| Contingencies | N. Contingencies Environmental Matters Alcoa Corporation participates in environmental assessments and cleanups at several locations. These include currently or previously owned or operated facilities and adjoining properties, and waste sites, including Superfund (Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (CERCLA)) sites. A liability is recorded for environmental remediation when a cleanup program becomes probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. As assessments and cleanups proceed, the liability is adjusted based on progress made in determining the extent of remedial actions and related costs. The liability can change substantially due to factors such as, among others, the nature and extent of contamination, changes in remedial requirements, and technology advancements. Alcoa Corporation’s environmental remediation reserve balance reflects the most probable costs to remediate identified environmental conditions for which costs can be reasonably estimated. The following table details the changes in the carrying value of recorded environmental remediation reserves:
Balance at December 31, 2018
$
280
Liabilities incurred
73
Cash payments
(17
)
Reversals of previously recorded liabilities
(1
)
Balance at December 31, 2019
335
Liabilities incurred
2
Cash payments
(3
)
Foreign currency translation and other
(7
)
Balance at March 31, 2020
$
327
At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the current portion of Alcoa Corporation’s environmental remediation reserve balance was $38 and $39, respectively. The Company incurred liabilities of $2 and $1 for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which were primarily recorded in Cost of goods sold on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations. Payments related to remediation expenses applied against the reserve were $3 The estimated timing of cash outflows on the environmental remediation reserve at March 31, 2020 is as follows:
2020 (excluding the three months ended March 31, 2020)
$
24
2021 - 2025
194
Thereafter
109
Total
$
327
Reserve balances at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, associated with significant sites with active remediation underway or for future remediation were $268 and $274, respectively. In management’s judgment, the Company’s reserves are sufficient to satisfy the provisions of the respective action plans. Upon changes in facts or circumstances, a change to the reserve may be required. The Company’s significant sites include: Poços de Caldas, Brazil —The reserve associated with the 2015 closure of the Alcoa Alumínio S.A. smelter in Poços de Caldas, Brazil, is for remediation of historic spent potlining storage and disposal areas. The final remediation plan is currently under review; such review could require the reserve balance to be adjusted. Fusina and Portovesme, Italy —Alcoa Corporation’s subsidiary Alcoa Trasformazioni S.r.l. has remediation projects underway for its closed smelter sites at Fusina and Portovesme which have been approved by the Italian Ministry of Environment and Protection of Land and Sea (MOE). Work is ongoing for soil remediation at both sites with expected completion in 2020. Additionally, annual payments are made to MOE over a 10-year period through 2022 for groundwater emergency containment and natural resource damages at the Fusina site. A groundwater remediation project at Portovesme will have a final remedial design completed in 2020 which may result in a change to the existing reserve. Suriname —The reserve associated with the 2017 closure of the Suralco refinery and bauxite mine is for treatment and disposal of refinery waste and soil remediation. The work began in 2017 and is expected to be completed at the end of 2025. Hurricane Creek, Arkansas —The reserve associated with the 1990 closure of two mining areas and refineries near Hurricane Creek, Arkansas is for ongoing monitoring and maintenance for water quality surrounding the mine areas and residue disposal areas. Massena, New York —The reserve associated with the 2015 closure of the Massena East smelter by the Company’s subsidiary, Reynolds Metals Company, is for subsurface soil remediation to be performed after demolition of the structures. Remediation work is expected to commence in 2021 and will take four to eight years to complete. Point Comfort, Texas —The reserve associated with the 2019 closure of the Point Comfort alumina refinery is for disposal of industrial wastes contained at the site, subsurface remediation, and post-closure monitoring and maintenance. The final remediation plan is currently under review, which may result in a change to the existing reserve. Sherwin, Texas —In connection with the 2018 settlement of a dispute related to the previously-owned Sherwin alumina refinery, the Company’s subsidiary, Copano Enterprises LLC, accepted responsibility for the final closure of four bauxite residue waste disposal areas (known as the Copano facility). Work commenced on the first residue in 2018 and will take eight to twelve years to complete, depending on the nature of its potential re-use. Work on the next three areas has not commenced but is expected to be completed by 2048, depending on its potential re-use. Longview, Washington —In connection with a 2018 Consent Decree and Cleanup Action Plan with the Washington State Department of Ecology, the Company’s subsidiary, Northwest Alloys, accepted certain responsibilities for future remediation of contaminated soil and sediments at the site located near Longview, Washington. Other Sites —The Company is in the process of decommissioning various other plants and remediating sites in several countries for potential redevelopment or to return the land to a natural state. In aggregate, there are approximately 35 remediation projects at these other sites that are planned or underway. These activities will be completed at various times in the future with the latest expected to be in 2026, after which ongoing monitoring and other activities may be required. At March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the reserve balance associated with these activities was $59 and $61, respectively. Tax Spain — In July 2013, following a corporate income tax audit covering the 2006 through 2009 tax years, an assessment was received from Spain’s tax authorities disallowing certain interest deductions claimed by ParentCo’s Spanish consolidated tax group. In 2015, ParentCo filed an appeal of this assessment to Spain’s Central Tax Administrative Court which was denied. Two months later, ParentCo filed an appeal in Spain’s National Court (the