Commitments And Contingencies	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments And Contingencies	NOTE 21. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES In the course of its business, the Company becomes involved in various claims, controversies, disputes and other contingent matters, including the items described in this Note. Some of these claims, controversies, disputes and other contingent matters involve litigation or other contested proceedings. For all such matters, the Company intends to vigorously protect and defend its interests and pursue its rights. However, no assurance can be given as to the ultimate outcome of any particular matter because litigation and other contested proceedings are inherently subject to numerous uncertainties. For matters that affect Avista Utilities' operations, the Company intends to seek, to the extent appropriate, recovery of incurred costs through the ratemaking process. *Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Inquiry* In April 2004, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved the contested Agreement in Resolution of Section 206 Proceeding (Agreement in Resolution) between Avista Corp. doing business as Avista Utilities, Avista Energy and the FERC's Trial Staff which stated that there was: (1) no evidence that any executives or employees of Avista Utilities or Avista Energy knowingly engaged in or facilitated any improper trading strategy during 2000 and 2001; (2) no evidence that Avista Utilities or Avista Energy engaged in any efforts to manipulate the western energy markets during 2000 and 2001; and (3) no finding that Avista Utilities or Avista Energy withheld relevant information from the FERC's inquiry into the western energy markets for 2000 and 2001 (Trading Investigation). The Attorney General of the State of California (California AG), the California Electricity Oversight Board, and the City of Tacoma, Washington challenged the FERC's decisions approving the Agreement in Resolution, which are now pending before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Ninth Circuit). In May 2004, the FERC provided notice that Avista Energy was no longer subject to an investigation reviewing certain bids above $250 per MW in the short-term energy markets operated by the California Independent System Operator (CalISO) and the California Power Exchange (CalPX) from May 1, 2000 to October 2, 2000 (Bidding Investigation). That matter is also pending before the Ninth Circuit, after the California AG, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison Company (SCE) and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) filed petitions for review in 2005. Based on the FERC's order approving the Agreement in Resolution in the Trading Investigation and order denying rehearing requests, the Company does not expect that this proceeding will have any material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Furthermore, based on information currently known to the Company regarding the Bidding Investigation and the fact that the FERC Staff did not find any evidence of manipulative behavior, the Company does not expect that this matter will have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. *California Refund Proceeding* In July 2001, the FERC ordered an evidentiary hearing to determine the amount of refunds due to California energy buyers for purchases made in the spot markets operated by the CalISO and the CalPX during the period from October 2, 2000 to June 20, 2001 (Refund Period). Proposed refunds are based on the calculation of mitigated market clearing prices for each hour. The FERC ruled that if the refunds required by the formula would cause a seller to recover less than its actual costs for the Refund Period, sellers may document these costs and limit their refund liability commensurately. In September 2005, Avista Energy submitted its cost filing claim pursuant to the FERC's August 2005 order. The filing was initially accepted by the FERC, but in March 2011, the FERC ordered Avista Energy to remove any return on equity in a compliance filing with the CalISO, which Avista Energy did in April 2011. A challenge to Avista Energy's cost filing by the California AG, the CPUC, PG&E and SCE was denied in July 2011 as a collateral attack on the FERC's prior orders accepting Avista Energy's cost filing. In July 2011, the California AG, the CPUC, PG&E and SCE filed a petition for review of the FERC's orders regarding Avista Energy's cost filing with the Ninth Circuit. The 2001 bankruptcy of PG&E resulted in a default on its payment obligations to the CalPX. As a result, Avista Energy has not been paid for all of its energy sales during the Refund Period. Those funds are now in escrow accounts and will not be released until the FERC issues an order directing such release in the California refund proceeding. The CalISO continues to work on its compliance filing for the Refund Period, which will show "who owes what to whom." In July 2011, the FERC accepted the preparatory rerun compliance filings by the CalPX and CalISO, and responded to the CalPX request for guidance on issues related to completing the final determination of "who owes what to whom." The FERC directed both the CalISO and the CalPX to prepare and submit to the FERC their final refund rerun compliance filings. The FERC's order also directs the CalPX to pay past due principal amounts to governmental entities. In February 2012, the FERC denied the challenges made to the July 2011 order by the California AG, the CPUC, PG&E and SCE. As of December 31, 2011, Avista Energy's accounts receivable outstanding related to defaulting parties in California were fully offset by reserves for uncollected amounts and funds collected from the defaulting parties. Many of the orders that the FERC has issued in the California refund proceedings were appealed to the Ninth Circuit. In October 2004, the Ninth Circuit ordered that briefing proceed in two rounds. The first round was limited to three issues: (1) which parties are subject to the FERC's refund jurisdiction in light of the exemption for government-owned utilities in section 201(f) of the FPA; (2) the temporal scope of refunds under section 206 of the FPA; and (3) which categories of transactions are subject to refunds. The second round of issues and their corresponding briefing schedules have not yet been set by the Ninth Circuit. In September 2005, the Ninth Circuit held that the FERC did not have the authority to order refunds for sales made by municipal utilities in the California refund proceeding. In August 2006, the Ninth Circuit upheld October 2, 2000 as the refund effective date for the FPA section 206 refund proceeding, but remanded to the FERC its decision not to consider an FPA section 309 remedy for tariff violations prior to that date. A FERC hearing on that issue is scheduled to commence in April 2012. A May 2011 FERC order denied a motion filed by Avista Energy and Avista Utilities asking that the companies be dismissed from any further proceedings involving alleged tariff violations under FPA section 309. Avista Energy and Avista Utilities sought rehearing of that ruling in June 2011. As noted above, in Docket No. EL02-115, Avista Energy and Avista Utilities were absolved of any wrongdoing related to allegations of tariff violations during 2000 and 2001 and have argued that the doctrines of res judicata and collateral estoppel preclude relitigation of the same issues. The California AG, the CPUC, PG&E and SCE also filed for rehearing of the FERC's May 2011 order, arguing that it improperly denies them a market-wide remedy for the pre-refund period. They also filed a petition for review of the May 2011 order with the Ninth Circuit. Because the resolution of the California refund proceeding remains uncertain, legal counsel cannot express an opinion on the extent of the Company's liability, if any. However, based on information currently known, the Company does not expect that the refunds ultimately ordered for the Refund Period would result in a material loss. This is primarily due to the fact that the FERC orders have stated that any refunds will be netted against unpaid amounts owed to the respective parties and the Company does not believe that refunds would exceed unpaid amounts owed to the Company. *Pacific Northwest Refund Proceeding* In July 2001, the FERC initiated a preliminary evidentiary hearing to develop a factual record as to whether prices for spot market sales of wholesale energy in the Pacific Northwest between December 25, 2000 and June 20, 2001 were just and reasonable. In June 2003, the FERC terminated the Pacific Northwest refund proceedings, after finding that the equities do not justify the imposition of refunds. In August 2007, the Ninth Circuit found that the FERC, in denying the request for refunds, had failed to take into account new evidence of market manipulation in the California energy market and its potential ties to the Pacific Northwest energy market and that such failure was arbitrary and capricious and, accordingly, remanded the case to the FERC, stating that the FERC's findings must be reevaluated in light of the evidence. In addition, the Ninth Circuit concluded that the FERC abused its discretion in denying potential relief for transactions involving energy that was purchased by the California Department of Water Resources (CERS) in the Pacific Northwest and ultimately consumed in California. The Ninth Circuit expressly declined to direct the FERC to grant refunds. The Ninth Circuit denied petitions for rehearing by various parties, and remanded the case to the FERC in April 2009. On October 3, 2011, the FERC issued an Order on Remand, finding that, in light of the Ninth Circuit's remand order, additional procedures are needed to address possible unlawful activity that may have