12. Derivatives, Hedges, Financial Instruments and Carbon Credits

For the periods presented, the following significant instruments are accounted for on a fair value basis:

Carbon Credits and Associated Contractual Obligation

Periodically, we are issued carbon credits by the Climate Action Reserve in relation to a greenhouse gas reduction project performed at the Baytown Facility. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, we did not have any carbon credits or related contractual obligations. The cash flows associated with the carbon credits and the associated contractual obligations are included in cash flows from continuing investing activities.

Embedded Derivative

Certain embedded features (“embedded derivative”) relating to the redemption of the Series E Redeemable Preferred, which includes certain contingent redemption features and the participation rights value as discussed in Note 13, has been bifurcated from the Series E Redeemable Preferred and recorded as a liability. As the result of the Indenture Amendments in connection with the previously reported redemption of a portion of our Senior Secured Notes as discussed in Note 9, including the redemption of the portion of Series E Redeemable Preferred discussed in Notes 9 and 13, we estimate that the contingent redemption feature has no fair value at December 31, 2017 based on low probability that the remaining shares of Series E Redeemable Preferred would be redeemed prior to August 2, 2019. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the fair value of the participation rights was based on the equivalent of 303,646 shares of our common stock at $8.76 and $8.42 per share, respectively.

The following is a summary of the classifications of valuations of fair value:

Level 1 - The valuations of contracts classified as Level 1 are based on quoted prices in active markets for identical contracts. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, we did not have any contracts classified as Level 1.

Level 2 - The valuations of contracts classified as Level 2 are based on quoted prices for similar contracts and valuation inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for these contracts. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, we did not have any significant contracts classified as Level 2.

Level 3 – The valuations of assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 are based on prices or valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, we did not have any carbon credits or related contractual obligations associated with carbon credits. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the valuations of the embedded derivative are classified as Level 3. This derivative is valued using market information, management’s redemption assumptions, the underlying number of shares as defined in the terms of the Series E Redeemable Preferred, and the market price of our common stock. In addition, no valuation input adjustments were considered necessary relating to nonperformance risk for the embedded derivative.

12. Derivatives, Hedges, Financial Instruments and Carbon Credits (continued)

The following details our liabilities associated with continuing operations that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2017 and 2016:

				Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2017 Using
Description	Total Fair Value at December 31, 2017			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)			Total Fair Value at December 31, 2016
	(In Thousands)
Liabilities - Current and noncurrent accrued and other liabilities:
Embedded derivative		(2,660	)		—		—		(2,660	)		(2,557	)
Foreign exchange contracts		—			—		—		—			(1	)
Total	$	(2,660	)	$	—	$	—	$	(2,660	)	$	(2,558	)

None of our assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis transferred between Level 1 and Level 2 classifications for the periods presented. As discussed above under “Embedded Derivative”, as the result of entering into the Stock Purchase Agreement relating to the subsequent sale of the Climate Control Business, the valuation of the embedded derivative transferred from Level 2 to Level 3 as the result of the changes in probability relating to contingent redemption features requiring the use of significant unobservable inputs. The classification transfer of this derivative was deemed to occur at the beginning of the second quarter of 2016.

In addition, the following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3):

	Assets									Liabilities
	2017			2016			2015			2017			2016			2015
	(In Thousands)
Beginning balance	$	—		$	1,154		$	2,779		$	(2,557	)	$	(1,154	)	$	(2,779	)
Transfers into Level 3		—			—			—			—			(5,817	)		—
Transfers out of Level 3		—			—			—			—			—			—

Total realized and unrealized gains (losses) included in operating results		2,031			1,256			2,351			(1,690	)		802			(1,447	)
Purchases		—			—			—			—			—			—
Issuances		—			—			—			—			—			—
Sales		(2,031	)		(2,410	)		(3,976	)		—			—			—
Settlements		—			—			—			1,587			3,612			3,072
Ending balance	$	—		$	—		$	1,154		$	(2,660	)	$	(2,557	)	$	(1,154	)

Total gains (losses) for the period included in operating results attributed to the change in unrealized gains or losses on assets and liabilities still held at the reporting date	$	—		$	—		$	1,143		$	(103	)	$	(983	)	$	(1,143	)

12. Derivatives, Hedges, Financial Instruments and Carbon Credits (continued)

Net gains (losses) included in operating results and the statement of operations classifications are as follows:

	2017			2016			2015
	(In Thousands)
Total net gains (losses) included in operating results:
Cost of sales - Undesignated commodities contracts	$	—		$	140		$	(3,376	)
Cost of sales - Undesignated foreign exchange contracts		—			5			(72	)
Other income - Carbon credits		2,031			1,514			3,663
Other expense - Contractual obligations relating to carbon credits		(1,587	)		(982	)		(2,759	)
Non-operating other expense - embedded derivative		(103	)		(983	)		(520	)
Interest expense - Undesignated interest rate contracts		—			—			(47	)
Total net gains (losses) included in operating results	$	341		$	(306	)	$	(3,111	)

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, we did not have any financial instruments with fair values significantly different from their carrying amounts (which excludes issuance costs, if applicable), except for the Senior Secured Notes as shown below.

	2017				2016
	Carrying		Estimated		Carrying		Estimated
	Amount		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value
	(In Millions)
Senior Secured Notes (1)	$	375	$	372	$	375	$	356

(1)	Based on a quoted price of 99.25 and 94.88 at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The Senior Secured Notes valuations are classified as Level 2. The valuations of our other long-term debt agreements are classified as Level 3 and are based on valuation techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. The fair value measurements of our other long-term debt agreements are valued using a discounted cash flow model that calculates the present value of future cash flows pursuant to the terms of the debt agreements and applies estimated current market interest rates. The estimated current market interest rates are based primarily on interest rates currently being offered on borrowings of similar amounts and terms. In addition, no valuation input adjustments were considered necessary relating to nonperformance risk for our debt agreements. The fair value of financial instruments is not indicative of the overall fair value of our assets and liabilities since financial instruments do not include all assets, including intangibles, and all liabilities.

Also, see discussions concerning the utilization of fair value in conjunction with the evaluation of goodwill for impairment in 2016 under Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and certain assets and liabilities initially accounted for on a fair value basis under Note 8 – Asset Retirement Obligations.