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Energy Purchase Contracts | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2019
Energy Purchase Contracts [Abstract] |
Energy Purchase Contracts | ENERGY PURCHASE CONTRACTS The below discussion only relates to Avista Utilities. The sole energy purchase contract at AEL&P is a PPA for the Snettisham hydroelectric project and it is accounted for as a lease. AEL&P does not have any other significant operating agreements or contractual obligations. See Note 5 for further discussion of the Snettisham PPA. Avista Utilities has contracts for the purchase of fuel for thermal generation, natural gas for resale and various agreements for the purchase or exchange of electric energy with other entities. The remaining term of the contracts range from one month to twenty-five years. Total expenses for power purchased, natural gas purchased, fuel for generation and other fuel costs, which are included in utility resource costs in the Consolidated Statements of Income, were as follows for the years ended December 31 (dollars in thousands):
| 2019 |  | 2018 |  | 2017
Utility power resources | $ | 376,769 |  |  | $ | 357,656 |  |  | $ | 380,523 |
The following table details Avista Utilities’ future contractual commitments for power resources (including transmission contracts) and natural gas resources (including transportation contracts) (dollars in thousands):
| 2020 |  | 2021 |  | 2022 |  | 2023 |  | 2024 |  | Thereafter |  | Total
Power resources | $ | 178,546 |  |  | $ | 180,417 |  |  | $ | 179,020 |  |  | $ | 179,640 |  |  | $ | 157,620 |  |  | $ | 1,172,072 |  |  | $ | 2,047,315 |
Natural gas resources | 68,232 |  |  | 50,062 |  |  | 43,577 |  |  | 39,493 |  |  | 36,640 |  |  | 274,302 |  |  | 512,306 |
Total | $ | 246,778 |  |  | $ | 230,479 |  |  | $ | 222,597 |  |  | $ | 219,133 |  |  | $ | 194,260 |  |  | $ | 1,446,374 |  |  | $ | 2,559,621 |
These energy purchase contracts were entered into as part of Avista Utilities’ obligation to serve its retail electric and natural gas customers’ energy requirements, including contracts entered into for resource optimization. As a result, these costs are recovered either through base retail rates or adjustments to retail rates as part of the power and natural gas cost deferral and recovery mechanisms. The above future contractual commitments for power resources include fixed contractual amounts related to the Company's contracts with certain PUDs to purchase portions of the output of certain generating facilities. Although Avista Utilities has no investment in the PUD generating facilities, the fixed contracts obligate Avista Utilities to pay certain minimum amounts whether or not the facilities are operating. The cost of power obtained under the contracts, including payments made when a facility is not operating, is included in utility resource costs in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The contractual amounts included above consist of Avista Utilities’ share of existing debt service cost and its proportionate share of the variable operating expenses of these projects. The minimum amounts payable under these contracts are based in part on the proportionate share of the debt service requirements of the PUD's revenue bonds for which the Company is indirectly responsible. The Company's total future debt service obligation associated with the revenue bonds outstanding at December 31, 2019 (principal and interest) was $67.2 million. In addition, Avista Utilities has operating agreements, settlements and other contractual obligations related to its generating facilities and transmission and distribution services. The expenses associated with these agreements are reflected as other operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The following table details future contractual commitments under these agreements (dollars in thousands):
| 2020 |  | 2021 |  | 2022 |  | 2023 |  | 2024 |  | Thereafter |  | Total
Contractual obligations | $ | 33,116 |  |  | $ | 34,081 |  |  | $ | 24,645 |  |  | $ | 25,190 |  |  | $ | 28,585 |  |  | $ | 191,873 |  |  | $ | 337,490 |

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