CONSOL Energy Inc. - Quarter Report: 2020 September (Form 10-Q)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS REFERENCED IN THIS QUARTERLY REPORT

Unless the context otherwise requires:

PART I : FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOL ENERGY INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CONSOL ENERGY INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Dollars in thousands)

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CONSOL ENERGY INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CONSOL ENERGY INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CONSOL ENERGY INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(Dollars in thousands)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CONSOL ENERGY INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in thousands)

(unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CONSOL ENERGY INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

NOTE 1—BASIS OF PRESENTATION:

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for future periods.

The Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2019 has been derived from the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements at that date but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. This Form 10-Q report should be read in conjunction with CONSOL Energy Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Basis of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of CONSOL Energy Inc. and its wholly-owned and majority-owned and/or controlled subsidiaries. The portion of these entities that is not owned by the Company is presented as non-controlling interest. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-04 - Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) - Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The amendments in this Update provide optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease the potential burden in accounting for (or recognizing the effects of) reference rate reform on financial reporting. In response to concerns about structural risks of interbank offered rates (IBORs), and, particularly, the risk of cessation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), regulators in several jurisdictions around the world have undertaken reference rate reform initiatives to identify alternative reference rates that are more observable or transaction based and less susceptible to manipulation. This Update also provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments in this Update apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The amendments in this Update are effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. An entity may elect to apply the amendments for contract modifications by Topic or Industry Subtopic as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, or prospectively from a date within an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020, up to the date that the financial statements are available to be issued. Once elected for a Topic or an Industry Subtopic, the amendments in this Update must be applied prospectively for all eligible contract modifications for that Topic or Industry Subtopic. Management has elected to apply this Update subsequent to March 12, 2020. Management is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance, but does not expect this update to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

In January 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-01 - Investments - Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815). The amendments in this Update clarify certain interactions between the guidance to account for certain equity securities under Topic 321, the guidance to account for investments under the equity method of accounting in Topic 323, and the guidance in Topic 815, which could change how an entity accounts for an equity security under the measurement alternative or a forward contract or purchased option to purchase securities that, upon settlement of the forward contract or exercise of the purchased option, would be accounted for under the equity method of accounting or the fair value option in accordance with Topic 825, Financial Instruments. These amendments improve current GAAP by reducing diversity in practice and increasing comparability of the accounting for these interactions. The amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. Management does not expect this update to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12 - Income Taxes (Topic 740) to reduce the complexity of accounting for income taxes while maintaining or improving the usefulness of the information provided to users of financial statements. The amendments in Update 2019-12 will remove the following exceptions: (1) the exception to the incremental approach for intra-period tax allocation; (2) exceptions to accounting for basis differences when there are ownership changes in foreign investments; and (3) the exception to the general methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period when a year-to-date loss exceeds the anticipated loss for the year. The amendments in Update 2019-12 will also simplify the accounting for income taxes in the areas of franchise tax, step up in the tax basis of goodwill associated with a business combination, allocation of current and deferred tax expense to a legal entity that is not subject to tax in its separate financial statements, and presentation of the effect of an enacted change in tax laws or rates in the annual effective tax rate computation in the interim period that includes the enactment date. The Update adds minor codification improvements for income taxes related to employee stock ownership plans and investments in qualified affordable housing projects accounted for using the equity method. These changes will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. Management does not expect this update to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14 - Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20) to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to the financial statements by facilitating clear communication of the information required by GAAP. The amendments modify the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. These changes will be effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Management does not expect this update to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net (loss) income attributable to CONSOL Energy Inc. shareholders by the weighted average shares outstanding during the reporting period. Dilutive earnings per share are computed similarly to basic earnings per share, except that the weighted average shares outstanding are increased to include additional shares from restricted stock units and performance share units, if dilutive. The number of additional shares is calculated by assuming that outstanding restricted stock units and performance share units were released, and that the proceeds from such activities were used to acquire shares of common stock at the average market price during the reporting period. 

The table below sets forth the share-based awards that have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because their effect would be anti-dilutive:

The computations for basic and dilutive earnings per share are as follows:

*During periods in which the Company incurs a net loss, diluted weighted average shares outstanding are equal to basic weighted average shares outstanding because the effect of all equity awards is anti-dilutive.

As of September 30, 2020, CONSOL Energy has 500,000 shares of preferred stock, none of which are issued or outstanding.

