BENEFIT PLANS: Level 3 (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Benefit plans [Abstract]

Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table Text Block]

The table below shows the components of net periodic benefit costs for the pension, SMSP, and postretirement benefits plans for the three months ended June 30 (in thousands of dollars). 

	Pension Plan						Senior Management Security Plan				Postretirement Benefits
	2012			2011			2012		2011		2012			2011
Service cost	$	6,345		$	5,074		$	538	$	488	$	295		$	290
Interest cost	7,853			7,610			804		773		749			824
Expected return on plan assets	(8,155		)	(7,984		)	—		—		(513		)	(654		)
Amortization of transition obligation	—			—			—		—		510			510
Amortization of prior service cost	86			129			54		61		(106		)	(112		)
Amortization of net loss	3,594			2,243			382		323		49			118
Net periodic benefit cost	9,723			7,072			1,778		1,645		984			976
Costs not recognized due to the effects of regulation (1)	(4,954		)	(4,350		)	—		—		—			—
Net periodic benefit cost recognized for financial reporting (1)	$	4,769		$	2,722		$	1,778	$	1,645	$	984		$	976

⁽¹⁾  Net periodic benefit costs for the pension plan are recognized for financial reporting based upon the authorization of each regulatory jurisdiction in which Idaho Power operates. Under IPUC order, income statement recognition of pension plan costs has been deferred until costs are recovered through rates. 

The table below shows the components of net periodic benefit costs for the pension, SMSP, and postretirement benefits plans for the six months ended June 30 (in thousands of dollars).

	Pension Plan						Senior Management Security Plan				Postretirement Benefits
	2012			2011			2012		2011		2012			2011
Service cost	$	12,786		$	10,239		$	1,076	$	976	$	646		$	662
Interest cost	15,745			15,161			1,609		1,546		1,567			1,717
Expected return on plan assets	(15,867		)	(15,935		)	—		—		(1,117		)	(1,321		)
Amortization of transition obligation	—			—			—		—		1,020			1,020
Amortization of prior service cost	173			259			107		122		(211		)	(211		)
Amortization of net loss	7,057			4,337			764		646		192			289
Net periodic benefit cost	19,894			14,061			3,556		3,290		2,097			2,156
Costs not recognized due to the effects of regulation (1)	(10,343		)	(9,610		)	—		—		—			—
Net periodic benefit cost recognized for financial reporting (1)	$	9,551		$	4,451		$	3,556	$	3,290	$	2,097		$	2,156

⁽¹⁾  Net periodic benefit costs for the pension plan are recognized for financial reporting based upon the authorization of each regulatory jurisdiction in which Idaho Power operates. Under IPUC order, income statement recognition of pension plan costs has been deferred until costs are recovered through rates.