Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2010

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number 1-3701

 

 

AVISTA CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Washington   91-0462470

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

1411 East Mission Avenue, Spokane, Washington   99202-2600
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 509-489-0500

Web site: http://www.avistacorp.com

None

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   x    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act):    Yes  ¨    No  x

As of July 31, 2010, 55,357,826 shares of Registrant’s Common Stock, no par value (the only class of common stock), were outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

AVISTA CORPORATION

Index

 

               Page No.
Part I. Financial Information:   
  

Item 1.

   Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements   
      Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - Three Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009    3
      Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income - Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009    4
     

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - Three and Six Months Ended
June 30, 2010 and 2009

   5
      Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009    6
      Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009    8
      Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity - Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009    9
      Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements    10
      Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm    31
  

Item 2.

   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    32
  

Item 3.

   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk    58
  

Item 4.

   Controls and Procedures    59
Part II. Other Information:   
  

Item 1.

   Legal Proceedings    59
  

Item 1A.

   Risk Factors    59
  

Item 6.

   Exhibits    59
Signature    60

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements, which should be read with the cautionary statements and important factors included at “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Forward-Looking Statements” on pages 32-33. Forward-looking statements are all statements except those of historical fact, including, without limitation, those that are identified by the use of words that include “will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “projects,” “predicts,” and similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors. Many of these factors are beyond our control and could have a significant effect on our operations, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows and could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in our statements.


Table of Contents

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Avista Corporation

 

For the Three Months Ended June 30

Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts

(Unaudited)

 

     2010     2009  

Operating Revenues:

    

Utility revenues

   $ 325,667      $ 279,865   

Non-utility energy revenues

     5,055        5,593   

Other non-utility revenues

     30,011        21,653   
                

Total operating revenues

     360,733        307,111   
                

Operating Expenses:

    

Utility operating expenses:

    

Resource costs

     168,184        125,651   

Other operating expenses

     58,334        57,489   

Depreciation and amortization

     24,642        23,180   

Taxes other than income taxes

     17,866        17,482   

Non-utility operating expenses:

    

Resource costs

     2,825        5,341   

Other operating expenses

     25,379        18,516   

Depreciation and amortization

     1,754        1,370   
                

Total operating expenses

     298,984        249,029   
                

Income from operations

     61,749        58,082   

Interest expense

     (19,113     (16,160

Interest expense to affiliated trusts

     (159     (253

Capitalized interest

     374        449   

Other expense-net

     (969     (210
                

Income before income taxes

     41,882        41,908   

Income taxes

     15,835        15,619   
                

Net income

     26,047        26,289   

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (507     (437
                

Net income attributable to Avista Corporation

   $ 25,540      $ 25,852   
                

Weighted-average common shares outstanding (thousands), basic

     55,031        54,654   

Weighted-average common shares outstanding (thousands), diluted

     55,231        54,827   

Earnings per common share attributable to Avista Corporation:

    

Basic

   $ 0.46      $ 0.47   
                

Diluted

   $ 0.46      $ 0.47   
                

Dividends paid per common share

   $ 0.25      $ 0.21   
                

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of These Statements.

 

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

Avista Corporation

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30

Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts

(Unaudited)

     2010     2009  

Operating Revenues:

    

Utility revenues

   $ 749,248      $ 740,730   

Non-utility energy revenues

     10,160        11,589   

Other non-utility revenues

     57,740        42,262   
                

Total operating revenues

     817,148        794,581   
                

Operating Expenses:

    

Utility operating expenses:

    

Resource costs

     427,751        415,343   

Other operating expenses

     114,083        115,222   

Depreciation and amortization

     48,972        46,103   

Taxes other than income taxes

     39,037        44,377   

Non-utility operating expenses:

    

Resource costs

     5,570        11,068   

Other operating expenses

     48,592        35,809   

Depreciation and amortization

     3,570        2,732   
                

Total operating expenses

     687,575        670,654   
                

Income from operations

     129,573        123,927   

Interest expense

     (38,228     (31,748

Interest expense to affiliated trusts

     (305     (1,611

Capitalized interest

     694        998   

Other expense-net

     (2,668     (770
                

Income before income taxes

     89,066        90,796   

Income taxes

     33,702        33,087   
                

Net income

     55,364        57,709   

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (1,014     (830
                

Net income attributable to Avista Corporation

   $ 54,350      $ 56,879   
                

Weighted-average common shares outstanding (thousands), basic

     54,950        54,635   

Weighted-average common shares outstanding (thousands), diluted

     55,171        54,775   

Earnings per common share attributable to Avista Corporation:

    

Basic

   $ 0.99      $ 1.04   
                

Diluted

   $ 0.98      $ 1.04   
                

Dividends paid per common share

   $ 0.50      $ 0.39   
                

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of These Statements.

 

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Avista Corporation

 

For the Three Months Ended June 30

Dollars in thousands

(Unaudited)

 

     2010     2009  

Net income

   $ 26,047      $ 26,289   
                

Other Comprehensive Income:

    

Change in unfunded benefit obligation for pension plan - net of taxes of $19 and $54, respectively

     36        100   
                

Total other comprehensive income

     36        100   
                

Comprehensive income

     26,083        26,389   

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (507     (437
                

Comprehensive income attributable to Avista Corporation

   $ 25,576      $ 25,952   
                

For the Six Months Ended June 30

    

Dollars in thousands

    

(Unaudited)

    
     2010     2009  

Net income

   $ 55,364      $ 57,709   
                

Other Comprehensive Income:

    

Change in unfunded benefit obligation for pension plan - net of taxes of $38 and $108, respectively

     72        201   
                

Total other comprehensive income

     72        201   
                

Comprehensive income

     55,436        57,910   

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests

     (1,014     (830
                

Comprehensive income attributable to Avista Corporation

   $ 54,422      $ 57,080   
                

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of These Statements.

 

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

Avista Corporation

 

Dollars in thousands

(Unaudited)

 

     June 30,
2010
   December 31,
2009

Assets:

     

Current Assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 38,530    $ 37,035

Accounts and notes receivable-less allowances of $44,322 and $42,928

     164,810      210,645

Current portion of long-term energy contract receivable of Spokane Energy

     9,247      —  

Utility energy commodity derivative assets

     11,557      7,757

Regulatory asset for utility derivatives

     32,822      8,330

Funds held for customers

     54,836      51,648

Materials and supplies, fuel stock and natural gas stored

     53,461      37,282

Deferred income taxes

     27,840      34,473

Income taxes receivable

     —        16,438

Other current assets

     13,944      15,315
             

Total current assets

     407,047      418,923
             

Net Utility Property:

     

Utility plant in service

     3,621,854      3,549,658

Construction work in progress

     59,513      60,055
             

Total

     3,681,367      3,609,713

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     1,038,437      1,002,702
             

Total net utility property

     2,642,930      2,607,011
             

Other Property and Investments:

     

Investment in exchange power-net

     22,458      23,683

Investment in affiliated trusts

     11,547      11,547

Goodwill

     24,790      24,718

Long-term energy contract receivable of Spokane Energy

     67,450      —  

Other property and investments-net

     74,375      77,590
             

Total other property and investments

     200,620      137,538
             

Deferred Charges:

     

Regulatory assets for deferred income taxes

     95,171      97,945

Regulatory assets for pensions and other postretirement benefits

     136,529      141,085

Other regulatory assets

     102,301      109,825

Non-current utility energy commodity derivative assets

     27,998      45,483

Power deferrals

     28,911      27,771

Other deferred charges

     19,718      21,378
             

Total deferred charges

     410,628      443,487
             

Total assets

   $ 3,661,225    $ 3,606,959
             

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of These Statements.

 

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)

 

 

Avista Corporation

 

Dollars in thousands

(Unaudited)

 

     June 30,
2010
    December 31,
2009
 

Liabilities and Equity:

    

Current Liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 123,452      $ 160,861   

Customer fund obligations

     54,836        51,648   

Current portion of long-term debt

     35,348        35,189   

Current portion of nonrecourse long-term debt of Spokane Energy

     11,905        —     

Short-term borrowings

     87,900        92,700   

Utility energy commodity derivative liabilities

     44,379        16,087   

Natural gas deferrals

     25,603        39,952   

Other current liabilities

     93,135        106,980   
                

Total current liabilities

     476,558        503,417   

Long-term debt

     1,039,059        1,036,149   

Nonrecourse long-term debt of Spokane Energy

     52,830        —     

Long-term debt to affiliated trusts

     51,547        51,547   

Regulatory liability for utility plant retirement costs

     221,595        217,176   

Non-current regulatory liability for utility derivatives

     3,083        42,611   

Pensions and other postretirement benefits

     114,426        123,281   

Deferred income taxes

     492,464        494,666   

Other non-current liabilities and deferred credits

     86,992        52,665   
                

Total liabilities

     2,538,554        2,521,512   
                

Commitments and Contingencies (See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements)

    
                

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

     37,461        34,833   
                

Equity:

    

Avista Corporation Stockholders’ Equity:

    

Common stock, no par value; 200,000,000 shares authorized; 55,357,826 and 54,836,781 shares outstanding

     788,796        778,647   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (2,278     (2,350

Retained earnings

     299,349        274,990   
                

Total Avista Corporation stockholders’ equity

     1,085,867        1,051,287   

Noncontrolling Interests

     (657     (673
                

Total equity

     1,085,210        1,050,614   
                

Total liabilities and equity

   $ 3,661,225      $ 3,606,959   
                

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of These Statements.

 

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Avista Corporation

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30

Dollars in thousands

(Unaudited)

 

     2010     2009  

Operating Activities:

    

Net income

   $ 55,364      $ 57,709   

Non-cash items included in net income:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     52,542        48,835   

Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes

     8,340        (8,990

Power and natural gas cost amortizations (deferrals), net

     (15,934     39,981   

Amortization of debt expense

     2,181        2,842   

Equity-related AFUDC

     (884     (1,232

Other

     25,756        13,189   

Contributions to defined benefit pension plan

     (14,000     (32,000

Changes in working capital components:

    

Accounts and notes receivable

     45,230        93,664   

Materials and supplies, fuel stock and natural gas stored

     (16,179     11,016   

Other current assets

     17,519        13,426   

Accounts payable

     (31,976     (66,058

Other current liabilities

     (13,149     4,088   
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     114,810        176,470   
                

Investing Activities:

    

Utility property capital expenditures (excluding equity-related AFUDC)

     (80,285     (87,900

Other capital expenditures

     (950     (1,640

Decrease (increase) in funds held for customers

     (3,188     5,737   

Purchase of subsidiary noncontrolling interest

     (2,571     (4,775

Other

     (794     23   
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (87,788     (88,555
                

Financing Activities:

    

Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings

     (2,000     11,200   

Borrowings from Advantage IQ line of credit

     2,300        —     

Repayment of borrowings from Advantage IQ line of credit

     (5,100     —     

Redemption and maturity of long-term debt

     (145     (160

Redemption and maturity of nonrecourse long-term debt of Spokane Energy

     (5,570     —     

Redemption of long-term debt to affiliated trusts

     —          (61,856

Long-term debt and short-term borrowing issuance costs

     (62     (407

Issuance of common stock

     9,510        485   

Cash dividends paid

     (27,535     (21,335

Increase (decrease) in customer fund obligations

     3,188        (5,737

Equity transactions of consolidated subsidiaries

     (113     40   
                

Net cash used in financing activities

     (25,527     (77,770
                

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     1,495        10,145   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     37,035        24,313   
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 38,530      $ 34,458   
                

Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

    

Cash paid during the period:

    

Interest

   $ 36,653      $ 28,528   

Income taxes

     5,072        11,986   

Non-cash financing and investing activities:

    

Accounts payable for capital expenditures

     2,746        4,621   

Utility property acquired under capital leases

     5,300        —     

Redeemable noncontrolling interests

     2,823        (546

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of These Statements.

 

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

Avista Corporation

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2010 and 2009

Dollars in thousands

(Unaudited)

 

     Common Stock     Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

Income (Loss)
    Retained
Earnings
    Total
Avista
Corporation
Stockholders’

Equity
    Non-
Controlling

Interests
    Total
Equity
    Redeemable
Non-
Controlling

Interests
 
     Shares    Amount              

Balance as of January 1, 2010

   54,836,781    $ 778,647      $ (2,350   $ 274,990      $ 1,051,287      $ (673   $ 1,050,614      $ 34,833   
                                                             

Net income

            54,350        54,350        10        54,360        1,004   

Equity compensation expense

        1,518            1,518          1,518     

Issuance of common stock

   521,045      9,510            9,510          9,510     

Other comprehensive income

          72          72          72     

Cash dividends paid (common stock)

            (27,535     (27,535       (27,535  

Purchase of subsidiary noncontrolling interests

              —            —          (2,571

Valuation adjustments and other noncontrolling interests activity

            (2,456     (2,456       (2,456     4,195   

Other

        (879         (879     6        (873  
                                                             

Balance as of June 30, 2010

   55,357,826    $ 788,796      $ (2,278   $ 299,349      $ 1,085,867      $ (657   $ 1,085,210      $ 37,461   
                                                             

Balance as of January 1, 2009

   54,487,574    $ 774,986      $ (6,092   $ 227,989      $ 996,883      $ —        $ 996,883      $ 39,846   
                                                             

Net income (loss)

            56,879        56,879        (36     56,843        866   

Equity compensation expense

        1,270            1,270          1,270     

Issuance of common stock

   183,091      485            485          485     

Other comprehensive income

          201          201          201     

Cash dividends paid (common stock)

            (21,335     (21,335       (21,335  

Equity transactions of consolidated subsidiaries

        (1,852         (1,852       (1,852  

Purchase of subsidiary noncontrolling interests

              —            —          (4,775

Valuation adjustments and other noncontrolling interests activity

            494        494          494        1,430   

Other

              —          (376     (376  
                                                             

Balance as of June 30, 2009

   54,670,665    $ 774,889      $ (5,891   $ 264,027      $ 1,033,025      $ (412   $ 1,032,613      $ 37,367   
                                                             

The Accompanying Notes are an Integral Part of These Statements.

 

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AVISTA CORPORATION

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of Avista Corporation (Avista Corp. or the Company) for the interim periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009 are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, the statements reflect all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods. The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X. The Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements do not contain the detail or footnote disclosure concerning accounting policies and other matters which would be included in full fiscal year consolidated financial statements; therefore, they should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 (2009 Form 10-K). Please refer to the section “Acronyms and Terms” in the 2009 Form 10-K for definitions of terms such as capacity, energy and therm. The acronyms and terms are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Business

Avista Corp. is an energy company engaged in the generation, transmission and distribution of energy, as well as other energy-related businesses. Avista Utilities is an operating division of Avista Corp., comprising the regulated utility operations. Avista Utilities generates, transmits and distributes electricity in parts of eastern Washington and northern Idaho. In addition, Avista Utilities has electric generating facilities in Montana and northern Oregon. Avista Utilities also provides natural gas distribution service in parts of eastern Washington and northern Idaho, as well as parts of northeast and southwest Oregon. Avista Capital, Inc. (Avista Capital), a wholly owned subsidiary of Avista Corp., is the parent company of all of the subsidiary companies in the non-utility businesses, except Spokane Energy, LLC (see Note 2 for further information). Avista Capital’s subsidiaries include Advantage IQ, Inc. (Advantage IQ), a 76 percent owned subsidiary as of June 30, 2010. Advantage IQ is a provider of energy efficiency and other facility information and cost management programs and services for multi-site customers and utilities throughout North America. See Note 12 for business segment information.

Basis of Reporting

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of the Company and its subsidiaries, including Advantage IQ and other majority owned subsidiaries and variable interest entities for which the Company or its subsidiaries are the primary beneficiaries. Intercompany balances were eliminated in consolidation. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the Company’s proportionate share of utility plant and related operations resulting from its interests in jointly owned plants.

Taxes Other Than Income Taxes

Taxes other than income taxes include state excise taxes, city occupational and franchise taxes, real and personal property taxes and certain other taxes not based on net income. These taxes are generally based on revenues or the value of property. Utility related taxes collected from customers (primarily state excise taxes and city utility taxes) are recorded as operating revenue and expense and totaled $11.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and $13.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009. These taxes were $27.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and $34.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009.

Other Expense - Net

Other expense -net consisted of the following items for the three and six months ended June 30 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Three months ended June 30,     Six months ended June 30,  
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Interest income

   $ 300      $ 413      $ 598      $ 901   

Interest on regulatory deferrals

     59        719        130        1,467   

Equity-related AFUDC

     474        555        884        1,232   

Net gain (loss) on investments

     5        (261     (629     (1,009

Other expense

     (2,075     (1,656     (4,042     (3,386

Other income

     268        20        391        25   
                                

Total

   $ (969   $ (210   $ (2,668   $ (770
                                

 

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Goodwill

Goodwill arising from acquisitions represents the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of net assets acquired. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment using a discounted cash flow model on at least an annual basis or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. The Company completed its annual evaluation of goodwill for potential impairment as of November 30, 2009 for the other businesses and as of December 31, 2009 for Advantage IQ and determined that goodwill was not impaired at that time. The carrying amount of goodwill as of June 30, 2010 is as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     Advantage
IQ
   Other    Accumulated
Impairment
Losses (1)
    Total

Goodwill

   $ 19,544    $ 12,979    $ (7,733   $ 24,790
                            

 

(1) Accumulated impairment losses are attributable to the other businesses.

Other Intangibles

Other Intangibles primarily represent the amounts assigned to client relationships related to the Advantage IQ acquisition of Cadence Network in 2008 (estimated amortization period of 14 years) and Ecos in 2009 (estimated amortization period of 3 years), software development costs (estimated amortization period of 5 to 7 years) and other. Other Intangibles are included in other property and investments - net on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Amortization expense related to Other Intangibles was $1.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 and $0.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009. Amortization expense related to Other Intangibles was $1.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 and $0.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of Other Intangibles as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

     June 30,
2010
    December 31,
2009
 

Client relationships

   $ 10,259      $ 10,259   

Software development costs

     17,417        16,496   

Other

     1,371        1,371   
                

Total other intangibles

     29,047        28,126   

Less accumulated amortization

     (10,099     (8,192
                

Total other intangibles - net

   $ 18,948      $ 19,934   
                

The following table details the future estimated amortization expense related to Other Intangibles for each of the five years ending December 31 (dollars in thousands):

 

     2010    2011    2012    2013    2014

Estimated amortization expense

   $ 1,886    $ 3,716    $ 3,208    $ 2,524    $ 2,075
                                  

Regulatory Deferred Charges and Credits

The Company prepares its condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with regulatory accounting practices because:

 

   

rates for regulated services are established by or subject to approval by independent third-party regulators,

 

   

the regulated rates are designed to recover the cost of providing the regulated services, and

 

   

in view of demand for the regulated services and the level of competition, it is reasonable to assume that rates can be charged to and collected from customers at levels that will recover costs.

