UNITED
STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
X |
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES |
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly
period ended September 30, 2008
OR
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES |
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EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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For the transition period from |
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to |
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Exact name of registrants as specified |
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I.R.S. Employer |
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Commission File |
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in their charters, address of principal |
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Identification |
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Number |
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executive offices, zip code and telephone number |
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Number |
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1-14465 |
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IDACORP, Inc. |
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82-0505802 |
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1-3198 |
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Idaho Power Company |
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82-0130980 |
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1221 W. Idaho Street |
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Boise, ID 83702-5627 |
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(208) 388-2200 |
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State of Incorporation: Idaho |
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Websites: |
www.idacorpinc.com |
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www.idahopower.com |
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None |
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Former name, former
address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrants (1) have
filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period
that the registrants were required to file such reports), and (2) have been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X
No ___
Indicate by check mark whether the registrants are large
accelerated filers, accelerated filers, non-accelerated filers, or smaller
reporting companies. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated
filer and smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check
one):
IDACORP, Inc.: |
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Large accelerated filer |
X |
Accelerated filer |
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Non-accelerated filer |
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Smaller reporting company |
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Idaho Power Company: |
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Large accelerated filer |
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Accelerated filer |
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Non-accelerated filer |
X |
Smaller reporting company |
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrants are shell
companies (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ___ No X
Number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of September
30, 2008:
IDACORP, Inc.: |
45,566,370 |
Idaho Power Company: |
39,150,812, all held by IDACORP, Inc. |
This combined Form 10-Q represents separate filings by
IDACORP, Inc. and Idaho Power Company. Information contained herein relating
to an individual registrant is filed by that registrant on its own behalf.
Idaho Power Company makes no representations as to the information relating to
IDACORP, Inc.s other operations.
Idaho Power Company meets the conditions set forth in
General Instructions H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this
Form with the reduced disclosure format.
COMMONLY USED TERMS
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APCU |
- |
Annual Power Cost Update |
Cal ISO |
- |
California Independent System Operator |
CalPX |
- |
California Power Exchange |
CAMP |
- |
Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan |
DSM |
- |
Demand Side Management |
EIS |
- |
Environmental impact statement |
EPS |
- |
Earnings per share |
ESA |
- |
Endangered Species Act |
ESPA |
- |
Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer |
FASB |
- |
Financial Accounting Standards Board |
FERC |
- |
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission |
FIN |
- |
Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation |
Fitch |
- |
Fitch Ratings, Inc. |
GAAP |
- |
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America |
Ida-West |
- |
Ida-West Energy, a subsidiary of IDACORP, Inc. |
IDWR |
- |
Idaho Department of Water Resources |
IE |
- |
IDACORP Energy, a subsidiary of IDACORP, Inc. |
IERCO |
- |
Idaho Energy Resources Co., a subsidiary of Idaho Power Company |
IFS |
- |
IDACORP Financial Services, a subsidiary of IDACORP, Inc. |
IPC |
- |
Idaho Power Company, a subsidiary of IDACORP, Inc. |
IPUC |
- |
Idaho Public Utilities Commission |
IRP |
- |
Integrated Resource Plan |
IWRB |
- |
Idaho Water Resource Board |
LGAR |
- |
Load growth adjustment rate |
maf |
- |
Million acre feet |
MD&A |
- |
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
Moodys |
- |
Moodys Investors Service |
MW |
- |
Megawatt |
MWh |
- |
Megawatt-hour |
NEPA |
- |
National Environmental Policy Act of 1996 |
O&M |
- |
Operations and Maintenance |
OPUC |
- |
Oregon Public Utility Commission |
PCA |
- |
Power Cost Adjustment |
PCAM |
- |
Power Cost Adjustment Mechanism |
PURPA |
- |
Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 |
RFP |
- |
Request for Proposal |
S&P |
- |
Standard & Poors Ratings Services |
SFAS |
- |
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards |
SO2 |
- |
Sulfur Dioxide |
SRBA |
- |
Snake River Basin Adjudication |
Valmy |
- |
North Valmy Steam Electric Generating Plant |
VIEs |
- |
Variable Interest Entities |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page |
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Part I. Financial Information: |
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Item 1. Financial Statements (unaudited) |
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IDACORP, Inc.: |
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1-2 |
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3-4 |
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5 |
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6 |
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Idaho Power Company: |
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7-8 |
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9-10 |
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11 |
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12 |
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13 |
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14-32 |
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33-34 |
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Condition and Results of Operations |
35-69 |
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
69-70 |
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70 |
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Part II. Other Information: |
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70 |
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70-71 |
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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds |
71-72 |
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72-78 |
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79 |
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80 |
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SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT
This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements
intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements
should be read with the cautionary statements and important factors included in
this Form 10-Q at Part I, Item 2, Managements Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Forward-Looking Information.
Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements of
historical fact, including without limitation those that are identified by the
use of the words anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, intends, plans,
predicts, projects, may result, may continue and similar expressions.
PART
I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
IDACORP, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited)
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Three months ended |
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September 30, |
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2008 |
2007 |
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(thousands of dollars except |
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for per share amounts) |
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Operating Revenues: |
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Electric utility: |
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General business |
$ |
246,639 |
$ |
211,873 |
Off-system sales |
34,637 |
34,843 |
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Other revenues |
16,831 |
13,800 |
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Total electric utility revenues |
298,107 |
260,516 |
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Other |
1,609 |
947 |
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Total operating revenues |
299,716 |
261,463 |
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Operating Expenses: |
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Electric utility: |
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Purchased power |
79,513 |
110,108 |
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Fuel expense |
46,467 |
43,291 |
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Power cost adjustment |
(20,105) |
(43,749) |
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Other operations and maintenance |
74,778 |
69,154 |
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Demand-side management |
5,956 |
4,307 |
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Gain on sale of emission allowances |
(158) |
(1,872) |
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Depreciation |
25,717 |
25,967 |
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Taxes other than income taxes |
4,827 |
4,714 |
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Total electric utility expenses |
216,995 |
211,920 |
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Other expense |
1,144 |
1,613 |
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Total operating expenses |
218,139 |
213,533 |
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Operating Income (Loss): |
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Electric utility |
81,112 |
48,596 |
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Other |
465 |
(666) |
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Total operating income |
81,577 |
47,930 |
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Other Income |
4,629 |
4,616 |
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Earnings (Losses) of Unconsolidated Equity-Method Investments |
2,642 |
(380) |
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Other Expense |
2,764 |
2,055 |
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Interest Expense: |
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Interest on long-term debt |
17,226 |
15,862 |
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Other interest |
1,310 |
763 |
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Total interest expense |
18,536 |
16,625 |
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Income Before Income Taxes |
67,548 |
33,486 |
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Income Tax Expense |
15,809 |
4,555 |
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Net Income |
$ |
51,739 |
$ |
28,931 |
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding - Basic (000s) |
44,998 |
44,417 |
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Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted (000s) |
45,194 |
44,543 |
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Earnings Per Share of Common Stock: |
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|
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Earnings per share-Basic |
$ |
1.15 |
$ |
0.65 |
Earnings per share-Diluted |
$ |
1.14 |
$ |
0.65 |
Dividends Paid Per Share of Common Stock |
$ |
0.30 |
$ |
0.30 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
1 |
IDACORP, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited)
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Nine months ended |
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September 30, |
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2008 |
2007 |
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(thousands of dollars except |
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Operating Revenues: |
for per share amounts) |
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Electric utility: |
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General business |
$ |
602,700 |
$ |
511,337 |
Off-system sales |
93,640 |
129,859 |
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Other revenues |
43,508 |
37,776 |
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Total electric utility revenues |
739,848 |
678,972 |
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Other |
3,534 |
2,976 |
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Total operating revenues |
743,382 |
681,948 |
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Operating Expenses: |
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Electric utility: |
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Purchased power |
174,900 |
241,393 |
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Fuel expense |
112,385 |
101,724 |
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Power cost adjustment |
(38,678) |
(107,457) |
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Other operations and maintenance |
219,321 |
215,870 |
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Demand-side management |
13,249 |
8,970 |
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Gain on sale of emission allowances |
(504) |
(2,754) |
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Depreciation |
78,084 |
76,870 |
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Taxes other than income taxes |
14,431 |
14,267 |
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Total electric utility expenses |
573,188 |
548,883 |
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Other expense |
3,331 |
4,782 |
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Total operating expenses |
576,519 |
553,665 |
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Operating Income (Loss): |
|
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Electric utility |
166,660 |
130,089 |
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Other |
203 |
(1,806) |
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Total operating income |
166,863 |
128,283 |
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Other Income |
15,128 |
13,867 |
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Losses of Unconsolidated Equity-Method Investments |
(4,672) |
(3,257) |
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Other Expense |
4,949 |
6,838 |
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Interest Expense: |
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Interest on long-term debt |
49,847 |
43,306 |
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Other interest |
3,219 |
3,881 |
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Total interest expense |
53,066 |
47,187 |
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Income Before Income Taxes |
119,304 |
84,868 |
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Income Tax Expense |
28,335 |
12,891 |
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Income from Continuing Operations |
90,969 |
71,977 |
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Income from Discontinued Operations, net of tax |
- |
67 |
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Net Income |
$ |
90,969 |
$ |
72,044 |
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding - Basic (000s) |
44,923 |
43,947 |
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Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted (000s) |
45,098 |
44,080 |
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Earnings Per Share of Common Stock: |
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Earnings per share from Continuing Operations-Basic |
$ |
2.02 |
$ |
1.64 |
Earnings per share from Discontinued Operations-Basic |
- |
- |
||
Earnings Per Share of Common Stock-Basic |
$ |
2.02 |
$ |
1.64 |
Earnings per share from Continuing Operations-Diluted |
$ |
2.02 |
$ |
1.63 |
Earnings per share from Discontinued Operations-Diluted |
- |
- |
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Earnings Per Share of Common Stock-Diluted |
$ |
2.02 |
$ |
1.63 |
Dividends Paid Per Share of Common Stock |
$ |
0.90 |
$ |
0.90 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
2 |
IDACORP, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
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September 30, |
December 31, |
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2008 |
2007 |
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Assets |
(thousands of dollars) |
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Current Assets: |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
57,726 |
$ |
7,966 |
Receivables: |
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Customer |
78,192 |
69,160 |
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Allowance for uncollectible accounts |
(1,359) |
(7,505) |
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Employee notes |
203 |
2,128 |
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Other |
6,617 |
10,957 |
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Accrued unbilled revenues |
39,065 |
36,314 |
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Materials and supplies (at average cost) |
51,324 |
43,270 |
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Fuel stock (at average cost) |
24,402 |
17,268 |
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Prepayments |
10,299 |
9,371 |
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Deferred income taxes |
14,375 |
25,672 |
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Refundable income tax deposit |
24,903 |
46,083 |
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Other |
8,904 |
6,023 |
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Total current assets |
314,651 |
266,707 |
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Investments |
201,807 |
201,085 |
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Property, Plant and Equipment: |
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Utility plant in service |
3,957,199 |
3,796,339 |
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Accumulated provision for depreciation |
(1,499,947) |
(1,468,832) |
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Utility plant in service - net |
2,457,252 |
2,327,507 |
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Construction work in progress |
225,965 |
257,590 |
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Utility plant held for future use |
6,318 |
3,366 |
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Other property, net of accumulated depreciation |
27,615 |
28,089 |
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Property, plant and equipment - net |
2,717,150 |
2,616,552 |
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Other Assets: |
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American Falls and Milner water rights |
26,592 |
29,501 |
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Company-owned life insurance |
29,535 |
30,842 |
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Regulatory assets |
502,565 |
449,668 |
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Long-term receivables (net of allowance of $2,478 and $1,878, respectively) |
4,262 |
3,583 |
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Employee notes |
89 |
2,325 |
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Other |
54,612 |
53,045 |
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Total other assets |
617,655 |
568,964 |
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Total |
$ |
3,851,263 |
$ |
3,653,308 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
3 |
IDACORP, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
|
September 30, |
December 31, |
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2008 |
2007 |
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Liabilities and Shareholders Equity |
(thousands of dollars) |
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Current Liabilities: |
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Current maturities of long-term debt |
$ |
7,817 |
$ |
11,456 |
Notes payable |
203,915 |
186,445 |
||
Accounts payable |
66,195 |
85,116 |
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Taxes accrued |
14,736 |
8,492 |
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Interest accrued |
29,624 |
18,913 |
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Uncertain tax positions |
27,297 |
26,764 |
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Other |
36,883 |
38,129 |
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Total current liabilities |
386,467 |
375,315 |
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Other Liabilities: |
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Deferred income taxes |
473,845 |
466,182 |
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Regulatory liabilities |
276,469 |
274,204 |
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Other |
170,794 |
173,412 |
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Total other liabilities |
921,108 |
913,798 |
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Long-Term Debt |
1,273,028 |
1,156,880 |
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Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6) |
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Shareholders Equity: |
|
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Common stock, no par value (shares authorized 120,000,000; |
|
|
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45,575,907 and 45,063,107 shares issued, respectively) |
691,162 |
675,774 |
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Retained earnings |
587,998 |
537,699 |
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Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(8,461) |
(6,156) |
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Treasury stock (9,537 and 380 shares at cost, respectively) |
(39) |
(2) |
||
Total shareholders equity |
1,270,660 |
1,207,315 |
||
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Total |
$ |
3,851,263 |
$ |
3,653,308 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
4 |
IDACORP, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
|
Nine Months Ended |
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|
September 30, |
|||
|
2008 |
2007 |
||
|
(thousands of dollars) |
|||
Operating Activities: |
|
|
||
Net income |
$ |
90,969 |
$ |
72,044 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by |
|
|
||
operating activities: |
|
|
||
Depreciation and amortization |
93,192 |
91,286 |
||
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits |
16,075 |
29,224 |
||
Changes in regulatory assets and liabilities |
(50,081) |
(110,813) |
||
Non-cash pension expense |
3,009 |
7,968 |
||
Undistributed earnings of subsidiaries |
(3,772) |
(4,648) |
||
Gain on sale of assets |
(3,369) |
(4,437) |
||
Other non-cash adjustments to net income |
1,770 |
(2,289) |
||
Change in: |
|
|
||
Accounts receivable and prepayments |
(11,819) |
(9,703) |
||
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities |
(16,782) |
(19,981) |
||
Taxes accrued |
6,244 |
(15,079) |
||
Other current assets |
(17,940) |
(9,685) |
||
Other current liabilities |
8,971 |
16,582 |
||
Other assets |
1,126 |
758 |
||
Other liabilities |
(2,188) |
5,973 |
||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
115,405 |
47,200 |
||
Investing Activities: |
|
|
||
Additions to property, plant and equipment |
(176,475) |
(203,067) |
||
Proceeds from the sale of IDACOMM |
- |
7,283 |
||
Proceeds from the sale of non-utility assets |
5,753 |
- |
||
Investments in affordable housing |
(8,486) |
300 |
||
Proceeds from the sale of emission allowances |
2,959 |
19,846 |
||
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates |
(3,065) |
(4,925) |
||
Purchase of available-for-sale securities |
- |
(24,349) |
||
Proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities |
- |
26,110 |
||
Purchase of held-to-maturity securities |
(2,885) |
(3,116) |
||
Maturity of held-to-maturity securities |
4,610 |
3,267 |
||
Withdrawal of refundable deposit for tax related liabilities |
20,000 |
- |
||
Other |
(7,932) |
(187) |
||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(165,521) |
(178,838) |
||
Financing Activities: |
|
|
||
Increase in term loans |
170,000 |
- |
||
Issuance of long-term debt |
120,000 |
140,000 |
||
Retirement of long-term debt |
(7,630) |
(9,978) |
||
Purchase of pollution control bonds |
(166,100) |
- |
||
Dividends on common stock |
(40,516) |
(39,629) |
||
Net change in short-term borrowings |
13,570 |
15,813 |
||
Issuance of common stock |
12,550 |
34,893 |
||
Acquisition of treasury stock |
(304) |
(346) |
||
Other |
(1,694) |
(2,355) |
||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
99,876 |
138,398 |
||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
49,760 |
6,760 |
||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period |
7,966 |
9,892 |
||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period |
$ |
57,726 |
$ |
16,652 |
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information: |
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|
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Cash paid during the period for: |
|
|
||
Income taxes |
$ |
8,762 |
$ |
3,815 |
Interest (net of amount capitalized) |
$ |
40,933 |
$ |
36,080 |
Non-cash investing activities |
|
|
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Additions to property, plant and equipment in accounts payable |
$ |
10,527 |
$ |
6,374 |
|
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
5 |
IDACORP, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Comprehensive Income
(unaudited)
|
Three Months Ended |
|||
|
September 30, |
|||
|
2008 |
2007 |
||
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(thousands of dollars) |
|||
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|
|
|
Net Income |
$ |
51,739 |
$ |
28,931 |
|
|
|
||
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss): |
|
|
||
Unrealized (losses) gains on securities: |
|
|
||
Unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during the period, |
|
|
||
net of tax of ($791) and $148 |
(1,232) |
231 |
||
Reclassification adjustment for gains included |
|
|
||
in net income, net of tax of $0 and ($31) |
- |
(48) |
||
Net unrealized (losses) gains |
(1,232) |
183 |
||
Unfunded pension liability adjustment, net of tax |
|
|
||
of $67 and $72 |
104 |
113 |
||
Total Comprehensive Income |
$ |
50,611 |
$ |
29,227 |
|
||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
IDACORP, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(unaudited)
|
Nine Months Ended |
|||
|
September 30, |
|||
|
2008 |
2007 |
||
|
(thousands of dollars) |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income |
$ |
90,969 |
$ |
72,044 |
|
|
|
||
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss): |
|
|
||
Unrealized (losses) gains on securities: |
|
|
||
Unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during the period, |
|
|
||
net of tax of ($1,679) and $452 |
(2,616) |
704 |
||
Reclassification adjustment for gains included |
|
|
||
in net income, net of tax of $0 and ($592) |
- |
(922) |
||
Net unrealized losses |
(2,616) |
(218) |
||
Unfunded pension liability adjustment, net of tax |
|
|
||
of $200 and $217 |
311 |
338 |
||
Total Comprehensive Income |
$ |
88,664 |
$ |
72,164 |
|
||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
6 |
Idaho Power
Company
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited)
|
Three Months Ended |
|||
|
September 30, |
|||
|
2008 |
2007 |
||
|
(thousands of dollars) |
|||
Operating Revenues: |
|
|
||
General business |
$ |
246,639 |
$ |
211,873 |
Off-system sales |
34,637 |
34,843 |
||
Other revenues |
16,831 |
13,800 |
||
Total operating revenues |
298,107 |
260,516 |
||
|
|
|
||
Operating Expenses: |
|
|
||
Operation: |
|
|
||
Purchased power |
79,513 |
110,108 |
||
Fuel expense |
46,467 |
43,291 |
||
Power cost adjustment |
(20,105) |
(43,749) |
||
Other |
58,544 |
54,625 |
||
Demand-side management |
5,956 |
4,307 |
||
Gain on sale of emission allowances |
(158) |
(1,872) |
||
Maintenance |
16,234 |
14,529 |
||
Depreciation |
25,717 |
25,967 |
||
Taxes other than income taxes |
4,827 |
4,714 |
||
Total operating expenses |
216,995 |
211,920 |
||
|
|
|
||
Income from Operations |
81,112 |
48,596 |
||
|
|
|
||
Other Income (Expense): |
|
|
||
Allowance for equity funds used during construction |
1,265 |
1,909 |
||
Earnings of unconsolidated equity-method investments |
4,487 |
1,296 |
||
Other income |
3,428 |
2,475 |
||
Other expense |
(2,603) |
(2,205) |
||
Total other income |
6,577 |
3,475 |
||
|
|
|
||
Interest Charges: |
|
|
||
Interest on long-term debt |
16,916 |
15,386 |
||
Other interest |
2,290 |
2,361 |
||
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction |
(1,549) |
(2,063) |
||
Total interest charges |
17,657 |
15,684 |
||
|
|
|
||
Income Before Income Taxes |
70,032 |
36,387 |
||
|
|
|
||
Income Tax Expense |
22,627 |
12,279 |
||
|
|
|
||
Net Income |
$ |
47,405 |
$ |
24,108 |
|
|
|
||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
7 |
Idaho Power
Company
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited)
|
Nine months ended |
|||
|
September 30, |
|||
|
2008 |
2007 |
||
|
(thousands of dollars) |
|||
Operating Revenues: |
|
|
||
General business |
$ |
602,700 |
$ |
511,337 |
Off-system sales |
93,640 |
129,859 |
||
Other revenues |
43,508 |
37,776 |
||
Total operating revenues |
739,848 |
678,972 |
||
|
|
|
||
Operating Expenses: |
|
|
||
Operation: |
|
|
||
Purchased power |
174,900 |
241,393 |
||
Fuel expense |
112,385 |
101,724 |
||
Power cost adjustment |
(38,678) |
(107,457) |
||
Other |
168,675 |
162,073 |
||
Demand-side management |
13,249 |
8,970 |
||
Gain on sale of emission allowances |
(504) |
(2,754) |
||
Maintenance |
50,646 |
53,797 |
||
Depreciation |
78,084 |
76,870 |
||
Taxes other than income taxes |
14,431 |
14,267 |
||
Total operating expenses |
573,188 |
548,883 |
||
|
|
|
||
Income from Operations |
166,660 |
130,089 |
||
|
|
|
||
Other Income (Expense): |
|
|
||
Allowance for equity funds used during construction |
2,394 |
4,687 |
||
Earnings of unconsolidated equity-method investments |
2,621 |
3,376 |
||
Other income |
12,502 |
8,332 |
||
Other expense |
(5,077) |
(6,637) |
||
Total other income |
12,440 |
9,758 |
||
|
|
|
||
Interest Charges: |
|
|
||
Interest on long-term debt |
48,868 |
41,857 |
||
Other interest |
6,437 |
7,019 |
||
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction |
(4,966) |
(5,517) |
||
Total interest charges |
50,339 |
43,359 |
||
|
|
|
||
Income Before Income Taxes |
128,761 |
96,488 |
||
|
|
|
||
Income Tax Expense |
42,357 |
32,885 |
||
|
|
|
||
Net Income |
$ |
86,404 |
$ |
63,603 |
|
|
|
||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
8 |
Idaho Power
Company
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
|
September 30, |
December 31, |
||
|
2008 |
2007 |
||
Assets |
(thousands of dollars) |
|||
|
|
|
||
Electric Plant: |
|
|
||
In service (at original cost) |
$ |
3,957,199 |
$ |
3,796,339 |
Accumulated provision for depreciation |
(1,499,947) |
(1,468,832) |
||
In service - net |
2,457,252 |
2,327,507 |
||
Construction work in progress |
225,965 |
257,590 |
||
Held for future use |
6,318 |
3,366 |
||
Electric plant - net |
2,689,535 |
2,588,463 |
||
|
|
|
||
Investments and Other Property |
106,702 |
105,074 |
||
|
|
|
||
Current Assets: |
|
|
||
Cash and cash equivalents |
36,189 |
5,347 |
||
Receivables: |
|
|
||
Customer |
78,192 |
62,122 |
||
Allowance for uncollectible accounts |
(1,359) |
(1,305) |
||
Employee notes |
203 |
2,128 |
||
Other |
3,733 |
8,122 |
||
Accrued unbilled revenues |
39,065 |
36,314 |
||
Materials and supplies (at average cost) |
51,324 |
43,270 |
||
Fuel stock (at average cost) |
24,402 |
17,268 |
||
Prepayments |
10,028 |
9,120 |
||
Deferred income taxes |
3,865 |
4,074 |
||
Refundable income tax deposit |
23,927 |
44,316 |
||
Other |
6,152 |
1,067 |
||
Total current assets |
275,721 |
231,843 |
||
|
|
|
||
Deferred Debits: |
|
|
||
American Falls and Milner water rights |
26,592 |
29,501 |
||
Company-owned life insurance |
29,535 |
30,842 |
||
Regulatory assets |
502,565 |
449,668 |
||
Employee notes |
89 |
2,325 |
||
Other |
53,348 |
51,800 |
||
Total deferred debits |
612,129 |
564,136 |
||
|
|
|
||
Total |
$ |
3,684,087 |
$ |
3,489,516 |
|
|
|
||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
9 |
Idaho Power
Company
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
|
September 30, |
December 31, |
||
|
2008 |
2007 |
||
Capitalization and Liabilities |
(thousands of dollars) |
|||
|
|
|
||
Capitalization: |
|
|
||
Common stock equity: |
|
|
||
Common stock, $2.50 par value (50,000,000 shares |
|
|
||
authorized; 39,150,812 shares outstanding) |
$ |
97,877 |
$ |
97,877 |
Premium on capital stock |
581,758 |
581,758 |
||
Capital stock expense |
(2,097) |
(2,097) |
||
Retained earnings |
488,027 |
442,300 |
||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(8,461) |
(6,156) |
||
Total common stock equity |
1,157,104 |
1,113,682 |
||
|
|
|
||
Long-term debt |
1,260,629 |
1,141,508 |
||
Total capitalization |
2,417,733 |
2,255,190 |
||
|
|
|
||
Current Liabilities: |
|
|
||
Long-term debt due within one year |
1,064 |
1,064 |
||
Notes payable |
135,263 |
136,585 |
||
Accounts payable |
65,614 |
84,457 |
||
Notes and accounts payable to related parties |
1,106 |
724 |
||
Taxes accrued |
24,039 |
2,403 |
||
Interest accrued |
29,447 |
18,761 |
||
Uncertain tax positions |
27,297 |
26,764 |
||
Other |
35,991 |
36,907 |
||
Total current liabilities |
319,821 |
307,665 |
||
|
|
|
||
Deferred Credits: |
|
|
||
Deferred income taxes |
506,617 |
488,768 |
||
Regulatory liabilities |
276,469 |
274,204 |
||
Other |
163,447 |
163,689 |
||
Total deferred credits |
946,533 |
926,661 |
||
|
|
|
||
Commitments and Contingencies (Note 6) |
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
Total |
$ |
3,684,087 |
$ |
3,489,516 |
|
|
|
||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
10 |
Idaho Power
Company
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Capitalization
(unaudited)
|
September 30, |
|
December 31, |
|
||
|
2008 |
% |
2007 |
% |
||
|
(thousands of dollars) |
|||||
Common Stock Equity: |
|
|
|
|
||
Common stock |
$ |
97,877 |
|
$ |
97,877 |
|
Premium on capital stock |
581,758 |
|
581,758 |
|
||
Capital stock expense |
(2,097) |
|
(2,097) |
|
||
Retained earnings |
488,027 |
|
442,300 |
|
||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(8,461) |
|
(6,156) |
|
||
Total common stock equity |
1,157,104 |
48 |
1,113,682 |
49 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
||
Long-Term Debt: |
|
|
|
|
||
First mortgage bonds: |
|
|
|
|
||
7.20% Series due 2009 |
80,000 |
|
80,000 |
|
||
6.60% Series due 2011 |
120,000 |
|
120,000 |
|
||
4.75% Series due 2012 |
100,000 |
|
100,000 |
|
||
4.25% Series due 2013 |
70,000 |
|
70,000 |
|
||
6.025% Series due 2018 |
120,000 |
|
- |
|
||
6 % Series due 2032 |
100,000 |
|
100,000 |
|
||
5.50% Series due 2033 |
70,000 |
|
70,000 |
|
||
5.50% Series due 2034 |
50,000 |
|
50,000 |
|
||
5.875% Series due 2034 |
55,000 |
|
55,000 |
|
||
5.30% Series due 2035 |
60,000 |
|
60,000 |
|
||
6.30% Series due 2037 |
140,000 |
|
140,000 |
|
||
6.25% Series due 2037 |
100,000 |
|
100,000 |
|
||
Total first mortgage bonds |
1,065,000 |
|
945,000 |
|
||
Amount due within one year |
- |
|
- |
|
||
Net first mortgage bonds |
1,065,000 |
|
945,000 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
||
Pollution control revenue bonds: |
|
|
|
|
||
Variable Rate Series 2003 due 2024 |
49,800 |
|
49,800 |
|
||
Variable Rate Series 2006 due 2026 |
116,300 |
|
116,300 |
|
||
Variable Rate Series 2000 due 2027 |
4,360 |
|
4,360 |
|
||
Total pollution control revenue bonds |
170,460 |
|
170,460 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
||
American Falls bond guarantee |
19,885 |
|
19,885 |
|
||
Milner Dam note guarantee |
9,573 |
|
10,636 |
|
||
Note guarantee due within one year |
(1,064) |
|
(1,064) |
|
||
Unamortized premium/discount - net |
(3,225) |
|
(3,409) |
|
||
Term Loan Credit Facility |
166,100 |
|
- |
|
||
Purchase of pollution control revenue bonds |
(166,100) |
|
- |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total long-term debt |
1,260,629 |
52 |
1,141,508 |
51 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
||
Total Capitalization |
$ |
2,417,733 |
100 |
$ |
2,255,190 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
11 |
Idaho Power
Company
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
|
Nine Months Ended |
|||
|
September 30, |
|||
|
2008 |
2007 |
||
Operating Activities: |
(thousands of dollars) |
|||
Net income |
$ |
86,404 |
$ |
63,603 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by |
|
|
||
operating activities: |
|
|
||
Depreciation and amortization |
83,285 |
82,244 |
||
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits |
15,173 |
26,926 |
||
Changes in regulatory assets and liabilities |
(50,081) |
(110,813) |
||
Non-cash pension expense |
3,009 |
7,968 |
||
Undistributed earnings of subsidiary |
(2,621) |
(3,376) |
||
Gain on sale of assets |
(3,383) |
(4,268) |
||
Other non-cash adjustments to net income |
(1,346) |
(4,388) |
||
Change in: |
|
|
||
Accounts receivables and prepayments |
(12,162) |
(13,249) |
||
Accounts payable |
(16,175) |
(18,565) |
||
Taxes accrued |
21,636 |
2,098 |
||
Other current assets |
(17,939) |
(9,760) |
||
Other current liabilities |
8,945 |
16,580 |
||
Other assets |
1,121 |
710 |
||
Other liabilities |
(1,888) |
6,706 |
||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
113,978 |
42,416 |
||
Investing Activities: |
|
|
||
Additions to utility plant |
(176,475) |
(202,555) |
||
Proceeds from the sale of non-utility assets |
5,690 |
- |
||
Purchase of available-for-sale securities |
- |
(24,349) |
||
Proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities |
- |
26,110 |
||
Proceeds from sale of emission allowances |
2,959 |
19,846 |
||
Investments in unconsolidated affiliate |
(3,065) |
(4,925) |
||
Withdrawal (refundable deposit) for tax related liabilities |
20,000 |
(43,927) |
||
Other |
(7,550) |
(186) |
||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(158,441) |
(229,986) |
||
Financing Activities: |
|
|
||
Increase in term loans |
170,000 |
- |
||
Issuance of long-term debt |
120,000 |
140,000 |
||
Retirement of long-term debt |
(1,064) |
(1,064) |
||
Purchase of pollution control bonds |
(166,100) |
- |
||
Dividends on common stock |
(40,678) |
(39,791) |
||
Net change in short term borrowings |
(5,222) |
92,613 |
||
Other |
(1,631) |
(1,657) |
||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
75,305 |
190,101 |
||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
30,842 |
2,531 |
||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period |
5,347 |
2,404 |
||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period |
$ |
36,189 |
$ |
4,935 |
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information: |
|
|
||
Cash paid during the period for: |
|
|
||
Income taxes paid to parent |
$ |
8,331 |
$ |
8,978 |
Interest (net of amount capitalized) |
$ |
38,300 |
$ |
32,270 |
Non-cash investing activities: |
|
|
||
Additions to utility plant in accounts payable |
$ |
10,527 |
$ |
6,374 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
12 |
Idaho Power
Company
Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Comprehensive Income
(unaudited)
|
Three Months Ended |
|||
|
September 30, |
|||
|
2008 |
2007 |
||
|
(thousands of dollars) |
|||
|
|
|
||
Net Income |
$ |
47,405 |
$ |
24,108 |
|
|
|
||
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss): |
|
|
||
Unrealized (losses) gains on securities: |
|
|
||
Unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during the period, |
|
|
||
net of tax of ($791) and $148 |
(1,232) |
231 |
||
Reclassification adjustment for gains included |
|
|
||
in net income, net of tax of $0 and ($31) |
- |
(48) |
||
Net unrealized (losses) gains |
(1,232) |
183 |
||
Unfunded pension liability adjustment, net of tax |
|
|
||
of $67 and $72 |
104 |
113 |
||
Total Comprehensive Income |
$ |
46,277 |
$ |
24,404 |
|
|
|
||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
Idaho Power
Company
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(unaudited)
|
Nine Months Ended |
|||
|
September 30, |
|||
|
2008 |
2007 |
||
|
(thousands of dollars) |
|||
|
|
|
||
Net Income |
$ |
86,404 |
$ |
63,603 |
|
|
|
||
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss): |
|
|
||
Unrealized (losses) gains on securities: |
|
|
||
Unrealized holding (losses) gains arising during the period, |
|
|
||
net of tax of ($1,679) and $452 |
(2,616) |
704 |
||
Reclassification adjustment for gains included |
|
|
||
in net income, net of tax of $0 and ($592) |
- |
(922) |
||
Net unrealized losses |
(2,616) |
(218) |
||
Unfunded pension liability adjustment, net of tax |
|
|
||
of $200 and $217 |
311 |
338 |
||
Total Comprehensive Income |
$ |
84,099 |
$ |
63,723 |
|
|
|
||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
13 |
IDACORP,
INC. AND IDAHO POWER COMPANY
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
is a combined report of IDACORP, Inc. (IDACORP) and Idaho Power Company (IPC).
These Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements apply to both
IDACORP and IPC. However, IPC makes no representation as to the information
relating to IDACORPs other operations.
Nature of Business
IDACORP is a holding company
formed in 1998 whose principal operating subsidiary is IPC. IDACORP is subject
to the provisions of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, which
provides certain access to books and records to the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission (FERC) and state utility regulatory commissions and imposes certain
record retention and reporting requirements on IDACORP.
IPC is an electric utility with
a service territory covering approximately 24,000 square miles in southern
Idaho and eastern Oregon. IPC is regulated by the FERC and the state
regulatory commissions of Idaho and Oregon. IPC is the parent of Idaho Energy
Resources Co. (IERCO), a joint venturer in Bridger Coal Company, which supplies
coal to the Jim Bridger generating plant owned in part by IPC.
IDACORPs other subsidiaries
include:
IDACORP Financial Services, Inc. (IFS), an investor in affordable housing and other real estate investments;
Ida-West Energy Company (Ida-West), an operator of small hydroelectric generation projects that satisfy the requirements of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA); and
IDACORP Energy (IE), a marketer of energy commodities, which wound down operations in 2003.
On February 23, 2007, IDACORP
sold all of the outstanding common stock of IDACOMM, Inc. to American Fiber
Systems, Inc. The results of operations and the sale of IDACOMM, Inc. are
reported as discontinued operations.
Principles of Consolidation
IDACORPs and IPCs condensed consolidated financial
statements include the accounts of each company and their consolidated
subsidiaries. IDACORP also consolidates two variable interest entities (VIEs)
for which it is the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany balances
have been eliminated in consolidation. Investments in entities in which IDACORP
and IPC are not the primary beneficiaries, but have the ability to exercise
significant influence over operating and financial policies, are accounted for
using the equity method.
Through IFS, IDACORP also holds
significant variable interests in VIEs for which it is not the primary
beneficiary. These VIEs are historic rehabilitation and affordable housing
developments in which IFS holds limited partnership interests ranging up to 99
percent. These investments were acquired between 1996 and 2008. IFS maximum
exposure to loss in these developments was $77 million at September 30, 2008.
14 |
Financial Statements
In the opinion of IDACORP and
IPC, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly their consolidated
financial positions as of September 30, 2008, and consolidated results of
operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, and 2007,
and consolidated cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, and
2007. These adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. These financial
statements do not contain the complete detail or footnote disclosure concerning
accounting policies and other matters that would be included in full-year
financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the audited
consolidated financial statements included in IDACORPs and IPCs Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. The results of operations
for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be
expected for the full year.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts have
been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. The
reclassifications that were made to prior year amounts are as follows: Non-cash
pension expense was broken out separately from other non-cash adjustments to
net income in the operating sections of IDACORPs and IPCs condensed
consolidated statements of cash flows; other assets was combined with other in
the financing section of IPCs condensed consolidated statements of cash flows;
and notes receivable was combined with other receivables in the current assets
section of IPCs condensed consolidated balance sheets. Net income and
shareholders equity were not affected by these reclassifications.
Earnings Per Share
The
following table presents the computation of IDACORPs basic and diluted
earnings per share from continuing operations for the three and nine months
ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 (in thousands, except for per share amounts):
|
Three months ended |
Nine months ended |
||||||||||
|
September 30, |
September 30, |
||||||||||
|
2008 |
2007 |
2008 |
2007 |
||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Numerator: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Income from continuing operations |
$ |
51,739 |
$ |
28,931 |
$ |
90,969 |
$ |
71,977 |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Denominator: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic* |
|
44,998 |
|
44,417 |
|
44,923 |
|
43,947 |
|||
|
Effect of dilutive securities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Options |
|
32 |
|
34 |
|
43 |
|
41 |
||
|
|
Restricted Stock |
|
164 |
|
92 |
|
132 |
|
92 |
||
|
|
|
Weighted-average common shares outstanding |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
diluted |
|
45,194 |
|
44,543 |
|
45,098 |
|
44,080 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations |
$ |
1.15 |
$ |
0.65 |
$ |
2.02 |
$ |
1.64 |
||||
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations |
$ |
1.14 |
$ |
0.65 |
$ |
2.02 |
$ |
1.63 |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||
*Weighted average shares outstanding - basic excludes non-vested shares issued under stock compensation plans. |
||||||||||||
The diluted EPS computation
excluded 577,585 and 513,862 options for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2008, because the options exercise prices were greater than the
average market price of the common stock during those periods. For the same
periods in 2007, there were 486,800 and 487,200 options excluded from the
diluted EPS computation for the same reason. In total, 814,285 options were
outstanding at September 30, 2008, with expiration dates between 2010 and 2015.
New Accounting Pronouncements
SFAS 141(R): In December
2007, the FASB issued SFAS 141(R), Business Combinations (Revised December
2007). SFAS 141(R) establishes principles and requirements for how an
acquirer in a business combination: (1) recognizes and measures in its
financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed,
and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree; (2) recognizes and measures
the goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain
purchase; and (3) determines what information to disclose to enable users of
the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the
business combination. SFAS 141(R) applies prospectively to business
combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the
first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. An
entity may not apply it before that date. IDACORP and IPC do not expect the
adoption of SFAS 141(R) to have a material impact on their consolidated
financial statements.
SFAS 160: In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS
160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements. Among
other things, SFAS 160 establishes a standard for the way noncontrolling
interests (also called minority interests) are presented in consolidated
financial statements and standards for accounting for changes in ownership
interests. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after
December 15, 2008. An entity may not apply it before that date. IDACORP and
IPC do not expect the adoption of SFAS 160 to have a material impact on their
consolidated financial statements.
15 |
SFAS 161: In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161, Disclosures
about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activitiesan amendment of FASB
Statement No. 133. SFAS 161 encourages, but does not require, comparative
disclosures for earlier periods at initial adoption. SFAS 161 changes the
disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities.
Entities are required to provide enhanced disclosures about (1) how and why an
entity uses derivative instruments, (2) how derivative instruments and related
hedged items are accounted for under Statement 133 and its related interpretations,
and (3) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entitys
financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS 161 is
effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years and interim periods
beginning after November 15, 2008, with early application encouraged. IDACORP
and IPC do not expect the adoption of SFAS 161 to have a material impact on
their consolidated financial statements.
SFAS 162: In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 162, The
Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, which identifies the
sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles
to be used in the preparation of financial statements of nongovernmental
entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States (GAAP) (the GAAP hierarchy). SFAS 162 is
effective November 15, 2008. IDACORP and IPC do not expect the adoption of
SFAS 162 to have a material impact on their consolidated financial statements.
SFAS 163: In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 163, Accounting
for Financial Guarantee Insurance Contractsan interpretation of FASB Statement
No. 60. SFAS 163 is generally effective for financial statements issued
for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. IDACORP and IPC do not
expect SFAS 163 to impact their consolidated financial statements.
FSP EITF 03-6-1: In June 2008, the FASB issued FSP
EITF 03-6-1, Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment
Transactions Are Participating Securities. Under the guidance in FSP EITF
03-6-1, unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights
to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating
securities and shall be included in the computation of earnings per share
pursuant to the two-class method described in SFAS No. 128, Earnings per
Share. FSP EITF 03-6-1 is effective for financial statements issued for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. All prior-period earnings per
share data presented shall be adjusted retrospectively. Early application is
not permitted. IDACORP and IPC do not expect EITF 03-6-1 to have a material
impact on their consolidated financial statements.
FSP FAS 142-3: In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP FAS
142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets. FSP FAS
142-3 removes the requirement of SFAS 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible
Assets for an entity to consider, when determining the useful life of an
acquired intangible asset, whether the intangible asset can be renewed without
substantial cost or material modifications to the existing terms and conditions
associated with the intangible asset. FSP FAS 142-3 replaces the previous
useful-life assessment criteria with a requirement that an entity consider its
own experience in renewing similar arrangements. If the entity has no relevant
experience, it would consider market participant assumptions regarding
renewal. FSP FAS 142-3 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal
years beginning after December 15, 2008. IDACORP and IPC do not expect FSP FAS
142-3 to have a material impact on their consolidated financial statements.
2. INCOME TAXES:
In accordance with interim reporting requirements, IDACORP
and IPC use an estimated annual effective tax rate for computing their
provisions for income taxes. IDACORPs effective rate on continuing operations
for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, was 23.8 percent, compared to
15.2 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. IPCs effective tax
rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, was 32.9 percent, compared
to 34.1 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The differences
in estimated annual effective tax rates are primarily due to the amount of pre-tax
earnings at IDACORP and IPC, timing and amount of IPCs regulatory flow-through
tax adjustments, and lower tax credits from IFS.
16 |
3. COMMON STOCK AND STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION:
During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, IDACORP
entered into the following transactions involving its common stock:
85,430 original issue shares were used for awards granted under the 2000 Long-Term Incentive and Compensation Plan.
16,149 original issue shares and 26,359 treasury shares were used for awards granted under the Restricted Stock Plan.
15,100 treasury shares were used for the annual stock grant to directors under the Non-Employee Directors Stock Compensation Plan.
208,221 original issue shares were issued under the Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan and the Employee Savings Plan.
203,000 original issue shares were issued in at-the-market offerings at an average price of $30.53 per share under the Continuous Equity Program. An additional 56,900 shares were issued in October 2008 at an average price of $30.32 per share.
IDACORP has three share-based compensation plans. IDACORPs
employee plans are the 2000 Long-Term Incentive and Compensation Plan (LTICP)
and the Restricted Stock Plan (RSP). These plans are intended to align
employee and shareholder objectives related to IDACORPs long-term growth.
IDACORP also has one non-employee plan, the Non-Employee Directors Stock
Compensation Plan (DSP). The purpose of the DSP is to increase directors
stock ownership through stock-based compensation.
The LTICP for officers, key employees and directors permits
the grant of nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock
appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance
units, performance shares and other awards. The RSP permits only the grant of
restricted stock or performance-based restricted stock. At September 30, 2008,
the maximum number of shares available under the LTICP and RSP were 1,568,551
and 68,027, respectively. The following table shows the compensation cost
recognized in income and the tax benefits resulting from these plans, as well
as the amounts allocated to IPC for those costs associated with IPCs employees
(in thousands of dollars):
|
IDACORP |
IPC |
|
||||||||
|
Nine months ended |
Nine months ended |
|
||||||||
|
September 30, |
September 30, |
|
||||||||
|
2008 |
2007 |
2008 |
2007 |
|
||||||
Compensation cost |
$ |
3,106 |
$ |
2,099 |
$ |
2,933 |
$ |
1,461 |
|||
Income tax benefit |
$ |
1,214 |
$ |
821 |
$ |
1,147 |
$ |
571 |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
No equity compensation costs have been capitalized.
Stock awards: Restricted stock awards have vesting
periods of up to four years. Restricted stock awards entitle the recipients to
dividends and voting rights, and unvested shares are restricted as to
disposition and subject to forfeiture under certain circumstances. The fair
value of restricted stock awards is measured based on the market price of the
underlying common stock on the date of grant and is charged to compensation
expense over the vesting period based on the number of shares expected to
vest. The weighted average fair value at date of grant for restricted stock
awards granted during the first nine months of 2008 was $30.54.
Performance-based restricted stock awards have vesting
periods of three years. Performance awards entitle the recipients to voting
rights, and unvested shares are restricted as to disposition, subject to
forfeiture under certain circumstances, and subject to meeting specific
performance conditions. Based on the attainment of the performance conditions,
the ultimate award can range from zero to 150 percent of the target award.
Dividends are accrued during the vesting period and will be paid out only on
shares that eventually vest.
17 |
The performance goals for these awards are independent of
each other and equally weighted, and are based on two metrics, cumulative earnings
per share (CEPS) and total shareholder return (TSR) relative to a peer group.
The fair value of the CEPS portion is based on the market value at the date of
grant, reduced by the loss in time-value of the estimated future dividend
payments, using an expected quarterly dividend of $0.30. The fair value of the
TSR portion is estimated using a statistical model that incorporates the
probability of meeting performance targets based on historical returns relative
to the peer group. Both performance goals are measured over the three-year
vesting period and are charged to compensation expense over the vesting period
based on the number of shares expected to vest. The weighted average fair
value at date of grant for CEPS and TSR awards granted during the first nine
months of 2008 was $22.76.
Stock options: Stock option awards are granted with
exercise prices equal to the market value of the stock on the date of grant.
The options have a term of 10 years from the grant date and vest over a five-year
period. The fair value of each option is amortized into compensation expense
using graded-vesting. Stock options are not a significant component of share-based
compensation awards under the LTICP.
Rights Agreement
On September 10, 2008, the Rights Agreement between IDACORP
and Wells Fargo Bank, N. A., as successor to The Bank of New York, as rights
agent, dated as of September 10, 1998, as amended (Rights Agreement), and the
preferred share purchase rights (rights) issued thereunder expired in
accordance with their terms. As a result, shares of IDACORP common stock are
no longer accompanied by a right to purchase, under certain circumstances, one
one-hundredth of a share of IDACORPs A Series Preferred Stock. IDACORP common
shareholders were not entitled to any payment as a result of the expiration of
the Rights Agreement and the rights issued thereunder.
4. FINANCING:
Credit Facilities
IDACORP has a $100 million credit facility and IPC has a
$300 million credit facility, both of which expire on April 25, 2012.
Commercial paper may be issued up to the amounts supported by the bank credit
facilities. Under these facilities the companies pay a facility fee on the
commitment, quarterly in arrears, based on its rating for senior unsecured long-term
debt securities without third-party credit enhancement as provided by Moodys
and S&P.
IPC entered into a $170 million Term Loan Credit Agreement,
dated as of April 1, 2008, with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative
agent and lender, and Bank of America, N.A., Union Bank of California, N.A. and
Wachovia Bank, National Association, as lenders. The Term Loan Credit
Agreement provided for the issuance of term loans (Loans) by the lenders to IPC
on April 1, 2008, in an aggregate principal amount of $170 million. The Loans
are due on March 31, 2009. IPC used $166.1 million of the proceeds from the
Loans to effect the mandatory purchase on April 3, 2008, of the Pollution
Control Bonds (as discussed below under Pollution Control Revenue Refunding
Bonds) and $3.9 million to pay interest, fees and expenses incurred in
connection with the Pollution Control Bonds and the Term Loan Credit
Agreement. The Loans may be prepaid, but may not be reborrowed. The Term Loan
Credit Agreement is a short-term arrangement; however, $166.1 million was
classified as long-term debt as allowed by SFAS No. 6 Classification of
Short-Term Obligations Expected to Be Refinanced. IPC has the ability to
refinance the Loans on a long-term basis by utilizing its credit facility,
provided that the aggregate of the commitments utilizing the credit facility
and commercial paper outstanding does not exceed $300 million. The remaining
$3.9 million of the Loans is classified as short-term debt. At September 30,
2008, IPC had regulatory authority to incur up to $450 million of short-term
indebtedness. Balances and interest rates of short-term borrowings were as
follows at September 30, 2008, and December 31, 2007 (in thousands of dollars):
|
September 30, 2008 |
December 31, 2007 |
|||||||||||||
|
IPC |
IDACORP |
Total |
IPC |
IDACORP |
Total |
|||||||||
Commercial paper outstanding |
$ |
131,363 |
$ |
68,652 |
$ |
200,015 |
$ |
136,585 |
$ |
49,860 |
$ |
186,445 |
|||
Other short-term borrowings |
|
3,900 |
|
- |
|
3,900 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|||
|
Total |
$ |
135,263 |
$ |
68,652 |
$ |
203,915 |
$ |
136,585 |
$ |
49,860 |
$ |
186,445 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Weighted-avg. interest rate |
3.28% |
3.04% |
3.19% |
5.56% |
5.45% |
5.53% |
|||||||||
18 |
On October 7, 2008, IPC utilized the swingline loan feature
on its credit facility to draw a $30 million loan to pay some of its commercial
paper at maturity. The swingline loan was repaid on October 21, 2008, with
proceeds from the issuance of commercial paper. On October 14, 2008, IDACORP
drew a $35 million floating rate advance on its credit facility to pay some of
its commercial paper at maturity.
Long-Term Financing
As of November 5, 2008, IDACORP has $621 million remaining
on two shelf registration statements that can be used for the issuance of
unsecured debt (including medium-term notes) and preferred or common stock.
On April 3, 2008, IPC entered into a Selling Agency
Agreement with each of Banc of America Securities LLC, BNY Capital Markets,
Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., Lazard Capital
Markets LLC, Piper Jaffray & Co., RBC Capital Markets Corporation, SunTrust
Robinson Humphrey, Inc., Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, Wedbush Morgan
Securities Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC in connection with the issuance
and sale by IPC from time to time of up to $350 million aggregate principal
amount of First Mortgage Bonds, Secured Medium-Term Notes, Series H. On July
10, 2008, IPC issued $120 million of its 6.025% First Mortgage Bonds, Secured
Medium-Term Notes, Series H, due July 15, 2018. IPC used the net proceeds to
pay down short-term debt. As of November 5, 2008, IPC has $230 million
remaining on a shelf registration statement that can be used for the issuance
of first mortgage bonds (including medium-term notes) and unsecured debt.
Pollution Control Revenue Refunding Bonds
On April 3, 2008, IPC made a mandatory purchase of the $49.8
million Humboldt County, Nevada Pollution Control Revenue Refunding Bonds
(Idaho Power Company Project) Series 2003 and the $116.3 million Sweetwater
County, Wyoming Pollution Control Revenue Refunding Bonds (Idaho Power Company
Project) Series 2006 (together, the Pollution Control Bonds). IPC initiated
this transaction in order to adjust the interest rate period of the Pollution
Control Bonds from an auction interest rate period to a weekly interest rate
period, effective April 3, 2008. The Pollution Control Bonds remain outstanding
and have not been retired or cancelled.
5. REGULATORY MATTERS:
Idaho 2007 General Rate Case
On February 28, 2008, the IPUC approved a settlement of IPCs
general rate case filed June 8, 2007. The IPUCs order approved an average
increase in base rates of 5.2 percent, or approximately $32.1 million in
revenues, effective March 1, 2008. The order also reset the load growth
adjustment rate (LGAR) from $29.41 per MWh to $62.79 per MWh, but applied the
new rate to only 50 percent of the load growth beginning in March 2008. The
LGAR subtracts the cost of serving additional Idaho retail load from the net
power supply costs IPC is allowed to include in its power cost adjustment
(PCA). In the 2007 general rate case, IPC filed normalized firm base load of
15.6 million MWh as compared with 14.8 million MWh in the 2005 general rate
case.
Danskin CT1 Power Plant Rate Case
On March 7, 2008, IPC filed an application with the IPUC
requesting recovery of construction costs associated with the gas-fired Danskin
CT1 plant located near Mountain Home, Idaho. Danskin CT1 began commercial
operations on March 11, 2008. IPC requested adding to rate base approximately
$65 million attributable to the cost of constructing the generating facility
and the related transmission and interconnection facilities, which would have
resulted in a base rate increase of 1.39 percent, or approximately $9 million
in annual revenues.
On May 30, 2008, the IPUC authorized IPC to add to its rate
base $64.2 million for the Danskin CT1 plant and related facilities, effective
June 1, 2008, resulting in a base rate increase of 1.37 percent, or $8.9
million in annual revenues. Costs not approved in this order will be included
in future filings.
19 |
Deferred Net Power Supply Costs
IPCs deferred net power supply costs consisted of the
following (in thousands of dollars):
|
|
September 30, |
December 31, |
|||
|
|
2008 |
2007 |
|||
Idaho PCA current year |
|
|
|
|
||
|
Deferral for the 2008-2009 rate year* |
$ |
- |
$ |
85,732 |
|
|
Deferral for the 2009-2010 rate year |
|
61,053 |
|
- |
|
Idaho PCA true-up awaiting recovery: |
|
|
|
|
||
|
Authorized in May 2007 |
|
- |
|
6,591 |
|
|
Authorized in May 2008 |
|
70,345 |
|
- |
|
Oregon deferral: |
|
|
|
|
||
|
2001 Costs |
|
2,170 |
|
2,993 |
|
|
2006 Costs |
|
1,183 |
|
2,107 |
|
|
2008 Power cost adjustment mechanism |
|
3,809 |
|
- |
|
|
|
Total deferral |
$ |
138,560 |
$ |
97,423 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
*The 2008-2009 PCA deferral balance is reduced by $16.5 million of emission allowance sales in 2007. |
||||||
Idaho: IPC has a PCA mechanism that provides for
annual adjustments to the rates charged to its Idaho retail customers. The PCA
tracks IPCs actual net power supply costs (fuel and purchased power less off-system
sales) and compares these amounts to net power supply costs currently being
recovered in retail rates.
The annual adjustments are based on two components:
A forecast component, based on a forecast of net power supply costs in the coming year as compared to net power supply costs in base rates; and
A true-up component, based on the difference between the previous
years actual net power supply costs and the previous years forecast. This
component also includes a balancing mechanism so that, over time, the actual
collection or refund of authorized true-up dollars matches the amounts
authorized. The true-up component is calculated monthly, and interest is
applied to the balance.
The PCA mechanism provides that 90 percent of deviations in
power supply costs are to be reflected in IPCs rates for both the forecast and
the true-up components.
2008-2009 PCA: On April 15, 2008, IPC filed its 2008-2009
PCA application with the IPUC with a requested effective date of June 1, 2008.
The filing requested an increase to existing revenues of approximately $87.2
million. Subsequently, the IPUC issued an order directing IPC to apply $16.5
million of gains from the sale of excess SO2 emission allowances,
including interest, against the PCA. This order reduced IPCs request to
approximately $70.7 million.
IPC and the IPUC Staff each proposed deviations from
standard IPUC-approved PCA methodology. IPC proposed to flow through to customers
100 percent of the deviation in net power supply costs and PURPA project
expenses for the 2008-2009 PCA year instead of a 90/10 sharing between
customers and shareholders. This was denied by the IPUC.
The IPUC Staff proposed to use a normal forecast for power
supply costs and to change the distribution of base net power supply expenses.
The IPUC adopted the IPUC Staffs proposals on May 30, 2008, and approved an
increase to existing revenues of $73.3 million, effective June 1, 2008, which
resulted in an average rate increase to IPCs customers of 10.7 percent.
The adopted distribution methodology spreads base net power
supply costs equally across all months as compared to a more seasonal approach
that would have allocated significantly more base net power supply costs to the
third quarter and less to the first and second quarters. The change in
allocation methodology is not expected to have a material impact on annual
financial results.
20 |
2007-2008 PCA: On May 31, 2007, the IPUC approved
IPCs 2007-2008 PCA filing. The filing increased the PCA component of
customers rates from the then-existing level, which was $46.8 million below
base rates, to a level that is $30.7 million above those base rates. This
$77.5 million increase was net of $69.1 million of proceeds from sales of
excess SO2 emission allowances. The new rates became effective June
1, 2007.
Emission Allowances: During 2007, IPC sold 35,000 SO2
emission allowances for a total of $19.6 million. The sales proceeds allocated
to the Idaho jurisdiction were approximately $18.5 million. On April 14, 2008,
the IPUC ordered that $16.4 million of these proceeds, including interest, be
used to help offset the PCA true-up balances from the 2007-2008 PCA. The order
also provided that $0.5 million may be used to fund an energy education
program.
In 2005 and early 2006, IPC sold 78,000 SO2
emission allowances for a total of $81.6 million. The sales proceeds allocated
to the Idaho jurisdiction were approximately $76.8 million. On May 12, 2006,
the IPUC approved a stipulation that allowed IPC to retain ten percent as a
shareholder benefit with the remaining 90 percent plus a carrying charge
recorded as a customer benefit. This customer benefit was used to partially
offset the PCA true-up balance and was reflected in PCA rates in effect from
June 1, 2007, to May 31, 2008.
Oregon: On April 30, 2007, IPC filed for an
accounting order with the OPUC to defer net power supply costs for the period
from May 1, 2007, through April 30, 2008, in anticipation of higher than normal
(higher than base) power supply expenses. In the filing, IPC estimated Oregons
jurisdictional share of excess power supply costs to be $5.7 million. This
amount is currently estimated to be $7.7 million. IPC also requested that it
earn its Oregon authorized rate of return on the deferred balance and recover
the amount through rates in future years, as approved by the OPUC. IPC is
awaiting an order from the OPUC.
On April 28, 2006, IPC filed for an accounting order with the
OPUC to defer net power supply costs for the period of May 1, 2006, through
April 30, 2007. IPC requested authorization to defer an estimated $3.3
million, which is Oregons jurisdictional share of the excess power supply
costs. IPC also requested that it earn its Oregon authorized rate of return on
the deferred balance and recover the amount through rates in future years, as
approved by the OPUC. A settlement agreement was reached with the OPUC Staff
and the Citizens Utility Board in the amount of $2 million. The parties also
agreed that IPC would file an application for an Oregon PCA mechanism. The
settlement stipulation was approved by the OPUC on December 13, 2007.
The timing of future recovery of Oregon power supply cost
deferrals is subject to an Oregon statute that specifically limits rate
amortizations of deferred costs to six percent of gross Oregon revenue per
year. IPC is currently amortizing through rates power supply costs associated
with the western energy situation of 2000 and 2001, which is discussed further
in Note 6 under Western Energy Proceedings at the FERC. Full recovery of the
2001 deferral is not expected until 2009. The 2006-2007 and the 2007-2008
deferrals would have to be amortized sequentially following the full recovery
of the 2001 deferral.
Oregon Power Cost Recovery Mechanism: On August 17,
2007, IPC filed an application with the OPUC requesting the approval of a power
cost recovery mechanism similar to the Idaho PCA. A joint stipulation was
filed with the OPUC on March 14, 2008, and the OPUC approved the stipulation on
April 28, 2008.
The new mechanism allows IPC to recover excess net power
supply costs in a more timely fashion than through the previous deferral
process. The mechanism differs from the Idaho PCA in that it reestablishes the
base net power supply costs annually. In Idaho, the base net power supply
costs are set by a general rate case.
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The new regulatory mechanism has two parts: an annual power
cost update (APCU) and a power cost adjustment mechanism (PCAM). The APCU has
two components: the October Update, where each October IPC will calculate
its estimated normalized net power supply expenses for the following April
through March test period, and the March Forecast, where each March IPC will
file a forecast of its normalized net power supply expenses for the same test
period, updated for a number of variables including the most recent stream flow
data and future wholesale electric prices. On June 1 of each year, rates will
be adjusted to reflect costs calculated in the APCU.
The PCAM is a true-up to be filed annually in February
beginning in 2009. The filing will calculate the deviation between actual net
power supply expenses incurred for the preceding calendar year and the net
power supply expenses recovered through the APCU for the same period. Under
the PCAM, IPC is subject to a portion of the business risk or benefit
associated with this deviation through application of an asymmetrical deadband
within which IPC absorbs cost increases or decreases. For deviations in actual
power supply costs outside of the deadband, the PCAM provides for 90/10 sharing
of costs and benefits between customers and IPC. However, a collection will
occur only to the extent that it results in IPCs actual return on equity (ROE)
for the year being no greater than 100 basis points below IPCs last authorized
ROE. A refund will occur only to the extent that it results in IPCs actual
ROE for that year being no less than 100 basis points above IPCs last authorized
ROE. The PCAM rate is then added to or subtracted from the APCU rate, with new
combined rates effective each June 1.
On October 6, 2008, the OPUC provided an order clarifying
that the PCAM is a deferral under the Oregon statute. IPC expects that deferrals
under the PCAM component will be subject to the six percent limitation on
annual amortization discussed above. IPC had $3.8 million deferred under the
PCAM at September 30, 2008.
On October 29, 2007, IPC filed the October Update portion of
its 2008 APCU with the OPUC reflecting the estimated net power supply expenses
for the April 2008 through March 2009 test period. On March 24, 2008, IPC
submitted testimony to the OPUC revising its calculation of the October Update
to conform to the methodology agreed to by the parties in the stipulation. IPC
also submitted the March Forecast, reflecting expected hydroelectric generating
conditions and forward prices for the April 2008 through March 2009 test
period. The expected power supply costs of $150 million represented an
increase of approximately $23 million over the October Update.
On May 20, 2008, the OPUC approved IPCs 2008 APCU
(comprising both the October Update and the March Forecast) with the new rates
effective June 1, 2008. The approved APCU results in a $4.8 million, or 15.69
percent, increase in Oregon revenues.
On October 23, 2008, IPC filed the October Update portion of
its 2009 APCU with the OPUC. The filing reflects that revenues associated with
IPCs base net power supply costs would be increased by $0.8 million over the
previous October Update, an average 2.4 percent increase. The October Update
will be combined with the March Forecast portion of the 2009 APCU, with final
rates expected to become effective on June 1, 2009.
Fixed Cost Adjustment Mechanism (FCA)
On March 12, 2007, the IPUC approved the implementation of a
FCA mechanism pilot program for IPCs residential and small general service
customers. The FCA is a rate mechanism designed to remove IPCs disincentive
to invest in energy efficiency programs by separating (or decoupling) the
recovery of fixed costs from the variable kilowatt-hour charge and linking it
instead to a set amount per customer. In the FCA, for each customer class, the
number of customers is multiplied by a fixed cost per customer. The cost per
customer is based on IPCs revenue requirement as established in a general rate
case. This authorized fixed cost recovery amount is compared to the amount of
fixed costs actually recovered by IPC. The amount of over or under-recovery is
then returned to or collected from customers in a subsequent rate adjustment.
The pilot program began on January 1, 2007, and runs through 2009, with the
first rate adjustment occurring on June 1, 2008, and subsequent rate adjustments
occurring on June 1 of each year during its term.
On March 14, 2008, IPC filed an application requesting a
$2.4 million rate reduction under the FCA pilot program for the net over-recovery
of fixed costs during 2007. On May 30, 2008, the IPUC approved the rate
reduction of $2.4 million to be distributed to residential and small general
service customer classes equally on an energy used basis during the June 1,
2008 through May 31, 2009, FCA year. IPC deferred $1.7 million of FCA net
under-recovery of fixed costs during the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
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Change in Estimate for Depreciation
On September 12, 2008, the IPUC approved a revision to IPCs
depreciation rates, retroactive to August 1, 2008. The new rates are based on
a settlement reached by IPC and the IPUC staff, and result in an annual
reduction of depreciation expense of $8.5 million ($7.9 million allocated to Idaho) based upon December 31, 2006, depreciable electric plant in service.
Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT)
On March 24, 2006, IPC submitted a revised OATT filing with
the FERC requesting an increase in transmission rates. In the filing, IPC
proposed to move from a fixed rate to a formula rate, which allows for
transmission rates to be updated each year based on FERC Form 1 data. The
formula rate request included a rate of return on equity of 11.25 percent.
Effective June 1, 2006, the FERC accepted rates for IPC amounting to an annual
revenue increase of $11 million based upon 2004 test year data. The rates were
accepted subject to refund pending the outcome of the hearing and settlement
process.
On August 8, 2007, the FERC approved a settlement agreement
by the parties on all issues except the treatment of contracts for transmission
service that contain their own terms, conditions and rates that were in
existence before the implementation of OATT in 1996 (Legacy Agreements). This
settlement reduced the estimated annual revenue increase to approximately $8.2
million based on 2004 test year data. Approximately $1.7 million collected in
excess of these new rates between June 1, 2006, and July 31, 2007, was refunded
with interest to customers in August 2007.
On August 31, 2007, the FERC Presiding Administrative Law
Judge (ALJ) issued an initial decision (Initial Decision) with respect to the
treatment of the Legacy Agreements. IPC has appealed the Initial Decision to
the FERC and is awaiting a final FERC order. If implemented, the Initial
Decision would reduce the estimated annual revenue increase (based on 2004 test
year data) to approximately $6.8 million and IPC would make additional refunds,
including interest, of approximately $5 million for the June 1, 2006, through
September 30, 2008, period. IPC has reserved this entire amount. IPC expects
to pursue recovery of amounts not received pursuant to a final order in this
proceeding through additional proceedings at the FERC or through the state
ratemaking process.
On August 28, 2008, IPC filed an informational filing with
the FERC that contains the annual update of the formula rate based on the 2007
test year. The new rate included in the filing is $18.88 per kW-year, a
decrease of $0.85 per kW-year, or 4.3 percent. The impact of this rate
decrease on IPCs revenues will depend on transmission volume sold, which can
be highly variable. In 2007, IPC had $16 million of revenues from sales of
transmission to others. New rates were effective October 1, 2008.
Idaho Pension Expense Order
In the 2003 Idaho general rate case, the IPUC disallowed
recovery of pension expense because there were no current cash contributions
being made to the pension plan. On March 20, 2007, IPC requested that the IPUC
clarify that IPC can consider future cash contributions made to the pension
plan a recoverable cost of service. On June 1, 2007, the IPUC issued an order
authorizing IPC to account for its defined benefit pension expense on a cash
basis, and to defer and account for pension expense under SFAS 87, Employers
Accounting for Pensions, as a regulatory asset. The IPUC acknowledged that
it is appropriate for IPC to seek recovery in its revenue requirement of
reasonable and prudently incurred pension expense based on actual cash
contributions. The regulatory asset created by this order is expected to be
amortized to expense to match the revenues received when future pension
contributions are recovered through rates. The deferral of pension expense did
not begin until $4.1 million of past contributions still recorded on the
balance sheet at December 31, 2006, were expensed. For 2007, approximately
$2.8 million was deferred to a regulatory asset beginning in the third
quarter. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, $5.9 million of
pension expense was deferred. IPC did not request a carrying charge on the
deferral balance.
6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
Guarantees
IPC has agreed to guarantee the performance of one-third of
the reclamation activities at Bridger Coal Company, of which IERCO owns a one-third
interest. This guarantee, which is renewed each December, was $60 million at
September 30, 2008. Bridger Coal has a reclamation trust fund set aside
specifically for the purpose of paying the reclamation costs and expects that
the fund will be sufficient to cover all such costs. Because of the existence
of the fund, the estimated fair value of this guarantee is minimal.
23 |
Legal Proceedings
From time to time IDACORP and IPC are parties to legal
claims, actions and complaints in addition to those discussed below. Although
they will vigorously defend against them, IDACORP and IPC are unable to predict
with certainty whether or not they will ultimately be successful. However,
based on the companies evaluation, they believe that the resolution of these
matters, taking into account existing reserves, will not have a material
adverse effect on IDACORPs or IPCs consolidated financial positions, results
of operations or cash flows.
Reference is made to IDACORPs and IPCs Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarters ended March 31, 2008, and June 30, 2008, for a discussion of
all material pending legal proceedings to which IDACORP and IPC and their
subsidiaries are parties. The following discussion provides a summary of
material developments in those proceedings during the period covered by this
report and of any new material proceedings instituted during the period covered
by this report.
Western Energy Proceedings at the FERC: Throughout
this report, the term western energy situation is used to refer to the
California energy crisis that occurred during 2000 and 2001, which resulted in
energy shortages and blackouts in the western United States. High prices for
electricity in California and in western wholesale markets during 2000 and 2001
caused numerous purchasers of electricity in those markets to initiate
proceedings seeking refunds. Some of these proceedings (the western energy
proceedings) remain pending before the FERC or on appeal to the United States
Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Ninth Circuit).
There are pending in the Ninth Circuit approximately 200
petitions for review of numerous FERC orders regarding the western energy
situation, including the California refund proceeding, the structure and
content of the FERCs market-based rate regime, show cause orders with respect
to contentions of market manipulation, and the Pacific Northwest proceedings.
Decisions in any one of these appeals may have implications with respect to
other pending cases, including those to which IDACORP, IPC, or IE are parties.
IDACORP, IPC and IE intend to vigorously defend their positions in these
proceedings, but are unable to predict the outcome of these matters or estimate
the impact they may have on their consolidated financial positions, results of
operations or cash flows.
California Refund: In
April 2001, the FERC issued an order stating that it was establishing a price
mitigation plan for sales in the California wholesale electricity market. That
plan included the potential for orders directing electricity sellers into
California from October 2, 2000, through June 20, 2001, to refund the portions
of their spot market sales prices if the FERC determined that those prices were
not just and reasonable. On July 25, 2001, the FERC issued an order initiating
the California Refund proceeding including evidentiary hearings to determine
the scope and methodology for determining refunds. On February 17, 2006, IE
and IPC jointly filed with the California Parties (Pacific Gas & Electric
Company, San Diego Gas & Electric Company, Southern California Edison, the
California Public Utilities Commission, the California Electricity Oversight
Board, the California Department of Water Resources and the California Attorney
General) an Offer of Settlement at the FERC. A number of other parties,
representing substantially less than the majority of potential refund claims,
chose to opt out of the settlement. After consideration of comments, the FERC
approved the Offer of Settlement on May 22, 2006.
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On February 3, 2004, the FERC directed the California
Independent System Operator (Cal ISO) to provide status reports with respect to
its progress in calculating refunds, fuel and emissions allowance offsets to
refunds, and interest. The process of performing the calculations has engaged
the Cal ISO for more than four years. On May 16, 2008, the Cal ISO published
its Forty-First Status Report and on September 3, 2008, the Cal ISO published
its Forty-Second Status Report. The Forty-First and Forty-Second Status
Reports are essentially similar. In the Forty-Second Status Report, the Cal
ISO stated its intention not to issue another status report until the FERC had
provided guidance on a series of unresolved questions, which the Cal ISO
considered to be necessary before it completes its calculations. Included
among these unresolved questions are three pending alternative dispute
resolution matters, several allocation questions and several questions
regarding FERC treatment of non-jurisdictional entities exempted from refund
obligations, including questions about the relationship of FERC-approved
settlements to the allocation to net refund recipients of refund shortfalls
otherwise associated with non-jurisdictional entities. The Cal ISO intends to
complete work on its calculations after the FERC provides the requested
guidance.
On June 21, 2006, the Port of Seattle, Washington filed a request for rehearing
of the FERC order approving the IE and IPC/California Parties settlement. On
October 5, 2006, the FERC denied the Port of Seattles request for rehearing
and on October 24, 2006, the Port of Seattle petitioned the Ninth Circuit for
review of the FERC orders approving the settlement. On October 25, 2007, the
Ninth Circuit lifted the stay as to the Port of Seattles appeal along with two
other cases with which the Port of Seattles petition remains consolidated and
severed the three cases from the remainder of the consolidated cases. Briefs
by all participants have now been filed. Oral argument is scheduled for
December 16, 2008. IE and IPC intend to vigorously defend their positions in
this proceeding, but are unable to predict the outcome of this matter or
estimate the impact it may have on their consolidated financial positions,
results of operations or cash flows.
Market Manipulation: As part of the California and
Pacific Northwest Refund proceedings the FERC issued an order permitting
discovery and the submission of evidence regarding market manipulation by
sellers during the western energy situation. On June 25, 2003, the FERC
ordered 50 entities that participated in the western wholesale power markets
between January 1, 2000, and June 20, 2001, including IPC, to show cause why
certain trading practices did not constitute gaming or anomalous market
behavior (partnership) in violation of the Cal ISO and CalPX Tariffs. On
October 16, 2003, IE and IPC reached agreement with the FERC Staff on two
orders commonly referred to as the gaming and partnership show cause
orders. The FERC staff submitted a motion to the FERC to dismiss the partnership
proceeding, which was approved by the FERC in an order issued on January 23,
2004. The gaming settlement was approved by the FERC on March 4, 2004.
Some parties have sought review of what they claim are the
excessively narrow or excessively broad scope of the show cause orders, and the
Ninth Circuit has consolidated those claims with the other matters and is
holding them in abeyance. The Port of Seattle is the only party to appeal the
orders of the FERC approving the gaming settlement. IPC intends to vigorously
defend its position in this proceeding, but is unable to predict the outcome of
this matter or estimate the impact it may have on its consolidated financial
positions, results of operations or cash flows.
Pacific Northwest Refund: On July 25, 2001, the FERC
issued an order establishing another proceeding to determine whether there may
have been unjust and unreasonable charges for spot market sales in the Pacific
Northwest during the period December 25, 2000, through June 20, 2001. A FERC
Administrative Law Judge submitted recommendations and findings to the FERC on
September 24, 2001, concluding that prices should be governed by the Mobile-Sierra
standard of the public interest rather than the just and reasonable standard,
that the Pacific Northwest spot markets were competitive and that refunds
should not be allowed. On December 19, 2002, the FERC reopened the proceeding
to allow the submission of additional evidence related to alleged manipulation
of the power market by market participants. Parties alleging market
manipulation were to submit their claims to the FERC and responses were due on
March 20, 2003. On June 25, 2003, the FERC terminated the proceeding and
declined to order refunds. Multiple parties filed petitions for review in the
Ninth Circuit. On August 24, 2007, the Ninth Circuit issued an opinion in the
appeal, remanding to the FERC the orders that declined to require refunds. The
Ninth Circuits opinion instructed the FERC to consider whether evidence of
market manipulation submitted by the petitioners for the period January 1,
2000, to June 21, 2001, would have altered the agencys conclusions about
refunds and directed the FERC to include sales to the California Department of
Water Resources in the proceeding. A number of parties have sought rehearing
of the Ninth Circuits decision. Grays Harbor terminated its participation in
the case when Grays Harbor and IPC reached a settlement. IE and IPC intend to
vigorously defend their positions in this proceeding, but are unable to predict
the outcome of this matter or estimate the impact it may have on their
consolidated financial positions, results of operations or cash flows.
25 |
In separate western energy
proceedings, the Ninth Circuit issued two decisions on December 19, 2006,
regarding the FERCs decision not to require repricing of certain long-term
contracts. Those cases originated with individual complaints against specified
sellers which did not include IE or IPC. The Ninth Circuit remanded to the
FERC for additional consideration the agencys use of restrictive standards of
contract review. In its decisions, the Ninth Circuit also questioned the
validity of the FERCs administration of its market-based rate regime. On June
26, 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a decision in one of these cases,
Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc. v. Public Utility District No. 1 of Snohomish
County (No. 06-1457) (Snohomish), and revisited and clarified the Mobile-Sierra
doctrine in the context of fixed-rate, forward power contracts. At issue was
whether, and under what circumstances, the FERC could modify the rates in such
contracts on the grounds that there was a dysfunctional market at the time the
contracts were executed. In its decision, the Supreme Court disagreed with
many of the conclusions reached by the Ninth Circuit and upheld the application
of the Mobile-Sierra doctrine even in cases in which it is alleged that the
markets were dysfunctional. The Supreme Court nonetheless directed the return of
the case to the FERC to (i) consider whether the challenged rates in the case
constituted an excessive burden on consumers either at the time the contracts
were formed or during the term of the contracts relative to the rates that
could have been obtained after elimination of the dysfunctional market and (ii)
clarify whether it found the evidence inadequate to support a claim that one of
the parties to a contract under consideration engaged in unlawful market
manipulation that altered the playing field for the particular contract
negotiations - that is, whether there was a causal connection between allegedly
unlawful activity and the contract rate.
This decision is expected to have general implications for
contracts in the wholesale electric markets regulated by the FERC, and
particular implications for forward power contracts in such markets. The
Snohomish decision upholds the application of the Mobile-Sierra doctrine to
fixed-rate, forward power contracts even in allegedly dysfunctional markets.
IPC and IE have asserted the Mobile-Sierra doctrine as a defense to the claims
asserted in the Pacific Northwest proceeding, involving spot market contracts
in an allegedly dysfunctional market. IDACORP, IPC and IE are unable to
predict how the FERC will rule on Snohomish on remand or how this decision will
affect the outcome of the Pacific Northwest proceeding.
Western Shoshone National Council: On April 10,
2006, the Western Shoshone National Council (which purports to be the governing
body of the Western Shoshone Nation) and certain of its individual tribal
members filed a First Amended Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial in the U.S.
District Court for the District of Nevada, naming IPC and other unrelated
entities as defendants. Plaintiffs allege that IPCs ownership interest in
certain land, minerals, water or other resources was converted and fraudulently
conveyed from lands in which the plaintiffs had historical ownership rights and
Indian title dating back to the 1860s or before.
On May 31, 2007, the U.S. District Court granted the
defendants motion to dismiss stating that the plaintiffs claims are barred by
the finality provision of the Indian Claims Commission Act. Plaintiffs filed a
motion for reconsideration which the District Court denied. On January 25,
2008, the District Court entered judgment in favor of IPC. Plaintiffs filed a
Notice of Appeal to the Ninth Circuit. The parties have filed briefs on
appeal. Oral argument on the appeal has not yet been scheduled. IPC intends
to vigorously defend its position in this proceeding, but is unable to predict
the outcome of this matter or estimate the impact it may have on IPCs
consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Sierra Club Lawsuit-Bridger: In February 2007, the
Sierra Club and the Wyoming Outdoor Council filed a complaint against
PacifiCorp in the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming alleging
violations of air quality opacity standards at the Jim Bridger coal-fired plant
(Plant) in Sweetwater County, Wyoming. Opacity is an indication of the amount
of light obscured in the flue gas of a power plant. A formal answer to the
complaint was filed by PacifiCorp on April 2, 2007, in which PacifiCorp denied
almost all of the allegations and asserted a number of affirmative defenses.
IPC is not a party to this proceeding but has a one-third ownership interest in
the Plant. PacifiCorp owns a two-thirds interest and is the operator of the
Plant. The complaint alleges thousands of opacity permit limit violations by
PacifiCorp and seeks a declaration that PacifiCorp has violated opacity limits,
a permanent injunction ordering PacifiCorp to comply with such limits, civil
penalties of up to $32,500 per day per violation and the plaintiffs costs of
litigation, including reasonable attorney fees.
26 |
Discovery in the matter was completed on October 15, 2007.
Also in October 2007, the plaintiffs and defendant filed cross-motions for
summary judgment on the alleged opacity compliance status of the Plant. The
court has not yet ruled on these motions. On March 13, 2008, the District
Court canceled the original trial date of April 21, 2008, but did not schedule
a new trial date. On July 7, 2008, the plaintiffs filed a motion requesting
the court to schedule a date for oral argument on the pending motions for
summary judgment. On July 17, 2008, PacifiCorp filed an opposition to
plaintiffs motion based on the courts order on Initial Pretrial Conference,
which stated that dispositive motions will be decided on the briefs without
oral argument. The court has yet to rule on plaintiffs motion. IPC
continues to monitor the status of this matter but is unable to predict the
outcome of this matter or estimate the impact it may have on its consolidated
financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Sierra Club Lawsuit Boardman: On September 30, 2008, Sierra Club
filed a complaint against Portland General Electric Company (PGE) in the U.S.
District Court for the District of Oregon alleging opacity permit limit violations
at the Boardman coal-fired power plant located in Morrow County, Oregon. The
complaint also alleges violations of the Clean Air Act, related federal
regulations and the Oregon State Implementation Plan relating to PGEs
construction and operation of the plant. The complaint seeks a declaration
that PGE has violated opacity limits, a permanent injunction ordering PGE to
comply with such limits, injunctive relief requiring PGE to remediate alleged
environmental damage and ongoing impacts, civil penalties of up to $32,500 per
day per violation and the plaintiffs cost of litigation, including reasonable
attorney fees. IPC is not a party to this proceeding but has a 10 percent
ownership interest in the Boardman plant. PGE owns 65 percent and is the
operator of the plant.
PGE has not answered or otherwise responded to the
complaint. IPC intends to monitor the status of this matter but is unable to
predict its outcome or what effect this matter may have on its consolidated
financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Snake River Basin Adjudication: IPC is
engaged in the Snake River Basin Adjudication (SRBA), a general stream
adjudication, commenced in 1987, to define the nature and extent of water
rights in the Snake River basin in Idaho, including the water rights of IPC.
The initiation of the SRBA resulted from the Swan Falls Agreement, an agreement
entered into by IPC and the Governor and Attorney General of Idaho in October
1984 to resolve litigation relating to IPCs water rights at its Swan Falls
project. IPC has filed claims to its water rights for hydropower and other
uses in the SRBA. Other water users in the basin have also filed claims to
water rights. Parties to the SRBA may file objections to water right claims
that adversely affect or injure their claimed water rights and the Idaho
District Court for the Fifth Judicial District, which has jurisdiction over
SRBA matters, then adjudicates the claims and objections and enters a decree
defining a partys water rights. IPC has filed claims for all of its
hydropower water rights in the SRBA, is actively protecting those water rights,
and is objecting to claims that may potentially injure or affect those water
rights. One such claim involves a notice of claim of ownership filed on
December 22, 2006, by the State of Idaho, for a portion of the water rights
held by IPC that are subject to the Swan Falls Agreement.
On May 10, 2007, in order to protect its claims and the
availability of water for power purposes at its facilities, and in response to
the claim of ownership filed by the State of Idaho, IPC filed a complaint and
petition for declaratory and injunctive relief regarding the status and nature
of IPCs water rights and the respective rights and responsibilities of the
parties under the Swan Falls Agreement. The complaint was filed in the Idaho
District Court for the Fifth Judicial District, the court with jurisdiction
over the SRBA, against the State of Idaho, the Governor, the Attorney General,
the Idaho Department of Water Resources (IDWR) and the Director of the IDWR.
In conjunction with the filing of the complaint and
petition, IPC filed motions with the court to stay all pending proceedings
involving the water rights of IPC and to consolidate those proceedings into a single
action where all issues relating to the Swan Falls Agreement can be determined.
IPC alleged in the complaint, among other things, that
contrary to the parties belief at the time the Swan Falls Agreement was
entered into in 1984, the Snake River basin above Swan Falls was over-appropriated
and as a consequence there was not in 1984, and there currently is not, water
available for new upstream uses over and above the minimum flows established by
the Swan Falls Agreement; that because of this mutual mistake of fact relating
to the over-appropriation of the basin, the Swan Falls Agreement should be
reformed; that the states December 22, 2006, claim of ownership to IPCs water
rights should be denied; and that the Swan Falls Agreement did not subordinate
IPCs water rights to aquifer recharge.
27 |
On April 18, 2008, the court issued a Memorandum Decision
and Order on Cross-Motions for Summary Judgment upholding the Swan Falls
Agreement. Under the Swan Falls Agreement, water rights in excess of the
minimum flows established by the agreement are held in trust by the State of
Idaho for the use and benefit of IPC and the people of the State of Idaho.
Water above these minimum flows is available for subsequent consumptive
beneficial uses that are approved in accordance with state law. The court
further held that to the extent that the state is not meeting the minimum flows
or it is anticipated that the minimum flows will not be met, IPCs water rights
that are held in trust are not available for subsequent appropriations and that
any appropriations already in place may be subject to curtailment in order to
meet the minimum flows. The court found that it was not necessary to address
the issue of mutual mistake of fact relating to the over-appropriation of the
basin because it found that it was water rights that were the subject of the
trust arrangement and not the water itself. The court also stated that issues
relating to water availability relate to the administration of water rights and
should be addressed, as necessary, in an administrative action before the IDWR.
The court did not decide the issue of whether the Swan Falls
Agreement subordinated IPCs water rights to groundwater recharge. The State
of Idaho and IPC are now in the process of completing discovery, and have
submitted summary judgment motions on the recharge issue. The court has
scheduled a hearing for December 4, 2008 for arguments on the summary judgment
motions. IPC is unable to predict how the court will rule on the issue of
whether the Swan Falls Agreement subordinated IPCs water rights to groundwater
recharge. Based upon recent developments, however, resolution of that issue is
not expected to have a significant effect on the availability of water to IPCs
hydropower facilities. IPC is cooperating with the State of Idaho and other
water users through an advisory committee in the development of a Comprehensive
Aquifer Management Plan (CAMP) to protect and enhance water levels in the
Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer (ESPA) and the connected Snake River. Many CAMP
committee members had early expectations that groundwater recharge would be a
significant component of the plan. However, further study and review has
revealed that significant groundwater recharge is not feasible due to the
complex hydrology of the ESPA, the lack of infrastructure, and the requirement
of compliance with water quality and other environmental standards.
IPC has also filed two actions in federal court against the
United States Bureau of Reclamation to enforce a contract right for delivery of
water to its hydropower projects on the Snake River. In 1923, IPC and the
United States entered into a contract that facilitated the development of the
American Falls Reservoir by the United States on the Snake River in southeast Idaho.
This 1923 contract entitles IPC to 45,000 acre-feet of primary storage capacity
in the reservoir and 255,000 acre-feet of secondary storage that was to be
available to IPC between October 1 of any year and June 10 of the following
year as necessary to maintain specified flows at IPCs Twin Falls power plant
below Milner Dam. IPC believes that the United States has failed to deliver
this secondary storage, at the specified flows, since 2001. As a result, IPC
filed an action in the U.S. District Court of Federal Claims in Washington,
D.C. on October 15, 2007 to recover damages from the United States for the lost
generation resulting from the reduced flows. On September 30, 2008, IPC filed
an amended complaint in which IPC seeks, in addition to damages for breach of
the 1923 contract, a prospective declaration of contractual rights so as to
prevent the United States from continued failure to fulfill its contractual and
fiduciary duties to IPC. On October 2, 2008, the court set a discovery
schedule requiring that discovery be completed and pre-trial motions filed by
October 1, 2009. The court will then set the matter for trial. IPC is unable
to predict the outcome of this action or what effect this matter may have on its
consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
The second action was filed by IPC on October 16, 2007, in
the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho in Boise, Idaho for a
declaration of the parties respective rights and obligations under the 1923
contract and to compel the United States to manage American Falls Reservoir and
the Snake River federal reservoir system to ensure that IPCs contract right to
secondary storage is fulfilled in the future. Subsequently, IPC and the United
States agreed that the issues in this action could be addressed in the action
filed in the U.S. District Court of Federal Claims. As a result, the complaint
in the Federal Claims Court action was amended and on October 7, 2008, U.S.
District Court in Idaho approved a Stipulation of Dismissal filed by IPC and
the United States dismissing, without prejudice, the action filed in the
District Court of Idaho.
Renfro Dairy: On September 28, 2007, the principals
of Renfro Dairy near Wilder, Idaho filed a lawsuit in the District Court of the
Third Judicial District of the State of Idaho (Canyon County) against IDACORP
and IPC. On March 28, 2008, the plaintiffs filed a First Amended Complaint and
Demand for Jury Trial. On July 23, 2008, the plaintiffs were permitted to file
a Second Amended Complaint and Demand for Jury Trial. The plaintiffs assert
claims for negligence, negligence per se, nuisance, breach of contract, and
fraud. The claims are based on allegations that from 1972 until May 25, 2005,
IPC discharged stray voltage from its electrical facilities that caused
physical harm and injury to the plaintiffs dairy herd. Plaintiffs seek
compensatory damages in excess of $10,000 to be proven at trial.
28 |
On June 9, 2008, IDACORP and IPC filed a motion to dismiss
the complaint, contending that the court lacks jurisdiction over the matter
because plaintiffs have failed to exhaust administrative remedies before the
IPUC. On October 30, 2008, the District Court issued a Decision on Motion to
Dismiss, holding that because the plaintiffs failed to pursue an administrative
claim before the IPUC the District Court lacks subject matter jurisdiction over
the matter and that the case be dismissed. To date the plaintiffs have neither
appealed the District Courts decision nor pursued an administrative claim
before the IPUC. Should the plaintiffs pursue the matter, the companies intend
to vigorously defend their position in this proceeding and believe this matter
will not have a material adverse effect on their consolidated financial
positions, results of operations or cash flows.
Oregon Trail Heights Fire: On August 25, 2008, a
fire ignited beneath an IPC distribution line in Boise, Idaho. It was fanned
by high winds and spread rapidly, resulting in one death, the destruction of 10
homes and damage or alleged fire related losses to approximately 30 others.
Following the investigation, the Boise Fire Department determined that the fire
was linked to a piece of line hardware on one of IPCs distribution poles and
was accidental and caused by high winds.
IPC has received claims from a number of the homeowners and
their insurers and is continuing its investigation of these claims. IPC is
insured up to policy limits against liability for claims in excess of its self-insured
retention. IPC has accrued a
reserve for any loss that is probable and reasonably estimable and believes
this matter will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated
financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
7. BENEFIT PLANS:
The following table shows the components of net periodic
benefit costs for the three months ended September 30 (in thousands of
dollars):
|
|
Deferred |
Postretirement |
||||||||||||
|
Pension Plan |
Compensation Plan |
Benefits |
||||||||||||
|
2008 |
2007 |
2008 |
2007 |
2008 |
2007 |
|||||||||
Service cost |
$ |
3,730 |
$ |
3,803 |
$ |
320 |
$ |
352 |
$ |
314 |
$ |
268 |
|||
Interest cost |
|
6,599 |
|
6,114 |
|
667 |
|
593 |
|
946 |
|
844 |
|||
Expected return on plan assets |
|
(8,528) |
|
(8,347) |
|
- |
|
- |
|
(751) |
|
(702) |
|||
Amortization of transition obligation |
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
510 |
|
510 |
||||
Amortization of prior service cost |
|
162 |
|
163 |
|
48 |
|
43 |
|
(134) |
|
(133) |
|||
Amortization of net loss |
|
- |
|
- |
|
122 |
|
142 |
|
- |
|
38 |
|||
|
Net periodic benefit cost |
|
1,963 |
|
1,733 |
|
1,157 |
|
1,130 |
|
885 |
|
825 |
||
Costs not recognized due to the |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
effects of regulation |
|
(1,963) |
|
(1,064) |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
||
|
Net periodic benefit cost |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
recognized for financial |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
reporting |
$ |
- |
$ |
669 |
$ |
1,157 |
$ |
1,130 |
$ |
885 |
$ |
825 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table shows the components of net periodic
benefit costs for the nine months ended September 30 (in thousands of dollars):
29 |
|
|
Deferred |
Postretirement |
||||||||||||
|
Pension Plan |
Compensation Plan |
Benefits |
||||||||||||
|
2008 |
2007 |
2008 |
2007 |
2008 |
2007 |
|||||||||
Service cost |
$ |
11,190 |
$ |
11,409 |
$ |
959 |
$ |
1,056 |
$ |
865 |
$ |
1,026 |
|||
Interest cost |
|
19,795 |
|
18,343 |
|
2,002 |
|
1,779 |
|
2,623 |
|
2,634 |
|||
Expected return on plan assets |
|
(25,584) |
|
(25,040) |
|
- |
|
- |
|
(2,174) |
|
(2,082) |
|||
Amortization of transition obligation |
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
1,530 |
|
1,530 |
||||
Amortization of prior service cost |
|
487 |
|
488 |
|
144 |
|
130 |
|
(401) |
|
(401) |
|||
Amortization of net loss |
|
- |
|
- |
|
366 |
|
425 |
|
- |
|
302 |
|||
|
Net periodic benefit cost |
|
5,888 |
|
5,200 |
|
3,471 |
|
3,390 |
|
2,443 |
|
3,009 |
||
Costs not recognized due to the |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
|
effects of regulation |
|
(5,888) |
|
(1,064) |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
||
|
Net periodic benefit cost |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
recognized for financial |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
reporting |
$ |
- |
$ |
4,136 |
$ |
3,471 |
$ |
3,390 |
$ |
2,443 |
$ |
3,009 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As discussed in Note 5 - Regulatory Matters, the IPUC
issued an order authorizing IPC to account for its defined benefit pension
expense on a cash basis, and to defer and account for pension expense as a
regulatory asset.
IDACORP and IPC have not contributed and do not expect to
contribute to their pension plan in 2008.
8. SEGMENT INFORMATION:
IDACORPs only reportable segment at September 30, 2008, is
utility operations, for which the primary source of revenue is the regulated
operations of IPC. IFS, which had previously been identified as a reportable
segment, is now included in the All Other column. IDACOMM, which had
previously been identified as a reportable segment, is now reported as
discontinued operations.
IPCs regulated operations include the generation,
transmission, distribution, purchase and sale of electricity. This segment
also includes income from Bridger Coal Company, an unconsolidated joint venture
also subject to regulation. Other operating segments are below the
quantitative thresholds for reportable segments and are included in the All
Other category. This category is comprised of IFSs investments in affordable
housing developments and other tax-advantaged investments, Ida-Wests joint
venture investments in small hydroelectric generation projects, the remaining
activities of energy marketer IE, which wound down its operations in 2003, and
IDACORPs holding company expenses.
The following table summarizes the segment information for
IDACORPs utility operations and the total of all other segments, and
reconciles this information to total enterprise amounts (in thousands of
dollars):
|
Utility |
All |
|
Consolidated |
|||||
|
Operations |
Other |
Eliminations |
Total |
|||||
Three months ended September 30, 2008: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
$ |
298,107 |
$ |
1,609 |
$ |
- |
$ |
299,716 |
|
Income from continuing operations |
|
47,405 |
|
4,334 |
|
- |
|
51,739 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended September 30, 2007: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
$ |
260,516 |
$ |
947 |
$ |
- |
$ |
261,463 |
|
Income from continuing operations |
|
24,108 |
|
4,823 |
|
- |
|
28,931 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets at September 30, 2008 |
$ |
3,684,087 |
$ |
219,180 |
$ |
(52,004) |
$ |
3,851,263 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine months ended September 30, 2008: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
$ |
739,848 |
$ |
3,534 |
$ |
- |
$ |
743,382 |
|
Income from continuing operations |
|
86,404 |
|
4,565 |
|
- |
|
90,969 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine months ended September 30, 2007: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
$ |
678,972 |
$ |
2,976 |
$ |
- |
$ |
681,948 |
|
Income from continuing operations |
|
63,603 |
|
8,374 |
|
- |
|
71,977 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
IDACORP and IPC partially adopted the provisions of SFAS 157
Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157) on January 1, 2008. SFAS 157 defines
fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, establishes a
fair value hierarchy based on the quality of inputs used to measure fair value
and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements.
FASB Staff Position FAS 157-2 (FSP FAS 157-2) delayed the
implementation of SFAS 157 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities,
except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the
financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). The delay is
intended to allow additional time to consider the effect of implementation
issues that have arisen, or that may arise, from the application of SFAS 157.
In accordance with FSP FAS 157-2, IPC did not apply the provisions of SFAS 157
to asset retirement obligations.
30 |
In accordance with SFAS 157, IDACORP and IPC have
categorized their financial instruments, based on the priority of the inputs to
the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy. The fair
value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets
for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to
unobservable inputs (Level 3). If the inputs used to measure the financial
instruments fall within different levels of the hierarchy, the categorization
is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value
measurement of the instrument. Financial assets and liabilities recorded on
the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized as follows:
Level 1: Financial assets and liabilities whose values are
based on unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an
active market that IDACORP and IPC have the ability to access.
