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Basis of Presentation (Notes) | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2012
Basis of Presentation [Abstract] |
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] | BASIS OF PRESENTATION Nature of Business Portland General Electric Company (PGE or the Company) is a single, vertically integrated electric utility engaged in the generation, transmission, distribution, and retail sale of electricity. The Company also participates in the wholesale market by purchasing and selling electricity and natural gas in order to obtain reasonably-priced power for its retail customers. PGE operates as a single segment, with revenues and costs related to its business activities maintained and analyzed on a total electric operations basis. PGE’s corporate headquarters are located in Portland, Oregon and its service area is located entirely within the state of Oregon. PGE’s service area includes 52 incorporated cities, of which Portland and Salem are the largest, within a state-approved service area allocation of approximately 4,000 square miles. As of March 31, 2012, PGE served 824,780 retail customers with a service area population of approximately 1.7 million, comprising approximately 44% of the state’s population. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements These condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such regulations, although PGE believes that the disclosures provided are adequate to make the interim information presented not misleading. The financial information included herein for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 is unaudited; however, such information reflects all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated financial position, condensed consolidated results of operations, and condensed consolidated cash flows of the Company for these interim periods. Certain costs are estimated for the full year and allocated to interim periods based on estimates of operating time expired, benefit received, or activity associated with the interim period; accordingly, such costs may not be reflective of amounts to be recognized for a full year. Due to seasonal fluctuations in electricity sales, as well as the price of wholesale energy and natural gas, interim financial results do not necessarily represent those to be expected for the year. The financial information as of December 31, 2011 is derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2011, included in Item 8 of PGE’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 24, 2012, and should be read in conjunction with such consolidated financial statements. Use of Estimates The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosures of gain or loss contingencies, as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results experienced by the Company could differ materially from those estimates. Reclassifications To conform with the 2012 presentation, PGE has separately presented Deferred income tax assets from Other current assets, and reclassified Regulatory liabilities - current, of $6 million, to Accrued expenses and other current liabilities, in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2011. In addition, PGE has reclassified Senate Bill 408 deferrals, net of amortization to Other non-cash income and expenses, net in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2011. Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2011, ASU 2011-04, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) - Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs (ASU 2011-04) was issued. Many of the amendments in ASU 2011-04 change the wording used to describe principles and requirements to align with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, and are not intended to change the application of Topic 820. Some of the amendments clarify the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s intent on the application of existing fair value guidance or change a particular principle or requirement for measuring fair value or fair value disclosures. PGE adopted the amendments contained in ASU 2011-04 on January 1, 2012, which did not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, consolidated results of operations, or consolidated cash flows. In June 2011, ASU 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) - Presentation of Comprehensive Income (ASU 2011-05) was issued. The amendments of ASU 2011-05 require that an entity report items of other comprehensive income in one of two ways: (i) a single statement with components of net income and total net income, the components of other comprehensive income and total other comprehensive income, and a total for comprehensive income; or (ii) two statements with components of net income and total net income in the first statement, immediately followed by a statement that presents the components of other comprehensive income, a total for other comprehensive income, and a total for comprehensive income. PGE adopted the amendments contained in ASU 2011-05 on December 31, 2011, which had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, consolidated results of operations, or consolidated cash flows. In December 2011, ASU 2011-12, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) - Presentation of Comprehensive Income (ASU 2011-12) was issued and defers only the changes in ASU 2011-05 that relate to the presentation of reclassification adjustments, which pertain to how and where reclassification adjustments are presented. ASU 2011-12 is effective at the same time as ASU 2011-05. Accordingly, PGE adopted the amendments contained in ASU 2011-12 on December 31, 2011, which had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, consolidated results of operations, or consolidated cash flows.

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