form10k123109.htm
 



FPL Group, Inc. Logo
 
FPL Logo

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 fiscal year ended December 31, 2009

Commission
File
Number
 
Exact name of registrants as specified in their
charters, address of principal executive offices and
registrants' telephone number
 
IRS Employer
Identification
Number
         
1-8841
 
FPL GROUP, INC.
 
59-2449419
2-27612
 
 
FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY
700 Universe Boulevard
Juno Beach, Florida 33408
(561) 694-4000
 
59-0247775
 

State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization:    Florida

 
Name of exchange
on which registered
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
FPL Group, Inc.:
Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value
New York Stock Exchange
   
Florida Power & Light Company:   None
 

Indicate by check mark if the registrants are well-known seasoned issuers, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933.
FPL Group, Inc.    Yes þ    No ¨                                                           Florida Power & Light Company    Yes þ    No ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrants are not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
FPL Group, Inc.    Yes ¨    No þ                                                           Florida Power & Light Company    Yes ¨    No þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants (1) have 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, and (2) have been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
FPL Group, Inc.    Yes þ    No ¨                                                           Florida Power & Light Company    Yes þ    No ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants have submitted electronically and posted on their corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrants were required to submit and post such files).
FPL Group, Inc.    Yes þ    No ¨                                                           Florida Power & Light Company    Yes ¨    No ¨

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.  þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants are a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

FPL Group, Inc.
Large Accelerated Filer þ
Accelerated Filer ¨
Non-Accelerated Filer ¨
Smaller Reporting Company ¨
Florida Power & Light Company
Large Accelerated Filer ¨
Accelerated Filer ¨
Non-Accelerated Filer þ
Smaller Reporting Company ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants are shell companies (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).  Yes ¨    No þ

Aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity of FPL Group, Inc. held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2009 (based on the closing market price on the Composite Tape on June 30, 2009) was $23,304,012,377.

There was no voting or non-voting common equity of Florida Power & Light Company held by non-affiliates as of June 30, 2009.

The number of shares outstanding of FPL Group, Inc. common stock, as of the latest practicable date: Common Stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding at January 31, 2010: 413,689,884 shares.

As of January 31, 2010, there were issued and outstanding 1,000 shares of Florida Power & Light Company common stock, without par value, all of which were held, beneficially and of record, by FPL Group, Inc.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of FPL Group, Inc.'s Proxy Statement for the 2010 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference in Part III hereof.

¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾

This combined Form 10-K represents separate filings by FPL Group, Inc. and Florida Power & Light Company.  Information contained herein relating to an individual registrant is filed by that registrant on its own behalf.  Florida Power & Light Company makes no representations as to the information relating to FPL Group, Inc.'s other operations.

Florida Power & Light Company meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction I.(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K and is therefore filing this Form with the reduced disclosure format.


 

 

DEFINITIONS

Acronyms and defined terms used in the text include the following:

Term
 
Meaning
AFUDC
 
allowance for funds used during construction
AFUDC - equity
 
equity component of allowance for funds used during construction
BART
 
Best Available Retrofit Technology
capacity clause
 
capacity cost recovery clause, as established by the FPSC
charter
 
restated articles of incorporation, as amended, of FPL Group or FPL, as the case may be
CO2
 
carbon dioxide
conservation clause
 
energy conservation cost recovery clause, as established by the FPSC
DOE
 
U.S. Department of Energy
Duane Arnold
 
Duane Arnold Energy Center
EMF
 
electric and magnetic field(s)
EMT
 
Energy Marketing & Trading, a division of FPL
environmental clause
 
environmental compliance cost recovery clause, as established by the FPSC
EPA
 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
ERCOT
 
Electric Reliability Council of Texas
Exchange Act
 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
FDEP
 
Florida Department of Environmental Protection
FERC
 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
FGT
 
Florida Gas Transmission Company
FMPA
 
Florida Municipal Power Agency
FPL
 
Florida Power & Light Company
FPL FiberNet
 
FPL FiberNet, LLC
FPL Group
 
FPL Group, Inc.
FPL Group Capital
 
FPL Group Capital Inc
FPSC
 
Florida Public Service Commission
fuel clause
 
fuel and purchased power cost recovery clause, as established by the FPSC
GHG
 
greenhouse gas(es)
Gulfstream
 
Gulfstream Natural Gas System, L.L.C.
Holding Company Act
 
Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005
IRS
 
Internal Revenue Service
ITCs
 
investment tax credits
kv
 
kilovolt(s)
kw
 
kilowatt
kwh
 
kilowatt-hour(s)
LIBOR
 
London InterBank Offered Rate
LTIP
 
FPL Group, Inc. Amended and Restated Long Term Incentive Plan
Management's Discussion
 
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
MISO
 
Midwest Independent Transmission System Operator, Inc.
mortgage
 
mortgage and deed of trust dated as of January 1, 1944, from FPL to Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as supplemented and amended
mw
 
megawatt(s)
NEPOOL
 
New England Power Pool
NERC
 
North American Electric Reliability Corporation
NextEra Energy Resources
 
NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, formerly known as FPL Energy, LLC
Note ___
 
note ___ to consolidated financial statements
NOx
 
nitrogen oxide
NRC
 
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Nuclear Waste Policy Act
 
Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended
O&M expenses
 
other operations and maintenance expenses in the consolidated statements of income
PJM
 
PJM Interconnection, L.L.C.
PMI
 
NextEra Energy Power Marketing, LLC
Point Beach
 
Point Beach Nuclear Power Plant
PTCs
 
production tax credits
PURPA
 
Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978, as amended
qualifying facilities
 
non-utility power production facilities meeting the requirements of a qualifying facility under the PURPA
Recovery Act
 
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
regulatory ROE
 
return on common equity as determined for regulatory purposes
RFP
 
request for proposal
ROE
 
return on common equity
Seabrook
 
Seabrook Station
SEC
 
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
SEGS
 
Solar Electric Generating System
SO2
 
sulfur dioxide
VIE
 
variable interest entity
WCEC
 
FPL's West County Energy Center in western Palm Beach County, Florida

FPL Group, FPL, FPL Group Capital and NextEra Energy Resources each has subsidiaries and affiliates with names that may include FPL, NextEra Energy Resources, NextEra Energy, FPL Energy, FPLE and similar references.  For convenience and simplicity, in this report the terms FPL Group, FPL, FPL Group Capital and NextEra Energy Resources are sometimes used as abbreviated references to specific subsidiaries, affiliates or groups of subsidiaries or affiliates.  The precise meaning depends on the context.


 
2

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS


 
Page No.
   
Definitions
2
Forward-Looking Statements
3
 
 
PART I
 
     
Item 1.
Business
4
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
20
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
24
Item 2.
Properties
25
Item 3.
Legal Proceedings
28
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
28
 
 
PART II
 
     
Item 5.
Market for Registrants' Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
28
Item 6.
Selected Financial Data
29
Item 7.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
30
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
52
Item 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
53
Item 9.
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
104
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures
104
Item 9B.
Other Information
104
 
 
PART III
 
     
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
104
Item 11.
Executive Compensation
104
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
105
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
105
Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services
105
 
 
PART IV
 
     
Item 15.
Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
107
     
Signatures
 
115


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance, climate change strategy or growth strategies (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as will, will likely result, are expected to, will continue, is anticipated, aim, believe, could, should, would, estimated, may, plan, potential, projection, target, outlook, predict and intend or words of similar meaning) are not statements of historical facts and may be forward-looking.  Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties.  Accordingly, any such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to, and are accompanied by, important factors included in Part I, Item 1A.  Risk Factors (in addition to any assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with such forward-looking statements) that could have a significant impact on FPL Group's and/or FPL's operations and financial results, and could cause FPL Group's and/or FPL's actual results to differ materially from those contained or implied in forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of FPL Group and/or FPL in this combined Form 10-K, in presentations, on their respective websites, in response to questions or otherwise.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and FPL Group and FPL undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances, including unanticipated events, after the date on which such statement is made, unless otherwise required by law.  New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all of such factors, nor can it assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained or implied in any forward-looking statement.

 
3

 

PART I

Item 1.  Business

FPL GROUP

FPL Group was incorporated in 1984 under the laws of Florida.  FPL Group has two principal operating subsidiaries, FPL and NextEra Energy Resources.  FPL is a rate-regulated utility engaged primarily in the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electric energy in Florida.  NextEra Energy Resources is FPL Group's competitive energy subsidiary which produces the majority of its electricity from clean and renewable fuels.  FPL Group Capital, a wholly-owned subsidiary of FPL Group, holds the capital stock of, or has equity interests in, FPL Group's operating subsidiaries, other than FPL, and provides funding for those subsidiaries, including NextEra Energy Resources.  At December 31, 2009, FPL Group and its subsidiaries employed approximately 15,400 people.  For a discussion of FPL's and NextEra Energy Resources' businesses, see FPL Operations and NextEra Energy Resources Operations.  For financial information regarding FPL Group's business segments, see Note 15.

Website Access to SEC Filings.  FPL Group and FPL make their SEC filings, including the annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports, available free of charge on FPL Group's internet website, www.fplgroup.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC.  Information on FPL Group's website (or any of its subsidiaries' websites) is not incorporated by reference in this combined annual report on Form 10-K.  The SEC maintains an internet website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and other information about FPL Group and FPL filed electronically with the SEC.

FPL OPERATIONS

General.  FPL was incorporated under the laws of Florida in 1925 and is a wholly-owned subsidiary of FPL Group.  FPL supplies electric service to a population of more than 8.7 million throughout most of the east and lower west coasts of Florida.  During 2009, FPL served approximately 4.5 million customer accounts.  The percentage of FPL's operating revenues by customer class was as follows:

   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2007
 
                   
Residential
    56 %     53 %     54 %
Commercial
    41       40       39  
Industrial
    3       3       3  
Wholesale
    1       1       1  
Other, including deferred or recovered retail clause revenues, the net change in retail unbilled revenues, transmission sales and customer-related fees
    (1 )     3       3  
      100 %     100 %     100 %

Over the last ten years, FPL's average annual customer growth has been 1.8%.  However, beginning in 2007, FPL has experienced a slowdown in retail customer growth and a decline in non-weather related usage per retail customer.  Retail customer growth in 2008 was 0.3%.  FPL's average number of retail customers declined slightly during the first three quarters of 2009 and remained essentially unchanged during the fourth quarter of 2009; the decline for the full year was 0.2%.  FPL believes that the economic slowdown, the downturn in the housing market and the credit crisis that have affected the country and the state of Florida have contributed to the slowdown in customer growth and to the decline in non-weather related usage per retail customer.  In December 2009, the unemployment rate in Florida was 11.8%.  Beginning in 2007, FPL experienced an increase in inactive accounts (accounts with installed meters without corresponding customer names) and in low-usage customers (customers using less than 200 kwh per month), which have contributed to the decline in retail customer growth and non-weather related usage per retail customer.  In 2009, inactive accounts and low-usage customers continued to increase much of the year but declined slightly in the fourth quarter.  FPL is unable to predict whether or when growth in customers and non-weather related customer usage might return to previous trends.

Regulation.  FPL's retail operations provided approximately 99% of FPL's 2009 operating revenues.  Retail operations are regulated by the FPSC, which has jurisdiction over retail rates, service territory, issuances of securities, planning, siting and construction of facilities and other matters.  FPL is also subject to regulation by the FERC with respect to certain aspects of its operations, including, but not limited to, the acquisition and disposition of facilities, interchange and transmission services and wholesale purchases and sales of electric energy.  The NERC established mandatory reliability standards in 2007 to ensure the reliability of the U.S. electric transmission and generation system and to prevent major system blackouts.  Violations for non-compliance are subject to penalties of up to $1 million per day per violation.  In addition, FPL's nuclear power plants are subject to the jurisdiction of the NRC.  NRC regulations govern the granting of licenses for the construction, operation and retirement of nuclear power plants and subject these plants to continuing review and regulation.

 
4

 

Retail Ratemaking.  The underlying concept of utility ratemaking is to set rates at a level that allows the utility the opportunity to collect from customers total revenues (revenue requirements) equal to its cost of providing service, including a reasonable rate of return on invested capital.  To accomplish this, the FPSC uses various ratemaking mechanisms, including, among other things, base rates and cost recovery clauses.

Base Rates - In general, the basic costs of providing electric service, other than fuel and certain other costs, are recovered through base rates, which are designed to recover the costs of constructing, operating and maintaining the utility system.  These basic costs include O&M expenses, depreciation and taxes, as well as a return on FPL's investment in assets used and useful in providing electric service (rate base).  At the time base rates are determined, the allowed rate of return on rate base approximates FPL's estimated weighted-average cost of capital, which includes its costs for outstanding debt and, typically, an allowed ROE.  The FPSC monitors FPL's actual regulatory ROE through a surveillance report that is filed monthly by FPL with the FPSC.  The FPSC does not provide assurance that an allowed ROE will be achieved.  Base rates are determined in rate proceedings or through negotiated settlements, which occur at irregular intervals at the initiative of FPL, the FPSC, the State of Florida Office of Public Counsel or a substantially affected party.  Base rates remain in effect until new base rates are approved by the FPSC.

In March 2009, FPL filed a petition with the FPSC requesting, among other things, a permanent base rate increase of approximately $1 billion in 2010 and an additional $250 million in 2011, which included additions to the storm and property insurance reserve.  The requested increases were based on a proposed regulatory ROE of 12.5% and excluded amounts associated with the proposed extension of a Generation Base Rate Adjustment (GBRA) mechanism, which allowed for automatic adjustments in retail base rates when approved power plants achieved commercial operation, and certain proposed cost recovery clause adjustments.

In January 2010, the FPSC orally ruled with respect to FPL's March 2009 petition (January 2010 rate ruling) and indicated that the ruling would be reflected in a final written order to be issued in February 2010 (final order).  The January 2010 rate ruling indicated that new retail base rates would be established for FPL effective March 1, 2010, would increase retail base rates by approximately $75 million on an annualized basis, would establish a regulatory ROE of 10.0% with a range of plus or minus 100 basis points and would shift certain costs from retail base rates to the capacity clause.  The January 2010 rate ruling also indicated that depreciation expense would be reduced over the next four years.  See Management's Discussion - Results of Operations - FPL.  The January 2010 rate ruling also indicated, among other things, that any additional base rate increase for 2011, the continuation of the GBRA mechanism and any additions to the storm and property insurance reserve would be denied.  As of the date of this report, the final order remains pending.  Upon issuance of the final order, parties have the right to file motions with the FPSC for reconsideration of some or all of the final order, or to appeal some or all of the final order to the Florida Supreme Court.  In response to inquiries regarding potential inconsistencies in calculations underlying the January 2010 rate ruling, staff for the FPSC has indicated it would address any matters raised by the parties before the final order following the filing of any motions for reconsideration.  FPL cannot predict the specific treatment of any particular issue in the final order.