Level 2: Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on the following:
a) Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;
b) Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in non-active markets;
c) Pricing models whose inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; or
d) Pricing models whose inputs are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data through correlation or other means for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
IDACORPs and IPCs Level 2 inputs are based on exchange
traded products adjusted for location using corroborated, observable market
data.
Level 3: Financial assets and liabilities whose values are
based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both
unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These
inputs reflect managements own assumptions about the assumptions a market
participant would use in pricing the asset or liability.
The following table presents information about IDACORPs and
IPCs assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of
September 30, 2008 (in thousands of dollars). IDACORPs and IPCs assessment
of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement
requires judgment and may affect the valuation of fair value assets and
liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy.
|
Quoted Prices in |
Significant |
Significant |
|
|||||
|
Active Markets |
Other |
Unobservable |
|
|||||
|
for Identical |
Observable |
Inputs |
|
|||||
|
Assets (Level 1) |
Inputs (Level 2) |
(Level 3) |
Total |
|||||
IDACORP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivatives |
$ |
228 |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
228 |
|
Money market funds |
|
5,398 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
5,398 |
|
Trading securities |
|
6,809 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
6,809 |
|
Available-for-sale securities |
|
18,529 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
18,529 |
Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivatives |
$ |
- |
$ |
(404) |
$ |
- |
$ |
(404) |
IPC |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivatives |
$ |
228 |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
228 |
|
Money market funds |
|
5,045 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
5,045 |
|
Trading securities |
|
5,458 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
5,458 |
|
Available-for-sale securities |
|
18,529 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
18,529 |
Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivatives |
$ |
- |
$ |
(404) |
$ |
- |
$ |
(404) |
31 |
IDACORP and IPC adopted the provisions of SFAS 159, The
Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities - Including an
Amendment of FASB Statement 115 (SFAS 159) on January 1, 2008. SFAS 159
permits an entity to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain
other items at fair value. Most of the provisions in SFAS 159 are elective;
however, the amendment to SFAS 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in
Debt and Equity Securities, applies to all entities with available-for-sale
and trading securities. The fair value option established by SFAS 159 permits
all entities to choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified
election dates. A business entity will report unrealized gains and losses on
items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings at each
subsequent reporting date. The fair value option: (a) may be applied
instrument by instrument, with a few exceptions, such as investments otherwise
accounted for by the equity method; (b) is irrevocable (unless a new election
date occurs); and (c) is applied only to entire instruments and not to portions
of instruments. IDACORP and IPC did not elect the fair value option for any
existing eligible items. However, IDACORP and IPC will continue to evaluate
new items on a case-by-case basis for consideration of the fair value option.
32 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of IDACORP, Inc.
Boise, Idaho
We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated
balance sheet of IDACORP, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of September
30, 2008, and the related condensed consolidated statements of income and
comprehensive income for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September
30, 2008 and 2007, and of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September
30, 2008 and 2007. These interim financial statements are the responsibility
of the Companys management.
We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of
the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of
interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical
procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and
accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in
accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board
(United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion
regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not
express such an opinion.
Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material
modifications that should be made to such condensed consolidated interim
financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards
of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the
consolidated balance sheet of IDACORP, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31,
2007, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income,
shareholders equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented
herein); and in our report dated February 27, 2008, we expressed an unqualified
opinion on those consolidated financial statements, which included an
explanatory paragraph related to the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards
Board Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an
interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, and Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 158, Employers Accounting for Defined Benefit
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans an amendment of FASB Statements No.
87, 88, 106, and 132(R). In our opinion, the information set forth in the
accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2007 is
fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated
balance sheet from which it has been derived.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Boise, Idaho
November 5, 2008
33 |
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Shareholder of Idaho Power
Company
Boise, Idaho
We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated
balance sheet and statement of capitalization of Idaho Power Company and
subsidiary (the Company) as of September 30, 2008, and the related condensed
consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three-month
and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, and of cash flows for
the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. These interim
financial statements are the responsibility of the Companys management.
We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of
the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of
interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical
procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and
accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted
in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight
Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion
regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not
express such an opinion.
Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material
modifications that should be made to such condensed consolidated interim
financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards
of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the
consolidated balance sheet and statement of capitalization of Idaho Power
Company and subsidiary as of December 31, 2007, and the related consolidated
statements of income, comprehensive income, retained earnings, and cash flows
for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated
February 27, 2008, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated
financial statements, which included an explanatory paragraph related to the
adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, Accounting
for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109,
and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 158, Employers Accounting
for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans an amendment of
FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106, and 132(R). In our opinion, the
information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet
and statement of capitalization as of December 31, 2007 is fairly stated, in
all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet and
statement of capitalization from which it has been derived.
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Boise, Idaho
November 5, 2008
34 |
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollar amounts and megawatt-hours (MWh) are in thousands
unless otherwise indicated.)
INTRODUCTION:
In Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations (MD&A), the general financial condition and
results of operations for IDACORP, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively,
IDACORP) and Idaho Power Company and its subsidiary (collectively, IPC) are
discussed.
IDACORP is a holding company formed in 1998 whose principal
operating subsidiary is IPC. IDACORP is subject to the provisions of the
Public Utility Holding Company Act of 2005, which provides certain access to
books and records to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and state
utility regulatory commissions and imposes certain record retention and
reporting requirements on IDACORP.
IPC is an electric utility with a service territory covering
approximately 24,000 square miles in southern Idaho and eastern Oregon. IPC is
regulated by the FERC and the state regulatory commissions of Idaho and
Oregon. IPC is the parent of Idaho Energy Resources Co., a joint venturer in
Bridger Coal Company, which supplies coal to the Jim Bridger generating plant
owned in part by IPC.
IDACORPs other subsidiaries include:
IDACORP Financial Services, Inc. (IFS), an investor in affordable housing and other real estate investments;
Ida-West Energy Company (Ida-West), an operator of small hydroelectric generation projects that satisfy the requirements of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 (PURPA); and
IDACORP Energy (IE), a marketer of energy commodities, which wound down operations in 2003.
On February 23, 2007, IDACORP sold all of the outstanding
common stock of IDACOMM, Inc. to American Fiber Systems, Inc. The results of
operations of and the sale of IDACOMM, Inc. are reported as discontinued
operations.
While reading the MD&A, please refer to the accompanying
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of IDACORP and IPC. This
discussion updates the MD&A included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2007, and the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for
the quarters ended March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2008, and should be read in
conjunction with the discussions in those reports.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:
In connection with the safe harbor provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, IDACORP and IPC are hereby filing
cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking
statements, as such term is defined in the Reform Act, made by or on behalf of
IDACORP or IPC in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in presentations, in
response to questions or otherwise. Any statements that express, or involve
discussions as to expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or
future events or performance, often, but not always, through the use of words
or phrases such as anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, intends,
plans, predicts, projects, may result, may continue or similar
expressions, are not statements of historical facts and may be forward-looking.
Forward-looking statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties and
are qualified in their entirety by reference to, and are accompanied by, the
following important factors, which are difficult to predict, contain
uncertainties, are beyond IDACORPs or IPCs control and may cause actual
results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking
statements:
35 |
Changes in and compliance with governmental policies, including new interpretations of existing policies, and regulatory actions and regulatory audits, including those of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the North American Electric Reliability Corporation, the Western Electricity Coordinating Council, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, and the Oregon Public Utility Commission with respect to allowed rates of return, industry and rate structure, day-to-day business operations, acquisition and disposal of assets and facilities, operation and construction of plant facilities, provision of transmission services, including critical infrastructure protection and system reliability, relicensing of hydroelectric projects, recovery of power supply costs, recovery of capital investments, present or prospective wholesale and retail competition, including but not limited to retail wheeling and transmission costs, and other refund proceedings;
Changes arising from the Energy Policy Act of 2005;
Changes in tax laws or related regulations or new interpretations of applicable law by the Internal Revenue Service or other taxing jurisdiction;
Litigation and regulatory proceedings, including those resulting from the energy situation in the western United States, and penalties and settlements that influence business and profitability;
Changes in and compliance with laws, regulations and policies including changes in law and compliance with environmental, natural resources, endangered species and safety laws, regulations and policies and the adoption of laws and regulations addressing greenhouse gas emissions or global climate change;
Global climate change and regional weather variations affecting customer demand and hydroelectric generation;
Over-appropriation of surface and groundwater in the Snake River Basin resulting in reduced generation at hydroelectric facilities;
Construction of power generation, transmission and distribution facilities, including an inability to obtain required governmental permits and approvals, rights-of-way and siting, and risks related to contracting, construction and start-up;
Operation of power generating facilities including performance below expected levels, breakdown or failure of equipment, availability of transmission and fuel supply;
Changes in operating expenses and capital expenditures, including costs and availability of materials, fuel and commodities;
Blackouts or other disruptions of Idaho Power Companys transmission system or the western interconnected transmission system;
Impacts from the formation of a regional transmission organization or the development of another transmission group;
Population growth rates and other demographic patterns;
Market prices and demand for energy, including structural market changes;
Increases in uncollectible customer receivables;
Fluctuations in sources and uses of cash;
Results of financing efforts, including the ability to obtain financing or refinance existing debt when necessary or on favorable terms, which can be affected by factors such as credit ratings, volatility in the financial markets and other economic conditions;
Actions by credit rating agencies, including changes in rating criteria and new interpretations of existing criteria;
Changes in interest rates or rates of inflation;
Performance of the stock market, interest rates, credit spreads and other financial market conditions, as well as changes in government regulations, which affect the amount and timing of required contributions to pension plans and the reported costs of providing pension and other postretirement benefits;
Increases in health care costs and the resulting effect on medical benefits paid for employees;
Increasing costs of insurance, changes in coverage terms and the ability to obtain insurance;
Homeland security, acts of war or terrorism;
Natural disasters and other natural risks, such as earthquake, flood, drought, lightning, wind and fire;
Adoption of or changes in critical accounting policies or estimates; and
New accounting or Securities and Exchange Commission requirements, or new interpretation or application of existing requirements.
36 |
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on
which such statement is made. New factors emerge from time to time and it is
not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor can it assess the
impact of any such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or
combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those
contained in any forward-looking statement.
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW:
Third Quarter and Year-to-date 2008 Financial Results
A summary of IDACORPs net income and earnings per diluted
share is as follows:
|
Three months ended |
Nine months ended |
||||||
|
September 30, |
September 30, |
||||||
|
2008 |
2007 |
2008 |
2007 |
||||
Net income |
$ |
51,739 |
$ |
28,931 |
$ |
90,969 |
$ |
72,044 |
Average outstanding shares - diluted (000s) |
|
45,194 |
|
44,543 |
|
45,098 |
|
44,080 |
Earnings per diluted share |
$ |
1.14 |
$ |
0.65 |
$ |
2.02 |
$ |
1.63 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The key factors affecting the change in IDACORPs net income
for the third quarter of 2008 include:
IPCs net income, the primary component of IDACORPs net income, was $47.4 million for the quarter, an increase of $23.3 million. The key factors causing the change in IPCs net income include:
General business revenue increased $34.8 million due to a $17.4 million increase in retail base rates and a $17.4 million increase in power cost adjustment (PCA) rates.
Improved hydroelectric generating conditions decreased net power supply costs (fuel and purchased power less off-system sales) by $27.2 million.
The PCA decreased $23.6 million primarily due to higher amortization expense from prior year excess net power supply costs as well as improved hydroelectric generating conditions.
o A change in the monthly allocation of base net power supply costs increased the PCA $17.6 million.
O&M expense increased $5.6 million due to an increase of $6.4 million in payroll-related expenses, and $2.2 million in water lease costs. Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease of $3.3 million from the fixed cost adjustment mechanism.
Earnings from Bridger Coal increased $3.2 million due to higher prices and volumes of coal sold.
Interest expense increased $2.0 million due primarily to increased long-term debt balances.
Income tax expense increased $10.3 million due principally to higher income before income taxes.
IFS net income decreased $1.0 million due to lower tax benefits from aging investments.
The key factors affecting the change in IDACORPs net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 include:
IPCs net income, the primary component of IDACORPs net income, was $86.4 million, an increase of $22.8 million. The key factors causing the change in IPCs net income include:
General business revenue increased $91.4 million due to an increase of $21.2 million in retail base rates, an increase of $65.7 million in PCA rates, and an increase of $5.8 million due to customer growth.
Improved hydroelectric generating conditions decreased net power supply costs (fuel and purchased power less off-system sales) by $19.6 million.
The PCA decreased $68.8 million primarily due to higher amortization expense from prior year excess net power supply costs as well as improved hydroelectric generating conditions.
Interest expense increased $7.0 million due primarily to increased long-term debt balances.
37 |
Gain on sale of emission allowances decreased $2.2 million due to fewer sales and lower prices in 2008.
Income tax expense increased $9.5 million due primarily to higher income before income taxes.
IFS earnings decreased $3.2 million due to lower tax benefits
from aging investments.
2008 General Rate Case
On June 27, 2008, IPC filed an application with the IPUC
requesting an average rate increase of approximately 9.9 percent. IPCs
proposal would increase its revenues $67 million annually. The application
included a requested return on equity of 11.25 percent and an overall rate of
return of 8.55 percent. IPC filed its case based upon a 2008 forecast test
year and expects that the new rates will go into effect by February 1, 2009. The
IPUC Staff and other intervening parties filed testimony in this case on
October 24, 2008. The IPUC Staff recommends an increase of $9.7 million, or
1.4 percent, a return on equity of 10.25 percent and an overall rate of return
of 8.06 percent. IPC is still reviewing the testimony to develop its case for
rebuttal. IPC, the IPUC Staff and other parties will file rebuttal testimony
on December 3, 2008. IPC is unable to predict the outcome of the case.
2007 General Rate Case
On February 28, 2008, the IPUC approved a settlement of IPCs
general rate case filed in 2007, increasing base rates for residential
customers 4.7 percent and rates for the other classes of customers 5.65
percent. The rates became effective March 1, 2008, and will increase IPCs
annual revenue by $32.1 million.
Power Cost Adjustment
On May 30, 2008, the IPUC approved a $73.3 million increase
to revenues, effective June 1, 2008, which resulted in an average rate increase
to IPCs customers of 10.7 percent. The increase is net of approximately $16.5
million of gains on sales of excess emission allowances, including interest.
In its order, the IPUC adopted the IPUC Staffs proposal to distribute base net
power supply costs equally across all months rather than in a method that
reflects moderate seasonal variation. While the distribution methodology
utilized does not affect the total amount of base net power supply costs used
to calculate the PCA deferral, it does affect the quarters in which they are
allocated. The impacts of this distribution methodology are discussed in more
detail in REGULATORY MATTERS - Deferred Net Power Supply Costs - Idaho - 2008-2009
PCA.
In its order, the IPUC also directed IPC to hold workshops
to address PCA-related issues not resolved in the PCA filing. As a result of
the workshops, a settlement stipulation was filed with the IPUC on October 14,
2008, that recommends changing the sharing ratio between customers and shareholders,
adjusting the Load Growth Adjustment Rate (LGAR), changing the source of the
power supply cost forecast, and including third party transmission expense in
the PCA formula. The stipulation is subject to approval by the IPUC. The
stipulation is discussed in more detail in REGULATORY MATTERS - Deferred Net
Power Supply Costs - Idaho - PCA Workshops.
Water Management Issues
Power generation at the IPC hydroelectric power plants on
the Snake River is dependent upon the state water rights held by IPC and the
long-term sustainability of the Snake River, tributary spring flows and the
Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer that is connected to the Snake River. IPC
continues to participate in water management issues in Idaho that may affect
those water rights and resources with the goal of preserving, to the fullest
extent possible, the long-term availability of water for use at IPCs
hydroelectric projects on the Snake River. IPCs involvement includes active
participation in the Snake River Basin Adjudication, a judicial action
initiated in 1987 to determine the nature and extent of water use in the Snake
River basin, judicial and administrative proceedings relating to the
conjunctive management of ground and surface water rights, and management and
planning processes intended to reverse declining trends in river, spring, and
aquifer levels and address the long-term water resource needs of the state. On
occasion, resolution of these water management issues involves litigation. IPC
is involved in legal actions regarding not only its water rights but also the
water rights of others.
For a complete discussion of water management issues see LEGAL
AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES - Environmental Issues - Idaho Water Management
Issues.
38 |
Liquidity
The credit markets have recently experienced extreme
volatility and disruption, which has reduced the amount of credit available to
borrowers and increased the cost of capital. IDACORP and IPC have continued to
issue commercial paper, but have also utilized their respective credit
facilities. On October 7, 2008, IPC used the swingline loan feature of its
credit facility to make a $30 million loan to repay some of its commercial
paper at maturity. The swingline loan was repaid on October 21, 2008, with the
proceeds of commercial paper. On October 14, 2008, IDACORP made a $35 million
floating rate draw on its credit facility. This draw is not due until the
expiration of the credit facility, although IDACORP may prepay this draw at any
time. IDACORP and IPC expect that operating cash flow, together with the
revolving credit facilities and other external financing, will be adequate to
meet their operating and capital needs, although there can be no assurance that
continued or increased volatility and disruption in the global capital and
credit markets will not impair either companys ability to access these markets
on commercially acceptable terms or at all.
2008
Operating and Financial Metrics and 2009 Outlook
The
outlook for key operating and financial metrics for 2008 is:
|
2008 Estimates |
||||
Key Operating & Financial Metrics |
Current |
Previous |
|||
Idaho Power Operation & |
|
|
|||
Maintenance Expense (Millions) |
No change |
$285-$295 |
|||
Idaho Power Capital Expenditures (Millions)(1) |
$235-$250 |
$255-$270 |
|||
Idaho Power Hydroelectric |
|
|
|||
Generation (Million MWh) (2) |
6.7-7.2 |
6.5-7.5 |
|||
Non-regulated Subsidiary Earnings (Millions) (3) |
No change |
$2.3-$4.6 |
|||
Effective Tax Rates: |
|
|
|||
|
Idaho Power |
No change |
32%-36% |
||
|
Consolidated IDACORP |
No change |
22%-26% |
||
(1) |
The decrease in capital expenditures is largely due to the decline in new customer connections |
||||
|
|
and the deferral of certain capital expenditures. |
|||
(2) |
The range of estimated hydroelectric generation has been revised to reflect refinements related to river flows. |
||||
(3) |
Estimates include contributions from Ida-West Energy and IDACORP Financial |
||||
|
|
netted against holding company expenses. |
|||
|
|
|
|||
As discussed above under Liquidity, the credit and
financial markets have recently experienced volatility and disruption. IPC has
experienced a slowdown in new customer connections and one of IPCs largest
industrial customers, has announced workforce reductions. As a result, IPC and
IDACORP are reviewing their previously announced estimates for capital
expenditures, which may result in the cancellation or deferral of projects
relating to customer growth and other non-critical projects. Additionally,
hiring restrictions have been implemented and are expected to slow the growth
of O&M spending in 2009.
Storage levels in major reservoirs upstream of IPCs Brownlee
Reservoir are slightly above average, which is a significant improvement from
levels in the fourth quarter of 2007.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:
This section of the MD&A takes a closer look at the
significant factors that affected IDACORPs and IPCs earnings during the three
and nine months ended September 30, 2008. In this analysis, the results for
2008 are compared to the same periods in 2007.
39 |
The following table presents the earnings (losses) for
IDACORP and its subsidiaries:
|
|
Three months ended |
Nine months ended |
||||||
|
|
September 30, |
September 30, |
||||||
|
|
2008 |
2007 |
2008 |
2007 |
||||
IPC - Utility operations |
$ |
47,405 |
$ |
24,108 |
$ |
86,404 |
$ |
63,603 |
|
IDACORP Financial Services |
|
710 |
|
1,752 |
|
2,212 |
|
5,374 |
|
Ida-West Energy |
|
1,208 |
|
993 |
|
2,171 |
|
2,034 |
|
IDACORP Energy |
|
(55) |
|
2 |
|
(78) |
|
(75) |
|
Holding company |
|
2,471 |
|
2,076 |
|
260 |
|
1,041 |
|
Discontinued operations |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
67 |
|
|
Total earnings |
$ |
51,739 |
$ |
28,931 |
$ |
90,969 |
$ |
72,044 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average common shares outstanding (diluted) |
|
45,194 |
|
44,543 |
|
45,098 |
|
44,080 |
|
Diluted earnings per share |
$ |
1.14 |
$ |
0.65 |
$ |
2.02 |
$ |
1.63 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Utility Operations
Operating environment and hydroelectric conditions:
IPC is one of the nations few investor-owned utilities with a predominantly
hydroelectric generating base. Because of its reliance on hydroelectric
generation, IPCs generation operations can be significantly affected by
weather conditions. The availability of hydroelectric power depends on the
amount of snow pack in the mountains upstream of IPCs hydroelectric
facilities, springtime snow pack run-off, river base flows, spring flows,
rainfall and other weather and stream flow management considerations. During
low water years, when stream flows into IPCs hydroelectric projects are
reduced, IPCs hydroelectric generation is reduced. This results in less
generation from IPCs resource portfolio (hydroelectric, coal-fired and gas-fired)
available for off-system sales and, most likely, an increased use of purchased
power to meet load requirements. Both of these situations - a reduction in off-system
sales and an increased use of more expensive purchased power - result in
increased net power supply costs. During high water years, increased off-system
sales and the decreased need for purchased power reduce net power supply costs.
Operations plans are developed
during the year to guide generation resource utilization and energy market
activities (off-system sales and power purchases). The plans incorporate
forecasts for generation unit availability, reservoir storage and stream flows,
gas and coal prices, customer loads, energy market prices and other pertinent
inputs. Consideration is given to when to use IPCs available resources to
meet forecast loads and when to transact in the wholesale energy market. The
allocation of hydroelectric generation between heavy-load and light-load hours
or calendar periods is considered in the development of the operations plans.
This allocation is intended to utilize the flexibility of the hydroelectric
system to shift generation to high value periods, while operating within the
constraints imposed on the system. IPCs energy risk management policy, unit
operating requirements and other obligations provide the framework for the
plans.
Hydroelectric generation increased 22 percent for the
quarter and 14 percent year-to-date as compared to the same periods in 2007.
Compared to the 30-year average, hydroelectric generation was three percent
higher for the quarter and 13 percent lower for the year-to-date.
Actual observed Brownlee Reservoir inflow for the April
through July 2008 period was 4.4 million acre-feet (maf), or 70 percent of
average, an improvement from the 2007 April through July inflow of 2.8 maf, or
44 percent of average. Storage in selected reservoirs upstream of Brownlee, as
of October 20, 2008, was 106 percent of average. With current stream flow
conditions, IPC expects to generate between 6.7 and 7.2 million MWh from its
hydroelectric facilities in 2008, compared to 6.2 million MWh in 2007. IPCs
modeled median annual hydroelectric generation is 8.5 million MWh, based on
hydrologic conditions for the period 1928 through 2006 and adjusted to reflect
the current level of water resource development.
40 |
IPC is actively pursuing opportunities to lease water to enhance
river flows to produce additional generation at its hydroelectric plants.
Idaho is a semi-arid state and the annual availability of water to lease is
highly dependent on weather conditions. Water leases are also subject to
approval by the IDWR to ensure that other water rights are not impacted. IPC
leased 41,620 acre-feet of water from the Idaho Water District #1 rental pool
and 45,716 acre-feet of water from the Shoshone Bannock Tribe. Water from both
leases flowed during the third quarter.
IPCs system load is dual peaking, with the larger peak
demand occurring in the summer. IPC set a new record system peak demand of
3,214 MW on June 30, 2008. The previous system peak of 3,193 MW occurred on
July 13, 2007. The all-time winter peak demand is 2,464 MW set on January 24,
2008.
The following table presents IPCs power supply for the
three and nine months ended September 30:
|
MWh |
|||||
|
Hydroelectric |
Thermal |
Total System |
Purchased |
|
|
|
Generation |
Generation |
Generation |
Power |
Total |
|
Three months ended: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2008 |
1,827 |
2,183 |
4,010 |
1,200 |
5,210 |
|
September 30, 2007 |
1,499 |
2,133 |
3,632 |
1,693 |
5,325 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine months ended: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
September 30, 2008 |
5,566 |
5,555 |
11,121 |
2,855 |
13,976 |
|
September 30, 2007 |
4,884 |
5,341 |
10,225 |
4,195 |
14,420 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
General business revenue: The following table
presents IPCs general business revenues, MWh sales, average number of
customers and Boise, Idaho weather conditions for the three and nine months
ended September 30:
|
Three months ended |
Nine months ended |
||||||||
|
September 30, |
September 30, |
||||||||
|
2008 |
2007 |
2008 |
2007 |
||||||
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Residential |
$ |
90,473 |
$ |
83,066 |
$ |
259,781 |
$ |
224,534 |
|
|
Commercial |
|
59,615 |
|
50,481 |
|
151,624 |
|
126,671 |
|
|
Industrial |
|
34,187 |
|
28,875 |
|
90,124 |
|
74,269 |
|
|
Irrigation |
|
62,364 |
|
49,451 |
|
101,171 |
|
85,863 |
|
|
|
Total |
$ |
246,639 |
$ |
211,873 |
$ |
602,700 |
$ |
511,337 |
MWh |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Residential |
|
1,245 |
|
1,301 |
|
3,931 |
|
3,832 |
|
|
Commercial |
|
1,068 |
|
1,077 |
|
2,993 |
|
2,959 |
|
|
Industrial |
|
846 |
|
869 |
|
2,523 |
|
2,576 |
|
|
Irrigation |
|
1,139 |
|
1,042 |
|
1,836 |
|
1,862 |
|
|
|
Total |
|
4,298 |
|
4,289 |
|
11,283 |
|
11,229 |
Customers (average) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Residential |
|
403,015 |
|
398,322 |
|
402,035 |
|
396,357 |
|
|
Commercial |
|
63,701 |
|
61,939 |
|
63,317 |
|
61,321 |
|
|
Industrial |
|
121 |
|
127 |
|
121 |
|
127 |
|
|
Irrigation |
|
18,533 |
|
18,128 |
|
18,353 |
|
18,014 |
|
|
|
Total |
|
485,370 |
|
478,516 |
|
483,826 |
|
475,819 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Heating degree-days |
|
56 |
|
100 |
|
3,557 |
|
3,009 |
||
Cooling degree-days |
|
841 |
|
1,001 |
|
1,054 |
|
1,286 |
||
Precipitation (inches) |
|
1.22 |
|
0.71 |
|
5.36 |
|
4.72 |
Heating and cooling degree-days are common measures used in
the utility industry to analyze the demand for electricity and indicate when
customers would use electricity for heating and air conditioning. A degree-day
measures how much the average daily temperature varies from 65 degrees. Each
degree of temperature above 65 degrees is counted as one cooling degree-day,
and each degree of temperature below 65 degrees is counted as one heating
degree-day.
41 |
General business revenue increased $34.8 million and $91.4
million for the quarter and year-to-date, respectively, as compared to the same
period in 2007. This increase is primarily attributable to three factors: 1)
the effects of rate changes for the current year, 2) changes in customer usage,
and 3) customer growth.
Rates: Rate changes positively impacted general business revenue $34.8 million for the quarter and $91.4 million year-to-date due to PCA rate increases of $17.4 million for the quarter and $65.7 million year-to-date. Increases in retail base rates, including a general rate increase of 5.2 percent effective March 1, 2008 and a 1.37 percent increase for the Danskin plant effective June 1, 2008, also increased revenues $17.4 million for the quarter and $21.2 million year-to-date.
Usage: Changes in usage decreased general business revenues $2.3 million for the quarter and $1.4 million year-to-date.
Customers: Moderate growth in customer count in IPCs service territory increased revenue $2.1 million for the quarter and $5.8 million year-to-date.
Off-system sales: Off-system sales consist primarily
of long-term sales contracts and opportunity sales of surplus system energy. The
following table presents IPCs off-system sales for the three and nine months
ended September 30:
|
Three months ended |
Nine months ended |
||||||||
|
September 30, |
September 30, |
||||||||
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
2008 |
|
2007 |
||||
Revenue |
$ |
34,637 |
|
$ |
34,843 |
$ |
93,640 |
|
$ |
129,859 |
MWh sold |
|
498 |
|
|
620 |
|
1,520 |
|
|
2,110 |
Revenue per MWh |
$ |
69.55 |
|
$ |
56.20 |
$ |
61.61 |
|
$ |
61.54 |
Off-system sales volumes decreased due to changes made in
the Risk Management Policy and forward sales in the third quarter of 2007 that
did not occur in 2008.
Other revenues: The following table presents the
components of other revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30:
|
Three months ended |
Nine months ended |
|||||||||
|
September 30, |
September 30, |
|||||||||
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
2008 |
2007 |
||||||
Transmission services and property rental |
$ |
11,572 |
|
$ |
9,215 |
$ |
32,634 |
|
$ |
29,499 |
|
DSM |
|
5,956 |
|
|
4,307 |
|
13,249 |
|
|
8,970 |
|
Provision for rate refund |
|
(697) |
|
|
278 |
|
(2,375) |
|
|
(693) |
|
|
Total |
$ |
16,831 |
|
$ |
13,800 |
$ |
43,508 |
|
$ |
37,776 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
An IPUC order allows IPC to record DSM program expenditures
as an operating expense with an offsetting amount recorded in other revenues,
resulting in no net effect on earnings. IPC recorded $6.0 million for the
quarter and $13.2 million year-to-date related to DSM activities in other
revenues, an increase of $1.6 million and $4.3 million for the quarter and year-to-date,
respectively, which reflects increased program expenditures.
The provision for rate refund is related to the Open Access
Transmission Tariff discussed in REGULATORY MATTERS - Open Access Transmission
Tariff (OATT).
Purchased power: The following table presents IPCs
purchased power expenses and volumes for the three and nine months ended
September 30:
|
Three months ended |
Nine months ended |
||||||||
|
September 30, |
September 30, |
||||||||
|
2008 |
|
|
2007 |
2008 |
2007 |
||||
Purchased power expense |
$ |
79,513 |
|
$ |
110,108 |
$ |
174,900 |
|
$ |
241,393 |
MWh purchased |
|
1,200 |
|
|
1,693 |
|
2,855 |
|
|
4,195 |
Cost per MWh purchased |
$ |
66.26 |
|
$ |
65.04 |
$ |
61.26 |
|
$ |
57.54 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
42 |
Purchased power expense decreased due to improved hydroelectric
generation and the use of leased water which allowed IPC to better utilize its
own generation resources and make fewer market purchases to serve load.
Fuel expense: The following table presents IPCs
fuel expenses and generation at its thermal generating plants for the three and
nine months ended September 30:
|
Three months ended |
Nine months ended |
||||||
|
September 30, |
September 30, |
||||||
|
2008 |
2007 |
|
2008 |
2007 |
|||
Fuel expense |
$ |
46,467 |
$ |
43,291 |
$ |
112,385 |
$ |
101,724 |
Thermal MWh generated |
|
2,183 |
|
2,133 |
|
5,555 |
|
5,341 |
Cost per MWh |
$ |
21.29 |
$ |
20.30 |
$ |
20.23 |
$ |
19.05 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Higher coal prices and volumes generated at the Jim Bridger
and Valmy plants increased fuel expense $7.0 million for the quarter and $13.6
million year-to-date. These increases were partially offset by decreases of
$3.6 million for the quarter and $2.7 million year-to-date due to the reduced
use of Bennett Mountain and Danskin plants resulting from cooler weather and
increased hydroelectric generation.
PCA: The PCA represents the effects of IPCs power
cost regulatory mechanisms in Idaho and Oregon, which are discussed in more
detail below in REGULATORY MATTERS - Deferred Net Power Supply Costs. The
following table presents the components of PCA expense for the three and nine
months ended September 30:
|
|
Three months ended |
Nine months ended |
||||||
|
|
September 30, |
September 30, |
||||||
|
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
2008 |
2007 |
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
Current year power supply cost deferral |
$ |
(55,469) |
$ |
(46,987) |
$ |
(80,638) |
$ |
(104,953) |
|
Amortization of prior year authorized balances |
|
35,364 |
|
3,238 |
|
41,960 |
|
(2,504) |
|
|
Total power cost adjustment |
$ |
(20,105) |
$ |
(43,749) |
$ |
(38,678) |
$ |
(107,457) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The PCA decreased $23.6 million for the quarter and $68.8
million year-to-date due to higher amortization expense from prior year excess net
power supply costs as well as improved hydroelectric generating conditions. The
change for the quarter was partially offset by a change in the monthly
allocation of base net power supply costs, which increased the current year
deferral $17.6 million. This change is discussed in REGULATORY MATTERS -
Deferred Net Power Supply Costs - Idaho - 2008-2009 PCA.
