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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the year ended December 31, 2005
Commission file number 1-14287
USEC Inc.
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Delaware
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52-2107911 |
(State of incorporation)
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(I.R.S. Identification No.) |
2 Democracy Center
6903 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, Maryland 20817
(301) 564-3200
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of Each Class
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Name of Exchange on Which Registered |
Common Stock, par value $.10 per share
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New York Stock Exchange |
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
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New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule
405 of the Securities Act. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months
(or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has
been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation
S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrants knowledge, in
definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K
or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and
non-accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.)
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Large accelerated filer þ
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Accelerated filer o
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Non-accelerated filer o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of
the Act). Yes o No þ
The aggregate market value of Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant
calculated by reference to the closing price of the registrants Common Stock as reported on the
New York Stock Exchange as of June 30, 2005, was $1,262 million. As of January 31, 2006, there were
86,576,000 shares of Common Stock outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the definitive Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on April 25,
2006, are incorporated by reference into Part III.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page |
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PART I |
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Items 1 and 2. |
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Business and Properties |
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3 |
Item 1A. |
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Risk Factors |
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20 |
Item 1B. |
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Unresolved Staff Comments |
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31 |
Item 3. |
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Legal Proceedings |
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31 |
Item 4. |
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Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders |
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32 |
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Executive Officers of the Company |
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32 |
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PART II |
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Item 5. |
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Market for Common Stock, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities |
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Item 6. |
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Selected Financial Data |
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36 |
Item 7. |
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Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
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Item 7A. |
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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk |
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62 |
Item 8. |
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Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data |
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62 |
Item 9. |
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Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure |
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Item 9A. |
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Controls and Procedures |
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Item 9B. |
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Other Information |
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64 |
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PART III |
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Item 10. |
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Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant |
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Item 11. |
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Executive Compensation |
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Item 12. |
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Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters |
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64 |
Item 13. |
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Certain Relationships and Related Transactions |
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64 |
Item 14. |
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Principal Accountant Fees and Services |
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64 |
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PART IV |
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Item 15. |
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Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules |
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Signatures |
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Consolidated Financial Statements |
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Glossary |
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102 |
Exhibit Index |
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105 |
This annual report on Form 10-K, including Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Item 7,
contains forward-looking statements
that is, statements related to future events. In this context, forward-looking statements may
address our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as
expects, anticipates, intends, plans, believes, will and other words of similar
meaning. Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different
degrees, uncertain. For USEC, particular risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual
future results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements
include, but are not limited to: the cost of electric power used at our gaseous diffusion plant;
our dependence on deliveries under the Russian Contract and on a single production facility; the
success and timing of the demonstration and deployment of the American Centrifuge technology and
the costs to develop that technology; difficulties in obtaining financing; changes in existing
restrictions on imports of Russian enriched uranium; the elimination of duties charged on imports
of foreign-produced low enriched uranium and uranium; pricing trends in the uranium and
enrichment markets; changes to, or termination of, our contracts with the U.S. government and
changes in U.S. government
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priorities and the availability of government funding; the impact of government regulation;
the outcome of legal proceedings and other contingencies (including lawsuits, government
investigations or audits and government/regulatory and environmental remediation efforts); the
competitive environment for our products and services; and changes in the nuclear energy
industry. Revenue and operating results can fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter, and
in some cases, year to year. For a discussion of these risks and uncertainties and other factors
that may affect our future results, please see Item 1A of this report entitled Risk Factors.
We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements except as required by law.
PART I
Items 1 and 2. Business and Properties
Overview
USEC, a global energy company, is the worlds leading supplier of low enriched
uranium (LEU) for commercial nuclear power plants. LEU is
a critical component in the production of nuclear fuel for reactors to produce electricity. We, either directly or through our
subsidiaries United States Enrichment Corporation and NAC International Inc. (NAC):
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supply LEU to both domestic and international utilities for use in about 150 nuclear
reactors worldwide, |
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are the exclusive executive agent for the U.S. government for a nuclear nonproliferation
program with Russia, known as Megatons to Megawatts, |
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are in the process of demonstrating, and plan to deploy, what we expect to be the
worlds most efficient uranium enrichment technology known as the American Centrifuge, |
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perform contract work for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and DOE contractors at
the Paducah and Portsmouth plants, and |
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provide transportation and storage systems for spent nuclear fuel and provide nuclear
and energy consulting services, including nuclear materials tracking. |
USEC Inc. is organized under Delaware law. USEC was a U.S. government corporation until July
28, 1998, when the company completed an initial public offering of common stock. In connection
with the privatization, the U.S. government transferred all of its interest in the business to
USEC, with the exception of certain liabilities from prior operations of the U.S. government.
References to USEC or we include USEC Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries as well as the
predecessor to USEC unless the context otherwise indicates. A glossary of terms is included in
Part IV of this annual report.
Uranium and Enrichment
As found in nature, uranium is principally comprised of two isotopes: uranium-235
(U235) and uranium-238 (U238). U238 is the more abundant
isotope, but it is not fissionable in nuclear reactors. U235 is fissionable, but its
concentration in natural uranium is only about 0.711% by weight. Most commercial nuclear reactors
require LEU fuel with a U235 concentration up to 5% by weight. Uranium enrichment is
the process by which the concentration of U235 is increased to that level.
The following outlines the steps for converting natural uranium into LEU fuel, commonly known
as the nuclear fuel cycle:
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Mining and Milling Natural or unenriched uranium is removed from the
earth in the form of ore and then crushed and concentrated. |
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Conversion Uranium concentrates are combined with fluorine gas to
produce uranium hexafluoride, a powder at room temperature and a gas when heated.
Uranium hexafluoride is shipped to an enrichment plant. |
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Enrichment Uranium hexafluoride is enriched in a process that
increases the concentration of U235 isotopes in the uranium hexafluoride
from its natural state of 0.711% up to 5%, which is usable as a fuel for commercial
nuclear power reactors. Depleted uranium is a by-product of the uranium enrichment
process. USEC has the only commercial uranium enrichment plant operating in the United
States. The standard measure of uranium enrichment is a separative work unit (SWU). A
SWU represents the effort that is required to transform a given amount of natural
uranium into two streams of uranium, one enriched in the U235 isotope and
the other depleted in the U235 isotope. SWUs are measured using a standard
formula derived from the physics of uranium enrichment. The amount of enrichment
contained in LEU under this formula is commonly referred to as its SWU component. |
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Fuel Fabrication LEU is converted to uranium oxide and formed into
small ceramic pellets by fabricators. The pellets are loaded into metal tubes that
form fuel assemblies, which are shipped to nuclear power plants. |
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Nuclear Power Plant The fuel assemblies are loaded into nuclear
reactors to create energy from a controlled chain reaction. Nuclear power plants
generate about 16% of the worlds electricity. |
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Consumers Businesses and homeowners rely on the steady, baseload
electricity supplied by nuclear power and value its clean air qualities. |
We produce or acquire LEU from two principal sources. We produce LEU at the gaseous diffusion
plant in Paducah, Kentucky, and we acquire LEU by purchasing the SWU component of LEU from Russia
under the Megatons to Megawatts program.
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Products and Services
Low Enriched Uranium
The majority of our customers are domestic and international utilities that operate nuclear
power plants. Revenue is derived primarily from:
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sales of the SWU component of LEU, |
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sales of both the SWU and uranium components of LEU, and |
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sales of uranium. |
Agreements with electric utilities are primarily long-term contracts under which customers are
obligated to purchase a specified quantity of SWU or uranium or a percentage of their annual SWU or
uranium requirements. Under requirements contracts, customers are not obligated to make purchases
if the reactor does not have requirements.
U.S. Government Contract Work
USEC performs contract work for DOE and DOE contractors at the Paducah and Portsmouth plants
including:
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maintaining the Portsmouth gaseous diffusion plant in a state of readiness or cold standby, |
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processing out-of-specification uranium, |
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refurbishing centrifuge process buildings, and |
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providing infrastructure support services. |
DOE and USEC extended the cold standby program through the end of March 2006, and are
negotiating the scope of work for a decontamination and decommissioning program.
USEC, through its subsidiary NAC, is a leading provider of nuclear energy solutions and
services, specializing in:
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design, fabrication and implementation of spent nuclear fuel technologies, |
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nuclear materials transportation, and |
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nuclear fuel cycle consulting services. |
NAC has three divisions: Projects, Site and Transportation Services, and NAC Worldwide
Consulting. Customers include nuclear utilities and the U.S. government.
The Projects division provides spent nuclear fuel cask design and engineering services and has
eight licensed spent fuel technology systems: four for transportation, three for storage, and the
NAC-STC storage/transport system. NAC is developing a new dual-purpose dry storage system, the
Modular, Advanced Generation, Nuclear All-purpose Storage System (MAGNASTOR), consisting of a
concrete cask and a welded stainless steel transportation storage canister with a welded closure
lid to safely store spent nuclear fuel. Development of the MAGNASTOR system is about 70% complete.
The storage license application has been submitted to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
(NRC) with certification expected in 2006, and the transportation license application is expected
to be submitted in late 2006.
The Site and Transportation Services division provides spent fuel transport and management
systems and owns spent fuel and high-level waste transportation casks and equipment. The casks have
been used at more than 50 nuclear facilities worldwide.
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NAC Worldwide Consulting provides utilities and government agencies with an independent expert
source of strategic planning, market research and analysis, price forecasts, procurement strategies
and other services. NAC Worldwide Consulting operates the Nuclear Materials Management &
Safeguards Systems, a U.S. government database that tracks the possession, use and shipment of
nuclear materials.
Revenue by Geographic Area, Major Customers and Segment Information
Revenue attributed to domestic and foreign customers, including customers in a foreign
country representing 10% or more of total revenue, follows (in millions):
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Years Ended December 31, |
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2005 |
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2004 |
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2003 |
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United States |
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1,074.1 |
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918.2 |
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$ |
919.0 |
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Foreign: |
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Japan |
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224.2 |
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215.2 |
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266.7 |
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Other |
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261.0 |
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283.8 |
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251.0 |
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485.2 |
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499.0 |
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517.7 |
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$ |
1,559.3 |
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1,417.2 |
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1,436.7 |
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Other than the U.S. government, our 10 largest customers represented 52% of revenue
and our three largest customers represented 21% of revenue in 2005. Revenue from Exelon
Corporation, a domestic customer, represented more than 10%, but less than 15%, of revenue in
2003, but less than 10% in 2004 and 2005. Revenue from U.S. government contracts represented 13%
of revenue in 2005, and 12% of revenue in 2004 and in 2003.
Reference is made to segment information reported in note 15 to the consolidated financial
statements.
SWU and Uranium Backlog
Backlog is the aggregate dollar amount of SWU and uranium that we expect to sell under
contracts with utilities. Backlog is based on customers estimates of their fuel requirements and
certain other assumptions, including our estimates of selling prices and inflation rates. Such
estimates are subject to change. At December 31, 2005, we had contracts with utilities aggregating
an estimated $5.9 billion through 2015 ($5.1 billion through 2010 including $1.5 billion expected
to be delivered in 2006), compared with $4.7 billion at December 31, 2004.
Gaseous Diffusion Plants
Two existing commercial technologies are currently used to enrich uranium for nuclear power
plants: gaseous diffusion and gas centrifuge. We currently use the older gaseous diffusion
technology and are in the process of demonstrating gas centrifuge technology to replace our gaseous
diffusion operations.
Gaseous Diffusion Process
The gaseous diffusion process separates the lighter U235 isotopes from the heavier
U238. The fundamental building block of the gaseous diffusion process is known as a
stage, consisting of a compressor, a converter, a control valve and associated piping. Compressors
driven by large electric motors are used to circulate the process gas and maintain flow. Converters
contain porous tubes known as a barrier through which process gas is diffused. Stages are grouped
together in series to form an operating unit called a cell. A cell is the smallest group of stages
that can be removed from
service for maintenance. Gaseous diffusion plants are designed so that cells can be taken off
line with little or no interruption in the process.
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The process begins with the heating of solid uranium hexafluoride to form a gas which is then
forced through the barrier. Because U235 is lighter than U238, it moves
through the barrier more easily. As the gas moves, the two isotopes are separated, increasing the
U235 concentration and decreasing the concentration of U238. The gaseous
diffusion process requires significant amounts of electric power to push uranium through the
barrier.
Paducah Plant
We operate the Paducah gaseous diffusion plant located in Paducah, Kentucky. The Paducah
plant consists of four process buildings and is one of the largest industrial facilities in the
world. The process buildings have a total floor area of 150 acres, and the site covers 750 acres.
We estimate that the maximum capacity of the existing equipment is about 8 million SWU per year and
we currently produce about 5 million SWU per year. The Paducah plant has been certified by the NRC
to produce LEU up to an assay of 5.5% U 235 .
Portsmouth Plant
The Portsmouth gaseous diffusion plant is located in Piketon, Ohio. We ceased uranium
enrichment operations at the Portsmouth plant in 2001 and ceased operation of the transfer and
shipping facilities at the Portsmouth plant for purposes of shipping LEU to fuel fabricators in
2002. The Portsmouth plant was placed into cold standby under a contract with DOE. Cold standby is
a condition where the plant could be returned to production of 3 million SWU within 18 to 24 months
if the U.S. government determined that additional domestic enrichment capacity was necessary. Under
DOEs fiscal 2006 budget request, the cold standby scope of work was scheduled to conclude in
September 2005 with a transition to a preliminary decontamination and decommissioning program
(cold shutdown). DOE and USEC extended the cold standby program in September 2005 through the end
of January 2006, and again in January 2006 through the end of March 2006. We continue to negotiate
the scope of work for cold shutdown. Congress has approved DOEs budget request for fiscal 2006 for
a continuation of the cold standby contract and a transition to a cold shutdown scope of work.
Lease of Gaseous Diffusion Plants
We lease the Paducah and Portsmouth plants from DOE. The lease covers most, but not all, of
the buildings and facilities relating to gaseous diffusion activities. Major provisions of the
lease follow:
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except as provided in the DOE-USEC Agreement, we have the right to renew the lease at
either plant indefinitely and can adjust the property under lease to meet our changing
requirements; |
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we may leave the property in an as is condition at termination of the lease, but must
remove wastes we generate and must place the plants in a safe shutdown condition; |
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the U.S. government is responsible for environmental liabilities associated with plant
operations prior to July 28, 1998 except for liabilities relating to the disposal of some
identified wastes generated by USEC and stored at the plants; |
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DOE is responsible for the costs of decontamination and decommissioning of the plants; |
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title to capital improvements not removed by USEC will transfer to DOE at the end of the
lease term, and if removal of any of our capital improvements increases DOEs
decontamination and decommissioning costs, we are required to pay the difference; |
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DOE must indemnify us for costs and expenses related to claims asserted against or
incurred
by us arising out of the U.S. governments operation, occupation, or use of the plants prior
to July 28, 1998; and |
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DOE must indemnify USEC against claims for public liability from
a nuclear incident or precautionary evacuation in connection with activities
under the lease. Under the Price Anderson Act, DOEs financial obligations
under the indemnity are capped at $9.4 billion for each nuclear incident or
precautionary evacuation occurring inside the United States. |
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Raw Materials
Electric Power
The gaseous diffusion process uses significant amounts of electric power to enrich uranium.
The power load at the Paducah plant averaged 1,320 megawatts and costs for electric power
represented 60% of production costs at the Paducah plant in 2005. We purchased 87% of the electric
power for the Paducah plant in 2005 at fixed prices as part of a multiyear power contract signed
with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in 2000. We purchased almost all of the remaining
portion of the electric power for the Paducah plant at higher-cost, fixed-price contracts which
were more representative of market prices.
Capacity and prices for electric power under the 2000 TVA power contract are fixed through May
2006. We are negotiating with TVA regarding supply arrangements for electric power beyond May
2006, and we expect to reach an agreement in the near future. We anticipate an increase in power
cost of approximately 50 percent compared to the 2000 TVA power contract, subject to the amount of
power purchased during summer months and future adjustments relative to TVAs fuel and purchased
power costs. The increase in electric power costs will increase overall SWU production costs, which
will negatively impact our gross margin and cash flow. The duration of a new power supply
arrangement will be shorter than the 2000 TVA power contract, which would put us at risk for
additional cost increases after the expiration of any new arrangement. We are taking cost cutting
measures including workforce reductions, implementing improvements to production efficiencies and
pursuing incremental revenue opportunities, including underfeeding and increasing prices for the
sale of SWU, that are expected to offset some, but not all, of the anticipated power cost
increases.
Capacity under the 2000 TVA power contract ranges from 300 megawatts in the summer months to
1,650 megawatts in the non-summer months. We have typically reduced LEU production and the related
power load in the summer months when power availability is low and market power costs are high.
Subject to prior notice and under certain circumstances, TVA may interrupt power to the Paducah
plant, except for a minimum load of 300 megawatts that can only be interrupted under limited
circumstances. The portion of electric power for the Paducah plant not covered by the TVA agreement
has typically been purchased under short-term fixed-price contracts or at market-based prices.
Market prices for electric power vary seasonally with rates higher during the winter and summer as
a function of the extremity of the weather.
Settlement
of Power Contract Ohio Valley Electric Corporation
In 2001 and prior years, we purchased electric power for the Portsmouth plant under a contract
with DOE. DOE acquired the power under a power purchase agreement with the Ohio Valley Electric
Corporation (OVEC). We ceased uranium enrichment operations at the Portsmouth plant in 2001 and
ceased taking electric power from OVEC after August 2001. The power purchase agreement was
terminated effective April 30, 2003. As a result of termination of the power purchase agreement,
DOE was responsible for a portion of the costs incurred by OVEC for postretirement health and life
insurance benefits and for the eventual decommissioning, demolition and shutdown of the
coal-burning power generating facilities owned and operated by OVEC. In February 2004, OVEC and
DOE, and DOE and USEC entered into agreements and settled all the issues relating to
the termination. Pursuant to the agreements, we paid the previously accrued amount of $33.2 million
representing our share of the postretirement health and decommissioning, demolition and shutdown
cost obligations.
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Uranium
Natural uranium is the feedstock in the production of LEU at the Paducah plant. The plant uses
the equivalent of approximately 6 million kilograms of uranium each year in the production of LEU.
Uranium is a naturally occurring element and is mined from deposits located in Canada, Australia
and other countries. According to the World Nuclear Association, there are adequate known uranium
reserves to fuel nuclear power well into the current century.
Mined uranium ore is crushed and concentrated and sent to a uranium conversion facility where
it is converted to uranium hexafluoride, a form suitable for uranium enrichment. Two commercial
uranium converters in North America, Cameco Corporation and ConverDyn, deliver and hold title to
uranium at the Paducah plant.
Utility customers provide uranium to us as part of their enrichment contracts or purchase the
uranium required to produce LEU from us. Customers who choose to provide uranium to us for
enrichment generally do so by acquiring title to uranium from Cameco, ConverDyn and other suppliers
at the Paducah plant. USEC held uranium with an estimated fair value of approximately $2.3 billion
at December 31, 2005, to which title was held by customers and suppliers. The uranium is fungible
and commingled with our uranium inventory. Title to uranium provided by customers remains with the
customer until delivery of LEU, at which time title to LEU is transferred to the customer. The
uranium that we sell to utility customers for the production of LEU comes from our uranium
inventories, which includes uranium from underfeeding the enrichment process, purchases of uranium
from third-party suppliers and uranium that we obtained from DOE prior to privatization.
Reference is made to information regarding out-of-specification uranium inventories
transferred to us by DOE prior to privatization in 1998 and in the process of being remediated,
reported in note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
The quantity of uranium used in the production of LEU is to a certain extent interchangeable
with the amount of SWU required to enrich the uranium. Underfeeding is a mode of operation that
uses or feeds less uranium, which supplements our supply of uranium, but requires more SWU in the
enrichment process, which requires more electric power. In producing the same amount of LEU, USEC
varies its production process to underfeed uranium based on the economics of the cost of electric
power relative to the price of uranium.
Coolant
The Paducah plant uses Freon as the primary process coolant. The production of Freon in the
United States was terminated in 1995. Freon leaks from pipe joints, sight glasses, valves, coolers
and condensers. Maintenance efforts have held the leakage rate to approximately 300,000 pounds per
year. The leakage rate is within the level allowed under regulations of the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA). We expect that our inventory of Freon at the Paducah plant should be
adequate through August 2006 based on our continued maintenance efforts to minimize leakage. We
plan to continue to use Freon from our inventory supply and expect to acquire additional quantities
of Freon. We also are discussing with DOE use of a portion of the 4 million pounds of Freon now
stored at the Piketon plant for operation of the Paducah plant, which would provide approximately
10 years of Freon to our operations. However, if sufficient quantities of Freon were no longer
available to us, an alternative coolant is available. We are currently evaluating possible capital
requirements to utilize the alternative coolant in our enrichment process. Estimated capital costs
of up to $18.0 million may be incurred for modifications to the process systems to accommodate the
different
properties of the alternative coolant, plus potential additional operating costs of $7.0
million per year may be incurred to acquire and phase in the alternative coolant over a period of
up to five years.
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Equipment
Equipment components (such as compressors, coolers, motors and valves) requiring maintenance
are removed from service and repaired or rebuilt on site. Common industrial components, such as
the breakers, condensers and transformers in the electrical system, are procured as needed. Some
components and systems are no longer produced, and spare parts may not be readily available. In
these situations, replacement components or systems are identified, tested, and procured from
existing commercial sources, or the plants technical and fabrication capabilities are utilized to
design and build replacements.
Equipment utilization at the Paducah plant was 95% of capacity in 2005. The utilization of
equipment is highly dependent on power availability and costs. We reduce equipment utilization and
the related power load in the summer months when the cost of electric power is high. Equipment
utilization is also affected by repairs and maintenance activities.
Russian Contract (Megatons to Megawatts)
SWU Component of LEU
We are the U.S. governments exclusive executive agent (Executive Agent) in connection with
a government-to-government nonproliferation agreement between the United States and the Russian
Federation. Under the agreement, we have been designated by the U.S government to purchase the SWU
component of LEU derived from dismantled Soviet nuclear weapons. In January 1994, USEC, as
Executive Agent for the U.S. government, signed a commercial agreement (Russian Contract) with a
Russian government entity known as OAO Techsnabexport (TENEX, or the Russian Executive Agent),
Executive Agent for the Federal Agency for Atomic Energy of the Russian Federation, to purchase the
SWU component.
We have agreed to purchase 5.5 million SWU each calendar year for the remaining term of the
Russian Contract through 2013. Over the life of the 20-year Russian Contract, we expect to
purchase 92 million SWU contained in LEU derived from 500 metric tons of highly enriched uranium.
From inception of the Russian Contract in 1994 through December 31, 2005, we have purchased the SWU
component of LEU derived from 262 metric tons of highly enriched uranium, the equivalent of about
10,500 nuclear warheads. Purchases under the Russian Contract approximate 50% of our supply mix.
Prices are determined using a discount from an index of international and U.S. price points,
including both long-term and spot prices. A multi-year retrospective of the index is used to
minimize the disruptive effect of short-term market price swings. Increases in these price points
in recent years will result in increases to the index used to determine prices under the Russian
Contract.
The Russian Contract provides that, after the end of 2007, the parties may agree on
appropriate adjustments, if necessary, to ensure that the Russian Executive Agent receives at least
approximately $7.6 billion for the SWU component over the 20-year term of the Russian Contract
through 2013. We do not expect that any adjustments will be required.
Under the terms of a 1997 memorandum of agreement between USEC and the U.S. government, USEC
can be terminated, or resign, as the U.S. Executive Agent, or one or more additional executive
agents may be named. Any new executive agent could represent a significant new competitor.
10
Uranium Component of LEU
Under the Russian Contract, we are obligated to provide to TENEX an amount of uranium
equivalent to the uranium component of LEU delivered to us by TENEX, totaling about 9 million
kilograms per year. We provide the uranium to an account at the Paducah plant maintained on behalf
of TENEX. TENEX holds, sells or otherwise exchanges this uranium in transactions with other
suppliers or utility customers. From time to time, TENEX may take physical delivery of uranium
supplied by a uranium converter that would otherwise deliver such uranium to us. Under these
arrangements, the converter provides uranium to TENEX for shipment back to Russia, and the
converter receives an equivalent amount of uranium in its account at the Paducah plant.
Highly Enriched Uranium from DOE
Since 1998, DOE has been transferring 50 metric tons of highly enriched uranium to USEC. We
then recover LEU from downblending the highly enriched uranium. At December 31, 2005, 86% of the
total expected LEU had been recovered, and the remainder is scheduled for downblending in 2006. We
expect costs to complete downblending activities will be less than the production costs that would
be required to produce an equivalent amount of LEU. Factors affecting recoverability include
quality and specifications of the highly enriched uranium to be transferred by DOE to USEC and the
costs and risks of completing the transfers, and processing and downblending required to convert
the highly enriched uranium metal and oxide into LEU suitable for sale to utility customers.
DOE-USEC Agreement and Related Agreements with DOE
On June 17, 2002, USEC and DOE signed an agreement (DOE-USEC Agreement) in which both USEC
and DOE made long-term commitments directed at resolving issues related to the stability and
security of the domestic uranium enrichment industry. USEC and DOE have entered into subsequent
agreements relating to these commitments. The following is a summary of material provisions and an
update of activities under the DOE-USEC Agreement and related agreements:
Russian Contract
The DOE-USEC Agreement provides that DOE will recommend against removal, in whole or in part,
of USEC as the U.S. Executive Agent under the Russian Contract as long as we order the specified
amount of SWU from the Russian Executive Agent and comply with our obligations under the DOE-USEC
Agreement and the Russian Contract.
Remediating or Replacing Out-of-Specification Uranium
In December 2000, we reported to DOE that 9,550 metric tons of natural uranium with a cost of
$237.5 million transferred to us from DOE prior to privatization in 1998 may contain elevated
levels of technetium that would put the uranium out-of-specification for commercial use. Out of
specification means that the uranium would not meet the industry standard as defined in the
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) specification Standard Specification for
Uranium Hexafluoride for Enrichment. The levels of technetium exceeded allowable levels in the
ASTM specification. Under the DOE-USEC Agreement, DOE is obligated to replace or remediate the
out-of-specification uranium inventory, and we have been working with DOE to implement this
process. We operate facilities at the Portsmouth plant under contract with DOE to process and
remove contaminants from the out-of-specification uranium.
At December 31, 2005, 8,345 metric tons (or 87%) of our out-of-specification uranium had been
replaced or remediated by DOE (using USEC as its contractor for remediation). The remaining portion
of our uranium inventory that may contain elevated levels of technetium and be out-of-
specification (and that DOE would be obligated to replace or remediate) is 1,205 metric tons with a
cost of $37.6 million reported as part of long-term assets at December 31, 2005. DOEs obligation
to
replace or remediate our out-of-specification uranium continues until all such uranium is replaced
or remediated, and DOEs obligations survive any termination of the DOE-USEC Agreement as long as
we are producing low enriched uranium containing at least one million SWU per year at the Paducah
plant or at a new enrichment facility.
11
As part of DOEs remediation or replacement of our out-of-specification uranium, DOE
transferred 2,116 metric tons of in-specification uranium to us in November 2004 in exchange for
the transfer by us to DOE of a like amount of out-of-specification uranium. In December 2004, we
entered into a memorandum of agreement with DOE under which we agreed to process 2,116 metric tons
of DOEs out-of-specification uranium and use our best efforts to return 2,116 metric tons of
uranium that meets the ASTM specification to DOE by December 31, 2006. DOE provided an initial
quantity of uranium that meets specification to us in February 2005, and the proceeds from sales of
such uranium are being used to reimburse us for processing costs incurred.
In May 2005, we amended the memorandum of agreement to cover remediation of USECs
out-of-specification uranium as well as DOEs out-of-specification uranium. Under the amendment, we
and DOE agreed that the sales proceeds from uranium provided by DOE would be used to reimburse us
for the costs of processing both DOEs out-of-specification uranium and our out-of-specification
uranium, and that, in remediating the uranium, we would process approximately equal amounts of
DOEs out-of-specification uranium and USECs out-of-specification uranium on a pro-rata basis.
Under the memorandum of agreement, we are to cease work on processing out-of-specification
uranium if processing costs are expected to exceed proceeds from the sale of uranium in any
government fiscal year. As of December 31, 2005, we had remediated 737 metric tons of DOEs
out-of-specification uranium. In February 2006, we and DOE amended the memorandum of agreement to
provide that DOE would supply additional uranium that meets specification to us for sale, with the
proceeds from sales of such uranium to be used to reimburse us for additional processing costs
incurred.
We and DOE may agree to one or more additional transfers of uranium for sale from DOE, and we
expect that additional quantities of uranium for sale, or direct funding from DOE, will be required
in order to complete the remediation program. Whether or not we and DOE agree to additional
transfers, DOE is obligated to remediate or replace our remaining out-of-specification uranium
under the terms of the DOE-USEC Agreement.
Domestic Enrichment Facilities
Under the DOE-USEC Agreement, we agreed to operate the Paducah plant at a production rate at
or above 3.5 million SWU per year. Historically, we have operated at production rates significantly
above this level, and in calendar 2006, we expect to produce about 5 million SWU at the Paducah
plant.
The 3.5 million annual SWU production level at Paducah may not be reduced until six months
before we have completed a centrifuge enrichment facility capable of producing 3.5 million SWU per
year. If the Paducah plant is operated at less than the specified 3.5 million SWU in any given
fiscal year, we may cure the defect by increasing SWU production to the 3.5 million SWU level in
the ensuing fiscal year. We may only use the right to cure once in each lease period.
If we do not maintain the requisite level of operations at the Paducah plant and have not
cured the deficiency, we are required to waive our exclusive rights to lease the Paducah and
Portsmouth plants. If we cease operations at the Paducah plant or lose our certification from the
NRC, DOE may take actions it deems necessary to transition operation of the plant from USEC to
ensure the continuity of domestic enrichment operations and the fulfillment of supply contracts. In
either event, DOE may be released from its obligations under the DOE-USEC Agreement. We will be
deemed to have ceased
operations at the Paducah plant if we (a) produce less than 1 million SWU or (b) fail to meet
specific maintenance and operational criteria established in the DOE-USEC Agreement.
12
Advanced Enrichment Technology
The DOE-USEC Agreement provides that we will begin operations of an enrichment facility using
advanced enrichment technology with annual capacity of 1 million SWU (expandable to 3.5 million
SWU) in accordance with certain milestones. If, for reasons within our control, we do
not meet a milestone and the resulting delay will materially impact our ability to begin commercial
operations on schedule, DOE may take any of the following actions:
|
|
|
terminate the DOE-USEC Agreement, |
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|
require us to reimburse DOE for increased costs caused by DOE expediting
decontamination and decommissioning of facilities used by us for the centrifuge
technology, |
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|
|
require us to transfer our rights to the centrifuge technology and data
in the field of uranium enrichment to DOE royalty-free, |
|
|
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|
require us to return any leased facilities where the centrifuge
technology project was being or was intended to be constructed, and |
|
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|
except for plant facilities being operated, require us to waive our
exclusive rights to lease the Paducah and Portsmouth plants. |
After we have secured firm financing commitments for the construction of a 1 million SWU plant
and have begun construction, DOEs remedies are limited to circumstances where our gross negligence
in project planning and execution is responsible for schedule delays or we have abandoned the
project. In such cases, we will be entitled to a reasonable royalty for the use of any USEC
intellectual property and data transferred for non-governmental purposes by DOE.
Other
The DOE-USEC Agreement contains force majeure provisions which excuse our failure to perform
under the DOE-USEC Agreement if such failure arises from causes beyond our control and without our
fault or negligence.
American Centrifuge Technology
We are in the process of demonstrating our next-generation American Centrifuge uranium
enrichment technology. The American Centrifuge technology is based on U.S. centrifuge technology, a
proven workable technology developed by DOE from 1960 through the mid-1980s. DOE spent
approximately $3.4 billion on research and development and construction of centrifuge facilities
and operated full-scale centrifuge machines. Work on U.S. centrifuge technology was terminated by
DOE because of changing demand forecasts and DOE budget constraints. We are making improvements to
the original DOE design with the intent to reduce costs and improve efficiency through the use of
state-of-the-art materials, control systems and manufacturing processes.
We are working toward reaching full capacity of the American Centrifuge Plant in Piketon, Ohio
in 2011. Demonstration activities are underway at centrifuge test facilities located in Oak Ridge,
Tennessee, and refurbishment work has been substantially completed at the American Centrifuge
Demonstration Facility in Piketon in preparation for Lead Cascade operations. In January 2005, we
began testing individual prototype machines in highly specialized test equipment. These tests are
providing data which allow for modifications to be made to centrifuge components prior to Lead
Cascade operations.
13
We will operate the Demonstration Facility for the purpose of demonstrating and evaluating our
enhancements to U.S. centrifuge technology and centrifuge performance in a cascade configuration.
Lead Cascade machines are expected to be built and installed in the Demonstration Facility during
the first half of 2006. Following installation of the machines, we intend to begin Lead Cascade
operations with the target of obtaining satisfactory reliability and performance data by October
2006, as required by the DOE-USEC Agreement. Data gathered from these demonstrations relating to
cost, schedule, and technology performance uncertainties will be evaluated prior to initiating
construction of the American Centrifuge Plant. We had anticipated beginning operation of the Lead
Cascade by the end of 2005, but we experienced delays relating to the quality of material,
performance issues of certain centrifuge components, and compliance with new regulatory
requirements. Progress has been made in addressing these issues and we do not expect that these
near-term delays will impact our ability to meet the DOE-USEC Agreement milestones or our
anticipated dates for reaching full production capacity. We are no longer managing the program to
meet an accelerated schedule that moved up the remaining milestones by about one year.
Subject to completion of project milestones, issuance of an NRC license and other permits, and
other factors discussed below, we plan to construct the American Centrifuge Plant beginning in
2007, begin uranium enrichment operations in 2009, and reach an initial production capacity of 3.5
million SWU in 2011. Based on current information, American Centrifuge is estimated to cost
approximately $1.7 billion, excluding capitalized interest. We will continue to refine total cost
estimates based on data gathered from testing, demonstrations and further negotiations with our
manufacturing and supply partners.
Following are the centrifuge project milestones under the DOE-USEC Agreement, the first nine
of which have been achieved on or ahead of schedule:
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|
|
|
|
Milestones under DOE-USEC Agreement |
|
Milestone Date |
|
Date Achieved |
Begin
refurbishment of K-1600 centrifuge testing |
|
|
|
|
facility in Oak Ridge,
Tennessee |
|
December 2002 |
|
December 2002 |
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Build and begin testing a centrifuge end cap |
|
January 2003 |
|
January 2003 |
|
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Submit license application for Lead Cascade to NRC |
|
April 2003 |
|
February 2003 |
|
|
|
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|
NRC dockets Lead Cascade application |
|
June 2003 |
|
March 2003 |
|
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|
First rotor tube manufactured |
|
November 2003 |
|
September 2003 |
|
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|
Centrifuge testing begins |
|
January 2005 |
|
January 2005 |
|
|
|
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|
Submit license application for commercial plant to NRC |
|
March 2005 |
|
August 2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
NRC dockets commercial plant application |
|
May 2005 |
|
October 2004 |
|
|
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|
|
Begin Lead Cascade centrifuge manufacturing |
|
June 2005 |
|
April 2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
Satisfactory reliability and performance data |
|
|
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|
obtained from Lead Cascade |
|
October 2006 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financing commitment secured for a 1 million SWU |
|
|
|
|
centrifuge plant |
|
January 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Begin commercial plant construction and |
|
|
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|
refurbishment |
|
June 2007 |
|
|
14
(continued)
|
|
|
|
|
Milestones under DOE-USEC Agreement |
|
Milestone Date |
|
Date Achieved |
Begin American Centrifuge commercial plant |
|
|
|
|
operations at facility in Piketon, Ohio |
|
January 2009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
American Centrifuge Plant capacity at one million |
|
|
|
|
SWU per year |
|
March 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
American
Centrifuge Plant (if expanded at USECs option) |
|
|
|
|
projected to have an annual capacity of
3.5 million SWU |
|
September 2011 |
|
|
We lease from DOE a portion of the gas centrifuge enrichment plant buildings in
Piketon, Ohio for the American Centrifuge Demonstration Facility. The temporary lease is an
extension of the lease for the Portsmouth gaseous diffusion plant, and will expire upon execution
of a long-term agreement for the American Centrifuge Plant, or upon expiration of the NRC license
for the demonstration facility, or June 30, 2009, whichever occurs first. The NRC license for the
demonstration facility was issued in 2004 and will expire on the earlier of February 24, 2009, or
the date the temporary lease with DOE, or the long-term agreement that is expected to supersede the
temporary lease, expires. At the end of the lease, we must remove our personal property and capital
improvements and return the facilities in the same, or as good, condition as documented in a
baseline radiological survey.
The successful construction and operation of the American Centrifuge Plant is dependent upon a
number of factors including, satisfactory performance of the American Centrifuge technology at
various stages of demonstration, NRC licensing, financing, the cost and timely delivery of raw
materials and components, availability of personnel with required security clearances, overall cost
estimates, installation and operation of centrifuge machines and equipment, and the achievement of
milestones under the DOE-USEC Agreement. In addition, certain actions by DOE are required,
including USEC and DOE entering into a long-term lease agreement for the facility, removal of
machines, wastes and other materials from the buildings by DOE, and USEC and DOE agreeing on terms
for USECs license of the centrifuge intellectual property.
Nuclear
Regulatory Commission Regulation
Our operations are subject to regulation by the NRC. The Paducah and Portsmouth plants are
regulated by and are required to be recertified by the NRC every five years. The term of the
current NRC certification expires December 31, 2008, and the NRC will evaluate the plants in
connection with the renewal. The NRC will regulate operation of the American Centrifuge Plant and
the American Centrifuge Demonstration Facility, including the Lead Cascade.
The NRC has the authority to issue notices of violation for violations of the Atomic Energy
Act of 1954, NRC regulations, and conditions of licenses, certificates of compliance, or orders.
The NRC has the authority to impose civil penalties for certain violations of its regulations. We
have received notices of violation from NRC for violations of these regulations and certificate
conditions, none of which has resulted in a fine exceeding $60,000 during the past three years. In
each case, we took corrective action to bring the facilities into compliance with NRC regulations.
We do not expect that any proposed notices of violation we have received will have a material
adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.
Environmental Matters
Our operations are subject to various federal, state and local requirements regulating the
discharge of materials into the environment or otherwise relating to the protection of the
environment. Our operations generate low-level radioactive waste that is stored on-site or is
shipped off-site for disposal at commercial facilities. In addition, our operations generate
hazardous waste and mixed
15
waste (i.e., waste having both a radioactive and hazardous component),
most of which is shipped off-site for treatment and disposal. Because of limited treatment and
disposal capacity, some mixed waste is being temporarily stored at DOEs permitted storage
facilities at the plants. We have entered into consent decrees with the States of Kentucky and Ohio
that permit the continued storage of mixed waste at DOEs permitted storage facilities at the
plants and provide for a schedule for sending the waste to off-site treatment and disposal
facilities.