Regulatory accounting practices require that certain costs and/or obligations (such as incurred power and natural gas costs not currently included in rates, but expected to be recovered or refunded in the future) are reflected as deferred charges or credits on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. These costs and/or obligations are not reflected in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income until the period during which matching revenues are recognized.

If at some point in the future the Company determines that it no longer meets the criteria for continued application of regulatory accounting practices for all or a portion of its regulated operations, the Company could be:

 

   

required to write off its regulatory assets, and

 

   

precluded from the future deferral of costs not recovered through rates at the time such costs are incurred, even if the Company expected to recover such costs in the future.

 

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Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

This item represents the estimated fair value of redeemable stock and stock options of Advantage IQ issued under its employee stock incentive plan and to the previous owners of Cadence Network. See Note 3 for further information. This amount was corrected in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity for the six months ended June 30, 2009. The Company has reclassified $37.4 million as redeemable noncontrolling interests as of June 30, 2009. This amount was previously included as $0.4 million of other current liabilities, $27.1 million of other non-current liabilities and deferred credits and $9.9 million of noncontrolling interests (in equity).

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, consisted of the unfunded benefit obligation for pensions and other postretirement benefit plans as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009.

NOTE 2. NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Effective January 1, 2010, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2009-16, “Transfers and Servicing” (Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 860). This ASU amends certain provisions of ASC 860 related to accounting for transfers of financial assets and a transferor’s continuing involvement in transferred financial assets. In particular, the Company evaluated its accounts receivable sales financing facility (see Note 6) and determined the transactions no longer meet the criteria of sales of financial assets. As such, any transactions will be accounted for as secured borrowings. During the six months ended June 30, 2010, the Company did not borrow any funds under the revolving agreement. As such, the adoption of this ASU did not have any impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Effective January 1, 2010, the Company adopted ASU No. 2009-17, “Consolidations (Topic 810) - Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities (VIEs).” This ASU carries forward the scope of ASC 810, with the addition of entities previously considered qualifying special-purpose entities, as the concept of these entities was eliminated in ASU No. 2009-16 (ASC 860). The amendments required the Company to reconsider previous conclusions relating to the consolidation of VIEs, whether the Company is the VIE’s primary beneficiary, and what type of financial statement disclosures are required.

The Company evaluated its power purchase agreement (PPA) for the Lancaster Project, a 270 MW natural gas-fired combined cycle combustion turbine plant located in Idaho, owned by an unrelated third-party (Rathdrum Power LLC). During development and at the time of the commencement of commercial operations in September 2001, Avista Power, LLC, another subsidiary of Avista Corp., owned 49 percent of the equity in the Lancaster Project. The Lancaster Project was financed with 80 percent debt and 20 percent equity. In October 2006, Avista Power, LLC sold its equity ownership interest in the Lancaster Project.

All of the output from the Lancaster Plant is contracted to Avista Turbine Power, Inc. (ATP), a subsidiary of Avista Corp., through 2026 under the PPA. In September 2001 the rights and obligations under the PPA were assigned to Avista Energy, Inc. (Avista Energy) another subsidiary of Avista Corp. Beginning in July 2007 through the end of 2009, ATP conveyed the majority of its rights and obligations under the PPA to Shell Energy in connection with the sale of the majority of Avista Energy’s contracts and ongoing operations to Shell Energy. ATP conveyed these rights and obligations to Avista Corp. (Avista Utilities) beginning in January 2010.

Since Avista Corp. has a variable interest in the PPA, Avista Corp. made an evaluation of which interest holders have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entity and which interest holders have the obligation to absorb losses or receive benefits that could be significant to the entity. Avista Corp. pays a fixed capacity and operations and maintenance payment and certain monthly variable costs under the PPA. Under the terms of the PPA, Avista Corp. makes the dispatch decisions, provides all natural gas fuel and receives all of the electric energy output from the Lancaster Plant. However, Rathdrum Power LLC (the owner) controls the daily operation of the Lancaster Plant and makes operating and maintenance decisions. Rathdrum Power LLC controls all of the rights and obligations of the Lancaster Plant after the expiration of the PPA in 2026. It is estimated that the plant will have 15 to 25 years of useful life after that time. Rathdrum Power LLC bears the maintenance risk of the plant and will receive the residual value of the Lancaster Plant. Avista Corp. has no debt or equity investments in the Lancaster Project and does not provide financial support through liquidity arrangements or other commitments (other than the PPA). Avista Corp. has provided Rathdrum Power LLC, the owner of the Lancaster Plant, a guarantee under which Avista Corp. has guaranteed ATP’s performance under the PPA. Based on its analysis, Avista Corp. does not consider itself to be the primary beneficiary of the Lancaster Plant. The Company has a future contractual obligation of approximately $375 million under the PPA (representing the fixed capacity and operations and maintenance payments through 2026) and believes this would be its maximum exposure to loss. However, the Company believes that such costs will be recovered through retail rates.

 

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The implementation of amendments to ASC 810 results in the Company including Spokane Energy, LLC (Spokane Energy) in its consolidated financial statements effective January 1, 2010. Spokane Energy is a special purpose limited liability company and all of its membership capital is owned by Avista Corp. Spokane Energy was formed in December 1998, to assume ownership of a fixed rate electric capacity contract between Avista Corp. and Portland General Electric Company (PGE). Under the terms of the contract, Peaker, LLC (Peaker) purchases capacity from Avista Corp. and sells capacity to Spokane Energy, who in turn, sells the related capacity to PGE. Peaker acts as an intermediary to fulfill certain regulatory requirements between Spokane Energy and Avista Corp.

To provide funding to acquire the contract from Avista Corp., Spokane Energy borrowed $145.0 million from a funding trust. The transaction is structured such that Spokane Energy bears full recourse risk for a loan that matures in January 2015. Avista Corp. bears no recourse related to this loan. In December 1998, Spokane Energy acquired the contract from Avista Corp. to supply electric energy capacity to PGE through December 31, 2016. The cost of acquiring the energy contract is being amortized and matched with sales revenue over the life of the contract using the effective interest method. Avista Corp. acts as the servicer under the contract and performs scheduling, billing and collection functions. In exchange for such services, Spokane Energy pays a monthly servicing fee to Avista Corp. The servicing fee is less than $0.1 million per year.

In December 1998, Avista Corp. received $143.4 million of cash from Spokane Energy related to the monetization of the contract. Pursuant to orders from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) and the Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC), Avista Corp. fully amortized this amount by the end of 2002.

Avista Corp. did not previously consolidate Spokane Energy because Spokane Energy met the definition of a qualified special purpose entity (QSPE). As the amendments to ASC 810 and 860 eliminated the concept of a QSPE, Avista Corp. evaluated Spokane Energy for consolidation as a variable interest entity and determined that it was required to consolidate the entity. This determination was based primarily on Avista Corp. controlling the activities of Spokane Energy, owning all of the member capital of Spokane Energy, and receiving the majority of the residual benefits upon liquidation of the entity. The consolidation of Spokane Energy resulted in the following effects on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2010 (dollars in thousands):

 

Current portion of long-term energy contract receivable

   $ 9,247   

Other current assets

     2,016   

Long-term energy capacity contract receivable

     67,450   

Other property and investments-net

     1,100   
        

Total assets

   $ 79,813   
        

Current liabilities

   $ (706

Current portion of nonrecourse long-term debt

     11,905   

Nonrecourse long-term debt

     52,830   

Other non-current liabilities and deferred credits (1)

     15,784   
        

Total liabilities

   $ 79,813   
        

 

(1) Consists of a regulatory liability recorded for the cumulative retained earnings of Spokane Energy that the Company will flow through regulatory accounting mechanisms in future periods.

Due to the expected impact on regulatory accounting mechanisms in future periods, the consolidation of Spokane Energy did not have any effect on net income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010. The consolidation of Spokane Energy increased (decreased) the following line items in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Three months ended
June 30, 2010
    Six months ended
June 30, 2010
 

Utility revenues

   $ (450   $ (900

Non-utility energy revenues

     4,675        9,351   

Non-utility operating expenses - resource costs

     2,825        5,570   

Non-utility operating expenses - other operating expenses

     —          17   

Income from operations

     1,400        2,864   

Interest expense

     1,408        2,874   

Other expense - net

     (8     (10

 

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For the six months ended June 30, 2010, the regulatory liability recorded for the operations of Spokane Energy increased by $1.2 million.

The Company also evaluated several low-income housing project investments and determined that it should no longer consolidate these entities based upon the amendments to ASC 810. The Company determined that it was not the primary beneficiary because it lacks the power to direct any of the activities of the entities. The deconsolidation of the low-income housing project entities reduced current assets by $0.9 million, other property and investments-net by $1.7 million and long-term debt by $2.6 million effective January 1, 2010. The deconsolidation did not have any impact on the Company’s equity or net income.

NOTE 3. ADVANTAGE IQ ACQUISITIONS

The acquisition of Cadence Network effective July 2, 2008 was funded with the issuance of Advantage IQ common stock. Under the transaction agreement, the previous owners of Cadence Network can exercise a right to have their shares of Advantage IQ common stock redeemed during July 2011 or July 2012 if Advantage IQ is not liquidated through either an initial public offering or sale of the business to a third party. Their redemption rights expire July 31, 2012. The redemption price would be determined based on the fair market value of Advantage IQ at the time of the redemption election as determined by certain independent parties. Based on the estimated fair market value of Advantage IQ common stock held by the previous owners of Cadence Network, redeemable noncontrolling interests were $31.6 million as of June 30, 2010. Additionally, certain minority shareholders and option holders of Advantage IQ have the right to put their shares back to Advantage IQ at their discretion during an annual put window. This redeemable noncontrolling interest was $5.8 million as of June 30, 2010 for the intrinsic value of stock options outstanding, as well as outstanding redeemable stock.

On August 31, 2009, Advantage IQ acquired substantially all of the assets and liabilities of Ecos Consulting, Inc. (Ecos), a Portland, Oregon-based energy efficiency solutions provider. The acquisition of Ecos was funded primarily through borrowings under Advantage IQ’s committed credit agreement. Under the terms of the transaction, the assets and liabilities of Ecos were acquired by a wholly owned subsidiary of Advantage IQ.

NOTE 4. DERIVATIVES AND RISK MANAGEMENT

Energy Commodity Derivatives

Avista Utilities is exposed to market risks relating to changes in electricity and natural gas commodity prices and certain other fuel prices. Market risk is, in general, the risk of fluctuation in the market price of the commodity being traded and is influenced primarily by supply and demand. Market risk includes the fluctuation in the market price of associated derivative commodity instruments. Market risk may also be influenced by market participants’ nonperformance of their contractual obligations and commitments, which affects the supply of, or demand for, the commodity. Avista Utilities utilizes derivative instruments, such as forwards, futures, swaps and options in order to manage the various risks relating to these commodity price exposures. The Company has an energy resources risk policy and control procedures to manage these risks. The Company’s Risk Management Committee establishes the Company’s energy resources risk policy and monitors compliance. The Risk Management Committee is comprised of certain Company officers and other management. The Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors periodically reviews and discusses risk assessment and risk management policies, including the Company’s material financial and accounting risk exposures and the steps management has undertaken to control them.

As part of its resource procurement and management operations in the electric business, Avista Utilities engages in an ongoing process of resource optimization, which involves the economic selection from available energy resources to serve Avista Utilities’ load obligations and the use of these resources to capture available economic value. Avista Utilities sells and purchases wholesale electric capacity and energy and fuel as part of the process of acquiring and balancing resources to serve its load obligations. These transactions range from terms of one hour up to multiple years.

Avista Utilities makes continuing projections of:

 

   

electric loads at various points in time (ranging from one hour to multiple years) based on, among other things, estimates of customer usage and weather, historical data and contract terms, and

 

   

resource availability at these points in time based on, among other things, fuel choices and fuel markets, estimates of streamflows, availability of generating units, historic and forward market information, contract terms, and experience.

On the basis of these projections, Avista Utilities makes purchases and sales of electric capacity and energy and fuel to match expected resources to expected electric load requirements. Resource optimization involves generating plant dispatch and scheduling available resources and also includes transactions such as:

 

   

purchasing fuel for generation,

 

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when economical, selling fuel and substituting wholesale electric purchases, and

 

   

other wholesale transactions to capture the value of generation and transmission resources and fuel delivery capacity contracts.

Avista Utilities’ optimization process includes entering into hedging transactions to manage risks.

As part of its resource procurement and management operations in the natural gas business, Avista Utilities makes continuing projections of its natural gas loads and assesses available natural gas resources. Forward natural gas contracts are typically for monthly delivery periods. However, daily variations in natural gas demand can be significantly different than monthly demand projections. On the basis of these projections, Avista Utilities plans and executes a series of transactions to hedge a significant portion of its projected natural gas requirements through forward market transactions and derivative instruments. These transactions may extend for multiple natural gas operating years (November through October) into the future. Avista Utilities also leaves a significant portion of its natural gas supply requirements unhedged for purchase in short-term and spot markets. Natural gas resource optimization activities include:

 

   

wholesale market sales of surplus natural gas supplies,

 

   

optimization of interstate pipeline transportation capacity not needed to serve daily load, and

 

   

optimization of available natural gas storage capacity.

Derivatives are recorded as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet measured at estimated fair value. In certain defined conditions, a derivative may be specifically designated as a hedge for a particular exposure. The accounting for derivatives depends on the intended use of the derivatives and the resulting designation.

The WUTC and the IPUC issued accounting orders authorizing Avista Utilities to offset commodity derivative assets or liabilities with a regulatory asset or liability. This accounting treatment is intended to defer the recognition of mark-to-market gains and losses on energy commodity transactions until the period of settlement. The orders provide for Avista Utilities to not recognize the unrealized gain or loss on utility derivative commodity instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. Realized gains or losses are recognized in the period of settlement, subject to approval for recovery through retail rates. Realized gains and losses, subject to regulatory approval, result in adjustments to retail rates through purchased gas cost adjustments, the Energy Recovery Mechanism (ERM) in Washington, the Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) mechanism in Idaho, and periodic general rates cases. Regulatory assets are assessed regularly and are probable for recovery through future rates.

Substantially all forward contracts to purchase or sell power and natural gas are recorded as assets or liabilities at market value with an offsetting regulatory asset or liability. Contracts that are not considered derivatives are generally accounted for on the accrual basis until they are settled or realized, unless there is a decline in the fair value of the contract that is determined to be other than temporary.

The following table presents the underlying energy commodity derivative volumes as of June 30, 2010 that are expected to settle in each respective year (in thousands of MWhs and mmBTUs):

 

     Purchases    Sales
     Electric Derivatives    Gas Derivatives    Electric Derivatives    Gas Derivatives

Year

   Physical
MWH
   Financial
MWH
   Physical
mmBTUs
   Financial
mmBTUs
   Physical
MWH
   Financial
MWH
   Physical
mmBTUs
   Financial
mmBTUs

2010

   716    385    26,222    11,840    1,394    201    9,783    11,747

2011

   517    560    24,009    7,242    285    132    1,955    7,758

2012

   489    588    7,771    5,320    287    31    1,525    3,185

2013

   368    —      3,140    755    286    —      1,500    —  

2014

   366    —      450    450    286    —      1,475    —  

Thereafter

   1,694    —      —      —      1,303    —      —      —  

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

A significant portion of Avista Utilities’ natural gas supply (including fuel for power generation) is obtained from Canadian sources. Most of those transactions are executed in U.S. dollars, which avoids foreign currency risk. A portion of Avista Utilities’ short-term natural gas transactions and long-term Canadian transportation contracts are committed based on Canadian currency prices and settled within sixty days with U.S. dollars. In early 2009, Avista Utilities implemented a process to economically hedge a portion of the foreign currency risk by purchasing Canadian currency when such commodity transactions are initiated. This risk has not had a material effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows and these differences in cost related to currency

 

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fluctuations were included with natural gas supply costs for ratemaking. As of June 30, 2010, the Company had a current derivative liability for foreign currency hedges of $0.5 million included in other current liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of June 30, 2010, the Company had entered into 32 Canadian currency forward contracts with a notional amount of $25.4 million ($26.3 million Canadian). As of December 31, 2009, the Company had a current derivative liability for foreign currency hedges of less than $0.1 million included in other current liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of December 31, 2009, the Company had entered into 24 Canadian currency forward contracts with a notional amount of $10.2 million ($10.6 million Canadian).

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

Avista Corp. enters into forward-starting interest rate swap agreements to manage the risk associated with changes in interest rates and the impact on future interest payments. These interest rate swap agreements relate to the interest payments for anticipated debt issuances. These interest rate swap agreements are considered economic hedges against fluctuations in future cash flows associated with changes in interest rates.

The following table summarizes the interest rate swaps that the Company has entered into as of June 30, 2010 (dollars in thousands):

 

Entered

   Notional    Number of
Contracts
   Mandatory Cash
Settlement Date

May/June 2010

   $ 50,000    2    July 2012

The Company did not have any interest rate swap contracts outstanding as of December 31, 2009.

Under the terms of the outstanding interest rate swap agreements, the value of the interest rate swaps is determined based upon Avista Corp. paying a fixed rate and receiving a variable rate based on LIBOR for a term of ten years. As of June 30, 2010, Avista Corp. had a long-term derivative liability and an offsetting regulatory asset of $1.3 million on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet in accordance with regulatory accounting practices. Upon settlement of the interest rate swaps, the regulatory asset or liability (included as part of long-term debt) will be amortized as a component of interest expense over the life of the forecasted interest payments.

Derivative Instruments Summary

The following table presents the fair values and locations of derivative instruments recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2010 (in thousands):

 

          Fair Value  

Derivative

  

Balance Sheet Location

   Asset    Liability     Net Asset
(Liability)
 

Foreign currency contracts

  

Other current liabilities

   $ —      $ (480   $ (480

Interest rate contracts

  

Other non-current liabilities and deferred credits

     —        (1,313     (1,313

Commodity contracts

  

Current utility energy commodity derivative assets

     20,635      (9,078     11,557   

Commodity contracts

  

Non-current utility energy commodity derivative assets

     33,421      (5,423     27,998   

Commodity contracts

  

Current utility energy commodity derivative liabilities

     5,694      (50,073     (44,379

Commodity contracts

  

Other non-current liabilities and deferred credits

     1,571      (26,486     (24,915
                          

Total derivative instruments recorded on the balance sheet

   $ 61,321    $ (92,853   $ (31,532
                          

The following table presents the fair values and locations of derivative instruments recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2009 (in thousands):

 

          Fair Value  

Derivative

  

Balance Sheet Location

   Asset    Liability     Net Asset
(Liability)
 

Foreign currency contracts

  

Other current liabilities

   $ —      $ (50   $ (50

Commodity contracts

  

Current utility energy commodity derivative assets

     8,976      (1,219     7,757   

Commodity contracts

  

Non-current utility energy commodity derivative assets

     53,765      (8,282     45,483   

Commodity contracts

  

Current utility energy commodity derivative liabilities

     5,783      (21,870     (16,087

Commodity contracts

  

Other non-current liabilities and deferred credits

     650      (3,521     (2,871
                          

Total derivative instruments recorded on the balance sheet

   $ 69,174    $ (34,942   $ 34,232   
                          

 

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Exposure to Demands for Collateral

The Company’s derivative contracts often require collateral (in the form of cash or letters of credit) or other credit enhancements, or reductions or terminations of a portion of the contract through cash settlement, in the event of a downgrade in the Company’s credit ratings or adverse changes in market prices. In periods of price volatility, the level of exposure can change significantly. As a result, sudden and significant demands may be made against the Company’s credit facilities and cash. The Company actively monitors the exposure to possible collateral calls and takes steps to minimize capital requirements.