Other operations and maintenance expenses: For the
quarter, other operations and maintenance expense increased $5.6 million due to
an increase of $6.4 million in payroll-related expenses and $2.2 million in
water lease costs. Partially offsetting these increases was a decrease of $3.3
million from the fixed cost adjustment mechanism. For the year-to-date, other
operations and maintenance expense increased $3.5 million. Increases are due
to payroll-related expenses of $9.4 million, water lease costs of $2.2 million,
and purchased services of $2.7 million. The increases are partially offset by
lower outage costs at the thermal plants of $5.7 million and a decrease of $4.1
million from the fixed cost adjustment mechanism.
Non-utility Operations
IFS: IFS earnings decreased $1.0 million for the
quarter and $3.2 million year-to-date as compared to the same periods of 2007.
The reduction is primarily due to lower tax benefits and higher investment
amortization expense caused by a reduction in the amount of new investments
combined with the continued aging of existing investments. IFS income is
derived principally from the generation of federal income tax credits and
accelerated tax depreciation benefits related to its investments in affordable
housing and historic rehabilitation developments. IFS made $8.5 million in new
investments and generated tax credits of $8.2 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2008.
43 |
Discontinued operations: On February 23, 2007,
IDACORP sold all of the outstanding common stock of IDACOMM to American Fiber
Systems, Inc. In the second quarter of 2006, IDACORP management designated the
operations of IDACOMM as assets held for sale, as defined by SFAS 144. The
operations of this entity are presented as discontinued operations in IDACORPs
financial statements. Discontinued operations had no impact on earnings in
2008.
Interest Expense
Interest charges increased $1.9 million for the quarter and
$5.9 million for the year-to-date. The increases were primarily due to
increases in long-term debt balances during 2007 and 2008.
Income Taxes
In accordance with interim
reporting requirements, IDACORP and IPC use an estimated annual effective tax
rate for computing their provisions for income taxes. IDACORPs effective rate
on continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, was 23.8
percent, compared to 15.2 percent for the nine months ended September 30,
2007. IPCs effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2008,
was 32.9 percent, compared to 34.1 percent for the nine months ended September
30, 2007. The differences in estimated annual effective tax rates are
primarily due to the amount of pre-tax earnings at IDACORP and IPC, timing and
amount of IPCs regulatory flow-through tax adjustments, and lower tax credits
from IFS.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES:
Operating Cash Flows
IDACORPs and IPCs operating cash inflows for the nine
months ended September 30, 2008 were $115 million and $114 million,
respectively. Compared to 2007, IDACORPs and IPCs operating cash inflows
increased $68 million and $72 million, respectively. The increases in IDACORPs
and IPCs operating cash inflows primarily result from IPCs PCA mechanism and
increased net income. IPC has collected approximately $44 million more through
the PCA in 2008 than in 2007.
Investing Cash Flows
IDACORPs and IPCs investing cash outflows for the nine
months ended September 30, 2008, were $166 million and $158 million,
respectively, compared to $179 million and $230 million, respectively, for the
nine months ended September 30, 2007. The largest component of investing cash
outflows is IPCs utility construction program, which accounted for $177
million and $203 million of expenditures for the nine month periods ending
September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. These cash outflows were partially
offset by a $20 million withdrawal from a $45 million refundable income tax
deposit made in 2006 by IDACORP (which was then funded by IPC in 2007). IPC
also had a 2008 cash inflow of $5.7 million from the sale of SWIP rights-of-way
and made a net contribution of $3 million to its joint venture, Bridger Coal
Company. IDACORP made an $8.5 million investment in affordable housing through
its subsidiary, IFS.
Financing Cash Flows
IDACORPs and IPCs financing cash inflows for the nine
months ended September 30, 2008 were $100 million and $75 million,
respectively. These inflows result primarily from the issuance by IPC of $120
million of its first mortgage bonds, partially offset by dividends paid of $41
million.
Debt issuances: On April 1, 2008, IPC entered into a
$170 million Term Loan Credit Agreement, of which $166.1 million was used to
purchase pollution control revenue refunding bonds.
On July 10, 2008, IPC issued $120 million of its 6.025%
First Mortgage Bonds, Secured Medium-Term Notes, Series H, due July 15, 2018.
IPC used the net proceeds to pay down short-term debt.
44 |
Equity issuances: In September 2008, IDACORP
received $6.2 million from the issuance of 203,000 shares of common stock under
its Continuous Equity Program (CEP). The average price of the shares sold was
$30.53. An additional $2 million was received in October 2008 from the
issuance of 56,900 shares under the CEP. The average price of the shares sold
was $30.32. Under the Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan and the Employee
Savings Plan, IDACORP issued 208,221 shares in 2008 and 250,020 shares in 2007,
for proceeds of $6.4 million and $8.4 million, respectively.
Discontinued Operations
Cash flows from discontinued operations are included with
the cash flows from continuing operations in IDACORPs Consolidated Statements
of Cash Flows. The cash flows from discontinued operations have reduced net
cash provided by operating activities and increased net cash used in investing
activities, except for the cash received in February 2007 from the sale of
IDACOMM. The absence of cash flows from these discontinued operations has
positively impacted liquidity and capital resources in periods subsequent to
the sale.
Financing Programs
Consolidated capitalization ratios were as follows:
|
IPC |
IDACORP |
||
|
September 30, |
December 31, |
September 30, |
December 31, |
|
2008 |
2007 |
2008 |
2007 |
Common shareholders equity |
45.3% |
46.5% |
46.1% |
47.1% |
Long-term debt* |
49.4% |
47.8% |
46.5% |
45.6% |
Short-term debt |
5.3% |
5.7% |
7.4% |
7.3% |
|
||||
*Includes the current portion of long-term debt |
Shelf registrations: IDACORP currently has $621
million remaining on two shelf registration statements that can be used for the
issuance of unsecured debt (including medium-term notes) and preferred or
common stock. As of November 5, 2008, IDACORP has 822,245 shares of common
stock available to be issued pursuant to its Sales Agency Agreement with BNY
Capital Markets, Inc., dated December 15, 2005, as amended. The Sales Agency
Agreement expires November 30, 2008.
On April 3, 2008, IPC entered into a Selling Agency
Agreement with each of Banc of America Securities LLC, BNY Capital Markets,
Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., Lazard Capital
Markets LLC, Piper Jaffray & Co., RBC Capital Markets Corporation, SunTrust
Robinson Humphrey, Inc., Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC, Wedbush Morgan
Securities Inc. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC in connection with the issuance
and sale by IPC from time to time of up to $350 million aggregate principal
amount of First Mortgage Bonds, Secured Medium-Term Notes, Series H. As of
November 5, 2008, IPC has $230 million remaining on the shelf registration
statement.
Credit facilities: IDACORPs credit facility is a
$100 million five-year credit agreement that terminates on April 25, 2012.
This credit facility, which is used for general corporate purposes and
commercial paper backup, provides for the issuance of loans and standby letters
of credit not to exceed the aggregate principal amount of $100 million,
including swingline loans in an aggregate principal amount at any time
outstanding not to exceed $10 million. IDACORP has the right to request an
increase in the aggregate principal amount of the credit facility to $150
million and to request one-year extensions of the then existing termination
date. At September 30, 2008, no loans were outstanding on IDACORPs facility
and $69 million of commercial paper was outstanding. At November 5, 2008, $35 million
in loans and $23 million of commercial paper was outstanding.
IPCs credit facility is a $300 million five-year credit
agreement that terminates on April 25, 2012. This credit facility, which is
used for general corporate purposes and commercial paper backup, provides for
the issuance of loans and standby letters of credit not to exceed the aggregate
principal amount of $300 million, including swingline loans in an aggregate
principal amount at any time outstanding not to exceed $30 million. IPC has
the right to request an increase in the aggregate principal amount of the
credit facility to $450 million and to request one-year extensions of the then
existing termination date. At September 30, 2008, no loans were outstanding on
IPCs facility and $131 million of commercial paper was outstanding. At
November 5, 2008, no loans and $146 million of commercial paper were
outstanding.
45 |
IDACORPs and IPCs credit
facilities both contain covenants requiring each company to maintain a leverage
ratio of consolidated indebtedness to consolidated total capitalization of no
more than 65 percent as of the end of each fiscal quarter. At September 30, 2008,
the leverage ratios for IDACORP and IPC were 54 percent and 55 percent,
respectively. Based on these covenants, IDACORP and IPC had $471 million and
$405 million, respectively, available to dividend at September 30, 2008. At
September 30, 2008, IDACORP and IPC were each in compliance with all other
covenants in their respective credit facilities.
Term Loan Credit Agreement: IPC entered into a $170
million Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2008, with JPMorgan
Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and lender, and Bank of America,
N.A., Union Bank of California, N.A., and Wachovia Bank, National Association,
as lenders. The Term Loan Credit Agreement provided for the issuance of term
loans (Loans) by the lenders to IPC on April 1, 2008, in an aggregate principal
amount of $170 million. The Loans are due on March 31, 2009 and may be prepaid
but may not be reborrowed. IPC used the proceeds to effect a mandatory
purchase on April 3, 2008, of the pollution control bonds (as discussed below
in Pollution Control Revenue Refunding Bonds), and to pay interest, fees and
expenses incurred in connection with the Pollution Control Bonds and the Term
Loan Credit Agreement.
IPC has regulatory authority to incur up to $450 million of
short-term indebtedness.
Pollution Control Revenue Refunding Bonds: On April
3, 2008, IPC made a mandatory purchase of the $49.8 million Humboldt County,
Nevada Pollution Control Revenue Refunding Bonds (Idaho Power Company Project)
Series 2003 and the $116.3 million Sweetwater County, Wyoming Pollution Control
Revenue Refunding Bonds (Idaho Power Company Project) Series 2006 (together,
the Pollution Control Bonds). IPC initiated this transaction in order to
adjust the interest rate period of the pollution control bonds from an auction
interest rate period to a weekly interest rate period, effective April 3,
2008. This change was made to mitigate the higher-than-anticipated interest
costs in the auction mode. IPC is the current holder of the bonds, but
ultimately expects to remarket the bonds to investors.
Contractual Obligations
There have been no material changes in contractual
obligations outside of the ordinary course of business since December 31, 2007
with the exception of the following:
In accordance with the Pension Protection Act of 2006,
companies are required to be 94 percent funded for their outstanding qualified
pension obligations as of January 1, 2009, in order to avoid a scheduled series
of required annual contributions to reach 100 percent funding over seven
years. As of December 31, 2007, qualified pension liabilities were nearly
fully funded; however, recent market volatility and the decline in the value of
pension assets in 2008 make it likely that IPC will need to make contributions
to maintain the minimum required funding target. Partially offsetting this
decline in the value of pension assets for 2008 is an expected increase in
discount rates that will reduce measured liabilities and thus help mitigate the
underfunded amount. Discount rates affect the amount of liability that will be
effectively settled and for IDACORP and IPC are determined based on a hypothetical
portfolio of high quality bonds. Because asset values and discount rates that
will apply are not measured or determined until December 31, 2008, the amount
of contributions that would be required to reach minimum targeted levels is not
yet determinable. Based on the value of pension assets and interest rates as
of September 30, 2008, the estimated contributions required to reach 100
percent funding over seven years would be approximately $40 million in 2010 and
$20 million in each of 2011, 2012, and 2013. These amounts could change
significantly depending upon the plans funding status at December 31, 2008,
and thereafter.
46 |
Credit Ratings
S&P: On November 5, 2008, Standard & Poors
Ratings Services (S&P) announced that it had raised the senior unsecured debt
ratings of IPC from BBB- to BBB after reevaluating its application of notching
criteria to better reflect the recovery prospects of creditors in the investor-owned
utility sector. IPCs senior unsecured debt is now rated the same as the
corporate credit rating. This new approach did not affect the senior unsecured
debt rating of IDACORP, which remains at BBB-.
Moodys: On June 3, 2008, Moodys Investors Service
(Moodys) announced that it had revised its rating outlook to negative from
stable for IDACORP and IPC, while affirming the existing ratings for both
companies. Moodys affirmed its Baa2 Issuer Rating on IDACORP and Baa1 senior
unsecured rating on IPC, and its P-2 commercial paper rating on both companies.
Moodys stated that the outlook revision primarily reflects
its concern about weakness in IPCs credit metrics in recent periods,
reflecting the effects of poor hydro conditions and the adverse impact of the
load growth adjustment rate on IPCs earnings and cash flow. Moodys also stated
that IPC faces a higher than historical average capital program over the next
several years, which will require significant external financing to fund the
expected negative free cash flow.
Fitch: On March 24, 2008, Fitch Ratings, Inc.
(Fitch) announced that it revised its rating outlook to negative from stable
for IDACORP and IPC, while affirming the existing ratings for both companies.
Fitch affirmed its BBB Issuer Default Rating (IDR) on IDACORP and IPC, its F2
short-term IDR rating on IDACORP and IPC, its A- rating on IPCs senior secured
debt, its BBB+ rating on IPCs senior unsecured debt and its F2 ratings on
IDACORPs and IPCs commercial paper.
Fitch stated that the outlook revision primarily reflects
weakening underlying credit metrics due to IPCs inability under its power cost
adjustment mechanism to fully recover higher thermal generation production and
purchased power costs in rates. Fitch also cited below normal water conditions
in six of the last seven years and the appearance that 2008 could extend that
trend. Fitch stated that this dynamic in concert with a relatively large
capital investment program and timing differences between when those costs are
incurred and reflected in rates appear likely to result in earnings, cash flow
and credit metrics more consistent with low BBB creditworthiness.
Access to capital markets at a reasonable cost is determined
in large part by credit quality. The following table outlines the current
S&P, Moodys and Fitch ratings of IDACORPs and IPCs securities:
|
S&P |
Moodys |
Fitch |
|||
|
IPC |
IDACORP |
IPC |
IDACORP |
IPC |
IDACORP |
Corporate Credit Rating |
BBB |
BBB |
Baa 1 |
Baa 2 |
None |
None |
Senior Secured Debt |
A- |
None |
A3 |
None |
A- |
None |
Senior Unsecured Debt |
BBB |
BBB- |
Baa 1 |
Baa 2 |
BBB+ |
BBB |
|
(prelim) |
(prelim) |
|
|
|
|
Short-Term Tax-Exempt Debt |
BBB-/A-2 |
None |
Baa 1/ |
None |
None |
None |
|
|
|
VMIG-2 |
|
|
|
Commercial Paper |
A-2 |
A-2 |
P-2 |
P-2 |
F2 |
F2 |
Credit Facility |
None |
None |
Baa 1 |
Baa 2 |
None |
None |
Rating Outlook |
Stable |
Stable |
Negative |
Negative |
Negative |
Negative |
These security ratings reflect the views of the rating
agencies. An explanation of the significance of these ratings may be obtained
from each rating agency. Such ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell or
hold securities. Any rating can be revised upward or downward or withdrawn at
any time by a rating agency if it decides that the circumstances warrant the
change. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.
47 |
Capital Requirements
IDACORPs internal cash generation after dividends is
expected to provide less than the full amount of total capital requirements for
2008 through 2010, where capital requirements are defined as utility
construction expenditures, excluding Allowance for Funds Used During
Construction, plus other regulated and non-regulated investments. This
excludes mandatory or optional principal payments on debt obligations. As
discussed in IDACORPs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2007, IDACORP may fund capital requirements with a combination of
internally generated funds, the use of revolving credit facilities and the
issuance of long-term debt and equity.
The credit and financial markets have recently experienced
volatility and disruption. IPC has experienced a slowdown in new customer
connections and one of IPCs largest industrial customers has announced
workforce reductions. As a result, IPC and IDACORP are reviewing their
previously announced estimates for capital expenditures, which may result in
the cancellation or deferral of projects related to customer growth and other
non-critical projects.
REGULATORY MATTERS:
Idaho Rate Cases
2008 General Rate Case: On June 27, 2008, IPC filed an application with
the IPUC requesting an average rate increase of approximately 9.9 percent. IPCs
proposal would increase its revenues $67 million annually. The application
included a requested return on equity of 11.25 percent and an overall rate of
return of 8.55 percent. IPC filed its case based upon a 2008 forecast test
year. IPC has responded to data requests from IPUC Staff and intervenors. The
IPUC Staff and other intervening parties filed testimony in this case on
October 24, 2008. The IPUC Staff recommends an increase of $9.7 million, or
1.4 percent, a return on equity of 10.25 percent and an overall rate of return
on 8.06 percent. IPC is still reviewing the testimony to develop its case for
rebuttal. IPC, the IPUC Staff and other parties will file rebuttal testimony
on December 3, 2008. Technical hearings are scheduled to begin on December 16,
2008. IPC expects that the new rates will go into effect by February 1, 2009,
but is unable to predict the outcome of the case.
2007 General Rate Case: On June 8, 2007, IPC filed
an application with the IPUC requesting an average rate increase of 10.35
percent ($63.9 million annually). On February 28, 2008, the IPUC approved a
settlement stipulation that included an average increase in base rates of 5.2
percent (approximately $32.1 million annually), effective March 1, 2008. The
settlement did not specify an overall rate of return or a return on equity.
The currently authorized rate of return remains at 8.1 percent.
The parties to the proceeding also agreed in the settlement
to make a good faith effort to develop a mechanism to adjust or replace the
current LGAR of $29.41 per MWh. As an interim solution, the parties agreed to
use the LGAR of $62.79 per MWh recommended by the IPUC Staff on December 10,
2007, but to apply it to only 50 percent of the load growth beginning in March
2008.
The parties also agreed to participate in a good faith
discussion regarding a forecast test year methodology that balances the
auditing concerns of the IPUC Staff and intervenors with IPCs need for timely
rate relief.
On March 12, 2008, IPC, the IPUC Staff, and other parties to
this general rate case conducted a workshop to discuss the appropriate approach
to the development of a forecast test year. IPC described a method that would
start with historical, regulatory-adjusted financial information that could be
audited by the IPUC Staff and others. That information would be escalated
under commonly accepted methods into the forecast test year for revenues,
expenses and rate base. IPC would support the historical information, the
adjustments, and the escalation methods as part of its general rate case
filing. The parties to the workshop expressed general agreement to this
approach and also agreed that no further workshops would be necessary. IPC
developed the 2008 test year using this method in its 2008 general rate case
filing made on June 27, 2008.
Danskin CT1 Power Plant Rate Case: On March 7, 2008,
IPC filed an application with the IPUC requesting recovery of construction
costs associated with the gas-fired Danskin CT1 plant located near Mountain
Home, Idaho. Danskin CT1 began commercial operations on March 11, 2008. IPC
requested adding to rate base approximately $65 million attributable to the
cost of constructing the generating facility and the related transmission and
interconnection facilities, which would have resulted in a base rate increase
of 1.39 percent, or approximately $9 million in annual revenues.
On May 30, 2008, the IPUC authorized IPC to add to its rate
base $64.2 million for the Danskin CT1 plant and related facilities, effective
June 1, 2008, resulting in a base rate increase of 1.37 percent, or $8.9
million in annual revenues. Costs not approved in this order will be included
in future filings.
48 |
Deferred Net Power Supply Costs
The following table presents the balances of deferred net
power supply costs:
|
September 30, |
|
December 31, |
|||
|
2008 |
|
2007 |
|||
Idaho PCA current year: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferral for the 2008-2009 rate year * |
$ |
- |
|
$ |
85,732 |
|
Deferral for the 2009-2010 rate year |
|
61,053 |
|
|
- |
Idaho PCA true-up awaiting recovery: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Authorized in May 2007 |
|
- |
|
|
6,591 |
|
Authorized in May 2008 |
|
70,345 |
|
|
- |
Oregon deferral: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2001 Costs |
|
2,170 |
|
|
2,993 |
|
2006 Costs |
|
1,183 |
|
|
2,107 |
|
2008 Power cost adjustment mechanism |
|
3,809 |
|
|
- |
|
Total deferral |
$ |
138,560 |
|
$ |
97,423 |
|
||||||
*The 2008-2009 PCA deferral balance is reduced by $16.5 million of emission allowance sales in 2007. |
Idaho: IPC has a PCA mechanism that provides for
annual adjustments to the rates charged to its Idaho retail customers. The PCA
tracks IPCs actual net power supply costs (fuel and purchased power less off-system
sales) and compares these amounts to net power supply costs currently being
recovered in retail rates.
The annual adjustments are based on two components:
A forecast component, based on a forecast of net power supply costs in the coming year as compared to net power supply costs in base rates; and
A true-up component, based on the difference between the previous
years actual net power supply costs and the previous years forecast. This
component also includes a balancing mechanism so that, over time, the actual
collection or refund of authorized true-up dollars matches the amounts
authorized. The true-up component is calculated monthly, and interest is
applied to the balance.
The PCA mechanism provides that 90 percent of deviations in
power supply costs are to be reflected in IPCs rates for both the forecast and
the true-up components.
2008-2009 PCA: On April 15, 2008, IPC filed its 2008-2009
PCA application with the IPUC with a requested effective date of June 1, 2008.
The filing requested an increase to existing revenues of approximately $87.2
million. Subsequently, the IPUC issued an order directing IPC to apply $16.5
million of gains from the sale of excess SO2 emission allowances,
including interest, against the PCA. This order reduced IPCs request to
approximately $70.7 million.
IPC and the IPUC Staff each proposed deviations from
standard IPUC-approved PCA methodology. IPC proposed to flow through to
customers 100 percent of the deviation in net power supply costs and PURPA project
expenses for the 2008-2009 PCA year instead of a 90/10 sharing between
customers and shareholders. This was denied by the IPUC.
The IPUC Staff proposed to use a normal forecast for power
supply costs and to change the distribution of base net power supply expenses.
The IPUC adopted the IPUC Staffs proposals on May 30, 2008 and approved an
increase to existing revenues of $73.3 million, effective June 1, 2008, which
resulted in an average rate increase to IPCs customers of 10.7 percent.
49 |
The adopted distribution methodology spreads base net power
supply costs equally across all months as compared to a more seasonal approach
that would have allocated significantly more base net power supply costs to the
third quarter and less to the first and second quarters. This change in
allocation methodology is not expected to have a material impact on annual
financial results. As a result of the 2007 general rate case, $127.5 million
of net power supply costs have been included in base rates beginning March 1,
2008. After adjusting for the Idaho jurisdictional split and recognizing the
90/10 sharing between customers and shareholders, base net power supply costs
used in the PCA deferral calculation are approximately $117.5 million.
The following table compares the quarterly estimated pre-tax
impact of the two methodologies:
|
Base Net Power Supply Costs |
|||||
|
March 1, 2008 through February 28, 2009 |
|||||
|
($ amounts in millions) |
|||||
|
2008 |
2008 |
2008 |
2008 |
2009 |
|
|
First |
Second |
Third |
Fourth |
First |
|
|
Quarter |
Quarter |
Quarter |
Quarter |
Quarter |
Total |
PCA Base (seasonal distribution) |
$ |
3.3 |
$ |
26.6 |
$ |
46.4 |
$ |
29.6 |
$ |
11.6 |
$ |
117.5 |
|
PCA Base (even distribution) |
|
9.7 |
|
29.4 |
|
29.4 |
|
29.4 |
|
19.6 |
|
117.5 |
|
PCA Expense increase/(decrease) |
$ |
6.4(1) |
$ |
2.8 |
$ |
(17.0) |
$ |
(0.2) |
$ |
8.0 |
$ |
0.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Due to the IPUCs approval of the even monthly distribution of base net power supply costs on May 30, 2008 with an effective date of |
|||||||||||||
|
March 1, 2008, IPC recognized an additional $6.4 million of PCA expense related to the March 2008 time period in the second quarter |
||||||||||||
|
2008. |
||||||||||||
As a result of this change, the quarterly results have
experienced significant shifts from one quarter to another as compared to
historical results; however, the total impact from any distribution methodology
should be zero within a twelve month period. The stipulation that IPC entered
into on October 14, 2008, and discussed below, provides for a further change in
the base net power supply cost distribution methodology.
PCA Workshops: In its May 30, 2008 order approving
IPCs 2008-2009 PCA, the IPUC also directed IPC to set up workshops to address
PCA-related issues not resolved in the PCA filing. Workshops were held on July
30, August 13 and September 3, 2008, with the IPUC Staff and several of IPCs
largest customers (together, the Parties). Consensus was reached on all items
except allocation of the PCA among customer classes, which will be re-examined
following the conclusion of the 2008 general rate case. A settlement
stipulation was filed with the IPUC on October 14, 2008. The stipulation, if
approved, would:
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2007-2008 PCA: On May 31, 2007, the IPUC approved
IPCs 2007-2008 PCA filing. The filing increased the PCA component of
customers rates from the then-existing level, which was $46.8 million below
base rates, to a level that is $30.7 million above those base rates. This
$77.5 million increase was net of $69.1 million of proceeds from sales of
excess SO2 emission allowances. The new rates became effective June
1, 2007.
Emission Allowances: During 2007, IPC sold 35,000 SO2
emission allowances for a total of $19.6 million. The sales proceeds
allocated to the Idaho jurisdiction were approximately $18.5 million. On April
14, 2008, the IPUC ordered that $16.4 million of these proceeds, including
interest, be used to help offset the PCA true-up balances from the 2007-2008
PCA. The order also provided that $0.5 million may be used to fund an energy
education program.
In 2005 and early 2006, IPC sold 78,000 SO2
emission allowances for a total of $81.6 million. The sales proceeds allocated
to the Idaho jurisdiction were approximately $76.8 million. On May 12, 2006,
the IPUC approved a stipulation that allowed IPC to retain ten percent as a
shareholder benefit with the remaining 90 percent plus a carrying charge
recorded as a customer benefit. This customer benefit was used to partially
offset the PCA true-up balance and was reflected in PCA rates in effect from
June 1, 2007, to May 31, 2008.
The bulk of IPCs accumulated excess emission allowances
were sold during the 2005-2007 period. IPC anticipates realizing approximately
14,500 excess SO2 emission allowances annually for the near future.
Tighter emission restrictions are expected in the long term which may cause IPC
to use more emission allowances for its own requirements and reduce the annual
amount of excess emission allowances.
Oregon: On April 30, 2007, IPC filed for an
accounting order with the OPUC to defer net power supply costs for the period
from May 1, 2007, through April 30, 2008, in anticipation of higher than normal
(higher than base) power supply expenses. In the filing, IPC estimated Oregons
jurisdictional share of excess power supply costs to be $5.7 million. This
amount is currently estimated to be $7.7 million. IPC also requested that it
earn its Oregon authorized rate of return on the deferred balance and recover
the amount through rates in future years, as approved by the OPUC. IPC is
awaiting an order from the OPUC.
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On April 28, 2006, IPC filed for an accounting order with
the OPUC to defer net power supply costs for the period of May 1, 2006, through
April 30, 2007. IPC requested authorization to defer an estimated $3.3
million, which is Oregons jurisdictional share of the excess power supply
costs. IPC also requested that it earn its Oregon authorized rate of return on
the deferred balance and recover the amount through rates in future years, as
approved by the OPUC. A settlement agreement was reached with the OPUC Staff
and the Citizens Utility Board in the amount of $2 million. The parties also
agreed that IPC would file an application for an Oregon PCA mechanism. The
settlement stipulation was approved by the OPUC on December 13, 2007.
The timing of future recovery of Oregon power supply cost
deferrals is subject to an Oregon statute that specifically limits rate
amortizations of deferred costs to six percent of gross Oregon revenue per
year. IPC is currently amortizing through rates power supply costs associated
with the western energy situation of 2000 and 2001, which is discussed further
under LEGAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES - Western Energy Proceeding at the FERC.
Full recovery of the 2001 deferral is not expected until 2009. The 2006-2007
and the 2007-2008 deferrals would have to be amortized sequentially following
the full recovery of the 2001 deferral.
Oregon Power Cost Recovery Mechanism: On August 17,
2007, IPC filed an application with the OPUC requesting the approval of a power
cost recovery mechanism similar to the Idaho PCA. A joint stipulation was
filed with the OPUC on March 14, 2008, and the OPUC approved the stipulation on
April 28, 2008.
The new mechanism allows IPC to recover excess net power
supply costs in a more timely fashion than through the existing deferral
process. The mechanism differs from the Idaho PCA in that it reestablishes the
base net power supply costs annually. In Idaho, the base net power supply
costs are set by a general rate case.
The new regulatory mechanism has two parts: an annual power
cost update (APCU) and a power cost adjustment mechanism (PCAM). The APCU has
two components: the October Update, where each October IPC will calculate
its estimated normalized net power supply expenses for the following April
through March test period, and the March Forecast, where each March IPC will
file a forecast of its normalized net power supply expenses for the same test
period, updated for a number of variables including the most recent stream flow
data and future wholesale electric prices. On June 1 of each year, rates will
be adjusted to reflect costs calculated in the APCU.
The PCAM is a true-up to be filed annually in February
beginning in 2009. The filing will calculate the deviation between actual net
power supply expenses incurred for the preceding calendar year and the net
power supply expenses recovered through the APCU for the same period. Under
the PCAM, IPC is subject to a portion of the business risk or benefit
associated with this deviation through application of an asymmetrical deadband
within which IPC absorbs cost increases or decreases. For deviations in actual
power supply costs outside of the deadband, the PCAM provides for 90/10 sharing
of costs and benefits between customers and IPC. However, a collection will
occur only to the extent that it results in IPCs actual return on equity (ROE)
for the year being no greater than 100 basis points below IPCs last authorized
ROE. A refund will occur only to the extent that it results in IPCs actual
ROE for that year being no less than 100 basis points above IPCs last
authorized ROE. The PCAM rate is then added to or subtracted from the APCU
rate, with new combined rates effective each June 1.
On October 6, 2008, the OPUC provided an order clarifying
that the PCAM is a deferral under the Oregon statute. IPC expects that
deferrals under the PCAM component will be subject to the six percent
limitation on annual amortization discussed above. IPC had $3.8 million
deferred under the PCAM at September 30, 2008.
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On October 29, 2007, IPC filed the October Update portion of
its 2008 APCU with the OPUC reflecting the estimated net power supply expenses
for the April 2008 through March 2009 test period. On March 24, 2008, IPC
submitted testimony to the OPUC revising its calculation of the October Update
to conform to the methodology agreed to by the parties in the stipulation. IPC
also submitted the March Forecast, reflecting expected hydroelectric generating
conditions and forward prices for the April 2008 through March 2009 test
period. The expected power supply costs of $150 million represented an
increase of approximately $23 million over the October Update.
On May 20, 2008, the OPUC approved IPCs 2008 APCU
(comprising both the October Update and the March Forecast) with the new rates
effective June 1, 2008. The approved APCU results in a $4.8 million, or 15.69
percent, increase in Oregon revenues.
On October 23, 2008, IPC filed the October Update portion of
its 2009 APCU with the OPUC. The filing reflects that revenues associated with
IPCs base net power supply costs would be increased by $0.8 million over the
previous October Update, an average 2.4 percent increase. The October Update
will be combined with the March Forecast portion of the 2009 APCU, with final
rates expected to become effective on June 1, 2009.
Fixed Cost Adjustment Mechanism (FCA)
On March 12, 2007, the IPUC approved the implementation of a
FCA mechanism pilot program for IPCs residential and small general service
customers. The FCA is a rate mechanism designed to remove IPCs disincentive
to invest in energy efficiency programs by separating (or decoupling) the
recovery of fixed costs from the variable kilowatt-hour charge and linking it
instead to a set amount per customer. In the FCA, for each customer class, the
number of customers is multiplied by a fixed cost per customer. The cost per
customer is based on IPCs revenue requirement as established in a general rate
case. This authorized fixed cost recovery amount is compared to the amount of
fixed costs actually recovered by IPC. The amount of over- or under-recovery
is then returned to or collected from customers in a subsequent rate
adjustment. The pilot program began on January 1, 2007, and runs through 2009,
with the first rate adjustment occurring on June 1, 2008, and subsequent rate
adjustments occurring on June 1 of each year during its term.
