Regulatory Matters Regulatory Matters (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Abstract]

Regulatory Assets [Table Text Block]

Regulatory assets represent costs that are expected to be recovered in future rates. PacifiCorp's regulatory assets reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of the following as of December 31 (in millions):

	Weighted
	Average
	Remaining
	Life	2012		2011
Employee benefit plans(1)	9 years	$	776	$	727
Deferred income taxes(2)	33 years	456		444
Unrealized loss on derivative contracts	1 year	121		264
Unamortized contract values(3)	9 years	166		187
Deferred net power costs	2 years	135		130
Other	Various	181		132
Total regulatory assets		$	1,835	$	1,884
Reflected as:
Current assets		$	62	$	74
Noncurrent assets		1,773		1,810
Total regulatory assets		$	1,835	$	1,884

(1) Represents amounts not yet recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost that are expected to be included in rates when recognized.

(2) Amounts primarily represent income tax benefits related to certain property-related basis differences and other various items that PacifiCorp is required to pass on to its customers.

(3) Represents frozen values of contracts previously accounted for as derivatives and recorded at fair value.

Regulatory Liabilities [Table Text Block]

Regulatory liabilities represent income to be recognized or amounts to be returned to customers in future periods. PacifiCorp's regulatory liabilities reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of the following as of December 31 (in millions):

	Weighted
	Average
	Remaining
	Life	2012		2011
Cost of removal(1)	33 years	$	810	$	782
Deferred income taxes	Various	21		22
Other	Various	82		89
Total regulatory liabilities		$	913	$	893
Reflected as:
Current liabilities		$	62	$	67
Noncurrent liabilities		851		826
Total regulatory liabilities		$	913	$	893

(1) Amounts represent estimated costs, as accrued through depreciation rates and exclusive of ARO liabilities, of removing property, plant and equipment in accordance with accepted regulatory practices. Amounts are deducted from rate base or otherwise accrue a carrying cost.