NOTE 2—MAJOR TRANSACTIONS

On September 16, 2020, CONSOL entered into a settlement transaction with (i) Murray Energy Holdings Co., Murray Energy Corporation, and their direct and indirect subsidiaries (such entities that are debtors in possession in Murray Energy Holdings Co.’s jointly administered Chapter 11 cases, the “Debtors”), (ii) ACNR Holdings, Inc. (together with its direct and indirect subsidiaries, “Murray NewCo”) to fully and finally resolve the disputes raised in the CONSOL Adversary Case and any and all other disputes, controversies, or causes of action between and among them related to (a) the Debtors’ rejection of the 2013 stock purchase agreement (“SPA”) and CONSOL’s waiver of any objection thereto; (b) the Debtors’ assumption and assignment to Murray NewCo (or its designated direct or indirect subsidiaries) and payment of certain cure and other amounts relating to the First Overriding Royalty Agreement, as amended, the Second Overriding Royalty Agreement, as amended, the Water Treatment Cost Sharing Agreement, as amended, and the Master Entry Driver Lease Agreement; (c) the Debtors’ assumption and assignment to Murray NewCo (or its designated direct or indirect subsidiaries) of the Cooperation and Safety Agreement, the Surface Use Agreement, the Substation and Power Line Agreement, the Substation and Power Line Rights-of-Way, the McMillian Assignment, the Partial Powerline Assignment, the 2013 Well Plugging Consent Order and Agreement, and the 2020 Well Plugging Agreement; (d) the Debtors’ and CONSOL’s continued cooperation about certain matters consistent with historical practice, including (i) with respect to each parties’ payment obligations related to certain claims relating to certain worker’s compensation, Black Lung, and long-term disability and (ii) with respect to easements and boundaries as set forth in the 2013 SPA and the Closing Land Letter Agreement; (e) the Debtors’ assumption of, and CONSOL’s payment of certain amounts relating to, the Split Leases; (f) CONSOL’s transfer to Murray NewCo (or its designated direct or indirect subsidiaries), and Murray NewCo’s (or its designated direct or indirect subsidiaries’) payment for, certain coalbed methane wells, gas wells, and land; (g) the usage by CONSOL of the power structure of Murray NewCo (or its designated direct or indirect subsidiaries) on agreed upon terms and the Debtors’ and Murray NewCo’s release of the alleged claim for CONSOL’s prior usage; (h) CONSOL’s dismissal of CONSOL Energy Inc. v Murray Energy Holdings Co., et al., Adversary Case 2:20-ap-02036, with prejudice, which dismissal will be contingent upon (1) the Debtors’ assumption and assignment to Murray NewCo (or its designated direct or indirect subsidiaries) of the Assumed CONSOL Agreements and (2) the Debtors’ compliance with the terms of the CONSOL Term Sheets and other agreements consistent with these transactions; and (i) certain other terms and conditions consistent with the foregoing. The foregoing agreements and compromises, which have been memorialized in definitive documentation, shall be treated as a single, integrated transaction. The effect of the agreements, as amended, in the normal course of business resulted in CONSOL recognizing (a) Miscellaneous Other Income of $18,561 related to the Sale of Certain Coal Lease Contracts and other income, (b) Gain on Sale of Assets of $6,230 related to the sale of certain gas wells and equipment, and (c) a reduction of Operating and Other Costs of $1,940 as a result of expense rebates offset with various cure costs, all of which are included in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the three months ended September 30, 2020. As of September 30, 2020, the various transactions between the parties resulted in $8,088 of Other Receivables, net, and $21,326 of Other Assets, net, included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of December 31, 2019, various transactions between the parties resulted in $13,567 of Other Receivables, net, included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. See Note 14 - Commitments and Contingent Liabilities with respect to additional information relating to certain liabilities of the Company under the Coal Act (as defined below).

NOTE 3—REVENUE:

The following table disaggregates CONSOL Energy's revenue from contracts with customers to depict how the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of the Company's revenues and cash flows are affected by economic factors:

Coal Revenue

CONSOL Energy's coal revenue is generally recognized when title passes to the customer and the price is fixed and determinable. Generally, title passes when coal is loaded at the central preparation facility and, on occasion, at terminal locations or other customer destinations. The Company's coal contract revenue per ton is fixed and determinable and adjusted for nominal quality adjustments. Some coal contracts also contain positive electric power price-related adjustments, which represent market-driven price adjustments, wherein no additional value is exchanged, in addition to a fixed base price per ton. The Company’s coal contracts generally do not allow for retroactive adjustments to pricing after title to the coal has passed. The Company's coal supply contracts and other sales and operating revenue contracts vary in length from short-term to long-term contracts and do not typically have significant financing components.

The estimated transaction price from each of the Company's contracts is based on the total amount of consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled under the contract. Included in the transaction price for certain coal supply contracts is the impact of variable consideration, including quality price adjustments, handling services, per ton price fluctuations based on certain coal sales price indices and anticipated payments in lieu of shipments. The estimated transaction price for each contract is allocated to the Company's performance obligations based on relative stand-alone selling prices determined at contract inception. The Company has determined that each ton of coal represents a separate and distinct performance obligation. Some of the Company's contracts span multiple years and have annual pricing modifications, based upon market-driven or inflationary adjustments, where no additional value is exchanged. Management believes that the invoice price is the most appropriate rate at which to recognize revenue.

While CONSOL Energy does, from time to time, experience costs of obtaining coal customer contracts with amortization periods greater than one year, those costs are generally immaterial to the Company's net (loss) income. At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company did not have any capitalized costs to obtain customer contracts on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company has not recognized any amortization of previously existing capitalized costs of obtaining customer contracts. Further, the Company has not recognized any coal revenue in the current period that is not a result of current period performance.

