Restructuring (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Restructuring Project [Line Items]

Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes the activity within the restructuring related balance sheet accounts, for the 2014 and 2013 Projects:

	Accrued Employee Severance			Asset Impairments & Net Loss on Sale or Disposal			Other Accrued Costs			Total
	(in thousands)
Beginning balance, January 1, 2015	$	58,403		$	—		$	3,526		$	61,929
Costs incurred (released) and charged to expense	(12,151		)	976			3,912			(7,263		)
Cash payments	(14,570		)	—			(4,194		)	(18,764		)
Non-cash items	—			(976		)	—			(976		)
Effect of change in exchange rates	(5,149		)	—			(196		)	(5,345		)
Ending balance, December 31, 2015	$	26,533		$	—		$	3,048		$	29,581

Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]

The following table includes long-lived assets held and used that were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, and the related recognized losses for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:

	Net Carrying Value		Fair Value Measurement (Level 3)		Total Loss Recognized
	(in thousands)
2015
Long-lived assets held and used	$	—	$	—	$	—
2014
Long-lived assets held and used	$	1,930	$	1,930	$	7,952

2014 Project [Member]

Restructuring Project [Line Items]

Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]

The total expected restructuring costs, the restructuring costs recognized in prior periods, the restructuring costs recognized during the year, and the remaining expected restructuring costs are as follows:

	Total Expected Costs at December 31, 2015		Costs Recognized in Prior Periods		Costs Recognized During the Year Ended December 31, 2015			Remaining Costs to be Recognized at December 31, 2015
	(in thousands)
Employee severance costs	$	34,373	$	46,524	$	(12,151	)	$	—
Asset impairments & net loss on sale or disposal	8,880		7,904		976			—
Other restructuring costs	6,983		17		3,912			3,054
Total	$	50,236	$	54,445	$	(7,263	)	$	3,054
Segments:
Electricity	$	24,615	$	28,996	$	(7,253	)	$	2,872
Gas	11,936		12,142		(287		)	81
Water	1,953		1,162		778			13
Corporate unallocated	11,732		12,145		(501		)	88
Total	$	50,236	$	54,445	$	(7,263	)	$	3,054