Santee Cooper Board Approves $424 Million Bond Sale
October 26, 2009
MONCKS CORNER, SC – October 23, 2009 – The Santee Cooper Board of Directors approved the sale of $424,570,000 in refunding and new money bonds during a special board meeting today.
The issue includes $39,725,000 tax-exempt refunding Series D bonds, $284,845,000 2009 tax-exempt Series E bonds, and $100,000,000 2009 taxable Series F bonds. Maturities range from 2011 through 2040. The all-in true interest cost was calculated at 4.67 percent.
The issue drew strong ratings, including an AA from Fitch Ratings, an AA- from Standard & Poor’s, and an Aa2 from Moody’s Investment Service. All rating agencies reaffirmed strong long-term ratings for the utility as well. “The long-term rating takes into consideration Santee Cooper’s strong management, competitive cost structure, and well-established record of stable finances including sound debt service coverage margins and internal liquidity,” Moody’s said.
“Successful bond issues like this help Santee Cooper meet the state’s needs for affordable, reliable power,” said Elaine Peterson, executive vice president and chief financial officer. “Our strong reputation and history regarding operational and financial performance, once again, have helped Santee Cooper attain bond financing that helps minimize costs to our customers.”
Proceeds are for extraordinary working capital for a recent judgment regarding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Cooper River Rediversion Project, capital needs associated with pre-construction activities for Santee Cooper’s expansion of the V.C. Summer Nuclear Generating Station with SCE&G, and to refinance a portion of the utility’s outstanding debt.
Lead underwriter for this transaction is Goldman Sachs & Co. The underwriting team also includes Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Merrill Lynch & Co., and Morgan Stanley & Co.
Santee Cooper
Santee Cooper is South Carolina’s state-owned electric and water utility, and the state’s largest power producer, supplying electricity to more than 163,000 retail customers in Berkeley, Georgetown, and Horry counties, as well as to 31 large industrial facilities, the cities of Bamberg and Georgetown, and the Charleston Air Force Base. Santee Cooper also generates the power distributed by the state’s 20 electric cooperatives to more than 700,000 customers in all 46 counties. Approximately 2 million South Carolinians receive their power directly or indirectly from Santee Cooper. The utility also provides water to 137,000 consumers in Berkeley and Dorchester counties, and the town of Santee. For more information, visit www.santeecooper.com.