National Court). The amount of this assessment, including interest, was $152 (€131) as of June 30, 2018. In July 2018, the National Court denied ParentCo’s appeal of the assessment; however, it required Spain’s tax authorities to issue a new assessment, which considers available net operating losses of the former Spanish consolidated tax group from prior tax years that can be utilized during the assessed tax years. Subsequently, Arconic Inc. and Alcoa Corporation (collectively, the Companies) estimated the amount of the new assessment, including applicable interest, to be in the range of $25 to $61 (€21 to €53) after consideration of available net operating losses and tax credits. Under the Tax Matters Agreement related to the Separation Transaction, unfavorable tax outcomes are split by Arconic Inc. and Alcoa Corporation 51% and 49%, respectively. Based on a review of the basis on which the National Court decided this matter, Alcoa Corporation management no longer believed that the Companies were more likely than not (greater than 50%) to prevail in this matter. Accordingly, in the third quarter of 2018, Alcoa Corporation recorded a charge of $30 (€26) in Provision for income taxes to establish a liability for its 49% share of the estimated loss in this matter, representing management’s best estimate at the time. On November 8, 2018, the Companies filed a petition for appeal to Spain’s Supreme Court, which was accepted in March 2019 and an appeal was submitted on May 6, 2019. Separately, in January 2017, the National Court issued a decision in favor of the former Spanish consolidated tax group related to a similar assessment for the 2003 through 2005 tax years, effectively making that assessment null and void. Additionally, in August 2017, in lieu of receiving a formal assessment, the Companies reached a settlement with Spain’s tax authorities for the 2010 through 2013 tax years that had been under audit for a similar matter. Alcoa Corporation’s share of this settlement was not material to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. The ultimate outcomes related to the 2003 through 2005 and the 2010 through 2013 tax years are not indicative of the potential ultimate outcome of the assessment for the 2006 through 2009 tax years due to procedural differences. Also, it is possible that the Companies may receive similar assessments for tax years subsequent to 2013; however, management does not expect any such assessment, if received, to be material to Alcoa Corporation’s Consolidated Financial Statements. Brazil (AWAB) — In March 2013, AWAB was notified by the Brazilian Federal Revenue Office (RFB) that approximately $110 (R$220) of value added tax credits previously claimed are being disallowed and a penalty of 50% assessed. Of this amount, AWAB received $41 (R$82) in cash in May 2012. The value-added tax credits were claimed by AWAB for both fixed assets and export sales related to the Juruti bauxite mine and São Luís refinery expansion. The RFB has disallowed credits they allege belong to the consortium in which AWAB owns an interest and should not have been claimed by AWAB. Credits have also been disallowed as a result of challenges to apportionment methods used, questions about the use of the credits, and an alleged lack of documented proof. AWAB presented defense of its claim to the RFB on April 8, 2013. If AWAB is successful in this administrative process, the RFB would have no further recourse. If unsuccessful in this process, AWAB has the option to litigate at a judicial level. Separately from AWAB’s administrative appeal, in June 2015, new tax law was enacted repealing the provisions in the tax code that were the basis for the RFB assessing a 50% penalty in this matter. As such, the estimated range of reasonably possible loss for these matters is $0 to $43 (R$220). It is management’s opinion that the allegations have no basis; however, at this time, the Company is unable to reasonably predict an outcome for this matter. Australia (AofA) — In December 2019, AofA received a statement of audit position (SOAP) from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) related to the pricing of certain historic third-party alumina sales. The SOAP proposed adjustments that would result in additional income tax payable by AofA of approximately $129 (A$212), exclusive of interest and penalties. The SOAP is currently the subject of an independent review process within the ATO. At the conclusion of this process, the ATO may or may not issue a tax assessment. If an assessment were to be issued, in accordance with the ATO dispute procedures, it is expected that AofA would pay 50% of the disputed tax amount to the ATO. AofA could then pursue all available dispute resolution methods, up to and including the filing of proceedings in the Australian Courts, without the ATO seeking further payment prior to final resolution. If AofA is ultimately successful, any amounts paid to the ATO would be refunded. Management does not agree with the ATO’s position and believes it is more likely than not the Company’s tax position will be sustained and, therefore, has not recognized any tax liabilities in relation to this matter. Because the resolution of this matter is uncertain at this time, the Company cannot predict the outcome which may materially affect its financial results. AofA is part of the Company’s joint venture with Alumina Limited, an Australian public company listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. The Company and Alumina Limited own 60% and 40%, respectively, of the joint venture entities, including AofA. General In addition to the matters discussed above, various other lawsuits, claims, and proceedings have been or may be instituted or asserted against Alcoa Corporation, including those pertaining to environmental, safety and health, commercial, tax, product liability, intellectual property infringement, employment, and employee and retiree benefit matters, and other actions and claims arising out of the normal course of business. While the amounts claimed in these other matters may be substantial, the ultimate liability is not readily determinable because of the considerable uncertainties that exist. Accordingly, it is possible that the Company’s liquidity or results of operations in a particular period could be materially affected by one or more of these other matters. However, based on facts currently available, management believes that the disposition of these other matters that are pending or asserted will not have a material adverse effect, individually or in the aggregate, on the financial position of the Company. |
