Restructuring (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes the activity within the restructuring related balance sheet accounts for the 2016, 2014 and 2013 Projects during the year ended December 31, 2016:



	Accrued Employee Severance			Asset Impairments & Net Loss on Sale or Disposal			Other Accrued Costs			Total
	(in thousands)
Beginning balance, January 1, 2016	$	26,533		$	—		$	3,048		$	29,581
Costs incurred and charged to expense	39,943			7,188			1,959			49,090
Cash payments	(18,452		)	—			(2,389		)	(20,841		)
Non-cash items	—			(7,188		)	—			(7,188		)
Effect of change in exchange rates	(2,656		)	—			(16		)	(2,672		)
Ending balance, December 31, 2016	$	45,368		$	—		$	2,602		$	47,970

2016 Projects [Member]

Restructuring Project [Line Items]

Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]

The total expected restructuring costs, the restructuring costs recognized during the year ended December 31, 2016, and the remaining expected restructuring costs as of December 31, 2016 related to the 2016 Projects are as follows:



	Total Expected Costs at December 31, 2016		Costs Recognized During the Year Ended December 31, 2016		Remaining Costs to be Recognized at December 31, 2016
	(in thousands)
Employee severance costs	$	44,186	$	39,686	$	4,500
Asset impairments & net loss on sale or disposal	7,219		7,219		—
Other restructuring costs	16,389		889		15,500
Total	$	67,794	$	47,794	$	20,000

Segments:
Electricity	$	10,827	$	8,827	$	2,000
Gas	34,468		23,968		10,500
Water	20,061		13,061		7,000
Corporate unallocated	2,438		1,938		500
Total	$	67,794	$	47,794	$	20,000

2014 Project [Member]

Restructuring Project [Line Items]

Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block]

The total expected restructuring costs, the restructuring costs recognized in prior periods, the restructuring costs recognized during the year ended December 31, 2016, and the remaining expected restructuring costs as of December 31, 2016 related to the 2014 Projects are as follows:



	Total Expected Costs at December 31, 2016		Costs Recognized in Prior Periods		Costs Recognized During the Year Ended December 31, 2016			Remaining Costs to be Recognized at December 31, 2016
	(in thousands)
Employee severance costs	$	34,630	$	34,373	$	257		$	—
Asset impairments & net loss on sale or disposal	8,849		8,880		(31		)	—
Other restructuring costs	4,999		3,929		1,070			—
Total	$	48,478	$	47,182	$	1,296		$	—

Segments:
Electricity	$	20,610	$	21,743	$	(1,133	)	$	—
Gas	13,631		11,855		1,776			—
Water	1,995		1,940		55			—
Corporate unallocated	12,242		11,644		598			—
Total	$	48,478	$	47,182	$	1,296		$	—