influenced prices in the Pacific Northwest spot market during the period from December 25, 2000 through June 20, 2001. The Order establishes an evidentiary, trial-type hearing before an ALJ, and reopens the record to permit parties to present evidence of unlawful market activity during the relevant period. The Order also allows participants to supplement the record with additional evidence on CERS transactions in the Pacific Northwest spot market from January 18, 2001 to June 20, 2001. The Order states that parties seeking refunds must submit evidence demonstrating that specific unlawful market activity occurred, and must demonstrate that such activity directly affected the specific contract rate about which they complain. Simply alleging a general link between the dysfunctional spot market in California and the Pacific Northwest spot market will not be sufficient to establish a causal connection between a particular seller's alleged unlawful activities and the specific contract negotiations. A procedural schedule in this docket has not yet been set. Both Avista Utilities and Avista Energy were buyers and sellers of energy in the Pacific Northwest energy market during the period between December 25, 2000 and June 20, 2001 and, are subject to potential claims in this proceeding, and if refunds are ordered by the FERC with regard to any particular contract, could be liable to make payments. The Company cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding or the amount of any refunds that Avista Utilities or Avista Energy could be ordered to make. Therefore, the Company cannot predict the potential impact the outcome of this matter could ultimately have on the Company's results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. *California Attorney General Complaint (the "Lockyer Complaint")* In May 2002, the FERC conditionally dismissed a complaint filed in March 2002 by the California AG that alleged violations of the FPA by the FERC and all sellers (including Avista Corp. and its subsidiaries) of electric power and energy into California. The complaint alleged that the FERC's adoption and implementation of market-based rate authority was flawed and, as a result, individual sellers should refund the difference between the rate charged and a just and reasonable rate. In May 2002, the FERC issued an order dismissing the complaint. In September 2004, the Ninth Circuit upheld the FERC's market-based rate authority, but held that the FERC erred in ruling that it lacked authority to order refunds for violations of its reporting requirement. The Court remanded the case for further proceedings. In March 2008, the FERC issued an order establishing a trial-type hearing to address "whether any individual public utility seller's violation of the FERC's market-based rate quarterly reporting requirement led to an unjust and unreasonable rate for that particular seller in California during the 2000-2001 period." Purchasers in the California markets were given the opportunity to present evidence that "any seller that violated the quarterly reporting requirement failed to disclose an increased market share sufficient to give it the ability to exercise market power and thus cause its market-based rates to be unjust and unreasonable." In March 2010, the Presiding Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) granted the motions for summary disposition and found that a hearing was "unnecessary" because the California AG, CPUC, PG&E and SCE "failed to apply the appropriate test to determine market power during the relevant time period." The judge determined that "[w]ithout a proper showing of market power, the California Parties failed to establish a prima facie case." In May 2011, the FERC affirmed "in all respects" the ALJ's decision. In June 2011, the California AG, CPUC, PG&E and SCE filed for rehearing of that order. Based on information currently known to the Company's management, and the ALJ's granting of Avista Utilities and Avista Energy's summary disposition motion, the Company does not expect that this matter will have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. *Colstrip Generating Project Complaint* In March 2007, two families that own property near the holding ponds from Units 3 & 4 of the Colstrip Generating Project (Colstrip) filed a complaint against the owners of Colstrip and Hydrometrics, Inc. in Montana District Court. Avista Corp. owns a 15 percent interest in Units 3 & 4 of Colstrip. The plaintiffs allege that the holding ponds and remediation activities have adversely impacted their property. They allege contamination, decrease in water tables, reduced flow of streams on their property and other similar impacts to their property. They also seek punitive damages, attorney's fees, an order by the court to remove certain ponds, and the forfeiture of profits earned from the generation of Colstrip. In September 2010, the owners of Colstrip filed a motion with the court to enforce a settlement agreement that would resolve all issues between the parties. In October 2011, the court issued an order, which enforces the settlement agreement. The plaintiffs have subsequently appealed the court's decision. Under the settlement, Avista Corp.'s portion of payment (which was accrued in 2010) to the plaintiffs was not material to its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Although the final resolution of this complaint remains uncertain, based on information currently known to the Company's management, the Company does not expect this complaint will have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. *Harbor Oil Inc. Site* Avista Corp. used Harbor Oil Inc. (Harbor Oil) for the recycling of waste oil and non-PCB transformer oil in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In June 2005, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 provided notification to Avista Corp. and several other parties, as customers of Harbor Oil, that the EPA had determined that hazardous substances were released at the Harbor Oil site in Portland, Oregon and that Avista Corp. and several other parties may be liable for investigation and cleanup of the site under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, commonly referred to as the federal "Superfund" law, which provides for joint and several liability. The initial indication from the EPA is that the site may be contaminated with PCBs, petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents and heavy metals. Six potentially responsible parties, including Avista Corp., signed an Administrative Order on Consent with the EPA on May 31, 2007 to conduct a remedial investigation and feasibility study (RI/FS). The draft final RI/FS was submitted to the EPA in December 2011. The actual cleanup, if any, will not occur until the RI/FS is finalized and approved by the EPA. Based on the review of its records related to Harbor Oil, the Company does not believe it is a major contributor to this potential environmental contamination based on the small volume of waste oil it delivered to the Harbor Oil site. As such, the Company does not expect that this matter will have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The Company has expensed its share of the RI/FS ($0.5 million) for this matter. *Spokane River Licensing* The Company owns and operates six hydroelectric plants on the Spokane River. Five of these (Long Lake, Nine Mile, Upper Falls, Monroe Street, and Post Falls) are regulated under one 50-year FERC license issued in June 2009 and are referred to as the Spokane River Project. The sixth, Little Falls, is operated under separate Congressional authority and is not licensed by the FERC. The license incorporated the 4(e) conditions that were included in the December 2008 Settlement Agreement with the United States Department of Interior and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, as well as the mandatory conditions that were agreed to in the Idaho 401 Water Quality Certifications and in the amended Washington 401 Water Quality Certification. As part of the Settlement Agreement with the Washington Department of Ecology (DOE), the Company has participated in the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) process for the Spokane River and Lake Spokane, the reservoir created by Long Lake Dam. On May 20, 2010, the EPA approved the TMDL and on May 27, 2010, the DOE filed an amended 401 Water Quality Certification with the FERC for inclusion into the license. The amended 401 Water Quality Certification includes the Company's level of responsibility, as defined in the TMDL, for low dissolved oxygen levels in Lake Spokane. The Company has until May 27, 2012 to develop mitigation strategies to address the low levels of dissolved oxygen. It is not possible to provide cost estimates at this time because the mitigation measures have not been fully identified or approved by the DOE. On July 16, 2010, the City of Post Falls and the Hayden Area Regional Sewer Board filed an appeal with the United States District Court for the District of Idaho with respect to the EPA's approval of the TMDL. The Company, the City of Coeur d'Alene, Kaiser Aluminum and the Spokane River Keeper subsequently moved to intervene in the appeal. In September 2011, the EPA issued a stay to the litigation that will be in effect until either the permits are issued and all appeals and challenges are complete or the court lifts the stay. The EPA and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (Idaho DEQ) are preparing draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits and the 401 Water Quality Certifications for the Idaho dischargers, respectively, which once issued will be released for a 30-day public comment period. The IPUC and the WUTC approved the recovery of licensing costs through the general rate case settlements in 2009. The Company