Prepared by MERRILL CORPORATION
QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2001

Commission file number: 1-7196


CASCADE NATURAL GAS CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Washington
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  91-0599090
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

222 Fairview Avenue North, Seattle, WA
(Address of principal executive offices)

 

98109
(Zip code)

(Registrant's telephone number including area code) (206) 624-3900


    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 /X/  No / /

    Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Title
Common Stock, Par Value $1 per Share
  Outstanding
11,045,095 as of July 31, 2001




CASCADE NATURAL GAS CORPORATION

Index

 
   
  Page No.
Part I.   Financial Information    
    Item 1.  Financial Statements    
        Consolidated Condensed Statements of Net Earnings   3
        Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets   4
        Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows   5
        Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements   6
    Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   8
    Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk   11

Part II.

 

Other Information

 

 
    Item 2.  Changes in Securities   12
    Item 5.  Other Information   12
    Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K   12

Signature

 

13

2



PART I.  Financial Information

Item 1.  Financial Statements

CASCADE NATURAL GAS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF NET EARNINGS

(unaudited)

 
  Three Months Ended
  Nine Months Ended
 
  Jun 30, 2001
  Jun 30, 2000
  Jun 30, 2001
  Jun 30, 2000
 
  (thousands except per share data)

Operating revenues   $ 64,085   $ 41,563   $ 293,778   $ 204,184
Less: Gas purchases     38,657     22,717     193,673     115,087
    Revenue taxes     4,303     2,778     18,565     12,929
   
 
 
 
Operating margin     21,125     16,068     81,540     76,168
   
 
 
 

Cost of operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Operating expenses     10,529     8,709     29,067     27,084
  Depreciation and amortization     3,456     3,342     10,282     9,932
  Property and payroll taxes     1,259     1,393     3,741     3,688
   
 
 
 
      15,244     13,444     43,090     40,704
   
 
 
 

Earnings from operations

 

 

5,881

 

 

2,624

 

 

38,450

 

 

35,464
Less interest and other deductions—net     2,643     2,692     7,841     7,961
   
 
 
 
Earnings before income taxes     3,238     (68 )   30,609     27,503
Income taxes     1,182     (23 )   11,172     10,040
   
 
 
 
Net earnings     2,056     (45 )   19,437     17,463
Preferred dividends         1         3
   
 
 
 
Net earnings available to common shareholders   $ 2,056   $ (46 ) $ 19,437   $ 17,460
   
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding     11,045     11,045     11,045     11,045
Net earnings per common share,                        
  Basic   $ 0.19   $ (0.00 ) $ 1.76   $ 1.58
   
 
 
 
  Diluted   $ 0.19   $ (0.00 ) $ 1.75   $ 1.58
   
 
 
 
Cash dividends per share   $ 0.24   $ 0.24   $ 0.72   $ 0.72
   
 
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

3


CASCADE NATURAL GAS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in Thousands)

 
  Jun 30, 2001
  Sep 30, 2000
 
  (Unaudited)

   
ASSETS            
Utility Plant, net of accumulated depreciation of $199,426 and $189,058   $ 281,100   $ 279,732
  Construction work in progress     9,713     5,112
   
 
      290,813     284,844
   
 
Other Assets:            
  Investments in non-utility property     202     202
  Notes receivable, less current maturities     342     411
   
 
      544     613
   
 
Current Assets:            
  Cash and cash equivalents     1,685     2,132
  Accounts receivable, less allowance of $1,226 and $1,224 for doubtful accounts     25,604     20,601
  Current maturities of notes receivable     472     473
  Materials, supplies and inventories     7,841     6,238
  Prepaid expenses and other assets     7,669     6,496
   
 
      43,271     35,940
   
 
Deferred Charges            
  Deferred gas cost changes     29,094    
  Other     5,489     6,457
   
 
      34,583     6,457
   
 
    $ 369,211   $ 327,854
   
 
COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY,
PREFERRED STOCKS AND LIABILITIES
           
