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 |
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EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010 |
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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 __________ to __________ |
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Exact name of registrants as specified |
I.R.S. Employer |
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Commission File |
in their charters, address of principal |
Identification |
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Number |
executive offices, zip code and telephone number |
Number |
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1-14465 |
IDACORP, Inc. |
82-0505802 |
|
1-3198 |
Idaho Power Company |
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, 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. |
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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 have submitted electronically and posted on their corporate Web
sites, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted
pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for
such shorter period that the registrants were required to submit and post such
files). Yes ___ 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 March 31, 2010: |
|
IDACORP, Inc.: |
48,097,763 |
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.
1
COMMONLY USED TERMS |
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ADITC |
- |
Accumulated Deferred Investment Tax Credits |
AFUDC |
- |
Allowance for Funds Used During Construction |
APCU |
- |
Annual Power Cost Update |
BCC |
- |
Bridger Coal Company, a joint venture of IERCo |
Cal ISO |
- |
California Independent System Operator |
CalPX |
- |
California Power Exchange |
CAMP |
- |
Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan |
CO2 |
- |
Carbon Dioxide |
EPS |
- |
Earnings per share |
ESA |
- |
Endangered Species Act |
ESPA |
- |
Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer |
FCA |
- |
Fixed Cost Adjustment mechanism |
FERC |
- |
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission |
Fitch |
- |
Fitch Ratings |
HCC |
- |
Hells Canyon Complex |
Ida-West |
- |
Ida-West Energy, a subsidiary of IDACORP, Inc. |
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. |
IPUC |
- |
Idaho Public Utilities Commission |
IRP |
- |
Integrated Resource Plan |
IWRB |
- |
Idaho Water Resource Board |
kW |
- |
Kilowatt |
MD&A |
- |
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
Moodys |
- |
Moodys Investors Service |
MW |
- |
Megawatt |
MWh |
- |
Megawatt-hour |
NOx |
- |
Nitrogen Oxide |
O&M |
- |
Operations and Maintenance |
OATT |
- |
Open Access Transmission Tariff |
OPUC |
- |
Oregon Public Utility Commission |
PCA |
- |
Power Cost Adjustment |
PCAM |
- |
Power Cost Adjustment Mechanism |
PURPA |
- |
Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 |
REC |
- |
Renewable Energy Certificate |
RH BART |
- |
Regional Haze - Best Available Retrofit Technology |
S&P |
- |
Standard & Poors Ratings Services |
SO2 |
- |
Sulfur Dioxide |
SRBA |
- |
Snake River Basin Adjudication |
Valmy |
- |
North Valmy Steam Electric Generating Plant |
VIEs |
- |
Variable Interest Entities |
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS |
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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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4 |
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5-6 |
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7 |
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8 |
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9 |
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Idaho Power Company: |
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10 |
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11-12 |
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13 |
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14 |
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15 |
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16-32 |
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33-34 |
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Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of |
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Operations |
35-63 |
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
64 |
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64-65 |
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Part II. Other Information: |
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65 |
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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds |
65 |
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66 |
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66 |
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67 |
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68 |
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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, or similar expressions.
3
PART I FINANCIAL
INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
IDACORP, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited)
Three months ended |
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March 31, |
||||
|
2010 |
2009 |
||
(thousands of dollars except |
||||
for per share amounts) |
||||
Operating Revenues: |
||||
Electric utility: |
||||
General business |
$ |
203,745 |
$ |
187,927 |
Off-system sales |
34,406 |
28,530 |
||
Other revenues |
14,309 |
11,572 |
||
Total electric utility revenues |
252,460 |
228,029 |
||
Other |
503 |
545 |
||
Total operating revenues |
252,963 |
228,574 |
||
Operating Expenses: |
||||
Electric utility: |
||||
Purchased power |
21,174 |
33,701 |
||
Fuel expense |
37,187 |
39,133 |
||
Power cost adjustment |
48,324 |
15,859 |
||
Other operations and maintenance |
72,094 |
68,541 |
||
Energy efficiency programs |
5,034 |
4,057 |
||
Depreciation |
28,583 |
25,963 |
||
Taxes other than income taxes |
5,680 |
5,062 |
||
Total electric utility expenses |
218,076 |
192,316 |
||
Other expense |
840 |
624 |
||
Total operating expenses |
218,916 |
192,940 |
||
Operating Income |
34,047 |
35,634 |
||
Other Income, Net |
4,481 |
6,921 |
||
(Losses) Earnings of Unconsolidated Equity-Method Investments |
(2,378) |
402 |
||
Interest Expense: |
||||
Interest on long-term debt |
19,441 |
16,639 |
||
Other interest expense, net of AFUDC |
(453) |
836 |
||
Total interest expense |
18,988 |
17,475 |
||
Income Before Income Taxes |
17,162 |
25,482 |
||
Income Tax Expense |
1,305 |
6,796 |
||
Net Income |
15,857 |
18,686 |
||
Adjustment for loss attributable to noncontrolling interests |
206 |
198 |
||
Net Income Attributable to IDACORP, Inc. |
$ |
16,063 |
$ |
18,884 |
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding - Basic (000s) |
47,773 |
46,831 |
||
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted (000s) |
47,885 |
46,876 |
||
Earnings Per Share of Common Stock (basic and diluted): |
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Earnings Attributable to IDACORP, Inc. |
$ |
0.34 |
$ |
0.40 |
Dividends Paid Per Share of Common Stock |
$ |
0.30 |
$ |
0.30 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
4
IDACORP, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
March 31, |
December 31, |
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|
2010 |
2009 |
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Assets |
(thousands of dollars) |
|||
Current Assets: |
||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ |
41,436 |
$ |
52,987 |
Receivables: |
||||
Customer (net of allowance of $1,797 and $1,805, respectively) |
71,518 |
74,987 |
||
Other (net of allowance of $1,400 and $1,073, respectively) |
10,903 |
11,922 |
||
Accrued unbilled revenues |
40,033 |
51,272 |
||
Materials and supplies (at average cost) |
47,535 |
48,054 |
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Fuel stock (at average cost) |
25,006 |
25,634 |
||
Prepayments |
8,810 |
11,111 |
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Deferred income taxes |
31,773 |
31,773 |
||
Other |
4,413 |
2,666 |
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Total current assets |
281,427 |
310,406 |
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|
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Investments |
200,458 |
195,298 |
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|
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Property, Plant and Equipment: |
||||
Utility plant in service |
4,177,048 |
4,160,178 |
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Accumulated provision for depreciation |
(1,565,201) |
(1,558,538) |
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Utility plant in service - net |
2,611,847 |
2,601,640 |
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Construction work in progress |
323,116 |
289,188 |
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Utility plant held for future use |
7,149 |
7,151 |
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Other property, net of accumulated depreciation |
18,915 |
19,029 |
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Property, plant and equipment - net |
2,961,027 |
2,917,008 |
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|
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Other Assets: |
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American Falls and Milner water rights |
22,902 |
24,226 |
||
Company-owned life insurance |
26,866 |
26,654 |
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Regulatory assets |
684,540 |
720,401 |
||
Long-term receivables (net of allowance of $1,861 and $2,157, respectively) |
4,020 |
4,217 |
||
Other |
41,192 |
40,517 |
||
Total other assets |
779,520 |
816,015 |
||
Total |
$ |
4,222,432 |
$ |
4,238,727 |
|
||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
5
IDACORP, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
March 31, |
December 31, |
|||
|
2010 |
2009 |
||
Liabilities and Equity |
(thousands of dollars) |
|||
Current Liabilities: |
||||
Current maturities of long-term debt |
$ |
131,951 |
$ |
9,340 |
Notes payable |
26,100 |
53,750 |
||
Accounts payable |
53,040 |
83,818 |
||
Taxes accrued |
40,118 |
10,184 |
||
Interest accrued |
25,682 |
20,056 |
||
Other |
51,325 |
41,081 |
||
Total current liabilities |
328,216 |
218,229 |
||
|
||||
Other Liabilities: |
||||
Deferred income taxes |
565,990 |
574,450 |
||
Regulatory liabilities |
284,408 |
287,780 |
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Other |
346,626 |
346,994 |
||
Total other liabilities |
1,197,024 |
1,209,224 |
||
|
||||
Long-Term Debt |
1,290,243 |
1,409,730 |
||
|
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Commitments and Contingencies |
||||
Equity: |
||||
IDACORP, Inc. shareholders equity: |
||||
Common stock, no par value (shares authorized 120,000,000; |
||||
48,097,763 and 47,925,882 shares issued, respectively) |
759,786 |
756,475 |
||
Retained earnings |
650,834 |
649,180 |
||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(7,674) |
(8,267) |
||
Treasury stock (0 and 29,191 shares at cost, respectively) |
- |
(53) |
||
Total IDACORP, Inc. shareholders equity |
1,402,946 |
1,397,335 |
||
Noncontrolling interest |
4,003 |
4,209 |
||
Total equity |
1,406,949 |
1,401,544 |
||
Total |
$ |
4,222,432 |
$ |
4,238,727 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
6
IDACORP, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
|
Three months ended |
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|
March 31, |
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|
2010 |
2009 |
||
Operating Activities: |
(thousands of dollars) |
|||
Net income |
$ |
15,857 |
$ |
18,686 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by |
|
|
||
operating activities: |
|
|
||
Depreciation and amortization |
30,435 |
28,280 |
||
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits |
(23,118) |
14,675 |
||
Changes in regulatory assets and liabilities |
52,036 |
16,405 |
||
Non-cash pension expense |
1,235 |
697 |
||
Losses (earnings) of unconsolidated equity-method investments |
2,378 |
(402) |
||
Distributions from unconsolidated equity-method investments |
- |
3,390 |
||
Gain on sale of assets |
(40) |
(382) |
||
Other non-cash adjustments to net income, net |
(3,148) |
28 |
||
Change in: |
|
|
||
Accounts receivable and prepayments |
4,629 |
(8,119) |
||
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities |
(29,144) |
(41,655) |
||
Taxes accrued |
29,706 |
8,553 |
||
Other current assets |
12,385 |
8,436 |
||
Other current liabilities |
13,733 |
11,952 |
||
Other assets |
(1,782) |
(1,332) |
||
Other liabilities |
(4,712) |
(14,859) |
||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
100,450 |
44,353 |
||
Investing Activities: |
|
|
||
Additions to property, plant and equipment |
(69,029) |
(49,592) |
||
Proceeds from the sale of non-utility assets |
- |
250 |
||
Investments in affordable housing |
(2,480) |
(850) |
||
Sales of emission allowances and renewable energy certificates |
666 |
2,341 |
||
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates |
(2,200) |
- |
||
Proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities |
- |
4,845 |
||
Other |
2,265 |
2,385 |
||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(70,778) |
(40,621) |
||
Financing Activities: |
|
|
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Issuance of long-term debt |
- |
100,000 |
||
Retirement of long-term debt |
(1,064) |
(8,735) |
||
Dividends on common stock |
(14,475) |
(14,353) |
||
Net change in short-term borrowings |
(27,650) |
(550) |
||
Issuance of common stock |
3,130 |
2,469 |
||
Acquisition of treasury stock |
(829) |
(1,408) |
||
Other |
(335) |
(870) |
||
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities |
(41,223) |
76,553 |
||
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
(11,551) |
80,285 |
||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period |
52,987 |
8,828 |
||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period |
$ |
41,436 |
$ |
89,113 |
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information: |
|
|
||
Cash (received) paid during the period for: |
|
|
||
Income taxes |
$ |
(1,367) |
$ |
(13,060) |
Interest (net of amount capitalized) |
$ |
13,021 |
$ |
9,535 |
Non-cash investing activities |
|
|
||
Additions to property, plant and equipment in accounts payable |
$ |
17,882 |
$ |
4,975 |
Investments in affordable housing |
$ |
4,828 |
$ |
- |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
7
IDACORP, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Comprehensive Income
(unaudited)
Three months ended |
||||
March 31, |
||||
|
2010 |
2009 |
||
(thousands of dollars) |
||||
Net Income |
$ |
15,857 |
$ |
18,686 |
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss): |
||||
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period, |
||||
net of tax of $267 and ($570) |
416 |
(887) |
||
Unfunded pension liability adjustment, net of tax |
||||
of $114 and $87 |
177 |
136 |
||
Total Comprehensive Income |
16,450 |
17,935 |
||
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests |
206 |
198 |
||
Comprehensive Income Attributable to IDACORP, Inc. |
$ |
16,656 |
$ |
18,133 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
8
IDACORP, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity
(unaudited)
Three months ended |
||||
March 31, |
||||
|
2010 |
2009 |
||
|
(thousands of dollars) |
|||
Common Stock |
||||
Balance at beginning of period |
$ |
756,475 |
$ |
729,576 |
Issued |
3,130 |
2,469 |
||
Other |
181 |
(289) |
||
Balance at end of period |
759,786 |
731,756 |
||
|
|
|||
Retained Earnings |
||||
Balance at beginning of period |
649,180 |
581,605 |
||
Net Income Attributable to IDACORP, Inc. |
16,063 |
18,884 |
||
Common stock dividends ($0.30 per share) |
(14,409) |
(14,081) |
||
Balance at end of period |
650,834 |
586,408 |
||
|
|
|||
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
||||
Balance at beginning of period |
(8,267) |
(8,707) |
||
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities (net of tax) |
416 |
(887) |
||
Unfunded pension liability adjustment (net of tax) |
177 |
136 |
||
Balance at end of period |
(7,674) |
(9,458) |
||
|
|
|||
Treasury Stock |
||||
Balance at beginning of period |
(53) |
(37) |
||
Issued |
882 |
1,425 |
||
Acquired |
(829) |
(1,408) |
||
Balance at end of period |
- |
(20) |
||
Total IDACORP, Inc. shareholders equity at end of period |
1,402,946 |
1,308,686 |
||
|
|
|||
Noncontrolling interests |
||||
Balance at beginning of period |
4,209 |
4,434 |
||
Net loss attributed to noncontrolling interest |
(206) |
(198) |
||
Other |
- |
(249) |
||
Balance at end of period |
4,003 |
3,987 |
||
Total equity at end of period |
$ |
1,406,949 |
$ |
1,312,673 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
9
Idaho Power
Company
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(unaudited)
Three months ended |
||||
March 31, |
||||
|
2010 |
2009 |
||
(thousands of dollars) |
||||
Operating Revenues: |
||||
General business |
$ |
203,745 |
$ |
187,927 |
Off-system sales |
34,406 |
28,530 |
||
Other revenues |
14,309 |
11,572 |
||
Total operating revenues |
252,460 |
228,029 |
||
Operating Expenses: |
||||
Operation: |
||||
Purchased power |
21,174 |
33,701 |
||
Fuel expense |
37,187 |
39,133 |
||
Power cost adjustment |
48,324 |
15,859 |
||
Other operations and maintenance |
72,094 |
68,541 |
||
Energy efficiency programs |
5,034 |
4,057 |
||
Depreciation |
28,583 |
25,963 |
||
Taxes other than income taxes |
5,680 |
5,062 |
||
Total operating expenses |
218,076 |
192,316 |
||
Income from Operations |
34,384 |
35,713 |
||
Other Income: |
||||
Allowance for equity funds used during construction |
3,659 |
764 |
||
Earnings of unconsolidated equity-method investments |
348 |
3,302 |
||
Other income, net |
239 |
6,297 |
||
Total other income |
4,246 |
10,363 |
||
Interest Charges: |
||||
Interest on long-term debt |
19,441 |
16,567 |
||
Other interest |
854 |
1,578 |
||
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction |
(2,192) |
(1,126) |
||
Total interest charges |
18,103 |
17,019 |
||
Income Before Income Taxes |
20,527 |
29,057 |
||
Income Tax Expense |
2,306 |
9,773 |
||
Net Income |
$ |
18,221 |
$ |
19,284 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
10
Idaho Power
Company
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
March 31, |
December 31, |
|||
|
2010 |
2009 |
||
Assets |
(thousands of dollars) |
|||
Electric Plant: |
||||
In service (at original cost) |
$ |
4,177,048 |
$ |
4,160,178 |
Accumulated provision for depreciation |
(1,565,201) |
(1,558,538) |
||
In service - net |
2,611,847 |
2,601,640 |
||
Construction work in progress |
323,116 |
289,188 |
||
Held for future use |
7,149 |
7,151 |
||
Electric plant - net |
2,942,112 |
2,897,979 |
||
|
||||
Investments and Other Property |
110,118 |
108,299 |
||
|
||||
Current Assets: |
||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
38,055 |
21,625 |
||
Receivables: |
||||
Customer (net of allowance of $1,797 and $1,805, respectively) |
71,518 |
74,987 |
||
Other (net of allowance of $181 and $185, respectively) |
9,525 |
10,463 |
||
Taxes receivable |
- |
3,585 |
||
Accrued unbilled revenues |
40,033 |
51,272 |
||
Materials and supplies (at average cost) |
47,535 |
48,054 |
||
Fuel stock (at average cost) |
25,006 |
25,634 |
||
Prepayments |
8,574 |
10,960 |
||
Deferred income taxes |
7,887 |
7,887 |
||
Other |
3,855 |
2,115 |
||
Total current assets |
251,988 |
256,582 |
||
Deferred Debits: |
||||
American Falls and Milner water rights |
22,902 |
24,226 |
||
Company-owned life insurance |
26,866 |
26,654 |
||
Regulatory assets |
684,540 |
720,401 |
||
Other |
39,968 |
39,249 |
||
Total deferred debits |
774,276 |
810,530 |
||
Total |
$ |
4,078,494 |
$ |
4,073,390 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
11
Idaho Power
Company
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
March 31, |
December 31, |
|||
|
2010 |
2009 |
||
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 |
638,758 |
638,758 |
||
Capital stock expense |
(2,097) |
(2,097) |
||
Retained earnings |
551,539 |
547,695 |
||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(7,674) |
(8,267) |
||
Total common stock equity |
1,278,403 |
1,273,966 |
||
Long-term debt |
1,288,734 |
1,409,730 |
||
Total capitalization |
2,567,137 |
2,683,696 |
||
|
||||
Current Liabilities: |
||||
Long-term debt due within one year |
121,064 |
1,064 |
||
Accounts payable |
52,642 |
83,128 |
||
Notes and accounts payable to related parties |
607 |
1,736 |
||
Taxes accrued |
27,991 |
- |
||
Interest accrued |
25,682 |
20,056 |
||
Other |
50,286 |
40,002 |
||
Total current liabilities |
278,272 |
145,986 |
||
|
||||
Deferred Credits: |
||||
Deferred income taxes |
604,200 |
611,749 |
||
Regulatory liabilities |
284,408 |
287,780 |
||
Other |
344,477 |
344,179 |
||
Total deferred credits |
1,233,085 |
1,243,708 |
||
|
||||
Commitments and Contingencies |
||||
Total |
$ |
4,078,494 |
$ |
4,073,390 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
12
Idaho Power
Company
Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Capitalization
(unaudited)
March 31, |
December 31, |
|||
|
2010 |
2009 |
||
(thousands of dollars) |
||||
Common Stock Equity: |
||||
Common stock |
$ |
97,877 |
$ |
97,877 |
Premium on capital stock |
638,758 |
638,758 |
||
Capital stock expense |
(2,097) |
(2,097) |
||
Retained earnings |
551,539 |
547,695 |
||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
(7,674) |
(8,267) |
||
Total common stock equity |
1,278,403 |
1,273,966 |
||
Long-Term Debt: |
||||
First mortgage bonds: |
||||
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 |
120,000 |
||
6.15% Series due 2019 |
100,000 |
100,000 |
||
4.50% Series due 2020 |
130,000 |
130,000 |
||
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 |
1,215,000 |
1,215,000 |
||
Amount due within one year |
(120,000) |
- |
||
Net first mortgage bonds |
1,095,000 |
1,215,000 |
||
Pollution control revenue bonds: |
||||
5.15% Series due 2024 |
49,800 |
49,800 |
||
5.25% Series 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 |
7,446 |
8,509 |
||
Note guarantee due within one year |
(1,064) |
(1,064) |
||
Unamortized premium/discount - net |
(2,993) |
(3,060) |
||
Total long-term debt |
1,288,734 |
1,409,730 |
||
Total Capitalization |
$ |
2,567,137 |
$ |
2,683,696 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
13
Idaho Power Company
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
|
Three months ended |
|||
|
March 31, |
|||
|
2010 |
2009 |
||
|
(thousands of dollars) |
|||
Operating Activities: |
|
|
||
Net income |
$ |
18,221 |
$ |
19,284 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by |
|
|
||
operating activities: |
|
|
||
Depreciation and amortization |
30,278 |
28,002 |
||
Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits |
(22,207) |
8,881 |
||
Changes in regulatory assets and liabilities |
52,036 |
16,405 |
||
Non-cash pension expense |
1,235 |
697 |
||
Earnings of unconsolidated equity-method investments |
(348) |
(3,302) |
||
Distributions from unconsolidated equity-method investments |
- |
3,390 |
||
Gain on sale of assets |
(40) |
(382) |
||
Other non-cash adjustments to net income |
(4,709) |
(1,088) |
||
Change in: |
|
|
||
Accounts receivables and prepayments |
3,549 |
(7,550) |
||
Accounts payable |
(28,851) |
(42,182) |
||
Taxes receivable/accrued |
31,368 |
28,746 |
||
Other current assets |
12,385 |
8,436 |
||
Other current liabilities |
13,732 |
11,862 |
||
Other assets |
(1,782) |
(1,332) |
||
Other liabilities |
(4,067) |
(14,809) |
||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
100,800 |
55,058 |
||
Investing Activities: |
|
|
||
Additions to utility plant |
(69,029) |
(49,592) |
||
Sales of emission allowances and renewable energy certificates |
666 |
2,341 |
||
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates |
(2,200) |
- |
||
Other |
1,736 |
(1,761) |
||
Net cash used in investing activities |
(68,827) |
(49,012) |
||
Financing Activities: |
|
|
||
Issuance of long-term debt |
- |
100,000 |
||
Retirement of long-term debt |
(1,064) |
(1,064) |
||
Dividends on common stock |
(14,377) |
(14,228) |
||
Net change in short term borrowings |
- |
(10,300) |
||
Other |
(102) |
(646) |
||
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities |
(15,543) |
73,762 |
||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
16,430 |
79,808 |
||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period |
21,625 |
3,141 |
||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period |
$ |
38,055 |
$ |
82,949 |
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information: |
|
|
||
Cash (received) paid during the period for: |
|
|
||
Income taxes |
$ |
(2,934) |
$ |
(24,481) |
Interest (net of amount capitalized) |
$ |
12,136 |
$ |
9,150 |
Non-cash investing activities: |
|
|
||
Additions to property, plant and equipment in accounts payable |
$ |
17,882 |
$ |
4,975 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
14
Idaho Power
Company
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive
Income
(unaudited)
Three months ended |
||||
March 31, |
||||
|
2010 |
2009 |
||
(thousands of dollars) |
||||
Net Income |
$ |
18,221 |
$ |
19,284 |
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss): |
||||
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period, |
||||
net of tax of $267 and ($570) |
416 |
(887) |
||
Unfunded pension liability adjustment, net of tax |
||||
of $114 and $87 |
177 |
136 |
||
Total Comprehensive Income |
$ |
18,814 |
$ |
18,533 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements. |
15
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 (Idaho Power). Therefore, the Notes to the condensed
consolidated financial statements apply to both IDACORP and Idaho Power.
However, Idaho Power 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 Idaho
Power. 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.