will continue to seek recovery, through the ratemaking process, of all operating and capitalized costs related to implementing the license for the Spokane River Project. *Cabinet Gorge Total Dissolved Gas Abatement Plan* Dissolved atmospheric gas levels in the Clark Fork River exceed state of Idaho and federal water quality standards downstream of the Cabinet Gorge Hydroelectric Generating Project (Cabinet Gorge) during periods when excess river flows must be diverted over the spillway. In 2002, the Company submitted a Gas Supersaturation Control Program (GSCP) to the Idaho DEQ and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). This submission was part of the Clark Fork Settlement Agreement for licensing the use of Cabinet Gorge. The GSCP provided for the possible opening and modification of two diversion tunnels around Cabinet Gorge to allow streamflow to be diverted when flows are in excess of powerhouse capacity. In 2007, engineering studies determined that the tunnels would not sufficiently reduce Total Dissolved Gas (TDG). In consultation with the Idaho DEQ and the USFWS, the Company developed an addendum to the GSCP. The GSCP addendum abandons the concept to reopen the two diversion tunnels and requires the Company to evaluate a variety of different options to abate TDG. In March 2010, the FERC approved the GSCP addendum of preliminary design for alternative abatement measures. In the second quarter of 2011, the Company completed preliminary feasibility assessments for several alternative abatement measures and determined that two alternatives will be considered for continued development. Further analysis and review of these alternatives is expected to be completed through at least the middle of 2012. The Company will continue to seek recovery, through the ratemaking process, of all operating and capitalized costs related to this issue. *Fish Passage at Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Rapids* In 1999, the USFWS listed bull trout as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The Clark Fork Settlement Agreement describes programs intended to help restore bull trout populations in the project area. Using the concept of adaptive management and working closely with the USFWS, the Company is evaluating the feasibility of fish passage at Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Rapids. The results of these studies led, in part, to the decision to move forward with development of permanent facilities, among other bull trout enhancement efforts. In 2009, the Company selected a contractor to design a permanent upstream passage facility at Cabinet Gorge. The Company anticipates that the design and cost estimates will be completed by the end of 2012 with construction taking place in 2013 and 2014. In January 2010, the USFWS revised its 2005 designation of critical habitat for the bull trout to include the lower Clark Fork River as critical habitat. The Company believes its ongoing efforts through the Clark Fork Settlement Agreement continue to effectively address issues related to bull trout. The Company will continue to seek recovery, through the ratemaking process, of all operating and capitalized costs related to fish passage at Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Rapids. *Aluminum Recycling Site* In October 2009, the Company (through its subsidiary Pentzer Venture Holdings II, Inc. (Pentzer)) received notice from the DOE proposing to find Pentzer liable for a release of hazardous substances under the Model Toxics Control Act, under Washington state law. Pentzer owns property that adjoins land owned by the Union Pacific Railroad (UPR). UPR leased their property to operators of a facility designated by the DOE as "Aluminum Recycling – Trentwood." Operators of the UPR property maintained piles of aluminum "black dross," which can be designated as a state-only dangerous waste in Washington State. In the course of its business, the operators placed a portion of the aluminum dross pile on the property owned by Pentzer. Pentzer does not believe it is a contributor to any environmental contamination associated with the dross pile, and submitted a response to the DOE's proposed findings in November 2009. In December 2009, Pentzer received notice from the DOE that it had been designated as a potentially liable party for any hazardous substances located on this site. UPR completed a RI/FS Work Plan in June 2010. At that time, UPR requested a contribution from Pentzer towards the cost of performing the RI/FS and also an access agreement to investigate the material deposited on the Pentzer property. Pentzer concluded an access agreement with UPR in October 2010. UPR completed the RI/FS during the fourth quarter of 2011. Based on information currently known to the Company's management, the Company does not expect this issue will have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. *Injury from Overhead Electric Line (Munderloh v. Avista)* On March 4, 2010, the plaintiff and his wife filed a complaint against Avista Corp. in Spokane County Superior Court. Plaintiffs alleged that while the plaintiff was employed by a third party as a laborer at their construction site, he came into contact with Avista Corp.'s electric line, was injured and suffered economic and non-economic damages. Plaintiffs further alleged that Avista Corp. was at fault for failing to relocate the overhead electric line which it controlled and operated adjacent to the construction site. In January 2012, Avista Corp. and its insurance provider reached a settlement with the plaintiffs. Avista Corp. has expensed its share of the settlement (including legal fees) of $2 million (which was recorded in 2010 and 2011). *Damages from Fire in Stevens County, Washington* In August 2010, a fire in Stevens County, Washington occurred during a wind storm. The apparent cause of the fire may be a tree located outside of Avista Corp.'s right-of-way that came in contact with an electric line owned by Avista Corp. The fire area is a rural farm and timber landscape. The fire destroyed two residences and six outbuildings. The Company is not aware of any personal injuries resulting from the fire. Although no lawsuits have been filed, Avista Corp. has received several claims and it is possible that additional claims may be made and lawsuits may be filed against the Company. The Company has expensed its estimated liability for this matter, which was not material to its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Based on information currently known to the Company's management, the Company does not expect this complaint will have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. *Collective Bargaining Agreements* The Company's collective bargaining agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers represents approximately 45 percent of all of Avista Utilities' employees. The agreement with the local union in Washington and Idaho representing the majority (approximately 90 percent) of the bargaining unit employees expires in March 2014. Two local agreements in Oregon, which cover approximately 50 employees, expired in April 2010. New agreements were reached in December 2010 (expiring in March 2014). *Other Contingencies* In the normal course of business, the Company has various other legal claims and contingent matters outstanding. The Company believes that any ultimate liability arising from these actions will not have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. It is possible that a change could occur in the Company's estimates of the probability or amount of a liability being incurred. Such a change, should it occur, could be significant. The Company routinely assesses, based on studies, expert analyses and legal reviews, its contingencies, obligations and commitments for remediation of contaminated sites, including assessments of ranges and probabilities of recoveries from other responsible parties who either have or have not agreed to a settlement as well as recoveries from insurance carriers. The Company's policy is to accrue and charge to current expense identified exposures related to environmental remediation sites based on estimates of investigation, cleanup and monitoring costs to be incurred. For matters that affect Avista Utilities' operations, the Company seeks, to the extent appropriate, recovery of incurred costs through the ratemaking process. The Company has potential liabilities under the Endangered Species Act for species of fish that have either already been added to the endangered species list, listed as "threatened" or petitioned for listing. Thus far, measures adopted and implemented have had minimal impact on the Company. However, the Company will continue to seek recovery, through the ratemaking process, of all operating and capitalized costs related to this issue. Under the federal licenses for its hydroelectric projects, the Company is obligated to protect its property rights, including water rights. The state of Montana is examining the status of all water right claims within state boundaries. Claims within the Clark Fork River basin could adversely affect the energy production of the Company's Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Rapids hydroelectric facilities. The state of Idaho has initiated an adjudication in northern Idaho, which will ultimately include the lower Clark Fork River, the Spokane River and the Coeur d'Alene basin. In addition, the state of Washington has indicated its intent to initiate an adjudication for the Spokane River basin in the next several years. The Company is and will continue to be a participant in these adjudication processes. The complexity of such adjudications makes each unlikely to be concluded in the foreseeable future. As such, it is not possible for the Company to estimate the impact of any outcome at this time.

