EXHIBIT 12.A
SIERRA PACIFIC RESOURCES
CALCULATION OF PRE-TAX INTEREST COVERAGES
1997 1996 1995
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Total Income Before Interest Charges $126,111 $115,398 $103,761
Add: Income Taxes:
Included in operating expense 38,667 35,626 36,574
Included in other income - net (1,512) (1,237) (231)
Allowance for Borrowed Funds
Used During Construction 4,785 3,924 3,002
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TOTAL NUMERATOR $168,051 $153,711 $143,106
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Interest Charges:
Long-Term Debt $ 41,738 $ 39,770 $ 38,477
Other 4,583 4,624 2,873
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TOTAL DENOMINATOR $ 46,321 $ 44,394 $ 41,350
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PRE-TAX INTEREST COVERAGE 3.63 3.46 3.46
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