at the date such Hedge Instruments or Anticipatory Hedges are entered into. IV. Utility Subsidiary FinancingApplicants state that the financings by the Utility Subsidiaries for which authority is requested in the Application are outside the rule 52 exemption. Each Utility Subsidiary requests authority to issue securities not exempt under rule 52 for refunding or replacement of securities where its capitalization is not increased from that in place. The North Carolina Utilities Commission ("NCUC") has jurisdiction over issuances of securities by PSNC, other than the issuance of notes with a maturity of two years or less or renewals for a six-year or shorter period. However, because PSNC is incorporated under the laws of South Carolina, rule 52 does not apply to security issuances by PSNC. A. SCE&G and PSNC Short-Term DebtSCE&G requests authority to issue short-term debt, including commercial paper and credit lines, in the aggregate amount of $450 million to be outstanding at any one time during the Authorization Period. Authority is requested for PSNC to issue short-term debt, including commercial paper and credit lines, in the aggregate amount of $300 million to be outstanding at any one time during the Authorization Period. These requests represent an increase of $150 million and $100, respectively, over the authority granted in the Financing Orders with respect to SCE&G and PSNC. SCE&G and PSNC request authority to sell commercial paper, from time to time, in established domestic commercial paper markets in a manner similar to SCANA as discussed above. SCE&G and PSNC may, without counting against the limit set forth above, maintain back up lines of credit in an aggregate amount not to exceed the amount of authorized commercial paper. Credit lines may be set up for use by SCE&G and PSNC for general corporate purposes in addition to credit lines to support commercial paper as described in this subsection. SCE&G and PSNC will borrow and repay under such lines of credit, from time to time, as it is deemed appropriate or necessary. Subject to the limitations described above, SCE&G and PSNC may engage in other types of short-term financings as it may deem appropriate in light of its needs and market conditions at the time of issuance.9 B. PSNC Long-Term DebtPSNC requests authority to issue up to $300 million in long-term debt securities during the Authorization Period. This request represents a decrease of $150 million from the authority granted in the Financing Orders. At September 30, 2002, PSNC had $299 million of long-term debt obligations outstanding. The amounts issued under this authority will not count against any financing limits provided for in this order to the extent they will exclusively constitute refunding transactions that will not increase total capitalization. Any refunding or replacement of securities where long-term debt is not increased from that in place at September 30, 2002 will be through the issuance of securities of the type authorized in this order. C. GENCO Long-Term DebtGENCO requests authority to issue up to $100 million in long-term debt securities during the Authorization Period. SCANA expects to make additional exempt capital contributions to GENCO under rule 45. In addition thereto, GENCO seeks authority to issue debt obligations to effectuate the refunding (including reasonable costs and redemption premiums incurred in connection with such refunding) of its now or hereafter outstanding debt obligations including pollution control loan obligations to achieve lower costs of money, extend maturity or for other proper corporate purposes. At September 30, 2002, GENCO had $77.4 million of long-term debt obligations outstanding. The amounts issued under this authority will not count against the financing limit described above provided for in the Application to the extent they will exclusively constitute refunding transactions that will not increase total capitalization of GENCO. Any refunding or replacement of securities where long-term debt is not increased from that in place at September 30, 2002 will be through the issuance of securities of the type authorized in this order. D. Financing Risk Management DevicesTo the extent not exempt under rule 52, the Utility Subsidiaries also request authority to enter into interest rate risk management transactions (hedge instruments) and Anticipatory Hedges of the same type and under the same conditions as are requested above by SCANA. V. Guarantees, Intrasystem Advances and Intrasystem Money PoolA. Guarantees and Intrasystem AdvancesSCANA requests continued authority to enter into guarantees, obtain letters of credit, enter into expense agreements or otherwise provide credit support with respect to the obligations of its Subsidiaries ("Guarantees") as may be appropriate or necessary to enable such Subsidiaries to carry on in the ordinary course of their respective businesses, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $600 million outstanding at any one time (not taking into account obligations exempt under rule 45) ("Guarantee Limitation"). Included in this amount are guarantees and other credit support mechanisms by SCANA in favor of its Subsidiaries which were previously issued. This request represents an increase of $295 million over the authority granted in the Financing Orders, reflecting increased business activity and additional requirements of SCANA's counterparties. SCANA may charge each Subsidiary a fee for any guarantee