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 fourth quarter 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, costs recognized in prior periods, costs recognized during the year ended December 31, 2017, and the remaining expected costs as of December 31, 2017 related to the 2016 Projects are as follows:



	Total Expected Costs at December 31, 2017		Costs Recognized in Prior Periods		Costs Recognized During the Year Ended December 31, 2017			Remaining Costs to be Recognized at December 31, 2017
	(in thousands)
Employee severance costs	$	39,855	$	39,686	$	169		$	—
Asset impairments & net gain on sale or disposal	4,922		7,219		(2,297		)	—
Other restructuring costs	15,435		889		8,546			6,000
Total	$	60,212	$	47,794	$	6,418		$	6,000

Segments:
Electricity	$	10,525	$	8,827	$	198		$	1,500
Gas	31,181		23,968		5,213			2,000
Water	15,761		13,061		700			2,000
Corporate unallocated	2,745		1,938		307			500
Total	$	60,212	$	47,794	$	6,418		$	6,000

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 were completed during the fourth quarter of 2017, and no further costs are expected to be recognized. 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 year ended December 31, 2017:



	Accrued Employee Severance			Asset Impairments & Net Gain on Sale or Disposal			Other Accrued Costs			Total
	(in thousands)
Beginning balance, January 1, 2017	$	45,368		$	—		$	2,602		$	47,970
Costs incurred and charged to expense	169			(2,297		)	8,546			6,418
Cash receipts (payments)	(12,423		)	3,704			(8,683		)	(17,402		)
Net assets disposed and impaired	—			(1,407		)	—			(1,407		)
Effect of change in exchange rates	4,540			—			6			4,546
Ending balance, December 31, 2017	$	37,654		$	—		$	2,471		$	40,125

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 $32.5 million and $26.2 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The current restructuring liabilities are classified within other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The long-term restructuring liabilities balances were $7.6 million and $21.8 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. 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.