BPA Debt Optimization Presentation

to the

Energy Northwest Board

Audit, Legal, and Finance Committee

June 21, 2000

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Objectives

Background

Program Proposal

Maintenance of Capital Programs

Summary

Next Steps

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Objectives

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Program Objectives

BPA is proposing to undertake a program of prudent debt management that:

1) reduces total debt service costs of BPA and lowers rates to ratepayers,

2) sustains delivery capability of capital programs, and

3) allows more variable rate debt as recommended by Energy Northwest

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Today’s Objectives

To provide information supporting your fiduciary responsibility to conduct due diligence of refinancing proposals

To provide the information you requested about BPA’s debt optimization strategy

To respond to your further questions and concerns

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Background

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BPA Faces an Enormous Amount of Uncertainty:Planned Net Revenues for Risk are Designed to Address that Uncertainty

Maximum value$500

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$12.2 Million$100 (Mean)

$Millions $0

($100) - $26.5 Million(Mean) - $10.1 Million - $1.5 Million - $4.9 Million - $0.2 Million -$22.8 Million

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($300)

($400) 90% Confidence Interval

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Total Hydro DSI Economy SW Market Weather Nuclear

2002-2006 Rate Case anticipates market prices that average $34 / MWh flat undelivered (maximum $126 / MWh and minimum $6 / MWh)

1997-2001 Rates

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Relative to Rate Case Expectations, Net Revenues Were Significantly Higher in FY’s 90 & 91, and Lower in FY’s 92 & 93

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BPA sets rates to recover costs. Rates are designed around the revenue requirement which is the best cost forecast at the time. Sometimes either the cost or revenue forecast, or both, significantly deviate from plans. The results of the early 90’s are extreme examples of the magnitude of possible deviations.

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Historical Perspective on Risk and Reserves

Between 1975 and 1983, BPA often failed to pay Treasury all it owed in a timely manner.

In the late 1980’s, with rising rates and increasing costs, BPA realized that it needed additional financial flexibility in order to ensure that Treasury payments were made, thus the Accelerated Front End Savings (AFES) was established as part of the refinancing program.

In the early 1990’s, through the 10-year financial plan, the focus shifted to the ongoing need to covering risks and ensure a high probability of Treasury payments (TPP).

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FY’s 90 & 91: Net Revenue Increases Were Primarily Due to AFES; FY’s 92 & 93: Net Revenue Shortfalls Were Primarily Due to Low Aluminum Prices and Low Streamflows

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1990 1991 1992 1993

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Benefits of Previous Energy Northwest Refinancings

Extraordinary Columbia Capital Improvements $150M

Rate Relief $1,150M

Additional Federal Amortization $300M

The early Energy Northwest refinancings enabled BPA to make Treasury payments as planned through times of considerable hardship.

Had refinancings not occurred BPA would have had three options:

1) raise rates, 2) miss Treasury payments, and/or 3) reduce costs.

If BPA had missed Treasury payments, Northwest cost-based rates would have been seriously threatened.

Maintain low power rates

Facilitate BPA’s positioning in the emerging deregulated wholesale power market

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Historical Perspective on Risk and Reserves

Between 1975 and 1983, BPA often failed to pay Treasury all it owed in a timely manner.

In the late 1980’s, with rising rates and increasing costs, BPA realized that it needed additional financial flexibility in order to ensure that Treasury payments were made, thus the Accelerated Front End Savings (AFES) was established as part of the refinancing program.

In the early 1990’s, through the 10-year financial plan, the focus shifted to the ongoing need to covering risks and ensure a high probability of Treasury payments (TPP).

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Current Perspective on Risks and Reserves

The 2002 Rate Filing includes the ability to achieve the full 88% TPP for the first time.

– $800M SOY cash reserves.

– Currently proposed 2002-2006 $100M per year planned net revenues for risk (PNRR).

Compared to 1991-1992, BPA is addressing most risk before the fact through rates rather than after the fact by depleting reserves or failing to pay Treasury.

Now BPA can focus on creating additional stability by

– Lowering the fundamental cost structure,

– Ensuring adequate capital financing, and

– Adding more flexible features to Energy Northwest debt (variable rate debt, etc)

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Program Proposal

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Background on Capital Plan

BPA reduced Capital Program levels and accepted targets in the Cost Review for refinancing savings (achieved)

A Capital Strategy was developed that had two major elements

a) development and implementation of Capital Budgeting Process, and

b) managing access to capital

Capital Plan focused on managing access to capital

As part of Capital Plan process, numerous alternatives were looked at and Capital Plan focused on those tools which reduced overall debt service costs

Capital Plan meets two key criteria: reduction in overall debt service and continuing availability of BPA’s Treasury borrowing authority

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Major Recommendations Included in the Capital Plan

Extend the final maturities on Columbia debt to 2013-18

Substitution of Surety Bonds for some debt service reserve amounts - already accomplished for $38 million in May 2000

Selective Redemption of ENW debt - an ongoing program designed to maximize cashflow savings

Managing Federal Amortization - manages the terms and amortization of federal Treasury bonds to extend availability of borrowing authority

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Program Proposal

Extend final maturities of Columbia debt to 2013-2018, creating a better asset/liability match

Complete an initial advance refunding sometime between November 2000 and April 2001 (approximately $600M)

Include a significant increase of variable rate debt

As cash flows into the Bonneville fund from lower ENW debt service, utilize it to retire higher interest Federal debt.

