8-K 1 a8k.txt SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, DC 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) March 26, 2002 Exact name of Registrants as specified in their charters, address of Commission principal executive IRS Employer File offices and Registrants' Identification Number telephone number Number 1-14465 IDACORP, Inc. 82-0505802 1-3198 Idaho Power Company 82-0130980 1221 W. Idaho Street Boise, ID 83702-5627 (208) 388-2200 State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation: Idaho None Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report. IDACORP, Inc. IDAHO POWER COMPANY Form 8-K Items 1 through 4 and 6 through 9 are inapplicable and have been omitted herefrom. Item 5. OTHER EVENTS. On March 25, 2002, Standard & Poor's lowered its Corporate Credit Rating on IDACORP and Idaho Power Company from "A+" (negative outlook) to "A-" (negative outlook). S&P cited increasing business risk combined with a financial profile that is weak for the rating. The increased business risk at IDACORP is the result of the rapid growth of non-regulated trading and marketing activities. The financial profile has been considerably weakened by the accumulation of deferred power costs incurred during 2001. S&P also stated that more stringent financial benchmarks are now expected at any given rating level to compensate for the increased business risk of the trading and marketing operation. These downgrades are expected to increase the cost of debt and other securities going forward. The following outlines the former and current S&P ratings of IDACORP's and Idaho Power's securities: IDACORP From To Corporate Credit Rating A+ A- Senior Unsecured A BBB+ Commercial Paper A-1 A-2 Idaho Power Company From To Corporate Credit Rating A+ A- Senior Unsecured A BBB+ Senior Secured AA- A Preferred Stock A- BBB Commercial Paper A-1 A-2 SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. IDACORP, INC. Dated: March 26, 2002 By:/s/Robert W. Stahman Robert W. Stahman Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary IDAHO POWER COMPANY By:/s/Robert W. Stahman Robert W. Stahman Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary