form10q3rd2007.htm







UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


Form 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007


Commission File Number 1-7850


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

California
 
88-0085720
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification No.)
     
5241 Spring Mountain Road
   
Post Office Box 98510
   
Las Vegas, Nevada
 
89193-8510
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)


Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (702) 876-7237


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has 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 (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.                                                                                               Yes X    No     

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer  X  
Accelerated filer __
Non-accelerated filer __

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes __   No   X    
 


Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date.
Common Stock, $1 Par Value, 42,633,508 shares as of November 1, 2007.







SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION                                                    &# 160;                                                                                        Form 10-Q             
September 30, 2007              
      

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
             
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
           
             
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES  
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
 
(Thousands of dollars, except par value)  
 
(Unaudited)  
 
             
   
SEPTEMBER 30,
   
DECEMBER 31,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
ASSETS
           
Utility plant:
           
Gas plant
  $
3,995,413
    $
3,763,310
 
Less: accumulated depreciation
    (1,243,652 )     (1,175,600 )
Acquisition adjustments, net
   
1,857
     
1,992
 
Construction work in progress
   
44,124
     
78,402
 
Net utility plant
   
2,797,742
     
2,668,104
 
Other property and investments
   
146,345
     
136,242
 
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
   
18,830
     
18,786
 
Accounts receivable, net of allowances
   
128,217
     
225,928
 
Accrued utility revenue
   
32,500
     
73,300
 
Deferred income taxes
   
10,264
     
-
 
Deferred purchased gas costs
   
31,235
     
77,007
 
Prepaids and other current assets
   
70,583
     
106,603
 
Total current assets
   
291,629
     
501,624
 
Deferred charges and other assets
   
172,987
     
178,995
 
Total assets
  $
3,408,703
    $
3,484,965
 
                 
CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
               
Capitalization:
               
Common stock, $1 par (authorized - 60,000,000 shares; issued
               
and outstanding - 42,554,618 and 41,770,291 shares)
  $
44,184
    $
43,400
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
724,209
     
698,258
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net
    (12,931 )     (13,666 )
Retained earnings
   
186,142
     
173,433
 
Total equity
   
941,604
     
901,425
 
Subordinated debentures due to Southwest Gas Capital II
   
100,000
     
100,000
 
Long-term debt, less current maturities
   
1,227,606
     
1,286,354
 
Total capitalization
   
2,269,210
     
2,287,779
 
Current liabilities:
               
Current maturities of long-term debt
   
36,937
     
27,545
 
Accounts payable
   
91,797
     
265,739
 
Customer deposits
   
70,569
     
64,151
 
Income taxes payable
   
9,706
     
-
 
Accrued general taxes
   
43,369
     
45,895
 
Accrued interest
   
22,734
     
21,362
 
Deferred income taxes
   
-
     
15,471
 
Deferred purchased gas costs
   
47,380
     
-
 
Other current liabilities
   
76,784
     
55,901
 
Total current liabilities
   
399,276
     
496,064
 
Deferred income taxes and other credits:
               
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits
   
317,222
     
308,493
 
Taxes payable
   
4,436
     
5,951
 
Accumulated removal costs
   
141,000
     
125,000
 
Other deferred credits
   
277,559
     
261,678
 
Total deferred income taxes and other credits
   
740,217
     
701,122
 
Total capitalization and liabilities
  $
3,408,703
    $
3,484,965
 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
 

2

 
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION                                                    &# 160;                                                                                        Form 10-Q             
September 30, 2007              
      


SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES          
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME     
 
(In thousands, except per share amounts)          
 
(Unaudited)         < /font> 
 
                                     
   
THREE MONTHS ENDED
   
NINE MONTHS ENDED
   
TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
 
   
SEPTEMBER 30,
   
SEPTEMBER 30,
   
SEPTEMBER 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
Operating revenues:
                                   
Gas operating revenues
  $
274,748
    $
273,041
    $
1,345,996
    $
1,235,351
    $
1,838,039
    $
1,658,259
 
Construction revenues
   
96,776
     
78,759
     
245,781
     
224,292
     
318,853
     
298,379
 
Total operating revenues
   
371,524
     
351,800
     
1,591,777
     
1,459,643
     
2,156,892
     
1,956,638
 
Operating expenses:
                                               
Net cost of gas sold
   
141,825
     
148,527
     
834,453
     
760,847
     
1,107,594
     
989,281
 
Operations and maintenance
   
83,222
     
79,446
     
250,847
     
234,716
     
336,934
     
322,475
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
46,271
     
42,709
     
136,348
     
125,345
     
179,967
     
165,149
 
Taxes other than income taxes
   
7,848
     
9,515
     
28,253
     
25,752
     
37,495
     
34,515
 
Construction expenses
   
83,902
     
68,406
     
214,887
     
195,225
     
276,489
     
259,137
 
Total operating expenses
   
363,068
     
348,603
     
1,464,788
     
1,341,885
     
1,938,479
     
1,770,557
 
Operating income
   
8,456
     
3,197
     
126,989
     
117,758
     
218,413
     
186,081
 
Other income and (expenses):
                                               
Net interest deductions
    (22,619 )     (21,324 )     (65,888 )     (65,174 )     (87,967 )     (86,898 )
Net interest deductions on subordinated debentures
    (1,932 )     (1,931 )     (5,795 )     (5,793 )     (7,726 )     (7,724 )
Other income (deductions)
   
597
     
2,703
     
6,870
     
9,671
     
11,351
     
13,091
 
Total other income and (expenses)
    (23,954 )     (20,552 )     (64,813 )     (61,296 )     (84,342 )     (81,531 )
Income (loss) before income taxes
    (15,498 )     (17,355 )    
62,176
     
56,462
     
134,071
     
104,550
 
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (6,180 )     (6,619 )    
22,067
     
19,309
     
47,255
     
37,142
 
Net income (loss)
  $ (9,318 )   $ (10,736 )   $
40,109
    $
37,153
    $
86,816
    $
67,408
 
                                                 
Basic earnings (loss) per share
  $ (0.22 )   $ (0.26 )   $
0.95
    $
0.92
    $
2.06
    $
1.69
 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
  $ (0.22 )   $ (0.26 )   $
0.94
    $
0.91
    $
2.04
    $
1.67
 
Dividends declared per share
  $
0.215
    $
0.205
    $
0.645
    $
0.615
    $
0.85
    $
0.82
 
                                                 
Average number of common shares outstanding
   
42,448
     
40,982
     
42,219
     
40,221
     
42,060
     
39,957
 
Average shares outstanding (assuming dilution)
   
-
     
-
     
42,607
     
40,610
     
42,469
     
40,343
 
                                                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 
 

3

 
 
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION                                                    &# 160;                                                                                        Form 10-Q             
September 30, 2007              
      
 
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
(Thousands of dollars)
 
(Unaudited)
 
                         
   
NINE MONTHS ENDED
   
TWELVE MONTHS ENDED
 
   
SEPTEMBER 30,
   
SEPTEMBER 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
                       
Net income
  $
40,109
    $
37,153
    $
86,816
    $
67,408
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
                               
cash provided by operating activities:
                               
Depreciation and amortization
   
136,348
     
125,345
     
179,967
     
165,149
 
Deferred income taxes
    (17,456 )     (10,164 )     (3,383 )     (7,058 )
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
                               
Accounts receivable, net of allowances
   
97,711
     
75,692
      (5,828 )     (14,958 )
Accrued utility revenue
   
40,800
     
35,400
     
500
      (1,500 )
Deferred purchased gas costs
   
93,152
     
45,735
     
79,825
      (3,200 )
Accounts payable
    (173,942 )     (157,064 )     (10,615 )    
4,841
 
Accrued taxes
   
6,236
     
6,630
     
2,804
      (2,819 )
Other current assets and liabilities
   
63,935
     
78,906
     
9,185
     
40,373
 
Other
    (5,844 )     (7,015 )     (7,486 )    
11,018
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
281,049
     
230,618
     
331,785
     
259,254
 
                                 
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
                               
Construction expenditures and property additions
    (255,001 )     (234,290 )     (366,036 )     (328,399 )
Change in restricted cash
   
-
      (19,332 )    
19,332
      (19,332 )
    Other
   
23,988
     
28,808
     
28,379
     
33,978
 
Net cash used in investing activities
    (231,013 )     (224,814 )     (318,325 )     (313,753 )
                                 
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
                               
Issuance of common stock, net
   
26,735
     
60,154
     
39,033
     
68,471
 
Dividends paid
    (26,814 )     (24,702 )     (35,612 )     (32,734 )
Issuance of long-term debt, net
   