FPL is evaluating the impact of the January 2010 rate ruling on its financial position, including its credit quality and ability to attract capital over the long term (see Management's Discussion - Liquidity and Capital Resources).  FPL has suspended activities on the following projects representing approximately $10 billion of investment over the next five years until the financial impact of the final order, along with other factors, such as load-growth estimates, fuel cost forecasts, demand side management and environmental incentives, can be reviewed (see Capital Expenditures below):

·
development of two additional nuclear units at FPL's Turkey Point site beyond what is required to receive an NRC license for each unit (see Nuclear Operations below);
·
modernization of FPL's Cape Canaveral and Riviera power plants (see Fossil Operations below);
·
reevaluation of options related to a proposed 300-mile underground natural gas pipeline in Florida; and
·
other infrastructure projects.

FPL is also evaluating its options with respect to future regulatory actions regarding the January 2010 rate ruling and, when it is issued, the final order, as well as assessing the cost structure of its ongoing operations and reviewing other planned capital expenditures for appropriate reductions.

Under a rate agreement approved in 2005 (2005 rate agreement), retail base rates did not increase except to allow recovery, under the GBRA mechanism, of the revenue requirements of FPL's three power plants that achieved commercial operation during the term of the 2005 rate agreement.  Retail base rates increased when Turkey Point Unit No. 5 was placed in service in 2007 and when WCEC Units Nos. 1 and 2 were placed in service in 2009.  During the term of the 2005 rate agreement, FPL did not have an authorized regulatory ROE for the purpose of addressing earnings levels; however, for all other regulatory purposes, FPL had an ROE of 11.75%.  Under the terms of the 2005 rate agreement, FPL's electric property depreciation rates were based upon the comprehensive depreciation studies it filed with the FPSC in March 2005; however, FPL reduced depreciation on its plant in service by $125 million each year, as allowed by the 2005 rate agreement.  The 2005 rate agreement also provided for a revenue sharing mechanism, whereby revenues from retail base operations in excess of certain thresholds would be shared with customers.  During the term of the 2005 rate agreement, FPL's revenues did not exceed the thresholds.

 
5

 

Cost Recovery Clauses - Cost recovery clauses, which are designed to permit full recovery of certain costs and provide a return on certain assets allowed to be recovered through the various clauses, include substantially all fuel, purchased power and interchange expenses, conservation and certain environmental-related expenses, certain revenue taxes and franchise fees.  Beginning in 2009, pre-construction costs and carrying charges on construction costs for new nuclear capacity and costs incurred for FPL's three solar generating facilities, one of which was placed into service in 2009 and two of which are under construction, are also recovered through cost recovery clauses.  These costs are recovered through levelized monthly charges per kwh or kw, depending on the customer's rate class, pursuant to the FPSC's cost recovery clauses.  These cost recovery clause charges are calculated at least annually based on estimated costs and estimated customer usage for the following year, plus or minus a true-up adjustment to reflect the variance of actual costs and usage from the estimates used in setting the adjustment charges for prior periods.  An adjustment to the levelized charges may be approved during the course of a year to reflect a projected variance based on actual costs and usage.

In 2009, fuel clause recoveries were approximately $5.9 billion.  FPL uses a risk management fuel procurement program which was approved by the FPSC at the program's inception.  The FPSC reviews the program activities and results for prudence on an annual basis as part of its annual review of fuel costs.  The program is intended to manage fuel price volatility by locking in fuel prices for a portion of FPL's fuel requirements.  See Energy Marketing and Trading below, Management's Discussion - Results of Operations - FPL, Note 1 - Regulation and Note 3.  Pursuant to an FPSC order, FPL was required to refund in the form of a one-time credit to retail customers' bills the 2009 year-end estimated fuel overrecovery; in January 2010, approximately $403 million was refunded to retail customers.  At December 31, 2009, approximately $356 million of retail fuel revenues were overrecovered.  The difference between the refund and the December 31, 2009 overrecovery will be collected from retail customers in a subsequent period.

Capacity payments to other utilities and generating companies for purchased power are recovered from customers through the capacity clause and base rates.  Beginning in March 2010, such payments will be recovered entirely through the capacity clause.  In accordance with the FPSC's nuclear cost recovery rule, FPL also recovers pre-construction costs and carrying charges (equal to a pretax AFUDC rate) on construction costs for new nuclear capacity through the capacity clause.  Once the new capacity goes into service, it is expected that construction costs will be recovered through base rate increases.  See Nuclear Operations below.  In 2009, capacity clause recoveries were approximately $772 million.

Costs associated with implementing energy conservation programs are recovered from customers through the conservation clause.  In 2009, conservation clause recoveries were approximately $198 million.  Certain costs of complying with federal, state and local environmental regulations enacted after April 1993 and costs associated with FPL's three solar facilities are recovered through the environmental clause.  In 2009, environmental clause recoveries were approximately $91 million.  See Environmental and Solar Operations below.

Other Recovery Mechanisms - FPL maintains a funded storm and property insurance reserve.  Four hurricanes in 2005 and three hurricanes in 2004 caused major damage in parts of FPL's service territory.  Storm restoration costs incurred by FPL during 2005 and 2004 exceeded the amount in the storm and property insurance reserve, resulting in a storm reserve deficiency.  In 2007, FPL formed a wholly-owned bankruptcy remote special purpose subsidiary for the purpose of issuing storm-recovery bonds, pursuant to the securitization provisions of the Florida Statutes and an FPSC financing order.  In May 2007, the FPL subsidiary issued $652 million aggregate principal amount of senior secured bonds (storm-recovery bonds), primarily for the after-tax equivalent of the total of FPL's unrecovered balance of the 2004 storm restoration costs, the 2005 storm restoration costs and approximately $200 million to reestablish FPL's storm and property insurance reserve.  The storm-recovery bonds, including interest and bond issuance costs, are being repaid through a surcharge to retail customers.  Prior to the issuance of these storm-recovery bonds, FPL had been recovering the 2004 storm restoration costs from retail customers through a storm damage surcharge.  See Management's Discussion - Results of Operations - FPL and Note 9 - FPL.

The FPSC has the authority to disallow recovery of costs that it considers excessive or imprudently incurred.  Such costs may include, among others, fuel and O&M expenses, the cost of replacing power lost when fossil and nuclear units are unavailable, storm restoration costs and costs associated with the construction or acquisition of new facilities.

Competition.  FPL currently holds 176 franchise agreements to provide electric service in various municipalities and counties in Florida with varying expiration dates through 2040.  Of the 176 franchise agreements, 10 expire in 2010, 9 expire in 2011 and 157 expire during the period 2012 through 2040.  Negotiations are ongoing to renew franchises with upcoming expirations.  FPL also provides service to 13 other municipalities and to 22 unincorporated areas within its service area without franchise agreements.  FPL considers its franchises to be adequate for the conduct of its business.

 
6

 

FPL currently faces competition from other suppliers of electrical energy to wholesale customers and from alternative energy sources and self-generation for other customer groups, primarily industrial customers.  The FERC has jurisdiction over potential changes that could affect competition in wholesale transactions.  In 2009, operating revenues from wholesale and industrial customers combined represented approximately 4% of FPL's total operating revenues.  Various states, other than Florida, have enacted legislation or have state commissions that have issued orders designed to allow retail customers to choose their electricity supplier.  Management believes it is unlikely there will be any state actions to restructure the retail electric industry in Florida in the near future.  If the basis of regulation for some or all of FPL's business changes from cost-based regulation, existing regulatory assets and liabilities would be written off unless regulators specify an alternative means of recovery or refund.  Further, other aspects of the business, such as generation assets and long-term power purchase commitments, would need to be reviewed to assess their recoverability in a changed regulatory environment.  See Management's Discussion - Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates - Regulatory Accounting.

The FPSC promotes cost competitiveness in the building of new steam generating capacity by requiring investor-owned electric utilities, such as FPL, to issue an RFP except when the FPSC determines that an exception from the RFP process is in the public interest.  The RFP process allows independent power producers and others to bid to supply the new generating capacity.  If a bidder has the most cost-effective alternative, meets other criteria such as financial viability and demonstrates adequate expertise and experience in building and/or operating generating capacity of the type proposed, the investor-owned electric utility would seek to negotiate a power purchase agreement with the selected bidder and request that the FPSC approve the terms of the power purchase agreement and, if appropriate, provide the required authorization for the construction of the bidder's generating capacity.  In 2007, the FPSC eliminated the requirement for utilities to issue an RFP for new nuclear power plants sited after June 2006.  See Nuclear Operations below regarding the approval by the FPSC for two additional nuclear units.

Environmental.  FPL is subject to environmental laws and regulations and is affected by some of the emerging issues included in the Environmental Matters section.  FPL expects to seek recovery through the environmental clause for compliance costs associated with any new environmental laws and regulations.

During 2009, FPL spent approximately $214 million on capital additions to comply with existing environmental laws and regulations.  FPL's capital expenditures to comply with existing environmental laws and regulations are estimated to be $424 million for 2010 through 2012, including approximately $236 million in 2010, and are included in estimated planned capital expenditures set forth in Capital Expenditures below.

System Capability and Load.  At December 31, 2009, FPL's resources for serving load consisted of 26,682 mw, of which 24,530 mw were from FPL-owned facilities (see Item 2 - Generating Facilities) and 2,152 mw were available through purchased power contracts (see Note 14 - Contracts).  FPL's projected reserve margin for the summer of 2010 is approximately 22%.  This reserve margin is expected to be achieved through the combination of output from FPL's active generating units (excluding solar which is considered non-firm), purchased power contracts and the capability to reduce peak demand through the implementation of demand side management programs, including load management, which was estimated to be capable of reducing demand by 1,801 mw at December 31, 2009, and energy efficiency and conservation programs.  In December 2009, the FPSC issued an order that will require Florida utilities, including FPL, to meet higher demand side management goals for both demand and energy beginning in 2010, and to file plans to meet these goals by March 30, 2010.  FPL and the other Florida utilities have filed motions for reconsideration of the FPSC order.  Occasionally, unusually cold temperatures during the winter months result in significant increases in electricity usage for short periods of time.  However, customer usage and operating revenues are typically higher during the summer months, largely due to the prevalent use of air conditioning in FPL's service territory.  During 2009, the highest peak load FPL served was 22,351 mw.  The highest peak load FPL has served to date was 24,346 mw, which occurred on January 11, 2010.  FPL had adequate resources available at the time of this peak to meet customer demand.  See Fossil Operations, Nuclear Operations and Solar Operations below regarding generation projects currently under construction.

Fuel Mix.  FPL's generating plants use a variety of fuels.  The diverse fuel options, along with purchased power, are intended to enable FPL to shift between sources of generation to achieve a more economical fuel mix.  See Fossil Operations and Nuclear Operations below, and Item 2 - Generating Facilities.

FPL's 2009 fuel mix based on kwh produced was as follows:

 
Fuel Source
 
Percentage of
kwh Produced
       
Natural gas
 
56
%
Nuclear
 
21
%
Purchased power
 
13
%
Coal
 
6
%
Oil
 
4
%


 
7

 

Fossil Operations.  FPL owns and operates 81 units that use fossil fuels such as natural gas and/or oil, and has a joint-ownership interest in three coal units.  FPL's fossil units are out of service from time to time for routine maintenance or on standby during periods of reduced electricity demand.  FPL is currently constructing a natural gas-fired combined-cycle unit of approximately 1,220 mw at its WCEC, which is expected to be placed in service by mid-2011.  In 2008, the FPSC approved FPL's plan to modernize its Cape Canaveral and Riviera power plants to high-efficiency natural gas-fired units.  Each modernized plant is expected to provide approximately 1,200 mw of capacity and be placed in service by 2013 and 2014, respectively.  However, FPL has suspended activities on the modernization of the two power plants.  See Retail Ratemaking above and Capital Expenditures below.

FPL has four firm transportation contracts in place with FGT, two firm transportation contracts with Gulfstream and one firm transportation contract with Southeast Supply Header, LLC, that together are expected to satisfy substantially all of the anticipated needs for natural gas transportation at its existing units.  The four existing FGT contracts expire between 2021 and 2025, while both Gulfstream contracts expire in 2032.  The Southeast Supply Header contract expires in 2020.  To the extent desirable, FPL can also purchase interruptible natural gas transportation service from FGT and Gulfstream based on pipeline availability.  FPL has several short- and medium-term natural gas supply contracts to provide a portion of FPL's anticipated needs for natural gas.  The remainder of FPL's natural gas requirements is purchased in the spot market.  FPL has a long-term agreement for the storage of natural gas that expires in 2013.  In addition, FPL has entered into several long-term agreements for storage capacity and transportation of natural gas from facilities that have not yet started construction, or if started, have not yet completed construction.  These agreements range from 15 to 25 years in length and contain firm commitments by FPL totaling up to approximately $175 million annually or $4.3 billion over the terms of the agreements.  These firm commitments are contingent upon the occurrence of certain events, including completion of construction of the facilities in 2011.  See Note 14 - Contracts.  FPL's oil requirements are obtained under short- and medium-term contracts and in the spot market.

FPL has, through its joint ownership interest in St. Johns River Power Park (SJRPP) Units Nos. 1 and 2, a coal supply and transportation contract for all of the 2010 fuel needs and a portion of the 2011 fuel needs for those units.  All of the transportation requirements and a portion of the coal supply needs for Scherer Unit No. 4 are covered by a series of annual and long-term contracts.  FPL's remaining fuel requirements for these units will be obtained in the spot market.  See Note 14 - Contracts.

Nuclear Operations.  FPL owns, or has undivided interests in, and operates four nuclear units, two at Turkey Point and two at St. Lucie, with a total net generating capability of 2,939 mw.  The nuclear units are periodically removed from service to accommodate normal refueling and maintenance outages, repairs and certain other modifications.  Scheduled nuclear refueling outages typically require the unit to be removed from service for approximately 30 days.  This duration is longer for expanded scope outages.  The following table summarizes certain information related to FPL's nuclear units:

Facility
 
Unit
 
Net
Capability
(mw)
 
Operating License
Expiration Dates
 
Next Scheduled
Refueling Outage
                 
St. Lucie
 
1
 
839
 
2036
 
April 2010
St. Lucie
 
2
 
714
 
2043
 
January 2011
Turkey Point
 
3
 
693
 
2032
 
September 2010
Turkey Point
 
4
 
693
 
2033
 
March 2011

FPL is in the process of adding approximately 400 mw of baseload capacity at its existing nuclear units at St. Lucie and Turkey Point, which additional capacity is projected to be placed in service by the end of 2012.  The construction costs relating to the 400 mw of baseload capacity yet to be incurred as of December 31, 2009 are included in the estimated planned capital expenditures set forth in Capital Expenditures below.  As part of the conditions of certification by the state of Florida for this project, FPL is required to implement a monitoring plan on the Turkey Point cooling canals due to concerns over potential saltwater intrusion beyond FPL's property.  Monitoring under the plan includes collection of data for two years prior to and two years after the date the additional capacity is placed in service in order to establish a baseline and assess various environmental impacts of the cooling canals on surrounding areas.  The potential results of the monitoring plan are uncertain and the financial and operational impacts on FPL, if any, cannot be determined at this time.  In 2008, the FPSC approved FPL's need petition for two additional nuclear units at its Turkey Point site with projected in-service dates between 2018 and 2020.  The two units combined are expected to add approximately 2,200 mw of baseload capacity.  Additional approvals from other regulatory agencies will be required later in the development process.  However, FPL has suspended development activities on the two new nuclear units at its Turkey Point site beyond what is required to receive a license for each unit from the NRC.  See Retail Ratemaking above and Capital Expenditures below.

 
8

 

FPL leases nuclear fuel for all four of its nuclear units.  See Note 1 - Nuclear Fuel.  FPL Group and FPL consolidate the lessor entity, a VIE.  See Note 9 - FPL.  The contracts for the supply, conversion, enrichment and fabrication of FPL's nuclear fuel have expiration dates ranging from March 2010 through 2022.  Under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, the DOE is responsible for the development of a repository for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste.  As required by the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, FPL is a party to contracts with the DOE to provide for disposal of spent nuclear fuel from its Turkey Point and St. Lucie nuclear units.  The DOE was required to construct permanent disposal facilities and take title to and provide transportation and disposal for spent nuclear fuel by January 31, 1998 for a specified fee based on current generation from nuclear power plants.  Through December 31, 2009, FPL has paid approximately $629 million in such fees to the U.S. Government's nuclear waste fund.  The DOE did not meet its statutory obligation for disposal of spent nuclear fuel under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act.  In 2009, FPL and certain nuclear plant joint owners signed a settlement agreement (spent fuel settlement agreement) with the U.S. Government agreeing to dismiss with prejudice lawsuits filed against the U.S. Government seeking damages caused by the DOE's failure to dispose of spent nuclear fuel from FPL's nuclear plants.  The spent fuel settlement agreement permits FPL to make annual filings to recover certain spent fuel storage costs incurred by FPL which will be payable by the U.S. Government on an annual basis.  Through December 31, 2009, FPL has collected approximately $82 million of the amount due from the U.S. Government pursuant to the spent fuel settlement agreement and has paid approximately $5 million to the joint owners of St. Lucie Unit No. 2.  An additional payment from the U.S. Government of approximately $18 million relating to costs incurred in 2008 is pending.  FPL plans to file a claim for spent fuel storage costs incurred during 2009 by April 2010.  FPL will continue to pay fees to the U.S. Government's nuclear waste fund.  The DOE filed a license application for a permanent disposal facility for spent nuclear fuel with the NRC in 2008, and a licensing proceeding is ongoing before the NRC.  However, it is uncertain when a permanent disposal facility will be constructed and when it would be ready to begin receiving spent nuclear fuel shipments.

FPL uses both on-site storage pools and dry storage casks to store spent nuclear fuel generated by St. Lucie Units Nos. 1 and 2, which should allow FPL to store all spent nuclear fuel at this facility through license expiration.  FPL currently stores all spent nuclear fuel generated by Turkey Point Units Nos. 3 and 4 in on-site storage pools.  These spent nuclear fuel storage pools do not have sufficient storage capacity for the life of the respective units.  Beginning in 2011, FPL plans to begin using dry storage casks to store spent nuclear fuel generated by the Turkey Point facility, which should allow FPL to store all spent nuclear fuel at this facility through license expiration.

The NRC's regulations require FPL to submit a plan for decontamination and decommissioning five years before the projected end of plant operation.  FPL's current plans, under the operating licenses, provide for prompt dismantlement of Turkey Point Units Nos. 3 and 4 with decommissioning activities commencing in 2032 and 2033, respectively.  Current plans provide for St. Lucie Unit No. 1 to be mothballed beginning in 2036 with decommissioning activities to be integrated with the prompt dismantlement of St. Lucie Unit No. 2 at the end of its useful life in 2043.  See estimated decommissioning cost data in Note 1 - Decommissioning of Nuclear Plants, Dismantlement of Plants and Other Accrued Asset Removal Costs - FPL.

Solar Operations.  In 2009, FPL placed into service its first utility-scale solar generating facility, a 25 mw photovoltaic (PV) facility in DeSoto County, Florida.  FPL is currently constructing a 75 mw solar thermal facility in Martin County, Florida and a 10 mw solar PV facility in Brevard County, Florida, which are expected to be placed into service by the end of 2010.  The construction costs of the Martin County and Brevard County solar generating facilities yet to be incurred as of December 31, 2009 are included in estimated planned capital expenditures set forth in Capital Expenditures below.

Energy Marketing and Trading.  EMT buys and sells wholesale energy commodities, such as natural gas, oil and electricity.  EMT procures natural gas and oil for FPL's use in power generation and sells excess natural gas, oil and electricity.  EMT also uses derivative instruments, such as swaps, options and forwards, to manage the commodity price risk inherent in the purchase and sale of fuel and electricity.  Substantially all of the results of EMT's activities are passed through to customers in the fuel or capacity clauses.  See Retail Ratemaking above, Management's Discussion - Results of Operations - FPL and Energy Marketing and Trading and Market Risk Sensitivity and Note 3.

Capital Expenditures.  Capital expenditures at FPL include, among other things, the cost for construction or acquisition of additional facilities and equipment to meet customer demand, as well as capital improvements to and maintenance of existing facilities.  Planned capital expenditures that are conditional on obtaining regulatory approvals are not included in the table below until such approvals are received.

 
9

 

FPL's actual capital expenditures for 2007 through 2009 and estimated planned capital expenditures for 2010 through 2014 as of December 31, 2009 were as follows:

 
Actual
 
Planned (a)
 
2007
 
2008
 
2009
 
2010
 
2011
 
2012
 
2013
 
2014
 
Total
 
(millions)
Generation: (b)
                                                   
New (c) (d)
$
396
 
$
880
 
$
1,203
 
$
1,120
 
$
985
 
$
305
 
$
5
 
$
-
 
$
2,415
Existing
 
586
   
601
   
651
   
530
   
490
   
390
   
320
   
330
   
2,060
Transmission and distribution
 
875
   
737
   
600
   
440
   
460
   
480
   
480
   
480
   
2,340
Nuclear fuel
 
194
   
130
   
178
   
105
   
200
   
175
   
250
   
205
   
935
General and other
 
77
   
101
   
135
   
260
   
270
   
270
   
260
   
130
   
1,190
Total
$
2,128
 
$
2,449
 
$
2,767
 
$
2,455
 
$
2,405
 
$
1,620
 
$
1,315
 
$
1,145
 
$
8,940
¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾
(a)
Excludes capital expenditures of approximately $685 million in 2010, $1,310 million in 2011, $2,505 million in 2012, $2,605 million in 2013 and $1,805 million in 2014 for the following: (1) construction costs for the two additional nuclear units at FPL's Turkey Point site beyond what is required to receive an NRC license for each unit, (2) modernization of the Cape Canaveral and Riviera power plants and (3) other infrastructure projects.  See Retail Ratemaking above.
(b)
Includes AFUDC of approximately $36 million, $50 million, $74 million, $47 million, $27 million and $4 million in 2007 to 2012, respectively.
(c)
Includes land, generating structures, transmission interconnection and integration and licensing.
(d)
Includes pre-construction costs and carrying charges (equal to a pretax AFUDC rate) on construction costs recoverable through the capacity clause of approximately $50 million, $41 million, $147 million, $390 million and $37 million in 2008 to 2012, respectively.

These estimates are subject to continuing review and adjustment and actual capital expenditures may vary significantly from these estimates.  See Management's Discussion - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Contractual Obligations and Estimated Planned Capital Expenditures and Note 14 - Commitments.

Electric and Magnetic Fields.  EMF are present around electrical facilities, including, but not limited to, appliances, power lines and building wiring.  Since the 1970s, there has been public, scientific and regulatory attention given to the question of whether EMF causes or contributes to adverse health effects.  U.S. and international scientific organizations have evaluated the EMF research.  Their reviews have generally concluded that while some epidemiology studies report an association with childhood leukemia, controlled laboratory studies do not support that association and the scientific studies overall have not demonstrated that EMF cause or contribute to any type of cancer or other disease.

The FDEP established EMF standards for electricity facilities in 1989 and FPL facilities comply with these standards.  Future changes in the FDEP regulations could require additional capital expenditures by FPL for such things as increasing the width of right of ways or relocating or reconfiguring transmission facilities.  It is not presently known whether any such expenditures will be required.  Currently, there are no such changes proposed to the FDEP regulations.

Employees.  FPL had approximately 10,500 employees at December 31, 2009.  Approximately 31% of the employees are represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) under a collective bargaining agreement with FPL that expires October 31, 2011.

NEXTERA ENERGY RESOURCES OPERATIONS

General.  NextEra Energy Resources, a wholly-owned subsidiary of FPL Group Capital, was formed in 1998 to aggregate FPL Group's existing competitive energy businesses.  It is a limited liability company organized under the laws of Delaware.  Through its subsidiaries, NextEra Energy Resources currently owns, develops, constructs, manages and operates primarily domestic electric-generating facilities in wholesale energy markets.  NextEra Energy Resources also provides full energy and capacity requirements services primarily to distribution utilities in certain markets and owns a retail electric provider based in Texas.  NextEra Energy Resources also engages in power and gas marketing and trading activities.

At December 31, 2009, NextEra Energy Resources managed or participated in the management of approximately 97% of its projects, which represented approximately 99% of the net generating capacity in which NextEra Energy Resources has an ownership interest.  NextEra Energy Resources had ownership interests in operating independent power projects with a net generating capability totaling 18,148 mw (see Item 2 - Generating Facilities).  Generation capacity spans various regions and is produced using a variety of fuel sources, thereby reducing overall volatility related to varying market conditions and seasonality on a portfolio basis.  At December 31, 2009, the percentage of capacity by geographic region was:

Geographic Region
 
Percentage of Generation Capacity
ERCOT
 
29
%
Northeast
 
28
%
Midwest
 
21
%
West
 
15
%
Other South
 
7
%


 
10

 

At December 31, 2009, fuel sources for these projects were as follows:

Fuel Source
 
Percentage of Generation Capacity
Wind
 
41
%
Natural Gas
 
37
%
Nuclear
 
14
%
Oil
 
5
%
Hydro
 
2
%
Solar and other
 
1
%

NextEra Energy Resources' strategy is, among other things, to continue to maintain its leadership position in wind, accelerate growth in solar development, continue to expand its transmission capability, grow its supply-related and non-asset based businesses, and to develop its natural gas infrastructure business.  NextEra Energy Resources' supply-related business includes full energy and capacity requirements services and retail operations, and the non-asset based business includes power and gas marketing and trading operations.  NextEra Energy Resources seeks to expand its portfolio primarily through wind and solar development and acquisitions where economic prospects are attractive.  In 2009, NextEra Energy Resources added approximately 1,170 mw of wind generation to its portfolio and expects to add approximately 1,000 mw of new wind generation in 2010 and 1,000 mw to 1,500 mw in each of 2011 and 2012.  In addition to wind expansion, NextEra Energy Resources is considering several solar development opportunities in the U.S., as well as in Europe.  The wind and solar expansions are subject to, among other things, continued public policy support, support for the construction and availability of sufficient transmission facilities and capacity, continued market demand, supply chain expansion and access to capital at reasonable cost and on reasonable terms.  NextEra Energy Resources is evaluating additional natural gas infrastructure opportunities in the U.S. and will continue to explore additional projects as opportunities become available.

NextEra Energy Resources' actual capital expenditures and investments for 2007 through 2009 and estimated planned capital expenditures for 2010 through 2014 as of December 31, 2009 were as follows:

 
Actual
 
Planned
 
2007
 
2008
 
2009
 
2010
 
2011
 
2012
 
2013
 
2014
 
Total
 
(millions)
                                                     
Wind (a)
$
1,795
 
$
2,255
 
$
2,625
 
$
1,895
 
$
15
 
$
15
 
$
10
 
$
5
 
$
1,940
Nuclear (b)
 
1,120
   
335
   
455
   
560
   
325
   
315
   
255
   
235
   
1,690
Natural gas
 
120
   
115
   
120
   
75
   
75
   
70
   
50
   
20
   
290
Solar
 
10
   
20
   
40
   
195
   
440
   
485
   
95
   
-
   
1,215
Other
 
30
   
80
   
110
   
65
   
60
   
45
   
45
   
50
   
265
Total
$
3,075
 
$
2,805
 
$
3,350
 
$
2,790
 
$
915
 
$
930
 
$
455
 
$
310
 
$
5,400
¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾
(a)
Includes capital expenditures for new wind projects that have been identified and related transmission.  NextEra Energy Resources expects to add new wind generation of approximately 1,000 mw in 2010 and 1,000 mw to 1,500 mw in each of 2011 and 2012, subject to, among other things, continued public policy support, support for the construction and availability of sufficient transmission facilities and capacity, continued market demand, supply chain expansion and access to capital at reasonable cost and on reasonable terms.  The cost of the planned wind additions for 2011 and 2012 is estimated to be approximately $2.2 billion to $3.3 billion in each year, which is not included in the table above.
(b)
Includes nuclear fuel.

These estimates are subject to continuing review and adjustment and actual capital expenditures may vary significantly from these estimates.  See Management's Discussion - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Contractual Obligations and Estimated Planned Capital Expenditures and Note 14 - Commitments.

Portfolio by Category.  NextEra Energy Resources' generating assets are categorized as follows:

Wind Assets - At December 31, 2009, NextEra Energy Resources had ownership interests in wind plants with a combined capacity of approximately 7,544 mw (net ownership), of which approximately 75% have long-term contracts with utilities and power marketers, predominantly under fixed-price agreements with expiration dates ranging from 2011 to 2034.  The expected output of the remaining 25% is substantially hedged through 2011 and partially hedged through 2016 against changes in commodity prices.  NextEra Energy Resources operates substantially all of these wind facilities.  Approximately 92% of NextEra Energy Resources' net ownership in wind facilities has received exempt wholesale generator status as defined under the Holding Company Act.  Essentially all of the remaining facilities have qualifying facility status under PURPA.  NextEra Energy Resources' wind facilities are located in 17 states and Canada.  NextEra Energy Resources expects to add approximately 1,000 mw of new wind generation in 2010.

 
11

 

Contracted Assets - At December 31, 2009, NextEra Energy Resources had 3,533 mw of non-wind contracted assets.  The contracted category includes all projects, other than wind, with contracts for substantially all of their output.  Essentially all of these contracted assets were under power sales contracts with utilities, with contract expiration dates ranging from 2011 to 2033 and have firm fuel and transportation agreements with expiration dates ranging from December 2010 to 2022.  See Note 14 - Contracts.  Approximately 1,825 mw of this capacity is natural gas-fired generation.  The remaining 1,708 mw uses a variety of fuels and technologies such as nuclear, oil, solar, coal and petroleum coke.  As of December 31, 2009, approximately 93% of NextEra Energy Resources' contracted generating capacity is from power plants that have received exempt wholesale generator status under the Holding Company Act, while the remaining 7% has qualifying facility status under PURPA.

