INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	Note 3: Income Taxes Our estimated annual effective tax rate (EAETR) is based on full year expectations of pretax book earnings, statutory tax rates, permanent differences such as percentage depletion and tax planning alternatives available in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. For interim financial reporting, except in circumstances as described in the following paragraph, we calculate our quarterly income tax provision in accordance with the EAETR. Each quarter, we update our EAETR based on our revised full year expectation of pretax book earnings and calculate the income tax provision or benefit so that the year-to-date income tax provision reflects the EAETR. Significant judgment is required in determining our EAETR. When expected pretax book earnings or loss for the full year is at or near breakeven, the EAETR can distort the income tax provision for an interim period due to the size and nature of our permanent differences. In these circumstances, we calculate the interim income tax provision or benefit using the year-to-date effective tax rate. This method results in an income tax provision or benefit based solely on the year-to-date pretax book earnings or loss as adjusted for permanent differences on a pro rata basis. In the third quarter of 2013, income taxes were calculated based on the year-to-date effective tax rate. In the third quarter of 2012, income taxes were calculated based on the EAETR. We recorded an income tax provision from continuing operations of $10,793,000 in the third quarter of 2013 compared to an income tax benefit from continuing operations of $10,992,000 in the third quarter of 2012. After applying the statutory rate to the pretax earnings, the decrease in the income tax benefit (to a provision) mainly relates to the different methodologies used to calculate income taxes in the two periods. We recorded income tax benefits from continuing operations of $21,874,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to income tax benefits of $67,138,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. After applying the statutory rate to the pretax losses, the decrease in our income tax benefit mainly relates to the different methodologies used to calculate income taxes in the two periods. We recognize an income tax benefit associated with an uncertain tax position when, in our judgment, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority. For a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we initially and subsequently measure the income tax benefit as the largest amount that we judge to have a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority. Our liability associated with unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted periodically due to changing circumstances, such as the progress of tax audits, case law developments and new or emerging legislation. Such adjustments are recognized entirely in the period in which they are identified. Our income tax provision includes the net impact of changes in the liability for unrecognized benefits and subsequent adjustments as we consider appropriate. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets represent items to be used as a tax deduction or credit in future tax returns. Realization of the deferred tax assets ultimately depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character in either the carryback or carryforward period. Each quarter we analyze the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be realized. A valuation allowance is recorded if, based on the weight of all available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion, or all, of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. A summary of our deferred tax assets is included in Note 9 “Income Taxes” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. On an annual basis, we perform a complete analysis of all forms of positive and negative evidence based on year end results. During each interim period, we update our annual analysis for significant changes to the positive and negative evidence. Based on our third quarter 2013 analysis, we believe it is more likely than not that we will realize the benefit of all our deferred tax assets with the exception of the state net operating loss carryforwards for which a valuation allowance was previously recorded. For 2013, we project these state net operating loss carryforwards (and the associated valuation allowance) to increase by $7,567,000. This change in the valuation allowance is reflected as a component of our income tax provision. In the future, if we determine that realization is more likely than not for deferred tax assets with a valuation allowance, the related valuation allowance will be reduced and we will record a benefit to earnings. Conversely, if we determine that it is more likely than not that we will not be able to realize a portion of our deferred tax assets, we will increase the valuation allowance and record a charge to earnings.

Note 3: Income Taxes

Our estimated annual effective tax rate (EAETR) is based on full year expectations of pretax book earnings, statutory tax rates, permanent differences such as percentage depletion and tax planning alternatives available in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. For interim financial reporting, except in circumstances as described in the following paragraph, we calculate our quarterly income tax provision in accordance with the EAETR. Each quarter, we update our EAETR based on our revised full year expectation of pretax book earnings and calculate the income tax provision or benefit so that the year-to-date income tax provision reflects the EAETR. Significant judgment is required in determining our EAETR.

When expected pretax book earnings or loss for the full year is at or near breakeven, the EAETR can distort the income tax provision for an interim period due to the size and nature of our permanent differences. In these circumstances, we calculate the interim income tax provision or benefit using the year-to-date effective tax rate. This method results in an income tax provision or benefit based solely on the year-to-date pretax book earnings or loss as adjusted for permanent differences on a pro rata basis. In the third quarter of 2013, income taxes were calculated based on the year-to-date effective tax rate. In the third quarter of 2012, income taxes were calculated based on the EAETR.

We recorded an income tax provision from continuing operations of $10,793,000 in the third quarter of 2013 compared to an income tax benefit from continuing operations of $10,992,000 in the third quarter of 2012. After applying the statutory rate to the pretax earnings, the decrease in the income tax benefit (to a provision) mainly relates to the different methodologies used to calculate income taxes in the two periods.

We recorded income tax benefits from continuing operations of $21,874,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to income tax benefits of $67,138,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. After applying the statutory rate to the pretax losses, the decrease in our income tax benefit mainly relates to the different methodologies used to calculate income taxes in the two periods.

We recognize an income tax benefit associated with an uncertain tax position when, in our judgment, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority. For a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we initially and subsequently measure the income tax benefit as the largest amount that we judge to have a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority. Our liability associated with unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted periodically due to changing circumstances, such as the progress of tax audits, case law developments and new or emerging legislation. Such adjustments are recognized entirely in the period in which they are identified. Our income tax provision includes the net impact of changes in the liability for unrecognized benefits and subsequent adjustments as we consider appropriate.

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets represent items to be used as a tax deduction or credit in future tax returns. Realization of the deferred tax assets ultimately depends on the existence of sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character in either the carryback or carryforward period.

Each quarter we analyze the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be realized. A valuation allowance is recorded if, based on the weight of all available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion, or all, of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. A summary of our deferred tax assets is included in Note 9 “Income Taxes” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

On an annual basis, we perform a complete analysis of all forms of positive and negative evidence based on year end results. During each interim period, we update our annual analysis for significant changes to the positive and negative evidence.

Based on our third quarter 2013 analysis, we believe it is more likely than not that we will realize the benefit of all our deferred tax assets with the exception of the state net operating loss carryforwards for which a valuation allowance was previously recorded. For 2013, we project these state net operating loss carryforwards (and the associated valuation allowance) to increase by $7,567,000. This change in the valuation allowance is reflected as a component of our income tax provision.

In the future, if we determine that realization is more likely than not for deferred tax assets with a valuation allowance, the related valuation allowance will be reduced and we will record a benefit to earnings. Conversely, if we determine that it is more likely than not that we will not be able to realize a portion of our deferred tax assets, we will increase the valuation allowance and record a charge to earnings.