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Fair Value Measurements
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements
Note 6 - Fair Value Measurements

Questar measures and discloses fair values in accordance with the provisions of the accounting standards for Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. The standards establish a fair-value hierarchy. Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

The following tables disclose the carrying amount and related fair value of certain financial instruments not disclosed in other notes to the financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:

Questar

 
Carrying
Estimated
Carrying
Estimated
Carrying
Estimated
 
Amount
Fair Value
Amount
Fair Value
Amount
Fair Value
 
June 30, 2011
June 30, 2010
December 31, 2010
 
(in millions)
Financial assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
$        - 
$           - 
$         - 
$         - 
$     21.8 
$     21.8 
Long-term investment
13.7 
13.7 
12.5 
12.5 
13.1 
13.1 
Financial liabilities
           
Checks outstanding in excess of cash balances
4.5 
4.5 
5.8 
5.8 
Short-term debt
137.0 
137.0 
345.0 
345.0 
242.0 
242.0 
Long-term debt, including current portion
$983.8 
$1,085.7 
$831.1 
$898.0 
$1,080.5 
$1,173.8 

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, checks outstanding in excess of cash balances, and short-term debt approximate fair value. The long-term investment is recorded at fair value and consists of money market and short-term bond index mutual funds held in Wexpro's trust (see Note 5). The fair value of the long-term investment is based on quoted prices for the underlying funds, and is considered a Level 1 fair value measurement. The fair value of fixed-rate long-term debt is based on the discounted present value of cash flows using the Company's current credit-risk adjusted borrowing rates.

The fair values of the Company's derivative instruments are the same as their carrying amounts, and are disclosed in Note 7. The fair values of derivative instruments, which consist entirely of spot and forward-starting interest rate swaps, are estimated using a standard discounted cash flow model using observable market-based forward interest rates obtained from third-party financial institutions, and are considered Level 2 fair value measurements.

Questar Pipeline

 
Carrying
Estimated
Carrying
Estimated
Carrying
Estimated
 
Amount
Fair Value
Amount
Fair Value
Amount
Fair Value
 
June 30, 2011
June 30, 2010
December 31, 2010
 
(in millions)
Financial assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
$     0.2 
$     0.2 
$     0.5 
$     0.5 
$     5.3 
$    5.3 
Notes receivable from Questar
49.5 
49.5 
30.3 
30.3 
Financial liabilities
           
Notes payable to Questar
49.3 
49.3 
Long-term debt, including current portion
$361.0 
$405.3 
$461.1 
$490.1 
$460.9 
$501.9 

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, notes receivable from Questar and notes payable to Questar approximate fair value. The fair value of fixed-rate long-term debt is based on the discounted present value of cash flows using Questar Pipeline's current credit-risk adjusted borrowing rates.

The fair values of the company's derivative instruments are the same as their carrying amounts, and are disclosed in Note 7. The fair values of derivative instruments, which consist entirely of forward-starting interest rate swaps, are estimated using a standard discounted cash flow model using observable market-based forward interest rates obtained from third-party financial institutions, and are considered Level 2 fair value measurements.

Questar Gas

 
Carrying
Estimated
Carrying
Estimated
Carrying
Estimated
 
Amount
Fair Value
Amount
Fair Value
Amount
Fair Value
 
June 30, 2011
June 30, 2010
December 31, 2010
 
(in millions)
Financial assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
$         - 
$         - 
$         - 
$         - 
$    4.7 
$     4.7 
Financial liabilities
           
Checks outstanding in excess of cash balances
2.9 
2.9 
4.1 
4.1 
Notes payable to Questar
44.0 
44.0 
53.9 
53.9 
153.6 
153.6 
Long-term debt, including current portion
$370.0 
$424.2 
$370.0 
$407.9 
$370.0 
$425.3 

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, checks outstanding in excess of cash balances and notes payable to Questar approximate fair value. The fair value of fixed-rate long-term debt is based on the discounted present value of cash flows using Questar Gas's current credit-risk adjusted borrowing rates.