GMP Green Mountain Pwr Corp

Green Mountain Power Corporation (NYSE: GMP) today announced consolidated earnings of $0.68 per share of common stock, diluted, for the first quarter of 2006, compared with consolidated earnings of $0.56 per share, diluted, for the same period in 2005. "First quarter earnings reflected the sale of excess energy into a strong wholesale market that offset the impact of reduced retail sales to customers," said Christopher L. Dutton, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Gross margins improved as we managed our power portfolio well, selling excess power while wholesale market prices were high. We expect diluted earnings per share from continuing operations for 2006 to range between $2.00 and $2.19, about flat compared with the previous year." Company operating revenues increased by $2.7 million while power supply expenses increased by $86,000 in the first quarter of 2006 compared with the same period last year. The increase in operating revenues resulted from the sale of excess electricity at prices above our underlying costs to purchase or generate the energy. The Company's power supply resources exceeded customer demand during the first quarter of 2006 due to an unusually mild and wet winter and because the Company elected to exercise contract rights to increase deliveries at below market prices from one of its suppliers during 2006. The minimal increase in power supply costs in 2006 resulted from added precipitation-based production by Company hydro power plants (which produced low-cost electricity) that replaced higher priced market purchases made during the first quarter of 2005, and offset most of the increased costs from other energy contracts in 2006. Total operating revenues increased by $2.7 million in the first quarter of 2006, compared with the same period last year, as a $3.2 million increase in wholesale revenues was offset slightly by a $470,000 decrease in retail revenues. Wholesale revenues increased because the Company sold the excess supplies discussed above in the wholesale energy market. The Company sold some of its expected energy deliveries for March 2006 late last year when prices were very high, which added an estimated $0.12 to earnings in the first quarter of 2006. Retail revenues declined, reflecting reduced residential and commercial/industrial sales of electricity that decreased by 2.6% when compared to the same period in 2005 as a result of the mild winter. The decrease in retail revenues was partially offset by a 0.9 percent rate increase previously authorized by the Vermont Public Service Board that generated $500,000 in additional revenues during 2006. In the first quarter of 2006, power supply expenses increased by $86,000 compared with the first quarter of 2005. Additional purchases from independent power producers and under our contract entitlements in 2006 were offset by greater production from Company-owned hydro facilities that replaced energy purchased in the wholesale energy markets during 2005. Increased transmission and other operating expenses in 2006 offset some of the benefits of higher gross margins (revenues less power supply expenses) in 2006, compared with 2005. Transmission expenses increased by $759,000 during the first quarter of 2006 compared with the first quarter of 2005 due to increases in Vermont transmission investment and in our share of Vermont transmission expenses because our loads have increased relative to other Vermont utilities. Other operating expenses increased $575,000 in the first quarter of 2006 compared with the same period last year as a result of higher distribution and customer account expenses. -0- *T Green Mountain Power Corporation Quarterly Earnings Summary Three Months Ended March 31 2006 2005 ------------------- ------------- in thousands except per share amounts Retail revenues $53,950 $54,420 Wholesale revenues 7,026 3,828 ------------------- ------------- Total operating revenues $60,976 $58,248 ------------------- ------------- Net income $3,612 $2,979 Net income-continuing operations 3,536 2,981 Net income(loss)-discontinued operations 76 (2) Basic earnings per share-continuing operations $0.68 $0.58 Basic earnings per share-discontinued operations 0.01 - ------------------- ------------- Basic earnings per Common share $0.69 $0.58 =================== ============= Diluted earnings per share-continuing operations $0.67 $0.56 Diluted earnings per share- discontinued operations 0.01 - ------------------- ------------- Fully diluted earnings per common share $0.68 $0.56 =================== ============= Dividends declared per share $0.28 $0.25 Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding-Basic 5,243 5,160 Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding-Diluted 5,319 5,301 *T Certain statements in this press release may be forward-looking in nature, or "forward-looking" statements as defined in the United States Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties, including regulatory and judicial decisions or legislation, changes in regional market and transmission rules, energy supply and demand and pricing, contractual commitments, availability, terms and use of capital, general economic and business environment, changes in technology, nuclear and environmental issues, industry restructuring and cost recovery (including stranded costs, and weather), and other factors and uncertainties disclosed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated in light of these important factors and uncertainties. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any information in this press release.