NOTE 21. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In the course of its business, the Company becomes involved in various claims, controversies, disputes and other contingent matters, including the items described in this Note. Some of these claims, controversies, disputes and other contingent matters involve litigation or other contested proceedings. For all such matters, the Company intends to vigorously protect and defend its interests and pursue its rights. However, no assurance can be given as to the ultimate outcome of any particular matter because litigation and other contested proceedings are inherently subject to numerous uncertainties. For matters that affect Avista Utilities' operations, the Company intends to seek, to the extent appropriate, recovery of incurred costs through the ratemaking process.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Inquiry

In April 2004, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved the contested Agreement in Resolution of Section 206 Proceeding (Agreement in Resolution) between Avista Corp. doing business as Avista Utilities, Avista Energy and the FERC's Trial Staff which stated that there was: (1) no evidence that any executives or employees of Avista Utilities or Avista Energy knowingly engaged in or facilitated any improper trading strategy during 2000 and 2001; (2) no evidence that Avista Utilities or Avista Energy engaged in any efforts to manipulate the western energy markets during 2000 and 2001; and (3) no finding that Avista Utilities or Avista Energy withheld relevant information from the FERC's inquiry into the western energy markets for 2000 and 2001 (Trading Investigation). The Attorney General of the State of California (California AG), the California Electricity Oversight Board, and the City of Tacoma, Washington challenged the FERC's decisions approving the Agreement in Resolution, which are now pending before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Ninth Circuit).

