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Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]
Commitments and Contingencies.
Automotive
Environmental Matters
Federal-Mogul is a defendant in lawsuits filed, or the recipient of administrative orders issued or demand letters received, in various jurisdictions pursuant to the Federal Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (“CERCLA”) or other similar national, provincial or state environmental remedial laws. These laws provide that responsible parties may be liable to pay for remediating contamination resulting from hazardous substances that were discharged into the environment by them, by prior owners or occupants of property they currently own or operate, or by others to whom they sent such substances for treatment or other disposition at third party locations. Federal-Mogul has been notified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, other national environmental agencies, and various provincial and state agencies that it may be a potentially responsible party (“PRP”) under such laws for the cost of remediating hazardous substances pursuant to CERCLA and other national and state or provincial environmental laws. PRP designation often results in the funding of site investigations and subsequent remedial activities.
Many of the sites that are likely to be the costliest to remediate are often current or former commercial waste disposal facilities to which numerous companies sent wastes. Despite the potential joint and several liability which might be imposed on Federal-Mogul under CERCLA and some of the other laws pertaining to these sites, its share of the total waste sent to these sites has generally been small. Federal-Mogul believes its exposure for liability at these sites is limited.
Federal-Mogul has also identified certain other present and former properties at which it may be responsible for cleaning up or addressing environmental contamination, in some cases as a result of contractual commitments and/or federal or state environmental laws. Federal-Mogul is actively seeking to resolve these actual and potential statutory, regulatory and contractual obligations. Although difficult to quantify based on the complexity of the issues, Federal-Mogul has accrued amounts corresponding to its best estimate of the costs associated with such regulatory and contractual obligations on the basis of available information from site investigations and the professional judgment of consultants.
Total environmental liabilities, determined on an undiscounted basis, were $16 million and $14 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and are included in accrued expenses and other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets.
Federal-Mogul believes that recorded environmental liabilities will be adequate to cover its estimated liability for its exposure in respect to such matters. In the event that such liabilities were to significantly exceed the amounts recorded by Federal-Mogul, our Automotive segment's results of operations could be materially affected. At December 31, 2016, Federal-Mogul estimates reasonably possible material additional losses, above and beyond its best estimate of required remediation costs as recorded, to approximate $41 million.
Asset Retirement Obligations
Our Automotive segment has identified sites with contractual obligations and several sites that are closed or expected to be closed and sold. In connection with these sites, our Automotive segment has accrued $21 million and $16 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, for asset retirement obligations ("ARO"), primarily related to anticipated costs of removing hazardous building materials at its facilities, and has considered impairment issues that may result from capitalization of these ARO amounts.
Other Matters
On April 25, 2014, a group of plaintiffs brought an action against Federal-Mogul Products, Inc. (“FM Products”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Federal-Mogul, alleging injuries and damages associated with the discharge of chlorinated hydrocarbons by the former owner of a facility located in Kentucky.  Since 1998, when FM Products acquired the facility, it has been cooperating with the applicable regulatory agencies on remediating the prior discharges pursuant to an order entered into by the facility’s former owner. Federal-Mogul does not currently believe the outcome of this litigation will have a material impact on its financial statements.
On September 29, 2016, September 30, 2016, October 12, 2016 and October 19, 2016, respectively, four putative class actions, captioned Skybo v. Ninivaggi et al., C.A. No. 12790, Lemanchek v. Ninivaggi et al., C.A. No. 12791, Raul v. Ninivaggi et al., C.A. No. 12821 and Mercado v. Ninivaggi et al., C.A. No. 12837, were filed in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware against the Board, Icahn Enterprises L.P. and certain of its affiliates, including Parent and the Offeror (the “Icahn Defendants”), and, in the case of Raul, Federal-Mogul. The complaints allege that, among other things, the Board breached its fiduciary duties by approving the proposed Merger Agreement, that the Icahn Defendants breached their fiduciary duties to the minority stockholders and/or aided and abetted the Board’s breaches of its fiduciary duties, as well as alleging certain material misstatements and omissions in the Schedule 14D-9. The complaints allege that, among other things, the then-Offer Price was inadequate and, together with that the Merger Agreement, was the result of a flawed and unfair sales process and conflicts of interest of the Board and the Special Committee, alleging that the Special Committee and Federal-Mogul’s management lacked independence from the Icahn Defendants. In addition, the complaints allege that the Merger Agreement contains certain allegedly preclusive deal protection provisions, including a no-solicitation provision, an information rights provision and a matching rights provision. Among other things, the complaints sought to enjoin the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, as well as award costs and disbursements, including reasonable attorneys’ and experts’ fees.  The Raul and Mercado complaints further seek to rescind the transaction or award rescissory damages, or (in the case of Raul) award a quasi-appraisal remedy in the event that the transaction was consummated, as well as award money damages.  On October 28, 2016, all four actions were consolidated under the caption In re Federal-Mogul Holdings, Inc. Stockholder Litigation, C.A. No. 12790-CB (the “Delaware Action”).  On February 3, 2017, an order was entered requiring plaintiffs to file their amended complaint by March 6, 2017.
On October 5, 2016, a putative class action captioned Sanders v. Federal-Mogul Holdings Corporation et al., C.A. No. 16-155387 was filed in the Circuit Court for Oakland County of the State of Michigan against the Company, the Board and the Icahn Defendants (the “Michigan Action”). The complaint alleges, among other things, that the Board breached its fiduciary duties and that Federal-Mogul and the Icahn Defendants aided and abetted the Board’s breaches of its fiduciary duties, as well as alleging certain material misstatements and omissions in the Schedule 14D-9. The complaint alleges that, among other things, the then-Offer Price was unfair and the result of an unfair sales process that included conflicts of interest.  In addition, the complaint alleges that the Merger Agreement contains certain allegedly preclusive deal protection provisions, including a no-solicitation provision, an information rights provision and a matching rights provision. Among other things, the complaint sought to enjoin the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, or, in the event that the transactions were consummated, rescind the transactions or award rescissory damages, as well as award money damages and costs, including reasonable attorneys’ and experts’ fees.  On February 10, 2017, an order was entered providing that plaintiff shall have through March 6, 2016, to file his First Amended Complaint.
Federal-Mogul believes that the claims in the Delaware and Michigan Actions are without merit and intends to defend against them vigorously.
Energy
Unconditional Purchase Obligations
The minimum required payments for CVR's unconditional purchase obligations are as follows:
 
