IDACORP INC
POS AM, 1998-09-22
ELECTRIC SERVICES
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   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 22, 1998
                           Registration No. 333-00139
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------


                       Securities and Exchange Commission
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                 ---------------
                         POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       To
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                 ---------------
                                  IDACORP, Inc.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

                  Idaho                                [Applied For]
     (State or Other Jurisdiction of                 (I.R.S. Employer
      Incorporation or Organization)              Identification Number)
                              --------------------


                             1221 West Idaho Street
                             Boise, Idaho 83702-5627
                                 (208) 388-2200
               (Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,
        Including Area Code, of Registrant's Principal Executive Offices)
                              --------------------

           Joseph W. Marshall                      J. LaMont Keen
          Chairman of the Board           Vice President, Chief Financial
       and Chief Executive Officer             Officer and Treasurer
              IDACORP, Inc.                        IDACORP, Inc.
         1221 West Idaho Street                1221 West Idaho Street
         Boise, Idaho 83702-5627              Boise, Idaho 83702-5627
             (208) 388-2200                        (208) 388-2200


          Robert W. Stahman, Esq.                 Elizabeth W. Powers, Esq.
Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary  LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae,
               IDACORP, Inc.                               L.L.P.
          1221 West Idaho Street                    125 West 55th Street
          Boise, Idaho 83702-5627                 New York, New York 10019
              (208) 388-2200                           (212) 424-8000

         (Names, Addresses, Including Zip Codes, and Telephone Numbers,
                  Including Area Codes, of Agents for Service)

                              --------------------

     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous  basis  pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, please check the following box. |X|

                              --------------------

     Pursuant to Rule  414(d)  under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  IDACORP,  as
successor to Idaho Power Company, hereby adopts as its own Idaho Power Company's
registration  statement  on Form S-3 (File  No.  333-00139)  and any  amendments
thereto,  for all  purposes  of the  Securities  Act of 1933 and the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

     THE  REGISTRANT  HEREBY  AMENDS  THIS   POST-EFFECTIVE   AMENDMENT  TO  THE
REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  ON SUCH DATE OR DATES AS MAY BE  NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS
EFFECTIVE  DATE  UNTIL  THE  REGISTRANT  SHALL  FILE A FURTHER  AMENDMENT  WHICH
SPECIFICALLY  STATES  THAT THIS  POST-EFFECTIVE  AMENDMENT  TO THE  REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL  THEREAFTER  BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OR UNTIL THIS  POST-EFFECTIVE  AMENDMENT TO THE  REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT
TO SAID SECTION 8(A), MAY DETERMINE.

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------



<PAGE>



                              PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

                                  IDACORP, Inc.
                  Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan
               (formerly Idaho Power Company Dividend Reinvestment
                            and Stock Purchase Plan)


     This Prospectus Supplement amends the Prospectus,  dated February 14, 1996,
and the  Prospectus  Supplement,  dated February 2, 1998, of Idaho Power Company
and should be read together with those documents.

Holding Company

     Effective  October 1, 1998,  Idaho  Power  Company has  reorganized  into a
holding company and become a wholly-owned subsidiary of IDACORP. The outstanding
Common   Stock  ($2.50  par  value)  of  Idaho  Power   Company  was   exchanged
automatically,  on a share-for-share basis, for Common Stock (without par value)
of IDACORP on October 1, 1998.

     IDACORP has assumed the  Dividend  Reinvestment  and Stock  Purchase  Plan,
which now  provides for the  issuance of IDACORP  Common Stock  instead of Idaho
Power Company Common Stock. IDACORP Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock
Exchange  and  the  Pacific  Exchange  under  the  trading  symbol  "IDA."  Plan
participants need take no action to continue their participation in the Plan.

Rights Plan

     On September  10, 1998,  the Board of Directors of IDACORP  authorized  the
issuance of one preferred share purchase right on each outstanding  share of the
Company's  common stock,  effective at the close of business on October 1, 1998.
Each Right entitles the registered holder,  from the Distribution Date until the
earlier of September 10, 2008 and the  redemption or exchange of the Rights,  to
purchase  from the Company one  one-hundredth  of a share of A Series  Preferred
Stock at an exercise price of $95, subject to certain adjustments and subject to
any required  regulatory  approval.  The description and terms of the Rights are
set forth in a Rights  Agreement  dated as of  September  10,  1998  between the
Company and The Bank of New York, the Rights Agent appointed by the Company.

Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference

     The  following  documents,  which  have  been  filed  by  IDACORP  with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission,  are  incorporated by reference  herein and
shall be deemed to be a part hereof:


                                       -1-

<PAGE>



     (i) Current Report on Form 8-K, dated September 15, 1998.

     (ii)  Description  of Common  Stock  contained in the Proxy  Statement  and
Prospectus and Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-48031).

     (iii)  Description of the Preferred Share Purchase Rights  contained in the
Registration Statement on Form 8-A, dated September 15, 1998.

     All documents  filed by IDACORP  pursuant to Sections  13(a),  13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 after the date hereof and prior to
the  termination of the offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference
into the prospectus.

     Pursuant to Rule  414(d)  under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  IDACORP,  as
successor  issuer to Idaho Power  Company,  hereby adopts as its own Idaho Power
Company's  registration  statement  on Form S-3  (File  No.  333-00139)  and any
amendments  thereto,  for all  purposes  of the  Securities  Act of 1933 and the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


Date:   October 1, 1998.

                                       -2-

<PAGE>



                                                                  Rule 424(b)(3)
                                                              Reg. No. 333-00139


                               Idaho Power Company
                  Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan
                                  Common Stock
                                ($2.50 par value)
                Supplement to Prospectus Dated February 14, 1996



     Idaho Power Company is offering  participants in the Dividend  Reinvestment
and Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan") the opportunity to deposit any common share
certificates in their possession for safekeeping.  Share  certificates  that are
deposited will be  transferred  into the name of the Company and credited to the
participant's account under the Plan. Thereafter, such shares will be treated in
the same manner as shares purchased  through the Plan, and all dividends thereon
will be automatically reinvested under the Plan.

     By using the Plan's  safekeeping  service,  participants no longer bear the
risk associated with loss, theft or destruction of share certificates.

     Participants who want to deposit their common share  certificates must send
the certificates to be deposited,  preferably by registered, insured mail, along
with a properly completed Letter of Instruction to:

                           Idaho Power Company
                           Shareowner Services Department
                           1221 West Idaho Street
                           P.O. Box 70
                           Boise, ID 83702

The certificates should not be endorsed.



Dated:  February 2, 1998

                                       -1-

<PAGE>



PROSPECTUS

                                1,879,894 Shares

                               IDAHO POWER COMPANY
                  Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan
                                  Common Stock
                                ($2.50 par value)



     Idaho Power Company (the  "Company") is offering to its common  shareowners
and its  residential  customers the opportunity to purchase shares of its Common
Stock pursuant to the Company's  Dividend  Reinvestment  and Stock Purchase Plan
(the  "Plan").  The Plan provides  individuals  who hold shares of the Company's
Common Stock and  residential  customers with a simple and convenient  method of
purchasing shares of the Company's Common Stock.

     Common Shareowner Participants in the Plan may:

     --   have  all or a  portion  of  the  Dividends  on  their  shares  of the
          Company's Common Stock automatically reinvested, or

     --   invest by making  Optional  Cash  Payments and continue to receive the
          Dividends on the shares registered in their names, or

     --   have all or a  portion  of their  Dividends  reinvested  and also make
          Optional Cash Payments.

     Residential Customer Participants in the Plan may:

     --   invest by making Optional Cash Payments.

     Dividends on all shares in the Plan Account will be reinvested.

     This  Prospectus  relates to shares of Common Stock of Idaho Power  Company
available for purchase under the Plan. It is suggested  that this  Prospectus be
retained for future reference.



          THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE
          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR BY ANY STATE SECURITIES
          COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR
            ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY
               OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION
                     TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                               -------------------

                The date of this Prospectus is February 14, 1996.

                                       -1-

<PAGE>



     NO  PERSON  HAS  BEEN  AUTHORIZED  TO GIVE ANY  INFORMATION  OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATION,  OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED HEREIN, IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER
CONTAINED  IN THIS  PROSPECTUS,  AND,  IF  GIVEN OR MADE,  SUCH  INFORMATION  OR
REPRESENTATION  MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY IDAHO POWER
COMPANY.  NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS  PROSPECTUS  NOR ANY SALE MADE  HEREUNDER
SHALL  UNDER ANY  CIRCUMSTANCES  CREATE ANY  IMPLICATION  THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO
CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.


                       STATEMENT OF AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     The Company is subject to the informational  requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the  "Exchange  Act") and in  accordance  therewith  files
reports and other  information with the Securities and Exchange  Commission (the
"Commission").  Such reports,  proxy  statements  and other  information  can be
inspected  and copied at the offices of the  Commission,  Judiciary  Plaza,  450
Fifth Street, NW, Washington,  DC 20549; 500 W Madison St, 14th Floor,  Chicago,
IL 60661;  and Seven  World Trade  Center,  New York,  NY 10048.  Copies of this
material  can also be obtained  at  prescribed  rates from the Public  Reference
Section of the Commission at its principal  office at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth
Street,  NW,  Washington,  DC 20549. The Company's Common Stock is listed on the
New York and  Pacific  Stock  Exchanges.  Reports,  proxy  statements  and other
information concerning the Company can be inspected and copied at the respective
offices of these exchanges.

                 INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

     The Company  hereby  incorporates  herein by reference its Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 1994,  its Quarterly  Reports on Form
10-Q for the quarters  ended March 31, June 30, and  September  30, 1995 and its
Current  Report on Form 8-K dated March 24,  1995.  All  reports  and  documents
hereafter  filed by the  Company  pursuant  to  Section  13,  14 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act prior to the  termination  of the offering made by this  Prospectus
shall be deemed to be  incorporated  herein by reference and to be a part hereof
from the  respective  dates of filing  thereof.  Any  statement  contained  in a
document  incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be
deemed to be modified or  superseded  for  purposes  of this  Prospectus  to the
extent  that a statement  contained  herein or in any other  subsequently  filed
document  which  also is or is deemed to be  incorporated  by  reference  herein
modifies or supersedes such  statement.  Any statement so modified or superseded
shall not be deemed,  except as modified or superseded,  to constitute a part of
this Prospectus.

     The Company hereby  undertakes to provide  without charge to each person to
whom this Prospectus is delivered, upon written or

                                       -2-

<PAGE>



oral request of such person,  a copy of any or all of the  information  that has
been  incorporated by reference  herein (not including  exhibits  thereto unless
such exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference therein).  Requests for
such documents should be addressed to Shareowner Services,  Idaho Power Company,
1221 W. Idaho Street, Boise, Idaho 83707-5627, telephone 1- 800/635-5406.

                                   THE COMPANY

     The Company is an  investor-owned  electric  public  utility,  incorporated
under the laws of the State of Idaho in 1989 as successor to a Maine corporation
organized  in  1915.  The  Company  is  engaged  in  the  generation,  purchase,
transmission,  distribution  and sale of  electric  energy  in an  approximately
20,000  square-mile area in southern Idaho,  eastern Oregon and northern Nevada,
with an estimated  population of 695,000 people. The Company holds franchises in
approximately 70 cities in Idaho and 10 cities in Oregon, and holds certificates
from the  respective  public  utility  regulatory  authorities to serve all or a
portion of 28  counties  in Idaho,  three  counties  in Oregon and one county in
Nevada.  The  address  of its  principal  executive  offices  is 1221 West Idaho
Street, Boise, Idaho 83702. Its telephone number is (208) 388-2200.

                           SUMMARY OF MAJOR PLAN TERMS

The major terms of the Plan are as follows:

     l.  Individuals  who own  shares  of the  Company's  Common  Stock  (common
shareowners)  may purchase  additional  shares of the Company's  Common Stock by
reinvesting  all or part of their Dividends or by making Optional Cash Payments,
or both.  Residential  customers  of the  Company  may  purchase  shares  of the
Company's Common Stock by making Optional Cash Payments.  Common shareowners and
residential customers of the Company are collectively referred to hereinafter as
"Participants".