In May 2004, the FERC provided notice that Avista Energy was no longer subject to an investigation reviewing certain bids above $250 per MW in the short-term energy markets operated by the California Independent System Operator (CalISO) and the California Power Exchange (CalPX) from May 1, 2000 to October 2, 2000 (Bidding Investigation). That matter is also pending before the Ninth Circuit, after the California AG, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison Company (SCE) and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) filed petitions for review in 2005.

Based on the FERC's order approving the Agreement in Resolution in the Trading Investigation and order denying rehearing requests, the Company does not expect that this proceeding will have any material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Furthermore, based on information currently known to the Company regarding the Bidding Investigation and the fact that the FERC Staff did not find any evidence of manipulative behavior, the Company does not expect that this matter will have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

California Refund Proceeding

In July 2001, the FERC ordered an evidentiary hearing to determine the amount of refunds due to California energy buyers for purchases made in the spot markets operated by the CalISO and the CalPX during the period from October 2, 2000 to June 20, 2001 (Refund Period). Proposed refunds are based on the calculation of mitigated market clearing prices for each hour. The FERC ruled that if the refunds required by the formula would cause a seller to recover less than its actual costs for the Refund Period, sellers may document these costs and limit their refund liability commensurately. In September 2005, Avista Energy submitted its cost filing claim pursuant to the FERC's August 2005 order. The filing was initially accepted by the FERC, but in March 2011, the FERC ordered Avista Energy to remove any return on equity in a compliance filing with the CalISO, which Avista Energy did in April 2011. A challenge to Avista Energy's cost filing by the California AG, the CPUC, PG&E and SCE was denied in July 2011 as a collateral attack on the FERC's prior orders accepting Avista Energy's cost filing. In July 2011, the California AG, the CPUC, PG&E and SCE filed a petition for review of the FERC's orders regarding Avista Energy's cost filing with the Ninth Circuit.

The 2001 bankruptcy of PG&E resulted in a default on its payment obligations to the CalPX. As a result, Avista Energy has not been paid for all of its energy sales during the Refund Period. Those funds are now in escrow accounts and will not be released until the FERC issues an order directing such release in the California refund proceeding. The CalISO continues to work on its compliance filing for the Refund Period, which will show "who owes what to whom." In July 2011, the FERC accepted the preparatory rerun compliance filings by the CalPX and CalISO, and responded to the CalPX request for guidance on issues related to completing the final determination of "who owes what to whom." The FERC directed both the CalISO and the CalPX to prepare and submit to the FERC their final refund rerun compliance filings. The FERC's order also directs the CalPX to pay past due principal amounts to governmental entities. In February 2012, the FERC denied the challenges made to the July 2011 order by the California AG, the CPUC, PG&E and SCE. As of December 31, 2011, Avista Energy's accounts receivable outstanding related to defaulting parties in California were fully offset by reserves for uncollected amounts and funds collected from the defaulting parties.

Many of the orders that the FERC has issued in the California refund proceedings were appealed to the Ninth Circuit. In October 2004, the Ninth Circuit ordered that briefing proceed in two rounds. The first round was limited to three issues: (1) which parties are subject to the FERC's refund jurisdiction in light of the exemption for government-owned utilities in section 201(f) of the FPA; (2) the temporal scope of refunds under section 206 of the FPA; and (3) which categories of transactions are subject to refunds. The second round of issues and their corresponding briefing schedules have not yet been set by the Ninth Circuit.

In September 2005, the Ninth Circuit held that the FERC did not have the authority to order refunds for sales made by municipal utilities in the California refund proceeding. In August 2006, the Ninth Circuit upheld October 2, 2000 as the refund effective date for the FPA section 206 refund proceeding, but remanded to the FERC its decision not to consider an FPA section 309 remedy for tariff violations prior to that date. A FERC hearing on that issue is scheduled to commence in April 2012. A May 2011 FERC order denied a motion filed by Avista Energy and Avista Utilities asking that the companies be dismissed from any further proceedings involving alleged tariff violations under FPA section 309. Avista Energy and Avista Utilities sought rehearing of that ruling in June 2011. As noted above, in Docket No. EL02-115, Avista Energy and Avista Utilities were absolved of any wrongdoing related to allegations of tariff violations during 2000 and 2001 and have argued that the doctrines of res judicata and collateral estoppel preclude relitigation of the same issues. The California AG, the CPUC, PG&E and SCE also filed for rehearing of the FERC's May 2011 order, arguing that it improperly denies them a market-wide remedy for the pre-refund period. They also filed a petition for review of the May 2011 order with the Ninth Circuit.