Unconditional Purchase Obligations(1)
 
(in millions)
2017
$
150

2018
129

2019
126

2020
109

2021
97

Thereafter
640

 
$
1,251

(1)This amount includes $734 million payable ratably over 14 years pursuant to petroleum transportation service agreements between CRRM and each of TransCanada Keystone Limited Partnership and TransCanada Keystone Pipeline, LP (together, "TransCanada"). The purchase obligation reflects the exchange rate between the Canadian dollar and the U.S. dollar as of December 31, 2016, where applicable. Under the agreements, CRRM receives transportation of at least 25,000 barrels per day of crude oil with a delivery point at Cushing, Oklahoma for a term of 20 years on TransCanada's Keystone pipeline system. CRRM began receiving crude oil under the agreements in the first quarter of 2011.
Unconditional Purchase Obligations
CVR leases various equipment, including railcars, and real properties under long-term operating leases expiring at various dates. For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 lease expense was $8 million, $9 million and $9 million respectively. The lease agreements have various remaining terms. Some agreements are renewable, at CVR's option, for additional periods. It is expected, in the ordinary course of business, that leases will be renewed or replaced as they expire. Additionally, in the normal course of business, CVR has long-term commitments to purchase oxygen, nitrogen, electricity, storage capacity and pipeline transportation services.
Crude Oil Supply Agreement
On August 31, 2012, CRRM and Vitol Inc. ("Vitol"), entered into an Amended and Restated Crude Oil Supply Agreement (as amended, the "Vitol Agreement"). Under the Vitol Agreement, Vitol supplies the petroleum business with crude oil and intermediation logistics, which helps to reduce CVR Refining's inventory position and mitigate crude oil pricing risk. The Vitol Agreement will automatically renew for successive one-year terms (each such term, a "Renewal Term") unless either party provides the other with notice of nonrenewal at least 180 days prior to expiration of any Renewal Term. The Vitol Agreement currently extends through December 31, 2017.
Litigation
From time to time, CVR is involved in various lawsuits arising in the normal course of business, including matters such as those described below under, "Environmental, Health and Safety Matters." Liabilities related to such litigation are recognized when the related costs are probable and can be reasonably estimated. These provisions are reviewed at least quarterly and adjusted to reflect the impacts of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel and other information and events pertaining to a particular case. It is possible that CVR's management estimates of the outcomes will change within the next year due to uncertainties inherent in litigation and settlement negotiations. In the opinion of CVR management, the ultimate resolution of any other litigation matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the accompanying consolidated financial statements. There can be no assurance that CVR management's beliefs or opinions with respect to liability for potential litigation matters will prove to be accurate.
On August 29, 2015, Mike Mustard, a purported unitholder of Rentech Nitrogen Partners, L.P. ("Rentech Nitrogen"), filed a class action complaint on behalf of the public unitholders of Rentech Nitrogen against Rentech Nitrogen, Rentech Nitrogen GP, LLC ("Rentech Nitrogen GP"), Rentech Nitrogen Holdings, Inc., Rentech, Inc., DSHC, LLC, CVR Partners, two subsidiaries of CVR Partners, and the members of the board of directors of Rentech Nitrogen GP (the "Rentech Nitrogen Board"), in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (the "Mustard Lawsuit"). On October 6, 2015, Jesse Sloan, a purported unitholder of Rentech Nitrogen, filed a class action complaint on behalf of the public unitholders of Rentech Nitrogen against Rentech Nitrogen, Rentech Nitrogen GP, CVR Partners, two subsidiaries of CVR Partners, and the members of the Rentech Nitrogen Board, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California (the "Sloan Lawsuit"). Both lawsuits alleged, among other things, that the attempted sale of Rentech Nitrogen to CVR Partners was conducted by means of an unfair process and for an unfair price. In July 2016, the Mustard Lawsuit was dismissed. In October 2016, the United States District Court for the Central District of California issued an order and judgment approving the settlement of the Sloan Lawsuit. Under the terms of the settlement, the defendants made certain supplemental disclosures related to the East Dubuque Merger, and in return, the settlement resolves and releases all claims by unitholders of Rentech Nitrogen challenging the East Dubuque Merger.
CRNF received a ten year property tax abatement from Montgomery County, Kansas (the "County") in connection with the construction of the Coffeyville fertilizer facility that expired on December 31, 2007. In connection with the expiration of the abatement, the County reclassified and reassessed CRNF's nitrogen fertilizer plant for property tax purposes. The reclassification and reassessment resulted in an increase in CRNF's annual property tax expense by an average of $11 million per year for each of the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2009, $12 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 and $11 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2012. CRNF protested the classification and resulting valuation for each of those years to the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals ("BOTA"), followed by an appeal to the Kansas Court of Appeals. However, CRNF fully accrued and paid the property taxes the county claims are owed for the years ended December 31, 2008 through 2012. The Kansas Court of Appeals, in a memorandum opinion dated August 9, 2013, reversed the BOTA decision in part and remanded the case to BOTA, instructing BOTA to classify each asset on an asset by asset basis instead of making a broad determination that the entire plant was real property as BOTA did originally. The County filed a motion for rehearing with the Kansas Court of Appeals and a petition for review with the Kansas Supreme Court, both of which have been denied.
In March 2015, BOTA concluded that based upon an asset by asset determination, a substantial majority of the assets in dispute will be classified as personal property for the 2008 tax year. The parties stipulated to the value of the real property, following which BOTA issued its final decision. The County has appealed the decision with respect to classification to the Kansas Court of Appeals. No amounts have been received or recognized in these consolidated financial statements related to the 2008 property tax matter or BOTA’s decision.