Idaho Power is
an electric utility with a service territory covering approximately 24,000
square miles in southern Idaho and eastern Oregon. Idaho Power is regulated by
the FERC and the state regulatory commissions of Idaho and Oregon. Idaho Power
is the parent of Idaho Energy Resources Co. (IERCo), a joint venturer in
Bridger Coal Company (BCC), which supplies coal to the Jim Bridger generating
plant owned in part by Idaho Power.
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.
Principles of Consolidation
IDACORPs and
Idaho Powers consolidated financial statements include the accounts of each
company, the subsidiaries that the companies control, and any variable interest
entities (VIEs) for which the companies are the primary beneficiaries. All
significant intercompany balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Investments in subsidiaries that the companies do not control and investments
in VIEs for which the companies 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 of accounting.
In January
2010, IDACORP and Idaho Power adopted amendments to prior consolidation
guidance. The amendments affected the overall consolidation analysis of VIEs
and required IDACORP and Idaho Power to reconsider their previous conclusions
relating to the consolidation of VIEs, including (1) whether an entity is a
VIE, (2) whether either IDACORP or Idaho Power are the VIEs primary beneficiary,
and (3) what type of financial statement disclosures are required. The
adoption of this guidance did not change the entities that IDACORP or Idaho
Power consolidate.
The entities
that IDACORP and Idaho Power consolidate consist primarily of the wholly-owned
subsidiaries discussed above. In addition, IDACORP consolidates one VIE,
Marysville Hydro Partners (Marysville), which is a joint venture owned 50
percent by Ida-West and 50 percent by Environmental Energy Company (EEC).
Marysville has approximately $25 million of assets, primarily a hydroelectric
plant, and approximately $17 million of intercompany long-term debt, which is
eliminated in consolidation. EEC has borrowed amounts from Ida-West to fund a
portion of its required capital contributions to Marysville. The loans are
payable from EECs share of distributions and are secured by the stock of EEC
and EECs interest in Marysville. Ida-West is the primary beneficiary because
the ownership of the intercompany note and the EEC note result in it
controlling the entity. Creditors of Marysville have no recourse to the
general credit of IDACORP and there are no other arrangements that could
require IDACORP to provide financial support to Marysville or expose IDACORP to
losses.
Through IERCo,
Idaho Power holds a variable interest in BCC, a VIE for which it is not the
primary beneficiary. IERCo is not the primary beneficiary because the power to
direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance
of BCC is shared with the joint venture partner. IERCos carrying value is $87
million and its maximum exposure to loss at BCC is the carrying value, any
additional future contributions to the mine and the $63 million guarantee for
reclamation costs at the mine which is discussed further in Note 8
Commitments.
16
Through IFS,
IDACORP also holds 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 from five
to 99 percent. As a limited partner, IFS does not control these entities and
they are not consolidated. These investments were acquired between 1996 and
2010. IFSs maximum exposure to loss in these developments is limited to its
net carrying value, which was $82 million at March 31, 2010.
Financial Statements
In the opinion
of IDACORP and Idaho Power, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly their
consolidated financial positions as of March 31, 2010, and consolidated results
of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2010, and 2009, and
consolidated cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2010, and 2009.
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 Idaho Powers
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. The results
of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results
to be expected for the full year.
Use of Estimates
The
preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosures of contingent liabilities, as of the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results experienced could differ materially from
those estimates.
Reclassifications
Certain prior
year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year
presentation. The reclassifications did not impact IDACORPs and Idaho Powers
net income or total equity, and include the following:
Third-party transmission expense was combined with purchased power in IDACORP and Idaho Powers condensed consolidated statements of income as the balance of the third party transmission expense alone is immaterial;
Gain on sale of emission allowances was combined with other operations and maintenance in IDACORP and Idaho Powers condensed consolidated statements of income as the balance of gain on sale of emission allowances alone is immaterial;
Other operations and maintenance in the operating expenses section of Idaho Powers condensed consolidated statements of income were combined to be consistent with presentation in IDACORPs condensed consolidated statements of income;
Allowance for uncollectible accounts was offset against associated accounts receivable and presented in a parenthetical notation in IDACORP and Idaho Powers condensed consolidated balance sheets;
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangements was combined with other non-cash adjustments to net income in the operating section and with other in the financing section of IDACORPs condensed consolidated statements of cash flows; and
Amortization of affordable housing was removed from depreciation and amortization and combined with undistributed earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries, the total of which was then separated into losses (earnings) of unconsolidated equity-method investments and distributions from unconsolidated equity method investments in the operating section of IDACORPs condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.
2. INCOME TAXES:
In accordance with interim
reporting requirements, IDACORP and Idaho Power use an estimated annual
effective tax rate for computing provisions for income taxes. An estimate of
annual income tax expense (or benefit) is made each interim period using
estimates for annual pre-tax income, income tax adjustments and tax credits.
The estimated annual effective tax rates do not include discrete events such as
tax law changes, examination settlements or method changes. Discrete events
are recorded in the period in which they occur.
17
The estimated annual effective tax
rate is applied to year-to-date pre-tax income to achieve income tax expense
(or benefit) for the interim period consistent with the annual estimate. In
subsequent interim periods, income tax expense (or benefit) for the period is
computed as the difference between the year-to-date amount reported for the
previous interim period and the current periods year-to-date amount.
An analysis of income tax expense
for the three months ending March 31 is as follows (in thousands of dollars):
|
IDACORP |
Idaho Power |
|||||||
|
2010 |
2009 |
2010 |
2009 |
|||||
Income tax provision |
$ |
4,914 |
$ |
6,796 |
$ |
5,915 |
$ |
9,773 |
|
ADITC amortization |
|
(4,512) |
|
- |
|
(4,512) |
|
- |
|
Medicare Part D subsidy |
|
903 |
|
- |
|
903 |
|
- |
|
|
Income tax expense |
$ |
1,305 |
$ |
6,796 |
$ |
2,306 |
$ |
9,773 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effective tax rate |
|
7.5% |
|
26.5% |
|
11.2% |
|
33.6% |
|
The decrease in the 2010 estimated
annual effective tax rates from 2009 is primarily due to lower pre-tax earnings
at IDACORP and Idaho Power and Idaho Powers additional amortization of
accumulated deferred investment tax credits (ADITC), partially offset by a
charge related to the federal health care legislation enacted in the first
quarter of 2010. Regulatory flow-through tax adjustments at Idaho Power and
tax credits at IFS were comparable quarter-over-quarter. For further
information regarding ADITC amortization, see Note 3 REGULATORY MATTERS -
Idaho Settlement Agreement.
The Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act were
enacted in March 2010. One provision of this legislation eliminates the
deductibility of employer health care costs for retiree prescription drug
expenses that are covered by federal subsidy payments equivalent to Medicare
Part D. While this provision is not effective until 2013, relevant income tax
accounting guidance requires recognition of the future effects of new law in
the period of enactment. Due to the regulatory treatment of postretirement
benefit costs, the increase in certain postretirement costs relating to the legislation
is deferred as a regulatory asset. Accordingly, Idaho Power reduced its
deferred tax asset related to future deductible retiree prescription drug
expenses by $2.3 million, increased regulatory assets by $2.4 million,
increased deferred tax liabilities by $1 million and incurred a charge of $0.9
million for the three months ended March 31, 2010.
Status of Audit Proceedings
In May 2009,
IDACORP formally entered the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Compliance
Assurance Process (CAP) program for its 2009 tax year. The CAP program
provides for IRS examination throughout the year. The 2009 examination is
expected to be completed in 2010. In January 2010, IDACORP was accepted into
CAP for its 2010 tax year. IDACORP and Idaho Power are unable to predict the
outcome of these examinations.
Specifically within the 2009 CAP
examination, the IRS began its audit of Idaho Powers current method of uniform
capitalization. In September 2009, the IRS issued Industry Director Directive
#5 (IDD), which discusses the IRSs compliance priorities and audit techniques
related to the allocation of mixed service costs in the uniform capitalization
methods of electric utilities. The IRS and Idaho Power are jointly working
through the impact the IDD guidance has on Idaho Powers uniform capitalization
method. Idaho Power expects that the examination will be completed during
2010. Resolution of this matter would result in a decrease to Idaho Powers
unrecognized tax benefits for its 2009 uniform capitalization deduction by $1.1
million, may reduce Idaho Powers need to amortize additional ADITC in 2010 and
is not expected to have an adverse effect on Idaho Powers financial position,
results of operations, or cash flows.
3. REGULATORY MATTERS:
Idaho Settlement Agreement
On January 13, 2010, the Idaho
Public Utilities Commission (IPUC) approved a settlement agreement among Idaho
Power, several of Idaho Powers customers, the IPUC Staff and others.
Significant elements of the settlement agreement include:
A general rate moratorium in effect until January 1, 2012. The moratorium does not apply to other specified revenue requirement proceedings, such as the power cost adjustment (PCA), the fixed cost adjustment (FCA), pension funding, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), energy efficiency rider, and government imposed fees.
18
A specified distribution of the expected reduction in 2010 PCA rates that would reduce customer rates, provide some general rate relief to Idaho Power and reset base power supply costs for the PCA. This provision anticipated a significant reduction in PCA rates for the 2010-2011 PCA year. The PCA reduction and base rate adjustment is discussed in 2010 PCA filing below.
A provision to share with Idaho customers 50 percent of any Idaho-jurisdictional earnings in excess of a 10.5 percent return on equity in any calendar year from 2009 to 2011.
A provision to allow additional amortization of ADITC if Idaho Powers actual return on equity in its Idaho jurisdiction is below 9.5 percent in any calendar year from 2009 to 2011. Idaho Power is permitted to amortize additional ADITC in an amount up to $45 million over the three-year period, but could use no more that $15 million in any one year unless there is a carryover. Carryover amounts are added to the $15 million annual allowance up to a maximum amortization of $25 million in any one year.
Because Idaho Powers 2009 Idaho-jurisdiction
return on equity was between 9.5 and 10.5 percent, the sharing and additional
amortization provisions were not triggered, and the ADITC available for
additional amortization in 2010 is $25 million. For the three months ended
March 31, 2010, Idaho Power recorded additional ADITC amortization of $4.5
million as a result of including an estimated annual amount in its effective
tax rate. The actual amount of additional ADITC recorded in the full year 2010
will depend on Idaho Powers annual return on year-end equity, and the amounts
recorded in each quarter will vary and may ultimately be reversed.
The agreement also included a
provision to reestablish the base level for net power supply costs effective
with the June 1, 2010, PCA rate change. On April 13, 2010, the IPUC approved
an increase of up to $63.7 million for such base net power supply costs,
deferring final calculation to Idaho Powers 2010 PCA case. The open issue
relates to Idaho Powers proposed increase of $25 million in coal supply costs
for the Jim Bridger plant. The increase in base net power supply costs is
expected to bring Idaho Powers total base net power supply costs closer to its
actual net power supply costs, and therefore reduce the magnitude of Idaho
Powers future annual PCA adjustments.
2010 PCA Filing
On April 15, 2010, Idaho Power made
its annual PCA filing with the IPUC, requesting approval of its 2010 PCA and an
increase in base rates pursuant to the terms of the settlement agreement. As
filed, these two rate adjustments would be a $146.7 million 2010 PCA reduction
and an $88.7 million increase to base rates, both to become effective June 1,
2010. The base rate increase includes the $63.7 million increase in Idaho
Powers annual base net power supply costs, and a $25 million general increase
in Idaho Powers annual base rates.
Other Idaho 2010 Filings
Rate Filings: In March
2010, Idaho Power made the following three rate filings with the IPUC, each
with a requested effective date of June 1, 2010:
Fixed Cost Adjustment: Idaho Powers FCA filing for the 2009 calendar year proposes to collect $6.3 million for one year, a $3.6 million annual increase over current rates. The $6.3 million reflects amounts accrued in 2009 under the mechanism.
Pension: Idaho Power filed a request to recover $5.4 million of pension contributions that it expects to make in 2010. In accordance with IPUC orders, Idaho Power is deferring its Idaho-jurisdiction pension expense to a regulatory asset. On February 17, 2010, the IPUC approved a recovery methodology that would permit Idaho Power to include in future rate cases a reasonable amortization and recovery of cash contributions. Deferred pension costs are expected to be amortized to expense to match the revenues received when pension contributions are recovered through rates.
AMI: Idaho Power filed for a $2.4 million annual increase in base rates related to AMI.
Energy Efficiency Prudency
Determination: On March 15, 2010, Idaho Power filed an application with
the IPUC requesting an order designating expenditures of $50.7 million incurred
in 2008 and 2009 as prudently incurred expenses.
On April 14, 2010, the IPUC
completed its review of energy efficiency rider expenditures that Idaho Power
made during the 2002 through 2007 period and found that remaining amounts
totaling $14.7 million were prudently incurred and approved for ratemaking
purposes.
19
Oregon 2009 General Rate Case Settlement
On February 24, 2010, the Oregon
Public Utility Commission (OPUC) approved a $5 million, or 15.4 percent, increase
in base rates. The new rates were effective March 1, 2010 and are based on a
return on equity of 10.175 percent and an overall rate of return of 8.061
percent. This increase results from a joint stipulation filed by Idaho Power
that settled the revenue requirement issues surrounding a general rate case
filed by Idaho Power on July 31, 2009.
Oregon Power Cost Recovery Mechanisms
Idaho Powers
power cost recovery mechanism in Oregon went into effect in 2008. It has two
components: the annual power cost update (APCU) and the power cost adjustment
mechanism (PCAM). The combination of the APCU and the PCAM allows Idaho Power
to recover excess net power supply costs in a more timely fashion than through
the previously existing deferral process.
PCAM: On February 26, 2010, Idaho Power filed its PCAM application
for the 2009 year with the OPUC. The filing stated that actual net
power supply costs were within the deadband, which is the range of deviations
within which Idaho Power absorbs cost increases or decreases, resulting in no
request for a deferral.
APCU: On April 15, 2010,
Idaho Power filed a stipulation combining the March forecast and October update
with the OPUC. Approval of the stipulation would result in a $5.5 million
annual increase in Oregon rates, effective June 1, 2010. The target date for
an OPUC order is May 28, 2010.
Deferred Net Power Supply Costs
Changes in deferred power supply
costs during the quarter were as follows (in thousands of dollars):
|
|
Idaho |
|
Oregon(1) |
|
Total |
|
Balance at December 31, 2009 |
$ |
71,412 |
$ |
13,221 |
$ |
84,633 |
|
Impact of current period net power supply costs |
|
(19,839) |
|
(44) |
|
(19,883) |
|
Prior costs expensed and recovered through rates |
|
(27,996) |
|
(445) |
|
(28,441) |
|
SO2 allowances and REC sales credited to account |
|
(600) |
|
(28) |
|
(628) |
|
Interest and other |
|
271 |
|
220 |
|
491 |
|
Balance at March 31, 2010 |
$ |
23,248 |
$ |
12,924 |
$ |
36,172 |
|
(1) Oregon power supply cost deferrals are subject to a statute that specifically limits rate amortizations of deferred costs to six percent of gross Oregon revenue per year (approximately $2 million). Deferrals are amortized sequentially. |
|||||||
4. LONG-TERM DEBT:
As of March 31, 2010, IDACORP had
approximately $574 million remaining on a shelf registration statement that can
be used for the issuance of debt securities or common stock.
In April 2010, Idaho Power received
approval from the IPUC, the OPUC and the Public Service Commission of Wyoming
for the issuance of up to $500 million in aggregate principal amount of one or
more series of first mortgage bonds and unsecured debt securities. The order
from the IPUC approved the issuance of the securities over a two-year period,
beginning on April 19, 2010, subject to extension upon request to the IPUC.
5. NOTES PAYABLE:
Credit Facilities
IDACORP has a $100 million credit
facility and Idaho Power 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 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 Investors Service and Standard & Poors
Ratings Services.
At March 31, 2010, no loans were
outstanding on either IDACORPs facility or Idaho Powers facility. At March
31, 2010, Idaho Power had regulatory authority to incur up to $450 million of
short-term indebtedness.
20
Balances and interest rates of
short-term borrowings were as follows at March 31, 2010, and December 31, 2009
(in thousands of dollars):
|
|
March 31, 2010 |
December 31, 2009 |
||||||||||
|
|
Idaho |
Idaho |
||||||||||
|
|
IDACORP |
Power |
Total |
IDACORP |
Power |
Total |
||||||
Commercial paper |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
outstanding |
$ |
26,100 |
$ |
- |
$ |
26,100 |
$ |
53,750 |
$ |
- |
$ |
53,750 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
interest rate |
|
0.35% |
|
- |
|
0.35% |
|
0.41% |
|
- |
|
0.41% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6. COMMON STOCK:
The following table summarizes
shares of IDACORP stock issued during the three months ended March 31, 2010:
|
Shares issued |
|
Balance at December 31, 2009 |
47,925,882 |
|
Dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan |
37,829 |
|
Employee savings plan |
30,211 |
|
Long-term incentive and compensation plan (LTICP) (1) |
90,548 |
|
Restricted stock plan |
13,293 |
|
Balance at March 31, 2010 |
48,097,763 |
|
|
|
|
(1) Included in the LTICP activity are 15,800 shares that were issued pursuant to the exercise of stock options on December 30, 2009, and settled on January 4, 2010. |
||
IDACORP enters into sales agency agreements
as a means of selling its common stock from time to time. As of March 31,
2010, there were 2.1 million shares remaining available to be sold on the
current sales agency agreement.
Restrictions on Dividends
A covenant under IDACORPs credit
facility and Idaho Powers credit facility requires IDACORP and Idaho Power to
maintain leverage ratios of consolidated indebtedness to consolidated total
capitalization, as defined therein, of no more than 65 percent at the end of
each fiscal quarter.
Idaho Powers Revised Code of
Conduct approved by the IPUC on April 21, 2008, states that Idaho Power will
not pay any dividends to IDACORP that will reduce Idaho Powers common equity
capital below 35 percent of its total adjusted capital without IPUC approval.
Idaho Powers 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 violate the covenants in their respective credit facilities or
Idaho Powers Revised Code of Conduct. At March 31, 2010, the leverage ratios
for IDACORP and Idaho Power were 51 percent and 52 percent, respectively.
Based on these restrictions, IDACORPs and Idaho Powers dividends were limited
to $562 million and $519 million, respectively, at March 31, 2010. There are
additional covenants, subject to exceptions, that prohibit or restrict: certain
investments or acquisitions, mergers or sale or disposition of property without
consent; the creation of certain liens; and any agreements restricting dividend
payments to the company from any material subsidiary. At March 31, 2010,
IDACORP and Idaho Power were in compliance with all facility covenants.
Idaho Powers articles of
incorporation contain restrictions on the payment of dividends on its common
stock if preferred stock dividends are in arrears. Idaho Power has no
preferred stock outstanding.
21
Idaho Power must obtain approval of
the OPUC before it could directly or indirectly loan funds or issue notes or
give credit on its books to IDACORP.
7. EARNINGS PER SHARE:
The following table presents the
computation of IDACORPs basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the
three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands, except for per share
amounts):
|
Three months ended |
|||||||
|
March 31, |
|||||||
|
2010 |
2009 |
||||||
Numerator: |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Net income attributable to IDACORP, Inc. |
$ |
16,063 |
$ |
18,884 |
|||
Denominator: |
|
|
|
|
||||
|
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic |
|
47,773 |
|
46,831 |
|||
|
Effect of dilutive securities: |
|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
Options |
|
41 |
|
13 |
||
|
|
Restricted Stock |
|
71 |
|
32 |
||
|
|
|
Weighted-average common shares outstanding diluted |
|
47,885 |
|
46,876 |
|
Basic and diluted earnings per share |
$ |
0.34 |
$ |
0.40 |
||||
|
|
|
|
|
||||
The diluted EPS computation
excluded 346,000 options for the three months ended March 31, 2010, because the
options exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the
common stock during that period. For the same period in 2009, there were
687,485 options excluded from the diluted EPS computation for the same reason.
In total, 585,662 options were outstanding at March 31, 2010, with expiration
dates between 2010 and 2015.
8. COMMITMENTS:
Purchase Obligations
The following item is the only
material change to purchase obligations made outside of the ordinary course of
business during the first quarter of 2010:
Idaho Power entered into a purchase power agreement with USG Oregon, LLC for the purchase of energy from the Neal Hot Springs Unit #1 geothermal electric generation facility. The project will be located near Vale, Oregon and the expected output will be approximately 22 MW, with an estimated on-line date of late 2012. Idaho Powers purchases under the contract are expected to total $569 million from 2011-2037. The agreement is pending approval from the IPUC.
Guarantees
Idaho Power has agreed to guarantee the performance of reclamation
activities and obligations at BCC, of which IERCo owns a one-third interest. This
guarantee, which is renewed each December, was $63 million at March 31, 2010. BCC
has a reclamation trust fund set aside specifically for the purpose of paying
these reclamation costs. BCC continually assesses the adequacy of the
reclamation trust fund and its estimate of future reclamation costs. To ensure
that the reclamation trust fund maintains adequate reserves, BCC has the
ability to add a per-ton surcharge to coal sales. In 2010, BCC began applying
a nominal surcharge to coal sales in order to maintain adequate reserves in the
reclamation trust fund. Because of the existence of the fund and the ability
to apply a per-ton surcharge, the estimated fair value of this guarantee is
minimal.
9. CONTINGENCIES:
Western Energy Proceedings at the FERC
In this report, the term western energy situation is used to refer to the California energy crisis that occurred during 2000 and 2001, and the energy shortages, high prices 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 or other forms of relief and FERC to initiate its own investigations. 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).
22
There are pending in the Ninth
Circuit approximately 200 petitions for review of numerous FERC orders
regarding the western energy situation. Decisions in these appeals may have
implications with respect to other pending cases, including those to which
Idaho Power or IE are parties. Idaho Power and IE intend to vigorously defend
their positions in these proceedings, but are unable to predict the outcome of
these matters. Except as to the matters described below under Pacific
Northwest Refund, Idaho Power and IE believe that settlement releases they
have obtained that are described below under California Refund and Market
Manipulation will restrict potential claims that might result from the
disposition of the pending Ninth Circuit review petitions and that these
matters will not have a material adverse effect on their consolidated financial
positions, results of operations or cash flows.
California Refund: This
proceeding originated with an effort by agencies of the State of California and
investor-owned utilities in California to obtain refunds for a portion of the
spot market sales from sellers of electricity into California markets from
October 2, 2000, through June 20, 2001. The FERC has issued numerous orders
establishing price mitigation plans for sales in the California wholesale
electricity market, including the methodology for determining refunds. IE and
numerous other parties have petitioned the Ninth Circuit for review of the FERCs
orders on California refunds. As additional FERC orders have been issued,
further petitions for review have been filed before the Ninth Circuit, which
from time to time has identified discrete cases that can proceed to briefing
and decision while it stayed action on the other consolidated cases.
On May 22, 2006, the FERC approved
an Offer of Settlement between and among IE and Idaho Power, the California
Parties (Pacific Gas & Electric Company, San Diego Gas & Electric
Company, Southern California Edison Company, the California Public Utilities
Commission, the California Electricity Oversight Board, the California
Department of Water Resources (CDWR) and the California Attorney General) and
additional parties that elected to be bound by the settlement. The settlement
disposed of matters encompassed by the California refund proceeding, as well as
market manipulation claims and investigations relating to the western energy
situation among and between the parties agreeing to be bound by it. Although
many market participants agreed to be bound by the settlement, other market
participants, representing a small minority of potential refund claims,
initially elected not to be bound by the settlement. From time to time, as the
California Parties have reached settlements with those other market
participants, they have elected to opt into the IE-Idaho Power-California
Parties settlement. The settlement provided for approximately $23.7 million
of IEs and Idaho Powers estimated $36 million rights to accounts receivable
from the California Independent System Operator (Cal ISO) and the California
Power Exchange (CalPX) to be assigned to an escrow account for refunds and for
an additional $1.5 million of accounts receivable to be retained by the CalPX
until the conclusion of the litigation. The additional $1.5 million of
accounts receivable retained by the CalPX is available to fund the claims of
non-settling parties if they prevail in the remaining litigation of these California
market matters. Any additional amounts owed to non-settling parties would be
funded by other amounts owed to IE and Idaho Power by the Cal ISO and CalPX, or
directly by IE and Idaho Power, and any excess funds remaining at the end of
the case would be returned to IE and Idaho Power. The remaining IE and Idaho
Power receivables were paid to IE and Idaho Power under the settlement.