     2. Optional Cash Payments by  Participants  are limited to a minimum of $10
per payment and a maximum of $15,000 per quarter.

     3. Shares purchased for Participants' Plan Accounts will be either original
issue or may be purchased on the open market by a Broker.

     4. The price  per share to  Participants  of shares  purchased  on the open
market under the Plan will be the weighted  average price  (including  brokerage
commissions) of all shares  acquired by the Broker during an Investment  Period.
If original  issue shares of Common Stock are purchased for the Plan,  the price
will be equal to the  average of the high and low  composite  sales price of the
Company's Common Stock as compiled by the  Consolidated  Tape Association on the
Common Stock Dividend Payment Date on which

                                       -3-

<PAGE>



the Investment  Period commences or such later date during the Investment Period
on which the Broker may purchase such Common Stock from the Company.

     5. For shares  purchased  on the open market  under the Plan,  Participants
will pay the brokerage commissions.

     6.  Investment of both Common  Dividends and Optional Cash Payments will be
made quarterly  during an Investment  Period which commences on the Common Stock
Dividend Payment Date and continues through the following 30 days.

                                    THE PLAN

Definitions

     The following terms when used herein shall have the following meanings:

     "Authorization  Form"  shall mean such form as the Company may from time to
time or upon request furnish to shareowners  and/or customers,  which form shall
be returned to the Company by the shareowners and/or customers to indicate their
election to participate in the Plan.

     "Broker"  shall mean a  securities  broker-dealer  selected  by the Company
registered under the Exchange Act.

     "Cash  Acceptance  Period"  shall mean the 25-day  period  ending five days
before the Common Stock Dividend Payment Date.

     "Common Stock" shall mean the common stock of Idaho Power Company.

     "Common Stock Dividend Payment Date" shall mean the date established by the
Company's Board of Directors on which Common Stock Dividends are payable.

     "Company"  shall mean Idaho Power  Company,  a  corporation  organized  and
existing  under the laws of the State of Idaho and its  successors  and assigns,
whose address is P.O. Box 70, Boise, Idaho 83707.

     "Customer" shall mean any entity that is receiving  residential  electrical
service  from the Company  whose  principal  residence  is within the  Company's
service area in Idaho, Oregon or Nevada.

     "Dividends"  shall mean those funds which are paid to shareowners on Common
Stock,  which are customarily  declared by the Company's Board of Directors on a
quarterly basis.


                                       -4-

<PAGE>



     "Investment  Period" shall mean the 30-day period beginning with the Common
Stock Dividend Payment Date.

     "Optional Cash Payments"  shall mean any initial or additional cash payment
made by a Participant to the Company for the purchase of shares of Common Stock.
Optional Cash Payments are limited to a minimum of $10 per payment and a maximum
of $15,000 per quarter.

     "Participant" shall mean any shareowner and/or customer who has returned an
Authorization  Form to the Company  indicating  election to  participate  in the
Plan.

     "Plan" shall mean this Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan.

         "Plan  Account"  shall mean the separate  account  maintained  for each
Participant by the Company in accordance with the provisions of the Plan.

     "Purchase  Price"  shall  mean with  respect  to  shares  of  Common  Stock
purchased  under  the Plan from the  Company,  the  average  of the high and low
composite  sales  price  of  the  Company's  Common  Stock  as  compiled  by the
Consolidated Tape Association on the Common Stock Dividend Payment Date on which
the Investment  Period commences or such later date during the Investment Period
on which the Broker may purchase such Common Stock from the Company. If high and
low  composite  sales prices are not reported on that date,  the purchase  price
will be  determined  as of the last previous day on which high and low composite
sales  prices were  reported  for the Common  Stock.  With  respect to shares of
Common  Stock  purchased  in the open  market,  the  purchase  price will be the
weighted average price (including  brokerage  commissions) paid by the Broker to
obtain them. The shares of Common Stock will be credited to  Participants'  Plan
Accounts as of the last day of the Investment Period, or as of such earlier date
on which all purchases for the Investment  Period are completed,  at a price per
share equal to the weighted  average  price per share  (including  any brokerage
commissions) paid to obtain them.

     "Record Date" shall mean the date  established  by the  Company's  Board of
Directors for  determination  of ownership of shares of Common Stock for payment
of Dividends.

     "Shareowner" shall mean any owner of record of the Common Stock.

Purpose and Advantages of the Plan

     1. What is the purpose of the Plan?


                                       -5-

<PAGE>



     The purpose of the Plan is to provide  shareowners  and/or customers of the
Company with a convenient  and  economical  method of investing in shares of the
Company's Common Stock.

     2. What are the advantages of the Plan?

     a. The Plan  provides  Participants  with a simple  and  regular  method of
purchasing Common Stock of the Company.

     b. Since  purchases  of the  Company's  Common  Stock  will be  aggregated,
brokerage  commissions on purchases of shares on the open market should be lower
than  commissions  Participants  would  ordinarily  pay if they purchase  shares
directly.  The amount of the  brokerage  commissions  will be  negotiated by the
Company from time to time.

     c. No  certificates  are issued for shares of Common Stock  purchased under
the Plan unless requested.  This relieves Participants of the responsibility for
the  safekeeping  of multiple  certificates  for shares  purchased  and protects
Participants against loss, theft or destruction of stock certificates.

     d. A statement of the Participant's Plan Account is furnished each quarter,
providing a simplified method of recordkeeping.

     e. Full  investment  of funds is possible  under the Plan  because the Plan
permits  fractions  of  shares,  as well as full  shares,  to be  credited  to a
Participant's Plan Account.

Eligibility

     3. Who is eligible to participate in the Plan?

     To be eligible to  participate  in the Plan,  a person must be a shareowner
and/or a customer.  Beneficial owners of the Company's Common Stock whose shares
are registered in names other than their own may participate  directly by having
some  or all  of  their  shares  transferred  into  their  names,  or  they  may
participate  indirectly by requesting  their record holders (such as a broker or
bank nominee) to participate on their behalf.  Such indirect  participation must
be through the registered holder of the shares.

Administration and Agent

     4. Who administers the Plan?

     The Company,  or its duly appointed agent,  administers the Plan. Shares of
Common  Stock  purchased  under the Plan will be  registered  in the name of the
Company and will be held by the

                                       -6-

<PAGE>



Company  as agent  for the  Participants.  Inquiries  and  other  communications
relating to the Plan should be mailed to:

                               Idaho Power Company
                         Shareowner Services Department
                                   P.O. Box 70
                             Boise, Idaho 83707-0070

     Persons who wish to communicate  by telephone  with the Company  concerning
the Plan may do so by calling the following toll-free telephone number:

                                  800/635-5406

     The Company believes that its serving as administrator of the Plan poses no
material risks for  Participants.  All Optional Cash Payments from  Participants
are transmitted promptly to a segregated escrow account, which is not subject to
liens against the Company or to Company bankruptcy proceedings.

     5. Who purchases shares of Common Stock for the Participants?

     Open  market  purchases  are made by a Broker  designated  by the  Company.
Dividends and Optional Cash Payments which are to be invested under the Plan are
paid or  delivered by the Company to the Broker and applied by the Broker to the
purchases  of Common Stock of the Company.  If the Company uses  original  issue
stock for  purchases  under the Plan,  such  shares will be  purchased  from the
Company.

     6. What are the expenses to Participants in connection with the Plan?

     Although all costs of  administering  the Plan will be paid by the Company,
Participants  will be required to pay a brokerage  commission  for any shares of
Common Stock  purchased on the open market.  This brokerage  commission  will be
negotiated  by the Company from time to time and is expected to be at a discount
rate because of the large volume of shares expected to be purchased  through the
Plan.

Procedure for Enrolling - Authorization Form

     7. How and when may a shareowner and/or customer enroll in the Plan?

     A shareowner  and/or customer may enroll in the Plan at any time by signing
and  completing an  Authorization  Form and returning it to the Company.  If the
Authorization Form is received prior to a Record Date, reinvestment of Dividends
for a shareowner  will commence  with the first  Dividend paid after that Record
Date. Authorization Forms will be provided to shareowners

                                       -7-

<PAGE>



and/or customers upon request to the Company in writing or by telephone.

     8. What does the Authorization Form provide?

     The Authorization Form authorizes the Company to enroll a shareowner and/or
customer in the Plan and to invest any Optional Cash  Payments or Dividends;  it
also  authorizes the Company to hold shares of Common Stock for the  Participant
pursuant  to  the  Plan.  The   shareowner   and/or   customer   completing  the
Authorization  Form must indicate how he/she wishes to  participate in the Plan.
The following options are available:

          a. Full Dividend Reinvestment and Optional Cash Payments. Dividends on
     all shares of Common Stock  registered  in the name of the  shareowner  are
     reinvested,  as are Dividends on all shares which are subsequently acquired
     by the shareowner.  Dividends on all shares held in the Participant's  Plan
     Account  are also  reinvested,  and the  Participant  is  eligible  to make
     Optional Cash Payments.

          b. Partial Dividend Reinvestment and Optional Cash Payments. Dividends
     on the number of shares of Common Stock  specified by the shareowner on the
     Authorization  Form are  reinvested.  Dividends  on all shares  held in the
     Participant's  Plan Account are also  reinvested,  and the  Participant  is
     eligible to make Optional Cash Payments.

          c.  Optional  Cash  Payments  Only.  The Company will  continue to pay
     Dividends to the shareowner on shares registered in the shareowner's  name.
     Any Optional Cash Payments received and Dividends on all shares held in the
     Participant's  Plan Account will be used to purchase shares of Common Stock
     under the Plan.

     Each customer may elect to participate by investing Optional Cash Payments.
Dividends on shares held in a Participant's  Plan Account will be  automatically
reinvested.

     9. How are Optional Cash Payments made?

     An Optional Cash Payment may be made during a Cash  Acceptance  Period by a
Participant who has enrolled in the Plan.

     A Cash  Acceptance  Period is the 25-day period ending five days before the
Common Stock Dividend  Payment Date,  and only Optional Cash Payments  submitted
during those 25 days will be invested in the Investment  Period which  commences
on the Common Stock  Dividend  Payment Date and  continues  for the following 30
days.  No interest  will be paid by the  Company or the Broker on Optional  Cash
Payments; therefore, the Company strongly recommends that Optional Cash Payments
be made in such a manner

                                       -8-

<PAGE>



so as to reach the  Company  shortly  before  the fifth day prior to the  Common
Stock Dividend Payment Date (see Question 12).

     The same  amount of money need not be sent in each  payment and there is no
obligation to make Optional Cash Payments on a regular  basis.  An Optional Cash
Payment  may not be less  than  $10 per  payment  and may not  exceed a total of
$15,000 per  quarter.  Payments of less than $10, and all amounts in excess of a
total of $15,000 per quarter, will be returned to the Participant.

     Funds  submitted for  investment  must be checks,  money orders or cash, in
United States currency and must be funds available for immediate  deposit during
the Cash  Acceptance  Period.  Postdated  checks or second or third party checks
will be returned.  Funds received before or after the Cash Acceptance  Period or
otherwise not meeting these requirements will be returned.

     A Participant  may stop the investment of an Optional Cash Payment  without
withdrawing from the Plan by notifying the Company in writing, provided that the
written communication is received by the Company not later than five days before
the Investment Period.

     10. How does a Participant change his/her method of participation?

     A  Participant  may  change  his/her  method of  participation  at any time
by-completing  a new  Authorization  Form and  returning it to the Company or by
advising  the Company in writing.  The change will become  effective at the next
Record Date.

Purchase Prices -- Investment Period -- Source of Shares

     11. What is the price of shares purchased under the Plan?

     The price of shares of Common  Stock  purchased  in the open market will be
the weighted average price (including brokerage  commissions) paid by the Broker
to obtain them during the Investment Period.

     The price of shares of Common  Stock  purchased  directly  from the Company
under the Plan will be the average of the reported high and low composite  sales
prices of the  Company's  Common  Stock as  compiled  by the  Consolidated  Tape
Association  on the Common Stock  Dividend  Payment Date on which the Investment
Period  commences.  If, as set forth in  Question  12,  the  Broker is unable to
purchase  shares on the open market during the  Investment  Period and purchases
shares directly from the Company,  the price will be determined as of the day of
the purchase.  If high and low  composite  sales prices are not reported on that
date, the purchase price will be determined as of the last previous day on

                                       -9-

<PAGE>



which high and low composite sales prices were reported for the Company's Common
Stock.

