| Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | rms “we,” “our,” “ours,” “us” and “Company” refer to Covanta Holding Corporation and its subsidiaries; the term “Covanta Energy” refers to our subsidiary Covanta Energy, LLC and its subsidiaries. Organization Covanta is one of the world’s largest owners and operators of infrastructure for the conversion of waste to energy (known as “energy-from-waste” or “EfW”), and also owns and operates related waste transport and disposal and other renewable energy production businesses. EfW serves two key markets as both a sustainable waste management solution that is environmentally superior to landfilling and as a source of clean energy that reduces overall greenhouse gas emissions and is considered renewable under the laws of many states and under federal law. Our facilities are critical infrastructure assets that allow our customers, which are principally municipal entities, to provide an essential public service. Our EfW facilities earn revenue from both the disposal of waste and the generation of electricity and/or steam, generally under contracts, as well as from the sale of metal recovered during the EfW process. We process approximately 22 million tons of solid waste annually. We operate and/or have ownership positions in 44 EfW facilities, which are primarily located in North America. In total, these assets produce approximately 10 million megawatt hours (“MWh”) of baseload electricity annually. We also operate a waste management infrastructure that is complementary to our core EfW business. We have one reportable segment which is comprised of our entire operating business. For additional information on our reportable segment, see Note 6. Business Segment and Geographic Information . Summary of Significant Accounting Policies The financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The following is a description of our significant accounting policies. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements reflect the results of our operations, cash flows and financial position of our majority-owned or controlled subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Equity and Cost Method Investments Investments in unconsolidated entities over which we have significant influence are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method of accounting, the investment is initially recorded at cost, then our proportional share of the underlying net income or loss is recorded as Equity in net income from unconsolidated investments in our statement of operations with a corresponding increase or decrease to the carrying value of the investment. Distributions received from the investee reduce our carrying value of the investment and are recorded in the consolidated statements of cash flows using the cumulative earnings approach. These investments are evaluated for impairment if events or circumstances arise that indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. There were no indicators of impairment related to our equity method investments for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 . Investments in entities over which we neither have significant influence nor control are accounted for using the cost method. Under the cost method, we record the investment at cost and recognize income for any dividends declared from distribution of the investments earnings. We review the cost method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may no longer be recoverable. We impair our cost method investments when we determine that there has been an “other-than temporary” decline in the investments' fair value compared to its carrying value. The fair value of the investment would then become the new cost basis of the investment. There were no indicators of impairment related to our cost method investments for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 . Revenue Recognition Our EfW projects generate revenue from three primary sources: 1) fees charged for operating facilities or for receiving waste for disposal (waste and service revenue); 2) the sale of electricity and/or steam (energy revenue); and 3) the sale of ferrous and non-ferrous metals that are recovered from the waste stream as part of the EfW process (recycled metals revenue). We may also generate other operating revenue from the construction, expansion or upgrade of a facility, when a public-sector client owns the facility. Our customers for waste services or facility operations are principally public-sector entities, though we also market disposal capacity at certain facilities to commercial customers. We also operate and/or have ownership positions in environmental services businesses, transfer stations and landfills (primarily for ash disposal) that are ancillary and complementary to our EfW projects and generate additional revenue from disposal or service fees. Revenue is allocated to the performance obligations in a contract on a relative standalone selling price basis. To the extent that we sell the good or service related to the performance obligation separately in the same market, the standalone selling price is the observable price that we sell the good or service separately in similar circumstances and to similar customers. The fees charged for our services are generally defined in our service agreements and vary based on contract-specific terms. Waste and Service Revenue Service Fee Service fee revenue is generated from the operations and maintenance services that we provide to owned and operated EfW facilities. We provide multiple waste disposal services aimed at operating and maintaining the facilities. Service fee revenue is generally based on an expected annual operating fee in relation to annual guaranteed waste processing and excess tonnage fees. The fees charged represent one performance obligation to operate and maintain each facility. Variable consideration primarily consists of fees earned for processing excess tonnage above a minimum specified in the contract. We act as the agent in contracts for the sale of energy and metals in service fee facilities that we operate and accordingly record revenues net for those contracts. Tip Fee Tip fees are generated from the sale of waste