Certain of the Company’s derivative instruments contain provisions that require the Company to maintain an investment grade credit rating from the major credit rating agencies. If the Company’s credit ratings were to fall below investment grade, it would be in violation of these provisions, and the counterparties to the derivative instruments could request immediate payment or demand immediate and ongoing collateralization on derivative instruments in net liability positions. The aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that are in a liability position as of June 30, 2010 was $46.8 million. If the credit-risk-related contingent features underlying these agreements were triggered on June 30, 2010, the Company would be required to post $29.6 million of collateral to its counterparties.

Credit Risk

Credit risk relates to the potential losses that the Company would incur as a result of non-performance by counterparties of their contractual obligations to deliver energy or make financial settlements. The Company often extends credit to counterparties and customers and is exposed to the risk that it may not be able to collect amounts owed to the Company. Changes in market prices may dramatically alter the size of credit risk with counterparties, even when conservative credit limits are established.

Credit risk includes potential counterparty default due to circumstances:

 

   

relating directly to it,

 

   

caused by market price changes, and

 

   

relating to other market participants that have a direct or indirect relationship with such counterparty.

Should a counterparty, customer or supplier fail to perform, the Company may be required to honor the underlying commitment or to replace existing contracts with contracts at then-current market prices. The Company seeks to mitigate credit risk by:

 

   

entering into bilateral contracts that specify credit terms and protections against default,

 

   

applying credit limits and duration criteria to existing and prospective counterparties,

 

   

actively monitoring current credit exposures, and

 

   

conducting some of its transactions on exchanges with clearing arrangements that essentially eliminate counterparty default risk.

These credit policies include an evaluation of the financial condition and credit ratings of counterparties, collateral requirements or other credit enhancements, such as letters of credit or parent company guarantees. The Company also uses standardized agreements that allow for the netting or offsetting of positive and negative exposures associated with a single counterparty or affiliated group.

The Company has concentrations of suppliers and customers in the electric and natural gas industries including:

 

   

electric utilities,

 

   

electric generators and transmission providers,

 

   

natural gas producers and pipelines,

 

   

financial institutions, and

 

   

energy marketing and trading companies.

In addition, the Company has concentrations of credit risk related to geographic location as it operates in the western United States and western Canada. These concentrations of counterparties and concentrations of geographic location may impact the Company’s overall exposure to credit risk, either positively or negatively, because the counterparties may be similarly affected by changes in conditions.

 

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As is common industry practice, Avista Utilities maintains margin agreements with certain counterparties. Margin calls are triggered when exposures exceed predetermined contractual limits or when there are changes in a counterparty’s creditworthiness. Price movements in electricity and natural gas can generate exposure levels in excess of these contractual limits. Margin calls are periodically made and/or received by Avista Utilities. Negotiating for collateral in the form of cash, letters of credit, or performance guarantees is common industry practice.

Cash deposits from counterparties totaled $0.2 million at June 30, 2010 and $3.2 million at December 31, 2009. These funds were held by Avista Utilities to mitigate the potential impact of counterparty default risk. These amounts are subject to return if conditions warrant because of continuing portfolio value fluctuations with those parties or substitution of non-cash collateral.

NOTE 5. PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS

The Company has a defined benefit pension plan covering substantially all regular full-time employees at Avista Utilities. Individual benefits under this plan are based upon the employee’s years of service, date of hire and average compensation as specified in the plan. The Company’s funding policy is to contribute at least the minimum amounts that are required to be funded under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, but not more than the maximum amounts that are currently deductible for income tax purposes. The Company contributed $48 million in cash to the pension plan in 2009. The Company expects to contribute $21 million to the pension plan in 2010 ($14 million was contributed in the six months ended June 30, 2010).

The Company also has a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP) that provides additional pension benefits to executive officers of the Company. The SERP is intended to provide benefits to executive officers whose benefits under the pension plan are reduced due to the application of Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the deferral of salary under deferred compensation plans. The liability and expense for this plan are included as pension benefits.

The Company provides certain health care and life insurance benefits for substantially all of its retired employees. The Company accrues the estimated cost of postretirement benefit obligations during the years that employees provide services.

The Company established a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to provide employees with tax-advantaged funds to pay for allowable medical expenses upon retirement. The amount earned by the employee is fixed on the retirement date based on the employee’s years of service and the ending salary. The liability and expense of this plan are included as other postretirement benefits.

The Company provides death benefits to beneficiaries of executive officers who die during their term of office or after retirement. Under the plan, an executive officer’s designated beneficiary will receive a payment equal to twice the executive officer’s annual base salary at the time of death (or if death occurs after retirement, a payment equal to twice the executive officer’s total annual pension benefit). The liability and expense for this plan are included as other postretirement benefits.

The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for its pension and other postretirement benefit plans. The following table sets forth the components of net periodic benefit costs for the three and six months ended June 30 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Pension Benefits     Other Post-
retirement Benefits
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Three months ended June 30:

        

Service cost

   $ 2,878      $ 2,673      $ 219      $ 202   

Interest cost

     5,823        5,404        631        571   

Expected return on plan assets

     (5,347     (4,238     (341     (341

Transition obligation recognition

     —          —          126        126   

Amortization of prior service cost

     163        164        (37     (37

Net loss recognition

     1,842        2,089        190        363   
                                

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 5,359      $ 6,092      $ 788      $ 884   
                                

Six months ended June 30:

        

Service cost

   $ 5,756      $ 5,346      $ 421      $ 404   

Interest cost

     11,646        10,808        1,250        1,142   

Expected return on plan assets

     (10,694     (8,476     (682     (682

Transition obligation recognition

     —          —          252        252   

Amortization of prior service cost

     326        328        (74     (74

Net loss recognition

     3,633        4,144        528        626   
                                

Net periodic benefit cost

   $ 10,667      $ 12,150      $ 1,695      $ 1,668   
                                

 

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NOTE 6. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE FINANCING FACILITY

Avista Receivables Corporation (ARC) is a wholly owned, bankruptcy-remote subsidiary of Avista Corp. formed for the purpose of acquiring or purchasing interests in certain accounts receivable, both billed and unbilled, of the Company. Avista Corp., ARC and a third-party financial institution are parties to a Receivables Purchase Agreement. Prior to January 1, 2010, transactions under this facility were accounted for as sales of financial assets. Effective January 1, 2010, ASC 860 was amended and the transactions no longer meet the criteria for sales of financial assets and will be accounted for as secured borrowings on a prospective basis. The agreement was amended on March 12, 2010 to, among other things, extend the termination date from March 12, 2010 to March 11, 2011 and to reduce the amount that can be borrowed under the facility to $50.0 million from $85.0 million. The Company reduced the amount of the facility based on its forecasted liquidity needs. ARC is obligated to pay fees that approximate the purchaser’s cost of issuing commercial paper equal in value to the interests in receivables sold. The Receivables Purchase Agreement has financial covenants, which are substantially the same as those of Avista Corp.’s committed lines of credit (see Note 7). Based on calculations of eligible receivables, ARC had the ability to borrow up to $50.0 million under this revolving agreement as of June 30, 2010 and $85.0 million as of December 31, 2009. The Company did not borrow any funds under this revolving agreement during the six months ended June 30, 2010.

NOTE 7. SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

Avista Corp. has a committed line of credit agreement with various banks in the total amount of $320.0 million with an expiration date of April 5, 2011. Under the credit agreement, the Company can borrow or request the issuance of letters of credit in any combination up to $320.0 million. The Company had $85.0 million in borrowings outstanding under this committed line of credit as of June 30, 2010 and $87.0 million as of December 31, 2009. Total letters of credit outstanding were $24.1 million as of June 30, 2010 and $28.4 million as of December 31, 2009. The committed line of credit is secured by $320.0 million of non-transferable First Mortgage Bonds of the Company issued to the agent bank that would only become due and payable in the event, and then only to the extent, that the Company defaults on its obligations under the committed line of credit.

Additionally, the Company has a committed line of credit agreement with various banks in the total amount of $75.0 million with an expiration date of April 5, 2011. Avista Corp. may elect to increase the committed line of credit by up to $25.0 million under the same agreement. As of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company did not have any borrowings outstanding under this committed line of credit. The committed line of credit is secured by $75.0 million of non-transferable First Mortgage Bonds of the Company issued to the agent bank that would only become due and payable in the event, and then only to the extent, that the Company defaults on its obligations under the committed line of credit.

The committed line of credit agreements contain customary covenants and default provisions, including a covenant requiring the ratio of “earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization” to “interest expense” of Avista Utilities for the preceding twelve-month period at the end of any fiscal quarter to be greater than 1.6 to 1. As of June 30, 2010, the Company was in compliance with this covenant with a ratio of 4.07 to 1. The committed line of credit agreements also have a covenant which does not permit the ratio of “consolidated total debt” to “consolidated total capitalization” of Avista Corp. to be greater than 70 percent at any time. As of June 30, 2010, the Company was in compliance with this covenant with a ratio of 54.1 percent.

Advantage IQ

Advantage IQ has a $15.0 million committed credit agreement with an expiration date of February 1, 2011. Advantage IQ may elect to increase the credit facility to $25.0 million under the same agreement. The credit agreement is secured by substantially all of Advantage IQ’s assets. Advantage IQ had $2.9 million of borrowings outstanding under the credit agreement as of June 30, 2010, and $5.7 million as of December 31, 2009.

 

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NOTE 8. LONG-TERM DEBT

The following details long-term debt outstanding as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 (dollars in thousands):

 

Maturity
Year

  

Description

   Interest
Rate
  June 30,
2010
    December 31,
2009
 
2010    Secured Medium-Term Notes    6.67%-8.02%   $ 35,000      $ 35,000   
2012    Secured Medium-Term Notes    7.37%     7,000        7,000   
2013    First Mortgage Bonds    6.13%     45,000        45,000   
2013    First Mortgage Bonds    7.25%     30,000        30,000   
2018    First Mortgage Bonds    5.95%     250,000        250,000   
2018    Secured Medium-Term Notes    7.39%-7.45%     22,500        22,500   
2019    First Mortgage Bonds    5.45%     90,000        90,000   
2022    First Mortgage Bonds    5.13%     250,000        250,000   
2023    Secured Medium-Term Notes    7.18%-7.54%     13,500        13,500   
2028    Secured Medium-Term Notes    6.37%     25,000        25,000   
2032    Secured Pollution Control Bonds (1)    (1)     66,700        66,700   
2034    Secured Pollution Control Bonds (2)    (2)     17,000        17,000   
2035    First Mortgage Bonds    6.25%     150,000        150,000   
2037    First Mortgage Bonds    5.70%     150,000        150,000   
                     
  

Total secured long-term debt

       1,151,700        1,151,700   
2023    Unsecured Pollution Control Bonds    6.00%     4,100        4,100   
  

Other long-term debt and capital leases

       5,641        3,018   
  

Settled interest rate swaps

       (1,391     (1,844
  

Unamortized debt discount

       (1,943     (1,936
                     
  

Total

       1,158,107        1,155,038   
  

Secured Pollution Control Bonds held by Avista Corporation (1) (2)

       (83,700     (83,700
  

Current portion of long-term debt

       (35,348     (35,189
                     
  

Total long-term debt

     $ 1,039,059      $ 1,036,149   
                     

 

(1) In December 2008, $66.7 million of the City of Forsyth, Montana Pollution Control Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 1999A (Avista Corporation Colstrip Project) due 2032 were remarketed. Avista Corp. purchased these Pollution Control Bonds and expects that at a later date, subject to market conditions, these bonds will be remarketed to unaffiliated investors or refunded by a new issue. Although Avista Corp. is now the holder of these Pollution Control Bonds, the bonds have not been cancelled and remain outstanding under the City of Forsyth’s indenture. However, so long as Avista Corp. is the holder, the bonds are not reflected as an asset or a liability on Avista Corp.’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
(2) In December 2008, the City of Forsyth, Montana issued $17.0 million of its Pollution Control Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2008 (Avista Corp. Colstrip Project) due 2034 on behalf of Avista Corp. The proceeds of the Bonds were used to refund $17.0 million of Pollution Control Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 1999B (Avista Corp. Colstrip Project) issued by the City of Forsyth, Montana on behalf of Avista Corp. In December 2009, Avista Corp. purchased the Bonds and expects that at a later date, subject to market conditions, the bonds will be remarketed to unaffiliated investors or refunded by a new issue. Although Avista Corp. is now the holder of these Pollution Control Bonds, the bonds have not been cancelled and remain outstanding under the City of Forsyth’s indenture. However, so long as Avista Corp. is the holder, the bonds are not reflected as an asset or a liability on Avista Corp.’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Nonrecourse Long-Term Debt

Nonrecourse long-term debt (including current portion) represents the long-term debt of Spokane Energy. To provide funding to acquire a long-term fixed rate electric capacity contract from Avista Corp., Spokane Energy borrowed $145.0 million from a funding trust in December 1998. The long-term debt has scheduled monthly installments and interest at a fixed rate of 8.45 percent with the final payment due in January 2015. Spokane Energy bears full recourse risk for the debt, which is secured by the fixed rate electric capacity contract and $1.6 million of funds held in a trust account.

 

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NOTE 9. FAIR VALUE

Fair value represents 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 carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable and short-term borrowings are reasonable estimates of their fair values. Long-term debt (including current portion, but excluding capital leases), nonrecourse long-term debt and long-term debt to affiliated trusts are reported at carrying value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The following table sets forth the carrying value and estimated fair value of the Company’s financial instruments not reported at estimated fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 (dollars in thousands):

 

     June 30, 2010    December 31, 2009
     Carrying
Value
   Estimated
Fair Value
   Carrying
Value
   Estimated
Fair Value

Long-term debt

   $ 1,072,100    $ 1,152,958    $ 1,072,100    $ 1,079,857

Nonrecourse long-term debt

     64,735      77,809      —        —  

Long-term debt to affiliated trusts

     51,547      41,932      51,547      43,534

These estimates of fair value of long-term debt and long-term debt to affiliated trusts were primarily based on available market information. Due to the unique nature of the long-term fixed rate electric capacity contract securing the long-term debt of Spokane Energy (nonrecourse long-term debt), the estimated fair value of nonrecourse long-term debt was determined based on a discounted cash flow model using available market information.

Energy commodity derivative assets and liabilities, funds held for customers, deferred compensation assets, as well as derivatives related to interest rate swap agreements and foreign currency exchange contracts, are reported at estimated fair value on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. U.S. GAAP defines a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement).

The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are defined as follows:

Level 1 – Quoted prices are available in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Active markets are those in which transactions for the asset or liability occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis.

Level 2 – Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. Level 2 includes those financial instruments that are valued using models or other valuation methodologies. These models are primarily industry-standard models that consider various assumptions, including quoted forward prices for commodities, time value, volatility factors, and current market and contractual prices for the underlying instruments, as well as other relevant economic measures. Substantially all of these assumptions are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the instrument, can be derived from observable data or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace.

Level 3 – Pricing inputs include significant inputs that are generally unobservable from objective sources. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate of fair value. Level 3 instruments include those that may be more structured or otherwise tailored to the Company’s needs.

Financial assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the valuation of fair value assets and liabilities and their placement within the fair value hierarchy levels. The determination of the fair values incorporates various factors that not only include the credit standing of the counterparties involved and the impact of credit enhancements (such as cash deposits and letters of credit), but also the impact of Avista Corp.’s nonperformance risk on its liabilities.

 

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The following table discloses by level within the fair value hierarchy the Company’s assets and liabilities measured and reported on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 at fair value on a recurring basis (dollars in thousands):

 

     Level 1    Level 2    Level 3    Counterparty
Netting (1)
    Total

June 30, 2010

             

Assets:

             

Energy commodity derivatives

   $ —      $ 27,470    $ 33,851    $ (21,766   $ 39,555

Funds held for customers (2)

     53,227      —        —        —          53,227

Funds held in trust account of Spokane Energy

     1,600      —        —        —          1,600

Deferred compensation assets:

             

Equity securities (3)

     8,895      —        —        —          8,895
                                   

Total

   $ 63,722    $ 27,470    $ 33,851    $ (21,766   $ 103,277
                                   

Liabilities:

             

Foreign currency derivatives

   $ —      $ 480    $ —      $ —        $ 480

Interest rate swaps

     —        1,313      —        —          1,313

Energy commodity derivatives

     —        86,679      4,381      (21,766     69,294
                                   

Total

   $ —      $ 88,472    $ 4,381    $ (21,766   $ 71,087
                                   

December 31, 2009

             

Assets:

             

Energy commodity derivatives

   $ —      $ 11,898    $ 57,276    $ (15,934   $ 53,240

Funds held for customers (2)

     51,128      —        —        —          51,128

Deferred compensation assets:

             

Equity securities (3)

     7,874      —        —        —          7,874
                                   

Total

   $ 59,002    $ 11,898    $ 57,276    $ (15,934   $ 112,242
                                   

Liabilities:

             

Energy commodity derivatives

   $ —      $ 27,086    $ 7,806    $ (15,934   $ 18,958

Foreign currency derivatives

     —        50      —        —          50
                                   

Total

   $ —      $ 27,136    $ 7,806    $ (15,934   $ 19,008
                                   

 

(1) The Company is permitted to net derivative assets and derivative liabilities when a legally enforceable master netting agreement exists.
(2) Represents amounts held in money market funds. The amounts reported on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets include cash and cash equivalent amounts that are not included within the table.
(3) These assets are trading securities.

Avista Utilities enters into forward contracts to purchase or sell a specified amount of energy at a specified time, or during a specified period, in the future. These contracts are entered into as part of Avista Utilities’ management of loads and resources and certain contracts are considered derivative instruments. The difference between the amount of derivative assets and liabilities disclosed in respective levels and the amount of derivative assets and liabilities disclosed on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets is due to netting arrangements with certain counterparties. The Company uses quoted market prices and forward price curves to estimate the fair value of utility derivative commodity instruments included in Level 2. In particular, electric derivative valuations are performed using broker quotes, adjusted for periods in between quotable periods. Natural gas derivative valuations are estimated using New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX) pricing for similar instruments, adjusted for basin differences, using broker quotes. Where observable inputs are available for substantially the full term of the contract, the derivative asset or liability is included in Level 2. The Company also has certain contracts that, primarily due to the length of the respective contract, require the use of internally developed forward price estimates, which include significant inputs that may not be observable or corroborated in the market. These derivative contracts are included in Level 3. Refer to Note 4 for further discussion of the Company’s energy commodity derivative assets and liabilities.

