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CONSOLIDATED DEBT (Notes)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]  
CONSOLIDATED DEBT
NOTE 11. CONSOLIDATED DEBT
2012 Debt Refinancings
During the first quarter of 2012, we completed a refinancing of our previously existing senior secured credit facilities issued by our subsidiary, Covanta Energy, which consisted of a $300 million revolving credit facility, a $320 million funded letter of credit facility and a $619 million term loan ($650 million original amount), by entering into $1.2 billion in new senior secured credit facilities (the “2012 Credit Facilities”; see below for details) issued by our subsidiary, Covanta Energy, comprised of a $900 million revolving credit facility that expires in 2017 (the “Revolving Credit Facility”) and a $300 million term loan due 2019 (the “Term Loan”), and by issuing $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.375% senior notes due 2022 (the “6.375% Notes”; see below for details). The proceeds from the Term Loan and a portion of the proceeds from the 6.375% Notes were used to repay the previously existing term loan, as well as to pay transaction expenses, while the Revolving Credit Facility replaced the previously existing $300 million revolving credit facility and $320 million funded letter of credit facility.
In November 2012, we issued new tax-exempt corporate bonds totaling $335 million. Proceeds from the offerings were utilized to refinance tax-exempt project debt at our Haverhill, Niagara and SEMASS facilities, as well as to fund certain capital expenditures in Massachusetts. See Tax-Exempt Bonds discussion below.
Consolidated Debt
Consolidated debt is as follows (in millions):
 
As of December 31,
 
2012
 
2011
LONG-TERM DEBT:
 
 
 
Revolving credit facility
$
60

 
$

 
 
 
 
Term loan
298

 
619

Debt discount related to Term loan
(1
)
 

Term loan, net
297

 
619

 
 
 
 
Credit Facilities Sub-total
$
357

 
$
619

 
 
 
 
7.25% Senior Notes due 2020
$
400

 
$
400

 
 
 
 
6.375% Senior Notes due 2022
400

 

 
 
 
 
3.25% Cash Convertible Senior Notes due 2014
460

 
460

Debt discount related to 3.25% Cash Convertible Senior Notes
(42
)
 
(67
)
Cash conversion option derivative at fair value
105

 
49

3.25% Cash Convertible Senior Notes, net
523

 
442

 
 
 
 
1.00% Senior Convertible Debentures due 2027

 
25

 
 
 
 
Notes and Debentures Sub-total
$
1,323

 
$
867

 
 
 
 
4.00% - 5.25% Tax-Exempt Bonds due from 2024 to 2042
$
335

 
$

 
 
 
 
Total long-term debt
$
2,015

 
$
1,486

Less: current portion
(3
)
 
(32
)
Noncurrent long-term debt
$
2,012

 
$
1,454

 
 
 
 
PROJECT DEBT:
 
 
 
Americas project debt
 
 
 
3.00-7.00% Americas project debt related to Service Fee structures due 2013 through 2022
$
223

 
$
291

5.875% Americas project debt related to Tip Fee structures due 2013 through 2014
68

 
355

Unamortized debt premium, net
3

 
8

Total Americas project debt
294

 
654

Other project debt
23

 
26

Total project debt
317

 
680

Less: Current project debt (includes $1 and $3 of unamortized premium, respectively)
(80
)
 
(147
)
Noncurrent project debt
$
237

 
$
533

 
 
 
 
TOTAL CONSOLIDATED DEBT
$
2,332

 
$
2,166

Less: Current debt
(83
)
 
(179
)
TOTAL NONCURRENT CONSOLIDATED DEBT
$
2,249

 
$
1,987



LONG-TERM DEBT
2012 Credit Facilities
The following is a comparison of our previously existing credit facilities and the 2012 Credit Facilities issued by our subsidiary, Covanta Energy (in millions):
 