Because the resolution of the California refund proceeding remains uncertain, legal counsel cannot express an opinion on the extent of the Company's liability, if any. However, based on information currently known, the Company does not expect that the refunds ultimately ordered for the Refund Period would result in a material loss. This is primarily due to the fact that the FERC orders have stated that any refunds will be netted against unpaid amounts owed to the respective parties and the Company does not believe that refunds would exceed unpaid amounts owed to the Company.

Pacific Northwest Refund Proceeding

In July 2001, the FERC initiated a preliminary evidentiary hearing to develop a factual record as to whether prices for spot market sales of wholesale energy in the Pacific Northwest between December 25, 2000 and June 20, 2001 were just and reasonable. In June 2003, the FERC terminated the Pacific Northwest refund proceedings, after finding that the equities do not justify the imposition of refunds. In August 2007, the Ninth Circuit found that the FERC, in denying the request for refunds, had failed to take into account new evidence of market manipulation in the California energy market and its potential ties to the Pacific Northwest energy market and that such failure was arbitrary and capricious and, accordingly, remanded the case to the FERC, stating that the FERC's findings must be reevaluated in light of the evidence. In addition, the Ninth Circuit concluded that the FERC abused its discretion in denying potential relief for transactions involving energy that was purchased by the California Department of Water Resources (CERS) in the Pacific Northwest and ultimately consumed in California. The Ninth Circuit expressly declined to direct the FERC to grant refunds. The Ninth Circuit denied petitions for rehearing by various parties, and remanded the case to the FERC in April 2009.

On October 3, 2011, the FERC issued an Order on Remand, finding that, in light of the Ninth Circuit's remand order, additional procedures are needed to address possible unlawful activity that may have influenced prices in the Pacific Northwest spot market during the period from December 25, 2000 through June 20, 2001. The Order establishes an evidentiary, trial-type hearing before an ALJ, and reopens the record to permit parties to present evidence of unlawful market activity during the relevant period. The Order also allows participants to supplement the record with additional evidence on CERS transactions in the Pacific Northwest spot market from January 18, 2001 to June 20, 2001. The Order states that parties seeking refunds must submit evidence demonstrating that specific unlawful market activity occurred, and must demonstrate that such activity directly affected the specific contract rate about which they complain. Simply alleging a general link between the dysfunctional spot market in California and the Pacific Northwest spot market will not be sufficient to establish a causal connection between a particular seller's alleged unlawful activities and the specific contract negotiations. A procedural schedule in this docket has not yet been set.

Both Avista Utilities and Avista Energy were buyers and sellers of energy in the Pacific Northwest energy market during the period between December 25, 2000 and June 20, 2001 and, are subject to potential claims in this proceeding, and if refunds are ordered by the FERC with regard to any particular contract, could be liable to make payments. The Company cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding or the amount of any refunds that Avista Utilities or Avista Energy could be ordered to make. Therefore, the Company cannot predict the potential impact the outcome of this matter could ultimately have on the Company's results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

California Attorney General Complaint (the "Lockyer Complaint")

In May 2002, the FERC conditionally dismissed a complaint filed in March 2002 by the California AG that alleged violations of the FPA by the FERC and all sellers (including Avista Corp. and its subsidiaries) of electric power and energy into California. The complaint alleged that the FERC's adoption and implementation of market-based rate authority was flawed and, as a result, individual sellers should refund the difference between the rate charged and a just and reasonable rate. In May 2002, the FERC issued an order dismissing the complaint. In September 2004, the Ninth Circuit upheld the FERC's market-based rate authority, but held that the FERC erred in ruling that it lacked authority to order refunds for violations of its reporting requirement. The Court remanded the case for further proceedings.

In March 2008, the FERC issued an order establishing a trial-type hearing to address "whether any individual public utility seller's violation of the FERC's market-based rate quarterly reporting requirement led to an unjust and unreasonable rate for that particular seller in California during the 2000-2001 period." Purchasers in the California markets were given the opportunity to present evidence that "any seller that violated the quarterly reporting requirement failed to disclose an increased market share sufficient to give it the ability to exercise market power and thus cause its market-based rates to be unjust and unreasonable." In March 2010, the Presiding Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) granted the motions for summary disposition and found that a hearing was "unnecessary" because the California AG, CPUC, PG&E and SCE "failed to apply the appropriate test to determine market power during the relevant time period." The judge determined that "[w]ithout a proper showing of market power, the California Parties failed to establish a prima facie case." In May 2011, the FERC affirmed "in all respects" the ALJ's decision. In June 2011, the California AG, CPUC, PG&E and SCE filed for rehearing of that order.