Our operations generate depleted uranium that is stored at the plants. Depleted uranium is a
result of the uranium enrichment process where the concentration of the U235 isotope in
depleted uranium is less than the concentration of .711% found in natural uranium. All liabilities
arising out of the disposal of depleted uranium generated before July 28, 1998 are direct
liabilities of DOE. The USEC Privatization Act requires DOE, upon USECs request, to accept for
disposal the depleted uranium generated after the July 28, 1998 privatization date provided we
reimburse DOE for its costs.
The gaseous diffusion plants were operated by agencies of the U.S. government for
approximately 40 years prior to July 28, 1998. As a result of such operation, there is
contamination and other potential environmental liabilities associated with the plants. The
Paducah plant has been designated as a Superfund site under CERCLA, and both plants are undergoing
investigations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. Environmental liabilities
associated with plant operations prior to July 28, 1998 are the responsibility of the U.S.
government, except for liabilities relating to the disposal of certain identified wastes generated
by USEC and stored at the plants. The USEC Privatization Act and the lease for the plants provide
that DOE remains responsible for decontamination and decommissioning of the plants.
Reference is made to managements discussion and analysis of financial condition and results
of operations and notes 10 and 11 to the consolidated financial statements for information on
operating costs relating to environmental matters.
Occupational Safety and Health
Our operations are subject to regulations of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
governing worker health and safety. We maintain a comprehensive worker safety program that
establishes high standards for worker safety and monitors key performance indicators in the
workplace environment.
Competition and Foreign Trade
We estimate our market share of the SWU component of LEU purchased by and shipped to utilities
in North America was 53% in 2005, 51% in 2004, and 56% in 2003. In the world market, we estimate
our market share was 27% in 2005, 28% in 2004, and 30% in 2003.
The highly competitive global uranium enrichment industry has four major producers of LEU:
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USEC, |
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Urenco, a consortium of companies owned or controlled by the
British and Dutch governments and by two private German utilities, |
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Eurodif, a multinational consortium controlled by AREVA, a company
principally owned by the French government, and |
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|
the Russian Federal Agency for Atomic Energy, which sells LEU through
TENEX, a Russian government-owned entity. |
There are also smaller producers of LEU in China and Japan that primarily serve a portion of
their respective domestic markets.
16
In addition to enrichment, LEU may be produced by downblending government stockpiles of highly
enriched uranium. Governments control the timing and availability of highly enriched uranium, and
the release of this material to the market could impact prevailing market conditions. We have been
the primary supplier of downblended highly enriched uranium made available by the
U.S. and Russian governments. To the extent we are not selected to market LEU downblended from
highly enriched uranium in future years, these quantities would represent a potential source of
competition.
Global LEU suppliers compete primarily in terms of price, and secondarily on reliability of
supply and customer service. We believe that customers are attracted to our reputation as a
reliable long-term supplier of enriched uranium and intend to continue strengthening this
reputation with the planned transition to the American Centrifuge technology.
Urenco, TENEX, and producers in Japan and China use centrifuge technology to produce LEU.
Centrifuge technology is a more advanced technology than the gaseous diffusion process currently
used by USEC and Eurodif. Gaseous diffusion plants generally have higher operating costs than gas
centrifuge plants due to the significant amounts of electric power required by the gaseous
diffusion process. Urenco has reported the capacity of its facilities was 7.4 million SWU at the
end of 2004 and expects to have capacity of 8 million SWU by 2007. AREVA, Eurodifs parent company,
and Urenco have announced plans for AREVA to acquire a 50% interest in Urencos centrifuge
technology subsidiary and to utilize Urenco designed centrifuges to replace Eurodifs gaseous
diffusion plant, reaching full capacity by 2016. AREVAs purchase of the shares in the technology
company is subject to approval of an intergovernment agreement which is currently pending.
Louisiana Energy Services, a group controlled by Urenco, continues to pursue a license
application from the NRC to construct a uranium enrichment plant near Eunice, New Mexico based on
Urencos centrifuge technology. Urenco submitted the license application in 2003 and has indicated
that it expects to receive it in mid-2006. The plant is targeted for initial production in 2008,
reaching a capacity of three million SWU several years later.
All of our current competitors are owned or controlled, in whole or in part, by foreign
governments. These competitors may make business decisions in both domestic and international
markets that are influenced by political or economic policy considerations rather than exclusively
commercial profit-maximizing considerations.
LEU supplied by USEC to foreign customers is exported from the United States under the terms
of international agreements governing nuclear cooperation between the United States and the country
of destination. For example, exports to countries comprising the European Union take place within
the framework of an agreement for cooperation (the EURATOM Agreement) between the United States
and the European Atomic Energy Community, which, among other things, permits LEU to be exported
from the United States to the European Union for as long as the EURATOM Agreement is in effect.
Government Investigation of Imports from France
In 2002, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) imposed antidumping and countervailing duty
(anti-subsidy) orders on imports of LEU produced in France. The orders were imposed in response to
unfair trading practices by our French competitors in connection with imports of LEU into the
United States.
17
A March 2005 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit could lead to
termination of both the antidumping and countervailing duty orders against imports of French LEU.
In its ruling, the Federal Circuit concluded that:
|
|
|
SWU contracts were sales of services, not merchandise, and thus were not subject to
the U.S. antidumping law, and |
|
|
|
|
a subsidy provided through government payments under SWU contracts at above-market
prices is not subject to the countervailing duty law. |
In September 2005, the Federal Circuit rejected a request for rehearing and reaffirmed its decision
on these issues.
In light of the Federal Circuits decision, the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) has
remanded the French cases to the DOC to revise the final determinations and orders in those cases
in accordance with the Federal Circuit decisions. On remand, the DOC will determine which imports
of LEU pursuant to SWU contracts are no longer subject to the antidumping duty order and on that
basis will recalculate the original dumping margin found in the investigation. The remand of the
countervailing duty determination and order could lead to the revocation of that order if the
amount of countervailable subsidies determined in light of the Federal Circuit decisions is not
more than de minimis.
The DOCs remand determinations and orders will be subject to further appeals to the CIT and
then the Federal Circuit. Any of the parties to the appeal to the Federal Circuit in turn could
petition the U.S. Supreme Court to review the Federal Circuits decision regarding the remand
determinations and orders, as well as the March 2005 ruling described above.
Russian Suspension Agreement
Imports of LEU produced in the Russian Federation are subject to restrictions imposed under
the Russian Suspension Agreement (Russian SA). The Russian SA is an agreement between the
Russian government and the U.S. government that prohibits nearly all imports of LEU from Russia for
consumption in the United States other than LEU imported by USEC under the Russian Contract. The
Russian SA is so-named because it resulted in the suspension of the DOCs 1991 antidumping
investigation of imports of all forms of Russian uranium, including LEU.
On July 1, 2005, the DOC and the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) initiated a
sunset review of the Russian SA. In this review, which occurs every five years, the DOC will
determine whether termination of the Russian SA is likely to lead to a continuation or recurrence
of dumping of Russian uranium products. The ITC will also determine whether the Russian SAs
termination is likely to lead to a continuation or recurrence of material injury to the U.S.
uranium industry, including USEC. We are supporting continuation of the Russian SA before both the
DOC and ITC.
On October 4, 2005, the ITC announced that it would conduct a full sunset review. In a full
review, the ITC will solicit evidence from industry participants (including U.S. nuclear utilities)
and will conduct a public hearing. We expect the ITC will make its final determination in June
2006, although it has the discretion to extend the proceedings until August 2006.
On January 18, 2006, the DOC announced that it will conduct a full sunset review as well. We
expect the DOC to make its preliminary determination on March 24, 2006 and its final determination
on May 30, 2006.
18
Employees
A summary of USEC employees by location follows:
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
No. of Employees |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
at December 31, |
|
Location |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
Paducah Plant |
|
Paducah, KY |
|
|
1,170 |
|
|
|
1,269 |
|
Portsmouth Plant |
|
Piketon, OH |
|
|
1,204 |
|
|
|
1,215 |
|
NAC |
|
Atlanta, GA |
|
|
73 |
|
|
|
83 |
|
American Centrifuge |
|
Primarily Oak Ridge, TN |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
and Piketon, OH |
|
|
230 |
|
|
|
186 |
|
Headquarters |
|
Bethesda, MD |
|
|
85 |
|
|
|
118 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Employees |
|
|
2,762 |
|
|
|
2,871 |
|
The decrease in employees at our headquarters and at the Paducah and Portsmouth plants
was due to our restructuring efforts in 2005.
The United Steelworkers (USW, and formerly the Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy
Workers International Union) and the Security, Police, Fire Professionals of America (SPFPA)
represent 55% of the employees at the plants at December 31, 2005. The number of employees
represented and the term of each contract follows:
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|
Number |
|
Contract |
|
|
of Employees |
|
Term |
Paducah plant: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
USW Local 5-550 |
|
|
545 |
|
|
July 2011 |
SPFPA Local 111 |
|
|
88 |
|
|
March 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Portsmouth plant: |
|
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USW Local 5-689 |
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587 |
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May 2010 |
SPFPA Local 66 |
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97 |
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August 2007 |
Available Information
Our internet website is www.usec.com. We make available on our website, or upon request,
without charge, access to our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current
reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed with, or furnished to, the Securities
and Exchange Commission, pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are electronically filed with, or
furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Our code of business conduct provides a brief summary of the standards of conduct that are at
the foundation of our business operations. The code of business conduct states that we conduct our
business in strict compliance with all applicable laws. Each employee must read the code of
business conduct and sign a form stating that he or she has read, understands and agrees to comply
with the code of business conduct. A copy of the code of business conduct is available on our
website or upon request without charge. We will disclose on the website any amendments to, or
waivers from, the code of business conduct that are required to be publicly disclosed.
We also make available free of charge, on our website, or upon request, our Board of Directors
Governance Guidelines and our Board committee charters.
19
Item 1A. Risk Factors
You should carefully consider the following risk factors, in addition to the other information
in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, before deciding to purchase our securities.
A significant increase in the cost of the electric power supplied to our Paducah plant could
significantly increase our production costs to a level above the prices we charge our customers.
The gaseous diffusion process requires significant amounts of electric power to enrich
uranium, making the cost of electric power about 60% of the production costs at the Paducah plant
in 2005. In 2005, we purchased 87% of the electric power for the Paducah plant at fixed, below
market, prices from the Tennessee Valley Authority under a multiyear power contract signed in 2000.
We purchased almost the entire remaining portion of the electric power for the Paducah plant at
higher- cost fixed-price contracts. Capacity and prices under the Tennessee Valley Authority
contract are only fixed through May 2006 and we have not yet contracted for power for periods
beyond that time. While we expect to reach an agreement with TVA for power beyond May 2006 in the
near future we may be unable to reach an acceptable agreement. We currently anticipate an increase
in power cost of approximately 50 percent compared to the 2000 TVA power contract, subject to the
amount of power purchased during summer months and future adjustments relative to TVAs fuel and
purchased power costs. However, our actual power costs could be greater than we anticipate. In
addition, we expect that the duration of a new power supply arrangement will be shorter than the
original 2000 TVA contract, which will leave us at risk for additional power price increases in the
future. Our SWU sales contracts do not include provisions that permit us to pass through increases
in power prices to customers. Accordingly, as power prices rise, and mitigating steps are
unavailable or insufficient, production at the Paducah plant will become increasingly uneconomic at
existing contract prices, which will adversely affect the long-term viability of our business and
operations.
Deliveries of LEU under the Russian Contract account for approximately 50% of our supply mix
and a significant delay or stoppage of deliveries could affect our ability to meet customer orders
and could pose a significant risk to our continued operations and profitability.
A significant delay in, or stoppage or termination, of, deliveries of LEU from Russia under
the Russian Contract or a failure of the LEU to meet the Russian Contracts quality specifications
could adversely affect our ability to make deliveries to our customers. A delay, stoppage or
termination could occur due to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, logistical or
technical problems with shipments, commercial or political disputes between the parties or their
governments, or our failure or inability to meet the terms of the Russian Contract. Further,
because our annual LEU production capacity is less than our total delivery commitments to
customers, an interruption of deliveries under the Russian Contract could, depending on the length
of such an interruption, threaten our ability to fulfill these delivery commitments. Depending upon
the reasons for the interruption and subject to limitations of liability under our sales contracts,
we could be required to compensate customers for a failure or delay in delivery.
A significant increase in the cost to us of the Russian LEU due to the impact under the
Russian Contracts market-based pricing formula of the upward trend in market prices could
significantly increase our costs of sales and inventories, which, if not offset by increases in our
sales prices, would adversely affect our cash flows and results of operations.
The appointment of a substitute or additional executive agent pursuant to the U.S.
governments compliance with the terms of the Executive Agent MOA would require that all or part of
the fixed quantity of LEU available each year under the Russian Contract be provided to the
substitute or additional executive agent. This would not only reduce our access to LEU under the
Russian Contract, but would also create a significant new competitor, which could impair our
ability to meet our existing delivery commitments while reducing our ability to bid for new sales.
Reduced access to LEU under the Russian Contract would also increase our costs and reduce our
profitability.
20
Changes in, or termination of, the Russian Suspension Agreement (Russian SA) could lead to
significantly increased competition from Russian LEU or, if replaced with tariffs, could
increase our costs under the Russian Contract.
The Russian SA is a 1992 agreement between the United States and Russia that precludes Russian
LEU from being sold for consumption in the United States except under the Russian Contract. The
agreement could be terminated (1) unilaterally by the Russian government upon 60 days notice or (2)
as a result of periodic administrative procedures under U.S. international trade regulations (such
a proceeding is currently pending). The agreement can also be modified by negotiation between the
U.S. and Russian governments.
Unless accompanied by equivalent limitations on imports, termination or modification of the
Russian SA could result in a significant increase in sales of Russian-produced LEU that would
depress prices and undermine our ability to sell the large quantity of LEU that we are committed to
purchase under the Russian Contract, which could adversely affect our revenues and increase our
costs.
Alternatively, if the Russian SA were replaced with duties on imports, these duties would
significantly increase our costs of importing the Russian LEU.
We depend on a single production facility in Paducah, Kentucky for the remainder of our supply
and significant or extended unscheduled interruptions in production could affect our ability to
meet customer orders and pose a significant risk to, or could significantly limit, our continued
operations and profitability.
Our annual imports of Russian LEU account for only approximately one-half of the total amount
of LEU that we need to meet our delivery obligations to customers. In addition, some customers do
not permit us to deliver Russian LEU to them under their contracts with us. Accordingly, our
production at the Paducah plant is needed to meet our annual delivery commitments. An interruption
of production at the Paducah plant would result in a drawdown of our inventories of LEU, and,
depending on the length and severity of the production interruption, we could be unable to meet our
annual delivery commitments, with adverse effects on our costs, results of operations, cash flows
and long-term viability. Depending upon the reasons for the interruption and subject to limitations
on our liability under our sales contracts, we also could be required to compensate customers for
our failure to deliver on time.
Production interruptions at the Paducah plant could be caused by a variety of factors, such
as:
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equipment breakdowns, |
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interruptions of electric power, or an inability to purchase electric
power at an acceptable price, |
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regulatory enforcement actions, |
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labor disruptions, |
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unavailability or inadequate supply of uranium feedstock or coolant, |
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natural or other disasters, including seismic activity in the vicinity
of the Paducah plant, which is located near the New Madrid fault line, or |
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accidents or other incidents. |
21
The Paducah plant is owned by the U.S. government. Our rights to the plant are defined under a
lease agreement with DOE and the law that the lease agreement implements. Under the DOE-USEC
Agreement, we could lose our right to extend the lease of the Paducah plant and could be required
to waive our exclusive right to lease the facility if we fail on more than one occasion within
specified periods to meet certain production thresholds and fail to cure the deficiency. In
addition, DOE could assume responsibility for operation of the Paducah plant if we cease production
at the Paducah plant and fail to recommence production within time periods specified in the
DOE-USEC Agreement.
Without a lease to the Paducah plant and absent access to other sources of LEU, we would be unable
to meet our annual delivery commitments to customers once our available inventories were exhausted.
We face a number of risks associated with the demonstration and deployment of the American
Centrifuge technology.
Centrifuge technology is a more advanced and lower operating cost technology than the gaseous
diffusion process we currently use. Several of our competitors use centrifuge technology to produce
LEU. At current SWU prices and given expected future electric power prices, we must develop or
otherwise acquire a lower operating cost technology in order to remain competitive. Delays or
uncertainty relating to the demonstration and deployment of our American Centrifuge technology
could have a material adverse effect on our business.
The successful construction and operation of the American Centrifuge Plant is dependent upon a
number of factors including, satisfactory performance of the American Centrifuge technology at
various stages of demonstration, NRC licensing, financing, the cost and timely delivery of raw
materials and components, availability of personnel with required security clearances, overall cost
estimates, installation and operation of centrifuge machines and equipment, and the achievement of
milestones under the DOE-USEC Agreement.
We have experienced delays in the past year in demonstrating the American Centrifuge
technology relating to quality of material, performance issues of certain centrifuge components,
and compliance with new regulatory requirements and we could experience additional delays in the
future. Our next milestone under the DOE-USEC Agreement is to obtain satisfactory reliability and
performance data from the lead cascade by October 2006 and a failure or delay in meeting this
milestone and in confirming an acceptable deployment schedule could adversely affect our ability to
deploy the American Centrifuge and have a material adverse effect on our business. Under the
DOE-USEC Agreement, if, for reasons within our control, we fail to meet a milestone and the
resulting delay will materially impact our ability to begin commercial operations on schedule, DOE
could take a number of actions that could adversely affect our business, financial condition and
results of operations. These include terminating the DOE-USEC Agreement, reducing or terminating
our access to Russian LEU or the Paducah plant, revoking our access to DOEs U.S. centrifuge
technology that we require for the success of the American Centrifuge project, or supporting
competing projects for production of LEU.
Our cost estimates for the American Centrifuge Plant are based on many assumptions that are
subject to change as new information becomes available. Accordingly, there can be no assurance
that costs associated with the American Centrifuge Plant will not be higher than anticipated. An
increase in the expected cost of the American Centrifuge Plant could adversely affect our ability
to finance and deploy the American Centrifuge.
In addition, certain actions by DOE are required for the deployment of American Centrifuge
technology to proceed, including USEC and DOE entering into a long-term lease agreement for the
facilities, removal of machines, wastes and other materials from the buildings by DOE, and USEC and
DOE agreeing on terms for our license of the centrifuge intellectual property. If DOE fails to
take appropriate and timely action, it could delay or disrupt our ability to meet certain
milestones in the DOE-USEC Agreement, which could delay or prevent successful demonstration or
deployment of the American Centrifuge technology or affect our ability to obtain necessary
financing.
22
Delays in the demonstration or deployment of the American Centrifuge technology could harm our
position in the market and substantially reduce our revenues, which would adversely affect our
results of operations. We could experience difficulties in attracting and retaining customers and
could incur additional costs. We have contractual commitments to continue to operate the Paducah
plant until it is replaced with the American Centrifuge Plant. Accordingly, delays in construction
of the American Centrifuge Plant will require us to continue to produce LEU using the higher cost
gaseous diffusion process, which could adversely affect our cash flows and results of operations.
There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain financing for deployment of the
American Centrifuge Plant and other operations on acceptable terms.
We will require significant financing in order to achieve commercial deployment of the
American Centrifuge Plant. In addition, unless we complete a debt or equity offering of at least
$150 million prior to July 19, 2006, the availability under our $400 million revolving credit
facility will, until we complete such an offering, be reduced by up to $150 million. There can be
no assurance that financing beyond amounts available under the existing credit facility will be
available when required, and we cannot predict the cost of or the terms on which such financing
will be available.
Factors that could affect our ability to obtain financing and the cost of the financing could
include:
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our ability to secure long-term SWU purchase commitments from customers
at adequate prices, |
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downgrades in our credit rating, |
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market price and volatility of our common stock, |
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general economic and capital market conditions, |
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conditions in energy markets, |
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regulatory developments, |
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investor confidence in the industry and in us, |
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our perceived competitive position, |
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the expected success of our deployment of the American Centrifuge and
its expected costs and timing, |
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the continued success of our current operations, and |
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restrictive covenants that limit our operating and financial
flexibility. |
The rights of our creditors under the documents governing our indebtedness may limit our
operating and financial flexibility.
We have entered into a five-year, revolving credit facility providing for an aggregate
commitment of $400 million, including up to $300 million in letters of credit, secured by our
assets and the assets of our subsidiaries. The revolving credit facility includes various operating
and financial covenants that restrict our ability, and the ability of our subsidiaries to, among
other things, incur or prepay other indebtedness, grant liens, sell assets, make investments and
declare or pay dividends or other distributions. Complying with these covenants may make it more
difficult for us to successfully execute our business strategy. For example, these covenants could
limit the amount of cash we can use to finance the American Centrifuge Plant. The revolving credit
agreement also requires that we maintain a minimum amount of inventory. The revolving credit
facility also contains various reserve provisions that may reduce the facilitys availability
periodically.
23
Our failure to comply with obligations under the revolving credit facility could result in an
event of default under the credit facility. A default, if not cured or waived, could permit
acceleration of our indebtedness. We cannot be certain that we will be able to remedy any default.
If our indebtedness is accelerated, we cannot be certain that we will have funds available to pay
the accelerated indebtedness or that we will have the ability to refinance the accelerated
indebtedness on terms favorable to us or at all.
A decrease in prices for SWU and uranium could adversely affect our profitability in
current and future periods.
Changes in the prices of SWU and uranium are influenced by numerous factors, such as:
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SWU and uranium production levels and costs in the industry, |
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supply and demand shifts, |
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actions taken by governments to regulate, protect or promote trade in
nuclear material, including but not limited to the continuation of existing
restrictions on unfairly priced imports, |
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actions of competitors, |
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exchange rates, |
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availability of alternate fuels, and |
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inflation. |
The long-term nature of our contracts with customers may prolong the adverse impact of low
market prices on our profitability. For example, even as prices increase and we secure new
higher-priced contracts, we are contractually obligated to deliver SWU at lower prices under
contracts signed prior to the increase.
Our inability to increase prices under long-term contracts could adversely affect our results
of operations in current and future years.
We sell nearly all of our SWU under long-term contracts. To the extent the prices under these
contracts are fixed or only increase with inflation, we are unable to take advantage of market
price increases after these contracts are signed until the contracts expire or terminate. Thus, the
impact of increasing market prices on our existing portfolio of sales contracts is limited.
Further, while the multi-year index used to determine the price of Russian SWU under the Russian
Contract increases as market prices increase, the prices under our long-term sales contracts with
customers do not. This, over time, could adversely affect our ability to cover our costs of sales
with revenues earned under customer contracts, thereby adversely affecting our results of
operations.
We face significant competition from three major producers who may be less cost sensitive or
may be favored due to national loyalties.
We compete with three major producers, all of which are wholly or substantially owned by
governments: Eurodif (France), TENEX (Russia), and Urenco (Germany, Netherlands, UK). We also
compete with Louisiana Energy Services, a group controlled by Urenco, which plans to construct a
uranium enrichment plant in New Mexico. Our competitors may have greater financial resources,
including access to below-market financing terms and support from their government owners, which
may enable them to be less cost- or profit-sensitive. In addition, decisions by our competitors
may be influenced by political and economic policy considerations rather than commercial
considerations. For example, despite the relatively flat demand for LEU in the markets in which we
sell, our competitors may elect to increase their production or exports of LEU thereby depressing
prices and reducing demand for our LEU, which could adversely affect our revenues, cash flows and
results of operations. Similarly, the elimination or weakening of existing restrictions on imports
from our competitors could adversely affect our revenue, cash flows and results of operations.
24
The release of excess government stockpiles of enriched uranium into the market could depress
market prices and reduce demand for LEU from USEC.
The U.S. and foreign governments have stockpiles of LEU that they could sell in the market.
In addition, LEU may be produced by downblending stockpiles of highly enriched uranium owned by
the U.S. and foreign governments. Given the relatively flat demand for LEU in the markets in which
we sell, the release of these stockpiles into the market can depress prices and reduce demand for
LEU from USEC, which could adversely affect our revenues, cash flows and results of operations.
Our dependence on our largest customers could adversely affect us.
Our 10 largest customers (other than the U.S. government) represented 52% of our revenue in
2005, and our three largest customers represented 21% of our revenue in 2005. A reduction in
purchases from these customers, whether due to their decision to increase purchases from our
competitors or for other reasons, including a disruption in their operations that reduces their
need for LEU from USEC, could adversely affect our business and results of operations. Further,
because these customers purchase under long-term contracts, as these contracts come up for renewal,
a decision by one or more of these customers to purchase less SWU from USEC and more SWU from one
or more of our competitors could negatively affect our business and results of operations for
several years.
Because price is the most significant factor in a customers choice of an enricher, customers
may reduce their purchases from us if we attempt to increase our prices in order to offset
increases in our costs. Moreover, once lost, customers are difficult to regain because customers
typically purchase under long-term contracts. Therefore, given the need to maintain existing
customer relationships, particularly with our largest customers, our ability to raise prices in
order to respond to increases in costs or other developments is limited.
Our ability to compete in certain foreign markets may be limited for political, legal and
economic reasons.
Agreements for cooperation between the U.S. government and various foreign governments control
the export of nuclear materials from the United States. If any of the agreements with countries in
which our customers are located were to lapse, terminate or be amended, it is possible we would not
be able to make sales or deliver LEU to customers in those countries. This could adversely affect
our results of operations.
Purchases of SWU by customers in the European Union (EU) is subject to a policy of the Euratom
Supply Agency that seeks to limit foreign enriched uranium to no more than 20% of EU consumption
per year. Further, we are precluded from selling in the Russian Federation by the absence of an
agreement for cooperation that permits exports to Russia.
Recent court decisions may reduce our ability to protect ourselves from unfairly priced
imports, which could adversely affect our results of operations.
Recent decisions of the U.S. Court of International Trade and the U.S. Court of Appeals for
the Federal Circuit could preclude the U.S. Commerce Department from imposing antidumping and
countervailing duties to offset unfairly priced LEU imported from foreign countries. Under these
rulings, we would be unable to use certain U.S. trade laws to protect us from unfairly priced LEU
in the future, thereby increasing the possibility that our competitors will seek to increase market
share by reducing prices to unfair levels. An increase in our competitors market share and the
accompanying reduction in market prices could adversely affect our results of operations.
25
Our future prospects are tied directly to the nuclear energy industry worldwide.
Potential events that could affect either nuclear reactors under contract with us or the
nuclear industry as a whole, include:
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accidents, terrorism or other incidents, at nuclear facilities or involving
shipments of nuclear materials, |
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regulatory actions or changes in regulations by nuclear regulatory bodies, |
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disruptions in other areas of the nuclear fuel cycle, such as uranium supplies or
conversion, |
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civic opposition to, or changes in government policies regarding, nuclear
operations, |
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business decisions concerning reactors or reactor operations, |
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the need for generating capacity, or |
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consolidation within the electric power industry. |
These events could adversely affect us to the extent they result in a reduction or elimination
of contractual requirements, the suspension or reduction of nuclear reactor operations, the
reduction of supplies of raw materials, lower demand, burdensome regulation, disruptions of
shipments or production, increased operational costs or difficulties or increased liability for
actual or threatened property damage or personal injury.
Changes to, or termination of, any of our agreements with the U.S. government, or
deterioration in our relationship with the U.S. government, could adversely affect our results of
operations.
USEC, or our subsidiaries, are a party to a number of agreements and arrangements with the
U.S. government that are important to our business, including:
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leases for the gaseous diffusion plants and American Centrifuge Demonstration
facilities, |
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the Executive Agent MOA under which we are designated the U.S. Executive Agent and
purchase the SWU component of LEU under the Russian Contract, |
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the DOE-USEC Agreement and other agreements that address issues relating to the
domestic uranium enrichment industry and centrifuge technology, |
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electric power purchase agreements with the Tennessee Valley Authority and DOE, |
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agreements under which DOE takes certain quantities of depleted uranium we generate, |
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contract work for DOE and DOE contractors at the Portsmouth and Paducah plants,
including contracts for maintenance of the Portsmouth plant in cold standby or cold
shutdown states, |
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an agreement with DOE for the transfer and downblending of highly enriched uranium, and |
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an agreement with DOE transferring uranium to us as a payment-in-kind for contract work
to process and clean up out-of-specification uranium for DOE. |
Termination or expiration of one or more these agreements, without replacement with an
equivalent agreement or arrangement that accomplishes the same objectives as the terminated or
expired agreement(s) could reduce our profitability and results of operations. In addition,
deterioration in our relationship with the U.S. agencies that are parties to these agreements could
impair or impede our ability to successfully implement these agreements, which could adversely
affect our results of operations.
26
Our existing U.S. government contracts are subject to continued appropriations by Congress and
may be terminated if future funding is not made available.
Approximately 13% of our revenues are from U.S. government contracts. All contract work for
DOE, including cold standby, cleanup of out-of-specification uranium and certain NAC consulting and
transportation activities, is subject to the availability of DOE funding and congressional
appropriations. If funds were not available, we could be required to terminate these operations and
incur related termination costs.
Revenue from U.S. government contract work is based on cost accounting standards and allowable
costs that are subject to audit by the Defense Contract Audit Agency. Allowable costs include
direct costs as well as allocations of indirect plant and corporate overhead costs. Audit
adjustments could reduce the amounts we are allowed to bill for DOE contract work or require us to
refund to DOE a portion of amounts already billed.
Our operations are highly regulated by the NRC and DOE.
Our operations, including the Paducah and Portsmouth plants, the American Centrifuge
Demonstration Facility, and NAC, are regulated by the NRC. In addition, the construction and
operation of the American Centrifuge Plant must be licensed by the NRC, which would regulate our
activities at the plant.
The gaseous diffusion plants are required to be recertified every five years and the term of
the current certification expires on December 31, 2008. The NRC could fail to renew either or both
of the certificates if it determines that we are foreign owned or controlled or the issuance of a
certificate would be adverse to United States defense or security objectives. If the certificate
for the Paducah plant were not renewed, we could no longer produce LEU at the Paducah plant, which
would threaten our ability to make deliveries to customers.
The NRC has the authority to issue notices of violation for violations of the Atomic Energy
Act of 1954, NRC regulations and conditions of licenses, certificates of compliance, or orders.
The NRC has the authority to impose civil penalties for some violations of its regulations.
Penalties under NRC regulations could include substantial fines, imposition of additional
requirements or withdrawal or suspension of licenses or certificates. If significant penalties
were imposed on us, they could adversely affect our results of operations.
The American Centrifuge Demonstration Facility is licensed to operate until the earlier of
February 24, 2009 or the date the temporary lease, or long-term agreement that is expected to
supersede the temporary lease, with DOE expires. Early termination of the license could affect our
ability to finance, construct and operate the American Centrifuge Plant. Similarly, failure to
obtain a license for the construction and operation of the American Centrifuge Plant in a timely
manner could have a significant adverse impact on our ability to finance and deploy the American
Centrifuge technology or to meet the requirements of the DOE-USEC Agreement. Our American
Centrifuge facilities in Oak Ridge are subject to regulation by DOE. DOE has the authority to
impose civil penalties and additional requirements which could adversely affect our results of
operations.
27
Our operations are subject to numerous federal, state and local environmental protection laws
and regulations.
We incur substantial costs for compliance with environmental laws and regulations, including
the handling, treatment and disposal of hazardous, low-level radioactive and mixed wastes generated
as a result of our operations. Unanticipated events or regulatory developments, however, could
cause the amount and timing of future environmental expenditures to vary substantially from those
expected.
Under a cleanup agreement with the EPA, we removed certain material from the Starmet site in
South Carolina that was attributable to quantities of depleted uranium we had sent there under a
1998 contract. We could incur additional costs associated with our share of costs for cleanup of
the Starmet site, resulting from a variety of factors, including a decision by federal or state
agencies to recover costs for prior cleanup work or require additional remediation at the site.
Pursuant to numerous federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations, we are
required to hold multiple permits. Some permits require periodic renewal or review of their
conditions, and we cannot predict whether we will be able to renew such permits or whether material
changes in permit conditions will be imposed. Changes in permits could increase costs of producing
LEU and reduce our profitability while an inability to secure or renew permits could prevent us
from producing LEU needed to meet our delivery obligations to customers.
Our operations involve the use, transportation and disposal of toxic, hazardous and/or
radioactive chemicals and could result in liability without regard to our fault or negligence.
Our plant operations involve the use of toxic, hazardous, and radioactive chemicals. A
chemical release would primarily pose a health risk to humans or animals in proximity to the
release. If an accident were to occur, its severity could be significantly affected by the volume
of the release and the speed of corrective action taken by plant emergency response personnel, as
well as other factors beyond our control, such as weather and wind conditions. Actions taken in
response to an actual or suspected release of chemicals could result in significant costs.
NACs business involves providing products and services for the storage and transportation of
toxic, hazardous and radioactive materials, which, if released or mishandled, could cause personal
injury and property damage (including environmental contamination).
The Price-Anderson Act requires DOE to indemnify USEC against claims for public liability
arising out of or in connection with activities under the lease resulting from a nuclear incident
or precautionary evacuation. If an incident or evacuation is not covered under Price-Anderson, we
could be held liable for damages regardless of fault, which could have an adverse effect on our
results of operations and financial condition. In connection with international transportation of
LEU, it is possible for a claim to be asserted which may not fall within the indemnification under
Price-Anderson.
In our contracts, USEC and NAC seek to protect ourselves from liability, but there is no
assurance that such contractual limitations on liability will be effective in all cases or that our
insurance will cover all the liabilities we have assumed under those contracts. The costs of
defending against a claim arising out of a nuclear incident or precautionary evacuation, and any
damages awarded as a result of such a claim, could adversely affect our results of operations and
financial condition.
28
The dollar amount of our sales backlog, as stated at any given time, is not necessarily
indicative of our future earnings.
As of December 31, 2005 our sales backlog based on existing contracts was approximately $5.9
billion through 2015 ($5.1 billion through 2010 including $1.5 billion expected to be delivered in
2006). There can be no assurance that the revenues projected in our backlog will be realized, or,
if realized, will result in profits. Our backlog of sales is estimated from customer predictions
of future purchases. There can be no assurance that the customers will complete these purchases in
the currently anticipated time frame or at all. Reductions in backlog due to operational
difficulties or changes in requirements of a customer or for other reasons could adversely affect
the revenues we actually receive from contracts included in the backlog. Increases in our costs of
production or other factors could cause some of the sales included in our backlog to be at prices
that are below our cost of sales, which could adversely affect our results of operations in future
years.
We use estimates in accounting for the future disposition of depleted uranium and changes in
these estimates or in actual costs could affect our future financial results and liquidity.
We store depleted uranium at the Paducah and Portsmouth plants and accrue estimated costs for
the future disposition of the depleted uranium. The long-term liability for depleted uranium is
dependent upon the volume of depleted uranium generated and estimated processing, transportation
and disposal costs, which involves many assumptions. Our estimated cost and accrued liability are
subject to changes as new information becomes available, and an increase in the estimate would
increase our production costs and have an adverse effect on our results of operations.
We anticipate that we will send most or all of our depleted uranium to DOE for disposition
unless a more economic disposal option is available. DOE is constructing facilities at the Paducah
and Portsmouth plants to process large quantities of depleted uranium owned by DOE and, under
federal law, DOE would also process our depleted uranium if we provided it to DOE. We would be
required to reimburse DOE for costs of disposal, including a pro rata share of capital costs. Our
current estimated cost for depleted uranium disposal is based primarily on projected cost data
obtained from DOE without consideration given to unidentified contingencies or reserves. This
estimate is less than a DOE estimate used in our NRC license application for the American
Centrifuge Plant that included unidentified contingencies or reserves. Our estimate was increased
in 2005 and could be increased again as additional information becomes available.
We are also required to issue letters of credit or other financial assurances to secure a
portion of our accrued liability for depleted uranium disposal. Therefore, an increase in our
estimate will require us to provide additional financial assurance and could adversely affect our
liquidity. The amount of future depleted uranium disposal costs could also vary substantially from
amounts accrued and an increase in our actual cost of disposal could have a material adverse impact
on our results of operations in future years.
For additional information, see Critical Accounting Estimates in Managements Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and note 10 to our consolidated
financial statements.
Deferral of revenue recognition could result in volatility in our quarterly and annual
results.
We do not recognize revenue for sales of uranium or LEU until the uranium or LEU is physically
delivered. Consequently, in sales transactions where we have received payment and title has
transferred to the customer but delivery has not occurred because the terms of the agreement
require us to hold the uranium to which the customer has title or because a customer encounters
brief delays in taking delivery of LEU at our facilities, recognition of revenue is deferred until
the uranium or
29
LEU is physically delivered. This deferral can potentially be over an indefinite period and is
outside our control and can result in volatility in our quarterly and annual results. If a
significant amount of revenue is deferred or a significant amount of previously deferred revenue is
recognized, in a given period, earnings in that period will be affected, which could result in
volatility in our quarterly and annual results. As of December 31, 2005 deferred revenue was
$106.8 million. For additional information on our accounting policy on revenue recognition, see
note 8 to our consolidated financial statements.
Our operating results may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter, and even year to
year, which could have an adverse effect on our cash flows.
Under their contracts with us, our customers determine their requirements based on their
refueling schedules for nuclear reactors, which generally range from 12 to 18 months, or in some
cases up to 24 months. Customer payments for the SWU component of LEU typically average $12.0
million per order. As a result, a relatively small change in the timing of customer orders may
cause operating results to be substantially above or below expectations, which could have an
adverse effect on our cash flows.
The levels of returns on pension and post-retirement plan assets, changes in interest rates
and other factors affecting the amounts we have to contribute to fund future pension liabilities
could adversely affect our earnings in future periods.
Our earnings may be positively or negatively impacted by the amount of expense we record for
our employee benefit plans. This is particularly true with expense for our pension plans.
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (GAAP) require that we calculate
expense for the plans using actuarial valuations. These valuations are based on assumptions that
we make relating to financial market and other economic conditions. Changes in key economic
indicators can result in changes in the assumptions we use. The key year-end assumptions used to
estimate pension expense for the following year are the discount rate, the expected rate of return
on plan assets, healthcare cost trend rates and the rate of increase in future compensation levels.
For additional information and a discussion regarding how our financial statements can be affected
by pension plan accounting policies, see Critical Accounting Estimates in Managements Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and note 12 to our consolidated
financial statements.
Anti-takeover provisions in Delaware law and in our charter, bylaws and shareholder rights
plan could delay or prevent an acquisition of USEC.
We are a Delaware corporation, and the anti-takeover provisions of Delaware law impose various
impediments to the ability of a third party to acquire control of our company, even if a change of
control would be beneficial to our existing shareholders. Our certificate of incorporation, or
charter, establishes restrictions on foreign ownership of our securities. Other provisions of our
charter and bylaws may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us without
the consent of our board of directors. We also have adopted a shareholder rights plan, which could
increase the cost of, or prevent, a takeover attempt. These various restrictions could deprive
shareholders of the opportunity to realize takeover premiums for their shares.
