Item 1. Financial Statements
Item 1. Financial Statements
WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
March 31,
December 31,
2022
2021
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and equivalents
$
391,417
$
147,441
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for credit losses of $ 19,361 and $ 18,480 at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively
727,737
709,614
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
293,625
175,722
Total current assets
1,412,779
1,032,777
Restricted cash
71,867
72,174
Restricted investments
59,449
59,014
Property and equipment, net
5,770,931
5,721,949
Operating lease right-of-use assets
162,332
160,567
Goodwill
6,427,763
6,187,643
Intangible assets, net
1,388,687
1,350,597
Other assets, net
120,554
115,203
Total assets
$
15,414,362
$
14,699,924
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
$
423,175
$
392,868
Book overdraft
16,809
16,721
Deferred revenue
293,729
273,720
Accrued liabilities
396,292
442,596
Current portion of operating lease liabilities
35,079
38,017
Current portion of contingent consideration
64,480
62,804
Current portion of long-term debt and notes payable
28,070
6,020
Total current liabilities
1,257,634
1,232,746
Long-term portion of debt and notes payable
5,817,641
5,040,500
Long-term portion of operating lease liabilities
134,392
129,628
Long-term portion of contingent consideration
31,558
31,504
Deferred income taxes
1,002,800
850,921
Other long-term liabilities
411,278
421,080
Total liabilities
8,655,303
7,706,379
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)
Equity:
Common shares: 257,164,867 shares issued and 257,096,408 shares outstanding at March 31, 2022; 260,283,158 shares issued and 260,212,496 shares outstanding at December 31, 2021
3,269,887
3,693,027
Additional paid-in capital
196,385
199,482
Accumulated other comprehensive income
110,358
39,584
Treasury shares: 68,459 and 70,662 shares at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively
—
—
Retained earnings
3,177,778
3,056,845
Total Waste Connections’ equity
6,754,408
6,988,938
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries
4,651
4,607
Total equity
6,759,059
6,993,545
$
15,414,362
$
14,699,924
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
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WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share and per share amounts)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2022
2021
Revenues
$
1,646,255
$
1,395,942
Operating expenses:
Cost of operations
989,518
825,920
Selling, general and administrative
163,414
141,422
Depreciation
179,950
157,402
Amortization of intangibles
37,635
32,192
Impairments and other operating items
1,878
634
Operating income
273,860
238,372
Interest expense
( 41,324 )
( 42,425 )
Interest income
137
1,103
Other income (expense), net
( 3,466 )
3,548
Income before income tax provision
229,207
200,598
Income tax provision
( 48,839 )
( 40,291 )
Net income
180,368
160,307
Plus (less): Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests
( 44 )
2
Net income attributable to Waste Connections
$
180,324
$
160,309
Earnings per common share attributable to Waste Connections’ common shareholders:
Basic
$
0.70
$
0.61
Diluted
$
0.69
$
0.61
Shares used in the per share calculations:
Basic
258,946,933
262,697,487
Diluted
259,560,983
263,156,655
Cash dividends per common share
$
0.230
$
0.205
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
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WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2022
2021
Net income
$
180,368
$
160,307
Other comprehensive income, before tax:
Interest rate swap amounts reclassified into interest expense
4,750
4,796
Changes in fair value of interest rate swaps
44,699
20,739
Foreign currency translation adjustment
34,429
28,054
Other comprehensive income, before tax
83,878
53,589
Income tax expense related to items of other comprehensive income
( 13,104 )
( 6,767 )
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
70,774
46,822
Comprehensive income
251,142
207,129
Plus (less): Comprehensive loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests
( 44 )
2
Comprehensive income attributable to Waste Connections
$
251,098
$
207,131
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
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WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share amounts)
WASTE CONNECTIONS' EQUITY
ACCUMULATED
ADDITIONAL
OTHER
COMMON SHARES
PAID-IN
COMPREHENSIVE
TREASURY SHARES
RETAINED
NONCONTROLLING
SHARES
AMOUNT
CAPITAL
INCOME
SHARES
AMOUNT
EARNINGS
INTERESTS
TOTAL
Balances at December 31, 2021
260,212,496
$
3,693,027
$
199,482
$
39,584
70,662
$
—
$
3,056,845
$
4,607
$
6,993,545
Sale of common shares held in trust
2,203
305
—
—
( 2,203 )
—
—
—
305
Vesting of restricted share units
312,706
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Vesting of performance-based restricted share units
57,677
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Restricted share units released from deferred compensation plan
19,149
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of equity-based compensation
( 143,243 )
—
( 17,236 )
—
—
—
—
—
( 17,236 )
Equity-based compensation
—
—
14,139
—
—
—
—
—
14,139
Exercise of warrants
11,560
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Issuance of shares under employee share purchase plan
12,015
1,554
—
—
—
—
—
—
1,554
Repurchase of common shares
( 3,388,155 )
( 424,999 )
—
—
—
—
—
—
( 424,999 )
Cash dividends on common shares
—
—
—
—
—
—
( 59,391 )
—
( 59,391 )
Amounts reclassified into earnings, net of taxes
—
—
—
3,491
—
—
—
—
3,491
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of taxes
—
—
—
32,854
—
—
—
—
32,854
Foreign currency translation adjustment
—
—
—
34,429
—
—
—
—
34,429
Net income
—
—
—
—
—
—
180,324
44
180,368
Balances at March 31, 2022
257,096,408
$
3,269,887
$
196,385
$
110,358
68,459
$
—
$
3,177,778
$
4,651
$
6,759,059
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
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WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of U.S. dollars, except share amounts)
WASTE CONNECTIONS' EQUITY
ACCUMULATED
ADDITIONAL
OTHER
COMMON SHARES
PAID-IN
COMPREHENSIVE
TREASURY SHARES
RETAINED
NONCONTROLLING
SHARES
AMOUNT
CAPITAL
INCOME (LOSS)
SHARES
AMOUNT
EARNINGS
INTERESTS
TOTAL
Balances at December 31, 2020
262,824,990
$
4,030,368
$
170,555
$
( 651 )
74,184
$
—
$
2,659,001
$
4,165
$
6,863,438
Sale of common shares held in trust
1,318
131
—
—
( 1,318 )
—
—
—
131
Vesting of restricted share units
340,529
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Vesting of performance-based restricted share units
154,251
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Restricted share units released from deferred compensation plan
19,150
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of equity-based compensation
( 186,039 )
—
( 18,490 )
—
—
—
—
—
( 18,490 )
Equity-based compensation
—
—
9,573
—
—
—
—
—
9,573
Exercise of warrants
3,490
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Repurchase of common shares
( 666,184 )
( 65,999 )
—
—
—
—
—
—
( 65,999 )
Cash dividends on common shares
—
—
—
—
—
—
( 53,909 )
—
( 53,909 )
Amounts reclassified into earnings, net of taxes
—
—
—
3,525
—
—
—
—
3,525
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of taxes
—
—
—
15,243
—
—
—
—
15,243
Foreign currency translation adjustment
—
—
—
28,054
—
—
—
—
28,054
Net income (loss)
—
—
—
—
—
—
160,309
( 2 )
160,307
Balances at March 31, 2021
262,491,505
$
3,964,500
$
161,638
$
46,171
72,866
$
—
$
2,765,401
$
4,163
$
6,941,873
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
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WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands of U.S. dollars)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2022
2021
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income
$
180,368
$
160,307
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss on disposal of assets and impairments
2,090
401
Depreciation
179,950
157,402
Amortization of intangibles
37,635
32,192
Deferred income taxes, net of acquisitions
38,378
8,379
Current period provision for expected credit losses
3,022
1,915
Amortization of debt issuance costs
1,195
1,359
Share-based compensation
14,635
10,307
Interest accretion
4,448
4,204
Payment of contingent consideration recorded in earnings
—
( 520 )
Adjustments to contingent consideration
( 52 )
89
Other
382
( 796 )
Net change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions
( 21,154 )
25,157
Net cash provided by operating activities
440,897
400,396
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired
( 355,212 )
( 8,545 )
Capital expenditures for property and equipment
( 152,318 )
( 96,793 )
Proceeds from disposal of assets
15,012
2,080
Other
2,637
2,705
Net cash used in investing activities
( 489,881 )
( 100,553 )
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from long-term debt
1,305,288
—
Principal payments on notes payable and long-term debt
( 505,597 )
( 5,559 )
Payment of contingent consideration recorded at acquisition date
( 3,571 )
( 4,807 )
Change in book overdraft
87
( 16,849 )
Payments for repurchase of common shares
( 424,999 )
( 65,999 )
Payments for cash dividends
( 59,391 )
( 53,909 )
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of equity-based compensation
( 17,236 )
( 18,490 )
Debt issuance costs
( 4,382 )
—
Proceeds from issuance of shares under employee share purchase plan
1,554
—
Proceeds from sale of common shares held in trust
305
131
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
292,058
( 165,482 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
595
403
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
243,669
134,764
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period
219,615
714,389
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period
$
463,284
$
849,153
Non-cash financing activities:
Liabilities assumed and notes payable issued to sellers of businesses acquired
$
40,122
$
4,123
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
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WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)
1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements relate to Waste Connections, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) for the three month periods ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. In the opinion of management, the accompanying balance sheets and related interim statements of net income, comprehensive income (loss), cash flows and equity include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items, necessary for their fair statement in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Examples include accounting for landfills, self-insurance accruals, income taxes, allocation of acquisition purchase price, contingent consideration accruals and asset impairments. An additional area that involves estimation is when the Company estimates the amount of potential exposure it may have with respect to litigation, claims and assessments in accordance with the accounting guidance on contingencies. Actual results for all estimates could differ materially from the estimates and assumptions that the Company uses in the preparation of its condensed consolidated financial statements.
Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
2. REPORTING CURRENCY
The functional currency of the Company, as the parent corporate entity, and its operating subsidiaries in the United States, is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of the Company’s Canadian operations is the Canadian dollar. The reporting currency of the Company is the U.S. dollar. The Company’s consolidated Canadian dollar financial position is translated to U.S. dollars by applying the foreign currency exchange rate in effect at the consolidated balance sheet date. The Company’s consolidated Canadian dollar results of operations and cash flows are translated to U.S. dollars by applying the average foreign currency exchange rate in effect during the reporting period. The resulting translation adjustments are included in other comprehensive income or loss. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included in earnings for the period.
3. NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
Accounting Standards Pending Adoption
Reference Rate Reform – Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting . In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance to provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the guidance in GAAP on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens related to the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates, such as the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”). One-week and two-month U.S. dollar LIBOR settings as well as all non-U.S. dollar LIBOR settings stopped being published on December 31, 2021, while the remaining U.S. dollar LIBOR settings will be discontinued on June 30, 2023. Under the new guidance, entities can elect not to apply certain modification accounting requirements to contracts affected by reference rate reform, if certain criteria are met. An entity that makes this election would not have to remeasure the contracts at the modification date or reassess a previous accounting determination. Under the guidance, entities can also elect various optional expedients that would allow them to continue applying hedge accounting for hedging relationships affected by reference rate reform, if certain criteria are met.
The guidance was effective upon issuance. The guidance on contract modifications was applied prospectively from March 12, 2020. The guidance on hedging is applied to eligible hedging relationships existing as of the beginning of the
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WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)
interim period that includes the effective date and to new eligible hedging relationships entered into after the beginning of that interim period. The relief is temporary and generally cannot be applied to contract modifications that occur after December 31, 2022 or hedging relationships entered into or evaluated after that date. However, certain optional expedients can be applied to hedging relationships evaluated in periods after December 31, 2022. The Company is currently assessing the potential impact of implementing this new guidance on its consolidated financial statements . The Company had a combined $ 1,474,500 of U.S. LIBOR based loans as of March 31, 2022. The Company estimates that if the reference rate for these loans had transitioned from LIBOR to SOFR as of March 31, 2022, the impact to annual interest expense would have been immaterial. This relief is expected to permit the Company to maintain cash flow hedge accounting as described in Note 11.
4. REVENUE
The Company’s operations primarily consist of providing non-hazardous waste collection, transfer, disposal and recycling services, non-hazardous oil and natural gas exploration and production (“E&P”) waste treatment, recovery and disposal services and intermodal services. The following table disaggregates the Company’s revenues by service line for the periods indicated:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2022
2021
Commercial
$
499,676
$
426,395
Residential
440,288
400,819
Industrial and construction roll off
259,488
209,258
Total collection
1,199,452
1,036,472
Landfill
299,765
271,936
Transfer
217,957
189,323
Recycling
63,094
32,448
E&P
43,555
28,012
Intermodal and other
45,693
35,634
Intercompany
( 223,261 )
( 197,883 )
Total
$
1,646,255
$
1,395,942
The factors that impact the timing and amount of revenue recognized for each service line may vary based on the nature of the service performed. Generally, the Company recognizes revenue at the time it performs a service. In the event that the Company bills for services in advance of performance, it recognizes deferred revenue for the amount billed and subsequently recognizes revenue at the time the service is provided. Substantially all of the deferred revenue recorded as of December 31, 2021 was recognized as revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2022 when the service was performed.
See Note 10 for additional information regarding revenue by reportable segment.
Contract Acquisition Costs
The incremental direct costs of obtaining a contract, which consist of sales incentives, are recognized as Other assets in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, and are amortized to Selling, general and administrative expense over the estimated life of the relevant customer relationship, which ranges from one to five years . The Company recognizes the incremental costs of obtaining a contract as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the asset
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WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)
that the entity would have recognized is one year or less. The Company had $ 19,627 and $ 18,954 of deferred sales incentives at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
5. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
Accounts receivable are recorded when billed or accrued and represent claims against third parties that will be settled in cash. The carrying value of the Company’s receivables, net of the allowance for credit losses, represents their estimated net realizable value.
The allowance for credit losses is based on management’s assessment of the collectability of assets pooled together with similar risk characteristics. The Company monitors the collectability of its trade receivables as one overall pool due to all trade receivables having similar risk characteristics. The Company estimates its allowance for credit losses based on historical collection trends, the age of outstanding receivables, geographical location of the customer, existing economic conditions and reasonable forecasts. If events or changes in circumstances indicate that specific receivable balances may be impaired, further consideration is given to the collectability of those balances and the allowance is adjusted accordingly. Past-due receivable balances are written off when the Company’s internal collection efforts have been unsuccessful in collecting the amount due.
The following is a rollforward of the Company’s allowance for credit losses for the periods indicated:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2022
2021
Beginning balance
$
18,480
$
19,380
Current period provision for expected credit losses
3,022
1,915
Write-offs charged against the allowance
( 3,435 )
( 3,501 )
Recoveries collected
1,272
1,153
Impact of changes in foreign currency
22
23
Ending balance
$
19,361
$
18,970
6 . LANDFILL ACCOUNTING
At March 31, 2022, the Company’s landfills consisted of 84 owned landfills, five landfills operated under life-of-site operating agreements and five landfills operated under limited-term operating agreements. The Company’s landfills had site costs with a net book value of $ 2,688,673 at March 31, 2022. For the Company’s landfills operated under limited-term operating agreements and life-of-site operating agreements, the owner of the property (generally a municipality) usually owns the permit and the Company operates the landfill for a contracted term. Where the contracted term is not the life of the landfill, the property owner is generally responsible for final capping, closure and post-closure obligations. The Company is responsible for all final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities at the landfills it operates under life-of-site operating agreements.
The Company’s internal and third-party engineers perform surveys at least annually to estimate the remaining disposal capacity at its landfills. Many of the Company’s existing landfills have the potential for expanded disposal capacity beyond the amount currently permitted. The Company’s landfill depletion rates are based on the remaining disposal capacity, considering both permitted and probable expansion airspace, at the landfills it owns and landfills it operates, but does not own, under life-of-site agreements. The Company’s landfill depletion rate is based on the term of the operating agreement at its operated landfill that has capitalized expenditures. Expansion airspace consists of additional disposal capacity being
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WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)
pursued through means of an expansion that has not yet been permitted. Expansion airspace that meets certain criteria is included in the estimate of total landfill airspace.
