Restructuring

2016 Projects

On September 1, 2016, we announced projects (2016 Projects) to restructure various company activities in order to improve operational efficiencies, reduce expenses and improve competiveness. We expect to close or consolidate several facilities and reduce our global workforce as a result of the restructuring.

The 2016 Projects began during the three months ended September 30, 2016, and we expect to substantially complete the 2016 Projects by the end of 2018. Many of the affected employees are represented by unions or works councils, which require consultation, and potential restructuring projects may be subject to regulatory approval, both of which could impact the timing of charges, total expected charges, cost recognized, and planned savings in certain jurisdictions.

The total expected restructuring costs, the restructuring costs recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, and the remaining expected restructuring costs as of September 30, 2017 related to the 2016 Projects are as follows:



	Total Expected Costs at September 30, 2017		Costs Recognized in Prior Periods		Costs Recognized During the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017			Expected Remaining Costs to be Recognized at September 30, 2017
	(in thousands)
Employee severance costs	$	44,518	$	39,686	$	4,832		$	—
Asset impairments & net loss (gain) on sale or disposal	6,499		7,219		(720		)	—
Other restructuring costs	12,194		889		3,305			8,000
Total	$	63,211	$	47,794	$	7,417		$	8,000

Segments:
Electricity	$	11,884	$	8,827	$	1,557		$	1,500
Gas	32,185		23,968		4,717			3,500
Water	16,007		13,061		446			2,500
Corporate unallocated	3,135		1,938		697			500
Total	$	63,211	$	47,794	$	7,417		$	8,000

2014 Projects

In November 2014, our management approved restructuring projects (2014 Projects) to restructure our Electricity business and related general and administrative activities, along with certain Gas and Water activities, to improve operational efficiencies and reduce expenses. We began implementing these projects in the fourth quarter of 2014, and substantially completed them in the third quarter of 2016. Project activities will continue through the fourth quarter of 2017; however, no further costs are expected to be recognized related to the 2014 Projects.

The 2014 Projects resulted in $48.5 million of restructuring expense, which was recognized from the fourth quarter of 2014 through the third quarter of 2016.

The following table summarizes the activity within the restructuring related balance sheet accounts for the 2016 and 2014 Projects during the nine months ended September 30, 2017:



	Accrued Employee Severance			Asset Impairments & Net Loss on Sale or Disposal			Other Accrued Costs			Total
	(in thousands)
Beginning balance, January 1, 2017	$	45,368		$	—		$	2,602		$	47,970
Costs charged to expense	4,832			(720		)	3,305			7,417
Cash payments	(9,158		)	—			(3,198		)	(12,356		)
Non-cash items	—			720			—			720
Effect of change in exchange rates	4,144			—			5			4,149
Ending balance, September 30, 2017	$	45,186		$	—		$	2,714		$	47,900

Asset impairments are determined at the asset group level. Revenues and net operating income from the activities we have exited or will exit under the restructuring projects are not material to our operating segments or consolidated results.

Other restructuring costs include expenses for employee relocation, professional fees associated with employee severance, and costs to exit the facilities once the operations in those facilities have ceased. Costs associated with restructuring activities are generally presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as restructuring, except for certain costs associated with inventory write-downs, which are classified within cost of revenues, and accelerated depreciation expense, which is recognized according to the use of the asset.

The current restructuring liabilities were $26.7 million and $26.2 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The current restructuring liabilities are classified within other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The long-term restructuring liabilities balances were $21.2 million and $21.8 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. The long-term restructuring liabilities are classified within other long-term obligations on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and include facility exit costs and severance accruals.