30
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Environmental Matter
USEC and certain federal agencies were identified as potentially responsible parties under
CERCLA (commonly known as Superfund), for a site in Barnwell, South Carolina previously operated by
Starmet CMI (Starmet), one of our former contractors. In February 2004, we entered into an
agreement with the EPA to clean up certain areas at Starmets Barnwell site. Under the agreement,
we were responsible for removing certain material from the site that was attributable to quantities
of depleted uranium we had sent to the site. In December 2005, the EPA confirmed that we completed
our clean up obligations under the agreement. At December 31, 2005, we had an accrued current
liability of $0.9 million for remaining payments for work associated with completing the agreement.
We could incur additional costs associated with our share of costs for cleanup of the Starmet site,
resulting from a variety of factors, including a decision by federal or state agencies to recover
costs for prior cleanup work or require additional remediation at the site.
Executive Termination
During 2005, we were in arbitration with our former president and chief executive officer,
William H. Timbers, whose employment at USEC was terminated for cause in December 2004. In his
demand for arbitration, Mr. Timbers disputed cause and sought damages in excess of $36 million,
including severance and other benefits of at least $21 million, more than $15 million in
restricted stock and stock options that had vested prior to his termination, and other unspecified
compensatory and punitive damages. On February 1, 2006, we entered into a settlement agreement
with Mr. Timbers pursuant to which we agreed to pay Mr. Timbers a cash settlement of $14.5 million
in full settlement of his claims. We also agreed to cancel an outstanding loan to Mr. Timbers from
the Company in the amount of approximately $0.3 million as part of the settlement. Under the
settlement agreement, the parties granted each other a mutual release of all claims. In connection
with the settlement, and after taking into account amounts previously accrued, we have recorded a
charge of $7.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2005. This charge reduced net income in the fourth
quarter, on an after-tax basis, by approximately $4.7 million.
Informal SEC Inquiry
Following the restatement of our financial statements in March 2005, we received, in April
2005, and subsequently following our second restatement of our financial statements in August 2005,
informal requests from the Securities and Exchange Commission to voluntarily provide documents and
information relating to the restatements. We have provided these documents. In accordance with its
normal practice, the SEC has not advised us when its inquiry may be concluded, and we are unable to
predict the outcome of this inquiry.
Other
USEC is subject to various other legal proceedings and claims, either asserted or unasserted,
which arise in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of these claims cannot be
predicted with certainty, we do not believe that the outcome of any of these legal matters will
have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
31
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None
Executive Officers of the Company
Executive officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Executive officers at February 15, 2006 follow:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position |
|
John K. Welch
|
|
|
55 |
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Timothy B. Hansen
|
|
|
42 |
|
|
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Philip G. Sewell
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
Senior Vice President, American Centrifuge and Russian
HEU |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Robert Van Namen
|
|
|
44 |
|
|
Senior Vice President, Uranium Enrichment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ellen C. Wolf
|
|
|
52 |
|
|
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
W. Lance Wright
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Administration |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John C. Barpoulis
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
Vice President and Treasurer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
John M.A. Donelson
|
|
|
41 |
|
|
Vice President, Marketing and Sales |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Victor N. Lopiano
|
|
|
55 |
|
|
Vice President, American Centrifuge |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
E. John Neumann
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
Vice President, Government Relations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Russell B. Starkey, Jr.
|
|
|
63 |
|
|
Vice President, Operations |
John K. Welch was named President and Chief Executive Officer in September 2005. Prior to
joining USEC, Mr. Welch served as a consultant to several government and corporate entities. Mr.
Welch was Executive Vice President and Group Executive, Marine Systems for General Dynamics
Corporation from March 2002 to March 2003, and Senior Vice President and Group Executive, Marine
Systems for General Dynamics from January 2000 to March 2002. Mr. Welch joined General Dynamics in
1989.
Timothy B. Hansen has been Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary since August
2002. Mr. Hansen left USEC in November 2004 and returned in January 2005 to serve as General
Counsel and Secretary on an interim, part-time basis. He returned to his current position in
September 2005. Mr. Hansen has held positions of progressively more responsibility since joining
USEC as Assistant General Counsel in 1994.
Philip G. Sewell has been Senior Vice President, American Centrifuge and Russian HEU since
September 2005. Mr. Sewell was Senior Vice President directing international activities and
corporate development programs since August 2000 and assumed responsibility for the American
Centrifuge program in April 2005. Prior to that, Mr. Sewell was Vice President, Corporate
Development and International Trade since April 1998, and was Vice President, Corporate Development
since 1993.
32
Robert Van Namen has been Senior Vice President, Uranium Enrichment since September 2005. Mr.
Van Namen was Senior Vice President directing marketing and sales activities since January 2004 and
was Vice President, Marketing and Sales since January 1999. Prior to joining USEC, Mr. Van Namen
was Manager of Nuclear Fuel for Duke Power Company.
Ellen C. Wolf has been Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since December 2003.
Prior to joining USEC, Ms. Wolf was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for American Water
Inc., an international water company, since May 1999, and previously was Vice President and
Treasurer of Bell Atlantic Corporation since 1995. Ms. Wolf will be returning to American Water as
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and will leave USEC in late February 2006.
W. Lance Wright has been Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Administration since
February 2005, and was Vice President, Human Resources and Administration since August 2003. Prior
to joining USEC, Mr. Wright was Vice President and Principal of Boyden Global Executive Search
since January 2002, and previously held director and manager positions in Human Resources at
ExxonMobil Corporation since 1986.
John C. Barpoulis has been Vice President and Treasurer since March 2005. Prior to joining
USEC, Mr. Barpoulis was Vice President and Treasurer of National Energy & Gas Transmission, Inc.,
formerly a subsidiary of PG&E Corp., since 2003, and Vice President and Assistant Treasurer since
2000. Mr. Barpoulis will serve as the interim chief financial officer while USEC conducts a search
for a permanent replacement for Ms. Wolf, considering both internal and external candidates.
John M.A. Donelson has been Vice President, Marketing and Sales since December 2005 and was
previously Director, North American and European Sales since June 2004, Director, North American
Sales since August 2000 and Senior Sales Executive since July 1999.
Victor N. Lopiano has been Vice President, American Centrifuge since December 2005 and was
Director, Projects in USECs corporate development department since January 2000. Mr. Lopiano
joined USEC in 1996 as USECs senior manager at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
E. John Neumann has been Vice President, Government Relations since April 2004. Prior to
joining USEC, Mr. Neumann was Vice President, Government Relations, for the Edison Electric
Institute since 1995.
Russell B. Starkey, Jr. was named Vice President, Operations in February 2005 and was General
Manager of the Paducah plant since October 2001, Training Manager since April 1998 and Senior Staff
Consultant since October 1997.
33
PART II
Item 5. Market for Common Stock, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities
USECs common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol USU. High and
low sales prices and cash dividends paid per share follow:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends |
|
|
High |
|
Low |
|
Paid |
2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January to March |
|
$ |
18.69 |
|
|
$ |
9.39 |
|
|
$ |
.1375 |
|
April to June |
|
|
16.95 |
|
|
|
11.94 |
|
|
|
.1375 |
|
July to September |
|
|
16.25 |
|
|
|
9.79 |
|
|
|
.1375 |
|
October to December |
|
|
12.95 |
|
|
|
9.05 |
|
|
|
.1375 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
January to March |
|
$ |
8.93 |
|
|
$ |
7.60 |
|
|
$ |
.1375 |
|
April to June |
|
|
8.98 |
|
|
|
6.88 |
|
|
|
.1375 |
|
July to September |
|
|
10.47 |
|
|
|
8.00 |
|
|
|
.1375 |
|
October to December |
|
|
11.14 |
|
|
|
9.35 |
|
|
|
.1375 |
|
There are 250 million shares of common stock and 25 million shares of preferred stock
authorized. At January 31, 2006, there were 86,576,000 shares of common stock issued
and outstanding and approximately 35,000 beneficial holders of common stock. No preferred shares
have been issued.
On February 7, 2006, the Board of Directors voted to discontinue paying a common stock
dividend in order to redirect those funds to reduce the level of external financing needed for
construction of the American Centrifuge Plant. Accordingly, we have no intention to pay cash
dividends in the foreseeable future.
The following table gives information about the Companys common stock that may be issued
under the USEC Inc. 1999 Equity Incentive Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan as of December 31,
2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
securities to be |
|
Weighted-average |
|
securities |
|
|
issued upon exercise |
|
exercise price of |
|
remaining available |
|
|
of outstanding |
|
outstanding |
|
for future issuance |
|
|
options, warrants |
|
options, warrants |
|
under equity |
Plan category |
|
and rights |
|
and rights |
|
compensation plans |
Equity
compensation plans
approved by
security holders |
|
|
1,355,000 |
|
|
$ |
8.97 |
|
|
|
8,050,000 |
(1) |
Equity compensation
plans not approved
by security holders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
1,355,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,050,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Includes 7,846,000 shares available for issuance under the USEC Inc. 1999 Equity
Incentive Plan (net of awards which terminate or are cancelled without being exercised or
that are settled for cash) and 204,000 shares available for issuance under the Employee
Stock Purchase Plan. |
34
The Board of Directors approved a shareholder rights plan in 2001. Each shareholder of
record on May 9, 2001, received preferred stock purchase rights that trade together with USEC
common stock and are not exercisable. In the absence of further action by the Board, the rights
generally would become exercisable and allow the holder to acquire USEC common stock at a
discounted price if a
person or group acquires 15% or more of the outstanding shares of USEC common stock or
commences a tender or exchange offer to acquire 15% or more of the common stock of USEC. However,
any rights held by the acquirer would not be exercisable. The Board of Directors may direct USEC
to redeem the rights at $.01 per right at any time before the tenth day following the acquisition
of 15% or more of USEC common stock.
To comply with statutory requirements and to meet conditions for maintaining NRC certification
of the plants, our certificate of incorporation, or charter, sets forth restrictions on foreign
ownership of securities, including a provision prohibiting foreign persons (as defined in the
charter) from collectively having beneficial ownership of more than 10% of our voting securities.
Our charter also contains enforcement mechanisms with respect to the foreign ownership
restrictions, including suspension of voting rights, redemption of such shares and/or the refusal
to recognize the transfer of shares on our record books.
Fourth Quarter 2005 Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(c) Total Number |
|
|
(d) Maximum Number |
|
|
|
(a) Total |
|
|
(b) |
|
|
of Shares (or Units) |
|
|
(or Approximate Dollar |
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
Average |
|
|
Purchased as Part |
|
|
Value) of Shares (or |
|
|
|
Shares (or |
|
|
Price Paid |
|
|
of Publicly |
|
|
Units) that May Yet Be |
|
|
|
Units) |
|
|
Per Share |
|
|
Announced Plans |
|
|
Purchased Under the |
|
Period |
|
Purchased(1) |
|
|
(or Unit) |
|
|
or Programs |
|
|
Plans or Programs |
|
|
October 1
October 31 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
November 1
November 30 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 1
December 31 |
|
|
2,620 |
|
|
$ |
12.19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
2,620 |
|
|
$ |
12.19 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
These purchases were not made pursuant to a publicly announced repurchase plan or
program. Represents 2,620 shares of common stock surrendered to USEC to pay withholding
taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted stock under the 1999 Equity Incentive
Plan. |
In 2005, we did not make any unregistered sales of equity securities.
35
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements and related notes and managements discussion and analysis of financial condition and
results of operations. Selected financial data as of and for the years ended December 31, 2005,
2004 and 2003, the six-month period ended December 31, 2002, and the fiscal years ended June 30,
2002 and 2001, have been derived from consolidated financial statements that have been audited by
independent public accountants. In 2002, the Board of Directors approved a change in fiscal year
end from June 30 to December 31, effective December 31, 2002.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six-Month |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period Ended |
|
|
Fiscal Years Ended |
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
2001 |
|
|
|
(Unaudited) |
|
|
(millions, except per share data) |
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Separative work units |
|
$ |
1,085.6 |
|
|
$ |
1,027.3 |
|
|
$ |
1,110.8 |
|
|
$ |
1,181.5 |
|
|
$ |
668.0 |
|
|
$ |
1,289.3 |
|
|
$ |
1,057.3 |
|
Uranium |
|
|
261.3 |
|
|
|
224.0 |
|
|
|
159.9 |
|
|
|
75.3 |
|
|
|
43.2 |
|
|
|
116.9 |
|
|
|
84.3 |
|
U.S. government contracts and
other |
|
|
212.4 |
|
|
|
165.9 |
|
|
|
166.0 |
|
|
|
123.4 |
|
|
|
69.6 |
|
|
|
102.6 |
|
|
|
35.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue |
|
|
1,559.3 |
|
|
|
1,417.2 |
|
|
|
1,436.7 |
|
|
|
1,380.2 |
|
|
|
780.8 |
|
|
|
1,508.8 |
|
|
|
1,176.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Separative work units and uranium |
|
|
1,148.4 |
|
|
|
1,071.6 |
|
|
|
1,124.1 |
|
|
|
1,174.2 |
|
|
|
675.2 |
|
|
|
1,305.7 |
|
|
|
989.8 |
|
U.S. government contracts and other |
|
|
181.4 |
|
|
|
151.5 |
|
|
|
150.2 |
|
|
|
115.2 |
|
|
|
66.0 |
|
|
|
100.9 |
|
|
|
38.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cost of sales |
|
|
1,329.8 |
|
|
|
1,223.1 |
|
|
|
1,274.3 |
|
|
|
1,289.4 |
|
|
|
741.2 |
|
|
|
1,406.6 |
|
|
|
1,027.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit |
|
|
229.5 |
|
|
|
194.1 |
|
|
|
162.4 |
|
|
|
90.8 |
|
|
|
39.6 |
|
|
|
102.2 |
|
|
|
149.0 |
|
Special charges (credit) for
organizational
restructuring and consolidating
operations |
|
|
7.3 |
(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6.7 |
)(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6.7 |
)(2) |
|
|
|
|
Advanced technology costs |
|
|
94.5 |
|
|
|
58.5 |
|
|
|
44.8 |
|
|
|
22.9 |
|
|
|
16.0 |
|
|
|
12.6 |
|
|
|
11.4 |
|
Selling, general and administrative |
|
|
61.9 |
|
|
|
64.1 |
|
|
|
69.4 |
|
|
|
54.1 |
|
|
|
27.6 |
|
|
|
50.7 |
|
|
|
48.8 |
|
Other (income) expense, net |
|
|
(1.0 |
)(3) |
|
|
(1.7 |
)(4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
|
66.8 |
|
|
|
73.2 |
|
|
|
48.2 |
|
|
|
20.5 |
|
|
|
(4.0 |
) |
|
|
45.6 |
|
|
|
88.8 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
40.0 |
|
|
|
40.5 |
|
|
|
38.4 |
|
|
|
36.5 |
|
|
|
18.6 |
|
|
|
36.3 |
|
|
|
35.2 |
|
Interest (income) |
|
|
(10.5 |
) |
|
|
(3.9 |
) |
|
|
(5.4 |
) |
|
|
(7.0 |
) |
|
|
(3.2 |
) |
|
|
(8.7 |
) |
|
|
(10.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) before income taxes |
|
|
37.3 |
|
|
|
36.6 |
|
|
|
15.2 |
|
|
|
(9.0 |
) |
|
|
(19.4 |
) |
|
|
18.0 |
|
|
|
64.5 |
|
Provision (credit) for income taxes |
|
|
15.0 |
|
|
|
13.1 |
|
|
|
6.2 |
|
|
|
(5.0 |
) |
|
|
(6.7 |
) |
|
|
4.5 |
|
|
|
(13.6 |
)(5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
22.3 |
|
|
$ |
23.5 |
|
|
$ |
9.0 |
|
|
$ |
(4.0 |
) |
|
$ |
(12.7 |
) |
|
$ |
13.5 |
|
|
$ |
78.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) per share basic and
diluted |
|
$ |
.26 |
|
|
$ |
.28 |
|
|
$ |
.11 |
|
|
$ |
(.05 |
) |
|
$ |
(.16 |
) |
|
$ |
.17 |
|
|
$ |
.97 |
|
Dividends per share |
|
$ |
.55 |
|
|
$ |
.55 |
|
|
$ |
.55 |
|
|
$ |
.55 |
|
|
$ |
.275 |
|
|
$ |
.55 |
|
|
$ |
.55 |
|
36
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
2002 |
|
|
2001 |
|
|
|
(millions) |
|
Balance Sheet Data |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash, cash equivalents, and
short-term investments |
|
$ |
259.1 |
|
|
$ |
174.8 |
|
|
$ |
249.1 |
|
|
$ |
171.1 |
|
|
$ |
279.2 |
|
|
$ |
122.5 |
|
Inventories: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current |
|
|
974.3 |
|
|
|
1,009.4 |
|
|
|
883.2 |
|
|
|
862.1 |
|
|
|
889.7 |
|
|
|
1,137.5 |
|
Long-term |
|
|
71.4 |
|
|
|
156.2 |
|
|
|
266.1 |
|
|
|
390.2 |
|
|
|
415.5 |
|
|
|
420.2 |
|
Total assets |
|
|
2,080.8 |
|
|
|
2,003.4 |
|
|
|
2,134.8 |
|
|
|
2,108.4 |
|
|
|
2,228.2 |
|
|
|
2,251.4 |
|
Current portion of long-term debt |
|
|
288.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt |
|
|
150.0 |
|
|
|
475.0 |
|
|
|
500.0 |
|
|
|
500.0 |
|
|
|
500.0 |
|
|
|
500.0 |
|
Other long-term liabilities |
|
|
270.2 |
|
|
|
244.4 |
|
|
|
256.0 |
|
|
|
265.0 |
|
|
|
263.2 |
|
|
|
307.6 |
|
Stockholders equity |
|
|
907.6 |
|
|
|
918.7 |
|
|
|
923.6 |
|
|
|
953.5 |
|
|
|
986.4 |
|
|
|
1,012.6 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
The plan to restructure headquarters and field operations resulted in special charges of
$7.3 million ($4.5 million or $.05 per share after tax) related to termination benefits,
principally consisting of severance benefits. |
|
(2) |
|
The special credit of $6.7 million ($4.2 million or $.05 per share after tax) in the fiscal
year ended June 30, 2002, represented a change in estimate of costs for consolidating plant
operations originally accrued in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2000. |
|
(3) |
|
Other income in 2005 includes $1.0 million ($0.6 million or $.01 per share after tax) from
customs duties paid to USEC as a result of trade actions. |
|
(4) |
|
Other income in 2004 includes income of $4.4 million ($2.7 million or $.03 per share after
tax) from customs duties paid to USEC as a result of trade actions, partly offset by an
expense of $2.7 million (or $.03 per share) for acquired-in-process research and development
expense relating to the acquisition of NAC. |
|
(5) |
|
The provision (credit) for income taxes in the fiscal year ended June 30, 2001 includes a
special income tax credit of $37.3 million (or $.46 per share) for deferred income tax
benefits that arose from the transition to taxable status. The special tax credit represents
a change in estimate resulting from a reassessment of certain deductions for which related
income tax savings were not certain. |
37
Item 7. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to, the consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in
this report.
Overview
USEC, a global energy company, is the worlds leading supplier of low enriched uranium (LEU)
for commercial nuclear power plants. LEU is a critical component in the production of nuclear fuel
for reactors to produce electricity. We, either directly or through our subsidiaries United States
Enrichment Corporation and NAC International Inc. (NAC):
|
|
|
supply LEU to both domestic and international utilities for use in about 150 nuclear
reactors worldwide, |
|
|
|
|
are the exclusive executive agent for the U.S. government under a nuclear
nonproliferation program with Russia, known as Megatons to Megawatts, |
|
|
|
|
are in the process of demonstrating, and plan to deploy, what we expect to be the
worlds most efficient uranium enrichment technology, known as the American Centrifuge, |
|
|
|
|
perform contract work for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and DOE contractors at
the Paducah and Portsmouth plants, and |
|
|
|
|
provide transportation and storage systems for spent nuclear fuel and provide nuclear
and energy consulting services, including nuclear materials tracking. |
Low Enriched Uranium
LEU is sold and measured by two components: separative work units (SWU) and uranium. SWU is
a standard unit of measurement which represents the effort required to transform a given amount of
natural uranium into two components: enriched uranium having a higher percentage of
U235 and depleted uranium having a lower percentage of U235. The
SWU contained in LEU is calculated using an industry standard formula based on the physics of
enrichment. The amount of enrichment contained in LEU under this formula is commonly referred to
as the SWU component.
We produce or acquire LEU from two principal sources. We produce LEU at the gaseous diffusion
plant in Paducah, Kentucky, and we acquire LEU by purchasing the SWU component of LEU from Russia
under the Megatons to Megawatts program.
Revenue from Sales of SWU and Uranium
The majority of our customers are domestic and international utilities that operate nuclear
power plants. Revenue is derived primarily from:
|
|
|
sales of the SWU component of LEU, |
|
|
|
|
sales of both the SWU and uranium components of LEU, and |
|
|
|
|
sales of uranium. |
Agreements with electric utilities are primarily long-term contracts under which customers are
obligated to purchase a specified quantity of SWU or uranium or a percentage of their annual SWU or
uranium requirements. Under requirements contracts, customers are not obligated to make purchases
if the reactor does not have requirements. Backlog is the aggregate dollar amount of SWU and
uranium that we expect to sell under contracts with utilities. Backlog is based on customers
estimates of their fuel requirements and certain other assumptions, including our estimates of
selling prices and inflation rates. Such estimates are subject to change. At December 31, 2005, we
had contracts with utilities
aggregating an estimated $5.9 billion through 2015 ($5.1 billion through 2010 including $1.5
billion expected to be delivered in 2006), compared with $4.7 billion at December 31, 2004.
38
We estimate our market share of the SWU component of LEU purchased by and shipped to utilities
in North America was 53% in 2005, 51% in 2004, and 56% in 2003. In the world market, we estimate
our market share was 27% in 2005, 28% in 2004, and 30% in 2003. The declines reflect aggressive
pricing by, and loss of sales commitments to, foreign competitors.
Our revenues and operating results can fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter, and in
some cases, year to year. Customer requirements are determined by refueling schedules for nuclear
reactors, which are affected by, among other things, the seasonal nature of electricity demand,
reactor maintenance, and reactors beginning or terminating operations. Utilities typically schedule
the shutdown of their reactors for refueling to coincide with the low electricity demand periods of
spring and fall. Thus, some reactors are scheduled for annual or two-year refuelings in the spring
or fall, or for 18-month cycles alternating between both seasons. Customer payments for the SWU
component of LEU typically average $12.0 million per order. Customer requirements and orders are
more predictable over the longer term, and we believe our performance is best measured on an
annual, or even longer, business cycle.
Our revenue could be adversely affected by actions of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
(NRC) or nuclear regulators in foreign countries issuing orders to delay, suspend or shut down
nuclear reactor operations within their jurisdictions. In late 2002, regulators in Japan ordered
the temporary shutdown of 17 reactors operated by The Tokyo Electric Power Company. We supply LEU
for ten of the 17 reactors, which have all returned to service. The shutdowns have postponed the
utilitys requirements for reloading fuel. Revenue in 2004 and, to a lesser extent, 2005 was
reduced as a result of the shutdowns.
Our financial performance over time can be significantly affected by changes in prices for
SWU. The SWU price indicator for new long-term contracts, as published by TradeTech in Nuclear
Market Review, was $113 per SWU on December 31, 2005, $107 per SWU on December 31, 2004, and $105
per SWU on December 31, 2003. This price indicator is representative of base year prices under new
long-term enrichment contracts in our primary markets. However, our backlog includes contracts
awarded to us when prices were lower. As a result, the average SWU price billed to customers
declined in 2003, leveled off in 2004 and improved in 2005. We expect that sales under new
contracts will in time increase our average SWU price billed to customers.
The spot price indicator for uranium hexafluoride, published in Nuclear Market Review, was
$106.00 per kilogram of uranium on December 31, 2005, an increase of $43.00 (or 68%) from $63.00 on
December 31, 2004. The spot price increased 42% in 2004 from $44.25 on December 31, 2003. The
long-term price for uranium hexafluoride, as calculated using indicators published in Nuclear
Market Review, was $106.06 per kilogram of uranium on December 31, 2005, an increase of $30.74 (or
41%) from $75.32 on December 31, 2004. The long-term price increased 62% in 2004 from $46.50 on
December 31, 2003. However, most of our uranium inventory has been committed under sales contracts
with utility customers, and the positive impact of higher prices is limited to sales under new
contracts and to sales under contracts with prices determined at the time of delivery.
We expect that our inventory of uranium is sufficient to continue sales through 2007. We
will continue to supplement our supply of uranium for additional sales by underfeeding the
production process at the Paducah plant, as long as it continues to be economical, and by
purchasing uranium from suppliers. Underfeeding is also used to compensate, as necessary, for the
difference between the amount of uranium supplied by us to the Russian Federation for the LEU
provided under the Russian Contract and the amount of uranium supplied to us by customers for the
LEU we deliver to them. Underfeeding is a mode of operation that uses or feeds less uranium but
requires more SWU in the enrichment process, which requires more electric power. In producing the
same amount of LEU,
we vary our production process to underfeed uranium based on the economics of the cost of electric
power relative to the price of uranium.
39
Contracts with customers are denominated in U.S. dollars, and although revenue has not been
directly affected by changes in the foreign exchange rate of the U.S. dollar, we may have a
competitive price advantage or disadvantage obtaining new contracts in a competitive bidding
process depending upon the weakness or strength of the U.S. dollar. Costs of our primary
competitors are denominated in the major European currencies.
Revenue from U.S. Government Contracts
We perform and earn revenue from contract work for DOE and DOE contractors at the Paducah and
Portsmouth plants, including contracts for cold standby and processing out-of-specification uranium
at the Portsmouth plant. Under DOEs fiscal 2006 budget request, the cold standby scope of work was
scheduled to conclude in September 2005 with a transition to a preliminary decontamination and
decommissioning program (cold shutdown). DOE and USEC extended the cold standby program in
September 2005 through the end of January 2006, and again in January 2006 through the end of March
2006. We continue to negotiate the scope of work for cold shutdown. Congress has approved DOEs
budget request for fiscal 2006 for a continuation of the cold standby contract and a transition to
a cold shutdown scope of work. Revenue from U.S. government contracts is based on allowable costs
determined under government cost accounting standards that are subject to audit by the Defense
Contract Audit Agency. Allowable costs include direct costs as well as allocations of indirect
plant and corporate overhead costs and are determined under government cost accounting standards
that are subject to audit by the Defense Contract Audit Agency. Revenue from U.S. government
contracts includes revenue from NAC, which we acquired in November 2004.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales for SWU and uranium is based on the amount of SWU and uranium sold during the
period and is determined by a combination of inventory levels and costs, production costs, and
purchase costs. Production costs consist principally of electric power, labor and benefits,
long-term depleted uranium disposition cost estimates, materials, depreciation and amortization,
and maintenance and repairs. Under the monthly moving average inventory cost method coupled with
our inventories of SWU and uranium, an increase or decrease in production or purchase costs will
have an effect on inventory costs and cost of sales over current and future periods.
We are the Executive Agent of the U.S. government under a contract (Russian Contract) to
implement a government-to-government agreement to purchase the SWU component of LEU recovered from
dismantled nuclear weapons from the former Soviet Union for use as fuel in commercial nuclear power
plants. We have agreed to purchase 5.5 million SWU each calendar year for the remaining term of the
Russian Contract through 2013. Over the life of the 20-year Russian Contract, we expect to purchase
92 million SWU contained in LEU derived from 500 metric tons of highly enriched uranium. From
inception of the Russian Contract in 1994 through December 31, 2005, we have purchased the SWU
component of LEU derived from 262 metric tons of highly enriched uranium from Russia, the
equivalent of about 10,500 nuclear warheads.
Purchases under the Russian Contract approximate 50% of our supply mix. Prices are determined
using a discount from an index of international and U.S. price points, including both long-term and
spot prices. A multi-year retrospective of the index is used to minimize the disruptive effect of
short-term market price swings. Increases in these price points in recent years will result in
increases to the index used to determine prices under the Russian Contract.
40
The Russian Contract provides that, after the end of 2007, the parties may agree on
appropriate adjustments, if necessary, to ensure that the Russian Executive Agent receives at least
approximately $7.6 billion for the SWU component over the 20-year term of the Russian Contract
through 2013. We do not expect that any adjustments will be required.
The gaseous diffusion process uses significant amounts of electric power to enrich uranium.
The power load at the Paducah plant averaged 1,320 megawatts and costs for electric power
represented 60% of production costs at the Paducah plant in 2005. We purchased 87% of the electric
power for the Paducah plant in 2005 at fixed prices as part of a multiyear power contract signed
with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in 2000. We purchased almost all of the remaining
portion of the electric power for the Paducah plant at higher-cost, fixed-price contracts which
were more representative of market prices.
Capacity and prices for electric power under the 2000 TVA power contract are fixed through May
2006. We are negotiating with TVA regarding supply arrangements for electric power beyond May
2006, and we expect to reach an agreement in the near future. We anticipate an increase in power
cost of approximately 50 percent compared to the 2000 TVA power contract, subject to the amount of
power purchased during summer months and future adjustments relative to TVAs fuel and purchased
power costs. The increase in electric power costs will increase overall SWU production costs, which
will negatively impact our gross margin and cash flow. The duration of a new power supply
arrangement will be shorter than the 2000 TVA power contract, which would put us at risk for
additional cost increases after the expiration of any new arrangement. We are taking cost cutting
measures including workforce reductions, implementing improvements to production efficiencies and
pursuing incremental revenue opportunities, including underfeeding and increasing prices for the
sale of SWU, that are expected to offset some, but not all of the anticipated power cost increases.
Capacity under the 2000 TVA power contract ranges from 300 megawatts in the summer months to
1,650 megawatts in the non-summer months. We have typically reduced LEU production and the related
power load in the summer months when power availability is low and market power costs are high.
Subject to prior notice and under certain circumstances, TVA may interrupt power to the Paducah
plant, except for a minimum load of 300 megawatts that can only be interrupted under limited
circumstances. The portion of electric power for the Paducah plant not covered by the TVA agreement
has typically been purchased under short-term fixed-price contracts or at market-based prices.
Market prices for electric power vary seasonally with rates higher during the winter and summer as
a function of the extremity of the weather.
We store depleted uranium at the Paducah and Portsmouth plants and accrue estimated costs for
its future disposition. We anticipate that we will send most or all of our depleted uranium to DOE
for disposition unless a more economic disposal option is available. DOE is constructing facilities
at the Paducah and Portsmouth plants to process large quantities of depleted uranium owned by DOE
and, under federal law, DOE would also process our depleted uranium if we provided it to DOE. We
would be required to reimburse DOE for costs of disposal, including a pro rata share of capital
costs. Processing DOEs depleted uranium is expected to take about 25 years. The timing of the
disposal of our depleted uranium has not been determined. The long-term liability for depleted
uranium disposition is dependent upon the volume of depleted uranium generated and estimated
processing, transportation and disposal costs. Our calculation of the estimated unit cost is based
primarily on projected cost data obtained from DOE without consideration given to unidentified
contingencies or reserves. Our estimate is periodically reviewed as additional information becomes
available, and was increased in 2005. Our estimate is less than a DOE estimate used in our NRC
license application for the American Centrifuge Plant that included unidentified contingencies or
reserves. The estimated cost and accrued liability are subject to change as additional information
becomes available.
41
Under the DOE-USEC Agreement signed in 2002, we incurred costs to process and remove
contaminants from out-of-specification uranium, and, in return, DOE took title to 23.3 million
kilograms of the depleted uranium generated by USEC at the Paducah plant over a four-year period.
For this quantity of depleted uranium, our effective disposition costs were reduced. Transfers of
depleted uranium to DOE were completed in the quarter ended June 30, 2005, and higher costs for the
future disposition of depleted uranium generated subsequent to June 30, 2005 have resulted in
increases to production costs.
Replacing Out-of-Specification Uranium Inventory
Reference is made to information regarding out-of-specification uranium inventories
transferred to USEC by DOE prior to privatization in 1998 and in the process of being remediated,
reported in note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
American Centrifuge Technology
We are in the process of demonstrating our next-generation American Centrifuge uranium
enrichment technology. We are working toward reaching full capacity of the American Centrifuge
Plant in Piketon, Ohio in 2011. The first nine project milestones under the DOE-USEC Agreement have
been completed on or ahead of schedule. The next milestone under the agreement, scheduled for
October 2006, is obtaining satisfactory reliability and performance data from the Lead Cascade at
the American Centrifuge Demonstration Facility. We had anticipated beginning operation of the Lead
Cascade by the end of 2005 but we experienced delays relating to quality of material, performance
issues of certain centrifuge components, and compliance with new regulatory requirements. Progress
has been made in addressing these issues and we do not expect that these near-term delays will
impact our ability to meet the DOE-USEC agreement milestones or our anticipated dates for reaching
full production capacity. We are no longer managing the program to meet the accelerated schedule
that moved up the remaining milestones by about one year.
Lead Cascade machines are expected to be installed in the American Centrifuge Demonstration
Facility during the first half of 2006. We will operate the facility for the purpose of
demonstrating and evaluating our enhancements to U.S. centrifuge technology and centrifuge
performance in a cascade configuration. Data gathered from these demonstrations relating to cost,
schedule, and technology performance uncertainties will be evaluated prior to initiating
construction of the American Centrifuge Plant.
Subject to completion of project milestones, issuance of an NRC license and other permits, and
other factors discussed below, we plan to construct the American Centrifuge Plant beginning in
2007, begin uranium enrichment operations in 2009, and reach an initial production capacity of 3.5
million SWU in 2011. Based on current information, American Centrifuge is estimated to cost
approximately $1.7 billion, excluding capitalized interest. We will continue to refine total cost
estimates based on data gathered from testing, demonstrations and further negotiations with our
manufacturing and supply partners. We expect to agree on contract terms in 2006 with Fluor
Enterprises, Inc., a subsidiary of Fluor Corp., to provide engineering, procurement and
construction management services for the American Centrifuge Plant. In addition, we plan to enter
into new agreements in 2006 with Boeing Company and Honeywell International to manufacture
centrifuge machines for the American Centrifuge Plant.
The process of obtaining an operating license from the NRC for the American Centrifuge Plant
continues to proceed on schedule. We believe the NRC will be able to issue the license by early
2007. This timing assumes that DOE provides estimated cost information for the disposition of
future depleted uranium from the American Centrifuge Plant that the NRC concludes is adequate to
process the license, and a long-term lease agreement between DOE and USEC for the centrifuge
facilities in Piketon, Ohio is executed. Our license application, submitted in August 2004, seeks a
license term of
42
30 years and authorization to enrich uranium to an assay of up to 10%. The plant is expected
to have an initial annual production capacity of 3.5 million SWU. The environmental report
submitted with the license application evaluates the potential expansion of the plant to an annual
production capacity of 7 million SWU. In October 2005, the NRCs Atomic Safety and Licensing Board
(ASLB) denied the petitions of two interveners seeking to participate in the hearing process for
the license application. The ASLB reviewed and found inadmissible each of the contentions submitted
by the petitioners. The interveners have appealed the decision to the NRC, and we have filed
responses to the appeals.
Total expenditures, including both expense and capital related to American Centrifuge
technology for the twelve months ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, as well as to-date
activity, are as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
as of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
31, 2005 (C) |
|
Total expenditures (A) |
|
$ |
108.7 |
|
|
$ |
64.2 |
|
|
$ |
40.0 |
|
|
$ |
226.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amount expensed |
|
$ |
92.7 |
|
|
$ |
58.1 |
|
|
$ |
40.0 |
|
|
$ |
204.1 |
|
Amount capitalized (B) |
|
$ |
16.0 |
|
|
$ |
6.1 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
22.1 |
|
|
|
|
(A) |
|
Total expenditures are all American Centrifuge costs including demonstration facility,
licensing activities, commercial plant facility, program management, and interest related
costs. |
|
(B) |
|
Cumulative capitalized costs include interest of approximately $0.9 million and $0.2 million
at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. |
|
(C) |
|
To-date amounts include $13.3 million expensed in years prior to 2003. |
The successful construction and operation of the American Centrifuge Plant is dependent
upon a number of factors including, satisfactory performance of the American Centrifuge technology
at various stages of demonstration, NRC licensing, financing, the cost and timely delivery of raw
materials and components, availability of personnel with required security clearances, overall cost
estimates, installation and operation of centrifuge machines and equipment, and the achievement of
milestones under the DOE-USEC Agreement. In addition, certain actions by DOE are required,
including USEC and DOE entering into a long-term lease agreement for the facility, removal of
machines, wastes and other materials from the buildings by DOE, and USEC and DOE agreeing on terms
for USECs license of the centrifuge intellectual property.
Government Investigation of Imports from France
In 2002, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) imposed antidumping and countervailing duty
(anti-subsidy) orders on imports of LEU produced in France. The orders were imposed in response to
unfair trading practices by our French competitors in connection with imports of LEU into the
United States.
In 2005, in connection with appeals of the orders, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal
Circuit concluded that:
|
|
|
SWU contracts were sales of services, not merchandise, and thus were not subject to
the U.S. antidumping law, and |
|
|
|
|
a subsidy provided through government payments under SWU contracts at above-market
prices is not subject to the countervailing duty law. |
In light of the Federal Circuits decision, the French cases have been remanded to the DOC to
revise the final determinations and orders in those cases in accordance with the Federal Circuit
decisions. On remand, the DOC will determine whether imports of LEU pursuant to SWU contracts
are no longer subject to the antidumping duty order and on that basis will recalculate the original
dumping margin found in the investigation. The remand of the countervailing duty determination and
order could lead to the revocation of that order if the amount of countervailable subsidies
determined in light of the Federal Circuit decisions is not more than de minimis.
43
Government Investigation of Imports from Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom
The Federal Circuits decision and the remand to the DOC of the orders involving French LEU do
not affect the countervailing orders now in place against imports of LEU from Germany, the
Netherlands and the United Kingdom. These orders were issued at the same time as the orders on LEU
from France. At present, however, no duties are imposed or cash deposits required under these
orders.
Acquisition of NAC Holding Inc.
In November 2004, we acquired all the outstanding common stock of NAC Holding Inc. and its
wholly owned subsidiary NAC International Inc. (collectively NAC) from Pinnacle West Capital
Corporation for $10.1 million in cash plus the assumption of certain liabilities of NAC. As part
of the acquisition agreement, we deposited an additional $6.0 million in an escrow fund pending the
outcome of a contingency relating to the renewal or replacement of a contract with DOE. As of
October 1, 2005, a three-year, $25 million contract extension to manage the Nuclear Materials
Management and Safeguards System for DOE became effective. Pursuant to the terms of the acquisition
agreement, the $6.0 million in escrow was released to Pinnacle West.
