Regulatory Matters Regulatory Matters (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]

Regulatory Assets [Table Text Block]

Regulatory assets represent costs that are expected to be recovered in future rates. PacifiCorp's regulatory assets reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of the following as of December 31 (in millions):

	Weighted
	Average
	Remaining
	Life	2014		2013
Deferred income taxes(1)	26 years	$	446	$	461
Employee benefit plans(2)	8 years	491		390
Utah mine disposition(3)	Various	194		—
Unamortized contract values	8 years	123		146
Deferred net power costs	1 year	122		139
Unrealized loss on derivative contracts	4 years	85		55
Other	Various	244		193
Total regulatory assets		$	1,705	$	1,384
Reflected as:
Current assets		$	131	$	94
Noncurrent assets		1,574		1,290
Total regulatory assets		$	1,705	$	1,384

(1) Amounts primarily represent income tax benefits and expense related to certain property-related basis differences and other various items that PacifiCorp is required to pass on to its customers.

(2) Represents amounts not yet recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost that are expected to be included in rates when recognized.

(3) Amounts represent regulatory assets established as a result of the Utah Mine Disposition for the net property, plant and equipment not considered probable of disallowance and for the portion of losses associated with the assets held for sale, UMWA 1974 Pension Trust withdrawal and closure costs incurred to date considered probable of recovery.

Regulatory Liabilities [Table Text Block]

Regulatory liabilities represent income to be recognized or amounts to be returned to customers in future periods. PacifiCorp's regulatory liabilities reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of the following as of December 31 (in millions):

	Weighted
	Average
	Remaining
	Life	2014		2013
Cost of removal(1)	26 years	$	873	$	843
Deferred income taxes	Various	13		21
Other	Various	58		70
Total regulatory liabilities		$	944	$	934
Reflected as:
Current liabilities		$	34	$	55
Noncurrent liabilities		910		879
Total regulatory liabilities		$	944	$	934

(1) Amounts represent estimated costs, as accrued through depreciation rates and exclusive of ARO liabilities, of removing property, plant and equipment in accordance with accepted regulatory practices. Amounts are deducted from rate base or otherwise accrue a carrying cost.