Based on remaining permitted capacity as of March 31, 2022, and projected annual disposal volumes, the average remaining landfill life for the Company’s owned landfills and landfills operated under life-of-site operating agreements is estimated to be approximately 29 years . As of March 31, 2022, the Company is seeking to expand permitted capacity at nine of its owned landfills and three landfills that it operates under life-of-site operating agreements, and considers the achievement of these expansions to be probable. Although the Company cannot be certain that all future expansions will be permitted as designed, the average remaining life, when considering remaining permitted capacity, probable expansion capacity and projected annual disposal volume, of the Company’s owned landfills and landfills operated under life-of-site operating agreements is approximately 33 years . The estimated remaining lives of the Company’s owned landfills and landfills operated under life-of-site operating agreements range from 1 to 330 years , with approximately 90 % of the projected annual disposal volume from landfills with remaining lives of less than 70 years .
During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company expensed $ 53,826 and $ 46,137 , respectively, or an average of $ 4.90 and $ 4.53 per ton consumed, respectively, related to landfill depletion at owned landfills and landfills operated under life-of-site agreements.
The Company reserves for estimated final capping, closure and post-closure maintenance obligations at the landfills it owns and landfills it operates under life-of-site operating agreements. The Company calculates the net present value of its final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities by estimating the total obligation in current dollars, inflating the obligation based upon the expected date of the expenditure and discounting the inflated total to its present value using a credit-adjusted risk-free rate. Any changes in expectations that result in an upward revision to the estimated undiscounted cash flows are treated as a new liability and are inflated and discounted at rates reflecting current market conditions. Any changes in expectations that result in a downward revision (or no revision) to the estimated undiscounted cash flows result in a liability that is inflated and discounted at rates reflecting the market conditions at the time the cash flows were originally estimated. This policy results in the Company’s final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities being recorded in “layers.” The Company’s discount rate assumption for purposes of computing 2022 and 2021 “layers” for final capping, closure and post-closure obligations was 3.25 % for both years, which reflects the Company’s long-term credit adjusted risk free rate as of the end of 2021 and 2020. The Company’s long-term inflation rate assumption is 2.25 % for the years ending December 31, 2022 and 2021. The resulting final capping, closure and post-closure obligations are recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet along with an offsetting addition to site costs which is amortized to depletion expense as the remaining landfill airspace is consumed. Interest is accreted on the recorded liability using the corresponding discount rate. During the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company expensed $ 4,050 and $ 3,655 , respectively, or an average of $ 0.37 and $ 0.36 per ton consumed, respectively, related to final capping, closure and post-closure accretion expense.
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WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)
The following is a reconciliation of the Company’s final capping, closure and post-closure liability balance from December 31, 2021 to March 31, 2022:
Final capping, closure and post-closure liability at December 31, 2021
$
302,537
Liability adjustments
21,568
Accretion expense associated with landfill obligations
4,050
Closure payments
( 3,458 )
Assumption of closure liabilities from acquisitions
630
Disposition of closure liabilities from divested operations
( 916 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment
434
Final capping, closure and post-closure liability at March 31, 2022
$
324,845
Liability adjustments of $ 21,568 for the three months ended March 31, 2022, represent non-cash changes to final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities and are recorded on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets along with an offsetting addition to site costs, which is amortized to depletion expense as the remaining landfill airspace is consumed. The final capping, closure and post-closure liability is included in Other long-term liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company performs its annual review of its cost and capacity estimates in the first quarter of each year.
At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, $ 7,284 and $ 12,609 , respectively, of the Company’s restricted cash balance and $ 56,711 and $ 56,289 , respectively, of the Company’s restricted investments balance was for purposes of securing its performance of future final capping, closure and post-closure obligations.
7. ACQUISITIONS
The Company acquired four individually immaterial non-hazardous solid waste collection, transfer and recycling businesses during the three months ended March 31, 2022. The total acquisition-related costs incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2022 for these acquisitions were $ 4,540 . These expenses are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income.
The Company acquired one individually immaterial non-hazardous solid waste collection business during the three months ended March 31, 2021. The total acquisition-related costs incurred during the three months ended March 31, 2021 for this acquisition were $ 526 . These expenses are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income.
The results of operations of the acquired businesses have been included in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements from their respective acquisition dates. The Company expects these acquired businesses to contribute towards the achievement of the Company’s strategy to expand through acquisitions. Goodwill acquired is attributable to the synergies and ancillary growth opportunities expected to arise after the Company’s acquisition of these businesses.
Goodwill acquired during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, totaling $ 80,455 and $ 6,091 , respectively, is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
The fair value of acquired working capital related to 19 individually immaterial acquisitions completed during the twelve months ended March 31, 2022, is provisional pending receipt of information from the acquirees to support the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Any adjustments recorded relating to finalizing the working capital for these 19 acquisitions are not expected to be material to the Company’s financial position.
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WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)
8. INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET
Intangible assets, exclusive of goodwill, consisted of the following at March 31, 2022:
Gross
Accumulated
Net
Carrying
Accumulated
Impairment
Carrying
Amount
Amortization
Loss
Amount
Finite-lived intangible assets:
Long-term franchise agreements and contracts
$
710,898
$
( 276,120 )
$
—
$
434,778
Customer lists
751,518
( 471,635 )
—
279,883
Permits and other
573,703
( 100,361 )
—
473,342
2,036,119
( 848,116 )
—
1,188,003
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Solid waste collection and transportation permits
181,613
—
—
181,613
E&P facility permits
59,855
—
( 40,784 )
19,071
241,468
—
( 40,784 )
200,684
Intangible assets, exclusive of goodwill
$
2,277,587
$
( 848,116 )
$
( 40,784 )
$
1,388,687
The weighted-average amortization period of long-term franchise agreements and contracts acquired during the three months ended March 31, 2022 was 16.1 years. The weighted-average amortization period of customer lists acquired during the three months ended March 31, 2022 was 11.2 years. The weighted-average amortization period of finite-lived permits and other acquired during the three months ended March 31, 2022 was 10.0 years.
Intangible assets, exclusive of goodwill, consisted of the following at December 31, 2021:
Gross
Accumulated
Net
Carrying
Accumulated
Impairment
Carrying
Amount
Amortization
Loss
Amount
Finite-lived intangible assets:
Long-term franchise agreements and contracts
$
724,128
$
( 278,827 )
$
—
$
445,301
Customer lists
711,047
( 450,109 )
—
260,938
Permits and other
538,481
( 94,807 )
—
443,674
1,973,656
( 823,743 )
—
1,149,913
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Solid waste collection and transportation permits
181,613
—
—
181,613
E&P facility permits
59,855
—
( 40,784 )
19,071
241,468
—
( 40,784 )
200,684
Intangible assets, exclusive of goodwill
$
2,215,124
$
( 823,743 )
$
( 40,784 )
$
1,350,597
Estimated future amortization expense for the next five years relating to finite-lived intangible assets is as follows:
For the year ending December 31, 2022
$
148,896
For the year ending December 31, 2023
$
129,986
For the year ending December 31, 2024
$
113,391
For the year ending December 31, 2025
$
97,584
For the year ending December 31, 2026
$
82,804
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WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)
9. LONG-TERM DEBT
The following table presents the Company’s long-term debt as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021:
March 31,
December 31,
2022
2021
Revolver under Credit Agreement, bearing interest ranging from 1.46 % to 3.50 % (a)
$
1,086,561
$
803,944
Term loan under Credit Agreement, bearing interest at 1.46 % (a)
650,000
650,000
4.25 % Senior Notes due 2028
500,000
500,000
3.50 % Senior Notes due 2029
500,000
500,000
2.60 % Senior Notes due 2030
600,000
600,000
2.20 % Senior Notes due 2032
650,000
650,000
3.20 % Senior Notes due 2032
500,000
—
3.05 % Senior Notes due 2050
500,000
500,000
2.95 % Senior Notes due 2052
850,000
850,000
Notes payable to sellers and other third parties, bearing interest ranging from 2.42 % to 10.35 %, principal and interest payments due periodically with due dates ranging from 2022 to 2036 (a)
58,359
37,508
Finance leases, bearing interest at 1.89 % with lease expiration dates ranging from 2026 to 2027 (a)
10,006
10,519
5,904,926
5,101,971
Less – current portion
( 28,070 )
( 6,020 )
Less – unamortized debt discount and issuance costs
( 59,215 )
( 55,451 )
$
5,817,641
$
5,040,500
____________________
(a) Interest rates represent the interest rates in effect at March 31, 2022 .
