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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Notes)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include short-term or highly liquid assets with original maturities of three months or less.

Inventories and Inventories Owed to Customers and Suppliers

LEU consists of two components: separative work units (“SWU”) and uranium. SWU is a standard unit of measurement that represents the effort required to transform a given amount of natural uranium into two components: enriched uranium having a higher percentage of U235 and depleted uranium having a lower percentage of U235. The SWU contained in LEU is calculated using an industry standard formula based on the physics of enrichment. The amount of enrichment deemed to be contained in LEU under this formula is commonly referred to as its SWU component and the quantity of natural uranium deemed to be used in the production of LEU under this formula is referred to as its uranium or “feed” component.

SWU and uranium inventory costs are determined using the monthly moving average cost method. SWU costs for the Successor Company are based on SWU purchase costs and the inventory cost basis as of the Effective Date. SWU inventory costs were increased by $35.4 million as of the Effective Date to reflect fresh start accounting adjustments as described in Note 21, Fresh Start Accounting.

Centrus acquires Russian LEU under the terms of a commercial agreement with Russia (the “Russian Supply Agreement”). Deliveries under the supply agreement are expected to continue through 2026. The cost of the SWU component of LEU acquired from Russia is recorded at the purchase cost plus related shipping costs.

Inventories of SWU and uranium are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value (“NRV”). NRV is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The estimated selling price for SWU and uranium is based on the pricing terms of contracts in the Company’s sales order book, and, for uranium not under contract, the estimated selling price is based primarily on published price indicators at the balance sheet date.

Inventories owed to customers and suppliers, included in current liabilities, consist primarily of SWU and uranium inventories owed to fabricators. Fabricators process LEU into fuel for use in nuclear reactors. Under inventory optimization arrangements between Centrus and domestic fabricators, fabricators order quantities of LEU from Centrus based on scheduled or anticipated orders from utility customers for deliveries in future periods. As delivery obligations under actual customer orders arise, Centrus satisfies these obligations by arranging for the transfer to the customer of title to the specified quantity of LEU at the fabricator. Centrus’ balances of SWU and uranium vary over time based on the timing and size of the fabricator’s LEU orders from Centrus and the fabricator’s needs for working stock of LEU. Balances can be positive or negative at the discretion of the fabricator. Fabricators have other inventory supplies and, where a fabricator has elected to order less material from Centrus than Centrus is required to deliver to its customers at the fabricator, the fabricator will use these other inventories to satisfy Centrus’ customer order obligations on Centrus’ behalf. In such cases, the transfer of title of LEU from Centrus to the customer results in quantities of SWU and uranium owed by Centrus to the fabricator. The amounts of SWU and uranium owed to fabricators are satisfied as future deliveries of LEU to fabricators are made.
 
Deferred Taxes

Centrus follows the asset and liability approach to account for deferred taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the anticipated future tax consequences of temporary differences between the balance sheet carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred taxes are based on income tax rates in effect for the years in which temporary differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in income tax rates is recognized in income when the change in rates is enacted in the law. A valuation allowance is provided if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets may not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities completely offset, resulting in a balance of $0 on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Additional details are provided below under New Accounting Standards and in Note 14, Income Taxes.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at acquisition cost. Leasehold improvements and machinery and equipment are depreciated on a straight line basis over the shorter of the useful life of the assets or the lease term, if applicable.

Intangible Assets

Centrus has intangible assets resulting from fresh start accounting as a result of emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Centrus evaluates the carrying value of the intangible assets by performing impairment tests whenever adverse conditions or changes in circumstances indicate a possible impairment loss.

The identifiable intangible assets relate to the sales order book and customer relationships. The order book intangible asset is amortized as the order book is reduced, principally as result of deliveries to customers. The customer relationships intangible asset is amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated average useful life of 15 years.

Centrus evaluates the carrying value of the nonidentifiable excess reorganization value (or “goodwill”, as defined by the accounting standards) by performing an impairment test on an annual basis or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. The excess reorganization value was tested for impairment and was determined to be fully impaired as of October 1, 2015. An impairment charge was recognized for the carrying value of the excess reorganization value. Additional details are provided in Note 8, Intangible Assets.

