INVESTMENTS IN DEBT AND EQUITY SECURITIES:

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Investments [Abstract]

Investments in Debt and Equity Securities

INVESTMENTS IN DEBT AND EQUITY SECURITIES

The table below summarizes IDACORP’s and Idaho Power’s investments as of December 31 (in thousands of dollars). 

	2011		2010
Idaho Power investments:
Equity method investment	$	102,158	$	90,495
Available-for-sale equity securities	22,205		24,561
Executive deferred compensation plan	3,439		4,746
Other investments	2		3
Total Idaho Power investments	127,804		119,805
Investments in affordable housing	62,556		73,583
Equity method investments	10,782		10,795
Executive deferred compensation plan	—		615
Total IDACORP investments	$	201,142	$	204,798

Equity Method Investments

Idaho Power, through its subsidiary IERCo, is a 33 percent owner of BCC.  Ida-West, through separate subsidiaries, owns 50 percent of three electric generation projects that are accounted for using the equity method:  South Forks Joint Venture; Hazelton/Wilson Joint Venture, and Snow Mountain Hydro LLC.  IFS invests in affordable housing developments.  All projects are reviewed periodically for impairment.  The table below presents IDACORP’s and Idaho Power’s earnings (loss) of unconsolidated equity-method investments (in thousands of dollars).

	2011			2010			2009
Bridger Coal Company (Idaho Power)	$	9,018		$	11,281		$	8,256
Ida-West projects	2,858			2,579			1,933
IFS affordable housing projects (excluding tax credits)	(11,078		)	(10,852		)	(11,222		)
Total	$	798		$	3,008		$	(1,033	)

Investments in Debt and Equity Securities

Investments in 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.

The table below summarizes investments in equity securities by IDACORP and Idaho Power as of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 (in thousands of dollars).

	December 31, 2011						December 31, 2010
	Gross Unrealized Gain		Gross Unrealized Loss		Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Gain		Gross Unrealized Loss		Fair Value
Available-for-sale securities	$	4,220	$	1	$	22,205	$	4,876	$	—	$	24,561

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 December 31, 2011, one security was in an immaterial unrealized loss position. No other-than-temporary impairment was recognized for this security due to the limited severity and duration of the unrealized loss position. At December 31, 2010, no securities were in an unrealized loss position. There were no sales of available-for-sale securities during the year endedDecember 31, 2011, 2010, or 2009.