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WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)
Credit Agreement
Details of the Credit Agreement are as follows:
March 31,
December 31,
2022
2021
Revolver under Credit Agreement
Available
$
718,720
$
933,775
Letters of credit outstanding
$
44,719
$
112,281
Total amount drawn, as follows:
$
1,086,561
$
803,944
Amount drawn - U.S. LIBOR rate loan
$
824,500
$
631,000
Interest rate applicable - U.S. LIBOR rate loan
1.46
%
1.10
%
Amount drawn - U.S. base rate loan
$
100,000
$
158,000
Interest rate applicable - U.S. base rate loan
3.50
%
3.25
Amount drawn - U.S. swingline loan
—
11,000
Interest rate applicable - U.S. swingline loan
—
3.25
Amount drawn – Canadian bankers’ acceptance
$
162,061
$
3,944
Interest rate applicable – Canadian bankers’ acceptance
1.96
%
1.45
%
Commitment – rate applicable
0.09
%
0.09
%
Term loan under Credit Agreement
Amount drawn – U.S. based LIBOR loan
$
650,000
$
650,000
Interest rate applicable – U.S. based LIBOR loan
1.46
%
1.10
%
In addition to the $ 44,719 of letters of credit at March 31, 2022 issued and outstanding under the Credit Agreement, the Company has issued and outstanding letters of credit totaling $ 81,569 under a facility other than the Credit Agreement.
Senior Notes
On March 9, 2022, the Company completed an underwritten public offering of $ 500,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.20 % Senior Notes due 2032 (the “New 2032 Senior Notes”). The Company issued the New 2032 Senior Notes under the Indenture, dated as of November 16, 2018 (the “Base Indenture”), by and between the Company and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as successor in interest to U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), as supplemented by the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 9, 2022 (the “Supplemental Indenture” and the Base Indenture as so supplemented, the “Indenture”).
The Company will pay interest on the New 2032 Senior Notes semi-annually in arrears. The New 2032 Senior Notes will mature on June 1, 2032 . The New 2032 Senior Notes are the Company’s senior unsecured obligations, ranking equally in right of payment with its other existing and future unsubordinated debt and senior to any of its future subordinated debt. The New 2032 Senior Notes are not guaranteed by any of the Company’s subsidiaries.
The Company may, prior to March 1, 2032 (three months before the maturity date) (the “Par Call Date”), redeem some or all of the New 2032 Senior Notes, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to the greater of 100 % of the principal amount of the New 2032 Senior Notes redeemed, or the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the New 2032 Senior Notes redeemed discounted to the redemption date (assuming the New 2032 Senior Notes matured on the Par Call Date), plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date. Commencing on March 1, 2032 (three months before the maturity date), the Company may redeem some or all of the New 2032 Senior Notes, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to
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WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)
the principal amount of the New 2032 Senior Notes being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the redemption date.
Under certain circumstances, the Company may become obligated to pay additional amounts (the “Additional Amounts”) with respect to the New 2032 Senior Notes to ensure that the net amounts received by each holder of the New 2032 Senior Notes will not be less than the amount such holder would have received if withholding taxes or deductions were not incurred on a payment under or with respect to the New 2032 Senior Notes. If such payment of Additional Amounts are a result of a change in the laws or regulations, including a change in any official position, the introduction of an official position or a holding by a court of competent jurisdiction, of any jurisdiction from or through which payment is made by or on behalf of the New 2032 Senior Notes having power to tax, and the Company cannot avoid such payments of Additional Amounts through reasonable measures, then the Company may redeem the New 2032 Senior Notes then outstanding at a redemption price equal to 100 % of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date (subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to receive interest due on an interest payment date that is on or prior to the redemption date).
If the Company experiences certain kinds of changes of control, each holder of the New 2032 Senior Notes may require the Company to repurchase all or a portion of the New 2032 Senior Notes for cash at a price equal to 101 % of the aggregate principal amount of such New 2032 Senior Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding the purchase date.
The covenants in the Indenture include limitations on liens, sale-leaseback transactions and mergers and sales of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets. The Indenture also includes customary events of default with respect to the New 2032 Senior Notes. As of March 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with all applicable covenants in the Indenture.
Upon an event of default, the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on all the New 2032 Senior Notes may be declared to be due and payable by the Trustee or the holders of not less than 25 % in principal amount of the outstanding New 2032 Senior Notes. Upon such a declaration, such principal and accrued interest on all of the New 2032 Senior Notes will be due and payable immediately. In the case of an event of default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, the principal (or such specified amount) of and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all outstanding New 2032 Senior Notes will become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or other act on the part of the Trustee or any holder of the New 2032 Senior Notes. Under certain circumstances, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding New 2032 Senior Notes may rescind any such acceleration with respect to the New 2032 Senior Notes and its consequences.
10. SEGMENT REPORTING
The Company’s revenues are generated from the collection, transfer, recycling and disposal of non-hazardous solid waste and the treatment, recovery and disposal of non-hazardous E&P waste. No single contract or customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s total revenues at the consolidated or reportable segment level during the periods presented.
The Company manages its operations through the following five geographic solid waste operating segments: Eastern, Southern, Western, Central and Canada. The Company’s five geographic solid waste operating segments comprise its reportable segments. Each operating segment is responsible for managing several vertically integrated operations, which are comprised of districts.
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WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)
The Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker evaluates operating segment profitability and determines resource allocations based on several factors, of which the primary financial measure is segment EBITDA. The Company defines segment EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, impairments and other operating items, and other income (expense). Segment EBITDA is not a measure of operating income, operating performance or liquidity under GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. The Company’s management uses segment EBITDA in the evaluation of segment operating performance as it is a profit measure that is generally within the control of the operating segments. A reconciliation of segment EBITDA to Income before income tax provision is included at the end of this Note 10.
Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, is shown in the following tables:
Three Months Ended
Intercompany
Reported
Segment
March 31, 2022
Revenue
Revenue (b)
Revenue
EBITDA (c)
Eastern
$
499,255
$
( 77,658 )
$
421,597
$
107,788
Southern
431,348
( 44,284 )
387,064
108,610
Western
389,628
( 42,918 )
346,710
104,747
Central
309,070
( 32,893 )
276,177
92,036
Canada
240,215
( 25,508 )
214,707
84,844
Corporate (a)
—
—
—
( 4,702 )
$
1,869,516
$
( 223,261 )
$
1,646,255
$
493,323
Three Months Ended
Intercompany
Reported
Segment
March 31, 2021
Revenue
Revenue (b)
Revenue
EBITDA (c)
Eastern
$
398,830
$
( 62,369 )
$
336,461
$
89,121
Southern
382,687
( 44,526 )
338,161
93,424
Western
332,820
( 35,816 )
297,004
93,825
Central
267,702
( 32,316 )
235,386
79,040
Canada
211,786
( 22,856 )
188,930
73,940
Corporate (a)
—
—
—
( 750 )
$
1,593,825
$
( 197,883 )
$
1,395,942
$
428,600
____________________
(a) The majority of Corporate expenses are allocated to the five operating segments. Direct acquisition expenses, expenses associated with common shares held in the deferred compensation plan exchanged for other investment options and share-based compensation expenses associated with Progressive Waste share-based grants outstanding at June 1, 2016 that were continued by the Company are not allocated to the five operating segments and comprise the net EBITDA of the Company’s Corporate segment for the periods presented.