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurement

Accounting standards define fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities required or permitted to be recorded at fair value, consideration is given to the principal or most advantageous market and assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability.

Pursuant to accounting standards, Centrus’ paid-in-kind toggle notes are recorded at face value and the fair value is disclosed. The estimated fair value of the paid-in-kind toggle notes is based on the trading price at the balance sheet date. Financing costs are deferred and amortized over the life of the instrument.
   
The balance sheet carrying amounts for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and payables under SWU purchase agreements approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of the instruments.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Credit risk could result from the possibility of a customer failing to perform or pay according to the terms of a contract. Extension of credit is based on an evaluation of each customer’s financial condition. Centrus regularly monitors credit risk exposure and takes steps to mitigate the likelihood of such exposure resulting in a loss.

SWU and Uranium Revenue

Revenue is derived from sales of the SWU component of LEU, from sales of both the SWU and uranium components of LEU, and from sales of uranium. Revenue is recognized at the time LEU or uranium is delivered under the terms of contracts with domestic and international electric utility customers. Most customers take title and delivery of LEU at fuel fabricators. Centrus ships LEU to nuclear fuel fabricators for scheduled or anticipated orders from utility customers. Based on customer orders, Centrus arranges for the transfer of title of LEU from Centrus to the customer for the specified quantity of LEU at the fuel fabricator. Revenue is recognized when delivery of LEU to the customer occurs at the fuel fabricator.

In a number of sales transactions, title to uranium or LEU is transferred to the customer and Centrus receives payment under normal credit terms without physically delivering the uranium or LEU to the customer. This may occur because the terms of the agreement require Centrus to hold the uranium to which the customer has title, or because the customer encounters brief delays in taking delivery of LEU from Centrus. In such cases, recognition of revenue and related cost of sales does not occur at the time title to uranium or LEU transfers to the customer but instead are deferred until LEU to which the customer has title is physically delivered.

Contract Services Revenue

From May 2014 to September 2015, the contract services segment included revenue and cost of sales for American Centrifuge work Centrus performed under an agreement with UT-Battelle, LLC (“UT-Battelle”), the management and operating contractor for Oak Ridge National Laboratory (“ORNL”), for continued cascade operations and continuation of core American Centrifuge research and technology activities in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and Piketon, Ohio. Spending levels were consistent with the fixed funding levels.

The contract services segment also includes limited services provided by Centrus to the U.S. Department of Energy (“DOE”) and its contractors at the Portsmouth site related to facilities we continue to lease for the American Centrifuge Plant and formerly at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (the “Paducah GDP”). Contract services revenue includes billings for fees and reimbursements for allowable costs that are determined in accordance with the terms of the underlying contracts. Revenue is recognized as work is performed and as fees are earned. Allowable costs include direct costs as well as allocations of indirect plant and corporate overhead costs determined in accordance with government cost accounting standards. Amounts representing contract change orders or final billing rates based on incurred costs are accrued and included in revenue when they can be reliably estimated and realization is probable. Allowable costs are subject to audit by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (“DCAA”), or such other entity that DOE authorizes to conduct the audit. The final settlement of amounts submitted by Centrus for reimbursement is subject to Federal Acquisition Regulations requiring the DOE contracting officer to conduct negotiations and prepare a written indirect cost agreement. Revenue resulting from final billing rates is recognized upon completion of the government audits and notice by DOE authorizing final billing. DOE historically has not approved Centrus’ provisional billing rates and has not completed audits of Centrus’ incurred cost submissions and authorized final payments in a timely manner. Additional details are provided in Note 5, Receivables. There is the potential for additional revenue to be recognized, based on the outcome of DOE reviews and audits, as the result of the release of previously established receivable related reserves. However, since these periods have not been finalized with DOE, uncertainty exists and Centrus has not yet recognized this additional revenue.

Advanced Technology Costs

American Centrifuge costs incurred by the Company that are outside of our contract work with UT-Battelle are included in advanced technology costs, including certain demobilization and maintenance costs. Refer to Note 4, Advanced Technology Costs and Other Income, and Note 17, Commitments and Contingencies, for further details regarding the American Centrifuge project.

