Enron Mail

From:garrick.hill@enron.com
To:tmoore@llgm.com
Subject:Cornhusker
Cc:angela.davis@enron.com, dan.lyons@enron.com, richard.sanders@enron.com,charles.ward@enron.com
Bcc:angela.davis@enron.com, dan.lyons@enron.com, richard.sanders@enron.com,charles.ward@enron.com
Date:Wed, 4 Apr 2001 11:05:00 -0700 (PDT)

Hi Tom:

You may know this already, but Angela Davis in our legal group is now
handling matters pertaining to Cornhusker instead of Dan Lyons. She asked me
to update you on where we are and send along two documents that need your
review prior to them being sent to Brazos.

As you know, Chuck Ward and I have met w/Brazos on three occasions (twice in
Waco in once by phone) since your meeting with them in Dallas on December
21. The purpose of those meetings was to further reinforce the point made by
you and Carl Tricoli that, as equity sellers, PPE/ENA values the Cleburne
asset based on its future cash flow with no discount for risks associated
with litigation.

Five developments are of significance since the last time you and I spoke:

It became apparent to us during our meeting on March 16 that Brazos may have
problems funding an acquisition at any price. Specifically, Brazos is
considering a number of capital projects aimed at securing long-term power
commitments to fill short positions associated with the Southern arrangement
rolling off in 2003. Based on their experience w/the Cleburne, TX facility,
Brazos appears to be committed to controlling their own destiny, and might
find it much easier to fund marginal projects with an all-in cost (or
collateral value) that is closer to market.

Primarily as a result of point 1, Brazos has asked us to look at the
possibility of PPA restructuring vs. acquisition.

Also in conjunction with point 1, Brazos has been working with a number of
potential energy suppliers to secure long-term power commitments. It appears
to us that they are preparing to sign some form of commitment next week.

Clifton Karnei sent a letter to Chuck Ward and Steve Tick on March 29
outlining expectations for a conference call that took place yesterday. The
letter, which was actually received after the conference call, will be faxed
to you this afternoon. Attached is a draft response along with a
presentation that outlines the manner in which the partnership could
restructure the PPA. Steve, while he has not seen the letter, is of the
opinion that it's Brazos' turn to speak; we may not need the letter, but it
reinforces a number of points and sets up a restructuring in such a way that
we might like to send it along.

We are giving a great deal of thought to the notion that a third party might
be willing (and able) to pay considerably more for this asset than Brazos
given its PPA, gas market conditions, and dispatch profile. Specifically:

Southern (having realized the PPA has embedded in it an in-the-money call
option on gas) has recently begun to "reverse toll" the plant by turning it
back during off-peak hours when the net cost of replacement energy (i.e., the
absolute price of market power less penalties paid under the PPA for heat
rate degradation on energy taken from the plant plus gas market value)
warrants economic dispatch.

This asset commands a control premium from anyone that might be engaged (or
about to engage) in a long-term, full requirements contract with Brazos.

There are tax benefits associated with this asset that could be effectively
monetized in a transfer of interests.

Obviously, we would face the same obstacles that Tenaska faced in selling the
asset.

Please give me a call when you get a chance.

Regards,

Rick Hill