On March 14, 2008, IPC filed an application requesting a
$2.4 million rate reduction under the FCA pilot program for the net over-recovery
of fixed costs during 2007. On May 30, 2008, the IPUC approved the rate
reduction of $2.4 million to be distributed to residential and small general
service customer classes equally on an energy used basis during the June 1,
2008, through May 31, 2009, FCA year. IPC deferred $1.7 million of FCA net
under-recovery of fixed costs during the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
Idaho Energy Efficiency Rider
On March 14, 2008, IPC filed an
application with the IPUC requesting an increase to its Energy Efficiency Rider
(Rider), which is the chief funding mechanism for IPCs investment in
conservation, energy efficiency and demand response programs. IPC proposed an
increase from 1.5 percent to 2.5 percent of base revenues, or to approximately
$17 million annually, effective June 1, 2008. The application also sought
authorization to eliminate the current funding caps for residential and
irrigation customers, which is expected to result in more equitable cost
recovery between customer classes, and authorization to utilize Rider funding
to support customer programs aimed at the installation of small-scale renewable
energy projects.
On May 30, 2008, the IPUC approved IPCs application to
increase the Rider from 1.5 percent to 2.5 percent of base revenues, effective
June 1, 2008, and approved IPCs request to eliminate the caps on the Rider for
residential and irrigation customers. The IPUC denied IPCs request to utilize
Rider funding to support customer programs aimed at the installation of small-scale
renewable energy projects, but directed IPC to work with the IPUC Staff and
other interested parties to develop a renewable energy program and submit it to
the IPUC for approval.
Depreciation Filings
On September 12, 2008, the IPUC approved a revision to IPCs
depreciation rates, retroactive to August 1, 2008. The new rates are based on
a settlement reached by IPC and the IPUC Staff, and result in an annual
reduction of depreciation expense of $8.5 million ($7.9 million allocated to
Idaho) based upon December 31, 2006, depreciable electric plant in service.
On October 3, 2008, IPC filed an application with the OPUC
requesting that the new depreciation rates approved in IPCs Idaho jurisdiction
be authorized for IPCs Oregon jurisdiction as well. The result for the Oregon
jurisdiction would be a decrease in annual depreciation expense and rates of
$0.4 million. This request was filed in conjunction with the October 3, 2008
application discussed below in Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI).
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Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI)
The AMI project provides the means to automatically retrieve
energy consumption information, eliminating manual meter reading expense. In
the future, the system may be enhanced to allow for the collection of data in
support of time-variant rates, perform remote connects and disconnects, and
collect system operations data enhancing outage management, reliability efforts
and demand-side management options.
IPC filed AMI evaluation and deployment reports with the
IPUC on May 1 and August 31, 2007, in compliance with an IPUC order.
Consistent with the implementation plan contained in those reports, IPC has
entered into a number of contracts for materials and resources to allow for the
AMI implementation to commence in late 2008. IPC intends to install this
technology for approximately 99 percent of all customers in its service
territory by the end of 2011. The executed contracts do not obligate IPC for
any level of purchases and specifically allow IPC to cancel the contracts in
the event that appropriate regulatory treatment regarding cost recovery is not
granted.
On August 5, 2008, IPC filed an
application with the IPUC requesting a Certificate of Public Convenience and
Necessity for the deployment of AMI technology and approval of accelerated
depreciation for the existing metering equipment. In its application, IPC
estimated the three year investment in AMI to be $71 million. The 2009 revenue
requirement impact of the AMI deployment is estimated to be $12.2 million. The
effect on rates will be addressed in subsequent proceedings after a deployment
plan is approved by the IPUC. The application will be processed through
modified procedure with comments due December 9, 2008.
On October 3, 2008, IPC filed an application with the OPUC
requesting authority to accelerate the depreciation and recovery of existing
meters in the Oregon jurisdiction over an 18-month period beginning January
2009. IPCs AMI deployment schedule calls for the replacement of the Oregon
service-territory meters around October 2010. Under the proposed method, the
existing meters will be fully depreciated prior to their removal from service.
The estimated balance of plant in service at December 31, 2008, attributable to
the existing meters is $1.4 million. The approval of this application would
result in an increase of $0.8 million for 2009 in both rates and depreciation
expense. This increase would be partially offset by the request for revised
depreciation rates filed in the same application and discussed above in Depreciation
Filings.
Idaho Pension Expense Order
In the 2003 Idaho general rate case, the IPUC disallowed
recovery of pension expense because there were no current cash contributions
being made to the pension plan. On March 20, 2007, IPC requested that the IPUC
clarify that IPC can consider future cash contributions made to the pension
plan a recoverable cost of service. On June 1, 2007, the IPUC issued an order
authorizing IPC to account for its defined benefit pension expense on a cash
basis, and to defer and account for pension expense under SFAS 87, Employers
Accounting for Pensions, as a regulatory asset. The IPUC acknowledged that
it is appropriate for IPC to seek recovery in its revenue requirement of
reasonable and prudently incurred pension expense based on actual cash
contributions. The regulatory asset created by this order is expected to be
amortized to expense to match the revenues received when future pension
contributions are recovered through rates. The deferral of pension expense did
not begin until $4.1 million of past contributions still recorded on the
balance sheet at December 31, 2006, were expensed. For 2007, approximately
$2.8 million was deferred to a regulatory asset beginning in the third
quarter. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, $5.9 million of
pension expense was deferred. IPC did not request a carrying charge on the
deferral balance.
Revised Statement of Policy and Code of Conduct
On April 21, 2008, the IPUC approved IPCs Revised Statement
of Policy and Code of Conduct covering transactions between IPC and
subsidiaries of IDACORP. The Code of Conduct is designed to prescribe conduct
between IPC and an affiliate, avoid issues of self-dealing and provide a
framework to determine if cost recovery for affiliate transactions should be
included in rates.
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Bonneville Power
Administration Residential Exchange Program: The Pacific Northwest
Electric Power Planning and Conservation Act of 1980, through the Residential
Exchange Program, has provided access to the benefits of low-cost federal
hydroelectric power to residential and small farm customers of the regions
investor-owned utilities (IOUs). The program is administered by the Bonneville
Power Administration (BPA). Pursuant to agreements between the BPA and IPC,
benefits from the BPA were passed through to IPCs Idaho and Oregon residential
and small-farm customers in the form of electricity bill credits.
On May 3, 2007, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth
Circuit ruled that the settlement agreements entered into between the BPA and
the IOUs (including IPC) are inconsistent with the Northwest Power Act. On May
21, 2007, the BPA notified IPC and six other IOUs that it was immediately
suspending the Residential Exchange Program payments that the utilities pass
through to their residential and small-farm customers in the form of
electricity bill credits. IPC took action with both the IPUC and the OPUC to
reduce the level of credit on its customers bills to zero, effective June 1,
2007.
Since that time IPC has been working with the other
northwest IOUs, northwest state public utility commissions, and the BPA to craft
an agreement so that residential and small farm customers of IPC can resume
sharing in the benefits of the federal Columbia River power system. However,
the matter has yet to be resolved. The BPA has initiated several public
processes, which ultimately will determine whether benefits will be restored to
IPC customers. The most significant of these processes was the WP-07
supplemental rate case. The BPA issued the Final Record of Decision (ROD) on
September 22, 2008 in this case. The ROD continues to reflect no residential
exchange benefits for IPCs residential and small farm customers in the
foreseeable future. IPC will continue its efforts to secure future benefits
for its customers. Since these benefits were passed through to IPCs
customers, the outcome of this matter is not expected to have an effect on IPCs
financial condition or results of operations.
Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT)
On March 24, 2006, IPC submitted a revised OATT filing with
the FERC requesting an increase in transmission rates. In the filing, IPC
proposed to move from a fixed rate to a formula rate, which allows for
transmission rates to be updated each year based on FERC Form 1 data. The
formula rate request included a rate of return on equity of 11.25 percent. Effective
June 1, 2006, the FERC accepted rates for IPC amounting to an annual revenue
increase of $11 million based upon 2004 test year data. The rates were
accepted subject to refund pending the outcome of the hearing and settlement
process.
On August 8, 2007, the FERC approved a settlement agreement
by the parties on all issues except the treatment of contracts for transmission
service that contain their own terms, conditions and rates that were in
existence before the implementation of OATT in 1996 (Legacy Agreements). This
settlement reduced the estimated annual revenue increase to approximately $8.2
million based on 2004 test year data. Approximately $1.7 million collected in
excess of these new rates between June 1, 2006, and July 31, 2007, was refunded
with interest to customers in August 2007.
On August 31, 2007, the FERC Presiding Administrative Law
Judge (ALJ) issued an initial decision (Initial Decision) with respect to the
treatment of the Legacy Agreements. IPC has appealed the Initial Decision to
the FERC and is awaiting a final FERC order. If implemented, the Initial
Decision would reduce the estimated annual revenue increase (based on 2004 test
year data) to approximately $6.8 million, and IPC would make additional
refunds, including interest, of approximately $5 million for the June 1, 2006,
through September 30, 2008, period. IPC has reserved this entire amount. IPC
expects to pursue recovery of amounts not received pursuant to a final order in
this proceeding through additional proceedings at the FERC or through the state
ratemaking process.
On August 28, 2008, IPC filed its informational filing with
the FERC that contains the annual update of the formula rate based on the 2007
test year. The new rate included in the filing is $18.88 per kW-year, a
decrease of $0.85 per kW-year, or 4.3 percent. The impact of this rate
decrease on IPCs revenues will depend on transmission volume sold, which can
be highly variable. In 2007, IPC had $16 million of revenues from sales of
transmission to others. New rates were effective October 1, 2008.
Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) costs: On
April 30, 2008, the FERC issued an order amending the OATT formula rate to
allow IPC to include RTO formation costs previously deferred. The new rates
were effective May 1, 2008. The FERC-jurisdictional amount deferred was $0.4
million and will be added to rate base and amortized over five years. The
impact on the OATT rate was an increase from $19.31 per kW-year to $19.73 per
kW-year, or 2.2 percent until October 1, 2008, when the new rates from the
annual update discussed above became effective.
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Northern Tier Transmission Group
On July 17, 2008, the FERC issued an order accepting IPCs
compliance filing, subject to modifications, regarding the Attachment K
transmission planning requirements of Order No. 890. The FERC directed IPC to
make further compliance filings within 90 days to address these modifications.
IPC has made these additional filings with the FERC. The Attachment K planning
processes incorporate local, subregional, and regional transmission planning
into IPCs OATT, under which IPC has been operating since the December 7, 2007,
initial filing date. The order and subsequent compliance filings do not
constitute a material change in planning obligations and are not expected to
have a significant impact on IPCs financial results.
Transmission Projects
The transmission projects discussed below will be used both
by wholesale transmission customers and to serve native load consistent with
IPCs OATT. These facilities will be subject to both the FERC and state public
utility commission regulation and ratemaking policies.
Gateway West Project: IPC and PacifiCorp are jointly
exploring the Gateway West Project to build two 500-kV lines between the Jim
Bridger plant in Wyoming and Boise. The lines would increase electrical
transmission capacity across southern Idaho in response to increasing customer
demand and growth, along with other transmission service requests. The
regional planning report has been submitted to the Western Electricity
Coordinating Council (WECC) for review as part of the ratings process. A
review team has been established from members of the WECC to analyze the impact
of the project on the existing system. When the study is complete, necessary
modifications will be made to the engineering design and the final rating will
be obtained prior to the beginning of construction. Planning and project
management personnel for both companies have begun the initial phases of this
project. IPC and PacifiCorp have a cost sharing agreement for expenses
associated with the analysis work of the initial phases. It is expected that
the majority of the project would be completed between 2012 and 2014 depending
on the timing of rights-of-way acquisition, siting and permitting, and
construction sequencing. If the project is constructed, IPC estimates that its
share of project costs would be between $800 million and $1.2 billion.
Boardman-Hemingway Line: Consistent with the 2006
IRP and requirements and requests of other transmission customers, IPC is
exploring alternatives for the construction of a 500-kV line between
southwestern Idaho and the Northwest. The Boardman-Hemingway Line is expected
to relieve existing congestion, capacity and reliability constraints and to
allow for the delivery of up to 1,500 MW of additional energy to target service
areas, principally in Idaho and Oregon, along with other eastward and Pacific
Northwest locations. If built, this line could be in service as early as
2012. The current project schedule indicates a likely in-service date of June
2013. The existing transmission station at the Boardman power plant in Oregon
would serve as the northwest terminal of the project. The Idaho terminal would
be the proposed Hemingway Station located in the vicinity of Melba and Murphy,
Idaho on the south side of the Snake River near Boise. IPC and a number of
other utilities with proposed regional transmission projects in the Northwest
have signed a letter agreeing to coordinate technical studies, which have
begun. The regional planning report has been submitted to the WECC for review
as part of the ratings process. On August 28, 2008, IPC filed a notice of
intent (NOI) with the Oregon Department of Energy to apply for a site
certificate for the proposed line. On October 3, 2008, IPC filed a project
proposal with the NTTG Cost Allocation Committee requesting approval of the
allocation of costs and benefits for the project. IPC does not expect any
recommendation or approval by the NTTG until the second half of 2009. Other
planning and project management activities are underway.
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IPC stated in its proposal that the line would be
approximately 300 miles long, but it could be longer or shorter depending on
the route selected. Current total cost estimates for the project (including
rights-of-way, permit and substation interconnection costs) are approximately
$600 million. Final costs, routes, construction schedules, line miles and
transmission capacity for the Boardman-Hemingway Line will be determined as the
NOI and other processes are completed. IPCs share of the total line costs
will also depend upon whether and to what extent ownership partners participate
in the line and amounts contributed by third-party purchasers of capacity on
the line. IPC has received inquiries about participating in this project from
other parties, and continues to explore opportunities to partner with other
entities for up to fifty percent of the project. On October 22, 2008, IPC and
Portland General Electric (PGE) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) as
the basis for cooperation on the Boardman-Hemingway Line and PGEs proposed
Southern Crossing 500kV project. The MOU provides the two utilities an opportunity
to integrate a portion of the proposed transmission lines if both projects move
forward.
Integrated Resource Plan
IPCs 2006 IRP previewed IPCs load and resource situation
for the next twenty years, analyzed potential supply-side and demand-side
options and identified near-term and long-term actions. In June 2008, IPC
provided an update on the status of the IRP to both the IPUC and OPUC. IPC has
also begun preparing the 2009 IRP, which is expected to be filed with the IPUC
and OPUC in June 2009. IPC continually evaluates the resource plan and adjusts
it to reflect changes in technology, economic conditions, anticipated resource
development and regulatory requirements. Several items from the 2006 IRP have
been updated, including:
Geothermal Agreement: The
Raft River Geothermal Power Plant Unit #1, which is owned and operated by U.S.
Geothermal and located in southern Idaho, began delivering energy to IPC in
October 2007 under a PURPA contract which was limited to 10 MW on a monthly
basis. On January 9, 2008, the IPUC approved a power purchase agreement for 13
MW from the project, which was bid into IPCs 2006 Geothermal RFP. Concurrent
with the approval of the new contract, the existing PURPA contract was
terminated.
In response to IPCs 2006 RFP, U.S.
Geothermal also proposed an additional 6.5 MW at the Raft River site and 26 MW
from two units at the Neal Hot Springs site located in eastern Oregon. U.S.
Geothermal is continuing development work on these additional sites; however,
there have been delays in the development process and those resources are not
expected to meet the 2009 on-line date identified in the 2006 IRP. Contract
discussions between IPC and U.S. Geothermal are on-going and IPC is not able to
predict the outcome of these discussions.
Geothermal RFP: On January
22, 2008, IPC released an RFP for 50 to 100 MW of geothermal energy. While
additional geothermal resources were not included in the 2006 IRP for this time
frame, the development of PURPA wind and combined heat and power projects has
been slower than anticipated. If competitively priced geothermal resources are
available, they may help to meet future resource needs. Proposals were
received on March 14, 2008. IPC expects to announce the results of this RFP in
the fourth quarter of 2008.
Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
RFP: The 2006 IRP included 50 MW of CHP coming on-line in 2010. CHP
development at customers facilities has not progressed as anticipated in the
2006 IRP. Since CHP development has been less than anticipated, IPC may
release an RFP in late 2008.
2012 Baseload RFP: In light
of the decision to no longer pursue a conventional coal resource in 2013 as
identified in the 2006 IRP, on April 1, 2008, IPC issued an RFP for between
approximately 250 and 600 MW of dispatchable, physically delivered firm or unit
contingent energy to be acquired under power purchase or tolling agreements. A
tolling agreement is an arrangement where one party owns, operates and
maintains the generating facility and the other party provides fuel, pays capacity
charges and receives the contracted output from the project including energy,
capacity and ancillary services. The timing of this addition was also
accelerated to 2012 to meet forecast deficits resulting from changes in the
resource portfolio not anticipated in the 2006 IRP. In June 2008, IPC notified
bidders that the RFP quantity had been revised to approximately 300 MW. IPC
submitted a self-build proposal for a combined-cycle combustion turbine which
will serve as a benchmark and will compete in the evaluation process. Proposals
were received and are being evaluated.
Relicensing of Hydroelectric Projects
This section summarizes and updates the discussion of
relicensing projects in IDACORPs and IPCs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2007, and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the
quarters ended March 31, 2008, and June 30, 2008.
IPC, like other utilities that operate non-federal
hydroelectric projects on qualified waterways, obtains licenses for its
hydroelectric projects from the FERC. These licenses last for 30 to 50 years
depending on the size, complexity, and cost of the project. IPC is actively
pursuing the relicensing of the Hells Canyon Complex (HCC) and Swan Falls
projects.
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The relicensing costs are recorded and held in construction
work in progress until new multi-year licenses are issued by the FERC, at which
time the charges will be transferred to electric plant in service. Relicensing
costs and costs related to new licenses will be submitted to regulators for
recovery through the ratemaking process. Relicensing costs of $102 million and
$4 million for HCC and Swan Falls, respectively, were included in construction
work in progress at September 30, 2008.
Hells Canyon Complex: The most significant ongoing
relicensing effort is the HCC, which provides approximately two-thirds of IPCs
hydroelectric generating capacity and 40 percent of its total generating
capacity. In July 2003, IPC filed an application for a new license in
anticipation of the July 2005 expiration of the then-existing license. IPC is
currently operating under an annual license issued by the FERC and expects to
continue operating under annual licenses until the new license is issued.
Consistent with the requirements of the National Environmental
Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA), the FERC Staff issued on August 31,
2007, a final environmental impact statement (EIS) for the HCC, which the FERC
will use to determine whether, and under what conditions, to issue a new
license for the project. The purpose of the final EIS is to inform the FERC,
federal and state agencies, Native American tribes and the public about the
environmental effects of IPCs proposed operation of the HCC. IPC is reviewing
the final EIS and expects to file comments with the FERC in late 2008 or early
2009.
In conjunction with the issuance of the final EIS, on
September 13, 2007, the FERC requested formal consultation under the Endangered
Species Act (ESA) with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) regarding the effect of HCC relicensing on
several aquatic and terrestrial species listed as threatened under the ESA.
However, formal consultation has not yet been initiated and NMFS and USFWS
continue to gather and consider information relative to the effect of
relicensing on relevant species. IPC continues to cooperate with the USFWS,
the NMFS and the FERC in an effort to address ESA concerns.
Because the HCC is located on the Snake River where it forms
the border between Idaho and Oregon, IPC has filed Water Quality Certification
Applications, required under section 401 of the Clean Water Act (CWA), with the
States of Idaho and Oregon requesting that each state certify that any
discharges from the project comply with applicable state water quality
standards. IPC continues to work with Idaho and Oregon to ensure that any
discharges from the HCC will comply with the necessary state water quality
standards so that appropriate water quality certifications can be issued for
the project.
The FERC is expected to issue a license order for the HCC
once the ESA consultation and the section 401 certification processes are
completed.
Swan Falls Project: The license for the Swan Falls
hydroelectric project expires in June 2010. On September 21, 2007, IPC
submitted its draft license application to the FERC for public review and
comment. The draft contains project-specific information and the results of
environmental studies designed to determine project effects. Comments were
received from the agencies and one Native American tribe and on February 19,
2008, a joint meeting was held to address the comments and attempt to resolve
areas of disagreement over study results and proposed mitigation measures. On
June 26, 2008, IPC filed a final license application with the FERC. On July 9,
2008, in conformance with applicable regulations, the FERC issued a Notice of
Application Tendered for Filing with the Commission, Soliciting Additional
Study Requests, and Establishing Procedural Schedule for Relicensing and a
Deadline for Submission of Final Amendments. Pursuant to that notice, state
and federal resource agencies, Native American tribes or other interested
parties were to file additional study requests with the FERC by August 26,
2008. Additional study requests were filed by the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. IPC filed responses to these requests on
September 26 and 29, 2008, respectively. The FERC is still considering the
requests from the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service. On October 7, 2008, IPC received a request from the FERC to provide
clarification and additional information on the Swan Falls license
application. IPC is in the process of responding to this request.
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Shoshone Falls Expansion:
On August 17, 2006, IPC filed a license amendment application with the FERC,
which would allow IPC to upgrade the Shoshone Falls project from 12.5 MW to
62.5 MW. The license amendment is expected to be issued in the fourth quarter
of 2008. In conjunction with the license amendment application, IPC has filed
a water rights application which is currently being reviewed by the IDWR.
LEGAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES:
Legal and Other Proceedings
From time to time IDACORP and IPC are parties to legal
claims, actions and complaints in addition to those discussed below. Although
they will vigorously defend against them, IDACORP and IPC are unable to predict
with certainty whether or not they will ultimately be successful. However,
based on the companies evaluation, they believe that the resolution of these
matters, taking into account existing reserves, will not have a material
adverse effect on IDACORPs or IPCs consolidated financial positions, results
of operations or cash flows.
Reference is made to IDACORPs and IPCs Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
for the quarters ended March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2008, for a discussion of
all material pending legal proceedings to which IDACORP and IPC and their
subsidiaries are parties. The following discussion provides a summary of
material developments that occurred in those proceedings during the period
covered by this report and of any new material proceedings instituted during
the period covered by this report.
Western Energy Proceedings at the FERC: Throughout this report, the term western energy
situation is used to refer to the California energy crisis that occurred
during 2000 and 2001, which resulted in energy shortages and blackouts in the
western United States. High prices for electricity in California and in
western wholesale markets during 2000 and 2001 caused numerous purchasers of
electricity in those markets to initiate proceedings seeking refunds. Some of
these proceedings (the western energy proceedings) remain pending before the
FERC or on appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
(Ninth Circuit).
There are pending in the Ninth Circuit approximately 200
petitions for review of numerous FERC orders regarding the western energy
situation, including the California refund proceeding, the structure and
content of the FERCs market-based rate regime, show cause orders with respect
to contentions of market manipulation, and the Pacific Northwest proceedings.
Decisions in any one of these appeals may have implications with respect to
other pending cases, including those to which IDACORP, IPC or IE are parties.
IDACORP, IPC and IE intend to vigorously defend their positions in these
proceedings, but are unable to predict the outcome of these matters or estimate
the impact they may have on their consolidated financial positions, results of
operations or cash flows.
California Refund:
In April 2001, the FERC issued an order stating that it was establishing a
price mitigation plan for sales in the California wholesale electricity
market. That plan included the potential for orders directing electricity
sellers into California from October 2, 2000, through June 20, 2001, to refund
the portions of their spot market sales prices if the FERC determined that
those prices were not just and reasonable. On July 25, 2001, the FERC issued
an order initiating the California Refund proceeding including evidentiary
hearings to determine the scope and methodology for determining refunds. On
February 17, 2006, IE and IPC jointly filed with the California Parties
(Pacific Gas & Electric Company, San Diego Gas & Electric Company,
Southern California Edison, the California Public Utilities Commission, the
California Electricity Oversight Board, the California Department of Water
Resources and the California Attorney General) an Offer of Settlement at the
FERC. A number of other parties, representing substantially less than the
majority of potential refund claims, chose to opt out of the settlement. After
consideration of comments, the FERC approved the Offer of Settlement on May 22,
2006.
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On February 3, 2004, the FERC directed the California
Independent System Operator (Cal ISO) to provide status reports with respect to
its progress in calculating refunds, fuel and emissions allowance offsets to
refunds and interest. The process of performing the calculations has engaged
the Cal ISO for more than four years. On May 16, 2008, the Cal ISO published its
Forty-First Status Report and on September 3, 2008, the Cal ISO published its
Forty-Second Status Report. The Forty-First and Forty-Second Status Reports
are essentially similar. In the Forty-Second Status Report, the Cal ISO stated
its intention not to issue another status report until the FERC had provided
guidance on a series of unresolved questions which the Cal ISO considered to be
necessary before it completes its calculations. Included among these
unresolved questions are three pending alternative dispute resolution matters,
several allocation questions and several questions regarding FERC treatment of
non-jurisdictional entities exempted from refund obligations, including
questions about the relationship of FERC-approved settlements to the allocation
to net refund recipients of refund shortfalls otherwise associated non-jurisdictional
entities. The Cal ISO intends to complete work on its calculations after the
FERC provides the requested guidance.
On June 21, 2006, the Port of Seattle, Washington filed a
request for rehearing of the FERC order approving the IE and IPC/California
Parties settlement. On October 5, 2006, the FERC denied the Port of Seattles
request for rehearing and on October 24, 2006, the Port of Seattle petitioned
the Ninth Circuit for review of the FERC orders approving the settlement. On
October 25, 2007, the Ninth Circuit lifted the stay as to the Port of Seattles
appeal along with two other cases with which the Port of Seattles petition
remains consolidated and severed the three cases from the remainder of the
consolidated cases. Briefs by all participants have now been filed. Oral
argument is scheduled for December 16, 2008. IE and IPC intend to vigorously
defend their positions in this proceeding, but are unable to predict the
outcome of this matter or estimate the impact it may have on their consolidated
financial positions, results of operations or cash flows.
Market Manipulation: As part of the California and
Pacific Northwest Refund proceedings the FERC issued an order permitting
discovery and the submission of evidence regarding market manipulation by
sellers during the western energy situation. On June 25, 2003, the FERC
ordered 50 entities that participated in the western wholesale power markets
between January 1, 2000 and June 20, 2001, including IPC, to show cause why
certain trading practices did not constitute gaming or anomalous market
behavior (partnership) in violation of the Cal ISO and CalPX Tariffs. On
October 16, 2003, IE and IPC reached agreement with the FERC Staff on two
orders commonly referred to as the gaming and partnership show cause
orders. The FERC staff submitted a motion to the FERC to dismiss the partnership
proceeding, which was approved by the FERC in an order issued on January 23,
2004. The gaming settlement was approved by the FERC on March 4, 2004.
Some parties have sought review of what they claim are the
excessively narrow or excessively broad scope of the show cause orders, and the
Ninth Circuit has consolidated those claims with the other matters and is
holding them in abeyance. The Port of Seattle is the only party to appeal the
orders of the FERC approving the gaming settlement. IPC intends to vigorously
defend its position in this proceeding, but is unable to predict the outcome of
this matter or estimate the impact it may have on its consolidated financial
positions, results of operations or cash flows.
Pacific Northwest Refund: On July 25, 2001, the FERC
issued an order establishing another proceeding to determine whether there may
have been unjust and unreasonable charges for spot market sales in the Pacific Northwest during the period December 25, 2000, through June 20, 2001. A FERC
Administrative Law Judge submitted recommendations and findings to the FERC on
September 24, 2001, concluding that prices should be governed by the Mobile-Sierra
standard of the public interest rather than the just and reasonable standard,
that the Pacific Northwest spot markets were competitive and that refunds
should not be allowed. On December 19, 2002, the FERC reopened the proceeding
to allow the submission of additional evidence related to alleged manipulation
of the power market by market participants. Parties alleging market
manipulation were to submit their claims to the FERC and responses were due on
March 20, 2003. On June 25, 2003, the FERC terminated the proceeding and
declined to order refunds. Multiple parties filed petitions for review in the
Ninth Circuit. On August 24, 2007, the Ninth Circuit issued an opinion in the
appeal, remanding to the FERC the orders that declined to require refunds. The
Ninth Circuits opinion instructed the FERC to consider whether evidence of
market manipulation submitted by the petitioners for the period January 1, 2000
to June 21, 2001 would have altered the agencys conclusions about refunds and
directed the FERC to include sales to the California Department of Water
Resources proceeding. A number of parties have sought rehearing of the Ninth
Circuits decision. Grays Harbor terminated its participation in the case when
Grays Harbor and IPC reached a settlement. IE and IPC intend to vigorously
defend their positions in this proceeding, but are unable to predict the
outcome of this matter or estimate the impact it may have on their consolidated
financial positions, results of operations or cash flows.
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In separate western energy proceedings, the Ninth Circuit
issued two decisions on December 19, 2006, regarding the FERCs decision not to
require repricing of certain long-term contracts. Those cases originated with
individual complaints against specified sellers which did not include IE or
IPC. The Ninth Circuit remanded to the FERC for additional consideration the
agencys use of restrictive standards of contract review. In its decisions,
the Ninth Circuit also questioned the validity of the FERCs administration of
its market-based rate regime. On June 26, 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court issued
a decision in one of these cases, Morgan Stanley Capital Group Inc. v. Public
Utility District No. 1 of Snohomish County (No. 06-1457) (Snohomish), and
revisited and clarified the Mobile-Sierra doctrine in the context of fixed-rate,
forward power contracts. At issue was whether, and under what circumstances,
the FERC could modify the rates in such contracts on the grounds that there was
a dysfunctional market at the time the contracts were executed. In its
decision, the Supreme Court disagreed with many of the conclusions reached by
the Ninth Circuit and upheld the application of the Mobile-Sierra doctrine even
in cases in which it is alleged that the markets were dysfunctional. The
Supreme Court nonetheless directed the return of the case to the FERC to (i)
consider whether the challenged rates in the case constituted an excessive
burden on consumers either at the time the contracts were formed or during the
term of the contracts relative to the rates that could have been obtained after
elimination of the dysfunctional market and (ii) clarify whether it found the
evidence inadequate to support a claim that one of the parties to a contract
under consideration engaged in unlawful market manipulation that altered the
playing field for the particular contract negotiations-that is, whether there
was a causal connection between allegedly unlawful activity and the contract
rate.
This decision is expected to have general implications for
contracts in the wholesale electric markets regulated by the FERC, and
particular implications for forward power contracts in such markets. The
Snohomish decision upholds the application of the Mobile-Sierra doctrine to
fixed-rate, forward power contracts even in allegedly dysfunctional markets.
IPC and IE have asserted the Mobile-Sierra doctrine as a defense to the claims
asserted in the Pacific Northwest proceeding, involving spot market contracts
in an allegedly dysfunctional market. IDACORP, IPC and IE are unable to
predict how the FERC will rule on Snohomish on remand or how this decision will
affect the outcome of the Pacific Northwest proceeding.
Sierra Club Lawsuit-Bridger: In February 2007, the
Sierra Club and the Wyoming Outdoor Council filed a complaint against
PacifiCorp in the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming alleging
violations of air quality opacity standards at the Jim Bridger coal-fired plant
(Plant) in Sweetwater County, Wyoming. Opacity is an indication of the amount
of light obscured in the flue gas of a power plant. A formal answer to the
complaint was filed by PacifiCorp on April 2, 2007, in which PacifiCorp denied
almost all of the allegations and asserted a number of affirmative defenses.
IPC is not a party to this proceeding but has a one-third ownership interest in
the Plant. PacifiCorp owns a two-thirds interest and is the operator of the
Plant. The complaint alleges thousands of opacity permit limit violations by
PacifiCorp and seeks a declaration that PacifiCorp has violated opacity limits,
a permanent injunction ordering PacifiCorp to comply with such limits, civil
penalties of up to $32,500 per day per violation and the plaintiffs costs of
litigation, including reasonable attorney fees.
Discovery in the matter was completed on October 15, 2007.