Credit Facilities
As of December 31,
 
2012
 
2011
Term loan
$
300

 
$
650

Revolving credit facility total capacity
$
900

 
$
300

Funded letter of credit facility
N/A

 
$
320

Total capacity to issue letters of credit
$
900

 
$
520


The Revolving Credit Facility is available for the issuance of letters of credit up to the full amount of the facility, provides for a $50 million sub-limit for the issuance of swing line loans (a loan that can be requested in US Dollars on a same day basis for a short drawing period); and is available in US Dollars, Euros, Pounds Sterling, Canadian Dollars and certain other currencies to be agreed upon, in each case for either borrowings or for the issuance of letters of credit.
We have the option to issue additional term loans and/or increase the size of the Revolving Credit Facility (collectively, the “Incremental Facilities”), subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions and obtaining sufficient lender commitments, in an amount up to the greater of $500 million and the amount that, after giving effect to the incurrence of such Incremental Facilities, would not result in a leverage ratio, as defined in the credit agreement governing the 2012 Credit Facilities (the “Credit Agreement”), exceeding 2.75:1.00.
The proceeds of the Term Loan were used, together with a portion of the proceeds of the 6.375% Notes offering (see 6.375% Senior Notes due 2022 below for details), to refinance the previously existing credit facilities and to pay the related fees and expenses. The proceeds under the Revolving Credit Facility are available for working capital and general corporate purposes of Covanta Energy and its subsidiaries.
 
Availability under Revolving Credit Facility
As of December 31, 2012, we had availability under the Revolving Credit Facility as follows (in millions):
 
Total
Available
Under  Credit Facility
 
Maturing      
 
Outstanding Borrowings as of
December 31, 2012
 
Outstanding Letters of Credit as of
December 31, 2012
 
Available as of
December 31, 2012
Revolving Credit Facility
$
900

 
2017
 
$
60

 
$
256

 
$
584


During the year ended December 31, 2012, we utilized $251 million of the Revolving Credit Facility, of which we subsequently repaid $191 million prior to the end of the period.
Repayment Terms
As of December 31, 2012, the Term Loan has mandatory amortization payments remaining as follows (in millions):
 
2013
 
2014
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
Total  
Annual Remaining Amortization
$
3

