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Commitments and Contingencies | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |
Commitments and Contingencies | Commitments and Contingencies Commitments. We have a variety of financial commitments, including purchase agreements, forward foreign exchange and forward sales contracts, indebtedness (and related Option Assets and Warrants) and letters of credit (see Note 3 and Note 8). Refer to Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 for information relating to minimum rental commitments under operating leases and purchase obligations. There were no material changes to such scheduled rental commitments as of March 31, 2015. During the quarter ended March 31, 2015, our contractual obligations increased by $14.7 million for 2015 due primarily to raw material purchase obligations. Environmental Contingencies. We are subject to a number of environmental laws and regulations, to potential fines or penalties assessed for alleged breaches of such law and regulations and to potential claims based upon such laws and regulations. We have established procedures for regularly evaluating environmental loss contingencies. Our environmental accruals represent our undiscounted estimate of costs reasonably expected to be incurred based on presently enacted laws and regulations, existing requirements, currently available facts, existing technology and our assessment of the likely remediation actions to be taken. In 2012, we submitted a final feasibility study to the Washington State Department of Ecology ("Washington State Ecology") that included recommendations for remediation alternatives primarily to address the historical use of oils containing polychlorinated biphenyls, ("PCBs") at our Trentwood facility. We also signed an amended work order in 2012 with Washington State Ecology allowing certain remediation activities to begin the initiation of a treatability study in regards to proposed PCB remediation methods. We began implementation of certain approved sections of the work plan in 2013 and throughout 2014, completing a number of these sections in 2014. We continue to work with Washington State Ecology in developing the implementation plans for the remaining remediation activity as well as receiving final approval for the sections of the work plan completed to date. During 2013, at the request of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency ("OEPA"), we initiated an investigational study of the Newark facility related to historical on-site waste disposal. During 2014, we completed a number of preliminary steps in the preparation of completing the final risk assessment and feasibility study, both of which are subject to review and approval by the OEPA. As this work continues and progresses to a risk assessment and feasibility study, we will establish and update the estimates for probable and estimable remediations, if any. The actual and final cost for remediation will not be fully determinable until a final feasibility study is submitted and accepted by the OEPA and work plans are prepared, which is expected to occur within the next 18 to 24 months. At March 31, 2015, our environmental accrual of $19.4 million represented our estimate of the incremental remediation cost based on (i) proposed alternatives in the final feasibility study related to our Trentwood facility; (ii) currently available facts with respect to our Newark facility; and (iii) facts related to certain other locations owned or formally owned by us. In accordance with approved and proposed remediation action plans, we expect that the implementation and ongoing monitoring could occur over a period of 30 or more years. As additional facts are developed, feasibility studies are completed, draft remediation plans are modified, necessary regulatory approvals for the implementation of remediation are obtained, alternative technologies are developed, and/or other factors change, there may be revisions to management’s estimates and actual costs may exceed the current environmental accruals. We believe at this time that it is reasonably possible that undiscounted costs associated with these environmental matters may exceed current accruals by amounts that could be, in the aggregate, up to an estimated $24.7 million over the remediation period. It is reasonably possible that our recorded estimate may change in the next 12 months. Refer to Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 for information relating to environmental contingencies. Other Contingencies. We are party to various lawsuits, claims, investigations and administrative proceedings that arise in connection with past and current operations. We evaluate such matters on a case-by-case basis, and our policy is to vigorously contest any such claims we believe are without merit. We accrue for a legal liability when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss is material and reasonably estimable. Quarterly, in addition to when changes in facts and circumstances require it, we review and adjust these accruals to reflect the impacts of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel and other information and events pertaining to a particular case. While uncertainties are inherent in the final outcome of such matters and it is presently impossible to determine the actual cost that may ultimately be incurred, we believe that we have sufficiently accrued for such matters and that the ultimate resolution of pending matters will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, operating results, or liquidity.

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