FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract]

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:


•	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.


•	Fair values for long-term debt and project debt are determined using quoted market prices.

•

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.


•	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.


•	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 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 December 31, 2016. Such amounts have not been comprehensively revalued for purposes of these financial statements since December 31, 2016, and current estimates of fair value may differ significantly from the amounts presented herein.

The following financial instruments are recorded at their estimated fair value. The following table presents information about the recurring fair value measurement of our assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2016 and 2015:



		As of December 31,
Financial Instruments Recorded at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis:	Fair Value Measurement Level	2016		2015
		(In millions)
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents:
Bank deposits and certificates of deposit	1	$	79	$	89
Money market funds	1	5		5
Total cash and cash equivalents:		84		94
Restricted funds held in trust:
Bank deposits and certificates of deposit	1	12		9
Money market funds	1	36		66
U.S. Treasury/agency obligations ⁽¹⁾	1	14		18
State and municipal obligations	1	46		59
Commercial paper/guaranteed investment contracts/repurchase agreements	1	2		8
Total restricted funds held in trust:		110		160
Investments:
Mutual and bond funds ⁽²⁾	1	2		2
Derivative asset — energy hedges⁽³⁾	2	3		21
Total assets:		$	199	$	277
Liabilities:
Derivative liability — energy hedges⁽⁴⁾	2	$	1	$	—
Derivative liability — interest rate swaps ^{(4) (5)}	2	20		14
Total liabilities:		$	21	$	14

The following financial instruments are recorded at their carrying amount (in millions):



	As of December 31, 2016				As of December 31, 2015
Financial Instruments Recorded at Carrying Amount:	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value
Assets:
Accounts receivables ⁽⁶⁾	$	333	$	333	$	314	$	314
Liabilities:
Long-term debt	$	2,252	$	2,237	$	2,263	$	2,244
Project debt	$	383	$	387	$	198	$	206


(1)	The U.S. Treasury/agency obligations in restricted funds held in trust are primarily comprised of Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation securities at fair value.


(2)	Included in other noncurrent assets in the consolidated balance sheets.


(3)	Included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets.


(4)	Included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.


(5)	Included in other noncurrent liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.


(6)	Includes $1 million and $2 million of noncurrent receivables in other noncurrent assets in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2016 and 2015.

In addition to the recurring fair value measurements, certain assets are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis when an indication of impairment is identified and the assets fair value is determined to be less than its carrying value. See Note 14. Supplementary Information - Impairment Charges for additional information.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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