 
$
3

 
$
3

 
$
3

 
$
3

 
$
3

 
$
280

 
$
298


The 2012 Credit Facilities (both the Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facility) are pre-payable at our option at any time. In the event that all or any portion of the Term Loan is voluntarily prepaid in relation to a repricing or refinancing transaction resulting in lower pricing for us on or prior to March 28, 2013, however, we shall pay a fee to the lenders equal to 1.00% of the amount so prepaid.
Under certain circumstances, the 2012 Credit Facilities obligate us to apply 25% of our excess cash flow (as defined in the Credit Agreement) for each fiscal year commencing in 2013, as well as net cash proceeds from specified other sources, such as asset sales or insurance proceeds, to prepay the Term Loan, provided that this excess cash flow percentage shall be reduced to 0% in the event the Leverage Ratio (as defined below under Credit Agreement Covenants) is at or below 3.00:1.00.
Interest and Fees
Borrowings under the 2012 Credit Facilities bear interest, at our option, at either a base rate or a Eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin determined by pricing grids, which are based on Covanta Energy’s leverage ratio. Base rate is defined as the higher of (i) the Federal Funds Effective Rate plus 0.50%, (ii) the rate the administrative agent announces from time to time as its per annum “prime rate” or (iii) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1.00%. Eurodollar rate borrowings bear interest at the British Bankers’ Association LIBOR Rate, commonly referred to as “LIBOR”, for the interest period selected by us. Base rate borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility shall bear interest at the base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.25% to 1.75%. Eurodollar borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility shall bear interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin ranging from 2.00% to 2.75%. Fees for issuances of letters of credit include fronting fees equal to 0.125% per annum and a participation fee for the lenders equal to the applicable interest margin for LIBOR rate borrowings. We will incur an unused commitment fee ranging from 0.375% to 0.50% on the unused amount of commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility. The Term Loan bears interest, at our option, at either (i) the base rate plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.75% to 2.00%, or (ii) LIBOR plus an applicable margin ranging from 2.75% to 3.00%, subject to a LIBOR floor of 1.00%.
Guarantees and Securitization
The 2012 Credit Facilities are guaranteed by us and by certain of our subsidiaries. The subsidiaries that are party to the 2012 Credit Facilities agreed to secure all of the obligations under the 2012 Credit Facilities by granting, for the benefit of secured parties, a first priority lien on substantially all of their assets, to the extent permitted by existing contractual obligations; a pledge of substantially all of the capital stock of each of our domestic subsidiaries and 65% of substantially all the capital stock of each of our foreign subsidiaries which are directly owned, in each case to the extent not otherwise pledged.
Credit Agreement Covenants
The loan documentation under the 2012 Credit Facilities contains various affirmative and negative covenants, as well as financial maintenance covenants, that limit our ability to engage in certain types of transactions. We were in compliance with all required covenants as of December 31, 2012.
The negative covenants of the 2012 Credit Facilities limit our and our restricted subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things:
incur additional indebtedness (including guarantee obligations);
create certain liens against or security interests over certain property;
pay dividends on, redeem, or repurchase our capital stock or make other restricted junior payments; 
enter into agreements that restrict the ability of our subsidiaries to make distributions or other payments to us;
make investments;
consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of our assets and the assets of our subsidiaries on a consolidated basis;
dispose of certain assets; and
make certain acquisitions.
The financial maintenance covenants of the 2012 Credit Facilities, which are measured on a trailing four quarter period basis, include the following:
a maximum Leverage Ratio of 4.00 to 1.00 for the trailing four quarter period, which measures the principal amount of Covanta Energy’s consolidated debt less certain restricted funds dedicated to repayment of project debt principal and construction costs (“Consolidated Adjusted Debt”) to its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as calculated in the Credit Agreement (“Adjusted EBITDA”). The definition of Adjusted EBITDA in the 2012 Credit Facilities excludes certain non-recurring and non-cash charges.
a minimum Interest Coverage Ratio of 3.00 to 1.00, which measures Covanta Energy’s Adjusted EBITDA to its consolidated interest expense plus certain interest expense of ours, to the extent paid by Covanta Energy as calculated in the Credit Agreement.
Senior Notes and Debentures
7.25% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “7.25% Notes”)
In 2010, we sold $400 million aggregate principal amount of 7.25% Senior Notes due 2020. Interest on the 7.25% Notes is payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing on June 1, 2011 and the 7.25% Notes will mature on December 1, 2020 unless earlier redeemed or repurchased. In 2010, we used $317 million of the net proceeds of the 7.25% Notes offering to purchase 85% of the total outstanding 1.00% Senior Convertible Debentures due 2027 (described below), for an aggregate purchase price of $313 million plus $1 million in accrued and unpaid interest. The remaining net proceeds were used for general corporate purposes. Net proceeds from the sale of the 7.25% Notes were $390 million, consisting of gross proceeds of $400 million net of $10 million in offering expenses.
At our option, the 7.25% Notes are subject to redemption at any time on or after December 1, 2015, in whole or in part, at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. At any time prior to December 1, 2013, we may redeem up to 35% of the original principal amount of the 7.25% Notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 107.25% of the principal amount of the 7.25% Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. In addition, at any time prior to December 1, 2015, we may redeem some or all of the 7.25% Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, plus a “make-whole” premium.
Other terms and conditions of the 7.25% Notes, including guarantees and security, covenants, and repurchase requirements in the case of certain asset sales or a change of control, are substantially similar to those described below under 6.375% Notes.
6.375% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “6.375% Notes”)