Based on information currently known to the Company's management, and the ALJ's granting of Avista Utilities and Avista Energy's summary disposition motion, the Company does not expect that this matter will have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Colstrip Generating Project Complaint

In March 2007, two families that own property near the holding ponds from Units 3 & 4 of the Colstrip Generating Project (Colstrip) filed a complaint against the owners of Colstrip and Hydrometrics, Inc. in Montana District Court. Avista Corp. owns a 15 percent interest in Units 3 & 4 of Colstrip. The plaintiffs allege that the holding ponds and remediation activities have adversely impacted their property. They allege contamination, decrease in water tables, reduced flow of streams on their property and other similar impacts to their property. They also seek punitive damages, attorney's fees, an order by the court to remove certain ponds, and the forfeiture of profits earned from the generation of Colstrip. In September 2010, the owners of Colstrip filed a motion with the court to enforce a settlement agreement that would resolve all issues between the parties. In October 2011, the court issued an order, which enforces the settlement agreement. The plaintiffs have subsequently appealed the court's decision. Under the settlement, Avista Corp.'s portion of payment (which was accrued in 2010) to the plaintiffs was not material to its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Although the final resolution of this complaint remains uncertain, based on information currently known to the Company's management, the Company does not expect this complaint will have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Harbor Oil Inc. Site

Avista Corp. used Harbor Oil Inc. (Harbor Oil) for the recycling of waste oil and non-PCB transformer oil in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In June 2005, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 provided notification to Avista Corp. and several other parties, as customers of Harbor Oil, that the EPA had determined that hazardous substances were released at the Harbor Oil site in Portland, Oregon and that Avista Corp. and several other parties may be liable for investigation and cleanup of the site under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, commonly referred to as the federal "Superfund" law, which provides for joint and several liability. The initial indication from the EPA is that the site may be contaminated with PCBs, petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents and heavy metals. Six potentially responsible parties, including Avista Corp., signed an Administrative Order on Consent with the EPA on May 31, 2007 to conduct a remedial investigation and feasibility study (RI/FS). The draft final RI/FS was submitted to the EPA in December 2011. The actual cleanup, if any, will not occur until the RI/FS is finalized and approved by the EPA. Based on the review of its records related to Harbor Oil, the Company does not believe it is a major contributor to this potential environmental contamination based on the small volume of waste oil it delivered to the Harbor Oil site. As such, the Company does not expect that this matter will have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The Company has expensed its share of the RI/FS ($0.5 million) for this matter.

Spokane River Licensing

The Company owns and operates six hydroelectric plants on the Spokane River. Five of these (Long Lake, Nine Mile, Upper Falls, Monroe Street, and Post Falls) are regulated under one 50-year FERC license issued in June 2009 and are referred to as the Spokane River Project. The sixth, Little Falls, is operated under separate Congressional authority and is not licensed by the FERC. The license incorporated the 4(e) conditions that were included in the December 2008 Settlement Agreement with the United States Department of Interior and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, as well as the mandatory conditions that were agreed to in the Idaho 401 Water Quality Certifications and in the amended Washington 401 Water Quality Certification.

As part of the Settlement Agreement with the Washington Department of Ecology (DOE), the Company has participated in the Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) process for the Spokane River and Lake Spokane, the reservoir created by Long Lake Dam. On May 20, 2010, the EPA approved the TMDL and on May 27, 2010, the DOE filed an amended 401 Water Quality Certification with the FERC for inclusion into the license. The amended 401 Water Quality Certification includes the Company's level of responsibility, as defined in the TMDL, for low dissolved oxygen levels in Lake Spokane. The Company has until May 27, 2012 to develop mitigation strategies to address the low levels of dissolved oxygen. It is not possible to provide cost estimates at this time because the mitigation measures have not been fully identified or approved by the DOE. On July 16, 2010, the City of Post Falls and the Hayden Area Regional Sewer Board filed an appeal with the United States District Court for the District of Idaho with respect to the EPA's approval of the TMDL. The Company, the City of Coeur d'Alene, Kaiser Aluminum and the Spokane River Keeper subsequently moved to intervene in the appeal. In September 2011, the EPA issued a stay to the litigation that will be in effect until either the permits are issued and all appeals and challenges are complete or the court lifts the stay. The EPA and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (Idaho DEQ) are preparing draft National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits and the 401 Water Quality Certifications for the Idaho dischargers, respectively, which once issued will be released for a 30-day public comment period.

The IPUC and the WUTC approved the recovery of licensing costs through the general rate case settlements in 2009. The Company will continue to seek recovery, through the ratemaking process, of all operating and capitalized costs related to implementing the license for the Spokane River Project.

Cabinet Gorge Total Dissolved Gas Abatement Plan

Dissolved atmospheric gas levels in the Clark Fork River exceed state of Idaho and federal water quality standards downstream of the Cabinet Gorge Hydroelectric Generating Project (Cabinet Gorge) during periods when excess river flows must be diverted over the spillway. In 2002, the Company submitted a Gas Supersaturation Control Program (GSCP) to the Idaho DEQ and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). This submission was part of the Clark Fork Settlement Agreement for licensing the use of Cabinet Gorge. The GSCP provided for the possible opening and modification of two diversion tunnels around Cabinet Gorge to allow streamflow to be diverted when flows are in excess of powerhouse capacity. In 2007, engineering studies determined that the tunnels would not sufficiently reduce Total Dissolved Gas (TDG). In consultation with the Idaho DEQ and the USFWS, the Company developed an addendum to the GSCP. The GSCP addendum abandons the concept to reopen the two diversion tunnels and requires the Company to evaluate a variety of different options to abate TDG. In March 2010, the FERC approved the GSCP addendum of preliminary design for alternative abatement measures. In the second quarter of 2011, the Company completed preliminary feasibility assessments for several alternative abatement measures and determined that two alternatives will be considered for continued development. Further analysis and review of these alternatives is expected to be completed through at least the middle of 2012. The Company will continue to seek recovery, through the ratemaking process, of all operating and capitalized costs related to this issue.