Terminal Revenue

Terminal revenues are attributable to the Company's CONSOL Marine Terminal and include revenues earned from providing receipt and unloading of coal from rail cars, transporting coal from the receipt point to temporary storage or stockpile facilities located at the Terminal, stockpiling, blending, weighing, sampling, redelivery, and loading of coal onto vessels. Revenues for these services are generally earned on a rateable basis, and performance obligations are considered fulfilled as the services are performed.

The CONSOL Marine Terminal does not normally experience material costs of obtaining customer contracts with amortization periods greater than one year. At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company did not have any capitalized costs to obtain customer contracts on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company has not recognized any amortization of previously existing capitalized costs of obtaining Terminal customer contracts. Further, the Company has not recognized any revenue in the current period that is not a result of current period performance.

Freight Revenue

Some of CONSOL Energy's coal contracts require that the Company sell its coal at locations other than its central preparation plant. The cost to transport the Company's coal to the ultimate sales point is passed through to the Company's customers and CONSOL Energy recognizes the freight revenue equal to the transportation costs when title of the coal passes to the customer.

Contract Balances

Contract assets are recorded separately from trade receivables in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets and are reclassified to trade receivables as title passes to the customer and the Company's right to consideration becomes unconditional. Payments for coal shipments are typically due within two to four weeks from the invoice date. CONSOL Energy typically does not have material contract assets that are stated separately from trade receivables since the Company's performance obligations are satisfied as control of the goods or services passes to the customer, thereby granting the Company an unconditional right to receive consideration. Contract liabilities relate to consideration received in advance of the satisfaction of the Company's performance obligations. Contract liabilities are recognized as revenue at the point in time when control of the good passes to the customer, or over time when services are provided.

NOTE 4—MISCELLANEOUS OTHER INCOME:

Contract buyout income was primarily the result of partial contract buyouts that involved negotiations to reduce coal quantities of several customer contracts in exchange for payment of certain fees to the Company, and do not impact forward contract terms.

The sale of certain coal lease contracts was in connection with one of several transactions completed in the three months ended September 30, 2020 related to the Company's non-operating surface and mineral assets outside of the Pennsylvania Mining Complex.

Royalty income represents earned revenue related to overriding royalty agreements or coal reserve leases between the Company and third-party operators.

Purchased coal sales include earned revenue related to coal purchased externally by the Company to blend and resell in order to fulfill various contracts.

NOTE 5—COMPONENTS OF PENSION AND OTHER POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT (OPEB) PLANS NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COSTS:

The components of Net Periodic Benefit (Credit) Cost are as follows:

(Credits) expenses related to pension and other post-employment benefits are reflected in Operating and Other Costs in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

NOTE 6—COMPONENTS OF COAL WORKERS’ PNEUMOCONIOSIS (CWP) AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COSTS:

The components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost are as follows:

NOTE 7—INCOME TAXES:

The Company has evaluated the impact of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”), which was signed into law by the President of the United States in March 2020. The CARES Act has various income tax related provisions, including temporary net operating loss carryback and limitation measures, a relaxation of the limitation on interest deductions, the postponement of statutory filing dates, and a technical correction of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act related to qualified improvement property.

The Company's year-to-date tax rate is based on its estimated full year effective tax rate. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21%, primarily due to the income tax benefit for excess percentage depletion, offset by the impact of discrete tax expense related to equity compensation and the unfavorable impact on percentage depletion related to the additional interest deduction available under the CARES Act and the final regulations on interest limitation regulations (“163j regulations”) issued by the Treasury Department. The CARES Act increased the amount of deductible interest from 30% of adjusted taxable income to 50% for tax years 2019 and 2020, which generates current cash tax benefit, but also reduces the base of earnings upon which percentage depletion was computed. The final 163j regulations also allowed the Company to deduct additional interest expense, but also reduce the base of earnings upon which percentage depletion was computed. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was (0.6%), composed of tax expense of 21.8% from operations and discrete tax items of $902 related to equity compensation, $1,139 related to the effect of the CARES Act, and $3,059 related to the effect of the final 163j regulations, as noted above.

The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was (0.3)%, composed of a tax expense of 0.2% from operations and a discrete tax benefit of (0.5)% primarily related to equity compensation. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21%, primarily due to the income tax benefit for excess percentage depletion.

The Company utilizes the “more likely than not” standard in recognizing a tax benefit in its financial statements. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefits. If accrual for interest or penalties is required, it is the Company's policy to include these as a component of income tax expense (benefit).

The Company is subject to taxation in the United States and its various states, as well as Canada and its various provinces. Under the provisions of the tax matters agreement entered into between the Company and its former parent on November 28, 2017 (the “TMA”), certain subsidiaries of the Company are subject to examination for tax years for the period January 1, 2016 through tax year December 31, 2019 for certain state and foreign returns. Further, the Company is subject to examination for the period November 28, 2017 through the tax year December 31, 2019 for federal and certain state returns.

NOTE 8—CREDIT LOSSES:

Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2016-013, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments using a modified retrospective approach. This ASU replaces the incurred loss impairment model with an expected credit loss impairment model for financial instruments, including trade and other receivables. The amendment requires entities to consider forward-looking information to estimate expected credit losses, resulting in earlier recognition of losses for receivables that are current or not yet due, which were not considered under previous accounting guidance. The Company recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings in the amount of $3,298, net of $1,109 of income taxes, for expected credit losses on financial assets at the adoption date.