Also in October 2007, the plaintiffs and defendant filed cross-motions for
summary judgment on the alleged opacity compliance status of the Plant. The
court has not yet ruled on these motions. On March 13, 2008, the District
Court canceled the original trial date of April 21, 2008, but did not schedule
a new trial date. On July 7, 2008, the plaintiffs filed a motion requesting
the court to schedule a date for oral argument on the pending motions for
summary judgment. On July 17, 2008, PacifiCorp filed an opposition to
plaintiffs motion based on the courts order on Initial Pretrial Conference,
which stated that dispositive motions will be decided on the briefs without
oral argument. The court has yet to rule on plaintiffs motion. IPC
continues to monitor the status of this matter but is unable to predict the
outcome of this matter or estimate the impact it may have on its consolidated
financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Sierra Club Lawsuit Boardman: On September 30,
2008, Sierra Club filed a complaint against Portland General Electric Company
(PGE) in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon alleging opacity
permit limit violations at the Boardman coal-fired power plant located in
Morrow County, Oregon. The complaint also alleges violations of the Clean Air
Act, related federal regulations and the Oregon State Implementation Plan relating
to PGEs construction and operation of the plant. The complaint seeks a
declaration that PGE has violated opacity limits, a permanent injunction
ordering PGE to comply with such limits, injunctive relief requiring PGE to
remediate alleged environmental damage and ongoing impacts, civil penalties of
up to $32,500 per day per violation and the plaintiffs cost of litigation,
including reasonable attorney fees. IPC is not a party to this proceeding but
has a 10 percent ownership interest in the Boardman plant. PGE owns 65 percent
and is the operator of the plant.
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PGE has not answered or otherwise responded to the
complaint. IPC intends to monitor the status of this matter but is unable to
predict its outcome or what effect this matter may have on its consolidated
financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Oregon Trail Heights Fire: On August 25, 2008, a
fire ignited beneath an IPC distribution line in Boise, Idaho. It was fanned
by high winds and spread rapidly, resulting in one death, the destruction of 10
homes and damage or alleged fire related losses to approximately 30 others.
Following the investigation, the Boise Fire Department determined that the fire
was linked to a piece of line hardware on one of IPCs distribution poles and
was accidental and caused by high winds.
IPC has received claims from a number of the homeowners and
their insurers and is continuing its investigation of these claims. IPC is
insured up to policy limits against liability for claims in excess of its self-insured
retention. IPC has accrued a reserve for any loss that is probable and
reasonably estimable and believes this matter will not have a material adverse
effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash
flows.
Other Legal Proceedings:
IDACORP, IPC and/or IE are involved in lawsuits and legal proceedings in
addition to those discussed above and in Note 6 to IDACORPs and IPCs
Consolidated Financial Statements. Resolution of any of these matters will
take time and the companies cannot predict the outcome of any of these
proceedings. The companies believe that their reserves are adequate for these
matters.
The section below summarizes and provides an update of
environmental issues as discussed in IDACORPs and IPCs Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
for the quarters ended March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2008.
Idaho Water Management Issues: From 2000 through
2005, and throughout 2007 and the year-to-date 2008, below normal precipitation
and stream flows have exacerbated a developing water shortage in Idaho,
manifested by a number of water issues including declining Snake River base
flows and declining levels in the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer (ESPA), a large
underground aquifer that has been estimated to hold between 200 - 300 million
acre feet (maf) of water. These issues are of interest to IPC because of their
potential impacts on generation at IPCs hydroelectric projects.
As a result of declines in river flows, in 2003 several
surface water users filed delivery calls with the Idaho Department of Water
Resources (IDWR), demanding that it manage ground water withdrawals pursuant to
the prior appropriation doctrine of first in time is first in right and
curtail junior ground water rights that are depleting the aquifer and affecting
flows to senior surface water rights. These delivery calls have resulted in
several administrative actions before the IDWR to enforce senior water rights
as well as judicial actions before the state court challenging the
constitutionality of state regulations used by the IDWR to conjunctively
administer ground and surface water rights. Because IPC holds water rights
that are dependent on the Snake River, spring flows and the overall condition
of the ESPA, IPC continues to monitor and participate in these actions, as
necessary, to protect its water rights.
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One such action relates to the Milner hydroelectric project
which is owned by the North Side Canal Company (NSCC) and the Twin Falls Canal
Company (TFCC). In 1990, IPC entered into a contract with the owners relating
to the construction and operation of a power plant at Milner Dam. To
facilitate the rehabilitation of the Milner dam, IPC and NSCC/TFCC jointly
filed for, and were issued, a FERC license for a hydroelectric project at the
dam. IPC constructed and operates the project, and participated in the
financing of the dam rehabilitation. NSCC and TFCC filed an application for a
water right for the project and were issued an approved water right permit by
the IDWR in 1993. The permit contained a condition subordinating the water
right to all consumptive beneficial uses of water, other than hydropower and
groundwater recharge. Since the issuance of the permit, the NSCC and TFCC
have delivered water to and IPC has operated the Milner project under the FERC
license. On October 20, 2008, the IDWR issued a water right license for the
project that changed the subordination condition in the permit by deleting the
reference to groundwater recharge, thereby subordinating the water right to
groundwater recharge. On November 4, 2008, NSCC and TFCC filed a petition for
hearing with IDWR contesting the change in the subordination condition. IDWR
has not taken any action on the petition. IPC is monitoring but is unable to
predict the outcome of the administrative action.
IPC, together with other interested water users and state
interests, also continues to explore and encourage the development of a long-term
management plan that will protect the ESPA and the Snake River from further
depletion. On February 14, 2007, the Idaho Water Resource Board (IWRB)
presented the framework for an ESPA management plan to the Idaho Legislature
recommending the development of a Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan
(CAMP). The proposed goal of the CAMP is to sustain the economic viability and
social and environmental health of the ESPA by adaptively managing a balance
between water use and supplies. Through House Concurrent Resolution 28 and
House Bill 320, the 2007 Idaho Legislature appropriated funds and directed the
IWRB to proceed with the development of the CAMP. Pursuant to the IWRB
recommendation in the CAMP Framework, an advisory committee has been
established to make recommendations to the IWRB on the development of the
CAMP. IPC sits on the CAMP advisory committee and will be working with the
IWRB on the development of the CAMP. The advisory committee expects to submit
recommendations on the CAMP to the IWRB in the fourth quarter of 2008.
IPC is also engaged in the Snake River Basin Adjudication
(SRBA), a general stream adjudication, commenced in 1987, to define the nature
and extent of water rights in the Snake River basin in Idaho, including the
water rights of IPC. The initiation of the SRBA resulted from the Swan Falls
Agreement, an agreement entered into by IPC and the Governor and Attorney
General of Idaho in October 1984 to resolve litigation relating to IPCs water
rights at its Swan Falls project. IPC has filed claims to its water rights for
hydropower and other uses in the SRBA. Other water users in the basin have
also filed claims to water rights. Parties to the SRBA may file objections to
water right claims that adversely affect or injure their claimed water rights
and the Idaho District Court for the Fifth Judicial District, which has
jurisdiction over SRBA matters, then adjudicates the claims and objections and
enters a decree defining a partys water rights. IPC has filed claims for all
of its hydropower water rights in the SRBA, is actively protecting those water
rights, and is objecting to claims that may potentially injure or affect those
water rights. One such claim involves a notice of claim of ownership filed on
December 22, 2006, by the State of Idaho, for a portion of the water rights
held by IPC that are subject to the Swan Falls Agreement.
On May 10, 2007, in order to protect its claims and the
availability of water for power purposes at its facilities, and in response to
the claim of ownership filed by the State of Idaho, IPC filed a complaint and
petition for declaratory and injunctive relief regarding the status and nature
of IPCs water rights and the respective rights and responsibilities of the
parties under the Swan Falls Agreement. The complaint was filed in the Idaho
District Court for the Fifth Judicial District, the court with jurisdiction
over the SRBA, against the State of Idaho, the Governor, the Attorney General,
the IDWR and the Director of the IDWR.
In conjunction with the filing of the complaint and
petition, IPC filed motions with the court to stay all pending proceedings
involving the water rights of IPC and to consolidate those proceedings into a
single action where all issues relating to the Swan Falls Agreement can be determined.
IPC alleged in the complaint, among other things, that
contrary to the parties belief at the time the Swan Falls Agreement was
entered into in 1984, the Snake River basin above Swan Falls was over-appropriated
and as a consequence there was not in 1984, and there currently is not, water
available for new upstream uses over and above the minimum flows established by
the Swan Falls Agreement; that because of this mutual mistake of fact relating
to the over-appropriation of the basin, the Swan Falls Agreement should be
reformed; that the states December 22, 2006, claim of ownership to IPCs water
rights should be denied; and that the Swan Falls Agreement did not subordinate
IPCs water rights to aquifer recharge.
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On April 18, 2008, the court issued a Memorandum Decision
and Order on Cross-Motions for Summary Judgment upholding the Swan Falls
Agreement. Under the Swan Falls Agreement, water rights in excess of the
minimum flows established by the agreement are held in trust by the State of
Idaho for the use and benefit of IPC and the people of the State of Idaho.
Water above these minimum flows is available for subsequent consumptive
beneficial uses that are approved in accordance with state law. The court
further held that to the extent that the state is not meeting the minimum flows
or it is anticipated that the minimum flows will not be met, IPCs water rights
that are held in trust are not available for subsequent appropriations and that
any appropriations already in place may be subject to curtailment in order to
meet the minimum flows. The court found that it was not necessary to address
the issue of mutual mistake of fact relating to the over-appropriation of the
basin because it found that it was water rights that were the subject of the trust
arrangement and not the water itself. The court also stated that issues
relating to water availability relate to the administration of water rights and
should be addressed, as necessary, in an administrative action before the IDWR.
The court did not decide the issue of whether the Swan Falls
Agreement subordinated IPCs water rights to groundwater recharge. The State
of Idaho and IPC are now in the process of completing discovery, and have
submitted summary judgment motions on the recharge issue. The court has
scheduled a hearing for December 4, 2008, for arguments on the summary judgment
motions. IPC is unable to predict how the court will rule on the issue of
whether the Swan Falls Agreement subordinated IPCs water rights to groundwater
recharge. Based upon recent developments, however, resolution of that issue is
not expected to have a significant effect on the availability of water to IPCs
hydropower facilities. IPC is cooperating with the State of Idaho and other
water users through an advisory committee in the development of the CAMP to
protect and enhance water levels in the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer (ESPA) and
the connected Snake River. Many CAMP committee members had early expectations
that groundwater recharge would be a significant component of the plan.
However, further study and review has revealed that significant groundwater
recharge is not feasible due to the complex hydrology of the ESPA, the lack of
infrastructure, and the requirement of compliance with water quality and other
environmental standards.
IPC has also filed two actions in federal court against the
United States Bureau of Reclamation to enforce a contract right for delivery of
water to its hydropower projects on the Snake River. In 1923, IPC and the
United States entered into a contract that facilitated the development of the
American Falls Reservoir by the United States on the Snake River in southeast
Idaho. This 1923 contract entitles IPC to 45,000 acre-feet of primary storage
capacity in the reservoir and 255,000 acre-feet of secondary storage that was
to be available to IPC between October 1 of any year and June 10 of the
following year as necessary to maintain specified flows at IPCs Twin Falls
power plant below Milner Dam. IPC believes that the United States has failed
to deliver this secondary storage, at the specified flows, since 2001. As a
result, IPC filed an action in the U.S. District Court of Federal Claims in
Washington, D.C. on October 15, 2007 to recover damages from the United States
for the lost generation resulting from the reduced flows. On September 30,
2008, IPC filed an amended complaint in which IPC seeks, in addition to damages
for breach of the 1923 contract, a prospective declaration of contractual
rights so as to prevent the United States from continued failure to fulfill its
contractual and fiduciary duties to IPC. On October 2, 2008, the court set a
discovery schedule requiring that discovery be completed and pre-trial motions
filed by October 1, 2009. The court will then set the matter for trial. IPC
is unable to predict the outcome of this action.
The second action was filed by IPC on October 16, 2007 in
the U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho in Boise, Idaho for a
declaration of parties respective rights and obligations under the 1923
contract and to compel the United States to manage American Falls Reservoir and
the Snake River federal reservoir system to ensure that IPCs contract right to
secondary storage is fulfilled in the future. Subsequently, IPC and the United
States agreed that the issues in this action could be addressed in the action
filed in the U.S. District Court of Federal Claims. As a result, the complaint
in the Federal Claims Court action was amended and on October 7, 2008, the U.S.
District Court in Idaho approved a Stipulation of Dismissal filed by IPC and
the United States dismissing, without prejudice, the action filed in the
District Court of Idaho.
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Air Quality Issues
IPC owns two natural gas
combustion turbine power plants and co-owns three coal-fired power plants that
are subject to air quality regulation. The natural gas-fired plants, Danskin
and Bennett Mountain, are located in Idaho. The coal-fired plants are: Jim
Bridger (33 percent interest) located in Wyoming; Boardman (ten percent interest)
located in Oregon; and North Valmy (50 percent interest) located in Nevada.
The Clean Air Act establishes controls on the emissions from stationary sources
like those owned by IPC. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) adopts many
of the standards and regulations under the Clean Air Act, while states have the
primary responsibility for implementation and administration of these air
quality programs. IPC continues to actively monitor, evaluate and work on air
quality issues pertaining to the Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR), possible
legislative amendment of the Clean Air Act, emerging greenhouse gas and climate
change programs at the federal, regional and state levels, New Source Review
(NSR) permitting, National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), and Regional
Haze Best Available Retrofit Technology (RH BART). Low nitrogen oxide (NOx)
burner technology and mercury continuous emission monitoring systems (mercury
CEMS) installations are progressing at all three coal-fired power plants.
National Ambient Air Quality Standards: In
March 2008, the EPA promulgated a final regulation which revised the 8-hour
ozone NAAQS. For the primary (health-based) standard, the EPA lowered the
standard from 0.08 parts per million (ppm) to 0.075 ppm. Under the EPA's
final rule, states must make recommendations to the EPA by March 2009 for areas
to be designated attainment, nonattainment and unclassifiable. Several
states, environmental organizations and private parties have challenged the
EPA's regulations. The impact of the new standard will not be known until data
is collected, analyzed, and released to the public, the judicial appeals are
completed and the associated regulatory programs are promulgated and
implemented. The EPA is expected to make final air quality designations by
March 2010. On May 8, 2008, the EPA issued a final rule implementing the NSR program for emissions of particulate matter of less than 2.5 micrometers in
diameter (PM2.5). This rule establishes the framework for requiring
preconstruction permit review of PM2.5 emissions from new or modified major
stationary sources such as the power plants owned by IPC. The
impacts of the PM2.5 NSR standards on IPC will not be known until individual
states adopt revised plans and regulations to implement these federal
requirements and they become applicable to IPC due to activities at its power
plants.
Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR): The CAIR, issued
by the EPA on March 10, 2005, establishes a permanent cap on emissions of NOx
and SO2 primarily from power plants in 28 eastern states and the
District of Columbia. While the CAIR does not apply to any of the power plants
owned by IPC, it is an important rule for the electric utility industry because
of its broad applicability and its close relation to the CAMR. The CAIR was
subjected to legal challenges by a number of states, industry, and
environmental groups. On July 11, 2008, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C.
Circuit vacated the CAIR. On September 24, 2008, the EPA petitioned the U.S. Court
of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit to reconsider its ruling to vacate the CAIR.
The court has not yet ruled on the EPAs petition. On October 21, 2008, the
court issued an order giving the parties who challenged the CAIR 15 days to
address whether they want the court to stay its decision and allow the CAIR to
remain in effect until such time as the EPA creates a new rule in response to
the courts decision. A possible legislative enactment of the CAIR was
discussed in Congress. The potential impacts of this court ruling will not be
fully understood until any future appeals are resolved or until such time as
Congress, the EPA and/or individual states respond to the courts ruling.
Clean Air Mercury Rule: The CAMR, issued by the EPA
on March 15, 2005, limits mercury emissions from new and existing coal-fired
power plants and creates a market-based cap-and-trade program that will
permanently cap utility mercury emissions. On February 8, 2008, the U.S. Court
of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit vacated the CAMR and remanded it back to the
EPA for reconsideration consistent with the courts interpretation of the Clean
Air Act. On March 24, 2008, the EPA petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for
the D.C. Circuit to reconsider its decision to overturn the CAMR, which was
rejected by the court on May 20, 2008. On September 17, 2008, the EPA filed a
request with the U.S. Supreme Court to review the D.C. Circuits decisions.
The Supreme Court has not yet ruled on the EPAs request. The impact of the
courts decision will not be known until the judicial appeals process has been
completed or until such time as the EPA develops a new regulation in response.
It is possible that the decision to remand the CAMR back to the EPA for
reconsideration could result in the EPA developing maximum achievable control
technology standards for mercury emissions from coal-fired power plants. It
also is possible that the courts decision could result in changes to the
mercury reductions required by the states in which IPC has partial ownership
interests in coal-fired power plants. IPC is unable to predict at this time
what actions the EPA or states may take in response to the courts decision or
any resulting impacts to IPC.
65 |
Regional Haze Best Available Retrofit Technology: In
accordance with federal regional haze rules, the Wyoming Department of
Environmental Quality (WDEQ) and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality
(ODEQ) are conducting an assessment of emission sources pursuant to a RH BART
process. Coal-fired utility boilers are subject to RH BART if they were built
between 1962 and 1977 and affect any Class I areas. This includes all four
units at the Jim Bridger plant and the Boardman plant. The two units at the
North Valmy plant were constructed after 1977 and are not subject to the
federal regional haze rule. On August 20, 2008, the ODEQ issued a draft RH
BART proposal for the Boardman plant that, if adopted, would require the
installation of significant emission controls beginning in 2011. The ODEQ
plans to finalize a RH BART determination for the Boardman plant in January
2009 with the intent of adopting a final rule in April 2009. The pollution
control requirements proposed by the ODEQ are estimated to cost approximately
$59 million (IPC share). Under the proposal approximately $40 million (IPC
share) will need to be spent by 2014 with an additional $19 million (IPC share)
by 2017. In addition, IPC and Pacificorp have been meeting with the WDEQ to
discuss potential RH BART requirements for the Jim Bridger plant. Discussions
with the WDEQ are ongoing and IPC continues to monitor RH BART processes at
both the Jim Bridger and Boardman plants.
Greenhouse Gases: IPC continues to monitor and
evaluate the possible adoption of national, regional, or state greenhouse gas
(GHG) regulations and judicial decisions that would affect electric utilities.
Such regulations could increase IPCs capital expenditures and operating costs
and reduce earnings and cash flows. At the national level, numerous GHG bills
were introduced in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives during 2007 and
2008, including the Climate Security Act of 2008 (S. 3036), which was debated
on the Senate floor in June 2008 but not voted on. In addition, the Chairman
of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the Chairman of the House
Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality, released a discussion draft of federal
GHG cap-and-trade legislation on October 7, 2008. A change of administration
in January 2009 also is widely expected to spur proposals that could lead to
the adoption of a mandatory federal program to reduce GHG emissions through an
economy-wide cap-and-trade program or carbon tax.
The states of Arizona, California, Montana, New Mexico,
Oregon, Utah and Washington, along with the provinces of British Columbia,
Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec, Canada, have formed the Western Regional Climate
Action Initiative (WCI). On August 22, 2007, the WCI partners released their
regional goal to collectively reduce GHGs 15 percent below 2005 levels by
2020. The WCI partners have agreed to design a regional market-based multi-sector
mechanism to help achieve the goal. On September 23, 2008, the WCI issued its
design recommendations to reduce GHG emissions from the electricity generating
industry. The recommendations by the WCI include a cap-and-trade program for
the electricity generating industry which would apply to in-state electricity
generators and the first jurisdictional deliverer of electricity into a WCI
partner state. The states of Idaho, Nevada and Wyoming have not joined the
WCI. It is possible that these and other states in which IPC owns fossil fuel-fired
electricity generation facilities or sells electricity into could join the WCI
in the future.
In April 2007, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in
Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection Agency, a case involving the EPAs
authority to regulate carbon dioxide emissions from motor vehicles under the
Clean Air Act. The decision, combined with stimulus from state, regional and
federal legislative and regulatory initiatives, judicial decisions and other
factors may lead to a determination by the EPA to regulate carbon dioxide
emissions from stationary sources, including electricity generators. On March
27, 2008, the EPA announced that it would issue an advanced notice of proposed
rulemaking (ANPR) to solicit public input on whether GHG emissions should be
regulated from stationary sources. On April 2, 2008, Attorneys General from 17
states filed suit in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit requesting
the court to require the EPA to rule within 60 days on whether carbon dioxide
is a danger to public health or welfare and, therefore, subject to regulation
under the Clean Air Act. On June 26, 2008, the court denied the request. On
July 11, 2008, the EPA released its ANPR inviting public comment on the
benefits and ramifications of regulating GHGs under the Clean Air Act. While
the majority of current national, regional and state initiatives regarding GHG
emissions contemplate market-based compliance programs, a determination by the
EPA to regulate GHG emissions under the Clean Air Act could result in GHG
emission limits on stationary sources that do not provide market-based
compliance options such as cap-and-trade programs or emission offsets. Such a
program could raise uncertainty about the future viability of fossil fuels,
specifically coal, as an economical energy source for new and existing electric
generation facilities because new technologies for reducing carbon dioxide
emissions from coal, including carbon capture and storage, are not yet proven.
IPC will continue to monitor developments with respect to the possible
regulation of GHG emissions from stationary sources under the Clean Air Act.
66 |
In 2007, IPCs carbon dioxide emissions from IPCs electric
power generation facilities were approximately 7.8 million tons, or 1,153
lbs/MWh (adjusted to reflect IPCs partial ownership in the Jim Bridger,
Boardman and North Valmy facilities). At this time, IPC is unable to estimate
the costs of compliance with potential national, regional or state GHG
emissions reductions legislation or initiatives because these proposals are in
the early stages of development and any final regulation, if adopted, could
vary from current proposals. The actual impact of future regulation of GHG
emissions on IPCs financial performance will depend on a number of factors,
including but not limited to: (1) the geographic scope of any legislation or
regulation (e.g., federal, regional, state); (2) the enactment date of the
legislation or regulation and the compliance deadlines; (3) the type of any
legislation or regulation (e.g., cap-and-trade, carbon tax, GHG emission
limits); (4) the level of GHG reductions required and the year selected as a
baseline for determining the amount or percentage of mandated GHG reductions;
(5) the extent to which market-based compliance options are available; (6) the
extent to which a facility would be entitled to receive GHG emissions
allowances without having to purchase them in an auction or on the open market
and the price and availability of offsets in the secondary market and (7) the
availability and cost of carbon control technology.
Climate Change: IPC
intends to continue to add non-carbon-producing resources to its resource
portfolio and will continue to monitor the climate change debate, current
climate change research, and recently enacted as well as proposed legislation
to identify the potential impacts of global climate change on all aspects of
its business. Long-term climate change could significantly affect IPCs
business in a variety of ways, including but not limited to the following: (a)
extreme weather events and changes in temperature, precipitation and snow pack
conditions could affect customer demand and the amount and timing of
hydroelectric generation and increase service interruptions, outages and
operations and maintenance costs; and (b) legislative and/or regulatory
developments related to climate change could affect plans and operations in
various ways including placing restrictions on the construction of new
generation resources, the expansion of existing resources, or the operation of
current carbon emitting generation resources in general. IPC cannot, however,
quantify the potential impact of global climate change on its business at this
time.
Renewable Portfolio Standards: Legislation to adopt
a national renewable portfolio standard (RPS) has been introduced but not yet
adopted by Congress. IPC expects debate to continue on a national RPS. IPC is
not currently subject to state RPS in Idaho, however, IPCs operations in
Oregon will be required to comply with a ten percent RPS beginning in 2025. It
is possible that Idaho and other states in which IPC operates or sells power
into could adopt RPS initiatives that would impact IPC. IPC will continue to
monitor RPS developments but cannot, at this time, predict the impacts of state
and federal RPS legislation on its business.
OTHER MATTERS:
Southwest Intertie Project
IPC began developing the SWIP
in 1988. IPCs investment consists predominantly of a federal permit for a
specific transmission corridor in Nevada and Idaho and also private rights-of-way
in Idaho. The SWIP rights-of-way extend from Midpoint substation in south-central
Idaho through eastern Nevada to the Dry Lake area northeast of Las Vegas,
Nevada. In 2004 the Bureau of Land Management granted a five-year extension to
begin construction of a proposed 500kV transmission line within the rights-of-way
before December 2009. On March 31, 2005, IPC entered into an agreement with
White Pine Energy Associates, LLC (White Pine), an affiliate of LS Power
Development, LLC, which gave White Pine a three-year exclusive option to
purchase the SWIP rights-of-way from IPC. The option could be exercised in
part or as a whole.
On March 28, 2008, Great Basin Transmission, LLC (Great
Basin), as successor in interest to White Pine, exercised its option to
purchase the southern portion of the SWIP rights-of-way from IPC. This sale
closed during the second quarter of 2008, and resulted in a net pre-tax gain to
IPC of approximately $3 million. IPC and Great Basin also extended the term
for exercise of the option on the northern portion of the SWIP rights-of-way
from March 31, 2008, to December 31, 2008.
67 |
Hoku Special Contract
On September 17, 2008, IPC entered into an Electric Service
Agreement (ESA) with Hoku Materials, Inc. (Hoku) to provide electric service to
Hokus polysilicon production facility under construction in Pocatello, Idaho.
The initial term of the ESA is four years beginning on June 1, 2009, with
automatic renewal after June 1, 2013 unless either party gives 12 months prior
written notice of termination. The amounts of power IPC will make available to
Hoku are fixed and vary by season. IPCs maximum demand obligation during the
initial term is 82 MW; however, Hoku may increase or decrease its total demand
to between 25 MW and 175 MW after June 1, 2013. The purchase rates in the ESA
are based on a combination of embedded cost tariff rates and marginal costs and
are subject to change by action of the IPUC. IPCs revenues under the ESA will
vary depending upon the level of demand from Hoku. If Hoku maximizes its
demand during the initial four-year term of the ESA, IPCs revenues under the
ESA would total approximately $125 million for that period. The ESA is subject
to prior review and approval by the IPUC. IPC filed an application to approve
the ESA with the IPUC on October 24, 2008.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
IDACORPs and IPCs discussion and analysis of their
financial condition and results of operations are based upon their condensed
consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. The preparation of these financial
statements requires IDACORP and IPC to make estimates and judgments that affect
the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, IDACORP
and IPC evaluate these estimates including those estimates related to rate
regulation, benefit costs, contingencies, litigation, impairment of assets,
income taxes, unbilled revenue and bad debt. These estimates are based on
historical experience and on other assumptions and factors that are believed to
be reasonable under the circumstances, and are the basis for making judgments
about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily
apparent from other sources. IDACORP and IPC, based on their ongoing reviews,
make adjustments when facts and circumstances dictate.
IDACORPs and IPCs critical accounting policies are
reviewed by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. These policies are
discussed in more detail in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2007, and have not changed materially from that discussion.
Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
SFAS 157: IDACORP and IPC partially adopted the
provisions of SFAS 157, Fair Value Measurements (SFAS 157) on January 1,
2008. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair
value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the quality of inputs used
to measure fair value and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements.
FASB Staff Position 157-2 (FSP FAS 157-2) delayed the implementation of SFAS
157 for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for items that
are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a
recurring basis (at least annually). The delay is intended to allow the FASB
and constituents additional time to consider the effect of various
implementation issues that have arisen, or that may arise, from the application
of SFAS 157. In accordance with FSP FAS 157-2, IPC did not apply the
provisions of SFAS 157 to asset retirement obligations. On October 10, 2008,
the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-3, Determining the Fair Value of a Financial
Asset When the Market for That Asset Is Not Active, which clarifies the
application of SFAS 157, in a market that is not active and provides an example
to illustrate key considerations in determining the fair value of a financial
asset when the market for that financial asset is not active. This FSP was
effective upon issuance, including prior periods for which financial statements
had not been issued. The adoption of SFAS 157 and its related pronouncements
did not have a material effect on IDACORPs or IPCs consolidated financial
statements.
SFAS 159: IDACORP and IPC adopted the provisions of
SFAS 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial
Liabilities - Including an Amendment of FASB Statement 115 (SFAS 159) on
January 1, 2008. SFAS 159 permits an entity to choose to measure many
financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. Most of the
provisions in SFAS 159 are elective; however, the amendment to SFAS 115,
Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, applies to
all entities with available-for-sale and trading securities. IDACORP and IPC
did not elect the fair value option for any existing eligible items, thus the
adoption of SFAS 159 did not have a material effect on IDACORPs or IPCs
consolidated financial statements.
FSP FIN 39-1: IDACORP and IPC adopted FASB Staff
Position FIN 39-1 (FSP FIN 39-1), Amendment of FASB Interpretation No. 39 (FIN
39) on January 1, 2008. FSP FIN 39-1 modifies FIN 39, Offsetting of Amounts
Related to Certain Contracts, and permits reporting entities to offset
receivables or payables recognized upon payment or receipt of cash collateral
against fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments that have been
offset under a master netting arrangement. IDACORP and IPC have elected to
offset these positions, which resulted in an immaterial net decrease to total
assets and liabilities at September 30, 2008.
68 |
EITF Issue No. 06-11: IDACORP and IPC adopted
Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 06-11, Accounting for Income Tax
Benefits of Dividends on Share-Based Payment Awards (EITF 06-11) on January
1, 2008. EITF 06-11 requires income tax benefits from dividends or dividend
equivalents that are charged to retained earnings and are paid to employees for
equity classified awards and outstanding equity share options to be recognized
as an increase in additional paid-in capital and to be included in the pool of
excess tax benefits available to absorb potential future tax deficiencies on
share-based payment awards. The adoption of EITF 06-11 did not have a material
impact on IDACORPs or IPCs consolidated financial statements.
New Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 to IDACORPs and IPCs Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements for a discussion of recently issued accounting
pronouncements.
ITEM
3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
IDACORP and IPC are exposed to market risks, including
changes in interest rates, changes in commodity prices, credit risk and equity
price risk. The following discussion summarizes these risks and the financial
instruments, derivative instruments and derivative commodity instruments
sensitive to changes in interest rates, commodity prices and equity prices that
were held at September 30, 2008.
Interest Rate Risk
IDACORP and IPC manage interest expense and short- and long-term liquidity
through a combination of fixed rate and variable rate debt. Generally, the
amount of each type of debt is managed through market issuance, but interest
rate swap and cap agreements with highly rated financial institutions may be
used to achieve the desired combination.
Variable Rate Debt: As of September 30, 2008,
IDACORP and IPC had $389 million and $321 million, respectively, in floating
rate debt, net of temporary investments. Assuming no change in either companys
financial structure, if variable interest rates were to average one percentage
point higher than the average rate on September 30, 2008, interest expense for
the year ending December 31, 2008, would increase and pre-tax earnings would
decrease by approximately $3.9 million for IDACORP and $3.2 million for IPC.
IDACORPs and IPCs floating rate debt includes a $170
million term loan credit agreement used to effect a mandatory purchase of
$166.1 million of IPCs pollution control bonds. Additional information
concerning both the term loan credit agreement and the pollution control bonds
can be found in MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES - Financing
Programs.
Fixed Rate Debt: As of September 30, 2008, IDACORP
and IPC had outstanding fixed rate debt of $1,094 million and $1,075 million,
respectively. The fair market value of this debt was $1,007 million and $987
million, respectively. These instruments are fixed rate, and therefore do not
expose IDACORP or IPC to a loss in earnings due to changes in market interest
rates. However, the fair value of these instruments would increase by
approximately $93 million for IDACORP and $92 million for IPC if interest rates
were to decline by one percentage point from their September 30, 2008 levels.
Commodity Price Risk
Utility: IPCs commodity price risk has not changed materially from that
reported in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2007. In a limited manner, IPC also utilizes financial energy instruments in
addition to physical forward power transactions for the purpose of mitigating
price risk related to securing adequate energy to meet utility load
requirements in accordance with IPCs Risk Management Policy. This practice falls
within the parameters of IPCs Risk Management Policy and these instruments are
not used for trading purposes. These financial instruments are used in
essentially the same manner as forward transactions to mitigate price risk but
are considered derivative instruments under SFAS 133 and are therefore reported
at fair value in IDACORPs and IPCs financial statements. Because of the PCA
mechanism, IPC records the changes in fair value of derivative instruments
related to power supply as regulatory assets or liabilities.