In an August 2006 decision, the
Ninth Circuit ruled that all transactions that occurred within the CalPX and
the Cal ISO markets were proper subjects of the refund proceeding. In that
decision the Ninth Circuit refused to expand the proceedings into the bilateral
market, approved the refund effective date as October 2, 2000, required the
FERC to consider claims that some market participants had violated governing
tariff obligations at an earlier date than the refund effective date, and
expanded the scope of the refund proceeding to include transactions within the
CalPX and Cal ISO markets outside the limited 24-hour spot market and energy
exchange transactions. Parts of the decision exposed sellers to increased
claims for potential refunds. The Ninth Circuit issued its mandate on April
15, 2009, thereby officially returning the cases to the FERC for further action
consistent with the courts decision.
23
On November 19, 2009, the FERC
issued an order to implement the Ninth Circuits remand. The remand order
established a trial-type hearing in which participants will be permitted to
submit information regarding (i) specified tariff violations committed by any
public utility seller from January 1, 2000 - October 2, 2000 resulting in a
transaction that set a market clearing price for the trading period when the
violation occurred, and (ii) claims for refunds for multi-day transactions and
energy exchange transactions entered into during the refund period (October 2,
2000 June 20, 2001). Numerous parties, including IE and Idaho Power, filed
motions to clarify the FERCs order. Although IE and Idaho Power are unable to
predict when or how FERC will rule on these motions, the effect of the remand
order for IE and Idaho Power is confined to the minority of market participants
that are not bound by the IE-Idaho Power-California Parties settlement
described above. Accordingly, IE and Idaho Power believe the remanded
proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on their consolidated
financial positions, results of operations or cash flows.
In 2005, the FERC established a
framework for sellers wanting to demonstrate that the generally applicable FERC
refund methodology interfered with the recovery of costs. IE and Idaho Power
made such a cost filing, which was rejected by the FERC. On June 18, 2009,
FERC issued an order stating that it was not ruling on IEs and Idaho Powers
request for rehearing of the cost filing rejection because their request had
been withdrawn in connection with the IE-Idaho Power-California Parties
settlement. On July 8, 2009, IE and Idaho Power sought further rehearing at
the FERC because their withdrawal pertained only to the parties with whom IE
and Idaho Power had settled. On June 18, 2009, in a separate order, the FERC
ruled that only net refund recipients were responsible for the costs associated
with cost filings. While most net refund recipients are bound by the
settlement, until the Cal ISO completes its refund calculations, it is
uncertain whether there are any net refund recipients who are not bound by the
settlement. If there are no such parties, then IEs and Idaho Powers request for
rehearing will be moot. FERC has not yet ruled on the request for rehearing.
IE and Idaho Power are unable to predict how or when the FERC might rule, but
the effect of any such ruling is confined to obligations of IE and Idaho Power
to the small minority of claims of market participants that are not bound by
the settlement. Accordingly, IE and Idaho Power believe this matter will not
have a material adverse effect on their consolidated financial positions,
results of operations or cash flows.
Market Manipulation: On
June 25, 2003, the FERC ordered approximately 50 entities that participated in
the western wholesale power markets between January 1, 2000, and June 20, 2001,
including Idaho Power, to show cause why certain trading practices did not constitute
gaming or other forms of proscribed market behavior in concert with another party
(partnership) in violation of the Cal ISO and CalPX Tariffs. In 2004, the FERC
dismissed the partnership show cause proceeding against Idaho Power. Later in
2004, the FERC approved a settlement of the gaming proceeding without finding
of wrongdoing by Idaho Power.
The orders establishing the scope
of the show cause proceedings are presently the subject of review petitions in
the Ninth Circuit. On March 29, 2010, IE and Idaho Power filed a motion with
the Ninth Circuit to dismiss 11 of the 12 petitions for review of FERCs orders
establishing the scope of the show cause proceedings as they relate to IE and
Idaho Power. Although IE and Idaho Power had obtained the consent to the
motion from the 11 petitioners in those proceedings, the Ninth Circuit
misconstrued the motion and instead granted on April 1, 2010, a motion to
withdraw IE and Idaho Power interventions in the review proceedings. On April
9, 2010, with the consent of the same 11 petitioners, IE and Idaho Power filed
a motion for reconsideration with the Ninth Circuit, again requesting dismissal
of the 11 petitions as they pertain to IE and Idaho Power. Although IE and
Idaho Power are unable to predict how or when the Ninth Circuit will act on the
motion for reconsideration or the review petitions, in light of the settlement
described above, IE and Idaho Power believe this matter will not have a
material adverse effect on their consolidated financial positions, results of
operations or cash flows.
On June 25, 2003, the FERC also
issued an order instituting an investigation of anomalous bidding behavior and
practices in the western wholesale markets for the time period May 1, 2000,
through October 1, 2000, but the FERC terminated its investigations as to Idaho
Power on May 12, 2004. California government agencies and California investor-owned
utilities have appealed the FERCs termination of this investigation as to
Idaho Power and more than 30 other market participants. IE and Idaho Power are
unable to predict the outcome of these petitions for review proceedings, but
believe that the settlement releases govern any potential claims that might
arise and that this matter will not have a material adverse effect on their
consolidated financial positions, results of operations or cash flows.
Pacific Northwest Refund:
On July 25, 2001, the FERC issued an order establishing a proceeding separate
from the California refund 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, because the spot
market in the Pacific Northwest was affected by the dysfunction in the
California market. In 2003, the FERC terminated the proceeding and declined to
order refunds, but in 2007 the Ninth Circuit issued an opinion, in Port of
Seattle, Washington v. FERC, 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 would have altered the agencys
conclusions about refunds and directed the FERC to include sales originating in
the Pacific Northwest to the CDWR in the scope of proceeding. The Ninth
Circuit officially returned the case to the FERC on April 16, 2009. On
September 4, 2009, IE and Idaho Power joined with a number of other parties in
a joint petition for a writ of certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court, which was
denied on January 11, 2010.
24
In separate filings, the California
Parties, which no longer include the California Electricity Oversight Board,
and the City of Tacoma, Washington (Tacoma) and the Port of Seattle, Washington
(Port of Seattle) asked the FERC to reorganize and restructure the case to
enable them to pursue claims that all spot market sales in the Cal ISO and
CalPX markets and in the Pacific Northwest from January 1, 2000 through June
20, 2001 should be subject to refund and repriced, because market manipulation
and tariff violations affected spot market prices. Their requests would expand
the scope of the refund period in the Pacific Northwest proceeding from the
December 25, 2000 through June 20, 2001 period previously considered by the
FERC. On May 22, 2009, the California Parties filed a motion with the FERC to
sever claims regarding sales originating in the Pacific Northwest to CDWR from
the remainder of the Pacific Northwest proceedings and to consolidate their
claims regarding these sales with ongoing proceedings in cases that IE and
Idaho Power have settled, as well as with a new complaint filed on May 22, 2009
by the California Attorney General against parties with whom the California
Parties have not settled (Brown Complaint). IE and Idaho Power, along with a
number of other parties, filed their opposition to the motion of the California
Parties. Many other parties also filed responses to the motion of the
California Parties. Tacoma and the Port of Seattle jointly filed a motion on
August 4, 2009 with the FERC in connection with the California refund
proceeding, the Lockyer remand pending before the FERC (involving claims
of failure to file quarterly transaction reports with the FERC, from which IE
and Idaho Power previously were dismissed), the Brown Complaint and the Pacific
Northwest refund remand proceeding. The Tacoma and the Port of Seattle motion
asks the FERC to require refunds from all sellers in the Pacific Northwest spot
markets for the expanded period (January 1, 2000 through June 20, 2001). IE
and Idaho Power joined with a number of other sellers in the Pacific Northwest
markets during 2000 and 2001 in opposing the motion of Tacoma and the Port of
Seattle. On April 19, 2010, the California Parties filed a motion with the
FERC renewing the requests contained in their May 22, 2009, motion and on May
3, 2010, IE and Idaho Power joined with a number of other parties opposing the
renewal request. FERC has not acted on the Ninth Circuit remand or the
motions. IE and Idaho Power intend to vigorously defend their positions in
these proceedings, but are unable to predict the outcome of these matters or
estimate the impact these matters may have on their consolidated financial
positions, 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 thousands of violations by PacifiCorp of air quality opacity
standards at the Jim Bridger coal-fired plant in Sweetwater County, Wyoming.
Opacity is an indication of the amount of light obscured by the flue gas of a
power plant. The complaint sought a declaration that PacifiCorp had 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
reimbursement of plaintiffs costs of litigation, including reasonable
attorneys fees. Idaho Power 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. On April 15, 2010, the parties jointly filed a
proposed consent decree resolving the pending litigation. The consent decree
must be reviewed by the Environmental Protection Agency and approved by the
court. Idaho Power is fully reserved for the contingency and, if approved, the
entry of the consent decree will not have a material adverse effect on Idaho
Powers consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Sierra Club Lawsuit Boardman
In September 2008, the Sierra Club
and four other non-profit corporations 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
plant located in Morrow County, Oregon. The complaint also alleged 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 sought a declaration that PGE had 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 reimbursement of
plaintiffs costs of litigation, including reasonable attorneys fees. Idaho
Power 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.
On December 5, 2008, PGE filed a motion to dismiss nine of the twelve claims
asserted by the plaintiffs in their complaint, and on September 30, 2009, the
court denied most of PGEs motion to dismiss. Idaho Power continues 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.
25
Snake River Basin Adjudication
Idaho Power 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 Idaho Power.
On March 25, 2009, Idaho Power and the State of Idaho (State) entered into a
settlement agreement with respect to the 1984 Swan Falls Agreement and Idaho
Powers water rights under the Swan Falls Agreement, which settlement agreement
is subject to certain conditions discussed below. The settlement agreement
will also resolve litigation between Idaho Power and the State relating to the
Swan Falls Agreement that was filed by Idaho Power on May 10, 2007, with the
Idaho District Court for the Fifth Judicial Circuit, which has jurisdiction
over SRBA matters, including the Swan Falls case.
The settlement agreement resolves
the pending litigation by clarifying that Idaho Powers water rights in excess
of minimum flows at its hydroelectric facilities between Milner Dam and Swan
Falls Dam are subordinate to future upstream beneficial uses, including aquifer
recharge. The agreement commits the State and Idaho Power to further
discussions on important water management issues concerning the Swan Falls
Agreement and the management of water in the Snake River Basin. It also
recognizes that water management measures that enhance aquifer levels, springs
and river flows, such as aquifer recharge projects, benefit both agricultural
development and hydropower generation and deserve study to determine their
economic potential, their impact on the environment and their impact on
hydropower generation. These will be a part of the Comprehensive Aquifer
Management Plan (CAMP) approved by the Idaho Water Resource Board for the
Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer (ESPA), which includes limits on the amount of
aquifer recharge. Idaho Power is a member of the ESPA CAMP advisory committee
and implementation committee.
On April 24, 2009, the Governor of
Idaho signed into law legislation approving provisions contained in the
settlement agreement. On May 6, 2009, as part of the settlement, Idaho Power,
the Governor of Idaho and the Idaho Water Resource Board executed a memorandum
of agreement relating to future aquifer recharge efforts and further assurances
as to limitations on the amount of aquifer recharge. Idaho Power and the State
also filed a joint motion to the SRBA court to dismiss the Swan Falls case and
enter the stipulated water right decrees set forth in the settlement
agreement. Parties representing groundwater users in the Eastern Snake Plain
Aquifer objected to some of the language proposed by Idaho Power and the State
relating to water rights in the decrees to be entered by the SRBA court as
contemplated by the Settlement Agreement. Specifically, the concerns relate to
the language describing the subordination of the rights and its interplay with
the original Swan Falls settlement document and implementing legislation. On
January 4, 2010, the court issued an order approving the overall settlement
subject to certain modifications to the draft water right decrees proposed by
the company and the state. Idaho Power continues to work with the State and
the parties to reach agreement consistent with the courts order regarding the
language of the decrees.
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
Idaho Power filed a complaint on
October 15, 2007, and an amended complaint on September 30, 2008, in the U.S.
District Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C. against the U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation. The complaint relates to a 1923 contract right for delivery of
water to Idaho Powers hydropower projects on the Snake River, to recover
damages from the U.S. for the lost generation resulting from reduced flows and
for a prospective declaration of contractual rights and obligations of the
parties. Over the past several months, Idaho Power has been working with the
U.S. and Idaho interests (including the State of Idaho and upstream water
users) in an effort to resolve certain state water right issues pending in the
SRBA that are common to both the SRBA and the pending federal case. In an
effort to promote efficiency, the parties have agreed to present certain legal
issues associated with the 1923 contract to the court in the SRBA case that are
expected to resolve issues in the pending federal case. The SRBA court has
scheduled the presentation of these issues to the court by the fall of 2010.
Idaho Power and the U.S. have agreed to stay further proceedings in the federal
case pending the resolution of these issues in the SRBA case. Idaho Power is
unable to predict the outcome of this matter.
Oregon Trail Heights Fire
On August 25, 2008, a fire
ignited beneath an Idaho Power 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 Idaho Powers distribution poles and that high winds contributed to the
fire and its resultant damage. Idaho Power has received notice of claims from
a number of the homeowners and their insurers and while it has continued
investigation of these claims, Idaho Power has reached settlements with a
number of the individuals or their insurers who have alleged damages resulting
from the fire. Idaho Power is insured up to policy limits against liability
for claims in excess of its self-insured retention. Idaho Power has accrued a
reserve for any loss that is probable and reasonably estimable, including
insurance deductibles, and believes this matter will not have a material
adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or
cash flows.
26
Other Legal Proceedings
IDACORP, Idaho Power and/or IE are
parties to legal claims, actions and proceedings in addition to those discussed
above. 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 and that resolution of these
matters, taking into account existing reserves, will not have a material
adverse effect on IDACORPs or Idaho Powers consolidated financial positions,
results of operations or cash flows.
10. BENEFIT PLANS:
Idaho Power has a noncontributory
defined benefit pension plan covering most employees. The benefits under the
plan are based on years of service and the employees final average earnings.
In addition, Idaho Power has a nonqualified, deferred compensation plan for
certain senior management employees and directors called the Senior Management
Security Plan (SMSP). Idaho Power also maintains a defined benefit
postretirement plan (consisting of health care and death benefits) that covers
all employees who were enrolled in the active group plan at the time of
retirement as well as their spouses and qualifying dependents. Idaho Power
also has an Employee Savings Plan that complies with Section 401(k) of the
Internal Revenue Code and covers substantially all employees. Idaho Power
matches specified percentages of employee contributions to the plan.
The following table shows the
components of net periodic benefit costs for the pension, SMSP, and
Postretirement Benefits Plans for the three months ended March 31 (in thousands
of dollars):
|
|
Senior Management |
Postretirement |
|||||||||||
|
Pension Plan |
Security Plan |
Benefits |
|||||||||||
|
2010 |
2009 |
2010 |
2009 |
2010 |
2009 |
||||||||
Service cost |
$ |
4,559 |
$ |
4,205 |
$ |
385 |
$ |
402 |
$ |
340 |
$ |
332 |
||
Interest cost |
|
7,331 |
|
6,947 |
|
751 |
|
714 |
|
898 |
|
882 |
||
Expected return on plan assets |
|
(6,300) |
|
(6,088) |
|
- |
|
- |
|
(640) |
|
(528) |
||
Amortization of transition obligation |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
510 |
|
510 |
||
Amortization of prior service cost |
|
163 |
|
163 |
|
58 |
|
58 |
|
(134) |
|
(134) |
||
Amortization of net loss |
|
1,925 |
|
2,120 |
|
233 |
|
165 |
|
143 |
|
190 |
||
|
Net periodic benefit cost |
|
7,678 |
|
7,347 |
|
1,427 |
|
1,339 |
|
1,117 |
|
1,252 |
|
Costs not recognized due to the |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
effects of regulation (1) |
|
(7,427) |
|
(7,347) |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
- |
|
|
Net periodic benefit cost |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
recognized for financial |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
reporting (2) |
$ |
251 |
$ |
- |
$ |
1,427 |
$ |
1,339 |
$ |
1,117 |
$ |
1,252 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) Under IPUC order, income statement recognition of pension costs has been deferred until cash contributions are made and costs are recovered through rates. See Note 3 Regulatory Matters, for information on Idaho Powers 2010 pension rate filing. |
||||||||||||||
(2) Net periodic benefit costs are recognized for the Oregon jurisdiction and non-regulated subsidiaries. |
IDACORP and Idaho Powers minimum
required contributions to the pension plan will be approximately $6 million in
the third quarter of 2010, and $44 million, $47 million, $39 million, and $40
million in 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014, respectively. IDACORP and Idaho Power
may elect to make contributions earlier than the required dates.
See Note 2 Income Taxes for a
summary of the impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the
Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act which were enacted in March 2010.
11. INVESTMENTS IN DEBT AND EQUITY SECURITIES:
Investments in debt and equity
securities classified as available-for-sale securities are reported at fair
value, using either specific identification or average cost to determine the
cost for computing gains or losses. Any unrealized gains or losses on
available-for-sale securities are included in other comprehensive income.
Investments classified as held-to-maturity
securities are reported at amortized cost. Held-to-maturity securities are
investments in debt securities for which the companies have the positive intent
and ability to hold the securities until maturity.
27
The following table summarizes
investments in debt and equity securities as of March 31, 2010 and December 31,
2009 (in thousands of dollars):
|
March 31, 2010 |
December 31, 2009 |
|||||||||||
|
Gross |
Gross |
|
Gross |
Gross |
|
|||||||
|
Unrealized |
Unrealized |
Fair |
Unrealized |
Unrealized |
Fair |
|||||||
|
Gain |
Loss |
Value |
Gain |
Loss |
Value |
|||||||
Available-for-sale |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
securities (Idaho Power) |
$ |
3,671 |
$ |
- |
$ |
19,047 |
$ |
2,989 |
$ |
- |
$ |
18,842 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
At the end of each reporting period, IDACORP and Idaho Power
analyze securities in loss positions to determine whether they have experienced
a decline in market value that is considered other-than-temporary. At March
31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, no securities were in an unrealized loss
position.
The following table summarizes sales of available-for-sale
securities for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands of
dollars):
|
Three months ended March 31, |
|||||
|
2010 |
|
2009 |
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proceeds from sales |
$ |
- |
|
$ |
3,817 |
|
Gross realized gains from sales |
|
- |
|
|
12 |
|
Gross realized losses from sales |
|
- |
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:
Commodity Price Risk
Idaho Power is exposed to certain
risks relating to its ongoing business operations. The primary risk managed by
using derivative instruments is commodity price risk related to Idaho Powers
ongoing utility operations providing electricity to meet the demand of its
retail customers. Physical and financial forward contracts for both
electricity and fuel used to produce electricity are entered into to manage the
price risk associated with meeting forecasted loads. The objective of Idaho
Powers energy purchase and sale activity is to meet the demand of retail
electric customers, maintain appropriate physical reserves to ensure
reliability and make economic use of temporary surpluses that may develop.
All derivative instruments are
recognized as either assets or liabilities at fair value on the balance sheet.
Idaho Powers physical forward contracts, including green tags, qualify for the
normal purchases and normal sales exception to derivative accounting
requirements with the exception of forward contracts for the purchase of
natural gas for use at Idaho Powers natural gas generation facilities.
Because of Idaho Powers power cost mechanisms, Idaho Power records the changes
in fair value of derivative instruments related to power supply as regulatory
assets or liabilities.
Idaho Power had the following
derivative commodity forward contracts, entered into for the purpose of
economically hedging forecasted purchases and sales, outstanding at March 31,
2010 and 2009:
|
March 31, |
||
Commodity |
Units |
2010 |
2009 |
Electricity purchases |
MWh |
746,650 |
591,175 |
Electricity sales |
MWh |
370,825 |
272,400 |
Natural gas purchases |
MMBtu |
1,898,750 |
82,500 |
Diesel purchases |
Gallons |
645,640 |
615,423 |
|
|
|
|
28
The following tables present the
fair values of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments recorded in
the balance sheet at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009 (in thousands of
dollars):
March 31, 2010 |
Asset Derivatives |
Liability Derivatives |
||||||
|
|
Balance Sheet |
Fair |
Balance Sheet |
Fair |
|||
Commodity derivatives |
Location |
Value |
Location |
Value |
||||
Current: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Financial swaps |
Other current assets |
$ |
16 |
Other current assets |
$ |
10 |
|
|
Financial swaps |
Other current liabilities |
|
2,905 |
Other current liabilities |
|
5,256 |
|
|
Forward contracts |
Other current liabilities |
|
- |
Other current liabilities |
|
381 |
|
Long-term: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Financial swaps |
Other assets |
|
245 |
Other assets |
|
156 |
|
|
Financial swaps |
Other liabilities |
|
- |
Other liabilities |
|
2,286 |
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
3,166 |
|
$ |
8,089 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2009 |
Asset Derivatives |
Liability Derivatives |
||||||
|
|
Balance Sheet |
Fair |
Balance Sheet |
Fair |
|||
Commodity derivatives |
Location |
Value |
Location |
Value |
||||
Current: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Financial swaps |
Other current assets |
$ |
2,931 |
Other current assets |
$ |
2,087 |
|
|
Financial swaps |
Other current liabilities |
|
9 |
Other current liabilities |
|
610 |
|
|
Forward contracts |
Other current assets |
|
354 |
Other current assets |
|
- |
|
Long-term: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Financial swaps |
Other assets |
|
442 |
Other assets |
|
229 |
|
|
|
Total |
|
$ |
3,736 |
|
$ |
2,926 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table presents the
effect on income of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments for the
quarters ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 (in thousands of dollars):
|
Location of Gain/(Loss) |
Amount of Gain/(Loss) |
||
|
Recognized in Income on |
Recognized in Income on |
||
Commodity derivatives |
Derivative |
Derivative(1) |
||
Quarter ended March 31, 2010: |
|
|
|
|
|
Financial swaps |
Off-system sales |
$ |
456 |
|
Financial swaps |
Purchased power |
|
(162) |
Quarter ended March 31, 2009: |
|
|||
|
Financial swaps |
Purchased power |
|
(756) |
(1)Excludes changes in fair value of derivatives, which are recorded on the balance sheet as regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities. |
||||
|
Idaho Power records changes in fair
value of its derivative contracts as either regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities.
Settlement gains and losses on electricity swap contracts are recorded on the
income statement in off-system sales or purchased power depending on the
forecasted position being economically hedged by the derivative contract. Settlement
gains and losses on both financial and physical contracts for natural gas are
reflected in fuel expense. Settlement gains and losses on diesel derivatives
were immaterial for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.
29
Credit Risk
At March 31, 2010, Idaho Power does
not have material credit exposure from financial instruments, including
derivatives. Idaho Power monitors credit risk exposure through reviews of
counterparty credit quality, corporate-wide counterparty credit exposure, and
corporate-wide counterparty concentration levels. Idaho Power manages these
risks by establishing appropriate credit and concentration limits on
transactions with counterparties and requiring contractual guarantees, cash
deposits or letters of credit from counterparties or their affiliates, as
deemed necessary. The majority of Idaho Powers contracts are under the
Western Systems Power Pool agreement that provides for adequate assurances if a
counterparty has debt that is downgraded to below investment grade by at least
one rating agency. Idaho Power also requires North American Energy Standards
Board contracts as necessary for physical gas transactions, and International
Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. contracts as needed for financial
transactions.
