Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Accounting Policies Abstract

Schedule Of Regulatory Assets Text Block

			Regulatory Assets
			September 30,		September 30,		December 31,
Thousands			2011		2010		2010
Current:
	Unrealized loss on derivatives(1)	$	46,651	$	59,898	$	38,437
	Pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities(2)		10,988		7,502		10,988
	Other(3)		19,095		16,145		3,289
Total current		$	76,734	$	83,545	$	52,714
Non-current:
	Unrealized loss on derivatives(1)	$	7,429	$	27,211	$	17,022
	Income tax asset		70,241		75,515		72,341
	Pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities(2)		110,007		104,327		118,248
	Environmental costs(4)		122,454		111,931		114,311
	Other(3)		18,626		20,802		26,975
Total non-current		$	328,757	$	339,786	$	348,897

Schedule Of Regulatory Liabilities Text Block

			Regulatory Liabilities
			September 30,		September 30,		December 31,
Thousands			2011		2010		2010
Current:
	Gas costs payable	$	16,991	$	20,487	$	15,583
	Unrealized gain on derivatives(1)		3,932		1,864		2,245
	Other(3)		7,670		9,151		-
Total current		$	28,593	$	31,502	$	17,828
Non-current:
	Gas costs payable	$	1,250	$	900	$	2,297
	Unrealized gain on derivatives(1)		227		518		628
	Accrued asset removal costs		263,123		248,920		252,941
	Other(3)		2,307		2,087		2,165
Total non-current		$	266,907	$	252,425	$	258,031

• Unrealized gain or loss on derivatives does not earn a rate of return or a carrying charge.  These amounts are recoverable through utility rates as part of the Purchased Gas Adjustment mechanism when realized at settlement.
• Certain pension and other postretirement benefit liabilitiesof the utility are approved for regulatory deferral, including amounts recorded to the pension cost balancing account to defer the effects of higher and lower pension expenses.  Such amounts are recoverable in rates, including an interest component.
• Other primarily consists of deferrals and amortizations under other approved regulatory mechanisms.  The accounts being amortized typically earn a rate of return or carrying charge.
• Environmental costs are related to certainutility sites that are approved for regulatory deferral.  In Oregon we earn the utility's authorized rate of return as a deferred carrying charge on deferred account balances.Environmental costs related to Washington are being deferred starting January 26, 2011 with cost recovery to be determined in a future proceeding.