Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Long-term Purchase Commitments

The quantified obligations are based on the FERC authorized rates, which are subject to change. 

Demand Charge Obligations (Dollars in Thousands)	2012		2013		2014		2015		2016		Thereafter		Total
Firm transportation service	$	142,586	$	138,528	$	134,357	$	126,484	$	122,375	$	595,779	$	1,260,109
Firm storage service	8,822		4,134		1,574		1,574		1,574		6,225		23,903
Total	$	151,408	$	142,662	$	135,931	$	128,058	$	123,949	$	602,004	$	1,284,012

The following table summarizes the Company’s estimated obligations for service contracts through the terms of its existing contracts.

Service Contract Obligations (Dollars in Thousands)	2012		2013		2014		2015		2016		Thereafter		Total
Energy production service contracts 1	$	28,815	$	24,968	$	25,873	$	31,843	$	10,437	$	53,669	$	175,605
Information technology service contracts	22,374		13,951		—		—		—		—		36,325
Automated meter reading system 2	19,340		20,513		21,161		21,897		14,198		109,069		206,178
Total	$	70,529	$	59,432	$	47,034	$	53,740	$	24,635	$	162,738	$	418,108

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1. Energy production service contracts include operations and maintenance contracts on Mint Farm, Wild Horse, Goldendale electric generating facility (Goldendale), Hopkins Ridge, Frederickson 1, Sumas and Lower Snake River facilities.

2. Automated meter reading system contractual obligation is the service component of the Landis and Gyr contract.

These contracts have varying terms and may include escalation and termination provisions.

(Dollars in Thousands)	2012		2013		2014		2015		2016		Thereafter		Total
Columbia River projects	$	72,634	$	71,336	$	73,039	$	74,888	$	74,407	$	683,436	$	1,049,740
Other utilities	135,481		75,994		52,432		47,982		40,544		264,981		617,414
Non-utility generators	2,814		3,555		4,277		5,227		2,981		—		18,854
Total	$	210,929	$	150,885	$	129,748	$	128,097	$	117,932	$	948,417	$	1,686,008