ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS

The components of the changes in the asset retirement obligation liabilities for the periods stated were as follows:



(Dollars in thousands)	Short-Term Portion			Long-Term Portion			Total
Balance at January 1, 2016	$	296		$	7,543		$	7,839
Accretion	36			587			623
Amounts paid	(213		)	—			(213		)
Reductions	(134		)	(558		)	(692		)
Reclassifications	100			(100		)	—
Balance at December 31, 2016	85			7,472			7,557
Accretion	8			554			562
Amounts paid	(248		)	—			(248		)
Increases and reductions	5			(468		)	(463		)
Reclassifications	384			(384		)	—
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	234		$	7,174		$	7,408

Increases and reductions other than accretion, reclassification and amounts paid primarily relate to changes in estimate of the underlying liability, specifically as it relates to updates in estimated costs to remove a transmitter and the estimated timing of removal. The cost associated with the estimated removal costs and timing refinements due to ongoing network rationalization activities is expected to accrete to a total liability of $9.3 million. The total estimated liability is based on the transmitter locations remaining after we have consolidated the number of networks we operate and assume the underlying leases continue to be renewed to that future date.

Accretion expense related solely to asset retirement obligations and was recorded based on the interest method utilizing the following discount rates for the specified periods:



Period	Discount Rate
2017 – January 1 through September 30 – Additions⁽²⁾	11.50	%
2017 – December 31 Additions⁽²⁾and Incremental Estimates	14.00	%
2016 – January 1 through December 31 – Additions⁽²⁾	11.50	%
2016 – December 31 - Incremental Estimates	12.09	%	⁽¹⁾
2015 – January 1 through September 30 – Additions⁽²⁾	10.48	%
2015 – December 31 Additions⁽²⁾ and Incremental Estimates	11.50	%


⁽¹⁾	Weighted average credit adjusted risk-free rate used to discount downward revision to estimated future cash flows.


⁽²⁾	Transmitters moved to new sites resulting in additional liability.

Additional information regarding asset retirement costs, depreciation expense, accretion and liabilities can be found in Note 3, "Consolidated Financial Statement Components".