101,956
     
99,723
     
94,633
     
179,176
 
Retirement of long-term debt
    (105,869 )     (81,995 )     (108,271 )     (83,759 )
Temporary changes in long-term debt
    (46,000 )     (33,000 )     (16,000 )     (33,000 )
Change in short-term debt
   
-
      (24,000 )    
-
      (29,000 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    (49,992 )     (3,820 )     (26,217 )    
69,154
 
                                 
Change in cash and cash equivalents
   
44
     
1,984
      (12,757 )    
14,655
 
Cash at beginning of period
   
18,786
     
29,603
     
31,587
     
16,932
 
                                 
Cash at end of period
  $
18,830
    $
31,587
    $
18,830
    $
31,587
 
                                 
Supplemental information:
                               
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized
  $
68,139
    $
69,428
    $
91,244
    $
88,553
 
Income taxes paid (received), net
   
19,233
     
24,799
     
34,116
     
27,285
 
                                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
 

4

 
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION                                                    &# 160;                                                                                        Form 10-Q             
September 30, 2007              
      

Note 1 – Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation

Nature of Operations.  Southwest Gas Corporation (the “Company”) is composed of two segments: natural gas operations (“Southwest” or the “natural gas operations” segment) and construction services.  Southwest is engaged in the business of purchasing, distributing, and transporting natural gas to customers in portions of Arizona, Nevada, and California. The public utility rates, practices, facilities, and service territories of Southwest are subject to regulatory oversight. The timing and amount of rate relief can materially impact results of operations. Natural gas sales are seasonal, peaking during the winter months; therefore, results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year. Variability in weather from normal temperatures can materially impact results of operations. Natural gas purchases and the timing of related recoveries can materially impact liquidity. Northern Pipeline Construction Co. (“NPL” or the “construction services” segment), a wholly owned subsidiary, is a full-service underground piping contractor that provides utility companies with trenching and installation, replacement, and maintenance services for energy distribution systems.

Basis of Presentation.  The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring items and estimates necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods, have been made. It is suggested that these condensed consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the 2006 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated by reference into the 2006 Form 10-K, and the first and second quarter 2007 Form 10-Qs.

Intercompany Transactions.  NPL recognizes revenues generated from contracts with Southwest (see Note 3 below). Accounts receivable for these services were $10.8 million at September 30, 2007 and $9.2 million at December 31, 2006. The accounts receivable balance, revenues, and associated profits are included in the condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company and were not eliminated during consolidation in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 71, “Accounting for the Effects of Certain Types of Regulation.”

 

 
5

SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION                                                    &# 160;                                                                                        Form 10-Q             
September 30, 2007              
      

Note 2 – Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

Southwest has a noncontributory qualified retirement plan with defined benefits covering substantially all employees and a separate unfunded supplemental retirement plan (“SERP”) which is limited to officers.  Southwest also provides postretirement benefits other than pensions (“PBOP”) to its qualified retirees for health care, dental, and life insurance benefits.


   
Qualified Retirement Plan       
 
   
Period Ended September 30,      
 
   
Three Months
   
Nine Months  
   
Twelve Months
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
(Thousands of dollars)
                                   
Service cost
  $
4,123
    $
4,071
    $
12,368
    $
12,213
    $
16,439
    $
16,159
 
Interest cost
   
7,311
     
6,701
     
21,933
     
20,103
     
28,635
     
26,434
 
Expected return on plan assets
    (8,257 )     (7,652 )     (24,773 )     (22,956 )     (32,425 )     (30,345 )
Amortization of prior service credits
    (3 )     (3 )     (8 )     (9 )     (10 )     (11 )
Amortization of net loss
   
1,252
     
1,338
     
3,755
     
4,014
     
5,093
     
4,628
 
Net periodic benefit cost
  $
4,426
    $
4,455
    $
13,275
    $
13,365
    $
17,732
    $
16,865
 
                                                 
                                                 
   
SERP
 
   
Period Ended September 30, 
 
   
Three Months
   
Nine Months   
   
Twelve Months
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
(Thousands of dollars)
                                               
Service cost
  $
38
    $
53
    $
115
    $
158
    $
168
    $
214
 
Interest cost
   
487
     
473
     
1,461
     
1,420
     
1,934
     
1,873
 
Amortization of prior service costs
   
-
     
2
     
-
     
7
     
2
     
36
 
Amortization of net loss
   
283
     
311
     
848
     
933
     
1,159
     
1,161
 
Net periodic benefit cost
  $
808
    $
839
    $
2,424
    $
2,518
    $
3,263
    $
3,284
 
                                                 
                                                 
   
PBOP 
 
   
Period Ended September 30, 
 
   
Three Months
   
Nine Months 
   
Twelve Months
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
(Thousands of dollars)
                                               
Service cost
  $
203
    $
214
    $
608
    $
641
    $
821
    $
851
 
Interest cost
   
576
     
530
     
1,728
     
1,589
     
2,257
     
2,117
 
Expected return on plan assets
    (536 )     (454 )     (1,608 )     (1,362 )     (2,063 )     (1,780 )
Amortization of transition obligation
   
216
     
216
     
650
     
650
     
867
     
866
 
Amortization of net loss
   
14
     
42
     
43
     
126
     
85
     
160
 
Net periodic benefit cost
  $
473
    $
548
    $
1,421
    $
1,644
    $
1,967
    $
2,214
 
 
 

 
6

SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION                                                    &# 160;                                                                                        Form 10-Q             
September 30, 2007              
      

 Note 3 – Segment Information

The following tables list revenues from external customers, intersegment revenues, and segment net income (thousands of dollars):


   
Natural Gas
   
Construction
       
   
Operations
   
Services
   
Total
 
Three months ended September 30, 2007
                 
Revenues from external customers
  $
274,748
    $
77,445
    $
352,193
 
Intersegment revenues
   
--
     
19,331
     
19,331
 
  Total
  $
274,748
    $
96,776
    $
371,524
 
Segment net income (loss)
  $ (12,863 )   $
3,545
    $ (9,318 )
                         
Three months ended September 30, 2006
                       
Revenues from external customers
  $
273,041
    $
59,626
    $
332,667
 
Intersegment revenues
   
--
     
19,133
     
19,133
 
  Total
  $
273,041
    $
78,759
    $
351,800
 
Segment net income (loss)
  $ (13,780 )   $
3,044
    $ (10,736 )
                         
                         
                         
Nine months ended September 30, 2007
                       
Revenues from external customers
  $
1,345,996
    $
192,602
    $
1,538,598
 
Intersegment revenues
   
--
     
53,179
     
53,179
 
  Total
  $
1,345,996
    $
245,781
    $
1,591,777
 
Segment net income
  $
32,910
    $
7,199
    $
40,109
 
                         
Nine months ended September 30, 2006
                       
Revenues from external customers
  $
1,235,351
    $
166,399
    $
1,401,750
 
Intersegment revenues
   
--
     
57,893
     
57,893
 
  Total
  $
1,235,351
    $
224,292
    $
1,459,643
 
Segment net income
  $
28,306
    $
8,847
    $
37,153
 
                         
                         
                         
Twelve months ended September 30, 2007
                       
Revenues from external customers
  $
1,838,039
    $
242,956
    $
2,080,995
 
Intersegment revenues
   
--
     
75,897
     
75,897
 
  Total
  $
1,838,039
    $
318,853
    $
2,156,892
 
Segment net income
  $
76,077
    $
10,739
    $
86,816
 
                         
Twelve months ended September 30, 2006
                       
Revenues from external customers
  $
1,658,259
    $
220,624
    $
1,878,883
 
Intersegment revenues
   
--
     
77,755
     
77,755
 
  Total
  $
1,658,259
    $
298,379
    $
1,956,638
 
Segment net income
  $
54,975
    $
12,433
    $
67,408
 
 

 
7

SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION                                                    &# 160;                                                                                        Form 10-Q             
September 30, 2007              
      

Note 4 – Comprehensive Income
 
                                     
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
   
Twelve Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
   (Thousands of dollars)
 
                                     
Net income (loss)
  $ (9,318 )   $ (10,736 )   $
40,109
    $
37,153
    $
86,816
    $
67,408
 
Additional minimum pension liability
                                               
  adjustment, net of $20.3 million tax expense
                                               
  and $19 million tax benefit
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
33,047
      (30,753 )
Amortization of unamortized benefit plan cost,
                                               
  net of $150,000, $450,000, and $450,000 tax expense
   
246
     
-
     
735
     
-
     
735
     
-
 
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ (9,072 )   $ (10,736 )   $
40,844
    $
37,153
    $
120,598
    $
36,655
 
 
 
The additional minimum pension liability adjustments noted above resulted from the measurement of pension obligations at December 31, 2006 and 2005.  Under the provisions of SFAS No. 158, “Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans”, which were adopted on December 31, 2006, the Company no longer records an adjustment to the additional minimum pension liability in comprehensive income (loss).  Total accumulated other comprehensive loss as of September 30, 2007 was $12.9 million, net of $7.9 million of tax, and was composed entirely of unamortized benefit plan costs.

