Ex-12b Idaho Power Company Consolidated Financial Information Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends Requirements Twelve Months Ended December 31, (Thousands of Dollars) 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges: Consolidated net income..................... $59,990 $84,464 $74,930 $86,921 $90,618 $92,274 Income taxes: Income taxes (incl amounts charged to other income and deductions)............ 24,601 38,057 35,307 49,498 51,316 47,559 Investment tax credit adjustment............ (1,439) (1,583) (1,064) (1,086) 776 (1,087) Total income taxes.................... 23,162 36,474 34,243 48,412 52,092 46,472 Income before income taxes...................... 83,152 120,938 109,173 135,333 142,710 138,746 Fixed Charges: Interest on long-term debt................. 53,408 53,706 51,172 51,147 52,165 53,215 expense and premium - net.................. 392 507 567 567 594 653 Interest on short-term bank loans........... 647 220 1,157 3,144 2,269 2,902 Other interest.............................. 1,011 2,023 1,538 1,598 2,319 3,990 Interest portion of rentals................. 683 1,077 794 925 991 982 Total fixed charges................... 56,141 57,533 55,228 57,381 58,338 61,742 Preferred dividends requirements............ 7,611 8,547 10,682 12,392 12,146 7,803 Total fixed charges and preferred dividends............................ 63,752 66,080 65,910 69,773 70,484 69,545 Earnings - as defined.......................... $139,293 $178,471 $164,401 $192,714 $201,048 $200,488 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred dividends.......................... 2.18x 2.70x 2.49x 2.76x 2.85x 2.88x Exhibit 12-B