Committments and Contingent Liabilities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

CONTINGENCIES

We maintain reserves for various contingent liabilities as follows:

	December 31,
	2020		2019
Environmental reserves	$	14	$	10
Other reserves	—		—
Total contingencies	14		10
Current portion	(1)		(2)
Long-term portion	$	13	$	8

Estimates of our loss contingencies are based on various assumptions and judgments. Due to the numerous uncertainties and variables associated with these assumptions and judgments, both the precision and reliability of the resulting estimates of the related contingencies are subject to substantial uncertainties. We regularly monitor our estimated exposure to contingencies and, as additional information becomes known, may change our estimates significantly. While no estimate of the range of any such change can be made at this time, the amount that we may ultimately pay in connection with these matters could materially exceed, in either the near term or the longer term, the amounts accrued to date. Our estimates of our loss contingencies do not reflect potential future recoveries from insurance carriers except to the extent that recovery may, from time to time, be deemed probable as a result of an insurer’s agreement to payment terms.

Environmental Matters

We maintain a reserve for undiscounted estimated environmental loss contingencies. This reserve is primarily for estimated future costs of remediation of hazardous or toxic substances at numerous sites currently or previously owned by the Company. Our estimates of our environmental loss contingencies are based on various assumptions and judgments, the specific nature of which varies considering the particular facts and circumstances surrounding each environmental loss contingency. These estimates typically reflect assumptions and judgments as to the probable nature, magnitude and timing of the required investigation, remediation and/or monitoring activities and the probable cost of these activities, and in some cases reflect assumptions and judgments as to the obligation or willingness and ability of third parties to bear a proportionate or allocated share of the cost of these activities. Due to the numerous uncertainties and variables associated with these assumptions and judgments, and the effects of changes in governmental regulation and environmental technologies, both the precision and reliability of the resulting estimates of the related contingencies are subject to substantial uncertainties. We regularly monitor our estimated exposure to environmental loss contingencies and, as additional information becomes known, may change our estimates significantly.

The activity in our reserve for estimated environmental loss contingency reserves is summarized in the following table.

	Year ended December 31,
	2020		2019
Beginning balance	$	10	$	11
Adjustments to expense during the year	2		1
Adjustments to amounts to be paid be paid by a third party	2		—
Payments made	(1)		(1)
Ending balance	$	13	$	10

During 2020 and 2019, we adjusted our reserves at several sites to reflect current estimates of remediation costs and environmental settlements.

Other Proceedings

We and our subsidiaries are parties to other legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. Based on the information currently available, management believes that the resolution of such proceedings should not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or liquidity.

Self-Insurance

We are primarily self-insured for workers’ compensation and employee health care liability costs. Self-insurance liabilities for workers’ compensation are determined based upon a valuation performed by an actuarial firm. The estimate of future workers’ compensation liabilities incorporates loss development and an estimate associated with incurred but not yet reported claims. These claims are discounted. Self-insurance liabilities for employee health costs are determined actuarially based upon claims filed and estimated claims incurred but not yet reported. These claims are not discounted.

Indemnities and Guarantees

We are a party to contracts in which we agree to indemnify third parties for certain liabilities that arise out of or relate to the subject matter of the contract. In some cases, this indemnity extends to related liabilities arising out of the negligence of the indemnified parties, but usually excludes any liabilities caused by gross negligence or willful misconduct of the indemnified parties. We cannot estimate the potential amount of future payments under these agreements until events arise that would trigger the liability.

Additionally, in connection with certain sales of assets and divestitures of businesses, we have agreed to indemnify

the buyer and related parties for certain losses or liabilities incurred by the buyer or such related parties with respect to (1) the representations and warranties made to the buyer by us in connection with the sales and (2) liabilities related to the pre-closing operations of the assets sold. Indemnities related to pre-closing operations generally include environmental liabilities, tax liabilities, and other liabilities not assumed by the buyer.

Indemnities related to the pre-closing operations of sold assets typically do not represent added liabilities for us, but simply serve to protect the buyer from potential liability associated with the obligations that existed (known and unknown) at the time of the sale. We record accruals for those pre-closing obligations that are considered probable and estimable. We have not accrued any additional amounts as a result of the indemnity agreements summarized below, as we believe the fair value of the guarantees is not material.

•In connection with various sales of our timberlands, we have agreed to indemnify various buyers with respect to losses resulting from breaches of limited representations and warranties contained in these agreements. These indemnities generally are capped at a maximum potential liability and have an unspecified duration.

•In connection with the sale by LP Canada Pulp Ltd (LPCP) of its pulp mill in Chetwynd, BC, Canada, to Tembec, Ltd in October 2002, we provided an indemnity of unspecified duration provided by LPCP for liabilities arising out of pre-closing operations. These indemnities, which do not extend to environmental liabilities, are capped at CAD$15 million in the aggregate.

•In connection with the mill exchange by LP Canada of its non-operating OSB mill in Chambord, Quebec, to Norbord in November 2016, we provided an indemnity for liabilities arising out of pre-closing operations. These indemnities are capped at CAD$5 million in aggregate.

We also have various other indemnities that are individually and in the aggregate immaterial.

We record a liability related to specific indemnification when future payment is probable, and the amount is estimable.