The acquisition of NAC has enabled us to offer our nuclear utility customers an expanded
portfolio of products and services, including transportation and storage systems for spent nuclear
fuel. NAC is a leading provider of spent fuel storage solutions, nuclear materials transportation
and nuclear fuel cycle consulting services worldwide. Its customers include nuclear utilities and
the U.S. and foreign governments. NAC transports spent nuclear fuel and provides spent fuel storage
systems to customers in the United States and abroad. NAC is developing a new dual-purpose dry
storage system, the Modular, Advanced Generation, Nuclear All-purpose Storage System (MAGNASTOR),
consisting of a concrete cask and a welded stainless steel transportation storage canister with a
welded closure lid to safely store spent nuclear fuel. NAC manages the Nuclear Materials Management
and Safeguards System, a U.S. government database that tracks the use, shipment and possession of
nuclear materials.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Our significant accounting policies are summarized in note 1 to the consolidated financial
statements, which were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
Included within these policies are certain policies which require critical accounting estimates and
judgments. Critical accounting estimates are those which require management to make assumptions
about matters that are uncertain at the time the estimate was made and for which different
estimates, often based on complex judgments, probabilities and assumptions that we believe to be
reasonable, but are inherently uncertain and unpredictable, could have a material impact on our
operating results and financial condition. It is also possible that other professionals, applying
their own judgment to the same facts and circumstances, could develop and support a range of
alternative estimated amounts. We are also subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual
results to differ from estimated amounts, such as the healthcare environment, legislation and
regulation.
The sensitivity analyses used below are not intended to provide a reader with our predictions
of the variability of the estimates used. Rather, the sensitivities used are included to allow the
reader to understand a general cause and effect of changes in estimates.
44
We have identified the following to be our critical accounting estimates:
Pension and Postretirement Health and Life Benefit Costs and Obligations
We provide retirement benefits under defined benefit pension plans and postretirement health
and life benefit plans. The valuation of benefit obligations and costs is based on provisions of
the plans and actuarial assumptions that involve judgments and estimates. Changes in actuarial
assumptions could impact benefit obligations and benefit costs, as follows:
|
|
|
The expected return on plan assets was 8.5% for 2005 and is 8.0% for 2006. The expected
return is based on historical returns and expectations of future returns for the
composition of the plans equity and debt securities. Pension plan assets amounted to
$684.7 million at December 31, 2005, and projected pension benefit obligations were 94%
funded. Postretirement health and life benefit obligations, typically funded on a
pay-as-you go basis, were 34% funded. A 0.5% change in the expected return on plan assets
would affect pension costs by $3.3 million and postretirement health and life costs by $0.3
million. |
|
|
|
|
A discount rate of 5.50% was used at December 31, 2005 to calculate the net present
value of benefit obligations. The rate is determined based on the investment yield of high
quality corporate bonds. A 0.5% reduction in the discount rate would affect the valuation
of pension benefit obligations by $50.5 million and postretirement health and life benefit
obligations by $10.9 million, and the resulting changes in the valuations would affect
pension costs by
$5.6 million and postretirement health and life costs by $1.3 million. |
|
|
|
|
The healthcare costs trend rates are 9% projected in 2006 reducing to 5% in 2010. The
healthcare costs trend rate represents our estimate of the annual rate of increase in the
gross cost of providing benefits. The trend rate is a reflection of health care inflation
assumptions, changes in healthcare utilization and delivery patterns, technological
advances, and changes in the health status of our plan participants. A 1% increase in the
healthcare cost trend rates would affect postretirement health benefit obligations by about
$12.1 million and would affect costs by about $3.6 million. |
Costs for the Future Disposition of Depleted Uranium and Plant Lease Turnover Costs
SWU and uranium inventories include estimates and judgments for production quantities and
production costs and judgments regarding the replacement or remediation of out-of-specification
uranium by DOE. We store depleted uranium at the Paducah and Portsmouth plants and accrue estimated
costs for its future disposition. Production costs include estimates of future costs for the
conversion, transportation, and disposition of depleted uranium, the treatment and disposal of
hazardous, low-level radioactive and mixed wastes, and plant lease turnover costs.
Lease turnover costs are estimated and are accrued over the expected productive life of the
plant. An increase or decrease in production costs has an effect on inventory costs and cost of
sales over current and future periods.
We are responsible for costs relating to the future disposal of depleted uranium generated
from our operations. We anticipate that we will send most or all of our depleted uranium to DOE for
disposition unless a more economic disposal option is available. DOE is constructing facilities at
the Paducah and Portsmouth plants to process large quantities of depleted uranium owned by DOE and,
under federal law, DOE would also process our depleted uranium if we provided it to DOE. We would
be required to reimburse DOE for costs of disposal, including a pro rata share of capital costs.
Processing DOEs depleted uranium is expected to take about 25 years. The timing of the disposal of
our depleted uranium has not been determined. The long-term liability for depleted uranium
45
disposition is dependent upon the volume of depleted uranium generated and estimated processing,
transportation and disposal costs. Our calculation of the estimated unit cost is based primarily on
projected cost data obtained from DOE without consideration given to unidentified contingencies or
reserves. Our estimate is periodically reviewed as additional information becomes available, and
was increased in 2005. Our estimate is less than a DOE estimate used in our NRC license application
for the American Centrifuge Plant that included unidentified contingencies or reserves. The
estimated cost and accrued liability are subject to change as additional information becomes
available.
The amount and timing of future costs could vary from amounts accrued. Accrued liabilities for
depleted uranium and lease turnover costs are $47.0 million and $54.1 million, respectively, as of
December 31, 2005.
American Centrifuge Technology Costs
Costs relating to the demonstration and deployment of the American Centrifuge technology are
charged to expense or capitalized based on the nature of the activities and estimates and judgments
involving the completion of project milestones. Centrifuge costs relating to the demonstration of
American Centrifuge technology are charged to expense as incurred. Demonstration costs include NRC
licensing of the American Centrifuge Demonstration Facility in Piketon, Ohio, engineering
activities, and assembling and testing of centrifuge machines and equipment at centrifuge test
facilities located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and at the American Centrifuge Demonstration Facility.
Capitalized costs relating to the American Centrifuge technology include or will include NRC
licensing, engineering activities, construction of centrifuge machines and equipment, leasehold
improvements and other costs directly associated with the American Centrifuge Plant. Capitalized
centrifuge costs are recorded in property, plant and equipment as part of construction work in
progress. The continued capitalization of such costs is subject to ongoing review and successful
project completion, including NRC licensing, financing, and installation and operation of
centrifuge machines and equipment. As of December 31, 2005 we had capitalized $22.1 million related
to design, licensing, and permitting of American Centrifuge technology. If conditions change and
deployment were no longer probable, costs that were previously capitalized would be charged to
expense.
Income Taxes
During the ordinary course of business, there are transactions and calculations for which the
ultimate tax determination is uncertain. As a result, we recognize tax liabilities based on
estimates of whether additional taxes and interest will be due. To the extent that the final tax
outcome of these matters is different than the amounts that were initially recorded, such
differences will impact the income tax provision in the period in which such determination is made.
To the extent that the provision for income taxes increases/decreases by 1% of income from
continuing operations, net income would have declined/improved by $0.4 million in 2005.
Accounting for income taxes involves estimates and judgments relating to the tax bases of
assets and liabilities and the future recoverability of deferred tax assets. In assessing the
realization of deferred tax assets, we determine whether it is more likely than not that the
deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent
upon generating sufficient taxable income in future years when deferred tax assets are recoverable
or are expected to reverse. Factors that may affect estimates of future taxable income include, but
are not limited to, competition, changes in revenue, costs or profit margins, market share, and
developments related to the American Centrifuge technology. We have determined that it is more
likely than not that deferred tax assets will be realized.
46
Determining the need for or amount of a valuation allowance involves judgments, estimates and
assumptions. We review historical results, forecasts of taxable income based upon business plans,
eligible carryforward periods, periods over which deferred tax assets are expected to reverse,
developments related to the American Centrifuge technology, tax planning opportunities, and other
relevant considerations. The underlying assumptions may change from period to period. In the event
we were to determine that it is more likely than not that all or some of the deferred tax assets
will not be realized in future years, a valuation allowance would result.
47
Results of Operations
The following table shows for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, certain items
from the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income detailed by reportable segments. The
Total column shows the combined results of operations for those items. The table below should be
read in conjunction with Item 6: Selected Financial Data. We have two reportable segments: the low
enriched uranium (LEU) segment with two components, separative work units (SWU) and uranium,
and the U.S. government contracts segment. The LEU segment is the primary business focus and
includes sales of the SWU component of LEU, sales of both SWU and uranium components of LEU, and
sales of uranium. The U.S. government contracts segment includes work performed for DOE and DOE
contractors at the Portsmouth and Paducah plants as well as nuclear energy solutions provided by
NAC, which we acquired in November 2004. Intersegment sales between the reportable segments were
less than $0.1 million in 2005 and zero in 2004 and have been eliminated in consolidation. Results
of operations are discussed following this table (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. Government |
|
|
|
|
|
|
LEU Segment |
|
|
Contracts Segment |
|
|
Total |
|
2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue |
|
$ |
1,346.9 |
|
|
$ |
212.4 |
|
|
$ |
1,559.3 |
|
Total cost of sales |
|
|
1,148.4 |
|
|
|
181.4 |
|
|
|
1,329.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit |
|
$ |
198.5 |
|
|
$ |
31.0 |
|
|
$ |
229.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Special charges for organizational restructuring |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.3 |
|
Advanced technology costs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
94.5 |
|
Selling, general and administrative |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
61.9 |
|
Other (income) expense, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
66.8 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40.0 |
|
Interest (income) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(10.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
37.3 |
|
Provision for income taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
22.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue |
|
$ |
1,251.3 |
|
|
$ |
165.9 |
|
|
$ |
1,417.2 |
|
Total cost of sales |
|
|
1,071.6 |
|
|
|
151.5 |
|
|
|
1,223.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit |
|
$ |
179.7 |
|
|
$ |
14.4 |
|
|
$ |
194.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advanced technology costs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58.5 |
|
Selling, general and administrative |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
64.1 |
|
Other (income) expense, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
73.2 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40.5 |
|
Interest (income) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
36.6 |
|
Provision for income taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
23.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue |
|
$ |
1,270.7 |
|
|
$ |
166.0 |
|
|
$ |
1,436.7 |
|
Total cost of sales |
|
|
1,124.1 |
|
|
|
150.2 |
|
|
|
1,274.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit |
|
$ |
146.6 |
|
|
$ |
15.8 |
|
|
$ |
162.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advanced technology costs |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
44.8 |
|
Selling, general and administrative |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
69.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
48.2 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
38.4 |
|
Interest (income) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5.4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
15.2 |
|
Provision for income taxes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
9.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
48
Revenue
Total revenue increased $142.1 million in 2005 compared to 2004 and declined $19.5
million in 2004 compared to 2003. Total LEU revenue increased $95.6 million in 2005 compared to
2004 and
declined $19.4 million in 2004 compared to 2003 as shown in the table below (in millions,
except percentage change):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
SWU |
|
|
Uranium |
|
|
LEU |
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
Revenue |
|
|
Revenue |
|
Year ended December 31, 2005 |
|
$ |
1,085.6 |
|
|
$ |
261.3 |
|
|
$ |
1,346.9 |
|
Year ended December 31, 2004 |
|
|
1,027.3 |
|
|
|
224.0 |
|
|
|
1,251.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase / (Decrease) from 2004 to
2005 |
|
$ |
58.3 |
|
|
$ |
37.3 |
|
|
$ |
95.6 |
|
Percent Change |
|
|
6 |
% |
|
|
17 |
% |
|
|
8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year ended December 31, 2004 |
|
$ |
1,027.3 |
|
|
$ |
224.0 |
|
|
$ |
1,251.3 |
|
Year ended December 31, 2003 |
|
|
1,110.8 |
|
|
|
159.9 |
|
|
|
1,270.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Increase / (Decrease) from 2003 to
2004 |
|
($ |
83.5 |
) |
|
$ |
64.1 |
|
|
($ |
19.4 |
) |
Percent Change |
|
|
-8 |
% |
|
|
40 |
% |
|
|
-2 |
% |
Revenue from sales of SWU increased $58.3 million in 2005 compared to 2004. In 2005,
the volume of SWU sold increased 4% and the average price billed to customers increased 2%. The
increase in volume reflects the timing and mix of customer orders and increases in contractual
commitments from customers. The increase in the average price reflects contractual provisions for
inflation and sales under contracts signed in recent years with higher prices.
Revenue from sales of SWU declined $83.5 million in 2004 compared to 2003. The volume of SWU
sold declined 8% in 2004 reflecting the temporary shutdowns of several nuclear reactors in Japan,
lower contractual commitments from customers, and the timing of customer orders. The average SWU
price billed to customers was about the same in 2004 as in 2003. Revenue includes sales based on
contractual commitments from the late 1990s when SWU prices were severely depressed.
Reductions in contractual commitments from customers contributed to the reductions in revenue
in 2004. Contractual commitments had declined before 2005, primarily due to aggressive pricing by,
and loss of sales commitments to, foreign competitors in prior years. In December 2000, the DOC
initiated investigations into unfair pricing, or dumping, and government subsidization of imports
of LEU produced by European enrichers Eurodif, S.A., and Urenco, Ltd., and subsequently, SWU prices
increased significantly. However, since contractual commitments from customers are typically
long-term, the effects of aggressive or unfair trade practices by foreign competitors prior to the
increase in SWU prices contributed to the reductions in revenue in prior years.
Revenue from sales of uranium increased $37.3 million in 2005 compared to 2004. In 2005, the
average price billed to customers increased 15% and the volume of uranium sold increased 1%.
Revenue from sales of uranium increased $64.1 million in 2004 compared to 2003. The volume of
uranium sold increased 18% in 2004 reflecting the timing of customer orders and sales of uranium
obtained from underfeeding the enrichment process. The average uranium price billed to customers
increased 19% in 2004. The increases in the average prices billed to customers in 2004 and 2005
reflect the customer mix and the periods when contracts were signed.
49
Revenue from the U.S. government contracts segment increased $46.5 million (or 28%) in 2005
compared to 2004. The increase primarily reflects revenue from NAC, which we acquired in November
2004. Revenue from NAC was $27.8 million in 2005 compared to $2.9 million included in our
consolidated operations in 2004. Revenue at the Portsmouth plant increased to $167.6 million in
2005 from $151.3 million in 2004. The $16.3 million increase was due primarily to: additional work
associated with the remediation of out-of-specification uranium for DOE; refurbishing a portion of
the centrifuge process buildings for DOE; and new work associated with the depleted uranium
processing facilities being constructed by DOE at the site. Revenue at the Portsmouth plant also
increased in 2005 as a result of the final settlement of the project-to-date incentive fee earned
on the cold standby contract. Revenue for contract work at Paducah increased to $17.2 million in
2005 from $11.6 million in 2004. The $5.6 million increase resulted primarily from cylinder
reimbursements and new work related to the depleted uranium processing facilities being constructed
by DOE at the site. Revenue from the U.S. government contracts segment was about the same in 2004
as compared to 2003. Revenue in 2003 included a fee for cold standby and uranium deposit removal
contract work performed since July 2001 at the Portsmouth plant.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales for SWU and uranium increased $76.8 million (or 7%) in 2005 and declined $52.5
million (or 5%) in 2004 compared to the corresponding prior periods. The increase in 2005 reflects
the increases in the costs and volume of SWU and uranium sold. Cost of sales per SWU was 3%
higher in 2005 reflecting increases in the monthly moving average inventory costs, as discussed
below. The decline in 2004 in the volume of SWU sold compared to 2003 primarily accounted for the
cost of sales reduction. Cost of sales per SWU was 1% lower in 2004 compared to 2003.
Under the monthly moving average inventory cost method coupled with our inventories of SWU
and uranium, an increase or decrease in production or purchase costs has an effect on inventory
costs and cost of sales over current and future periods.
Production costs increased $34.0 million (or 7%) in 2005 compared to 2004. Production levels
decreased 1% in 2005 and unit production costs increased 7%. The cost for electric power increased
$21.0 million, including costs for power required to underfeed the production process, which
results in USEC having incremental uranium for sale at todays higher prices. The average cost per
megawatt hour increased 9% in 2005, reflecting increases in the cost of market-based power
purchased above the fixed-price power included in the 2000 TVA power contract. The utilization of
electric power, a measure of production efficiency, slightly increased in 2005 compared to 2004.
Estimated costs for the future disposition of depleted uranium increased in 2005 due to a 10%
increase in the estimated unit disposition cost and declines in transfers of depleted uranium to
DOE under the DOE-USEC Agreement. USECs effective disposition costs were reduced for quantities of
depleted uranium transferred to DOE under the agreement, and transfers under the agreement were
completed in the quarter ended June 30, 2005.
Production costs declined $4.7 million (or 1%) in 2004 compared to 2003. Production levels
declined 5% in 2004, and unit production costs increased 4% in 2004. The increase of 4% in unit
production costs in 2004 reflects changes in costs for electric power and labor. Cost for electric
power amounted to $305.0 million in 2004, compared with $313.7 million in 2003. Power costs
represented 60% of production costs in 2004. Costs for electric power declined in 2004 reflecting
lower production levels, but costs per megawatt hour increased 3% in 2004. The utilization of
electric power, a measure of production efficiency, had increased in 2003, and this level of
efficiency was maintained in 2004.
50
Direct labor and benefit costs of production in 2005 were about the same as in 2004. Direct
labor and benefit costs increased $5.3 million in 2004 compared to 2003. The lower level in 2003
resulted from a five-month strike by union employees at the Paducah plant and workforce reductions
at the Paducah plant involving 220 employees completed in 2003.
We purchase 5.5 million SWU per year under the Russian Contract. Purchase costs for the SWU
component of LEU under the Russian Contract increased $15.6 million in 2005 compared to 2004, and
increased $14.1 million in 2004 compared to 2003, due to increases in the market-based purchase
cost per SWU.
Cost of sales for the U.S. government contracts segment increased $29.9 million (or 20%) in
2005 compared to 2004. The increase primarily reflects costs related to NAC, which we acquired in
November 2004. NACs cost of sales were $18.6 million in 2005 compared to $1.9 million included in
our consolidated operations in 2004. Contract costs at the Portsmouth plant increased to $148.0
million in 2005 from $139.2 million in 2004. The $8.8 million increase was due primarily to:
additional work associated with the remediation of out-of-specification uranium for DOE;
refurbishing a portion of the centrifuge process buildings for DOE; and new work associated with
the depleted uranium processing facilities being constructed by DOE at the site. Contract costs at
Paducah increased to $14.8 million in 2005 from $10.3 million in 2004. The $4.5 million increase
resulted primarily from cost associated with cylinder reimbursements and new work related to the
depleted uranium processing facilities being constructed by DOE at the site. Cost of sales for the
U.S. government contracts segment increased $1.3 million (or 1%) in 2004 compared to 2003. In
2004, we began refurbishing a portion of the centrifuge buildings in Piketon, Ohio under a
contract for DOE. We operated facilities to process out-of-specification uranium under a contract
with DOE for the full year in 2004 and in 2003.
Gross Profit
Gross profit for the LEU segment increased $18.8 million (or 10%) in 2005 and $33.1 million
(or 23%) in 2004 compared to corresponding prior periods. Our gross profit margin was
approximately 15% in 2005, slightly higher than our 14% gross profit margin in 2004. Sales of
uranium in 2005 and 2004 are generating a higher gross profit margin than in prior years as a
result of increases in prices of uranium over the last few years. The increase in 2004 compared to
the gross profit margin of 12% in 2003 reflects the higher average uranium prices billed to
customers, partly offset by the reduction in the volume of SWU sold.
Gross profit for the U.S. government contracts segment increased $16.6 million (or 115%) in
2005 compared to 2004. Gross profit of NAC, which we acquired in November 2004, amounted to $9.2
million in 2005 as compared to $1.0 million included in USECs consolidated operations
in 2004. Gross profit increased $7.5 million in 2005 as compared to 2004 for our Portsmouth
operations, primarily related to the final settlement of project to date incentive fees earned on
the cold standby contract. In addition, we resolved a number of outstanding issues and recovered
past due billings to a DOE contractor, for which an allowance had previously been accrued,
resulting in nonrecurring income of $2.3 million in the first three months of 2005. Gross profit
for U.S. government contracts declined $1.4 million (or 9%) in 2004 as compared to 2003. Gross
profit benefited in 2004 from adjustments resulting from the approval by DOE of revised provisional
billing rates. Gross profit in 2003 included a fee for cold standby and uranium deposit removal
contract work for DOE performed by USEC at the Portsmouth plant since July 2001.
51
Special Charges in 2005 for Organizational Restructuring
During 2005, we announced we would restructure our organization and resize the headquarters
operations located in Bethesda, Maryland. This included the implementation of an involuntary
employee reduction in the headquarters staff, including the elimination of some senior positions
and the realignment of responsibilities under a smaller senior management team. We continued our
restructuring efforts at our field organizations, announcing voluntary and involuntary staff
reductions. The restructuring was intended to place a priority on the demonstration and deployment
of American Centrifuge, while maintaining reliable and efficient enrichment operations. When
combined, the organizational restructuring workforce reductions totaled $7.3 million in 2005. Of
these termination charges, which principally consist of severance benefits, $4.2 million was paid
or utilized during 2005. The remaining $3.1 million will be utilized during the first three
quarters of 2006. Additionally, facility related charges of at least $1.4 million are expected
when efforts are undertaken to consolidate office space at the headquarters location. These
facility related charge estimates are preliminary, but all work is expected to be completed by
early second quarter of 2006.
The workforce reductions, combined with previous cost-cutting initiatives, are expected to
result in annual savings to production costs of approximately $8 million per year and a reduction
in annual selling, general and administrative expenses of approximately $13 million below 2004
levels of approximately $64 million, even with the addition of $6 million in expenses related to
NAC, which we acquired in late 2004. These savings are anticipated to be realized beginning in
2006. Some of the anticipated savings in annual selling, general and administrative expenses in
2006 will be offset by expected increases in stock-based compensation expense as required under
SFAS No. 123(R) and expected increases in compensation, pension and other benefit costs.
Advanced Technology Costs
Advanced technology costs, primarily demonstration costs for the American Centrifuge
technology, increased $36.0 million (or 62%) in 2005 compared to 2004. Expenses increased
primarily as a result of an increase in the number of employees and contractors working on American
Centrifuge demonstration activities, increased spending to manufacture centrifuge components for
the Lead Cascade, and costs to upgrade equipment at the American Centrifuge Demonstration Facility
in Piketon, Ohio in preparation for the anticipated startup of centrifuge machines in the Lead
Cascade. The higher level of expenses also represents unanticipated increases in demonstration and
Lead Cascade costs incurred and expenses that had originally been anticipated to be capitalized.
Advanced technology costs increased $13.7 million (or 31%) in 2004 compared to 2003. Refurbishment
of the American Centrifuge Demonstration Facility began in 2004 in preparation for the anticipated
startup of the Lead Cascade of centrifuge machines.
Advanced technology costs also include research and development efforts undertaken for NAC,
relating primarily to their new generation MAGNASTOR storage system. NAC-related advanced
technology costs amounted to $1.8 million in 2005 and $0.3 million in 2004. Development of the
MAGNASTOR system is about 70% complete, and NAC expects to incur additional direct costs of about
$1.0 million during the completion and licensing phase. The storage license application has been
submitted to the NRC with certification expected in 2006, and the transportation license
application is expected to be submitted in late 2006.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general, and administrative expenses declined $2.2 million (or 3%) in 2005 compared
to 2004. Based on a focused effort by management to continue to reduce selling, general and
administrative expenses, consulting expenses declined $5.1 million and compensation and employee
benefit costs declined $5.0 million in 2005 compared to 2004, even with the addition of expenses
related to NAC for the full year. The declines were offset by the settlement of the executive
termination matters with USECs former president and chief executive officer, William H.
Timbers. In connection with the settlement, and after taking into account amounts previously
accrued, we have recorded a charge of $7.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2005.
52
Selling, general, and administrative expenses declined $5.3 million (or 8%) in 2004 compared
to 2003. Compensation expense declined $3.2 million in 2004 based primarily on the departure of
three executive officers and from the early retirement of two executive officers in 2003.
Consulting fees declined $0.6 million in 2004. Franchise and other taxes declined $1.9 million in
2004 compared to 2003. The 2003 amount reflects state franchise tax adjustments from prior years.
Other (Income) Expense, Net
In December 2005 and in December 2004, we received $1.0 million and $4.4 million,
respectively, from U.S. Customs and Border Protection as a distribution of countervailing duties to
injured domestic producers under the Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000. The duties
were paid to USEC as reimbursement of certain qualifying expenses we incurred following the
issuance of countervailing duty orders in 2002 against LEU from Germany, the Netherlands, and the
United Kingdom. Offsetting this other income in 2004 were acquired in-process research and
development costs of $2.7 million which were, in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles, charged to expense in 2004 in connection with the acquisition of the outstanding common
stock of NAC. The amount allocated to in-process research and development represents the estimated
fair value, based on risk-adjusted cash flows and historical costs expended, relating to MAGNASTOR.
Operating Income
Operating income declined $6.4 million (or 9%) in 2005 compared to 2004. The decline in the
comparative period reflects higher centrifuge demonstration costs and the special charges for
organizational restructuring, offset by higher gross profits in both operating segments and lower
selling, general and administrative expenses.
Operating income increased $25.0 million (or 52%) in 2004 compared to 2003. The increase
reflects the increases in gross profit from higher uranium prices and lower selling, general and
administration expenses, partly offset by higher centrifuge demonstration expenses.
Interest Expense and Interest Income
Interest expense declined $0.5 million (or 1%) in 2005 compared to 2004. The decline resulted
primarily from the repurchase in December 2004 of $25.0 million of the 6.625% senior notes due
January 20, 2006. The interest expense reduction was offset by additional interest expense accrued
on federal tax matters related to an Internal Revenue Service audit which is in process for the
years 2000 through December 31, 2002. Interest expense increased $2.1 million (or 5%) in 2004
compared to 2003. Interest expense in 2004 includes interest on federal and state income taxes and
a premium paid on the repurchase of $25.0 million of USECs 6.625% senior notes due January 20,
2006. The OVEC termination obligation amounting to $33.2 million was paid in February 2004, and
interest expense was accrued on the obligation in 2003.
Interest income increased $6.6 million (or 169%) in 2005 compared to 2004, due to a higher
average balance of invested cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, and a higher average
rate of return. Interest income declined $1.5 million (or 28%) in 2004 compared to 2003. We ship
LEU to nuclear fuel fabricators in advance of customer orders and earn interest income on the
inventory balances maintained at the fabricators. Advance shipments were lower in 2004 and in 2003.
The average balance of invested cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments was also lower in
2004.
53
Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes is $15.0 million in 2005 as compared with a provision for
income taxes of $13.1 million in 2004. We recorded negative effects on deferred tax assets from
reductions in the Kentucky and the Ohio tax rates in 2005. Including the effects of the Kentucky
and Ohio deferred tax asset reductions, our effective tax rate was approximately 40% for 2005, as
compared to an effective tax rate of 36% in 2004. The primary differences between the effective tax
rate of 40% in 2005 and the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% include the Kentucky and Ohio
deferred tax rate adjustments, research and other tax credits, and an accrual of a nontaxable
Medicare subsidy.
The provision for income taxes of $13.1 million in 2004 reflects an effective income tax rate
of 36% compared with $6.2 million based on an effective income tax rate of 41% in 2003. Differences
between the effective tax rate of 36% in 2004 and the statutory federal income tax rate of 35%
include research and other tax credits, an accrual of a nontaxable Medicare subsidy, nondeductible
acquired in-process research and development expense, and other nondeductible expenses. In 2003,
the effective income tax rate was higher than the statutory federal tax rate primarily due to state
income taxes and other nondeductible expenses.
Net Income
Net income decreased $1.2 million (or $.02 per share) in 2005 compared to 2004. The decrease
in net income primarily reflects higher centrifuge demonstration costs, special charges for
organizational restructuring, and higher provision for income taxes, partly offset by higher gross
profit from both operating segments and lower selling, general and administrative expenses.
Net income increased $14.5 million (or $.17 per share) in 2004 compared to 2003. The increase
in net income primarily reflect the increases in gross profit from higher uranium prices and lower
selling, general and administrative expenses, partly offset by higher centrifuge demonstration
costs. Net income in 2004 includes other income of $4.4 million ($2.7 million or $.03 per share
after tax) from customs duties paid to USEC as a result of trade actions, partly offset by other
expense of $2.7 million ($.03 per share) for acquired-in-process research and development relating
to our acquisition of NAC.
2006 Outlook
Revenue in 2006 is expected to be approximately $1.75 billion, with $1.25 billion coming from
the sale of SWU. We expect the volume of SWU delivered to improve over 2005 and the average price
billed to customers to increase by 3 to 4 percent. Uranium is expected to generate approximately
$300 million in revenue, with the increase over 2005 due mainly to a 20 to 25 percent increase in
the average price billed to customers. Uranium revenue includes approximately $80 million from new
sales of uranium made available from underfeeding the production plant and from revenue deferred
from previous uranium sales. Revenue from U.S. government contracts and other is expected to total
approximately $190 million.
Our guidance recognizes that an increase in power prices will impact results in the second
half of 2006 and that we expect a gross profit margin of 15 to 16 percent taking into account this
increase in power costs. We expect selling, general and administrative expenses, including the cost
of expensing options, to be approximately $55 million, a decline of $7 to $9 million compared to
the prior two years. With the recent repayment of bonds due in January 2006, interest expense is
expected to decline to $16 million. Interest income will also decline due to the smaller cash
balance and is expected to be approximately $2 million.
54
The demonstration of the American Centrifuge and preparations for the American Centrifuge
Plant will continue to be a substantial expense impacting net income. As USEC continues to make
progress on the Lead Cascade of the American Centrifuge, we expect a growing portion of the
spending related to the commercial plant will be capitalized. We expect to spend approximately $190
million on the American Centrifuge program in 2006, with that spending initially split
approximately $80 to $90 million in expense and $100 to $110 million capitalized. As the
demonstration proceeds, we will regularly assess allocation between expense and capital, and an
increase in expense will reduce net income.
We expect net income for 2006 in a range of $70 to $80 million after expenses for the American
Centrifuge. Demonstration expenses for the American Centrifuge will have the effect of reducing net
income by approximately $50 to $55 million. Therefore, pro forma net income before American
Centrifuge expenses is expected to be in a range of $120 to $135 million.
Our earnings guidance for 2006 is subject to a number of assumptions and uncertainties. These
include electric power costs in the second half of the year, timing of recognition of deferred
revenue, movement and timing of customer orders, the allocation of spending on the American
Centrifuge between expense and capital, and estimated costs for the future disposition of depleted
uranium. Variations from our expectations could cause substantial differences between our guidance
and ultimate results. The cost of power will have a significant impact on net income over the next
several years as production costs are expected to rise faster than increases to our prices billed
to customers. While we continue to seek ways to offset this increase, at this time the trend of
increasing net income should not be expected to continue in future years.
Cash flow from operations in 2006 is expected to generate approximately $145 to $155 million.
This cash flow will provide sufficient funding for American Centrifuge spending at least through
2006. Net cash flow is expected to be negative by at least $200 million, prior to any external
financing activities, following repayment of $289 million in notes that matured January 20, 2006.
Higher power prices will negatively impact cash flow beyond 2006. We expect to end the year with a
cash balance of less than $10 million prior to any external financing activities. To finance the
American Centrifuge Plant, we plan to access the equity market in mid-2006 and following this
offering do not anticipate needing additional funding until 2008, when we intend to undertake a
debt offering.
Assuming successful completion of milestones towards the demonstration of the American
Centrifuge technology and continued progress towards the issuance of an operating license from the
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, we expect to build the American Centrifuge Plant in 2007
through 2011. Given the proximity of that construction phase and the expectation that higher power
prices in the second half of 2006 and beyond will reduce cash flow from operations, the USEC Board
of Directors has redirected cash from the common stock dividend to financing the American
Centrifuge Plant. The dividend requirement over the next five years would have been nearly $250
million and these funds will instead be used to reduce external financing requirements.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overall, we have generated positive cash flows from operating activities ranging from $52.6
million to $188.9 million over the past three years. We provide for additional liquidity through
our cash balances, working capital and access to our bank credit facility. During 2005, we
repurchased $36.2 million of our 6.625% senior notes and repaid the remaining balance of the 6.625%
senior notes amount of $288.8 million on the scheduled maturity date of January 20, 2006. This
payment was accomplished through a combination of the use of cash on hand and utilization of the
bank credit facility.
55
We anticipate filing a shelf registration statement with the SEC by mid-2006 with the intent
to issue equity securities initially. The shelf registration is expected to enable us to sell
various securities, including debt and equity. The securities offering would be used to continue
funding the American Centrifuge efforts, repay borrowings we may incur under the credit facility
and for other potential corporate uses. Any offerings of securities would be subject to market
conditions. Restrictions in our revolving credit facility provide that unless we complete an
offering of at least $150 million prior to July 19, 2006, availability under the $400 million
credit facility will, until we complete such an offering, be reduced by up to $150 million.
We are in the process of demonstrating, and plan to deploy, the American Centrifuge
technology. American Centrifuge is currently estimated to cost approximately $1.7 billion,
excluding capitalized interest. Initial funding for American Centrifuge costs are expected to be
through internally generated cash and the equity securities offering anticipated in mid-2006.
Anticipated expenditures on American Centrifuge as well as our overall cash flow expectations are
further discussed in the preceding 2006 Outlook section. Thereafter, we expect to fund capital
costs using a number of sources, including all cash flow from operations and, in 2008, proceeds
from debt offerings, the terms of which will depend on conditions at the time funds are needed for
construction of the American Centrifuge Plant. The credit facility may be used for general
corporate purposes including the funding of capital expenditures but the facility contains
restrictive covenants that could periodically limit the amount of funding of capital expenditures
based on available liquidity levels.
Operating Activities
Results from our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows related to operating activities for
the twelve months ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003 are as follows on a summarized basis
(in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
Cash Flows From Operating Activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
22.3 |
|
|
$ |
23.5 |
|
|
$ |
9.0 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities |
|
|
11.6 |
|
|
|
30.6 |
|
|
|
21.0 |
|
Net effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term investments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
35.0 |
|
|
|
(35.0 |
) |
Net, accounts receivable, accounts payable
and other liabilities |
|
|
8.0 |
|
|
|
52.9 |
|
|
|
7.6 |
|
Net, inventories, deferred revenue and payables
under Russian Contract |
|
|
140.2 |
|
|
|
(58.7 |
) |
|
|
94.2 |
|
Other items |
|
|
6.8 |
|
|
|
(30.7 |
) |
|
|
13.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities |
|
$ |
188.9 |
|
|
$ |
52.6 |
|
|
$ |
109.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
During 2005, we generated net cash flow from operating activities of $188.9 million.
Results of operations contributed $22.3 million of cash flow adjustments to reconcile net income
to net cash provided by operating activities for items such as depreciation, amortization, and
the timing of deferred tax benefits contributed $11.6 million to cash flow. Cash flow in 2005 had
benefited from a net inventory reduction or liquidation of $76.3 million and an increase in the
amount owed from timing of purchases of SWU under the Russian Contract of $21.9 million. In
addition, $42.0 million of deferred profits relating to LEU and uranium that were sold but not
shipped during the year increased cash flow. These increases in cash flow were slightly offset by
an increase in receivable balances based on the year-end sales volume.
56
During 2004, we generated net cash flow from operating activities of $52.6 million
principally from our results of operations with adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities for items such as depreciation, amortization, and the timing of
deferred tax benefits. Short-term investments declined $35.0 million and were converted to cash
in 2004. Cash flow in 2004 was reduced by increased payments of $29.6 million from timing of
purchases of SWU under the Russian Contract, $17.0 million from the build up of inventories, and
$12.1 million of deferred profits related to previously sold LEU and uranium that were shipped
and recognized into income. Included in the other items above and reducing cash provided by
operating activities was a payment of a previously accrued obligation of $33.2 million resulting
from the settlement of termination obligations under the OVEC power purchase agreement.
During 2003, we generated net cash flow from operating activities of $109.9 million. Results
of operations with adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating
activities for items such as depreciation, amortization, and the timing of deferred tax benefits
contributed to cash flow. Cash flow in 2003 benefited from a net inventory reduction or
liquidation of $117.7 million, slightly offset by shipments and recognition of previously
deferred profits of LEU and uranium of $36.2 million. Sales of uranium from inventories
transferred to us prior to the privatization in 1998, underfeeding, and uranium purchased from
suppliers also contributed to cash flow.
Investing Activities
Results from our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows related to investing activities for
the twelve months ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003 are as follows on a summarized basis
(in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures |
|
$ |
(26.3 |
) |
|
$ |
(20.2 |
) |
|
$ |
(24.9 |
) |
Acquisition related |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(14.1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Cash (Used in) Investing Activities |
|
$ |
(26.3 |
) |
|
$ |
(34.3 |
) |
|
$ |
(24.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures in 2005 and 2004 include capitalized costs associated with the
American Centrifuge Plant as well as ongoing gaseous diffusion plant upgrades and enhancements.
Net cash used in investing activities in 2004 also included funding related to our acquisition of
NAC in November 2004. Capital expenditures in 2003 included costs for additional security measures
and replacement equipment at the Paducah and Portsmouth plants.
Financing Activities
Results from our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows related to financing activities for
the twelve months ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003 are as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
Cash Flows Used in Financing Activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends paid to stockholders |
|
$ |
(47.3 |
) |
|
$ |
(46.3 |
) |
|
$ |
(45.2 |
) |
Common stock issued |
|
|
8.8 |
|
|
|
14.3 |
|
|
|
3.2 |
|
Deferred financing costs |
|
|
(3.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Repurchase of senior notes, including premiums |
|
|
(36.3 |
) |
|
|
(25.6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Cash (Used in) Financing Activities |
|
$ |
(78.3 |
) |
|
$ |
(57.6 |
) |
|
$ |
(42.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
57
Dividends paid to stockholders in 2005, 2004, and 2003 were based on the quarterly rate
of $.1375 per share. The increases reflect increases in the number of shares outstanding. In
February 2006, the Board of Directors voted to discontinue paying a common stock dividend in order
to redirect those funds to reduce the level of external financing needed for construction of the
American Centrifuge Plant. The issuance of common stock, primarily from the exercise of stock
options, provided cash flow. There were 86.6 million shares of common stock outstanding at
December 31, 2005, compared with 85.1 million at December 31, 2004, an increase of 1.5 million
shares (or 2%) and 82.6 million at December 31, 2003, or an increase from 2003 to 2004 of 2.5
million shares (or 3%).
As further explained in Capital Structure and Financial Resources below, on August 18, 2005,
we entered into a five-year, syndicated bank credit facility, providing up to $400.0 million in
revolving credit commitments, including up to $300.0 million in letters of credit, secured by
assets of the Company and our subsidiaries. Deferred financing costs incurred to obtain this bank
credit facility were $3.5 million and are being amortized over the life of the facility.
During 2005 and 2004, we repurchased $36.2 million and $25.0 million, respectively, of the
6.625% senior notes, due January 20, 2006, excluding premiums. Subsequently, we repaid the
remaining principal balance amount of $288.8 million on the scheduled maturity date of January 20,
2006, using cash on hand and borrowing under our bank credit facility of approximately $78.5
million. We repaid the $78.5 million draw with funds from operations by the end of January 2006.