Note 5 – Common Stock

During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company issued approximately 784,000 shares of common stock through the Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (“DRSPP”), Employee Investment Plan, Management Incentive Plan, and Stock Incentive Plan.  No shares have been issued through the Equity Shelf Program in 2007.

In May 2007, shareholders of the Company approved an increase in the number of authorized shares of common stock from 45,000,000 shares to 60,000,000 shares.  The increase had no effect on the par value of common stock.

Note 6 – Income Taxes

The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes”, on January 1, 2007.  The adoption of the standard had no impact on the Company's financial position or results of operations.  In connection with the adoption, the Company identified $1.4 million in liabilities related to unrecognized tax benefits, which, if recognized, would favorably impact the effective tax rate. The Company also identified $1.3 million of accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions. Both the liabilities related to the unrecognized tax benefits and interest were recorded as of December 31, 2006.  In the second quarter of 2007, the Company made income tax payments to the IRS for tax and accrued interest related to the uncertain tax positions. There was no change to the balance of unrecognized tax benefits during the third quarter of 2007 and the Company does not expect a material change in the next twelve months.  The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various states.  The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal examinations by tax authorities for years before 2001, and is no longer subject to state examinations for years before 2002.  In the fourth quarter of 2006, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) completed its examination of the Company's U.S. income tax returns for 2001 through 2004.  As of September 30, 2007, the IRS had proposed certain timing-related adjustments to the Company's tax returns as filed.  Management has appealed the proposed assessment but has not resolved the issues as of September 30, 2007.  The Company does not anticipate the adjustments would result in a material change to its financial position or results of operations.
 

 

8

SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION                                                    &# 160;                                                                                        Form 10-Q             
September 30, 2007              
      

Note 7 – Credit Facility

In April 2007, the Company amended its $300 million credit facility.  The facility was previously scheduled to expire in April 2011 and was extended to April 2012.  The Company will continue to use $150 million of the facility as long-term debt and the remaining $150 million for working capital purposes.  Interest rates for the facility are calculated at the London Interbank Offering Rate plus an applicable margin, or the greater of the prime rate or one-half of one percent plus the Federal Funds rate.
 

 

9

SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION                                                    &# 160;                                                                                        Form 10-Q             
September 30, 2007              
      

ITEM 2.                  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion of Southwest Gas Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) includes information related to the Company’s two business segments: natural gas operations (“Southwest” or the “natural gas operations” segment) and construction services.  Southwest is engaged in the business of purchasing, distributing, and transporting natural gas in portions of Arizona, Nevada, and California.  Southwest is the largest distributor in Arizona, selling and transporting natural gas in most of central and southern Arizona, including the Phoenix and Tucson metropolitan areas.  Southwest is also the largest distributor of natural gas in Nevada, serving the Las Vegas metropolitan area and northern Nevada.  In addition, Southwest distributes and transports natural gas in portions of California, including the Lake Tahoe area and the high desert and mountain areas in San Bernardino County.
 
Northern Pipeline Construction Co. (“NPL” or the “construction services” segment), a wholly owned subsidiary, is a full-service underground piping contractor that provides utility companies with trenching and installation, replacement, and maintenance services for energy distribution systems.

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto, as well as the MD&A, included in the 2006 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated by reference into the 2006 Form 10-K, and the first and second quarter 2007 Form 10-Qs.

Executive Summary

The items discussed in this Executive Summary are intended to provide an overview of the results of the Company’s operations.  As needed, certain items are covered in greater detail in later sections of management’s discussion and analysis.  As reflected in the table below, the natural gas operations segment accounted for an average of 85 percent of twelve-month-to-date consolidated net income over the past two years.  As such, management’s discussion and analysis is primarily focused on that segment.  Natural gas sales are seasonal, peaking during the winter months; therefore, results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year.

Summary Operating Results
                                   
   
Period Ended September 30,
 
   
Three Months
   
Nine Months
   
Twelve Months
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(Thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
 
                                     
Contribution to net income (loss)
                                   
Natural gas operations
  $ (12,863 )   $ (13,780 )   $
32,910
    $
28,306
    $
76,077
    $
54,975
 
Construction services
   
3,545
     
3,044
     
7,199
     
8,847
     
10,739
     
12,433
 
Net income (loss)
  $ (9,318 )   $ (10,736 )   $
40,109
    $
37,153
    $
86,816
    $
67,408
 
                                                 
Basic earnings (loss) per share
                                               
Natural gas operations
  $ (0.30 )   $ (0.34 )   $
0.78
    $
0.70
    $
1.81
    $
1.38
 
Construction services
   
0.08
     
0.08
     
0.17
     
0.22
     
0.25
     
0.31
 
Consolidated
  $ (0.22 )   $ (0.26 )   $
0.95
    $
0.92
    $
2.06
    $
1.69
 
                                                 
                                                 
Natural Gas Operations
                                               
Operating margin
  $
132,923
    $
124,514
    $
511,543
    $
474,504
    $
730,445
    $
668,978
 
 
 

 
10

SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION                                                    &# 160;                                                                                        Form 10-Q             
September 30, 2007              
      

The comparative improvement in gas segment results of operations during the third quarter of 2007 was due primarily to an $8.4 million increase in operating margin, partially offset by increases in gas segment operating expenses due to general cost increases and incremental costs associated with growth.  Absent a change in the California margin tracker mechanism (see General Rate Relief below), gas segment operating results would have declined between quarters.  NPL’s improvement resulted primarily from additional work in new areas.

Principal Factors Affecting Operating Margin

Southwest’s operating revenues are recognized from the distribution and transportation of natural gas (and related services) to customers.  Operating margin is the measure of gas operating revenues less the net cost of gas sold.  Management uses operating margin as a main benchmark in comparing operating results from period to period.  The three principal factors affecting operating margin are general rate relief, weather, and customer growth.

General Rate Relief. In the fourth quarter of 2006, the California Public Utilities Commission (“CPUC”) approved the Company’s 2007 attrition year filing, granting annualized rate relief of $2.7 million, effective January 2007.  In connection with this filing, the Company also received approval to recognize margin equally throughout the year under its margin tracker mechanism, rather than on a seasonally adjusted basis.  This change does not impact the total amount of margin recognized annually; however it does affect the comparability of 2007 versus 2006 quarterly amounts.  During the third quarter of 2007, rate changes in California provided a $7 million increase in operating margin, of which $6 million was due to the effect of the equalized margin tracker mechanism.  Southwest is currently preparing its 2008 attrition and 2009 general rate case filings in California, which are expected to be filed in the fourth quarter of 2007.

In August 2007, Southwest filed a general rate application with the Arizona Corporation Commission (“ACC”) to increase its authorized operating revenues by $50.2 million.  Southwest has also proposed a rate structure that, if approved, would encourage energy efficiency and also shield the Company and its customers from weather-related volatility.

Weather. Weather is a significant driver of natural gas volumes used by residential and small commercial customers and is the main reason for volatility in margin.  Space heating-related volumes are the primary component of billings for these customer classes and are concentrated in the months of November to April for the majority of the Company’s customers.  Variances in temperatures from normal levels, especially in Arizona where rates remain leveraged, have a significant impact on the margin and associated net income of the Company.

Customer Growth. As of September 30, 2007, Southwest had 1,800,000 residential, commercial, industrial, and other natural gas customers, of which 54 percent were located in Arizona, 36 percent in Nevada, and 10 percent in California.  Residential and commercial customers represented over 99 percent of the total customer base. During the twelve months ended September 30, 2007, Southwest earned 55 percent of operating margin in Arizona, 35 percent in Nevada, and 10 percent in California.  During this same period, Southwest earned 86 percent of operating margin from residential and small commercial customers, 5 percent from other sales customers, and 9 percent from transportation customers.  These general patterns are expected to continue.

The record customer growth levels experienced in recent years have moderated due to the overall slow down in the new housing market.  During the twelve months ended September 30, 2007, Southwest added 48,000 customers, a three percent increase, attributable mainly to population growth in its service areas.  Management expects this more moderate growth level will continue in the near term.

Incremental margin has accompanied customer growth, but the costs associated with creating and maintaining the infrastructure needed to accommodate new customers have also been significant.  The timing of including these costs in rates is often delayed (regulatory lag) and can result in a reduction of current-period earnings.