The following table illustrates the impact of ASC 326.

The Company is exposed to credit losses primarily through sales of products and services. The Company's expected loss allowance methodology for accounts receivable is developed using historical collection experience, current and future economic and market conditions and a review of the current status of customers' trade and other accounts receivables. Due to the short-term nature of such receivables, the estimate of the amount of accounts receivable that may not be collected is based on an aging of the accounts receivable balances and the financial condition of customers. Additionally, specific allowance amounts are established to record the appropriate provision for customers that have a higher probability of default. The Company's monitoring activities include timely account reconciliations, dispute resolution, payment confirmation, consideration of customers' financial condition and macroeconomic conditions.

Balances are written off when determined to be uncollectible. The Company considered the current and expected future economic and market conditions surrounding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and determined that the estimate of credit losses was not significantly impacted.

Management estimates the allowance balance using relevant available information, from internal and external sources, relating to past events, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Historical credit loss experience provides the basis for the estimation of expected credit losses. Adjustments to historical loss information are made for changes to the assessment of anticipated payment, changes in economic conditions, current industry trends in the markets the Company serves, and changes in the financial health of the Company's counterparties.

The following table provides a roll-forward of the allowance for credit losses by portfolio segment that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of accounts receivable to present the net amount expected to be collected.

NOTE 9—INVENTORIES:

Inventory components consist of the following:

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The cost of coal inventories is determined by the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. Coal inventory costs include labor, supplies, equipment costs, operating overhead, depreciation, depletion, amortization and other related costs. The cost of supplies inventory is determined by the average cost method and includes operating and maintenance supplies to be used in the Company's coal operations.

NOTE 10—ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE SECURITIZATION:

CONSOL Energy and certain of its U.S. subsidiaries are parties to a trade accounts receivable securitization facility with financial institutions for the sale on a continuous basis of eligible trade accounts receivable. In March 2020, the securitization facility was amended to, among other things, extend the maturity date from August 30, 2021 to March 27, 2023.

Pursuant to the securitization facility, CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC sells current and future trade receivables to CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC. CONSOL Marine Terminals LLC and CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC sell and/or contribute current and future trade receivables (including receivables sold to CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC by CONSOL Thermal Holdings LLC) to CONSOL Funding LLC (the “SPV”). The SPV, in turn, pledges its interests in the receivables to PNC Bank, which either makes loans or issues letters of credit on behalf of the SPV. The maximum amount of advances and letters of credit outstanding under the securitization facility may not exceed $100 million.

Loans under the securitization facility accrue interest at a reserve-adjusted LIBOR market index rate equal to the one-month Eurodollar rate. Loans and letters of credit under the securitization facility also accrue a program fee and a letter of credit participation fee, respectively, ranging from 2.00% to 2.50% per annum depending on the total net leverage ratio of CONSOL Energy. In addition, the SPV paid certain structuring fees to PNC Capital Markets LLC and will pay other customary fees to the lenders, including a fee on unused commitments equal to 0.60% per annum.

At September 30, 2020, the Company's eligible accounts receivable yielded $30,660 of borrowing capacity. At September 30, 2020, the facility had no outstanding borrowings and $30,100 of letters of credit outstanding, leaving available borrowing capacity of $560. At December 31, 2019, the Company's eligible accounts receivable yielded $41,282 of borrowing capacity. At December 31, 2019, the facility had no outstanding borrowings and $41,211 of letters of credit outstanding, leaving available borrowing capacity of $71. Costs associated with the receivables facility totaled $249 and $882 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, and $344 and $1,095 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. These costs have been recorded as financing fees which are included in Operating and Other Costs in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company has not derecognized any receivables due to its continued involvement in the collections efforts.

NOTE 11—PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:

Property, plant and equipment consists of the following:

Coal reserves are controlled either through fee ownership or by lease. The duration of the leases vary; however, the lease terms are generally extended automatically to the exhaustion of economically recoverable reserves, as long as active mining continues. Coal interests held by lease provide the same rights as fee ownership for mineral extraction and are legally considered real property interests.

As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, property, plant and equipment includes gross assets under finance leases of $85,908 and $52,729, respectively. Accumulated amortization for finance leases was $49,453 and $31,373 at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Amortization expense for assets under finance leases approximated $6,178 and $3,919 for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 and $16,680 and $11,753 for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and is included in Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income.