     Shares will be credited to  Participants'  Plan Accounts as of the last day
of the Investment  Period, or as of such earlier date on which all purchases for
the Investment Period are completed,  at a price per share equal to the weighted
average price per share (including any brokerage commissions) paid to obtain the
shares during that Investment Period.

     12. When will funds be invested under the Plan?

     The  Investment  Period for each  quarter  will  begin on the Common  Stock
Dividend  Payment Date and will continue  through the following 30 days.  During
the Investment  Period,  the Company will invest  Dividends paid on Common Stock
and Optional Cash Payments  received by the Company  during the Cash  Acceptance
Period.  The Company normally pays Dividends on its Common Stock on or about the
20th of February, May, August, and November.

     When  shares are  purchased  on the open  market,  the Broker will make the
purchases  with funds paid or delivered to the Broker by the Company.  Purchases
may be made by the Broker  beginning on the Common Stock  Dividend  Payment Date
and will be completed  during the  following 30 days. If the Broker is unable to
purchase the shares on the open market during the Investment Period, then shares
will be purchased directly from the Company during the Investment Period.

     13.  How many  shares  will be  purchased  for a  Participant  during  each
Investment Period?

     The number of shares, including any fractional share, purchased will depend
on the Dividends earned on the shares the Participant has committed to the Plan,
including  Dividends  received  on shares  credited  to the  Participant's  Plan
Account,  the amount of Optional Cash  Payments,  if any, to be invested and the
price of the shares  determined  as provided in Question 11. Each  Participant's
Plan Account will be credited  with that number of shares,  including  fractions
computed to three decimal places, equal to the total amount to be invested (less
brokerage  commissions)  for that  Participant  divided by the weighted  average
price per share paid to acquire shares for that Investment Period.

     A Plan Participant may not direct the Company to purchase a specific number
of shares for his/her Plan Account.

     14. What is the source of shares purchased under the Plan?

     Shares  purchased  under the Plan will be either  original  issue or may be
purchased by the Broker on the open market. Subject to certain limitations,  the
Broker has full discretion as

                                      -10-

<PAGE>



to all matters relating to open market purchases, including determination of the
number of shares,  if any, to be purchased on any day or at any time of day, the
price paid for such  shares,  the  markets on which  such  shares are  purchased
(including on any  securities  exchange,  on the  over-the-counter  market or in
negotiated  transactions) and the persons  (including other brokers and dealers)
from  or  through  whom  such  purchases  are  made.  The  Broker,  in its  sole
discretion,  has the right to purchase  original  issue stock  directly from the
Company even though the Company has  indicated  market stock should be purchased
if the Broker cannot make all necessary open market  purchases within the 30-day
Investment Period.

Withdrawing Shares -- Terminating Participation

     15. Can a  Participant  withdraw  shares in his/her  Plan  Account  without
terminating participation in the Plan?

     Yes.  Without  terminating  a Plan Account,  a Participant  may at any time
withdraw  any number of whole shares held in the  Participant's  Plan Account by
written  request  to the  Company.  The  form on the  back of the  Participant's
quarterly  statement of account may be used for this  purpose.  The request must
indicate the number of whole shares to be withdrawn.

     A  certificate  for  shares  withdrawn  will be issued  to the  Participant
without charge. A certificate for fractional shares will not be issued under any
circumstances.

     16. How and when may a Participant terminate participation in the Plan?

     A  Participant  may  terminate  participation  in the Plan by notifying the
Company in writing at any time.  Upon written  notification  and request,  whole
shares  in the  Participant's  Plan  Account  will be  withdrawn  and  issued in
certificate  form as described in Question 15. A cash  payment,  less  brokerage
commission,  will  be  issued  at the  same  time  and  mailed  directly  to the
Participant  for any  fractional  share  remaining in the account.  To avoid the
issuance of  odd-share  certificates,  if a  Participant  so desires,  up to and
including 99 shares may be sold with any fractional  share upon termination from
the Plan.  The payment  for any shares sold will be the average of the  reported
high and low composite sales price of the Company's  Common Stock on the day the
request for  termination is processed by the Company (or, if no composite  sales
prices are reported on such date,  on the next  preceding  date such prices were
reported), less brokerage commissions and any transfer taxes.

     If a Participant's  request to terminate Plan  participation is received by
the Company at least five days before the Common  Stock  Dividend  Payment  Date
(beginning of the Investment  Period), an Optional Cash Payment, a Dividend or a
Plan share Dividend,

                                      -11-

<PAGE>



all of which would  otherwise  be invested in that  Investment  Period,  will be
returned  (Optional Cash Payment) or paid (Dividend  and/or Plan share Dividend)
to the Participant.  If a request to terminate Plan participation is received by
the Company after those specific five days or during the Investment  Period, the
amounts scheduled to be invested will be invested,  and Plan  participation will
then be terminated after that investment has been completed.

     If a Participant  dies, the Company  should be notified in writing.  If the
notification  is received not later than five days before an Investment  Period,
whole shares in the  Participant's  Plan Account will be withdrawn and issued in
certificate form. A cash payment, less brokerage commission,  will be issued for
any fractional  share remaining in the account.  If the notification is received
after  the five  day  period,  the  amounts  scheduled  to be  invested  will be
invested,  and Plan  participation  will be terminated after that investment has
been completed.

     17. May a Participant stop reinvesting the Dividends from his record shares
and receive them in cash and still remain in the Plan?

     Yes. A Participant  who  terminates the  reinvestment  of Dividends paid on
shares  registered  in his/her name  outside the Plan may leave shares  acquired
through the Plan in the  Participant's  Plan Account.  Dividends  paid on shares
left in the Plan will continue to be automatically  reinvested.  The Participant
may also continue to make Optional Cash Payments.

     18. When may a shareowner and/or customer re-enroll in the Plan?

     Generally,  a shareowner  and/or customer may again become a Participant at
any time.  However,  the Company reserves the right to reject any  Authorization
Form  from  a  previous  Participant  on  grounds  of  excessive  enrolling  and
termination. This reservation is intended to minimize administrative expense and
to encourage use of the Plan as a long-term investment service.

Certificates for Shares -- Account -- Reports

     19. Will certificates be delivered to Participants for shares purchased?

     Certificates for shares purchased under the Plan will not  automatically be
delivered to  Participants.  The shares purchased for a Participant will be held
by the Company and will be credited to the Participant's  Plan Account and shown
on the  Participant's  statement of account.  This additional  service  protects
against loss, theft or destruction of stock certificates.

                                      -12-

<PAGE>



     20. In whose name will accounts be maintained and  certificates  registered
when issued?

     A Participant's  Plan Account will be maintained in the name or names which
appear on the Company's  shareowner records and/or in the customer name which is
shown on the Authorization Form.

     A  certificate  for  shares,  when  delivered  to a  Participant,  will  be
registered in the name or names in which the account is maintained. Upon written
request,  certificates  can be  registered  and  issued in names  other than the
account name,  provided that the request bears the signature of the  Participant
or  Participants  and the signature or signatures  are guaranteed by a brokerage
firm or a  financial  institution  that is a  member  of an  eligible  guarantor
institution pursuant to Regulation Section 240.17 Ad-15 under the Exchange Act.

     21. What reports and other information will be sent to Participants?

     Each  Participant  will  receive a Plan  statement  of  account  as soon as
practicable  following  the  end of each  Investment  Period.  These  statements
provide  a record  of the cost of each  Participant's  purchases  and  should be
retained for tax  purposes.  Each  Participant  will also receive  copies of any
amendments  to the Plan and will  receive the same  communications  as any other
shareowner,  including  annual  reports,  quarterly  reports,  notices of annual
meetings  and  proxy  statements,  and  income  tax  information  for  reporting
Dividends paid.

Other Information

     22.  What happens when a  Participant  sells or transfers all of the shares
          registered in his/her name?

     If a Participant  sells all shares of stock registered in his/her name, the
Company  will,  unless  otherwise  instructed  by the  Participant,  continue to
reinvest the Dividends on the shares  credited to his/her account under the Plan
as long as there is a balance.  However,  at the discretion of the Company,  any
account  holding  less than one full share may be  terminated.  Payment  for the
fractional  share will be the  average of the  reported  high and low  composite
sales prices of the  Company's  Common Stock on the date payment is made and the
Participant's Plan Account is closed.

     If a Participant  transfers all shares of stock  registered in his/her name
into a new registration,  the Company will not  automatically  transfer the Plan
share balance to the new account.  The  Participant  must contact the Company to
request the transfer of Plan shares.


                                      -13-

<PAGE>



     23.  What happens if the Company issues a stock dividend,  declares a stock
          split or has a rights offering?

     Any  shares  distributed  by the  Company  as a stock  dividend  on  shares
(including  fractional shares) credited to a Participant's Plan Account, or upon
any split of such shares,  will be credited to the account.  Stock  dividends or
splits distributed on all other shares held by the Participant and registered in
the Participant's own name will be mailed directly to the Participant.

     In a rights offering, the Company will receive rights attributable to whole
shares credited to a Participant's Plan Account.  The Company will promptly sell
such rights on the open  market,  and each  Participant's  Plan  Account will be
proportionately  credited  with the net  proceeds  of the  sale,  which  will be
invested as an additional cash payment during the next Investment  Period.  If a
Participant   wishes  to  exercise  these  rights,   he/she  must  request  that
certificates for Plan shares be issued in his/her name.

     A rights  offering  referred  to in this  Question 23 is not related to the
Preferred Share Purchase Rights attached to the shares of Common Stock.

     24. How will a Participant's shares be voted at meetings of shareowners?

     Each  Participant  will receive a proxy card for whole  shares  credited to
his/her Plan Account combined with those common shares held in certificate form.
If the proxy is properly signed and marked for voting, the Company will vote the
shares held in the Participant's  Plan Account and any shares of Common Stock of
record in accordance with the proxy for such shares.

     25. Can a Participant pledge shares credited to his/her Plan Account?

     No. Shares in a Participant's  Plan Account may not be pledged or otherwise
encumbered unless withdrawn from the account.

     26. What is the responsibility of the Company under the Plan?

     In administering the Plan, neither the Company nor the Broker nor any agent
of  either of them will be  liable  for any act done in good  faith,  or for any
omission  to act in good  faith,  including,  without  limitation,  any claim of
liability  arising out of failure to terminate  the  Participant's  Plan Account
upon such Participant's  death prior to the receipt of notice in writing of such
death;  provided,  however,  that  nothing  contained  herein shall be deemed to
constitute a waiver of any rights a

                                      -14-

<PAGE>



Participant  may have  under  the  Securities  Act of 1933 or  other  applicable
federal securities laws.

     Participants  should  recognize that neither the Company nor the Broker can
assure them of a profit or protect  them  against a loss on shares  purchased by
them under the Plan.

     If a Participant  is unwilling to abide by the rules and  provisions as set
forth in this Prospectus,  the Company  reserves the right to terminate  his/her
Participation.

     In order to comply with escheatment laws, the Company reserves the right to
terminate  Participation  when a Participant  becomes "lost" or can no longer be
contacted by the Company. A certificate for whole shares in a "lost" Participant
Plan Account will be issued and the fractional share,  less commission,  will be
sold. The certificate and proceeds of the fractional  share sale will be held by
the  Company  until  either  delivery  can be  effected  to the  Participant  or
escheatment requirements must be met.

     27. Who interprets and regulates the Plan?

     The Board of Directors of the Company  reserves the right to interpret  and
regulate the Plan.

     28.  What provision is made for foreign  Participants  whose  Dividends are
          subject to income tax withholding?

     In the case of those foreign  Participants  whose  Dividends are subject to
United States income tax  withholding,  the Company will apply the net amount of
the Dividends to such foreign Participants, after the deduction of taxes, to the
purchase of shares of Common Stock.

     Foreign  Participants who elect to participate in the Plan through Optional
Cash Payments only will  continue to receive  Dividends on shares  registered in
their  names in the same manner as if they were not  participating  in the Plan.
Optional Cash Payments  received from them must be in United States currency and
will be  invested  in the same  manner as  Optional  Cash  Payments  from  other
Participants.

