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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2023
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES This Annual Report on Form 10-K is a combined report of IDACORP and Idaho Power. Therefore, these Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements apply to both IDACORP and Idaho Power. However, Idaho Power makes no representation as to the information relating to IDACORP’s other operations. Nature of Business IDACORP is a holding company formed in 1998 whose principal operating subsidiary is Idaho Power. Idaho Power is an electric utility engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution, sales, and purchase of electric energy and capacity with a service area covering approximately 24,000 square miles in southern Idaho and eastern Oregon. Idaho Power is regulated primarily by the state utility regulatory commissions of Idaho and Oregon and the FERC. Idaho Power is the parent of IERCo, a joint-owner of BCC, which mines and supplies coal to the Jim Bridger plant owned in part by Idaho Power. IDACORP’s other notable wholly-owned subsidiaries include IFS, an investor in affordable housing and other real estate tax credit investments, and Ida-West, an operator of small hydropower generation projects that satisfy the requirements of the PURPA. Principles of Consolidation IDACORP’s and Idaho Power’s consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses of each company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries listed above, as well as any variable interest entity (VIE) for which the respective company is the primary beneficiary. Investments in VIEs for which the companies are not the primary beneficiaries, but have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. IDACORP also consolidates one VIE, Marysville Hydro Partners (Marysville), which is a joint venture owned 50 percent by Ida-West and 50 percent by Environmental Energy Company (EEC). At December 31, 2023 and 2022, Marysville had approximately $14.9 million of primarily hydropower plant assets. EEC has borrowed amounts from Ida-West to fund a portion of its required capital contributions to Marysville. The loans are payable from EEC’s share of distributions from Marysville and are secured by the stock of EEC and EEC’s interest in Marysville. Ida-West is identified as the primary beneficiary because the combination of its ownership interest in the joint venture with the intercompany note and the EEC note result in Ida-West's ability to control the activities of the joint venture. The BCC investment is also a VIE, but because the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of BCC is shared with the joint-owner, Idaho Power is not the primary beneficiary. The carrying value of Idaho Power's investment in BCC was $24.1 million at December 31, 2023, and Idaho Power's maximum exposure to loss is the carrying value, any additional future contributions to BCC, and a $47.6 million guarantee for mine reclamation costs. BCC has a reclamation trust fund set aside specifically for the purpose of paying the reclamation costs, the market value of which exceeded the total estimated reclamation obligation at December 31, 2023. The guarantee, reclamation obligation, and reclamation trust are discussed further in Note 9 - "Commitments." IFS's affordable housing limited partnership and other real estate tax credit investments are also VIEs for which IDACORP is not the primary beneficiary. IFS's limited partnership interests range from 4 to 100 percent and were acquired between 2003 and 2023. As a limited partner, IFS does not control these entities and they are not consolidated. IFS’s maximum exposure to loss in these developments is limited to its net carrying value, which was $57.3 million at December 31, 2023. Ida-West's other investments in PURPA facilities, Idaho Power's investment in BCC, and IFS's investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting (see Note 14 - "Investments"). Except for amounts related to sales of electricity by Ida-West's PURPA projects to Idaho Power, all intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include Idaho Power's proportionate share of utility plant and related operations resulting from its interests in jointly-owned plants (see Note 12 - "Property, Plant and Equipment and Jointly-Owned Projects"). Regulation of Utility Operations As a regulated utility, many of Idaho Power's fundamental business decisions are subject to the approval of governmental agencies, including the prices that Idaho Power is authorized to charge for its electric service. These approvals are a critical factor in determining IDACORP's and Idaho Power's results of operations and financial condition. Idaho Power meets the requirements under GAAP to prepare its financial statements applying the specialized rules to account for the effects of cost-based rate regulation. IDACORP’s and Idaho Power’s financial statements reflect the effects of the different ratemaking principles followed by the jurisdictions regulating Idaho Power. Accounting for the economics of rate regulation impacts multiple financial statement line items and disclosures, such as property, plant, and equipment; regulatory assets and liabilities; operating revenues; O&M expense; depreciation expense; and income tax expense. The application of accounting principles related to regulated operations sometimes results in Idaho Power recording expenses and revenues in a different period than when an unregulated enterprise would record such expenses and revenues. In these instances, the amounts are deferred or accrued as regulatory assets or regulatory liabilities on the balance sheet. Regulatory assets represent incurred costs that have been deferred because it is probable they will be recovered from customers through future rates. Regulatory liabilities represent obligations to make refunds to customers for previous collections, or represent amounts collected in advance of incurring an expense. The effects of applying these regulatory accounting principles to Idaho Power’s operations are discussed in more detail in Note 3 - "Regulatory Matters." Management Estimates Management makes estimates and assumptions when preparing financial statements in conformity with GAAP. These estimates and assumptions include those related to rate regulation, retirement benefits, contingencies, asset impairment, income taxes, unbilled revenues, and bad debt. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates involve judgments with respect to, among other things, future economic factors that are difficult to predict and are beyond management’s control. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates. System of Accounts The accounting records of Idaho Power conform to the Uniform System of Accounts prescribed by the FERC and adopted by the public utility commissions of Idaho, Oregon, and Wyoming. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include cash on-hand and highly liquid temporary investments that mature within 90 days of the date of acquisition. Receivables and Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts Customer receivables are recorded at the invoiced amounts and do not bear interest. A late payment fee of one percent per month may be assessed on account balances after 30 days. An allowance is recorded for potential uncollectible accounts. The measurement of expected credit losses on Idaho Power accounts receivable is based on historical experience, current economic conditions, and forecasted information that may affect collections on the outstanding balance. Generally, this includes adjustments based upon a combination of historical write-off experience, aging of accounts receivable, an analysis of specific customer accounts, and an evaluation of whether there are current or forecasted economic conditions that might cause variation in collection from the historical experience. Adjustments are charged to income. Customer accounts receivable balances that remain outstanding after reasonable collection efforts are written off. The following table provides a rollforward of the allowance for uncollectible accounts related to customer receivables (in thousands of dollars):
|  | Year Ended December 31,
|  | 2023 |  | 2022
Balance at beginning of period |  | $ | 5,034 |  |  | $ | 4,499 |
Additions to the allowance |  | 3,617 |  |  | 3,265 |
Write-offs, net of recoveries |  | (3,782) |  |  | (2,730) |
Balance at end of period |  | $ | 4,869 |  |  | $ | 5,034 |
Allowance for uncollectible accounts as a percentage of customer receivables |  | 4.3 | % |  | 4.2 | %
Other receivables, primarily notes receivable from business transactions, are also reviewed for impairment periodically, based upon transaction-specific facts. When it is probable that IDACORP or Idaho Power will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms of the agreement, an allowance is established for the estimated uncollectible portion of the receivable and charged to income. There were no impaired receivables without related allowances at December 31, 2023 and 2022. Once a receivable is determined to be impaired, any further interest income recognized is fully reserved. Derivative Financial Instruments Financial instruments such as commodity futures, forwards, options, and swaps are used to manage exposure to commodity price risk in the electricity and natural gas markets. All derivative instruments are recognized as either assets or liabilities at fair value on the balance sheet unless they are designated as normal purchases and normal sales. With the exception of forward contracts for the purchase of natural gas for use at Idaho Power's natural gas generation facilities and a nominal number of power transactions, Idaho Power’s physical forward contracts are designated as normal purchases and normal sales. Because of Idaho Power’s regulatory accounting mechanisms, Idaho Power records the unrealized changes in fair value of derivative instruments related to power supply as regulatory assets or liabilities. Revenues Operating revenues are generally recorded when service is rendered or energy is delivered to customers. Idaho Power accrues estimated unbilled revenues for electric services delivered to customers but not yet billed at year-end. Idaho Power does not report any collections of franchise fees and similar taxes related to energy consumption on the income statement. In addition, regulatory mechanisms in place in Idaho and Oregon affect the reported amount of revenue. The effects of applying these regulatory mechanisms are discussed in more detail in Note 4 - "Revenues." Property, Plant, and Equipment and Depreciation The cost of utility plant in service represents the original cost of contracted services, direct labor and material, AFUDC, and indirect charges for engineering, supervision, and similar overhead items. Repair and maintenance costs associated with planned major maintenance are expensed as the costs are incurred, as are maintenance and repairs of property and replacements and renewals of items determined to be less than units of property. For utility property replaced or renewed, the original cost plus removal cost less salvage is charged to accumulated provision for depreciation, while the cost of related replacements and renewals is added to property, plant, and equipment. All utility plant in service is depreciated using the straight-line method at rates approved by regulatory authorities. Annual depreciation provisions as a percent of average depreciable utility plant in service