Working Capital
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
(millions) |
|
Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments |
|
$ |
259.1 |
|
|
$ |
174.8 |
|
Accounts receivable- trade |
|
|
256.7 |
|
|
|
238.5 |
|
Inventories |
|
|
974.3 |
|
|
|
1,009.4 |
|
Current portion of long-term debt |
|
|
(288.8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Other current assets and liabilities, net |
|
|
(338.6 |
) |
|
|
(299.1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Working capital |
|
$ |
862.7 |
|
|
$ |
1,123.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories included in current assets decreased $35.1 million (or 3%) at December 31,
2005, compared with December 31, 2004. The net change in current inventories reflects sales volume
at year-end 2005.
There were no short-term borrowings at December 31, 2005 or 2004. At December 31, 2005,
current portion of long-term debt consisted of the remaining balance of $288.8 million of 6.625%
senior notes due January 20, 2006, which were paid in full at maturity.
Capital Structure and Financial Resources
At December 31, 2005, debt consisted of $288.8 million of 6.625% senior notes due January 20,
2006, representing the current portion of long-term debt included in current liabilities, and
$150.0 million of 6.750% senior notes due January 20, 2009 and reported as long-term debt. The
$288.8 million of 6.625% senior notes due January 20, 2006 was paid in full on the maturity date.
The senior notes are unsecured obligations and rank on a parity with all other unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness of USEC Inc.
58
On August 18, 2005, we entered into a five-year, syndicated bank credit facility, providing up
to $400 million in revolving credit commitments, including up to $300 million in letters of credit,
secured by assets of the Company and our subsidiaries. The new facility replaced a three-year,
$150 million facility that had been scheduled to expire in September 2005, and is available to
finance
working capital needs, refinance existing debt and fund capital programs, including the American
Centrifuge project. Borrowings under the new facility are subject to limitations based on
established percentages of eligible accounts receivable and inventory.
The newly established interest rate margin is 50 basis points lower than that under the
previous facility. Outstanding borrowings under the new facility bear interest at a variable rate
equal to, based on our election, either:
|
|
|
the sum of (x) the greater of the JPMorgan Chase Bank prime rate and the federal funds
rate
plus 1/2 of 1% plus (y) a margin ranging from 0.25% to 0.75% based upon collateral
availability, or |
|
|
|
|
the sum of LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 2.0% to 2.5% based on collateral
availability. |
The revolving credit facility includes various operating and financial covenants that are
customary for transactions of this type, including, without limitation, restrictions on the
incurrence and prepayment of other indebtedness, granting of liens, sales of assets, making of
investments, maintenance of a minimum amount of inventory, and payment of dividends or other
distributions. Failure to satisfy the covenants would constitute an event of default under the
revolving credit facility.
The revolving credit facility also contains various reserve provisions that may reduce the
facilitys availability periodically or restrict the use of borrowings. First, after July 19, 2006,
the facilitys availability will be reduced by $150 million less the amount of any proceeds from
any debt or equity offering completed prior to that date. Debt or equity offerings after July 19,
2006 would reduce the amount of the reserve. The effect of this restriction is that unless we
complete a debt or equity offering of at least $150 million prior to July 19, 2006, the
availability under our revolving credit facility will, until we complete such an offering, be
reduced by up to $150 million. Second, the facility contains covenants that can periodically limit
USEC to $50 million in capital expenditures based on available liquidity levels. Other reserves
under the revolving credit facility, such as availability reserves and borrowing base reserves, are
customary for credit facilities of this type.
As of December 31, 2005, we were in compliance with all covenants under the revolving credit
facility. There were no short-term borrowings under the new revolving credit facility at December
31, 2005 or under the previous revolving credit facility at December 31, 2004. Letters of credit
issued under the facilities amounted to $25.0 million at December 31, 2005 and $0.9 million at
December 31, 2004.
In August 2005, Standard & Poors lowered its corporate credit rating on USEC to B+ with
negative outlook from BB- with negative outlook. Our current ratings are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Standard & Poors |
|
Moodys |
Corporate credit/family rating
|
|
B+
|
|
B1 |
Senior unsecured debt
|
|
B
|
|
B2 |
Outlook
|
|
Negative
|
|
Stable |
We do not have any debt obligations that are accelerated or in which interest rates increase
in the event of a credit rating downgrade, although reductions in our credit ratings may increase
the cost and reduce the availability of financing to us in the future.
The total debt-to-capitalization ratio was 33% at December 31, 2005 and 34% at December 31,
2004. We expect that our cash, internally generated funds from operations, and available financing
under the revolving credit facility will be sufficient over the next 12 months to meet our cash
flow obligations.
59
Contractual Commitments
USEC had contractual commitments at December 31, 2005, estimated as follows (in
millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
Thereafter |
|
|
Total |
|
Financing (1): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Debt |
|
$ |
288.8 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
150.0 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
438.8 |
|
Interest on debt |
|
|
19.7 |
|
|
|
10.1 |
|
|
|
10.1 |
|
|
|
5.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
45.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
308.5 |
|
|
|
10.1 |
|
|
|
10.1 |
|
|
|
155.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
483.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Production and Related Activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Power purchase commitments for
the Paducah plant (2) |
|
|
145.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
145.5 |
|
Purchase commitments (3) |
|
|
25.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
25.6 |
|
Operating leases |
|
|
7.5 |
|
|
|
6.6 |
|
|
|
6.0 |
|
|
|
2.7 |
|
|
|
1.6 |
|
|
|
1.7 |
|
|
|
26.1 |
|
Other long-term liabilities (4) |
|
|
7.3 |
|
|
|
7.3 |
|
|
|
7.3 |
|
|
|
9.1 |
|
|
|
41.8 |
|
|
|
197.4 |
|
|
|
270.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
185.9 |
|
|
|
13.9 |
|
|
|
13.3 |
|
|
|
11.8 |
|
|
|
43.4 |
|
|
|
199.1 |
|
|
|
467.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of SWU and Uranium for Resale (5) |
|
|
523.1 |
|
|
|
514.2 |
|
|
|
525.2 |
|
|
|
509.0 |
|
|
|
520.0 |
|
|
|
1,579.0 |
|
|
|
4,170.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,017.5 |
|
|
$ |
538.2 |
|
|
$ |
548.6 |
|
|
$ |
675.9 |
|
|
$ |
563.4 |
|
|
$ |
1,778.1 |
|
|
$ |
5,121.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
We paid the 6.625% senior notes balance amount of $288.8 million on the scheduled
maturity date of January 20, 2006. The 6.750% senior notes amounting to $150.0 million are
due January 20, 2009. |
|
(2) |
|
We purchase more than 80% of the electric power for the Paducah plant under a power purchase
agreement with TVA. Capacity and prices are fixed through May 2006. We expect to contract for
electric power for the period subsequent to May 2006. |
|
(3) |
|
Purchase commitments are enforceable and legally binding and consist of purchase orders or
contracts issued to vendors and suppliers to procure materials and services. |
|
(4) |
|
Other long-term liabilities reported on the balance sheet include postretirement health and
life benefit obligations amounting to $153.9 million, accrued depleted uranium disposition
costs of
$47.0 million, and the long-term portion of accrued lease turnover costs of $52.4 million. |
|
(5) |
|
Commitments to purchase SWU and uranium for resale include commitments to purchase SWU under
the Russian Contract and other commitments to downblend highly enriched uranium from DOE and
to purchase uranium from suppliers. We have agreed to purchase 5.5 million SWU each year for
the remaining term of the Russian Contract through 2013. Over the life of the 20-year Russian
Contract, we expect to purchase 92 million SWU contained in LEU derived from 500 metric tons
of highly enriched uranium. Prices are determined using a discount from an index of
international and U.S. price points, including both long-term and spot prices. A multi-year
retrospective of the index is used to minimize the disruptive effect of any short-term price
swings. Actual amounts will vary based on changes in the price points. |
Other Significant Commitments Impacting Liquidity in 2006
Income taxes payable included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities increased $16.6
million to $37.4 million at December 31, 2005, compared with December 31, 2004. Income taxes
payable are based on statutory federal and state calculations of income. For tax purposes, the
increase results primarily from the timing of revenue recognition and from certain costs that have
been capitalized for tax purposes related to American Centrifuge.
60
We expect to make cash contributions in 2006 of $11.2 million into the trust funds of our
defined benefit pension plans. These cash contributions are required in order for this cost to be
allowable and allocable to government contracts under Government Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)
and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) 31.205-6. We perform contract work for DOE and DOE
contractors at the Paducah and Portsmouth plants, including contracts for cold standby,
refurbishing centrifuge process buildings, providing infrastructure support services, and
processing out-of-specification uranium at the Portsmouth plant.
The agreement we entered into with our former president and chief executive officer, William
H. Timbers, required us to pay a cash settlement of $14.5 million in February 2006 in full
settlement of his claims.
The liability for the disposition of depleted uranium included in other long-term liabilities
increased $20.9 million to $47.0 million at December 31, 2005, compared with December 31, 2004. The
increase in the liability is a result of an increase in the estimated unit disposition cost and
declines in transfers of depleted uranium to DOE under the DOE-USEC Agreement. Our effective
disposition costs were reduced for quantities of depleted uranium transferred to DOE under the
agreement, and transfers under the agreement were completed in the quarter ended June 30, 2005. The
NRC requires us to guarantee our depleted uranium liability with financial assurances. The
financial assurance requirement is based on our year-end liability plus expected increases over the
coming year, including some contingencies, totaling to an annual projected required amount. The
total financial guarantees required by NRC are $91.4 million. The $91.4 million of financial
guarantees are covered by a combination of a $24.1 million letter of credit and a $67.3 million
surety bond. This letter of credit is included in our total letters of credit issued and
outstanding as previously disclosed. The $67.3 million surety bond is collateralized by a $24.6
million deposit for depleted uranium included in other long-term assets at December 31, 2005. If
our estimated unit disposition cost increases based on revised assumptions, then this would
potentially increase the amount of financial assurances needed.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Other than the letters of credit issued under the facilities as discussed above, there were no
material off-balance sheet arrangements, obligations, or other relationships at December 31, 2005
or 2004.
Environmental Matters
In addition to estimated costs for the future disposition of depleted uranium, we incur costs
for matters relating to compliance with environmental laws and regulations, including the handling,
treatment and disposal of hazardous, low-level radioactive and mixed wastes generated as a result
of its operations. Environmental liabilities associated with plant operations prior to July 28,
1998, are the responsibility of the U.S. government, except for liabilities relating to certain
identified wastes generated by us and stored at the plants. DOE remains responsible for
decontamination and decommissioning of the plants. Operating costs for environmental compliance,
including estimated costs relating to the future disposition of depleted uranium, amounted to $32.3
million in 2005,
$20.5 million in 2004, and $25.2 million in 2003.
USEC and certain federal agencies were identified as potentially responsible parties under
CERCLA for a site in Barnwell, South Carolina previously operated by Starmet CMI (Starmet), one
of USECs former contractors. In February 2004, USEC entered into an agreement with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to clean up certain areas at Starmets Barnwell site. Under
the agreement, USEC was responsible for removing certain material from the site that was
attributable to quantities of depleted uranium USEC had sent to the site. In December 2005, the EPA
confirmed that USEC completed its clean up obligations under the agreement. At December 31, 2005,
USEC had an accrued
61
current liability of $0.9 million for remaining payments for work associated with completing
the agreement. USEC could incur additional costs associated with its share of costs for cleanup of
the Starmet site, resulting from a variety of factors, including a decision by federal or state
agencies to recover costs for prior cleanup work or require additional remediation at the site.
New Accounting Standards
Reference is made to note 1 of the notes to the consolidated financial statements for
information on new accounting standards.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
At December 31, 2005, the balance sheet carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents,
short-term investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and payables
under the Russian Contract approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of the
instruments.
We have not entered into financial instruments for trading purposes. The fair value of debt
is calculated based on a credit-adjusted spread over U.S. Treasury securities with similar
maturities. The scheduled maturity dates of debt, the balance sheet carrying amounts and
related fair values at December 31, 2005, follow (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maturity Dates |
|
|
December 31, 2005 |
|
|
|
January 20, |
|
|
January 20, |
|
|
Balance Sheet |
|
|
Fair |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
Carrying Amount |
|
|
Value |
|
Debt: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.625% senior notes |
|
$ |
288.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
288.8 |
|
|
$ |
288.8 |
|
6.750% senior notes |
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
150.0 |
|
|
|
150.0 |
|
|
|
144.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
438.8 |
|
|
$ |
432.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reference is made to additional information reported in managements discussion and
analysis of financial condition and results of operations included herein for quantitative and
qualitative disclosures related to the following:
|
|
|
commodity price risk subsequent to May 2006 for electric power requirements for the
Paducah plant, for which almost all of the electric power is purchased from TVA at fixed
prices through May 2006 (refer to Overview Cost of Sales and Results of Operations
Cost of Sales), and |
|
|
|
|
interest rate risk relating to any outstanding borrowings at variable interest rates
under the $400.0 million revolving credit agreement (refer to Liquidity and Capital
Resources Capital Structure and Financial Resources). |
Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Reference is made to the index to consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in
this annual report.
|
|
|
Item 9. |
|
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure |
None.
62
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
USEC maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information
required to be disclosed by USEC in reports it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported on a timely basis and that such information
is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief
Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, USEC carried out an evaluation, under the
supervision and with the participation of the Companys management, including the Chief Executive
Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of
disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon, and as of the
date of, this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded
that disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Managements Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
USECs management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control
over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended) and for an assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over
financial reporting. USECs internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to
provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation
of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
A companys internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures
that pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly
reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; provide reasonable
assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of
the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of
the company; and provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of
unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of the companys assets that could have a material
effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent
or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods
are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or
that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management assessed the effectiveness of USECs internal control over financial reporting as
of December 31, 2005, based on criteria established in Internal Control Integrated Framework
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this
evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective
as of December 31, 2005.
Managements assessment of the effectiveness of USECs internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2005 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent
registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report which is included herein.
63
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have not been any changes in internal control over financial reporting during the
quarter ended December 31, 2005 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to
materially affect, USECs internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
Certain information regarding executive officers is included in Part I of this annual report.
Additional information concerning directors and executive officers is incorporated herein by
reference to the definitive Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the annual meeting of shareholders scheduled to be held on
April 25, 2006.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Information concerning management compensation is incorporated herein by reference to the
definitive Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 for the annual meeting of shareholders scheduled to be held on April 25, 2006.
|
|
|
Item 12. |
|
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder
Matters |
Information concerning security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management and
related stockholder matters is incorporated herein by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement
to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the annual
meeting of shareholders scheduled to be held on April 25, 2006.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
Information concerning certain relationships and related transactions is incorporated herein
by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the annual meeting of shareholders scheduled to be held on
April 25, 2006.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Information concerning principal accountant fees and services is incorporated herein by
reference to the definitive Proxy Statement to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the annual meeting of shareholders scheduled to be held on
April 25, 2006.
64
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) (1) Consolidated Financial Statements
Reference is made to the consolidated financial statements appearing elsewhere in this annual
report.
(2) Financial Statement Schedules
No financial statement schedules are required to be filed as part of this annual report.
(3) Exhibits
The exhibits listed on the accompanying Exhibit Index are filed or incorporated by reference
as part of this report and such Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference. The
accompanying Exhibit Index identifies each management contract or compensatory plan or
arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this report, and such listing is
incorporated herein by reference.
65
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized.
|
|
|
|
|
USEC Inc. |
|
|
|
February 24, 2006
|
|
/s/ John K. Welch |
|
|
|
|
|
John K. Welch |
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has
been signed by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the
date indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
Signature |
|
Title |
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
/s/ John K. Welch
John K. Welch |
|
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer) and Director
|
|
February 24, 2006 |
/s/ Ellen C. Wolf
Ellen C. Wolf |
|
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting
Officer)
|
|
February 24, 2006 |
/s/ James R. Mellor
James R. Mellor |
|
Chairman of the Board
|
|
February 24, 2006 |
/s/ Michael H. Armacost
Michael H. Armacost |
|
Director
|
|
February 24, 2006 |
/s/ Joyce F. Brown
Joyce F. Brown |
|
Director
|
|
February 24, 2006 |
/s/ John R. Hall
John R. Hall |
|
Director
|
|
February 24, 2006 |
/s/ W. Henson Moore
W. Henson Moore |
|
Director
|
|
February 24, 2006 |
/s/ Joseph F. Paquette, Jr.
Joseph F. Paquette, Jr. |
|
Director
|
|
February 24, 2006 |
/s/ James D. Woods
James D. Woods |
|
Director
|
|
February 24, 2006 |
66
USEC Inc.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page |
|
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
|
|
68 |
|
|
Consolidated Balance Sheets |
|
|
70 |
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Income |
|
|
71 |
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows |
|
|
72 |
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity |
|
|
73 |
|
|
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
|
|
74 101 |
|
67
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of USEC Inc.:
We have completed integrated audits of USEC Inc.s 2005 and 2004 consolidated financial statements
and of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, and an audit of its
2003 consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Our opinions, based on our audits, are presented
below.
Consolidated financial statements
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index appearing under Item 15 a
(1) present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of USEC Inc. and its
subsidiaries at December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the results of their operations and their cash
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005 in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Companys management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these
statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An
audit of financial statements includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts
and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and
significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Internal control over financial reporting
Also, in our opinion, managements assessment, included in Managements Annual Report on Internal
Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A, that the Company maintained effective
internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005 based on criteria established
in Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of
the Treadway Commission (COSO), is fairly stated, in all material respects, based on those
criteria. Furthermore, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects,
effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2005, based on criteria
established in Internal Control Integrated Framework issued by the COSO. The Companys
management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and
for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our
responsibility is to express opinions on managements assessment and on the effectiveness of the
Companys internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We conducted our audit of
internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require
68
that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective
internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. An audit of
internal control over financial reporting includes obtaining an understanding of internal control
over financial reporting, evaluating managements assessment, testing and evaluating the design
and operating effectiveness of internal control, and performing such other procedures as we
consider necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis
for our opinions.
A companys internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable
assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial
statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A
companys internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i)
pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the
transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that
transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company
are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company;
and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized
acquisition, use, or disposition of the companys assets that could have a material effect on the
financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or
detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are
subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that
the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
McLean, Virginia
February 24, 2006
69
USEC Inc.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(millions, except share and per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
ASSETS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
259.1 |
|
|
$ |
174.8 |
|
Restricted short-term investments |
|
|
17.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable trade |
|
|
256.7 |
|
|
|
238.5 |
|
Inventories: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Separative work units |
|
|
790.3 |
|
|
|
740.6 |
|
Uranium |
|
|
171.3 |
|
|
|
251.6 |
|
Materials and supplies |
|
|
12.7 |
|
|
|
17.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Inventories |
|
|
974.3 |
|
|
|
1,009.4 |
|
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
39.1 |
|
|
|
27.0 |
|
Other current assets |
|
|
68.7 |
|
|
|
39.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Current Assets |
|
|
1,615.7 |
|
|
|
1,488.9 |
|
Property, Plant and Equipment, net |
|
|
171.2 |
|
|
|
178.0 |
|
Other Long-Term Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
100.6 |
|
|
|
69.6 |
|
Deposit for depleted uranium |
|
|
24.6 |
|
|
|
23.5 |
|
Prepaid pension benefit costs |
|
|
86.2 |
|
|
|
82.9 |
|
Inventories |
|
|
71.4 |
|
|
|
156.2 |
|
Goodwill and other intangibles |
|
|
11.1 |
|
|
|
4.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Other Long-Term Assets |
|
|
293.9 |
|
|
|
336.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Assets |
|
$ |
2,080.8 |
|
|
$ |
2,003.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current portion of long-term debt |
|
$ |
288.8 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
|
|
217.4 |
|
|
|
202.3 |
|
Payables under Russian Contract |
|
|
111.6 |
|
|
|
89.7 |
|
Uranium owed to customers and suppliers |
|
|
2.3 |
|
|
|
44.5 |
|
Deferred revenue and advances from customers |
|
|
132.9 |
|
|
|
28.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Current Liabilities |
|
|
753.0 |
|
|
|
365.3 |
|
Long-Term Debt |
|
|
150.0 |
|
|
|
475.0 |
|
Other Long-Term Liabilities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advances from customers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.9 |
|
Depleted uranium disposition |
|
|
47.0 |
|
|
|
26.1 |
|
Postretirement health and life benefit obligations |
|
|
153.9 |
|
|
|
145.2 |
|
Other liabilities |
|
|
69.3 |
|
|
|
66.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Other Long-Term Liabilities |
|
|
270.2 |
|
|
|
244.4 |
|
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 11) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholders Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, 25,000,000 shares
authorized, none issued |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock, par value $.10 per share, 250,000,000 shares
authorized, 100,320,000 shares issued |
|
|
10.0 |
|
|
|
10.0 |
|
Excess of capital over par value |
|
|
970.6 |
|
|
|
963.9 |
|
Retained earnings |
|
|
31.3 |
|
|
|
56.3 |
|
Treasury stock, 13,749,000 and 15,171,000 shares |
|
|
(99.5 |
) |
|
|
(109.2 |
) |
Deferred compensation |
|
|
(2.7 |
) |
|
|
(1.6 |
) |
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
|
|
(2.1 |
) |
|
|
(.7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Stockholders Equity |
|
|
907.6 |
|
|
|
918.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Liabilities and Stockholders Equity |
|
$ |
2,080.8 |
|
|
$ |
2,003.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
70
USEC Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(millions, except per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
Revenue: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Separative work units |
|
$ |
1,085.6 |
|
|
$ |
1,027.3 |
|
|
$ |
1,110.8 |
|
Uranium |
|
|
261.3 |
|
|
|
224.0 |
|
|
|
159.9 |
|
U.S. government contracts and other |
|
|
212.4 |
|
|
|
165.9 |
|
|
|
166.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total revenue |
|
|
1,559.3 |
|
|
|
1,417.2 |
|
|
|
1,436.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost of sales: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Separative work units and uranium |
|
|
1,148.4 |
|
|
|
1,071.6 |
|
|
|
1,124.1 |
|
U.S. government contracts and other |
|
|
181.4 |
|
|
|
151.5 |
|
|
|
150.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total cost of sales |
|
|
1,329.8 |
|
|
|
1,223.1 |
|
|
|
1,274.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit |
|
|
229.5 |
|
|
|
194.1 |
|
|
|
162.4 |
|
Special charges for organizational restructuring |
|
|
7.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advanced technology costs |
|
|
94.5 |
|
|
|
58.5 |
|
|
|
44.8 |
|
Selling, general and administrative |
|
|
61.9 |
|
|
|
64.1 |
|
|
|
69.4 |
|
Other (income) expense, net |
|
|
(1.0 |
) |
|
|
(1.7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
|
66.8 |
|
|
|
73.2 |
|
|
|
48.2 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
40.0 |
|
|
|
40.5 |
|
|
|
38.4 |
|
Interest (income) |
|
|
(10.5 |
) |
|
|
(3.9 |
) |
|
|
(5.4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes |
|
|
37.3 |
|
|
|
36.6 |
|
|
|
15.2 |
|
Provision for income taxes |
|
|
15.0 |
|
|
|
13.1 |
|
|
|
6.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
22.3 |
|
|
$ |
23.5 |
|
|
$ |
9.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per share basic and diluted |
|
$ |
.26 |
|
|
$ |
.28 |
|
|
$ |
.11 |
|
Dividends per share |
|
$ |
.55 |
|
|
$ |
.55 |
|
|
$ |
.55 |
|
Weighted average number of shares outstanding: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
|
86.1 |
|
|
|
84.1 |
|
|
|
82.2 |
|
Diluted |
|
|
86.6 |
|
|
|
84.8 |
|
|
|
82.6 |
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
71
USEC Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(millions)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
Cash Flows From Operating Activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
22.3 |
|
|
$ |
23.5 |
|
|
$ |
9.0 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
(used in) operating activities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization |
|
|
35.0 |
|
|
|
31.8 |
|
|
|
29.3 |
|
Depleted uranium disposition |
|
|
19.8 |
|
|
|
(3.8 |
) |
|
|
(5.4 |
) |
Deferred income taxes |
|
|
(43.2 |
) |
|
|
2.6 |
|
|
|
(2.9 |
) |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Short-term investments (increase) decrease |
|
|
|
|
|
|
35.0 |
|
|
|
(35.0 |
) |
Accounts receivable (increase) decrease |
|
|
(18.2 |
) |
|
|
16.0 |
|
|
|
1.5 |
|
Inventories net (increase) decrease |
|
|
76.3 |
|
|
|
(17.0 |
) |
|
|
117.7 |
|
Payables under Russian Contract increase (decrease) |
|
|
21.9 |
|
|
|
(29.6 |
) |
|
|
12.7 |
|
Payment of termination settlement obligation under power
purchase agreement |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(33.2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Deferred revenue, net of deferred costs increase (decrease) |
|
|
42.0 |
|
|
|
(12.1 |
) |
|
|
(36.2 |
) |
Accounts payable and other liabilities increase (decrease) |
|
|
26.2 |
|
|
|
36.9 |
|
|
|
6.1 |
|
Other, net |
|
|
6.8 |
|
|
|
2.5 |
|
|
|
13.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities |
|
|
188.9 |
|
|
|
52.6 |
|
|
|
109.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital expenditures |
|
|
(26.3 |
) |
|
|
(20.2 |
) |
|
|
(24.9 |
) |
Investment in NAC Holding Inc., net of cash acquired |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(8.1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Deposit relating to acquisition of NAC Holding Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Cash (Used in) Investing Activities |
|
|
(26.3 |
) |
|
|
(34.3 |
) |
|
|
(24.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows Used in Financing Activities |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends paid to stockholders |
|
|
(47.3 |
) |
|
|
(46.3 |
) |
|
|
(45.2 |
) |
Repurchase of senior notes, including premiums |
|
|
(36.3 |
) |
|
|
(25.6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Deferred financing costs |
|
|
(3.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock issued |
|
|
8.8 |
|
|
|
14.3 |
|
|
|
3.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Cash (Used in) Financing Activities |
|
|
(78.3 |
) |
|
|
(57.6 |
) |
|
|
(42.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net Increase (Decrease) |
|
|
84.3 |
|
|
|
(39.3 |
) |
|
|
43.0 |
|
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period |
|
|
174.8 |
|
|
|
214.1 |
|
|
|
171.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period |
|
$ |
259.1 |
|
|
$ |
174.8 |
|
|
$ |
214.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental Cash Flow Information |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest paid |
|
$ |
32.6 |
|
|
$ |
35.2 |
|
|
$ |
34.7 |
|
Income taxes paid (refund) |
|
|
38.7 |
|
|
|
3.6 |
|
|
|
(10.0 |
) |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
72
USEC Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
(millions, except per share data)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumu- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
lated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock, |
|
|
Excess of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compre- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Compre- |
|
|
|
Par Value |
|
|
Capital |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
hensive |
|
|
Total |
|
|
hensive |
|
|
|
$.10 per |
|
|
over |
|
|
Retained |
|
|
Treasury |
|
|
Deferred |
|
|
Income |
|
|
Stockholders |
|
|
Income |
|
|
|
Share |
|
|
Par Value |
|
|
Earnings |
|
|
Stock |
|
|
Compensation |
|
|
(Loss) |
|
|
Equity |
|
|
(Loss) |
|
Balance at December 31, 2002 |
|
$ |
10.0 |
|
|
$ |
1,054.8 |
|
|
$ |
23.8 |
|
|
$ |
(133.5 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.6 |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
953.5 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
Restricted and other stock issued, net
of amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(.6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.8 |
|
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends paid to stockholders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(45.2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(45.2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2003 |
|
|
10.0 |
|
|
|
1,009.0 |
|
|
|
32.8 |
|
|
|
(127.7 |
) |
|
|
(.5 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
923.6 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock issued: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of stock options |
|
|
|
|
|
|
.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
13.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted and other stock issued,
net of amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.0 |
|
|
|
(1.1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends paid to stockholders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(46.3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(46.3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minimum pension liability, net of
income tax of $.4 million |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(.7 |
) |
|
|
(.7 |
) |
|
|
(.7 |
) |
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23.5 |
|
|
|
23.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2004 |
|
|
10.0 |
|
|
|
963.9 |
|
|
|
56.3 |
|
|
|
(109.2 |
) |
|
|
(1.6 |
) |
|
|
(.7 |
) |
|
|
918.7 |
|
|
$ |
22.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock issued: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exercise of stock options |
|
|
|
|
|
|
.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
Restricted and other stock issued,
net of amortization |
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.6 |
|
|
|
(1.1 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
9.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends paid to stockholders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(47.3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(47.3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minimum pension liability, net of
income tax of $.9 million |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.4 |
) |
|
|
(1.4 |
) |
|
|
(1.4 |
) |
Net income |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22.3 |
|
|
|
22.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2005 |
|
$ |
10.0 |
|
|
$ |
970.6 |
|
|
$ |
31.3 |
|
|
$ |
(99.5 |
) |
|
$ |
(2.7 |
) |
|
$ |
(2.1 |
) |
|
$ |
907.6 |
|
|
$ |
20.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
73
USEC Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of Operations
USEC Inc. (USEC) is a global energy company and is the worlds leading supplier of low
enriched uranium (LEU) for commercial nuclear power plants.
Customers typically provide uranium to us as part of their enrichment contracts. Customers are
billed for the separative work units (SWU) deemed to be contained in the LEU delivered to them.
SWU is a standard unit of measurement that represents the effort required to transform a given
amount of uranium into two streams: enriched uranium having a higher percentage of
U235 and depleted uranium having a lower percentage of
U235. The SWU contained in LEU is calculated using an industry standard
formula based on the physics of enrichment.
Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of USEC Inc., its principal
subsidiary, United States Enrichment Corporation, and its other subsidiaries. All material
intercompany transactions are eliminated.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include temporary cash investments with original maturities of three
months or less.
Inventories
Inventories of SWU and uranium are valued at the lower of cost or market. Market is based on
the terms of long-term contracts with customers, and, for uranium not under contract, market is
based primarily on published long-term price indicators at the balance sheet date. SWU and uranium
inventory costs are determined using the monthly moving average cost method. SWU costs are based on
production costs at the plants, purchase costs under the Russian Contract, and costs of LEU
recovered from downblending highly enriched uranium in the process of being transferred from the
U.S. government. Production costs consist principally of electric power, labor and benefits,
depleted uranium disposition cost estimates, materials, depreciation and amortization and
maintenance and repairs. The cost of the SWU component of LEU purchased under the Russian Contract
is recorded at acquisition cost plus related shipping costs.
Underfeeding is a mode of operation that uses or feeds less uranium but requires more SWU in
the enrichment process, which requires more electric power. The quantity of uranium that is earned
or added to uranium inventory from underfeeding is accounted for as a byproduct of the enrichment
process, the costs for which are based on the net realizable value of the uranium. Uranium
inventory costs are increased and SWU inventory costs are reduced as a result of underfeeding
uranium.
74
Revenue
Revenue is derived from sales of the SWU component of LEU, from sales of both the SWU and
uranium components of LEU, and from sales of uranium. Revenue is recognized at the time LEU or
uranium is delivered under the terms of contracts with domestic and international electric utility
customers. USEC often advance ships LEU to nuclear fuel fabricators for scheduled or anticipated
orders from utility customers. Based on customer orders, USEC generally arranges for the transfer
of title of LEU from USEC to the customer for the specified quantity of LEU at the fuel fabricator.
Revenue is recognized when delivery of LEU to the customer occurs at the fuel fabricator. Some
customers take title and delivery of LEU at the Paducah plant, and revenue is recognized when
delivery of LEU to the customer is complete.
Certain customers make advance payments to be applied against future orders or deliveries.
Advances from customers are reported as deferred revenue, and revenue is recognized as LEU is
delivered. Under SWU barter contracts, USEC exchanges SWU for electric power or uranium. Revenue
from the sale of SWU under barter contracts is recognized at the time LEU is delivered and is based
on the fair market value of the electric power or uranium received in exchange for SWU. Revenue
from SWU barter contracts amounted to $11.9 million in 2005 and $9.5 million in 2003. There were
no barter sales in 2004.
USEC performs contract work for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and DOE contractors at
the Portsmouth and Paducah plants. USEC records revenue as work is performed and as fees are
earned. Amounts representing contract change orders or revised provisional billing rates are
accrued and included in revenue when they can be reliably estimated and realization is probable.
Revenue includes billings for pension costs based on government cost accounting standards, whereas
costs and expenses include pension costs determined in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. Revenue from U.S. government contracts is based on allowable costs
determined under government cost accounting standards that are subject to audit by the Defense
Contract Audit Agency. Allowable costs include direct costs as well as allocations of indirect
plant and corporate overhead costs and are determined under government cost accounting standards
that are subject to audit by the Defense Contract Audit Agency. Revenue from U.S. government
contracts includes revenue from NAC, which we acquired in November 2004.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Construction work in progress is recorded at acquisition or construction cost. Upon being
placed into service, costs are transferred to leasehold improvements or machinery and equipment at
which time depreciation and amortization commences. USEC leases the Paducah gaseous diffusion plant
located in Paducah, Kentucky and the Portsmouth gaseous diffusion plant located in Piketon, Ohio
from DOE. Leasehold improvements and machinery and equipment are recorded at acquisition cost and
depreciated on a straight line basis over the shorter of the useful life of the assets or the
expected productive life of the plant, which is estimated to be 2010 for the Paducah plant. At the
end of the lease, ownership of plant and equipment that USEC leaves at the gaseous diffusion plants
transfers to DOE, and responsibility for decontamination and decommissioning of the gaseous
diffusion plants remains with DOE. Property, plant and equipment assets at December 31, 2005 are
not subject to an asset retirement obligation. Maintenance and repair costs are charged to
production costs as incurred.
75
A summary of changes in property, plant and equipment follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital |
|
|
Transfers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital |
|
|
Transfers, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
Expenditures |
|
|
and |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
Expenditures |
|
|
Retirements, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
(Depreciation) |
|
|
Retirements |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
(Depreciation) |
|
|
and Other |
|
|
2004 |
|
Construction work in progress |
|
$ |
14.3 |
|
|
$ |
21.9 |
|
|
$ |
(27.1 |
) |
|
$ |
9.1 |
|
|
$ |
19.2 |
|
|
$ |
(15.0 |
) |
|
$ |
13.3 |
|
Leasehold improvements |
|
|
148.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.1 |
|
|
|
151.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.7 |
|
|
|
157.1 |
|
Machinery and equipment |
|
|
134.7 |
|
|
|
3.0 |
|
|
|
22.4 |
|
|
|
160.1 |
|
|
|
1.0 |
|
|
|
13.2 |
|
|
|
174.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
297.3 |
|
|
|
24.9 |
|
|
|
(1.6 |
) |
|
|
320.6 |
|
|
|
20.2 |
|
|
|
3.9 |
|
|
|
344.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated depreciation and
amortization |
|
|
(106.4 |
) |
|
|
(29.3 |
) |
|
|
.2 |
|
|
|
(135.5 |
) |
|
|
(31.8 |
) |
|
|
.6 |
|
|
|
(166.7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
190.9 |
|
|
$ |
(4.4 |
) |
|
$ |
(1.4 |
) |
|
$ |
185.1 |
|
|
$ |
(11.6 |
) |
|
$ |
4.5 |
|
|
$ |
178.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital |
|
|
Transfers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
Expenditures |
|
|
and |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
(Depreciation) |
|
|
Retirements |
|
|
2005 |
|
Construction work in progress |
|
$ |
13.3 |
|
|
$ |
28.0 |
|
|
$ |
(12.3 |
) |
|
$ |
29.0 |
|
Leasehold improvements |
|
|
157.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.4 |
|
|
|
161.5 |
|
Machinery and equipment |
|
|
174.3 |
|
|
|
.4 |
|
|
|
5.0 |
|
|
|
179.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
344.7 |
|
|
|
28.4 |
|
|
|
(2.9 |
) |
|
|
370.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accumulated depreciation and
amortization |
|
|
(166.7 |
) |
|
|
(34.7 |
) |
|
|
2.4 |
|
|
|
(199.0 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
178.0 |
|
|
$ |
(6.3 |
) |
|
$ |
(.5 |
) |
|
$ |
171.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Lived Assets
USEC evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets by performing impairment tests
whenever adverse conditions or changes in circumstances indicate a possible impairment loss.
Impairment tests are based on a comparison of estimated future cash flows to the carrying values
of long-lived assets. If impairment is indicated, the asset carrying value is reduced to fair
market value or, if fair market value is not readily available, the asset is reduced to a value
determined by applying a discount rate to expected cash flows.
Financial Instruments
The balance sheet carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments,
accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and payables under the Russian
Contract approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of the instruments.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Credit risk could result from the possibility of a customer failing to perform or pay
according to the terms of a contract. Extension of credit is based on an evaluation of each
customers financial condition. USEC regularly monitors credit risk exposure and takes steps to
mitigate the likelihood of such exposure resulting in a loss. Based on experience and outlook, an
allowance for bad debts has not been established for trade receivables from utility customers.
Environmental Costs
Environmental costs relating to operations are accrued and charged to costs as incurred.
Estimated future environmental costs, including depleted uranium disposition and waste disposal,
are accrued where environmental assessments indicate that storage, treatment or disposal is
probable and costs can be reasonably estimated. Environmental liabilities are based on current cost
estimates and are not discounted.
76
Advanced Technology Costs
USEC is in the process of demonstrating its next-generation American Centrifuge uranium
enrichment technology. Costs relating to the American Centrifuge technology are charged to expense
or capitalized based on the nature of the activities and estimates and judgments involving the
completion of project milestones.
Centrifuge costs relating to the demonstration of American Centrifuge technology are charged
to expense as incurred. Demonstration costs include Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) licensing
of the American Centrifuge Demonstration facility in Piketon Ohio, engineering activities, and
assembling and testing of centrifuge machines and equipment at centrifuge test facilities located
in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and at the American Centrifuge Demonstration Facility.
Capitalized costs relating to the American Centrifuge technology include or will include NRC
licensing, engineering activities, construction of centrifuge machines and equipment, leasehold
improvements and other costs directly associated with the American Centrifuge Plant. Capitalized
centrifuge costs are recorded in property, plant and equipment as part of construction work in
progress. The continued capitalization of such costs is subject to ongoing review and successful
project completion, including NRC licensing, financing, and installation and operation of
centrifuge machines and equipment. If conditions change and deployment were no longer probable,
costs that were previously capitalized would be charged to expense.
Stock-Based Compensation
Compensation expense for employee stock compensation plans is measured using the intrinsic
value-based method of accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles
Board Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees. As long as stock options are granted at an exercise price
that is equal to the market value of common stock at the date of grant, there is no compensation
expense for the grant, vesting or exercise of stock options.
Grants of restricted stock result in deferred compensation based on the market value of common
stock at the date of grant. Deferred compensation is amortized to expense on a straight-line basis
over the vesting period. Compensation expense for awards of restricted stock units is generally
recognized over a three-year performance period.
