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Management’s Discussion (Continued)<br />
Utilities and Energy (“MidAmerican”) (Continued)<br />
increased $165 million compared to 2012. The increase in regulated electric revenues was primarily due to higher regulatory<br />
rates in Iowa and Illinois and increases in retail customer load. The increase in regulated natural gas revenues was primarily due<br />
to higher retail volumes and increases in recoveries through adjustment clauses as a result of a higher average per-unit cost of<br />
gas sold. Nonregulated and other operating revenues in 2013 declined $67 million in comparison with 2012 due primarily to<br />
lower electricity volumes and prices. MEC’s EBIT in 2013 declined $6 million (3%) compared to 2012. The decline in EBIT<br />
was due to lower regulated and nonregulated electric operating earnings, partially offset by higher natural gas earnings.<br />
MEC’s revenues in 2012 declined $255 million (7%) compared to 2011, reflecting declines in natural gas revenues of $110<br />
million and nonregulated and other operating revenues of $178 million. In 2012, MEC’s regulated electric revenues increased<br />
2% to approximately $1.7 billion. The decline in natural gas revenues reflected lower average per-unit cost of natural gas sold<br />
and lower volumes. The nonregulated and other operating revenues decline was due to generally lower electricity and natural<br />
gas prices. MEC’s EBIT in 2012 declined $43 million (15%) compared to 2011 due primarily to increased depreciation expense<br />
of $56 million and higher general and administrative expenses, partially offset by lower interest expense.<br />
In 2013, natural gas pipelines’ revenues and EBIT were $971 million and $385 million, respectively, which were relatively<br />
unchanged from 2012. In 2012, natural gas pipelines’ revenues and EBIT declined $15 million and $5 million, respectively,<br />
compared to 2011. In 2012, natural gas revenues increased from expansion projects and from higher transportation and storage<br />
rates in certain markets, which were more than offset by lower volumes of gas sales and the impact of contract expirations. In<br />
2012, EBIT also reflected increased depreciation expense, partially offset by lower interest expense.<br />
In 2013, Northern Powergrid revenues declined $10 million (1%) compared to 2012. EBIT in 2013 was $362 million, a<br />
decline of $67 million versus 2012. EBIT in 2013 was negatively impacted by fourth quarter rebates to customers and higher<br />
regulatory rate provisions in 2013, which reduced revenues, and from higher distribution operating expenses and the foreign<br />
currency translation effect of a stronger U.S. Dollar versus the U.K. Pound Sterling. Operating expenses in 2013 included<br />
increased pension costs and higher depreciation expenses. EBIT in 2013 also included a $9 million loss from the write-off of<br />
hydrocarbon well exploration costs.<br />
Northern Powergrid’s revenues in 2012 increased $20 million (2%) while EBIT declined $40 million (9%) compared to<br />
2011. In 2012, revenues were negatively impacted by currency-related declines from a stronger U.S. Dollar. Excluding currency<br />
related impacts, distribution revenues increased $28 million in 2012, reflecting higher tariff rates ($76 million), partially offset<br />
by the impact of higher regulatory provisions in 2011 ($55 million). Northern Powergrid’s EBIT in 2012 was negatively<br />
affected by increases in pension expense ($44 million) and distribution operating expenses ($21 million), which more than<br />
offset the increase in distribution revenues.<br />
Real estate brokerage revenues in 2013 increased $489 million (37%) over 2012, while EBIT increased $57 million<br />
(70%) versus 2012. The increases in revenues and EBIT were attributable to increases in closed brokerage transactions and<br />
higher average home sales prices from existing business and the impact of businesses acquired during the last two years. Real<br />
estate brokerage revenues in 2012 increased $326 million (32%) and EBIT increased $43 million (110%) over 2011. The<br />
revenue increase included $123 million from businesses acquired in 2012. The increase in revenues in 2012 also reflected a 16%<br />
increase in closed sales transactions and higher average home sale prices from existing businesses. The increase in real estate<br />
brokerage EBIT in 2012 reflected the impact of business acquisitions in 2012 as well as the aforementioned increase in closed<br />
sales transactions.<br />
MidAmerican’s other activities primarily consist of a portfolio of independent power projects, including solar and windpowered<br />
electricity generation projects placed in service in late 2012 and throughout 2013. In 2013, other activities also<br />
included the results of NV Energy since the December 19, 2013 acquisition date. The increase in revenues from other activities<br />
in 2013 was $81 million, which was primarily attributable to revenues from the new solar and wind-powered facilities, partially<br />
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