In March 2012, we sold $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.375% Senior Notes due 2022. Interest on the 6.375% Notes is payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing on October 1, 2012, and the 6.375% Notes will mature on October 1, 2022 unless earlier redeemed or repurchased. Net proceeds from the sale of the 6.375% Notes were $392 million, consisting of gross proceeds of $400 million net of $8 million in offering expenses. We used a portion of the net proceeds of the 6.375% Notes offering to repay a portion of the amounts outstanding under Covanta Energy’s previously existing term loan.
The 6.375% Notes are senior unsecured obligations, ranking equally in right of payment with any of the future senior unsecured indebtedness of Covanta Holding Corporation. The 6.375% Notes are effectively junior to our existing and future secured indebtedness, including any guarantee of indebtedness under the credit facilities of our subsidiary, Covanta Energy. The 6.375% Notes are not guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries and are effectively subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries.
The indenture for the 6.375% Notes may limit our ability and the ability of certain of our subsidiaries to:
incur additional indebtedness;
pay dividends or make other distributions or repurchase or redeem their capital stock;
prepay, redeem or repurchase certain debt;
make loans and investments;
sell restricted assets;
incur liens;
enter into transactions with affiliates;
alter the businesses they conduct;
enter into agreements restricting our subsidiaries’ ability to pay dividends; and
consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of their assets.
If and for so long as the 6.375% Notes have an investment grade rating and no default under the indenture has occurred, certain of the covenants will be suspended. At our option, the 6.375% Notes are subject to redemption at any time on or after April 1, 2017, in whole or in part, at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. At any time prior to April 1, 2015, we may redeem up to 35% of the original principal amount of the 6.375% Notes with the proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price of 106.375% of their principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. In addition, at any time prior to April 1, 2017, we may redeem some or all of the 6.375% Notes at a price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, plus a “make-whole premium”.
If we sell certain of our assets or experience specific kinds of changes in control, we must offer to purchase the 6.375% Notes. The occurrence of specific kinds of changes in control will be a triggering event requiring us to offer to purchase from the holders all or a portion of the 6.375% Notes at a price equal to 101% of their principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase. In addition, certain asset dispositions will be triggering events that may require us to use the proceeds from those asset dispositions to make an offer to purchase the 6.375% Notes at 100% of their principal amount, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of purchase if such proceeds are not otherwise used within 365 days to repay indebtedness or to invest or commit to invest such proceeds in additional assets related to our business or capital stock of a restricted subsidiary.
3.25% Cash Convertible Senior Notes due 2014 (the “3.25% Notes”)
In 2009, we issued $460 million aggregate principal amount of the 3.25% Notes due in 2014 in a private transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. We have used the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures, permitted investments or permitted acquisitions.
The 3.25% Notes constitute general unsecured senior obligations and rank equally in right of payment with our existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness. The 3.25% Notes are effectively junior to our existing and future secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. The 3.25% Notes are not guaranteed by any of our subsidiaries and are effectively subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and liabilities (including trade payables) of our subsidiaries.
Interest for the 3.25% Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears, on June 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing on December 1, 2009 until they mature on June 1, 2014. Under limited circumstances, we may be required to pay contingent interest on the 3.25% Notes as a result of failure to comply with the reporting obligations in the indenture, failure to file required Securities and Exchange Commission documents and reports or if the holders cannot freely trade the 3.25% Notes. When applicable, the contingent interest payable per $1,000 principal amount of 3.25% Notes ranges from 0.25% to 0.50% per annum over the applicable term as provided under the indenture for the 3.25% Notes. The contingent interest features of the 3.25% Notes are embedded derivative instruments. The fair value of the contingent interest features of the 3.25% Notes was $0 as of December 31, 2012.
Under limited circumstances, the 3.25% Notes are convertible by the holders thereof into cash only, based on a conversion rate of 62.5216 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 3.25% Notes (which represents a conversion price of approximately $15.99 per share) subject to certain customary adjustments as provided in the indenture for the 3.25% Notes. The conversion rate for the 3.25% Notes was adjusted to its current level in connection the quarterly cash dividend payable on December 26, 2012 and became effective on December 14, 2012. We will not deliver common stock (or any other securities) upon conversion under any circumstances.
Holders may convert their 3.25% Notes only under the following circumstances:
prior to March 1, 2014, on any date during any fiscal quarter commencing at any time after June 30, 2009 and only during such fiscal quarter if the closing sale price of our common stock for at least 20 trading days during the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the immediately preceding fiscal quarter is greater than or equal to 130% of the then effective conversion price; or
upon the occurrence of specified corporate transactions (as provided in the indenture for the 3.25% Notes); or
upon certain fundamental changes (as defined in the indenture for the 3.25% Notes in which case the conversion rate will be increased as provided in the indenture); or
during the five consecutive business day period following any five consecutive trading day period in which the trading price for the 3.25% Notes for each day during such five day period was less than 95% of the product of the closing sale price of our common stock on such day multiplied by the then effective conversion rate; or
at any time on or after March 1, 2014.
The 3.25% Notes are also subject to repurchase by us, at the holder’s option, if a fundamental change occurs, for cash at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 3.25% Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including contingent interest, if any).