Management has attempted to mitigate the regulatory lag associated with growth by collecting contributions and advances from home builders and by effectively utilizing technology to minimize incremental staffing levels.  During the quarter,
 

 
11

SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION                                                    &# 160;                                                                                        Form 10-Q             
September 30, 2007              
      

nine months, and twelve months ended September 30, 2007, Southwest partially offset capital outlays by collecting approximately $9 million, $35 million, and $44 million, respectively, in net advances and contributions from customers and third-party contractors.

In recent years, Southwest initiated a project to expand its use of electronic meter reading technology.  Use of this technology has reduced the time associated with obtaining monthly meter readings, while improving their accuracy.  At September 30, 2007, approximately 1.3 million, or 71 percent, of Southwest customers’ meters were being read electronically.  The project is expected to be completed in 2009 with no adverse impact to existing employees, although some experienced employees have been redeployed to expand service and construction capabilities.

The results of the natural gas operations segment and the overall results of the Company are heavily dependent upon the three components noted previously (general rate relief, weather, and customer growth).  Significant changes in these components (primarily weather) have contributed to somewhat volatile earnings historically.  Management continues to work with its regulatory commissions in designing rate structures that strive to provide affordable and reliable service to its customers while mitigating the volatility in prices to customers and stabilizing returns to investors.  Such a rate structure is in place in California and progress has been made in Nevada.  The general rate case filed in Arizona includes a proposed rate structure that, if approved, would encourage energy efficiency and also shield the Company and its customers from weather-related volatility.

Cash Flows

Southwest’s operating cash flows for the nine and twelve months ended September 30, 2007 improved over the corresponding periods of 2006.  Primary drivers of the improvement include earnings growth and collections of previously deferred PGA balances.  Cash flows from operating activities of Southwest (net of dividends paid) provided $267 million (representing 80 percent) of the required capital resources pertaining to gas segment capital expenditures for the twelve months ended September 30, 2007.  The remainder was provided from refundable construction advances, external financing activities, and existing credit facilities.  During the three-year period ending December 31, 2009, cash flows from gas segment operating activities (net of dividends) are expected to fund approximately 90 percent of the gas operations construction expenditures, assuming continued timely recovery of current and future deferred PGA balances.

Results of Construction Services Operations

NPL’s contribution to consolidated net income increased by $501,000 in the third quarter of 2007 when compared to the third quarter results of the prior year.  The increase was primarily due to the combination of three new operating areas and replacement bid work that offset the impact of the overall slow down in the new housing market.
 

 

12

SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION                                                    &# 160;                                                                                        Form 10-Q             
September 30, 2007              
      

Results of Natural Gas Operations

Quarterly Analysis
           
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(Thousands of dollars)
 
Gas operating revenues
  $
274,748
    $
273,041
 
Net cost of gas sold
   
141,825
     
148,527
 
  Operating margin
   
132,923
     
124,514
 
Operations and maintenance expense
   
83,222
     
79,446
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
39,774
     
36,896
 
Taxes other than income taxes
   
7,848
     
9,515
 
  Operating income (loss)
   
2,079
      (1,343 )
Other income (expense)
   
478
     
1,686
 
Net interest deductions
   
22,003
     
20,808
 
Net interest deductions on subordinated debentures
   
1,932
     
1,931
 
  Income (loss) before income taxes
    (21,378 )     (22,396 )
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (8,515 )     (8,616 )
  Contribution to consolidated net income (loss)
  $ (12,863 )   $ (13,780 )
 
Contribution from natural gas operations improved by $917,000 in the third quarter of 2007 compared to the same period a year ago.  The improvement in contribution was principally due to increased operating margin, partially offset by higher operating expenses.

Operating margin increased $8 million, or seven percent, in the third quarter of 2007 compared to the third quarter of 2006.  Rate changes accounted for $7 million of the increase in operating margin compared to the prior year, of which $6 million was due to the effect of the equalized margin tracker mechanism.  New customers accounted for the remaining incremental operating margin during the quarter as the Company added 48,000 customers during the last twelve months, an increase of three percent.

Operations and maintenance expense increased $3.8 million, or five percent, primarily due to general cost increases and incremental costs associated with customer growth.  Higher uncollectible costs also contributed to the increase.

Depreciation expense increased $2.9 million, or eight percent, as a result of construction activities.  Average gas plant in service for the current period increased $307 million, or eight percent, compared to the corresponding period a year ago. The increase reflects ongoing capital expenditures for the upgrade of existing operating facilities and the expansion of the system to accommodate continued customer growth.

General taxes decreased $1.7 million largely as a result of a change in property tax rates received and recognized in the third quarter of 2007, retroactive to January 2007.
 
Other income (expense) declined $1.2 million during the third quarter of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006, primarily due to lower interest income and reduced returns on long-term investments.
 
Net financing costs rose $1.2 million between periods primarily due to higher rates on variable-rate debt and interest expense associated with deferred PGA balances.
 

 
13

SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION                                                    &# 160;                                                                                        Form 10-Q             
September 30, 2007              
      
 
Nine-Month Analysis
           
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(Thousands of dollars)
 
Gas operating revenues
  $
1,345,996
    $
1,235,351
 
Net cost of gas sold
   
834,453
     
760,847
 
  Operating margin
   
511,543
     
474,504
 
Operations and maintenance expense
   
250,847
     
234,716
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
117,380
     
109,012
 
Taxes other than income taxes
   
28,253
     
25,752
 
  Operating income
   
115,063
     
105,024
 
Other income (expense)
   
5,502
     
6,567
 
Net interest deductions
   
64,466
     
64,015
 
Net interest deductions on subordinated debentures
   
5,795
     
5,793
 
  Income before income taxes
   
50,304
     
41,783
 
Income tax expense
   
17,394
     
13,477
 
  Contribution to consolidated net income
  $
32,910
    $
28,306
 
 
Contribution from natural gas operations increased $4.6 million in the nine-month period of 2007 compared to the same period a year ago.  The increase was principally attributed to improved operating margin, partially offset by higher operating expenses.

Operating margin increased approximately $37 million, or eight percent, in the nine-month period of 2007 compared to the nine-month period of 2006.  New customers contributed an incremental $11 million in operating margin during the current period.  Rate relief resulted in an $18 million increase in operating margin (including $15 million in Arizona general rate relief).  Differences in heating demand primarily caused by weather variations between periods resulted in an $8 million margin increase as the current period experienced near normal temperatures while the prior period was warmer than normal.

Operations and maintenance expense increased $16.1 million, or seven percent, principally due to the impact of general cost increases and incremental costs associated with providing service to a growing customer base.  Factors contributing to the increase included higher uncollectible expenses and employee-related costs.

Depreciation expense increased $8.4 million, or eight percent, as a result of construction activities.  Average gas plant in service increased $285 million, or eight percent, as compared to the nine-month period of 2006.  The increase reflects ongoing capital expenditures for the upgrade of existing operating facilities and the expansion of the system to accommodate continued customer growth.

General taxes increased $2.5 million primarily as a result of a favorable nonrecurring property tax settlement recognized in April 2006.
 
Other income (expense) decreased $1.1 million during the nine-month period of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006, primarily due to lower interest income on declining PGA balances, partially offset by increased returns on long-term investments and gains on dispositions of miscellaneous properties.  The nine-month period of 2006 included $1 million in interest income related to the nonrecurring property tax settlement.

Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 included a nonrecurring $1.7 million state income tax benefit.
 

 
14

SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION                                                    &# 160;                                                                                        Form 10-Q             
September 30, 2007              
      

Twelve-Month Analysis
           
   
Twelve Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2007
   
2006
 
   
(Thousands of dollars)
 
Gas operating revenues
  $
1,838,039
    $
1,658,259
 
Net cost of gas sold
   
1,107,594
     
989,281
 
  Operating margin
   
730,445
     
668,978
 
Operations and maintenance expense
   
336,934
     
322,475
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
155,022
     
143,925
 
Taxes other than income taxes
   
37,495
     
34,515
 
  Operating income
   
200,994
     
168,063
 
Other income (expense)
   
8,984
     
8,801
 
Net interest deductions
   
86,018
     
85,366
 
Net interest deductions on subordinated debentures
   
7,726
     
7,724
 
  Income before income taxes
   
116,234
     
83,774
 
Income tax expense
   
40,157
     
28,799
 
  Contribution to consolidated net income
  $
76,077
    $
54,975
 
 
Contribution to consolidated net income from natural gas operations increased $21.1 million in the current twelve-month period compared to the same period a year ago. The improvement in contribution resulted from higher operating margin, partially offset by increased operating expenses.