(b) Intercompany revenues reflect each segment’s total intercompany sales, including intercompany sales within a segment and between segments. Transactions within and between segments are generally made on a basis intended to reflect the market value of the service.
(c) For those items included in the determination of segment EBITDA, the accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)
Total assets for each of the Company’s reportable segments at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, were as follows:
March 31,
December 31,
2022
2021
Eastern
$
3,842,701
$
3,652,311
Southern
3,481,510
3,513,355
Western
2,256,309
2,260,222
Central
2,326,786
2,332,564
Canada
2,739,617
2,513,608
Corporate
767,439
427,864
Total Assets
$
15,414,362
$
14,699,924
The following tables show changes in goodwill during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, by reportable segment:
Eastern
Southern
Western
Central
Canada
Total
Balance as of December 31, 2021
$
1,607,723
$
1,588,467
$
539,732
$
892,209
$
1,559,512
$
6,187,643
Goodwill acquired
85,868
—
—
2,795
123,384
212,047
Goodwill acquisition adjustments
—
( 97 )
2,651
—
—
2,554
Goodwill divested
—
—
—
—
—
—
Impact of changes in foreign currency
—
—
—
—
25,519
25,519
Balance as of March 31, 2022
$
1,693,591
$
1,588,370
$
542,383
$
895,004
$
1,708,415
$
6,427,763
Eastern
Southern
Western
Central
Canada
Total
Balance as of December 31, 2020
$
1,374,577
$
1,532,215
$
442,862
$
824,204
$
1,552,792
$
5,726,650
Goodwill acquired
—
—
2,289
—
—
2,289
Goodwill acquisition adjustments
1,408
( 4 )
—
4,385
( 2 )
5,787
Impact of changes in foreign currency
—
—
—
—
19,375
19,375
Balance as of March 31, 2021
$
1,375,985
$
1,532,211
$
445,151
$
828,589
$
1,572,165
$
5,754,101
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WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)
A reconciliation of the Company’s primary measure of segment profitability (segment EBITDA) to Income before income tax provision in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Net Income is as follows:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2022
2021
Eastern segment EBITDA
$
107,788
$
89,121
Southern segment EBITDA
108,610
93,424
Western segment EBITDA
104,747
93,825
Central segment EBITDA
92,036
79,040
Canada segment EBITDA
84,844
73,940
Subtotal reportable segments
498,025
429,350
Unallocated corporate overhead
( 4,702 )
( 750 )
Depreciation
( 179,950 )
( 157,402 )
Amortization of intangibles
( 37,635 )
( 32,192 )
Impairments and other operating items
( 1,878 )
( 634 )
Interest expense
( 41,324 )
( 42,425 )
Interest income
137
1,103
Other income (expense), net
( 3,466 )
3,548
Income before income tax provision
$
229,207
$
200,598
11. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company recognizes all derivatives on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. All of the Company’s derivatives have been designated as cash flow hedges; therefore, the gain or loss on the derivatives will be recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCIL”) and reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings and is presented in the same income statement line item as the earnings effect of the hedged item. The Company classifies cash inflows and outflows from derivatives within operating activities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
One of the Company’s objectives for utilizing derivative instruments is to reduce its exposure to fluctuations in cash flows due to changes in the variable interest rates of certain borrowings under the Credit Agreement. The Company’s strategy to achieve that objective involves entering into interest rate swaps. The interest rate swaps outstanding at March 31, 2022 were specifically designated to the Credit Agreement and accounted for as cash flow hedges.
At March 31, 2022, the Company’s derivative instruments included six interest rate swap agreements as follows:
Fixed
Variable
Notional
Interest
Interest Rate
Date Entered
Amount
Rate Paid*
Received
Effective Date
Expiration Date
August 2017
$
100,000
1.900
%
1-month LIBOR
July 2019
July 2022
August 2017
$
200,000
2.200
%
1-month LIBOR
October 2020
October 2025
August 2017
$
150,000
1.950
%
1-month LIBOR
February 2020
February 2023
June 2018
$
200,000
2.925
%
1-month LIBOR
October 2020
October 2025
June 2018
$
200,000
2.925
%
1-month LIBOR
October 2020
October 2025
December 2018
$
200,000
2.850
%
1-month LIBOR
July 2022
July 2027
____________________
* Plus applicable margin.
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WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)
The fair values of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as of March 31, 2022, were as follows:
Derivatives Designated as Cash
Asset Derivatives
Liability Derivatives
Flow Hedges
Balance Sheet Location
Fair Value
Balance Sheet Location
Fair Value
Interest rate swaps
Other assets, net
$
7,315
Accrued liabilities (a)
$
( 6,172 )
Other long-term liabilities
( 2,774 )
Total derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
$
7,315
$
( 8,946 )
____________________
(a) Represents the estimated amount of the existing unrealized losses on interest rate swaps as of March 31, 2022 (based on the interest rate yield curve at that date), included in AOCIL expected to be reclassified into pre-tax earnings within the next 12 months. The actual amounts reclassified into earnings are dependent on future movements in interest rates.
The fair values of derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges as of December 31, 2021, were as follows:
Derivatives Designated as Cash
Asset Derivatives
Liability Derivatives
Flow Hedges
Balance Sheet Location
Fair Value
Balance Sheet Location
Fair Value
Interest rate swaps
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
—
Accrued liabilities
$
( 18,675 )
Other long-term liabilities
( 32,406 )
Total derivatives designated as cash flow hedges
$
—
$
( 51,081 )
The following table summarizes the impact of the Company’s cash flow hedges on the results of operations, comprehensive income (loss) and AOCIL for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021:
Derivatives
Statement of
Amount of (Gain) or Loss Reclassified
Designated as Cash
Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized
Net Income
from AOCIL into Earnings,
Flow Hedges
as AOCIL on Derivatives, Net of Tax (a)
Classification
Net of Tax (b)
Three Months Ended
Three Months Ended
March 31,
March 31,
2022
2021
2022
2021
Interest rate swaps
$
32,854
$
15,243
Interest expense
$
3,491
$
3,525
____________________
(a) In accordance with the derivatives and hedging guidance, the changes in fair values of interest rate swaps have been recorded in equity as a component of AOCIL. As the critical terms of the interest rate swaps match the underlying debt being hedged, all unrealized changes in fair value are recorded in AOCIL.
(b) Amounts reclassified from AOCIL into earnings related to realized gains and losses on interest rate swaps are recognized when interest payments or receipts occur related to the swap contracts, which correspond to when interest payments are made on the Company’s hedged debt.
See Note 15 for further discussion on the impact of the Company’s hedge accounting to its consolidated comprehensive income (loss) and AOCIL.
12. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company’s financial instruments consist primarily of cash and equivalents, trade receivables, restricted cash and investments, trade payables, debt instruments, contingent consideration obligations and interest rate swaps. As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the carrying values of cash and equivalents, trade receivables, restricted cash and investments, trade payables and contingent consideration are considered to be representative of their respective fair values. The carrying values of the Company’s debt instruments, excluding certain notes as listed in the table below, approximate their fair values as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, based on current borrowing rates, current remaining average life to maturity and borrower credit quality for similar types of borrowing arrangements, and are classified as Level 2
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WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)
within the fair value hierarchy. The carrying values and fair values of the Company’s debt instruments where the carrying values do not approximate their fair values as of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, are as follows:
Carrying Value at
Fair Value (a) at
March 31,
December 31,
March 31,
December 31,
2022
2021
2022
2021
4.25 % Senior Notes due 2028
$
500,000
$
500,000
$
519,200
$
561,350
3.50 % Senior Notes due 2029
$
500,000
$
500,000
$
502,250
$
539,500
2.60 % Senior Notes due 2030
$
600,000
$
600,000
$
565,560
$
610,440
2.20 % Senior Notes due 2032
$
650,000
$
650,000
$
581,490
$
637,065
3.20 % Senior Notes due 2032
$
500,000
$
—
$
487,150
$
—
3.05 % Senior Notes due 2050
$
500,000
$
500,000
$
434,550
$
496,350
2.95 % Senior Notes due 2052
$
850,000
$
850,000
$
722,330
$
828,580
____________________
* Senior Notes are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. Fair value inputs include third-party calculations of the market interest rate of notes with similar ratings in similar industries over the remaining note terms.