     29.  What  provision  is made  for  Participants  who  have  Federal  Taxes
          withheld  under the Interest and Dividend Tax  Compliance  Act of 1983
          (P.L. 98-67) (relating to back up withholding)?

     In the case of those  Participants  whose  Dividends are subject to back up
withholding  under  the  Interest  and  Dividend  Tax  Compliance  Act of  1983,
Regulations  35a.3406-l,  35a.3406-2,  35a.9999-2,  35a.9999-3,  35a.9999-4  and
35a.9999-5,  the  Company  will  apply the net amount of the  Dividends  to such
Participants,

                                      -15-

<PAGE>



after deduction of taxes, to the purchase of shares of Common Stock.

     30. May the Plan be changed or terminated?

     While the Company  hopes to  continue  the Plan  indefinitely,  the Company
reserves  the  right to  suspend  or  terminate  the Plan at any  time.  It also
reserves the right to make  modifications  or amendments  to the Plan.  Any such
suspension,  termination,  modification  or  amendment  will be announced to all
shareowners, whether participating or not participating in the Plan. If the Plan
should be terminated by the Company,  any shares of Common Stock purchased under
the Plan which have not been  allocated to  Participants'  Plan  Accounts at the
termination  date  will be sold on the open  market  subject  to any  applicable
requirements  of law  affecting  the timing  and  manner of sale of such  Common
Stock.

                                     * * * *

                         FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

     The Federal  income tax  consequences  to  Participants  are  currently  as
follows:

     In the case of reinvested  cash  Dividends  used to purchase  shares on the
open market and to pay brokerage commissions,  a Participant will be treated for
Federal income tax purposes as having received a distribution in an amount equal
to the cash  Dividends  used to purchase the shares and to pay the  commissions.
The tax basis of the  shares so  purchased  will be equal to the  amount of such
dividend distribution.

     In the case of reinvested  cash Dividends  used to purchase  original issue
stock,  a Participant  will be treated for Federal income tax purposes as having
received  a  distribution  in an amount  equal to the fair  market  value on the
dividend  payment date of the shares  credited to the account.  The tax basis of
the shares so purchased will be equal to the fair market value of such shares on
the dividend payment date.

     A  Participant  who  purchases  shares with  Optional  Cash  Payments  will
recognize  no taxable  income  upon such  purchases.  The tax basis of shares so
purchased will be the amount of the Optional Cash Payments.

     Form  1099-DIV,  which  will  be sent by the  Company  to each  Participant
annually, will indicate the total amount of Dividends paid to the Participant.

     A  Participant  does not realize any taxable  income when such  Participant
receives a certificate for whole shares credited to such  Participant's  account
under the Plan,  either  upon a request  for  certificates  for certain of these
shares or upon termination

                                      -16-

<PAGE>



of such  Participant's  participation or termination of the Plan by the Company.
However,  gain or loss will be realized by the Participant when whole shares are
sold,  either pursuant to the  Participant's  request to sell shares held in the
Plan  when  such  Participant  terminates  participation  in the Plan or by such
Participant  after such  termination.  In addition,  a Participant who receives,
upon  termination  of  Plan  participation  or  termination  of the  Plan by the
Company,  a  cash  adjustment  for  a  fraction  of a  share  credited  to  such
Participant  will  realize a gain or loss with  respect  to that  fraction.  The
amount of any such gain or loss will be the difference  between the amount which
the  Participant  receives  for  the  shares  or the  fractional  share  and the
Participant's tax basis thereof.

     The above Federal  income tax discussion is based on the Federal income tax
law as in effect on the date hereof.  Because tax  consequences may differ among
Participants in the Plan, each  Participant is advised to consult his or her own
tax advisor  concerning  the  specific  Federal,  state and local tax  questions
relating to participation in the Plan.


                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

     To the extent that shares are purchased directly from the Company,  the net
proceeds are expected to be used for the Company's ongoing  construction program
including,  but  not  limited  to,  the  rebuilding  and  expansion  of  certain
hydroelectric facilities,  for general corporate purposes, the possible purchase
of electric  utility  assets and service  territory,  the retirement of maturing
debt and the  possible  redemption  or  defeasance  of certain debt or preferred
stock  presently  outstanding.  To the extent that the proceeds from the sale of
the shares are not  immediately  so used,  they may be  temporarily  invested in
short-term discounted or interest-bearing  obligations.  Unless shares of Common
Stock are  purchased  directly  from the  Company,  the Company  will receive no
proceeds from the offering of Common Stock through the Plan.  The Company has no
basis for  estimating  either  the  number of shares of Common  Stock  that will
ultimately be sold pursuant to the Plan, the prices at which such shares will be
sold or the number of shares,  if any, that will be purchased  directly from the
Company.


                                 LEGAL OPINIONS

     The  validity of the Plan and legality of the Common Stock and the attached
Preferred  Share Purchase  Rights issued  thereunder will be passed upon for the
Company by Reid & Priest LLP, New York, New York and by Robert W. Stahman,  Vice
President  and General  Counsel  for the  Company.  Reid & Priest LLP will,  for
matters governed by the laws of Idaho, rely upon the opinion of Mr. Stahman.

                                      -17-

<PAGE>



     As of December 31, 1995,  Mr.  Stahman owned  12,313.652  shares of Company
Common  Stock.  Mr.  Stahman is acquiring  additional  shares of Common Stock at
regular intervals through the Company Employee Stock Plans.


                                     EXPERTS

     The financial  statements  and the related  financial  statement  schedules
incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent  auditors,  as
stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference, and have been
so  incorporated  in  reliance  upon the  report of such firm  given  upon their
authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

     With respect to the unaudited interim financial information for the periods
ended March 31, June 30, and September 30, 1995 and 1994,  which is incorporated
herein by reference,  Deloitte & Touche LLP have applied  limited  procedures in
accordance  with  professional  standards  for a  review  of  such  information.
However, as stated in their reports, included in the Company's Quarterly Reports
on Form 10-Q for the quarters  ended March 31, June 30, and  September 30, 1995,
and incorporated by reference herein, they did not audit and they do not express
an opinion on that interim  financial  information.  Accordingly,  the degree of
reliance on their reports on such  information  should be restricted in light of
the limited nature of the review  procedures  applied.  Deloitte & Touche LLP is
not subject to the liability  provisions of Section 11 of the  Securities Act of
1933 for their reports on the unaudited  interim financial  information  because
those  reports  are not  "reports"  or a "part"  of the  registration  statement
prepared or certified by an  accountant  within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11
of the Act.


                           DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

General

     The authorized  capital stock of the Company consists of 50,000,000  shares
of Common  Stock,  par value  $2.50 per share;  215,000  shares of 4%  Preferred
Stock,  par value $100 per share;  150,000 shares of Serial Preferred Stock, par
value $100 per share; and 3,000,000  shares of Serial  Preferred Stock,  without
par value  (the  foregoing  preferred  stocks  collectively  referred  to as the
"Preferred Stocks"). The Preferred Stocks are issuable in series with such terms
and conditions as the Board of Directors of the Company may determine and as are
not inconsistent with the Restated  Articles of  Incorporation,  as amended (the
"Charter").


                                      -18-

<PAGE>



     The following is a summary of certain  rights and  privileges of the Common
Stock of the Company.  The statements and description  hereinafter  contained do
not purport to be complete as they are intended only to outline such  provisions
in general  terms.  Reference is made to the  provisions  of the Charter and the
By-laws (the "By-laws") of the Company and to the laws of the State of Idaho.

Dividend Rights

     Subject to the prior rights of the Preferred  Stocks (which rank pari passu
each with the other and which  have  cumulative  rights),  the  Common  Stock is
entitled to such dividends as the Board of Directors may determine.

Liquidation Rights

     The Company's Preferred Stocks have preference over the Common Stock in any
distribution  of net assets  upon  involuntary  liquidation,  until the full par
value  (in the  case  of  Preferred  Stock  having  par  value)  or  liquidation
preference  (in  the  case  of  Preferred  Stock  without  par  value)  and  any
accumulated  unpaid dividends shall have been paid. Upon voluntary  liquidation,
the Preferred  Stocks have preference over the Common Stock in any  distribution
of net assets until the full par value (in the case of the 4%  Preferred  Stock)
or the liquidation  preference (in the case of the Serial Preferred Stock,  $100
par  value,  and  the  Serial  Preferred  Stock,  without  par  value)  and  any
accumulated unpaid dividends shall have been paid.

Voting Rights

     Except as otherwise  specified below,  each share of the 4% Preferred Stock
is entitled to 20 votes and the Serial Preferred Stock,  $100 par value, and the
Serial Preferred Stock,  without par value, are entitled to those voting rights,
if any, accorded by the Board of Directors. The currently issued and outstanding
7.68% Series Serial Preferred Stock, $100 par value, is entitled to one vote per
share.  The currently  issued and outstanding  8.375% Series,  Serial  Preferred
Stock, without par value, the Flexible Auction Series A, Serial Preferred Stock,
without par value, and the 7.07% Series,  Serial  Preferred  Stock,  without par
value, were not given voting rights by the Board of Directors.  The Common Stock
has one vote per share.

     Shareowners  do not have the right to  cumulate  votes in the  election  of
directors.

     If dividends on the 4% Preferred Stock have been  accumulated and unpaid in
an amount  equivalent  to or exceeding  four  quarterly  dividends,  the holders
thereof are entitled thereafter at each succeeding annual meeting of shareowners
to elect the smallest number of directors  necessary to constitute a majority of
the

                                      -19-

<PAGE>



Board of Directors,  with the remaining  directors (subject to the rights of the
holders of the Serial Preferred Stock, without par value, specified below) to be
elected as usual by the  holders of shares of the  voting  stock of the  Company
without  distinction as to class,  until such  accumulated and unpaid  dividends
shall have been eliminated.

     If dividends on the Serial Preferred Stock,  without par value,  shall have
been  accumulated  and  unpaid  in an  amount  equivalent  to or  exceeding  six
quarterly  dividends,  the  holders  thereof  are  entitled  thereafter  at each
succeeding annual meeting of shareowners at which a majority of such holders are
represented  to elect  two  directors  from  among  those  directors  who  would
otherwise be elected by the holders of shares of the voting stock of the Company
without  distinction as to class, with the remaining  directors  (subject to the
rights of the  holders of the 4%  Preferred  Stock  discussed  in the  preceding
paragraph)  to be elected as usual by the holders of shares of the voting  stock
of the Company without  distinction as to class,  until all such accumulated and
unpaid dividends shall have been eliminated.

     Under the Charter and applicable  Idaho statutes,  the Preferred Stocks may
also have special voting rights with respect to certain matters  including,  but
not limited to, approving  certain mergers,  amending the terms of the Preferred
Stocks,  creating new stock  ranking  prior to or on a parity with the Preferred
Stocks, or, under certain circumstances, issuing additional Preferred Stocks.

     Pursuant to the Charter and the By-laws,  the Board of Directors is divided
into  three  classes,  each  with,  as nearly as  possible,  an equal  number of
directors  serving  staggered  three-year terms. The Board may fix the number of
directors  within a range of nine to  fifteen,  and the size of the Board may be
increased or decreased  beyond these limits only by an amendment to the Charter.
At a special meeting of shareowners called expressly for that purpose, directors
may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of shareowners  entitled to vote
where cause  exists,  and by a unanimous  vote of  shareowners  entitled to vote
where such cause does not exist. A special  meeting of shareowners may be called
only by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the President, a majority of the
Board of Directors,  or the holders of not less than  four-fifths  of the shares
entitled to vote at the meeting. The provisions of the Charter described in this
paragraph,  and the  By-law  provision  dealing  with  the  calling  of  special
meetings, may be amended only by the affirmative vote of at least four-fifths of
the total voting power of the Company, provided that such four-fifths vote shall
not be required for an amendment  recommended  by two-thirds  of the  Continuing
Directors (as defined in the Charter).