disposal services at EfW facilities that we own. We earn a per ton “tipping fee”, generally under long term contractual obligations with our host community and contractual obligations with municipal and commercial waste customers. The tipping fee is generally subject to an annual escalation. The performance obligation in these agreements is to provide waste disposal services for tons of acceptable waste. Revenue is recognized when the waste is delivered to the facility. Energy Sales Typical energy sales consist of: (a) electricity generation, (b) capacity and (c) steam. We primarily sell electricity either to utilities at contracted rates or at prevailing market rates in regional markets and in some cases, sell steam directly to industrial users. We sell a portion of electricity and other energy product outputs pursuant to contracts. As these contracts expire, we intend to sell an increasing portion of the energy output in competitive energy markets or pursuant to short-term contracts. Recycled Metals Revenue Recycled metals revenue represents the sale of recovered ferrous and non-ferrous metals to processors and end-users. The majority of our metals contracts are based on both an unspecified variable unit (i.e. tonnage) and variable forward market price index, while some contracts contain a fixed unit or fixed rate to form the basis of our overall transaction price. We recognize recycled metal revenue when control transfers to the customer. Other Operating Revenue (Construction) We generate additional revenue from the construction, expansion or upgrade of a facility, when a municipal client owns the facility and we provide the construction services. We generally use the cost incurred measure of progress for our construction contracts because it best depicts the transfer of control to the customer. Under the cost incurred measure of progress, the extent of progress towards completion is measured based on the ratio of costs incurred to date to the total estimated costs at completion of the performance obligation. Plant Operating Expense Plant operating expense includes facility employee costs, expense for materials and parts for facility scheduled and unscheduled maintenance and repair expense, which includes costs related to our internal maintenance team and non-facility employee costs. Plant operating expense also includes hauling and disposal expenses, fuel costs, chemicals and reagents, operating lease expense, and other facility operating related expense. Pass Through Costs Pass through costs are costs for which we receive a direct contractually committed reimbursement from the public sector client that sponsors an EfW project. These costs generally include utility charges, insurance premiums, ash residue transportation and disposal, and certain chemical costs. These costs are recorded net of public sector client reimbursements as a reduction to Plant operating expense in our consolidated statement of operations. Pass through costs were as follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2018 2017 2016 Pass through costs $ 57 $ 59 $ 41 Income Taxes Deferred income taxes are based on the difference between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities. The deferred income tax provision represents the change during the reporting period in the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities, net of the effect of acquisitions and dispositions. Deferred tax assets include tax losses and credit carryforwards and are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We file a consolidated federal income tax return for each of the periods covered by the consolidated financial statements, which include all eligible United States subsidiary companies. Foreign subsidiaries are taxed according to regulations existing in the countries in which they do business. Our federal consolidated income tax return also includes the taxable results of certain grantor trusts, which are excluded from our consolidated financial statements; however, certain related tax attributes are recorded in our consolidated financial statements since they are part of our federal tax return. Stock-Based Compensation Stock-based compensation awards to employees are accounted for as compensation expense based on their grant date fair values. For additional information, see Note 8. Stock-Based Award Plans . Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents include all cash balances and highly liquid investments having maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase. These short-term investments are stated at cost, which approximates fair value. Balances held by our international subsidiaries are not generally available for near-term liquidity in our domestic operations. Restricted Funds Held in Trust Restricted funds held in trust are primarily amounts received and held by third party trustees relating to certain projects we own. We generally do not control these accounts and these funds may be used only for specified purposes. These funds include debt service reserves for payment of principal and interest on project debt. Revenue funds are comprised of deposits of revenue received with respect to projects prior to their disbursement. Other funds include escrowed debt proceeds, amounts held in trust for operations, maintenance, environmental obligations, operating lease reserves in accordance with agreements with our clients, and amounts held for future scheduled distributions. Such funds are invested principally in money market funds, bank deposits and certificates of deposit, United States treasury bills and notes, United States government agency securities, and high-quality municipal bonds. Restricted fund balances are as follows (in millions): As of December 31, 2018 2017 Current Noncurrent Current Noncurrent Debt service funds - principal $ 16 $ — $ 10 $ 8 Debt service funds - interest — — — — Total debt service funds 16 — 10 8 Revenue funds 4 — 4 — Other funds 19 8 29 20 Total $ 39 $ 8 $ 43 $ 28 Receivables and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivables consist of amounts due to us from normal business activities. Allowances for doubtful accounts are the estimated losses from the inability of customers to make required payments. We use historical experience, as well as current market information, in determining the estimate. Property, Plant and Equipment, net Property, plant, and equipment acquired in business acquisitions is recorded at our estimate of fair value on the date of the acquisition. Additions, improvements and major expenditures are capitalized if they increase the original capacity or extend the remaining useful life of the original asset more than one year. Maintenance repairs and minor expenditures are expensed in the period incurred. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which generally range from three years for computer equipment to 50 years for certain infrastructure components of energy-from-waste facilities. Property, plant and equipment at our service fee operated facilities are not recognized on our balance sheet and any additions, improvements and major expenditures for which we are responsible at our service fee operated facilities are expensed in the period incurred. Our leasehold improvements are depreciated over the life of the lease term or the asset life, whichever is shorter. Upon retirement or disposal of assets, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the consolidated balance sheets and any gain or loss is reflected in the consolidated statements of operations. Property, plant and equipment, net consisted of the following (in millions): As of December 31, 2018 2017 Land $ 26 $ 25 Facilities and equipment 4,367 4,312 Landfills (primarily for ash disposal) 75 67 Construction in progress 71 54 Total 4,539 4,458 Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization (2,025 ) (1,852 ) Property, plant, and equipment — net $ 2,514 $ 2,606 Depreciation and amortization expense related to property, plant and equipment was $199 million , $197 million , and $185 million , for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Non-cash investing activities related to capital expenditures totaled $37 million , $18 million and $41 million as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 , respectively, and were recorded in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. Property, plant and equipment is evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate their carrying value may not be recoverable over their estimated useful life. In reviewing for recoverability, we compare the carrying amount of the relevant assets to their estimated undiscounted future cash flows. When the estimated undiscounted future cash flows are less than the assets carrying amount, the carrying amount is compared to the assets fair value. If the assets fair value is less than the carrying amount an impairment charge is recognized to reduce the assets carrying amount to its fair value. As of December 31, 2018 , we recognized an impairment on our property, plant and equipment of $63 million . For additional information, see Note 10. Supplementary Information - Impairment Charges . Asset Retirement Obligation We recognize a liability for asset retirement obligations when it is incurred, which is generally upon acquisition, construction, or development. Our liabilities include closure and post-closure costs for landfill cells and site restoration for certain energy-from-waste and power producing sites. We principally determine the liability using internal estimates of the costs using current information, assumptions, and interest rates, but also use independent appraisals as appropriate to estimate costs. When a new liability for asset retirement obligation is recorded, we capitalize the cost of the liability by increasing the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. The liability is accreted to its present value each period and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the useful life of the related asset. We recognize period-to-period changes in the liability resulting from revisions to the timing or the amount of the original estimate of the undiscounted cash flows. Current and noncurrent asset retirement obligations are included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities and Other liabilities, respectively, on our consolidated balance sheet. Our asset retirement obligation is presented as follows (in millions): As of December 31, 2018 2017 Beginning of period asset retirement obligation $ 26 $ 25 Accretion expense 3 2 Net change (1) — (1 ) End of period asset retirement obligation 29 26 Less: current portion (5 ) (2 ) Noncurrent asset retirement obligation $ 24 $ 24 (1) Comprised primarily of expenditures and settlements of the asset retirement obligation liability, net revisions based on current estimates of the liability and revised expected cash flows and life of the liability. Intangible Assets and Liabilities Our waste, service and energy contracts are intangible assets related to long-term operating contracts at acquired facilities. These intangible assets and liabilities, as well as lease interest and other finite intangible assets, are recorded at their estimated fair market values upon acquisition based primarily upon discounted cash flows in accordance with accounting standards related to business combinations. Intangible assets with finite lives are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate their carrying value may not be recoverable over their estimated useful life. In reviewing for recoverability, we compare the carrying amount of the relevant assets to their estimated undiscounted future cash flows. When the estimated undiscounted future cash flows are less than the assets carrying amount, the carrying amount is compared to the assets fair value. If the assets fair value is less than the carrying amount an impairment charge is recognized to reduce the assets carrying amount to its fair value. As of December 31, 2018 , we recognized an impairment on our intangible assets of $22 million . For additional information, see Note 10. Supplementary Information - Impairment Charges and Note 15. Intangible Assets and Goodwill . Goodwill Goodwill is the excess of our purchase price over the fair value of the net assets of acquired businesses. We do not amortize goodwill, but we assess our goodwill for impairment at least annually. The evaluation of