provided on its behalf that is not greater than the cost, if any, of obtaining the liquidity necessary to perform the guarantee for the period of time the guarantee remains outstanding. Any Guarantees outstanding at the end of the Authorization Period will continue until expiration or termination in accordance with their terms. Applicants also request authority for the Nonutility Subsidiaries to enter into guarantees, obtain letters of credit, enter into expense agreements and otherwise provide credit support with respect to other Nonutility Subsidiaries, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $250 million outstanding at any one time, in addition to guarantees that are exempt under rule 52. The Nonutility Subsidiary providing any such credit support may charge its associate company a fee for any guarantee provided on its behalf that is not greater than the cost, if any, of obtaining the liquidity necessary to perform the guarantee for the period of time the guarantee remains outstanding. Furthermore, Applicants request authority for the Utility Subsidiaries to enter into guarantees, obtain letters of credit, enter into expense agreements and otherwise provide credit support with respect to their direct and indirect subsidiaries, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $250 million outstanding at any one time in addition to guarantees that are exempt under rule 52. The Utility Subsidiary providing any such credit support may charge its associate company a fee for each guarantee provided on its behalf that is not greater than the cost, if any, of obtaining the liquidity necessary to perform the guarantee for the period of time the guarantee remains outstanding. Applicants state that certain Guarantees may be in support of the obligations of Subsidiaries which are subject to varying quantification. In such cases, SCANA would determine the exposure under such Guarantee for purposes of measuring compliance with the Guarantee Limitation by appropriate means, including estimation of exposure based on loss experience or projected potential payment amounts. If appropriate, such estimates will be made in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. Such estimation would be reevaluated periodically. SCANA also requests authority to keep in place advances to its Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount outstanding at any one time of up to $1.25 million. The interest rate used is the weighted average rate on SCANA's long-term and short-term debt. Such outstanding advances by SCANA to its Subsidiaries are open advances with no maturities and are callable by SCANA at any time. B. Authorization and Operation of the Money PoolsSCANA and the Utility Subsidiaries request authority, through the Authorization Period, to conduct the Utility Money Pool approved in the Financing Orders, and the Utility Subsidiaries, to the extent not exempted by rule 52, also request authority to make, from time to time, unsecured short-term borrowings from the Utility Money Pool and to contribute surplus funds to the Utility Money Pool and to lend and extend credit to (and acquire promissory notes from) one another through the Utility Money Pool. In addition to the Utility Subsidiaries, SCANA requests that Fuel Company be allowed to continue participating in the Utility Money Pool as a result of its relationship with SCE&G.10 For purposes of discussing the Utility Money Pool, the term Utility Subsidiaries shall include Fuel Company. In addition, SCANA and the Nonutility Subsidiaries (other than Fuel Company),11 request authority to conduct the Nonutility Money Pool. Funds made available by SCANA for loans through the money pools are made available first for loans through the Utility Money Pool (to the extent being operated) and thereafter for loans through the Nonutility Money Pool. SCANA requests authority to contribute surplus funds and to lend and extend credit to (a) the Utility Subsidiaries through the Utility Money Pool and (b) the Nonutility Subsidiaries through the Nonutility Money Pool. SCANA will not be a borrower from either the Utility Money Pool or the Nonutility Money Pool. Applicants believe that the cost of the proposed borrowings through the two Money Pools will generally be more favorable to the borrowing participants than the comparable cost of external short-term borrowings, and the yield to the participants contributing available funds to the two Money Pools will generally be higher than the typical yield on short-term investments. According to Applicants, the Utility Money Pool is currently not operated, however SCANA believes it may initiate the Utility Money Pool in the future during the Authorization Period. A separate Nonutility Money Pool is in existence among SCANA and certain Nonutility Subsidiaries. Each of the Nonutility Subsidiaries (other than Fuel Company) that is an Applicant requests authority to participate in the Nonutility Money Pool. The Nonutility Money Pool is operated on the same terms and conditions as set forth for the Utility Money Pool, except that SCANA funds made available to the Money Pools will be made available to the Utility Money Pool first (to the extent it is operated) and thereafter to the Nonutility Money Pool. No loans through the Nonutility Money Pool or the Utility Money Pool are made to, and no borrowings through the Nonutility Money Pool or the Utility Money Pool are made by, SCANA. Fuel Company does not participate in the Nonutility Money Pool