Deferred compensation assets and liabilities represent funds held by the Company in a Rabbi Trust for an Executive Deferral Plan. These funds consist of actively traded equity and bond funds with quoted prices in active markets. The balance disclosed in the table above excludes cash and cash equivalents of $0.1 million as of June 30, 2010 and $1.6 million as of December 31, 2009.

 

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The following table presents activity for energy commodity derivative assets and (liabilities) measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and six months ended June 30 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Assets     Liabilities  
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Three months ended June 30:

        

Balance as of April 1

   $ 30,788      $ 48,675      $ (4,896   $ (12,867

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):

        

Included in net income

     —          —          —          —     

Included in other comprehensive income

     —          —          —          —     

Included in regulatory assets/liabilities (1)

     3,116        11,894        434        (1,674

Purchases, issuances, and settlements, net

     (53     —          81        501   

Transfers to other categories

     —          —          —          —     
                                

Ending balance as of June 30

   $ 33,851      $ 60,569      $ (4,381   $ (14,040
                                

Six months ended June 30:

        

Balance as of January 1

   $ 57,276      $ 68,047      $ (7,806   $ (16,085

Total gains or losses (realized/unrealized):

        

Included in net income

     —          —          —          —     

Included in other comprehensive income

     —          —          —          —     

Included in regulatory assets/liabilities (1)

     (21,076     (6,326     3,344        1,516   

Purchases, issuances, and settlements, net

     (2,349     (1,152     81        529   

Transfers to other categories

     —          —          —          —     
                                

Ending balance as of June 30

   $ 33,851      $ 60,569      $ (4,381   $ (14,040
                                

 

(1) The WUTC and the IPUC issued accounting orders authorizing Avista Utilities to offset commodity derivative assets or liabilities with a regulatory asset or liability. This accounting treatment is intended to defer the recognition of mark-to-market gains and losses on energy commodity transactions until the period of settlement. The orders provide for Avista Utilities to not recognize the unrealized gain or loss on utility derivative commodity instruments in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. Realized gains or losses are recognized in the period of settlement, subject to approval for recovery through retail rates. Realized gains and losses, subject to regulatory approval, result in adjustments to retail rates through purchased gas cost adjustments, the ERM in Washington, the PCA mechanism in Idaho, and periodic general rates cases. Regulatory assets are assessed regularly and are probable for recovery through future rates.

NOTE 10. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO AVISTA CORPORATION

The following table presents the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share attributable to Avista Corporation for the three and six months ended June 30 (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     Three months ended
June 30,
    Six months ended
June 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Numerator:

        

Net income attributable to Avista Corporation

   $ 25,540      $ 25,852      $ 54,350      $ 56,879   

Subsidiary earnings adjustment for dilutive securities

     (43     (18     (78     (53
                                

Adjusted net income attributable to Avista Corporation for computation of diluted earnings per common share

   $ 25,497      $ 25,834      $ 54,272      $ 56,826   
                                

Denominator:

        

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding-basic

     55,031        54,654        54,950        54,635   

Effect of dilutive securities:

        

Contingent stock awards

     127        66        145        74   

Stock options

     73        107        76        66   
                                

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding-diluted

     55,231        54,827        55,171        54,775   
                                

Earnings per common share attributable to Avista Corporation:

        

Basic

   $ 0.46      $ 0.47      $ 0.99      $ 1.04   
                                

Diluted

   $ 0.46      $ 0.47      $ 0.98      $ 1.04   
                                

 

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Total stock options outstanding excluded in the calculation of diluted earnings per common share attributable to Avista Corporation were 198,050 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 and 343,950 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009. These stock options were excluded from the calculation because they were antidilutive based on the fact that the exercise price of the stock options was higher than the average market price of Avista Corp. common stock during the respective period.

NOTE 11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

In the course of its business, the Company becomes involved in various claims, controversies, disputes and other contingent matters, including the items described in this Note. Some of these claims, controversies, disputes and other contingent matters involve litigation or other contested proceedings. The Company intends to vigorously protect and defend its interests and pursue its rights. However, no assurance can be given as to the ultimate outcome of any particular matter because litigation and other contested proceedings are inherently subject to numerous uncertainties. For matters that affect Avista Utilities’ operations, the Company intends to seek, to the extent appropriate, recovery of incurred costs through the ratemaking process.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Inquiry

In April 2004, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved the contested Agreement in Resolution of Section 206 Proceeding (Agreement in Resolution) between Avista Corp. doing business as Avista Utilities, Avista Energy and the FERC’s Trial Staff which stated that there was: (1) no evidence that any executives or employees of Avista Utilities or Avista Energy knowingly engaged in or facilitated any improper trading strategy during 2000 and 2001; (2) no evidence that Avista Utilities or Avista Energy engaged in any efforts to manipulate the western energy markets during 2000 and 2001; and (3) no finding that Avista Utilities or Avista Energy withheld relevant information from the FERC’s inquiry into the western energy markets for 2000 and 2001 (Trading Investigation). The Attorney General of the State of California (California AG), the California Electricity Oversight Board, California Parties and the City of Tacoma, Washington challenged the FERC’s decisions approving the Agreement in Resolution, which are now pending before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (Ninth Circuit).

In May 2004, the FERC provided notice that Avista Energy was no longer subject to an investigation reviewing certain bids above $250 per MW in the short-term energy markets operated by the California Independent System Operator (CalISO) and the California Power Exchange (CalPX) from May 1, 2000 to October 2, 2000 (Bidding Investigation). That matter is also pending before the Ninth Circuit, after the California AG, Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), Southern California Edison Company (SCE) and the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) filed petitions for review in 2005.

Based on the FERC’s order approving the Agreement in Resolution and the FERC’s denial of rehearing requests, the Company does not expect that this proceeding will have any material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Furthermore, based on information currently known to the Company regarding the Bidding Investigation and the fact that the FERC Staff did not find any evidence of manipulative behavior, the Company does not expect that this matter will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The Company has not accrued a liability related to this matter.

California Refund Proceeding

In July 2001, the FERC ordered an evidentiary hearing to determine the amount of refunds due to California energy buyers for purchases made in the spot markets operated by the CalISO and the CalPX during the period from October 2, 2000 to June 20, 2001 (Refund Period). Proposed refunds are based on the calculation of mitigated market clearing prices for each hour. The FERC ruled that if the refunds required by the formula would cause a seller to recover less than its actual costs for the Refund Period, sellers may document these costs and limit their refund liability commensurately. In September 2005, Avista Energy submitted its cost filing claim pursuant to the FERC’s August 2005 order. That filing was accepted in orders issued by the FERC in January 2006 and November 2006. In June 2009, the FERC reversed, in part, its previous decision and ordered a compliance filing requiring an adjustment to the return on investment component of Avista Energy’s cost filing. That compliance filing was made in July 2009. In March 2010, the California AG, the CPUC, PG&E, and SCE filed a protest and comments on Avista Energy’s compliance filing. In April 2010, Avista Energy filed a response and corrected a technical error from its July 2009 filing. The correction increased its cost filing claim. The California AG, CPUC, PG&E and SCE filed an answer and protest to this filing in April 2010, which Avista Energy answered in June 2010. In July 2010, the same parties again opposed Avista Energy’s cost filing, and Avista Energy answered that protest. The revised compliance filing is pending before the FERC.

 

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The CalISO continues to work on its compliance filing for the Refund Period, which will show “who owes what to whom.” In April 2010 and May 2010, the CalISO and CalPX, respectively, filed updated compliance reports concerning preparatory re-run activity. The CalPX filing requested guidance from the FERC on issues related to completing the final determination of “who owes what to whom.” In June 2010, Avista Energy filed comments with the FERC asking the FERC to assist the parties in bringing this matter to a close by expeditiously: 1) approving the compliance filings made by the CalISO and the CalPX; 2) ruling on the outstanding issues presented by the CalPX; and 3) setting milestones for next steps regarding the final compliance filing.

In July 2010, the CalISO filed its 45th status report on the California recalculation process confirming that the calculations related to fuel cost allowance offsets and emission offsets are complete, and identifying several open issues related to the refund rerun calculations that need to be resolved by the FERC. The CalISO states that it will need to revise certain calculations related to cost-recovery offsets and interest calculations. In addition, the CalISO stated that it is in the process of making adjustments to the CalISO data to remove refunds associated with sales made by non-jurisdictional entities. The CalISO also says that it will need to work with parties to the various global settlements to make appropriate adjustments to the CalISO’s data in order to properly reflect those adjustments. In a March 2010 filing, the CalISO stated that it does not intend to make any compliance filing until, inter alia, the FERC resolves issues related to the Ninth Circuit’s remand regarding possible remedies for alleged tariff violations pursuant to Federal Power Act (FPA) section 309, prior to the refund effective date in this proceeding (discussed below).

The 2001 bankruptcy of PG&E resulted in a default on its payment obligations to the CalPX. As a result, Avista Energy has not been paid for all of its energy sales during the Refund Period. Those funds are now in escrow accounts and will not be released until the FERC issues an order directing such release in the California refund proceeding. As of June 30, 2010, Avista Energy’s accounts receivable outstanding related to defaulting parties in California were fully offset by reserves for uncollected amounts and funds collected from defaulting parties.

Many of the orders that the FERC has issued in the California refund proceedings were appealed to the Ninth Circuit. In October 2004, the Ninth Circuit ordered that briefing proceed in two rounds. The first round was limited to three issues: (1) which parties are subject to the FERC’s refund jurisdiction in light of the exemption for government-owned utilities in section 201(f) of the FPA; (2) the temporal scope of refunds under section 206 of the FPA; and (3) which categories of transactions are subject to refunds. The second round of issues and their corresponding briefing schedules have not yet been set by the Ninth Circuit.

In September 2005, the Ninth Circuit held that the FERC did not have the authority to order refunds for sales made by municipal utilities in the California refund proceeding. In August 2006, the Ninth Circuit upheld October 2, 2000 as the refund effective date for the FPA section 206 refund proceeding, but remanded to the FERC its decision not to consider an FPA section 309 remedy for tariff violations prior to that date. Petitions for rehearing were denied in April 2009. In July 2009, Avista Energy and Avista Utilities filed a motion at the FERC, asking that the companies be dismissed from any further proceedings arising under section 309 pursuant to the remand. The filing pointed out that section 309 relief is based on tariff violations of the seller, and as to Avista Energy and Avista Utilities, these allegations had already been fully adjudicated in the proceeding that gave rise to the Agreement in Resolution, discussed above. There, the FERC absolved both companies of all allegations of market manipulation or wrongdoing that would justify or permit FPA sections 206 or 309 remedies during 2000 and 2001. In November 2009, the FERC issued an order establishing an evidentiary hearing before an administrative law judge to address the issues remanded by the Ninth Circuit without addressing the Company’s pending motion. In December 2009, the Company again brought the issue to the FERC’s attention but its motion remains pending.

Because the resolution of the California refund proceeding remains uncertain, legal counsel cannot express an opinion on the extent of the Company’s liability, if any. However, based on information currently known, the Company does not expect that the refunds ultimately ordered for the Refund Period will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. This is primarily due to the fact that the FERC orders have stated that any refunds will be netted against unpaid amounts owed to the respective parties and the Company does not believe that refunds would exceed unpaid amounts owed to the Company. As such, the Company has not accrued a liability related to this matter.

 

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Pacific Northwest Refund Proceeding

In July 2001, the FERC initiated a preliminary evidentiary hearing to develop a factual record as to whether prices for spot market sales of wholesale energy in the Pacific Northwest between December 25, 2000 and June 20, 2001 were just and reasonable. In June 2003, the FERC terminated the Pacific Northwest refund proceedings, after finding that the equities do not justify the imposition of refunds. In August 2007, the Ninth Circuit found that the FERC, in denying the request for refunds, had failed to take into account new evidence of market manipulation in the California energy market and its potential ties to the Pacific Northwest energy market and that such failure was arbitrary and capricious and, accordingly, remanded the case to the FERC, stating that the FERC’s findings must be reevaluated in light of the evidence. In addition, the Ninth Circuit concluded that the FERC abused its discretion in denying potential relief for transactions involving energy that was purchased by the California Department of Water Resources (CERS) in the Pacific Northwest and ultimately consumed in California. The Ninth Circuit expressly declined to direct the FERC to grant refunds. Requests for rehearing were denied in April 2009.

In May 2009, the California AG filed a complaint against both Avista Energy and Avista Utilities seeking refunds on sales made to CERS during the period January 18, 2001 to June 20, 2001 under section 309 of the FPA (the Brown Complaint). The sales at issue are limited in scope and are duplicative of claims already at issue in the Pacific Northwest proceeding, discussed above. In August 2009, the City of Tacoma and the Port of Seattle filed a motion asking the FERC to summarily re-price sales of energy in the Pacific Northwest during 2000 and 2001. In October 2009, Avista Corp. filed, as part of the Transaction Finality Group, an answer to that motion and, in addition, made its own recommendations for further proceedings in this docket. Those pleadings are pending before the FERC.

Both Avista Utilities and Avista Energy were buyers and sellers of energy in the Pacific Northwest energy market during the period between December 25, 2000 and June 20, 2001 and, if refunds were ordered by the FERC, could be liable to make payments, but also could be entitled to receive refunds from other FERC-jurisdictional entities. The opportunity to make claims against non-jurisdictional entities may be limited based on existing law. The Company cannot predict the outcome of this proceeding or the amount of any refunds that Avista Utilities or Avista Energy could be ordered to make or could be entitled to receive. Therefore, the Company cannot predict the potential impact the outcome of this matter could ultimately have on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. The Company has not accrued a liability related to this matter.

California Attorney General Complaint (the “Lockyer Complaint”)

In May 2002, the FERC conditionally dismissed a complaint filed in March 2002 by the California AG that alleged violations of the FPA by the FERC and all sellers (including Avista Corp. and its subsidiaries) of electric power and energy into California. The complaint alleged that the FERC’s adoption and implementation of market-based rate authority was flawed and, as a result, individual sellers should refund the difference between the rate charged and a just and reasonable rate. In May 2002, the FERC issued an order dismissing the complaint but directing sellers to re-file certain transaction summaries. It was not clear that Avista Corp. and its subsidiaries were subject to this directive but the Company took the conservative approach and re-filed certain transaction summaries in June and July of 2002. In September 2004, the Ninth Circuit upheld the FERC’s market-based rate authority, but held that the FERC erred in ruling that it lacked authority to order refunds for violations of its reporting requirement. The Court remanded the case for further proceedings, but did not order any refunds, leaving it to the FERC to consider appropriate remedial options.

In March 2008, the FERC issued an order establishing a trial-type hearing to address “whether any individual public utility seller’s violation of the FERC’s market-based rate quarterly reporting requirement led to an unjust and unreasonable rate for that particular seller in California during the 2000-2001 period.” Purchasers in the California markets will be allowed to present evidence that “any seller that violated the quarterly reporting requirement failed to disclose an increased market share sufficient to give it the ability to exercise market power and thus cause its market-based rates to be unjust and unreasonable.” In particular, the parties are directed to address whether the seller at any point reached a 20 percent generation market share threshold, and if the seller did reach a 20 percent market share, whether other factors were present to indicate that the seller did not have the ability to exercise market power. The California AG, CPUC, PG&E, and SCE filed their testimony in July 2009. Avista Utilities and Avista Energy’s answering testimony was filed in September 2009. On the same day, the FERC staff filed its answering testimony taking the position that, using the test the FERC directed to be applied in this proceeding, neither Avista Utilities nor Avista Energy had market power for the period in question. Cross answering testimony and rebuttal testimony were filed in November 2009. In January 2010, Avista Utilities and Avista Energy filed a motion for summary disposition, as did other parties to the proceeding. In March 2010, the Presiding Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) granted the motions for summary disposition and found that a hearing was “unnecessary” because the

 

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California AG, CPUC, PG&E and SCE “failed to apply the appropriate test to determine market power during the relevant time period.” The judge determined that “[w]ithout a proper showing of market power, the California Parties failed to establish a prima facie case.” Briefs on exceptions were filed in April 2010 and briefs opposing exceptions were filed in May 2010.

Based on information currently known to the Company’s management, the fact that neither Avista Utilities nor Avista Energy ever reached a 20 percent generation market share during 2000 or 2001 and the ALJ’s granting of Avista Utilities and Avista Energy’s summary disposition motion, the Company does not expect that this matter will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The Company has not accrued any liability related to this matter.

Colstrip Generating Project Complaint

In March 2007, two families that own property near the holding ponds from Units 3 & 4 of the Colstrip Generating Project (Colstrip) filed a complaint against the owners of Colstrip and Hydrometrics, Inc. in Montana District Court. Avista Corp. owns a 15 percent interest in Units 3 & 4 of Colstrip. The plaintiffs allege that the holding ponds and remediation activities have adversely impacted their property. They allege contamination, decrease in water tables, reduced flow of streams on their property and other similar impacts to their property. They also seek punitive damages, attorney’s fees, an order by the court to remove certain ponds, and the forfeiture of profits earned from the generation of Colstrip. The trial is scheduled to begin in May 2011. Because the resolution of this complaint remains uncertain, legal counsel cannot express an opinion on the extent, if any, of the Company’s liability. However, based on information currently known to the Company’s management, the Company does not expect this complaint will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The Company has accrued a liability related to this matter that is not material to its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Harbor Oil Inc. Site

Avista Corp. used Harbor Oil Inc. (Harbor Oil) for the recycling of waste oil and non-PCB transformer oil in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In June 2005, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 provided notification to Avista Corp. and several other parties, as customers of Harbor Oil, that the EPA had determined that hazardous substances were released at the Harbor Oil site in Portland, Oregon and that Avista Corp. and several other parties may be liable for investigation and cleanup of the site under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act, commonly referred to as the federal “Superfund” law, which provides for joint and several liability. The initial indication from the EPA is that the site may be contaminated with PCBs, petroleum hydrocarbons, chlorinated solvents and heavy metals. Six potentially responsible parties, including Avista Corp., signed an Administrative Order on Consent with the EPA on May 31, 2007 to conduct a remedial investigation and feasibility study (RI/FS), which is expected to be completed by early 2011. The actual cleanup, if any, will not occur until the RI/FS is complete. Based on the review of its records related to Harbor Oil, the Company does not believe it is a major contributor to this potential environmental contamination based on the small volume of waste oil it delivered to the Harbor Oil site. However, there is currently not enough information to allow the Company to assess the probability or amount of a liability, if any, being incurred. Other than its share of the RI/FS ($0.5 million), the Company has not accrued a liability related to this matter.

Spokane River Licensing

The Company owns and operates six hydroelectric plants on the Spokane River. Five of these (Long Lake, Nine Mile, Upper Falls, Monroe Street, and Post Falls are under one FERC license and are referred to as the Spokane River Project. The sixth, Little Falls, is operated under separate Congressional authority and is not licensed by the FERC. The FERC issued a new single 50-year license for the Spokane River Project on June 18, 2009.

