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Equity Investments And Membership Interests In Joint Ventures
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]  
Equity Investments and Membership Interests in Joint Ventures
Equity Investments and Membership Interests in Joint Ventures
 
Below are the equity method investments reflected in the consolidated balance sheets:

 
 
 
Knight Hawk
 
DKRW
 
DTA
 
Tenaska
 
Millennium
 
Tongue River
 
Total
 
 
(In thousands)
Balance at January 1, 2010
 
$
49,603

 
$
23,589

 
$
14,076

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
87,268

Investments in affiliates
 
77,637

 

 

 
9,768

 

 

 
87,405

Advances to (distributions from) affiliates, net
 
(12,639
)
 

 
4,264

 

 

 

 
(8,375
)
Equity in comprehensive income (loss)
 
16,649

 
(1,628
)
 
(3,868
)
 

 

 

 
11,153

Balance at December 31, 2010
 
$
131,250

 
$
21,961

 
$
14,472

 
$
9,768

 
$

 
$

 
$
177,451

Investments in affiliates
 

 

 

 
5,500

 
25,000

 
12,989

 
43,489

Advances to (distributions from) affiliates, net
 
(16,621
)
 

 
6,498

 

 
3,477

 

 
(6,646
)
Equity in comprehensive income (loss)
 
20,596

 
(2,246
)
 
(4,884
)
 
(2
)
 
(2,153
)
 

 
11,311

Balance at December 31, 2011
 
$
135,225

 
$
19,715

 
$
16,086

 
$
15,266

 
$
26,324

 
$
12,989

 
$
225,605

Investments in affiliates
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advances to (distributions from) affiliates, net
 
(7,151
)
 

 
4,335

 

 
8,798

 
1,708

 
7,690

Equity in comprehensive income (loss)
 
20,989

 
(4,200
)
 
(4,959
)
 
(2
)
 
(2,908
)
 

 
8,920

Balance at December 31, 2012
 
$
149,063

 
$
15,515

 
$
15,462

 
$
15,264

 
$
32,214

 
$
14,697

 
$
242,215

Notes receivable from investees:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Balance at December 31, 2011
 
$

 
$
30,751

 
$

 
$
5,059

 
$

 
$

 
$
35,810

Balance at December 31, 2012
 
$

 
$
38,680

 
$

 
$
5,148

 
$

 
$

 
$
43,828



 The Company holds an equity interest in Knight Hawk Holdings, LLC ("Knight Hawk"), a coal producer in the Illinois Basin. In June 2010, the Company exchanged 68.4 million tons of coal reserves in the Illinois Basin for an additional 9% ownership interest, increasing the Company's ownership in Knight Hawk to 42% from 33.33%. The Company recognized a gain of $41.6 million on the transaction, representing the difference between the fair value and the $12.1 million net book value of the coal reserves, adjusted for the Company's retained ownership interest in the reserves through its investment in Knight Hawk. In December 2010, the Company increased its ownership interest in Knight Hawk to 49% for $26.6 million in cash.
The Company holds a 24% equity interest in DKRW Advanced Fuels LLC ("DKRW"), a company engaged in developing coal-to-liquids facilities. DKRW may borrow funds from the Company under a convertible secured promissory note. Amounts borrowed are due and payable in cash or in additional equity interests on the earlier of June 30, 2013 or upon the closing of DKRW's next financing, bear interest at the rate of 15% per annum, and are secured by DKRW's equity interests in Medicine Bow Fuel & Power LLC. The note balances above are reflected in other receivables on the consolidated balance sheets.
The Company holds a general partnership interest of 21.875% in Dominion Terminal Associates ("DTA"), which is accounted for under the equity method. DTA operates a ground storage-to-vessel coal transloading facility in Newport News, Virginia for use by the partners. Under the terms of a throughput and handling agreement with DTA, each partner is charged its share of cash operating and debt-service costs in exchange for the right to use the facility's loading capacity and is required to make periodic cash advances to DTA to fund such costs.
The Company holds a 35% ownership interest in Tenaska Trailblazer Partners, LLC ("Tenaska"), the developer of the Trailblazer Energy Center, a fossil-fuel-based electric power plant near Sweetwater, Texas. The plant, fueled by low sulfur coal, will capture and store carbon dioxide for enhanced oil recovery applications. Additional future payments are due upon the achievement of project milestones to maintain the Company's interest. The Company made a milestone payment of $5.5 million in 2011. The Company will also pay 35% of the future development costs of the project, not to exceed $12.5 million without prior approval from the Company. The receivables for these development costs, shown above, are reflected in the consolidated balance sheets in other noncurrent assets, as the development costs will either be reimbursed when the project receives construction financing, or they will be considered an additional capital contribution, with ownership percentages adjusted accordingly.
In January 2011, the Company purchased a 38% ownership interest in Millennium Bulk Terminals-Longview, LLC ("Millennium"), the owner of a brownfield bulk commodity terminal on the Columbia River near Longview, Washington, for $25.0 million, plus additional future consideration upon the completion of certain project milestones. Millennium continues to work on obtaining the required approvals and necessary permits to complete dredging and other upgrades to enable coal, alumina and cementitious material shipments through the terminal. The Company will control 38% of the terminal's throughput and storage capacity, in order to facilitate export shipments of coal off the west coast of the United States.
In July 2011, the Company purchased a 35% membership interest in the Tongue River Holding Company, LLC ("Tongue River") joint venture. Tongue River will develop and construct a railway line near Miles City, Montana and the Company's Otter Creek reserves. The Company has the right, upon the receipt of permits and approval for construction or under other prescribed circumstances, to require the other investors to purchase all of the Company's units in the venture at an amount equal to the capital contributions made by the Company at that time, less any distributions received.
The Company may be required to make future contingent payments of up to $72.9 million related to development financing for certain of its equity investees. The Company’s obligation to make these payments, as well as the timing of any payments required, is contingent upon a number of factors, including project development progress, receipt of permits and construction financing.

Summarized financial information of the Company's equity method investees follows:
 
December 31
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
 
(In thousands)
Condensed combined income statement information:
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
190,661

 
$
184,358

 
$
172,933

Gross profit
15,308

 
19,495

 
25,203

Income from operations
8,898

 
13,180

 
20,243

Net income
641

 
6,788

 
16,015

Condensed combined balance sheet information:
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets
$
78,961

 
$
94,644

 
 
Noncurrent assets
387,884

 
331,848

 
 
Total assets
$
466,845

 
$
426,492

 
 
Current liabilities
$
57,403

 
$
51,674

 
 
Noncurrent liabilities
128,489

 
120,494

 
 
Equity
280,690

 
254,163

 
 
Noncontrolling interest
263

 
161

 
 
Total liabilities and equity
$
466,845

 
$
426,492