On December 12, 2005, USEC accelerated the vesting of all outstanding and unvested stock
options with an exercise price greater than the closing price on December 12, 2005 of $12.41 per
share. Options to purchase 131,509 shares, including 21,000 shares held by non-employee directors,
having an exercise price of either $13.98 or $16.90 per share, became exercisable immediately as a
result of the vesting acceleration. The accelerated vesting did not result in the recognition of
compensation expense since the options had no intrinsic value. The primary purpose of the
acceleration was to eliminate the future compensation expense USEC would otherwise recognize in the
consolidated statements of income with respect to these options once SFAS No.123(R), Share Based
Payment, becomes effective in 2006. In addition, because these options had exercise prices in
excess of current market values, and were not fully achieving their original objectives of
incentive compensation and retention, the Board of Directors believes the acceleration may have a
positive effect on morale, retention, and perceptions of option value. The financial effect of this
acceleration is to reduce compensation expense in USECs pre-tax earnings by $0.3 million in 2006,
$0.2 million in 2007 and $0.1 million in 2008.
77
Under the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
Transition and Disclosure, pro forma net income assumes that compensation expense relating to stock
options and to shares of common stock purchased by employees at 85% of the market price under the
Employee Stock Purchase Plan is recognized based on the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS
No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. The fair value of stock options is measured at
the date of grant based on the Black-Scholes option pricing model and is amortized to expense over
the vesting period. The expected life for options granted in 2005 was determined using the
simplified method provided by the SEC in Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, Share Based Payment.
The following table illustrates the effect on net income, including the impact of accelerating the
vesting of options, as if the fair value method of accounting had been applied (in millions, except
per share data):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
Net income, as reported |
|
$ |
22.3 |
|
|
$ |
23.5 |
|
|
$ |
9.0 |
|
Add Stock-based compensation expense
included in reported results, net of tax |
|
|
3.0 |
|
|
|
3.3 |
|
|
|
2.8 |
|
Deduct Stock-based compensation
expense determined under the fair-value
method, net of tax |
|
|
(6.0 |
) |
|
|
(5.1 |
) |
|
|
(4.3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma net income |
|
$ |
19.3 |
|
|
$ |
21.7 |
|
|
$ |
7.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income per share basic and diluted: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As reported |
|
$ |
.26 |
|
|
$ |
.28 |
|
|
$ |
.11 |
|
Pro forma |
|
$ |
.22 |
|
|
$ |
.26 |
|
|
$ |
.09 |
|
Weighted average fair value per share of
stock options granted |
|
$ |
4.07 |
|
|
$ |
1.60 |
|
|
$ |
1.04 |
|
Assumptions: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Risk-free interest rate |
|
|
3.8 |
% |
|
|
3.0 |
% |
|
|
3.5 |
% |
Expected dividend yield |
|
|
4 |
% |
|
|
7 |
% |
|
|
8 |
% |
Expected volatility |
|
|
42 |
% |
|
|
40 |
% |
|
|
35 |
% |
Expected option life |
|
|
3.5 |
years |
|
|
4 |
years |
|
|
6 |
years |
In February 2006, the Board of Directors voted to discontinue paying a common stock
dividend.
Deferred Income Taxes
USEC follows the asset and liability approach to account for deferred income taxes. Deferred
tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the anticipated future tax consequences of temporary
differences between the balance sheet carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their
respective tax bases. Deferred income taxes are based on income tax rates in effect for the years
in which temporary differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred income taxes of a
change in income tax rates is recognized in income when the change in rates is enacted in the law.
A valuation allowance is provided if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred
tax assets may not be realized.
78
Net Income per Share
Basic net income per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number
of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is
calculated by increasing the weighted average number of shares by the assumed conversion of
potentially dilutive stock compensation awards.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
(in millions) |
|
Weighted average number of shares
outstanding: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic |
|
|
86.1 |
|
|
|
84.1 |
|
|
|
82.2 |
|
Dilutive effect of stock compensation awards |
|
|
.5 |
|
|
|
.7 |
|
|
|
.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted |
|
|
86.6 |
|
|
|
84.8 |
|
|
|
82.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other options to purchase shares of common stock having an exercise price greater than
the average share market price are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
Options excluded from diluted earnings per
share calculation: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options to purchase common stock (in millions) |
|
|
.2 |
|
|
|
.1 |
|
|
|
3.3 |
|
Exercise price |
|
$ |
13.25 to $16.90 |
|
|
$ |
10.44 to $14.00 |
|
|
$ |
6.88 to $14.00 |
|
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect reported amounts presented and disclosed in the consolidated financial statements.
Significant estimates and judgments include, but are not limited to, pension and postretirement
health and life benefit costs and obligations, the replacement or remediation of
out-of-specification uranium by the DOE, costs for the conversion, transportation and disposition
of depleted uranium, plant lease turnover costs, the tax bases of assets and liabilities, the
future recoverability of deferred tax assets, and determination of the valuation allowance for
deferred tax assets. Actual results may differ from such estimates, and estimates may change if
the underlying conditions or assumptions change.
New Accounting Standards
In November 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 151,
Inventory Costs, which is the result of efforts to converge U.S. accounting standards for
inventories with International Accounting Standards. Under SFAS No. 151, abnormal amounts of idle
facility expense, freight and handling costs, and wasted materials would be recognized as
current-period costs and the allocation of fixed production overhead to inventory would be based on
the normal capacity of production facilities. The new standard will become effective for inventory
costs incurred by USEC beginning in 2006. We do not expect the new standard will have a material
effect on our results of operations.
79
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123(R), Share Based Payment, which replaces SFAS
No. 123 and supersedes APB No. 25. SFAS No. 123(R) requires that compensation costs relating to
stock awards, such as stock options issued to employees, be recognized in the financial statements
as costs and expenses based on fair value. In March 2005, the SEC released Staff Accounting
Bulletin No. 107, Share Based Payment, expressing the views of the SEC staff regarding SFAS 123(R)
and, in April 2005, the SEC amended its rules to delay the effective date of SFAS No. 123(R) for
calendar year companies until the beginning of 2006. SFAS No. 123(R) supersedes our current
accounting for share-based payment under APB No. 25. Beginning in the first quarter of 2006, USEC
will adopt the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) under the modified prospective application transition
method using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Costs and expenses will include our estimate
of compensation costs using a number of assumptions including our stock price volatility, employee
exercise patterns (expected life of the options), future forfeitures and related tax effects. We
are continuing to evaluate the impact of SFAS No. 123(R) on our results of operations.
In October 2005, the FASB issued FSP SFAS 123(R)-2, Practical Accommodation to the Application
of Grant Date as Defined in FAS 123(R), which provides guidance on the application of a grant date
as defined in SFAS No. 123(R). In accordance with this standard a grant date of an award exists if
(a) the award is a unilateral grant and (b) the key terms and conditions of the award are expected
to be communicated to an individual recipient within a relatively short time period from the date
of approval. USEC will adopt this standard as part of the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), and it is
not expected to have a material impact on our results of operations.
In November 2005, the FASB issued FSP FAS 123(R)-3, Transition Election Related to Accounting
for the Tax Effects of Share-Based Payment Awards, which provides an elective alternative method
that establishes a computational component to arrive at the beginning balance of the accumulated
paid-in capital pool related to employee compensation and a simplified method to determine the
subsequent impact on the accumulated paid-in capital pool of employee awards that are fully vested
and outstanding upon the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R). We are currently evaluating this transition
method.
In September 2005, the FASB issued Emerging Issues Task Force Issue (EITF) No. 04-13,
Accounting for Purchases and Sales of Inventory with the Same Counterparty. EITF No. 04-13 provided
guidance on the circumstances under which two or more inventory transactions with the same
counterparty should be viewed as a single nonmonetary transaction within the scope of APB Opinion
No. 29, Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions. EITF No. 04-13 also provided guidance on
circumstances under which nonmonetary exchanges of inventory within the same line of business
should be recognized at fair value. EITF 04-13 will be effective for any transactions completed
beginning in the second quarter of 2006. We are evaluating the impact that EITF No. 04-13 will have
on our consolidated financial statements.
2. ACQUISITION OF NAC HOLDING INC.
In November 2004, USEC acquired all the outstanding common stock of NAC Holding Inc. and its
wholly owned subsidiary NAC International Inc. (collectively NAC) from Pinnacle West Capital
Corporation for $10.1 million in cash plus the assumption of certain liabilities of NAC. NAC
provides U.S. and foreign customers with spent nuclear fuel storage solutions, nuclear materials
transportation, and nuclear fuel cycle consulting services. As part of the acquisition agreement,
USEC deposited an additional $6.0 million in an escrow fund pending the outcome of a contingency
relating to the renewal or replacement of a contract with DOE. As of October 1, 2005, a three-year,
$25 million contract extension to manage the Nuclear Materials Management and Safeguards System
(NMMSS) for DOE became effective. Pursuant to the terms of the acquisition agreement, the $6.0
million in escrow was released to Pinnacle West. As such, NAC-related goodwill and other
intangibles of $4.3 million as reported at December 31, 2004 have been increased. Of the $6.0
million payment, $3.4 million was allocated to an amortizable intangible asset related to customer
80
contracts and relationships. The amount allocated was determined based on the fair value of the
three-year NMMSS contract extension along with expected renewals and will be amortized over an
expected life of 13 years. The remaining $2.6 million was allocated to goodwill, along with an
adjustment to record the tax effect of the intangible of $1.1 million. The goodwill amount will not
be deductible for income tax purposes. Factors that contribute to goodwill include, but are not
limited to, the assembled workforce that produces and sells current and future products and
services, the opportunity to cross-sell USEC products to NAC customers, and the positive reputation
that NAC has in the nuclear fuel industry. NAC is included in the U.S. government contracts segment
of USECs operations.
Intangible assets associated with the NAC acquisition are as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
Intangible assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill |
|
$ |
7.5 |
|
|
$ |
3.8 |
|
Customer contracts and relationships |
|
|
3.6 |
|
|
|
.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
11.1 |
|
|
$ |
4.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Intangible assets subject to amortization are as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended |
|
Year Ended |
|
|
December 31, 2005 |
|
December 31, 2004 |
|
|
Gross |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying |
|
Accumulated |
|
|
|
|
|
Carrying |
|
Accumulated |
|
|
|
|
Amount |
|
Amortization |
|
Net |
|
Amount |
|
Amortization |
|
Net |
Customer contracts and relationships |
|
$ |
3.9 |
|
|
$ |
(.3 |
) |
|
$ |
3.6 |
|
|
$ |
.5 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
.5 |
|
Amortization expense was $0.3 million in 2005 and less than $0.1 million in 2004.
Estimated future amortization expense for acquisition-related intangible assets in future
years are as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization |
|
|
Expense |
2006 |
|
$ |
.4 |
|
2007 |
|
|
.4 |
|
2008 |
|
|
.3 |
|
2009 |
|
|
.3 |
|
2010 |
|
|
.3 |
|
Thereafter |
|
|
1.9 |
|
81
3. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, OTHER CURRENT ASSETS, ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
(millions) |
|
Accounts receivable trade: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Utility customers: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trade receivables |
|
$ |
207.0 |
|
|
$ |
195.9 |
|
Uranium loaned to customers |
|
|
1.5 |
|
|
|
8.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
208.5 |
|
|
|
204.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Department of Energy: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
U.S. government contracts |
|
|
33.6 |
|
|
|
25.8 |
|
Unbilled revenue (1) |
|
|
14.6 |
|
|
|
8.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
48.2 |
|
|
|
34.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
256.7 |
|
|
$ |
238.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred costs relating to deferred revenue |
|
$ |
55.7 |
|
|
$ |
19.6 |
|
Prepaid items |
|
|
13.0 |
|
|
|
13.6 |
|
Escrow deposit relating to acquisition of NAC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
68.7 |
|
|
$ |
39.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable |
|
$ |
86.9 |
|
|
$ |
103.5 |
|
Accrued interest payable on long-term debt |
|
|
13.5 |
|
|
|
14.1 |
|
Accrued income taxes payable |
|
|
37.4 |
|
|
|
20.8 |
|
Other accrued liabilities |
|
|
79.6 |
|
|
|
63.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
217.4 |
|
|
$ |
202.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Billings under government contracts are invoiced based on provisional billing rates
approved by DOE. Unbilled revenue represents the difference between actual costs incurred and
invoiced amounts. USEC expects to invoice and collect the unbilled amounts as provisional
billing rates are revised, submitted to and approved by DOE. |
4. INVENTORIES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
(millions) |
|
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Separative work units |
|
$ |
790.3 |
|
|
$ |
740.6 |
|
Uranium |
|
|
171.3 |
|
|
|
212.2 |
|
Out-of-specification uranium
held for DOE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
39.4 |
|
Materials and supplies |
|
|
12.7 |
|
|
|
17.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
974.3 |
|
|
|
1,009.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Uranium |
|
|
|
|
|
|
28.5 |
|
Out-of-specification uranium |
|
|
37.6 |
|
|
|
51.7 |
|
Highly enriched uranium from DOE |
|
|
33.8 |
|
|
|
76.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
71.4 |
|
|
|
156.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,045.7 |
|
|
$ |
1,165.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
82
Uranium Provided by Customers and Suppliers
USEC held uranium with estimated fair values of approximately $2.3 billion at December 31,
2005, and $1.2 billion at December 31, 2004, to which title was held by customers and suppliers and
for which no assets or liabilities were recorded on the balance sheet. Utility customers provide
uranium to USEC as part of their enrichment contracts. Title to uranium provided by customers
remains with the customer until delivery of LEU at which time title to LEU is transferred to the
customer.
Remediating or Replacing Out-of-Specification Uranium
In December 2000, USEC reported to DOE that 9,550 metric tons of natural uranium with a cost
of $237.5 million transferred to USEC from DOE prior to privatization in 1998 may contain elevated
levels of technetium that would put the uranium out of specification for commercial use. Out of
specification means that the uranium would not meet the industry standard as defined in the
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) specification Standard Specification for
Uranium Hexafluoride for Enrichment. The levels of technetium exceeded allowable levels in the
ASTM specification. Under the DOE-USEC Agreement signed in June 2002 (DOE-USEC Agreement), DOE is
obligated to replace or remediate the affected uranium inventory, and USEC has been working with
DOE to implement this process. USEC operates facilities at the Portsmouth plant under contract with
DOE to process and remove contaminants from the out-of-specification uranium.
As part of DOEs remediation or replacement of USECs out-of-specification uranium, DOE
transferred 2,116 metric tons of uranium that meets the ASTM specification to USEC in November 2004
in exchange for the transfer by USEC to DOE of a like amount of out-of-specification uranium. As
of December 31, 2004, USEC had transferred 1,492 metric tons of the out-of-specification uranium to
DOE. The remaining out-of-specification uranium held for DOE was reported in current inventories
and current liabilities at December 31, 2004 at the market value of $39.4 million, and was
transferred to DOE in 2005.
At December 31, 2005, 8,345 metric tons (or 87%) of USECs out-of-specification uranium had
been replaced or remediated by DOE (using USEC as its contractor for remediation). The remaining
portion of USECs uranium inventory that may contain elevated levels of technetium and be
out-of-specification (and that DOE would be obligated to replace or remediate) is 1,205 metric tons
with a cost of $37.6 million reported as part of long-term assets at December 31, 2005. DOEs
obligation to replace or remediate USECs out-of-specification uranium continues until all such
uranium is replaced or remediated, and DOEs obligations survive any termination of the DOE-USEC
Agreement as long as USEC is producing LEU containing at least one million SWU per year at the
Paducah plant or at a new enrichment facility.
In December 2004, USEC entered into a memorandum of agreement with DOE under which USEC agreed
to process 2,116 metric tons of DOEs out-of-specification uranium and use its best efforts to
return 2,116 metric tons of uranium that meets the ASTM specification to DOE by December 31, 2006.
DOE provided an initial quantity of uranium that meets specification to USEC in February 2005, and
the proceeds from sales of such uranium are being used to reimburse USEC for processing costs
incurred. DOE retains rights in any excess proceeds from sales of uranium provided. Under the
agreement, if sales proceeds exceed the costs of processing the out-of-specification uranium, USEC
is obligated to return any excess proceeds to DOE.
83
In May 2005, USEC and DOE amended the memorandum of agreement to cover remediation of USECs
out-of-specification uranium as well as DOEs out-of-specification uranium. Under the amendment,
USEC and DOE agreed that the sales proceeds from uranium provided by DOE would be used to reimburse
USEC for the costs of processing both DOEs out-of-specification uranium and USECs
out-of-specification uranium, and that, in remediating the uranium, USEC would process
approximately equal amounts of DOEs out-of-specification uranium and USECs out-of-specification
uranium on a pro-rata basis.
Under the memorandum of agreement, USEC is to cease work on processing out-of-specification
uranium if processing costs are expected to exceed proceeds from the sale of uranium in any
government fiscal year. As of December 31, 2005, USEC had remediated 737 metric tons of DOEs
out-of-specification uranium. In February 2006, USEC and DOE amended the memorandum of agreement to
provide that DOE would supply additional uranium that meets specification to USEC for sale, with
the proceeds from sales of such uranium to be used to reimburse USEC for additional processing
costs incurred.
USEC and DOE may agree to one or more additional transfers of uranium for sale from DOE, and
USEC expects that additional quantities of uranium for sale, or direct funding from DOE, will be
required in order to complete the remediation program. Whether or not USEC and DOE agree to
additional transfers, DOE is obligated to remediate or replace USECs remaining
out-of-specification uranium under the terms of the DOE-USEC Agreement.
Sales of the uranium provided by DOE in February 2005 were completed in 2005. During 2005,
pending payment to USEC for processing costs, excess proceeds from sales of this uranium were
invested for DOE and reported as restricted short-term investments. The balance sheet carrying
amount of $17.8 million at December 31, 2005, is stated at fair value.
5. PURCHASE OF SEPARATIVE WORK UNITS UNDER RUSSIAN CONTRACT
USEC is the U.S. governments exclusive executive agent (Executive Agent) in connection with
a government-to-government nonproliferation agreement between the United States and the Russian
Federation. Under the agreement, USEC has been designated by the U.S. government to purchase the
SWU component of LEU derived from dismantled Soviet nuclear weapons. In January 1994, USEC, as
Executive Agent for the U.S. government, signed a commercial agreement (Russian Contract) with a
Russian government entity known as OAO Techsnabexport (TENEX, or the Russian Executive Agent),
Executive Agent for the Federal Agency for Atomic Energy of the Russian Federation, to purchase the
SWU component.
USEC has agreed to purchase 5.5 million SWU each calendar year for the remaining term of the
Russian Contract through 2013. Over the life of the 20-year Russian Contract, USEC expects to
purchase 92 million SWU contained in LEU derived from 500 metric tons of highly enriched uranium.
Purchases under the Russian Contract approximate 50% of our supply mix. Prices are determined using
a discount from an index of international and U.S. price points, including both long-term and spot
prices. A multi-year retrospective of the index is used to minimize the disruptive effect of any
short-term market price swings.
The Russian Contract provides that, after the end of 2007, the parties may agree on
appropriate adjustments, if necessary, to ensure that the Russian Executive Agent receives at least
approximately $7.6 billion for the SWU component over the 20-year term of the Russian Contract
through 2013. From inception of the Russian Contract in 1994 through December 31, 2005, USEC has
purchased the SWU component of LEU at an aggregate cost of approximately $4.1 billion. Purchases of
SWU under the Russian Contract are expected to be approximately $0.5 billion per year through 2013.
84
6. INCOME TAXES
The provision for income taxes follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
Current: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal |
|
$ |
51.7 |
|
|
$ |
8.8 |
|
|
$ |
8.0 |
|
State and local |
|
|
6.5 |
|
|
|
1.7 |
|
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
58.2 |
|
|
|
10.5 |
|
|
|
9.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Federal |
|
|
(42.4 |
) |
|
|
2.9 |
|
|
|
(2.0 |
) |
State and local |
|
|
(.8 |
) |
|
|
(.3 |
) |
|
|
(.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(43.2 |
) |
|
|
2.6 |
|
|
|
(2.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
15.0 |
|
|
$ |
13.1 |
|
|
$ |
6.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts for
financial reporting purposes and USECs estimate of the tax bases of its assets and liabilities
result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
Deferred tax assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Plant lease turnover and other exit costs |
|
$ |
23.2 |
|
|
$ |
23.3 |
|
Employee benefits costs |
|
|
45.9 |
|
|
|
37.5 |
|
Inventory |
|
|
23.5 |
|
|
|
15.4 |
|
Property, plant and equipment |
|
|
16.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
Tax intangibles |
|
|
6.4 |
|
|
|
4.8 |
|
Deferred costs for depleted uranium |
|
|
19.0 |
|
|
|
14.1 |
|
Tax credit carryforwards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1.8 |
|
Net operating loss carryforwards |
|
|
2.0 |
|
|
|
1.9 |
|
Accrued expenses |
|
|
5.6 |
|
|
|
4.2 |
|
Other |
|
|
1.3 |
|
|
|
1.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
143.5 |
|
|
|
104.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Valuation allowance |
|
|
(2.3 |
) |
|
|
(2.3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance |
|
|
141.2 |
|
|
|
102.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid expenses |
|
|
1.5 |
|
|
|
1.8 |
|
Property, plant and equipment |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred tax liabilities |
|
|
1.5 |
|
|
|
5.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
139.7 |
|
|
$ |
96.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The valuation allowance of $2.3 million reduced deferred tax assets at December 31,
2005 and 2004. The deferred tax asset, net of valuation allowance, is more likely than not to be
realized in future years based on an assessment of positive and negative available evidence. A
valuation allowance is provided if it is more likely than not that all or a portion of a deferred
tax asset will not be realized.
Deferred tax assets were increased in 2004 by $6.0 million and a valuation allowance of $2.3
million was recorded as a result of the acquisition of NAC. As part of the acquisition agreement,
USEC deposited an additional $6.0 million in an escrow fund pending the outcome of a contingency as
discussed in Note 2, Acquisition of NAC Holding Inc. As discussed in Note 2, Acquisition of NAC
Holding Inc., the contingency was eliminated as of October 2005 and $3.4 million of the $6.0
million escrow release was allocated to an amortizable intangible asset. Deferred tax assets based
on
85
the original acquisition assumptions were reduced $1.1 million for the tax effect of recording
this intangible asset in 2005. The remaining $2.6 million of the $6.0 million escrow release was
allocated to goodwill. The goodwill amount will not be deductible for income tax purposes. The $2.3
million valuation allowance relates to state deferred tax assets of NAC and to state net operating
losses that are available to offset future state taxable income of NAC. Tax benefits that may be
earned from the net operating losses will be recorded as reduction to goodwill.
USECs federal and state income tax returns are subject to audit. Federal income tax returns
for the years 1999 to 2002 are being examined by the Internal Revenue Service, and USEC believes
adequate provisions have been recorded in the consolidated financial statements. As of December 31,
2005, USEC had no remaining alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards. The NAC state net
operating losses can be carried forward from 4 to 19 years.
A reconciliation of income taxes calculated based on the federal statutory income tax rate of
35% and the effective tax rate follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
2003 |
Federal statutory tax rate |
|
|
35 |
% |
|
|
35 |
% |
|
|
35 |
% |
State income taxes, net of federal |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
Export tax incentives |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
Nontaxable accrual of Medicare subsidy |
|
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Research and other tax credits |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Nondeductible acquired in-process research
and development expense |
|
|
|
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
Other nondeductible expenses |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
Impact of state rate changes on deferred taxes |
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40 |
% |
|
|
36 |
% |
|
|
41 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
USEC recorded negative effects on deferred tax assets, as shown in the reconciliation
above, for the impact of state rate changes on deferred taxes due to reductions in the Kentucky
state tax rate and the Ohio state tax rate during 2005.
7. DEBT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
(millions) |
|
Debt: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.625% senior notes, due January 20, 2006 |
|
$ |
288.8 |
|
|
$ |
325.0 |
|
6.750% senior notes, due January 20, 2009 |
|
|
150.0 |
|
|
|
150.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
438.8 |
|
|
$ |
475.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In December 2004, USEC repurchased $25.0 million of the 6.625% senior notes, due
January 20, 2006. The cost of the repurchase was $25.6 million and included a premium of $0.6
million. In November and December 2005, USEC repurchased a total of $36.2 million of the 6.625%
senior notes, due January 20, 2006. The cost of the repurchase was $36.3 million and included a
premium of $0.1 million. USEC repaid the remaining balance of the 6.625% senior notes amounting to
$288.8 million due on the scheduled maturity date of January 20, 2006.
86
The 6.750% senior notes are unsecured obligations and rank on a parity with all other
unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of USEC Inc. The senior notes are not subject to any
sinking fund requirements. Interest is paid every six months on January 20 and July 20. The senior
notes may be redeemed by USEC at any time at a redemption price equal to the principal amount plus
any accrued interest up to the redemption date plus a make-whole premium.
At December 31, 2005, the fair value of debt calculated based on a credit-adjusted spread over
U.S. Treasury securities with similar maturities was $432.8 million, compared with the balance
sheet carrying amount of $438.8 million.
Revolving Credit Facility
There were no short-term borrowings at December 31, 2005 or December 31, 2004.
On August 18, 2005, USEC entered into a five-year, syndicated bank credit facility, providing
up to $400.0 million in revolving credit commitments, including up to $300.0 million in letters of
credit, secured by assets of USEC and its subsidiaries. The new facility replaced a three-year,
$150.0 million facility that had been scheduled to expire in September 2005, and is available to
finance working capital needs, refinance existing debt and fund capital programs, including the
American Centrifuge project. Borrowings under the new facility are subject to limitations based on
established percentages of eligible accounts receivable and inventory.
The newly established interest rate margin is 50 basis points lower than that under the
previous facility. Outstanding borrowings under the new facility bear interest at a variable rate
equal to, based on USECs election, either:
|
|
|
the sum of (x) the greater of the JPMorgan Chase Bank prime rate and the federal funds
rate
plus 1/2 of 1% plus (y) a margin ranging from .25% to .75% based upon collateral availability,
or |
|
|
|
|
the sum of LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 2.0% to 2.5% based on collateral
availability. |
The revolving credit facility includes various operating and financial covenants that are
customary for transactions of this type, including, without limitation, restrictions on the
incurrence and prepayment of other indebtedness, granting of liens, sales of assets, making of
investments, maintenance of a minimum amount of inventory, and payment of dividends or other
distributions. Failure to satisfy the covenants would constitute an event of default under the
revolving credit facility.
The revolving credit facility also contains various reserve provisions that may reduce the
facilitys availability periodically or restrict the use of borrowings. First, after July 19, 2006,
the facilitys availability will be reduced by $150 million less the amount of any proceeds from
any debt or equity offering completed prior to that date. Debt or equity offerings after July 19,
2006 would reduce the amount of the reserve. The effect of this restriction is that unless USEC
completes a debt or equity offering of at least $150 million prior to July 19, 2006, the
availability under the revolving credit facility will, until we complete such an offering, be
reduced by up to $150 million. Second, the facility contains covenants that can periodically limit
USEC to $50 million in capital expenditures based on available liquidity levels. Other reserves
under the revolving credit facility, such as availability reserves and borrowing base reserves, are
customary for credit facilities of this type.
There were no short-term borrowings under the new revolving credit facility at December 31,
2005 or under the previous revolving credit facility at December 31, 2004. Letters of credit issued
under the facilities amounted to $25.0 million at December 31, 2005 and $0.9 million at December
31, 2004.
87
8. DEFERRED REVENUE AND ADVANCES FROM CUSTOMERS
Deferred revenue and advances from customers, including excess proceeds from sales of DOE
uranium, were as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
Current: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred revenue |
|
$ |
106.8 |
|
|
$ |
20.6 |
|
Advances from customers |
|
|
8.3 |
|
|
|
8.2 |
|
Excess proceeds from sales of DOE uranium |
|
|
17.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
132.9 |
|
|
$ |
28.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Advances from customers |
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
6.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In a number of sales transactions, title to uranium or LEU is transferred to the
customer and USEC receives payment under normal credit terms without physically delivering the
uranium or LEU to the customer. In certain cases, the terms of the agreement require USEC to hold
the uranium to which the customer has title. In other cases, the customer encounters brief delays
in taking delivery of LEU at USECs facilities. Recognition of revenue is deferred until uranium or
LEU to which the customer has title is physically delivered rather than at the time title transfers
to the customer. Related costs associated with deferred revenue, reported in other current assets,
totaled $55.7 million at December 31, 2005 and $19.6 million at December 31, 2004.
Excess proceeds from sales of DOE uranium are pending payment to USEC as reimbursement for
USECs costs in processing out-of-specification uranium under a December 2004 memorandum of
agreement.
9. ORGANIZATIONAL RESTRUCTURING
In September 2005, USEC announced it would restructure the Companys organization and resize
the headquarters operations located in Bethesda, Maryland. This included the implementation of an
involuntary reduction of 38 employees in the headquarters staff, including the elimination of some
senior positions and the realignment of responsibilities under a smaller senior management team.
The workforce reductions resulted in special charges for termination benefits of $4.5 million. In
connection with the reduction of workforce, we offered a termination benefit that does not require
additional services. Of these termination charges, which principally consist of severance benefits,
$2.7 million was paid or utilized during 2005. USEC plans to pay or utilize the remaining $1.8
million during the first three quarters of 2006. Additionally, facility related charges of at least
$1.4 million are expected when efforts are undertaken to consolidate office space at the
headquarters location. These facility related charge estimates are preliminary, but all work is
expected to be completed by early second quarter of 2006.
In late October 2005, we continued our restructuring efforts at our field organizations,
announcing voluntary and involuntary staff reductions totaling approximately 200 employees. The
restructuring effort at our field organizations resulted in the reduction of 151 employees. The
workforce reductions resulted in special charges for termination benefits of $2.8 million which
principally consisted of severance benefits. Of these termination charges, $1.5 million was paid or
utilized during 2005. The remaining $1.3 million will be utilized during the first two quarters of
2006.
88
A summary of special charges for organizational restructuring and the related balance sheet
account information follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance |
|
|
|
Special |
|
|
Paid and |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
Charge |
|
|
Utilized |
|
|
2005 |
|
Workforce Reductions: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Field operations |
|
$ |
2.8 |
|
|
$ |
(1.5 |
) |
|
$ |
1.3 |
|
Corporate |
|
|
4.5 |
|
|
|
(2.7 |
) |
|
|
1.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
7.3 |
|
|
$ |
(4.2 |
) |
|
$ |
3.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring costs by segment are not presented as USEC utilizes gross profit as its
segment measure.
In November 2002, USEC announced and accrued estimated costs of $6.3 million for workforce
reductions involving 200 employees at the Paducah plant. In 2003, additional efficiencies were
identified and the number of workforce reductions at the Paducah plant was expanded to 220
employees. The workforce reductions were completed in 2003 and resulted in the payment of the
accrued liability of $6.3 million and the payment of an additional $1.3 million that was charged to
cost of sales in 2003.
Amounts paid and utilized include cash payments, non-cash charges for asset impairments, and
reclassifications to other liabilities for incremental costs of pension and postretirement health
benefit obligations and for lease turnover obligations at the Portsmouth plant.
Changes in accrued liabilities resulting from special charges for consolidating plant
operations follow (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paid |
|
|
Balance |
|
|
Paid |
|
|
Balance |
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
Charge |
|
|
and |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
and |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
(Credit) |
|
|
Utilized |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
Utilized |
|
|
2004 |
|
Workforce reductions at Paducah
plant |
|
$ |
6.3 |
|
|
$ |
1.3 |
|
|
$ |
(7.6 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease
turnover and other exit costs at Portsmouth plant |
|
|
16.5 |
|
|
|
(.8 |
) |
|
|
(2.8 |
) |
|
$ |
12.9 |
|
|
$ |
(12.9 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
22.8 |
|
|
$ |
.5 |
|
|
$ |
(10.4 |
) |
|
$ |
12.9 |
|
|
$ |
(12.9 |
) |
|
$ |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
Environmental compliance costs include the handling, treatment and disposal of hazardous
substances and wastes. Pursuant to the USEC Privatization Act, environmental liabilities associated
with the Paducah and Portsmouth plants prior to July 28, 1998 are the responsibility of the U.S.
government, except for liabilities relating to certain identified wastes generated by USEC and
stored at the plants. DOE remains responsible for decontamination and decommissioning of the
plants.
Depleted Uranium
USEC stores depleted uranium at the plants and accrues estimated costs for its future
disposition. USEC anticipates that it will send most or all of its depleted uranium to DOE for
disposition unless a more economic disposal option is available. DOE is constructing facilities at
the Paducah and Portsmouth plants to process large quantities of depleted uranium owned by DOE, and
under federal law, DOE would also process USECs depleted uranium if provided to DOE. USEC would be
required to reimburse DOE for costs of disposal, including a pro rata share of capital costs.
Processing DOEs depleted uranium is expected to take about 25 years. The timing of the disposal of
USECs depleted uranium has not been determined. The long-term liability for depleted uranium
disposition is dependent upon the volume of depleted uranium generated and estimated processing,
89
transportation and disposal costs. USECs calculation of the estimated unit cost is based
primarily on projected cost data obtained from DOE without consideration given to unidentified
contingencies or reserves. USECs estimate is periodically reviewed as additional information
becomes available, and was increased in 2005. USECs estimate is less than a DOE estimate used in
USECs NRC license application for the American Centrifuge Plant that included unidentified
contingencies or reserves. The estimated cost and accrued liability are subject to change as
additional information becomes available.
Compliance with NRC regulations requires that USEC provide financial assurance regarding the
cost of the eventual disposition of depleted uranium for which USEC retains disposal
responsibility. The financial assurance requirement is based on our year-end liability plus
expected increases over the coming year, including some contingencies, totaling to an annual
projected required amount. The total financial guarantees required by the NRC are $91.4 million.
The $91.4 million of financial guarantees are covered by a combination of a $24.1 million letter of
credit and a $67.3 million surety bond. This letter of credit is included in USECs total letters
of credit issued and outstanding. The $67.3 million surety bond is collateralized by a $24.6
million deposit for depleted uranium included in other long-term assets at December 31, 2005.
Other Environmental Matters
USECs operations generate hazardous, low-level radioactive and mixed wastes. The storage,
treatment, and disposal of wastes are regulated by federal and state laws. USEC utilizes offsite
treatment and disposal facilities and stores wastes at the Paducah and Portsmouth plants pursuant
to permits, orders and agreements with DOE and various state agencies. Liabilities accrued for the
treatment and disposal of stored wastes generated by USECs operations amounted to $5.1 million at
December 31, 2005, and $5.2 million at December 31, 2004.
11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Power Contracts and Commitments
The gaseous diffusion process uses significant amounts of electric power to enrich uranium.
USEC purchases more than 80% of the electric power for the Paducah plant at fixed prices under a
power purchase agreement signed with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in 2000. Capacity and
prices under the TVA agreement are fixed through May 2006. USEC typically purchases the remaining
portion of the electric power for the Paducah plant under short-term fixed-price contracts or at
market-based prices. USEC is obligated, whether or not it takes delivery of electric power, to make
minimum payments for the purchase of electric power of approximately $145.5 million for the period
January to May 2006.
Settlement of Power Contract Ohio Valley Electric Corporation
In 2001 and prior years, USEC purchased electric power for the Portsmouth plant under a
contract with DOE. DOE acquired the power under a power purchase agreement with the Ohio Valley
Electric Corporation (OVEC). USEC ceased uranium enrichment operations at the Portsmouth plant in
2001 and ceased taking electric power from OVEC after August 2001. The power purchase agreement was
terminated effective April 30, 2003. As a result of termination of the power purchase agreement,
DOE was responsible for a portion of the costs incurred by OVEC for postretirement health and life
insurance benefits and for the eventual decommissioning, demolition and shutdown of the
coal-burning power generating facilities owned and operated by OVEC. In February 2004, OVEC and
DOE, and DOE and USEC, entered into agreements and settled all the issues relating to the
termination. Pursuant to the agreements, USEC paid the previously accrued amount of $33.2 million
representing its share of the postretirement health and decommissioning, demolition and shutdown
cost obligations.
90
Legal Matters
Environmental Matter
USEC and certain federal agencies were identified as potentially responsible parties under the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, as amended (commonly known as
Superfund), for a site in Barnwell, South Carolina previously operated by Starmet CMI (Starmet),
one of USECs former contractors. In February 2004, USEC entered into an agreement with the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to clean up certain areas at Starmets Barnwell site. Under
the agreement, USEC was responsible for removing certain material from the site that was
attributable to quantities of depleted uranium USEC had sent to the site. In December 2005, the
EPA confirmed that USEC completed its clean up obligations under the agreement. At December 31,
2005, USEC had an accrued current liability of $0.9 million for remaining payments for work
associated with completing the agreement. USEC could incur additional costs associated with its
share of costs for cleanup of the Starmet site, resulting from a variety of factors, including a
decision by federal or state agencies to recover costs for prior cleanup work or require additional
remediation at the site.
Executive Termination
During 2005, USEC was in arbitration with its former president and chief executive officer,
William H. Timbers, whose employment at USEC was terminated for cause in December 2004. In his
demand for arbitration, Mr. Timbers disputed cause and sought damages in excess of $36 million,
including severance and other benefits of at least $21 million, more than $15 million in
restricted stock and stock options that had vested prior to his termination, and other unspecified
compensatory and punitive damages. On February 1, 2006, USEC entered into a settlement agreement
with Mr. Timbers pursuant to which USEC agreed to pay Mr. Timbers a cash settlement of
$14.5 million in full settlement of his claims. USEC also agreed to cancel an outstanding
loan to Mr. Timbers from USEC in the amount of approximately $0.3 million as part of the
settlement. Under the settlement agreement, the parties granted each other a mutual release of all
claims. In connection with the settlement, and after taking into account amounts previously
accrued, USEC has recorded a charge of $7.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2005.
Informal SEC Inquiry
Following the restatement of USECs financial statements in March 2005, we received, in April
2005, and subsequently following USECs second restatement of our financial statements in August
2005, informal requests from the Securities and Exchange Commission to voluntarily provide
documents and information relating to the restatements. USEC has provided these documents. In
accordance with its normal practice, the SEC has not advised USEC when its inquiry may be
concluded, and USEC is unable to predict the outcome of this inquiry.
Other
USEC is subject to various other legal proceedings and claims, either asserted or unasserted,
which arise in the ordinary course of business. While the outcome of these claims cannot be
predicted with certainty, USEC does not believe that the outcome of any of these legal matters will
have a material adverse effect on its results of operations or financial condition.
91
Lease Commitments
Operating costs incurred under the lease with DOE for the plants and leases for office space
and equipment amounted to $10.8 million in 2005, $8.2 million in 2004, and $7.5 million in 2003.
Future minimum lease payments follow (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
$ |
7.5 |
|
2007 |
|
|
6.6 |
|
2008 |
|
|
6.0 |
|
2009 |
|
|
2.7 |
|
2010 |
|
|
1.6 |
|
Thereafter |
|
|
1.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
26.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Except as provided in the DOE-USEC Agreement, USEC has the right to extend the lease
for the plants indefinitely and may terminate the lease in its entirety or with respect to one of
the plants at any time upon two years notice. DOE retained responsibility for decontamination and
decommissioning of the plants. At termination of the lease, USEC may leave the property in an as
is condition, but must remove all wastes generated by USEC, which are subject to off-site
disposal, and must place the plants in a safe shutdown condition. Lease turnover costs are
estimated and are accrued over the expected productive life of the plant which is estimated to be
2010 for the Paducah plant. Accrued liabilities for lease turnover costs are not discounted and
amounted to $54.1 million at December 31, 2005 and $52.7 million at December 31, 2004.