Common Shareholders' Equity:            
  Common stock, par value $1 per share, authorized 15,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 11,045,095 shares   $ 11,045   $ 11,045
  Additional paid-in capital     97,380     97,380
  Retained earnings     22,221     10,736
   
 
      130,646     119,161
   
 
Redeemable Preferred Stocks, aggregate redemption amount of $0 and $73         62
   
 
Long-term Debt     125,000     125,000
   
 
Current Liabilities:            
  Notes payable and commercial paper     44,500     1,500
  Accounts payable     11,512     14,741
  Property, payroll and excise taxes     4,260     4,859
  Dividends and interest payable     5,237     7,525
  Other current liabilities     9,086     4,711
   
 
      74,595     33,336
   
 
Deferred Credits and Other:            
  Gas cost changes         15,047
  Other     38,970     35,248
   
 
      38,970     50,295
   
 
Commitments and Contingencies            
         
   
 
    $ 369,211   $ 327,854
   
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

4


CASCADE NATURAL GAS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 
  Nine Months Ended
 
 
  Jun 30, 2001
  Jun 30, 2000
 
 
  (dollars in thousands)

 
Operating Activities              
  Net earnings   $ 19,437   $ 17,463  
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:              
    Depreciation and amortization     10,282     9,932  
    Deferrals of gas cost changes     (41,360 )   5,484  
    Amortization of gas cost changes     (2,781 )   1,665  
    Other deferrals and amortizations     2,536     1,597  
    Deferred income taxes and tax credits—net     534     529  
    Other         (212 )
    Change in current assets and liabilities     (9,520 )   (4,418 )
   
 
 
  Net cash provided (used) by operating activities     (20,872 )   32,040  
   
 
 
Investing Activities              
  Capital expenditures     (16,528 )   (13,080 )
  Customer contributions in aid of construction     1,899     1,985  
  Other     69     590  
   
 
 
  Net cash used by investing activities     (14,560 )   (10,505 )
   
 
 
Financing Activities              
  Redemption of preferred stock     (62 )   (6,124 )
  Changes in notes payable and commercial paper, net     43,000      
  Dividends paid     (7,953 )   (7,956 )
   
 
 
  Net cash provided (used) by financing activities     34,985     (14,080 )
   
 
 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents     (447 )   7,455  
               
Cash and Cash Equivalents              
  Beginning of year     2,132     410  
   
 
 
  End of period   $ 1,685   $ 7,865  
   
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

5


CASCADE NATURAL GAS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

THREE AND NINE MONTH PERIODS ENDED JUNE 30, 2001

    The preceding statements were taken from the books and records of the Company and reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods. All adjustments were of a normal and recurring nature. Because of the highly seasonal nature of the natural gas distribution business, earnings or loss for any portion of the year are disproportionate in relation to the full year.

    Reference is directed to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements contained in the 2000 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2000, and comments included therein under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations".

New Accounting Standards:

    FAS No. 133.  As of the first quarter of fiscal 2001, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (FAS) No. 133, titled "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities", as amended by FAS No. 138, "Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities". These standards require that the fair value of all derivative financial instruments be recognized as either assets or liabilities on the Company's balance sheet. Changes during a period in the fair value of a derivative instrument would be included in earnings or other comprehensive income for the period.

    The Company has reviewed its various contractual arrangements to determine applicability of the standards, and has concluded only certain of its natural gas purchase contracts meet the criteria for definition of derivative assets or liabilities. The contracts to which the standard is applicable generally do not qualify for the "normal purchases and sales" exemption because they contain fixed-price and option provisions. These contracts are short-term in nature and have minimal fixed price components. For these contracts, the Company recorded a derivative asset of $205,000 and a derivative liability of $84,000, representing the values as of the October 1, 2000 date of adoption of the standard. The majority of contracts for the purchase, sale, transportation and storage of natural gas constitute "normal purchases and sales" under FAS Nos. 133 and 138, and as such, they are not subject to the accounting requirements of the new standards.

