Business Acquisitions Business Acquisitions (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Business Acquisitions [Abstract]

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]

	2015		2014		2013
Actual Avista Corp. revenues from continuing operations (excluding AERC)	$	1,439,807	$	1,450,918	$	1,441,744
Supplemental pro forma AERC revenues (1)	44,969		46,467		41,594
Total pro forma revenues	1,484,776		1,497,385		1,483,338
Actual AERC revenues included in Avista Corp. revenues (1)	44,969		21,644		—
Actual Avista Corp. net income from continuing operations attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders (excluding AERC)	111,772		116,665		104,273
Actual Avista Corp. net income from discontinued operations attributable to Avista Corp. shareholders	5,147		72,224		6,804
Adjustment to Avista Corp.'s net income for acquisition costs (net of tax) (2)	22		870		(892		)
Supplemental pro forma AERC net income (1)	6,308		8,806		9,328
Total pro forma net income	123,249		198,565		119,513
Actual AERC net income included in Avista Corp. net income (1)	$	6,308	$	3,152	$	—

Schedule of Business Acquisition Contract Price and Fair Value of Consideration Transferred [Table Text Block]

The contract acquisition price and the fair value of consideration transferred for AERC were as follows (in thousands, except "per share" and number of shares data):

Contract acquisition price (using the calculated $32.46 per share common stock price)
Gross contract price	$	170,000
Acquired cash	19,704
Acquired debt (excluding capital lease obligation)	(38,832		)
Other closing adjustments (including the working capital adjustment)	37
Total adjusted contract price	$	150,909
Fair value of consideration transferred
Avista Corp. common stock (4,500,014 shares at $33.35 per share)	$	150,075
Avista Corp. common stock (1,427 shares at $30.71 per share)	44
Cash	4,792
Fair value of total consideration transferred	$	154,911

Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]

The fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of July 1, 2014 (after consideration of the working capital adjustment and the income tax true-ups during the second quarter of 2015) were as follows (in thousands):

	July 1, 2014
Assets acquired:
Current Assets:
Cash	$	19,704
Accounts receivable - gross totals $3,928	3,851
Materials and supplies	2,017
Other current assets	999
Total current assets	26,571
Utility Property:
Utility plant in service	113,964
Utility property under long-term capital lease	71,007
Construction work in progress	3,440
Total utility property	188,411
Other Non-current Assets:
Non-utility property	6,660
Electric plant held for future use	3,711
Goodwill (1)	52,426
Other deferred charges and non-current assets	5,368
Total other non-current assets	68,165
Total assets	$	283,147
Liabilities Assumed:
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	700
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations	3,773
Other current liabilities (1)	2,807
Total current liabilities	7,280
Long-term debt	37,227
Capital lease obligations	68,840
Other non-current liabilities and deferred credits (1)	14,889
Total liabilities	$	128,236
Total net assets acquired	$	154,911