     The affirmative vote of 80% of the shareowners entitled to vote is required
to effect certain mergers or other transactions

                                      -20-

<PAGE>



involving a shareowner who is the direct or indirect beneficial holder of 10% or
more of the Company's  outstanding voting stock ("Business  Combinations").  Any
Business  Combination  will also require that certain "fair price"  requirements
set forth in the  Charter  be met.  Neither  the 80%  shareowner  vote nor "fair
price" will be required for any Business  Combination which has been approved by
two-thirds  of the  Continuing  Directors  (as  defined  in the  Charter).  This
provision of the Charter may be amended only by the affirmative vote of at least
four-fifths  of the total  voting  power of the  Company.  See  "Description  of
Preferred Share Purchase Rights" below.

     Although the provisions of the Company's  Charter and By-laws  dealing with
directors  and  Business   Combinations  are  intended  to  encourage  potential
acquiring  persons to negotiate  with the Board of Directors  and to provide for
continuity and stability of management,  the combination of these provisions may
have an anti-takeover effect. By making it more time consuming for a substantial
shareowner to gain control of the Board,  such provisions render more difficult,
and thus may  discourage,  a proxy  contest or the  assumption of control of the
Company or the removal of the incumbent Board.

Issuance of Preferred Stock

     So long as any shares of the 4% Preferred  Stock shall remain  outstanding,
no shares of the 4% Preferred  Stock,  or of any class of stock having  relative
rights and preferences  equal or superior to the relative rights and preferences
of the 4%  Preferred  Stock,  with  respect to the payment of  dividends  or the
distribution  of assets in liquidation  shall be issued without the  affirmative
vote of the  holders  of a  majority  of the then  outstanding  shares of the 4%
Preferred  Stock,  unless the gross income of the Company for a period of twelve
consecutive  calendar  months  within the fifteen  calendar  months  immediately
preceding  such  issuance,  determined in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting   practices  (but  in  any  event  after   deducting  all  taxes  and
depreciation) shall equal or exceed one and one-half (1 1/2) (as a result of the
waiver resolution effective as of May 1, 1991 until December 31, 2000) times the
sum of the  Company's  annual  interest  and  preferred  dividend  requirements,
including  the shares to be issued;  provided  that there shall be excluded from
the foregoing  computation interest charges on all indebtedness and dividends on
all shares of the 4% Preferred Stock, or any other class of stock of the Company
having  relative  rights and  preferences  equal or  superior  to the  aforesaid
relative  rights and  preferences  of the 4%  Preferred  Stock,  which are to be
retired in connection  with the issue of such  additional  shares;  and provided
further,  that in any case  where  such  additional  shares of the 4%  Preferred
Stock,  or any other class of stock on the Company  having  relative  rights and
preferences  equal or superior to the aforesaid  relative rights and preferences
of the 4% Preferred  Stock,  are to be issued in connection with the acquisition
of additional public

                                      -21-

<PAGE>



utility property,  the gross income of the property to be so acquired,  computed
on the same basis as the gross income of the  Company,  may be included on a pro
forma basis in making the foregoing computation.

     So long as any shares of the Serial Preferred Stock, $100 par value,  shall
remain outstanding,  no shares of the Serial Preferred Stock, $100 par value, or
of any class of stock having relative  rights and preferences  equal or superior
to the relative rights and preferences of the Serial Preferred  Stock,  $100 par
value, with respect to the payment of dividends or the distribution of assets in
liquidation shall be issued without the affirmative of the holders of a majority
of the then outstanding  shares of the Serial  Preferred Stock,  $100 par value,
other than to  refinance  an equal par  amount or stated  value of shares of the
Serial  Preferred  Stock,  $100 par value,  and any other class of stock  having
relative  rights and  preferences  equal or superior to the  aforesaid  relative
rights and preferences of the Serial Preferred Stock, $100 par value, unless the
gross  income  of the  gross  income  of the  Company  for a  period  of  twelve
consecutive  calendar  months  within the fifteen  calendar  months  immediately
preceding  such  issuance,  determined in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting   practices  (but  in  any  event  after   deducting  all  taxes  and
depreciation)  shall  equal or exceed one and  one-half (1 1/2) times the sum of
the Company's annual interest and preferred dividend requirements, including the
shares to be issued;  provided  that there shall be excluded  from the foregoing
computation  interest charges on all indebtedness and dividends on all shares of
the Serial Preferred  Stock,  $100 par value, or any other class of stock of the
Company  having  relative  rights  and  preferences  equal  or  superior  to the
aforesaid  relative rights and preferences of the Serial Preferred  Stock,  $100
par  value,  which  are to be  retired  in  connection  with  the  issue of such
additional shares; and provided further,  that in any case where such additional
shares of the Serial  Preferred  Stock;  $100 par value,  or any other  class of
stock of the Company having relative rights and preferences equal or superior to
the aforesaid  relative  rights and preferences of the Serial  Preferred  Stock,
$100  par  value,  are to be  issued  in  connection  with  the  acquisition  of
additional  public utility  property,  the gross income of the property to be so
acquired,  computed on the same basis as the gross income of the Company, may be
included on a pro forma basis in making the foregoing computation.

Other Provisions

     The Common Stock will not be liable for further calls or  assessment,  does
not have any redemption,  conversion, preemptive or subscription rights and will
be listed on the New York and Pacific Stock Exchanges.

                                      -22-

<PAGE>




Miscellaneous

     The Transfer Agents for the Company's Common Stock are Idaho Power Company,
Boise, Idaho and The Bank of New York, New York.

     The Registrars for the Company's Common Stock are The Bank of New York, New
York and First Security Bank of Idaho, N.A., Boise, Idaho.

Description of Preferred Share Purchase Rights

     The Company has adopted a shareowner  rights plan pursuant to which holders
of Common Stock  outstanding on January 29, 1990 or issued  thereafter have been
granted one preferred share purchase right (a "Right") on each outstanding share
of Common Stock of the Company.  The description and terms of the Rights are set
forth  in a  Rights  Agreement,  dated  as of  January  11,  1990  (the  "Rights
Agreement"),  between the Company and First  Chicago  Trust Company of New York,
the Rights  Agent  appointed  by the  Company  (The Bank of New York,  successor
Rights  Agent).  The  statements and  description  hereinafter  contained do not
purport to be complete as they are intended  only to outline such  provisions in
general  terms.  Capitalized  terms used in the following  description  have the
meanings set forth in the Rights Agreement.

     The  Rights  have  certain  anti-takeover  effects.  The  Rights  may cause
substantial  dilution to a person or group that  attempts to acquire the Company
on terms not approved by the Company's Board of Directors, except pursuant to an
offer conditioned on a substantial  number of Rights being acquired.  The Rights
should not interfere with any merger or other business  combination  approved by
the Board of  Directors  prior to the time  that a person or group has  acquired
beneficial  ownership of 20% or more of the Company's  Voting Shares since until
such time the Rights may be redeemed as hereinafter described.

     Each  Right,  initially  evidenced  by and traded with the shares of Common
Stock, entitles the shareowner to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of the A
Series of the Company's Serial Preferred  Stock,  without par value,  having the
rights and preferences  described in the Rights Agreement,  at an exercise price
of $85.00, subject to certain adjustments and subject to regulatory approval and
the  requirements  for  issuance  described  under the  subheading  "Issuance of
Preferred  Stock"  above.  Each whole  share of the A Series,  Serial  Preferred
Stock,  without  par  value,  entitles  the  holder  thereof to 100 votes on all
matters submitted to a vote of shareowners.  The Rights will be exercisable only
if a person or group  acquires  20% or more of the  Company's  Voting  Shares or
announces  a tender  offer,  the  consummation  of  which  would  result  in the
beneficial ownership by a person or group of 20% or more of the Company's Voting
Shares.


                                      -23-

<PAGE>



     If any  person  or group  acquires  20% or more of the  outstanding  Voting
Shares of the  Company,  each Right will  entitle  its holder  (other  than such
person or members of such group),  subject to regulatory  approval,  to purchase
that number of shares of Common  Stock and/or at the election of the Company one
one-hundredths of a share of Serial Preferred Stock, without par value, having a
market value of twice the Right's exercise price subject,  in the case of Serial
Preferred Stock, to the requirements for issuance described under the subheading
"Issuance of Preferred Stock" above. In addition,  after any person or group has
acquired  20% or more of the  outstanding  Voting  Shares  of the  Company,  the
Company may not  consolidate or merge with, or sell 50% or more of its assets or
earning  power to,  any  person or group,  or engage in  certain  "self-dealing"
transactions  with any  person or group  owning  20% or more of the  outstanding
Voting Shares of the Company, unless proper provision is made so that each Right
would  thereafter  entitle its holder to purchase  that number of the  acquiring
company's  common shares having a market value at that time of twice the Right's
then current exercise price.

     At any time  after a person or group  acquires  more than 20% but less than
50% of the outstanding  Voting Shares of the Company,  the Board of Directors of
the Company may,  subject to any  necessary  regulatory  approval,  require each
outstanding Right (other than Rights owned by such acquiring person,  which will
have  become  void)  to be  exchanged  for one  share of  Common  Stock or cash,
securities or other assets having a value equal to the market value of one share
of Common Stock.

     The Rights may be redeemed, at a redemption price of $.01 per Right, by the
Board of  Directors  of the  Company  at any time  until any person or group has
acquired  20%  or  more  of  the   Company's   Voting   Shares.   Under  certain
circumstances, the decision to redeem the Rights will require the concurrence of
a majority of the  Continuing  Directors.  The Rights will expire on January 11,
2000 unless earlier exercised or redeemed.

Certain Idaho Statutory Provisions

     The  Company is subject to the Idaho  Control  Share  Acquisition  Act (the
"CSAA"),  which is designed to protect minority  shareowners in the event that a
person acquires or proposes to acquire,  directly or indirectly, by tender offer
or otherwise,  shares giving it at least 20%, at least 331/3%,  or more than 50%
of the  voting  power in the  election  of  directors  (such an  acquisition,  a
"Control  Share  Acquisition").  The CSAA is applicable to a publicly held Idaho
corporation  which has at least 50  shareowners,  such as the Company,  unless a
provision  in its by-laws or articles of  incorporation,  adopted in  accordance
with the CSAA,  makes an express  election  not to be  subject to such  chapter.
There is no such provision in the Company's Bylaws or Charter.

                                      -24-

<PAGE>



     Under the CSAA, a person acquiring a Control Share  Acquisition is required
to deliver to the corporation an information statement  disclosing,  among other
things,  the identity of the person,  the terms of the  acquisition  or proposed
acquisition,  and the financing thereof. An acquiring person will not be able to
vote those shares acquired in a Control Share Acquisition that exceed one of the
cited thresholds (such shares, "Control Shares") unless a resolution approved by
662/3% of the voting  power of all shares  entitled to vote  thereon  (excluding
shares with respect to which  voting  power can be  exercised  by the  acquiring
person or an officer or  director  of the  corporation)  approves of such voting
power.  At the request of the acquiring  person,  such a resolution  must be put
forth before  shareowners at a special meeting held within 55 days after receipt
of the information  statement,  provided that the acquiring person undertakes to
pay the costs of such  special  meeting  and has  delivered  to the  corporation
copies of definitive  financing  agreements  with  responsible  entities for any
required financing of the Control Share Acquisition. If an information statement
has not been delivered to the  corporation by the 10th day after a Control Share
Acquisition,  or the  shareowners  of the  corporation  have voted not to accord
voting rights to the Control  Shares,  the  corporation  may redeem all (but not
less than all) of the Control Shares at their fair market value. Shares that are
not accorded  voting rights pursuant to the CSAA regain their voting rights when
acquired by another person in an acquisition that is not subject to the CSAA.

     The  Company is also  subject to the Idaho  Business  Combination  Act (the
"BCA"),  which  prohibits  a  corporation  from  engaging  in  certain  business
combinations  with an "interested  shareowner" for a period of three years after
the date of the transaction in which the person became an interested shareowner,
unless,  among  other  things,  (i) the  corporation's  by-laws or  articles  of
incorporation  include a provision  that was adopted in accordance  with the BCA
and that expressly  provides that the  corporation is not subject to the statute
(the  Company  has not  made  such an  election),  or  (ii) a  committee  of the
corporation's  board of directors  approves of the business  combination  or the
acquisition of the shares before the date such shares were  acquired.  After the
three year  moratorium  period,  the  corporation  may not consummate a business
combination  unless,  among other things, it is approved by the affirmative vote
of the holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares entitled to vote
(other  than  those  beneficially  owned  by  the  interested  shareowner  or an
affiliate  or  associate  thereof) or the  business  combination  meets  certain
minimum  price and form of payment  requirements.  An  interested  shareowner is
defined to include,  with certain  exceptions,  any person who is the beneficial
owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting shares of the
corporation.  Business  combinations subject to the BCA include certain mergers,
consolidations, recapitalizations and reverse share splits.