Credit-Contingent Features
Certain of Idaho Powers derivative
instruments contain provisions that require Idaho Powers unsecured debt to
maintain an investment grade credit rating from each of the major credit rating
agencies. If Idaho Powers unsecured debt were to fall below investment grade,
it would be in violation of these provisions, and the counterparties to the
derivative instruments could request immediate payment or demand immediate and
ongoing full overnight collateralization on derivative instruments in net liability
positions. The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related
contingent features that are in a liability position on March 31, 2010, was $8
million. Idaho Power has posted $4 million of collateral related to this amount.
If the credit-risk-related contingent features underlying these agreements were
triggered on March 31, 2010, Idaho Power could have been required to post $3
million of additional cash collateral to its counterparties.
13. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS:
IDACORP and Idaho Power 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 based on
the inputs to the valuation techniques 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 Idaho Power has 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; and
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.
IDACORP and Idaho Power Level 2
inputs are based on quoted market prices 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.
Idaho Powers derivatives are
contracts entered into as part of its management of loads and resources.
Electricity swaps are valued on the Intercontinental Exchange with quoted
prices in an active market. Natural gas and diesel derivative valuations are
performed using New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) pricing, adjusted for
basis location, which are also quoted under NYMEX. Trading securities consists
of employee-directed investments held in a Rabbi Trust and are related to an
executive deferred compensation plan. Available-for-sale securities are
related to the SMSP and are held in a Rabbi Trust and are actively traded money
market and equity funds with quoted prices in active markets.
30
The following table presents
information about IDACORPs and Idaho Powers assets and liabilities measured
at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2010, and December 31, 2009
(in thousands of dollars). IDACORPs and Idaho Powers 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 |
|
|||||
March 31, 2010 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IDACORP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivatives |
$ |
95 |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
95 |
|
|
Money market funds |
|
19,126 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
19,126 |
|
|
Trading securities: Equity securities |
|
4,890 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
4,890 |
|
|
Available-for-sale securities: Equity securities |
|
19,047 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
19,047 |
|
Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivatives |
$ |
(2,487) |
$ |
(381) |
$ |
- |
$ |
(2,868) |
|
Idaho Power |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Derivatives |
$ |
95 |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
95 |
|
|
Money market funds |
|
19,000 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
19,000 |
|
|
Trading securities: Equity securities |
|
4,332 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
4,332 |
|
|
Available-for-sale securities: Equity securities |
|
19,047 |
|
- |
|
- |
|
19,047 |
|
Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Derivatives |
$ |
(2,487) |
$ |
(381) |
$ |
- |
$ |
(2,868) |
|
|
||||||||||
December 31, 2009 |
||||||||||
IDACORP |
||||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||
|
Derivatives |
$ |
1,056 |
$ |
354 |
$ |
- |
$ |
1,410 |
|
|
Money market funds |
38,221 |
- |
- |
38,221 |
|||||
|
Trading securities: Equity securities |
6,286 |
- |
- |
6,286 |
|||||
|
Available-for-sale securities: Equity securities |
18,842 |
- |
- |
18,842 |
|||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||
|
Derivatives |
$ |
(601) |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
(601) |
|
Idaho Power |
||||||||||
Assets: |
||||||||||
|
Derivatives |
$ |
1,056 |
$ |
354 |
$ |
- |
$ |
1,410 |
|
|
Money market funds |
19,364 |
- |
- |
19,364 |
|||||
|
Trading securities: Equity securities |
5,217 |
- |
- |
5,217 |
|||||
|
Available-for-sale securities: Equity securities |
18,842 |
- |
- |
18,842 |
|||||
Liabilities: |
||||||||||
|
Derivatives |
$ |
(601) |
$ |
- |
$ |
- |
$ |
(601) |
|
|
31
The following table presents the
carrying value and estimated fair value of financial instruments that are not
reported at fair value, using available market information and appropriate
valuation methodologies. The use of different market assumptions and/or
estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value
amounts. Cash and cash equivalents, deposits, customer and other receivables,
notes payable, accounts payable, interest accrued and taxes accrued are
reported at their carrying value as these are a reasonable estimate of their
fair value. The estimated fair values for notes receivable and long-term debt
are based upon quoted market prices of the same or similar issues or discounted
cash flow analyses as appropriate.
|
March 31, 2010 |
December 31, 2009 |
|||||||
|
Carrying |
Estimated |
Carrying |
Estimated |
|||||
|
Amount |
Fair Value |
Amount |
Fair Value |
|||||
|
(thousands of dollars) |
||||||||
IDACORP |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Notes receivable |
$ |
2,946 |
$ |
2,946 |
$ |
2,946 |
$ |
2,946 |
|
Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt |
1,425,186 |
1,412,045 |
|
1,422,130 |
|
1,406,815 |
|||
IDAHO POWER |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-term debt |
$ |
1,412,790 |
$ |
1,399,807 |
$ |
1,413,854 |
$ |
1,398,681 |
|
|
|
|
|
14. SEGMENT INFORMATION:
IDACORPs only
reportable segment is utility operations. The utility operations segments
primary source of revenue is the regulated operations of Idaho Power. Idaho
Powers regulated operations include the generation, transmission,
distribution, purchase and sale of electricity. This segment also includes
income from IERCo, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Idaho Power that is also
subject to regulation and is a one-third owner of BCC, an unconsolidated joint
venture.
IDACORPs 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 historic
rehabilitation projects, 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 March 31, 2010: |
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
Revenues |
$ |
252,460 |
$ |
503 |
$ |
- |
$ |
252,963 |
|
Income (loss) attributable to IDACORP, Inc. |
|
18,221 |
|
(2,158) |
|
- |
|
16,063 |
|
|||||||||
Total assets at March 31, 2010 |
$ |
4,078,494 |
$ |
166,653 |
$ |
(22,715) |
$ |
4,222,432 |
|
|
|||||||||
Three months ended March 31, 2009: |
|||||||||
|
Revenues |
$ |
228,029 |
$ |
545 |
$ |
- |
$ |
228,574 |
|
Income (loss) attributable to IDACORP, Inc. |
|
19,284 |
|
(400) |
|
- |
|
18,884 |
|
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 March 31, 2010, and the related condensed consolidated statements of
income, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for the three-month
periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009. 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, 2009, and the related consolidated statements
of income, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for the year then ended
(not presented herein); and in our report dated February 23, 2010, we expressed
an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements, which
included an explanatory paragraph related to the adoption of accounting
guidance for noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements and
guidance for accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. In our opinion, the
information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet
as of December 31, 2009 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation
to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.
/s/DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Boise, Idaho
May 6, 2010
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 March 31, 2010, and the
related condensed consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, and
cash flows for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009. 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, 2009, 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 23, 2010, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those
consolidated financial statements, which included an explanatory paragraph
related to the adoption of guidance for accounting for uncertainty in income
taxes. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed
consolidated balance sheet and statement of capitalization as of December 31,
2009 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the
consolidated balance sheet and statement of capitalization from which it has
been derived.
/s/DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Boise, Idaho
May 6, 2010
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Tabular dollar amounts, other than
earnings per share, 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, Idaho Power) are discussed.
IDACORP is a holding company formed
in 1998 whose principal operating subsidiary is Idaho Power. 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.
Idaho Power is an electric utility
with a service territory covering approximately 24,000 square miles in southern
Idaho and eastern Oregon. Idaho Power is regulated by the FERC and the state
regulatory commissions of Idaho and Oregon. Idaho Power is the parent of Idaho
Energy Resources Co., (IERCo) a joint venturer in Bridger Coal Company (BCC),
which supplies coal to the Jim Bridger generating plant owned in part by Idaho
Power.
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 (PURPA); and IDACORP
Energy (IE), a marketer of energy commodities, which wound down operations in
2003.
While reading the MD&A, please
refer to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of
IDACORP and Idaho Power. This discussion updates the MD&A included in the
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and should be
read in conjunction with the discussions in that report.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
In addition to the historical
information contained in this report, this report includes forward-looking
statements. In connection with the safe harbor provisions of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, IDACORP and Idaho Power are hereby
filing cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those projected in forward-looking
statements, made by or on behalf of IDACORP or Idaho Power 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 Idaho
Powers control and may cause actual results to differ materially from those
contained in forward-looking statements:
The effect of regulatory decisions by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission, the Oregon Public Utility Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission affecting our ability to recover costs and/or earn a reasonable rate of return including, but not limited to, the disallowance of costs that have been deferred;
Changes in and compliance with state and federal laws, policies and regulations, including new interpretations by oversight bodies, which include 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, of existing policies and regulations that affect the cost of compliance, investigations and audits, penalties and costs of remediation that may or may not be recoverable through rates;
35
Changes in tax laws or related regulations or new interpretations of applicable law by the Internal Revenue Service or other taxing jurisdictions;
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, and endangered species laws, regulations and policies and the adoption of laws and regulations addressing greenhouse gas emissions, global climate change, and energy policies;
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 electrical transmission capacity and the availability of water, natural gas, coal, diesel and their associated delivery infrastructures;
Changes in operating expenses and capital expenditures, including costs and availability of materials, fuel and commodities;
Blackouts or other disruptions of Idaho Powers transmission system or the western interconnected transmission system;
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, or New York Stock Exchange, requirements, or new interpretation or application of existing requirements.
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.
36
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
First Quarter 2010 Financial Results
A summary of net income
attributable to IDACORP, Inc. and earnings per diluted share for the three
months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 is as follows:
|
Three months ended |
|||
|
March 31, |
|||
|
2010 |
2009 |
||
Net income attributable to IDACORP, Inc. |
$ |
16,063 |
$ |
18,884 |
Average outstanding shares diluted (000s) |
|
47,885 |
|
46,876 |
Earnings per diluted share |
$ |
0.34 |
$ |
0.40 |
The following table presents a
reconciliation of net income attributable to IDACORP, Inc. for the three months
ended March 31, 2009 to March 31, 2010 (items are in millions and are before
tax unless otherwise noted):
|
|||||
|
|
||||
Net income attributable to IDACORP, Inc. for the three months ended March 31, 2009 |
|
|
$ |
18.9 |
|
Change in Idaho Power net income before taxes: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rate and other regulatory changes, including PCA and FCA mechanisms |
$ |
8.9 |
|
|
|
Reduced sales volumes |
|
(6.7) |
|
|
|
Payroll related increases |
|
(1.8) |
|
|
|
Increase in depreciation expense related to advanced metering |
|
(2.6) |
|
|
|
Decrease in life insurance gains |
|
(3.3) |
|
|
|
Decrease in earnings at Bridger Coal Company |
|
(3.0) |
|
|
|
Other |
|
(0.1) |
|
|
Accumulated deferred investment tax credit (ADITC) amortization |
|
4.5 |
|
|
|
Decrease in income tax expense, net of ADITC |
|
3.0 |
|
|
|
Total decrease in Idaho Power net income |
|
|
|
(1.1) |
|
Other net decreases, net of tax |
|
|
|
(1.7) |
|
|
|
||||
Net income attributable to IDACORP, Inc. for the three months ended March 31, 2010 |
|
|
$ |
16.1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Idaho Powers operating
income decreased $1.3 million compared to the first quarter of 2009. The
combination of reduced sales volumes and increased operating expenses more than
offset the benefits of rate increases implemented during the year. Sales
volumes were down five percent due to mild weather, which reduces electricity
needs for heating, economic factors, and energy conservation. Economic
conditions in Idaho Powers service area remained weak during the first quarter
of 2010, and Idaho Power attributes a portion of reduced sales volumes to these
current weak economic conditions. Volume decreases are partially offset by the
fixed cost adjustment (FCA) mechanism and lower power supply costs. Operating
expenses increased due to increased wages and benefits and increased
depreciation expense. While converting to Advanced Metering Infrastructure
(AMI), Idaho Power has accelerated depreciation expense for non-AMI meters and
is collecting an offsetting amount in revenues.
In accordance with a
provision in its 2009 settlement agreement with the IPUC, Idaho Power recorded
an amortization of $4.5 million of ADITC in the first quarter of 2010. The
agreement allows an additional annual maximum amortization up to $25 million of
ADITC in either 2010 or 2011 if Idaho Powers actual rate of return on year-end
equity in its Idaho jurisdiction is below 9.5 percent. The total additional
ADITC amortization for both 2010 and 2011 cannot exceed $45 million.
Several other items negatively
impacted earnings compared to the first quarter of 2009. Life insurance gains decreased
$3.3 million as gains that were recorded in 2009 did not occur in 2010. Also,
earnings from BCC decreased $3.0 million due to higher operational costs. Earnings
from BCC are expected to approximate 2009 levels by year end.
37
Earnings at IDACORPs non-regulated
subsidiaries and the holding company declined $1.7 million for the period due
to the effects of intra-period tax allocations. IDACORP estimates its
consolidated group annual effective income tax rate at the holding company in
accordance with interim reporting requirements. The estimated annual rate was
used in determining income tax expense for the quarter and resulted in an intra-period
allocation of expense.
Regulatory Matters
Idaho Power has a number
of pending or recently completed regulatory filings, including the following:
Idaho 2009 Settlement
Agreement: In January 2010, the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC)
approved a settlement agreement among Idaho Power, several of Idaho Powers
customers, the IPUC Staff and others with respect to rates for 2009 through
2011. The agreement contains four important elements: (1) a general rate
freeze until January 1, 2012, with some exceptions; (2) a specified
distribution of the expected 2010 power cost adjustment (PCA) decrease to
directly reduce customer rates, providing some general rate relief to Idaho
Power and resetting base level power supply costs for the PCA going forward;
(3) use of investment tax credits to get to a 9.5 percent return on equity in
the Idaho jurisdiction; and (4) an equal sharing of any Idaho earnings
exceeding the authorized return on equity of 10.5 percent.
Idaho 2010 PCA Filing: On
April 15, 2010, Idaho Power made its annual PCA filing with the IPUC,
requesting approval of its 2010 PCA and an increase in base rates pursuant to
the terms of the settlement agreement described above. As filed, these two
rate adjustments would be a $146.7 million 2010 PCA reduction and an $88.7
million increase to base rates, both to become effective June 1, 2010. The
base rate increase includes a $63.7 million increase in Idaho Powers annual
base net power supply costs, and a $25 million general increase in Idaho Powers
annual base rates. An open issue relates to Idaho Powers proposed increase of
$25 million in coal supply costs for the Jim Bridger plant. The $63.7 million amount
is a maximum increase to annual base net power supply costs; the final amount
will be determined in the context of the 2010 PCA case.
Other Idaho 2010 Filings: In
March 2010, Idaho Power made the following rate filings with the IPUC, each
with a requested effective date of June 1, 2010:
Fixed Cost Adjustment: Idaho Powers 2010 FCA filing for 2009 proposes to collect $6.3 million for one year, a $3.6 million annual increase over current rates.
Pension: Idaho Power filed a request to recover $5.4 million of pension contributions that it expects to make in 2010. In accordance with IPUC orders, Idaho Power currently defers its Idaho-jurisdiction pension expense for recovery when cash contributions are made by the company.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure: Idaho Power filed for a $2.4 million annual increase in base rates to recover additional capital expenditures related to AMI.
Oregon 2009 General Rate Case:
On February 24, 2010, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) approved a $5
million, or 15.4 percent, increase in base rates. The new rates were effective
March 1, 2010 and are based on a return on equity of 10.175 percent and an
overall rate of return of 8.061 percent. This increase results from a joint stipulation
filed by Idaho Power that settled the revenue requirement issues surrounding
the general rate case filed on July 31, 2009.
Oregon Power Cost Recovery
Mechanisms: On March 23, 2010, Idaho Power filed its March forecast for
the 2010 annual power cost update (APCU) rate adjustment with the OPUC. A
stipulation combining the March forecast and October update filed in 2009 was
filed with the OPUC on April 15, 2010. Approval of the stipulation would
result in a $5.5 million annual increase in Oregon rates, effective June 1,
2010. The target date for an OPUC order is May 28, 2010.
For a more complete discussion of
regulatory proceedings, refer to Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial
statements included in this report and Regulatory Matters below.
38
Liquidity
IDACORP and Idaho Power expect to
continue financing capital requirements with a combination of internally
generated funds and externally financed capital. On April 19, 2010, Idaho
Power received approval from the IPUC for the issuance of up to $500 million of
additional first mortgage bonds or unsecured debt securities. Idaho Power
would issue the securities pursuant to a shelf registration statement to be filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Capital Requirements: Idaho Power has several major projects in
development. The most significant projects are summarized here and are
discussed further in LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Capital Requirements.
Langley Gulch Power Plant: Langley Gulch will be a natural gas-fired combined cycle combustion turbine (CCCT) generating plant with a summer nameplate capacity of approximately 300 megawatts (MWs) and a winter capacity of approximately 330 MWs. The plant will be constructed near New Plymouth, Idaho commencing in summer 2010, and is contracted to achieve commercial operation by November 1, 2012. Incentives are anticipated to advance the commercial operation date to July 1, 2012. The total cost estimate for the project including allowance for funds used during construction (AFUDC) is $427 million, $77 million of which Idaho Power has incurred through March 31, 2010. Idaho Power received ratemaking assurances for $397 million from the IPUC for this project, and will request that the IPUC include the full cost of construction in Idaho Powers rate base after the facility is placed in operation.
Transmission Projects: Idaho Power and PacifiCorp are jointly exploring the Boardman-Hemingway Line, a proposed 500-kiloVolt (kV) line between a substation near Boardman, Oregon and the Hemingway substation. Idaho Power estimates total construction costs of $600 million and expects its share of the project to be between 30 and 50 percent. Idaho Power estimates the project will be completed in 2015, subject to siting, permitting and regulatory approvals. Idaho Power and PacifiCorp are jointly exploring Gateway West, a project to build transmission lines between Windstar, a substation located near Douglas, Wyoming, and the Hemingway substation. The current estimated cost for Idaho Powers share of the project is between $300 million and $500 million. Initial phases of the project could be completed by 2014. Idaho Powers share may change and the timing of the projects segments may be deferred and constructed as demand requires.
Transmission Equipment Purchase and Sale and Joint Ownership and Operating Agreements: On April 30, 2010, Idaho Power entered into a Joint Purchase and Sale Agreement with PacifiCorp, pursuant to which (1) Idaho Power agreed to sell to PacifiCorp an ownership interest in certain transmission-related and interconnection equipment and easement rights located at Idaho Powers Hemingway substation; and (2) PacifiCorp agreed to sell to Idaho Power an ownership interest in certain transmission-related and interconnection equipment and easement rights located at PacifiCorps Populus substation. The Purchase and Sale Agreement provides that Idaho Power and PacifiCorp will initially be the 41 percent and 59 percent owner of the 500-kV portion of the transmission facilities at the Hemingway substation, respectively, and Idaho Power and PacifiCorp will initially be the 20.8 percent owner and 79.2 percent owner of the 345-kV portion of the transmission facilities at the Populus substation, respectively. On May 3, 2010, Idaho Power and PacifiCorp also entered into two Joint Ownership and Operating Agreements for the Hemingway and Populus substations, which set forth terms pertaining to the construction, joint ownership, and operation of transmission and interconnection facilities at the Hemingway and Populus substations.
Other Issues
Water
Management Issues: Power generation
at the Idaho Power hydroelectric power plants on the Snake River depends on the
state water rights held by Idaho Power and the long-term sustainability of the
Snake River, tributary spring flows and the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer
(ESPA). Idaho Power continues to participate in water management issues in
Idaho that may affect those water rights and resources. For a further discussion
of water management issues see RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Utility Operations and
LEGAL MATTERS Snake River Basin Water Rights.
Environmental
Matters: Long-term climate change
could significantly affect Idaho Powers business, and climate change regulations
are expected to have major implications for Idaho Power and the energy
industry. Idaho Power has established guidelines with goals to reduce the
carbon dioxide (CO2) emission intensity of its utility operations,
intended to further prepare Idaho Power for potential legislative and/or
regulatory restrictions on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while minimizing the
costs of complying with such restrictions on Idaho Powers customers. Idaho
Powers thermal facilities are subject to federal and/or state-promulgated (1)
ambient air quality standards, including those for ozone and fine particulate
matter, (2) laws and regulations limiting mercury emissions, (3) regional haze
best available retrofit technology requirements, and (4) new source review
and performance standards. Idaho Powers environmental compliance costs will
continue to be significant for the foreseeable future, particularly in light of
possible additional regulation at the federal and state levels. These issues
are discussed in more detail in ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES below.
39
Boardman Coal Plant: On
April 2, 2010, Portland General Electric (PGE) submitted a petition asking the
Oregon Environmental Quality Commission for rule revisions to allow the utility
to meet new environmental standards by closing the Boardman power plant in
2020. Included in the petition is a plan to install new controls and make
operational changes during the remaining years the plant is in service. Idaho
Power is a ten percent owner of the plant, representing 64 MW of nameplate
capacity. Idaho Power is evaluating the proposal and discussing with PGE the
advisability of closing the Boardman plant in 2020. At March 31, 2010, Idaho
Powers net book value in the Boardman plant was approximately $20 million with
annual depreciation of approximately $1.2 million.
American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA): Under the ARRA, Idaho Power was awarded a
grant of $47 million from the Department of Energy (DOE). This grant will
match a $47 million investment by Idaho Power in Smart Grid AMI technology as
well as other incremental projects. The contract was signed with the DOE on
April 2, 2010. Billings on this reimbursement contract will begin in May 2010
and occur monthly thereafter over the estimated three year term of the
contract.
Health Care Acts: The
Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the related Health Care and
Education Reconciliation Act were enacted in March 2010. The enactment of the legislation
required Idaho Power to record a $0.9 million adjustment to deferred income tax
expense in the first quarter of 2010. The companies are continuing to evaluate
the acts to determine other possible future impacts on its costs. For a more
complete discussion of the legislation, refer to Note 2 to the condensed
consolidated financial statements included in this report.
Key Operating and Financial Metrics
|
2010 Estimates |
|
|
Current |
Previous |
Idaho Power Operation & Maintenance Expense (millions) |
No change |
$295-$305 |
Idaho Power Capital Expenditures (millions) |
No change |
$355-$365 |
Idaho Power Hydroelectric Generation (million MWh)(1) |
No change |
6.5-8.5 |
Non-regulated subsidiary earnings and holding company expenses (millions)(2) |
No change |
$0-$3.0 |
(1) The range for capital expenditures includes amounts for the Langley Gulch power plant, the Hemingway-Bowmont transmission line, the Hemingway substation and expenditures for the siting and permitting of major transmission expansions for the Boardman to Hemingway and Gateway West transmission projects. |
||
(2) For the first quarter of 2010, non-regulated earnings and holding company expenses resulted in a net loss of $2.2 million, primarily due to the impact of intra-period tax allocation at the holding company. It is expected that combined earnings and holding company expenses will be in the range of breakeven to a positive $3.0 million by year end. |
In a change from past practice,
IDACORP and Idaho Power are not providing estimates of their respective
effective income tax rates for 2010. These rates will be affected to the
extent Idaho Power uses additional ADITC pursuant to the Idaho settlement
agreement and/or changes its tax accounting method for repair-related
expenditures, both of which are discussed later in the MD&A. IDACORP and
Idaho Power are also withdrawing the estimates of their respective effective
income tax rates for 2010 that were provided previously.