For details on the fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps, restricted cash and investments and contingent consideration, refer to Note 14.
13. NET INCOME PER SHARE INFORMATION
The following table sets forth the calculation of the numerator and denominator used in the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share attributable to the Company’s shareholders for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021:
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2022
2021
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Waste Connections for basic and diluted earnings per share
$
180,324
$
160,309
Denominator:
Basic shares outstanding
258,946,933
262,697,487
Dilutive effect of equity-based awards
614,050
459,168
Diluted shares outstanding
259,560,983
263,156,655
14. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Company uses a three-tier fair value hierarchy to classify and disclose all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis in periods subsequent to their initial measurement. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2, defined as inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
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WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)
The Company’s financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis include derivative instruments and restricted cash and investments. At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company’s derivative instruments included pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swaps. The Company’s interest rate swaps are recorded at their estimated fair values based on quotes received from financial institutions that trade these contracts. The Company verifies the reasonableness of these quotes using similar quotes from another financial institution as of each date for which financial statements are prepared. For the Company’s interest rate swaps, the Company also considers the Company’s creditworthiness in its determination of the fair value measurement of these instruments in a net liability position and the counterparties’ creditworthiness in its determination of the fair value measurement of these instruments in a net asset position. The Company’s restricted cash is valued at quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets, which the Company receives from the financial institutions that hold such investments on its behalf. The Company’s restricted cash measured at fair value is invested primarily in money market accounts, bank time deposits and U.S. government and agency securities. The Company’s restricted investments are valued at quoted market prices in active markets for similar assets, which the Company receives from the financial institutions that hold such investments on its behalf. The Company’s restricted investments measured at fair value are invested primarily in money market accounts, bank time deposits, U.S. government and agency securities and Canadian bankers’ acceptance notes.
The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, were as follows:
Fair Value Measurement at March 31, 2022 Using
Quoted Prices in
Significant
Active Markets
Other
Significant
for Identical
Observable
Unobservable
Assets
Inputs
Inputs
Total
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
Interest rate swap derivative instruments – net liability position
$
( 1,631 )
$
—
$
( 1,631 )
$
—
Restricted cash
$
71,867
$
71,867
$
—
$
—
Restricted investments
$
58,533
$
—
$
58,533
$
—
Contingent consideration
$
( 96,038 )
$
—
$
—
$
( 96,038 )
Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2021 Using
Quoted Prices in
Significant
Active Markets
Other
Significant
for Identical
Observable
Unobservable
Assets
Inputs
Inputs
Total
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
Interest rate swap derivative instruments – net liability position
$
( 51,081 )
$
—
$
( 51,081 )
$
—
Restricted cash
$
72,174
$
72,174
$
—
$
—
Restricted investments
$
58,797
$
—
$
58,797
$
—
Contingent consideration
$
( 94,308 )
$
—
$
—
$
( 94,308 )
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WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)
The following table summarizes the changes in the fair value for Level 3 liabilities related to contingent consideration for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021:
Three Months Ended March 31,
2022
2021
Beginning balance
$
94,308
$
71,736
Contingent consideration recorded at acquisition date
5,000
—
Payment of contingent consideration recorded at acquisition date
( 3,571 )
( 4,807 )
Payment of contingent consideration recorded in earnings
—
( 520 )
Adjustments to contingent consideration
( 52 )
89
Interest accretion expense
353
495
Foreign currency translation adjustment
—
( 15 )
Ending balance
$
96,038
$
66,978
15. OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Other comprehensive income (loss) includes changes in the fair value of interest rate swaps that qualify for hedge accounting. The components of other comprehensive income (loss) and related tax effects for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
Gross
Tax Effect
Net of Tax
Interest rate swap amounts reclassified into interest expense
$
4,750
$
( 1,259 )
$
3,491
Changes in fair value of interest rate swaps
44,699
( 11,845 )
32,854
Foreign currency translation adjustment
34,429
—
34,429
$
83,878
$
( 13,104 )
$
70,774
Three Months Ended March 31, 2021
Gross
Tax Effect
Net of Tax
Interest rate swap amounts reclassified into interest expense
$
4,796
$
( 1,271 )
$
3,525
Changes in fair value of interest rate swaps
20,739
( 5,496 )
15,243
Foreign currency translation adjustment
28,054
—
28,054
$
53,589
$
( 6,767 )
$
46,822
A rollforward of the amounts included in AOCIL, net of taxes, for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, is as follows:
Foreign
Accumulated
Currency
Other
Interest
Translation
Comprehensive
Rate Swaps
Adjustment
Income (Loss)
Balance at December 31, 2021
$
( 37,544 )
$
77,128
$
39,584
Amounts reclassified into earnings
3,491
—
3,491
Changes in fair value
32,854
—
32,854
Foreign currency translation adjustment
—
34,429
34,429
Balance at March 31, 2022
$
( 1,199 )
$
111,557
$
110,358
22
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WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)
Foreign
Accumulated
Currency
Other
Interest
Translation
Comprehensive
Rate Swaps
Adjustment
Income (Loss)
Balance at December 31, 2020
$
( 69,596 )
$
68,945
$
( 651 )
Amounts reclassified into earnings
3,525
—
3,525
Changes in fair value
15,243
—
15,243
Foreign currency translation adjustment
—
28,054
28,054
Balance at March 31, 2021
$
( 50,828 )
$
96,999
$
46,171
See Note 11 for further discussion on the Company’s derivative instruments.
16. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Share-Based Compensation
Restricted Share Units
A summary of activity related to restricted share units (“RSUs”) during the three-month period ended March 31, 2022, is presented below:
Unvested Shares
Outstanding at December 31, 2021
861,695
Granted
408,331
Forfeited
( 9,440 )
Vested and issued
( 312,706 )
Outstanding at March 31, 2022
947,880
The weighted average grant-date fair value per share for the common shares underlying the RSUs granted during the three-month period ended March 31, 2022 was $ 118.68 .
Recipients of the Company’s RSUs who participate in the Company’s Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan may have elected in years prior to 2015 to defer some or all of their RSUs as they vest until a specified date or dates they choose. At the end of the deferral periods, unless a qualified participant makes certain other elections, the Company issues to recipients who deferred their RSUs common shares of the Company underlying the deferred RSUs. At March 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company had 81,712 and 158,610 vested deferred RSUs outstanding, respectively.
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WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)
Performance-Based Restricted Share Units
A summary of activity related to performance-based restricted share units (“PSUs”) during the three-month period ended March 31, 2022, is presented below:
Unvested Shares
Outstanding at December 31, 2021
392,043
Granted
95,038
Forfeited
( 87,554 )
Vested and issued
( 57,677 )
Outstanding at March 31, 2022
341,850
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company’s Compensation Committee granted PSUs with three-year performance-based metrics that the Company must meet before those awards may be earned, and the performance period for those grants ends on December 31, 2024 . The Compensation Committee will determine the achievement of performance results and corresponding vesting of PSUs for each performance period. The weighted average grant-date fair value per share for the common shares underlying all PSUs granted during the three-month period ended March 31, 2022 was $ 117.94 .
Deferred Share Units
A summary of activity related to deferred share units (“DSUs”) during the three-month period ended March 31, 2022, is presented below:
Vested Shares
Outstanding at December 31, 2021
24,442
Granted
2,094
Outstanding at March 31, 2022
26,536
The DSUs consist of a combination of DSU grants outstanding under the Progressive Waste share-based compensation plans that were continued by the Company following the Progressive Waste acquisition and DSUs granted by the Company since the Progressive Waste acquisition. The weighted average grant-date fair value per share for the common shares underlying the DSUs granted during the three-month period ended March 31, 2022 was $ 121.00 .