The license incorporated the 4(e) conditions that were included in the December 2008 Settlement Agreement with the United States Department of Interior and the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, as well as the mandatory conditions that were agreed to in the Idaho 401 Water Quality Certifications and in the amended Washington 401 Water Quality Certification.

As part of the related Settlement Agreement with the Washington Department of Ecology (DOE), the Company is currently engaged with the DOE and the EPA Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) process for the Spokane River and Lake Spokane, the reservoir created by Long Lake Dam. On May 20, 2010, the EPA approved the TMDL. The City of Post Falls and the Hayden Area Regional Sewer Board filed an appeal with the United States District Court for the District of Idaho on July 16, 2010 against the EPA and it is possible the TMDL could be appealed by one or more additional parties. In order to protect its interests the Company will intervene in this appeal. The Company’s level of responsibility related to low dissolved oxygen (DO) in Lake Spokane is identified in the TMDL, and the Company is currently in the process of identifying potential mitigation measures through the development of a DO Water Quality Attainment Plan, which is due to the DOE on May 27, 2012. It is not possible to provide cost estimates at this time because the mitigation measures have not been fully indentified or approved by the DOE.

 

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The Company is in the early stage of implementing the environmental and operational conditions required in the license for the Spokane River Project. The estimated cost to implement the license conditions, which is the result of more than a dozen separate settlements, is $334 million over the 50-year license term. This will increase the Spokane River Project’s cost of power by about 40 percent, while decreasing annual generation by approximately one-half of one percent. Costs to implement mitigation measures related to the TMDL are not included in these cost estimates.

The IPUC and the WUTC approved the recovery of licensing costs through the general rate case settlements in 2009. The Company will continue to seek recovery, through the ratemaking process, of all operating and capitalized costs related to the licensing of the Spokane River Project.

Cabinet Gorge Total Dissolved Gas Abatement Plan

Dissolved atmospheric gas levels in the Clark Fork River exceed state of Idaho and federal water quality standards downstream of the Cabinet Gorge Hydroelectric Generating Project (Cabinet Gorge) during periods when excess river flows must be diverted over the spillway. In 2002, the Company submitted a Gas Supersaturation Control Program (GSCP) to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (Idaho DEQ) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). This submission was part of the Clark Fork Settlement Agreement for licensing the use of Cabinet Gorge. The GSCP provided for the opening and modification of possibly two diversion tunnels around Cabinet Gorge to allow streamflow to be diverted when flows are in excess of powerhouse capacity. In 2007, engineering studies determined that the tunnels would not sufficiently reduce Total Dissolved Gas (TDG). In consultation with the Idaho DEQ and the USFWS, the Company developed an addendum to the GSCP. The GSCP addendum abandons the existing concept to reopen the two diversion tunnels and requires the Company to evaluate a variety of smaller capacity options to abate TDG over the next several years. In March 2010, the FERC approved the GSCP addendum preliminary design of alternative abatement measures, which began in May 2010.

Fish Passage at Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Rapids

In 1999, the USFWS listed bull trout as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. The Clark Fork Settlement Agreement describes programs intended to restore bull trout populations in the project area. Using the concept of adaptive management and working closely with the USFWS, the Company is evaluating the feasibility of fish passage at Cabinet Gorge and Noxon Rapids. The results of these studies will help the Company and other parties determine the best use of funds toward continuing fish passage efforts or other bull trout population enhancement measures. In the fall of 2009, the Company selected a contractor to design a permanent upstream passage facility at Cabinet Gorge. The Company anticipates that the design will be completed by the end of 2011.

In January 2010, the USFWS proposed to revise its 2005 designation of critical habitat for the bull trout. The proposed revisions include the lower Clark Fork River as critical habitat. In April 2010, the Company submitted comments recommending the lower Clark Fork River be excluded from critical habitat designation based in part on the extensive bull trout recovery efforts the Company is already undertaking.

Aluminum Recycling Site

In October 2009, the Company (through its subsidiary Pentzer Corporation) received notice from the DOE proposing to find Pentzer liable for a release of hazardous substances under the Model Toxics Control Act, under Washington state law. The subject property adjoins land owned by the Union Pacific Railroad (UPR). UPR leased their property to operators of a facility designated by DOE as “Aluminum Recycling – Trentwood.” Operators of that property maintained piles of aluminum “black dross,” which can be designated as a state-only dangerous waste in Washington State. Operators placed a portion of the aluminum dross pile on the site owned by Pentzer Corporation. The Company does not believe it is a contributor to any environmental contamination associated with the dross pile, and submitted a response to the DOE’s proposed findings in November 2009. In December 2009, the Company received notice from the DOE that it had been designated as a potentially liable party for any hazardous substances located on this site. There is currently not enough information to allow the Company to assess the probability or amount of a liability, if any, being incurred. The Company has not accrued a liability related to this matter.

Injury from Overhead Electric Line (Munderloh v. Avista)

On March 4, 2010, the plaintiff and his wife filed a complaint against Avista Corp. in Spokane County Superior Court. Plaintiffs allege that while the plaintiff was employed by third party as a laborer at their construction site, he came into contact with Avista Corp.’s electric line, was injured and suffered economic and non-economic damages. Plaintiffs further allege that Avista Corp. was at fault for failing to relocate the overhead electric line which it controlled and operated adjacent to the construction site. In addition to economic and non-economic damages, plaintiffs also seek damages for loss of consortium, attorney’s fees and costs, prejudgment interest and punitive damages.

 

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Trial has been scheduled to begin in September 2011. The case is in the very early stage of discovery and plaintiffs have not yet provided a statement specifying damages. Because the resolution of this claim remains uncertain, legal counsel cannot express an opinion on the extent, if any, of the Company’s liability. However, based on information currently known to the Company’s management, the Company does not expect this complaint will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Collective Bargaining Agreements

The Company’s collective bargaining agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers represents approximately 45 percent of all of Avista Utilities’ employees. The agreement with the local union in Washington and Idaho representing the majority (approximately 90 percent) of the bargaining unit employees expired on March 26, 2010. Two local agreements in Oregon, which cover approximately 50 employees, expired in April 2010. Negotiations are currently ongoing with respect to the expired labor agreements and the Company does not expect any disruption to its operations.

Other Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Company has various other legal claims and contingent matters outstanding. The Company believes that any ultimate liability arising from these actions will not have a material adverse impact on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. It is possible that a change could occur in the Company’s estimates of the probability or amount of a liability being incurred. Such a change, should it occur, could be significant.

NOTE 12. INFORMATION BY BUSINESS SEGMENTS

The business segment presentation reflects the basis used by the Company’s management to analyze performance and determine the allocation of resources. Avista Utilities’ business is managed based on the total regulated utility operation. Advantage IQ is a provider of facility information and cost management services for multi-site customers throughout North America. The Other category, which is not a reportable segment, includes the remaining activities of Avista Energy, Spokane Energy, other investments and operations of various subsidiaries, as well as certain other operations of Avista Capital. The following table presents information for each of the Company’s business segments (dollars in thousands):

 

     Avista
Utilities
   Advantage
IQ
   Other     Total
Non-
Utility
   Intersegment
Eliminations (1)
    Total

For the three months ended June 30, 2010:

               

Operating revenues

   $ 326,117    $ 25,214    $ 15,451      $ 40,665    $ (6,049   $ 360,733

Resource costs

     168,184      —        8,874        8,874      (6,049     171,009

Other operating expenses

     58,334      20,453      4,926        25,379      —          83,713

Depreciation and amortization

     24,642      1,500      254        1,754      —          26,396

Income from operations

     57,091      3,261      1,397        4,658      —          61,749

Interest expense (2)

     17,878      26      1,429        1,455      (61     19,272

Income taxes

     14,667      1,194      (26     1,168      —          15,835

Net income (loss) attributable to Avista Corporation

     24,064      1,514      (38     1,476      —          25,540

Capital expenditures

     37,733      433      52        485      —          38,218

For the three months ended June 30, 2009:

               

Operating revenues

   $ 279,865    $ 18,046    $ 9,200      $ 27,246    $ —        $ 307,111

Resource costs

     125,651      —        5,341        5,341      —          130,992

Other operating expenses

     57,489      14,241      4,275        18,516      —          76,005

Depreciation and amortization

     23,180      1,041      329        1,370      —          24,550

Income (loss) from operations

     56,063      2,764      (745     2,019      —          58,082

Interest expense (2)

     16,374      20      59        79      (40     16,413

Income taxes

     14,948      997      (326     671      —          15,619

Net income (loss) attributable to Avista Corporation

     25,381      1,276      (805     471      —          25,852

Capital expenditures

     46,390      650      2        652      —          47,042

 

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     Avista
Utilities
   Advantage
IQ
   Other     Total
Non-
Utility
   Intersegment
Eliminations (1)
    Total

For the six months ended June 30, 2010:

               

Operating revenues

   $ 750,148    $ 49,156    $ 30,525      $ 79,681    $ (12,681   $ 817,148

Resource costs

     427,751      —        18,251        18,251      (12,681     433,321

Other operating expenses

     114,083      39,710      8,882        48,592      —          162,675

Depreciation and amortization

     48,972      3,024      546        3,570      —          52,542

Income from operations

     120,305      6,422      2,846        9,268      —          129,573

Interest expense (2)

     35,706      53      2,895        2,948      (121     38,533

Income taxes

     31,627      2,338      (263     2,075      —          33,702

Net income (loss) attributable to Avista Corporation

     51,840      2,960      (450     2,510      —          54,350

Capital expenditures

     80,285      701      249        950      —          81,235

For the six months ended June 30, 2009:

               

Operating revenues

   $ 740,730    $ 35,386    $ 18,465      $ 53,851    $ —        $ 794,581

Resource costs

     415,343      —        11,068        11,068      —          426,411

Other operating expenses

     115,222      27,931      7,878        35,809      —          151,031

Depreciation and amortization

     46,103      2,067      665        2,732      —          48,835

Income (loss) from operations

     119,685      5,388      (1,146     4,242      —          123,927

Interest expense (2)

     33,222      137      73        210      (73     33,359

Income taxes

     31,949      1,876      (738     1,138      —          33,087

Net income (loss) attributable to Avista Corporation

     55,964      2,442      (1,527     915      —          56,879

Capital expenditures

     87,900      1,632      8        1,640      —          89,540

Total Assets:

               

As of June 30, 2010

   $ 3,369,895    $ 151,550    $ 139,780      $  291,330    $ —        $ 3,661,225

As of December 31, 2009

   $ 3,400,384    $ 143,060    $ 63,515      $ 206,575    $ —        $ 3,606,959

 

(1) Intersegment eliminations reported as operating revenues and resource costs represent intercompany purchases and sales of electric capacity and energy. Intersegment eliminations reported as interest expense represent intercompany interest.
(2) Including interest expense to affiliated trusts.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of

Avista Corporation

Spokane, Washington

We have reviewed the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet of Avista Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Corporation”) as of June 30, 2010, and the related condensed consolidated statements of income and of comprehensive income for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009, and of equity and cash flows for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2010 and 2009. These interim financial statements are the responsibility of the Corporation’s management.

We conducted our reviews in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). A review of interim financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should be made to such condensed consolidated interim financial statements for them to be in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheet of Avista Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2009, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report dated February 26, 2010, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2009 is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.

 

/s/    Deloitte & Touche LLP
Seattle, Washington
August 6, 2010

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements

From time to time, we make forward-looking statements such as statements regarding projected or future:

 

   

financial performance,

 

   

cash flows,

 

   

capital expenditures,

 

   

dividends,

 

   

capital structure,

 

   

other financial items,

 

   

strategic goals and objectives, and

 

   

plans for operations.

These statements have underlying assumptions (many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions). Such statements are made both in our reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (including this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q), and elsewhere. Forward-looking statements are all statements except those of historical fact including, without limitation, those that are identified by the use of words that include “will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “forecasts,” “projects,” “predicts,” and similar expressions.

Forward-looking statements (including those made in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q) are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors. Many of these factors are beyond our control and they could have a significant effect on our operations, results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. This could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in our statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others:

 

   

weather conditions (temperatures and precipitation levels) and their effects on energy demand and electric generation, including the effect of precipitation and temperatures on the availability of hydroelectric resources, the effect of temperatures on customer demand, and similar impacts on supply and demand in the wholesale energy markets;

 

   

the effect of state and federal regulatory decisions on our ability to recover costs and earn a reasonable return including, but not limited to, the disallowance of costs and investments, and delay in the recovery of capital investments and operating costs;

 

   

changes in wholesale energy prices that can affect, among other things, the cash requirements to purchase electricity and natural gas, the value received for sales in the wholesale energy market, the necessity to request changes in rates that are subject to regulatory approval, collateral required of us by counterparties on wholesale energy transactions and credit risk to us from such transactions, and the market value of derivative assets and liabilities;

 

   

global financial and economic conditions (including the impact on capital markets) and their effect on our ability to obtain funding at a reasonable cost;

 

   

our ability to obtain financing through the issuance of debt and/or equity securities, which can be affected by various factors including our credit ratings, interest rates and other capital market conditions;

 

   

economic conditions in our service areas, including the effect on the demand for, and customers’ payment for, our utility services;

 

   

the potential effects of legislation or administrative rulemaking, including the possible adoption of national or state laws requiring resources to meet certain standards and placing restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate concerns over global climate changes;

 

   

changes in actuarial assumptions, interest rates and the actual return on plan assets for our pension plan, which can affect future funding obligations, pension expense and pension plan liabilities;

 

   

volatility and illiquidity in wholesale energy markets, including the availability of willing buyers and sellers, and prices of purchased energy and demand for energy sales;

 

   

unplanned outages at any of our generating facilities or the inability of facilities to operate as intended;

 

   

the outcome of pending regulatory and legal proceedings arising out of the “western energy crisis” of 2000 and 2001, including possible refunds;

 

   

the outcome of legal proceedings and other contingencies;

 

   

changes in, and compliance with, environmental and endangered species laws, regulations, decisions and policies, including present and potential environmental remediation costs;

 

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wholesale and retail competition including, but not limited to, alternative energy sources, suppliers and delivery arrangements;

 

   

the ability to comply with the terms of the licenses for our hydroelectric generating facilities at cost-effective levels;

 

   

natural disasters that can disrupt energy generation, transmission and distribution, as well as the availability and costs of materials, equipment, supplies and support services;

 

   

blackouts or disruptions of interconnected transmission systems;

 

   

disruption to information systems, automated controls and other technologies that we rely on for operations, communications and customer service;

 

   

the potential for terrorist attacks or other malicious acts, particularly for our utility assets;

 

   

delays or changes in construction costs, and our ability to obtain required permits and materials for present or prospective facilities;

 

   

changes in the long-term climate of the Pacific Northwest, which can affect, among other things, customer demand patterns and the volume and timing of streamflows to our hydroelectric resources;

 

   

changes in industrial, commercial and residential growth and demographic patterns in our service territory or the loss of significant customers;

 

   

the loss of key suppliers for materials or services;

 

   

default or nonperformance on the part of any parties from which we purchase and/or sell capacity or energy;

 

   

deterioration in the creditworthiness of our customers and counterparties;

 

   

the effect of any potential decline in our credit ratings, including impeded access to capital markets, higher interest costs, and certain covenants with ratings triggers in our financing arrangements and wholesale energy contracts;

 

   

increasing health care costs and the resulting effect on health insurance provided to our employees and retirees;

 

   

increasing costs of insurance, more restricted coverage terms and our ability to obtain insurance;

 

   

work force issues, including changes in collective bargaining unit agreements, strikes, work stoppages or the loss of key executives, availability of workers in a variety of skill areas, and our ability to recruit and retain employees;

 

   

the potential effects of negative publicity regarding business practices, whether true or not, which could result in, among other things, costly litigation and a decline in our common stock price;

 

   

changes in technologies, possibly making some of the current technology obsolete;

 

   

changes in tax rates and/or policies; and

 

   

changes in our strategic business plans, which may be affected by any or all of the foregoing, including the entry into new businesses and/or the exit from existing businesses.

Our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith. We believe they are reasonable based on, without limitation, an examination of historical operating trends, our records and other information available from third parties. However, there can be no assurance that our expectations, beliefs or projections will be achieved or accomplished. Furthermore, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all such factors, nor can we assess the effect of each such factor on our business or the extent that any such factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.

The following discussion and analysis is provided for the consolidated financial condition and results of operations of Avista Corp. and its subsidiaries and should be read along with the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Business Segments

We have two reportable business segments as follows:

 

   

Avista Utilities – an operating division of Avista Corp. that comprises our regulated utility operations. Avista Utilities generates, transmits and distributes electricity and distributes natural gas. The utility also engages in wholesale purchases and sales of electricity and natural gas.

 

   

Advantage IQ – an indirect subsidiary of Avista Corp. (approximately 76 percent owned as of June 30, 2010) that provides sustainable utility expense management solutions to its customers that are generally multi-site companies across North America to assess and manage utility costs and usage. Advantage IQ’s primary product lines include processing, payment and auditing of energy, telecom, waste, water/sewer and lease bills, as well as strategic management services.

 

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We have other businesses, including sheet metal fabrication, venture fund investments and real estate investments, Spokane Energy (which was consolidated effective January 1, 2010) as well as certain natural gas storage facilities held by Avista Energy. These activities do not represent a reportable business segment and are conducted by various direct and indirect subsidiaries of Avista Corp., including Advanced Manufacturing and Development (AM&D), doing business as METALfx.

The following table presents net income (loss) attributable to Avista Corporation for each of our business segments (and the other businesses) for the three and six months ended June 30 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Three months ended June 30,     Six months ended June 30,  
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Avista Utilities

   $ 24,064      $ 25,381      $ 51,840      $ 55,964   

Advantage IQ

     1,514        1,276        2,960        2,442   

Other

     (38     (805     (450     (1,527
                                

Net income attributable to Avista Corporation

   $ 25,540      $ 25,852      $ 54,350      $ 56,879   
                                

Executive Level Summary

Overall

Our operating results and cash flows are primarily from:

 

   

regulated utility operations (Avista Utilities), and

 

   

facility information and cost management services for multi-site customers (Advantage IQ).

Net income attributable to Avista Corporation was $25.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010, a decrease from $25.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009. The decrease was due to decreased earnings at Avista Utilities (primarily due to an increase in interest expense, other operating expenses and depreciation and amortization, partially offset by an increase in gross margin), partially offset by increased earnings at Advantage IQ and a decrease in the net loss from the other businesses.

Net income attributable to Avista Corporation was $54.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, a decrease from $56.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. This decrease was primarily due to decreased earnings at Avista Utilities (primarily due to warmer weather in the first quarter and an increase in interest expense, partially offset by the implementation of general rate increases in Washington and Idaho). This was partially offset by an increase in earnings at Advantage IQ and a decrease in the net loss from the other businesses.