as it is anticipated to participate in the Utility Money Pool. SCANA and the Utility Subsidiaries may contribute funds from the issuance of short-term debt as authorized above to the Utility Money Pool. SCANA and the Nonutility Subsidiaries may contribute funds from the issuance of short-term debt to the Nonutility Money Pool. SCANA Services under the authority of the appropriate officers of the participating companies will operate of the Utility and Nonutility Money Pools, including record keeping and coordination of loans. SCANA Services administers the Utility and Nonutility Money Pools on an "at cost" basis and maintains separate records for each money pool. Surplus funds of the Utility Money Pool and the Nonutility Money Pool may be combined in common short-term investments, but separate records of such funds are maintained by SCANA Services as administrator of the pools, and interest thereon is separately allocated, on a daily basis, to each money pool in accordance with the proportion that the amount of each money pool's surplus funds bears to the total amount of surplus funds available for investment from both money pools. Proceeds of borrowings from the money pools may be used for the purposes set forth in the Financing Parameters. SCE&G, PSNC and GENCO may borrow up to $60 million, $30 million, and $50 million, respectively, at any one time outstanding from the Utility Money Pool. Each of these amounts is twice the amount of the authority granted in the Financing Orders. Applicants state that borrowings by Fuel Company under the Utility Money Pool are exempt under rule 52 under the Act and that borrowings under the Utility Money Pool are in addition to the authority for other financings for which authority is sought in the Application. VI. Direct Stock Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan, Incentive Compensation Plans and other Employee Benefit PlansSCANA proposes, from time to time during the Authorization Period, to issue and/or acquire in open market transactions, or by some other method which complies with applicable law and Commission interpretations then in effect, up to 10 million shares of SCANA common stock under SCANA's direct stock purchase and dividend reinvestment plan, certain incentive compensation plans and certain other employee benefit plans described in the Application. Under the Financing Orders and the Plan Order SCANA had authority to issue 15 million shares with respect to employment plans through February 11, 2003. VII. Payment of Dividends out of Capital or Unearned Surplus by Nonutility SubsidiariesApplicants request authority for the Nonutility Subsidiaries to pay dividends, from time to time, out of capital and unearned surplus (including revaluation reserve), to the extent permitted under applicable corporate law. Without further approval of the Commission, no Nonutility Subsidiary will declare or pay any dividend out of capital or unearned surplus if that Nonutility Subsidiary derives any material part of its revenues from sales of goods, services, electricity or natural gas to any of the Utility Subsidiaries or, if at the time of such declaration or payment, such Nonutility Subsidiary has negative retained earnings. VIII. Development and Administrative ActivitiesIn connection with future investments in EWGs, FUCOs and in subsidiaries permitted under rule 58 under the Act ("Rule 58 Subsidiaries"), SCANA requests authority to engage directly and through Subsidiaries in preliminary development activities ("Development Activities") and administrative and management activities ("Administrative Activities") associated with such investments.12 Development Activities and Administrative Activities include preliminary activities designed to result in a permitted Nonutility investment such as an investment in an EWG or FUCO under the authority requested in the Application; however, such preliminary activities may not qualify for such status until the project is more fully developed. Development Activities will be limited to due diligence and design review; market studies; preliminary engineering; site inspection; preparation of bid proposals, including, in connection therewith, posting of bid bonds; application for required permits and/or regulatory approvals; acquisition of site options and options on other necessary rights; negotiation and execution of contractual commitments with owners of existing facilities, equipment vendors, construction firms, power purchasers, thermal "hosts," fuel suppliers and other project contractors; negotiation of financing commitments with lenders and other third-party investors; and such other preliminary activities as may be required in connection with the purchase, acquisition or construction of facilities or the securities of other companies. Applicants state that Development Activities will be designed to result in a permitted nonutility investment. SCANA proposes to expend directly or through Subsidiaries up to $200 million in the aggregate outstanding at any time during the Authorization Period on all such Development Activities. To the extent a Subsidiary for which such amounts were expended for Development Activities becomes an EWG, FUCO, or Rule 58 Subsidiary, the amount so expended will cease to be Development Activities and then be considered as part of the "aggregate investment" in such entity. Applicants state that expenditures in EWGs, FUCOs and in Rule 58 Subsidiaries which count against the "aggregate investment" limitation