Operating margin increased $61 million between periods.  Rate relief in Arizona and California added $31 million.  Customer growth contributed an incremental $16 million.  Differences in heating demand, caused primarily by weather variations, accounted for a $14 million increase in operating margin as warmer-than-normal temperatures were experienced during both periods (during the current twelve-month period the negative impact was $7 million, while the negative impact during the prior twelve-month period was $21 million).

Operations and maintenance expense increased $14.5 million, or four percent, between periods reflecting general cost increases and incremental operating costs associated with serving additional customers.  Additional factors included increases in uncollectible expenses and employee-related expenses.  The prior period includes a $10 million nonrecurring provision made in December 2005 for an injuries and damages case.

Depreciation expense increased $11.1 million, or eight percent, as a result of additional plant in service. Average gas plant in service for the current twelve-month period increased $275 million, or eight percent, compared to the corresponding period a year ago. This was attributable to the upgrade of existing operating facilities and the expansion of the system to accommodate customer growth.

General taxes increased $3 million primarily as a result of the favorable nonrecurring property tax settlement recognized in April 2006.

Net financing costs increased slightly between periods primarily due to higher rates on variable-rate debt.

Income tax expense for the twelve months ended September 30, 2006 included a nonrecurring $1.7 million state income tax benefit.
 

 
15

SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION                                                    &# 160;                                                                                        Form 10-Q             
September 30, 2007              
      

Results of Construction Services

Contribution to consolidated net income for the three months ended September 30, 2007 increased $501,000, when compared to the corresponding period in 2006.  The increase was primarily due to the addition of three new operating areas.  Also, additional replacement bid work reduced the impact of the overall slow down in the new housing market.  However, results for the nine and twelve-month periods decreased $1.6 million, and $1.7 million, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2006.  These decreases reflect the general slow down in the housing market, which adversely affected profits on blanket contracts in the majority of NPL’s operating areas, and lower gains on sales of equipment.  Unfavorable working conditions due to poor weather earlier in the current year also contributed to the decreases.  The amount of work received under existing blanket contracts, the amount of bid work, and the equipment resale market vary from period to period.

Rates and Regulatory Proceedings

California Attrition Filing.  In the fourth quarter of 2006, the CPUC approved a $2.7 million increase in operating margin related to the Company’s 2007 annual California attrition filing.  The increase in customer rates was approved to be made effective January 2007.  In connection with this filing, the Company also received approval to change the way operating margin is recognized under the Company’s margin tracker mechanism.  The change provides for authorized levels of margin to be recognized in equal monthly amounts throughout the year, rather than on a seasonally adjusted basis.  This change did not impact the total amount of margin recognized annually; however, it has affected the comparability of 2007 versus 2006 quarterly amounts, particularly the first through third quarters.  Attrition rate relief during the nine-month period of 2007 provided approximately $3 million in operating margin including the cumulative effect of the method change.  Southwest is currently preparing its 2008 attrition and 2009 general rate case filings in California, which are expected to be filed in the fourth quarter of 2007.

Arizona General Rate Case.  Southwest filed a general rate application with the ACC in the third quarter of 2007 requesting an increase in authorized operating revenues of $50.2 million.  The request is due to increases in Southwest’s operating costs (including inflationary increases to labor and benefits), investments in infrastructure to serve new customers, and the increased costs of capital to fund those investments.  The Company is requesting a return on rate base of 9.45 percent and a return on equity of 11.25 percent.

In addition, declining average residential usage has hindered the Company’s ability to earn the returns previously authorized by the ACC.  A rate structure that would encourage energy efficiency and also shield the Company and its customers from weather-related volatility was also proposed.  Included in the new rate design proposal were a revenue decoupling mechanism that would separate the recovery of fixed costs from volumetric usage and a weather normalization mechanism that would protect customers from higher bills in extreme cold weather and protect the Company from cost under-recoveries in unseasonably warmer weather.  The Company also requested an increase of $3.10 in the monthly residential basic service charge.  Southwest requested the new rates be effective October 2008.  Management cannot predict the amount or timing of rate relief ultimately granted.  The last general rate increase received in Arizona was effective March 2006.

PGA Filings

All of Southwest's state regulatory commissions have regulations that permit the Company to track and recover its actual costs of purchased gas.  Deferred energy provisions and purchased gas adjustment clauses are collectively referred to as “PGA” clauses.  Timing differences between changes in PGA rates and the recovery/payment of PGA balances result in over and under-collections.  At September 30, 2007, over-collections in Nevada and California resulted in a liability of $47.3 million and under-collections in Arizona resulted in an asset of $31.2 million on the Company’s balance sheet.  PGA filings are subject to audit by state regulatory commissions.  PGA rate changes impact cash flows but have no direct impact on profit margin.
 

 
16

SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION                                                    &# 160;                                                                                        Form 10-Q             
September 30, 2007              
      

As of September 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, Southwest had the following outstanding PGA balances receivable/(payable) (millions of dollars):

   
September 30, 2007
   
December 31, 2006
 
Arizona
  $
31.2
    $
68.4
 
Northern Nevada
    (10.1 )    
1.1
 
Southern Nevada
    (31.9 )    
4.1
 
California
    (5.3 )    
3.4
 
    $ (16.1 )   $
77.0
 

Capital Resources and Liquidity

The capital requirements and resources of the Company generally are determined independently for the natural gas operations and construction services segments. Each business activity is generally responsible for securing its own financing sources. The capital requirements and resources of NPL are not material to the overall capital requirements and resources of the Company.

Gas Segment Construction Expenditures and Financing

Southwest continues to experience customer growth above industry averages, albeit at a slower pace than in the recent past.  This growth has required significant capital outlays for new transmission and distribution plant, to keep up with consumer demand.  During the twelve-month period ended September 30, 2007, construction expenditures for the natural gas operations segment were $335 million.  Approximately 77 percent of these current-period expenditures represented new construction and the balance represented costs associated with routine replacement of existing transmission, distribution, and general plant.  Cash flows from operating activities of Southwest (net of dividends paid) provided $267 million, or 80 percent, of the required capital resources pertaining to gas segment capital expenditures for the twelve months ended September 30, 2007.  Operating cash flows during the current twelve-month period were positively impacted by earnings growth and recoveries of deferred PGA balances.  The remainder was provided from external financing activities, existing credit facilities, and refundable construction advances.  At September 30, 2007, the balance of refundable construction advances was $83 million.

In October 2007, the Company sold its Southern Nevada Division operations facility for $35 million.  The gain on the sale (approximately $20 million) will be deferred and recorded as a regulatory liability to be included in a future rate case.  The Company plans to build two separate facilities to better serve the expanding customer base in Las Vegas.  During construction of the new facilities, the Company will lease back the operations facility.  The Company’s corporate headquarters complex is not affected by these transactions.

Southwest estimates construction expenditures during the three-year period ending December 31, 2009 will be approximately $880 million.  During the three-year period, cash flows from operating activities (net of dividends) are estimated to fund approximately 90 percent of the gas operations’ total construction expenditures, assuming continued timely recovery of currently deferred PGA balances.  Southwest also has $43 million in long-term debt maturities over the three-year period.  During this time frame, the Company expects to raise $100 million to $125 million from its various common stock programs. Any remaining cash requirements are expected to be provided by existing credit facilities and/or other external financing sources.  The timing, types, and amounts of these additional external financings will be dependent on a number of factors, including conditions in the capital markets, timing and amounts of rate relief, growth levels in Southwest service areas, and earnings.  These external sources may include the issuance of both debt and equity securities, bank and other short-term borrowings, customer contributions and advances, and other forms of financing.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company issued approximately 784,000 additional shares of common stock through the Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (“DRSPP”), Employee Investment Plan,
 

 
17

SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION                                                    &# 160;                                                                                        Form 10-Q             
September 30, 2007              
      

Management Incentive Plan, and Stock Incentive Plan.  No shares have been issued through the Equity Shelf Program (“ESP”) in 2007.  The Company has $16.7 million of remaining capacity under the ESP.

Liquidity

Liquidity refers to the ability of an enterprise to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet its cash requirements.  Several general factors that could significantly affect liquidity in future years include inflation, growth in Southwest’s service territories, changes in the ratemaking policies of regulatory commissions, interest rates, variability of natural gas prices, changes in income tax laws, and the level of Company earnings.  Of these factors, natural gas prices have had the most significant impact on Company liquidity.

Over the past several years the cost of natural gas has fluctuated dramatically.  Price volatility is expected to continue indefinitely.  Southwest periodically enters into fixed-price term contracts to mitigate price volatility.  About half of Southwest’s annual normal weather supply needs are secured using short duration contracts (one year or less).  Natural gas purchases not covered by fixed-price contracts are made under variable-price contracts with firm quantities and on the spot market.  Prices for these contracts are not known until the month of purchase.  Southwest does not currently utilize other stand-alone derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes, or for hedging.  In the future, Southwest intends to supplement its current volatility mitigation program with stand-alone derivative financial instruments for hedging purposes.  The combination of fixed-price contracts and derivative financial instruments should increase flexibility for Southwest and increase supplier diversification.  The costs of such derivative financial instruments are expected to be recovered from customers.