Employment remains suppressed in most of our service area after cutbacks in the construction, forest products, mining and manufacturing sectors, although the pace of decline has slowed in the last twelve months. Non-farm employment contraction for June 2010 as compared to June 2009 was 2.3 percent in Spokane, Washington, 1.4 percent in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and 0.9 percent in Medford, Oregon, compared to the national average decline of 0.1 percent. Unemployment rates in June 2010 were 9.6 percent in Coeur d’Alene matching the national average of 9.6 percent. The June 2010 unemployment was 8.5 percent in Spokane and 12.2 percent in Medford. The housing markets in Coeur d’Alene and Medford have had a higher foreclosure rate than the national average; the June 2010 annual foreclosure rate was 0.36 percent in Kootenai County (the county that includes Coeur d’Alene), and 0.28 percent in Jackson County (the county that includes Medford) compared to the national foreclosure rate of 0.25 percent; the housing market in Spokane County had a foreclosure rate of only 0.07 percent.

Avista Utilities

Avista Utilities is our most significant business segment. Our utility operating and financial performance is dependent upon, among other things:

 

   

weather conditions,

 

   

regulatory decisions, allowing our utility to recover costs, including purchased power and fuel costs, on a timely basis, and to earn a fair return on investment,

 

   

the price of natural gas in the wholesale market, including the effect on the price of fuel for generation,

 

   

the price of electricity in the wholesale market, including the effects of weather conditions, natural gas prices and other factors affecting supply and demand, and

 

   

the ability to obtain financing through the issuance of debt and/or equity securities, which can be affected by various factors including our credit ratings, interest rates and other capital market conditions.

In our utility operations, we continue to execute our regulatory strategy to recover costs and capital investments in our generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure. We have reset general rates in all of our jurisdictions since the middle of 2009 and we filed new general rate increase requests in Washington and Idaho in March 2010.

 

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Our utility net income was $24.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010, a decrease from $25.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 partially due to an increase in interest expense, other operating expenses and depreciation and amortization, partially offset by an increase in gross margin (operating revenues less resource costs). The increase in gross margin was primarily due to the implementation of the general rate increases, as well as higher retail loads (particularly for natural gas).

Our utility net income was $51.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, a decrease from $56.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 primarily due to a decrease in gross margin, an increase in interest expense and an increase in depreciation and amortization. The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to warmer weather that resulted in lower retail loads (particularly for natural gas) during the first quarter, partially offset by the implementation of the general rate increases and higher retail loads in the second quarter. These negative impacts on utility net income were partially offset by a decrease in other operating expenses and taxes other than income taxes.

We are continuing to invest in generation, transmission and distribution systems to enhance service reliability for our customers. Utility capital expenditures were $80.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010. We expect utility capital expenditures to be about $210 million for the full year of 2010. These estimates of capital expenditures are subject to continuing review and adjustment and do not include costs for projects associated with stimulus funding (see discussion at “Avista Utilities Capital Expenditures”).

Advantage IQ

Advantage IQ had net income attributable to Avista Corporation of $1.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010, an increase from $1.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009. Advantage IQ had net income attributable to Avista Corporation of $3.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, an increase from $2.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. The increase for each period of 2010 as compared to 2009 was primarily due to the acquisition of Ecos Consulting, Inc. (Ecos) effective August 31, 2009. Advantage IQ’s earnings continue to be moderated by low short-term interest rates (which limits interest revenue on funds held for customers) and economic conditions that have limited organic growth.

On August 31, 2009, Advantage IQ acquired substantially all of the assets and liabilities of Ecos, a Portland, Oregon-based energy efficiency solutions provider. The acquisition of Ecos was funded primarily through borrowings under Advantage IQ’s committed credit agreement. Under the terms of the transaction, the assets and liabilities of Ecos were acquired by a wholly owned subsidiary of Advantage IQ.

Effective July 2, 2008, Advantage IQ acquired Cadence Network, a Cincinnati, Ohio-based energy and expense management company. As consideration, the owners of Cadence Network received a 25 percent ownership interest in Advantage IQ. The acquisition of Cadence Network was funded with the issuance of Advantage IQ common stock, which is subject to redemption. Under the transaction agreement, the previous owners of Cadence Network can exercise a right to have their shares of Advantage IQ stock redeemed during July 2011 or July 2012 if Advantage IQ is not liquidated through either an initial public offering or sale of the business to a third party. Their redemption rights expire July 31, 2012. The redemption price would be determined based on the fair market value of Advantage IQ at the time of the redemption election as determined by certain independent parties.

We may seek to monetize all or part of our investment in Advantage IQ in the future, regardless of whether Advantage IQ’s minority owner redemption rights are exercised. The value of a potential monetization depends on future market conditions, growth of the business and other factors. This may provide access to public market capital and provide potential liquidity to Avista Corp. and the other owners of Advantage IQ. There can be no assurance that we will be able to complete such a transaction.

Other Businesses

The net loss for these operations was less than $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to a net loss of $0.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009. The net loss for these operations was $0.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to a net loss of $1.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. The net loss for both year-to-date periods was primarily due to losses on long-term venture fund investments.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We need to access long-term capital markets from time to time to finance capital expenditures, repay maturing long-term debt and obtain additional working capital. Our ability to access capital on reasonable terms is subject to numerous factors, many of which, including market conditions, are beyond our control. If we are unable to obtain capital on reasonable terms, it may limit or prohibit our ability to finance capital expenditures and repay maturing long-term debt. Our liquidity needs could exceed our short-term credit availability and lead to defaults on various financing arrangements. We would also likely be prohibited from paying dividends on our common stock.

 

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We have a committed line of credit in the total amount of $320.0 million with an expiration date of April 5, 2011 that had $85.0 million of cash borrowings and $24.1 million in letters of credit outstanding as of June 30, 2010.

We also have a committed line of credit in the total amount of $75.0 million with an expiration date of April 5, 2011 that had no borrowings outstanding as of June 30, 2010.

We are in the process of evaluating various alternatives and expect to have a new credit facility in place prior to the April 5, 2011 expiration of our current committed lines of credit.

In March 2010, we amended our accounts receivable financing facility to extend the termination date to March 2011 and reduce the amount of the facility to $50.0 million from $85.0 million. We reduced the amount of the facility based on our forecasted liquidity needs. Based upon calculations of our eligible accounts receivable under this agreement, we had the ability to borrow up to $50.0 million as of June 30, 2010. We had not borrowed any funds under this facility as of June 30, 2010.

As of June 30, 2010, we had a combined $335.9 million of available liquidity under our $320.0 million committed line of credit, $75.0 million committed line of credit, and $50.0 million revolving accounts receivable financing facility.

In December 2009, we purchased $17.0 million of our Pollution Control Bonds. We are planning, subject to market conditions, to remarket to unaffiliated investors or refund with a new issue, these bonds in 2010 along with $66.7 million of our Pollution Control Bonds we purchased in December 2008.

In addition to the remarketing or refunding of the $83.7 million of Pollution Control Bonds, we expect to issue up to $45 million of common stock in 2010 in order to maintain our capital structure at an appropriate level for our business. After considering the refunding of our Pollution Control Bonds and issuances of common stock during 2010, we expect net cash flows from operating activities, together with cash available under our committed line of credit agreements and accounts receivable financing facility (which have a total maximum availability of $445.0 million) to provide adequate resources to fund:

 

   

capital expenditures,

 

   

dividends, and

 

   

other contractual commitments.

In December 2009, we entered into an amended and restated sales agency agreement with a sales agent to issue up to 1.25 million shares of our common stock from time to time. We originally entered into a sales agency agreement to issue up to 2 million shares of our common stock in December 2006. In 2008, we issued 750,000 shares of our common stock under this sales agency agreement. We issued 435,000 shares of common stock for $8.8 million under this agreement in the second quarter of 2010.

Avista Utilities – Regulatory Matters

General Rate Cases

We regularly review the need for electric and natural gas rate changes in each state in which we provide service. We will continue to file for rate adjustments to:

 

   

provide for recovery of operating costs and capital investments, and

 

   

more closely align earned returns with those allowed by regulators.

With regards to the timing and plans for future filings, the assessment of our need for rate relief and the development of rate case plans takes into consideration short-term and long-term needs, as well as specific factors that can affect the timing of rate filings. Such factors include, but are not limited to, in-service dates of major capital investments and the timing of changes in major revenue and expense items. We filed general rate cases in Washington and Idaho in March 2010 and expect to file a general rate case in Oregon by the end of the third quarter of 2010. The following is a summary of our authorized rates of return in each jurisdiction:

 

Jurisdiction and service

   Implementation
Date
   Authorized
Overall Rate
of Return
    Authorized
Return on
Equity
    Authorized
Equity
Level
 

Washington electric and natural gas

   January 2010    8.25   10.2   46.5

Idaho electric and natural gas

   August 2009    8.55   10.5   50.0

Oregon natural gas

   November 2009    8.19   10.1   50.0

 

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Washington General Rate Cases

In December 2009, the WUTC issued an order in our electric and natural gas general rate cases that were filed with the WUTC in January 2009. The WUTC approved a base electric rate increase for our Washington customers of 2.8 percent, which was designed to increase annual revenues by $12.1 million. Base natural gas rates for our Washington customers increased by an average of 0.3 percent, which was designed to increase annual revenues by $0.6 million. The new electric and natural gas rates became effective on January 1, 2010. In this general rate case order, the WUTC did not allow us to include the costs associated with the power purchase agreement for the Lancaster Plant in rates. We subsequently filed for and received approval for deferred accounting treatment for these net costs. See further discussion at “Power Cost Deferrals and Recovery Mechanisms.”

On March 23, 2010, we filed electric and natural gas general rate cases with the WUTC. We have requested an overall electric rate increase of 13.4 percent and an overall natural gas rate increase of 6.0 percent. The filing is designed to increase annual base electric revenues by $55.3 million and increase annual base natural gas revenues by $8.5 million. Our request is based on a proposed overall rate of return of 8.33 percent, with a common equity ratio of 48.4 percent and a 10.9 percent return on equity. On April 22, 2010 the WUTC issued its Order establishing a procedural schedule for the Washington electric and natural gas general rate cases, including WUTC staff and intervenor testimony due September 2, 2010, our rebuttal due October 4, 2010, and hearings during the first week of November 2010. The WUTC has up to 11 months from our initial filing to review the filings and issue a decision.

Idaho General Rate Cases

In June 2009, we entered into an all-party settlement stipulation in our electric and natural gas general rate cases that were filed with the IPUC in January 2009. This settlement stipulation was approved by the IPUC in July 2009. The new electric and natural gas rates became effective on August 1, 2009. As agreed to in the settlement, base electric rates for our Idaho customers increased by an average of 5.7 percent, which was designed to increase annual revenues by $12.5 million. Offsetting the base electric rate increase was an overall 4.2 percent decrease in the Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) surcharge, which was designed to decrease annual PCA revenues by $9.3 million, resulting in a net increase in annual revenues of $3.2 million. Base natural gas rates for our Idaho customers increased by an average of 2.1 percent, which was designed to increase annual revenues by $1.9 million. Offsetting the natural gas rate increase for residential customers was an equivalent Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA) decrease of 2.1 percent. Large general services received a PGA decrease of 2.4 percent and interruptible services received a PGA decrease of 2.8 percent. The overall PGA decrease resulted in a $2.0 million decrease in annual PGA revenues, resulting in a net decrease in annual revenues of $0.1 million. The PGAs are designed to pass through changes in natural gas costs to our customers with no change in gross margin or net income.

On July 26, 2010, Avista Corp. and other parties filed a settlement agreement with the IPUC with respect to our general rate case filed in March 2010. This settlement agreement is subject to approval by the IPUC. As agreed to in the settlement stipulation, base electric rates for our Idaho customers would increase by an average of 9.3 percent, which is designed to increase annual revenues by $21.2 million. Base natural gas rates for our Idaho customers would increase by an average of 2.6 percent, which is designed to increase annual revenues by $1.8 million. The new electric and natural gas rates would become effective on October 1, 2010.

The settlement includes a rate mitigation plan under which the impact on customers of the new electric rates would be phased in. This would be accomplished by amortizing $11.1 million ($17.5 million when grossed up for income taxes and other revenue-related items) of previously deferred state income taxes over a two-year period as a credit to electric customers. While our cash collections from customers would be reduced by this amortization during the two-year phase-in period, the mitigation plan would have no impact on our net income.

Our original request filed with the IPUC in March 2010 was for an electric rate increase of 14.0 percent, which was designed to increase annual revenues by $32.1 million. The decline from our original request to the amount in the settlement agreement was due in part to a $7 million decrease in power supply costs, caused primarily by the decline in natural gas fuel prices subsequent to our original filing. We also requested to increase natural gas rates by an average of 3.6 percent, which was designed to increase annual revenues by $2.6 million.

Oregon General Rate Cases

In September 2009, we entered into an all-party settlement stipulation in our general rate case that was filed with the OPUC in June 2009. This settlement stipulation was approved by the OPUC in October 2009. The new natural gas rates became effective on November 1, 2009. As agreed to in the settlement, base natural gas rates for our Oregon customers increased by an average of 7.1 percent, which was designed to increase annual revenues by $8.8 million.

 

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Purchased Gas Adjustments

Effective November 1, 2009, natural gas rates decreased 22 percent in Oregon, 26 percent in Washington and 23 percent in Idaho. PGAs are designed to pass through changes in natural gas costs to our customers with no change in gross margin (operating revenues less resource costs) or net income. In Oregon, we absorb (gain or loss) 10 percent of the difference between actual and projected gas costs for supply that is not hedged. Total net deferred natural gas costs were a liability of $25.6 million as of June 30, 2010, a decrease from $40.0 million as of December 31, 2009.

Natural Gas Decoupling

In January 2007, the WUTC approved the implementation of a natural gas decoupling mechanism as a pilot for a two and one-half-year period. The decoupling mechanism is designed to recover a portion of lost margin resulting from lower usage by Washington residential and small commercial customers primarily due to conservation. However, the mechanism does not provide rate adjustments related to abnormal weather. As part of the general rate case order in December 2009, the WUTC approved continuation of the natural gas decoupling mechanism on a permanent basis, with certain modifications. Beginning July 2009, we defer 45 percent of the lost margin associated with lower customer usage, as compared to a deferral of 90 percent during the pilot period. In the fall of each year, we can file to recover the deferred amount accumulated over the most recent July-June period, subject to an earnings test, and if our energy efficiency therm savings meet certain pre-established targets associated with our natural gas demand side management programs. If per-customer therm usage (weather-normalized) during a July-June period were to increase instead of decrease, it may result in a refund to customers of 45 percent of the margin associated with higher customer usage.

Power Cost Deferrals and Recovery Mechanisms

The Energy Recovery Mechanism (ERM) is an accounting method used to track certain differences between actual power supply costs, net of the margin on wholesale sales and sales of fuel, and the amount included in base retail rates for our Washington customers. In periods where we are a net seller of wholesale power, market prices lower than the prices included in rates negatively impact the ERM. In periods where we are a net purchaser, market prices lower than the amount included in retail rates have a beneficial impact under the ERM.

This difference in net power supply costs primarily results from changes in:

 

   

short-term wholesale market prices and sales and purchase volumes,

 

   

the level of hydroelectric generation,

 

   

the level of thermal generation (including changes in fuel prices), and

 

   

retail loads.

We absorb the cost or receive the benefit from the initial amount of power supply costs in excess of or below the level in retail rates, which is referred to as the deadband. The annual (calendar year) deadband amount is currently $4.0 million. We incur the cost of, or receive the benefit from, 100 percent of this initial power supply cost variance. We share annual power supply cost variances between $4.0 million and $10.0 million with customers. There is a 50 percent customers/50 percent Company sharing when actual power supply expenses are higher (surcharge to customers) than the amount included in base retail rates within this band. There is a 75 percent customers/25 percent Company sharing when actual power supply expenses are lower (rebate to customers) than the amount included in base retail rates within this band. To the extent that the annual power supply cost variance from the amount included in base rates exceeds $10.0 million, 90 percent of the cost variance is deferred for future surcharge or rebate. We absorb into power supply costs the remaining 10 percent of the annual variance beyond $10.0 million. The following is a summary of the ERM:

 

Annual Power Supply

Cost Variability

   Deferred for Future
Surcharge or Rebate
to Customers
    Expense or Benefit
to the Company
 

+/- $0 - $4 million

   0   100

+   between $4 million - $10 million

   50   50

-    between $4 million - $10 million

   75   25

+/- excess over $10 million

   90   10

Under the ERM, we make an annual filing on or before April 1 of each year to provide the opportunity for the WUTC staff and other interested parties to review the prudence of and audit the ERM deferred power cost transactions for the prior calendar year. The ERM provides for a 90-day review period for the filing; however, the period may be extended by agreement of the parties or by WUTC order. We made our 2009 ERM deferred power cost filing on March 31, 2010. In July 2010, the WUTC issued an order, which approved the recovery of power cost deferrals under the ERM for 2009.

Additionally, we must make a filing (no sooner than January 1, 2011), to allow all interested parties the opportunity to review the ERM, and make recommendations to the WUTC related to the continuation, modification or elimination of the ERM.

 

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In February 2010, the WUTC approved our request to eliminate the ERM surcharge. The surcharge was eliminated as the previous balance of deferred power costs was substantially recovered. This resulted in a rate reduction of 7 percent for our Washington customers with no impact on our income from operations or net income. Although the ERM surcharge was eliminated, the deferral mechanism is still in place.

In its December 2009 general rate case order, the WUTC did not allow us to include the costs associated with the power purchase agreement for the Lancaster Plant in rates, indicating we did not demonstrate compliance with certain requirements necessary for immediate inclusion in rates. However, the WUTC directed us to file to defer costs associated with the Lancaster Plant, with a carrying charge, for potential recovery in a future rate proceeding if we demonstrate that we have satisfied these requirements (which we believe is probable). Our proposed deferred accounting treatment for the net costs associated with the Lancaster Plant was approved by the WUTC in February 2010. For the six months ended June 30, 2010, we deferred $7.6 million of costs associated with the Lancaster Plant.

We have a Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) mechanism in Idaho that allows us to modify electric rates on October 1 of each year with IPUC approval. Under the PCA mechanism, we defer 90 percent of the difference between certain actual net power supply expenses and the amount included in base retail rates for our Idaho customers. The October 1 rate adjustments recover or rebate power costs deferred during the preceding July-June twelve-month period. The PCA rate surcharge was 0.61 cents per KWh for the period October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009. However, the surcharge rate was lowered to 0.344 cents per KWh on August 1, 2009 to help mitigate the impact of the general rate increase that was also effective on that date. The surcharge rate is expected to remain in place until October 1, 2010. In July 2010, we made a filing with the IPUC requesting that the PCA surcharge rate be increased to 0.532 cents per KWh effective October 1, 2010.