NOTE 12—OTHER ACCRUED LIABILITIES:

NOTE 13—LONG-TERM DEBT:

* Excludes current portion of Finance Lease Obligations of $21,261 and $18,219 at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

In November 2017, CONSOL Energy entered into a revolving credit facility with commitments up to $300 million (the “Revolving Credit Facility”), a Term Loan A Facility of up to $100 million (the “TLA Facility”) and a Term Loan B Facility of up to $400 million (the “TLB Facility”, and together with the Revolving Credit Facility and the TLA Facility, the “Senior Secured Credit Facilities”). On March 28, 2019, the Company amended the Senior Secured Credit Facilities to increase the borrowing commitment of the Revolving Credit Facility to $400 million and reallocate the principal amounts outstanding under the TLA Facility and TLB Facility. On June 5, 2020, the Company amended the Senior Secured Credit Facilities (the “amendment”) to provide eight quarters of financial covenant relaxation, effect an increase in the rate at which borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and the TLA Facility bear interest, and add an anti-cash hoarding provision. Borrowings under the Company's Senior Secured Credit Facilities bear interest at a floating rate which can be, at the Company's option, either (i) LIBOR plus an applicable margin or (ii) an alternate base rate plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin for the Revolving Credit Facility and TLA Facility depends on the total net leverage ratio, whereas the applicable margin for the TLB Facility is fixed. The amendment increased the applicable margin by 50 basis points on both the Revolving Credit Facility and the TLA Facility. The maturity date of the Revolving Credit and TLA Facilities is March 28, 2023. The TLB Facility's maturity date is September 28, 2024. Obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities (Term Loan B and Term Loan A, together with the Revolving Credit Facility, on which there were no outstanding borrowings at September 30, 2020) are guaranteed by (i) all owners of the 75% undivided economic interest in the PAMC held by the Company, (ii) any other members of the Company’s group that own any portion of the collateral securing the Revolving Credit Facility, and (iii) subject to certain customary exceptions and agreed materiality thresholds, all other existing or future direct or indirect wholly-owned restricted subsidiaries of the Company (excluding the Partnership and its wholly-owned subsidiaries). The obligations are secured by, subject to certain exceptions (including a limitation of pledges of equity interests in certain subsidiaries and certain thresholds with respect to real property), a first-priority lien on (i) the Company’s 75% undivided economic interest in the PAMC, (ii) the limited partner units of the Partnership held by the Company, (iii) the equity interests in CONSOL Coal Resources GP LLC held by the Company (iv) the CONSOL Marine Terminal and (v) the 1.5 billion tons of Greenfield Reserves.

The Senior Secured Credit Facilities contain a number of customary affirmative covenants. In addition, the Senior Secured Credit Facilities contain a number of negative covenants, including (subject to certain exceptions) limitations on (among other things): indebtedness, liens, investments, acquisitions, dispositions, restricted payments, and prepayments of junior indebtedness. The amendment added additional conditions to be met for the covenants relating to investments in joint ventures, general investments, share repurchases, dividends, and repurchases of Second Lien Notes. The additional conditions require no outstanding borrowings and no more than $200 million of outstanding letters of credit on the Revolving Credit Facility. Further restrictions apply to investments in joint ventures, share repurchases and dividends that require the total net leverage ratio shall not be greater than 2.00 to 1.00.

The Revolving Credit Facility and TLA Facility also include covenants relating to (i) a maximum first lien gross leverage ratio, (ii) a maximum total net leverage ratio, and (iii) a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio.  The maximum first lien gross leverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of Consolidated First Lien Debt to Consolidated EBITDA, excluding the Partnership. Consolidated EBITDA, as used in the covenant calculation, excludes non-cash compensation expenses, non-recurring transaction expenses, extraordinary gains and losses, gains and losses on discontinued operations, non-cash charges related to legacy employee liabilities and gains and losses on debt extinguishment, and includes cash distributions received from the Partnership and subtracts cash payments related to legacy employee liabilities. The maximum total net leverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of Consolidated Indebtedness, minus Cash on Hand, to Consolidated EBITDA, excluding the Partnership. The minimum fixed charge coverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of Consolidated EBITDA to Consolidated Fixed Charges, excluding the Partnership. Consolidated Fixed Charges, as used in the covenant calculation, include cash interest payments, cash payments for income taxes, scheduled debt repayments, dividends paid, and Maintenance Capital Expenditures. The amendment revised the financial covenants applicable to the Revolving Credit Facility and TLA Facility relating to the maximum first lien gross leverage ratio, maximum total net leverage ratio and minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, so that for the fiscal quarters ending June 30, 2020 through March 31, 2021, the maximum first lien gross leverage ratio shall be 2.50 to 1.00, the maximum total net leverage ratio shall be 3.75 to 1.00, and the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio shall be 1.00 to 1.00; for the fiscal quarters ending June 30, 2021 through September 30, 2021, the maximum first lien gross leverage ratio shall be 2.25 to 1.00 and the maximum total net leverage ratio shall be 3.50 to 1.00; for the fiscal quarters ending June 30, 2021 through March 31, 2022, the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio shall be 1.05 to 1.00; for the fiscal quarters ending December 31, 2021 through March 31, 2022, the maximum first lien gross leverage ratio shall be 2.00 to 1.00 and the maximum total net leverage ratio shall be 3.25 to 1.00; and for the fiscal quarters ending on or after June 30, 2022, the maximum first lien gross leverage ratio shall be 1.75 to 1.00, the maximum total net leverage ratio shall be 2.75 to 1.00 and the minimum fixed charge coverage ratio shall be 1.10 to 1.00. The maximum first lien gross leverage ratio was 2.04 to 1.00 at September 30, 2020. The maximum total net leverage ratio was 3.38 to 1.00 at September 30, 2020. The minimum fixed charge coverage ratio was 1.33 to 1.00 at September 30, 2020. The Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants as of September 30, 2020. The Company is continuing to actively monitor the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on its liquidity. 

