Ex-12b Idaho Power Company Consolidated Financial Information Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends Requirements Twelve Months Twelve Months Ended December 31, Ended (Thousands of Dollars) March 31, 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges: Consolidated net income..................... $84,464 $74,930 $86,921 $90,618 $92,274 $91,352 Income taxes: Income taxes (incl amounts charged to other income and deductions)............ 38,057 35,307 49,498 51,316 47,559 43,800 Investment tax credit adjustment............ (1,583) (1,064) (1,086) 776 (1,087) (565) Total income taxes.................... 36,474 34,243 48,412 52,092 46,472 43,235 Income before income taxes...................... 120,938 109,173 135,333 142,710 138,746 134,587 Fixed Charges: Interest on long-term debt................. 53,706 51,172 51,147 52,165 53,215 52,447 expense and premium - net.................. 507 567 567 594 653 656 Interest on short-term bank loans........... 220 1,157 3,144 2,269 2,902 3,011 Other interest.............................. 2,023 1,538 1,598 2,319 3,990 3,916 Interest portion of rentals................. 1,077 794 925 991 982 1,066 Total fixed charges................... 57,533 55,228 57,381 58,338 61,742 61,096 Preferred dividends requirements............ 8,547 10,682 12,392 12,146 7,803 7,601 Total fixed charges and preferred dividends............................ 66,080 65,910 69,773 70,484 69,545 68,697 Earnings - as defined.......................... $178,471 $164,401 $192,714 $201,048 $200,488 $195,683 Ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred dividends.......................... 2.70x 2.49x 2.76x 2.85x 2.88x 2.85x Exhibit 12-B