    Generally, gains or losses resulting from the eventual settlement of these contracts are subject to deferral under the Company's tariffs with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission and Oregon Public Utility Commission. Therefore, related derivative assets and liabilities are offset with corresponding regulatory liability and asset amounts included in "Other Deferred Credits" and "Deferred Charges", pursuant to FAS No. 71. Thus, as gains and losses on contracts in place as of October 1, 2000 were subject to deferral, the adoption of FAS Nos. 133 and 138 had no impact on earnings. Gains and losses on contracts not subject to deferral are recognized currently. As of and for the quarter ended June 30, 2001, natural gas purchase contracts required to be accounted for as derivatives under FAS Nos. 133 and 138 had an insignificant impact on the financial position and results of operations.

    In March, 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board approved the Derivative Implementation Group (DIG) Issue C-10, Scope Exceptions: Can Option Contracts and Forward Contracts with Optionality Features Qualify for the Normal Purchases and Normal Sales Exception, which states that derivative contracts containing volumetric options can not constitute "normal purchases and sales." The Company adopted the provisions of DIG Issue C-10 beginning July 1, 2001. Based on

6


natural gas purchase contracts in place as of July 1, adoption of DIG Issue C-10 had an insignificant impact on the financial position and results of operations.

    In the quarter ended June 30, 2001, the Company entered into a contract for pipeline capacity unrelated to its regulated natural gas distribution operations. As of June 30, 2001, the value of this derivative asset is $617,000.

Stock Options:

    During the quarter ended March 31, 2001, the Company awarded officers and certain management employees, under the 1998 Incentive Stock Plan, options to purchase 58,900 shares of its common stock. The exercise price per share was equal to the fair market value of the stock at the date of grant. Stock awards granted at 100% of fair market value are not recognized as compensation expense. No stock options were granted in the quarter ended June 30, 2001. During the quarter, options to purchase 5,200 shares that had been granted in prior periods were exercised.

Contingencies

Environmental Matters

    There are two claims against the Company for as yet unknown costs for clean up of alleged environmental contamination related to manufactured gas plant sites that were previously operated by companies that were subsequently merged into Cascade.

    The first claim was received in 1995, and relates to a site in Oregon. An investigation has shown that contamination does exist, but there is currently not enough information available to estimate the potential liability associated with this claim. It is expected that other parties will participate in the clean up costs. Through June 30, 2001, the amounts spent, primarily on investigation and containment, have been immaterial.

    The second claim was received in 1997, and relates to a site in Washington. An investigation has determined there is evidence of contamination at the site, but there is also evidence of an oil line, operated by an unrelated party, crossing the property, which may have also contributed to the contamination. There is currently not enough information available to estimate the potential liability associated with this claim. The party who originally made this claim has not been actively pursuing it.

    Management intends to pursue reimbursement from its insurance carriers, and recovery from its customers through increased rates, for any remediation costs for which the Company is determined to be liable. There is precedent for such recovery through increased rates, as both the WUTC and OPUC have previously allowed regulated utilities to increase customer rates to recover similar costs. Management does not believe the above claims will have a material effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

Litigation

    Various lawsuits, claims, and contingent liabilities may arise from time to time from the conduct of the Company's business. In 1998, the Company was served with a lawsuit by six plaintiffs, claiming unspecified damages for personal injuries in connection with carbon monoxide exposure. The plaintiffs were residents of a house served by the Company at the time of the incident. The Company denies any responsibility for these injuries, and the parties are engaged in discovery. This case is scheduled for trial in April 2002. There is currently not enough information available to estimate the Company's potential liability associated with this claim, but its self-insured exposure with respect to such claims is $1 million. No other claim now pending, in the opinion of management, is expected to have a material effect on the Company's financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.