The rate schedules in Southwest's service territories contain PGA clauses which permit adjustments to rates as the cost of purchased gas changes.  The PGA mechanism allows Southwest to request to change the gas cost component of the rates charged to its customers to reflect increases or decreases in the price expected to be paid to its suppliers and companies providing interstate pipeline transportation service.

On an interim basis, Southwest generally defers over- or under-collections of gas costs to PGA balancing accounts.  In addition, Southwest uses this mechanism to either refund amounts over-collected or recoup amounts under-collected as compared to the price paid for natural gas during the period since the last PGA rate change went into effect.  At September 30, 2007, the combined balances in PGA accounts totaled a net over-collection of $16.1 million versus an under-collection of $77 million at December 31, 2006.  Southwest has the ability to draw on its $300 million credit facility to temporarily finance under-collected PGA balances.  This facility was extended by one year in April 2007 to expire in April 2012.  Southwest has designated $150 million of the facility as long-term debt and the remaining $150 million for working capital purposes.  Southwest currently believes the $150 million designated for working capital purposes is adequate to meet liquidity needs.  At September 30, 2007, $101 million was outstanding on the long-term portion and no borrowings were outstanding on the short-term portion of the credit facility.

In February 2007, the Board of Directors increased the quarterly dividend payout from 20.5 cents to 21.5 cents per share, effective with the June 2007 payment.

 

 
18

SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION                                                    &# 160;                                                                                        Form 10-Q             
September 30, 2007              
      

The following table sets forth the ratios of earnings to fixed charges for the Company.  Due to the seasonal nature of the Company’s business, these ratios are computed on a twelve-month basis:
 
   
For the Twelve Months Ended
   
September 30,
 
December 31,
   
2007
 
2006
         
            Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
 
2.29
 
2.25
 
Earnings are defined as the sum of pretax income plus fixed charges. Fixed charges consist of all interest expense including capitalized interest, one-third of rent expense (which approximates the interest component of such expense), and amortized debt costs.

Forward-Looking Statements

This quarterly report contains statements which constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“Reform Act”).  All statements other than statements of historical fact included or incorporated by reference in this quarterly report are forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s plans, objectives, goals, projections, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions.  The words “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “continue,” and similar words and expressions are generally used and intended to identify forward-looking statements.  For example, statements regarding customer growth, estimated future construction expenditures, forecasted operating cash flows, sufficiency of working capital, ability to raise funds and receive external financing, the amount of any such financing, and statements regarding future gas prices, gas purchase contracts and derivative financial instruments, the recovery of under-recovered PGA balances, and the timing and results of future rate approvals are forward-looking statements.  All forward-looking statements are intended to be subject to the safe harbor protection provided by the Reform Act.

A number of important factors affecting the business and financial results of the Company could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated in the forward-looking statements.  These factors include, but are not limited to, the impact of weather variations on customer usage, customer growth rates, changes in natural gas prices, our ability to recover costs through our PGA mechanism, the effects of regulation/deregulation, the timing and amount of rate relief, changes in rate design, changes in gas procurement practices, changes in capital requirements and funding, the impact of conditions in the capital markets on financing costs, changes in construction expenditures and financing, renewal of franchises, easements and rights-of-way, changes in operations and maintenance expenses, effects of accounting changes, future liability claims, changes in pipeline capacity for the transportation of gas and related costs, acquisitions and management’s plans related thereto, competition, and our ability to raise capital in external financings.  In addition, the Company can provide no assurance that its discussions regarding certain trends relating to its financing, operations and maintenance expenses will continue in future periods.  For additional information on the risks associated with the Company’s business, see Item 1A. Risk Factors in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

All forward-looking statements in this quarterly report are made as of the date hereof, based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise any of its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes show that the indicated results or events will not be realized.  We caution you not to unduly rely on any forward-looking statement(s).
 

 

19

SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION                                                    &# 160;                                                                                        Form 10-Q             
September 30, 2007              
      

ITEM 3.                  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

See Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk in the Company’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.  No material changes have occurred related to the Company’s disclosures about market risk.

ITEM 4.                  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company has established disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.  A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.  Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs.  Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or management override of the control.  Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

Based on the most recent evaluation, as of September 30, 2007, management of the Company, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, believe the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective at attaining the level of reasonable assurance noted above.

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the third quarter of 2007 that have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting.
 
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is named as a defendant in various legal proceedings.  The ultimate dispositions of these proceedings are not presently determinable; however, it is the opinion of management that none of this litigation individually or in the aggregate will have a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

ITEMS 1A. through 5.
None.

ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS
 
 
The following documents are filed as part of this report on Form 10-Q:

 
Exhibit 3(i)
- Restated Articles of Incorporation of Southwest Gas Corporation.
 
Exhibit 12.01
- Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
 
Exhibit 31.01
- Section 302 Certifications.
 
Exhibit 32.01
- Section 906 Certifications.
 
 

20

SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION                                                     0;                                                                                        Form 10-Q             
September 30, 2007              
      

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
Southwest Gas Corporation
 
(Registrant)
   
Date:  November 7, 2007
 
   
 
/s/ Roy R. Centrella
 
Roy R. Centrella
 
Vice President/Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

 
 

21

exhibit3i.htm


RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION,
a California corporation


Jeffrey W. Shaw and George C. Biehl hereby certify that:

1.  They are the duly elected and acting Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary, respectively, of the corporation named above.
 
2.  The Articles of Incorporation of the corporation shall be amended and restated in full as follows:











[Left Blank Intentionally]

      
        
      
      
        - 1 -      
      
        
      
    



RESTATED ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
OF
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION
a California corporation

I.
The name of said corporation is and shall be
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION
II.
The purposes for which it is formed are:
(a)  Primarily to engage in, conduct and carry on the business of manufacturing, generating, producing, buying, transmitting, distributing, selling and otherwise disposing of gas and/or electricity to be used for light, heat, refrigeration, power and all other lawful purposes, and to supply counties, cities, cities and counties, villages, towns and other localities and places in the State of California and the other states and territories of the United States and in foreign countries, and the inhabitants thereof, with gas and/or electricity, to be used for light, heat, refrigeration and power, and for all other uses to which gas and/or electricity may be put;
(b)  To construct, maintain and operate gas plants, with all buildings, structures, pipes, mains, machinery, appliances and apparatus proper or convenient for the manufacture, maintenance, operation, distribution and sale of gas; to construct, maintain and operate electric plants, with all power houses, generating stations, transmission lines, structures, machinery, apparatus, appliances and materials proper or convenient for the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity;

      
        
      
      
        - 2 -      
      
        
      
    


(c)  To acquire, own, lease, construct, occupy or use gas works and/or electric works, and to maintain and operate the same;
(d)  To acquire, hold, store, sell and distribute gas and/or electricity by any other means and in addition to those herein provided;
(e)  To acquire by purchase, appropriation, lease, condemnation or otherwise, to hold, enjoy, mortgage, pledge, assign and convey lands, franchises, water rights, rights-of-way and other easements, patents and patent rights, and all other real and personal property, which may at any time be necessary or proper for the convenient and profitable transaction of the business of said corporation, and for the exercise of its purpose, and of any part hereof, and of its powers and franchises;
(f)  To acquire by purchase, subscription or otherwise, to hold, sell, assign, transfer, mortgage, pledge or otherwise dispose of, shares of the capital stock of, and bonds, debentures or other evidences of indebtedness created or issued by any corporation or corporations, and to exercise all rights and powers of ownership concerning the same, including the right to vote thereon;
(g)  To borrow money, to execute bonds, promissory notes, bills of exchange, debentures and other obligations and evidences of indebtedness of all kinds;
(h)  To mortgage all or any part of the property, rights, interests and franchises of the corporation, and to pledge all or any bonds, promissory notes, bills of exchange, debentures and all securities and contracts of any kind at any time owned by said corporation;
(i)  To aid any other corporation by loan or gift, or by guaranty of any or all of its obligations, or otherwise; to engage in, conduct and carry on any business incidental,

      
        
      
      
        - 3 -      
      
        
      
    