92
12. PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT HEALTH AND LIFE BENEFITS
There are approximately 7,400 employees and retirees covered by defined benefit pension plans
providing retirement benefits based on compensation and years of service, and approximately 3,700
employees, retirees and dependents covered by postretirement health and life benefit plans. DOE
retained the obligation for postretirement health and life benefits for workers who retired prior
to July 28, 1998.
Changes in the projected benefit obligations and plan assets and the funded status of the
plans follow (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Postretirement Health |
|
|
|
Defined Benefit Pension Plans |
|
|
and Life Benefit Plans |
|
|
|
Years Ended |
|
|
Years Ended |
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
Changes in Benefit Obligations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obligations at beginning of year |
|
$ |
678.9 |
|
|
$ |
602.3 |
|
|
$ |
253.8 |
|
|
$ |
234.6 |
|
Actuarial (gains) losses, net |
|
|
28.4 |
|
|
|
46.3 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
|
|
|
4.7 |
|
Plan amendments |
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.9 |
|
|
|
(66.4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
Curtailment and special termination benefits |
|
|
(.4 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Service costs |
|
|
16.3 |
|
|
|
14.1 |
|
|
|
7.2 |
|
|
|
7.3 |
|
Interest costs |
|
|
39.0 |
|
|
|
37.3 |
|
|
|
14.4 |
|
|
|
14.0 |
|
Benefits paid |
|
|
(33.5 |
) |
|
|
(33.0 |
) |
|
|
(7.7 |
) |
|
|
(6.8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Obligations at end of year |
|
|
728.7 |
|
|
|
678.9 |
|
|
|
202.7 |
|
|
|
253.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Changes in Plan Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year |
|
|
657.4 |
|
|
|
611.1 |
|
|
|
64.5 |
|
|
|
57.1 |
|
Actual return on plan assets |
|
|
52.9 |
|
|
|
71.5 |
|
|
|
4.7 |
|
|
|
5.8 |
|
USEC contributions |
|
|
7.9 |
|
|
|
7.9 |
|
|
|
8.1 |
|
|
|
8.4 |
|
Benefits paid |
|
|
(33.5 |
) |
|
|
(33.0 |
) |
|
|
(7.7 |
) |
|
|
(6.8 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair value of plan assets at end of year |
|
|
684.7 |
|
|
|
657.5 |
|
|
|
69.6 |
|
|
|
64.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(Unfunded) status |
|
|
(44.0 |
) |
|
|
(21.4 |
) |
|
|
(133.1 |
) |
|
|
(189.3 |
) |
Unrecognized prior service costs (benefit) |
|
|
11.5 |
|
|
|
13.5 |
|
|
|
(66.4 |
) |
|
|
(.9 |
) |
Unrecognized net actuarial losses |
|
|
115.7 |
|
|
|
88.0 |
|
|
|
45.6 |
|
|
|
45.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net balance sheet amount |
|
$ |
83.2 |
|
|
$ |
80.1 |
|
|
$ |
(153.9 |
) |
|
$ |
(145.2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts reflected in the balance sheet: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Prepaid pension benefit costs |
|
$ |
86.2 |
|
|
$ |
82.9 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
Accrued benefit obligations |
|
|
(6.4 |
) |
|
|
(3.9 |
) |
|
|
(153.9 |
) |
|
|
(145.2 |
) |
Minimum pension liability |
|
|
3.4 |
|
|
|
1.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
83.2 |
|
|
$ |
80.1 |
|
|
$ |
(153.9 |
) |
|
$ |
(145.2 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assumptions used to determine benefit
obligations at end of year: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discount rate |
|
|
5.50 |
% |
|
|
5.75 |
% |
|
|
5.50 |
% |
|
|
5.75 |
% |
Compensation increases |
|
|
3.75 |
|
|
|
3.75 |
|
|
|
3.75 |
|
|
|
3.75 |
|
Projected benefit obligations are based on actuarial assumptions including future
increases in compensation. Accumulated benefit obligations are based on actuarial assumptions but
do not include possible future increases in compensation. The accumulated benefit obligations for
the defined benefit pension plan with the fair value of plan assets in excess of the accumulated
benefit obligation was $640.9 million at December 31, 2005, and $593.8 million at December 31,
2004. The accumulated benefit obligation for the defined benefit plan with an accumulated benefit
obligation in excess of the fair value of plan assets was $15.7 million at December 31, 2005, and
$10.8 million at December 31, 2004.
93
The expected cost of providing pension benefits is accrued over the years employees render
service, and actuarial gains and losses are amortized over the employees average future service
life.
For postretirement health and life benefits, actuarial gains and losses and prior service
costs or benefits are amortized over the employees average remaining years of service from age 40
until the date of full benefit eligibility.
USEC expects it will be eligible for federal subsidy payments beginning in 2006 in connection
with a change in Medicare law affecting corporations that sponsor prescription drug benefits. The
Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 provides prescription drug
benefits under Medicare (Medicare Part D) as well as federal subsidy payments to sponsors of
plans that provide prescription drug benefits that are at least actuarially equivalent to Medicare
Part D. USEC in consultation with its actuaries has determined that the prescription drug
provisions of its postretirement health benefit plan are at least actuarially equivalent to
Medicare Part D.
FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. 106-2, Accounting and Disclosure Requirements Related to the
Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003, was issued by the FASB in
May 2004 and was adopted by USEC in 2004. Pursuant to the FSP, the impact of future subsidies is
accounted for as an actuarial gain that reduced the accumulated postretirement health benefit
obligation by $28.2 million in 2004. Costs for postretirement health benefits were reduced by $2.6
million, representing initial amortization of the actuarial gain and reductions in service and
interest costs resulting from the expected subsidies from Medicare.
As of January 1, 2005, USEC instituted a $100,000 lifetime cap on post-65 claims for medical
and drug coverage under the postretirement health benefit plan. The institution of the cap reduced
the postretirement health benefit obligation by $66.4 million which will be amortized over the
average remaining years of service until full eligibility.
The components of net benefit costs for pension and postretirement health and life benefit
plans were as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Postretirement Health |
|
|
|
Defined Benefit Pension Plans |
|
|
and Life Benefit Plans |
|
|
|
Years Ended |
|
|
Years Ended |
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
Service costs |
|
$ |
16.3 |
|
|
$ |
14.1 |
|
|
$ |
11.5 |
|
|
$ |
7.2 |
|
|
$ |
7.3 |
|
|
$ |
6.3 |
|
Interest costs |
|
|
39.1 |
|
|
|
37.3 |
|
|
|
35.3 |
|
|
|
14.4 |
|
|
|
14.0 |
|
|
|
13.2 |
|
Expected return on plan assets (gains) |
|
|
(54.9 |
) |
|
|
(50.9 |
) |
|
|
(44.5 |
) |
|
|
(5.5 |
) |
|
|
(4.8 |
) |
|
|
(3.6 |
) |
Amortization of prior service costs (credit) |
|
|
1.6 |
|
|
|
1.3 |
|
|
|
.2 |
|
|
|
(.9 |
) |
|
|
(2.4 |
) |
|
|
(2.4 |
) |
Amortization of actuarial (gains) losses, net |
|
|
2.1 |
|
|
|
1.5 |
|
|
|
4.8 |
|
|
|
1.5 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
Curtailment losses |
|
|
.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net benefit costs |
|
$ |
4.8 |
|
|
$ |
3.3 |
|
|
$ |
7.3 |
|
|
$ |
16.8 |
|
|
$ |
15.5 |
|
|
$ |
13.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assumptions used to determine
net benefit costs: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discount rate |
|
|
5.75 |
% |
|
|
6.00 |
% |
|
|
6.75 |
% |
|
|
5.75 |
% |
|
|
6.00 |
% |
|
|
6.75 |
% |
Expected return on plan assets |
|
|
8.50 |
|
|
|
8.50 |
|
|
|
9.00 |
|
|
|
8.50 |
|
|
|
8.50 |
|
|
|
9.00 |
|
Compensation increases |
|
|
3.75 |
|
|
|
4.00 |
|
|
|
4.25 |
|
|
|
3.75 |
|
|
|
4.00 |
|
|
|
4.25 |
|
94
The expected return on plan assets is based on the weighted average of long-term return
expectations for the composition of the plans equity and debt securities. Expected returns for
each asset class are based on historical returns and expectations of future returns. Independent
investment advisors manage assets in each category to maximize investment returns within reasonable
and prudent levels of risk. Risk is reduced by diversifying plan assets in a broad mix of asset
classes and by following a strategic asset allocation approach. Asset classes and target weights
are adjusted periodically to optimize the long-term portfolio risk/return tradeoff, to provide
liquidity for benefit payments, and to align portfolio risk with the underlying obligations.
The Moodys Aa index yield as of December 31, 2005 was used to determine the discount rate.
The Moodys Aa index is a collection of highly rated long-term corporate bonds whose yield
represents a reasonable approximation of the rate and duration at which USECs benefit obligations
could be settled. The duration of USECs pension and postretirement health benefit obligations is
approximately twelve years and the duration of the Moodys Aa index is approximately thirteen
years.
Healthcare cost trend rates used to measure postretirement health benefit obligations follow:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Postretirement Health |
|
|
Benefit Plans |
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
Healthcare cost trend rate for the following year |
|
|
9 |
% |
|
|
10 |
% |
Long-term rate that the healthcare cost trend rate
gradually declines to |
|
|
5 |
% |
|
|
5 |
% |
Year that the healthcare cost trend rate is expected
to reach the long-term rate |
|
|
2010 |
|
|
|
2010 |
|
A one-percentage-point change in the assumed healthcare cost trend rates would have an
effect on the postretirement health benefit obligation and costs, as follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
One Percentage Point |
|
|
Increase |
|
Decrease |
Postretirement health benefit obligation |
|
$ |
12.1 |
|
|
$ |
(11.4 |
) |
Net benefit costs |
|
|
3.6 |
|
|
|
(2.9 |
) |
Benefit Plan Assets
The allocation of plan assets between equity and debt securities and the target
allocation range by asset category follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percentage of |
|
Target |
|
|
Plan Assets |
|
Allocation |
|
|
December 31, |
|
Range |
|
|
2005 |
|
2004 |
|
2005 |
Defined Benefit Pension Plans: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity securities |
|
|
66 |
% |
|
|
65 |
% |
|
|
50 70 |
% |
Debt securities |
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
35 |
|
|
|
30 50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Postretirement Health and Life
Benefit Plans: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity securities |
|
|
66 |
% |
|
|
66 |
% |
|
|
55 75 |
% |
Debt securities |
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
25 45 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
95
Benefit Plan Cash Flows
USEC expects cash contributions to the plans in 2006 will be as follows: $11.2 million for the
defined benefit pension plans and $5.6 million for the postretirement health and life benefit
plans.
Estimated future benefit plan payments and expected subsidies from Medicare follow (in
millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Postretirement |
|
Expected |
|
|
Defined Benefit |
|
Health and Life |
|
Subsidies |
|
|
Pension Plans |
|
Benefit Plans |
|
From Medicare |
2006 |
|
$ |
33.9 |
|
|
$ |
9.0 |
|
|
$ |
.2 |
|
2007 |
|
|
34.6 |
|
|
|
10.6 |
|
|
|
.3 |
|
2008 |
|
|
35.6 |
|
|
|
12.0 |
|
|
|
.4 |
|
2009 |
|
|
36.8 |
|
|
|
13.5 |
|
|
|
.5 |
|
2010 |
|
|
38.4 |
|
|
|
15.1 |
|
|
|
.6 |
|
2011 to 2015 |
|
|
231.0 |
|
|
|
93.7 |
|
|
|
5.8 |
|
Other Plans
USEC sponsors a 401(k) defined contribution plan for employees. Employee contributions are
matched at established rates. Amounts contributed are invested in securities, and the funds are
administered by an independent trustee. USECs matching cash contributions amounted to $6.1 million
in 2005, $5.6 million in 2004, and $4.8 million in 2003.
13. DEFERRED COMPENSATION
Pursuant to Supplemental Executive Retirement Plans (SERP) and pension restoration plans, we
provide executive officers additional retirement benefits in excess of qualified plan limits
imposed by tax law. Under a 401(k) restoration plan, executive officers contribute and USEC matches
contributions in excess of amounts eligible under the 401(k) plan. Costs for plans providing SERP,
pension and 401(k) restoration benefits for executive officers amounted to $2.3 million in 2005,
$4.1 million in 2004, and $9.7 million in 2003.
14. STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY
Dividend Payments
Cash dividend payments at a quarterly rate of $.1375 per share amounted to $47.3 million in
2005, $46.3 million in 2004, and $45.2 million in 2003. In February 2006, the Board of Directors
voted to discontinue paying a common stock dividend.
96
Common Stock
Changes in the number of shares of common stock outstanding follow (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares |
|
Treasury |
|
Shares |
|
|
Issued |
|
Stock |
|
Outstanding |
Balance at December 31, 2002 |
|
|
100,320 |
|
|
|
(18,547 |
) |
|
|
81,773 |
|
Common stock issued |
|
|
|
|
|
|
781 |
|
|
|
781 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2003 |
|
|
100,320 |
|
|
|
(17,766 |
) |
|
|
82,554 |
|
Common stock issued |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,595 |
|
|
|
2,595 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2004 |
|
|
100,320 |
|
|
|
(15,171 |
) |
|
|
85,149 |
|
Common stock issued |
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,422 |
|
|
|
1,422 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2005 |
|
|
100,320 |
|
|
|
(13,749 |
) |
|
|
86,571 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
In April 2001, the Board of Directors approved a shareholder rights plan, under which
shareholders of record on May 9, 2001 received rights that initially trade together with USEC
common stock and are not exercisable. In the absence of further action by the Board, the rights
generally would become exercisable and allow the holder to acquire USEC common stock at a
discounted price if a person or group acquires 15% or more of the outstanding shares of USEC common
stock or commences a tender or exchange offer to acquire 15% or more of the common stock of USEC.
However, any rights held by the acquirer would not be exercisable. The Board of Directors may
direct USEC to redeem the rights at $.01 per right at any time before the tenth day following the
acquisition of 15% or more of USEC common stock by a person or group.
Stock-Based Compensation
In February 1999 and in April 2004, stockholders approved an aggregate amount of 14.1 million
shares of common stock for issuance under the USEC Inc. 1999 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan)
over a 10-year period. There were 7,846,000 shares available for future awards under the Plan at
December 31, 2005 (excluding outstanding awards which terminate or are cancelled without being
exercised or that are settled for cash), including: 5,201,000 shares available for grants of stock
options and 2,645,000 shares for restricted stock or stock units, performance awards and other
stock-based awards. There were 8,275,000 shares available for future awards under the Plan at
December 31, 2004.
Grants of restricted stock, net of forfeitures, resulted in deferred compensation, based on
the market value of common stock at the date of grant, amounting to $4.8 million (or 303,000
shares) in 2005, $3.4 million (or 429,000 shares) in 2004, and $1.4 million (or 221,000 shares) in
2003. Sale of such shares is restricted prior to the date of vesting. Deferred compensation is
amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.
Compensation expense for restricted stock units is recognized over a three-year service
period.
Stock-based compensation expense amounted to $4.9 million in 2005, $5.3 million in 2004, and
$4.5 million in 2003.
97
Stock options vest or become exercisable in equal annual installments over a one to three year
period and expire 5 or 10 years from the date of grant. A summary of shares available for grants of
stock options and stock options outstanding follows (shares in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares |
|
Stock Options Outstanding |
|
|
Available for |
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted- |
|
|
Grant of |
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
Stock Options |
|
Shares |
|
Exercise Price |
Balance at December 31, 2002 |
|
|
2,137 |
|
|
|
4,328 |
|
|
|
6.63 |
|
Granted |
|
|
(728 |
) |
|
|
728 |
|
|
|
6.97 |
|
Exercised |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(264 |
) |
|
|
5.19 |
|
Forfeited |
|
|
85 |
|
|
|
(85 |
) |
|
|
10.16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2003 |
|
|
1,494 |
|
|
|
4,707 |
|
|
|
6.70 |
|
Authorized |
|
|
2,805 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Granted |
|
|
(688 |
) |
|
|
688 |
|
|
|
8.02 |
|
Exercised |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,746 |
) |
|
|
6.70 |
|
Forfeited |
|
|
1,806 |
|
|
|
(1,806 |
) |
|
|
6.53 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2004 |
|
|
5,417 |
|
|
|
1,843 |
|
|
|
7.36 |
|
Granted |
|
|
(361 |
) |
|
|
361 |
|
|
|
15.01 |
|
Exercised |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(704 |
) |
|
|
6.66 |
|
Forfeited |
|
|
145 |
|
|
|
(145 |
) |
|
|
5.20 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2005 |
|
|
5,201 |
|
|
|
1,355 |
|
|
|
8.97 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock options outstanding and options exercisable at December 31, 2005, follow (options
in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock |
|
Exercise |
|
|
Options |
|
|
Remaining |
|
|
Options |
|
Price |
|
|
Outstanding |
|
|
Life in Years |
|
|
Exercisable |
|
$ |
3.63 to $6.97 |
|
|
|
193 |
|
|
|
4.9 |
|
|
|
193 |
|
|
7.00 |
|
|
|
116 |
|
|
|
7.6 |
|
|
|
67 |
|
|
7.02 to 7.13 |
|
|
|
294 |
|
|
|
6.3 |
|
|
|
294 |
|
|
8.05 |
|
|
|
271 |
|
|
|
3.2 |
|
|
|
149 |
|
|
8.50 |
|
|
|
150 |
|
|
|
5.6 |
|
|
|
150 |
|
|
10.44 to 14.00 |
|
|
|
134 |
|
|
|
4.6 |
|
|
|
33 |
|
|
16.90 |
|
|
|
197 |
|
|
|
4.3 |
|
|
|
197 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,355 |
|
|
|
5.0 |
|
|
|
1,083 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In February 1999, stockholders approved the USEC Inc. 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
under which 2.5 million shares of common stock can be purchased over a 10-year period by
participating employees at 85% of the lower of the market price at the beginning or the end of each
six-month offer period. This plan was amended in 2005 to provide that the purchase price is 85% of
the market price at the end of the six-month offer period and to institute a minimum holding
period. Employees can elect to designate up to 10% of their compensation to purchase common stock
under the plan. Shares purchased by employees amounted to 455,000 in 2005, 404,000 in 2004, and
333,000 in 2003. At December 31, 2005, there were 204,000 shares available for purchase under the
plan.
98
15. REVENUE BY GEOGRAPHIC AREA, MAJOR CUSTOMERS AND SEGMENT INFORMATION
Revenue attributed to domestic and foreign customers, including customers in a foreign
country representing 10% or more of total revenue, follows (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
United States |
|
$ |
1,074.1 |
|
|
$ |
918.2 |
|
|
$ |
919.0 |
|
Foreign: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Japan |
|
|
224.2 |
|
|
|
215.2 |
|
|
|
266.7 |
|
Other |
|
|
261.0 |
|
|
|
283.8 |
|
|
|
251.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
485.2 |
|
|
|
499.0 |
|
|
|
517.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,559.3 |
|
|
$ |
1,417.2 |
|
|
$ |
1,436.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other than the U.S. government, our 10 largest customers represented 52% of revenue
and our three largest customers represented 21% of revenue in 2005. Revenue from Exelon
Corporation, a domestic customer, represented more than 10%, but less than 15%, of revenue in
2003, but less than 10% in 2004 and 2005. Revenue from U.S. government contracts represented 13%
of revenue in 2005, and 12% of revenue in 2004 and in 2003.
99
We have two reportable segments: the low enriched uranium (LEU) segment with two
components, Separative Work Units (SWU) and uranium, and the U.S. government contracts segment.
The LEU segment is USECs primary business focus and includes sales of the SWU component of LEU,
sales of both the SWU and uranium components of LEU, and sales of uranium. The U.S. government
contracts segment includes work performed for DOE and DOE contractors at the Portsmouth and Paducah
plants, and by NAC, which USEC acquired in November 2004. Gross profit is USECs measure for
segment reporting. Intersegment sales between the reportable segments were less than $0.1 million
in 2005 and zero in 2004 and have been eliminated in consolidation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
(millions) |
|
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LEU segment: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Separative work units |
|
$ |
1,085.6 |
|
|
$ |
1,027.3 |
|
|
$ |
1,110.8 |
|
Uranium |
|
|
261.3 |
|
|
|
224.0 |
|
|
|
159.9 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,346.9 |
|
|
|
1,251.3 |
|
|
|
1,270.7 |
|
U.S. government contracts segment |
|
|
212.4 |
|
|
|
165.9 |
|
|
|
166.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
1,559.3 |
|
|
$ |
1,417.2 |
|
|
$ |
1,436.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment Gross Profit: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LEU segment |
|
$ |
198.5 |
|
|
$ |
179.7 |
|
|
$ |
146.6 |
|
U.S. government contracts segment |
|
|
31.0 |
|
|
|
14.4 |
|
|
|
15.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit |
|
|
229.5 |
|
|
|
194.1 |
|
|
|
162.4 |
|
Advanced technology costs |
|
|
94.5 |
|
|
|
58.5 |
|
|
|
44.8 |
|
Selling, general, and administrative |
|
|
61.9 |
|
|
|
64.1 |
|
|
|
69.4 |
|
Other, net |
|
|
6.3 |
|
|
|
(1.7 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income |
|
|
66.8 |
|
|
|
73.2 |
|
|
|
48.2 |
|
Interest expense, net of interest income |
|
|
29.5 |
|
|
|
36.6 |
|
|
|
33.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes |
|
$ |
37.3 |
|
|
$ |
36.6 |
|
|
$ |
15.2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
(millions) |
|
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LEU segment |
|
$ |
2,008.5 |
|
|
$ |
1,952.1 |
|
|
$ |
2,076.7 |
|
U.S. government contracts segment |
|
|
72.3 |
|
|
|
51.3 |
|
|
|
58.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,080.8 |
|
|
$ |
2,003.4 |
|
|
$ |
2,134.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
USECs long-term or long-lived assets include property, plant and equipment and other assets
reported on the balance sheet at December 31, 2005, all of which were located in the United
States.
100
16. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)
The following table summarizes quarterly and annual results of operations (in millions, except
per share data):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
Sept. 30, |
|
|
Dec. 31, |
|
|
Year |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Revenue |
|
$ |
311.2 |
|
|
$ |
277.4 |
|
|
$ |
421.0 |
|
|
$ |
549.7 |
|
|
$ |
1,559.3 |
|
Cost of sales |
|
|
263.5 |
|
|
|
235.2 |
|
|
|
384.5 |
|
|
|
446.6 |
|
|
|
1,329.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit |
|
|
47.7 |
|
|
|
42.2 |
|
|
|
36.5 |
|
|
|
103.1 |
|
|
|
229.5 |
|
Special charges for organizational restructuring |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.5 |
|
|
|
2.8 |
|
|
|
7.3 |
|
Advanced technology costs |
|
|
22.7 |
|
|
|
23.9 |
|
|
|
20.5 |
|
|
|
27.4 |
|
|
|
94.5 |
|
Selling, general and administrative |
|
|
15.2 |
|
|
|
14.0 |
|
|
|
12.3 |
|
|
|
20.4 |
|
|
|
61.9 |
|
Other (income) expense, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.0 |
)(1) |
|
|
(1.0 |
)(1) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
|
9.8 |
|
|
|
4.3 |
|
|
|
(.8 |
) |
|
|
53.5 |
|
|
|
66.8 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
8.7 |
|
|
|
9.1 |
|
|
|
9.0 |
|
|
|
13.2 |
|
|
|
40.0 |
|
Interest (income) |
|
|
(1.9 |
) |
|
|
(3.2 |
) |
|
|
(2.3 |
) |
|
|
(3.1 |
) |
|
|
(10.5 |
) |
Provision (credit) for income taxes |
|
|
2.1 |
|
|
|
1.4 |
|
|
|
(2.3 |
) |
|
|
13.8 |
|
|
|
15.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
.9 |
|
|
$ |
(3.0 |
) |
|
$ |
(5.2 |
) |
|
$ |
29.6 |
|
|
$ |
22.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) per share basic and diluted |
|
$ |
.01 |
|
|
$ |
(.03 |
) |
|
$ |
(.06 |
) |
|
$ |
.34 |
|
|
$ |
.26 |
|
Average number of shares outstanding basic |
|
|
85.5 |
|
|
|
86.2 |
|
|
|
86.3 |
|
|
|
86.5 |
|
|
|
86.1 |
|
Average number of shares outstanding diluted (3) |
|
|
86.0 |
|
|
|
86.2 |
|
|
|
86.3 |
|
|
|
86.9 |
|
|
|
86.6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
June 30, |
|
|
Sept. 30, |
|
|
Dec. 31, |
|
|
Year |
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
2004 |
|
Revenue |
|
$ |
210.3 |
|
|
$ |
302.5 |
|
|
$ |
255.9 |
|
|
$ |
648.5 |
|
|
$ |
1,417.2 |
|
Cost of sales |
|
|
192.5 |
|
|
|
254.0 |
|
|
|
218.5 |
|
|
|
558.1 |
|
|
|
1,223.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit |
|
|
17.8 |
|
|
|
48.5 |
|
|
|
37.4 |
|
|
|
90.4 |
|
|
|
194.1 |
|
Advanced technology costs |
|
|
9.4 |
|
|
|
10.6 |
|
|
|
16.4 |
|
|
|
22.1 |
|
|
|
58.5 |
|
Selling, general and administrative |
|
|
16.0 |
|
|
|
15.9 |
|
|
|
15.3 |
|
|
|
16.9 |
|
|
|
64.1 |
|
Other (income) expense, net |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1.7 |
)(2) |
|
|
(1.7 |
)(2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
|
(7.6 |
) |
|
|
22.0 |
|
|
|
5.7 |
|
|
|
53.1 |
|
|
|
73.2 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
9.4 |
|
|
|
10.4 |
|
|
|
10.0 |
|
|
|
10.7 |
|
|
|
40.5 |
|
Interest (income) |
|
|
(.7 |
) |
|
|
(.8 |
) |
|
|
(1.2 |
) |
|
|
(1.2 |
) |
|
|
(3.9 |
) |
Provision (credit) for income taxes |
|
|
(6.5 |
) |
|
|
5.0 |
|
|
|
(.8 |
) |
|
|
15.4 |
|
|
|
13.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) |
|
$ |
(9.8 |
) |
|
$ |
7.4 |
|
|
$ |
(2.3 |
) |
|
$ |
28.2 |
|
|
$ |
23.5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income (loss) per share basic and diluted |
|
$ |
(.12 |
) |
|
$ |
.09 |
|
|
$ |
(.03 |
) |
|
$ |
.33 |
|
|
$ |
.28 |
|
Average number of shares outstanding basic |
|
|
83.0 |
|
|
|
84.0 |
|
|
|
84.4 |
|
|
|
85.0 |
|
|
|
84.1 |
|
Average number of shares outstanding diluted (3) |
|
|
83.0 |
|
|
|
84.5 |
|
|
|
84.4 |
|
|
|
85.9 |
|
|
|
84.8 |
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Other income in the three months and year ended December 31, 2005, includes $1.0 million
from customs duties paid to USEC as a result of trade actions. |
|
(2) |
|
Other income in the three months and year ended December 31, 2004, includes income of $4.4
million from customs duties paid to USEC as a result of trade actions, partly offset by
expense of $2.7 million for acquired-in-process research and development expense relating to
the acquisition of NAC. |
|
(3) |
|
No dilutive effect of stock compensation awards is recognized in those periods in which a net
loss has occurred. |
101
GLOSSARY
American Centrifuge An advanced uranium enrichment technology based on the proven workable U.S.
centrifuge technology developed by DOE in the mid-1980s.
American Centrifuge Demonstration Facility Demonstration facility in Piketon, Ohio where USEC
plans to install a Lead Cascade of centrifuge machines to demonstrate the American Centrifuge
technology.
American Centrifuge Plant USECs planned commercial uranium enrichment facility using centrifuge
technology. USEC plans to install thousands of centrifuge machines and operate the facility in the
gas centrifuge enrichment plant buildings in Piketon, Ohio owned by DOE.
Assay The concentration of U235 expressed by percentage of weight in a given quantity
of uranium ore, uranium hexafluoride, uranium oxide or other uranium form. An assay of 3 to 5%
U235 is required for most commercial nuclear power plants.
Cascade Enrichment stages piped together in a series or combination series/parallel arrangement
to form the production process in a gas centrifuge plant or a gaseous diffusion plant.
Centrifuge A technology for enriching uranium by spinning uranium hexafluoride at high speed and
using centrifugal force to separate the heavier U238 from the lighter U235.
CERCLA The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (42 U.S.C. 9601
et seq.), a federal law passed in 1980 by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act. The
act created a government trust fund, commonly known as Superfund, to investigate and clean up
abandoned or uncontrolled hazardous waste sites.
Depleted Uranium Uranium hexafluoride that is depleted in the U235 isotope as a result
of the enrichment process.
DOC The U.S. Department of Commerce.
DOE The U.S. Department of Energy.
Downblending The diluting or mixing of highly enriched uranium with depleted or natural uranium to
produce low enriched uranium with a concentration of U235 of less than 5% for use in
commercial nuclear reactors.
Enrichment The step in the nuclear fuel cycle that increases the weight percent of
U235 relative to U238 in order to make uranium usable as a fuel for nuclear
power reactors.
EPA The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Executive Agent MOA The Executive Agent Memorandum of Agreement under which USEC is designated
the U.S. Executive Agent to purchase the SWU component of LEU under the Russian Contract.
Freon The trade name for a group of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) used primarily as a refrigerant.
The Paducah plant uses Freon as the primary process coolant. The production of Freon in the United
States was terminated in 1995.
102
Gaseous Diffusion A means of enriching uranium hexafluoride, which is heated to a gas and passed
repeatedly through a porous barrier to separate the heavier U238 from the lighter
U235. The gas that diffuses through the barrier becomes increasingly more concentrated
or enriched.
Highly Enriched Uranium Uranium enriched in the isotope U235 to an assay in excess of
20%.
Isotope One or more atoms of an element having the same atomic number but different mass number.
Lead Cascade An array of full-size centrifuge machines operating in a closed-loop configuration,
whereby samples are withdrawn for testing purposes and the enriched and depleted uranium streams
are recombined into feed material.
Low Enriched Uranium (LEU) Uranium enriched in the isotope U235 to an assay equal to
or less than 20%. Commercial grade LEU typically has an assay of 3 to 5% and is used as fuel in
nuclear reactors for the generation of electric power.
Megatons to Megawatts The Russian Contract.
Megawatt (MW) A megawatt equals 1,000 kilowatts. One megawatt-hour represents one hour of
electricity consumption at a constant rate of 1 MW.
Natural Uranium Uranium that has not been enriched.
NMMSS The Nuclear Materials Management and Safeguards System of the DOE and NRC.
NRC The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
OVEC Ohio Valley Electric Corporation, an electric power supplier to the Portsmouth plant.
Russian Contract Contract, dated January 14, 1994, between USEC and TENEX to implement the
Agreement between the United States and the Russian Federation Concerning the Disposition of Highly
Enriched Uranium Extracted from Nuclear Weapons. Under the contract, USEC serves as Executive
Agent for the United States Government, and TENEX serves as Executive Agent for the Federal Agency
for Atomic Energy of the Russian Federation.
Separative Work Unit (SWU) The standard measure of enrichment in the uranium enrichment
industry is a separative work unit. A SWU represents the effort that is required to transform a
given amount of natural uranium into two streams of uranium, one enriched in the U235
isotope and the other depleted in the U235 isotope, and is measured using a
standard formula based on the physics of uranium enrichment. The amount of enrichment contained in
LEU under this formula is commonly referred to as the SWU component.
Technetium A byproduct from the operation of nuclear reactors and a contaminant in natural
uranium.
TENEX OAO Techsnabexport, Executive Agent for the Federal Agency for Atomic Energy of the Russian
Federation under the Russian Contract.
TVA Tennessee Valley Authority, a federally-chartered corporation that supplies electric power to
the Paducah gaseous diffusion plant.
Underfeeding A mode of operation that uses or feeds less uranium but requires more SWU in the
enrichment process, which requires more electric power.
103
Uranium One of the heaviest elements found in nature. Approximately 993 of every 1000 uranium
atoms are U238 while approximately seven atoms are U235, which can be made to
split, or fission, and generate heat energy.
Uranium Hexafluoride Uranium chemical compound produced from converting natural uranium oxide
into a fluoride at a conversion plant. Uranium hexafluoride is the feed material for uranium
enrichment plants.
104
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
No. |
|
Description |
|
3.1
|
|
Certificate of Incorporation of USEC Inc., incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the
Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed June 29, 1998 (Commission file number 333-57955). |
|
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3.2
|
|
Amended and Restated Bylaws of USEC Inc., dated September 13, 2000, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 3.3 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 2000 (Commission file number 1-14287). |
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|
|
4.1
|
|
Indenture, dated January 15, 1999, between USEC Inc. and First Union National Bank,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended June 30, 1999 (Commission file number 1-14287). |
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|
|
4.2
|
|
Rights Agreement, dated April 24, 2001, between USEC Inc. and Fleet National Bank, as Rights
Agent, including the form of Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights as Exhibit
A, the form of Rights Certificates as Exhibit B and the Summary of Rights as Exhibit C,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of the Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed
April 24, 2001 (Commission file number 1-14287). |
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|
|
10.1
|
|
Lease Agreement between the United States Department of Energy and the United States
Enrichment Corporation, dated as of July 1, 1993, including notice of exercise of option to
renew, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1,
filed June 29, 1998 (Commission file number 333-57955). |
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|
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10.2
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|
Memorandum of Agreement between the United States Department of Energy and the United States
Enrichment Corporation for electric power, entered into as of July 1, 1993, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.11 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed June 29, 1998
(Commission file number 333-57955). |
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10.3
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|
Contract between United States Enrichment Corporation, Executive Agent of the United States
of America, and AO Techsnabexport, Executive Agent of the Ministry of Atomic Energy,
Executive Agent of the Russian Federation, dated January 14, 1994, as amended, incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.17 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed June 29, 1998
(Commission file number 333-57955). |
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|
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10.4
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|
Amendment No. 11, dated June 1998, to Contract between United States Enrichment Corporation,
Executive Agent of the United States of America, and Techsnabexport Co. Ltd., Executive
Agent of the Ministry of Atomic Energy, Executive Agent of the Russian Federation, dated
January 14, 1994. (a) |
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10.5
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|
Amendment No. 12, dated March 4, 1999, to Contract between United States Enrichment
Corporation, Executive Agent of the United States of America, and Techsnabexport Co. Ltd.,
Executive Agent of the Ministry of Atomic Energy, Executive Agent of the Russian Federation,
dated January 14, 1994, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.36 of the Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1999 (Commission file number 1-14287). |
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10.6
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|
Amendment No. 13, dated November 11, 1999, to Contract between United States Enrichment
Corporation, Executive Agent of the United States of America, and AO Techsnabexport,
Executive Agent of the Ministry of Atomic Energy, Executive Agent of the Russian Federation,
dated January 14, 1994. (a) |
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10.7
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|
Amendment No. 14, dated October 27, 2000, to Contract between United States Enrichment
Corporation, Executive Agent of the United States of America, and Joint Stock Company
Techsnabexport, Executive Agent of the Ministry of Atomic Energy, Executive Agent of the
Russian Federation, dated January 14, 1994. (a) |
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10.8
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Amendment No. 15, dated January 18, 2001, to Contract between United States Enrichment
Corporation, Executive Agent of the United States of America, and Joint Stock Company
Techsnabexport, Executive Agent of the Ministry of Atomic Energy, Executive Agent of the
Russian Federation, dated January 14, 1994. (a) |
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10.9
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Memorandum of Agreement, dated April 6, 1998, between the Office of Management and Budget
and United States Enrichment Corporation relating to post-privatization liabilities,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed
June 29, 1998 (Commission file number 333-57955). |
105
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Exhibit |
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No. |
|
Description |
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10.10
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Memorandum of Agreement, dated April 20, 1998, between the United States Department of
Energy and United States Enrichment Corporation for transfer of natural uranium and highly
enriched uranium and for blending down of highly enriched uranium, incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 10.20 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed June 29, 1998 (Commission
file number 333-57955). |
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10.11
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Memorandum of Agreement entered into as of April 18, 1997, between the United States, acting
by and through the United States Department of State and the United States Department of
Energy, and United States Enrichment Corporation for United States Enrichment Corporation to
serve as the United States Governments Executive Agent under the Agreement between the
United States and the Russian Federation concerning the disposal of highly enriched uranium
extracted from nuclear weapons, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.26 of the
Registration Statement on Form S-1/A, filed July 21, 1998 (Commission file number
333-57955). |
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10.12
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Memorandum of Agreement, entered into as of June 30, 1998, between the United States
Department of Energy and United States Enrichment Corporation regarding certain worker
benefits, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.28 of the Registration Statement on Form
S-1/A, filed July 21, 1998 (Commission file number 333-57955). |
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10.13
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Power Contract between Tennessee Valley Authority and United States Enrichment Corporation,
dated July 11, 2000, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.45 of the Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2000 (Commission file number 1-14287). (Certain
information has been omitted and filed separately pursuant to confidential treatment under
Rule 24b-2). |
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10.14
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Agreement, dated June 17, 2002, between U.S. Department of Energy and USEC Inc.,
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.54 of the current report on Form 8-K filed June 21,
2002 (Commission file number 1-14287). |
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10.15
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Modification 1 to Agreement dated June 17, 2002 between U.S. Department of Energy and USEC
Inc., dated August 20, 2002. (a) |
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10.16
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Cooperative Research and Development Agreement, Development of an Economically Attractive
Gas Centrifuge Machine and Enrichment Process, by and between UT-Battelle, LLC, under its
U.S. Department of Energy Contract, and USEC Inc., dated June 30, 2000, Amendment A, dated
July 12, 2002, and Amendment B, dated September 11, 2002, incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.58 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2002
(Commission file number 1-14287). |
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10.17
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Administrative Order on Consent for Removal Action in the Matter of Starmet CMI, dated
February 6, 2004, between the United States Environmental Protection Agency, United States
Enrichment Corporation, United States Department of Energy and United States Department of
the Army, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.64 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2003 (Commission file number 1-14287). |
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10.18
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Agreement, dated February 17, 2004, between the U.S. Department of Energy and the United
States Enrichment Corporation Concerning the Temporary Lease of Certain Facilities In
Support of the American Centrifuge Program, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.66 of
the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 (Commission file number
1-14287). |
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10.19
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Stock Purchase Agreement, dated July 29, 2004, by and among Pinnacle West Capital
Corporation, El Dorado Investment Company and USEC Inc., incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.67 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004
(Commission file number 1-14287). |
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10.20
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Amendment to the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated November 18, 2004, by and among USEC Inc.,
Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and El Dorado Investment Company, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.74 of the current report on Form 8-K filed November 19, 2004
(Commission file number 1-14287). |
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10.21
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Memorandum of Understanding between USEC Inc. and the United States Department of Energy,
dated October 22, 2004, Effectuating the Transfer of Natural Uranium Hexafluoride for
Affected Inventory, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.68 of the current report on Form
8-K filed October 28, 2004 (Commission file number 1-14287). |
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10.22
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|
Memorandum of Agreement between USEC Inc. and the United States Department of Energy, dated
as of December 10, 2004, for the Continued Operation of Portsmouth S&T Facilities for the
Processing of Affected Inventory in Fiscal Year 2005 and Thereafter, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.75 of the current report on Form 8-K filed December 16, 2004
(Commission file number 1-14287). |
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10.23
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Amendment No. 1 to the December 10, 2004 Memorandum of Agreement between the United States
Department of Energy and USEC Inc., dated May 16, 2005. (a) |
106
|
|
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Exhibit |
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No. |
|
Description |
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10.24
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Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of August 18, 2005 among USEC Inc.,
United States Enrichment Corporation, the lenders named therein, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.,
as administrative and collateral agent, J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc., Merrill Lynch Capital
and Goldman Sachs Credit Partners, L.P., as joint book managers and joint lead arrangers,
Merrill Lynch Capital and Goldman Sachs Credit Partners, L.P., as co-syndication agents,
GMAC Commercial Finance LLC and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as co-documentation
agents, and CIT Capital Securities, LLC, as co-agent, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.83 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 23, 2005 (Commission file number
1-14287). |
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10.25
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Amended and Restated Omnibus Pledge and Security agreement dated as of August 18, 2005 by
USEC Inc., United States Enrichment Corporation, NAC Holding Inc. and NAC International
Inc., in favor of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative and collateral agent for the
lenders, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.84 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed
on August 23, 2005 (Commission file number 1-14287). |
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10.26
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Form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.25 of the Registration Statement on Form S-1/A, filed July 21, 1998 (Commission file
number 333-57955). (b) |
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10.27
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Form of Change in Control Agreement with executive officers, incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.40 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999
(Commission file number 1-14287). (b) |
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10.28
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Form of Change in Control Agreement with senior executive officers, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.82 to the quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June
30, 2005 (Commission file number 1-14287). (b) |
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10.29
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USEC Inc. 1999 Equity Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 of the
Registration Statement on Form S-8, No. 333-71635, filed February 2, 1999. (b) |
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10.30
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First Amendment to the USEC Inc. 1999 Equity Incentive Plan, incorporated by reference to
Annex B of Schedule 14A filed March 31, 2004, with respect to the 2004 annual meeting of
shareholders (Commission file number 1-14287). (b) |
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10.31
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Form of Employee Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
4.4 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004
(Commission file number 1-14287). (b) |
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10.32
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Form of Employee Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement in connection with an employment
agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended September 30, 2004 (Commission file number 1-14287). (b) |
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10.33
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Form of Employee Restricted Stock Award Agreement (stock in lieu of annual incentive),
incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2004 (Commission file number 1-14287). (b) |
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10.34
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Form of Employee Restricted Stock Award Agreement (three year vesting), incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 4.7 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2004 (Commission file number 1-14287). (b) |
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10.35
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Form of Non-Employee Director Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement, incorporated by reference
to Exhibit 4.8 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004
(Commission file number 1-14287). (b) |
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10.36
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Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Award Agreement Founders Stock and
Incentive Stock, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2004 (Commission file number 1-14287). (b) |
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10.37
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Form of Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Award Agreement Annual Retainers and
Meeting Fees, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2004 (Commission file number 1-14287). (b) |
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10.38
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USEC Inc. Pension Restoration Plan, dated September 1, 1999, incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.39 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1999
(Commission file number 1-14287). (b) |
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10.39
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USEC Inc. 401(k) Restoration Plan, incorporated by reference to Exhibits 10.41(a) through
(f) of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1999 (Commission
file number 1-14287). (b) |
107
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Exhibit |
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No. |
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Description |
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10.40
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USEC Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, dated April 7, 1999 and amended April 25,
2001, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.51 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended June 30, 2001 (Commission file number 1-14287). (b) |
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10.41
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Employment Agreement between USEC Inc. and Lisa E. Gordon-Hagerty, Executive Vice President
and Chief Operating Officer, dated December 15, 2003, incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.63 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. (b) |
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10.42
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Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated July 29, 2004, between USEC Inc. and
William H. Timbers, President and Chief Executive Officer, incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.69 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004
(Commission file number 1-14287). (b) |
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10.43
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Agreement, dated July 29, 2004, between USEC Inc. and James R. Mellor, Chairman of the
Board, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.70 of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the quarter ended September 30, 2004 (Commission file number 1-14287). (b) |
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10.44
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Agreement and General Release, dated September 21, 2004, between USEC Inc. and Sydney M.