7



Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

    The following is management's assessment of the Company's financial condition and a discussion of the principal factors that affected consolidated results of operations and cash flows for the three- and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2001 and June 30, 2000.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

    Net earnings available to common shareholders for the third quarter of fiscal 2001 (quarter ended June 30, 2001) were $2,056,000, or $0.19 per share, compared to a loss of $46,000, or $0.00 per share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2000. For the nine-month period, net earnings available to common shareholders were $19,437,000, or $1.76 per share, an 11.4% improvement over the 2000 period results of $17,460,000, or $1.58 per share. The favorable comparisons for the quarter and year to date periods are primarily attributable to a one-time pipeline transaction and increases in operating margins.

Operating Margin

    Residential and Commercial Margin. Operating margins derived from sales to residential and commercial customers were as set forth in the following table:

 
  Third Quarter of Fiscal
   
  Year to Date June 30
   
 
  Percent
Change

  Percent
Change

 
  2001
  2000
  2001
  2000
 
  (dollars in thousands)

   
  (dollars in thousands)

   
Degree Days   936   765   22.4%   5,589   5,070   10.2%
Average Number of Customers                        
  Residential   163,886   157,921   3.8%   163,818   157,214   4.2%
  Commercial   27,863   27,319   2.0%   27,884   27,221   2.4%
Average Therm Usage per Customer                        
  Residential   123   92   33.7%   719   717   0.3%
  Commercial   642   598   7.4%   3,617   3,529   2.5%
Operating Margin                        
  Residential   6,651   5,349   24.3%   34,070   32,347   5.3%
  Commercial   3,928   3,641   7.9%   20,870   19,654   6.2%

    Margin improvements for the quarter primarily stem from higher consumption by customers. The increased consumption is attributable to cooler weather. Weather in the quarter, as measured by degree days was about 7.5% cooler than normal, while the 2000 third quarter was warmer than normal. The addition of 6,500 new customers contributed $300,000 of the margin improvement.

    Year to date margin increased 5.7% over last year, mostly resulting from higher consumption levels in the first and third quarters, largely attributable to colder weather. Public awareness of rapidly escalating energy costs began late in the first quarter and was fully apparent in the second quarter. In January, the Company increased retail rates to pass through higher wholesale costs of natural gas. In the second quarter, customers responded by significantly reducing their consumption. Management expects customers will continue to reduce consumption, but does not expect dramatic reductions for the remainder of the year because in the summer quarter, more of the consumption is base load, rather than weather sensitive, and there is less opportunity to conserve. See below under Liquidity and Capital Resources, Operating Activities, the discussion about filing with the state regulatory commissions for recovery of higher gas costs.

    Industrial and Other Margin. Operating margin from industrial and other customers during the 2001 third quarter increased $484,000 from the June 2000 quarter. Electric generation customers were the major contributors, with $448,000 of additional margin from a 33% increase in gas consumption.

8


    On a year to date basis, margins from industrial and other customers declined $412,000, even though margins from electric generation customers increased $919,000. However, consumption by all other industrial customers was down, reducing margins $1.33 million. Some non-generating industrial customers curtailed operations and cut back on energy use throughout the winter to save costs. Others, including some electric generators, switched to alternative fuels from December to February, when spot market gas prices in the Pacific Northwest reached unprecedented high levels. Electric generation customers have produced 34% of year to date industrial margins, compared to 31% for the first nine months of fiscal year 2000.

    Capacity Contracts. During the quarter the Company benefited from one-time opportunities to enter into two off-system interstate pipeline transactions. These transactions resulted in $3.1 million of operating margin. The Company has no expectation of additional revenues from such sources, and this is not an on-going part of Cascade's business.

Cost of Operations

    Cost of operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2001, which consists of operating expenses, depreciation and amortization, and property and payroll taxes, increased $1,800,000 or 13.4% from the quarter ended June 30, 2000.

    Operating Expenses, which are primarily labor and benefits expenses, increased $1,820,000, or 20.9%, for the quarter. Labor expense increased $721,000, mainly as a result of increased wage and salary rates. Higher labor cost included the effect of the 4% wage increase effective April 1, 2001, provided in the new five-year contract with the International Chemical Workers Union. Also included is the effect of market rate adjustments during fiscal 2001 for most non-union employees. Expenses for the quarter also included an accrual of $700,000 in performance based compensation, compared to a negative adjustment of $194,000 in the third quarter of 2000. Approximately $219,000 of the expense increase is for costs related to implementation of new integrated work management and financial software, planned for completion in the summer of 2001.