Merchant Assets - At December 31, 2009, NextEra Energy Resources' portfolio of merchant assets includes 7,071 mw of owned nuclear, natural gas, oil and hydro generation, of which 3,772 mw is located in the Northeast region, 2,792 mw in the ERCOT region and 507 mw in the West region.  The merchant assets include 1,017 mw of peak generating facilities.  Merchant assets are plants that do not have long-term power sales agreements to sell their output and therefore require active marketing and hedging.  Approximately 75% (based on net mw capability) of the natural gas fueled merchant assets have natural gas supply agreements or a combination of natural gas supply and transportation agreements to provide for on-peak natural gas requirements.  In mid-2010, two natural gas fired plants, located in California and Pennsylvania, with a combined net generating capacity of approximately 1,250 mw, will move to the contracted assets category when their respective long-term power sales agreements become effective.  See Note 14 - Contracts.  Derivative instruments (primarily swaps, options, futures and forwards) are used to lock in pricing and manage the commodity price risk inherent in power sales and fuel purchases.  Managing market risk through these instruments introduces other types of risk, primarily counterparty and operational risks.  See Energy Marketing and Trading below.

Nuclear Operations.  NextEra Energy Resources wholly owns, or has undivided interests in, three nuclear power plants with a total net generating capability of 2,552 mw.  NextEra Energy Resources is responsible for all plant operations and the ultimate decommissioning of the plants, the cost of which is shared on a pro-rata basis by the joint owners for the jointly owned plants.  See estimated decommissioning cost data in Note 1 - Decommissioning of Nuclear Plants, Dismantlement of Plants and Other Accrued Asset Removal Costs - NextEra Energy Resources.  The nuclear units are periodically removed from service to accommodate normal refueling and maintenance outages, repairs and certain other modifications.  The following table summarizes certain information related to NextEra Energy Resources' nuclear units:

Facility
 
Location
 
Net
Capability
(mw)
 
Portfolio
Category
 
Operating License Expiration Dates
 
Next Scheduled
Refueling Outage
                             
Seabrook
 
New Hampshire
   
1,098
   
Merchant
   
2030
(a)
 
April 2011
Duane Arnold
 
Iowa
   
431
   
Contracted(b)
   
2014
(c)
 
October 2010
Point Beach Unit No. 1
 
Wisconsin
   
509
   
Contracted(d)
   
2030
   
March 2010
Point Beach Unit No. 2
 
Wisconsin
   
514
   
Contracted(d)
   
2033
   
March 2011
¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾
(a)
NextEra Energy Resources intends to seek approval from the NRC to renew Seabrook's operating license for an additional 20 years.
(b)
NextEra Energy Resources sells substantially all of its share of the output of Duane Arnold under a long-term contract expiring in 2014.
(c)
In 2008, NextEra Energy Resources filed an application with the NRC to renew Duane Arnold's operating license for an additional 20 years.
(d)
NextEra Energy Resources sells 100% of the output of Point Beach Units Nos. 1 and 2 under a long-term contract through the current license terms.

NextEra Energy Resources is in the process of adding approximately 80 mw of capacity at each of its existing nuclear units at Point Beach during the scheduled refueling outages in the fall of 2011 for Unit No. 1 and the spring of 2011 for Unit No. 2.  The construction costs relating to the capacity additions yet to be incurred as of December 31, 2009 are included in estimated planned capital expenditures set forth in Capital Expenditures above.  See Note 14 - Commitments.

 
12

 

NextEra Energy Resources' nuclear facilities have several contracts for the supply, conversion, enrichment and fabrication of nuclear fuel with expiration dates ranging from March 2010 to 2022.  See Note 14 - Contracts.  Under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, the DOE is responsible for the development of a repository for the disposal of spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste.  As required by the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, subsidiaries of NextEra Energy Resources are parties to contracts with the DOE to provide for disposal of spent nuclear fuel from its Seabrook, Duane Arnold and Point Beach nuclear units.  The DOE was required to construct permanent disposal facilities and take title to and provide transportation and disposal for spent nuclear fuel by January 31, 1998 for a specified fee based on current generation from nuclear power plants.  The total cumulative amount of such fees paid to the U.S. Government's nuclear waste fund for Seabrook, Duane Arnold and Point Beach, including amounts paid by all joint owners, since the start of the plants' operations through December 31, 2009, is approximately $514 million, of which NextEra Energy Resources has paid approximately $83 million since the date of the plants' acquisition.  The DOE did not meet its statutory obligation for disposal of spent nuclear fuel under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act.  In 2009, certain subsidiaries of NextEra Energy Resources and certain nuclear plant joint owners signed the spent fuel settlement agreement with the U.S. Government agreeing to dismiss with prejudice lawsuits filed against the U.S. Government seeking damages caused by the DOE's failure to dispose of spent nuclear fuel from the Seabrook, Duane Arnold and Point Beach nuclear plants.  The spent fuel settlement agreement permits NextEra Energy Resources to make annual filings to recover certain spent fuel storage costs incurred by NextEra Energy Resources which will be payable by the U.S. Government on an annual basis.  Through December 31, 2009, NextEra Energy Resources has collected approximately $42 million of the amount due from the U.S. Government pursuant to the spent fuel settlement agreement and has paid approximately $18 million to the joint owners of Duane Arnold and Seabrook.  An additional payment from the U.S. Government of approximately $12 million relating to costs incurred in 2008 is pending.  NextEra Energy Resources plans to file a claim for spent fuel storage costs incurred during 2009 by April 2010.  NextEra Energy Resources will continue to pay fees to the U.S. Government's nuclear waste fund.  The DOE filed a license application for a permanent disposal facility for spent nuclear fuel with the NRC in 2008, and a licensing proceeding is ongoing before the NRC.  However, it is uncertain when a permanent disposal facility will be constructed and when it would be ready to begin receiving spent nuclear fuel shipments.  All of NextEra Energy Resources' nuclear facilities use both on-site storage pools and dry storage casks to store spent nuclear fuel generated by these facilities, which should allow NextEra Energy Resources to store spent nuclear fuel at these facilities through license expiration.

Energy Marketing and Trading.  PMI, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources, buys and sells wholesale energy commodities, such as natural gas, oil and electricity.  Its primary role is to manage the commodity risk of NextEra Energy Resources' portfolio.  PMI sells the output from NextEra Energy Resources' plants that has not been sold under long-term contracts.  PMI procures natural gas and oil for NextEra Energy Resources' use in power generation, as well as substantially all of the electricity needs for NextEra Energy Resources' retail operations conducted primarily in Texas, which at December 31, 2009 served approximately 1,010 mw of peak load to approximately 148,000 customers.  PMI uses derivative instruments such as swaps, options, futures and forwards to manage the risk associated with fluctuating commodity prices and to optimize the value of NextEra Energy Resources' power generation assets.  PMI also provides full energy and capacity requirements services primarily to distribution utilities in certain markets and engages in power and gas marketing and trading activities to take advantage of expected future favorable price movements.  Full energy and capacity requirements services include load-following services, which require the supplier of energy to vary the quantity delivered based on the load demand needs of the customer, as well as various ancillary services.  At December 31, 2009, PMI provided full energy and capacity requirements services totaling approximately 5,000 mw of peak load in the NEPOOL, PJM, ERCOT and MISO markets.  The results of PMI's activities are included in NextEra Energy Resources' operating results.  See Management's Discussion - Energy Marketing and Trading and Market Risk Sensitivity, Note 1 - Energy Trading and Note 3.

Regulation.  At December 31, 2009, NextEra Energy Resources had ownership interests in operating independent power projects that have received exempt wholesale generator status as defined under the Holding Company Act, which represent approximately 95% of NextEra Energy Resources' net generating capacity.  Exempt wholesale generators own or operate a facility exclusively to sell electricity to wholesale customers.  They are barred from selling electricity directly to retail customers.  NextEra Energy Resources' exempt wholesale generators produce electricity from wind, hydropower, fossil fuels and nuclear facilities.  Essentially all of the remaining 5% of NextEra Energy Resources' net generating capacity has qualifying facility status under PURPA.  NextEra Energy Resources' qualifying facilities generate electricity from wind, solar, fossil fuels or waste coal.  Qualifying facility status exempts the projects from, among other things, many of the provisions of the Federal Power Act, as well as state laws and regulations relating to rates and financial or organizational regulation of electric utilities.  While projects with qualifying facility and/or exempt wholesale generator status are exempt from various restrictions, each project must still comply with other federal, state and local laws, including, but not limited to, those regarding siting, construction, operation, licensing, pollution abatement and other environmental laws.

Each of the markets in which NextEra Energy Resources operates is subject to regulation and specific rules.  NextEra Energy Resources continues to evaluate regional market redesigns of existing operating rules for the integration of renewable energy resources and for the purchase and sale of energy commodities.  ERCOT is scheduled to implement a locational marginal price (LMP) market design (a market-pricing approach used to manage the efficient use of the transmission system when congestion occurs on the electricity grid) in late 2010.  The final ERCOT market design has not yet been determined, therefore, NextEra Energy Resources is currently unable to determine the effects, if any, on its business resulting from implementation of the final market design.  In the second quarter of 2009, California implemented a LMP market design, which did not have a material effect on NextEra Energy Resources' business.  Additionally, certain NextEra Energy Resources facilities are subject to the NERC’s mandatory reliability standards, and its nuclear facilities are subject to the jurisdiction of the NRC.

 
13

 

Competition.  Competitive wholesale markets in the United States continue to evolve and vary among and within geographic regions.  Revenues from electricity sales in these markets vary based on the prices obtainable for energy, capacity and other ancillary services.  Some of the factors affecting success in these markets include the ability to operate generating assets efficiently and reliably, the price and supply of fuel, transmission constraints, wind, solar and hydro resources (weather conditions), competition from regulated utilities and new sources of generation, effective risk management, demand growth, environmental requirements and exposure to legal and regulatory changes.

Expanded competition in a frequently changing regulatory environment presents both opportunities and risks for NextEra Energy Resources.  Opportunities exist for the selective acquisition of generation assets and for the construction and operation of efficient plants that can sell power in competitive markets.  NextEra Energy Resources seeks to reduce its market risk by having a diversified portfolio by fuel type and location, as well as by contracting for the future sale of a significant amount of the electricity output of its plants.

Environmental.  NextEra Energy Resources is subject to environmental laws and regulations and is affected by some of the emerging issues included in the Environmental Matters section.

During 2009, NextEra Energy Resources spent approximately $4 million on capital additions to comply with existing environmental laws and regulations.  NextEra Energy Resources' capital expenditures to comply with existing environmental laws and regulations are estimated to be $14 million for 2010 through 2012, including approximately $6 million in 2010, and are included in estimated planned capital expenditures set forth in General above.

Employees.  NextEra Energy Resources and its subsidiaries had approximately 4,570 employees at December 31, 2009.  Subsidiaries of NextEra Energy Resources have collective bargaining agreements with various unions which are summarized in the table below.

Union
 
Location
 
Contract
Expiration Date
 
% of NextEra Energy
Resources Employees
Covered
                   
IBEW
 
Wisconsin
 
August 2010 - August 2012 (a)
   
10
%
 
Utility Workers Union of America
 
New Hampshire
 
December 2013
   
5
   
IBEW
 
Iowa
 
May 2012
   
4
   
IBEW
 
Maine
 
February 2013
   
2
   
Security Police and Fire Professionals of America
 
Iowa
 
July 2012
   
2
   
IBEW
 
California
 
March 2012
   
-
(b)
 
Total
           
23
%
 
¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾
(a)
Various employees at Point Beach are represented by the IBEW under four separate contracts with different expiration dates.
(b)
Employees constitute less than 1% of NextEra Energy Resources' employees.


OTHER FPL GROUP OPERATIONS

FPL Group's Corporate and Other segment represents other business activities, primarily FPL FiberNet and Lone Star Transmission, that are not separately reportable.  See Note 15.

FPL FiberNet.  FPL FiberNet, a wholly-owned subsidiary of FPL Group Capital, was formed in 2000 to enhance the value of FPL Group's fiber-optic network assets that were originally built to support FPL operations.  Accordingly, in 2000, FPL's existing fiber-optic lines were transferred to FPL FiberNet.  FPL FiberNet is a limited liability company organized under the laws of Delaware.  FPL FiberNet leases wholesale fiber-optic network capacity and dark fiber to FPL and other customers, primarily telephone, wireless carriers, internet and other telecommunications companies.  FPL FiberNet's primary business focus is the Florida metropolitan (metro) market.  Metro networks cover Miami, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Orlando and Jacksonville.  FPL FiberNet also has a long-haul network within Florida that leases bandwidth at wholesale rates.  At December 31, 2009, FPL FiberNet's network consisted of approximately 2,950 route miles, which interconnect major cities throughout Florida.

At December 31, 2009, FPL Group's investment in FPL FiberNet totaled approximately $164 million.  FPL FiberNet invested approximately $54 million during 2009 and plans to invest a total of approximately $110 million over the next five years primarily to meet customers' specific requirements under contract.

 
14

 

Lone Star Transmission.  In 2008, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) approved a $4.9 billion transmission grid improvement program that would add approximately 2,300 miles of 345 kv lines to deliver wind power from the Competitive Renewable Energy Zones (CREZ) in west Texas and the Texas panhandle to the Dallas/Fort Worth area and other population centers in Texas.  In May 2009, Lone Star Transmission, LLC (Lone Star), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of FPL Group Capital, was, under the PUCT's Transmission Service Provider (TSP) Order, allocated $565 million in transmission projects by the PUCT under the CREZ program.  Lone Star's CREZ project would include constructing and operating 250 miles of 345 kv transmission lines in Texas.  Lone Star intends to file a certificate of convenience and need (CCN) with the PUCT by mid-2010, which will begin the process of both establishing Lone Star as a regulated transmission provider in Texas and obtaining approval to begin construction of Lone Star's CREZ project.  An order from the PUCT regarding Lone Star's CCN application is expected later in 2010.  In January 2010, the TSP order was reversed and remanded back to the PUCT to consider certain issues raised in an appeal of the TSP order.  The Lone Star CREZ transmission project is subject to, among other things, issuance of the revised TSP order, receipt, and possible petition for reconsideration and appeal, of all applicable ERCOT and PUCT approvals.  Once all required approvals are obtained, Lone Star expects to commence construction on its CREZ transmission project.  Due to the contingencies discussed above, the estimated costs associated with this project are not included in the capital expenditures table in Note 14 - Commitments.

ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

Federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations cover air and water quality, land use, power plant and transmission line siting, EMF from power lines and substations, oil discharge from transformers, lead paint, asbestos, noise and aesthetics, solid waste, natural resources, wildlife mortality and other environmental matters.  Compliance with these laws and regulations increases the cost of electric service by requiring, among other things, changes in the design and operation of existing facilities and changes or delays in the location, design, construction and operation of new facilities.  Environmental laws and regulations are subject to change.  The following is a discussion of emerging federal and state initiatives and rules that could potentially affect FPL Group and its subsidiaries, including FPL and NextEra Energy Resources.

Climate Change - The U.S. Congress and certain states and regions are considering several legislative and regulatory proposals that would establish new regulatory requirements and reduction targets for GHG emissions.  In June 2009, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 (ACESA) to encourage the development of clean energy sources and reduce GHG emissions.  ACESA would establish, among other things, provisions for federal renewable energy standards for electric suppliers and a national cap and trade program to reduce GHG emissions.  The U.S. Senate is considering similar proposals. It is not clear whether and when this or similar legislation may be enacted.  The economic and operational impact of this or any similar legislation on FPL Group and FPL depends on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, the allowed emissions, whether the permitted emissions will be allocated or auctioned, the cost to reduce emissions or buy allowances in the marketplace, and the availability of offsets and mitigating factors to moderate the costs of compliance.  If and until legislation is enacted and implementing regulations are adopted, the economic and operational impact (either positive or negative) on FPL Group and FPL cannot be determined but could be material.

