Accounts Receivable Securitization

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SECURITIZATION: [Abstract]

Accounts Receivable Securitization

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SECURITIZATION:

CONSOL Energy and certain of our U.S. subsidiaries are party to a trade accounts receivable facility with financial institutions for the sale on a continuous basis of eligible trade accounts receivable. The facility allows CONSOL Energy to receive on a revolving basis up to $200,000. The facility also allows for the issuance of letters of credit against the $200,000 capacity. At December 31, 2011, there were no letters of credit outstanding against the facility.

CNX Funding Corporation, a wholly owned, special purpose, bankruptcy-remote subsidiary, buys and sells eligible trade receivables generated by certain subsidiaries of CONSOL Energy. Under the receivables facility, CONSOL Energy and certain subsidiaries, irrevocably and without recourse, sell all of their eligible trade accounts receivable to CNX Funding Corporation, who in turn sells these receivables to financial institutions and their affiliates, while maintaining a subordinated interest in a portion of the pool of trade receivables. This retained interest, which is included in Accounts and Notes Receivable Trade in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, is recorded at fair value. Due to a short average collection cycle for such receivables, our collection experience history and the composition of the designated pool of trade accounts receivable that are part of this program, the fair value of our retained interest approximates the total amount of the designated pool of accounts receivable. CONSOL Energy will continue to service the sold trade receivables for the financial institutions for a fee based upon market rates for similar services.

In accordance with the Transfers and Servicing Topic of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification, CONSOL Energy records transactions under the securitization facility as secured borrowings on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The pledge of collateral is reported as Accounts Receivable - Securitized and the borrowings are classified as debt in Borrowings under Securitization Facility.

The cost of funds under this facility is based upon commercial paper rates, plus a charge for administrative services paid to the financial institutions. Costs associated with the receivables facility totaled $1,986, $2,676 and $2,990 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. These costs have been recorded as financing fees which are included in Cost of Goods Sold and Other Operating Charges in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The receivables facility expires in April 2012.

At December 31, 2011 and 2010, eligible accounts receivable totaled $192,700 and $200,000, respectively. There was subordinated retained interest of $192,700 at December 31, 2011 and there was no subordinated retained interest at December 31, 2010. There were no borrowings under the securitization facility recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2011. Accounts Receivable - Securitization and Borrowings under Securitization Facility of $200,000 were recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2010. Also, a $200,000 decrease, $150,000 increase and $115,000 decrease in the accounts receivable securitization facility for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively, are reflected in the Net Cash (Used In) Provided By Financing Activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. In accordance with the facility agreement, the Company is able to receive proceeds based upon the eligible accounts receivable at the previous month end