goodwill requires the use of estimates of future cash flows to determine the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. All goodwill is related to our one reportable segment, which is comprised of two reporting units. A reporting unit is defined as an operating segment or a component of an operating segment to the extent discrete financial information is available that is reviewed by segment management which has been determined to be one level below our chief operating decision maker. For additional information see, Note 6. Business Segment and Geographic Information . If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value, an impairment charge is recognized to reduce the carrying value to the fair value. On October 1, 2018 we adopted ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, as discussed below under Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted. We performed the required annual impairment review of our recorded goodwill for each reporting unit as of October 1, 2018 and determined that the fair value of our reporting units was not less than their relative carrying values. For additional information, see Note 15. Intangible Assets and Goodwill . Business Combinations We recognize the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination at fair value including any noncontrolling interest of the acquired entity; recognize any goodwill acquired; establish the acquisition-date fair value based on the highest and best use by market participants for the asset as the measurement objective; and disclose information needed to evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination. We expense transaction costs directly associated to the acquisition as incurred; capitalize in-process research and development costs, if any; and record a liability for contingent consideration at the measurement date with subsequent remeasurement recognized in the results of operations. Any costs for business restructuring and exit activities related to the acquired company are included in the post-combination results of operations. Tax adjustments related to previously recorded business combinations, if any, are recognized in the results of operations. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") The changes in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income are as follows (in millions): Foreign Currency Translation Pension and Other Postretirement Plan Unrecognized Net Gain Net Unrealized Loss on Derivatives Total Balance at December 31, 2016 $ (41 ) $ 2 $ (23 ) $ (62 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 17 — (10 ) 7 Balance at December 31, 2017 $ (24 ) $ 2 $ (33 ) $ (55 ) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications (1 ) — (6 ) (7 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss 2 — 27 29 Net current period comprehensive income 1 — 21 22 Balance at December 31, 2018 $ (23 ) $ 2 $ (12 ) $ (33 ) Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Component Year Ended December 31, 2018 Affected Line Item in the Consolidated Statement of Operations Foreign currency translation $ 2 Gain (loss) on sale of assets (1) Interest rate swap 27 Gain (loss) on sale of assets (1) 29 Total before tax — Tax benefit Total reclassifications $ 29 Net of tax (1) For additional information see, Note 3. New Business and Asset Management. Derivative Instruments We recognize derivative instruments on the balance sheet at their fair value. We have entered into swap agreements with various financial institutions to hedge our exposure to energy price risk and interest rate risk. Changes in the fair value of the energy derivatives and the interest rate swap are recognized as a component of AOCI. For additional information, see Note 14. Derivative Instruments . Foreign Currency Translation For foreign operations, assets and liabilities are translated at year-end exchange rates and revenue and expense are translated at the average exchange rates during the year. Unrealized gains and losses resulting from foreign currency translation are included in the consolidated statements of equity as a component of AOCI. Currency transaction gains and losses are recorded in other operating expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Defined Contribution Plans Substantially all of our employees in the United States are eligible to participate in the defined contribution plans we sponsor. The defined contribution plans allow employees to contribute a portion of their compensation on a pre-tax basis in accordance with specified guidelines. We match a percentage of employee contributions up to certain limits. We also provide a company contribution to the defined contribution plans for eligible employees. Our costs related to defined contribution plans were $18 million , $18 million and $17 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Share Repurchases Under our share repurchase program, common stock repurchases may be made, from time to time, in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions, or by other available methods, at management’s discretion and in accordance with applicable federal securities laws. The timing and amounts of any repurchases will depend on many factors, including our capital structure, the market price of our common stock and overall market conditions, and whether any restrictions then exist under our policies relating to trading in compliance with securities laws. Purchase price over par value for share repurchases are allocated to additional paid-in capital up to the weighted average amount per share recorded at the time of initial issuance of our common stock, with any excess recorded as a reduction to retained earnings. For additional information, see Note 5. Equity and Earnings Per Share ("EPS") . Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets or liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates include: useful lives of long-lived assets, asset retirement obligations, construction expense estimates, unbilled service receivables, fair value of financial instruments, fair value of the reporting units for goodwill impairment analysis, fair value of long-lived assets for impairment analysis, renewable energy credits, stock-based compensation, purchase accounting allocations, cash flows and taxable income from future operations, valuation allowance for deferred taxes, liabilities related to uncertain tax positions, allowances for uncollectible receivables, and liabilities related to employee medical benefit obligations, workers’ compensation, severance and certain litigation. Reclassifications As discussed below under Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted , certain amounts have been reclassified in our prior period consolidated statements of cash flows to conform to current year presentation. Certain other amounts have been reclassified in our prior period consolidated balance sheet to conform to current year presentation. As a result, $251 million of intangible assets related to waste service and energy contracts, net, previously shown separately, are now classified within Intangible assets, net on our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2017. Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted In August 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") adopted the final rule under SEC Release No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification, amending certain disclosure requirements that were redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated or superseded. In addition, the amendments expanded the disclosure requirements on the analysis of stockholders’ equity for interim financial statements. Under the amendments, an analysis of changes in each caption of stockholders’ equity presented in the balance sheet must be provided in a note or separate statement. The analysis should present a reconciliation of the beginning balance to the ending balance of each period for which a statement of comprehensive income is required to be filed. The final rule is effective on November 5, 2018, as such, the Company plans to use the new presentation of a condensed consolidated statement of stockholders' equity within its interim financial statements beginning in its Form 10-Q for the quarter ending March 31, 2019. Other than the new presentation, we do not anticipate any material impact to our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures upon adoption. In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") 2017-07, Presentation of Net Periodic Pension and Postretirement Benefit Cost, to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost. The amendments require that the service cost component of the net periodic benefit cost be presented in the same operating income line items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by employees during the period. The non-service costs (e.g., interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortization of actuarial gains/losses, settlements) should be presented in the income statement outside of operating income. The amendments also allow only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization when applicable. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018. The amendments have been applied retrospectively for the income statement presentation requirements and prospectively for the limit on costs eligible for capitalization. The line item classification changes required by the new guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated statement of operations. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This new standard eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Instead, an entity should compare the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. We adopted this guidance on October 1, 2018. We performed our goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of 2018 in accordance with ASU 2017-04 and determined that the fair value of the goodwill exceeded its carrying value. The adoption of ASU 2017-04 had no impact on the result of our impairment test. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) — Restricted Cash, which requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. With this standard, amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning of period and end of period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. We adopted this guidance on January 1, 2018, and the guidance has been retrospectively applied to all periods presented. The total of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash is described in a supplemental table to the consolidated statements of cash flows. The changes to the beginning of period balance presented in our consolidated statement of cash flows are as follows (in millions): December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 As adjusted As previously reported As adjusted As previously reported Cash and cash equivalents $ 46 $ 46 $ 84 $ 84 Restricted funds classified as held for sale 77 — — — Restricted funds held in trust- short term 43 — 56 — Restricted funds held in trust- long term 28 — 54 — Beginning of period balance presented in the statement of cash flows $ 194 $ 46 $ 194 $ 84 The following table illustrates the effect of adoption of ASU 2016-18 on our consolidated statements of cash flows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2017 Year Ended December 31, 2016 As adjusted As previously reported As adjusted As previously reported Cash provided by operating activities $ 242 $ 243 $ 264 $ 286 Cash used in investing activities $ (289 ) $ (289 ) $ (254 ) $ (254 ) Cash provided by financing activities $ 40 $ 3 $ (72 ) $ (44 ) In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes - Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory, which requires entities to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The new standard must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition method, with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of initial adoption. Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted this standard. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance. Subsequent to the issuance of Topic 606, the FASB clarified the guidance through several ASUs; hereinafter the collection of revenue guidance is referred to as Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC") 606. The core principle of ASC 606 is that revenue should be recognized to depic |