Meanwhile, the EPA is implementing regulatory action under the Clean Air Act to address climate change.  In April 2009, the EPA released a proposed endangerment finding under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act that the current and projected concentrations of GHG in the atmosphere threaten the public health and welfare of current and future generations, and issued a final finding in December 2009.  The final finding noted that, among other things, climate change is expected to result in an increase in electricity production, especially supply for peak demand, a potentially adverse impact on hydropower resources as well as the potential risk of serious adverse effects on energy infrastructure from extreme weather events.  In September 2009, the EPA and the U.S. Department of Transportation issued a proposed rule under the Clean Air Act to regulate GHG emissions from light duty vehicles.  The EPA's proposed rule is expected to be finalized in March 2010, which will then trigger certain permitting requirements under the Clean Air Act for any new or modified stationary sources of GHG, including power plants, that exceed certain GHG emissions levels.  Also, in September 2009, the EPA released a proposed rule under the Clean Air Act to tailor requirements for GHG emissions which would increase applicability thresholds for major sources from 100 or 250 tons per year (tpy) to 25,000 tpy.  New facilities emitting 25,000 tpy or more of GHG and modifications to existing facilities resulting in an increase of GHG emissions in the range of 10,000 - 25,000 tpy or more will have to meet additional requirements.  In September 2009, the EPA issued a final rule for mandatory reporting of GHG emissions from facilities with emissions of 25,000 tpy or more, which includes all of FPL's and NextEra Energy Resources' fossil plants.  Affected facilities must begin collecting data in January 2010 and the first emissions report is due on March 31, 2011 for the 2010 period.

Based on current reference data available from government sources, FPL Group is among the lowest emitters, among electric generators, of GHG in the United States measured by its rate of emissions expressed as pounds of CO2 per megawatt-hour (mwh) of generation.  However, the legislative and regulatory proposals have differing methods of implementation and the impact on FPL's and NextEra Energy Resources' generating units and/or the financial impact (either positive or negative) to FPL Group and FPL could be material, depending on the eventual structure of any legislation enacted or specific implementation rules adopted.

 
15

 

In anticipation of the potential for further imposition of GHG emission limits on the electric industry in the future, FPL Group has taken a leadership role in the debate of climate change regulation and is involved in several climate change initiatives, including, but not limited to, the following:

·  
voluntary reporting of its GHG emissions and climate change strategy through the Carbon Disclosure Project (an investor-led initiative to identify climate change impacts on publicly-traded companies);

·  
participation in the U.S. Climate Action Partnership (an alliance made up of a diverse group of U.S.-based businesses and environmental organizations, which in January 2009 issued the Blueprint for Legislative Action, a set of legislative principles and recommendations to address global climate change and the reduction of GHG emissions);

·  
participation in the Clinton Global Initiative (an organization which seeks to foster shared commitment by individuals, businesses and governments to confront major world issues and achieve real change);

·  
participated in the EPA's Climate Leaders Program to reduce GHG intensity in the United States 18% by 2012, including reporting of emissions data annually.  During 2008, FPL Group met its commitment to achieve a 2008 target emissions rate reduction of 18% below a 2001 baseline emission rate measured in pounds per mwh;

·  
supporting Edison Electric Institute's climate change framework, which supports the concept of mandatory legislation capping carbon emissions economy wide and recommends, among other things, an 80% reduction of carbon emissions from current levels by 2050;

·  
participation in various groups, including working with the Governor of Florida on the Governor's Action Team on Energy and Climate Change, the FDEP, the Florida Energy and Climate Commission and the FPSC in addressing executive orders issued in 2007 by the Governor of Florida (see below for additional information); and

·  
focusing on customer energy efficiency and conservation through programs such as Energy Smart Florida and EarthEra Renewable Energy Trust.

In 2007, the Governor of Florida issued three executive orders aimed at reducing Florida GHG emissions and improving Florida's energy efficiency.  The orders state, among other things, that Florida utilities will be required to reduce emissions to 2000 levels by 2017; to 1990 levels by 2025; and to 20% of 1990 levels by 2050, and that the FPSC should begin the process of adopting a renewable portfolio standard that would require utilities to produce at least 20% of their energy from renewable sources, with an emphasis on wind and solar energy.  The FPSC submitted a draft rule in January 2009 which was not adopted by the legislature.  The FDEP is currently evaluating various options regarding GHG emissions reductions.  Any rule issued by FDEP or FPSC would require approval by the legislature.  The impact of any future legislation on FPL and FPL Group cannot be determined at this time.

NextEra Energy Resources' plants operate in many states and regions that have developed or are in the process of developing legislation to reduce GHG emissions, including, but not limited to, the following:

·  
Renewable portfolio standards (RPS), currently in place in 31 states, require electricity providers in the state to meet a certain percentage of their retail sales with energy from renewable sources.  These standards vary by state, but the majority include requirements to meet 10% to 25% of the electricity providers' retail sales with energy from renewable sources by 2025.

·  
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is a GHG reduction initiative whereby ten Northeast and Mid-Atlantic member states have established a cap and trade program for covered electric generating units in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, Maryland, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.  RGGI members have agreed to stabilize power plant CO2 emissions at 2009 levels through the end of 2014 and to further reduce the sector's emissions another 10% by the end of 2018.  The RGGI GHG reduction requirements will affect 12 NextEra Energy Resources' fossil electric generating units, requiring those electric generating units to reduce emissions or to acquire CO2 allowances for emissions of CO2 beginning in 2009.  All RGGI states have enacted legislation and regulations.  Based on NextEra Energy Resources' clean generating portfolio in the RGGI marketplace, NextEra Energy Resources experienced a positive impact on earnings in 2009 and expects that the requirements will have a positive overall impact on NextEra Energy Resources' earnings in 2010.

·  
The Western Climate Initiative is a GHG reduction initiative with a goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 15% below 2005 levels by 2020 for participants (Arizona, California, Oregon, Montana, New Mexico, Washington and Utah, as well as British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec, Canada).

·  
California Greenhouse Gas Regulation - California has enacted legislation to reduce GHG emissions in the state to 1990 emissions levels by 2020.  Pursuant to the legislation, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) must implement multi-sector GHG reduction measures by January 1, 2012.  The CARB has released a proposed GHG program which includes a cap and trade program and administrative fee on GHG emissions sources but excludes certain details.  The CARB anticipates supplementing its proposal in the spring of 2010 and finalizing it in November 2010.

 
16

 


·  
The Midwestern Greenhouse Gas Reduction Accord (MGGRA) is an initiative to reduce GHG emissions through the establishment of targets for GHG reductions and the development of a cap and trade program.  Participants in MGGRA are Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Manitoba, Canada.  MGGRA has proposed a multi-sector program that, if implemented, will initially be focused on the electricity generation and imports, industrial combustion and industrial processes sectors.  Currently, NextEra Energy Resources does not have any fossil-fired generation in the MGGRA region.

Except as discussed above regarding RPS and the RGGI, the final requirements to be enacted in connection with these initiatives are uncertain and the financial and operational impacts on FPL Group cannot be determined at this time.  However, NextEra Energy Resources' portfolio in these regions is heavily weighted toward non-CO2 emitting and low CO2 emitting generation sources (wind, hydro, solar, nuclear and natural gas).

Clean Air Act Mercury/Nickel Rule - During 2005, the EPA determined that new data indicated that nickel emissions from oil-fired units and mercury emissions from coal-fired units should not be regulated under Section 112 of the Clean Air Act, which sets Maximum Achievable Control Technology standards (MACT), and as a result the EPA published a final rule delisting nickel and mercury from the requirements of regulation under Section 112.  In lieu of regulation under Section 112, the EPA issued a final rule (Clean Air Mercury Rule) to regulate mercury emissions from coal-fired electric utility steam generating units under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act.  The mercury and nickel delisting rule, as well as the Clean Air Mercury Rule, were challenged by various states and environmental groups.  In 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia (DC Circuit) vacated both the EPA's mercury and nickel delisting rule and the Clean Air Mercury Rule, requiring the EPA to proceed with rulemaking under Section 112.  In November 2009, the EPA issued a final information collection request (ICR) for hazardous air pollutants for coal and oil-fired electric generating units which requires extensive fuel and emissions stack testing from oil and gas facilities throughout the U.S. which must be completed by August 2010.  The ICR lists certain FPL oil-fired units, Scherer Unit No. 4, SJRPP Units Nos. 1 and 2, certain coal-fired units from which FPL purchases power and three of NextEra Energy Resources' oil-fired units in Maine for stack testing.  Depending upon the final outcome of the EPA's rulemaking, it is possible that these units may be required to add additional pollution control equipment.

Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) - In 2005, the EPA published a final rule that requires SO2 and NOx emissions reductions from electric generating units in 28 states, where the emissions from electric generating units are deemed to be transported to downwind states, allegedly resulting in fine particulate (PM 2.5) and ozone non-attainment areas.  In July 2008, the DC Circuit issued an opinion vacating the CAIR and remanded the rule to the EPA for further rulemaking.  In September 2008, the EPA and three other parties petitioned for rehearing of that order.  In December 2008, the DC Circuit remanded the CAIR back to the EPA for further rulemaking without vacating the rule.  Because the DC Circuit chose not to vacate the rule, FPL Group and FPL were required to begin complying with the current version of the CAIR on January 1, 2009 and must continue to comply until the EPA rewrites the rule; a proposed rule is expected to be published in mid-2010.  The impact of complying with the current version of the CAIR has not had, and is not expected to have, a material effect on the financial statements of FPL Group and FPL.

FPL Group and others have urged the EPA to move forward with separate rulemaking that removes the NOx fuel adjustment factors deemed unlawful by the court.  FPL Group contends that the NOx fuel adjustment factors are used to unfairly skew the allocation of emission allowances to states with relatively higher emissions.

Clean Air Visibility Rule - In 2005, the EPA issued the Clean Air Visibility Rule to address regional haze in areas which include certain national park and wilderness areas through the installation of BART for electric generating units.  BART eligible units include those built between 1962 and 1977 that have the potential to emit more than 250 tons of visibility-impairing pollution per year.  The rule requires states to complete BART determinations and allows for a five-year period to implement pollution controls.  The impact of the final BART requirements of the Clean Air Visibility Rule on FPL's Turkey Point Fossil Units Nos. 1 and 2 and on one of NextEra Energy Resources' units located in Maine are not expected to be material to the financial statements of FPL Group or FPL.

In 2007, the FDEP began the process to expand the number of units covered under the "Reasonable Further Progress" provision of the Clean Air Visibility Rule in an effort to reduce emissions of SO2 in areas which include certain national park and wilderness areas.  The provision requires that control measures be in place by 2017.  Eight of FPL's generating facilities are affected under the Reasonable Further Progress provision (Manatee Units Nos. 1 and 2, Port Everglades Units Nos. 3 and 4, Turkey Point Fossil Units Nos. 1 and 2 and SJRPP Units Nos. 1 and 2).  While the final requirements of the Reasonable Further Progress provision are uncertain, it is possible that these units may be required to switch fuels, install additional emission controls or make adjustments to existing controls to meet the provision's emissions requirements.

 
17

 


Clean Water Act Section 316(b) - In 2004, the EPA issued a rule under Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act to address the location, design, construction and capacity of intake structures at existing power plants with once-through cooling water systems.  The rule would have required FPL Group to demonstrate that it had met or would meet new impingement mortality (the loss of organisms against screens and other exclusion devices) and/or entrainment (the loss of organisms by passing through the cooling water system) reductions by complying with one of several alternatives, including the use of technology and/or operational measures.  In 2007, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit ruled on a challenge to the rule by a number of environmental groups and six northeastern states.  In its ruling, the court eliminated several of the compliance alternatives, including the use of a "cost-benefit test" and restoration measures, from consideration and remanded the rule to the EPA for further rulemaking.  As a result of the 2007 court decision, the EPA has suspended its rule under Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act and directed its jurisdictions to address Section 316(b) compliance based on best professional judgment when issuing and renewing permits.  In April 2009, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the use of a cost-benefit test is an acceptable alternative under Section 316(b) of the Clean Water Act for determining the best technology available for minimizing adverse environmental impacts from the use of large cooling water intake systems.  The EPA is working on new rulemaking which is expected to be published in the second quarter of 2010.  Depending upon the final outcome of the litigation, additional rulemaking by the EPA could impact eight of FPL's generating facilities (Cape Canaveral, Cutler, Fort Myers, Lauderdale, Port Everglades, Sanford, Riviera and St. Lucie) and three NextEra Energy Resources plants (Seabrook, Point Beach and an oil-fired plant in Maine).

Revisions to the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Ozone - In 2008, the EPA issued a final rule establishing a new standard for ground-level ozone at 75 parts per billion (ppb).  After reconsideration, in January 2010, the EPA issued a proposed revision to the national ambient air quality standards for ground-level ozone by revising the 2008 primary standard to a more restrictive primary standard of between 60 ppb and 70 ppb.  It is anticipated that the EPA will issue a final rule by August 2010 which will require states to (i) identify areas which will be designated as non-attainment for ground-level ozone within 120 days of the final rule, (ii) develop plans to meet the attainment standard by 2013 and (iii) begin meeting the attainment standard between 2014 and 2031 based on non-attainment severity.  Generating facilities located in areas designated as non-attainment may be required to add additional pollution control equipment.  A review of recent ozone monitoring data indicates that some or all of FPL's generating facilities may be located in or affected by non-attainment areas, or areas projected to be in non-attainment depending on the primary standard adopted.

 
18

 


EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF FPL GROUP (a)

Name
 
Age
 
Position
 
Effective Date
Christopher A. Bennett
 
51
 
Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy, Policy & Business Process Improvement Officer of FPL Group
 
February 15, 2008 (b)
Paul I. Cutler
 
50
 
Treasurer of FPL Group
Treasurer of FPL
Assistant Secretary of FPL Group and FPL
 
February 19, 2003
February 18, 2003
December 10, 1997
F. Mitchell Davidson
 
47
 
Chief Executive Officer of NextEra Energy Resources
President of NextEra Energy Resources
 
July 29, 2008
December 15, 2006
K. Michael Davis
 
63
 
Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of FPL Group
Vice President, Accounting and Chief Accounting Officer of FPL
 
May 13, 1991
July 1, 1991
Moray P. Dewhurst
 
54
 
Vice Chairman and Chief of Staff of FPL Group
 
August 17, 2009
Chris N. Froggatt
 
52
 
Vice President of FPL Group
 
October 19, 2009
Lewis Hay, III
 
54
 
Chief Executive Officer of FPL Group
Chairman of FPL Group and FPL
 
June 11, 2001
January 1, 2002
Joseph T. Kelliher
 
49
 
Executive Vice President, Federal Regulatory Affairs of FPL Group
 
May 18, 2009
Robert L. McGrath
 
56
 
Executive Vice President, Engineering, Construction & Corporate Services of FPL Group and FPL
 
February 21, 2005 (b)
Manoochehr K. Nazar
 
55
 
Executive Vice President, Nuclear Division and Chief Nuclear Officer of FPL Group
Executive Vice President, Nuclear Division and Chief Nuclear Officer of FPL
 
January 1, 2010
January 15, 2010
Armando J. Olivera
 
60
 
Chief Executive Officer of FPL
President of FPL
 
July 17, 2008
June 24, 2003
Armando Pimentel, Jr.
 