(j)  necessary, useful or auxiliary to the purpose, or any part thereof, for which said corporation is formed;
(k)  To exercise the right of eminent domain in any manner which may now or hereafter be allowed or provided by law in the acquisition of any property or rights required by the corporation for the purposes of its business;
(l)  To act as principal, agent, joint venturer, partner or in any other capacity which may be authorized or approved by the Board of Directors of this corporation;
(m)  In carrying on its business, or for the purpose of attaining or furthering its purpose, or any part thereof as herein set forth and any other purpose or object deemed incidental, necessary, useful or auxiliary to its purpose, or any part thereof, to do any and all other acts or things and to exercise any and all other powers which a natural person might do or exercise, and which are now or may hereafter be authorized by law;
(n)  The foregoing clauses shall be construed both as objects and powers, and it is hereby expressly provided that the enumeration herein of specific objects and powers shall not be held to limit or restrict in any way the general powers of this corporation.
III.
The County in this state where the principal office for the transaction of the business of this corporation is to be located is the County of San Bernardino.
IV.
    This corporation is authorized to issue three classes of shares of stock, to be designated respectively, as "Preferred Stock;" "Preference Stock;" and "Common Stock." The total number of shares which this corporation shall have authority to issue is 67,000,000 and

      
        
      
      
        - 4 -      
      
        
      
    


the aggregate par value of all shares that are to have a par value shall be $100,000,000. The number of shares of Preferred Stock shall be 5,000,000 and without par value; the number of shares of Preference Stock shall be 2,000,000 and shall have a par value of each share of said class of $20; the number of shares of Common Stock shall be 60,000,000 and shall have a par value of each share of said class of $1.
1.  
PREFERRED STOCK
  Except as otherwise provided by law, shares of Preferred Stock, in preference to the holders of the Preference Stock and the Common Stock, may be issued from time to time, in one or more series, and the Board of Directors of the corporation is authorized to fix or alter the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to or imposed upon any such series.
2.  
PREFERENCE STOCK
   Except as otherwise provided by law, shares of Preference Stock, in preference to the holders of the Common Stock, may be issued from time to time, in one or more series, and the Board of Directors of the corporation is authorized to fix or alter the dividend rights, dividend rates, conversion rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions), the redemption price or prices, or the liquidation preferences of any wholly unissued series, together with the designation of any such series and the number of shares which shall constitute any such unissued series, and to increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding) the number of shares of any series subsequent to the issue of that series.

      
        
      
      
        - 5 -      
      
        
      
    


3.  
COMMON STOCK
  Except as otherwise provided by law, shares of Common Stock may be issued from time to time, in one or more series, and the Board of Directors of the corporation is authorized to fix the initial dividend rate of any wholly unissued series together with the designation of any such series and the number of shares which shall constitute any unissued series, and to increase or decrease (but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding) the number of shares of any such series subsequent to the issuance of that series.
  Dividends on all series of Common Stock shall have the same record and payment dates, and no dividends may be paid on any series unless dividends at the rates required hereby are paid concurrently on all series.  No series of Common Stock shall have preference over any other series as to the payment of dividends, but the amount of dividends paid may vary among the series outstanding.
  All shares of Common Stock outstanding at the date hereof are hereby designated as and shall hereafter continue to be Original Common Stock, and all shares of Common Stock at any time authorized but unissued, until and unless otherwise designated by the Board of Directors, shall be and continue to be Original Common Stock, for a total of 60,000,000 shares of this series.  Unless otherwise designated by the Board of Directors, all shares of Common Stock hereafter issued and all shares of Common Stock which the corporation may become obligated to issue upon the conversion of any security convertible into Common Stock and/or upon the exercise of options, warrants or rights to purchase Common Stock shall be considered to be Original Common Stock.

      
        
      
      
        - 6 -      
      
        
      
    


  Subject to the voting rights and other rights, preferences and privileges above provided in this Article IV with respect to the Preferred Stock and the Preference Stock, and except as otherwise provided by law, shares of all series of Common Stock and/or the holders thereof shall have full voting rights and powers for the election of directors and for all other purposes, voting together as a single class irrespective of series, and, subject to the provisions specified hereinabove, shall be entitled to receive dividends as and when they are declared by the Board of Directors.  Upon liquidation, distribution or winding up of the corporation, the assets of the corporation available for distribution to the holders of the Common Stock shall be distributed ratably among the holders of all shares of the Common Stock at the time outstanding irrespective of and without reference to series.  The Common Stock shall have no conversion, subscription or preemptive rights, nor shall it be subject to redemption, call or assessment.
IV-A
1.  
SUPERMAJORITY OF SHARES REQUIRED TO APPROVE CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
  The affirmative vote of the holders of not fewer than 85 percent of the outstanding shares of "Voting Stock" (as hereinafter defined) of this corporation shall be required for the approval or authorization of any "Business Combination" (as hereinafter defined) of this corporation with any "Dominant Stockholder" (as hereinafter defined); provided, however, that the 85 percent voting requirement shall not be applicable if any of the following shall occur:
  (a)  The Board of Directors of this corporation, by the affirmative vote of not fewer than 65 percent of the members thereof, expressly approves in advance the acquisition

      
        
      
      
        - 7 -      
      
        
      
    


of the outstanding shares of Voting Stock that caused such Dominant Stockholder to become a Dominant Stockholder; or
  (b)  The Board of Directors of this corporation, by the affirmative vote of not fewer than 65 percent of the members thereof, expressly approves such Business Combination in advance of such Dominant Stockholder becoming a Dominant Stockholder; or
  (c)  The Board of Directors of this corporation, by the affirmative vote of not fewer than 85 percent of the members thereof, approves such Business Combination subsequent to such Dominant Stockholder becoming a Dominant Stockholder; or
  (d)  The Board of Directors of this corporation, by the affirmative vote of not fewer than 85 percent of the members thereof, shall determine that the cash or fair market value of the property, securities or other consideration to be received per share by holders of Voting Stock of this corporation (which shall include, without limitation, all Voting Stock of this corporation retained by them) in the Business Combination is not less than the "Highest Per Share Price" or the "Highest Equivalent Per Share Price" (as these terms are hereinafter defined) paid by the Dominant Stockholder in acquiring any of its holdings of this corporation's Voting Stock.
2.  
DEFINITIONS
  For the purposes of this Article IV-A;
  (a)  Business Combination.  The term "Business Combination"  shall include, without limitation, (i) any merger or consolidation of this corporation with or into any Dominant Stockholder or any entity controlled by or under common control with a Dominant Stockholder, (ii) any merger or consolidation of a Dominant Stockholder with

      
        
      
      
        - 8 -      
      
        
      
    


or into this corporation or any entity controlled by or under common control with this corporation, (iii) any sale, lease, exchange, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the property and assets of this corporation to a Dominant Stockholder, or any entity controlled by or under common control with a Dominant Stockholder, (iv) any purchase, lease, exchange, transfer or other acquisition by this corporation of all or substantially all of the property and assets of a Dominant Stockholder, or any entity controlled by or under common control with a Dominant Stockholder, (v) any recapitalization of this corporation that would have the effect of increasing the voting power of a Dominant Stockholder, and (vi) any agreement, contract or other arrangement providing for any of the transactions described in this definition of Business Combination.
  (b)  Dominant Stockholder.  The term "Dominant Stockholder" shall mean and include any individual, corporation, partnership or other person or entity which, together with its "Affiliates" and "Associates," "Beneficially Owns" (as these terms are hereinafter defined) in the aggregate 10 percent or more of the outstanding Voting Stock of this corporation, and any Affiliate or Associate of any such individual, corporation, partnership or other person or entity.
  A Dominant Stockholder shall be deemed to have acquired a share of Voting Stock of this corporation at the time when such Dominant Stockholder became the Beneficial Owner thereof. Without limitation, any share of Voting Stock of this corporation that any Dominant Stockholder has the right to acquire at any time pursuant to any agreement, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or

      
        
      
      
        - 9 -      
      
        
      
    


otherwise, shall be deemed to be Beneficially Owned by the Dominant Stockholder and to be outstanding for purposes of this subparagraph (b).
  (c)  Affiliate.  An "affiliate" of, or a person "affiliated" with, a specified person such as a Dominant Stockholder, is a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the person specified.
  (d)  Associate.  The term "associate," used to indicate a relationship with any person such as a Dominant Stockholder, means (i) any corporation or organization of which such person is an officer or partner or is, directly or indirectly, the beneficial owner of 10 percent or more of any class of equity securities, (ii) any trust or other estate in which such person has a substantial beneficial interest or as to which such person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity, and (iii) any relative or spouse of such person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same home as such person or who is a director or officer of such person or any of its parents or subsidiaries.
  (e)  Beneficially Owns or Beneficial Owner.  A "beneficial owner" of, or one who "beneficially owns," a security includes any person who, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, (i) has the right to acquire such security through the exercise of any option, warrant or right or through the conversion of another security into such security, or (ii) has or shares voting power which includes the power to vote, or to direct the voting of, such security, and/or (iii) has or shares investment power which includes the power to dispose of, or to direct the disposition of, such security.