40
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This section of the MD&A takes
a closer look at the significant factors that affected IDACORPs and Idaho Powers
earnings during the three months ended March 31, 2010. In this analysis, the
results for 2010 are compared to the same period in 2009.
The following table presents net
income (losses) for IDACORP and its subsidiaries for the three months ended March
31, 2010 and 2009:
|
Three months ended |
||||
|
March 31, |
||||
|
2010 |
2009 |
|||
Idaho Power Utility operations |
$ |
18,221 |
$ |
19,284 |
|
IDACORP Financial Services |
|
(39) |
|
141 |
|
Ida-West Energy |
|
177 |
|
188 |
|
IDACORP Energy |
|
197 |
|
(19) |
|
Holding company |
|
(2,493) |
|
(710) |
|
|
Net income attributable to IDACORP, Inc. |
$ |
16,063 |
$ |
18,884 |
Average common shares outstanding (diluted, in 000s) |
|
47,885 |
|
46,876 |
|
Earnings per diluted share |
$ |
0.34 |
$ |
0.40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Utility Operations
The table below
presents Idaho Powers energy sales and supply (in MWhs) for the three months
ended March 31, 2010 and 2009:
|
2010 |
2009 |
|
General business sales |
3,109 |
3,279 |
|
Off-system sales |
766 |
577 |
|
|
Total energy sales |
3,875 |
3,856 |
Hydroelectric generation |
1,902 |
1,586 |
|
Coal generation |
1,874 |
1,958 |
|
Natural gas and other generation |
2 |
8 |
|
|
Total system generation |
3,778 |
3,552 |
Purchased power |
395 |
661 |
|
Line losses |
(298) |
(357) |
|
|
Total energy supply |
3,875 |
3,856 |
|
|
Because of its reliance on
hydroelectric generation, Idaho Powers generation operations can be
significantly affected by water conditions. The availability of hydroelectric
power depends on the amount of snow pack in the mountains upstream of Idaho
Powers hydroelectric facilities, reservoir storage, springtime snow pack run-off,
river base flows, spring flows, rainfall, amount and timing of water leases,
and other weather and stream flow management considerations. During low water
years, when stream flows into Idaho Powers hydroelectric projects are reduced
and reservoir storage is low, Idaho Powers hydroelectric generation is
generally reduced. This results in less generation from Idaho Powers resource
portfolio available for off-system sales and, generally, 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 power supply costs. While the cost of purchased
power is typically higher than the cost of hydroelectric generation, the
incremental cost is included in the PCA mechanism where Idaho Power recovers 95
percent of such costs through rates.
41
For the three months ended March
31, 2010, hydroelectric generation comprised 50 percent of Idaho Powers total
system generation and 49 percent of its total energy supply. For the three
months ended March 31, 2010, Idaho Power hydroelectric generation increased 20
percent over the same period last year due to higher carryover reservoir
storage in the Snake River Basin and associated flood control releases through
the winter 2010. Based on Idaho Powers current measurements of snowpack,
which is significantly below average, reservoir levels, current and forecasted
stream flow, and other conditions relevant to its estimate of hydroelectric
generation capacity, Idaho Power expects to generate between 6.5 and 8.5
million MWh from its hydroelectric facilities in 2010, compared to 8.1 million
MWh in 2009. Idaho Powers modeled median annual hydroelectric generation is
8.6 million MWh, based on hydrologic conditions for the period 1928 through
2009 and adjusted to reflect the current level of water resource development.
Idaho Powers
system is dual peaking, with the larger peak demand occurring in the summer.
The highest summer peak demand of 3,214 MW was set on June 30, 2008, and the
highest winter peak demand of 2,527 MW was set on December 10, 2009. During
these and other similar heavy load periods Idaho Powers system is fully
committed to serve loads and meet required operating reserves.
General business revenue:
The following tables present Idaho Powers general business revenues, MWh
sales, number of customers and Boise, Idaho weather conditions for the three
months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009:
|
|
Three months ended |
|
||||
|
|
March 31, |
|
||||
|
|
2010 |
2009 |
|
|||
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Residential |
$ |
111,595 |
$ |
106,447 |
|
|
|
Commercial |
|
57,931 |
|
51,542 |
|
|
|
Industrial |
|
36,118 |
|
31,044 |
|
|
|
Irrigation |
|
676 |
|
571 |
|
|
|
Deferred revenue related to Hells |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Canyon relicensing AFUDC |
|
(2,575) |
|
(1,677) |
|
|
|
Total |
$ |
203,745 |
$ |
187,927 |
|
MWh |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Residential |
|
1,399 |
|
1,534 |
|
|
|
Commercial |
|
931 |
|
957 |
|
|
|
Industrial |
|
771 |
|
781 |
|
|
|
Irrigation |
|
8 |
|
7 |
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
3,109 |
|
3,279 |
|
Customers (average) |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Residential |
|
406,748 |
|
404,408 |
|
|
|
Commercial |
|
64,275 |
|
64,080 |
|
|
|
Industrial |
|
128 |
|
124 |
|
|
|
Irrigation |
|
18,601 |
|
18,533 |
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
489,752 |
|
487,145 |
|
Customers (period end) |
|
|
|
|
|
||
Residential |
|
406,771 |
|
404,384 |
|
||
Commercial |
|
64,262 |
|
64,016 |
|
||
Industrial |
|
128 |
|
123 |
|
||
Irrigation |
|
18,561 |
|
18,548 |
|
||
|
|
Total |
|
489,722 |
|
487,071 |
|
Heating degree-days(1) |
|
2,156 |
|
2,532 |
|
||
Precipitation (inches)(2) |
|
3.93 |
|
2.33 |
|
||
(1) Heating and cooling degree-days are common measures used in the utility industry to analyze the demand for electricity. They indicate when a customer would likely use electricity for heating and air conditioning. A degree-day measures how much the average of the daily high and low 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. There were no cooling degree days during the period. Normal heating degree-days for the period are 2,574 degree days. |
|||||||
(2) Normal precipitation for the period is 3.94 inches. |
42
As part of its February 1, 2009,
general rate case order, the IPUC allowed Idaho Power to recover AFUDC for the
Hells Canyon Complex relicensing asset even though the relicensing process is
not yet complete and the relicensing asset has not been placed in service. Idaho
Power expects to collect approximately $10.6 million annually, but will defer
revenue recognition of the amounts collected until the license is issued and
the asset is placed in service. This deferral offset revenues by approximately
$2.6 million for the first quarter of 2010.
General business revenue
increased $16 million for the first quarter of 2010 as compared to the same
period in 2009. This increase is primarily attributable to the effects of rate
changes and was partially offset by a decrease in customer usage:
Rates: Rate changes positively impacted general business
revenue by $27 million for the quarter compared to the first quarter of 2009.
This reflects PCA rate increases of $18 million and increases of $9 million in
retail base rates. The following table presents significant rate increases that
affected the period:
|
|
Annualized $ |
||
|
Effective |
Percentage |
|
impact |
Description |
Date |
Rate Increase |
|
(millions) |
2008 Idaho general rate case |
2/01/2009 |
3.1% |
$ |
21 |
2008 Idaho general rate case |
3/19/2009 |
0.9% |
|
6 |
2009 Idaho PCA |
6/01/2009 |
10.2% |
|
84 |
Idaho AMI |
6/01/2009 |
1.8% |
|
11 |
Customers: An increase in customer count in Idaho Powers service territory increased general business revenue $1 million for the quarter.
Usage: Lower usage decreased general business revenue $12
million for the quarter due to mild temperatures, energy conservation and a continued
weak economy. Economic conditions in Idaho Powers service area remained weak
during the first quarter of 2010, including a continued high unemployment rate
in the area. Continued weak economic conditions or further economic
deterioration in Idaho Powers service area may reduce the amount of energy
that Idaho Powers customers consume, reduce the number of new customers moving
into Idaho Powers service area, or result in a loss of customers, and may
result in an increase in late payments and uncollectible accounts. For the
first quarter of 2010, Idaho Powers customer base remained relatively flat,
and total sales by MWh declined by 170 MWh, or 5.5 percent, relative to the
same period in 2009. Idaho Power believes the decline in total sales by MWh is
due in part to the continued weakness of the economy in its service area. A
slow economic recovery could result in continued low demand.
Off-system sales: Off-system
sales consist primarily of long-term sales contracts and opportunity sales of
surplus system energy. The following table presents Idaho Powers off-system
sales for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009:
|
Three months ended |
|||
|
March 31, |
|||
|
2010 |
2009 |
||
Revenue |
$ |
34,406 |
$ |
28,530 |
MWh sold |
|
766 |
|
577 |
Revenue per MWh |
$ |
44.92 |
$ |
49.45 |
|
|
|
|
|
Off-system sales revenue increased
$6 million or 21 percent, for the first quarter of 2010 compared to the first quarter
of 2009 due to lower system load and more favorable generating conditions,
which increased the amount of electricity Idaho Power had available for sale.
43
Other revenues: The table
below presents the components of other revenues for the three months ended
March 31, 2010 and 2009:
|
Three months ended |
||||
|
March 31, |
||||
|
2010 |
2009 |
|||
Transmission services and property rental |
$ |
9,275 |
$ |
7,515 |
|
Energy efficiency |
|
5,034 |
|
4,057 |
|
|
Total |
$ |
14,309 |
$ |
11,572 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The increase in transmission
services and property rental reflects new rates implemented in October 2009.
Energy efficiency activities are
funded through a rider mechanism on customer bills. Energy efficiency program
expenditures are reported as an operating expense with an equal amount of revenues
recorded in other revenues, resulting in no net impact on earnings. The
cumulative variance between expenditures and amounts collected through the
rider is recorded as a regulatory asset or liability pending future collection
from or obligation to customers. A liability balance indicates that Idaho
Power has collected more than it has spent and an asset balance indicates that
Idaho Power has spent more than it has collected. For the first quarter of
2010, Idaho Power has increased its energy efficiency program expenses and
matching revenues $1 million, and on March 31, 2010, Idaho Powers rider
balance was a regulatory asset of $7 million.
Purchased power: The
following table presents Idaho Powers purchased power expenses and volumes for
the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009:
|
Three months ended |
|||
|
March 31, |
|||
|
2010 |
2009 |
||
Purchased power expense |
$ |
21,174 |
$ |
33,701 |
MWh purchased |
|
395 |
|
661 |
Cost per MWh purchased |
$ |
53.61 |
$ |
50.98 |
|
|
|
|
|
Purchased power expense decreased
$13 million, or 38 percent, due to lower system loads and more favorable
hydroelectric generating conditions during the first quarter of 2010 compared
to the same period in 2009.
Fuel expense: The following
table presents Idaho Powers fuel expenses and generation at its thermal
generating plants for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009:
44
|
Three months ended |
|||||
|
March 31, |
|||||
|
2010 |
2009 |
||||
Expense |
|
|
|
|
||
|
Coal |
$ |
36,065 |
$ |
37,795 |
|
|
Natural gas and other |
|
1,122 |
|
1,338 |
|
|
|
Total fuel expense |
$ |
37,187 |
$ |
39,133 |
MWh generated |
|
|
|
|
||
|
Coal |
|
1,874 |
|
1,958 |
|
|
Natural gas and other |
|
2 |
|
8 |
|
|
|
Total MWh generated |
|
1,876 |
|
1,966 |
Cost per MWh |
|
|
|
|
||
|
Coal |
$ |
19.24 |
$ |
19.30 |
|
|
Natural gas and other |
561.00 |
167.25 |
|||
|
Weighted average, all sources |
19.82 |
19.90 |
Fuel expense decreased $2 million,
or six percent, for the quarter. The Valmy plant had lower production, and
thus lower demand for fuel, due to a planned major maintenance outage that
began in March. The cost per MWh for natural gas and other is significantly
higher than the same period last year due to fixed costs that occur regardless
of plant usage and lower generation from natural gas in the first quarter of
2010.
PCA: PCA expense represents
the effects of the Idaho and Oregon power supply cost adjustment mechanisms.
The following table presents the components of the PCA for the three months
ended March 31, 2010 and 2009:
|
Three months ended |
||||
|
March 31, |
||||
|
2010 |
2009 |
|||
Idaho power supply cost accrued (deferred) |
$ |
19,839 |
$ |
(10,407) |
|
Oregon power supply cost accrued |
|
44 |
|
- |
|
Amortization of prior year authorized balances |
|
28,441 |
|
26,266 |
|
|
Total power cost adjustment |
$ |
48,324 |
$ |
15,859 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
In the first quarter of
2010, power supply costs were below the amounts estimated in the annual PCA
forecast, resulting in a charge to expense (accrual). In the first quarter of
2009, power supply costs were above the PCA forecast, resulting in a credit to
expense (deferral). In addition, amortization of previously deferred power
supply costs increased to match increased revenues.
Other operations and maintenance
expenses: Other operations and maintenance expense increased $3 million
for the quarter, primarily due to an increase in labor-related expenses.
Income Taxes
In accordance with interim
reporting requirements, IDACORP and Idaho Power use an estimated annual
effective tax rate for computing provisions for income taxes. An estimate of
annual income tax expense (or benefit) is made each interim period using
estimates for annual pre-tax income, income tax adjustments and tax credits.
The estimated annual effective tax rates do not include discrete events such as
tax law changes, examination settlements or method changes. Discrete events
are recorded in the period in which they occur.
The estimated annual effective tax
rate is applied to year-to-date pre-tax income to achieve income tax expense
(or benefit) for the interim period consistent with the annual estimate. In
subsequent interim periods, income tax expense (or benefit) is computed as the
difference between the year-to-date amount reported for the previous interim
period and the current periods year-to-date amount.
An analysis of income tax expense
for the three months ending March 31, 2010 and 2009 is as follows:
|
IDACORP |
Idaho Power |
|||||||
|
2010 |
2009 |
2010 |
2009 |
|||||
Income tax provision |
$ |
4,914 |
$ |
6,796 |
$ |
5,915 |
$ |
9,773 |
|
ADITC amortization |
|
(4,512) |
|
- |
|
(4,512) |
|
- |
|
Medicare Part D subsidy |
|
903 |
|
- |
|
903 |
|
- |
|
|
Income tax expense |
$ |
1,305 |
$ |
6,796 |
$ |
2,306 |
$ |
9,773 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effective tax rate |
|
7.5% |
|
26.5% |
|
11.2% |
|
33.6% |
|
The decrease in the 2010 estimated
annual effective tax rates from 2009 is primarily due to lower pre-tax earnings
at IDACORP and Idaho Power and Idaho Powers additional amortization of ADITC,
partially offset by a charge related to the federal health care legislation
enacted in the first quarter of 2010. Regulatory flow-through tax adjustments
at Idaho Power and tax credits at IFS were comparable quarter-over-quarter.
For further information regarding ADITC amortization, see Idaho Settlement
Agreement in Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
45
The Patient Protection and
Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act were
enacted in March 2010. One provision of this legislation eliminates the
deductibility of employer health care costs for retiree prescription drug
expenses that are covered by federal subsidy payments equivalent to Medicare
Part D. While this provision is not effective until 2013, relevant income tax
accounting guidance requires recognition of the future effects of new law in
the period of enactment. Accordingly, Idaho Power reduced its deferred tax
asset related to future deductible retiree prescription drug expenses,
incurring a charge of $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010.
See Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for further
discussion on impacts of the enactment of this legislation.
Idaho Power is currently evaluating
a tax accounting method change that would allow a current income tax deduction
for repair-related expenditures on its utility assets that are currently
capitalized for book and tax purposes. The deduction would be computed for tax
years 1999 and forward. Idaho Power has the ability to apply for this method
change following automatic consent procedures and could make such application
with the filing of IDACORPs 2009 consolidated federal income tax return in
September 2010. Idaho Powers prescribed regulatory accounting treatment
requires immediate income recognition for temporary tax differences of this
type. A regulatory asset is established to reflect Idaho Powers ability to
recover increased income tax expense when such temporary differences reverse.
Adoption of this method may reduce Idaho Powers need to amortize additional
ADITC in 2010, possibly resulting in reversal of credits recognized in previous
quarters.
Status of
Audit Proceedings: In May 2009, IDACORP formally entered the Internal
Revenue Service (IRS) Compliance Assurance Process (CAP) program for its 2009
tax year. The CAP program provides for IRS examination throughout the year.
The 2009 examination is expected to be completed in 2010. In January 2010,
IDACORP was accepted into CAP for its 2010 tax year. IDACORP and Idaho Power
are unable to predict the outcome of these examinations.
Specifically within the 2009 CAP
examination, the IRS began its audit of Idaho Powers current method of uniform
capitalization. In September 2009, the IRS issued Industry Director Directive
#5 (IDD), which discusses the IRSs compliance priorities and audit techniques
related to the allocation of mixed service costs in the uniform capitalization
methods of electric utilities. The IRS and Idaho Power are jointly working
through the impact the IDD guidance has on Idaho Powers uniform capitalization
method. Idaho Power expects that the examination will be completed during
2010. Resolution of this matter would result in a decrease to Idaho Powers
unrecognized tax benefits for its 2009 uniform capitalization deduction by $1.1
million, may reduce Idaho Powers need to amortize additional ADITC in 2010,
and is not expected to have a material adverse effect on Idaho Powers
financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES:
Operating Cash Flows
IDACORPs and Idaho Powers
operating cash inflows for the three months ended March 31, 2010, were $100
million and $101 million, respectively. These amounts were increases of $56
million and $46 million, respectively, compared to the three months ended March
31, 2009. The following are significant items that affected operating cash
flows in the first quarter of 2010:
An increase of $32 million from reductions in the PCA and the Oregon power cost adjustment mechanism (PCAM) regulatory assets, as Idaho Power deferred $30 million less of excess net power supply costs and collected an additional $2 million of previously deferred costs as compared with the first quarter of 2009.
An increase of $13 million and $11 million at IDACORP and Idaho Power, respectively, from the collection of a higher 2009 year end accounts receivable balance, primarily as a result of colder temperatures increasing sales in December 2009 as compared with the prior year.
An increase of $13 million related to accounts payable primarily due to a $15 million decrease during the first quarter of 2009 in accounts payable for purchased power as a result of 2008 purchases.
An increase due to a refund in the first quarter of 2009 of $13 million made to Idaho Powers transmission customers upon a final order from the FERC on Idaho Powers Open Access Transmission Tariff.
A partially offsetting decrease in cash flows from income tax refunds, which decreased by $12 million and $22 million at IDACORP and Idaho Power, respectively, due to the settlement in the first quarter of 2009 of the 2005 IRS examination.
46
IDACORPs operating cash flows are
driven principally by Idaho Power. General business revenues and the costs to
supply power to general business customers have the greatest impact on Idaho
Powers operating cash flows, and are subject to risks and uncertainties
relating to weather and water conditions, fuel costs and purchased power
prices, and Idaho Powers ability to obtain rate relief to cover its operating
costs and provide a return on investment.
Investing Cash Flows
IDACORPs and Idaho Powers
investing cash outflows were $71 million and $69 million, respectively, for the
three months ended March 31, 2010. These amounts were an increase in outflows of
$30 million and $20 million, respectively, compared to the three months ended
March 31, 2009. Investing cash outflows for 2010 were primarily for
construction of utility infrastructure needed to address Idaho Powers customer
growth, peak demand growth and aging plant and equipment.
Financing Cash Flows
IDACORPs and Idaho Powers
financing cash outflows for the three months ended March 31, 2010, were $41
million and $16 million, respectively. These amounts were an increase in
outflows of $118 million and $89 million, respectively, compared to the three
months ended March 31, 2009. The financing cash outflows for 2010 were
primarily for dividends paid by IDACORP and Idaho Power of $14 million and for
the net repayment by IDACORP of $28 million of commercial paper.
Shelf
Registrations: IDACORP has
approximately $574 million remaining on its shelf registration statement that
can be used for the issuance of debt securities and common stock. IDACORP has
a sales agency agreement with BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC pursuant to which
it may sell common stock from time to time in at-the-market offerings. As of
March 31, 2010, there were 2.1 million shares remaining available to be sold
under the sales agency agreement.
In
April 2010, Idaho Power received approval from the IPUC, the OPUC and the
Public Service Commission of Wyoming for the issuance of up to $500 million in
aggregate principal amount of one or more series of first mortgage bonds and
unsecured debt securities. The order from the IPUC approved the issuance of
the securities over a two-year period, beginning on April 19, 2010, subject to
extension upon request to the IPUC.
Credit Facilities: IDACORP
and Idaho Power each have a five-year credit agreement that terminates on April
25, 2012, subject to one year extensions, to be used for general corporate
purposes and commercial paper back-up, and that provides for the issuance of
loans and standby letters of credit. Each facility contains a covenant requiring
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 March 31, 2010, the leverage ratios for IDACORP and Idaho Power
were 51 percent and 52 percent, respectively. IDACORPs and Idaho Powers
ability to utilize the credit facilities is subject to continued compliance
with the leverage ratio covenants included in the credit facilities, which could
limit the ability of the companies to issue first mortgage bonds and debt
securities pursuant to current and future shelf registration statements. At
March 31, 2010, IDACORP and Idaho Power were in compliance with all facility
covenants. The following table outlines available liquidity as of the dates
specified:
|
March 31, 2010 |
December 31, 2009 |
|||||||
|
|
Idaho |
|
Idaho |
|||||
|
IDACORP(2) |
Power |
IDACORP(2) |
Power |
|||||
|
|
||||||||
Revolving credit facility |
$ |
100,000 |
$ |
300,000 |
$ |
100,000 |
$ |
300,000 |
|
Commercial paper outstanding |
|
(26,100) |
|
- |
|
(53,750) |
|
- |
|
Identified for other use (1) |
|
- |
|
(24,245) |
|
- |
|
(24,245) |
|
Net balance available |
$ |
73,900 |
$ |
275,755 |
$ |
46,250 |
$ |
275,755 |
|
(1) Port of Morrow and American Falls bonds that holders may put to Idaho Power. |
|||||||||
(2) Holding company only. |
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
At April 30, 2010, IDACORP had no
loans under its credit facility and $12 million of commercial paper
outstanding, and Idaho Power had no loans under its credit facility and no commercial
paper outstanding.
47
Credit Ratings
Moodys:
On March 30, 2010, Moodys Investors Service (Moodys) announced that it had
revised its rating outlook to stable from negative for IDACORP and Idaho
Power. Additionally, Moodys upgraded the senior secured debt rating of Idaho
Power to A2 from A3 and the rating of Idaho Powers shelf registration for
senior secured debt to (P)A2 from (P)A3. All other ratings of IDACORP and
Idaho Power were affirmed by Moodys.
The upgrade of
senior secured debt at Idaho Power follows Moodys August 2009 upgrade of the
senior secured debt ratings of the majority of its investment grade regulated
utilities by one notch. Issuers with negative outlooks were excluded from the
August 2009 upgrade.
Moodys stated
that the change to a stable rating outlook for Idaho Power reflects the companys
strengthened financial and operating profile resulting from a series of
regulatory decisions during 2009 and 2010, which it said evidence strong
support for credit quality. Moodys stated that improved cost recovery for
Idaho Power through general rate relief and various cost tracking mechanisms
provided in regulatory orders bolstered utility cash flow and is expected to
reduce past volatility and sustain Idaho Powers key financial metrics more in
line with its rating level. Moodys added that the execution risks associated
with Idaho Powers capital spending projects and related external financing
needs are tempered by assurances of future rate treatment for the ongoing
construction of the Langley Gulch combined cycle natural gas plant and
anticipated conservative Idaho Power funding strategies.
Fitch:
On April 22, 2010, Fitch Ratings (Fitch) announced that it has revised its
rating outlook to stable from negative for IDACORP and Idaho Power. Fitch also
affirmed its current ratings for the two companies.
