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Optim Energy | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2012
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract] |
Optim Energy | Optim Energy In January 2007, Optim Energy was created by PNMR and ECJV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cascade, to serve expanding energy markets, principally the areas of Texas covered by ERCOT. PNMR and ECJV each had a 50 percent ownership interest in Optim Energy, a limited liability company. Optim Energy had a bank financing arrangement that provided for a revolving line of credit, the issuance of bank letters of credit support certain contractual arrangements, and a maturity of May 31, 2012. Cascade and ECJV guaranteed Optim Energy's obligations on this facility. Optim Energy's debt was non-recourse to PNMR. Impairment and Restructuring Beginning in 2009 and continuing throughout 2010, Optim Energy was affected by adverse market conditions, primarily low natural gas and power prices. In addition, reported sales of electric generating resources within the ERCOT market area were transacted at prices (per KW of generating capacity) that were substantially below the amounts recorded for the electric generating plants underlying PNMR's investment in Optim Energy. Under GAAP, these factors were indicators of impairment that required impairment analyses to be performed as of December 31, 2010, both by Optim Energy of its electric generating plants and by PNMR of its investment in Optim Energy. GAAP requires that Optim Energy perform the impairment analysis of its electric generating plants using forecasts of future cash flows on an undiscounted basis. Optim Energy's analysis indicated that it would be able to recover its investments in electric generating assets and, therefore, did not record any impairment loss at December 31, 2010. However, GAAP requires that PNMR develop the impairment analysis of its investment in Optim Energy based on a determination of the investment's fair value. Determination of fair value is subjective and requires reliance on many assumptions and judgments regarding future events. Fair value can be based on the market approach, income approach, or cost approach. In making its determination, PNMR considered recent transactions involving electric generating assets within the ERCOT market area, the forecasted cash flows related to the investment, and preliminary information concerning strategic alternatives for its investment in Optim Energy. PNMR's determination of the fair value of its investment in Optim Energy is considered a Level 3 measurement under the fair value hierarchy established under GAAP. See Note 8. PNMR's analysis indicated that its entire investment in Optim Energy was impaired at December 31, 2010. Accordingly, PNMR reduced the carrying value of its investment in Optim Energy to zero at December 31, 2010, resulting in a pre-tax impairment loss of $188.2 million ($113.7 million after-tax), which is reflected within Other Income and Deductions on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Loss) of PNMR. In accordance with GAAP, PNMR did not record income or losses associated with its investment in Optim Energy in 2011 as PNMR had no contractual requirement or agreement to provide Optim Energy with additional financial resources. As a result of the adverse market conditions described above, PNMR (in collaboration with Optim Energy and ECJV) assessed various strategic alternatives relating to Optim Energy. On September 23, 2011, PNMR, ECJV, and Cascade agreed to restructure Optim Energy and ECJV made an equity contribution to Optim Energy in exchange for an increased ownership interest, which resulted in PNMR's ownership in Optim Energy being reduced from 50% to 1%. As part of this transaction, PNMR did not make any equity contribution to Optim Energy nor was it required to make any future contribution. The fair value of PNMR's 1% ownership interest in Optim Energy was de minimis at December 31, 2011. PNMR Services Company provided certain corporate services to Optim Energy through December 31, 2011 and is continuing to provide services with respect to certain open tax matters. On January 4, 2012, ECJV exercised its option to acquire PNMR's remaining 1% ownership interest in Optim Energy at fair market value, which was determined to be zero. Operational Information As discussed above, PNMR fully impaired its investment in Optim Energy at December 31, 2010 and did not recognize losses of Optim Energy from January 1, 2011 through September 23, 2011 when PNMR ceased to account for its investment using the equity method of accounting. Accordingly, Optim Energy has no impact on PNMR's 2011 balance sheet, statement of earnings, and statement of cash flows. Summarized results of operations information for Optim Energy is presented below:
Results of Operations
| Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 |  | Year Ended December 31, 2010
| (In thousands)
Operating revenues | $ | 256,786 |  |  | $ | 374,358 |
Margin | 84,689 |  |  | 109,980 |
Net earnings (loss) | (21,434 | ) |  | (25,090 | )
PNMR recognized net earnings (loss) from Optim Energy of zero and $(15.2) million for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010. The 2010 amount includes amortization of a basis difference between PNMR's recorded investment in Optim Energy and 50 percent of Optim Energy's equity.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for equity method investments and joint ventures. Equity method investments are investments that give the investor the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of an investee. Joint ventures are entities owned and operated by a small group of businesses as a separate and specific business or project for the mutual benefit of the members of the group. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 35 -Paragraph 32 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7658923&loc=d3e32787-111569 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 18 -Paragraph 20 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 35 -Paragraph 35 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7658923&loc=d3e32847-111569 + Details
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