Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 74,662	$ 69,413
Accounts and notes receivable-less allowances of $43,958 and $44,883	203,452	230,229
Utility energy commodity derivative assets	1,139	2,592
Regulatory asset for utility derivatives	69,685	48,891
Investments and funds held for clients	118,536	100,543	[1]
Materials and supplies, fuel stock and natural gas stored	52,006	48,530
Deferred income taxes	30,473	28,822
Income taxes receivable	15,378	19,069
Other current assets	49,225	31,476
Total current assets	614,556	579,565
Net Utility Property:
Utility plant in service	3,887,384	3,713,885
Construction work in progress	79,322	62,051
Total	3,966,706	3,775,936
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	1,105,930	1,061,699
Total net utility property	2,860,776	2,714,237
Other Non-current Assets:
Investment in exchange power-net	18,783	21,233
Investment in affiliated trusts	11,547	11,547
Goodwill	39,045	25,935
Long-term energy contract receivable of Spokane Energy	62,525	62,525
Other intangibles, property and investments-net	80,309	74,553
Total other non-current assets	212,209	195,793
Deferred Charges:
Regulatory assets for deferred income taxes	84,576	90,025
Regulatory assets for pensions and other postretirement benefits	260,359	178,985
Other regulatory assets	119,738	112,830
Non-current utility energy commodity derivative assets	185	15,261
Non-current regulatory asset for utility derivatives	40,345	15,724
Power deferrals		18,305
Other deferred charges	21,787	19,370
Total deferred charges	526,990	450,500
Total assets	4,214,531	3,940,095
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	166,954	171,707
Client fund obligations	118,325	100,543
Current portion of long-term debt	7,474	358
Current portion of nonrecourse long-term debt of Spokane Energy	13,668	12,463
Short-term borrowings	96,000	110,000
Utility energy commodity derivative liabilities	70,824	51,483
Natural gas deferrals	12,140	22,074
Other current liabilities	141,789	110,547
Total current liabilities	627,174	579,175
Long-term debt	1,169,826	1,101,499
Nonrecourse long-term debt of Spokane Energy	32,803	46,471
Long-term debt to affiliated trusts	51,547	51,547
Regulatory liability for utility plant retirement costs	227,282	223,131
Pensions and other postretirement benefits	246,177	161,189
Deferred income taxes	505,954	495,474
Other non-current liabilities and deferred credits	116,084	109,703
Total liabilities	2,976,847	2,768,189
Commitments and Contingencies (See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements)
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests	51,809	46,722
Avista Corporation Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock, no par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 58,422,781 and 57,119,723 shares outstanding	855,188	827,592
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(5,637)	(4,326)
Retained earnings	336,150	302,518
Total Avista Corporation stockholders' equity	1,185,701	1,125,784
Noncontrolling Interests	174	(600)
Total equity	1,185,875	1,125,184
Total liabilities and equity	$ 4,214,531	$ 3,940,095

[1] Represents amounts held in money market funds.