    Year to date operating expenses increased $1,983,000, or 7.3%. Included are a $1,322,000 increase in labor expense, with $553,000 of the increase attributable to performance based compensation, and $755,000 to the new, integrated financial and work management system. Also connected to the new, integrated financial and work management system, there was an increase of $691,000 in consulting costs. Various other categories of expense decreased, in the aggregate, $647,000.

    Depreciation and Amortization increased $114,000 (3.4%) for the quarter, and $350,000 (3.5%) year to date. The increases are due to new asset additions.

    Property and Payroll Taxes decreased $134,000 (9.6%) for the quarter, and increased $53,000 (1.4%) year to date.

Interest and Other Deductions—Net

    Interest and other deductions decreased $49,000 (1.8%) for the quarter, and $120,000 (1.5%) year to date. The improvement is primarily due to interest earned on deferred gas cost assets, which more than offsets higher interest cost related to increased short-term borrowing. In the same quarter of the prior year, deferred gas cost liabilities resulted in interest expense (refer to "Operating Activities" below, under "Liquidity and Capital Resources").

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

    The seasonal nature of the Company's business creates short-term cash requirements to finance customer accounts receivable and construction expenditures. To provide working capital for these requirements, the Company has a $40 million bank revolving credit commitment. This agreement has

9


an annual 0.16% commitment fee with a term that expires in 2004. The Company also has $35 million of uncommitted lines from three banks. The Company considers these short-term facilities adequate at this time but is in discussions to increase the available lines. As of June 30, 2001, there was $44,500,000outstanding under the committed and uncommitted lines.

    A Medium-Term Note program provides longer term financing with $125 million outstanding at June 30, 2001. There is $15 million remaining registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and available for issuance. The Company plans to file a registration statement for additional debt and equity securities before fiscal year end. The remainder of the fiscal year is a period of lower cash requirements and therefore the available credit is adequate. To manage future needs, it is expected that additional short and long-term credit capacity will be added before next fiscal year.

Operating Activities

    For the nine months ended June 30, 2001, operating activities resulted in a net use of cash of $20,872,000, compared to positive cash flow of $32,040,000 last year. This represents a $52.9 million difference in operating cash flow between the two nine-month periods. This difference is substantially all due to higher costs of natural gas purchases that were not passed through to customers, but were deferred. In the nine months, under-recovery of gas cost, including amortization of prior deferrals, was $44.1 million. In the nine months ended June 2000, there was an over-recovery of $7.1 million.

    Wholesale gas prices reached unprecedented high levels in the Northwest during the 2000 - 2001 winter heating season. Effective January 12, 2001, the WUTC approved the Company's request to increase customer rates to recover the higher gas costs. In spite of this increase, the Company still experienced substantial under-recoveries during the March quarter, but by the end of the quarter, wholesale prices had declined to a level roughly equivalent to the amount in customer rates. The Company expects to file with the WUTC for recovery of these deferred amounts over a three-year period beginning in the fall of 2001.

    During the quarter ended June 2001, the Company reached agreements with some of its major suppliers to lock in prices for a three-year period for most of its core supply requirements. These prices are slightly below the amounts reflected in the customer rates that became effective in January. The Company's objective is to secure competitively priced supplies for a three-year period, and provide core customers assurance of relatively stable rates during that period. It is expected that the new customer rates to be effective in the fall, including the above-mentioned amortization, will not be a significant increase over current rates.

Investing Activities

    Net cash used by investing activities for the nine months ended June 30, 2001 was $14,560,000, compared to $10,505,000 for the first nine months of fiscal year 2000. The higher capital expenditures in fiscal 2001 include $2.8 million for the new integrated financial and work management system placed in service August 1, 2001.

