INCOME TAXES	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
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 between book and tax accounting 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 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 for the full year are 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 using the year-to-date effective tax rate. This method results in an income tax provision based solely on the year-to-date pretax book earnings as adjusted for permanent differences on a pro rata basis. In the first quarters of 2015 and 2014, income taxes were calculated based on the EAETR. We recorded an income tax benefit from continuing operations of $14,075,000 in the first quarter of 2015 compared to an income tax provision from continuing operations of $22,900,000 in the first quarter of 2014. The change in our income tax provision resulted largely from applying the statutory rate to the decrease in our pretax book earnings. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and the amounts used for income tax purposes. 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. Based on our first quarter 2015 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 has been recorded. For 2015, we currently project a valuation allowance of $64,977,000 against our state net operating loss carryforwards, an increase of $8,110,000 from the prior year end. This change in the valuation allowance is reflected as a component of our income tax provision. Of the $64,977,000 valuation allowance, $63,572,000 relates to our Alabama net operating loss carryforward. We are evaluating a tax planning strategy that may allow for utilization of some or all of our Alabama net operating loss carryforward. Should this strategy become prudent and feasible in the future, the amount of the valuation allowance against the Alabama net operating loss carryforward will be remeasured. We recognize a tax benefit associated with a tax position when, in our judgment, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained based upon the technical merits of the position. For a tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold, we measure the income tax benefit as the largest amount that we judge to have a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized. A liability is established for the unrecognized portion of any tax benefit. Our liability for 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. 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, 2014.

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 between book and tax accounting 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 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 for the full year are 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 using the year-to-date effective tax rate. This method results in an income tax provision based solely on the year-to-date pretax book earnings as adjusted for permanent differences on a pro rata basis. In the first quarters of 2015 and 2014, income taxes were calculated based on the EAETR.

We recorded an income tax benefit from continuing operations of $14,075,000 in the first quarter of 2015 compared to an income tax provision from continuing operations of $22,900,000 in the first quarter of 2014. The change in our income tax provision resulted largely from applying the statutory rate to the decrease in our pretax book earnings.

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and the amounts used for income tax purposes. 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.

Based on our first quarter 2015 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 has been recorded. For 2015, we currently project a valuation allowance of $64,977,000 against our state net operating loss carryforwards, an increase of $8,110,000 from the prior year end. This change in the valuation allowance is reflected as a component of our income tax provision.

Of the $64,977,000 valuation allowance, $63,572,000 relates to our Alabama net operating loss carryforward. We are evaluating a tax planning strategy that may allow for utilization of some or all of our Alabama net operating loss carryforward. Should this strategy become prudent and feasible in the future, the amount of the valuation allowance against the Alabama net operating loss carryforward will be remeasured.

We recognize a tax benefit associated with a tax position when, in our judgment, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained based upon the technical merits of the position. For a tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold, we measure the income tax benefit as the largest amount that we judge to have a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized. A liability is established for the unrecognized portion of any tax benefit. Our liability for 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.

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, 2014.