47
 
Chief Financial Officer of FPL Group and FPL
Executive Vice President, Finance of FPL Group and FPL
 
May 3, 2008
February 15, 2008 (b)
James W. Poppell, Sr.
 
59
 
Executive Vice President, Human Resources of FPL Group and FPL
Assistant Secretary of FPL Group and FPL
 
December 12, 2008
January 28, 2005
James L. Robo
 
47
 
President and Chief Operating Officer of FPL Group
 
December 15, 2006
Antonio Rodriguez
 
67
 
Executive Vice President, Power Generation Division of FPL Group
Executive Vice President, Power Generation Division of FPL
 
January 1, 2007 (b)
July 1, 1999 (b)
Charles E. Sieving
 
37
 
Executive Vice President and General Counsel of FPL Group
Executive Vice President and General Counsel of FPL
 
December 1, 2008
January 1, 2009
¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾
(a)
Information is as of February 25, 2010.  Executive officers are elected annually by, and serve at the pleasure of, their respective boards of directors.  Except as noted below, each officer has held his present position for five years or more and his employment history is continuous.  Mr. Bennett was vice president, business strategy & policy of FPL Group from July 2007 to February 15, 2008.  Prior to that, Mr. Bennett was vice president of Dean & Company, a management consulting and investment firm.  Mr. Davidson was senior vice president of business management of NextEra Energy Resources from March 2005 to December 2006.  Prior to that, he was vice president of business management of NextEra Energy Resources.  Mr. Davis was also controller of FPL from July 1991 to September 2007.  Mr. Dewhurst was vice president, finance and chief financial officer of FPL Group and senior vice president, finance and chief financial officer of FPL from July 2001 to May 2008.  Mr. Froggatt was the vice president and treasurer of Pinnacle West Capital Corporation, a public utility holding company, and its major subsidiary, Arizona Public Service Company (APS), a regulated utility, from December 2008 to October 2009.  Prior to that, he was vice president, controller and chief accounting officer of APS.  Mr. Hay was also chief executive officer of FPL from January 2002 to July 2008.  Mr. Hay was president of FPL Group from June 2001 to December 2006.  Mr. Kelliher was chairman of the FERC from July 2005 to January 2009.  Prior to that, he was a commissioner at the FERC.  Mr. Nazar was the chief nuclear officer of FPL Group from January 2009 to December 2009.  He was senior vice president and chief nuclear officer of FPL from November 2007 to January 2009.  Prior to that, Mr. Nazar was senior vice president & chief nuclear officer of American Electric Power Company, Inc., a public utility holding company.  Mr. Pimentel was a partner of Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, from June 1998 to February 2008.  Mr. Poppell was vice president, human resources of FPL from November 2006 to December 2008.  He was director, employee relations of FPL from January 2005 to November 2006.  Mr. Robo was president of NextEra Energy Resources from July 2002 to December 2006.  He was also vice president, corporate development and strategy of FPL Group from March 2002 to December 2006.  Mr. Sieving was executive vice president, general counsel and secretary of PAETEC Holding Corp., a communications services and solutions provider, from February 2007 to November 2008 and was primarily responsible for all legal and regulatory matters.  Prior to that, Mr. Sieving was a partner in the corporate, securities and finance practice group of Hogan & Hartson LLP, an international law firm, with which he had been associated since October 1998.
(b)
FPL Group title changed from vice president to executive vice president effective May 23, 2008.  Where applicable, FPL title changed from senior vice president to executive vice president effective July 17, 2008.


 
19

 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

Risks Relating to FPL Group's and FPL's Business

FPL Group and FPL are subject to complex laws and regulations and to changes in laws and regulations as well as changing governmental policies and regulatory actions.  FPL holds franchise agreements with local municipalities and counties, and must renegotiate expiring agreements.  These factors may have a negative impact on the business and results of operations of FPL Group and FPL.

·  
FPL Group and FPL are subject to complex laws and regulations, and to changes in laws or regulations, with respect to, among other things, allowed rates of return, industry and rate structure, operation of nuclear power facilities, construction and operation of generation facilities, construction and operation of transmission and distribution facilities, acquisition, disposal, depreciation and amortization of assets and facilities, recovery of fuel, purchased power and environmental costs, decommissioning costs, ROE and equity ratio limits, transmission reliability and present or prospective wholesale and retail competition.  This substantial and complex framework exposes FPL Group and FPL to increased compliance costs and potentially significant monetary penalties for non-compliance.  The FPSC has the authority to disallow recovery by FPL of any and all costs that it considers excessive or imprudently incurred.  The regulatory process generally restricts FPL's ability to grow earnings and does not provide any assurance as to achievement of earnings levels.

·  
FPL Group and FPL also are subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental statutes, rules and regulations, as well as the effect of changes in or additions to applicable statutes, rules and regulations that relate to, or in the future may relate to, for example, air quality, water quality, climate change, GHG emissions, CO2 emissions, radioactive emissions, waste management, marine and wildlife mortality, natural resources, health, safety and renewable portfolio standards that could, among other things, restrict or limit the output of certain facilities or the use of certain fuels required for the production of electricity and/or require additional pollution control equipment and otherwise increase costs.  There are significant capital, operating and other costs associated with compliance with these environmental statutes, rules and regulations, and those costs could be even more significant in the future.  Violations of certain of these statutes, rules and regulations could expose FPL Group and FPL to third-party disputes and potentially significant monetary penalties for non-compliance.

·  
FPL Group and FPL operate in a changing market environment influenced by various legislative and regulatory initiatives regarding regulation, deregulation or restructuring of the energy industry, including, for example, deregulation or restructuring of the production and sale of electricity, as well as increased focus on renewable and clean energy sources and reduction of CO2 emissions and other GHG emissions.  FPL Group and its subsidiaries will need to adapt to these changes and may face increasing costs and competitive pressure in doing so.

·  
FPL Group's and FPL's results of operations could be affected by FPL's ability to negotiate or renegotiate franchise agreements with municipalities and counties in Florida.

The operation and maintenance of power generation, transmission and distribution facilities involve significant risks that could adversely affect the results of operations and financial condition of FPL Group and FPL.

·  
The operation and maintenance of power generation, transmission and distribution facilities involve many risks, including, for example, start up risks, breakdown or failure of equipment, transmission and distribution lines or pipelines and the availability of replacement equipment, the inability to properly manage or mitigate known equipment defects throughout FPL Group's and FPL's generation fleets and transmission and distribution systems, use of new or unproven technology, the dependence on a specific fuel source, failures in the supply or transportation of fuel, the impact of unusual or adverse weather conditions (including natural disasters such as hurricanes, floods and droughts), and performance below expected or contracted levels of output or efficiency.  This could result in lost revenues and/or increased expenses, including, for example, lost revenues due to prolonged outages and increased expenses due to monetary penalties or fines, replacement equipment costs or an obligation to purchase or generate replacement power at potentially higher prices to meet contractual obligations.  Insurance, warranties or performance guarantees may not cover any or all of the lost revenues or increased expenses.  Breakdown or failure of an operating facility of NextEra Energy Resources may, for example, prevent the facility from performing under applicable power sales agreements which, in certain situations, could result in termination of the agreement or subject NextEra Energy Resources to incurring a liability for liquidated damages.

The operation and maintenance of nuclear facilities involves inherent risks, including environmental, health, regulatory, terrorism and financial risks, that could result in fines or the closure of nuclear units owned by FPL or NextEra Energy Resources, and which may present potential exposures in excess of insurance coverage.

 
20

 


·  
FPL and NextEra Energy Resources own, or hold undivided interests in, nuclear generation facilities in four states.  These nuclear facilities are subject to environmental, health and financial risks such as on-site storage of spent nuclear fuel, the ability to dispose of spent nuclear fuel, the ability to maintain adequate reserves for decommissioning, potential liabilities arising out of the operation of these facilities, and the threat of a possible terrorist attack.  Although FPL and NextEra Energy Resources maintain decommissioning funds and external insurance coverage to minimize the financial exposure to these risks, it is possible that the cost of decommissioning the facilities could exceed the amount available in the decommissioning funds, and that liability and property damages could exceed the amount of insurance coverage.

·  
The NRC has broad authority to impose licensing and safety-related requirements for the construction and operation and maintenance of nuclear generation facilities.  In the event of non-compliance, the NRC has the authority to impose fines or shut down a unit, or both, depending upon its assessment of the severity of the situation, until compliance is achieved.  NRC orders or new regulations related to increased security measures and any future safety requirements promulgated by the NRC could require FPL and NextEra Energy Resources to incur substantial operating and capital expenditures at their nuclear plants.  In addition, if a serious nuclear incident were to occur at an FPL or NextEra Energy Resources plant, it could result in substantial costs.  A major incident at a nuclear facility anywhere in the world could cause the NRC to limit or prohibit the operation or licensing of any domestic nuclear unit.

·  
In addition, potential terrorist threats and increased public scrutiny of utilities could result in increased nuclear licensing or compliance costs which are difficult or impossible to predict.

The construction of, and capital improvements to, power generation and transmission facilities involve substantial risks.  Should construction or capital improvement efforts be unsuccessful or delayed, the results of operations and financial condition of FPL Group and FPL could be adversely affected.

·  
The ability of FPL Group and FPL to complete construction of, and capital improvement projects for, their power generation and transmission facilities on schedule and within budget are contingent upon many variables that could delay completion, increase costs or otherwise adversely affect operational and financial results, including, for example, limitations related to transmission interconnection issues, escalating costs for materials and labor and environmental compliance, delays with respect to permits and other approvals, and disputes involving third parties, and are subject to substantial risks.  Should any such efforts be unsuccessful or delayed, FPL Group and FPL could be subject to additional costs, termination payments under committed contracts, loss of tax credits and/or the write-off of their investment in the project or improvement.

The use of derivative contracts by FPL Group and FPL in the normal course of business could result in financial losses or the payment of margin cash collateral that could adversely impact the results of operations or cash flows of FPL Group and FPL.

·  
FPL Group and FPL use derivative instruments, such as swaps, options, futures and forwards, some of which are traded in the over-the-counter markets or on exchanges, to manage their commodity and financial market risks, and for FPL Group to engage in trading and marketing activities.  FPL Group could recognize financial losses as a result of volatility in the market values of these derivative instruments, or if a counterparty fails to perform or make payments under these derivative instruments and could suffer a reduction in operating cash flows as a result of the requirement to post margin cash collateral.  In the absence of actively quoted market prices and pricing information from external sources, the valuation of these derivative instruments involves management's judgment or use of estimates.  As a result, changes in the underlying assumptions or use of alternative valuation methods could affect the reported fair value of these derivative instruments.  In addition, FPL's use of such instruments could be subject to prudence challenges and, if found imprudent, cost recovery could be disallowed by the FPSC.

·  
FPL Group provides full energy and capacity requirement services, which include load-following services and various ancillary services, primarily to distribution utilities to satisfy all or a portion of such utilities' power supply obligations to their customers.  The supply costs for these transactions may be affected by a number of factors, including by events that may occur after FPL Group has committed to supply power, such as weather conditions, fluctuating prices for energy and ancillary services, and the ability of the distribution utilities’ customers to elect to receive service from competing suppliers.  If the supply costs are not favorable, FPL Group’s operating costs could increase and result in the possibility of reduced earnings or incurring losses.

·  
FPL Group and FPL have hedging procedures and associated risk management tools that may not work as planned.  Risk management tools and metrics such as daily value at risk, earnings at risk, stop loss limits and liquidity guidelines are based on historical price movements.  If price movements significantly or persistently deviate from historical behavior, the risk management tools may not protect against significant losses.  As a result of these and other factors, FPL Group and FPL cannot predict with precision the impact that risk management decisions may have on financial results.

 
21

 

FPL Group's competitive energy business is subject to risks, many of which are beyond the control of FPL Group, including, but not limited to, the efficient development and operation of generating assets, the successful and timely completion of project restructuring activities, the price and supply of fuel and equipment, transmission constraints, competition from other generators, including those using new sources of generation, excess generation capacity and demand for power, that may reduce revenues, increase costs or otherwise adversely impact the results of operations and financial condition of FPL Group.

·  
There are various risks associated with FPL Group's competitive energy business.  In addition to risks discussed elsewhere, risk factors specifically affecting NextEra Energy Resources' success in competitive wholesale markets include, for example, the ability to efficiently develop and operate generating assets, the successful and timely completion of project restructuring activities, maintenance of the qualifying facility status of certain projects, the price and supply of fuel (including transportation) and equipment, transmission constraints, the ability to utilize PTCs or qualify for convertible ITCs, competition from other and new sources of generation, excess generation capacity and shifting demand for power.  There can be significant volatility in market prices for fuel, electricity and renewable and other energy commodities, and there are other financial, counterparty and market risks that are beyond the control of NextEra Energy Resources.  NextEra Energy Resources' inability or failure to effectively hedge its assets or positions against changes in commodity prices, interest rates, counterparty credit risk or other risk measures could significantly impair FPL Group's future financial results.  A portion of NextEra Energy Resources' power generation facilities operate wholly or partially without long-term power purchase agreements.  As a result, power from these facilities is sold on the spot market or on a short-term contractual basis, which may increase the volatility of FPL Group's financial results.  In addition, NextEra Energy Resources' business depends upon power transmission and natural gas transportation facilities owned and operated by others; if transmission or transportation is disrupted or capacity is inadequate or unavailable, NextEra Energy Resources' ability to sell and deliver its wholesale power or natural gas may be limited.

FPL Group's ability to successfully identify, complete and integrate acquisitions is subject to significant risks, including, but not limited to, the effect of increased competition for acquisitions resulting from the consolidation of the power industry.

·  
FPL Group is likely to encounter significant competition for acquisition opportunities that may become available as a result of the consolidation of the power industry in general.  In addition, FPL Group may be unable to identify attractive acquisition opportunities at favorable prices and to complete and integrate them successfully and in a timely manner.

FPL Group and FPL participate in markets that are often subject to uncertain economic conditions, which makes it difficult to estimate growth, future income and expenditures.

·  
FPL Group and FPL participate in markets that are susceptible to uncertain economic conditions, which complicate estimates of revenue growth.  Because components of budgeting and forecasting are dependent upon estimates of revenue growth in the markets FPL Group and FPL serve, the uncertainty makes estimates of future income and expenditures more difficult.  As a result, FPL Group and FPL may make significant investments and expenditures but never realize the anticipated benefits, which could adversely affect results of operations.  The future direction of the overall economy also may have a significant effect on the overall performance and financial condition of FPL Group and FPL.

Changes in the number of customer accounts and customer usage in FPL's service area affect FPL Group's and FPL's results of operations.