of rule 53 or rule 58, would not count against the $200 million limitation. In the case of EWGs, FUCOs and Rule 58 Subsidiaries, such aggregate investment will then count against the limitation on such aggregate investment under rule 53 or rule 58. IX. Intermediate SubsidiariesSCANA proposes to create and acquire directly or indirectly the securities of one or more Intermediate Subsidiaries which may be corporations, trusts, partnerships, limited liability companies or other entities. An intermediate subsidiary ("Intermediate Subsidiary")13 will be organized exclusively for the purpose of acquiring and holding the securities of, or financing or facilitating SCANA's investments in, other direct or indirect nonutility investments. An Intermediate Subsidiary may be organized, among other things: (1) in order to facilitate the making of bids or proposals to develop or acquire an interest in any EWG, FUCO, ETC, or other nonutility company which, upon acquisition, would qualify as a Rule 58 Subsidiary; (2) after the award of such a bid proposal, in order to facilitate closing on the purchase or financing of such acquired company; (3) at any time subsequent to the consummation of an acquisition of an interest in any such company in order, among other things, to effect an adjustment in the respective ownership interests in such business held by the SCANA system and non-affiliated investors; (4) to facilitate the sale of ownership interests in one or more acquired Rule 58 Subsidiary, EWG or FUCO; (5) to comply with applicable laws of foreign jurisdictions limiting or otherwise relating to the ownership of domestic companies by foreign nationals; (6) as a part of tax planning in order to limit SCANA's exposure to U.S. and foreign taxes; (7) to further insulate SCANA and the Utility Subsidiaries from operational or other business risks that may be associated with investments in Nonutility companies; or (8) for other lawful business purposes. Investments in Intermediate Subsidiaries may take the form of any combination of the following: (1) purchases of capital shares, partnership interests, member interests in limited liability companies, trust certificates or other forms of voting or non-voting equity interests; (2) capital contributions; (3) open account advances without interest; (4) loans; and (5) guarantees issued, provided or arranged in respect of the securities or other obligations of any Intermediate Subsidiaries. Funds for any direct or indirect investment in any Intermediate Subsidiary will be derived from SCANA's available funds. To the extent that SCANA provides funds directly or indirectly to an Intermediate Subsidiary which are used for the purpose of making an investment in any EWG or FUCO or a Rule 58 Subsidiary, the amount of such funds will be included in SCANA's "aggregate investment" in such entities, as calculated (in the case of EWGs, FUCOs and Rule 58 Subsidiaries) in accordance with rule 53 or rule 58, as applicable. 14 Applicants state that the authority requested for Intermediate Subsidiaries is intended to allow for the corporate structuring alternatives outlined in the Application and will not allow any increase in aggregate investment in EWGs, FUCOs, Rule 58 Subsidiaries, or any other business subject to an investment limitation under the Act. X. Internal Reorganization of Existing InvestmentsSCANA currently engages directly or through Nonutility Subsidiaries in certain nonutility businesses. SCANA seeks authority to engage in internal corporate reorganizations to organize these Nonutility Subsidiaries and investments. No authority is sought to make new investments or to change the organization of the Utility Subsidiaries. SCANA's proposal does not involve the sale or other disposition of any utility assets of the Utility Subsidiaries and will not involve any change in the corporate ownership of the Utility Subsidiaries. Also, the proposal does not extend to the acquisitions of any new business activities. SCANA and its Subsidiaries request authority, to the extent needed,15 to sell or to cause any Subsidiary to sell or otherwise transfer (i) such Nonutility Subsidiary businesses, (ii) the securities of current Nonutility Subsidiaries engaged in some or all of these businesses or (iii) nonutility investments which do not involve a Subsidiary (i.e. less than 10% voting interest) to a different Subsidiary, and, to the extent approval is required, the Subsidiaries request authority to acquire the assets of such nonutility businesses, Nonutility Subsidiaries or other then existing investment interests. Alternatively, transfers of such securities or assets may be effected by share exchanges, share distributions or dividends followed by contribution of such securities or assets to the receiving entity. In the future, following its direct or indirect acquisition of the securities of new Nonutility Subsidiaries, SCANA may determine to transfer those securities or the assets of those Nonutility Subsidiaries to other Subsidiaries as described in the preceding sentence. SCANA may also liquidate or merge Nonutility Subsidiaries. Applicants state that such internal transactions would be undertaken in order to eliminate corporate complexities, to combine related business segments for staffing and management purposes, to eliminate administrative costs, to achieve tax savings, or for other ordinary and necessary business purposes. XI. ConclusionApplicants state, for purposes of rule 54, that the