Fitch stated
that the change to a stable rating outlook for Idaho Power primarily reflects a
more balanced regulatory environment in Idaho, as evidenced by several
constructive regulatory actions in the last 15 months that, according to Fitch,
have lowered Idaho Powers operating risk and improved Idaho Powers financial
performance. The Idaho regulatory actions noted by Fitch include (1) the IPUCs
January 2009 order in Idaho Powers 2008 general rate case, involving a modest
general rate increase and increase in annual base net power supply costs and
changes to the PCA sharing mechanism to 95 percent customers, 5 percent
shareholders, and (2) the IPUCs January 2010 order approving a general rate
settlement that authorizes Idaho Power and its customers to share the benefits
of the 2010 PCA reduction. Fitch noted that Idaho Powers April 2010 PCA
filing with the IPUC calculates a $146.7 million 2010 PCA reduction, which if
approved by the IPUC would include a $25 million increase in Idaho Powers base
rates and a $63.7 million increase in Idaho Powers annual base net power
supply costs. Fitch stated that the latest base rate increase and current PCA
mechanism should help mitigate the downside risk for Idaho Powers financial
performance, which is important given the volatility of hydroelectric
generating conditions and its impact on earnings and cash flows.
Fitch also
cited improvements in Idaho Powers financial performance as reflected in Idaho
Powers reported 2009 cash flows and interest coverage and debt ratios. Fitch
further referenced the benefits of Idaho Powers other cost recovery mechanisms
in Idaho and the prior approval from the IPUC of Idaho Powers Langley Gulch
project.
S&P:
On February 24, 2010, Standard & Poors (S&P) reaffirmed its current
ratings, maintaining a stable outlook for both IDACORP and Idaho Power.
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 Idaho Powers securities:
48
|
S&P |
Moodys |
Fitch |
|||
|
Idaho |
|
Idaho |
|
Idaho |
|
|
Power |
IDACORP |
Power |
IDACORP |
Power |
IDACORP |
Corporate Credit Rating (1) |
BBB |
BBB |
Baa 1 |
Baa 2 |
BBB |
BBB |
Senior Secured Debt |
A- |
None |
A2 |
None |
A- |
None |
Senior Unsecured Debt |
BBB |
None |
Baa 1 |
Baa 2 |
BBB+ |
None |
Short-Term Tax-Exempt Debt |
BBB/A-2 |
None |
Baa 1/ VMIG-2 |
None |
None |
None |
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 |
Stable |
Stable |
Stable |
Stable |
(1) Fitch refers to its comparable rating as the Long-term Issuer Default Rating. |
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.
Capital Requirements
Idaho Power expects that total
capital expenditures will be at or slightly above $1 billion from 2010 through
2012. Internal cash generation after dividends is expected to provide less
than the full amount of total capital requirements for 2010 through 2012.
IDACORP and Idaho Power expect minimal need for external financing in 2010,
except for issuances under the dividend reinvestment and employee-related
plans, and potential pre-funding of 2011 debt maturities. IDACORP and Idaho
Power expect to continue financing capital requirements with a combination of
internally generated funds and externally financed capital.
The following table presents Idaho
Powers estimated cash requirements for construction, excluding AFUDC, for 2010
through 2012 (in millions of dollars):
|
2010 |
2011-2012 |
|||
Ongoing capital expenditures |
$ |
155-160 |
$ |
352-380 |
|
Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) |
|
23-25 |
|
23-25 |
|
Langley Gulch Power Plant (detailed below) |
|
138-140 |
|
175-180 |
|
Other major projects |
|
39-40 |
|
90-95 |
|
|
Total |
$ |
355-365 |
$ |
640-680 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
AMI: The AMI project
provides the means to automatically retrieve energy consumption information,
eliminating manual meter reading expense. Idaho Power intends to install this
technology for approximately 99 percent of its customers and is on pace to
complete the installations by the end of 2011. As of April 30, 2010, Idaho
Power had installed approximately 250,000 AMI meters. On March 15, 2010, Idaho
Power requested approval from the IPUC to include the 2010 AMI investment in its
rate base. The requested increase to rates is approximately $2.4 million, and
if approved the new rates are scheduled to go into effect June 1, 2010. The
total cost estimates for the project are approximately $74 million. The 2010
and 2011 costs are included in the table above.
Langley Gulch Power Plant: The
Langley Gulch Power Plant will be a natural gas-fired CCCT generating plant
with a summer nameplate capacity of approximately 300 MWs and a winter capacity
of approximately 330 MWs. The plant will be constructed near New Plymouth,
Idaho, commencing in summer 2010, and is contracted to achieve commercial
operation by November 1, 2012. Incentives are anticipated to advance the
commercial operation date to July 1, 2012. The total cost estimate for the
project including AFUDC is $427 million, $77 million of which Idaho Power has
incurred through March 31, 2010. The remaining costs, excluding AFUDC for the
remainder of 2010 through 2012, are included in the table above. The plant
will connect to Idaho Powers existing grid. During the first quarter of 2010,
project permitting activities continued and contractor milestones were met.
The water treatment and disposal plan was modified to an evaporative pond
design. The plan change is not expected to increase the total project cost
because it is expected to be offset by reductions in other costs. On February
24, 2010, Idaho Power closed on the land purchase of the Langley site.
Other Major Projects:
Hydroelectric Projects: In
the table above, Idaho Power has included costs relating to the relicensing of
hydroelectric facilities and complying with the renewed licenses. These costs
total approximately $25 million for the three-year period. An additional $12
million relating to future hydroelectric projects is also included in the
table.
49
Hemingway Station:
Construction is underway for the new 500-kV Hemingway station, located near
Boise, Idaho. This station will relieve capacity and operating constraints to
enhance reliable service to Idaho Powers network and native load customers.
The station is expected to be in service by summer 2010 at a total cost of
approximately $57 million. The 2010 cost estimate for the project, including
substation interconnections, is $20 million and is included in the above
table. Under the Joint Purchase and Sale Agreement and the Joint Ownership and
Operating Agreements with PacifiCorp described below, we received an initial
$3.7 million net payment to Idaho Power by PacifiCorp on the closing date of May
3, 2010; during further construction of the facilities the parties will make
construction cost true-up payments, and Idaho Power expects that, as a result,
it may ultimately pay to PacifiCorp a net amount similar to the initial payment
made by PacifiCorp to Idaho Power on the closing date.
Hemingway-Bowmont Transmission
Line: The Hemingway-Bowmont transmission line consists of 12 miles of new
230-kV double circuit transmission line that will provide power to the Treasure
Valley in southwest Idaho. The project is scheduled to be in service by summer
2010 at a total cost of approximately $16 million. The 2010 cost estimate for
the project is $6.5 million and is included in the above table.
Boardman-Hemingway Line:
The Boardman-Hemingway Line is a proposed 299-mile, 500-kV transmission project
between a substation near Boardman, Oregon and the Hemingway station. This
line will provide transmission service to meet needs identified in the 2009
Integrated Resources Plan (IRP) and other requests pursuant to Idaho Powers Open
Access Transmission Tariff (OATT). On April 19, 2010, Idaho Power submitted
the eastern line route alternative as its proposed route in its revised right-of-way
application to the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM). This will restart the
National Environmental Policy Act process. The cost of the initial phase of
the project is estimated at $50 million and the 2010 to 2012 cost estimate is
included in the table above. Total cost estimates for the project are
approximately $600 million. Idaho Power expects its share of the project to be
between 30 and 50 percent. Construction costs beyond the initial phase are not
included in the table above. This project is expected to be completed in 2015,
subject to siting, permitting and regulatory approvals.
Gateway
West Project: Idaho
Power and PacifiCorp are jointly exploring the Gateway West project to build
transmission lines between Windstar, a substation located near Douglas, Wyoming,
and the Hemingway station. Idaho Power and PacifiCorp have a cost sharing
agreement for expenses incurred for analysis work of the initial phases. Idaho
Powers share of the initial phase, consisting of engineering, environmental
review, permitting and rights-of-way, is approximately $40 million, and cost
estimates for the 2010 to 2012 timeframe are included in the above table.
Initial phases of the project could be completed by 2014; however, timing of
the projects segments may be deferred and constructed as demand requires.
Idaho Powers share will vary by segment across the project and the current
estimated cost for its share is between $300 million and $500 million.
Construction costs are not included in table above. The BLM has indicated that
a draft environmental impact statement is expected to be issued during the
summer of 2010.
For a
discussion of environmental considerations relating to the above projects, see ENVIRONMENTAL
ISSUES Endangered Species.
Memorandum of Understanding with PacifiCorp:
On March 5,
2010, Idaho Power and PacifiCorp entered into a Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU). As part of the MOU, Idaho Power and PacifiCorp agreed to negotiate in
good faith to attempt to reach an arrangement pertaining to (a) an arrangement
pursuant to which Idaho Power will sell to PacifiCorp an undivided ownership
interest in certain of its transmission facilities, and PacifiCorp will sell to
Idaho Power an undivided ownership interest in certain of its transmission
facilities; and (b) joint development and construction of three transmission
projects, which include (1) the 500-kV Boardman to Hemingway transmission line,
and two projects that are part of the Gateway West Project; (2) a 500-kV
transmission line from Populus to Cedar Hill to Hemingway, including a new
Cedar Hill 500-kV station; and (3) a 500-kV transmission line from Midpoint to
Cedar Hill. Under the MOU, the parties will also negotiate in good faith
arrangements pertaining to interconnection of their respective systems; joint
ownership, operation, and maintenance of the systems; cost-sharing; capital
improvements; and each partys rights to a specified transmission capacity on
each of the lines. The MOU terminates September 1, 2010, subject to extension,
and may be terminated by either party at any time.
Idaho Power and PacifiCorp are parties to existing
transmission capacity rights agreements, including the Restated Transmission
Services Agreement and the Agreement for Interconnection and Transmission
Services discussed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2009, which grant to PacifiCorp certain transmission capacity
rights over portions of Idaho Powers existing transmission system. The
agreements also include a memorandum of understanding and a permitting cost
sharing agreement for the Gateway West transmission line National Environmental
Policy Act process. The MOU provides that Idaho Power and PacifiCorp will
negotiate in good faith to attempt to reach an agreement to terminate those
agreements and replace the transmission arrangements with new agreements,
including the Joint Purchase and Sale Agreement and Joint Ownership and
Operating Agreements discussed below.
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Joint Purchase and Sale
Agreement and Joint Ownership and Operating Agreements with PacifiCorp: In
connection with the MOU, on April 30,
2010, Idaho Power entered into a Joint Purchase and Sale Agreement with
PacifiCorp ( Purchase and Sale Agreement), pursuant to which (1) Idaho Power
agreed to sell to PacifiCorp a tenant in common ownership interest in certain high-voltage
transmission-related and interconnection equipment and easement rights located
at the Hemingway substation south of Boise, Idaho, currently owned by Idaho
Power; and (2) PacifiCorp agreed to sell to Idaho Power a tenant in common
ownership interest in certain high-voltage transmission-related and
interconnection equipment and easement rights located at PacifiCorps Populus
substation in southeast Idaho, currently owned by PacifiCorp. Under the
Purchase and Sale Agreement Idaho Power and PacifiCorp are initially the 41.0
percent and 59.0 percent owner of the 500-kV portion of the specified transmission
facilities at the Hemingway substation, respectively, and Idaho Power and
PacifiCorp are initially the 20.8 percent owner and 79.2 percent owner of the 345-kV
portion of the specified transmission facilities at the Populus substation,
respectively. Each party is entitled to a pro rata share, based on its
ownership interest, of the bi-directional transmission capacity of the
specified transmission facilities. Other than the specified high-voltage
transmission-related and interconnection equipment set forth in the Purchase
and Sale Agreement, each party retains a full ownership interest in its
respective substation. Closing of the acquisitions was effected on May 3,
2010.
The purchase price for Idaho
Powers acquisition of the interests in the specified transmission facilities
at the Populus substation was equal to the product of (1) Idaho Powers 20.8
percent ownership interest in the specified transmission facilities at the Populus
substation and (2) the costs incurred by PacifiCorp as of the date of closing
of the transaction for construction of the specified transmission facilities at
the Populus substation. Similarly, the purchase price for PacifiCorps
acquisition of the interests in the specified transmission facilities at the Hemingway
substation was equal to the product of (1) PacifiCorps 59.0 percent ownership
interest in the specified transmission facilities at the Hemingway substation
and (2) the costs incurred by Idaho Power as of the date of closing of the
transaction for construction of the specified transmission facilities at the Hemingway
substation. Following the closing, the parties will net their respective
purchase prices based on these formulas, and the party whose construction costs
as of the closing date were higher will be entitled to receive from the other a
payment equal to the difference between those costs. The purchase price paid
on the closing date by Idaho Power was $9.0 million, and the purchase price paid
on the closing date by PacifiCorp was $12.7 million. The purchase price is
subject to a true-up payment for actual construction costs incurred through the
closing date. Following the closing, the terms of the Operating Agreements
described below provide for the making of additional payments between the
parties based on a true-up of subsequent development and construction costs
incurred after the closing date.
The parties have agreed to
customary representations, warranties, and covenants in the Purchase and Sale
Agreement. The parties have each agreed, subject to certain limitations, to
indemnify the other in respect of breaches of its representations, warranties
and covenants, as well as certain liabilities arising prior to the closing,
including pre-closing environmental liabilities.
The Purchase and Sale Agreement
provides that the Hemingway substation will be owned and operated in accordance
with a Joint Ownership and Operating Agreement (the Hemingway Operating
Agreement), and that the Populus substation will be owned and operated in
accordance with a separate Joint Ownership and Operating Agreement (the Populus
Operating Agreement, and together with the Hemingway Operating Agreement, the
Operating Agreements).
The Operating Agreements, each
dated May 3, 2010, set forth the terms of ownership and operation of
transmission facilities at the Hemingway and Populus substations. The
agreements memorialize the terms under which the parties will: (i) construct
and commission additional transmission and interconnection equipment and
facilities at the Hemingway and Populus substations; (ii) operate and maintain
the transmission facilities at the Hemingway and Populus substations; (iii)
effect the interconnection and energizing of the Idaho Power transmission
system and the PacifiCorp transmission system at the Hemingway substation, as
well as the interconnection and energizing of Idaho Powers transmission system
to the PacifiCorp transmission system at the Populus substation; and (iv)
establish the obligations of the parties as operators of their respective
substations.
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Idaho Power is designated as the
operator of the Hemingway substation under the terms of the Hemingway Operating
Agreement and is responsible for performing all activities necessary to
construct, operate, maintain, and develop jointly-owned transmission facilities
at that substation, as well as compliance with all applicable regulatory
requirements. PacifiCorp is designated as the operator of the Populus
substation under the terms of the Populus Operating Agreement and is
responsible for performing all activities necessary to construct, operate,
maintain, and develop jointly-owned transmission facilities at that substation,
as well as compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements.
Under the Operating Agreements,
Idaho Power and PacifiCorp are responsible for their pro rata shares (based on
ownership interest) of the costs associated with construction of jointly-owned
transmission facilities at the Hemingway and Populus substations from and after
the closing date of the acquisition. The non-operating owner is required to
pay the operator a monthly common facilities charge and operation and
maintenance expense charge based on a formula that takes into account, among
other items, the final installed cost of the transmission facilities at the
operators respective substation and the non-operating partys respective
ownership interest in the transmission facilities at that substation. Each
party is also responsible for a pro rata share (based on ownership interest) of
any costs incurred for necessary capital upgrades or improvements. Approval of
the other party is required for capital upgrades or improvements estimated to
exceed $250 thousand. Either party may pursue elective capital upgrades or
improvements to the transmission facilities, provided that any such upgrade or
improvement will not have a material adverse affect on the transmission
facilities, and provided that the other party is entitled to participate in the
upgrade or improvement. Any such upgrades or improvements may result in a
change in the parties respective ownership interests in the facilities.
The parties have agreed to
customary representations, warranties, and covenants in the Operating
Agreements. The parties have also each agreed, subject to certain limitations,
to indemnify one another for damages, including governmental fines, resulting
from their respective actions arising from the Operating Agreements and the
performance of their obligations under the Operating Agreements. The Operating
Agreements terminate in the event the transmission facilities are destroyed and
the parties determine not to repair or rebuild the facilities, if the
transmission facilities are retired and decommissioned, if all ownership
interests in the transmission facilities become owned by one party, by mutual
agreement of the owners, or upon the occurrence of certain uncured events of
default described in the Operating Agreement. The Operating Agreements must be
filed with the FERC and are subject to acceptance by the FERC.
Environmental Regulation Costs
Idaho Powers activities are
subject to a broad range of federal, state, regional and local laws and
regulations designed to protect, restore and enhance the quality of the
environment including air, water, and solid waste. Idaho Power estimates its
environmental capital expenditures excluding AFUDC, based upon present
environmental laws and regulations will be approximately $18 million during
2010 and $62 million from 2011 through 2012. These amounts are included in the
table above as Ongoing Capital Expenditures and Other Major Projects. The
estimated expenditures do not include costs related to possible changes in the
environmental laws or regulations and enforcement policies that may be enacted
in response to issues such as climate change and other pollutant emissions from
coal-fired generation plants.
Other Capital Requirements
IDACORPs non-regulated capital
expenditures primarily relate to IFSs tax-structured investments. IDACORP
invested $7 million in tax-structured investments in the first quarter of 2010.
Currently there are no additional expenditures anticipated for 2010, $10
million is anticipated in 2011, and none are anticipated in 2012.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009
Under the ARRA, Idaho Power was
awarded a grant of $47 million from the DOE. This grant matches a $47 million
investment by Idaho Power in Smart Grid AMI technology as well as other
incremental projects. The contract was signed by the DOE April 2, 2010.
Contractual Obligations
The following item is the only
material change to contractual obligations made outside of the ordinary course
of business during the first quarter of 2010:
Idaho Power entered into a purchase power agreement with USG Oregon, LLC for the purchase of energy from the Neal Hot Springs Unit #1 geothermal electric generation facility. The project will be located near Vale, Oregon and the expected output will be approximately 22 MW, with an estimated on-line date of late 2012. Idaho Powers purchases under the contract are expected to total $569 million from 2011-2037. The agreement is pending approval from the IPUC.
52
REGULATORY MATTERS:
Overview
As a regulated utility, Idaho Power
is under the retail jurisdiction (as to rates, service, accounting and other
general matters of utility operation) of the IPUC and the OPUC, which determine
the rates that Idaho Power charges to its general business customers. Idaho
Power is also under the retail regulatory jurisdiction of the IPUC, the OPUC
and the Public Service Commission of Wyoming as to the issuance of debt and
equity securities. Idaho Power uses general rate cases, PCA mechanisms, an FCA
mechanism, and subject-specific filings to recover its costs of providing
service and to earn a return on investment. The disallowance by the IPUC or
the OPUC of Idaho Powers recovery of its costs would adversely impact Idaho
Powers ability to earn its authorized rate of return on equity. Also, as a
public utility under the Federal Power Act, Idaho Power has authority to charge
market-based rates for wholesale energy sales under its FERC tariff and to
provide transmission services under its OATT.
Idaho Power monitors legislative
and regulatory developments at all levels of government, particularly those
with the potential to alter the operation and productivity of its generating
plants and other assets. Rate changes and regulatory decisions have a
significant impact on results of operations and cash flows. During the first
quarter of 2010, Idaho Power has continued to focus on timely recovery of its
costs through filings with the IPUC and OPUC. Discussed below are filings and
important regulatory determinations that have been made since December 31,
2009. Regulatory matters and the financial impact of rate decisions are also
discussed in Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements included
in this report.
Idaho Regulatory Matters in 2010
Idaho Settlement Agreement:
On January 13, 2010, the IPUC
approved a settlement agreement among Idaho Power, several of Idaho Powers
customers, the IPUC Staff and others. Significant elements of the settlement
agreement include:
A general rate moratorium in effect until January 1, 2012. The moratorium does not apply to other specified revenue requirement proceedings, such as the PCA, the FCA, pension funding, AMI, energy efficiency rider, and government imposed fees.
A specified distribution of the expected reduction in 2010 PCA rates that would reduce customer rates, provide some general rate relief to Idaho Power and reset base power supply costs for the PCA. This provision anticipated a significant reduction in PCA rates for the 2010-2011 PCA year. The PCA reduction will be allocated as follows:
o The first $40 million will be allocated equally between customers and Idaho Power. Idaho Powers share would be applied to increase permanent base rates on a uniform percentage basis to all customer classes and contract customers. The customers share would be a direct PCA rate reduction.
o All of the next $20 million will be allocated to customers as a direct PCA rate reduction.
o PCA reductions in excess of $60 million will be applied to absorb any increase in the base level of net power supply expenses.
o If the PCA reduction exceeds $60 million plus the increase in base net power supply expenses, the next $10 million will be allocated equally between Idaho Power and customers.
o Any remainder will go entirely to customers.
A provision to share with Idaho customers 50 percent of any Idaho-jurisdictional earnings in excess of a 10.5 percent return on equity in any calendar year from 2009 to 2011.
A provision to allow additional amortization of ADITC if Idaho Powers actual return on equity in its Idaho jurisdiction is below 9.5 percent in any calendar year from 2009 to 2011. Idaho Power is permitted to amortize additional ADITC in an amount up to $45 million over the three-year period, but could use no more that $15 million in any one year unless there is a carryover. Carryover amounts are added to the $15 million annual allowance up to a maximum amortization of $25 million in any one year.
Because Idaho Powers 2009 Idaho-jurisdiction
return on equity was between 9.5 and 10.5 percent, the sharing and additional
amortization provisions were not triggered in 2009, and the ADITC available for
accelerated additional amortization in 2010 is $25 million. For the three
months ended March 31, 2010, Idaho Power recorded additional ADITC amortization
of $4.5 million as a result of including estimated annual amounts in its
effective tax rate.
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The settlement agreement included a
provision to reestablish the base level for net power supply costs effective
with the June 1, 2010, PCA rate change. On January 19, 2010, Idaho Power filed
with the IPUC a request to reestablish base net power supply costs with an
increase of $74.8 million in the Idaho jurisdiction. On April 13, 2010, the
IPUC found that adjustments for PURPA contracts ($7.1 million) and Hoku ($4.0
million) as proposed by the IPUC Staff were reasonable reductions to Idaho
Powers proposed base net power supply expenses. The remaining amount of $63.7
million was approved as a working number for Idaho Powers 2010 PCA filing, but
the IPUC deferred final calculation of authorized base net power supply
expenses to the 2010 PCA case. Remaining at issue is a $24.9 million increase
in coal costs at the Bridger plant. A proposed increase in base net power
supply costs for coal costs at the Bridger plant was raised as an area for
review by the OPUC Staff, which review has concluded. OPUC approval of a
stipulation of Idaho Power, the OPUC Staff, and Citizen Utilities Board is
pending. The IPUC found Idaho Powers arguments for inclusion of increased
coal costs persuasive, but has provided the parties with an opportunity for
further investigation as part of Idaho Powers 2010 PCA filing.
2010 PCA Filing:
On April 15, 2010, Idaho Power made
its annual PCA filing with the IPUC, requesting approval of its 2010 PCA and an
increase in base rates pursuant to the terms of the settlement agreement. As
filed, these two rate adjustments would be a $146.7 million 2010 PCA reduction
and an $88.7 million increase to base rates, both to become effective June 1,
2010. The base rate increase includes the $63.7 million increase in Idaho
Powers annual base net power supply costs and a $25 million general increase
in Idaho Powers annual base rates.
The impact of the settlement
agreement sharing on Idaho Powers customers is a $58 million net reduction in rates
for the June 1, 2010, through May 31, 2011, PCA year.
