UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO
SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January
31, 2008
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Exact name of registrants as specified in |
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Commission |
their charters, address of principal executive |
IRS Employer |
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File Number |
offices and registrants' telephone number |
Identification Number |
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1-14465 |
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IDACORP, Inc. |
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82-0505802 |
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1-3198 |
Idaho Power Company |
82-0130980 |
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1221 W. Idaho Street |
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Boise, ID 83702-5627 |
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(208) 388-2200 |
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State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation: Idaho |
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None |
Former name or former address, if changed since last report. |
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is
intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant
under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2.):
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the
Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
IDACORP, Inc.
Idaho Power Company
Form 8-K
ITEM 8.01 OTHER
EVENTS
Standard & Poor's Lowers Ratings of IDACORP and IPC
On January 31, 2008, Standard
& Poor's Ratings Services ("Standard & Poor's") announced
that it has lowered the corporate credit ratings and long-term ratings of
IDACORP, Inc. ("IDACORP") and Idaho Power Company ("IPC").
The companies' outlook was changed from Negative to Stable and the companies'
commercial paper rating was affirmed at A-2. These downgrades are expected to
increase the cost of new debt issuances and outstanding variable rate debt
issuances within the downgraded ratings categories.
Standard & Poor's stated that its decision reflects a
gradual deterioration of cash flow coverage, as well as a proposed general rate
case settlement filed with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission on January 23,
2008 which, according to Standard & Poor's, does not sufficiently address
long-term ratemaking issues tied to rising costs and load growth pressures.
Standard & Poor's stated that the proposed settlement fails to settle some
important, policy-related issues, such as the use of a forecasted test year or
the appropriate level of the load growth adjustment credit.
The following outlines the former and current Standard &
Poor's ratings of IPC's and IDACORP's securities:
IPC |
IDACORP |
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Former |
Current |
Former |
Current |
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Corporate Credit Rating |
BBB+ |
BBB |
BBB+ |
BBB |
Senior Secured Debt |
A |
A- |
None |
None |
Senior Unsecured Debt |
BBB |
BBB- |
BBB |
BBB- |
Short-Term Tax-Exempt Debt |
BBB/A-2 |
BBB-/A-2 |
None |
None |
Commercial Paper |
A-2 |
A-2 |
A-2 |
A-2 |
Rating Outlook |
Negative |
Stable |
Negative |
Stable |
The following outlines the current Standard & Poor's,
Moody's Investors Service ("Moody's") and Fitch Inc.
("Fitch") ratings of IPC's and IDACORP's securities:
Standard and Poor's |
Moody's |
Fitch |
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IPC |
IDACORP |
IPC |
IDACORP |
IPC |
IDACORP |
|
Corporate Credit Rating |
BBB |
BBB |
Baa1 |
Baa2 |
None |
None |
Senior Secured Debt |
A- |
None |
A3 |
None |
A- |
None |
Senior Unsecured Debt |
BBB- |
BBB- |
Baa1 |
Baa2 |
BBB+ |
BBB |
Short-Term Tax-Exempt Debt |
BBB-/A-2 |
None |
Baa1/ |
None |
None |
None |
Commercial Paper |
A-2 |
A-2 |
P-2 |
P-2 |
F-2 |
F-2 |
Credit Facility |
None |
None |
Baa1 |
Baa2 |
None |
None |
Rating Outlook |
Stable |
Stable |
Stable |
Stable |
Stable |
Stable |
These security ratings reflect
the views of the rating agencies. An explanation of the significance of these
ratings may be obtained from each rating agency. Such ratings are not a
recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities. Any rating can be revised
upward or downward or withdrawn at any time by a rating agency if it decides
that the circumstances warrant the change. Each rating should be evaluated
independently of any other rating.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on their
behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Dated: February 1, 2008
IDACORP,
Inc.
By: /s/
Darrel T. Anderson
Darrel T. Anderson
Senior Vice
President -
Administrative Services and
Chief Financial Officer
Idaho
Power Company
By: /s/
Darrel T. Anderson
Darrel T. Anderson
Senior Vice
President -
Administrative Services and
Chief Financial Officer