conditions specified in rule 53(a) are satisfied and that none of the adverse conditions specified in rule 53(b) exist. As a result, the Commission will not consider the effect on the SCANA system of the capitalization or earnings of any SCANA subsidiary that is an EWG or FUCO, as each is defined in sections 32 and 33 of the Act, respectively, in determining whether to approve the proposed transactions. Fees and expenses to be incurred in connection with the proposed transaction are estimated to be approximately $25,000. Applicants state that, other than as stated above, no other state or federal commission, other than this Commission, has jurisdiction over the proposed transactions. Applicants state that securities issued by the Utility Subsidiaries, which are subject to approval by the Commission, are not subject to approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission under the Federal Power Act because of section 318 of the Federal Power Act. Due notice of the filing of the Application has been given in the manner prescribed by rule 23 under the Act, and no hearing has been requested of or ordered by the Commission. Based on the facts in the record, the Commission finds that the applicable standards of the Act are satisfied and that no adverse findings are necessary. IT IS ORDERED, under the applicable provisions of the Act and rules under the Act, that, except as to matters as to which jurisdiction has been reserved, the Application, as amended, is granted and permitted to become effective immediately, subject to the terms and conditions prescribed in rule 24 under the Act. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that SCANA will continue to file certificates under rule 24 with the Commission within 60 days after the end of the last calendar quarter, in which transactions occur. The Rule 24 certificates will contain the following information:
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, that jurisdiction is reserved, pending completion of the record, over: (i) the issuance by SCANA or Subsidiaries of any securities that are rated below investment grade; (ii) the issuance of any guarantee or other securities at any time that the following conditions are not satisfied: (a) the security to be issued, if rated, is rated investment grade; (b) all outstanding securities of the issuer that are rated are rated investment grade; and (c) all outstanding securities of the top-level registered holding company that are rated are rated investment grade; and (iii) SCANA's issuance of equity-linked securities. For the Commission, by the Division of Investment Management, pursuant to delegated authority.
1 SCANA directly owns all of the issued and outstanding common stock of three public utility companies, PSNC, SCE&G, and GENCO, (collectively referred to as the "Utility Subsidiaries"). All of SCANA's direct and indirect subsidiaries, other than the Utility Subsidiaries, are referred to as the "Nonutility Subsidiaries." The Utility Subsidiaries and Nonutility Subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the "Subsidiaries." 2 Holding Co. Act Release Nos. 27135 and 27137. 3 The Commission issued supplemental orders increasing various financing limitations until February 11, 2003. See Holding Co. Act Release No. 27341 (Jan. 31, 2001) and Holding Co. Act Release No. 27476 (Dec. 19, 2001). 4 See Holding Co. Act Release No. 27133 (February 9, 2000) ("Merger Order"). 5 See Holding Co. Act Release No. 27183. 6 SCANA requests that the Commission reserve jurisdiction over its issuance of equity-linked securities pending completion of the record. 7 SCANA will seek all necessary additional approvals of the Commission in connection with the amendment to the Articles of Incorporation, including seeking approval for the solicitation of proxies. 8 At September 30, 2002, the SCANA system, on a consolidated basis, had $5.817 billion in capitalization. 9 Applicants state that all short-term financing will be unsecured. 10 Fuel Company acquires, owns, and provides financing for SCE&G's nuclear fuel, fossil fuel and sulfur dioxide emission allowances. 11 I.e., South Carolina Pipeline Corporation; SCG Pipeline, Inc.; SCANA Energy Marketing, Inc.; SCANA Energy Trading, LLC; SCANA Public Service Company, LLC; SCANA Communications, Inc.; ServiceCare, Inc.; Primesouth, Inc.; Palmark, Inc.; SCANA Resources, Inc.; SCANA Development Corporation; SCANA Petroleum Resources, Inc.; SCANA Services, Inc.; PSNC Blue Ridge Corporation; PSNC Cardinal Pipeline Company; and Clean Energy Enterprises Inc. 12 Intermediate Subsidiaries may also engage in Development Activities and Administrative Activities. 13 The term "Intermediate Subsidiaries" includes any corporation, trust, partnership, limited liability company or other entities, the securities of which are acquired by SCANA directly or through Subsidiaries, to facilitate the acquisition, holding and/or financing of SCANA's nonutility investments. 14 If the Intermediate Subsidiary is merely a conduit, the aggregate investment will not "double count" both the conduit investment and the investment in the operating company authorized as an EWG, FUCO, Rule 58 subsidiary or other approved investment. 15 Applicants assert that the sale of securities, assets or an interest in other business to an associate company may, in come cases be exempt under rule 43(b).
http://www.sec.gov/divisions/investment/opur/filing/35-27649.htm
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