On February 25, 2013, the County and CRNF agreed to a settlement for tax years 2009 through 2012, which has lowered and will lower CRNF's property taxes by about $11 million per year (as compared to the 2012 tax year) for tax years 2013 to 2016 based on current mill levy rates. In addition, the settlement provides the County will support CRNF's application before BOTA for a ten-year tax exemption for the UAN expansion. Finally, the settlement provides that CRNF will continue its appeal of the 2008 reclassification and reassessment discussed above.
The SEC conducted an investigation in connection with respect to CVR's disclosures (which were prepared by CVR’s outside counsel) following the announcement of a tender offer for CVR's stock initiated in February 2012. CVR cooperated with the SEC and produced, at the SEC's request, documents pertaining to the tender offer and CVR's disclosures. On February 14, 2017, the SEC issued an order instituting cease and desist proceedings that require CVR to prospectively comply with certain disclosure obligations in response to tender offers for CVR’s securities. No civil penalty was issued.
Flood, Crude Oil Discharge and Insurance
Crude oil was discharged from the Coffeyville refinery on July 1, 2007, due to the short amount of time available to shutdown and secure the refinery in preparation for the flood that occurred on June 30, 2007. On October 25, 2010, the Company received a letter from the United States Coast Guard on behalf of the EPA seeking approximately $1.8 million in oversight cost reimbursement. The Company responded by asserting defenses to the Coast Guard's claim for oversight costs. On September 23, 2011, the United States Department of Justice ("DOJ"), acting on behalf of the EPA and the United States Coast Guard, filed suit against CRRM in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas seeking recovery from CRRM related to alleged non-compliance with the Clean Air Act's Risk Management Program ("RMP"), the Clean Water Act ("CWA") and the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 ("OPA"). CRRM reached an agreement with the DOJ resolving its claims under CWA and OPA. The agreement was memorialized in a Consent Decree that was filed with and approved by the Court on February 12, 2013 and March 25, 2013, respectively (the "2013 Consent Decree"). On April 19, 2013, CRRM paid a civil penalty (including accrued interest) in the amount of $0.6 million related to the CWA claims and reimbursed the Coast Guard for oversight costs under OPA in the amount of $1.7 million. The 2013 Consent Decree also requires CRRM to make small capital upgrades to the Coffeyville refinery crude oil tank farm, develop flood procedures and provide employee training, the majority of which have already been completed.
The parties also reached an agreement to settle DOJ’s claims related to alleged non-compliance with RMP. The agreement is memorialized in a separate consent decree that was filed with and approved by the Court on May 21, 2013 and July 2, 2013, respectively, and provided for a civil penalty of $0.3 million. On July 29, 2013, CRRM paid the civil penalty related to the RMP claims. In 2015, CRRM continued to implement the recommendations of several audits required by the RMP Consent Decree, which were related to compliance with RMP requirements.
CRRM sought insurance coverage for the crude oil release and for the ultimate costs for remediation and third-party property damage claims. On July 10, 2008, CVR filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas (the "Court") against certain of CVR's environmental insurance carriers requesting insurance coverage indemnification for the June/July 2007 flood and crude oil discharge losses. Each insurer reserved its rights under various policy exclusions and limitations and cited potential coverage defenses. The Court issued summary judgment opinions that eliminated the majority of the insurance defendants' reservations and defenses. CRRM has received $25 million of insurance proceeds under its primary environmental liability insurance policy, which constitutes full payment of the primary pollution liability policy limit. During the second quarter of 2015, CRRM entered into a settlement agreement and release with the insurance carriers involved in the lawsuit, pursuant to which (i) CRRM received settlement proceeds of approximately $31 million, (ii) the parties mutually released each other from all claims relating to the flood and crude oil discharge and (iii) all pending appeals have been dismissed. Of the settlement proceeds received, $27 million were recorded as a flood insurance recovery located in other income within the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2015. The remaining $4 million of settlement proceeds reduced $4 million of receivable related to this matter, which was included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2014.
Environmental, Health and Safety Matters
The petroleum and nitrogen fertilizer businesses are subject to various stringent federal, state, and local Environmental, Health and Safety ("EHS") rules and regulations. Liabilities related to EHS matters are recognized when the related costs are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Estimates of these costs are based upon currently available facts, existing technology, site-specific costs and currently enacted laws and regulations. In reporting EHS liabilities, no offset is made for potential recoveries.
CRRM, CRNF, Coffeyville Resources Crude Transportation, LLC ("CRCT"), Wynnewood Refining Company, LLC ("WRC"), East Dubuque Nitrogen Fertilizers, LLC ("EDNF") and Coffeyville Resources Terminal, LLC ("CRT") own and/or operate manufacturing and ancillary operations at various locations directly related to petroleum refining and distribution and nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing. Therefore, CRRM, CRNF, CRCT, WRC, EDNF and CRT have exposure to potential EHS liabilities related to past and present EHS conditions at these locations. Under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act ("CERCLA"), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”), and related state laws, certain persons may be liable for the release or threatened release of hazardous substances. These persons can include the current owner or operator of property where a release or threatened release occurred, any persons who owned or operated the property when the release occurred, and any persons who disposed of, or arranged for the transportation or disposal of, hazardous substances at a contaminated property. Liability under CERCLA is strict, and under certain circumstances, joint and several, so that any responsible party may be held liable for the entire cost of investigating and remediating the release of hazardous substances. Similarly, the OPA generally subjects owners and operators of facilities to strict, joint and several liability for all containment and clean-up costs, natural resource damages, and potential governmental oversight costs arising from oil spills into waters of the United States, which has been broadly interpreted to include most water bodies including intermittent streams.