                                      -25-

<PAGE>



     The  application  of the CSAA and the BCA may have the effect of  delaying,
deferring or preventing a change of control of the Company.

                                      -26-

<PAGE>



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                        Page


STATEMENT OF AVAILABLE INFORMATION................................2

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS
         BY REFERENCE.............................................2

THE COMPANY.......................................................3

SUMMARY OF MAJOR PLAN TERMS.......................................3

THE PLAN .........................................................4
         Definitions..............................................4
         Purpose and Advantages of
              the Plan............................................5
         Eligibility..............................................6
         Administration and Agent.................................6
         Procedure for Enrolling -
              Authorization Form..................................7
         Purchase Prices --
              Investment Period --
              Source of Shares....................................9
         Withdrawing Shares --
              Terminating
              Participation......................................11
         Certificates for Shares --
              Account -- Reports.................................12
         Other Information.......................................13

FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES..................................16

USE OF PROCEEDS..................................................17

LEGAL OPINIONS...................................................17

EXPERTS  ........................................................18

DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK......................................18




                                   IDAHO POWER
                                     COMPANY





                                  -------------





                              Dividend Reinvestment
                             and Stock Purchase Plan



                                  -------------





                                  Common Stock

                                ($2.50 Par Value)




                                  -------------

                                   PROSPECTUS
                                  -------------

                                      -27-

<PAGE>



                PART II - INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

               ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

     Sections 30-1-850 et seq. of the Idaho Business Corporation Act (the "Act")
provide for  indemnification of IDACORP's directors and officers in a variety of
circumstances.

     Article VIII of IDACORP's Restated Articles of Incorporation  provides that
IDACORP  shall  indemnify  its  directors  and officers  against  liability  and
expenses and shall advance  expenses to its directors and officers in connection
with any proceeding to the fullest extent  permitted by the Act as now in effect
or as it may be  amended  or  substituted  from time to time.  Article VI of the
Amended Bylaws of IDACORP provides that IDACORP shall have the power to purchase
insurance  on  behalf  of any  director,  officer,  employee  or  agent  against
liability  and  expenses  in  connection  with  any  proceeding,  to the  extent
permitted  under  applicable law.  Article VI further  provides that IDACORP may
enter into indemnification  agreements with any director,  officer,  employee or
agent to the extent permitted under any applicable law.

     IDACORP has  liability  insurance  protecting  its  directors  and officers
against liability by reason of their being or having been directors or officers.
In addition,  IDACORP intends to enter into indemnification  agreements with its
directors  and  officers to provide for  indemnification  to the maximum  extent
permitted by law.

Item 16.  EXHIBITS.


Exhibit     File Number       As Exhibit

*2          333-48031         2                -Agreement and Plan of
                                               Exchange, dated as of
                                               February 2, 1998.


*3(a)       333-48031         3(a)             -Restated Articles of
                                               Incorporation of IDACORP,
                                               Inc.

 3(b)                                          -Articles of Amendment to
                                               Restated Articles of
                                               Incorporation creating
                                               A Series Preferred Stock,
                                               without par value, as
                                               filed with the Secretary
                                               of State of Idaho on
                                               September 17, 1998.


                              II-1

<PAGE>



Exhibit      File Number        As Exhibit
*3(c)        333-48031          3(c)           -Amended Bylaws of
                                               IDACORP, Inc., as of
                                               September 10, 1998
*4           Form 8-K,          4              -Rights Agreement, dated
             dated                             as of September 10, 1998
             September                         between IDACORP, Inc. and
             15, 1998                          The Bank of New York, as
                                               Rights Agent.
5(a)                                           -Opinion and consent of
                                               Robert W. Stahman, Esq.
5(b) and                                       -Opinion and consent of
8                                              LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene &
                                               MacRae, L.L.P.

15                                             -Letter from Deloitte &
                                               Touche LLP regarding
                                               unaudited interim
                                               financial information.
23                                             -Consent of Deloitte &
                                               Touche LLP.
24                                             -Power of Attorney
                                               (included on the
                                               signature page hereof).


            *Previously filed and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.

     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

     (1) To file,  during any period in which  offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

               (i) To include any prospectus  required by section 10(a)(3)of the
          Securities Act of 1933;

               (ii) To reflect  in the  prospectus  any facts or events  arising
          after the effective  date of the  registration  statement (or the most
          recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
          aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
          in the  registration  statement.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  any
          increase  or decrease  in volume of  securities  offered (if the total
          dollar value of securities offered would not exceed

                                      II-2

<PAGE>



          that which was  registered) and any deviation from the low or high end
          of the estimated  maximum  offering range may be reflected in the form
          of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in
          the aggregate,  the changes in volume and price represent no more than
          a 20% change in the maximum aggregate  offering price set forth in the
          "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective  registration
          statement;

               (iii) To include any  material  information  with  respect to the
          plan of  distribution  not  previously  disclosed in the  registration
          statement  or  any  material   change  to  such   information  in  the
          registration statement.

     Provided,  however,  that  paragraphs  (i)  and  (ii) do not  apply  if the
registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F- 3 and the information
required to be included in a  post-effective  amendment by those  paragraphs  is
contained in periodic  reports filed with or furnished to the  Commission by the
registrant  pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

     (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933,  each  such  post-effective  amendment  shall be deemed to be a new
registration  statement  relating to the  securities  offered  therein,  and the
offering of such  securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

     (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective  amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.

     (4) That,  for purposes of determining  any liability  under the Securities
Act of 1933, each filing of the  registrant's  annual report pursuant to section
13(a)  or  section  15(d)  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934  that  is
incorporated by reference in the registration  statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration  statement relating to the securities offered therein,  and the
offering of such  securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.

     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors,  officers, and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing  provisions,  or otherwise,  the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities  and Exchange  Commission
such  indemnification  is against  public policy as expressed in the Act and is,
therefore,  unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities  (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred
or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the

                                      II-3

<PAGE>



registrant  in the  successful  defense of any action,  suit or  proceeding)  is
asserted by such director,  officer or controlling person in connection with the
securities being  registered,  the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its
counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,  submit to a court
of appropriate  jurisdiction the questions whether such indemnification by it is
against  public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.


                                      II-4

<PAGE>



                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

     Each director  and/or officer of the issuer whose  signature  appears below
hereby authorizes any agent for service named in this  Post-Effective  Amendment
to the Registration Statement to execute in the name of each such person, and to
file  with the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission,  any and all  amendments,
including post-effective amendments, to the Registration Statement, and appoints
any  such  agent  for  service  as   attorney-in-fact  to  sign  in  his  behalf
individually  and in each capacity  stated below and file any such amendments to
the Registration Statement, and the issuer hereby confers like authority to sign
and file on its behalf.

                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies  that it has  reasonable  grounds to believe  that it meets all of the
requirements  for  filing on Form S-3 and has duly  caused  this  Post-Effective
Amendment  to the  Registration  Statement  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Boise and State of Idaho,
on the 21st day of September, 1998.

                                            IDACORP, Inc.

                                            By /s/ Joseph W. Marshall
                                               Joseph W. Marshall
                                               Chairman of the Board
                                               and Chief Executive Officer

     Pursuant  to  the   requirements  of  the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  this
Post-Effective  Amendment to the  Registration  Statement has been signed by the
following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


Signature                         Title                    Date


/s/ Joseph W. Marshall            Chairman of the          September 21,
Joseph W. Marshall)               Board and Chief          1998
                                  Executive
                                  Officer
/s/ Jan B. Packwood               President,               September 21,
(Jan B. Packwood)                 Chief Operating          1998
                                  Officer and
                                  Director


                                      II-5

<PAGE>




Signature                         Title                     Date


/s/ J. LaMont Keen                Vice President,           September 21,
(J. LaMont Keen)                  Chief Financial           1998
                                  Officer and
                                  Treasurer
                                  (Principal
                                  Financial and
                                  Accounting
                                  Officer)
/s/ Robert D. Bolinder            Director                  September 21,
(Robert D. Bolinder)                                        1998


/s/ Roger L. Breezley             Director                  September 21,
(Roger L. Breezley)                                         1998



/s/ John B. Carley                Director                  September 21,
(John B. Carley)                                            1998



/s/ Peter T. Johnson              Director                  September 21,
(Peter T. Johnson)                                          1998


/s/ Jack K. Lemley                Director                  September 21,
(Jack K. Lemley)                                            1998

/s/ Evelyn Loveless               Director                  September 21,
(Evelyn Loveless)                                           1998


/s/ Jon H. Miller                 Director                  September 21,
(Jon H. Miller)                                             1998


/s/ Peter S. O'Neill              Director                  September 21,
(Peter S. O'Neill)                                          1998




                                      II-6

<PAGE>




/s/ Gene C. Rose                   Director                 September 21,
(Gene C. Rose)                                              1998


/s/ Phil Soulen                                             September 21,
(Phil Soulen)                      Director                 1998


                                      II-7

<PAGE>



                                  Exhibit Index


                                  As
Exhibit  File Number              Exhibit                                  Page

*2       333-48031                2                   -Agreement and
                                                      Plan of Exchange
                                                      dated as of
                                                      February 2, 1998.


*3(a)    333-48031                3(a)                -Restated
                                                      Articles of
                                                      Incorporation of
                                                      IDACORP, Inc.
 3(b)                                                 -Articles of
                                                      Amendment to
                                                      Restated Articles
                                                      of Incorporation
                                                      creating A Series
                                                      Preferred Stock,
                                                      without par
                                                      value, as filed
                                                      with the
                                                      Secretary of
                                                      State of Idaho on
                                                      September 17,
                                                      1998

*3(c)    333-48031                3(c)                -Amended Bylaws
                                                      of IDACORP, Inc.,
                                                      as of September
                                                      10, 1998

*4       Form 8-K,                4                   -Rights
         dated                                        Agreement, dated
         September 15,                                as of September
         1998                                         10, 1998 between
                                                      IDACORP, Inc. and
                                                      The Bank of New
                                                      York, as Rights
                                                      Agent.

5(a)                                                  -Opinion and
                                                      consent of Robert
                                                      W. Stahman, Esq.




<PAGE>



                                    As
Exhibit             File Number     Exhibit                                Page

5(b) and                                              -Opinion and
8                                                     consent of
                                                      LeBoeuf, Lamb,
                                                      Greene &
                                                      MacRae, L.L.P.

15                                                    -Letter from
                                                      Deloitte & Touche
                                                      LLP regarding
                                                      unaudited interim
                                                      financial
                                                      information.

23                                                    -Consent of
                                                      Deloitte & Touche
                                                      LLP.

24                                                    -Power of
                                                      Attorney
                                                      (included on
                                                      the signature
                                                      page).

*Previously filed and incorporated herein by reference.



                                  EXHIBIT 3(b)


                                  IDACORP, INC.