    Capital expenditures for fiscal year 2001 are expected to be about $5 million less than the $25.4 million budget, primarily due to lower overall pipeline installation costs, and lower capitalization levels of technology expenditures. This original budget included $18 million for new customer connections and distribution system replacement and reinforcement, and $5.9 million in technology investments, which includes the integrated financial and work management system. The Company previously reported capital expenditures would be financed approximately 75% from internally generated cash flow, and 25% from external financing. Because of negative operating cash flow discussed above, the Company now expects to fund capital expenditures entirely with debt financing in the current year.

10


Financing Activities

    Financing activities for the nine months ended June 30, 2001 provided $34,985,000, compared to a use of $14,080,000 for the comparable period last year. The primary financing activity in fiscal year 2001 has been the $43 million increase in short-term debt to fund operating activities and capital expenditures.

LABOR RELATIONS

    In March 2001, the Company and the International Chemical Workers' Union entered into a new, five-year labor agreement covering 204 operational employees, effective April 1, 2001. This agreement accomplished management's objective of obtaining a long-term agreement with the union. It provided for a 4% increase in wages effective April 1, with lower annual increases each of the next four years.


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

    Cascade has evaluated its risk related to financial instruments whose values are subject to market sensitivity. The Company has fixed-rate debt obligations, but does not have derivative financial instruments subject to interest rate risk. Cascade makes interest and principal payments on these obligations in the normal course of its business, and does not plan to redeem these obligations prior to normal maturities.

    The Company's natural gas purchase commodity prices are subject to fluctuations resulting from weather, congestion on interstate pipelines, and other unpredictable factors. The Company's Purchased Gas Adjustment mechanisms assure the recovery of prudently incurred wholesale gas cost, therefore management believes the Company's commodity price risk is immaterial.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

    Statements contained in this report that are not historical in nature are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future results to differ materially. Such risks and uncertainties with respect to the Company include, among others, its ability to successfully implement internal performance goals, competition from alternative forms of energy, consolidation in the energy industry, performance issues with key natural gas suppliers, the capital-intensive nature of the Company's business, regulatory issues, including the need for adequate and timely rate relief to recover increased capital and operating costs resulting from customer growth and to sustain dividend levels, the weather, increasing competition brought on by deregulation initiatives at the federal and state regulatory levels, the potential loss of large volume industrial customers due to "bypass" or the shift by such customers to special competitive contracts at lower per unit margins, exposure to environmental cleanup requirements, and economic conditions, particularly in the Company's service area.

11



PART II.  Other Information

Item 2.  Changes in Securities

    Under the terms of its bank credit agreement, the Company is required to maintain a minimum net worth of $102,894,000 as of June 30, 2001. Under this agreement, approximately $23,253,000 was available for payment of dividends.


Item 5. Other Information

    Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges:

Twelve Months Ended

6/30/2001

  9/30/2000
  9/30/1999
  9/30/1998
  9/30/1997
  9/30/1996
3.44   3.12   3.00   2.42   2.68   2.17

    For purposes of this calculation, earnings include income before income taxes, plus fixed charges. Fixed charges include interest expense and the amortization of debt issuance expenses. Refer to Exhibit 12 for the calculation of these ratios, as well as the ratio of earnings to fixed charges including preferred dividends.


Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K


No.

  Description
12   Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

12



SIGNATURE

    Pursuant to the requirements 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.

CASCADE NATURAL GAS CORPORATION    
         
By:   /s/ J. D. WESSLING   
J. D. Wessling
Sr. Vice President Finance and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
   

Date:

 

August 10, 2001

 

 

13




QuickLinks

CASCADE NATURAL GAS CORPORATION Index
CASCADE NATURAL GAS CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF NET EARNINGS (unaudited)
CASCADE NATURAL GAS CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (Dollars in Thousands)
CASCADE NATURAL GAS CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
CASCADE NATURAL GAS CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS THREE AND NINE MONTH PERIODS ENDED JUNE 30, 2001
SIGNATURE