Credit Risk
Utility: IPCs credit risk has not changed materially from that reported
in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.
69 |
Equity Price Risk
IDACORP and IPC are exposed to price fluctuations in equity markets, in
part through their pension plan assets. As a result of recent market declines,
the fair value of the plans assets has decreased. If these declines do not
reverse by December 31, 2008, they will result in increased future amounts
required to be contributed to the plans. Additional information concerning
pension funding requirement can be found in MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND
ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - LIQUIDITY AND
CAPITAL RESOURCES - Contractual Obligations.
ITEM
4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure controls and procedures:
IDACORP:
The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of IDACORP,
based on their evaluation of IDACORPs disclosure controls and procedures (as
defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of September 30, 2008, have
concluded that IDACORPs disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
IPC:
The Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of IPC, based
on their evaluation of IPCs disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in
Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) as of September 30, 2008, have concluded that IPCs
disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting:
There have been no changes in IDACORPs or IPCs internal
control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30, 2008,
that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect,
IDACORPs or IPCs internal control over financial reporting.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Reference is made to Note 6 to the Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Volatility and decreased
lending capacity in the financial markets may negatively affect IDACORP, Inc.s
and Idaho Power Companys ability to access capital and/or increase their cost
of borrowing. IDACORP, Inc. and Idaho Power Company require liquidity to
pay operating expenses and principal of and interest on debt and to finance capital
expenditures. Financial markets have recently experienced extreme volatility
and disruption causing the cost of borrowing to rise and the availability of
liquidity and credit for borrowers to decrease; actions taken by the United
States Government, the Federal Reserve and other governmental and regulatory
bodies may be insufficient to stabilize these markets. As a result, IDACORP,
Inc. and Idaho Power Company may experience higher interest costs and/or be
unable to access capital, including the commercial paper markets. These
conditions may adversely affect IDACORP, Inc.s and Idaho Power Companys
results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
IDACORP and Idaho Power Company may incur losses on their
investments or be unable to sell their investments when they desire to do so,
which could adversely affect their liquidity and financial condition.
IDACORP and Idaho Power Company invest cash in short-term interest bearing
accounts, including money market funds. Volatility in the financial markets
has resulted in a lack of liquidity and declines in value of some money market funds.
If the financial markets do not stabilize, the companies may realize losses on
some or all of their invested funds or be unable to sell their investments when
they desire to do so. This could adversely affect IDACORPs and Idaho Power
Companys liquidity and financial condition.
70 |
National and regional
economic conditions may cause increased late payments and uncollectible
accounts, which would reduce earnings and cash flows. Recent concerns over
inflation, energy costs, the availability and cost of credit, declining
business and increased unemployment have contributed to an economic slowdown
and fears of recession. These factors have resulted, and may continue to
result, in an increase in late payments and uncollectible accounts and reduce
IDACORP Inc.s and Idaho Power Companys earnings and cash flows.
Adverse financial market conditions may increase Idaho
Power Companys pension plan costs and reduce cash flows. Idaho Power
Companys required contributions to pension plans and the reported costs of
providing pension and other postretirement benefits are affected by fair value
of plan assets, assumed rates of return on plan assets, changes in interest
rates used to measure minimum funding levels under the plans and governmental
regulations. As conditions within the financial markets have deteriorated, the
fair value of the plans assets has declined. In addition, the Pension
Protection Act of 2006, which became effective in 2008, alters the manner in
which pension plan assets and liabilities are valued for purposes of
calculating required contributions and changes the timing of required
contributions to underfunded plans. These changes may result in increased
volatility in the amount and timing of Idaho Power Companys future
contributions to the plans. Any increases in cash funding obligations may reduce
Idaho Power Companys cash flows.
Federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions from power
plants could reduce Idaho Power Companys ability to meet the electricity needs
of its customers and adversely affect IDACORP Inc.s and Idaho Power Companys
results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. Debate
continues in Congress and within the United States Environmental Protection
Agency on the direction and scope of a federal program to regulate greenhouse
gas emissions. There is, however, a growing consensus that a federal program
to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will be adopted. In July 2008, the
Environmental Protection Agency issued an advanced notice of proposed
rulemaking requesting comments on a wide variety of issues regarding the
regulation of carbon dioxide, the most common greenhouse gas, under the federal
Clean Air Act. A change of administration in January 2009 also is widely
expected to spur the development of new federal proposals in Congress and the
Environmental Protection Agency that could lead to the adoption of a mandatory
federal program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through, for example, an
economy-wide cap-and-trade program or a carbon tax. A federal program to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions could raise uncertainty about the future
viability of fossil fuels, specifically coal, as an economical energy source
for new and existing electric generation facilities because new technologies
for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from coal, including carbon capture and
storage, are not yet proven. A federal program to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions which fails to include flexible compliance measures could make it
uneconomical to continue to use coal for the generation of electricity, reduce
Idaho Power Companys ability to meet the electricity needs of its customers
and adversely affect IDACORP Inc.s and Idaho Power Companys results of
operations, financial condition and cash flows.
These additional Risk Factors should be read in conjunction
with the Risk Factors included in IDACORPs and IPCs Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2007.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES
OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Restrictions on Dividends:
Covenants under IDACORPs credit facility, IPCs credit facility and IPCs
term loan credit agreement require IDACORP and IPC to maintain leverage ratios
of consolidated indebtedness to consolidated total capitalization of no more
than 65 percent at the end of each fiscal quarter. These agreements are
discussed further in MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES -
Financing Programs.
IPCs Revised Code of Conduct approved by the IPUC on April 21, 2008, states that IPC will not make any dividends to IDACORP that will reduce IPCs common equity capital below 35 percent of its total adjusted capital without IPUC approval.
IPCs ability to pay dividends on its common stock held by
IDACORP and IDACORPs ability to pay dividends on its common stock are limited
to the extent payment of such dividends would cause their leverage ratios to
exceed 65 percent or violate IPCs Code of Conduct. At September 30, 2008, the
leverage ratios for IDACORP and IPC were 54 percent and 55 percent,
respectively and IPCs common equity capital was 45 percent of its total
adjusted capital. As a result of the credit facility covenants, IDACORP and
IPC had $471 million and $405 million, respectively, available to dividend at
September 30, 2008.
IPCs articles of incorporation contain restrictions on the
payment of dividends on its common stock if preferred stock dividends are in
arrears. IPC has no preferred stock outstanding.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities:
IDACORP, Inc. Common Stock
|
|
|
|
(d) Maximum Number |
||
|
|
|
(c) Total Number of |
(or Approximate |
||
|
(a) Total |
(b) |
Shares Purchased |
Dollar Value) of |
||
|
Number of |
Average |
as Part of Publicly |
Shares that May Yet |
||
|
Shares |
Price Paid |
Announced Plans or |
Be Purchased Under |
||
Period |
Purchased 1 |
per Share |
Programs |
the Plans or Programs |
||
|
|
|
|
|
||
July 1 July 31, 2008 |
- |
$ |
- |
- |
- |
|
August 1 August 31, 2008 |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
|
September 1 September 30, 2008 |
976 |
|
29.25 |
- |
- |
|
|
Total |
976 |
$ |
29.25 |
- |
- |
1 These shares were withheld for taxes upon vesting of restricted stock |
|
|||||
71 |
*Previously Filed and Incorporated Herein by Reference
*2 |
Agreement and Plan of Exchange between IDACORP, Inc., and IPC dated as of February 2, 1998. File number 333-48031, Form S-4, filed on 3/16/98, as Exhibit 2. |
|
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*3.1 |
Restated Articles of Incorporation of IPC as filed with the Secretary of State of Idaho on June 30, 1989. File number 33-00440, Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Form S-3, filed on 6/30/89, as Exhibit 4(a)(xiii). |
|
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*3.2 |
Statement of Resolution Establishing Terms of Flexible Auction Series A, Serial Preferred Stock, Without Par Value (cumulative stated value of $100,000 per share) of IPC, as filed with the Secretary of State of Idaho on November 5, 1991. File number 33-65720, Form S-3, filed on 7/7/93, as Exhibit 4(a)(ii). |
|
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*3.3 |
Statement of Resolution Establishing Terms of 7.07% Serial Preferred Stock, Without Par Value (cumulative stated value of $100 per share) of IPC, as filed with the Secretary of State of Idaho on June 30, 1993. File number 33-65720, Form S-3, filed on 7/7/93, as Exhibit 4(a)(iii). |
|
|
*3.4 |
Articles of Amendment to Restated Articles of Incorporation of IPC, as filed with the Secretary of State of Idaho on June 15, 2000. File number 1-3198, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000, filed on 8/4/00, as Exhibit 3(a)(iii). |
|
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*3.5 |
Articles of Amendment to Restated Articles of Incorporation of Idaho Power Company as filed with the Secretary of State of Idaho on January 21, 2005. File number 1-3198, Form 8-K, filed on 1/26/05, as Exhibit 4.5. |
|
|
*3.6 |
Articles of Amendment to Restated Articles of Incorporation of IPC, as amended, as filed with the Secretary of State of Idaho on November 19, 2007. File number 1-3198, Form 8-K, filed on 11/19/07, as Exhibit 3.3. |
|
|
*3.7 |
Articles of Share Exchange, as filed with the Secretary of State of Idaho on September 29, 1998. File number 33-56071-99, Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-8, filed on 10/1/98, as Exhibit 3(d). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
*3.8 |
Amended Bylaws of IPC, amended on November 15, 2007, and presently in effect. File number 1-3198, Form 8-K, filed on 11/19/07, as Exhibit 3.2. |
|
|
*3.9 |
Articles of Incorporation of IDACORP, Inc. File number 333-64737, Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3, filed on 11/4/98, as Exhibit 3.1. |
|
|
*3.10 |
Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of IDACORP, Inc. as filed with the Secretary of State of Idaho on March 9, 1998. File number 333-64737, Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3, filed on 11/4/98, as Exhibit 3.2. |
|
|
*3.11 |
Articles of Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of IDACORP, Inc. creating A Series Preferred Stock, without par value, as filed with the Secretary of State of Idaho on September 17, 1998. File number 333-00139-99, Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3, filed on 9/22/98, as Exhibit 3(b). |
|
|
*3.12 |
Amended Bylaws of IDACORP, Inc., amended on November 15, 2007 and presently in effect. File number 1-14456, Form 8-K, filed on 11/19/07, as Exhibit 3.1. |
|
|
*4.1 |
Mortgage and Deed of Trust, dated as of October 1, 1937, between IPC and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (formerly known as Bankers Trust Company) and R. G. Page, as Trustees. File number 2-3413, as Exhibit B-2. |
|
|
*4.2 |
IPC Supplemental Indentures to Mortgage and Deed of Trust: |
|
File number 1-MD, as Exhibit B-2-a, First, July 1, 1939 |
|
File number 2-5395, as Exhibit 7-a-3, Second, November 15, 1943 |
|
File number 2-7237, as Exhibit 7-a-4, Third, February 1, 1947 |
|
File number 2-7502, as Exhibit 7-a-5, Fourth, May 1, 1948 |
|
File number 2-8398, as Exhibit 7-a-6, Fifth, November 1, 1949 |
|
File number 2-8973, as Exhibit 7-a-7, Sixth, October 1, 1951 |
|
File number 2-12941, as Exhibit 2-C-8, Seventh, January 1, 1957 |
|
File number 2-13688, as Exhibit 4-J, Eighth, July 15, 1957 |
|
File number 2-13689, as Exhibit 4-K, Ninth, November 15, 1957 |
|
File number 2-14245, as Exhibit 4-L, Tenth, April 1, 1958 |
|
File number 2-14366, as Exhibit 2-L, Eleventh, October 15, 1958 |
|
File number 2-14935, as Exhibit 4-N, Twelfth, May 15, 1959 |
|
File number 2-18976, as Exhibit 4-O, Thirteenth, November 15, 1960 |
|
File number 2-18977, as Exhibit 4-Q, Fourteenth, November 1, 1961 |
|
File number 2-22988, as Exhibit 4-B-16, Fifteenth, September 15, 1964 |
|
File number 2-24578, as Exhibit 4-B-17, Sixteenth, April 1, 1966 |
|
File number 2-25479, as Exhibit 4-B-18, Seventeenth, October 1, 1966 |
|
File number 2-45260, as Exhibit 2(c), Eighteenth, September 1, 1972 |
|
File number 2-49854, as Exhibit 2(c), Nineteenth, January 15, 1974 |
|
File number 2-51722, as Exhibit 2(c)(i), Twentieth, August 1, 1974 |
|
File number 2-51722, as Exhibit 2(c)(ii), Twenty-first, October 15, 1974 |
|
File number 2-57374, as Exhibit 2(c), Twenty-second, November 15, 1976 |
|
File number 2-62035, as Exhibit 2(c), Twenty-third, August 15, 1978 |
|
File number 33-34222, as Exhibit 4(d)(iii), Twenty-fourth, September 1, 1979 |
|
File number 33-34222, as Exhibit 4(d)(iv), Twenty-fifth, November 1, 1981 |
|
File number 33-34222, as Exhibit 4(d)(v), Twenty-sixth, May 1, 1982 |
|
File number 33-34222, as Exhibit 4(d)(vi), Twenty-seventh, May 1, 1986 |
|
File number 33-00440, as Exhibit 4(c)(iv), Twenty-eighth, June 30, 1989 |
|
File number 33-34222, as Exhibit 4(d)(vii), Twenty-ninth, January 1, 1990 |
|
File number 33-65720, as Exhibit 4(d)(iii), Thirtieth, January 1, 1991 |
|
File number 33-65720, as Exhibit 4(d)(iv), Thirty-first, August 15, 1991 |
|
File number 33-65720, as Exhibit 4(d)(v), Thirty-second, March 15, 1992 |
|
File number 33-65720, as Exhibit 4(d)(vi), Thirty-third, April 1, 1993 |
|
File number 1-3198, Form 8-K, filed on 12/20/93, as Exhibit 4, Thirty-fourth, December 1, 1993 |
|
File number 1-3198, Form 8-K, filed on 11/21/00, as Exhibit 4, Thirty-fifth, November 1, 2000 |
|
File number 1-3198, Form 8-K, filed on 10/1/01, as Exhibit 4, Thirty-sixth, October 1, 2001 |
|
File number 1-3198, Form 8-K, filed on 4/16/03, as Exhibit 4, Thirty-seventh, April 1, 2003 |
|
File number 1-3198, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003, filed on 8/7/03, as Exhibit 4(a)(iii), Thirty-eighth, May 15, 2003 |
|
File number 1-3198, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, filed on 11/6/03, as Exhibit 4(a)(iii), Thirty-ninth, October 1, 2003 |
|
File number 1-3198, Form 8-K filed 5/10/05, as Exhibit 4, Fortieth, May 1, 2005. |
|
File number 1-3198, Form 8-K filed 10/10/06, as Exhibit 4, Forty-first, October 1, 2006. |
|
File number 1-3198, Form 8-K filed 6/4/07, as Exhibit 4, Forty-second, May 1, 2007. |
|
File number 1-3198, Form 8-K filed 9/26/07, as Exhibit 4, Forty-third, September 1, 2007. |
|
File number 1-3198, Form 8-K filed on 4/3/08, as Exhibit 4, Forty-fourth, April 1, 2008. |
|
|
*4.3 |
Instruments relating to IPC American Falls bond guarantee (see Exhibit 10.4). File number 1-3198, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000, filed on 8/4/00, as Exhibit 4(b). |
|
|
*4.4 |
Agreement of IPC to furnish certain debt instruments. File number 33-65720, Form S-3, filed on 7/7/93, as Exhibit 4(f). |
|
|
*4.5 |
Agreement of IDACORP, Inc. to furnish certain debt instruments. File number 1-14465, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2003, filed on 11/6/03, as Exhibit 4(c)(ii). |
|
|
*4.6 |
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated March 10, 1989, between Idaho Power Company, a Maine Corporation, and Idaho Power Migrating Corporation. File number 33-00440, Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Form S-3, filed on 6/30/89, as Exhibit 2(a)(iii). |
|
|
*4.7 |
Indenture for Senior Debt Securities dated as of February 1, 2001, between IDACORP, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (formerly known as Bankers Trust Company), as trustee. File number 1-14465, Form 8-K, filed on 2/28/01, as Exhibit 4.1. |
|
|
*4.8 |
First Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 1, 2001 to Indenture for Senior Debt Securities dated as of February 1, 2001 between IDACORP, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (formerly known as Bankers Trust Company), as trustee. File number 1-14465, Form 8-K, filed on 2/28/01, as Exhibit 4.2. |
|
|
*4.9 |
Indenture for Debt Securities dated as of August 1, 2001 between Idaho Power Company and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (formerly known as Bankers Trust Company), as trustee. File number 333-67748, Form S-3, filed on 8/16/01, as Exhibit 4.13. |
|
|
*10.1 |
Agreements, dated September 22, 1969, between IPC and Pacific Power & Light Company relating to the operation, construction and ownership of the Jim Bridger Project. File number 2-49584, as Exhibit 5(b). |
|
|
*10.2 |
Amendment, dated February 1, 1974, relating to operation agreement filed as Exhibit 10.1. File number 2-51762, as Exhibit 5(c). |
|
|
*10.3 |
Agreement, dated as of October 11, 1973, between IPC and Pacific Power & Light Company. File number 2-49584, as Exhibit 5(c). |
|
|
*10.4 |
Guaranty Agreement, dated April 11, 2000, between IPC and Bank One Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, relating to $19,885,000 American Falls Replacement Dam Refinancing Bonds of the American Falls Reservoir District, Idaho. File number 1-3198, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000, filed on 8/4/00, as Exhibit 10(c). |
|
|
*10.5 |
Guaranty Agreement, dated as of August 30, 1974, between IPC and Pacific Power & Light Company. File number 2-62034, Form S-7, filed on 6/30/78, as Exhibit 5(r). |
|
|
|
|
|
|
*10.6 |
Letter Agreement, dated January 23, 1976, between IPC and Portland General Electric Company. File number 2-56513, as Exhibit 5(i). |
|
|
*10.7 |
Agreement for Construction, Ownership and Operation of the Number One Boardman Station on Carty Reservoir, dated as of October 15, 1976, between Portland General Electric Company and IPC. File number 2-62034, Form S-7, filed on 6/30/78, as Exhibit 5(s). |
|
|
*10.8 |
Amendment, dated September 30, 1977, relating to agreement filed as Exhibit 10.6. File number 2-62034, Form S-7, filed on 6/30/78, as Exhibit 5(t). |
|
|
*10.9 |
Amendment, dated October 31, 1977, relating to agreement filed as Exhibit 10.6. File number 2-62034, Form S-7, filed on 6/30/78, as Exhibit 5(u). |
|
|
*10.10 |
Amendment, dated January 23, 1978, relating to agreement filed as Exhibit 10.6. File number 2-62034, Form S-7 filed on 6/30/78, as Exhibit 5(v). |
|
|
*10.11 |
Amendment, dated February 15, 1978, relating to agreement filed as Exhibit 10.6. File number 2-62034, Form S-7, filed on 6/30/78, as Exhibit 5(w). |
|
|
*10.12 |
Amendment, dated September 1, 1979, relating to agreement filed as Exhibit 10.6. File number 2-68574, Form S-7, filed on 7/23/80, as Exhibit 5(x). |
|
|
*10.13 |
Participation Agreement, dated September 1, 1979, relating to the sale and leaseback of coal handling facilities at the Number One Boardman Station on Carty Reservoir. File number 2-68574, Form S-7, filed on 7/23/80, as Exhibit 5(z). |
|
|
*10.14 |
Agreements for the Operation, Construction and Ownership of the North Valmy Power Plant Project, dated December 12, 1978, between Sierra Pacific Power Company and IPC. File number 2-64910, Form S-7, filed on 6/29/79, as Exhibit 5(y). |
|
|
*10.151 |
Idaho Power Company Security Plan for Senior Management Employees I - a non-qualified, deferred compensation plan, amended and restated effective December 31, 2004, and as further amended March 14, 2007. File number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 10-K for the year-ended December 31, 2007, filed on February 28, 2008, as Exhibit 10.15. |
|
|
*10.161 |
Idaho Power Company Security Plan for Senior Management Employees II, a non-qualified, deferred compensation plan, effective January 1, 2005, as amended July 20, 2006. File number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, filed on 11/2/06, as Exhibit 10(h)(xxxv). |
|
|
*10.171 |
IDACORP, Inc. Restricted Stock Plan, as amended and restated September 20, 2007. File number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, filed on 10/31/07, as Exhibit 10(h)(iii). |
|
|
*10.181 |
IDACORP, Inc. Restricted Stock Plan - Form of Restricted Stock Agreement (time-vesting) (July 20, 2006). File number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, filed on 11/2/06, as Exhibit 10(h)(vi). |
|
|
*10.191 |
IDACORP, Inc. Restricted Stock Plan - Form of Performance Stock Agreement (performance vesting) (July 20, 2006). File number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, filed on November 2, 2006, as Exhibit 10(h)(vii). |
|
|
*10.201 |
Idaho Power Company Security Plan for Board of Directors - a non-qualified deferred compensation plan, as amended and restated effective July 20, 2006. File number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, filed on 11/2/06, as Exhibit 10(h)(viii). |
|
|
|
|
*10.211 |
IDACORP, Inc. Non-Employee Directors Stock Compensation Plan, as amended and restated on November 15, 2007. File number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, filed on February 28, 2008, as Exhibit 10.21. |
|
|
*10.221 |
Form of Officer Indemnification Agreement between IDACORP, Inc. and Officers of IDACORP, Inc. and IPC, as amended July 20, 2006. File number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, filed on 11/2/06, as Exhibit 10(h)(xix). |
|
|
*10.231 |
Form of Director Indemnification Agreement between IDACORP, Inc. and Directors of IDACORP, Inc., as amended July 20, 2006. File number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, filed on 11/2/06, as Exhibit 10(h)(xx). |
|
|
*10.241 |
Form of Change in Control Agreement between IDACORP, Inc. and Officers of IDACORP and IPC (senior vice president and higher), as amended July 20, 2006. File number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, filed on 11/2/06, as Exhibit 10(h)(x). |
|
|
*10.251 |
Form of Change in Control Agreement between IDACORP, Inc. and Officers of IDACORP and IPC (below senior vice president), as amended July 20, 2006. File number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, filed on 11/2/06, as Exhibit 10(h)(xi). |
|
|
*10.261 |
IDACORP, Inc. 2000 Long-Term Incentive and Compensation Plan, as amended and restated September 20, 2007. File number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, filed on 10/31/07, as Exhibit 10(h)(xii). |
|
|
*10.271 |
IDACORP, Inc. 2000 Long-Term Incentive and Compensation Plan - Form of Stock Option Award Agreement (July 20, 2006). File number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, filed on 11/2/06, as Exhibit 10(h)(xvi). |
|
|
*10.281 |
IDACORP, Inc. 2000 Long-Term Incentive and Compensation Plan - Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement (time vesting) (July 20, 2006). File number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, filed on 11/2/06, as Exhibit 10(h)(xvii). |
|
|
*10.291 |
IDACORP, Inc. 2000 Long-Term Incentive and Compensation Plan - Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement (performance vesting) (July 20, 2006). File number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, filed on 11/2/06, as Exhibit 10(h)(xviii). |
|
|
*10.301 |
IDACORP, Inc. 2000 Long-Term Incentive and Compensation Plan - Form of Performance Share Award Agreement (performance with two goals) (March 20, 2008). File number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 8-K, filed on 3/26/08, as Exhibit 10.1. |
|
|
*10.311 |
IDACORP, Inc. Executive Incentive Plan. File Number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 8-K/A, filed on 2/27/08, as Exhibit 10.1. |
|
|
*10.321 |
Idaho Power Company Executive Deferred Compensation Plan, effective November 15, 2000, as amended July 20, 2006. File number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, filed on 11/2/06, as Exhibit 10(h)(xxxvi). |
|
|
*10.331 |
IDACORP, Inc. and IPC 2008 Compensation for Non-Employee Directors of the Board of Directors. File number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, filed on February 28, 2008, as Exhibit 10.33. |
|
|
*10.34 |
Framework Agreement, dated October 1, 1984, between the State of Idaho and IPC relating to IPCs Swan Falls and Snake River water rights. File number 33-65720, Form S-3, filed on 7/7/93, as Exhibit 10(h). |
|
|
*10.35 |
Agreement, dated October 25, 1984, between the State of Idaho and IPC relating to the agreement filed as Exhibit 10.34. File number 33-65720, Form S-3, filed on 7/7/93, as Exhibit 10(h)(i). |
|
|
*10.36 |
Contract to Implement, dated October 25, 1984, between the State of Idaho and IPC relating to the agreement filed as Exhibit 10.34. File number 33-65720, Form S-3, filed on 7/7/93, as Exhibit 10(h)(ii). |
|
|
*10.37 |
Agreement Regarding the Ownership, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of the Milner Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 2899), dated January 22, 1990, between IPC and the Twin Falls Canal Company and the Northside Canal Company Limited. File number 33-65720, Form S-3, filed on 7/7/93, as Exhibit 10(m). |
|
|
*10.38 |
Guaranty Agreement, dated February 10, 1992, between IPC and New York Life Insurance Company, as Note Purchaser, relating to $11,700,000 Guaranteed Notes due 2017 of Milner Dam Inc. File number 33-65720, Form S-3, filed on 7/7/93, as Exhibit 10(m)(i). |
|
|
*10.39 |
Power Purchase Agreement between IPC and PPL Montana, LLC, dated March 1, 2003 and Revised Confirmation Agreement dated May 9, 2003. File number 1-3198, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003, filed on 8/7/03, as Exhibit 10(k). |
|
|
*10.40 |
$100 Million Five-Year Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 25, 2007, among IDACORP, Inc., various lenders, Wachovia Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender and LC issuer, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, and KeyBank National Association, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and Bank of America, N.A., as documentation agents, and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC and J. P. Morgan Securities Inc., as joint lead arrangers and joint book runners. File number 1-14465, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, filed on 5/9/07, as Exhibit 10(l). |
|
|
*10.41 |
$300 Million Five-Year Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of April 25, 2007, among Idaho Power Company, various lenders, Wachovia Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, swingline lender and LC issuer, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, and KeyBank National Association, US Bank National Association and Bank of America, N.A., as documentation agents, and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC and J. P. Morgan Securities Inc., as joint lead arrangers and joint book runners. File number 1-3198, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, filed on 5/9/07, as Exhibit 10(m). |
|
|
*10.42 |
$170 Million Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2008, among Idaho Power Company and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and lender, and Bank of America, N.A., Union Bank of California, N.A. and Wachovia Bank, National Association, as lenders. File number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2008, filed on 5/8/08, as Exhibit 10.42. |
|
|
*10.43 |
Loan Agreement, dated October 1, 2006, between Sweetwater County, Wyoming and IPC. File number 1-3198, Form 8-K, filed on 10/10/06, as Exhibit 10.1. |
|
|
*10.441 |
IDACORP, Inc. Executive Incentive Plan NEO 2008 Award Opportunity Chart. File number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 8-K/A, filed on 2/27/08, as Exhibit 10.2. |
|
|
*10.451 |
IDACORP, Inc. 2000 Long-Term Incentive and Compensation Plan Performance Share Award Agreement (performance with two goals) NEO 2008 Award Opportunity Chart. File number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 8-K, filed on 3/26/08, as Exhibit 10.2. |
|
|
*10.46 |
Power Purchase Agreement between IPC and PPL EnergyPlus, LLC, dated June 2, 2008. File number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, filed on 8/7/08, as Exhibit 10.46. |
|
|
10.47 |
Electric Service Agreement, dated September 17, 2008, between IPC and Hoku Materials, Inc. |
|
|
10.481 |
Form of Deferred Compensation Agreement between IDACORP, Inc. or Idaho Power Company and Directors of IDACORP, Inc. and Idaho Power Company. |
|
|
12.1 |
Statement Re: Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. (IDACORP, Inc.) |
|
|
12.2 |
Statement Re: Computation of Supplemental Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. (IDACORP, Inc.) |
|
|
12.3 |
Statement Re: Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividend Requirements. (IDACORP, Inc.) |
|
|
12.4 |
Statement Re: Computation of Supplemental Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividend Requirements. (IDACORP, Inc.) |
|
|
12.5 |
Statement Re: Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. (IPC) |
|
|
12.6 |
Statement Re: Computation of Supplemental Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. (IPC) |
|
|
15 |
Letter Re: Unaudited Interim Financial Information. |
|
|
*21 |
Subsidiaries of IDACORP, Inc. File number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, filed on February 28, 2008, as Exhibit 21. |
|
|
31.1 |
IDACORP, Inc. Rule 13a-14(a) CEO certification. |
|
|
31.2 |
IDACORP, Inc. Rule 13a-14(a) CFO certification. |
|
|
31.3 |
IPC Rule 13a-14(a) CEO certification. |
|
|
31.4 |
IPC Rule 13a-14(a) CFO certification. |
|
|
32.1 |
IDACORP, Inc. Section 1350 CEO certification. |
|
|
32.2 |
IDACORP, Inc. Section 1350 CFO certification. |
|
|
32.3 |
IPC Section 1350 CEO certification. |
|
|
32.4 |
IPC Section 1350 CFO certification. |
|
|
99 |
Earnings press release for third quarter 2008. |
|
|
1 Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement |
72-78 |
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.
IDACORP, Inc. |
(Registrant) |
Date |
November 6, 2008 |
By: |
/s/ J. LaMont Keen |
|
|
|
J. LaMont Keen |
|
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
Date |
November 6, 2008 |
By: |
/s/ Darrel T. Anderson |
|
|
|
Darrel T. Anderson |
|
|
|
Senior Vice President - Administrative Services |
|
|
|
and Chief Financial Officer |
IDAHO POWER COMPANY |
(Registrant) |
Date |
November 6, 2008 |
By: |
/s/ J. LaMont Keen |
|
|
|
J. LaMont Keen |
|
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
Date |
November 6, 2008 |
By: |
/s/ Darrel T. Anderson |
|
|
|
Darrel T. Anderson |
|
|
|
Senior Vice President - Administrative Services |
|
|
|
and Chief Financial Officer |
79 |
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Number |
|
|
|
|
|
10.47 |
|
Electric Service Agreement, dated September 17, 2008, between IPC and Hoku Materials, Inc. |
|
|
|
10.481 |
|
Form of Deferred Compensation Agreement between IDACORP, Inc. or Idaho Power Company and Directors of IDACORP, Inc. and Idaho Power Company. |
|
|
|
12.1 |
|
Statement Re: Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. (IDACORP, Inc.) |
|
|
|
12.2 |
|
Statement Re: Computation of Supplemental Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. (IDACORP, Inc.) |
|
|
|
12.3 |
|
Statement Re: Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividend Requirements. (IDACORP, Inc.) |
|
|
|
12.4 |
|
Statement Re: Computation of Supplemental Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividend Requirements. (IDACORP, Inc.) |
|
|
|
12.5 |
|
Statement Re: Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. (IPC) |
|
|
|
12.6 |
|
Statement Re: Computation of Supplemental Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. (IPC) |
|
|
|
15 |
|
Letter Re: Unaudited Interim Financial Information. |
|
|
|
31.1 |
|
IDACORP, Inc. Rule 13a-14(a) certification. |
|
|
|
31.2 |
|
IDACORP, Inc. Rule 13a-14(a) certification. |
|
|
|
31.3 |
|
IPC Rule 13a-14(a) certification. |
|
|
|
31.4 |
|
IPC Rule 13a-14(a) certification. |
|
|
|
32.1 |
|
IDACORP, Inc. Section 1350 certification. |
|
|
|
32.2 |
|
IDACORP, Inc. Section 1350 certification. |
|
|
|
32.3 |
|
IPC Section 1350 certification. |
|
|
|
32.4 |
|
IPC Section 1350 certification. |
|
|
|
99 |
|
Earnings press release for third quarter 2008. |
|
|
|
1 Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement |
80 |