The following table shows activity in deferred power costs for Washington and Idaho during the six months ended June 30, 2010 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Washington     Idaho     Total  

Deferred power costs as of December 31, 2009

   $ 6,264      $ 21,507      $ 27,771   

Activity from January 1 – June 30, 2010:

      

Power costs deferred (1)

     7,623        6,215        13,838   

Interest and other net additions

     84        106        190   

Recovery of deferred power costs through retail rates

     (6,802     (6,086     (12,888
                        

Deferred power costs as of June 30, 2010

   $ 7,169      $ 21,742      $ 28,911   
                        

 

(1) In Washington, the power costs deferred are associated with the Lancaster Plant, which are not accounted for under the ERM.

Results of Operations

The following provides an overview of changes in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2010 as compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2009. More detailed explanations are provided, particularly for operating revenues and operating expenses, in the business segment discussions (Avista Utilities, Advantage IQ and the other businesses) that follow this section.

Three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2009

Utility revenues increased $45.8 million to $325.7 million due to increased electric revenues of $37.0 million and increased natural gas revenues of $9.3 million. The increase in electric revenues was primarily due to increased wholesale revenues of $15.6 million (due to an increase in volumes and wholesale prices) and sales of fuel of $23.4 million. These increases in electric revenues were partially offset by a decrease in retail revenues of $2.9 million (due to a decrease in prices, partially offset by an increase in volumes). The increase in natural gas revenues was primarily the result of increased wholesale revenues of $19.4 million (primarily due to increased volumes and partially due to increased wholesale prices), partially offset by decreased retail revenues of $10.2 million (due to decreased retail rates, partially offset by increased volumes).

Non-utility energy revenues decreased $0.5 million to $5.1 million. These revenues for 2010 primarily represent revenues for Spokane Energy (which was consolidated effective January 1, 2010) related to a long-term electric capacity contract. These revenues for 2009 primarily represent payments for the power purchase agreement for the Lancaster Plant. The majority of the rights and obligations of this agreement were conveyed to Shell Energy through the end of 2009. These rights and obligations were conveyed to Avista Utilities’ operations in January 2010.

 

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Other non-utility revenues increased $8.4 million to $30.0 million as a result of an increase in revenues from Advantage IQ of $7.2 million primarily due to the acquisition of Ecos in the third quarter of 2009. The increase in other non-utility revenues was also due to increased revenues from our other businesses of $1.2 million, primarily due to increased sales at AM&D.

Utility resource costs increased $42.5 million due to increases in electric resource costs of $35.7 million and natural gas resource costs of $6.8 million. The decrease in natural gas resource costs primarily reflects a decrease in the price of natural gas purchases, as well as the purchased gas cost adjustments implemented in the fourth quarter of 2009. The increase in electric resource costs was primarily due to an increase in fuel costs (due to an increase in thermal generation).

Utility other operating expenses increased $0.8 million reflecting an increase in consulting costs, partially offset by a decrease in generation operation and maintenance costs.

Utility depreciation and amortization increased $1.5 million driven by additions to utility plant.

Non-utility resource costs decreased $2.5 million. These costs for 2010 primarily represent expenses for Spokane Energy (which was consolidated effective January 1, 2010) related to a long-term electric capacity contract. These costs for 2009 primarily represent payments for the power purchase agreement for the Lancaster Plant. The majority of the rights and obligations of this agreement were conveyed to Shell Energy through the end of 2009. These rights and obligations were conveyed to Avista Utilities’ operations in January 2010.

Other non-utility operating expenses increased $6.9 million reflecting an increase of $6.2 million for Advantage IQ primarily due to the acquisition of Ecos in the third quarter of 2009. The increase was partially due to increased operating expenses from AM&D.

Interest expense increased $3.0 million primarily due to the consolidation of Spokane Energy (increased interest expense $1.4 million) and the issuance of $250.0 million of long-term debt in September 2009. During the second quarter of 2009, we carried relatively high balances on our committed line of credit at relatively low interest rates. This has been replaced with long-term debt at a higher interest rate.

Other expense-net increased $0.8 million primarily due to a decrease in interest income (primarily interest on regulatory deferrals due to lower balances).

Income taxes increased $0.2 million and our effective tax rate was 37.8 percent for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to 37.3 percent for the three months ended June 30, 2009. The increase in the effective tax rate was due to decreases in the Kettle Falls Plant tax credit and the manufacturing deduction.

Six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2009

Utility revenues increased $8.5 million to $749.2 million due to increased electric revenues of $48.8 million, partially offset by decreased natural gas revenues of $39.3 million. The increase in electric revenues was primarily due to increased wholesale revenues of $33.0 million (primarily due to an increase in volumes and partially due to an increase in wholesale prices) and sales of fuel of $33.5 million. These increases in electric revenues were partially offset by a decrease in retail revenues of $18.9 million (due to a decrease in volumes and prices). The decrease in natural gas revenues was primarily the result of decreased retail revenues of $85.1 million (due to decreased retail rates and decreased volumes), partially offset by increased wholesale revenues of $45.0 million (primarily due to increased volumes and partially due to increased wholesale prices).

Non-utility energy revenues decreased $1.4 million to $10.2 million. These revenues for 2010 primarily represent revenues for Spokane Energy (which was consolidated effective January 1, 2010) related to a long-term electric capacity contract. These revenues for 2009 primarily represent payments for the power purchase agreement for the Lancaster Plant. The majority of the rights and obligations of this agreement were conveyed to Shell Energy through the end of 2009. These rights and obligations were conveyed to Avista Utilities’ operations in January 2010.

Other non-utility revenues increased $15.5 million to $57.7 million as a result of an increase in revenues from Advantage IQ of $13.8 million primarily due to the acquisition of Ecos in the third quarter of 2009. The increase in other non-utility revenues was also due to increased revenues from our other businesses of $1.7 million, primarily due to increased sales at AM&D.

 

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Utility resource costs increased $12.4 million due to increased electric resource costs of $45.6 million, partially offset by decreased natural gas resource costs of $33.2 million. The decrease in natural gas resource costs primarily reflects a decrease in the price of natural gas purchases, as well as the purchased gas cost adjustments implemented in the fourth quarter of 2009. The increase in electric resource costs was primarily due to an increase in fuel costs (due to an increase in thermal generation).

Utility other operating expenses decreased $1.1 million reflecting decreases in electric distribution, operation and maintenance expenses, partially offset by increased consulting costs.

Utility depreciation and amortization increased $2.9 million driven by additions to utility plant.

Utility taxes other than income taxes decreased $5.3 million primarily reflecting lower revenue related taxes.

Non-utility resource costs decreased $5.5 million. These costs for 2010 primarily represent expenses for Spokane Energy (which was consolidated effective January 1, 2010) related to a long-term electric capacity contract. These costs for 2009 primarily represent payments for the power purchase agreement for the Lancaster Plant. The majority of the rights and obligations of this agreement were conveyed to Shell Energy through the end of 2009. These rights and obligations were conveyed to Avista Utilities’ operations in January 2010.

Other non-utility operating expenses increased $12.8 million reflecting an increase of $11.8 million for Advantage IQ primarily due to the acquisition of Ecos in the third quarter of 2009. The increase was partially due to increased operating expenses from AM&D.

Interest expense increased $6.5 million primarily due to the consolidation of Spokane Energy (increased interest expense $2.9 million) and the issuance of $250.0 million of long-term debt in September 2009. During the first half of 2009, we carried relatively high balances on our committed line of credit at relatively low interest rates. This has been replaced with long-term debt at a higher interest rate.

Interest expense to affiliated trusts decreased $1.3 million because of the redemption of $61.9 million of long-term debt to affiliated trusts in April 2009 and a decrease in the variable interest rate on the remaining debt outstanding.

Other expense-net increased $1.9 million primarily due to a decrease in interest income (primarily interest on regulatory deferrals due to lower balances).

Income taxes increased $0.6 million and our effective tax rate was 37.8 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to 36.4 percent for the six months ended June 30, 2009. The increase in the effective tax rate was due to decreases in the Kettle Falls Plant tax credit and the manufacturing deduction.

Avista Utilities

Three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2009

Net income for Avista Utilities was $24.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $25.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009. The decrease in net income for Avista Utilities was due in part to an increase in interest expense. During the second quarter of 2009 we carried higher average balances under our $320.0 million committed line of credit at relatively low interest rates. We refinanced these borrowings in September 2009 with the issuance of $250.0 million of First Mortgage Bonds at a rate of 5.125 percent.

Avista Utilities’ income from operations was $57.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $56.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009. This increase in income from operations was primarily due to increased gross margin (operating revenues less resource costs). The increase in gross margin was partially offset by an increase in other utility operating expenses and depreciation and amortization.

The following table presents our operating revenues, resource costs and resulting gross margin for the three months ended June 30 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Electric    Natural Gas    Total
     2010    2009    2010    2009    2010    2009

Operating revenues

   $ 222,356    $ 185,390    $ 103,761    $ 94,475    $ 326,117    $ 279,865

Resource costs

     90,166      54,456      78,018      71,195      168,184      125,651
                                         

Gross margin

   $ 132,190    $ 130,934    $ 25,743    $ 23,280    $ 157,933    $ 154,214
                                         

Avista Utilities’ operating revenues increased $46.3 million and utility resource costs increased $42.5 million, which resulted in an increase of $3.7 million in gross margin. The gross margin on natural gas sales increased $2.5 million and the gross margin on electric sales increased $1.3 million. The increase in our natural gas gross margin was due to colder weather that increased retail loads and the implementation of general rate increases in Washington effective January 1, 2010, Oregon effective November 1, 2009 and Idaho effective August 1, 2009. The increase in electric gross margin was due to the implementation of the general rate increases in Washington and a slight increase in retail loads.

 

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The following table presents our utility electric operating revenues and megawatt-hour (MWh) sales for the three months ended June 30 (dollars and MWhs in thousands):

 

     Electric Operating
Revenues
   Electric Energy
MWh sales
     2010    2009    2010    2009

Residential

   $ 60,844    $ 63,585    758    761

Commercial

     61,819      63,723    724    735

Industrial

     28,202      26,494    527    480

Public street and highway lighting

     1,657      1,631    7    6
                       

Total retail

     152,522      155,433    2,016    1,982

Wholesale

     37,639      22,044    1,047    862

Sales of fuel

     27,595      4,191    —      —  

Other

     4,600      3,722    —      —  
                       

Total

   $ 222,356    $ 185,390    3,063    2,844
                       

Retail electric revenues decreased $2.9 million due to a decrease in revenue per MWh (decreased revenues $5.4 million), partially offset by an increase in total MWhs sold (increased revenues $2.5 million). The decrease in revenue per MWh was primarily due to the elimination of the ERM surcharge in February 2010, partially offset by the Washington general rate increase implemented on January 1, 2010 and the Idaho general rate increase implemented on August 1, 2009.

Wholesale electric revenues increased $15.6 million due to an increase in sales prices (increased revenues $8.9 million) and an increase in sales volumes (increased revenues $6.7 million).

When electric wholesale market prices are below the cost of operating our natural gas-fired thermal generating units, we sell the natural gas purchased for generation in the wholesale market as sales of fuel. Sales of fuel increased $23.4 million due to an increase in thermal generation resource optimization activities in 2010 as compared to 2009.

The net margin on wholesale sales and sales of fuel is applied to reduce or increase resource costs as accounted for under the ERM and the PCA mechanism.

The following table presents our utility natural gas operating revenues and therms delivered for the three months ended June 30 (dollars and therms in thousands):

 

     Natural Gas
Operating Revenues
   Natural Gas
Therms Delivered
     2010    2009    2010    2009

Residential

   $ 36,311    $ 41,135    33,879    29,552

Commercial

     17,290      21,923    19,591    18,535

Interruptible

     679      1,344    1,066    1,447

Industrial

     853      967    1,169    1,011
                       

Total retail

     55,133      65,369    55,705    50,545

Wholesale

     44,458      25,089    115,350    81,907

Transportation

     1,754      1,699    32,793    33,962

Other

     2,416      2,318    90    106
                       

Total

   $ 103,761    $ 94,475    203,938    166,520
                       

The $10.2 million decrease in retail natural gas revenues was due to lower retail rates (decreased revenues $15.3 million), partially offset by an increase in volumes (increased revenues $5.1 million). We sold more retail natural gas in the second quarter of 2010 as compared to the second quarter of 2009 due to colder weather. The decrease in retail rates reflects the purchased gas adjustments implemented in 2009, partially offset by general rate increases implemented in Washington on January 1, 2010, Oregon on November 1, 2009 and Idaho on August 1, 2009.

The increase in our wholesale natural gas revenues of $19.4 million reflects an increase in prices (increased revenues $6.5 million) and an increase in volumes (increased revenues $12.9 million). Wholesale sales reflect the sale of natural gas in excess of load requirements as part of the natural gas procurement process. We engage in optimization of available interstate pipeline transportation and storage capacity through wholesale purchases and sales of natural gas. Variances between the revenues and costs of the sale of resources in excess of retail load requirements are accounted for through the PGA mechanisms.

 

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The following table presents our average number of electric and natural gas retail customers for the three months ended June 30:

 

     Electric
Customers
   Natural
Gas Customers
     2010    2009    2010    2009

Residential

   314,297    313,002    282,199    280,144

Commercial

   39,482    39,276    33,442    33,219

Interruptible

   —      —      37    43

Industrial

   1,378    1,399    254    257

Public street and highway lighting

   447    444    —      —  
                   

Total retail customers

   355,604    354,121    315,932    313,663
                   

The following table presents our utility resource costs for the three months ended June 30 (dollars in thousands):

 

     2010     2009

Electric resource costs:

    

Power purchased

   $ 35,309      $ 30,286

Power cost amortizations, net

     (4,851     6,964

Fuel for generation

     21,333        5,488

Other fuel costs

     29,384        4,156

Other regulatory amortizations, net

     4,698        4,778

Other electric resource costs

     4,293        2,784
              

Total electric resource costs

     90,166        54,456
              

Natural gas resource costs:

    

Natural gas purchased

     80,422        56,919

Natural gas cost amortizations, net

     (4,741     12,241

Other regulatory amortizations, net

     2,337        2,035
              

Total natural gas resource costs

     78,018        71,195
              

Total resource costs

   $ 168,184      $ 125,651
              

Power purchased increased $5.0 million due to an increase in wholesale prices (increased costs $1.4 million) and an increase in the volume of power purchases (increased costs $3.6 million), primarily due to purchasing power to cover for below normal hydroelectric generation and an increase in wholesale sales volumes related to optimization.

Net deferrals of power costs were $4.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to net amortization (recovery) of $7.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009. During the second quarter of 2010, we recovered (collected as revenue) $2.8 million in Idaho. The Washington ERM surcharge was eliminated in February 2010 as the previous balance of deferred power costs was recovered. During the second quarter of 2010, we deferred $3.8 million of power costs in Idaho, as power supply costs exceeded the amount included in base retail rates. In Washington, we deferred $3.9 million of costs associated with the Lancaster Project. We did not defer any power costs under Washington ERM during the second quarter of 2010, as power supply costs were within the $4.0 million deadband above the amount included in base retail rates. We absorbed $1.6 million under the ERM for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $6.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009.

Fuel for generation increased $15.8 million primarily due to an increase in thermal generation.

Other fuel costs increased $25.2 million. This represents fuel that was purchased for generation, but was later sold when conditions indicated that it was not economical to use the fuel in generation as part of the resource optimization process. The associated revenues are reflected as sales of fuel.

The expense for natural gas purchased increased $23.5 million due to an increase in the price of natural gas (increased costs $5.4 million) and an increase in the total therms purchased (increased costs $18.1 million). The increase in total therms purchased was due to an increase in wholesale sales with the balancing of loads and resources as part of the natural gas procurement process and an increase in retail sales volumes. We engage in

 

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optimization of available interstate pipeline transportation and storage capacity through wholesale purchases and sales of natural gas. During the second quarter of 2010, natural gas resource costs were reduced by $4.7 million reflecting the rebate of a deferred liability for natural gas costs through the purchased gas cost adjustments implemented in November 2009.

Six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2009

Net income for Avista Utilities was $51.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $56.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. Avista Utilities’ income from operations was $120.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $119.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. This increase in income from operations was primarily due to a decrease in other utility operating expenses and taxes other than income taxes, partially offset by decreased gross margin (operating revenues less resource costs) and an increase in depreciation and amortization.

The decrease in net income for Avista Utilities was also due to an increase in interest expense. During the first half of 2009 we carried higher average balances under our $320.0 million committed line of credit at relatively low interest rates. We refinanced these borrowings in September 2009 with the issuance of $250.0 million of First Mortgage Bonds at a rate of 5.125 percent.

The following table presents our operating revenues, resource costs and resulting gross margin for the six months ended June 30 (dollars in thousands):

 

     Electric    Natural Gas    Total
     2010    2009    2010    2009    2010    2009

Operating revenues

   $ 474,613    $ 425,858    $ 275,535    $ 314,872    $ 750,148    $ 740,730

Resource costs

     222,045      176,422      205,706      238,921      427,751      415,343
                                         

Gross margin

   $ 252,568    $ 249,436    $ 69,829    $ 75,951    $ 322,397    $ 325,387
                                         

Avista Utilities’ operating revenues increased $9.4 million and utility resource costs increased $12.4 million, which resulted in a decrease of $3.0 million in gross margin. The gross margin on natural gas sales decreased $6.1 million and the gross margin on electric sales increased $3.1 million. The decrease in our natural gas gross margin was primarily due to warmer weather that reduced retail loads in the first quarter, partially offset by the implementation of general rate increases in Washington effective January 1, 2010, Oregon effective November 1, 2009 and Idaho effective August 1, 2009. The increase in electric gross margin was due to the implementation of the general rate increases in Washington and Idaho, partially offset by warmer weather in the first quarter (which reduced retail loads).

The following table presents our utility electric operating revenues and megawatt-hour (MWh) sales for the six months ended June 30 (dollars and MWhs in thousands):

 

     Electric Operating
Revenues
   Electric Energy
MWh sales
     2010    2009    2010    2009

Residential

   $ 147,423    $ 163,020    1,808    1,938

Commercial

     126,669      132,789    1,471    1,540

Industrial

     54,549      51,849    1,009    941

Public street and highway lighting

     3,372      3,291    13    13
                       

Total retail

     332,013      350,949    4,301    4,432

Wholesale

     84,201      51,246    1,966    1,459

Sales of fuel

     49,707      16,163    —      —  

Other

     8,692      7,500    —      —  
                       

Total

   $ 474,613    $ 425,858    6,267    5,891
                       

Retail electric revenues decreased $18.9 million due to a decrease in total MWhs sold (decreased revenues $10.1 million) primarily due to a decrease in use per customer as a result of warmer weather in the first quarter heating season, and a decrease in revenue per MWh (decreased revenues $8.8 million). Compared to the first half of 2009, residential electric use per customer was down 7 percent and commercial use per customer decreased 5 percent. The decrease in revenue per MWh was primarily due to the elimination of the ERM surcharge in February 2010, partially offset by the Washington general rate increase implemented on January 1, 2010 and the Idaho general rate increase implemented on August 1, 2009.