The TLB Facility also includes a financial covenant that requires the Company to repay a certain amount of its borrowings under the TLB Facility within ten business days after the date it files its Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission if the Company has excess cash flow (as defined in the credit agreement for the Senior Secured Credit Facilities) during the year covered by the applicable Form 10-K. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, CONSOL Energy made the required repayment of approximately $110 million based on the amount of the Company's excess cash flow as of December 31, 2018. For fiscal year 2018, such repayment was equal to 75% of the Company's excess cash flow less any voluntary prepayments of its borrowings under the TLB Facility made by the Company during 2018. For all subsequent fiscal years, the required repayment is equal to a certain percentage of the Company’s excess cash flow for such year, ranging from 0% to 75% depending on the Company’s total net leverage ratio, less the amount of certain voluntary prepayments made by the Company, if any, under the TLB Facility during such fiscal year. Based on the Company's excess cash flow calculation, no repayment was required with respect to the year ended December 31, 2019. The amount of excess cash flow is a covenant feature only applicable as of the Company's year-end and will be calculated as of December 31, 2020.

At September 30, 2020, the Revolving Credit Facility had no borrowings outstanding and $99,126 of letters of credit outstanding, leaving $300,874 of unused capacity. At December 31, 2019, the Revolving Credit Facility had no borrowings outstanding and $69,588 of letters of credit outstanding, leaving $330,412 of unused capacity. From time to time, CONSOL Energy is required to post financial assurances to satisfy contractual and other requirements generated in the normal course of business. Some of these assurances are posted to comply with federal, state or other government agencies' statutes and regulations. CONSOL Energy sometimes uses letters of credit to satisfy these requirements and these letters of credit reduce the Company's borrowing facility capacity.

In November 2017, CONSOL Energy issued $300 million in aggregate principal amount of 11.00% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2025 (the “Second Lien Notes”) pursuant to an indenture (the “Indenture”) dated as of November 13, 2017, by and between the Company and UMB Bank, N.A., a national banking association, as trustee and collateral trustee (the “Trustee”). On November 28, 2017, certain subsidiaries of the Company executed a supplement to the Indenture and became party to the Indenture as a guarantor (the “Guarantors”). The Second Lien Notes are secured by second priority liens on substantially all of the assets of the Company and the Guarantors that are pledged and on a first-priority basis as collateral securing the Company’s obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facilities (described above), subject to certain exceptions under the Indenture. The Indenture contains covenants that will limit the ability of the Company and the Guarantors, to (i) incur, assume or guarantee additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock; (ii) create liens to secure indebtedness; (iii) declare or pay dividends on the Company’s common stock, redeem stock or make other distributions to the Company’s stockholders; (iv) make investments; (v) restrict dividends, loans or other asset transfers from the Company’s restricted subsidiaries; (vi) merge or consolidate, or sell, transfer, lease or dispose of substantially all of the Company’s assets; (vii) sell or otherwise dispose of certain assets, including equity interests in subsidiaries; (viii) enter into transactions with affiliates; and (ix) create unrestricted subsidiaries. These covenants are subject to important exceptions and qualifications. If the Second Lien Notes achieve an investment grade rating from both Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services and Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and no default under the Indenture exists, many of the foregoing covenants will terminate and cease to apply.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company repurchased $45,176 of its outstanding 11.00% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due in 2025. During the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company made a required repayment of approximately $110 million on the TLB Facility (discussed above) and amended the Senior Secured Credit Facilities. The Company also repurchased $35,048 of its outstanding 11.00% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due in 2025 during the nine months ended September 30, 2019. As part of these transactions, $1,078 and $17,911 was included in Gain on Debt Extinguishment on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, and $801 and $25,444 was included in Loss on Debt Extinguishment on the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively.

The Company is a borrower under two asset-backed financing arrangements related to certain equipment. The equipment, which has an approximate value of $21,885, fully collateralizes the loans. As of September 30, 2020, a total of $18,894 matures in December 2020 and $2,991 matures in September 2024. The loans had a weighted average interest rate of 4.30% and 5.07% at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company entered into interest rate swaps, which effectively converted $150,000 of the TLB Facility's floating interest rate to a fixed interest rate for the twelve months ending December 31, 2020 and 2021, and $50,000 of the TLB Facility's floating interest rate to a fixed interest rate for the twelve months ending December 31, 2022. The interest rate swaps qualify for cash flow hedge accounting treatment and as such, the change in the fair value of the interest rate swaps is recorded on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets as an asset or liability. The effective portion of the gains or losses is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss and the ineffective portion is reported in earnings. At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the interest rate swap contracts were reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair value of $3,373 and $154, respectively, which is recorded in Other Accrued Liabilities and Other Liabilities. The fair value of the interest rate swaps reflected an unrealized loss of $2,408 (net of $810 tax) at September 30, 2020. The unrealized loss is included on the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity as part of accumulated other comprehensive loss, as well as on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income as unrealized loss on cash flow hedges. Some of the Company's interest rate swaps reached their effective date in the nine months ended September 30, 2020. As such, a loss of $1,005 was recognized in interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. During 2020, notional amounts of $150,000 will become effective. Based on the fair value of the Company's cash flow hedges at September 30, 2020, the Company expects expense of approximately $2,069 to be reclassified into earnings in the next 12 months.