·  
FPL Group's and FPL's results of operations are affected by the change in the number of customer accounts in FPL's service area and customer usage.  Changes in the number of customer accounts can be affected by growth or decline in population.  Changes in the number of customer accounts and customer usage can be affected by economic factors in Florida and elsewhere, including, for example, job and income growth or decline, housing starts and new home prices.  Changes in the number of customer accounts and customer usage directly influence the demand for electricity and the need, or lack of need, for additional power generation and power delivery facilities at FPL.

Weather affects FPL Group's and FPL's results of operations, as can the impact of severe weather.  Weather conditions directly influence the demand for electricity and natural gas, affect the price of energy commodities, and can affect the production of electricity at power generating facilities.

·  
FPL Group's and FPL's results of operations are affected by changes in the weather.  Weather conditions directly influence the demand for electricity and natural gas, affect the price of energy commodities, and can affect the production of electricity at power generating facilities, including, but not limited to, wind, solar and hydro-powered facilities.  FPL Group's and FPL's results of operations can be affected by the impact of severe weather which can be destructive, causing outages and/or property damage, may affect fuel supply, and could require additional costs to be incurred.  At FPL, recovery of these costs is subject to FPSC approval.

 
22

 


FPL Group and FPL rely on access to capital and credit markets as significant sources of liquidity for capital requirements not satisfied by operating cash flows.  Adverse capital and credit market conditions may adversely affect FPL Group's and FPL's ability to meet liquidity needs, access capital and operate and grow their businesses, and increase the cost of capital.  Disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the financial markets can also adversely impact the results of operations and financial condition of FPL Group and FPL, as well as exert downward pressure on the market price of FPL Group's common stock.

·  
Having access to the credit and capital markets, at a reasonable cost, is necessary for FPL Group and FPL to fund their operations, including their capital requirements. Those markets have provided FPL Group and FPL with the liquidity to operate and grow their businesses that is not otherwise provided from operating cash flows.  Disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in those markets can increase FPL Group's and FPL's cost of capital.  If FPL Group and FPL are unable to access the credit and capital markets on terms that are reasonable, they may have to delay raising capital, issue shorter-term securities and/or bear an unfavorable cost of capital, which, in turn, could adversely impact their ability to grow their businesses, decrease earnings, significantly reduce financial flexibility and/or limit FPL Group's ability to sustain its current common stock dividend level.

·  
The market price and trading volume of FPL Group's common stock could be subject to significant fluctuations due to, among other things, general stock market conditions and changes in market sentiment regarding FPL Group and its subsidiaries' operations, business, growth prospects and financing strategies.

FPL Group's, FPL Group Capital's and FPL's inability to maintain their current credit ratings may adversely affect FPL Group's and FPL's liquidity, limit the ability of FPL Group and FPL to grow their businesses, and would likely increase interest costs.  In addition, FPL Group's, FPL Group Capital's or FPL's credit providers' inability to maintain their current credit ratings, or to fund their credit commitments, may adversely affect FPL Group's and FPL's liquidity.

·  
The inability of FPL Group, FPL Group Capital and FPL to maintain their current credit ratings could affect their ability to raise capital or obtain credit on favorable terms, which, in turn, could impact FPL Group's and FPL's ability to grow their businesses, service indebtedness or repay borrowings, and would likely increase their interest costs.  Some of the factors that can affect credit ratings are cash flows, liquidity, the amount of debt as a component of total capitalization, and political, legislative and regulatory actions.  FPL Group, FPL Group Capital or FPL cannot assure that their current credit ratings will remain in effect for any given period of time or that one or more of its ratings will not be lowered or withdrawn entirely by a rating agency.

·  
The inability of FPL Group's, FPL Group Capital's and FPL's credit providers to maintain credit ratings acceptable under various agreements, or to fund their credit commitments, could require FPL Group, FPL Group Capital or FPL to, among other things, renegotiate requirements in agreements, find an alternative credit provider with acceptable credit ratings to meet the requirement, or post cash collateral.

FPL Group may be unable to meet its ongoing and future financial obligations and to pay dividends on its common stock if its subsidiaries are unable to pay upstream dividends or repay funds to FPL Group.

·  
FPL Group is a holding company and, as such, has no material operations of its own.  Substantially all of FPL Group's consolidated assets are held by subsidiaries.  FPL Group’s ability to meet its financial obligations and to pay dividends on its common stock is primarily dependent on the subsidiaries’ net income and cash flows, which are subject to the risks of their respective businesses, and their ability to pay upstream dividends or to repay funds to FPL Group.  The subsidiaries have financial obligations, including payment of debt service, which they must satisfy before they can fund FPL Group.  FPL Group’s subsidiaries are separate legal entities and have no obligation to provide FPL Group with funds for its payment obligations.  In addition, the dividend-paying ability of some of the subsidiaries is limited by contractual restrictions which are contained in outstanding financing agreements and which may be included in future financing agreements.

Changes in tax laws, as well as judgments and estimates used in the determination of tax-related asset and liability amounts, could adversely affect FPL Group's and FPL's results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

·  
FPL Group's and FPL's provision for income taxes and reporting of tax-related assets and liabilities requires significant judgments and the use of estimates.  Amounts of tax-related assets and liabilities involve judgments and estimates of the timing and probability of recognition of income, deductions and tax credits, including estimates for potential adverse outcomes regarding tax positions that have been taken and the ability to utilize tax benefit carryforwards, such as net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.  Actual income taxes could vary significantly from estimated amounts due to the future impacts of, among other things, changes in tax laws, regulations and interpretations, financial condition and results of operations of FPL Group and its subsidiaries, including FPL, as well as the resolution of audit issues raised by taxing authorities.  Ultimate resolution of income tax matters may result in material adjustments to tax-related assets and liabilities which could impact, either positively or negatively, FPL Group's and FPL's results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

 
23

 


FPL Group and FPL are subject to credit and performance risk from third parties under supply and service contracts.

·  
FPL Group and FPL rely on contracts with vendors for the supply of equipment, materials, fuel and other goods and services required for the construction and operation of, and for capital improvements to, their facilities, as well as for business operations.  If vendors fail to fulfill their contractual obligations, FPL Group and FPL may need to make arrangements with other suppliers, which could result in higher costs, untimely completion of power generation facilities and other projects, and/or a disruption to their operations.

FPL Group and FPL are subject to costs and other potentially adverse effects of legal and regulatory proceedings as well as regulatory compliance and changes in or additions to applicable tax laws, rates or policies, rates of inflation, accounting standards, securities laws, corporate governance requirements and labor and employment laws.

·  
FPL Group and FPL are subject to costs and other potentially adverse effects of legal and regulatory proceedings, settlements, investigations and claims, as well as regulatory compliance and the effect of new, or changes in, tax laws, rates or policies, rates of inflation, accounting standards and interpretations, securities laws, corporate governance requirements and labor and employment laws.

·  
FPL and NextEra Energy Resources, as owners and operators of transmission systems and/or critical assets within various regions throughout the United States, are subject to mandatory reliability standards established by the NERC.  Non-compliance with these mandatory reliability standards could result in sanctions, including substantial monetary penalties.

Threats of terrorism and catastrophic events that could result from terrorism, cyber attacks, or individuals and/or groups attempting to disrupt FPL Group's and FPL's business may impact the operations of FPL Group and FPL in unpredictable ways and could adversely affect FPL Group’s and FPL’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

·  
FPL Group and FPL are subject to direct and indirect effects of terrorist threats and activities, as well as cyber attacks and disruptive activities of individuals and/or groups.  Infrastructure facilities and systems, such as generation, transmission and distribution facilities and information systems, have been identified as potential targets.  The effects of these threats and activities could affect FPL Group's and FPL's ability to generate, purchase or transmit power, could cause delays in FPL Group's and FPL's development and construction of new generating facilities, could result in a significant slowdown in growth or a decline in the U.S. economy, could delay an economic recovery in the United States, and could increase the cost and adequacy of security and insurance, which could adversely affect FPL Group’s and FPL’s results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.  In addition, these types of events could disrupt FPL Group’s or FPL’s operations, require significant management attention and resources, and could adversely affect FPL Group's and FPL's reputation among customers and the public.

The ability of FPL Group and FPL to obtain insurance and the terms of any available insurance coverage could be adversely affected by international, national, state or local events and company-specific events, as well as the financial condition of insurers.

·  
FPL Group's and FPL's ability to obtain insurance, and the cost of and coverage provided by such insurance, could be adversely affected by international, national, state or local events as well as company-specific events, as well as the financial condition of insurers.

FPL Group and FPL are subject to employee workforce factors that could adversely affect the businesses and financial condition of FPL Group and FPL.

·  
FPL Group and FPL are subject to employee workforce factors, including, for example, loss or retirement of key executives, availability of qualified personnel, inflationary pressures on payroll and benefits costs and collective bargaining agreements with union employees and work stoppage that could adversely affect the businesses and financial condition of FPL Group and FPL.

The risks described herein are not the only risks facing FPL Group and FPL.  Additional risks and uncertainties also may materially adversely affect FPL Group's or FPL's business, financial condition and/or future operating results.


Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments

None

 
24

 

Item 2.  Properties

FPL Group and its subsidiaries maintain properties which are adequate for their operations.  At December 31, 2009, the electric generating, transmission, distribution and general facilities of FPL represented approximately 46%, 13%, 37% and 4%, respectively, of FPL's gross investment in electric utility plant in service.

Generating Facilities.  At December 31, 2009, FPL Group had the following generating facilities:

FPL Facilities
 
Location
 
No.
of Units
 
Fuel
 
Net Capability
(mw) (a)
Nuclear
                     
St. Lucie
 
Hutchinson Island, FL
 
2
   
Nuclear
   
1,553
(b)
Turkey Point
 
Florida City, FL
 
2
   
Nuclear
   
1,386
 
                       
Steam turbines
                     
Cape Canaveral
 
Cocoa, FL
 
2
   
Oil/Gas
   
792
(c)
Cutler
 
Miami, FL
 
2
   
Gas
   
205
 
Manatee
 
Parrish, FL
 
2
   
Oil/Gas
   
1,624
 
Martin
 
Indiantown, FL
 
2
   
Oil/Gas
   
1,652
 
Port Everglades
 
Port Everglades, FL
 
4
   
Oil/Gas
   
1,205
 
Riviera
 
Riviera Beach, FL
 
2
   
Oil/Gas
   
565
(c)
St. Johns River Power Park
 
Jacksonville, FL
 
2
   
Coal/Petroleum Coke
   
254
(d)
Sanford
 
Lake Monroe, FL
 
1
   
Oil/Gas
   
138
 
Scherer
 
Monroe County, GA
 
1
   
Coal
   
646
(e)
Turkey Point
 
Florida City, FL
 
2
   
Oil/Gas
   
788
 
                       
Combined-cycle
                     
Fort Myers
 
Fort Myers, FL
 
1
   
Gas
   
1,440
 
Lauderdale
 
Dania, FL
 
2
   
Gas/Oil
   
884
 
Manatee
 
Parrish, FL
 
1
   
Gas
   
1,111
 
Martin
 
Indiantown, FL
 
1
   
Gas/Oil
   
1,105
 
Martin
 
Indiantown, FL
 
2
   
Gas
   
938
 
Putnam
 
Palatka, FL
 
2
   
Gas/Oil
   
498
 
Sanford
 
Lake Monroe, FL
 
2
   
Gas
   
1,912
 
Turkey Point
 
Florida City, FL
 
1
   
Gas/Oil
   
1,148
 
West County
 
West Palm Beach, FL
 
2
   
Gas/Oil
   
2,438
 
                       
Simple-cycle combustion turbines
                     
Fort Myers
 
Fort Myers, FL
 
2
   
Gas/Oil
   
315
 
                       
Gas turbines
                     
Fort Myers
 
Fort Myers, FL
 
12
   
Oil
   
648
 
Lauderdale
 
Dania, FL
 
24
   
Oil/Gas
   
840
 
Port Everglades
 
Port Everglades, FL
 
12
   
Oil/Gas
   
420
 
                       
Solar
                     
DeSoto
 
Arcadia, FL
 
1
   
Solar
   
25
 
TOTAL
                 
24,530
(f)
¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾
(a)
Represents FPL's net ownership interest in plant capacity.
(b)
Excludes Orlando Utilities Commission's and the FMPA's combined share of approximately 15% of St. Lucie Unit No. 2.
(c)
See Item 1 - FPL Operations - Fossil Operations.
(d)
Represents FPL's 20% ownership interest in each of SJRPP Units Nos. 1 and 2, which are jointly owned with JEA.
(e)
Represents FPL's approximately 76% ownership of Scherer Unit No. 4, which is jointly owned with JEA.
(f)
Substantially all of FPL's properties are subject to the lien of FPL's mortgage.


 
25

 


NextEra Energy Resources Facilities
 
Location
 
Geographic Region
 
No.
of Units
 
Fuel
 
Net
Capability
(mw) (a)
Wind
                       
Ashtabula Wind (b)
 
Barnes County, ND
 
Midwest
 
99
 
Wind
   
148
 
Ashtabula Wind II
 
Griggs & Steele Counties, ND
 
Midwest
 
80
 
Wind
   
120
 
Butler Ridge Wind
 
Dodge County, WI
 
Midwest
 
36
 
Wind
   
54
 
Cabazon (b)
 
Riverside County, CA
 
West
 
53
 
Wind
   
40
 
Callahan Divide (b)
 
Taylor County, TX
 
ERCOT
 
76
 
Wind
   
114
 
Capricorn Ridge
 
Sterling & Coke Counties, TX
 
ERCOT
 
208
 
Wind
   
364
 
Capricorn Ridge Expansion
 
Sterling & Coke Counties, TX
 
ERCOT
 
199
 
Wind
   
298
 
Cerro Gordo (b)
 
Cerro Gordo County, IA
 
Midwest
 
55
 
Wind
   
41
 
Crystal Lake I (b)
 
Hancock County, IA
 
Midwest
 
100
 
Wind
   
150
 
Crystal Lake II
 
Winnebago County, IA
 
Midwest
 
80
 
Wind
   
200
 
Crystal Lake III
 
Winnebago County, IA
 
Midwest
 
44
 
Wind
   
66
 
Delaware Mountain
 
Culberson County, TX
 
ERCOT
 
38
 
Wind
   
28
 
Diablo Wind (b)
 
Alameda County, CA
 
West
 
31
 
Wind
   
21
 
Elk City Wind
 
Roger Mills & Beckham Counties, OK
 
Other South
 
43
 
Wind
   
99
 
Endeavor Wind
 
Osceola County, IA
 
Midwest
 
40
 
Wind
   
100
 
Endeavor Wind II
 
Osceola County, IA
 
Midwest
 
20
 
Wind
   
50
 
Gray County
 
Gray County, KS
 
Other South
 
170
 
Wind
   
112
 
Green Mountain (b)
 
Somerset County, PA
 
Northeast
 
8
 
Wind
   
10
 
Green Power
 
Riverside County, CA
 
West
 
22
 
Wind
   
17
 
Green Ridge Power (b)
 