Fish Passage at Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Rapids

In 1999, the USFWS listed bull trout as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The Clark Fork Settlement Agreement describes programs intended to help restore bull trout populations in the project area. Using the concept of adaptive management and working closely with the USFWS, the Company is evaluating the feasibility of fish passage at Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Rapids. The results of these studies led, in part, to the decision to move forward with development of permanent facilities, among other bull trout enhancement efforts. In 2009, the Company selected a contractor to design a permanent upstream passage facility at Cabinet Gorge. The Company anticipates that the design and cost estimates will be completed by the end of 2012 with construction taking place in 2013 and 2014.

In January 2010, the USFWS revised its 2005 designation of critical habitat for the bull trout to include the lower Clark Fork River as critical habitat. The Company believes its ongoing efforts through the Clark Fork Settlement Agreement continue to effectively address issues related to bull trout. The Company will continue to seek recovery, through the ratemaking process, of all operating and capitalized costs related to fish passage at Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Rapids.

Aluminum Recycling Site

In October 2009, the Company (through its subsidiary Pentzer Venture Holdings II, Inc. (Pentzer)) received notice from the DOE proposing to find Pentzer liable for a release of hazardous substances under the Model Toxics Control Act, under Washington state law. Pentzer owns property that adjoins land owned by the Union Pacific Railroad (UPR). UPR leased their property to operators of a facility designated by the DOE as "Aluminum Recycling – Trentwood." Operators of the UPR property maintained piles of aluminum "black dross," which can be designated as a state-only dangerous waste in Washington State. In the course of its business, the operators placed a portion of the aluminum dross pile on the property owned by Pentzer. Pentzer does not believe it is a contributor to any environmental contamination associated with the dross pile, and submitted a response to the DOE's proposed findings in November 2009. In December 2009, Pentzer received notice from the DOE that it had been designated as a potentially liable party for any hazardous substances located on this site. UPR completed a RI/FS Work Plan in June 2010. At that time, UPR requested a contribution from Pentzer towards the cost of performing the RI/FS and also an access agreement to investigate the material deposited on the Pentzer property. Pentzer concluded an access agreement with UPR in October 2010. UPR completed the RI/FS during the fourth quarter of 2011. Based on information currently known to the Company's management, the Company does not expect this issue will have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Injury from Overhead Electric Line (Munderloh v. Avista)

On March 4, 2010, the plaintiff and his wife filed a complaint against Avista Corp. in Spokane County Superior Court. Plaintiffs alleged that while the plaintiff was employed by a third party as a laborer at their construction site, he came into contact with Avista Corp.'s electric line, was injured and suffered economic and non-economic damages. Plaintiffs further alleged that Avista Corp. was at fault for failing to relocate the overhead electric line which it controlled and operated adjacent to the construction site. In January 2012, Avista Corp. and its insurance provider reached a settlement with the plaintiffs. Avista Corp. has expensed its share of the settlement (including legal fees) of $2 million (which was recorded in 2010 and 2011).

Damages from Fire in Stevens County, Washington

In August 2010, a fire in Stevens County, Washington occurred during a wind storm. The apparent cause of the fire may be a tree located outside of Avista Corp.'s right-of-way that came in contact with an electric line owned by Avista Corp. The fire area is a rural farm and timber landscape. The fire destroyed two residences and six outbuildings. The Company is not aware of any personal injuries resulting from the fire. Although no lawsuits have been filed, Avista Corp. has received several claims and it is possible that additional claims may be made and lawsuits may be filed against the Company. The Company has expensed its estimated liability for this matter, which was not material to its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Based on information currently known to the Company's management, the Company does not expect this complaint will have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Collective Bargaining Agreements

The Company's collective bargaining agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers represents approximately 45 percent of all of Avista Utilities' employees. The agreement with the local union in Washington and Idaho representing the majority (approximately 90 percent) of the bargaining unit employees expires in March 2014. Two local agreements in Oregon, which cover approximately 50 employees, expired in April 2010. New agreements were reached in December 2010 (expiring in March 2014).

Other Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Company has various other legal claims and contingent matters outstanding. The Company believes that any ultimate liability arising from these actions will not have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. It is possible that a change could occur in the Company's estimates of the probability or amount of a liability being incurred. Such a change, should it occur, could be significant.

The Company routinely assesses, based on studies, expert analyses and legal reviews, its contingencies, obligations and commitments for remediation of contaminated sites, including assessments of ranges and probabilities of recoveries from other responsible parties who either have or have not agreed to a settlement as well as recoveries from insurance carriers. The Company's policy is to accrue and charge to current expense identified exposures related to environmental remediation sites based on estimates of investigation, cleanup and monitoring costs to be incurred. For matters that affect Avista Utilities' operations, the Company seeks, to the extent appropriate, recovery of incurred costs through the ratemaking process.

The Company has potential liabilities under the Endangered Species Act for species of fish that have either already been added to the endangered species list, listed as "threatened" or petitioned for listing. Thus far, measures adopted and implemented have had minimal impact on the Company. However, the Company will continue to seek recovery, through the ratemaking process, of all operating and capitalized costs related to this issue.

Under the federal licenses for its hydroelectric projects, the Company is obligated to protect its property rights, including water rights. The state of Montana is examining the status of all water right claims within state boundaries. Claims within the Clark Fork River basin could adversely affect the energy production of the Company's Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Rapids hydroelectric facilities. The state of Idaho has initiated an adjudication in northern Idaho, which will ultimately include the lower Clark Fork River, the Spokane River and the Coeur d'Alene basin. In addition, the state of Washington has indicated its intent to initiate an adjudication for the Spokane River basin in the next several years. The Company is and will continue to be a participant in these adjudication processes. The complexity of such adjudications makes each unlikely to be concluded in the foreseeable future. As such, it is not possible for the Company to estimate the impact of any outcome at this time.