      
        
      
      
        - 10 -      
      
        
      
    

(f)  Voting Stock.  The term "Voting Stock" shall mean all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (together, solely for the purpose of identifying a Dominant Stockholder, with certain authorized but unissued shares that a Dominant Stockholder is deemed to Beneficially Own), and each reference to a proportion of shares of Voting Stock shall refer to such proportion of the votes entitled to be cast by such shares.
 (g)  Highest Per Share Price and Highest Equivalent Per Share Price.  The terms "Highest Per Share Price" and "Highest Equivalent Per Share Price" as used in this Article IV-A shall mean the following:        
    The Highest Per Share Price shall mean the highest price that can be determined to have been paid at any time by the Dominant Stockholder for any share of Voting Stock.  If there are any securities of this corporation outstanding ("related securities" herein) that entitle the holder thereof to purchase, or that are convertible into, Voting Stock, the Highest Equivalent Per Share Price shall mean, with respect to each type, class and/or series of related securities, the amount in each case determined by the affirmative vote of not fewer than 85 percent of the members of the Board of Directors, on whatever basis they believe in good faith to be appropriate, to be the highest per share price equivalent of the highest price that can be determined to have been paid at any time by the Dominant Stockholder for any such related securities.  In determining the Highest Per Share Price and Highest Equivalent Per Share Price, all purchases of Voting Stock and related securities of this corporation by the Dominant Stockholder shall be taken into account regardless of whether they occurred before or after the Dominant Stockholder became a Dominant Stockholder.  With respect to shares of Voting Stock owned by Affiliates, Associates or other persons whose

      
        
      
      
        - 11 -      
      
        
      
    


ownership is attributed to a Dominant Stockholder, if the price paid by such Dominant Stockholder for such shares is not determined by the affirmative vote of not fewer than 85 percent of the members of the Board of Directors, the price so paid shall be deemed to be the higher of (i) the price paid upon the acquisition thereof by the Affiliate, Associate or other person or (ii) the market price of the shares in question at the time when the Dominant Stockholder became the Beneficial Owner thereof.  The Highest Per Share Price and the Highest Equivalent Per Share Price shall include any brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and soliciting dealers' fees or other value paid by the Dominant Stockholder with respect to all Voting Stock and related securities acquired by the Dominant Stockholder.
3.  
SUPERMAJORITY OF SHARES REQUIRED TO AMEND OR REPEAL THIS ARTICLE
  The provisions set forth in this Article IV-A may not be amended, altered, changed or repealed in any respect unless approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of not fewer than 65 percent of the outstanding shares of Voting Stock (as defined in this Article IV-A) at a meeting of the shareholders duly called and unless the consideration of any such amendment, alteration, change or repeal shall have been included as an agenda item in the notice of such meeting; provided, however, that if there is a Dominant Stockholder (as defined in this Article IV-A) on the record date for determining the holders of Voting Stock entitled to vote at such meeting, any such amendment, alteration, change or repeal must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of not fewer than 85 percent of the outstanding shares of Voting Stock of this corporation.

      
        
      
      
        - 12 -      
      
        
      
    


V.
  The directors of this corporation need not be shareholders.
VI.
  1.  The liability of directors of the corporation for monetary damages shall be eliminated to the fullest extent permissible under California Law.
  2.  The corporation is authorized to provide indemnification of agents (as defined in Section 317 of the California Corporations Code) through bylaw provisions, agreements with agents, vote of shareholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, in excess of the indemnification otherwise permitted by Section 317 of the California Corporations Code, subject only to the applicable limits set forth in Section 204 of the California Corporations Code with respect to actions for breach of duty to the corporation and its shareholders.
  3.  The corporation is authorized to purchase and maintain insurance from any insurance company, whether or not the shares of such insurance company are wholly or partially owned by the corporation, on behalf of agents (as defined in Section 317 of the California Corporations Code) against liability asserted against or incurred by the agent in such capacity or arising out of the agent's status, in excess of the indemnification otherwise permitted by Section 317 of the California Corporations Code, subject only to the applicable limits set forth in Section 204 of the California Corporations Code.

      
        
      
      
        - 13 -      
      
        
      
    


  4.  The foregoing amended and restated Articles of Incorporation were duly approved by the Board of Directors of this corporation and the amendments to the Articles of Incorporation contained therein were approved by the required vote of shareholders in accordance with Section 902 of the California Corporation Code; the total number of outstanding shares of the only class entitled to vote with respect to the amendment was 42,041,680 shares of common stock; and the number of shares of common stock voting in favor of the amendment equaled or exceeded the vote required, such required vote being a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock.  At the time the amendments were submitted to shareholders for approval and currently, there were no outstanding shares of authorized preferred stock or preference stock.
  5.  We further declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that the matters set forth in this Certificate are true and correct of our own knowledge.
     Executed at Las Vegas, Nevada, this 4th day of September 2007.


                /s/ JEFFREY W. SHAW                                                                
                Jeffrey W. Shaw
                Chief Executive Officer


                /s/ GEORGE C. BIEHL                                                                 
                George C. Biehl
                Executive Vice President/Chief Financial
                Officer and Corporate Secretary

      
        
      
      
        - 14 -      
      
        
      
    


exhibit12.htm


Exhibit 12            
SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION
 
COMPUTATION OF RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
(Thousands of dollars)
 
                                     
   
For the Twelve Months Ended
 
   
Sep 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
   
2004
   
2003
   
2002
 
1. Fixed charges:
                                   
A) Interest expense
  $
93,446
    $
92,878
    $
87,687
    $
84,138
    $
78,724
    $
79,586
 
B) Amortization
   
2,785
     
3,467
     
3,700
     
3,059
     
2,752
     
2,278
 
C) Interest portion of rentals
   
7,452
     
6,412
     
6,333
     
6,779
     
6,665
     
8,846
 
D) Preferred securities distributions
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
4,015
     
5,475
 
Total fixed charges
  $
103,683
    $
102,757
    $
97,720
    $
93,976
    $
92,156
    $
96,185
 
                                                 
2. Earnings (as defined):
                                               
E) Pretax income from
                                               
continuing operations
  $
134,071
    $
128,357
    $
68,435
    $
87,012
    $
55,384
    $
65,382
 
Fixed Charges (1. above)
   
103,683
     
102,757
     
97,720
     
93,976
     
92,156
     
96,185
 
Total earnings as defined
  $
237,754
    $
231,114
    $
166,155
    $
180,988
    $
147,540
    $
161,567
 
                                                 
     
2.29
     
2.25
     
1.70
     
1.93
     
1.60
     
1.68
 



exhibit31.htm
Exhibit 31.01
Certification on Form 10-Q

I, Jeffrey W. Shaw, certify that:

1.  
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Southwest Gas Corporation;

2.  
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.  
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.  
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)  
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)  
designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)  
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)  
disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.  
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)  
all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)  
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 7, 2007

/s/ JEFFREY W. SHAW                                                              
Jeffrey W. Shaw
Chief Executive Officer
Southwest Gas Corporation



Certification on Form 10-Q

I, George C. Biehl, certify that:

1.  
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Southwest Gas Corporation;

2.  
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.  
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.  
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)  
designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)  
designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)  
evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)  
disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.  
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)  
all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)  
any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: November 7, 2007

/s/ GEORGE C. BIEHL                                                              
George C. Biehl
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
and Corporate Secretary
Southwest Gas Corporation



exhibit32.htm
Exhibit 32.01

SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION

CERTIFICATION

In connection with the periodic report of Southwest Gas Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, Jeffrey W. Shaw, the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, hereby certify as of the date hereof, solely for purposes of Title 18, Chapter 63, Section 1350 of the United States Code, that to the best of my knowledge:

(1)  
the Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)  
the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company at the dates and for the periods indicated.

This Certification has not been, and shall not be deemed, “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Dated: November 7, 2007

/s/ Jeffrey W. Shaw                                                               
Jeffrey W. Shaw
Chief Executive Officer




SOUTHWEST GAS CORPORATION

CERTIFICATION

In connection with the periodic report of Southwest Gas Corporation (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Report”), I, George C. Biehl, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of the Company, hereby certify as of the date hereof, solely for purposes of Title 18, Chapter 63, Section 1350 of the United States Code, that to the best of my knowledge:

(1)  
the Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)  
the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company at the dates and for the periods indicated.

This Certification has not been, and shall not be deemed, “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Dated: November 7, 2007

/s/ George C. Biehl                                                               
George C. Biehl
Executive Vice President, Chief
Financial Officer and Corporate
Secretary