Other 2010 IPUC Filings:
In March 2010, Idaho Power made three rate filings with the IPUC, each with a requested effective date of June 1, 2010:
Fixed Cost Adjustment: Idaho Powers FCA filing for the 2009 calendar year proposes to collect $6.3 million for one year, a $3.6 million annual increase over current rates. The $6.3 million reflects amounts accrued in 2009 under the mechanism. The FCA mechanism began as a pilot program for Idaho Powers Idaho residential and small general service customers, running from 2007 through 2009. On April 29, 2010, the IPUC approved a two-year extension of the pilot program commencing January 1, 2010. The FCA is a rate mechanism designed to remove Idaho Powers 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. Since January 1, 2010, Idaho Power has accrued revenues of $1.8 million under the FCA.
Pension: As Idaho Powers pension plan was below the minimum required funding levels at January 1, 2010, future minimum contributions are required. In March 2010, Idaho Power filed a request to recover $5.4 million of pension contributions that it is required to make in 2010 with respect to 2009. Previously, on February 17, 2010, the IPUC issued an order approving a recovery methodology that would permit Idaho Power to include in future rate cases a reasonable amortization and recovery of cash contributions. The IPUC also approved a carrying charge on the difference between actual contributions and the recovery of these amounts in rates. The amortization of deferred pension costs is expected to match the revenues received as future pension contributions are recovered through rates. Idaho Power is scheduled to make the 2010 cash contribution on September 15, 2010, the extended filing date for its 2009 federal income tax return. Idaho Powers application requests authority to recover the $5.4 million cash contribution over a one-year amortization period of June 1, 2010 through May 31, 2011, with rate adjustments becoming effective on June 1, 2010. Estimated future minimum required pension contributions will be approximately $44 million in 2011, $47 million in 2012, $39 million in 2013, and $40 million in 2014.
Advanced Metering Infrastructure: Idaho Power filed for a $2.4 million annual increase in base rates related to AMI. Idaho Powers request reflects a change in investment and accelerated amortization costs related to the removal of current metering equipment, as well as reductions in operating expenses that accompany the changes in plant investment, through reduced meter reading costs. Idaho Power has requested recovery through a uniform percentage rate increase of 0.33 percent for Idaho Powers affected customer classes, effective June 1, 2010.
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Energy Efficiency Programs:
Idaho Powers energy
efficiency rider is the chief funding mechanism for Idaho Powers investment in
energy efficiency, conservation, and demand response programs. On April 14,
2010, the IPUC completed its review of energy efficiency rider expenditures
that Idaho Power made during the 2002 through 2007 period and found that
remaining amounts totaling $14.7 million were prudently incurred and approved
for ratemaking purposes.
On March 15,
2010, Idaho Power filed an application with the IPUC requesting an order
designating expenditures of $50.7 million incurred in 2008 and 2009 as
prudently incurred expenses.
On February 26,
2010, Idaho Power filed an application with the IPUC requesting authorization
to continue its participation in the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance
(NEEA) for the period 2010-2014, and requested that its participation be funded
by the energy efficiency rider. Idaho Power first began participating in NEEA
in 1997 and the IPUC has allowed it to recover its costs in its rates. Idaho
Powers share is 8.62 percent of NEEAs $191.7 million 2010-2014 budget. Idaho
Powers commitment to continued participation in the NEEA program is contingent
upon authorization by the IPUC of recovery of Idaho Powers costs incurred in
connection with the program. If Idaho Powers application is approved, NEEA
will bill Idaho Power for first quarter 2010 expenses payable within 30 days of
receipt of an order from the IPUC authorizing Idaho Powers participation in
NEEA.
Oregon Regulatory Matters in 2010
Oregon 2009 General Rate Case Settlement:
On February 24,
2010, the OPUC approved a $5 million, or 15.4 percent, increase in base rates.
The new rates were effective March 1, 2010, and are based on a return on equity
of 10.175 percent and an overall rate of return of 8.061 percent. Idaho Powers
previously authorized rate of return in Oregon was 7.83 percent, and its
requested rate of return in its general rate case filing was 8.68 percent.
Oregon Power Cost Recovery Mechanisms:
Idaho Powers power cost recovery
mechanism in Oregon went into effect in 2008. It has two components: the APCU
and the PCAM. The combination of the APCU and the PCAM allows Idaho Power to
recover excess net power supply costs in a more timely fashion than through the
previously existing deferral process.
PCAM: On
February 26, 2010, Idaho Power filed its PCAM application for the 2009 year
with the OPUC. The filing stated that actual net power supply costs were
within the deadband, which is the range of deviations within which Idaho Power
absorbs cost increases or decreases, resulting in no request for a deferral.
APCU: On
March 23, 2010, Idaho Power filed its March forecast for the 2010 APCU rate
adjustment with the OPUC. A stipulation combining the March forecast and
October update in 2009 was filed with the OPUC on April 15, 2010. Approval of
the stipulation would result in a $5.5 million annual increase in Oregon rates,
effective June 1, 2010. The target date for an OPUC order is May 28, 2010.
Oregon and Idaho Deferred Net Power Supply Costs
Idaho Powers
power supply costs can vary significantly from year to year, primarily because
of weather, loads and commodity markets. Idaho Powers power cost adjustment
mechanisms allow it to recover from or refund to customers a majority of the
fluctuations in power supply costs. Because of these mechanisms, the primary
financial impact of power supply cost variations is that cash is paid out but
recovery from customers does not occur until a future period, resulting in
fluctuations in operating cash flows from year to year. A summary of the
changes in deferred power supply costs during the first quarter of 2010 is set
forth in Note 3 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
The net decrease of $48.5 million
in Idaho Powers balance of deferred power supply costs from December 31, 2009,
to March 31, 2010, is primarily a result of power supply costs that were $19.9
million less than the forecast amount during that period and the recovery of
$28.4 million through rates.
FERC Compliance Program
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As part of its
compliance program Idaho Power periodically reviews its operations for compliance
with FERC rules, orders and standards and self-reports compliance issues to the
FERC and the WECC. To date, reports to the FERC have focused on Standards of
Conduct and Idaho Powers OATT. Matters relating to Critical Infrastructure
Protection (CIP) and other reliability standards have been self-reported to the
WECC. First quarter 2010 activity included Idaho Power reports to both the FERC
and the WECC, the notification that the FERC intends to take no further action
regarding several issues previously reported by Idaho Power, and the receipt by
Idaho Power of notices of alleged violations from the WECC relating to
reliability and CIP matters. The WECCs alleged violations, as well as certain
matters reported to the FERC, remain unresolved and Idaho Power is unable to
predict what action if any the WECC or the FERC will take, but Idaho Power does
not expect any material adverse effect on its financial position, results of
operations, or cash flows. Idaho Power plans to continue its policy of
reducing potential violations through its compliance program and self-reporting
compliance issues to the FERC and the WECC.
Relicensing of Hydroelectric Projects:
Idaho Power, like other utilities
that operate nonfederal hydroelectric projects on qualified waterways, obtains
licenses for its hydroelectric projects from the FERC, and these licenses last
for 30 to 50 years. Idaho Power is actively pursuing relicensing of the Hells
Canyon Complex (HCC) and Swan Falls hydroelectric projects. In addition, Idaho
Power is seeking a license amendment to expand the Shoshone Falls hydroelectric
project.
The most significant relicensing
effort is the HCC, which provides approximately 68 percent of Idaho Powers
hydroelectric generating nameplate capacity and 36 percent of its total
generating nameplate capacity. In 2007, the FERC Staff issued 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. Idaho Power has reviewed the final EIS and is developing comments for
filing with the FERC. However, certain portions of the final EIS involve
issues that may be influenced by the water quality certifications for the project
under section 401 of the Clean Water Act and formal consultations under the
Endangered Species Act (ESA), which remain unresolved. Idaho Power anticipates
filing comments to the final EIS as the section 401 and ESA processes progress
and the manner in which they may affect pending issues becomes more certain.
In that regard, Idaho Power continues to cooperate with the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service the National Marine Fisheries Service and the FERC in an
effort to address ESA concerns and to work with Idaho and Oregon to take
measures to ensure that any discharges from the HCC will comply with the
temperature and other applicable 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 endangered
species consultation and the state water quality certification processes are
completed. Idaho Power is currently operating under an annual license issued
by the FERC and expects to continue operating under annual licenses until a new
multi-year license is issued.
The license for Swan Falls
hydroelectric project expires in June 2010. The FERC is expected to complete
an environmental impact statement in 2010. Idaho Power expects that the FERC
will issue annual licenses for the Swan Falls facility until a new multi-year
license is issued.
The Shoshone Falls license
amendment to expand the project from 12.5 MW to 62.5 MW is expected to be
issued by the FERC in 2010.
Relicensing costs are recorded 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 $120 million and $5 million for HCC and Swan Falls, respectively, were
included in construction work in progress at March 31, 2010. The IPUC
authorizes Idaho Power to include in rates approximately $6.8 million annually
($10.6 million grossed up for income taxes) of AFUDC relating to the HCC
relicensing project, and collecting these amounts will reduce the relicensing
amount submitted to regulators for recovery through the ratemaking process.
LEGAL MATTERS:
Western
Energy Proceedings at the FERC: Idaho Power and IE are parties to proceedings at the FERC arising
from the western energy situation the California energy crisis and the
energy shortages, high prices and blackouts in the western United States during
2000 and 2001 that caused numerous purchasers of electricity in those markets
to initiate proceedings seeking refunds or other forms of relief and FERC to
initiate its own investigations. The three major sets of cases arising out of
the western energy situation relate to (1) pricing of sales in the California
Independent System Operator (Cal ISO) and California Power Exchange (CalPX)
markets (the California refund proceeding); (2) claims of market manipulation
and tariff violations in those markets, some of which have been the subject of
FERC show cause orders (the market manipulation cases); and (3) pricing of
sales in the spot power markets in the Pacific Northwest (the Pacific Northwest
refund proceeding).
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Proceedings in all three sets of cases remain pending
before the FERC. In addition, 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 and the
market manipulation cases. Decisions in these appeals may have implications
with respect to other pending cases, including those to which Idaho Power and IE
are parties.
Idaho Power and IE have reached settlements with the
principal parties to the California refund proceeding and the market
manipulation cases, but there remain claims by parties that have not settled
that represent a small minority of potential refunds in those proceedings.
Idaho Power and IE are unable to predict the outcome of these matters, but
believe that the settlement releases they have obtained will restrict potential
claims that might result from the disposition of these two sets of proceedings
and that these matters will not have a material adverse effect on their
consolidated financial positions, results of operations or cash flows.
In the Pacific Northwest refund
proceeding, after reviewing the FERCs 2003 decision declining to order
refunds, the Ninth Circuit remanded the case to the FERC, officially returning
the case to the FERC on April 16, 2009, to consider whether evidence of market
manipulation would have altered the agencys conclusions about refunds and to
include sales originating in the Pacific Northwest to the California Department
of Water Resources (CDWR) in the proceedings. In separate filings the
California Parties (Pacific Gas & Electric Company, San Diego Gas &
Electric Company, Southern California Edison Company, the California Public
Utilities Commission, the California Department of Water Resources and the
California Attorney General), City of Tacoma (Tacoma), and the Port of Seattle,
Washington (Port of Seattle) asked the FERC to reorganize and restructure the Pacific
Northwest case to enable them to pursue claims that all spot market sales in
the Cal ISO and CalPX markets and in the Pacific Northwest from January 1, 2000
through June 20, 2001 should be subject to refund and repriced because market
manipulation and tariff violations affected spot market prices. Their requests
would expand the scope of the refund period in the Pacific Northwest proceeding
from the December 25, 2000 through June 20, 2001 period previously considered
by the FERC. In May 2009, the California Parties requested that the FERC sever
sales to CDWR from the Pacific Northwest proceeding and consolidate their
claims regarding these sales with ongoing proceedings in cases that Idaho Power
and IE have settled, as well as with a new complaint filed on May 22, 2009 by
the California Attorney General against some sellers, but not Idaho Power and
IE. Idaho Power and IE, along with a number of other parties, filed their
opposition to the requests of the California Parties. In April 2010, the California
Parties filed a motion with the FERC renewing their May 2009 requests. In
August 2009, Tacoma and Port of Seattle jointly requested the FERC to require
refunds from sellers in the Pacific Northwest spot markets for the expanded
period (January 1, 2000-June 20, 2001). Idaho Power and IE joined with a
number of other sellers in the Pacific Northwest markets during 2000 and 2001
in opposing the motion of Tacoma and Port of Seattle. The FERC has not yet
acted on the remand from the Ninth Circuit or on these filings and requests
from the California Parties, Tacoma and Port of Seattle. Idaho Power and IE
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.
Sierra Club Lawsuits at the
Bridger and Boardman Coal-Fired Plants in Which Idaho Power has Ownership
Interests: In February 2007, the Sierra Club and the Wyoming Outdoor
Council filed a complaint against PacifiCorp in the U.S. District Court in
Cheyenne, Wyoming, alleging that PacifiCorp had violated air quality opacity
standards at the Jim Bridger coal-fired plant in Sweetwater County, Wyoming.
On April 15, 2010, the parties jointly filed a proposed consent decree
resolving the pending litigation. The consent decree must be reviewed by the
Environmental Protection Agency and approved by the court. Idaho Power is
fully reserved for the contingency and, if approved, the entry of the consent
decree will not have a material adverse effect on Idaho Powers consolidated
financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
57
In September 2008, the Sierra Club
and four other non-profit corporations filed a complaint against PGE in the
U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon alleging opacity permit limit
violations at the Boardman coal-fired plant located in Morrow County, Oregon.
The complaint also alleged 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 sought a declaration
that PGE had 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 reimbursement of plaintiffs costs of litigation,
including reasonable attorneys fees. Idaho Power 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 stated that it
cannot determine with certainty the total amount of monetary penalties and
damages asserted, but based solely on the complaint, the estimated amount is
$60 million. Idaho Power 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.
Snake River Basin Water Rights:
Idaho Power is engaged in the Snake River Basin Adjudication (SRBA), which
commenced in 1987, to define the nature and extent of water rights in the Snake
River Basin in Idaho, including the water rights of Idaho Power. On March 25,
2009, Idaho Power and the State of Idaho (State) entered into a settlement
agreement with respect to the 1984 Swan Falls Agreement and Idaho Powers water
rights under the Swan Falls Agreement, which settlement agreement is subject to
certain conditions discussed below. The settlement agreement will also resolve
litigation between Idaho Power and the State relating to the Swan Falls
Agreement that was filed by Idaho Power on May 10, 2007, with the Idaho
District Court for the Fifth Judicial Circuit, which has jurisdiction over SRBA
matters, including the Swan Falls case.
The settlement agreement resolves
the pending litigation by clarifying that Idaho Powers water rights in excess
of minimum flows at its hydroelectric facilities between Milner Dam and Swan
Falls Dam are subordinate to future upstream beneficial uses, including aquifer
recharge. The agreement commits the State and Idaho Power to further
discussions on important water management issues concerning the Swan Falls
Agreement and the management of water in the Snake River Basin. It also
recognizes that water management measures that enhance aquifer levels, springs
and river flows, such as aquifer recharge projects, benefit both agricultural development
and hydropower generation and deserve study to determine their economic
potential, their impact on the environment and their impact on hydropower
generation. These will be a part of the Comprehensive Aquifer Management Plan
(CAMP), approved by the Idaho Water Resource Board (IWRB) for the Eastern Snake
Plain Aquifer (ESPA), which includes limits on the amount of aquifer recharge.
Idaho Power is a member of the ESPA CAMP advisory committee and implementation
committee.
On April 24, 2009, the Governor of
Idaho signed into law legislation approving provisions contained in the
settlement agreement. On May 6, 2009, as part of the settlement, Idaho Power,
the Governor of Idaho and the IWRB executed a memorandum of agreement relating
to future aquifer recharge efforts and further assurances as to limitations on
the amount of aquifer recharge. Idaho Power and the State also filed a joint
motion to the SRBA court to dismiss the Swan Falls case and enter the
stipulated water right decrees set forth in the settlement agreement. Parties
representing groundwater users in the ESPA objected to some of the language
proposed by Idaho Power and the State relating to water rights in the decrees
to be entered by the SRBA court as contemplated by the settlement agreement.
Specifically, the concerns relate to the language describing the subordination
of the rights and its interplay with the original Swan Falls settlement
document and implementing legislation. On January 4, 2010, the court issued an
order approving the overall settlement subject to certain modifications to the
draft water right decrees proposed by Idaho Power and the State. Idaho Power
is working with the State and the parties to reach agreement consistent with
the courts order regarding the language of the decrees.
Idaho Power also filed an action in
the U.S. District Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C. in October 2007,
and an amended complaint on September 30, 2008, against the U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation relating to a 1923 contract right for delivery of water to its
hydropower projects on the Snake River. The action seeks to recover damages
from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for the lost generation resulting from
reduced flows and a prospective declaration of contractual rights and obligations
of the parties. Over the past several months, Idaho Power has been working
with the U.S. and Idaho interests (including the State and upstream water
users) in an effort to resolve certain state water right issues pending in the
SRBA that are common to both the SRBA and the pending federal case. In an
effort to promote efficiency, the parties have agreed to present certain legal
issues associated with the 1923 contract to the court in the SRBA case that are
expected to resolve issues in the pending federal case. The SRBA court has
scheduled the presentation of these issues to the court by the fall of 2010.
Idaho Power and the U.S. have agreed to stay further proceedings in the federal
case pending the resolution of these issues in the SRBA case.
Idaho Power is unable to predict
the outcomes of these matters or estimate the impact they may have on its
consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
For further information regarding
legal proceedings, see Note 9 to the condensed consolidated financial
statements.
58
ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES:
Global Climate Change: Long-term
climate change could significantly affect Idaho Powers business in a variety
of ways, including the following: (i) changes in temperature and precipitation
could affect customer demand, (ii) extreme weather events could increase
service interruptions, outages, and maintenance costs; (iii) changes in the
amount and timing of snowpack and stream flows could adversely affect
hydroelectric generation; (iv) legislative and/or regulatory developments
related to climate change could affect plans and operations, including placing
restrictions on the construction of new generation resources, the expansion of
existing resources, or the operation of generation resources in general; and
(v) consumer preference for, and resource planning decisions requiring,
renewable or low greenhouse gas-emitting sources of energy could impact demand
from existing sources and require significant investment in new generation and
transmission resources.
Greenhouse Gas Emission
Reduction Goals: In September 2009,
IDACORPs and Idaho Powers Board of Directors approved guidelines that
established a goal to reduce the carbon dioxide (CO2) emission
intensity of Idaho Powers utility operations. Idaho Powers goal is to reduce
its resource portfolios average CO2 emission intensity for the 2010
through 2013 time period to a level of 10 to 15 percent below Idaho Powers
2005 CO2 emission intensity of 1,194 lbs CO2/MWh.
Since Idaho Powers CO2
emission intensity fluctuates with stream flows and production levels of
anticipated renewable resource additions, Idaho Power believes an average
intensity reduction goal to be achieved over several years is appropriate.
Generation from Idaho Power-owned and any renewable resources under contract
for which Idaho Power has long-term rights to the Renewable Energy Credits
(RECs) will be included in the denominator of this calculation. The guidelines
are intended to reduce Idaho Powers average CO2 emission intensity
in a manner that minimizes the costs of those reductions to Idaho Powers
customers.
In 2006, Idaho Power and
Ida-West ranked as one of the 30 lowest emitters of CO2/MWh produced
among the nations 100 largest electricity producers, according to a collaborative
report from CERES, the Natural Resources Defense Council, Public Service
Enterprise Group and PG&E Corporation using publicly reported 2006
generation and emissions data.
In May 2009, Idaho Power
submitted information to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), an independent,
not-for-profit organization that claims the largest database of corporate
climate change information in the world. Idaho Powers estimated CO2
emission intensity (Lbs/MWh) from its generation facilities as submitted to the
CDP was 1,150 and 1,097 for 2007 and 2008, respectively. Idaho Power estimates
that its CO2 emission intensity from Idaho Power-owned generation
facilities for 2009 was 1,003 Lbs CO2/MWh.
Regulation of
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The
American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, H.R. 2454, regarding GHG
emissions, renewable energy, energy efficiency, carbon capture and
sequestration, and other matters, passed the U.S. House of Representatives on
June 26, 2009. Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA)
and Senator John Kerry (D-MA) also introduced a climate change bill on the
Senate floor on September 30, 2009, and similar legislation from Senator Kerry
and others is anticipated in 2010. The timeline for action on the Senate floor
remains unclear and debate continues on the direction, scope and timing of
federal legislation to reduce GHG emissions. There are also state and regional
initiatives (including the Western Regional Climate Action Initiative)
considering regional market-based mechanisms to reduce GHG emissions.
In support of international efforts
to reduce GHG emissions, in January 2010, President Obama pledged to cut GHG
emissions in the United States from 2005 levels by 17 percent by 2020 and 80
percent by 2050. Any international treaty creating mandatory GHG emission
reduction requirements in the United States would need to be ratified by the
U.S. Senate and implemented through legislation adopted by the U.S. Congress.
In September 2009, the EPA issued a
final rule that requires monitoring and reporting of GHG emissions by a number
of entities beginning on January 1, 2010. Most facilities will be required to
report annually. Electric generation facilities (including Idaho Powers
facilities) already reporting CO2 emissions under the Clean Air Act
(CAA) Acid Rain Program must report CO2, nitrous oxide (NOx)
and methane emissions to the EPA on a quarterly basis. In March 2010, the EPA
proposed to expand the monitoring and reporting requirements to include
emissions of fluorinated GHGs such as sulphur hexafluoride from electrical
power transmission and distribution systems.
In December 2009, the EPA
issued an endangerment finding for GHG emissions from motor vehicles. The endangerment
finding is required for the EPA and the Department of Transportation National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration to finalize their September 2009 proposal
to adopt national GHG emission (i.e. tailpipe) standards for motor vehicles.
On April 1, 2010, the EPA and the Department of Transportation issued a final
rule establishing motor vehicle GHG emission standards. The endangerment
finding and the GHG emission standards for motor vehicles have been appealed
to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
59
On September 30, 2009, the
EPA acknowledged that the CAA will require it to regulate GHG emissions from
stationary sources (including Idaho Powers thermal facilities) through both
its preconstruction and operating permit programs when the national GHG
emission standards for motor vehicles go into effect. Under a final
determination issued by the EPA in March 2010, stationary source GHG emissions could
be subject to CAA permitting requirements as early as January 2011. Under its
September 30, 2009 proposed rule, the EPA sought to establish an applicability
threshold of 25,000 tons of GHGs per year (CO2 equivalent) for the
preconstruction and operating permit programs. In February 2010, the EPA
announced that it was considering an initial applicability threshold for 2011
and 2012 of at least 75,000 tons of GHGs per year.
In August 2007, Oregon
enacted legislation establishing goals for the reduction of GHG emissions,
which seek to (i) by 2010, cease the growth of Oregon GHG emission; (ii) by
2020, reduce GHG levels to 10 percent below 1990 levels; and (iii) by 2050,
reduce GHG levels to at least 75 percent below 1990 levels. The legislation
also calls for state government-developed policy recommendations in the future
to assist in the monitoring and achievement of these goals. The impact of the
enacted legislation on Idaho Power cannot be determined at this time.
Idaho Power will continue
to monitor and evaluate any proposed international, federal, state or regional
GHG legislation or initiatives as well as any judicial decisions that could
affect its generating facilities. The majority of current initiatives
regarding GHG emissions contemplate market-based compliance programs. The
regulation of GHG emissions under the CAA 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 CO2 emissions from coal,
including carbon capture storage, are still in the development stage and are
not yet proven. At this time, Idaho Power is unable to estimate the costs of
compliance with any such legislation or initiatives because they are in the
early stages of development and final legislation, if adopted, could vary from
current proposals. In the 2009 IRP, Idaho Power did not include any new conventional
coal resources in the resource portfolio due to the uncertainty regarding
future carbon regulations.