Although the Company’s contract with UT-Battelle expired September 30, 2015, Centrus continued to perform work at the expected reduced scope as the parties worked toward a successor agreement. Costs for such work are included in advanced technology costs in the fourth quarter of 2015. We intend to enter into a new contract with UT-Battelle in 2016.

Pension and Postretirement Health and Life Benefit Plans

The Company provides retirement benefits to certain employees and retirees under defined benefit pension plans and postretirement health and life benefit plans. The valuation of benefit obligations and costs is based on provisions of the plans and actuarial assumptions that involve judgments and estimates. Plan assets and benefit obligations are remeasured each year as of the balance sheet date, or when lump-sum payments exceed certain levels, resulting in differences between actual and projected results. Upon the adoption of fresh start accounting, the Successor Company adopted an accounting policy to immediately recognize these actuarial gains and losses in the statement of operations. The immediate recognition in the statement of operations is intended to increase transparency regarding the impacts of changes in plan assets and benefit obligations.

The Predecessor Company recognized these actuarial gains and losses as a component of stockholders’ equity and generally amortized them into operating results over the average future service period of the active employees of these plans or the average future lifetime of plan participants for inactive plans.

Stock-Based Compensation

Centrus has a stock-based compensation plan which authorizes the issuance of common stock to the Company’s employees, officers, directors and other individuals providing services to the Company or its affiliates pursuant to options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock units, restricted stock, performance awards, dividend equivalent rights and other stock based awards. Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award. The cost is recognized over the requisite service period on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts presented and disclosed in the consolidated financial statements. Significant estimates and judgments include, but are not limited to, asset valuations, American Centrifuge decontamination and decommissioning obligations, pension and postretirement health and life benefit costs and obligations, the tax bases of assets and liabilities, the future recoverability of deferred tax assets, and determination of the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets. Actual results may differ from such estimates, and estimates may change if the underlying conditions or assumptions change.

New Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued comprehensive new guidance for revenue recognition. The core principle of the new standard is that revenue should be recognized when an entity transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard will supersede current guidance in effect and may require the use of more judgment and estimates, including estimating the amount of variable revenue to recognize over each identified performance obligation. The new standard requires additional disclosures to describe the nature, amount and timing of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts. In August 2015, the FASB issued guidance deferring the effective date of the new revenue recognition standard by one year. The new standard will become effective for Centrus beginning with the first quarter of 2018 and can be adopted either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or as a cumulative effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. Early adoption is permitted as of the first quarter of 2017. Centrus is evaluating the impact of adopting this new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance requiring management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related disclosures in certain circumstances. The new standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The implementation of the new standard is not expected to have a material impact on Centrus’ consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs. The new guidance requires the presentation of debt issuance costs in the balance sheet as a reduction in the carrying amount of the related debt liability instead of a deferred charge asset. The new guidance requires retrospective application and is effective for Centrus beginning with the first quarter of 2016. The implementation of the new standard will not have a material impact on Centrus’ consolidated financial statements.

In May 2015, the FASB issued guidance to eliminate the requirement to categorize investments in the fair value hierarchy table for which the fair value is measured at net asset value (“NAV”) per share as a practical expedient. Centrus adopted the new guidance as reflected in the fair value disclosures in Notes 11 and 12. Adoption of the new guidance did not affect the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

In July 2015, the FASB issued guidance that simplifies the subsequent measurement of inventories by replacing the existing valuation test (lower of cost or market) with a lower of cost or net realizable value (“NRV”) test. The new test is applicable for certain inventory costing methods including the monthly moving average cost method used by Centrus. NRV is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. Under former guidance, NRV was one of several determinations used to assess market values. For Centrus, NRV has been the determining factor in assessing the market value for the Company’s principal inventories. Centrus adopted the new guidance in the fourth quarter of 2015 and there was no effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

In November 2015, the FASB issued guidance to simplify the presentation of deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company elected early application and the new guidance has been applied to all periods presented in the current Annual Report. To simplify presentation, the new guidance requires that all deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with any related valuation allowance, be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. The Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities completely offset, resulting in a balance of $0 on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Additional details are provided in Note 14, Income Taxes.

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance that requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. The new standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and requires expanded disclosures of lease arrangements. Centrus is evaluating the impact of adopting this new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.