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ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies)
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete consolidated financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (including normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for fair presentation have been included in our condensed consolidated financial statements. All intra-entity accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Reclassifications [Text Block]
Reclassification
During the three months ended March 31, 2016, certain amounts have been reclassified in our prior period condensed consolidated statement of operations to conform to current year presentation and such amounts were not material to current and prior periods
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Earnings Per Share
We calculate basic earnings per share ("EPS") using net earnings for the period and the weighted average number of outstanding shares of our common stock, par value $0.10 per share, during the period. Basic weighted average shares outstanding have decreased due to share repurchases. Diluted earnings per share computations, as calculated under the treasury stock method, include the weighted average number of shares of additional outstanding common stock issuable for stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and warrants whether or not currently exercisable. Diluted earnings per share does not include securities if their effect was anti-dilutive. Basic and diluted weighted average shares outstanding were as follows (in millions):
Pass Through Costs Policy [Text Block]
Pass through costs
Pass through costs are costs for which we receive a direct contractually committed reimbursement from the municipal client which sponsors an energy-from-waste project. These costs generally include utility charges, insurance premiums, ash residue transportation and disposal, and certain chemical costs. These costs are recorded net of municipal client reimbursements in our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Share Based Compensation Policy [Text Block]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Fair Value Measurements
Authoritative guidance associated with fair value measurements provides a framework for measuring fair value and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value, giving the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 inputs), then significant other observable inputs (Level 2 inputs) and the lowest priority to significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 inputs).The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments:
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For cash and cash equivalents, restricted funds, and marketable securities, the carrying value of these amounts is a reasonable estimate of their fair value. The fair value of restricted funds held in trust is based on quoted market prices of the investments held by the trustee.
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Fair values for long-term debt and project debt are determined using quoted market prices.
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The fair value for interest rate swaps were determined by obtaining quotes from two counterparties (one is a holder of the long position and the other is in the short) and extrapolating those across the long and short notional amounts.  The fair value of the interest rate swaps was adjusted to reflect counterparty risk of non-performance, and was based on the counterparty’s credit spread in the credit derivatives market.
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The fair values of our energy hedges were determined using the spread between our fixed price and the forward curve information available within the market.
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The fair value of our foreign currency hedge was determined by obtaining quotes from two counterparties and is based on market accepted option pricing methodology which utilizes inputs such as the currency spot rate as of the balance sheet date, the strike price of the options and volatility.
The estimated fair value amounts have been determined using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies. However, considerable judgment is necessarily required in interpreting market data to develop estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that we would realize in a current market exchange. The fair-value estimates presented herein are based on pertinent information available to us as of March 31, 2016. Such amounts have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these financial statements since March 31, 2016, and current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein.
Derivatives, Methods of Accounting, Hedging Derivatives [Policy Text Block]
Energy Price Risk
Following the expiration of certain long-term energy sales contracts, we may have exposure to market risk, and therefore revenue fluctuations, in energy markets. We have entered into contractual arrangements that will mitigate our exposure to short-term volatility through a variety of hedging techniques, and will continue to do so in the future. Our efforts in this regard will involve only mitigation of price volatility for the energy we produce, and will not involve taking positions (either long or short) on energy prices in excess of our physical generation.
Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]
We and/or our subsidiaries are party to a number of claims, lawsuits and pending actions, most of which are routine and all of which are incidental to our business. We assess the likelihood of potential losses on an ongoing basis and when losses are considered probable and reasonably estimable, record as a loss an estimate of the outcome. If we can only estimate the range of a possible loss, an amount representing the low end of the range of possible outcomes is recorded. The final consequences of these proceedings are not presently determinable with certainty.