CRRM, CRNF, CRCT, WRC, EDNF and CRT are subject to extensive and frequently changing federal, state and local, environmental and health and safety laws and regulations governing the emission and release of hazardous substances into the environment, the treatment and discharge of waste water, and the storage, handling, use and transportation of petroleum and nitrogen products, and the characteristics and composition of gasoline and diesel fuels. The ultimate impact of complying with evolving laws and regulations is not always clearly known or determinable due in part to the fact that CVR's operations may change over time and certain implementing regulations for laws, such as the federal Clean Air Act, have not yet been finalized, are under governmental or judicial review or are being revised. These laws and regulations could result in increased capital, operating and compliance costs for our Energy segment.
On August 1, 2016, CRCT received a Notice of Probable Violation, Proposed Civil Penalty and Proposed Compliance Order (the "NOPV") from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (the "PHMSA"). The NOPV alleges violations of the Pipeline Safety Regulations, Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations. The alleged violations include alleged failures (during various time periods) to (i) conduct quarterly notification drills, (ii) maintain certain required records, (iii) utilize certain required safety equipment (including line markers), (iv) take certain pipeline integrity management activities, (v) conduct certain cathodic protection testing, and (vi) make certain atmospheric corrosion inspections. The preliminary assessed civil penalty is approximately $0.5 million and the NOPV contained a compliance order outlining remedial compliance steps to be undertaken by CRCT. CRCT paid approximately $160,000 of the preliminary assessed civil penalty, is contesting and requesting mitigation of the remainder, and is also requesting reconsideration of the proposed compliance order. Although our Energy segment cannot predict with certainty the ultimate resolution of the claims asserted, it does not believe that the claims in the NOPV will have a material adverse effect on its operations.
CRRM and CRT have agreed to perform corrective actions at the Coffeyville, Kansas refinery and the now-closed Phillipsburg, Kansas terminal facility, pursuant to Administrative Orders on Consent issued under RCRA to address historical contamination by the prior owners (RCRA Docket No. VII-94-H-20 and Docket No. VII-95-H-11, respectively). WRC and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality ("ODEQ") have entered into a Consent Order (Case No. 15-056) to resolve certain legacy environmental issues related to historical groundwater contamination and the operation of a wastewater conveyance. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, our Energy segment had environmental accruals of $5 million and $4 million, respectively, which were reflected in the consolidated balance sheets for probable and estimated costs for remediation of environmental contamination under the RCRA Administrative Orders and the ODEQ Consent Order. Accruals were determined based on an estimate of payment costs through 2026, for which the scope of remediation was arranged with the EPA and ODEQ, and were discounted at the appropriate risk free rates at December 31, 2016 and 2015. The accruals include estimated closure and post-closure costs of less than $1 million for the two landfills at both December 31, 2016 and 2015.
CVR's management periodically reviews and, as appropriate, revises its environmental accruals. Based on current information and regulatory requirements, CVR's management believes that the accruals established for environmental expenditures are adequate.
In 2007, the EPA promulgated the Mobile Source Air Toxic II ("MSAT II") rule that requires the reduction of benzene in gasoline by 2011. The MSAT II projects for CRRM and WRC were completed within the compliance deadline of November 1, 2014. The projects were completed at a total cost, excluding capitalized interest, of $48 million for CRRM and $89 million for WRC.
In April 2014, the EPA promulgated the Tier 3 Motor Vehicle Emission and Fuel Standards, which will require that gasoline contain no more than ten parts per million of sulfur on an annual average basis. Refineries must be in compliance with the more stringent emission standards by January 1, 2017; however, compliance with the rule is extended until January 1, 2020 for approved small volume refineries and small refiners. In March 2015, the EPA approved the Wynnewood refinery's application requesting "small volume refinery" status. In June 2016, because it exceeded the EPA’s specified throughput limit for a “small volume refinery.” the Wynnewood refinery became disqualified as a “small volume refinery.” Therefore, the Wynnewood refinery’s compliance deadline was accelerated to December 21, 2018. It is not anticipated that the refineries will require additional controls or capital expenditures to meet the anticipated new standard.
CVR Refining is subject to the Renewable Fuel Standard ("RFS") which requires refiners to either blend "renewable fuels" with their transportation fuels or purchase renewable fuel credits, known as RINs in lieu of blending. Due to mandates in the RFS requiring increasing volumes of renewable fuels to replace petroleum products in the U.S. transportation fuel market, there may be a decrease in demand for petroleum products. Beginning in 2011, the Coffeyville refinery was required to blend renewable fuels into its transportation fuel or purchase RINs in lieu of blending. In 2013, the Wynnewood refinery was subject to the RFS for the first time. CVR Refining is not able to blend the substantial majority of its transportation fuels and has to purchase RINs on the open market, as well as waiver credits for cellulosic biofuels from the EPA, in order to comply with the RFS.
The cost of RINs has been extremely volatile as the EPA's proposed renewable fuel volume mandates approached the "blend wall." The blend wall refers to the point at which the amount of ethanol blended into the transportation fuel supply exceeds the demand for transportation fuel containing such levels of ethanol. The blend wall is generally considered to be reached when more than 10% ethanol by volume ("E10 gasoline") is blended into transportation fuel.
