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Fair value measurements | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2011
Fair value measurements [Abstract] |
Fair value measurements |
13. | Fair value measurements
| The Company measures its investments in certain fixed-income and equity securities at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in income. The Company anticipates using these investments to satisfy its obligations under its unfunded, nonqualified benefit plans for executive officers and certain key management employees, and invests in these fixed-income and equity securities for the purpose of earning investment returns and capital appreciation. These investments, which totaled $33.6 million, $35.9 million and $39.5 million, as of September 30, 2011 and 2010, and December 31, 2010, respectively, are classified as Investments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value of these investments decreased $6.7 million (before tax) and $5.9 million (before tax) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011. The increase in the fair value of these investments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, was $3.2 million (before tax) and $2.2 million (before tax), respectively. The change in fair value, which is considered part of the cost of the plan, is classified in operation and maintenance expense on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
| The Company did not elect the fair value option for its remaining available-for-sale securities, which include auction rate securities, mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Treasury securities. These available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value and are classified as Investments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company's auction rate securities, which totaled $11.4 million at September 30, 2011 and 2010, and December 31, 2010, approximate cost and, as a result, there are no accumulated unrealized gains or losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the Consolidated Balance Sheets related to these investments. Unrealized gains or losses on mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Treasury securities are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as discussed in Note 8.
| Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The ASC establishes a hierarchy for grouping assets and liabilities, based on the significance of inputs. The Company's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are as follows:
|  | Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2011, Using |  |  |  |
|  | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  |  | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  |  | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |  |  | Balance at September 30, 2011 |
|  | (In thousands) |
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Money market funds |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 56,194 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 56,194 |
Available-for-sale securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Insurance investment contract* |  |  | — |  |  |  | 33,591 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 33,591 |
Auction rate securities |  |  | — |  |  |  | 11,400 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 11,400 |
Mortgage-backed securities |  |  | — |  |  |  | 8,570 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 8,570 |
U.S. Treasury securities |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1,444 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 1,444 |
Commodity derivative instruments - current |  |  | — |  |  |  | 38,794 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 38,794 |
Commodity derivative instruments - noncurrent |  |  | — |  |  |  | 15,575 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 15,575 |
Total assets measured at fair value |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 165,568 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 165,568 |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commodity derivative instruments - current |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 3,028 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 3,028 |
Commodity derivative instruments - noncurrent |  |  | — |  |  |  | 157 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 157 |
Interest rate derivative instruments - noncurrent |  |  | — |  |  |  | 3,491 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 3,491 |
Total liabilities measured at fair value |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 6,676 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 6,676 |
* The insurance investment contract invests approximately 34 percent in common stock of mid-cap companies, 33 percent in common stock of small-cap companies, 32 percent in common stock of large-cap companies and 1 percent in cash and cash equivalents. |
|  | Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2010, Using |  |  |  |
|  | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  |  | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  |  | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |  |  | Balance at September 30, 2010 |
|  | (In thousands) |
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Money market funds |  | $ | 2,835 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 2,835 |
Available-for-sale securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fixed-income securities |  |  | — |  |  |  | 11,400 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 11,400 |
Insurance contract* |  |  | — |  |  |  | 35,902 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 35,902 |
Commodity derivative instruments - current |  |  | — |  |  |  | 26,803 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 26,803 |
Commodity derivative instruments - noncurrent |  |  | — |  |  |  | 8,423 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 8,423 |
Total assets measured at fair value |  | $ | 2,835 |  |  | $ | 82,528 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 85,363 |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commodity derivative instruments - current |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 25,803 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 25,803 |
Commodity derivative instruments - noncurrent |  |  | — |  |  |  | 2,263 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 2,263 |
Total liabilities measured at fair value |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 28,066 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 28,066 |
* Invested in mutual funds. |
|  | Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2010, Using |  |  |  |
|  | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  |  | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  |  | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |  |  | Balance at December 31, 2010 |
|  | (In thousands) |
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Money market funds |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 166,620 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 166,620 |
Available-for-sale securities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Fixed-income securities |  |  | — |  |  |  | 11,400 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 11,400 |
Insurance investment contract* |  |  | — |  |  |  | 39,541 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 39,541 |
Commodity derivative instruments - current |  |  | — |  |  |  | 15,123 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 15,123 |
Commodity derivative instruments - noncurrent |  |  | — |  |  |  | 4,104 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 4,104 |
Total assets measured at fair value |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 236,788 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 236,788 |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commodity derivative instruments - current |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 24,428 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 24,428 |
Commodity derivative instruments - noncurrent |  |  | — |  |  |  | 6,483 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 6,483 |
Total liabilities measured at fair value |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 30,911 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 30,911 |
* The insurance investment contract invests approximately 35 percent in common stock of mid-cap companies, 33 percent in common stock of small-cap companies, 31 percent in common stock of large-cap companies and 1 percent in cash and cash equivalents. |
| The estimated fair value of the Company's Level 1 money market funds is determined using the market approach and is valued at the net asset value of shares held by the Company, based on published market quotations in active markets.
| The estimated fair value of the Company's Level 2 money market funds and available-for-sale securities is determined using the market approach. The Level 2 money market funds consist of investments in short-term unsecured promissory notes and the value is based on comparable market transactions taking into consideration the credit quality of the issuer. The estimated fair value of the Company's Level 2 available-for-sale securities is based on comparable market transactions, other observable inputs or other sources, including pricing from outside sources such as the fund itself.
| The estimated fair value of the Company's Level 2 commodity derivative instruments is based upon futures prices, volatility and time to maturity, among other things. Counterparty statements are utilized to determine the value of the commodity derivative instruments and are reviewed and corroborated using various methodologies and significant observable inputs. The nonperformance risk of the counterparties in addition to the Company's nonperformance risk is also evaluated.
| The estimated fair value of the Company's Level 2 interest rate derivative instruments is measured using quoted market prices or pricing models using prevailing market interest rates as of the measurement date. Counterparty statements are utilized to determine the value of the interest rate derivative instruments and are reviewed and corroborated using various methodologies and significant observable inputs.
| Though the Company believes the methods used to estimate fair value are consistent with those used by other market participants, the use of other methods or assumptions could result in a different estimate of fair value. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, there were no transfers between Levels 1 and 2.
| The Company's long-term debt is not measured at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the fair value is being provided for disclosure purposes only, and was based on quoted market prices of the same or similar issues. The estimated fair value of the Company's long-term debt was as follows:
|  | Carrying Amount |  |  | Fair Value |
|  | (In thousands) |
Long-term debt at September 30, 2011 |  | $ | 1,423,614 |  |  | $ | 1,568,942 |
Long-term debt at September 30, 2010 |  | $ | 1,510,588 |  |  | $ | 1,679,979 |
Long-term debt at December 31, 2010 |  | $ | 1,506,752 |  |  | $ | 1,621,184 |
| The carrying amounts of the Company's remaining financial instruments included in current assets and current liabilities approximate their fair values.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 5 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6925170&loc=d3e19296-110258 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 159 -Paragraph 17-22, 27, 28 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13433-108611 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 107 -Paragraph 15C, 15D -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 28 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14064-108612 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 16 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13504-108611 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 107 -Paragraph 15A -Subparagraph a-d -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 21 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13537-108611 Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 133 -Paragraph 44A, 44B -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6925170&loc=d3e19207-110258 Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 30 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14172-108612 Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 107 -Paragraph 3, 10, 14, 15 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 107 -Paragraph 15B -Subparagraph a, b -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 14: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 157 -Paragraph 32, 33, 34 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. + Details
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