INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES AND OTHER PROPERTY

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES AND OTHER PROPERTY [Abstract]

Investments and Other Noncurrent Assets [Text Block]

NOTE 4.       INVESTMENTS IN SUBSIDIARIES AND OTHER PROPERTY

Investments in subsidiaries and other property consisted of the following as of December 31 (dollars in thousands):

		2011		2010
NVE
	Investments held in Rabbi Trust(1)	$	29,182	$	29,348
	Cash Value-Life Insurance		2,735		2,646
	Non-utility property of NEICO		5,517		5,659
	Property not designated for Utility use		19,235		23,608
	Other non-utility property		352		352
		$	57,021	$	61,613

		2011		2010
NPC
	Investments held in Rabbi Trust(1)	$	23,675	$	23,810
	Cash Value-Life Insurance		2,735		2,646
	Non-utility property of NEICO		5,517		5,659
	Property not designated for Utility use		18,841		23,190
		$	50,768	$	55,305

		2011		2010
SPPC
	Investments held in Rabbi Trust(1)	$	5,507	$	5,538
	Property not designated for Utility use		394		418
		$	5,901	$	5,956

(1)       Rabbi Trust assets represent non-qualified deferred compensation and certain defined benefit plans, which consist of actively traded money market and equity funds with quoted prices in active markets which are considered level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The balance also includes life insurance policies, which are recorded at its cash surrender value of $13.5 million on the consolidated balance sheet, which are considered level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.