“Increased sales of electricity driven by colder weather and customer growth, off-system sales and higher retail electric rates contributed to the improved electric margin. The increase in the consolidated natural gas margin for the quarter was primarily attributable to customer growth and colder weather.”
“Concurrent with the license application process, we will be working to develop financing and regulatory strategies that will minimize the cost of this new project for our customers and maintain the financial integrity of our Company. Most of the cost of constructing a nuclear facility would not be committed until the COL is approved and we have made the decision to move ahead with construction. Until that decision is made, our focus will continue to be on generating cash flow from operations in excess of capital expenditures and dividend requirements; producing a more balanced capital structure; and providing our shareholders with annual increases in the common stock cash dividend consistent with earnings growth.”
“The 7.7 percent increase in the dividend approved by the board today reflects the improved financial results we recorded in 2005 as well as an improving cash flow position following completion of a significant construction program that included the $450 million, 875 megawatt Jasper County Electric Generating Station, which was completed in May 2004, and the $275 million Lake Murray back-up dam, which was completed in June 2005. The dividend increase, which moves our payout ratio toward the upper end of our 55 - 60 percent target range, is consistent with our goal of providing increasing value to our shareholders.”
“In terms of events that go on at the Convention Center or in the city itself, it certainly wasn't the biggest event we have done down there. Nor was it the smallest. It was about average.”
“The guys were pretty bummed out. Everybody felt bad. It's a knock to your ego. Nobody likes to play poorly. I don't care if you're playing in the U.S. Open or the Masters or a local member-guest. Nobody likes shooting bad scores.”
“Regardless of how I played, this was the best week of my life. It would have been the best week of my life if I had finished up on Wednesday, really. Being here for the first time you just want to soak up the experience as much as you can. But it also makes you hungry to get back, and prove that you really do belong.”