On December 14, 2015, the EPA published in the Federal Register a final rule establishing the renewable fuel volume mandates for 2014, 2015 and 2016, and the biomass-based diesel mandate for 2017. On December 12, 2016, the EPA published in the Federal Register a final rule establishing the renewable fuel volume mandates for 2017, and the biomass-based diesel mandate for 2018. The volumes included in the EPA's final rule increase each year, but are lower, with the exception of the volumes for biomass-based diesel, than the volumes required by the Clean Air Act. The EPA used its waiver authorities to lower the volumes, but its decision to do so for the 2014-2016 compliance years has been challenged in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. In addition, the EPA has articulated a policy to incentivize additional investments in renewable fuel blending and distribution infrastructure by increasing the price of RINs.
The cost of RINs was $206 million, $124 million and $127 million for years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the petroleum business' biofuel blending obligation was $186 million and $10 million, respectively, which is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. The price of RINs has been extremely volatile and has increased over the last year. The future cost of RINs is difficult to estimate. Additionally, the cost of RINs is dependent upon a variety of factors, which include the availability of RINs for purchase, the price at which RINs can be purchased, transportation fuel production levels, the mix of the petroleum business' petroleum products, as well as the fuel blending performed at the its refineries and downstream terminals, all of which can vary significantly from period to period.
In March 2004, CRRM and CRT entered into a Consent Decree (the "2004 Consent Decree") with the EPA and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (the "KDHE") to resolve air compliance concerns raised by the EPA and KDHE related to Farmland Industries Inc.'s prior ownership and operation of the Coffeyville crude oil refinery and the now-closed Phillipsburg terminal facilities. Under the 2004 Consent Decree, CRRM agreed to reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter from its fluid catalytic cracking unit ("FCCU") by January 1, 2011. In addition, pursuant to the 2004 Consent Decree, CRRM and CRT assumed clean-up obligations at the Coffeyville refinery and the now-closed Phillipsburg terminal facilities.
In March 2012, CRRM entered into a second consent decree (the "Second Consent Decree") with the EPA and KDHE, which replaced the 2004 Consent Decree (other than certain financial assurance provisions associated with corrective action at the refinery and terminal under RCRA). The Second Consent Decree was entered by the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas on April 19, 2012. The Second Consent Decree gave CRRM more time to install the FCCU controls from the 2004 Consent Decree and expands the scope of the settlement so that it is now considered a "global settlement" under the EPA's "National Petroleum Refining Initiative." Under the National Petroleum Refining Initiative, the EPA alleged industry-wide non-compliance with four "marquee" issues under the Clean Air Act: New Source Review, Flaring, Leak Detection and Repair, and Benzene Waste Operations NESHAP. The National Petroleum Refining Initiative has resulted in most U.S. refineries (representing more than 95% of the U.S. refining capacity) entering into consent decrees requiring the payment of civil penalties and the installation of air pollution control equipment and enhanced operating procedures. Under the Second Consent Decree, CRRM was required to pay a civil penalty of approximately $0.7 million and complete the installation of FCCU controls required under the 2004 Consent Decree, add controls to certain heaters and boilers and enhance certain work practices relating to wastewater and fugitive emissions. In March 2016, the United States District Court for the District of Kansas approved a modification to the Second Consent Decree memorializing an agreement with the EPA and KDHE to modify provisions in the Second Consent Decree relating to the installation of controls to reduce air emissions of sulfur dioxide from the refinery's FCCU. Pursuant to the terms of the modification, CRRM is permitted to use alternative means of control to those currently specified in the Second Consent Decree provided it can meet the limits specified in the modification. As the modification does not require the controls specified in the Second Consent Decree, compliance costs have been reduced by approximately $35.0 million. The additional incremental capital expenditures associated with the Second Consent Decree are expected to be approximately $6.0 million.
In January 2014, the EPA issued an inspection report to the Wynnewood refinery related to a RCRA compliance evaluation inspection conducted in March 2013. In February 2014, ODEQ notified WRC that it concurred with the EPA's inspection findings and would be pursuing enforcement. WRC and ODEQ entered into a Consent Order in June 2015 resolving all alleged non-compliance associated with the RCRA compliance evaluation inspection, as well as issues related to possible soil and groundwater contamination associated with the prior owner's operation of the refinery. The Consent Order requires WRC to take certain corrective actions, including specified groundwater remediation and monitoring measures pursuant to a work plan and replacement of a wastewater conveyance to be approved by ODEQ. ODEQ approved the work plan submitted by WRC on February 1, 2016 and the replacement of a wastewater conveyance on August 15, 2016. WRC is in the process of implementing the specified groundwater remediation and monitoring measures. The costs of complying with the Consent Order are estimated to be approximately $4 million.
Environmental expenditures are capitalized when such expenditures are expected to result in future economic benefits. Capital expenditures incurred for environmental compliance and efficiency of the operations were $17 million, $36 million and $101 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and were incurred to improve the environmental compliance and efficiency of the operations.
CRRM, CRNF, CRCT, WRC, EDNF and CRT each believe it is in substantial compliance with existing EHS rules and regulations. There can be no assurance that the EHS matters described above or other EHS matters which may develop in the future will not have a material adverse effect on CVR's business, financial condition, or results of operations.
On September 28, 2012, the Wynnewood refinery experienced an explosion in a boiler unit during startup after a short outage as part of the turnaround process. Two employees were fatally injured. Damage at the refinery was limited to the boiler. Additionally, there has been no evidence of environmental impact. The refinery was in the final stages of shutdown for turnaround maintenance at the time of the incident. WRC completed an internal investigation of the incident and cooperated with OSHA in its investigation. OSHA also conducted a general inspection of the facility during the boiler incident investigation. In March 2013, OSHA completed its investigation and communicated its citations to WRC. OSHA also placed WRC in its Severe Violators Enforcement Program ("SVEP"). WRC is vigorously contesting the citations and OSHA's placement of WRC in the SVEP. Any penalties associated with OSHA's citations are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial statements.
