QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED) [Abstract]

Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]

NOTE 20. QUARTERLY DATA (UNAUDITED)

The following table presents quarterly unaudited financial data for the periods presented on the consolidated statements of income (in millions, except per share amounts):

	Calendar Quarter Ended
	March 31,						June 30,					September 30,					December 31,
	2012			2011			2012			2011		2012		2011			2012		2011
Operating revenue	$	392		$	377		$	410		$	411	$	412	$	432		$	430	$	430
Operating income (loss)	$	3		$	(2	)	$	56		$	53	$	81	$	87		$	112	$	80
(Loss) income from continuing operations	$	(11	)	$	(14	)	$	19		$	18	$	27	$	51		$	83	$	29
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	$	—		$	149		$	(2	)	$	2	$	—	$	(7	)	$	—	$	(1	)
Net (loss) income	$	(11	)	$	135		$	17		$	20	$	27	$	44		$	83	$	28
Net (loss) income attributable to Covanta Holding Corporation	$	(12	)	$	133		$	18		$	18	$	26	$	42		$	82	$	26
(Loss) Earnings per share:
Basic:
Continuing operations	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.09	)	$	0.15		$	0.12	$	0.20	$	0.35		$	0.63	$	0.20
Discontinued operations	—			1.00			(0.01		)	0.01		—		(0.05		)	—		(0.01		)
Covanta Holding Corporation	$	(0.09	)	$	0.91		$	0.14		$	0.13	$	0.20	$	0.30		$	0.63	$	0.19
Diluted:
Continuing operations	$	(0.09	)	$	(0.09	)	$	0.15		$	0.12	$	0.19	$	0.35		$	0.62	$	0.20
Discontinued operations	—			1.00			(0.01		)	0.01		—		(0.05		)	—		(0.01		)
Covanta Holding Corporation	$	(0.09	)	$	0.91		$	0.14		$	0.13	$	0.19	$	0.30		$	0.62	$	0.19
Cash dividend declared per share:	$	0.15		$	0.075		$	0.15		$	0.075	$	0.15	$	0.075		$	0.15	$	0.075