                              ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT


1.   IDACORP, Inc.  (Corporation) is hereby amending Article V, Section 3 of the
     Restated Articles of Incorporation to read as follows:

     Section 3. Preferred Stock:  Shares of Preferred Stock may be issued in one
or more series.  Each series shall be so designated as to distinguish the shares
thereof from the shares of all other series of the Preferred Stock and all other
classes of stock of the Corporation.  The Board of Directors is hereby expressly
authorized to establish  series of Preferred  Stock and,  within the limitations
set forth in these  Articles of  Incorporation  and such  limitations  as may be
provided by any applicable law, to prescribe the number of shares to be included
in any series  and the  preferences,  limitations  and  relative  rights of each
series  of the  Preferred  Stock so  established.  Such  action  by the Board of
Directors shall be expressed in a resolution or resolutions  adopted by it prior
to the  issuance  of shares of each  series.  Without  limitation  thereto,  the
authority  of the Board of Directors  with respect to each series shall  include
the  determination of any or all of, and the shares of each series may vary from
the shares of any other series in, the following:

               (a)  the  number  of  shares  constituting  such  series  and the
          designation thereof;

               (b) the rate or rates of  dividend,  if any,  or any  formula  or
          other  method  or other  means by which  such  rate or rates are to be
          determined  at any  time or from  time to  time,  the date or dates on
          which  dividends  may be  payable,  whether  such  dividends  shall be
          cumulative,  noncumulative or partially  cumulative and, if cumulative
          or  partially   cumulative,   the  date  from  which  dividends  shall
          accumulate;

               (c) whether shares may be redeemed or converted (i) at the option
          of the  Corporation,  the  shareholder  or another  person or upon the
          occurrence  of  a  designated  event;  (ii)  for  cash,  indebtedness,
          securities or other  property;  (iii) in a designated  amount or in an
          amount  determined  in  accordance  with a  designated  formula  or by
          reference to extrinsic data or events;

               (d) the  preference,  if any,  of shares of such  series over any
          other class of shares with respect to

                                       -1-

<PAGE>



          distributions,   including   dividends  and  distributions   upon  any
          voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the
          Corporation;

               (e) whether the shares shall have any voting powers,  in addition
          to the voting powers provided by law, and the terms of any such voting
          powers; and

               (f) any other relative  rights,  preferences  and  limitations of
          that series.

     All shares of the Preferred Stock of the same series shall be identical and
shall have identical  preferences,  limitations and relative rights, except that
shares of the same  series  issued at  different  times may vary as to the dates
from which  dividends  thereon shall be  cumulative  and except as otherwise not
prohibited by applicable law.

     A. The A Series Preferred Stock, without par value.

               1.  Designation  and  Amount.  There is hereby  created the first
          series of the Corporation's  Preferred Stock, without par value, which
          shall be  designated as "A Series  Preferred  Stock" (the "A Series"),
          without par value, and the number of shares  constituting  such series
          shall be 1,200,000.

               2.  Dividends.  The annual rate of  dividends  on shares of the A
          Series  shall be equal to the greater of (i) $1 or (ii) subject to the
          provision  for  adjustment   hereinafter  set  forth,  100  times  the
          aggregate  per share amount of all  dividends or other  distributions,
          other  than a  dividend  or  distribution  payable in shares of Common
          Stock or a subdivision of the  outstanding  shares of Common Stock (by
          reclassification or otherwise), declared on the shares of Common Stock
          since the immediately  preceding  Quarterly  Dividend Payment Date or,
          with respect to the first Quarterly  Dividend  Payment Date, since the
          first  issuance  of such share or fraction  thereof.  In the event the
          Corporation  shall at any time after the Distribution Date (as defined
          in the Rights  Agreement  dated as of September 10, 1998,  between the
          Corporation  and the Rights  Agent named  therein)  declare or pay any
          dividend  on the  shares of Common  Stock  payable in shares of Common
          Stock, or effect a subdivision or combination or  consolidation of the
          outstanding shares of Common Stock (by  reclassification or otherwise)
          into a greater or lesser  number of shares of Common  Stock,  then, in
          each such case,  the amount to which holders of shares of the A Series
          were entitled immediately prior to such event under clause (ii) of the
          preceding

                                       -2-

<PAGE>



          sentence shall be adjusted by  multiplying  such amount by a fraction,
          the  numerator  of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock
          outstanding  immediately after such event and the denominator of which
          shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding  immediately
          prior to such event.  Dividends shall be cumulative  payable quarterly
          on the 20th day of February,  May, August and November in each year or
          otherwise as the Board of Directors of the  Corporation  may determine
          (each  such date being  referred  to herein as a  "Quarterly  Dividend
          Payment  Date"),  commencing  with  respect to each share or  fraction
          thereof  on the  first  Quarterly  Dividend  Payment  Date  after  the
          original  issuance  thereof,  in the amount per share set forth  above
          (rounded to the nearest cent).

               Dividends shall accrue on each outstanding  share of the A Series
          or fraction  thereof from the date of original  issue of such share or
          fraction  thereof,  unless such date of issue is a Quarterly  Dividend
          Payment Date or is a date after the record date for the  determination
          of holders  entitled  to receive a quarterly  dividend  and before the
          Quarterly  Dividend  Payment Date therefor,  in either of which events
          such dividends shall accrue from such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date.
          Accrued but unpaid  dividends shall not bear interest.  Dividends paid
          on the shares of the A Series or  fraction  thereof in an amount  less
          than the  total  amount  of such  dividends  at the time  accrued  and
          payable on such shares or fraction thereof shall be allocated pro rata
          on a share-by-share basis among all such shares or fraction thereof at
          the time outstanding. The Board of Directors may fix a record date for
          the  determination  of holders of shares of the A Series  entitled  to
          receive payment of a dividend or distribution declared thereon.

               3.  Redemption.   The  shares  of  the  A  Series  shall  not  be
          redeemable.

               4. Liquidation. The amount payable upon shares of the A Series in
          the event of voluntary or involuntary liquidation shall be the greater
          of (i) $100 per share or (ii) subject to the provision for  adjustment
          set  forth in "2.",  above,  100  times  the  aggregate  amount  to be
          distributed  per share to the  holders of the shares of Common  Stock,
          plus,  in either case an amount equal to accrued and unpaid  dividends
          to the date of payment. In the event the Corporation shall at any time
          after the Distribution  Date declare or pay any dividend on the shares
          of  Common  Stock  payable  in shares  of  Common  Stock,  or effect a
          subdivision or combination or consolidation of the outstanding  shares
          of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise) into a

                                       -3-

<PAGE>



          greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then, in each such
          case, the aggregate  amount to which holders of shares of the A Series
          were entitled immediately prior to such event under clause (ii) of the
          preceding sentence,  shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a
          fraction  the  numerator  of which  shall be the  number  of shares of
          Common  Stock  outstanding   immediately  after  such  event  and  the
          denominator  of which  shall be the  number of shares of Common  Stock
          outstanding immediately prior to such event.

               5. Sinking Fund.  There is no sinking fund for the  redemption or
          purchase of shares of the A Series.

               6.  Conversion.  Shares of the A Series are not, by their  terms,
          convertible or exchangeable.

               7.  Voting  Rights.  At all  meetings of the  shareholders,  each
          holder of  shares  of the A Series  shall  have the  following  voting
          rights:

               Subject to the provision for  adjustment  hereinafter  set forth,
          each share of the A Series  shall  entitle  the holder  thereof to 100
          votes on all matters  submitted to a vote of the  shareholders  of the
          Corporation.  In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the
          Distribution  Date declare or pay any dividend on the shares of Common
          Stock  payable in shares of Common  Stock or effect a  subdivision  or
          combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock
          (by  reclassification or otherwise) into a greater or lesser number of
          shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the number of votes per
          share  to which  holders  of  shares  of the A  Series  were  entitled
          immediately  prior to such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such
          number by a fraction,  the  numerator  of which shall be the number of
          shares of Common Stock  outstanding  immediately  after such event and
          the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock
          outstanding immediately prior to such event.

               8. Amendment. The Restated Articles of Incorporation shall not be
          further amended in any manner which would  materially  alter or change
          the powers, preferences or special rights of the A Series.

2.   This  amendment  was  duly  adopted  by  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the
     Corporation  pursuant to Section  30-1-602  which permits such an amendment
     without shareholder action at a meeting on September 10, 1998 creating an A
     Series of the Corporation's  Preferred Stock,  without par value and fixing
     and

                                       -4-

<PAGE>


      determining certain of the relative rights and preferences thereof.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  undersigned has signed this Article of Amendment
this 17th day of September, 1998.


                                                     IDACORP, Inc.




                                                     By: /s/ Robert W. Stahman
                                                         Robert W. Stahman
                                                         Secretary


                                       -5-




                                                                    Exhibit 5(a)


                             Robert W. Stahman, Esq.
                                 General Counsel
                                  IDACORP, Inc.
                             1221 West Idaho Street
                             Boise, Idaho 83702-5627


                                                     September 21, 1998


IDACORP, Inc.
1221 West Idaho Street
Boise, Idaho  83702-5627

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     I  am  General  Counsel  to  IDACORP,   Inc.,  an  Idaho  corporation  (the
"Company"),  and have acted as such in connection with Post-Effective  Amendment
No. 1 (the  "Post-Effective  Amendment") to the Idaho Power Company Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (File No.  333-00139),  which the Company proposes to file
on or shortly after the date hereof pursuant to Rule 414(d) under the Securities
Act of 1933,  as amended  (the "Act").  The Company will be successor  issuer to
Idaho  Power  Company,  an Idaho  corporation  ("Idaho  Power"),  pursuant  to a
statutory  share exchange  ("Share  Exchange") to be effected on October 1, 1998
pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Exchange  dated as of February 2, 1998 (the
"Exchange  Agreement")  between Idaho Power and the Company,  for the purpose of
establishing the Company as a holding company over Idaho Power.

     The  aforesaid  Registration  Statement,  as amended by the  Post-Effective
Amendment, relates to the issuance and sale by the Company of 888,040 additional
shares of its Common Stock,  without par value (the "Stock"),  and the Preferred
Share Purchase  Rights  attached  thereto (the  "Rights"),  which Rights will be
issued as a dividend by the Company on October 1, 1998 to shareholders of record
at the close of  business  on that date and will be  distributed  by the Company
with all Common Stock issued thereafter (until the expiration date thereof) (the
Stock and the Rights  collectively  referred to as the "Shares") pursuant to the
Company's Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan").


                                       -1-

<PAGE>


IDACORP, Inc.                                                September 21, 1998



     For  purposes  of  this  opinion,  I have  examined  originals  or  copies,
certified  or  otherwise  identified  to my  satisfaction,  of (i) the  Exchange
Agreement; (ii) the Post-Effective Amendment;  (iii) the Rights Agreement, dated
as of September 10, 1998 between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Rights
Agent (the "Rights Agreement");  (iv) the Restated Articles of Incorporation and
Amended  Bylaws of the  Company,  as in effect on the date  hereof  and as to be
amended immediately prior to consummation of the Share Exchange; (v) resolutions
adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company relating to the Share Exchange,
the Post-Effective Amendment, the Rights Agreement and the issuance and delivery
of the  Shares in  connection  with the Share  Exchange  and the  Post-Effective
Amendment;  and (vi) such other  documents,  certificates and other records as I
have deemed  necessary or  appropriate.  In such  examination I have assumed the
genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to me
as  originals,  the  conformity  to the  original  documents  of  all  documents
submitted to me as copies and the  authenticity  of the originals of such latter
documents.  As to any facts material to my opinion,  I have, when relevant facts
were  not  independently   established,   relied  upon  the  aforesaid  records,
certificates and documents.

     Based  upon  the  foregoing,  and  subject  to  the  qualifications  herein
expressed, I am of the opinion that:

     (1)  The Company is a corporation  duly organized,  validly existing and in
          good standing under the laws of the State of Idaho;

     (2)  The Stock will be validly issued,  fully paid and  non-assessable  and
          the  Rights   will  be   validly   issued   when  (i)  the   Company's
          Post-Effective  Amendment  shall have become  effective under the Act;
          (ii) the  Company's  Board of Directors  shall have taken  appropriate
          action to  authorize  the issuance and sale of the Shares on the terms
          set forth in or contemplated by the  Post-Effective  Amendment;  (iii)
          the  Stock  shall  have  been  issued,  sold  and  delivered  for  the
          consideration  contemplated  in the  Post-Effective  Amendment  and in
          accordance  with the actions  hereinabove  mentioned;  (iv) the Rights
          shall  have been  issued in  accordance  with the terms of the  Rights
          Agreement and in accordance  with the actions  hereinabove  mentioned;
          and (v) the Share Exchange  shall have been  consummated in accordance
          with the

                                       -2-

<PAGE>


IDACORP, Inc.                                               September 21, 1998




          terms of the  Exchange  Agreement  and the laws of the State of Idaho;
          and

     (3)  The Stock to be purchased in the open market is validly issued,  fully
          paid and non-assessable,  and the Rights attached thereto on and after
          the close of  business  on  October  1, 1998 are  validly  issued  and
          outstanding.

     The matters  relating to the Shares are governed by the law of the State of
Idaho. In regard to the Rights, I note that Section 30-1610 of the Idaho Control
Share Acquisition Law and Section 30-1706 of the Idaho Business  Combination Law
each  provides  that  nothing  contained  in  either  the  Idaho  Control  Share
Acquisition  Law  (Sections  30-1601  through  30-1614)  or the  Idaho  Business
Combination Law (Sections 30-1701 through 30-1710), respectively, is intended to
limit the corporate  powers or authority of an "issuing public  corporation" (as
defined in such  statutes),  such as the  Company,  to take  actions  "which the
directors may appropriately  determine to be in furtherance of the protection of
the  interests  of the  corporation  and  its  shareholders,  including  without
limitation  the authority to . . . enter into . . .  arrangements",  such as the
Rights Agreement, that "deny rights . . . to the holder or holders of at least a
specified  number of shares or percentage of share  ownership or voting power in
certain circumstances."

     Because I am not aware of any court decision  applying the law of the State
of Idaho that addresses the effect of these statutory provisions or the validity
of plans similar to the Rights Agreement, it is difficult to predict how a court
applying  the law of the State of Idaho  would  rule with  respect to the issues
relating to the Rights.  Nevertheless,  I am able to advise you of my conclusion
concerning  how a court applying the law of the State of Idaho  (including,  but
not limited to, Section 30- 1610 of the Idaho Control Share  Acquisition Law and
Section 30- 1706 of the Idaho  Business  Combination  Law) likely  would rule. I
have  conferred  with LeBoeuf,  Lamb,  Greene & MacRae,  L.L.P.,  counsel to the
Company, for purposes of rendering this opinion. LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae,
L.L.P. and I have concluded that a court applying the law of the State of Idaho,
when presented with novel questions  concerning  takeover  matters,  such as the
effect of the statutory  provisions  cited above and the adoption by the Company
of the Rights Agreement,  most likely would apply the corporate law of the State
of  Delaware,  the most  fully  developed  body of  corporate  law in the United
States.  Accordingly,  in rendering  this opinion,  I have assumed that Delaware
corporate law, with which I am familiar, provides an

                                       -3-

<PAGE>


IDACORP, Inc.                                                September 21, 1998



indication  of what  standards a court would apply if it were  required to apply
the law of the State of Idaho considering the matters relating to the Rights.

     With respect to this opinion,  I do not hold myself out as an expert on the
laws of any state other than the State of Idaho. My opinions expressed above are
limited to the laws of the State of Idaho,  the General  Corporation  Law of the
State of Delaware and the federal laws of the United States.

     I hereby  consent  to the  filing  of this  opinion  as an  exhibit  to the
Post-Effective  Amendment and to the  references to me under the caption  "Legal
Opinions" in said Post-Effective  Amendment and in the Prospectus constituting a
part thereof.

                                                 Very truly yours,



                                                 Robert W. Stahman



                                       -4-




                                                              Exhibit 5(b) and 8


                     LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, L.L.P.
                              125 West 55th Street
                            New York, New York 10019


                                                              September 21, 1998


IDACORP, Inc.
1221 West Idaho Street
Boise, Idaho  83702-5627

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We have  acted as counsel  to  IDACORP,  Inc.,  an Idaho  corporation  (the
"Company"),   in   connection   with   Post-Effective   Amendment   No.  1  (the
"Post-Effective Amendment") to the Idaho Power Company Registration Statement on
Form S-3 (File No. 333-00139),  which the Company proposes to file on or shortly
after the date hereof  pursuant to Rule 414(d) under the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended  (the "Act").  The Company  will be  successor  issuer to Idaho Power
Company,  an Idaho  corporation  ("Idaho Power"),  pursuant to a statutory share
exchange  ("Share  Exchange") to be effected on October 1, 1998,  pursuant to an
Agreement  and Plan of  Exchange  dated as of  February  2, 1998 (the  "Exchange
Agreement") between Idaho Power and the Company, for the purpose of establishing
the Company as a holding company over Idaho Power.

     The  aforesaid  Registration  Statement,  as amended by the  Post-Effective
Amendment, relates to the issuance and sale by the Company of 888,040 additional
shares of its Common Stock,  without par value (the "Stock"),  and the Preferred
Share Purchase  Rights  attached  thereto (the  "Rights"),  which Rights will be
issued as a dividend by the Company on October 1, 1998 to shareholders of record
at the close of  business  on that date and will be  distributed  by the Company
with all  Common  Stock  issued  thereafter  (until the  expiration  date of the
Rights)  (the Stock and the Rights  collectively  referred  to as the  "Shares")
pursuant to the Company's  Dividend  Reinvestment  and Stock  Purchase Plan (the
"Plan").


<PAGE>


IDACORP, Inc.
September 21, 1998
Page 2



     For  purposes  of this  opinion,  we have  examined  originals  or  copies,
certified  or  otherwise  identified  to our  satisfaction,  of (i) the Exchange
Agreement; (ii) the Post- Effective Amendment; (iii) the Rights Agreement, dated
as of September 10, 1998 between the Company and The Bank of New York, as Rights
Agent (the "Rights Agreement");  (iv) the Restated Articles of Incorporation and
Amended  Bylaws of the  Company,  as in effect on the date  hereof  and as to be
amended immediately prior to consummation of the Share Exchange; (v) resolutions
adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company relating to the Share Exchange,
the Post-Effective Amendment, the Rights Agreement and the issuance and delivery
of the  Shares in  connection  with the Share  Exchange  and the  Post-Effective
Amendment;  and (vi) such other  documents,  certificates and records as we have
deemed  necessary  or  appropriate.  In such  examination  we have  assumed  the
genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us
as  originals,  the  conformity  to the  original  documents  of  all  documents
submitted to us as copies and the  authenticity  of the originals of such latter
documents.  As to any facts  material to our  opinions,  we have,  when relevant
facts were not independently established,  relied upon the aforesaid agreements,
instruments,  records,  certificates  and  documents.  We have also  assumed the
regularity of all corporate procedures.

     Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the qualifications and limitations
herein expressed, we are of the opinion that:

     (1)  The Stock will be validly issued,  fully paid and  non-assessable  and
          the  Rights   will  be   validly   issued   when  (i)  the   Company's
          Post-Effective  Amendment  shall have become  effective under the Act;
          (ii) the  Company's  Board of Directors  shall have taken  appropriate
          action to  authorize  the issuance and sale of the Shares on the terms
          set forth in or contemplated by the  Post-Effective  Amendment;  (iii)
          the  Stock  shall  have  been  issued,  sold  and  delivered  for  the
          consideration  contemplated  in the  Post-Effective  Amendment  and in
          accordance  with the actions  hereinabove  mentioned;  (iv) the Rights
          shall  have been  issued in  accordance  with the terms of the  Rights
          Agreement and in accordance  with the actions  hereinabove  mentioned;
          and (v) the Share Exchange  shall have been  consummated in accordance
          with the terms of the Exchange  Agreement and the laws of the State of
          Idaho;


<PAGE>


IDACORP, Inc.
September 21, 1998
Page 3



     (2)  The Stock to be purchased in the open market is validly issued,  fully
          paid and non-assessable,  and the Rights attached thereto on and after
          the close of  business  on  October  1, 1998 are  validly  issued  and
          outstanding; and

     (3)  The statements made in the Post-Effective  Amendment under the heading
          "Federal Income Tax Consequences"  constitute an accurate  description
          of certain  Federal income tax  consequences  to  participants  in the
          Plan.

     The matters  relating to the Shares are governed by the law of the State of
Idaho.  In  regard to the  Rights,  we note that  Section  30-1610  of the Idaho
Control  Share  Acquisition  Law  and  Section  30-1706  of the  Idaho  Business
Combination Law each provides that nothing contained in either the Idaho Control
Share  Acquisition Law (Sections  30-1601 through 30-1614) or the Idaho Business
Combination Law (Sections 30-1701 through 30-1710), respectively, is intended to
limit the corporate  powers or authority of an "issuing public  corporation" (as
defined in such  statutes),  such as the  Company,  to take  actions  "which the
directors may appropriately  determine to be in furtherance of the protection of
the  interests  of the  corporation  and  its  shareholders,  including  without
limitation  the authority to . . . enter into . . .  arrangements",  such as the
Rights Agreement, that "deny rights . . . to the holder or holders of at least a
specified  number of shares or percentage of share  ownership or voting power in
certain circumstances."

     Because  we are not aware of any  court  decision  applying  the law of the
State of Idaho that  addresses the effect of these  statutory  provisions or the
validity of plans  similar to the Rights  Agreement,  it is difficult to predict
how a court  applying  the law of the State of Idaho would rule with  respect to
the issues  relating to the Rights.  Nevertheless,  we are able to advise you of
our opinion as expressed  herein,  which  reflects our  professional  conclusion
concerning  how a court applying the law of the State of Idaho  (including,  but
not limited to, Section 30- 1610 of the Idaho Control Share  Acquisition Law and
Section  30- 1706 of the Idaho  Business  Combination  Law)  likely  would rule.
Although  we are not  admitted  to  practice  in the  State  of  Idaho,  we have
conferred with Robert W. Stahman,  Esq.,  Vice  President,  General  Counsel and
Secretary  of the  Company,  for purposes of  rendering  this  opinion.  General
Counsel  and we have  concluded  that a court  applying  the law of the State of
Idaho, when presented with novel questions concerning takeover matters,  such as
the effect of the statutory provisions cited above and the


<PAGE>


IDACORP, Inc.
September 21, 1998
Page 4


adoption by the  Company of the Rights  Agreement,  most likely  would apply the
corporate  law of the  State of  Delaware,  the  most  fully  developed  body of
corporate law in the United States.  Accordingly,  in rendering our opinion,  we
have  assumed that  Delaware  corporate  law, as  expressed  in court  decisions
applying that law,  with which we are  familiar,  provides an indication of what
standards a court would apply if it were  required to apply the law of the State
of Idaho considering the matters relating to the Rights.

     With respect to this  opinion,  we do not hold  ourselves out as experts on
the laws of any state other than the State of New York.  Our opinions  expressed
above are limited to the laws of the State of New York, the General  Corporation
Law of the State of Delaware and the federal laws of the United States.  Insofar
as this  opinion  involves  matters  of the law of the State of  Idaho,  we have
relied  upon an  opinion  of even date  herewith  addressed  to you by Robert W.
Stahman, Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company.

     We hereby  consent  to the  filing of this  opinion  as an  exhibit  to the
Post-Effective Amendment.

                                          Very truly yours,


                                          LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, L.L.P.

                                                                     Exhibit 15



September 22, 1998


IDACORP, Inc.
Boise, Idaho

We have made a review, in accordance with standards  established by the American
Institute of Certified Public  Accountants,  of the unaudited  interim financial
information of Idaho Power Company and  subsidiaries for the periods ended March
31, 1998 and 1997 and June 30, 1998 and 1997,  as indicated in our reports dated
May 8, 1998 and August 3,  1998,  respectively;  because  we did not  perform an
audit, we expressed no opinion on that information.

We are aware that our reports  referred to above,  which were  included in Idaho
Power Company's  Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31,
1998 and June 30, 1998, are being used in this Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 of
IDACORP, Inc. to Registration  Statement No. 333-00139 of Idaho Power Company on
Form S-3.

We also are aware that the aforementioned reports, pursuant to Rule 436(c) under
the  Securities  Act of  1933,  are not  considered  a part of the  Registration
Statement  prepared  or  certified  by an  accountant  or a report  prepared  or
certified by an accountant within the meaning of Sections 7 and 11 of that Act.



DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP



                                                                      Exhibit 23

                          Independent Auditors' Consent


IDACORP, Inc.

     We consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in this  Post-  Effective
Amendment No. 1 of IDACORP,  Inc. to  Registration  Statement  No.  333-00139 of
Idaho Power Company on Form S-3 of our report dated  January 30, 1998  appearing
in the  Annual  Report on Form 10-K of Idaho  Power  Company  for the year ended
December 31, 1997 and to the reference to us under the heading  "Experts" in the
Prospectus, which is part of such Registration Statement.


Deloitte & Touche LLP
September 22, 1998
Boise, Idaho






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