Other Restricted Share Units
RSU grants outstanding under the Progressive Waste share-based compensation plans were continued by the Company following the Progressive Waste acquisition and allow for the issuance of shares or cash settlement to employees upon vesting. A summary of activity related to Progressive Waste RSUs during the three-month period ended March 31, 2022, is presented below:
Outstanding at December 31, 2021
63,032
Cash settled
( 2,203 )
Outstanding at March 31, 2022
60,829
No RSUs under the Progressive Waste share-based compensation plans were granted subsequent to June 1, 2016. All remaining RSUs were vested as of March 31, 2019.
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WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)
Share Based Options
Share based options outstanding under the Progressive Waste share-based compensation plans were continued by the Company following the Progressive Waste acquisition and allow for the issuance of shares or cash settlement to employees upon vesting. A summary of activity related to Progressive Waste share based options during the three-month period ended March 31, 2022, is presented below:
Outstanding at December 31, 2021
45,869
Cash settled
—
Outstanding at March 31, 2022
45,869
No share based options under the Progressive Waste share-based compensation plans were granted subsequent to June 1, 2016. All outstanding share based options were vested as of December 31, 2017.
Employee Share Purchase Plan
On May 15, 2020, the Company’s shareholders approved the 2020 Employee Share Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”). Under the ESPP, qualified employees may elect to have payroll deductions withheld from their eligible compensation on each payroll date in amounts equal to or greater than one percent (1%) but not in excess of ten percent (10%) of eligible compensation in order to purchase the Company’s common shares under certain terms and subject to certain restrictions set forth in the ESPP. The exercise price is equal to 95 % of the closing price of the Company’s common shares on the last day of the relevant offering period, provided, however, that such exercise price will not be less than 85 % of the volume weighted average price of the Company’s common shares as reflected on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) over the final five trading days of such offering period. The maximum number of shares that may be issued under the ESPP is 1,000,000 . Under the ESPP, employees purchased 12,015 of the Company’s common shares for $ 1,554 during the three months ended March 31, 2022.
Normal Course Issuer Bid
On July 27, 2021, the Board of Directors of the Company approved, subject to receipt of regulatory approvals, the annual renewal of the Company’s normal course issuer bid (the “NCIB”) to purchase up to 13,025,895 of the Company’s common shares during the period of August 10, 2021 to August 9, 2022 or until such earlier time as the NCIB is completed or terminated at the option of the Company. The renewal followed the conclusion of the Company’s NCIB that expired August 9, 2021. The Company received TSX approval for its annual renewal of the NCIB on August 6, 2021. Under the NCIB, the Company may make share repurchases only in the open market, including on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”), the TSX, and/or alternative Canadian trading systems, at the prevailing market price at the time of the transaction.
In accordance with TSX rules, any daily repurchases made through the TSX and alternative Canadian trading systems is limited to a maximum of 75,704 common shares, which represents 25% of the average daily trading volume on the TSX of 302,816 common shares for the period from February 1, 2021 to July 31, 2021. The TSX rules also allow the Company to purchase, once a week, a block of common shares not owned by any insiders, which may exceed such daily limit. The maximum number of shares that can be purchased per day on the NYSE will be 25% of the average daily trading volume for the four calendar weeks preceding the date of purchase, subject to certain exceptions for block purchases.
The timing and amounts of any repurchases pursuant to the NCIB will depend on many factors, including the Company’s capital structure, the market price of the common shares and overall market conditions. All common shares purchased under the NCIB shall be immediately cancelled following their repurchase.
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WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)
For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company repurchased 3,388,155 common shares pursuant to the NCIB in effect during that period at an aggregate cost of $ 424,999 . During the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company repurchased 666,184 common shares pursuant to the NCIB at an aggregate cost of $ 65,999 . As of March 31, 2022, the remaining maximum number of shares available for repurchase under the current NCIB was 9,379,908 .
Cash Dividend
In October 2021, the Company announced that its Board of Directors increased its regular quarterly cash dividend by $ 0.025 , from $ 0.205 to $ 0.23 per Company common share. Cash dividends of $ 59,391 and $ 53,909 were paid during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
17. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
In the normal course of its business and as a result of the extensive governmental regulation of the solid waste and E&P waste industries, the Company is subject to various judicial and administrative proceedings involving Canadian regulatory authorities as well as U.S. federal, state and local agencies. In these proceedings, an agency may subpoena the Company for records, or seek to impose fines on the Company or revoke or deny renewal of an authorization held by the Company, including an operating permit. From time to time, the Company may also be subject to actions brought by special interest or other groups, adjacent landowners or residents in connection with the permitting and licensing of landfills, transfer stations, and E&P waste treatment, recovery and disposal operations, or alleging environmental damage or violations of the permits and licenses pursuant to which the Company operates. The Company uses $ 1,000 as a threshold (up from the previously required threshold of $ 300 ) for disclosing environmental matters involving potential monetary sanctions.
In addition, the Company is a party to various claims and suits pending for alleged damages to persons and property, alleged violations of certain laws and alleged liabilities arising out of matters occurring during the normal operation of the Company’s business. Except as noted in the matters described below, as of March 31, 2022, there is no current proceeding or litigation involving the Company or its property that the Company believes could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Lower Duwamish Waterway Superfund Site Allocation Process
In November 2012, the Company’s subsidiary, Northwest Container Services, Inc. (“NWCS”), was named by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10 (the “EPA”) as a potentially responsible party (“PRP”), along with more than 100 others, under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA” or the “Superfund” law) with respect to the Lower Duwamish Waterway Superfund Site (the “LDW Site”). Listed on the National Priorities List in 2001, the LDW Site is a five-mile stretch of the Duwamish River flowing into Elliott Bay in Seattle, Washington. A group of PRPs known as the Lower Duwamish Working Group (“LDWG”) and consisting of the City of Seattle, King County, the Port of Seattle, and Boeing Company conducted a Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study for the LDW Site. On December 2, 2014, the EPA issued its Record of Decision (the “ROD”) describing the selected clean-up remedy, and therein estimated that clean-up costs (in present value dollars as of November 2014) would total approximately $ 342,000 . However, it is possible that additional costs could be incurred based upon various factors. The EPA estimates that it will take seven years to implement the clean-up. The ROD also requires ten years of monitoring following the clean-up, and provides that if clean-up goals have not been met by the end of this period, then additional clean-up activities, at additional cost, may be required at that time. Implementation of the clean-up must await additional baseline sampling throughout the LDW Site and the preparation of a remedial design for performing the clean-up. On April 27, 2016, the LDWG entered into a third amendment of its Administrative Order on Consent with the EPA (the “AOC 3”) in which it agreed to perform the additional baseline sediment sampling and certain technical studies needed to
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)
prepare the actual remedial design. The LDWG and the EPA entered into a fourth amendment to the AOC in July 2018 primarily addressing development of a proposed remedy for the upper reach of the LDW Site, river mile 3 to river mile 5. At the April 24, 2019 stakeholders meeting, the LDWG projected that the remedial design for the upper reach could be completed by August 2024. In late September 2020, the EPA informed attorneys for several PRPs that the work may be completed by late 2023 or early 2024.
On August 16, 2016, the EPA sent individual letters to each of the PRPs for the LDW Site, including NWCS, stating that it expected to initiate negotiations with all PRPs in early 2018 relating to a Remedial Design/Remedial Action (“RD/RA”) Consent Decree. An RD/RA Consent Decree provides for the cleanup of the entire site and is often referred to as a “global settlement.” In August 2014, NWCS entered into an Alternative Dispute Resolution Memorandum of Agreement with several dozen other PRPs and a neutral allocator to conduct a confidential and non-binding allocation of certain past response costs allegedly incurred at the LDW Site as well as the anticipated future response costs associated with the clean-up. In March 2017, the PRPs provided the EPA with notice that the allocation was not scheduled to conclude until mid-2019. Later extensions pushed the allocation conclusion date first to early 2020 and then to July 2020. The EPA was informed of those changes. The allocator issued his preliminary allocation report on June 28, 2021. The allocator is currently considering comments on the preliminary report, which the parties submitted in November 2021. The allocator may issue the final allocation report sometime in the next few weeks. In July 2021, the EPA was informed of the issuance of the preliminary allocation report in a telephone conference with allocation participants. In a telephone conference with allocation participants on December 14, 2021, the EPA stated its expectation that settlement negotiations would begin in the second half of 2022. NWCS is defending itself vigorously in this confidential allocation process. At this point, the Company is not able to determine the likelihood of the allocation process being completed as intended by the participating PRPs, its specific allocation, or the likelihood of the parties then negotiating a global settlement with the EPA. Thus, NWCS cannot reasonably determine the likelihood of any outcome in this matter, including its potential liability.
