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Fair Value Measurements
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block]
(7)
Fair Value Measurements

The carrying value of PacifiCorp's cash, certain cash equivalents, receivables, payables, accrued liabilities and short-term borrowings approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. PacifiCorp has various financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on the Consolidated Financial Statements using inputs from the three levels of the fair value hierarchy. A financial asset or liability classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels are as follows:

Level 1 - Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that PacifiCorp has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2 - Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs).

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs reflect PacifiCorp's judgments about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability since limited market data exists. PacifiCorp develops these inputs based on the best information available, including its own data.
 
The following table presents PacifiCorp's assets and liabilities recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in millions):
 
 
Input Levels for Fair Value Measurements
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Other(1) 
 
Total
As of March 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives
 
$

 
$
9

 
$
2

 
$
(4
)
 
$
7

Money market mutual funds(2)
 
22

 

 

 

 
22

Investment funds
 
16

 

 

 

 
16

 
 
$
38

 
$
9

 
$
2

 
$
(4
)
 
$
45

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities - Commodity derivatives
 
$

 
$
(145
)
 
$

 
$
68

 
$
(77
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity derivatives
 
$

 
$
25

 
$
4

 
$
(11
)
 
$
18

Money market mutual funds(2)
 
30

 

 

 

 
30

 
 
$
30

 
$
25

 
$
4

 
$
(11
)
 
$
48

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities - Commodity derivatives
 
$

 
$
(114
)
 
$

 
$
39

 
$
(75
)

(1)
Represents netting under master netting arrangements and a net cash collateral receivable of $64 million and $28 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

(2)
Amounts are included in cash and cash equivalents, other current assets and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Money market mutual funds are accounted for as available-for-sale securities and the fair value approximates cost.

Derivative contracts are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as either assets or liabilities and are stated at estimated fair value unless they are designated as normal purchases or normal sales and qualify for the exception afforded by GAAP. When available, the fair value of derivative contracts is estimated using unadjusted quoted prices for identical contracts in the market in which PacifiCorp transacts. When quoted prices for identical contracts are not available, PacifiCorp uses forward price curves. Forward price curves represent PacifiCorp's estimates of the prices at which a buyer or seller could contract today for delivery or settlement at future dates. PacifiCorp bases its forward price curves upon market price quotations, when available, or internally developed and commercial models, with internal and external fundamental data inputs. Market price quotations are obtained from independent energy brokers, exchanges, direct communication with market participants and actual transactions executed by PacifiCorp. Market price quotations for certain major electricity and natural gas trading hubs are generally readily obtainable for the first six years; therefore, PacifiCorp's forward price curves for those locations and periods reflect observable market quotes. Market price quotations for other electricity and natural gas trading hubs are not as readily obtainable for the first six years. Given that limited market data exists for these contracts, as well as for those contracts that are not actively traded, PacifiCorp uses forward price curves derived from internal models based on perceived pricing relationships to major trading hubs that are based on unobservable inputs. The estimated fair value of these derivative contracts is a function of underlying forward commodity prices, interest rates, currency rates, related volatility, counterparty creditworthiness and duration of contracts. Refer to Note 6 for further discussion regarding PacifiCorp's risk management and hedging activities.

PacifiCorp's investments in money market mutual funds and investment funds are stated at fair value. PacifiCorp uses a readily observable quoted market price or net asset value of an identical security in an active market to record the fair value.

PacifiCorp's long-term debt is carried at cost on the Consolidated Financial Statements. The fair value of PacifiCorp's long-term debt is a Level 2 fair value measurement and has been estimated based upon quoted market prices, where available, or at the present value of future cash flows discounted at rates consistent with comparable maturities with similar credit risks. The carrying value of PacifiCorp's variable-rate long-term debt approximates fair value because of the frequent repricing of these instruments at market rates. The following table presents the carrying value and estimated fair value of PacifiCorp's long-term debt (in millions):

 
 
As of March 31, 2015
 
As of December 31, 2014
 
 
Carrying
 
Fair
 
Carrying
 
Fair
 
 
Value
 
Value
 
Value
 
Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
 
$
7,019

 
$
8,563

 
$
7,019

 
$
8,358