Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Accounting Policies Abstract

Schedule Of Regulatory Assets Text Block

		Regulatory Assets
				June 30,		June 30,		December 31,
Thousands				2012		2011		2011
Current:
	Unrealized loss on derivatives(1)		$	29,407	$	25,986	$	57,317
	Pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities(2)			15,491		10,988		15,491
	Other(3)			20,399		22,792		21,865
Total current			$	65,297	$	59,766	$	94,673
Non-current:
	Unrealized loss on derivatives(1)		$	2,130	$	9,202	$	6,536
	Pension balancing(2)			10,766		2,659		6,008
	Income tax asset			63,452		70,241		65,264
	Pension and other postretirement benefit liabilities(2)			162,767		112,743		170,512
	Environmental costs(4)			117,905		120,285		105,670
	Other(3)			9,961		10,951		17,402
Total non-current			$	366,981	$	326,081	$	371,392

Schedule Of Regulatory Liabilities Text Block

		Regulatory Liabilities
				June 30,		June 30,		December 31,
Thousands				2012		2011		2011
Current:
	Gas costs		$	12,980	$	17,538	$	17,994
	Unrealized gain on derivatives(1)			2,142		4,433		2,853
	Other(3)			5,626		3,813		10,199
Total current			$	20,748	$	25,784	$	31,046
Non-current:
	Gas costs		$	1,504	$	3,023	$	8,420
	Unrealized gain on derivatives(1)			1,170		1,042		-
	Accrued asset removal costs			274,756		259,593		267,355
	Other(3)			2,865		2,045		2,607
Total non-current			$	280,295	$	265,703	$	278,382

• Unrealized gains or losses on derivatives are non-cash items and therefore do not earn a rate of return or a carrying charge.  These amounts are recoverable through utility rates as part of the annualPurchased Gas Adjustment mechanism when realized at settlement.
• Certain pensioncostsof the utility are approved for regulatory deferral, including amounts recorded to the pension balancing account, to mitigate the effects of higher and lower pension expenses.  Pension costs that are deferred include an interest component when recognized in net periodic benefit costs or earn a rate of return or carrying charge (see Note 8).
• 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 those sites that are approved for regulatory deferral.  In Oregon we earn a rate of return on amounts paid, whereas amounts accrued but not yet paid do not earn a rate of return or a carrying charge until expended. Environmental costs related to Washington were deferred beginning in 2011, with cost recovery and a carrying charge to be determined in a future proceeding.