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Regulatory Matters
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2015
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Text Block]
(4)
Regulatory Matters

Utah Mine Disposition

Due to quality issues with the coal reserves at PacifiCorp's Deer Creek mine in Utah and rising costs at PacifiCorp's wholly owned subsidiary, Energy West Mining Company, PacifiCorp believes the Deer Creek coal reserves are no longer able to be economically mined. As a result, in December 2014, PacifiCorp filed applications with the Utah Public Service Commission ("UPSC"), the Oregon Public Utility Commission ("OPUC"), the Wyoming Public Service Commission ("WPSC") and the Idaho Public Utilities Commission ("IPUC") seeking certain approvals, prudence determinations and accounting orders to close its Deer Creek mining operations, sell certain Utah mining assets, enter into a replacement coal supply agreement, amend an existing coal supply agreement, withdraw from the United Mine Workers of America ("UMWA") 1974 Pension Plan and settle PacifiCorp's other postretirement benefit obligation for UMWA participants (collectively, the "Utah Mine Disposition"). PacifiCorp also filed an advice letter with the California Public Utilities Commission. In April 2015, PacifiCorp filed all-party settlement stipulations with the UPSC and the WPSC finding that the decision to enter into the Utah Mine Disposition transaction is prudent and in the public interest. The UPSC approved the stipulation in April 2015 and the WPSC approved the stipulation in May 2015. In May 2015, the OPUC issued its final order concluding that the Utah Mine Disposition transaction produces net benefits for customers and is in the public interest. The IPUC also issued an order in May 2015, approving the Utah Mine Disposition and ruling that the decision to enter into the transaction is prudent and in the public interest. Accordingly, in June 2015, PacifiCorp sold the specified Utah mining assets and the replacement and amended coal supply agreements became effective. Refer to Note 10 for discussion of the contractual obligations related to the replacement coal supply agreement. Refer to Note 6 for discussion of the UMWA 1974 Pension Plan withdrawal and the settlement of the other postretirement benefit obligation for UMWA participants. The Deer Creek mine is currently idled and closure activities have begun.