Ferguson, Senior Vice President, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.71 of the Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 (Commission file number
1-14287). (b) |
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10.45
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Severance Agreement and General Release, dated November 15, 2004, between USEC Inc. and
Timothy B. Hansen, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.73 of the current report on Form 8-K filed November 19, 2004
(Commission file number 1-14287). (b) |
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10.46
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Letter Agreement, dated February 23, 2005, by and between USEC Inc. and James R. Mellor,
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer, incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.76 of the current report on Form 8-K filed February 28, 2005 (Commission file
number 1-14287). (b) |
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10.47
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Summary Sheet for 2005 Non-Employee Director Compensation, incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.77 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 27, 2005 (Commission file
number 1-14287). (b) |
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10.48
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Summary Sheet for 2006 Non-Employee Director Compensation, incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.92 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 15, 2005 (Commission file
number 1-14287). (b) |
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10.49
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Summary of 2005 Annual Performance Objectives for Executive Officers, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.81 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 20, 2005
(Commission file number 1-14287). (b) |
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10.50
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Severance Agreement and General Release dated September 12, 2005 by and between the Company
and Lisa Gordon-Hagerty, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.89 of the Current Report on
Form 8-K filed on September 13, 2005 (Commission file number 1-14287). (b) |
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10.51
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Summary of Compensation Arrangements for Certain Executive Officers, incorporated by
reference to Exhibit 10.90 of the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 16, 2005
(Commission file number 1-14287). (b) |
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10.52
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Letter Agreement dated December 1, 2005, by and between USEC Inc. and James R. Mellor,
Chairman of the Board, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.91 of the Current Report on
Form 8-K filed on December 6, 2005 (Commission file number 1-14287). (b) |
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21
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Subsidiaries of USEC Inc. (a) |
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23.1
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Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm. (a) |
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31.1
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Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a). (a) |
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31.2
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Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a). (a)
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32
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Certification of CEO and CFO
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (a) |
108
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Exhibit |
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No. |
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Description |
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99.1
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Letter from U.S. Department of State, dated August 23, 2002, in compliance with Rule 0-6 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99.4 of the Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2002 (Commission file number
1-14287). |
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99.2
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Annual CEO Certification, dated May 24, 2005, as filed with the New York Stock Exchange. (a) |
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(a) |
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Filed herewith |
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(b) |
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Management contracts and compensatory plans and arrangements required to be filed as
exhibits pursuant to Item 15(b) of this report. |
109
exv10w4
DE-AC01-93NE50067,
08843672/50067-02
Amendment No. 011
EXHIBIT 10.4
AMENDMENT NO. 011, dated as of June ___, 1998, to Contract No. DE-AC01-93NE50067,
08843672/50067-02 entered into January 14, 1994 (Contract) by and between the United States
Enrichment Corporation (USEC), Executive Agent of the United States of America, and Techsnabexport
Co. Ltd. (TENEX), Executive Agent of the Ministry of Atomic Energy (MINATOM), Executive Agent of
the Russian Federation. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning
ascribed to such terms in the Contract.
WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend the Contract to reflect changes (i) in the account number
for the remittance of payments to TENEX under the Contract and (ii) in TENEXs name.
NOW, THEREFORE, USEC and TENEX agree as follows:
SECTION 1. The Contract is hereby amended as follows:
(a) In Part I, Section G.04, the first sentence of the third paragraph is amended to read as
follows:
Until otherwise agreed upon by the parties, all payments to TENEX shall be made to
the following account: Techsnabexport Co., Ltd., Account No. 40702840400000000010,
Conversbank, Moscow, Russia, through the account of Conversbank, Account No.
04-094-462 in Bankers Trust Company, New York, New York, ABA No. 021001033..
(b) References to Techsnabexport Co., Ltd. shall be considered references to OA
Techsnabexport. This change reflects only a more precise translation of TENEXs name and no change
to the legal entity that is TENEX.
SECTION 2. Except as amended hereby, the Contract shall remain unchanged and in full force and
effect. In the event that any conflict arises between this Amendment and the Contract, TENEX and
USEC shall resolve such conflict consistent with the purpose of this Amendment as set forth in the
recitals herein.
SECTION 3. This Amendment may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall
constitute an original, but all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Amendment as of the date first
written above.
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UNITED STATES ENRICHMENT
CORPORATION |
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AO TECHSNABEXPORT |
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By:
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George Rifakes
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By:
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Albert Schishkin |
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By:
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Alexei A. Grigoriev |
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exv10w6
DE-AC01-93NE50067,
08843672/50067-02
Amendment No. 013
EXHIBIT 10.6
AMENDMENT NO. 013, dated as of November 11, 1999, to Contract No. DE-AC01-93NE50067,
08843672/50067-02 entered into January 14, 1994 (Contract) by and between the United
States Enrichment Corporation (USEC), Executive Agent of the United States of America,
and AO Techsnabexport (TENEX), Executive Agent of the Ministry of Atomic Energy
(MINATOM), Executive Agent of the Russian Federation. Capitalized terms used but not
defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Contract.
WHEREAS, on April 22, 1999, USEC placed its calendar year 1999 order for separative work units
(SWU) under the Contract;
WHEREAS, to account for delays in the delivery of SWU ordered by USEC for calendar years 1997
and 1998, the calendar year 1999 deliveries did not begin until the end of July 1999;
WHEREAS, in August 1999, while preparing certain newly-purchased cylinders for shipment to
Russia, USEC discovered that some of the cylinders were out of specification and could not meet
applicable requirements due to an unannounced change in the vendors manufacturing procedure
adopted in July 1999;
WHEREAS, the defect in the cylinders was beyond the control of, and without the negligence or
fault of, either Party; and despite the Parties best efforts it led to a delay in the delivery of
cylinders to TENEX and a delay in the delivery of the SWU ordered for calendar year 1999;
WHEREAS, USEC is willing to agree to TENEXs request to resolve this matter by accelerating
payments for certain calendar year 1999 deliveries that will occur later than originally expected
when USEC issued its calendar 1999 order on April 22, 1999;
WHEREAS, the Parties also wish to reaffirm their commitment to mutual cooperation with respect
to deliveries in calendar year 2000 and beyond;
NOW, THEREFORE, USEC and TENEX agree as follows:
SECTION 1: Part I, Section G.04 of the Contract is hereby amended by inserting the following
new paragraphs at the end of Section G.04:
The 60 day period referred to in the preceding paragraphs of this Section G.04 shall be
reduced to the number of days necessary to ensure payment by December 17, 1999 of any
invoice received by December 13, 1999 for SWU contained in LEU delivered to USEC pursuant to
this Contract between November 1, 1999 and December 13, 1999; provided, that such SWU was
ordered by USEC in its April 22, 1999, order for delivery in October, November or December
1999.
No later than December 13, 1999, TENEX may issue one invoice to USEC for SWU ordered by
USEC for delivery in October, November or December 1999, but which will not be delivered to
Page 1 of 3
DE-AC01-93NE50067,
08843672/50067-02
Amendment No. 013
USEC before the end of 1999 (an Advance Payment Delivery) due solely to delays in
the delivery of cylinders to TENEX, but only to the extent that (i) on or prior to the
invoice date, cylinders provided by USEC have been filled with LEU containing such Advance
Payment Delivery, (ii) the invoice is accompanied by a certificate from an authorized
official of TENEX stating that such cylinders have been filled with LEU and identifying the
specific cylinders that have been filled, and (iii) the aggregate amount of payments to
TENEX made by USEC in calendar year 1999 will not exceed $394 million. The period for
payment of such invoice shall also be reduced to the number of days necessary to ensure
payment by December 17, 1999. USEC shall not be required to deliver to TENEX the Natural
Uranium Component of LEU containing the Advance Payment Delivery until the LEU is delivered
to USEC in accordance with this Contract.
TENEX hereby acknowledges that until LEU containing the Advance Payment Delivery is
actually delivered to USEC, the amount paid by USEC for the Advance Payment Delivery shall
be considered a debt of TENEX and, in the event such LEU is not delivered to USEC within
thirty (30) days after USECs payment of the invoice (the Delivery Due Date) for
reasons other than USECs failure to provide vessels in a timely manner that are sufficient
and available to effect delivery pursuant to Part I, Section F.02 of this Contract, USEC may
enforce repayment of such debt by TENEX, plus interest calculated from the date of payment
at the same rate used for late payments by USEC under Part I, Section G.04 of this Contract
(Applicable Interest), in any manner permitted by this Contract or by applicable
law or regulation, including, but not limited to, the following measures:
(a) Pending delivery of the LEU to USEC, USEC may refuse to honor TENEXs requests for
book transfer or physical delivery of any natural uranium held in TENEXs name by USEC,
whether such request is made pursuant to this Contract or pursuant to any other contract or
agreement that TENEX may have with USEC. USECs right to refuse such requests shall
terminate once USEC has either received the Advance Payment Delivery or has recouped the
amount it paid for the Advance Payment Delivery, plus any Applicable Interest, under
subparagraph (b) below. USECs right of refusal shall not apply to any request submitted in
writing to USEC prior to the Delivery Due Date, even if the book transfer or physical
delivery will occur after the Delivery Due Date.
(b) If TENEX has not delivered all the LEU containing the Advance Payment Delivery within
sixty (60) days after USECs payment of the invoice, USEC may exercise its right to offset
TENEXs debt, plus Applicable Interest to the date of offset, against any payments owed by
USEC to TENEX under this Contract or any other contract or agreement with USEC.
Applicable Interest shall not be owed to USEC if the Advance Payment Delivery is delivered
to USEC prior to the exercise of USECs right of offset under (b) above.
SECTION 2: Notwithstanding any provision of the Contract to the contrary, the Parties shall
commence the negotiations required by Part I, Section B.06(b)(3) no later than January 31, 2000 and
conclude an amendment on pricing for calendar year 2002 and beyond no later than July 31, 2000.
SECTION 3: Except as amended hereby, the Contract shall remain unchanged and in full force
and effect. In the event that any conflict arises between this Amendment and the Contract,
TENEX and USEC shall resolve such conflict consistent with the purpose of this Amendment as set
forth in the recitals herein.
Page 2 of 3
DE-AC01-93NE50067,
08843672/50067-02
Amendment No. 013
SECTION 4: This Amendment may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall
constitute an original, but all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Amendment as of the date first
written above.
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UNITED STATES ENRICHMENT
CORPORATION |
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AO TECHSNABEXPORT |
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By:
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/s/ Philip G. Sewell
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By:
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/s/ Revmir G. Fraishtout |
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(Philip G. Sewell)
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(Revmir G. Fraishtout) |
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By:
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/s/ Alexei A. Grigoriev |
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(Alexei A. Grigoriev) |
Page 3 of 3
exv10w7
DE-AC01-93NE50067
08843672/50067-02
Amendment No. 014
EXHIBIT 10.7
AMENDMENT NO. 014, dated as of October 27, 2000, to Contract No. DE-AC01-93NE50067,
08843672/50067-02 entered into January 14, 1994, and thereafter amended (the Contract) by
and between United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC), Executive Agent of the United States of
America, and Joint Stock Company Techsnabexport (TENEX), Executive Agent of the Ministry of
Russian Federation for Atomic Energy (MINATOM), Executive Agent of the Russian Federation, for the
implementation of the Agreement between the Government of the United States and the Government of
the Russian Federation Concerning the Disposition of the Highly Enriched Uranium Extracted from
Nuclear Weapons dated February 18, 1993. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have
the meaning ascribed to such terms in the Contract.
WHEREAS, TENEX has recently changed its legal name under the laws of the Russian Federation;
WHEREAS, because the Bureau of Economic Analysis of the U.S. Department of Commerce has
released the final value of the implicit price deflator for the U.S. Gross Domestic Product
(IPD-GDP) for the second quarter of calendar year 2000 (copy attached), it is now
possible to fix the price for separative work units ordered for calendar year 2001 under the
Contract;
WHEREAS, USEC and TENEX (collectively, the Parties) wish to update the provision of
the Contract governing remittances to more accurately reflect their practice;
NOW, THEREFORE, USEC and TENEX agree as follows:
SECTION 1: The August 2, 2000 version of TENEXs charter, which was registered with the Moscow
Registrating Chamber and changed TENEXs brief Russian name and English translations of TENEXs
brief and full Russian names, does not affect the validity and enforceability of the Contract.
Further, the legal entity acting as Joint Stock Company Techsnabexport or Techsnabexport or
is the same
legal entity as TENEX or AO Techsnsabexport or Techsnsabexport Co. Ltd. that entered into the
Contract. Therefore, in this Amendment and in all amendments hereafter, references to Joint Stock
Company Techsnabexport shall be considered to be references to the same entity previously
referred to as AO Techsnabexport.
SECTION 2: For purposes of determining the pricing of SWU ordered for calendar year 2001 under
the Contract, the Parties shall use 99.74 as the IPD-GDP value for the second quarter of calendar
year 1996 and 106.73 as the IPD-GDP value for the second quarter of calendar year 2000.
Therefore, in accordance with Amendment No. 10 to the Contract, the price for SWU ordered for
calendar year 2001 shall be fixed at US$90.42 (ninety U.S. dollars and forty-two U.S. cents) per
SWU.
TENEX:
USEC:
DE-AC01-93NE50067
08843672/50067-02
Amendment No. 014
SECTION 3: The first paragraph of Part I, Section G.04, of the Contract is hereby amended to
read as follows:
Payments under this contract shall be made in U.S. currency by electronic transfer of
immediately available funds. In the case of the SWU contained in LEU delivered under this
contract, payment shall be made within 60 days following delivery of the LEU, as indicated
on the bill of lading and, in the case of the sample bottles for such LEU, payment shall be
made within 60 days following delivery of the samples, as indicated on the airway bill
applicable to the shipment of the sample bottles; provided (1) USEC timely receives
a properly submitted invoice (in accordance with Attachment 5) or such delivery of LEU and
shipment of samples, and (2) the delivery date on the bill of lading is no earlier than the
date on which the LEU passes over the rail of the ship that will transport the LEU from St.
Petersburg, Russia, to USEC and the delivery date on the airway bill is no earlier than the
date on which the sample bottles are consigned to the international air carrier that will
transport the samples to USEC. TENEX may issue the invoice prior to the date of delivery,
but shall notify USEC (or cause USEC to be notified) of the delivery date in sufficient time
for USEC to make payment in accordance with this Section. (In all other cases, payment
shall be made no later than sixty (60) days after receipt of a properly submitted invoice.)
Best efforts shall be made to pay within thirty (30) days of the date of (a) in the case of
SWU contained in LEU or associated sample bottle, the date of delivery or (b) in all other
cases, the invoice. For purposes of this Section G.04, an invoice submitted by facsimile
shall be deemed to be a properly submitted invoice; provided, that the invoiced
party receives an original invoice that meets the requirements of this contract not later
than thirty (30) days before the due date of payment. If the invoiced party receives the
original invoice less than 30 days before the due date, the due date shall be extended by
one day for each day that the invoice is late.
SECTION 4: This Amendment may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall
constitute an original, but all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Amendment as of the date first
written above.
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UNITED STATES ENRICHMENT
CORPORATION |
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JOINT STOCK COMPANY
TECHSNABEXPORT |
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By:
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/s/ Philip G. Sewell
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By:
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/s/ Alexei A. Grigoriev |
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2
USEC:
TENEX:
exv10w8
DE-AC01-93NE50067,
08843672/50067-02
Amendment No. 015
EXHIBIT 10.8
AMENDMENT NO. 015, dated as of January 18, 2001, to Contract No. DE-AC01-93NE50067,
08843672/50067-02 entered into January 14, 1994 (the Contract) by and between the United States
Enrichment Corporation (USEC), Executive Agent of the United States of America, and Techsnabexport
Co. Ltd. (TENEX), Executive Agent of the Ministry of Atomic Energy (MINATOM), Executive Agent of
the Russian Federation. Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meaning
ascribed to such terms in the Contract.
WHEREAS, the Parties wish to consolidate in this Amendment No. 015 to the Contract various
coefficients, applied to the conversion of kilograms of uranium, contained in LEU, ordered for
delivery to USEC under the Contract in calendar years 1995 through 2001, into (i) the SWU component
of such LEU; (ii) the natural uranium hexafluoride (the UF6nat) component of such LEU;
and (iii) the kilograms of enriched uranium hexafluoride (the UF6), represented by
such LEU, which coefficients were previously established in various amendments to the Contract and
other documents related to the Contract.
SECTION 1. Paragraph (b)(2) of Section B.06 of Part 1 of the Contract is amended hereby to
read in full as follows:
(6) The following coefficients shall apply to the conversion of kilograms of uranium,
contained in LEU of various U-235 assays, ordered by USEC for delivery in calendar year 1995 and
thereafter, into the SWU component of such LEU and the natural uranium hexafluoride (the
UF6nat) component of such LEU:
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Assay of U-235 in |
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Quantity of SWU, |
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Quantity in kilograms |
LEU, weight percents: |
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deemed to be |
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of uranium as |
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contained in one |
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UF6nat, |
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kilogram of uranium |
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deemed to be |
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as LEU of given |
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contained in one |
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assay: |
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kilogram of uranium |
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as LEU of given |
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assay: |
3.20% |
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3.787 |
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7.056 |
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3.60% |
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4.525 |
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8.029 |
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4.00% |
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5.276 |
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9.002 |
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4.40% |
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6.039 |
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9.976 |
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4.95% |
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7.101 |
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11.314 |
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The following coefficients (designated as coefficients F in respective Certificates of
Quality and Quantity under this contract) shall apply to the conversion of kilograms of uranium,
deemed to be contained in LEU of various U-235 assays, ordered by USEC for delivery in calendar
year 1995 and thereafter, into kilograms of enriched uranium hexafluoride (the UF6),
represented by such LEU:
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Assay of U-235 in LEU, weight percents: |
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Quantity in kilograms of uranium |
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as LEU, deemed to be contained in |
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one kilogram of UF6: |
3.20% |
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0.67611 |
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3.60% |
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0.67610 |
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USEC:
TENEX:
DE-AC01-93NE50067,
08843672/50067-02
Amendment No. 015
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Assay of U-235 in LEU, weight percents: |
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Quantity in kilograms of uranium |
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as LEU, deemed to be contained in |
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one kilogram of UF6: |
4.00% |
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0.67609 |
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4.40% |
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0.67607 |
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4.95% |
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0.67606 |
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The above coefficients shall be applied with respect to all respective matters under the
contract, including, without limitation, the pricing and the establishment of the quantities of
natural uranium to be delivered by USEC to TENEX under Section H.27 of the contract and issuance of
the Certificates of Quality and Quantity. In the event that USEC and TENEX agree on delivery of
LEU of another assay, than the parties shall stipulate in the contract the above coefficients,
applicable for such new assay under this contract, determined in accordance with the standard
method of calculation thereof..
SECTION 2. Except as amended hereby, the Contract shall remain unchanged and in full force and
effect. In the event that any conflict arises between this Amendment and the Contract, TENEX and
USEC shall resolve such conflict consistent with the purpose of this Amendment as set forth in the
recitals herein.
SECTION 3. This Amendment may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall
constitute an original, but all of which, when taken together, shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties hereto have executed this Amendment as of the date first
written above.
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UNITED STATES ENRICHMENT
CORPORATION |
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JOINT STOCK COMPANY
TECHSNABEXPORT |
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By:
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Philip G. Sewell
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By:
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Alexei A. Grigoriev |
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Title:
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Senior Vice President
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Title:
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Deputy General Director |
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exv10w15
EXHIBIT 10.15
Modification 1
to
AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE)
AND
USEC INC. (USEC)
DOE and USEC hereby agree:
A. Pursuant to Article 5.D. of the AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE) AND USEC INC. (USEC), dated June 17, 2002 (the DOE-USEC Agreement
of June 17, 2002), the Parties modify the DOE-USEC Agreement of June 17, 2002 to incorporate the
following additional provisions into the DOE-USEC Agreement of June 17, 2002:
1. Executive Agent Memorandum of Agreement (MOA)
Nothing in the DOE-USEC Agreement of June 17, 2002 shall be construed as affecting, impairing,
modifying or superseding any provision of the MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES
ACTING BY AND THROUGH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE, AND THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF
ENERGY AND THE UNITED STATES ENRICHMENT CORPORATION, FOR USEC TO SERVE AS THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENTS EXECUTIVE AGENT UNDER THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND THE RUSSIAN
FEDERATION CONCERNING THE DISPOSITION OF HIGHLY ENRICHED URANIUM EXTRACTED FROM NUCLEAR WEAPONS,
dated April 18, 1997 (the Executive Agent MOA). The commitments made by DOE and USEC in the
DOE-USEC Agreement of June 17, 2002, including Article 1, are between DOE and USEC only and are
confined to the terms and conditions expressly provided therein.
2. Use of Information and Confidentiality of Trade Secret/Proprietary Information
(a) USEC understands and acknowledges that information provided by USEC under the DOE-USEC
Agreement of June 17, 2002 will be made available by DOE to agencies of the United States and,
subject to an appropriate agreement prohibiting any further disclosure not authorized by the
DOE-USEC Agreement of June 17, 2002, to DOE contractors designated by DOE to evaluate such
information for the purpose of ensuring that the objectives of the DOE-USEC Agreement of June 17,
2002 are met.
1
(b) USEC may designate information provided under the DOE-USEC Agreement of June 17,
2002 as Trade Secret/Proprietary Information so long as the information was developed at private
expense outside of any CRADA or other Government contract, and such information embodies trade
secrets or is information that is commercial or financial and is confidential or privileged, by
affixing to each page containing such information the legend Contains USEC Trade
Secret/Proprietary Information, For Contract Implementation or Administrative Purposes Only Not
for Public Disclosure or Further Distribution or similar legend authorized under the CRADA
referenced in Article 4 or by another DOE-USEC agreement to pages containing Trade
Secret/Proprietary Information. If Trade Secret/Proprietary Information is orally disclosed by
USEC to DOE or its representatives, USEC shall identify any Trade Secret/Proprietary information as
such orally at the time of the disclosure and confirm the Trade Secret/Proprietary nature of the
information in a written summary thereof, appropriately marking such information as provided for
above, within 30 days of the original oral disclosure. Orally disclosed Trade Secret/Proprietary
Information confirmed in writing in accordance with the preceding sentence shall be treated as
Trade Secret/Proprietary Information in accordance with this Article. In addition, USEC shall
identify any Trade Secret/Propriety Information copies of which are provided pursuant to the access
provided under Section 3 of this Modification 1 in accordance with the procedures set out in this
paragraph.
(c) DOE may disclose an item of Trade Secret/Proprietary Information under the DOE-USEC Agreement
of June 17, 2002 without the consent of USEC and the restriction under this provision on use or
disclosure of such information shall not apply if: (i) such item is or becomes publically
available other than as a result of a disclosure by DOE; (ii) such item has been made available by
USEC to others without obligation concerning its confidentiality; (iii) such item is already
available to the Government without obligation concerning its confidentiality; (iv) disclosure of
such item of Trade Secret/Proprietary Information is required by a law applicable
to DOE, provided however that DOE shall disclose such item of Trade Secret/Proprietary
Information only to the extent required by such law; or (v) DOE determines that such item of Trade
Secret/Proprietary Information may provide evidence of a violation of a law by USEC or any other
person or a violation of a contractual obligation of USEC, and DOE further determines that
disclosure of such item of Trade Secret/Proprietary Information is necessary in order to allow the
United States to take action with respect to such violation, which action shall include without
limitation, investigating, prosecuting, enjoining, or restraining such violation, provided
however that the DOE shall disclose such item of Proprietary Information only to the extent
necessary to take such action with respect to such violation.
(d) Subject to subsections (a), (b) and (c) above, DOE agrees that (i) it shall use any USEC Trade
Secret/Proprietary Information provided by USEC under the DOE-USEC Agreement of June 17, 2002 only
for the purpose of implementing or administering the DOE-USEC Agreement of June 17, 2002; (ii) it
shall not disclose properly marked USEC Trade Secret/Proprietary Information except to U.S.
Government employees and representatives authorized by DOE for purposes of
2
implementing or administering the Agreement of June 17, 2002 and who are advised of the
Trade Secret/Proprietary nature of the information, and as is required by applicable law,
including the Freedom of Information Act; (iii) all USEC Trade Secret/Proprietary Information
provided by USEC under the DOE-USEC Agreement of June 17, 2002 which was developed at private
expense outside of any CRADA or other Government contract is the property of USEC
and it will be returned to USEC upon its request four years after the completion of the DOE-USEC
Agreement of June 17, 2002, or if specifically used in any agreement with DOE, will be subject
to use, disclosure and disposition provisions set forth in any such agreement.
(e) Unless otherwise agreed to by the parties, 1 year after USECs achieving of the milestone for
beginning of a commercial plant operation of the advanced enrichment facility provided for under
Article 3 of the DOE-USEC Agreement of June 17, 2002 or 1 year after completion of that Agreement,
whichever occurs first, the restrictions in this provision with respect to further use and
disclosure of information marked as USEC Trade Secret/Proprietary Information shall not apply with
respect to any USEC Trade Secret/Proprietary Information which USEC at that time does not
specifically identify. Upon the achievement of any given milestone established
pursuant to Article 3 of the Agreement, restrictions regarding the disclosure or use of USEC Trade
Secret/Proprietary Information shall no longer apply to the disclosure or use of the fact of the
achievement of any milestone.
(f) The Parties acknowledge that USEC may provide information or data to DOE pursuant to other
agreements between the Parties, and agree that the terms of the agreement under which information
or data is provided govern the use and disclosure of such information.
3. DOE access to USEC Data and Facilities
USEC agrees to provide reasonable access to data, facilities and USEC employees and contractors for
DOEs authorized representatives to monitor USECs implementation of the DOE-USEC Agreement of June
17, 2002, including the Deployment Working Group Plan. DOE access to data, facilities and USEC
employees and contractors shall be at reasonable times and at the locations of the data,
facilities, employees and contractors unless otherwise agreed to by DOE and USEC, or unless
required to be submitted to DOE by the DOE-USEC Agreement of June 17, 2002 or other DOE-USEC
agreement. DOE shall coordinate with USEC in advance to help ensure that DOEs access t data,
facilities, employees and contractors under this Section does not interfere with on-going
operations and complies with all safety, health and regulatory requirements. Any plans and
information provided to DOE by USEC under the DOE-USEC Agreement of June 17, 2002 which contain
USEC Trade Secret/Proprietary Information shall be marked with the restrictive legend set forth in,
and in accordance with, the Use of Information and Confidentiality to Trade Secret/Proprietary
Information clause of the Agreement, and such data shall be handled in accordance with the terms of
that clause.
B. The Parties substitute the attachment found at Attachment 1 of this Modification for
3
Attachment 1 to the Agreement.
C. Footnote 2 on page 13 of the DOE-USEC Agreement of June 17, 2002 is relocated to the end of
the first sentence under Article 4.B.(a) on page 12.
D. To implement Article 4.B., Out of Specification Uranium Inventory, of the DOE-USEC
Agreement of June 17, 2002, USEC will make a good faith effort to implement the procedures set
forth in the its letter, dated July 15, 2002, to select cylinders for priority processing at the
S/T facility (Attachment 2).
This Modification 1 is effective this 20th day of August, 2002.
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/s/ Lee Liberman Otis
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/s/ William H. Timbers |
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Lee Liberman Otis
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William H. Timbers |
General Counsel
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
U.S. Department of Energy
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USEC Inc. |
4
Attachment 1
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Table 1. Bounding concentrations of dispersed transuranic and 99TC contamination in the DUF6 tails cylinders |
Contaminant |
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ppbu |
238PU |
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0.00012 |
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239PU |
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0.043 |
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237Np |
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5.2 |
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99 Tc |
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15.9 |
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241Am |
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0.0013 |
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exv10w23
EXHIBIT 10.23
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO THE DECEMBER 10, 2004 MOA FOR THE
CONTINUED OPERATION OF THE PORTSMOUTH S&T FACILITIES TO
EXPAND THE SCOPE OF PHASE I
This Amendment No. 1 to the December 10, 2004 Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the
United States Department of Energy (DOE) and USEC Inc, a Delaware Corporation headquartered at
6903 Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD, 20817 is entered into this 16th day of May, 2005
(the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date). USEC, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, United States
Enrichment Corporation, are herein referred to as, USEC. DOE and USEC are hereinafter referred
to as Parties.
WHEREAS, the Parties anticipated a future amendment to the MOA for the continued operation without
interruption of the S&T Facilities for processing Affected Inventory following completion of Phase
I; and
WHEREAS, Phase I has progressed as originally contemplated and agreed; and
WHEREAS, the Parties desire to continue without interruption processing Affected Inventory pursuant
to the terms and conditions agreed in Section 7.2 of the MOA while the details for subsequent Phase
II activities are further negotiated.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Parties hereby agree that:
Subject to the availability of funds and legislative authority for this purpose, work under
the MOA, as amended, will be continued until such time as USEC concludes, pursuant to Section 1.7,
that further performance will cause Allowable Costs (as that term is defined in MOA Section 2.1) to
exceed the proceeds received or expected to be received from the sale of Feed Material (as that
term is defined in MOA Section 2.2), or the MOA is terminated pursuant to Article 13:
A. In addition to the work that the MOA describes as occurring in Phase I, after the
Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, USEC shall perform such work as is described in Article 7 (Phase
II) of the MOA.
B. The work described in paragraph A may be performed contemporaneously with Phase I work,
but it shall not be performed in lieu of the original Phase I work.
C. The fair and equitable basis discussed in MOA Section 7.2(b) for processing USEC Affected
Inventory and DOE Affected Inventory shall be a pro-rata basis of 50% each.
D. Pursuant to MOA Section 7.2(c), the Parties may agree to one or more additional exchanges
of Supplemental Barter Material (as that term is defined in the MOA) to continue processing
Affected Inventory, without an additional amendment to
the MOA, provided the transfer, administration, and use of the proceeds from the Supplemental
Barter Material is in accordance with the terms and conditions of the MOA, as amended.
E. All provisions contained in the MOA are applicable to this Amendment. In the event there
is a conflict between this Amendment and the MOA, this Amendment shall be the controlling document.
Furthermore, USEC reaffirms its commitment in Section 1.4(a) of the MOA to use its best efforts to
process the DOE 2,116 MTU of Affected Inventory (that was exchanged pursuant to the October 22,
2004 MOU) into ASTM specification natural uranium hexafluoride and provide to the DOE the remaining
portion of the 2116 MTU of natural uranium hexafluoride that meets ASTM Specification C-787-90 in
Compliant Cylinders by December 31, 2006.
The Parties, through their duly authorized representatives, have signed this Amendment in two
originals on the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date listed above.
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UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT
OF ENERGY |
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USEC INC. |
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By:
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/s/ William E. Murphie
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By:
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/s Philip G. Sewell |
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Title:
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Manager
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Title:
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Senior Vice President |
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Date:
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May 16, 2005
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Date:
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May 16, 2005 |
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1
exv21
EXHIBIT 21
SUBSIDIARIES OF USEC Inc.
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Name of Subsidiary |
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State of Incorporation |
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United States Enrichment Corporation
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Delaware |
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USEC Services Corporation
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Delaware |
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USEC Overseas, Inc.
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U.S. Virgin Islands |
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NAC Holding Inc.
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Delaware |
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NAC International Inc. (a subsidiary of
NAC Holding Inc.)
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Delaware |
exv23w1
EXHIBIT 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File
Numbers 333-71635, 333-129410, and 333-117867) of USEC Inc. and on Form S-3 (File Number 333-85641)
of USEC Inc. of our report dated February 24, 2006 relating to the financial statements,
managements assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and the
effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10-K.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
McLean, Virginia
February 24, 2006
exv31w1
EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
I, John K. Welch, certify that:
1. |
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I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of USEC Inc.; |
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2. |
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Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the
circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period
covered by this report; |
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3. |
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Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in
this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of
operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this
report; |
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4. |
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The registrants other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and
maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules
13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange
Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
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Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls
and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information
relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by
others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being
prepared; |
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(b) |
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Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal
control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation
of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles; |
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(c) |
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Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and
presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls
and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such
evaluation; and |
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(d) |
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Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial
reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the
registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially
affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control
over financial reporting; and |
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The registrants other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent
evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the
audit committee of the registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent
functions): |
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All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of
internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect
the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information;
and |
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(b) |
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Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who
have a significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting. |
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February 24, 2006 |
/s/ John K. Welch
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John K. Welch |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
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exv31w2
EXHIBIT 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
I, Ellen C. Wolf, certify that:
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I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of USEC Inc.; |
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Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact
or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the
circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period
covered by this report; |
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Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in
this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of
operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this
report; |
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4. |
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The registrants other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and
maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and
15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules
13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: |
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(a) |
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Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls
and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information
relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by
others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being
prepared; |
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(b) |
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Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal
control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation
of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles; |
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(c) |
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Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrants disclosure controls and procedures and
presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls
and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such
evaluation; and |
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(d) |
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Disclosed in this report any change in the registrants internal control over financial
reporting that occurred during the registrants most recent fiscal quarter (the
registrants fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially
affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrants internal control
over financial reporting; and |
5. |
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The registrants other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent
evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrants auditors and the
audit committee of the registrants board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent
functions): |
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(a) |
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All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of
internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect
the registrants ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information;
and |
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(b) |
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Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who
have a significant role in the registrants internal control over financial reporting. |
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February 24, 2006 |
/s/ Ellen C. Wolf
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Ellen C. Wolf |
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Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
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exv32
EXHIBIT 32
Certification of CEO and CFO Pursuant to
18 U.S.C. Section 1350,
as Adopted Pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
In connection with the annual report on Form 10-K of USEC Inc. for the year ended December 31,
2005, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the Report),
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, John
K. Welch, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Ellen C. Wolf, Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer, each hereby certifies, that, to the best of his or her knowledge:
(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the
financial condition and results of operations of USEC Inc.
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February 24, 2006 |
/s/ John K. Welch
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John K. Welch |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
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February 24, 2006 |
/s/ Ellen C. Wolf
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Ellen C. Wolf |
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Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
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exv99w2
EXHIBIT 99.2
Annual CEO Certification
(Section 303A.12(a))
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As the Chief Executive Officer of
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USEC Inc.
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, |
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(Name of the Company) |
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and as required by Section 303A.12(a) of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual, I
hereby certify that as of the date hereof I am not aware of any violation by the Company of NYSEs
Corporate Governance listing standards, other than has been notified to the Exchange pursuant to
Section 303A.12(b) and disclosed as Exhibit H to the Companys Section 303A Annual Written
Affirmation.
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Print Name:
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James R. Mellor
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Title:
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Chairman, President & Chief Executive Officer
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[No Exhibit H accompanied the Annual Written Affirmation.]