 

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Wholesale electric revenues increased $33.0 million due to an increase in sales prices (increased revenues $11.3 million) and an increase in sales volumes (increased revenues $21.7 million). The increase in sales volume primarily relates to resource optimization activities and lower than expected retail sales.

When electric wholesale market prices are below the cost of operating our natural gas-fired thermal generating units, we sell the natural gas purchased for generation in the wholesale market as sales of fuel. Sales of fuel increased $33.5 million due to an increase in thermal generation resource optimization activities in 2010 as compared to 2009.

The net margin on wholesale sales and sales of fuel is applied to reduce or increase resource costs as accounted for under the ERM and the PCA mechanism.

The following table presents our utility natural gas operating revenues and therms delivered for the six months ended June 30 (dollars and therms in thousands):

 

     Natural Gas
Operating Revenues
   Natural Gas
Therms Delivered
     2010    2009    2010    2009

Residential

   $ 105,035    $ 155,388    104,584    118,489

Commercial

     52,359      84,564    60,721    71,715

Interruptible

     1,495      2,980    2,369    3,209

Industrial

     2,010      3,022    2,791    2,965
                       

Total retail

     160,899      245,954    170,465    196,378

Wholesale

     106,576      61,594    237,903    160,752

Transportation

     3,319      3,249    72,479    73,500

Other

     4,741      4,075    281    379
                       

Total

   $ 275,535    $ 314,872    481,128    431,009
                       

The $85.1 million decrease in retail natural gas revenues was due to lower retail rates (decreased revenues $60.6 million) and a decrease in volumes (decreased revenues $24.5 million). We sold less retail natural gas in the first half of 2010 as compared to the first half of 2009 due to warmer weather in the first quarter. Compared to the first half of 2009, residential natural gas use per customer was down 12 percent and commercial use per customer decreased 16 percent. The decrease in retail rates reflects the purchased gas adjustments implemented in 2009, partially offset by general rate increases implemented in Washington on January 1, 2010, Oregon on November 1, 2009 and Idaho on August 1, 2009.

The increase in our wholesale natural gas revenues of $45.0 million reflects an increase in prices (increased revenues $10.4 million) and an increase in volumes (increased revenues $34.6 million). Wholesale sales reflect the sale of natural gas in excess of load requirements as part of the natural gas procurement process. Part of the increase in the volume of wholesale natural gas sales reflects lower than expected retail loads and the sale of excess natural gas purchased. Additionally, we engage in optimization of available interstate pipeline transportation and storage capacity through wholesale purchases and sales of natural gas. With lower retail loads in the first half of 2010 as compared to the first half of 2009, we had more opportunity to optimize transportation resources. Variances between the revenues and costs of the sale of resources in excess of retail load requirements are accounted for through the PGA mechanisms.

The following table presents our average number of electric and natural gas retail customers for the six months ended June 30:

 

     Electric
Customers
   Natural Gas
Customers
     2010    2009    2010    2009

Residential

   314,714    313,732    282,526    280,764

Commercial

   39,476    39,286    33,466    33,266

Interruptible

   —      —      37    42

Industrial

   1,374    1,394    253    259

Public street and highway lighting

   447    443    —      —  
                   

Total retail customers

   356,011    354,855    316,282    314,331
                   

 

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The following table presents our utility resource costs for the six months ended June 30 (dollars in thousands):

 

     2010     2009

Electric resource costs:

    

Power purchased

   $ 88,950      $ 84,633

Power cost amortizations, net

     (1,139     20,138

Fuel for generation

     66,292        35,687

Other fuel costs

     52,146        21,079

Other regulatory amortizations, net

     9,577        9,964

Other electric resource costs

     6,219        4,921
              

Total electric resource costs

     222,045        176,422
              

Natural gas resource costs:

    

Natural gas purchased

     214,007        213,040

Natural gas cost amortizations, net

     (14,795     19,843

Other regulatory amortizations, net

     6,494        6,038
              

Total natural gas resource costs

     205,706        238,921
              

Total resource costs

   $ 427,751      $ 415,343
              

Power purchased increased $4.3 million due to an increase in the volume of power purchases (increased costs $11.1 million), partially offset by a decrease in wholesale prices (decreased costs $6.8 million). The increase in volumes was primarily due to purchasing power to cover for below normal hydroelectric generation and an increase in wholesale sales volumes related to optimization.

Net deferrals of power costs were $1.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to net amortization (recovery) of $20.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. During the first half of 2010, we recovered (collected as revenue) $6.8 million of previously deferred power costs in Washington and $5.9 million in Idaho. The Washington ERM surcharge was eliminated in February 2010 as the previous balance of deferred power costs was recovered. During the first half of 2010, we deferred $6.2 million of power costs in Idaho, as power supply costs exceeded the amount included in base retail rates. In Washington, we deferred $7.6 million of costs associated with the Lancaster Project. We did not defer any power costs under Washington ERM during the first half of 2010, as power supply costs were within the $4.0 million deadband above the amount included in base retail rates. We absorbed $2.8 million under the ERM for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $4.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. This was primarily due to lower hydroelectric generation, partially offset by lower wholesale electric and natural gas fuel prices.

Fuel for generation increased $30.6 million primarily due to an increase in thermal generation.

Other fuel costs increased $31.1 million. This represents fuel that was purchased for generation, but was later sold when conditions indicated that it was not economical to use the fuel in generation as part of the resource optimization process. The associated revenues are reflected as sales of fuel.

The expense for natural gas purchased increased $1.0 million due to an increase in the total therms purchased (increased costs $26.9 million), partially offset by a decrease in the price of natural gas (decreased costs $25.9 million). The increase in total therms purchased was due to an increase in wholesale sales with the balancing of loads and resources as part of the natural gas procurement process, partially offset by a decrease in retail sales volumes. We engage in optimization of available interstate pipeline transportation and storage capacity through wholesale purchases and sales of natural gas. During the first half of 2010, natural gas resource costs were reduced by $14.8 million reflecting the rebate of a deferred liability for natural gas costs through the purchased gas cost adjustments implemented in November 2009.

 

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Advantage IQ

Three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2009

Advantage IQ’s net income attributable to Avista Corporation was $1.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $1.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009. Operating revenues increased $7.2 million and operating expenses increased $6.7 million. The increase in net income attributable to Avista Corporation, operating revenues and expenses was primarily due to the third quarter 2009 acquisition of Ecos. The increase in operating expenses was also due to the amortization of intangible assets from the acquisition of Ecos. As of June 30, 2010, Advantage IQ had 540 customers representing 423,000 billed sites in North America, an increase from 421,000 billed sites as of December 31, 2009. In the second quarter of 2010, Advantage IQ managed bills totaling $4.2 billion, an increase of $0.1 billion, or 2 percent, as compared to the second quarter of 2009.

Six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2009

Advantage IQ’s net income attributable to Avista Corporation was $3.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $2.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. Operating revenues increased $13.8 million and operating expenses increased $12.7 million. The increase in net income attributable to Avista Corporation, operating revenues and expenses was primarily due to the third quarter 2009 acquisition of Ecos. The increase in operating expenses was also due to the amortization of intangible assets from the acquisition of Ecos. In the first half of 2010, Advantage IQ managed bills totaling $8.3 billion, a decrease of $0.6 billion, or 6 percent, as compared to the first half of 2009. This decrease was due to a decrease in the average value of each bill processed.

Other Businesses

Three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2009

The net loss attributable to Avista Corporation from these operations was less than $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $0.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009. Operating revenues increased $6.3 million and operating expenses increased $4.1 million. The increase in operating revenues and expenses was primarily due to the consolidation of Spokane Energy effective January 1, 2010, which had no impact on the net loss attributable to Avista Corporation. The improvement in results for these businesses was primarily due to lower losses on long-term venture fund investments and increased earnings at AM&D.

Six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2009

The net loss attributable to Avista Corporation from these operations was $0.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $1.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. Operating revenues increased $12.1 million and operating expenses increased $8.1 million. The increase in operating revenues and expenses was primarily due to the consolidation of Spokane Energy effective January 1, 2010, which had no impact on the net loss attributable to Avista Corporation. Consistent with the quarterly period, the improvement in results for these businesses was primarily due to lower losses on long-term venture fund investments and increased earnings at AM&D. Losses on long-term venture fund investments were $0.6 million for the first half of 2010 compared to $1.0 million for the first half of 2009.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Changes in these estimates and assumptions are considered reasonably possible and may have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements and thus actual results could differ from the amounts reported and disclosed herein. Our critical accounting policies that require the use of estimates and assumptions were discussed in detail in the 2009 Form 10-K and have not changed materially from that discussion.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Review of Cash Flow Statement

Overall During the six months ended June 30, 2010, positive cash flows from operating activities of $114.8 million were used to fund the majority of our cash requirements. These cash requirements included utility capital expenditures of $80.3 million and dividends of $27.5 million.

Operating Activities Net cash provided by operating activities was $114.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $176.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. Net cash provided by working capital components was $1.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, compared to $56.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. The net cash provided during the six months ended June 30, 2010 primarily reflected positive cash flows from:

 

   

accounts receivable (representing a seasonal decrease in receivables outstanding), and

 

   

other current assets (primarily representing a decrease in income taxes receivable).

These positive cash flows were partially offset by net cash outflows from accounts payable (primarily related to a seasonal decrease in accounts payable for natural gas purchases and power purchased), an increase in natural gas stored and a seasonal increase in construction materials and supplies.

The net cash provided during the six months ending June 30, 2009 primarily reflects an increase in cash flows from:

 

   

accounts receivable (representing a decrease in the receivables outstanding offset by a $3.0 million decrease in the amount of receivables that were sold),

 

   

other current assets (primarily related to income taxes receivable), and

 

   

materials and supplies, fuel stock and natural gas stored (primarily representing a drawdown of natural gas that was stored).

This cash provided in 2009 was partially offset by negative cash flows from accounts payable (representing a decrease in accounts payable, primarily related to a decrease in accounts payable for natural gas purchases).

Significant non-cash items included $15.9 million of power and natural gas cost net deferrals for the six months ended June 30, 2010, a change from net amortization of $40.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. We also had deferred income tax expense of $8.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to a benefit of $9.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009.

Contributions to our defined benefit pension plan were $14.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $32.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. Cash paid for interest increased to $36.7 million in the first half of 2010, compared to $28.5 million in the first half of 2009.

Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities was $87.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010, a slight decrease compared to $88.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. Utility property capital expenditures decreased for the first half of 2010 as compared to 2009, and funds held from customers at Advantage IQ increased by $3.2 million.

Financing Activities Net cash used in financing activities was $25.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2010 compared to $77.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009. During the six months ended June 30, 2010, our short-term borrowings decreased $2.0 million due to a net decrease in the amount of debt outstanding under our $320.0 million committed line of credit. Cash dividends paid increased to $27.5 million (or 50 cents per share) for the first half of 2010 from $21.3 million (or 39 cents per share) for the first half of 2009. We issued $9.5 million of common stock during the first half of 2010, including $8.8 million under a sales agency agreement. Additionally, customer funds obligations at Advantage IQ increased by $3.2 million.

In April 2009, we redeemed $61.9 million of long-term debt to affiliated trusts. During the six months ended June 30, 2009, our short-term borrowings increased $11.2 million, which primarily reflected an increase in the amount of debt outstanding under our $320.0 million committed line of credit. Additionally, customer funds obligations at Advantage IQ decreased by $5.7 million.

Overall Liquidity

Our consolidated operating cash flows are primarily derived from the operations of Avista Utilities. The primary source of operating cash flows for our utility operations is revenues from sales of electricity and natural gas. Significant uses of cash flows from our utility operations include the purchase of electricity and natural gas, and payment of other operating expenses, taxes and interest, with any excess being available for other corporate uses such as capital expenditures and dividends.

 

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We design operating and capital budgets to control operating costs and optimize capital expenditures, particularly for our regulated utility operations. In addition to operating expenses, we have continuing commitments for capital expenditures for construction, improvement and maintenance of utility facilities.

Over time, our operating cash flows usually do not fully support the amount required for utility capital expenditures. As such, from time to time, we need to access capital markets in order to fund these needs as well as fund maturing debt. See further discussion at “Capital Resources.”

We periodically file for rate adjustments for recovery of operating costs and capital investments to provide the opportunity to align our earned returns with those allowed by regulators. See further details in the section “Avista Utilities - Regulatory Matters.”

For our utility operations, when power and natural gas costs exceed the levels currently recovered from retail customers, net cash flows are negatively affected. Factors that could cause purchased power costs to exceed the levels currently recovered from our customers include, but are not limited to, higher prices in wholesale markets when we buy energy or an increased need to purchase power in the wholesale markets. Factors beyond our control that could result in an increased need to purchase power in the wholesale markets include, but are not limited to:

 

   

increases in demand (either due to weather or customer growth),

 

   

low availability of streamflows for hydroelectric generation,

 

   

unplanned outages at generating facilities, and

 

   

failure of third parties to deliver on energy or capacity contracts.

We monitor the potential liquidity impacts of increasing energy commodity prices and other increased operating costs for our utility operations. We believe that we have adequate liquidity to meet the increased cash needs of higher energy commodity prices and other increased operating costs through our:

 

   

$320.0 million committed line of credit (which expires in April 2011),

 

   

$75.0 million committed line of credit (which expires in April 2011), and

 

   

$50.0 million revolving accounts receivable financing facility (which expires in March 2011).

As of June 30, 2010, we had a combined $335.9 million of available liquidity under the three facilities described above. We are in the process of evaluating various alternatives and expect to have a new credit facility in place prior to the April 2011 expiration of our current committed lines of credit.

Our utility has regulatory mechanisms in place that provide for the deferral and recovery of the majority of power and natural gas supply costs. However, if prices rise above the level currently allowed in retail rates in periods when we are buying energy, deferral balances will increase, which will negatively affect our cash flow and liquidity until such costs, with interest, are recovered from customers.

Credit and Nonperformance Risk

Our contracts for the purchase and sale of energy commodities often require collateral (in the form of cash or letters of credit) or other credit enhancements, or reductions or terminations of a portion of the contract through cash settlement in the event of a downgrade in our credit ratings or adverse changes in market prices. For example, in addition to limiting our ability to conduct transactions, if our credit ratings were lowered to below investment grade and energy prices decreased by 15 percent in the first year and 20 percent in subsequent years, we estimate, based on our positions outstanding at June 30, 2010, that we would potentially be required to post additional collateral up to $117 million. The additional collateral amount is higher than the amount disclosed in Note 4 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements because this analysis includes contracts that are not considered derivatives and due to the assumptions about potential energy price changes.

Under the terms of interest rate swap agreements that we enter into periodically, we may be required to post cash collateral depending on fluctuations in the fair value of the instrument. This has not historically been significant to our liquidity position. As of June 30, 2010, we had two interest rate swap agreements outstanding with a notional amount totaling $50 million and a mandatory cash settlement date of July 2012. We have not posted any collateral under these interest rate swap agreements.

Our utility held cash deposits from other parties in the amount of $0.2 million at June 30, 2010 and $3.2 million at December 31, 2009. These amounts are subject to return if conditions warrant because of continuing portfolio value fluctuations with those parties or substitution of collateral.

 

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Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Act) was signed into law by President Obama on July 21, 2010. The Act establishes regulatory jurisdiction by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for certain swaps (which include a variety of derivative instruments) and the users of such swaps, that otherwise would have been exempted under the Commodity Exchange Act, federal securities laws, and federal banking laws.

A variety of rules must be adopted by federal agencies (including the CFTC, SEC and the FERC) to implement the Act. These rules, which will be implemented over timeframes as defined in the Act, could have a significant impact on Avista Corporation that was not clearly defined in the Act itself.

Under the Act, “Swap Dealers” and “Major Swap Participants” will be required to post collateral to meet minimum capital requirements as well as minimum initial and variation margin requirements; the purpose of which is to ensure the safety and soundness of the capital markets by addressing concerns brought about by the global financial crisis of 2007 and 2008. Swap Dealers and/or Major Swap Participants are persons who serve as dealers in swaps or who maintain a substantial position in swaps, for reasons other than mitigating commercial risk.

The Act also requires a broad category of swaps to be cleared and traded on registered exchanges or special derivatives exchanges. Such clearing requirements would result in a significant change from our current practice of bilateral transactions and negotiated credit terms. An exemption to such clearing requirements is outlined in the Act for end users that are not Major Swap Participants or Swap Dealers and enter into hedges to mitigate commercial risk. We expect to qualify under the end user exemption. Despite the end user exemption, concern remains that counterparties that are Swap Dealers or Major Swap Participants will pass along the increased cost and margin requirements through higher prices and reductions in unsecured credit limits.

Capital Resources

Our consolidated capital structure, including the current portion of long-term debt and short-term borrowings, and excluding noncontrolling interests, consisted of the following as of June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 (dollars in thousands):

 

     June 30, 2010     December 31, 2009  
     Amount    Percent
of total
    Amount    Percent
of total
 

Current portion of long-term debt

   $ 35,348    1.5   $ 35,189    1.5

Current portion of nonrecourse long-term debt (1)

     11,905    0.5        —      —     

Short-term borrowings

     87,900    3.7        92,700    4.1   

Long-term debt to affiliated trusts

     51,547    2.2        51,547    2.3   

Nonrecourse long-term debt (1)

     52,830    2.2        —      —     

Long-term debt

     1,039,059    44.0        1,036,149    45.7   
                          

Total debt

     1,278,589    54.1        1,215,585    53.6   

Total Avista Corporation stockholders’ equity

     1,085,867    45.9        1,051,287    46.4   
                          

Total

   $ 2,364,456    100.0   $ 2,266,872    100.0
                          

 

(1) Nonrecourse long-term debt (including current portion) represents the long-term debt of Spokane Energy, which was consolidated effective January 1, 2010. To provide funding to acquire a long-term fixed rate electric capacity contract from Avista Corp., Spokane Energy borrowed $145.0 million from a funding trust in December 1998. The long-term debt has scheduled monthly installments and interest at a fixed rate of 8.45 percent with the final payment due in January 2015. Spokane Energy bears full recourse risk for the debt, which is secured by the electric capacity contract and $1.6 million of funds held in a trust account.

We need to finance capital expenditures and obtain additional working capital from time to time. The cash requirements needed to service our indebtedness, both short-term and long-term, reduces the amount of cash flow available to fund capital expenditures, working capital, purchased power and natural gas costs, dividends and other requirements. Our stockholders’ equity increased $34.6 million during the first half of 2010 primarily due to net income and the issuance of common stock, partially offset by dividends.

We generally fund capital expenditures with a combination of internally generated cash and external financing. The level of cash generated internally and the amount that is available for capital expenditures fluctuates depending on a variety of factors. Cash provided by our utility operating activities is expected to be the primary source of funds for operating needs, dividends and capital expendit