The 3.25% Notes are recognized as long-term debt in our consolidated financial statements. The difference between the face value of the 3.25% Notes ($460 million as of the date of issuance of the 3.25% Notes) and the amount recognized in the financial statements ($336 million as of the date of the issuance of the 3.25% Notes) is the debt discount ($124 million as of the date of the issuance of the 3.25% Notes) which is accreted to the 3.25% Notes over their life and recognized as non-cash convertible debt related expense. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the pre-tax non-cash convertible debt related expense recognized in our consolidated statements of income related to the 3.25% Notes was $26 million, $24 million, and $21 million, respectively. The amount of the debt discount accretion expected to be included in our consolidated financial statements is $29 million and $13 million for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2014, respectively.
The 3.25% Notes are convertible into cash only, and therefore the cash conversion option that is part of the 3.25% Notes is accounted for as a derivative. The initial valuation of the cash conversion option (the “Cash Conversion Option”) is an embedded derivative of $124 million, which is recognized as long-term debt in our consolidated financial statements. The Cash Conversion Option is recorded at fair value quarterly with any change in fair value being recognized in our consolidated statements of income as non-cash convertible debt related expense. As of December 31, 2012, the fair value of the Cash Conversion Option was $105 million. See Note 12. Financial Instruments and Note 13. Derivative Instruments for additional information regarding the Cash Conversion Option.
In connection with the issuance of 3.25% Notes offering, we entered into privately negotiated cash convertible note hedge transactions (the “Note Hedge”) with affiliates of certain of the initial purchasers of the 3.25% Notes (the “Option Counterparties”) that are expected to reduce our exposure to potential cash payments in excess of the principal amount of the 3.25% Notes that may be required to be made by us upon the cash conversion of the 3.25% Notes. The Note Hedge consisted of our purchase for $112 million of cash settled call options on our common stock (initially correlating to the same number of shares as those initially underlying the 3.25% Notes subject to generally similar customary adjustments) that have economic characteristics similar to those of the Cash Conversion Option embedded in the 3.25% Notes. The Note Hedge was recorded as a noncurrent asset in our consolidated financial statements for $112 million. The Note Hedge is also accounted for as a derivative instrument and as such, is recorded at fair value quarterly with any change in fair value being recognized in our consolidated statements of income as non-cash convertible debt related expense. As of December 31, 2012, the fair value of the Note Hedge was $104 million. See Note 12. Financial Instruments and Note 13. Derivative Instruments for additional information regarding the Note Hedge.
We expect the gain or loss associated with changes to the valuation of the Note Hedge to substantially offset the gain or loss associated with changes to the valuation of the Cash Conversion Option. However, they will not be completely offsetting as a result of changes in the credit spreads of the Option Counterparties.
In connection with the issuance of 3.25% Notes offering, we also sold warrants (the “Warrants”) to the Option Counterparties, in privately negotiated transactions, initially correlating to the same number of shares as those initially underlying the 3.25% Notes, which could have a dilutive effect to the extent that the market price of our common stock exceeds the then effective strike price of the Warrants. The Warrants were sold for aggregate proceeds of $54 million. The strike price of the Warrants was approximately $25.74 per share and was subject to customary adjustments. As a result of cash dividends paid since the Warrants were issued, the conversion rate for the Warrants has been adjusted to $22.99 and a strike price of $22.20 which settle on a net share basis. The Warrants are exercisable only at expiration in equal tranches over 60 days beginning on September 2, 2014 and ending on November 26, 2014. The Warrants are only net share settled which means that, with respect to any exercise date, we will deliver to the Warrant holders a number of shares for each warrant equal to the excess (if any) of the volume weighted average price of the shares on the exercise date over the then effective strike price of the Warrants, divided by such volume weighted average price of the shares, with a cash payment in lieu of fractional shares. Accordingly, the Warrants were recorded as additional paid-in capital in our consolidated financial statements for $54 million. The Warrant transactions meet the definition of an equity derivative under current accounting principles because they were indexed to our common stock. As such, the Warrants were recorded at their fair value upon their issuance in 2009 within equity in our consolidated balance sheet and are not re-measured at fair value on a quarterly basis.
Net proceeds from the above transactions were $387 million, consisting of gross proceeds of $460 million from the 3.25% Notes and $54 million of proceeds from the Warrants, less the $112 million purchase price for the Note Hedge and $14 million of purchase discounts and other offering expenses.
The Note Hedge transactions and the Warrant transactions are separate transactions, each of which we have entered into with the Option Counterparties, and are not part of the terms of the Notes and will not affect any rights of holders’ under the 3.25% Notes. Holders of the 3.25% Notes do not have any rights with respect to the Note Hedge transactions or Warrant transactions.
1.00% Senior Convertible Debentures due 2027 (the “Debentures”)
In 2007, we completed an underwritten public offering of $374 million aggregate principal amount of Debentures. In November 2010, we commenced a tender offer to purchase for cash any and all of our outstanding 1.00% Senior Convertible Debentures due 2027. During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, $25 million, $32 million and $317 million, respectively, of the Debentures were purchased. We used a portion of the net proceeds of the 7.25% Note offering discussed above to fund the purchase price and accrued and unpaid interest of the Debentures.
Tax-Exempt Bonds
In November 2012, we issued new tax-exempt corporate bonds totaling $335 million. Proceeds from the offerings were utilized to refinance tax-exempt project debt at our Haverhill, Niagara and SEMASS facilities, as well as to fund certain capital expenditures in Massachusetts. Approximately $7 million of financing costs were incurred which will be recognized over the term of the new debt, of which $3 million was expensed and $4 million will be recognized over the term of the new debt. Details of the new issues and redeemed project debt are as follows (dollars in millions):
Series
 
