NOTE 18. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

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. Our assessments are based on estimates and assumptions that have been deemed reasonable by management, but the assessment process relies on estimates and assumptions that may prove to be incomplete or inaccurate, and unanticipated events or circumstances may occur that might cause us to change those estimates and assumptions. The final consequences of these proceedings are not presently determinable with certainty. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, accruals for our loss contingencies approximated $11 million and $1 million, respectively.

Environmental Matters

Our operations are subject to environmental regulatory laws and environmental remediation laws. Although our operations are occasionally subject to proceedings and orders pertaining to emissions into the environment and other environmental violations, which may result in fines, penalties, damages or other sanctions, we believe that we are in substantial compliance with existing environmental laws and regulations.

We may be identified, along with other entities, as being among parties potentially responsible for contribution to costs associated with the correction and remediation of environmental conditions at disposal sites subject to federal and/or analogous state laws. In certain instances, we may be exposed to joint and several liabilities for remedial action or damages. Our liability in connection with such environmental claims will depend on many factors, including our volumetric share of waste, the total cost of remediation, and the financial viability of other companies that also sent waste to a given site and, in the case of divested operations, the contractual arrangement with the purchaser of such operations.

The potential costs related to the matters described below and the possible impact on future operations are uncertain due in part to the complexity of governmental laws and regulations and their interpretations, the varying costs and effectiveness of cleanup technologies, the uncertain level of insurance or other types of recovery and the questionable level of our responsibility. Although the ultimate outcome and expense of any litigation, including environmental remediation, is uncertain, we believe that the following proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Lower Passaic River Matter. In August 2004, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”) notified Covanta Essex Company (“Essex”) that it was a potentially responsible party (“PRP”) for Superfund response actions in the Lower Passaic River Study Area, referred to as “LPRSA,” a 17 mile stretch of river in northern New Jersey. Essex’s LPRSA costs to date are not material to its financial position and results of operations; however, to date the EPA has not sought any LPRSA remedial costs or natural resource damages against PRPs. On March 3, 2016, the EPA released the Record of Decision (“ROD”) for its Focused Feasibility Study of the lower 8 miles of the LPRSA; the EPA’s selected remedy includes capping/dredging of sediment, institutional controls and long-term monitoring. The Essex facility started operating in 1990 and Essex does not believe there have been any releases to the LPRSA, but in any event believes any releases would have been de minimis considering the history of the LPRSA; however, it is not possible at this time to predict that outcome or to estimate the range of possible loss relating to Essex’s liability in the matter, including for LPRSA remedial costs and/or natural resource damages.

Tulsa Matter. In January 2016, we were informed by the office of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma (“U.S. Attorney”) that our subsidiary, Covanta Tulsa Renewable Energy LLC, is the target of a criminal investigation being conducted by the EPA. We understand that the EPA plans to allege improprieties in the recording and reporting of emissions data during an October 2013 incident involving one of the three municipal waste combustion units at our Tulsa, Oklahoma facility. We believe that our operations in Tulsa were and are in compliance with existing laws and regulations in all material respects. While we can provide no assurance as to the outcome of this matter, we do not believe that the investigation or any issues arising therefrom will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, cash flows or results of operations.

Other Matters

Durham-York Contractor Arbitration

We are seeking to resolve outstanding disputes with our primary contractor for the Durham-York construction project regarding (i) claims by the contractor for change orders and other expense reimbursement and (ii) claims by us for charges and liquidated damages for project completion delays. Our contract with this contractor contemplates binding arbitration to resolve these disputes, which we expect may conclude in 2017. While we do not expect resolution of these disputes to have a material adverse impact on our financial position, it could be material to our results of operations and or cash flows in any given accounting period.

China Indemnification Claims

Subsequent to completing the exchange of our project ownership interests in China for a 15% ownership interest in Sanfeng Environment (see Note 4. Dispositions, Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations), Sanfeng Environment made certain claims for indemnification under the agreement related to the condition of the facility in Taixing. To the extent that any payment is made related to these claims, such amount could reduce the gain recorded in a future period.

Other Commitments

Other commitments as of December 31, 2016 were as follows (in millions):



	Commitments Expiring by Period
	Total		Less Than One Year		More Than One Year
Letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility	$	156	$	—	$	156
Letters of credit - other	61		—		61
Surety bonds	158		—		158
Total other commitments — net	$	375	$	—	$	375

The letters of credit were issued to secure our performance under various contractual undertakings related to our domestic and international projects or to secure obligations under our insurance program. Each letter of credit relating to a project is required to be maintained in effect for the period specified in related project contracts, and generally may be drawn if it is not renewed prior to expiration of that period.

We believe that we will be able to fully perform under our contracts to which these existing letters of credit relate, and that it is unlikely that letters of credit would be drawn because of a default of our performance obligations. If any of these letters of credit were to be drawn by the beneficiary, the amount drawn would be immediately repayable by us to the issuing bank. If we do not immediately repay such amounts drawn under letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility, unreimbursed amounts would be treated under the Credit Facilities as either additional term loans or as revolving loans.

The surety bonds listed in the table above relate primarily to construction and performance obligations and support for other obligations, including closure requirements of various energy projects when such projects cease operating. Were these bonds to be drawn upon, we would have a contractual obligation to indemnify the surety company.

We have certain contingent obligations related to the 7.25% Notes, 6.375% Notes, 5.875% Notes, and Tax-Exempt Bonds. Holders may require us to repurchase their 7.25% Notes, 6.375% Notes, 5.875% Notes and Tax-Exempt Bonds if a fundamental change occurs. For specific criteria related to the redemption features of the 5.875% Notes, 7.25% Notes or 6.375% Notes, see Note 11. Consolidated Debt.

We have issued or are party to guarantees and related contractual support obligations undertaken pursuant to agreements to construct and operate waste and energy facilities. For some projects, such performance guarantees include obligations to repay certain financial obligations if the project revenue is insufficient to do so, or to obtain or guarantee financing for a project. With respect to our businesses, we have issued guarantees to municipal clients and other parties that our subsidiaries will perform in accordance with contractual terms, including, where required, the payment of damages or other obligations. Additionally, damages payable under such guarantees for our energy-from-waste facilities could expose us to recourse liability on project debt. If we must perform under one or more of such guarantees, our liability for damages upon contract termination would be reduced by funds held in trust and proceeds from sales of the facilities securing the project debt and is presently not estimable. Depending upon the circumstances giving rise to such damages, the contractual terms of the applicable contracts, and the contract counterparty’s choice of remedy at the time a claim against a guarantee is made, the amounts owed pursuant to one or more of such guarantees could be greater than our then-available sources of funds. To date, we have not incurred material liabilities under such guarantees.

Dublin EfW Facility

In connection with the financing of the Dublin EfW facility, Covanta Energy has made commitments for contingent support as follows: (1) lending commitments up to €25 million to fund working capital shortfalls in the project company under certain circumstances during operations; and (2) up to €75 million commitment in the aggregate to provide support payments to the project company, under certain circumstances, in the event waste revenue falls below minimum levels (set far below anticipated levels). For additional information on the Dublin EfW facility, see Note 3. New Business and Asset Management and Note 11. Consolidated Debt.

New York City Contract Investments

In 2013, New York City awarded us a contract to handle waste transport and disposal from two marine transfer stations located in Queens and Manhattan. Service for the Queens marine transfer station began in early 2015, service for the Manhattan marine transfer station is expected to follow pending notice to proceed to be issued by New York City which is anticipated in 2018. As of December 31, 2016, we expect to incur approximately $33 million of additional capital expenditures, primarily for transportation equipment.