Alameda & Contra Costa Counties, CA
 
West
 
1,463
 
Wind
   
159
 
Hancock County (b)
 
Hancock County, IA
 
Midwest
 
148
 
Wind
   
98
 
High Winds (b)
 
Solano County, CA
 
West
 
90
 
Wind
   
162
 
Horse Hollow Wind (b)
 
Taylor County, TX
 
ERCOT
 
142
 
Wind
   
213
 
Horse Hollow Wind II (b)
 
Taylor & Nolan Counties, TX
 
ERCOT
 
130
 
Wind
   
299
 
Horse Hollow Wind III (b)
 
Nolan County, TX
 
ERCOT
 
149
 
Wind
   
224
 
Indian Mesa
 
Pecos County, TX
 
ERCOT
 
125
 
Wind
   
83
 
King Mountain (b)
 
Upton County, TX
 
ERCOT
 
214
 
Wind
   
278
 
Lake Benton II (b)
 
Pipestone County, MN
 
Midwest
 
137
 
Wind
   
103
 
Langdon Wind (b)
 
Cavalier County, ND
 
Midwest
 
79
 
Wind
   
118
 
Langdon Wind II (b)
 
Cavalier County, ND
 
Midwest
 
27
 
Wind
   
41
 
Lee / Dekalb Wind
 
Lee & DeKalb Counties, IL
 
Midwest
 
145
 
Wind
   
217
 
Logan Wind (c)
 
Logan County, CO
 
West
 
134
 
Wind
   
201
 
Majestic Wind
 
Carson County, TX
 
ERCOT
 
53
 
Wind
   
80
 
Meyersdale (b)
 
Somerset County, PA
 
Northeast
 
20
 
Wind
   
30
 
Mill Run (b)
 
Fayette County, PA
 
Northeast
 
10
 
Wind
   
15
 
Montfort (b)
 
Iowa County, WI
 
Midwest
 
20
 
Wind
   
30
 
Mount Copper (b)
 
Murdochville, Quebec, Canada
 
Midwest
 
30
 
Wind
   
54
 
Mountaineer (b)
 
Preston & Tucker Counties, WV
 
Northeast
 
44
 
Wind
   
66
 
Mower County Wind (c)
 
Mower County, MN
 
Midwest
 
43
 
Wind
   
99
 
New Mexico Wind (b)
 
Quay & Debaca Counties, NM
 
West
 
136
 
Wind
   
204
 
North Dakota Wind (b)
 
LaMoure County, ND
 
Midwest
 
41
 
Wind
   
62
 
Northern Colorado
 
Logan County, CO
 
West
 
81
 
Wind
   
174
 
Oklahoma / Sooner Wind (b)
 
Harper & Woodward Counties, OK
 
Other South
 
68
 
Wind
   
102
 
Oliver County Wind I (c)
 
Oliver County, ND
 
Midwest
 
22
 
Wind
   
51
 
Oliver County Wind II (c)
 
Oliver County, ND
 
Midwest
 
32
 
Wind
   
48
 
Peetz Table Wind (c)
 
Logan County, CO
 
West
 
133
 
Wind
   
199
 
Pubnico Point (b)
 
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
 
Midwest
 
17
 
Wind
   
31
 
Red Canyon Wind Energy (b)
 
Borden, Garza & Scurry Counties, TX
 
ERCOT
 
56
 
Wind
   
84
 
Sky River (b)
 
Kern County, CA
 
West
 
342
 
Wind
   
77
 
Somerset Wind Power (b)
 
Somerset County, PA
 
Northeast
 
6
 
Wind
   
9
 
South Dakota Wind (b)
 
Hyde County, SD
 
Midwest
 
27
 
Wind
   
41
 
Southwest Mesa (b)
 
Upton & Crockett Counties, TX
 
ERCOT
 
106
 
Wind
   
74
 
Stateline (b)
 
Umatilla County, OR and Walla Walla County, WA
 
West
 
454
 
Wind
   
300
 
Story County Wind (b)
 
Story County, IA
 
Midwest
 
100
 
Wind
   
150
 
Story County Wind II
 
Story & Hardin Counties, IA
 
Midwest
 
100
 
Wind
   
150
 
Vansycle (b)
 
Umatilla County, OR
 
West
 
38
 
Wind
   
25
 
Vansycle II
 
Umatilla County, OR
 
West
 
43
 
Wind
   
99
 
Victory Garden (b)
 
Kern County, CA
 
West
 
96
 
Wind
   
22
 
Waymart (b)
 
Wayne County, PA
 
Northeast
 
43
 
Wind
   
65
 
Weatherford Wind (b)
 
Custer & Washita Counties, OK
 
Other South
 
98
 
Wind
   
147
 
Wessington Springs Wind
 
Jerauld County, SD
 
Midwest
 
34
 
Wind
   
51
 
Wilton Wind (b)
 
Burleigh County, ND
 
Midwest
 
33
 
Wind
   
49
 
Wilton Wind II
 
Burleigh County, ND
 
Midwest
 
33
 
Wind
   
50
 
Windpower Partners 1991-92
 
Alameda & Contra Costa Counties, CA
 
West
 
279
 
Wind
   
28
 
Windpower Partners 1992
 
Alameda & Contra Costa Counties, CA
 
West
 
300
 
Wind
   
30
 
Windpower Partners 1993
 
Riverside County, CA
 
West
 
115
 
Wind
   
41
 
Windpower Partners 1993
 
Lincoln County, MN
 
Midwest
 
73
 
Wind
   
26
 
Windpower Partners 1994
 
Culberson County, TX
 
ERCOT
 
107
 
Wind
   
39
 
Wolf Ridge Wind
 
Cooke County, TX
 
ERCOT
 
75
 
Wind
   
112
 
Woodward Mountain
 
Upton & Pecos Counties, TX
 
ERCOT
 
242
 
Wind
   
160
 
Wyoming Wind (b)
 
Uinta County, WY
 
West
 
80
 
Wind
   
144
 
Investments in joint ventures (d)
 
Various
 
West
 
969
 
Wind
   
98
 
Total Wind
                   
7,544
 


 
26

 


NextEra Energy Resources Facilities
 
Location
 
Geographic Region
 
No.
of Units
 
Fuel
 
Net
Capability
(mw) (a)
Contracted
                       
Bayswater (b)
 
Far Rockaway, NY
 
Northeast
 
2
 
Gas
   
56
 
Calhoun (b)
 
Eastaboga, AL
 
Other South
 
4
 
Gas/Oil
   
668
 
Cherokee (b)
 
Gaffney, SC
 
Other South
 
2
 
Gas
   
98
 
Doswell (b)
 
Ashland, VA
 
Northeast
 
6
 
Gas/Oil
   
708
 
Duane Arnold
 
Palo, IA
 
Midwest
 
1
 
Nuclear
   
431
(e)
Jamaica Bay (b)
 
Far Rockaway, NY
 
Northeast
 
2
 
Gas/Oil
   
54
 
Point Beach
 
Two Rivers, WI
 
Midwest
 
2
 
Nuclear
   
1,023
 
Port of Stockton
 
Stockton, CA
 
West
 
1
 
Coal/
Petroleum Coke
   
44
 
Investments in joint ventures:
                       
SEGS III-IX (b)
 
Kramer Junction & Harper Lake, CA
 
West
 
7
 
Solar
   
148
 
Other
 
Various
 
Northeast
 
7
 
(f)
   
303
 
Total Contracted
                   
3,533
 
                         
Merchant
                       
Blythe Energy
 
Blythe, CA
 
West
 
3
 
Gas
   
507
 
Doswell - Expansion (b)
 
Ashland, VA
 
Northeast
 
1
 
Gas/Oil
   
171
 
Forney
 
Forney, TX
 
ERCOT
 
8
 
Gas
   
1,792
 
Lamar Power Partners
 
Paris, TX
 
ERCOT
 
6
 
Gas
   
1,000
 
Maine - Cape, Wyman
 
Various - ME
 
Northeast
 
6
 
Oil
   
796
(g)
Maine (b)
 
Various - ME
 
Northeast
 
81
 
Hydro
   
359
 
Marcus Hook 50
 
Marcus Hook, PA
 
Northeast
 
1
 
Gas
   
50
 
Marcus Hook 750 (b)
 
Marcus Hook, PA
 
Northeast
 
4
 
Gas
   
744
 
RISEP
 
Johnston, RI
 
Northeast
 
3
 
Gas
   
550
 
Seabrook
 
Seabrook, NH
 
Northeast
 
1
 
Nuclear
   
1,098
(h)
Investment in joint venture
 
Frackville, PA
 
Northeast
 
1
 
Waste coal
   
4
 
Total Merchant
                   
7,071
 
TOTAL
                   
18,148
 
¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾
(a)
Represents NextEra Energy Resources' net ownership interest in plant capacity.
(b)
These generating facilities are encumbered by liens against their assets securing various financings.
(c)
NextEra Energy Resources owns these wind facilities together with third-party investors with differential membership interests.  See Note 10 - Sale of Differential Membership Interests.
(d)
Represents plants with no more than 50% ownership using wind technology.  Certain facilities, totaling 57 mw, are encumbered by liens against their assets securing a financing.
(e)
Excludes Central Iowa Power Cooperative and Cornbelt Power Cooperative's combined share of 30%.
(f)
Represents plants with no more than 50% ownership using fuels and technologies such as natural gas and waste coal.  Certain facilities, totaling 295 mw, are encumbered by liens against their assets securing financings.
(g)
Excludes six other energy-related partners' combined share of 16%.
(h)
Excludes Massachusetts Municipal Wholesale Electric Company's, Taunton Municipal Lighting Plant's and Hudson Light & Power Department's combined share of 11.77%.

Transmission and Distribution.  At December 31, 2009, FPL owned and operated the following electric transmission and distribution lines:

Nominal
Voltage
 
Overhead Lines
Pole Miles
 
Trench and Submarine
Cables Miles
                   
500
kv
   
1,106
(a)
   
-
 
230
kv
   
3,039
     
25
 
138
kv
   
1,574
     
54
 
115
kv
   
749
     
1
 
69
kv
   
162
     
16
 
Less than 69 kv
   
41,848
     
25,074
 
Total
   
48,478
     
25,170
 
¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾
(a)  Includes approximately 75 miles owned jointly with JEA.

In addition, at December 31, 2009, FPL owned and operated 586 substations, one of which is jointly owned.  See Note 8.

Character of Ownership.  Substantially all of FPL's properties are subject to the lien of FPL's mortgage, which secures most debt securities issued by FPL.  The majority of FPL's properties are held in fee and are free from other encumbrances, subject to minor exceptions, none of which is of such a nature as to substantially impair the usefulness to FPL of such properties.  Some of FPL's electric lines are located on land not owned in fee but are covered by necessary consents of governmental authorities or rights obtained from owners of private property.  The majority of NextEra Energy Resources' generating facilities are held in fee and a number of those facilities are encumbered by liens against their assets securing various financings.  Additionally, the majority of NextEra Energy Resources' wind turbines and some fossil plants are located on land leased from owners of private property.  See Generating Facilities and Note 1 - Electric Plant, Depreciation and Amortization.

 
27

 

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

FPL Group and FPL are parties to various legal and regulatory proceedings in the ordinary course of their respective businesses.  For information regarding legal proceedings that could have a material effect on FPL Group or FPL, see Note 14 - Legal Proceedings.  Such descriptions are incorporated herein by reference.

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

None


PART II

Item 5.  Market for Registrants' Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Common Stock Data.  All of FPL's common stock is owned by FPL Group.  FPL Group's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FPL."  The high and low sales prices for the common stock of FPL Group as reported in the consolidated transaction reporting system of the New York Stock Exchange and the cash dividends per share declared for each quarter during the past two years are as follows:

   
2009
 
2008
Quarter
 
High
   
Low
   
Cash Dividends
 
High
   
Low
   
Cash Dividends
                                 
First
  $ 53.99     $ 41.48     $ 0.4725     $ 73.75     $ 57.21     $ 0.445  
Second
  $ 59.00     $ 49.70     $ 0.4725     $ 68.98     $ 62.75     $ 0.445  
Third
  $ 60.61     $ 53.13     $ 0.4725     $ 68.76     $ 49.74     $ 0.445  
Fourth
  $ 56.57     $ 48.55     $ 0.4725     $ 51.87     $ 33.81     $ 0.445  

The amount and timing of dividends payable on FPL Group's common stock are within the sole discretion of FPL Group's Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors reviews the dividend rate at least annually (generally in February) to determine its appropriateness in light of FPL Group's financial position and results of operations, legislative and regulatory developments affecting the electric utility industry in general and FPL in particular, competitive conditions and any other factors the board deems relevant.  The ability of FPL Group to pay dividends on its common stock is dependent upon, among other things, dividends paid to it by its subsidiaries.  There are no restrictions in effect that currently limit FPL's ability to pay dividends to FPL Group.  In February 2010, FPL Group announced that it would increase its quarterly dividend on its common stock from $0.4725 to $0.50 per share.  See Management's Discussion - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Covenants with respect to dividend restrictions and Note 11 - Common Stock Dividend Restrictions regarding dividends paid by FPL to FPL Group.

As of the close of business on January 31, 2010, there were 27,994 holders of record of FPL Group's common stock.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Equity Securities.  As set forth below, during the quarter ended December 31, 2009, FPL Group issued shares of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share, upon the exercise of warrants issued by Gexa Corp. (Gexa) and assumed by FPL Group upon its acquisition of Gexa in 2005.  FPL Group relied on the exemption from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), afforded by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act as a transaction not involving a public offering of common stock.

 
Date
 
 
Holder
 
Exercise Price
Per Share
 
Number of
Shares Issued
             
10/15/09
 
Individual holder
 
$35.79
 
54
(a)
¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾
(a)
Number of shares issued in a cashless exercise of 168 warrants under the terms of the warrant agreement.


 
28

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.  Information regarding purchases made by FPL Group of its common stock is as follows:

Period
 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased (a)
 
Average
Price Paid
Per Share (a)
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as Part of a
Publicly Announced Program
 
Maximum Number of
Shares that May Yet be
Purchased Under the Program (b)
                 
10/1/09 - 10/31/09
   
3,656
     
$
53.45
     
-
   
20,000,000
11/1/09 - 11/30/09
   
3,916
     
$
51.14
     
-
   
20,000,000
12/1/09 - 12/31/09
   
3,188
     
$
52.82
     
-
   
20,000,000
Total
   
10,760
     
$
52.42
     
-
     
¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾¾
(a)
Represents shares of common stock withheld from employees to pay certain withholding taxes upon the vesting of stock awards granted to such employees under the LTIP.
(b)
In February 2005, FPL Group's Board of Directors authorized a common stock repurchase plan of up to 20 million shares of common stock over an unspecified period, which authorization was ratified and confirmed by the Board of Directors in December 2005.

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
2009
 
2008
 
2007
 
2006
 
2005
 
SELECTED DATA OF FPL GROUP (millions, except per share amounts):
                             
Operating revenues
$
15,643
 
$
16,410
 
$
15,263
 
$
15,710
 
$
11,846
 
Net income
$
1,615
(a)
$
1,639
(a)
$
1,312
(a)
$
1,281
(b)
$
901
(c)