On September 19, 2016, Coffeyville Resources Pipeline, LLC ("CRPLLC"), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of CVR Refining, entered into an agreement with Velocity Central Oklahoma Pipeline LLC ("Velocity") related to their joint ownership of Velocity Pipeline Partners, LLC ("VPP"), which will construct, own and operate a crude oil pipeline. CRPLLC holds a 40% interest in VPP. Velocity holds a 60% interest in VPP and serves as the day-to-day operator of VPP. As of December 31, 2016, CRPLLC has contributed approximately $6 million to VPP, which is recorded in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet, and expects to contribute a total of approximately $9 million during the pipeline construction.
Railcar
On October 24, 2014, ARI filed a complaint in United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against GyanSys, Inc. ("GyanSys"). The complaint asserts a claim against GyanSys for breaching its contract with ARI to implement an enterprise resource planning system. ARI's complaint alleges that it has suffered damages in excess of $25 million as a result of GyanSys' breach. GyanSys filed a response to the suit denying its responsibility. It also alleged a counterclaim against ARI for breach of contract and wrongful termination, seeking equitable relief and damages, which GyanSys alleges to be more than $10 million. At this time, ARI does not have sufficient information to reasonably form an estimate of the potential outcome (gain or loss) of this litigation and as a result, no such accrual has been made. On September 9, 2015, the court denied ARI's motion to dismiss the wrongful termination counterclaim. A trial date has been tentatively scheduled for June 12, 2017. However, ARI believes that Gyansys' counterclaims lack merit and will continue to vigorously defend against these counterclaims.
FRA Directive
As previously disclosed, on September 30, 2016 the Federal Railroad Administration ("FRA") issued Railworthiness Directive ("RWD") No. 2016-01 (the "Original Directive"). The Original Directive addressed, among other things, certain welding practices in one weld area in specified DOT 111 tank railcars manufactured between 2009 and 2015 by ARI and ACF. Our Railcar segment met and corresponded with the FRA following the issuance of the Original Directive to express its concerns with the Original Directive and its impact on our Railcar segment, as well as the industry as a whole.
On November 18, 2016 (the "Issuance Date"), the FRA issued RWD No. 2016-01 [Revised] (the "Revised Directive"). The Revised Directive changes and supersedes the Original Directive in several ways.
The Original Directive indicated that approximately 14,800 general purpose tank railcars could be affected. The Revised Directive requires owners to identify their subject tank cars and then from that population identify the 15% of subject tank cars currently in hazardous materials service with the highest mileage in each tank car owner’s fleet. Visual inspection of each of the subject tank railcars is required by the car operator prior to putting any railcar into service. Owners must ensure appropriate inspection, testing and repairs, if needed, within 12 months of the Issuance Date for the 15% of their subject tank railcars identified to be in hazardous materials service with the highest mileage. The FRA will monitor and analyze the results of the 15% sample and has reserved the right to impose additional test and inspection requirements for the remaining fleet of tank cars subject to the Revised Directive.
Our Railcar segment has evaluated its potential exposure related to the Revised Directive and has established a loss contingency of $16 million to cover its probable and estimable liabilities, as of December 31, 2016, with respect to our Railcar segment's response to the Revised Directive, taking into account currently available information and our Railcar segment's contractual obligations in its capacity as both a manufacturer and lessor of railcars subject to the Revised Directive. This amount is included in accrued expenses and other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet and will continue to be evaluated as our Railcar segment's and its customers' compliance with the Revised Directive progresses and our Railcar segment's understanding of the impact the Revised Directive may have on its business, including results of operations and cash flows, evolves. Actual results could differ from this estimate.
It is reasonably possible that a loss exists in excess of the amount accrued our Railcar segment. However, the amount of potential costs and expenses expected to be incurred for compliance with the Revised Directive in excess of the loss contingency of $16 million cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.
Although the Revised Directive addresses some of Railcar segment's concerns and clarifies certain requirements of the Original Directive, our Railcar segment has identified significant issues with the Revised Directive. As a result, in a letter to the FRA dated November 28, 2016, our Railcar segment has requested that the FRA immediately rescind or stay the Revised Directive without reinstating the Original Directive. In addition, our Railcar segment has sought judicial review of and relief from the Revised Directive. On December 13, 2016, our Railcar segment filed a petition for review in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit against the FRA. In the petition, our Railcar segment asserted that (i) the Revised Directive was unlawful and inconsistent with administrative law, (ii) the Revised Directive is arbitrary, capricious and inconsistent with law, (iii) the FRA exceeded its authority when it issued the Revised Directive and (iv) the Revised Directive was an improper adjudication under applicable laws. The petition requests that the court review, remand and vacate, defer enforcement of, and/or stay pending review, the Revised Directive. Our Railcar segment cannot assure you that this petition will be successful in reversing or modifying the Revised Directive or if it is successful, whether it will be successful in a reasonable amount of time to benefit railcar owners with cars subject to the Revised Directive. Regardless of the petition, significant uncertainty exists in connection with the Revised Directive and its implementation. Our Railcar segment's attempts to comply with the Revised Directive may fail if it is unable to get clarification from the FRA on a variety of questions and our Railcar segment or other car owners cannot meet the expectations of the FRA in complying with the Revised Directive. Legal fees incurred with respect to this matter will be expensed in the period in which they occur, in accordance with our Railcar segment's accounting policy.
Gaming
Tropicana Evansville Land Lease
Tropicana leases from the City of Evansville, Indiana approximately ten acres of the approximately 20 acres on which Tropicana Evansville is situated. In January 2016 Tropicana and the City of Evansville entered into a sixth amendment to the lease agreement (the "Sixth Amendment"), which was approved by the Indiana Gaming Commission in February 2016, along with Tropicana's application to move its casino operation from its current dockside gaming vessel to a future-developed landside gaming facility. Under the Sixth Amendment, in exchange for Tropicana's commitment to expend at least $50 million to develop a landside gaming facility (the "Tropicana Development Project") along with a pre-payment of lease rent in the amount of $25 million (the "Rental Pre-Payments"), the City of Evansville granted Tropicana a $20 million redevelopment credit (the "Redevelopment Credit"). In December 2015, Tropicana paid the first $12.5 million Rental Pre-Payment, and the second $12.5 million Rental Pre-Payment is due upon the opening of the Tropicana Development Project. Both the Rental Pre-Payments and the Redevelopment Credit will be applied against future rent in equal monthly amounts over a period of one hundred and 120 months commencing upon the opening of the Tropicana Development Project. Under the terms of the lease, as amended by the Sixth Amendment, Tropicana may extend the lease term through November 30, 2055 by exercising renewal options. The current term commenced December 1, 2015 and expires November 30, 2027 under the terms of the Sixth Amendment. Thereafter, Tropicana may extend the lease for a three (3) year term through November 30, 2030, followed by five (5) five-year renewal options through November 30, 2055. Under the terms of the Sixth Amendment, in the event Tropicana decides not to exercise its renewal option(s) and continues to conduct gaming operations in the City of Evansville, the lease may not be terminated and will continue through November 30, 2055, unless Tropicana and the City of Evansville enter into a replacement agreement that includes payments to the City of Evansville in the amount equal to rent payments under the lease. Under the terms of the lease, as amended by the Sixth Amendment, Tropicana is required to pay a percentage of the adjusted gross receipts ("AGR") for the year in rent with a minimum annual rent of no less than $2 million. The percentage rent shall be equal to 2% of the AGR up to $25 million, plus 4% of the AGR in excess of $25 million up to $50 million, plus 6% of the AGR in excess of $50 million up to $75 million, plus 8% of the AGR in excess of $75 million up to $100 million and plus 10% of the AGR in excess of $100 million. In accordance with a prior lease amendment in March 2010, during 2010 Tropicana paid a total of $14 million for the prepayment of rent to the City of Evansville for the period between January 2011 and December 2015.
Pursuant to the terms of the Sixth Amendment, Tropicana has commenced construction of the new landside gaming facility, which will encompass 75,000 square feet of enclosed space (including approximately 45,000 square feet of casino floor, additional food and beverage outlets and back of house space). In addition, pursuant to the Sixth Amendment, Tropicana intends to remove its riverboat casino from its current location, so that the Evansville LST 325 Maritime vessel, a historic warship, can be docked in its place. In addition, Tropicana anticipates making available to the City of Evansville and other parties, space within the existing pavilion building for a ticket counter, museum and/or gift shop to support the Evansville LST 325 Maritime vessel.
Metals
Environmental Matters
Certain of PSC Metals' facilities are environmentally impaired in part as a result of operating practices at the sites prior to their acquisition by PSC Metals and as a result of PSC Metals' operations. PSC Metals has established procedures to periodically evaluate these sites, giving consideration to the nature and extent of the contamination. PSC Metals has provided for the remediation of these sites based upon management's judgment and prior experience. PSC Metals has recorded a liability of $28 million and $29 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, to remediate these sites. PSC Metals believes, based on past experience, that the vast majority of these environmental liabilities and costs will be assessed and paid over an extended period of time. PSC Metals believes that it will be able to fund such costs in the ordinary course of business.
Estimates of PSC Metals' liability for remediation of a particular site and the method and ultimate cost of remediation require a number of assumptions that are inherently difficult to make, and the ultimate outcome may be materially different from current estimates. Moreover, because PSC Metals has disposed of waste materials at numerous third-party disposal facilities, it is possible that PSC Metals will be identified as a PRP at additional sites. The impact of such future events cannot be estimated at the current time.
PSC Metals has been designated as a PRP under U.S. federal and state superfund laws with respect to certain sites with which PSC Metals may have had a direct or indirect involvement. It is alleged that PSC Metals and its subsidiaries or their predecessors transported waste to the sites, disposed of waste at the sites or operated the sites in question.  In addition, one of PSC Metals' Knoxville locations was the subject of investigations by the State of Tennessee under the federal Superfund law. These investigations were performed by the State of Tennessee pursuant to a contract with the EPA. PSC Metals is exploring a potential settlement of the matter. Currently, PSC Metals cannot assess the impact of any cost or liability associated with these investigations. With respect to all other matters in which PSC Metals has been designated as a PRP under U.S. federal and state superfund laws, PSC Metals has reviewed the nature and extent of the allegations, the number, connection and financial ability of other named and unnamed PRPs and the nature and estimated cost of the likely remedy. Based on reviewing the nature and extent of the allegations, PSC Metals has estimated its liability to remediate these sites to be immaterial at each of December 31, 2016 and 2015. If it is determined that PSC Metals has liability to remediate those sites and that more expensive remediation approaches are required in the future, PSC Metals could incur additional obligations, which could be material.
In November and December of 2011, PSC Metals received three notices of violation ("NOV") from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (“MDNR”) for hazardous waste and water violations related to its Festus, Missouri location. PSC Metals has entered into a settlement with MDNR that resolves these NOVs.  Currently, PSC Metals believes that it has established adequate reserves for the cost of this settlement.  In addition, PSC Metals believes that it has a claim for indemnification against the prior owner of the facility associated with the above-referenced notices of violation. MDNR and PSC Metals, as part of the resolution of MDNR's NOVs, have undertaken sampling for lead at residences near PSC Metals' Festus yard. Approximately 67 residences were sampled and tested, and of those, approximately 15 tested above residential standards for lead contamination. PSC Metals has entered into a settlement agreement with MDNR which resolves MNDR’s claims and requires limited soil remediation at the 15 residences. PSC Metals is in the process of completing the final stages of the remediation required by the settlement agreement. Currently, PSC Metals believes that it has adequately reserved for the cost of remediation associated with its Festus yard and the residential areas near the yard. However, PSC Metals cannot assess its liability with certainty at this time. Additionally, PSC Metals believes that liability for off-site contamination was retained by the prior owner of the Festus yard and accordingly, it would have a claim for indemnification against the prior owner.
Other Matters
Mr. Icahn, through certain affiliates, owns 100% of Icahn Enterprises GP and approximately 89.8% of Icahn Enterprises' outstanding depositary units as of December 31, 2016. Applicable pension and tax laws make each member of a “controlled group” of entities, generally defined as entities in which there is at least an 80% common ownership interest, jointly and severally liable for certain pension plan obligations of any member of the controlled group. These pension obligations include ongoing contributions to fund the plan, as well as liability for any unfunded liabilities that may exist at the time the plan is terminated. In addition, the failure to pay these pension obligations when due may result in the creation of liens in favor of the pension plan or the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC") against the assets of each member of the controlled group.
As a result of the more than 80% ownership interest in us by Mr. Icahn’s affiliates, we and our subsidiaries are subject to the pension liabilities of entities in which Mr. Icahn has a direct or indirect ownership interest of at least 80%. As a result of our ownership of more than 80% in our subsidiaries, we and our subsidiaries are subject to the pension liabilities of all entities in which Mr. Icahn has a direct or indirect ownership interest of at least 80%. ACF and Federal-Mogul, are the sponsors of several pension plans. All the minimum funding requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended by the Pension Protection Act of 2006, for these plans have been met as of December 31, 2016 and 2015. If the plans were voluntarily terminated, they would be underfunded by approximately $613 million and $589 million as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. These results are based on the most recent information provided by the plans’ actuaries. These liabilities could increase or decrease, depending on a number of factors, including future changes in benefits, investment returns, and the assumptions used to calculate the liability. As members of the controlled group, we would be liable for any failure of ACF and Federal-Mogul to make ongoing pension contributions or to pay the unfunded liabilities upon a termination of the pension plans of ACF and Federal-Mogul. In addition, other entities now or in the future within the controlled group in which we are included may have pension plan obligations that are, or may become, underfunded and we would be liable for any failure of such entities to make ongoing pension contributions or to pay the unfunded liabilities upon termination of such plans.
The current underfunded status of the pension plans of ACF and Federal-Mogul requires them to notify the PBGC of certain “reportable events,” such as if we cease to be a member of the ACF and Federal-Mogul controlled group, or if we make certain extraordinary dividends or stock redemptions. The obligation to report could cause us to seek to delay or reconsider the occurrence of such reportable events.
Starfire Holding Corporation ("Starfire") which is 99.4% owned by Mr. Icahn, has undertaken to indemnify us and our subsidiaries from losses resulting from any imposition of certain pension funding or termination liabilities that may be imposed on us and our subsidiaries or our assets as a result of being a member of the Icahn controlled group. The Starfire indemnity (which does not extend to pension liabilities of our subsidiaries that would be imposed on us as a result of our interest in these subsidiaries and not as a result of Mr. Icahn and his affiliates holding more than an 80% ownership interest in us, and as such would not extend to the unfunded pension termination liability for Federal-Mogul) provides, among other things, that so long as such contingent liabilities exist and could be imposed on us, Starfire will not make any distributions to its stockholders that would reduce its net worth to below $250 million. Nonetheless, Starfire may not be able to fund its indemnification obligations to us.
In June and July of 2014, the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York and the SEC contacted Icahn Enterprises and Mr. Carl Icahn seeking the production of various documents pertaining to our and Mr. Icahn’s trading activities in various securities. We and Mr. Icahn have cooperated with the requests and provided documents in response to the subpoenas in October 2014. Neither the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York nor the SEC has made any claims or allegations against us or Mr. Icahn and we have not heard back from either office. We maintain a strong compliance program and, while no assurances can be made, at this time we do not believe this inquiry or any proceedings will have a material impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Consolidated Leases
Consolidated future minimum lease payments under operating leases with initial terms of one or more years consist of the following at December 31, 2016:
Year
 
Amount
 
 
(in millions)
2017
 
$
245

2018
 
225

2019
 
183

2020
 
155

2021
 
130

Thereafter
 
356

 
 
$
1,294


In connection with the ARL Initial Sale, which is expected to close in the second quarter of 2017, the table above excludes future minimum lease payments under operating leases with initial terms of one or more years aggregating $17 million relating to ARL as of December 31, 2016.
Rent expense under operating leases for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $237 million, $145 million and $112 million, respectively.