Expect the advance refunding proposal to be fine-tuned and improved as ENW’s financial advisor becomes increasingly engaged and an underwriter is selected

Complete additional refundings (up to an additional approximate $400-700M) as bonds become currently callable (assumed refinancing dates of 2004 and 2008 for analysis purposes only)

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Proposed Debt Optimization Advantages

Proposed refinancings:

Are evaluated in the context of BPA’s total debt portfolio

Emphasize prudent debt management by minimizing overall debt service expense

Reinforce asset/liability matching by extending Columbia debt

Have a specific plan for prudent use of cash flows

In addition to minimizing total debt service, supports other ENW/BPA desires to:

a) Increase variable rate debt, and

b) Assure continued availability of BPA borrowing capacity with Treasury

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Refinancing Columbia Debt Lowers Power’s Annual Debt Service

(Reflects Advance Refunding Only)

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Additional Discussion Concerning Debt Optimization

The present value (discount rate of 9%) of combined federal and non federal debt service savings from the advance refunding alone ranges from $90M to $150M, depending on interest rates at the time of refinancing and other factors.

Average annual savings to preference ratepayers of at least $10-15M per year (2001-2018)

Other ideas which could increase the present value savings

– Extending existing $120M variable rate debt (issued 3/98) to 2018

– Using alternative debt structure for new bonds

– Completing additional refundings after FY 2001

– Engaging the expertise of ENW’s financial advisor and the underwriter (to be selected) once it is decided to move forward

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Communications Strategy

BPA views debt optimization as a normal and prudent course of business

No elaborate public process is planned or expected

Account Executives and others will be thoroughly briefed in order to respond to customers’ and constituents’ questions

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Questions/Answers Relating to the Future

What happens with net-billing and the power generated by Columbia when the debt is fully paid?

The relationship between Bonneville and Energy Northwest stays the same. That is, net-billing continues to exist, and all the power generated is still marketed by BPA. BPA would still be financially responsible for all Columbia costs, including capital additions/replacements and funding future decommissioning.

What happens if BPA and/or ENW wants to sell Columbia?

As a condition to sale or other transfer of the project (unless the project has been terminated), all of the bonds then outstanding would have to be defeased. In addition, all of the net-billing participants in the project would have to consent to the sale.

What would happen if BPA were sold?

As a practical matter, all of the bonds for all three projects would have to be defeased prior to a sale of BPA or bondholder security otherwise assured.

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Maintenance of Capital Programs

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1. Pre Rate Case: Public review and input process involves customers and constituents prior to rate case

2. Internal BPA Capital Budgeting: Requires use of risk weighted rates of return and critical choices among alternative proposals

3. Administrative: Proposed capital spending levels reviewed by BPA management

4. BPA’s Budget: Review and approval or disapproval by OMB and other Executive Agencies

5. Appropriations Committees: Review by both House & Senate Committees

6. Northwest Power Planning Council Review: Regional F&W and power program reviewed

Capital Funding Review Process

Bonneville’s capital requirements go through many critical reviews before expenditures proceed.

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Expected Average Annual Capital ExpendituresFY2000 to 2011

Transmission $195M

Power $ 95M

Corporate $11M

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Assurance that BPA Management Will Stay Committed to the Capital Plan

With ENW approval, it would take deliberate and conscious action to NOT follow the Capital Plan.

The current high level of reserves and risk mitigation already built into rates minimizes risk that the cashflow savings will need to be diverted for other uses, and reserves also provide cashflow flexibility for implementation of the plan.

BPA management has thoroughly reviewed the Capital Plan and is committed to its implementation in the best long-term interests of the Region’s ratepayers.

Debt optimization, including extension of Columbia debt, is consistent with prudent debt management and overall sound business principles. It would be imprudent not to seek to optimize.

Our intention is to include this program in our budget submission.

The positive impact on borrowing authority provides additional incentive for following through on debt optimization.

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Summary

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Summary

With Energy Northwest approval, Bonneville executive management is committed to carry out Debt Optimization.

Debt Optimization is in the economic best interests of the Region’s ratepayers over the long term as it lowers BPA’s overall costs and contributes to sustained long term access to low cost capital.

Debt Optimization is a carefully tailored strategy which greatly differentiates it from the previous Accelerated Front-End Savings (AFES) Program, in that proposed refinancings:

1) Have an immediate, committed use for the cashflow savings

2) Reinforce asset/liability matching by extending Columbia debt

3) Exemplify an industry best practice of comprehensive debt portfolio management

Debt Optimization is a phased-in program that ENW will be able to review over time.

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Next Steps

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Next Steps

Continue work between BPA and ENW staffs as well as ENW financial advisor

Present more detailed information to AL&F Committee at July Meeting

Select underwriter by early August

Obtain AL&F Committee decision to move forward at August Meeting

By the end of August notify the Participant Review Board of refinancing plans

Perform necessary analysis and Official Statement work between September and November to be in a position to go to market between November 2000 and April 2001

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BPA Year End Financial Reserves

• Financial reserves comprise cash in BPA Fund and cash equivalents in form of a deferred borrowing balance

• Reserves are BPA’s principal means of mitigating risk

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BPA and Energy Northwest Have Significantly Reduced Staffing

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