NOTE 14—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES:

The Company and its former parent entered into a separation and distribution agreement on November 28, 2017 that implemented the legal and structural separation of the Company from its former parent. The separation and distribution agreement also identified the assets of the Coal Business that were transferred to the Company and the liabilities and contracts related to the Coal Business that were assumed by the Company as part of the separation and distribution, and provides post-closing indemnification obligations and procedures between the Company and its former parent relating to the liabilities of the Coal Business that the Company assumed.

The Company is subject to various lawsuits and claims with respect to such matters as personal injury, wrongful death, damage to property, exposure to hazardous substances, governmental regulations including environmental remediation, employment and contract disputes and other claims and actions arising out of the normal course of business. The Company accrues the estimated loss for these lawsuits and claims when the loss is probable and reasonably estimable. The Company’s estimated accruals related to these pending claims, individually and in the aggregate, are immaterial to the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Company as of September 30, 2020. It is possible that the aggregate loss in the future with respect to these lawsuits and claims could ultimately be material to the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows; however, such amounts cannot be reasonably estimated. The amount claimed against the Company as of September 30, 2020 is disclosed below when an amount is expressly stated in the lawsuit or claim, which is not often the case.

Fitzwater Litigation: Three nonunion retired coal miners have sued Fola Coal Company LLC, Consolidation Coal Company (“CCC”) and CONSOL of Kentucky Inc. (“COK”) (as well as the Company's former parent) in West Virginia Federal Court alleging ERISA violations in the termination of retiree health care benefits. The Plaintiffs contend they relied to their detriment on oral statements and promises of “lifetime health benefits” allegedly made by various members of management during Plaintiffs’ employment and that they were allegedly denied access to Summary Plan Documents that clearly reserved the right to modify or terminate the Retiree Health and Welfare Plan subject to Plaintiffs’ claims. Pursuant to Plaintiffs’ amended complaint filed on April 24, 2017, Plaintiffs request that retiree health benefits be reinstated and seek to represent a class of all nonunion retirees who were associated with AMVEST and COK areas of operation. On October 15, 2019, Plaintiffs’ supplemental motion for class certification was denied on all counts. On July 15, 2020, Plaintiffs filed an interlocutory appeal with the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals on the Order denying class certification. The Fourth Circuit denied Plaintiffs' appeal on August 14, 2020. On October 1, 2020, the District Court entered a pretrial order setting the trial date for November 16, 2020. The Company believes it has a meritorious defense and intends to vigorously defend this suit.

Casey Litigation: A class action lawsuit was filed on August 23, 2017 on behalf of two nonunion retired coal miners against CCC, COK, CONSOL Buchanan Mining Co., LLC and Kurt Salvatori in West Virginia Federal Court alleging ERISA violations in the termination of retiree health care benefits. Filed by the same lawyers who filed the Fitzwater litigation, and raising nearly identical claims, the Plaintiffs contend they relied to their detriment on oral promises of “lifetime health benefits” allegedly made by various members of management during Plaintiffs’ employment and that they were not provided with copies of Summary Plan Documents clearly reserving to the Company the right to modify or terminate the Retiree Health and Welfare Plan. Plaintiffs request that retiree health benefits be reinstated for them and their dependents and seek to represent a class of all nonunion retirees of any subsidiary of the Company's former parent that operated or employed individuals in McDowell or Mercer Counties, West Virginia, or Buchanan or Tazewell Counties, Virginia whose retiree welfare benefits were terminated. On December 1, 2017, the trial court judge in Fitzwater signed an order to consolidate Fitzwater with Casey. The Casey complaint was amended on March 1, 2018 to add new plaintiffs, add defendant CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company, LLC and eliminate defendant CONSOL Buchanan Mining Co., LLC in an attempt to expand the class of retirees. On October 15, 2019, Plaintiffs’ supplemental motion for class certification was denied on all counts. On July 15, 2020, Plaintiffs filed an interlocutory appeal with the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals on the Order denying class certification. The Fourth Circuit denied Plaintiffs' appeal on August 14, 2020. On October 1, 2020, the District Court entered a pretrial order setting the trial date for November 16, 2020. The Company believes it has a meritorious defense and intends to vigorously defend this suit.

