Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Regulatory Assets Disclosure (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Sep. 30, 2013
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Regulatory Assets, Noncurrent	$ 263,321		$ 369,603		$ 387,676
Regulatory Assets, Current	52,250		22,635		26,293
Unrealized Loss On Derivatives [Member]
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Regulatory Assets, Noncurrent	551	[1]	615	[1]	1,404	[1]
Regulatory Assets, Current	5,520	[1]	1,891	[1]	8,275	[1]
Asset Recoverable Gas Costs [Member]
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Regulatory Assets, Noncurrent	1,936		1,840		0
Regulatory Assets, Current	23,795		4,286		0
Pension and Other Postretirement Plans Costs [Member]
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Regulatory Assets, Noncurrent	118,485	[2]	125,855	[2]	187,000	[2]
Pension Balancing [Member]
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Regulatory Assets, Noncurrent	30,682	[2]	25,713	[2]	22,976	[2]
Income Tax Asset [Member]
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Regulatory Assets, Noncurrent	49,007		51,814		53,065
Environmental Restoration Costs [Member]
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Regulatory Assets, Noncurrent	51,861	[3],[4]	148,389	[3],[4]	118,029	[3],[4]
Other Regulatory [Member]
Regulatory Assets [Line Items]
Regulatory Assets, Noncurrent	10,799	[5]	15,377	[5]	5,202
Regulatory Assets, Current	$ 22,935	[5]	$ 16,458	[5]	$ 18,018	[5]

[1] Unrealized gains or losses on derivatives are non-cash items and, therefore, do not earn a rate of return or a carrying charge. These amounts are recoverable through utility rates as part of the annual Purchased Gas Adjustment (PGA) mechanism when realized at settlement.

[2] Certain utility pension costs are approved for regulatory deferral, including amounts recorded to the pension balancing account, to mitigate the effects of higher and lower pension expenses. Pension costs that are deferred include an interest component when recognized in net periodic benefit costs; see Note 7 for further information.

[3] Environmental costs relate to specific sites approved for regulatory deferral by the Public Utility Commission of Oregon (OPUC) and Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC). In Oregon, we earn a carrying charge on cash amounts paid, whereas amounts accrued but not yet paid do not earn a carrying charge until expended. In Washington, a carrying charge related to deferred amounts will be determined in a future proceeding. For further information on environmental matters, see Note 13.

[4] Includes cash paid, remaining liability, and interest, net of insurance reimbursement and amounts reclassified to utility plant for the water treatment station.

[5] These balances primarily consist of deferrals and amortizations under approved regulatory mechanisms. The accounts being amortized typically earn a rate of return or carrying charge.