Amount
 
Maturity
 
Coupon
 
Use of Proceeds
Massachusetts Series 2012A
 
$
20

 
2027
 
4.875%
 
New proceeds for qualifying capital expenditures in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Series 2012B
 
67

 
2042
 
4.875%
 
Redeem SEMASS project debt
Massachusetts Series 2012C
 
83

 
2042
 
5.25%
 
Redeem Haverhill project debt
Niagara Series 2012A
 
130

 
2042
 
5.25%
 
Redeem Niagara project debt
Niagara Series 2012B
 
35

 
2024
 
4.00%
 
Redeem Niagara project debt
 
 
$
335

 
 
 
 
 
 

We entered into a loan agreement with the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency under which they issued the Resource Recovery Revenue Bonds (the “Massachusetts Series” bonds in the table above) and loaned the proceeds of the Massachusetts Series bonds to us for the purposes of (i) financing qualifying capital expenditures at certain solid waste disposal facilities in Massachusetts and (ii) redeeming the outstanding principal balance of the SEMASS and Haverhill project debt.
We entered into a loan agreement with the Niagara Area Development Corporation under which they issued the Solid Waste Disposal Facility Refunding Revenue Bonds (the “Niagara Series” bonds in the table above) and loaned the proceeds of the Niagara Series bonds to us for the purpose of redeeming the outstanding principal balance of the Niagara project debt.
The Massachusetts Series bonds and the Niagara Series bonds are obligations of Covanta Holding Corporation, are guaranteed by Covanta Energy, and are not secured by project assets. Principal and interest on the Massachusetts Series bonds and the Niagara Series bonds are payable from the loan repayments received by the Massachusetts Development Finance Agency and Niagara Area Development Corporation, respectively, from us pursuant to the respective loan agreements.
The Massachusetts Series bonds and the Niagara Series bonds bear interest at the interest rates per annum set forth in the table above, payable semi-annually on May 1 and November 1 of each year, commencing on May 1, 2013.
Each of the loan agreements contains customary events of default, including failure to make any payments when due, failure to perform its covenants under the respective loan agreement, and the bankruptcy or insolvency. Additionally, each of the loan agreements contains cross-default provisions that relate to our other indebtedness. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, the unpaid balance of the loan under the applicable loan agreement will become due and payable immediately.
The Massachusetts Series bonds and the Niagara Series bonds contain certain terms including mandatory redemption requirements in the event that (i) the respective loan agreement is determined to be invalid, or (ii) the respective bonds are determined to be taxable. In the event of a mandatory redemption of the bonds, we will have an obligation under each respective loan agreement to prepay the respective loan in order to fund the redemption.
PROJECT DEBT
The maturities of long-term project debt as of December 31, 2012 are as follows (in millions):
 
 

2013
 

2014
 

2015
 

2016
 

2017
 
Thereafter
 

Total
 
Less:
Current
Portion
 
Total
Noncurrent
Project Debt
Debt
 
$
79

 
$
57

 
$
40

 
$
17

 
$
19

 
$
102

 
$
314

 
$
(79
)
 
$
235

Premium
 
1

 
1

 
1

 

 

 

 
3

 
(1
)
 
2

Total
 
$
80

 
$
58

 
$
41

 
$
17

 
$
19

 
$
102

 
$
317

 
$
(80
)
 
$
237


Project debt associated with the financing of energy-from-waste facilities is arranged by municipal entities through the issuance of tax-exempt and taxable revenue bonds or other borrowings. For those facilities we own, that project debt is recorded as a liability on our consolidated financial statements. Generally, debt service for project debt related to Service Fee structures is the primary responsibility of municipal entities, whereas debt service for project debt related to Tip Fee structures is paid by our project subsidiary from project revenue expected to be sufficient to cover such expense.
Payment obligations for our project debt associated with energy-from-waste facilities are generally limited recourse to the operating subsidiary and non-recourse to us, subject to operating performance guarantees and commitments. These obligations are secured by the revenues pledged under various indentures and are collateralized principally by a mortgage lien and a security interest in each of the respective energy-from-waste facilities and related assets. As of December 31, 2012, such revenue bonds were collateralized by property, plant and equipment with a net carrying value of $780 million and restricted funds held in trust of approximately $183 million.
In November 2012, we issued new tax-exempt corporate bonds totaling $335 million. Proceeds from the offerings were utilized to refinance tax-exempt project debt at our Haverhill, Niagara and SEMASS facilities, as well as to fund certain capital expenditures in Massachusetts. For details of the redeemed project debt, see Note 11. Consolidated Debt - Tax-Exempt Bonds.
In December 2010, one of our client communities refinanced project debt ($30 million outstanding) with the proceeds from new bonds and cash on hand. As a result of the refinancing, the client community issued $28 million tax exempt bonds bearing interest from 2% to 4% due in 2015 in order to pay down the existing project debt. Consistent with other private, non-tip fee structures, the client community will pay us debt service revenue equivalent to the principal and interest on the bonds.
Other project debt includes $23 million due to financial institutions denominated in Rmb, relating to the construction of a 350 tpd energy-from-waste line in Taixing Municipality, in Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China. The debt bears a floating interest rate based on a 5% discount on the benchmark interest rate (for loans with repayment period terms of five years or more) announced by the People’s Bank of China. As of December 31, 2012, the benchmark interest rate is 6.55% and the interest rate applicable to the outstanding loan was 6.90%. The construction related debt is payable in scheduled annual installments until 2019. The entire debt is secured by the project assets for the entire term of the loan and is backed by a guarantee from Covanta Energy Asia Pacific Holdings, Limited (China) effective until one year after maturity date of the loan.
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
The components of loss on extinguishment of debt are as follows (in millions):
 
For the Years Ended
December 31,
 
2012
 
2011
 
2010
2012 Credit Facility refinancing (1)
$
2

 
$

 
$

2012 Project Debt refinancing (2)
1

 

 

Tender offer to purchase outstanding Debentures (3)

 
1

 
15

Total loss on extinguishment of debt
$
3

 
$
1

 
$
15

(1)
Comprised of the write-off of deferred financing costs in connection with previously existing financing arrangements. See 2012 Credit Facilities discussion above.
(2)
Comprised of the write-off of financing costs in connection with the new tax-exempt bonds, offset by the write-off of unamortized premiums on the previously existing financing arrangements. See Tax-Exempt Bonds discussion above.
(3)
Comprised of the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the liability component of the Debentures tendered, a write-off of deferred financing costs and fees incurred in conjunction with the tender offer.
 In 2010, we also reduced additional paid-in-capital by $8 million, pre-tax, which represented the difference between the amount paid in the tender offer and the fair value of the liability.
Financing Costs
All deferred financing costs are amortized to interest expense over the life of the related debt using the effective interest method. Amortization of deferred financing costs is included as a component of interest expense and was $8 million, $6 million, and $7 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.