Renewable Portfolio
Standards (RPS): The American Clean
Energy and Security Act of 2009, in the form passed in the U.S. House of
Representatives on June 26, 2009, would require utilities to obtain 20 percent
of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020, and reduce demand an
additional five percent through conservation and increased energy efficiency. The
Senate version, if enacted, would require electric utilities to meet 15 percent
of their electricity sales through renewable sources of energy or energy
efficiency by 2021. Resources eligible to meet these standards include wind,
solar, geothermal, biomass, landfill gas, ocean, and incremental hydropower
(efficiency improvements or new capacity). Both bills recognize the benefits
of existing hydroelectric generation by allowing utilities to subtract
generation from existing hydroelectric projects from their total sales base
prior to calculating the percentage requirement. Idaho Power will be required
to comply with a ten percent RPS in Oregon beginning in 2025. Idaho Power
expects to meet these requirements with the RECs from the Elkhorn Valley wind
project. No RPS requirement currently exists in Idaho. Idaho Power continues
to monitor proposed federal RPS legislation, which if passed could increase
Idaho Powers capital expenditures and operating costs and reduce earnings and
cash flows.
Idaho Power has contracts
to purchase energy from seven wind projects that have already achieved
commercial operations: the combined nameplate rating of these projects is 192
MW. In addition, one 17 MW wind project recently demonstrated significant
progress towards achieving commercial operations. Idaho Power also has an
additional 264 MW of wind generation with signed and IPUC approved contracts
that have not yet been constructed. Idaho Power is currently negotiating a
power purchase agreement for additional wind generation with a capacity of 160
MW. Idaho Power does not receive the green tags or RECs associated with
PURPA projects and is selling its near-term RECs and returning to customers
their share of those proceeds through the PCA in accordance with a May 2009
IPUC order. Idaho Power filed with the IPUC in December 2009 a plan to address
its treatment of future RECs. Under Idaho Powers proposed plan, Idaho Power
would sell near-term RECs, while continuing to acquire and hold long-term
contractual rights to own RECs for use in meeting a future federal renewable
electricity standard (RES). RECs that are sold rather than retired would not
count in meeting RES requirements. Idaho Power continues to pursue additional
geothermal, wind, and combined heat and power (CHP) generation resource development
opportunities. Other renewable generation resources anticipated from future
cogeneration and small power production contracts include solar, biomass, and
additional wind projects.
60
Air Quality: Idaho Power co-owns three coal-fired power plants and owns
two natural gas combustion turbine power plants that are subject to air quality
regulation. The coal-fired plants are: Jim Bridger (33 percent interest)
located in Wyoming; Boardman (10 percent interest) located in Oregon; and Valmy
(50 percent interest) located in Nevada. The natural gas-fired plants, Danskin
and Bennett Mountain, are located in Idaho. The CAA establishes controls on
the emissions from stationary sources like those owned by Idaho Power. The EPA
adopts many of the standards and regulations under the CAA, while states have
the primary responsibility for implementation and administration of these air
quality programs. In February 2010, a bill was introduced in the Senate to
impose limits on SO2 and NOx emissions from power plants
starting in 2012 and to require at least a 90 percent reduction in mercury
emissions from coal-fired generation. Idaho Power continues to actively
monitor, evaluate and work on air quality issues pertaining to federal and
state mercury emission rules, possible legislative amendment of the CAA as
discussed above, National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), and Regional
Haze Best Available Retrofit Technology (RH BART) and New Source Review (NSR)
permitting.
Mercury Emissions: Mercury continuous emission monitoring systems have
been installed on all of the coal-fired units at the Jim Bridger, Boardman, and
Valmy plants and tests to confirm the accuracy of the data being collected are
currently underway. The EPA has announced that it is developing maximum
achievable control technology (MACT) standards to reduce mercury emissions from
coal-fired power plants. Early indications are that these MACT standards will
apply uniformly to all coal-fired power plants, unlike the cap-and-trade
mercury standards of the Clean Air Mercury Rule. In 2008, the State of Oregon
adopted a mercury rule requiring Boardman to reduce mercury emissions by 90
percent or meet an emission rate of 0.6 lbs/trillion BTU by July 2012. PGE has
requested and the State of Oregon is now considering allowing up to a two year
extension. Idaho Power continues to monitor Wyoming and Nevada actions related
to mercury emissions. Idaho Power is unable to predict at this time what
actions the EPA or the other states may take to reduce mercury emissions from
its coal-fired power plants. In April 2010, the U.S. District Court for the
District of Columbia approved, by consent decree, a timetable that would
require the EPA to propose a standard to control mercury emissions from coal-fired
power plants by May 16, 2011, and to finalize it by November of 2011.
National Ambient Air
Quality Standards: In July 1997, the
EPA adopted new NAAQS for ozone (8-hour ozone standard) and fine particulate
matter of less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter (PM2.5 standard). Regulations
promulgated by the EPA to implement these NAAQS have been challenged and
portions have been remanded back to the EPA for reconsideration. The EPA and
state efforts to implement the NAAQS adopted in 1997 are ongoing. All of the
counties in Idaho, Oregon, Nevada and Wyoming where Idaho Powers power plants
operate currently are designated as meeting attainment with the 8-hour ozone
and PM2.5 standards adopted by the EPA in 1997.
In December 2006, the EPA
revised the NAAQS for PM2.5. This new standard was challenged by a number of
groups in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit and
the court remanded the standard back to the EPA in February 2009. All of the
counties in Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Wyoming where Idaho Powers power plants
operate currently were designated as meeting attainment with the revised PM2.5
NAAQS. The impact of the new standard will not be known until the judicial
appeals are completed and the associated regulatory programs are promulgated
and implemented.
In March 2008, the EPA
promulgated a final regulation which revised the 8-hour ozone NAAQS, and on
January 19, 2010, the EPA proposed to adopt a more stringent 8-hour ozone
NAAQS. Idaho Power is unable to predict what impact the adoption of this
standard may have on its operations.
On January 22, 2010, the
EPA adopted a new NAAQS for NO2 at a level of 100 parts per billion
averaged over a 1-hour period. The EPA has not yet designated areas as
attaining or not attaining the new NAAQS. In addition, on November 16, 2009,
the EPA proposed a more stringent NAAQS for SO2 to a level between
50 and 100 parts per billion averaged over a 1-hour period. Idaho Power is
unable to predict what impact the adoption and implementation of these
standards may have on its operations.
Regional Haze Best
Available Retrofit Technology: In
accordance with federal regional haze rules, 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 Valmy plant were constructed after 1977
and are not subject to the federal regional haze rule. The Wyoming Department
of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) and the Oregon Department of Environmental
Quality (ODEQ) have conducted assessments of the Boardman and Bridger plants
pursuant to an RH BART process. These states have also evaluated the need for
additional controls at Boardman and Bridger to achieve reasonable progress
toward a long term strategy beyond RH BART to reduce regional haze in Class I
areas to natural conditions by the year 2064.
61
On December 31, 2009 WDEQ
issued a RH BART permit to PacifiCorp for the Jim Bridger plant. WDEQ determined
that low NOx burners with over-fire air is RH BART for NOx
for all four Bridger units and that RH BART is not required for SO2
for the Bridger plant. As part of WDEQs long term strategy for regional haze,
the permit requires that PacifiCorp install selective catalytic reduction (SCR)
for NOx control at Bridger Units 3 and 4 by December 31, 2015 and
December 31, 2016, respectively, and submit an application by January 15, 2015
to install add-on NOx controls at Bridger Units 1 and 2 by December
31, 2023. PacifiCorp is already in the process of installing low NOx
burners and SO2 scrubber upgrades at the Bridger plant. The SO2
scrubber upgrade project has been completed on Bridger Units 2 and 4 and is
expected to be completed on the other two units by the end of 2011. Idaho
Power expects to spend approximately $22 million between 2009 and 2012 to
complete these projects. Idaho Powers estimated share of the cost to install
SCR on Bridger Units 3 and 4 is $120 million. Installation of SCR also could
require extended maintenance outages. Design and cost estimates for add-on NOx
controls at Bridger Units 1 and 2 are not yet available. On February 26, 2010,
PacifiCorp filed an administrative appeal of the Bridger RH BART permit with
the Wyoming Environmental Quality Council. PacifiCorp contends that WDEQ
lacked the legal and technical basis to require the SCR and add-on NOx controls
required by the permit. Idaho Power will continue to monitor this process. It
is not possible for Idaho Power to predict the outcome of the administrative
appeals process at this time.
On June 19, 2009 the
Oregon Environmental Quality Commission adopted a rule that would require the
installation of controls at Boardman in two phases. The first phase, which
ODEQ determined is RH BART, would require the installation of low NOx burners
and over-fire air by July 1, 2011, and the installation of semi-dry flue gas
desulfurization and a bag house by July 1, 2014. The second phase, which is
part of ODEQs long term strategy, would require the installation of SCR by
July 1, 2017. Idaho Powers estimated share of the cost of the pollution
control requirements for RH BART and the long term strategy is between
approximately $52 million and $56 million. Approximately three-quarters of the
costs will be incurred by 2014 with the remainder incurred by 2017.
Installation of this pollution control equipment also could require extended
maintenance outages. On April 2, 2010 PGE submitted a petition requesting that
the Oregon Environmental Quality Commission amend the RH BART and long term
strategy requirements for the Boardman plant to be the installation of low NOx
burners and over-fire air by July 1, 2011, the phased transition to reduced
sulfur coal by December 31, 2011 and July 1, 2014, and the closure of Boardman
plant coal-fired boiler by December 31, 2020. Idaho Powers estimated share of
the cost of the revised RH BART and the long term strategy requirements is
approximately $4 million. It is not possible for Idaho Power to predict the
outcome of this proceeding at this time.
While not required under
RH BART, installation of low NOx burners and over-fired upgrades has
been completed at the Valmy plant.
New Source Review: Since 1999, the EPA and the U.S. Department of
Justice have been pursuing a national enforcement initiative focused on the
compliance status of coal-fired power plants with the New Source Review (NSR)
permitting requirements and New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) of the
CAA. This initiative has resulted in both enforcement litigation and
significant settlements with a large number of public utilities and other
owners of coal-fired power plants across the country. The current
administration has indicated an intention to continue this NSR enforcement
initiative. The EPA sent information requests under section 114 of the CAA,
requesting information relevant to NSR and NSPS compliance to the Jim Bridger
plant in 2003, the Valmy plant in 2009 and the Boardman plant in 2008 with a
follow up request for information in 2009. Idaho Power is a co-owner of these
plants, but does not operate the plants. A number of utilities that have
received section 114 information requests have engaged in negotiations with the
EPA to address any allegations of non-compliance with NSR and NSPS
requirements. In some cases, such negotiations have resulted in settlements
requiring the payment of civil penalties, installation of additional pollution
controls, the surrender of emission allowances, and the completion of
supplemental environmental projects. Idaho Power cannot predict the outcome of
these investigatory and enforcement matters at this time.
Coal Ash: In December 2008, the breach of a dike at the
Tennessee Valley Authoritys Kingston Station resulted in a spill of several million
cubic yards of ash into a nearby river and onto private properties. In May
2010, the EPA announced proposed regulations pursuant to the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act governing the management of coal combustion
products. If this or other new legislation or regulations increase the cost of
managing and disposing of coal combustion products or create additional
liability with respect to historic disposal practices, they could have an
adverse impact on Idaho Powers consolidated financial position, results of
operations or cash flows. However, the financial and operational consequences
cannot be determined until final legislation is passed or regulations enacted.
62
Endangered Species:
Slickspot Peppergrass: This southwestern Idaho plant species was listed as
threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) effective December
2009. While critical habitat for the plant was not designated at the time of
listing, approximately 98% of the plant species is located on federal land
owned by the BLM and the Department of Defense. Parts of the Gateway West and
Boardman to Hemingway 500 kV transmission lines and the Langley Gulch
transmission and water lines will cross BLM land. This listing will add an additional
requirement and species for consideration in the Endangered Species Act (ESA)
section 7 consultation. A section 7 consultation is a process used to
determine a proposed actions effects on any ESA-listed species that may be
within the project area. This listing may increase the expense and delay the
timing of permitting for these projects.
Sage Grouse:
On March 5, 2010, the USFWS announced that listing of the greater sage grouse
as threatened or endangered under the ESA is warranted, but precluded by higher
priority listing actions. The sage grouse is now considered a candidate
species under the ESA, which allows land management agencies to implement
additional conservation measures in an effort to prevent a formal ESA listing.
Any required additional conservation measures may increase the costs of
existing operations and impact the cost and timing of siting and permitting of
the Gateway West and Boardman to Hemingway 500-kV transmission lines and the
Langley Gulch transmission projects. Listing of the greater sage grouse as
threatened or endangered under the ESA would add an additional requirement and
species for consideration in ESA section 7 consultations for those projects,
and may increase the expense and adversely affect the timing of those projects.
Hells Canyon Project: In 2007, the FERC requested initiation of formal
consultation under the ESA with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
and the USFWS regarding potential effects of HCC relicensing on several listed
aquatic and terrestrial species. Formal consultation has not yet been
initiated and NMFS and USFWS continue to gather and consider information
relative to the effects of relicensing on relevant species. Idaho Power
continues to cooperate with the USFWS, the NMFS and the FERC in an effort to
address ESA concerns. Idaho Power may be required to modify operations
pursuant to the Biological Opinion that will result from formal consultation.
However, the issuance of a final Biological Opinion within the next 18 to 24
months is unlikely.
Bliss and Lower Salmon Falls
Projects: Idaho Power is finalizing a Snail Protection Plan (Plan) in
cooperation with the USFWS. If the Plan is approved by the FERC, Idaho Power
will file applications with the FERC to amend the licenses for the Bliss and
Lower Salmon Falls projects that will maintain operating flexibility at both
projects for the remainder of their licenses.
OTHER MATTERS:
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
IDACORPs and Idaho Powers
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 Idaho Power 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 Idaho Power 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 Idaho Power, based on their ongoing reviews, make adjustments when
facts and circumstances dictate.
IDACORPs and Idaho Powers
critical accounting policies are reviewed by the Audit Committee of the Board
of Directors. These policies are discussed in more detail under Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2009, and have not changed materially from that
discussion.
63
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
IDACORP and Idaho Power 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 March 31, 2010:
Interest Rate Risk
IDACORPs and Idaho Powers
interest rate risk has not changed materially from that reported in Item 7A of
the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
Commodity Price Risk
IDACORPs and Idaho Powers
commodity price risk has not changed materially from that reported in Item 7A
of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
Information regarding Idaho Powers use of derivative instruments to manage
commodity price risk can be found in Note 12 to the condensed consolidated
financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Credit Risk
Idaho Power is subject to credit
risk based on its activity with market counterparties. Idaho Power is exposed
to this risk to the extent that a counterparty may fail to fulfill a
contractual obligation to provide energy, purchase energy or complete financial
settlement for market activities. Idaho Power mitigates this exposure by
actively establishing credit limits, measuring, monitoring, reporting, using
appropriate contractual arrangements and transferring of credit risk through
the use of financial guarantees, cash or letters of credit. A current list of
acceptable counterparties and credit limits is maintained.
The use of performance assurance
collateral in the form of cash, letters of credit, or guarantees is common
industry practice. Idaho Power maintains margin agreements that allow
performance assurance collateral to be requested and/or posted with certain
counterparties. As of March 31, 2010, Idaho Power had posted approximately
$3.7 million of assurance collateral. Should Idaho Power experience a reduction
in its credit rating on Idaho Powers unsecured debt to below investment grade,
Idaho Power could be subject to additional requests by its wholesale
counterparties to post additional performance assurance collateral.
Counterparties to derivative instruments could request immediate payment or
demand immediate ongoing full daily collateralization on derivative instruments
in net liability positions. Based upon Idaho Powers current energy and fuel
portfolio and current market conditions as of March 31, 2010, the approximate
amount of additional collateral that could be requested upon a downgrade is
approximately $19 million. Idaho Power actively monitors the portfolio
exposure and the potential exposure to additional requests for performance
assurance collateral calls, through sensitivity analysis, to minimize capital
requirements.
Idaho Powers credit risk related
to uncollectible accounts has not changed materially from that reported in Item
7A of the Annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
Equity Price Risk
IDACORPs and Idaho Powers equity
price risk has not changed materially from that reported in Item 7A of the
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
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 March 31, 2010, have concluded that IDACORPs disclosure controls and
procedures are effective.
Idaho Power:
The Chief Executive Officer and the
Chief Financial Officer of Idaho Power, based on their evaluation of Idaho
Powers disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e))
as of March 31, 2010, have concluded that Idaho Powers disclosure controls and
procedures are effective.
64
Changes in internal control over financial reporting:
There have been no changes in
IDACORPs or Idaho Powers internal control over financial reporting during the
quarter ended March 31, 2010, that have materially affected, or are reasonably
likely to materially affect, IDACORPs or Idaho Powers internal control over
financial reporting.
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
Please refer to Note 9 to the
condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Restrictions on Dividends:
A covenant under IDACORPs credit
facility and Idaho Powers credit facility requires IDACORP and Idaho Power to
maintain leverage ratios of consolidated indebtedness to consolidated total
capitalization, as defined therein, of no more than 65 percent at the end of
each fiscal quarter. Idaho Powers Revised Code of Conduct approved by the
IPUC on April 21, 2008, states that Idaho Power will not pay any dividends to
IDACORP that will reduce Idaho Powers common equity capital below 35 percent
of its total adjusted capital without IPUC approval.
Idaho Powers 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 violate the covenants or Idaho Powers Revised Code of
Conduct. At March 31, 2010, the leverage ratios for IDACORP and Idaho Power
were 51 percent and 52 percent, respectively. Based on these restrictions,
IDACORPs and Idaho Powers dividends were limited to $562 million and $519
million, respectively, at March 31, 2010.
Idaho Powers articles of
incorporation contain restrictions on the payment of dividends on its common
stock if preferred stock dividends are in arrears. Idaho Power has no
preferred stock outstanding.
Idaho Power must obtain approval of
the OPUC before it could directly or indirectly loan funds or issue notes or
give credit on its books to IDACORP.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities:
IDACORP, Inc. Common Stock
During the quarter ended March 31, 2010, IDACORP effected the following
repurchases of its common stock:
|
|
|
|
(d) |
||
|
|
|
(c) |
Maximum Number |
||
|
(a) |
(b) |
Total Number of |
(or Approximate |
||
|
Total |
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 |
||
|
|
|
|
|
||
January 1 January 31, 2010 |
9,717 |
$ |
32.17 |
- |
- |
|
February 1 February 28, 2010 |
15,637 |
|
33.03 |
- |
- |
|
March 1 - March 31, 2010 |
- |
|
- |
- |
- |
|
|
Total |
25,354 |
$ |
32.70 |
- |
- |
1 These shares were withheld for taxes upon vesting of restricted stock. |
|
|||||
|
||||||
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
Please refer to Part I, Item 2, MANAGEMENTS
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Joint Purchase and Sale Agreement and Joint
Ownership and Operating Agreements with PacifiCorp, for a discussion of
agreements entered into by Idaho Power on April 30, 2010 and May 3, 2010.
* Previously filed and incorporated
herein by reference
Exhibit No. |
Description |
|
|
10.211 |
IDACORP, Inc. Non-Employee Directors Stock Compensation Plan, as amended February 26, 2010. |
*10.611 |
Exhibit A to the IDACORP, Inc. Executive Incentive Plan, as amended February 26, 2010. File number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 8-K, filed on 3/4/10 as Exhibit 10.1. |
*10.621 |
Form of Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreement between IDACORP, Inc. and Officers of IDACORP, Inc. and Idaho Power Company, approved March 17, 2010. File number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 8-K, filed on 3/24/10 as Exhibit 10.1. |
10.661 |
IDACORP, Inc. and/or Idaho Power Executive Officers with Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreements Chart, as of March 31, 2010. |
10.671 |
IDACORP, Inc. 2000 Long-Term Incentive and Compensation Plan Form of Performance Share Award Agreement (performance with two goals) (February 26, 2010). |
*10.681 |
IDACORP, Inc. Executive Incentive Plan NEO 2010 Award Opportunity Chart. File number 1-14465, 1-3198, Form 8-K, filed on 3/24/10 as Exhibit 10.2. |
12.1 |
IDACORP, Inc. Computation of Supplemental Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. |
12.2 |
Idaho Power Company Computation of Supplemental Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. |
15 |
Letter Re: Unaudited Interim Financial Information. |
31.1 |
IDACORP, Inc. Rule 13a-14(a) CEO certification. |
31.2 |
IDACORP, Inc. Rule 13a-14(a) CFO certification. |
31.3 |
Idaho Power Rule 13a-14(a) CEO certification. |
31.4 |
Idaho Power Rule 13a-14(a) CFO certification. |
32.1 |
IDACORP, Inc. Section 1350 CEO certification. |
32.2 |
IDACORP, Inc. Section 1350 CFO certification. |
32.3 |
Idaho Power Section 1350 CEO certification. |
32.4 |
Idaho Power Section 1350 CFO certification. |
99 |
Earnings press release for the first quarter 2010. |
|
|
1 Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement |
66
Pursuant to the requirements of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrants have duly caused this
report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly
authorized.
|
|
IDACORP, Inc. |
|
|
|
(Registrant) |
|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Date: |
May 6, 2010 |
By: |
/s/J. LaMont Keen |
|
|
|
J. LaMont Keen |
|
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
Date: |
May 6, 2010 |
By: |
/s/Darrel T. Anderson |
|
|
|
Darrel T. Anderson |
|
|
|
Executive Vice President - Administrative |
|
|
|
Services and Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
IDAHO POWER COMPANY |
|
|
|
(Registrant) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date: |
May 6, 2010 |
By: |
/s/J. LaMont Keen |
|
|
|
J. LaMont Keen |
|
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
Date: |
May 6, 2010 |
By: |
/s/Darrel T. Anderson |
|
|
|
Darrel T. Anderson |
|
|
|
Executive Vice President - Administrative |
|
|
|
Services and Chief Financial Officer |
|
|
|
|
67
Exhibit No. |
Description |
|
|
10.211 |
IDACORP, Inc. Non-Employee Directors Stock Compensation Plan, as amended February 26, 2010. |
10.661 |
IDACORP, Inc. and/or Idaho Power Executive Officers with Amended and Restated Change in Control Agreements Chart, as of March 31, 2010. |
10.671 |
IDACORP, Inc. 2000 Long-Term Incentive and Compensation Plan Form of Performance Share Award Agreement (performance with two goals) (February 26, 2010). |
12.1 |
IDACORP, Inc. Computation of Supplemental Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. |
12.2 |
Idaho Power Company Computation of Supplemental Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. |
15 |
Letter Re: Unaudited Interim Financial Information. |
31.1 |
IDACORP, Inc. Rule 13a-14(a) CEO certification. |
31.2 |
IDACORP, Inc. Rule 13a-14(a) CFO certification. |
31.3 |
Idaho Power Company Rule 13a-14(a) CEO certification. |
31.4 |
Idaho Power Company Rule 13a-14(a) CFO certification. |
32.1 |
IDACORP, Inc. Section 1350 CEO certification. |
32.2 |
IDACORP, Inc. Section 1350 CFO certification. |
32.3 |
Idaho Power Company Section 1350 CEO certification. |
32.4 |
Idaho Power Company Section 1350 CFO certification. |
99 |
Earnings press release for the first quarter 2010. |
|
|
1 Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement |
68