approximated 2.9 percent in 2023, 2.7 percent in 2022, and 2.9 percent in 2021. During the period of construction, costs expected to be included in the final value of the constructed asset, and depreciated once the asset is complete and placed in service, are classified as construction work in progress on the consolidated balance sheets. If the project becomes probable of being abandoned, these costs are expensed in the period such determination is made. Idaho Power may seek recovery of these costs in customer rates, although there can be no guarantee such recovery would be granted. Long-lived assets are periodically reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If the sum of the undiscounted expected future cash flows from an asset is less than the carrying value of the asset, impairment is recognized in the financial statements. There were no material impairments of long-lived assets in 2023, 2022, or 2021. Allowance for Funds Used During Construction AFUDC represents the cost of financing construction projects with borrowed funds and equity funds. With one exception, for the HCC relicensing project, cash is not realized currently from such allowance; it is realized under the ratemaking process over the service life of the related property through increased revenues resulting from a higher rate base and higher depreciation expense. The component of AFUDC attributable to borrowed funds is included as a reduction to total nonoperating expense, net. Idaho Power’s weighted-average monthly AFUDC rate was 7.4 percent for 2023 and 2022, and 7.5 percent for 2021. Income Taxes IDACORP and Idaho Power account for income taxes under the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method (commonly referred to as normalized accounting), deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. In general, deferred income tax expense or benefit for a reporting period is recognized as the change in deferred tax assets and liabilities from the beginning to the end of the period. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date unless Idaho Power's primary regulator, the IPUC, orders direct deferral of the effect of the change in tax rates over a longer period of time. Consistent with orders and directives of the IPUC, unless contrary to applicable income tax guidance, Idaho Power does not record deferred income tax expense or benefit for certain income tax temporary differences and instead recognizes the tax impact currently (commonly referred to as flow-through accounting) for rate making and financial reporting. Therefore, Idaho Power's effective income tax rate is impacted as these differences arise and reverse. Idaho Power recognizes such adjustments as regulatory assets or liabilities if it is probable that such amounts will be recovered from or returned to customers in future rates. IDACORP and Idaho Power use judgment, estimation, and historical data in developing the provision for income taxes and the reporting of tax-related assets and liabilities, including development of current year tax depreciation, capitalized repair costs, capitalized overheads, and other items. Income taxes can be impacted by changes in tax laws and regulations, interpretations by taxing authorities, changes to accounting guidance, and actions by federal or state public utility regulators. Actual income taxes could vary from estimated amounts and may result in favorable or unfavorable impacts to net income, cash flows, and tax-related assets and liabilities. In compliance with the federal income tax requirements for the use of accelerated tax depreciation, Idaho Power records deferred income taxes related to its plant assets for the difference between income tax depreciation and book depreciation used for financial statement purposes. Deferred income taxes are recorded for other temporary differences unless accounted for using flow-through. Investment tax credits earned on regulated assets are deferred and amortized to income over the estimated service lives of the related properties. Income taxes are discussed in more detail in Note 2 - "Income Taxes." Other Accounting Policies Debt discount, expense, and premium are deferred and amortized over the terms of the respective debt issuances. Losses on reacquired debt and associated costs are amortized over the life of the associated replacement debt, as allowed under regulatory accounting. New and Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements There have been no recently adopted accounting pronouncements that have had a material impact on IDACORP's or Idaho Power's consolidated financial statements. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In November 2023, the Financial Standards Accounting Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures which expands annual and interim disclosure requirements for reportable segments, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The amendments in this ASU will be applied retrospectively. IDACORP and Idaho Power are currently evaluating the impact that adoption of this ASU will have on their notes to the consolidated financial statements. In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures which expands the disclosure requirements for income taxes, specifically related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The amendments in this ASU will be applied prospectively and may be applied retrospectively. IDACORP and Idaho Power are currently evaluating the impact that adoption of this ASU will have on their notes to the consolidated financial statements. There have been no other recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted that are expected to have a material impact on IDACORP's or Idaho Power's consolidated financial statements.

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