United Mine Workers of America 1992 Benefit Plan Litigation: In 2013, Murray Energy and its subsidiaries (“Murray”) entered into a stock purchase agreement (the “Murray sale agreement”) with the Company's former parent pursuant to which Murray acquired the stock of CCC and certain subsidiaries and certain other assets and liabilities. At the time of sale, the liabilities included certain retiree medical liabilities under the Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefits Act of 1992 (“Coal Act”) and certain federal black lung liabilities under the Black Lung Benefits Act (“BLBA”). Based upon information available, the Company estimates that the annual servicing costs of these liabilities are approximately $10 million to $20 million per year for the next ten years. The annual servicing cost would decline each year since the beneficiaries of the Coal Act consist principally of miners who retired prior to 1994. Murray filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2019. As part of the ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, Murray entered into a settlement with the United Mine Workers of America 1992 Benefit Plan (“1992 Plan”) to transfer retirees in the Murray Energy Section 9711 Plan into the 1992 Plan, which the bankruptcy court approved on April 30, 2020. The 1992 Plan recently filed an action in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia asking the court to make a determination whether the Company's former parent or the Company has any continuing retiree medical liabilities under the Coal Act. The Murray sale agreement includes indemnification by Murray with respect to the Coal Act and BLBA liabilities. In addition, the Company had agreed to indemnify its former parent relative to certain pre-separation liabilities. As of September 16, 2020, the Company has entered into a settlement agreement with Murray, and has withdrawn its claims in bankruptcy. See Note 2 - Major Transactions for a discussion of this settlement agreement. The Company will continue to vigorously defend any claims that attempt to transfer any of such liabilities directly or indirectly to the Company, including raising all applicable defenses against the 1992 Plan’s suit and those of any other party.

Other Matters: Various Company subsidiaries are defendants in certain other legal proceedings arising out of the conduct of the Coal Business prior to the separation and distribution, and the Company is also a defendant in other legal proceedings following the separation and distribution. In the opinion of management, based upon an investigation of these matters and discussion with legal counsel, the ultimate outcome of such other legal proceedings, individually and in the aggregate, is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

As part of the separation and distribution, the Company assumed various financial obligations relating to the Coal Business and agreed to reimburse its former parent for certain financial guarantees relating to the Coal Business that its former parent retained following the separation and distribution. Employee-related financial guarantees have primarily been provided to support the United Mine Workers’ of America’s 1992 Benefit Plan and federal black lung and various state workers’ compensation self-insurance programs. Environmental financial guarantees have primarily been provided to support various performance bonds related to reclamation and other environmental issues. Other financial guarantees have been extended to support sales contracts, insurance policies, legal matters, full and timely payments of mining equipment leases, and various other items necessary in the normal course of business.

The following is a summary, as of September 30, 2020, of the financial guarantees, unconditional purchase obligations and letters of credit to certain third parties. These amounts represent the maximum potential of total future payments that the Company could be required to make under these instruments, or under the separation and distribution agreement to the extent retained by the Company's former parent on behalf of the Coal Business. These amounts have not been reduced for potential recoveries under recourse or collateralization provisions. Generally, recoveries under reclamation bonds would be limited to the extent of the work performed at the time of the default. No amounts related to these financial guarantees and letters of credit are recorded as liabilities in the financial statements. The Company’s management believes that these guarantees will expire without being funded, and therefore, the commitments will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition.

Included in the above table are commitments and guarantees entered into in conjunction with the sale of Consolidation Coal Company and certain of its subsidiaries, which contain all five of its longwall coal mines in West Virginia and its river operations, to a third party. As part of the separation and distribution, the Company's former parent agreed to indemnify the Company and the Company agreed to indemnify its former parent in each case with respect to guarantees of certain equipment lease obligations that were assumed by the third party. In the event that the third party would default on the obligations defined in the agreements, the Company would be required to perform under the guarantees. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has not been required to perform under these guarantees. The equipment lease obligations are collateralized by the underlying assets. The current maximum estimated exposure under these guarantees as of  September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 is believed to be approximately $16,000 and $20,000, respectively. At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the fair value of these guarantees was $259 and $482, respectively, and is included in Other Accrued Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The fair value of certain of the guarantees was determined using the Company’s risk-adjusted interest rate. Significant increases or decreases in the risk-adjusted interest rates may result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. No other amounts related to financial guarantees and letters of credit are recorded as liabilities in the financial statements. Significant judgment is required in determining the fair value of these guarantees. The guarantees of the leases are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

The Company regularly evaluates the likelihood of default for all guarantees based on an expected loss analysis and records the fair value, if any, of its guarantees as an obligation in the consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 15—FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

CONSOL Energy determines the fair value of assets and liabilities based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The fair values are based on assumptions that market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in valuation techniques and the inputs to valuations. The fair value hierarchy is based on whether the inputs to valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources (including LIBOR-based discount rates), while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s own assumptions of what market participants would use.

The fair value hierarchy includes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value as described below.

Level One - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Level Two - The fair value of the assets and liabilities included in Level 2 are based on standard industry income approach models that use significant observable inputs, including LIBOR-based discount rates.

Level Three - Unobservable inputs significant to the fair value measurement supported by little or no market activity. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s third-party guarantees are the credit risk of the third-party and the third-party surety bond markets. A significant increase or decrease in these values, in isolation, would have a directionally similar effect resulting in higher or lower fair value measurement of the Company’s Level 3 guarantees.

In those cases when the inputs used to measure fair value meet the definition of more than one level of the fair value hierarchy, the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its totality determines the applicable level in the fair value hierarchy.

The financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below: