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Asset Retirement Obligations
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Asset Retirement Obligation [Abstract]  
Asset retirement obligations
Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company records obligations related to retirement costs of natural gas distribution mains and lines, decommissioning of certain electric generating facilities, reclamation of certain aggregate properties, special handling and disposal of hazardous materials at certain electric generating facilities, natural gas distribution facilities and buildings, and certain other obligations as asset retirement obligations.
A reconciliation of the Company's liability, which is included in other accrued liabilities and other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, for the years ended December 31 was as follows:
 
2015

2014

 
(In thousands)
Balance at beginning of year
$
27,211

$
27,327

Liabilities incurred
2,751

1,697

Liabilities settled
(1,708
)
(3,231
)
Accretion expense
1,163

1,112

Revisions in estimates
211,836

(73
)
Other
971

379

Balance at end of year
$
242,224

$
27,211


The 2015 revisions in estimates consist principally of updated natural gas distribution mains and lines asset retirement obligation costs.
The Company believes that largely all expenses related to asset retirement obligations at the Company's regulated operations will be recovered in rates over time and, accordingly, defers such expenses as regulatory assets.