On February 11, 2016, NWCS received a letter (the “Letter”) from the United States Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”), describing certain investigatory activities conducted by the Elliott Bay Trustee Council (the “Council”). The Council consists of all of the natural resources trustees for the LDW Site as well as two nearby Superfund sites, the Harbor Island site and the Lockheed West site. The members of the Council include the United States, on behalf of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Washington State Department of Ecology, and the Suquamish and Muckleshoot Indian Tribes (together, the “Trustees”). The Letter appears to allege that NWCS may be a potentially liable party that allegedly contributed to the release of hazardous substances that have injured natural resources at the LDW Site. Damages to natural resources are in addition to clean-up costs. The Letter, versions of which NWCS believes were sent to all or a group of the PRPs for the LDW Site, also notified its recipients of their opportunity to participate in the Trustees’ development of an Assessment Plan and the performance of a Natural Resources Damages Assessment (“NRDA”) in accordance with the Assessment Plan for both the LDW Site and the east and west waterways of the Harbor Island site. NWCS timely responded with correspondence to the NOAA Office of General Counsel, in which it declined the invitation at that time. NWCS does not know how other PRPs responded to the Letter, and has not received any further communication from NOAA or the Trustees. The Trustees have not responded to NWCS’ letter. The Trustees released their Assessment Plan in March 2019. The Assessment Plan does not set forth a timeline for implementation. At this point, the Company is not able to determine the likelihood or amount of an assessment of natural resource damages against NWCS in connection with this matter.
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)
Los Angeles County, California Landfill Expansion Litigation
A. Chiquita Canyon, LLC Lawsuit Against Los Angeles County
In October 2004, the Company’s subsidiary, Chiquita Canyon, LLC (“CCL”), then under prior ownership, filed an application (the “Application”) with the County of Los Angeles (the “County”) Department of Regional Planning (“DRP”) for a conditional use permit (the “CUP”) to authorize the continued operation and expansion of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill (the “Landfill”). The Landfill has operated since 1972, and as a regional landfill, accepted approximately two and a half million tons of materials for disposal and beneficial use in 2021. The Application requested expansion of the existing waste footprint on CCL’s contiguous property, an increase in maximum elevation, creation of a new entrance and new support facilities, construction of a facility for the County or another third-party operator to host household hazardous waste collection events, designation of an area for mixed organics/composting, and other modifications.
After many years of reviews and delays, upon the recommendation of County staff, the County’s Regional Planning Commission (the “Commission”) approved the Application on April 19, 2017, but imposed operating conditions, fees and exactions that substantially reduce the historical landfill operations and represent a large increase in aggregate taxes and fees. CCL objected to many of the requirements imposed by the Commission. Current estimates for new costs imposed on CCL under the CUP are in excess of $ 300,000 .
CCL appealed the Commission’s decision to the County Board of Supervisors, but the appeal was not successful. At a subsequent hearing, on July 25, 2017, the Board of Supervisors approved the CUP. On October 20, 2017, CCL filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles a verified petition for writ of mandate and complaint against the County and the County Board of Supervisors captioned Chiquita Canyon, LLC v. County of Los Angeles, No. BS171262 (Los Angeles Co. Super Ct.) (the “Complaint”). The Complaint challenges the terms of the CUP in 13 counts generally alleging that the County violated multiple California and federal statutes and California and federal constitutional protections. CCL seeks the following relief: (a) an injunction and writ of mandate against certain of the CUP’s operational restrictions, taxes and fees, (b) a declaration that the challenged conditions are unconstitutional and in violation of state and federal statutes, (c) reimbursement for any such illegal fees paid under protest, (d) damages, (e) an award of just compensation for a taking, (f) attorney fees, and (g) all other appropriate legal and equitable relief.
Following extensive litigation in 2018 and 2019 on the permissible scope of CCL’s challenge, full briefing occurred on June 22, 2020 on six of CCL’s causes of action, and the Superior Court issued its decision on July 2, 2020, granting CCL’s petition for writ of mandate in part and denying it in part. CCL prevailed with respect to 12 of the challenged conditions, many of which imposed new fees and exactions on the Landfill. Before entry of final judgment, the Superior Court will hear CCL’s remaining causes of action. A trial on CCL’s remaining causes of action is scheduled for August 1, 2022. Once the Superior Court has entered final judgment, CCL and the County will be permitted to appeal any adverse ruling to the California Court of Appeal. After entry of final judgment and resolution of any appeals, the Superior Court will issue a writ directing the County Board of Supervisors to set aside its decision on the permit with respect to 12 of the challenged conditions. The Board will be allowed to make additional findings to support four of those conditions and reconsider its permit decision in light of the Superior Court’s writ. CCL will continue to vigorously prosecute the lawsuit. However, at this point, the Company is not able to determine the likelihood of any outcome in this matter.
B. December 11, 2017 Notice of Violation Regarding Certain CUP Conditions.
The County, through its DRP, issued a Notice of Violation, dated December 11, 2017 (the “NOV”), alleging that CCL violated certain conditions of the CUP, including Condition 79(B)(6) of the CUP by failing to pay an $ 11,600 Bridge & Thoroughfare Fee (“B&T Fee”) that was purportedly due on July 25, 2017. The alleged B&T fee was ostensibly to fund the construction of transportation infrastructure in the area of the Landfill. At the time the NOV was issued, CCL had
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WASTE CONNECTIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS OF U.S. DOLLARS, EXCEPT PER SHARE, PER TON AND PER GALLON AMOUNTS)
already contested the legality of the B&T fee in the October 20, 2017 Complaint filed against the County in Los Angeles County Superior Court, described above under paragraph A (the “CUP lawsuit”).
On January 12, 2018, CCL filed an appeal of the alleged violations in the NOV. Subsequently, CCL filed additional legal arguments and exhibits contesting the NOV. On March 6, 2018, a DRP employee designated as hearing officer sustained the NOV, including the $ 11,600 B&T fee, and imposed an administrative penalty in the amount of $ 83 and a noncompliance fee of $ 0.75 . A written decision memorializing the hearing officer’s findings and order was issued on July 10, 2018. On April 13, 2018, CCL filed in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles a Petition for Writ of Administrative Mandamus against the County seeking to overturn the decision sustaining the NOV, contending that the NOV and decision are not supported by the facts or law. On July 17, 2018, the Court granted CCL leave to pay the $ 11,600 B&T fee and to amend its Complaint in the CUP lawsuit to reflect the payment under protest, allowing the challenge to the B&T fee under the Mitigation Fee Act to proceed in the CUP lawsuit. CCL paid the B&T fee under protest on August 10, 2018, and also paid on that date the administrative penalty of $ 83 and a noncompliance fee of $ 0.75 . The Court indicated that the NOV case would be coordinated with the CUP lawsuit. The NOV case has been continued multiple times as the CUP lawsuit was adjudicated; it is now set for trial on December 13, 2022. The Superior Court’s July 2, 2020 decision in the CUP lawsuit upheld the B&T fee against a Mitigation Fee Act challenge, and addressed two other conditions that were also the subject of the NOV, which may impact the scope of the B&T fee/NOV case. CCL will continue to vigorously prosecute the lawsuit. However, at this point, the Company is not able to determine the likelihood of any outcome in this matter.
18. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On May 3, 2022 , the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a regular quarterly cash dividend of $ 0.23 per Company common share. The dividend will be paid on June 1, 2022 , to shareholders of record on the close of business on May 18, 2022 .
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Text extracted from the filing as submitted to EDGAR. Formatting, tables and exhibits are simplified for reading; the original document is authoritative for anything you rely on.