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Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments. The Company has a variety of financial commitments, including purchase agreements, forward foreign exchange and forward sales contracts, indebtedness (and related Option Assets and Warrants) and letters of credit (see Note 3 and Note 10).
Rental expenses were $7.4, $7.5 and $10.0 for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. There are renewal options in various operating leases subject to certain terms and conditions. Minimum rental commitments under operating leases at December 31, 2014 were as follows:
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020 and Thereafter
Minimum rental commitments
 
$
4.7

 
$
3.9

 
$
3.2

 
$
2.8

 
$
2.7

 
$
27.6


The Company's purchase obligations at December 31, 2014 consisted of (i) various contracts with suppliers of aluminum that require the Company to purchase minimum quantities of aluminum in 2015 at a price to be determined at the time of purchase based primarily on the underlying metal price at that time and (ii) energy contracts requiring the Company to purchase minimum quantities of electricity in future years at a fixed price. Amounts to be purchased in 2015 under the variable priced metal contracts totaled $283.7 and are included in the table below based on minimum quantities at the metal price as of December 31, 2014. The Company believes the minimum quantities are lower than its current requirements for aluminum. Actual quantities and actual metal prices at the time of purchase could be different. All remaining amounts in the table below relate to the fixed price electricity contracts discussed above. The total amounts due under purchase obligations as of December 31, 2014 were as follows:
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020 and Thereafter
Purchase obligations
 
$
294.6

 
$
8.9

 
$
2.9

 
$
1.0

 
$
0.5

 
$
1.4


Environmental Contingencies. The Company is subject to a number of environmental laws and regulations, to potential fines or penalties assessed for alleged breaches of such laws and regulations and to potential claims based upon such laws and regulations.
The Company has established procedures for regularly evaluating environmental loss contingencies. The Company’s environmental accruals represent the Company’s undiscounted estimate of costs reasonably expected to be incurred based on presently enacted laws and regulations, existing requirements, currently available facts, existing technology and the Company’s assessment of the likely remediation actions to be taken.
The following table presents the changes in such accruals, which are primarily included in Long-term liabilities:
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Beginning balance
 
$
22.8

 
$
21.7

 
$
22.0

Additional accruals
 
0.8

 
4.5

 
1.2

Less expenditures
 
(4.3
)
 
(3.4
)
 
(1.5
)
Ending balance
 
$
19.3

 
$
22.8

 
$
21.7


In 2012, the Company submitted a final feasibility study to the Washington State Department of Ecology (“Washington State Ecology”) that included recommendations for remediation alternatives primarily to address the historical use of oils containing polychlorinated biphenyls, ("PCBs") at the Trentwood facility. The Company also signed an amended work order in 2012 with Washington State Ecology allowing certain remediation activities to begin the initiation of a treatability study in regards to proposed PCB remediation methods. The Company began implementation of certain approved sections of the work plan in 2013 and continues to work with Washington State Ecology in developing the implementation work plans, which are subject to Washington State Ecology approval. 
During 2013, at the request of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency ("OEPA"), the Company initiated an investigational study of the Newark facility related to historical on-site waste disposal. As this work continues and progresses to a risk assessment and feasibility study, the Company will establish and update estimates for probable and estimable remediations, if any. The actual and final cost for remediation will not be fully determinable until a final feasibility study is submitted and accepted by the OEPA and work plans are prepared, which is expected to occur in the next 18 to 24 months.
At December 31, 2014, the Company’s environmental accrual of $19.3 represented the Company’s estimate of the incremental remediation cost based on (i) proposed alternatives in the final feasibility study related to the Trentwood facility; (ii) currently available facts with respect to the Newark, Ohio facility; and (iii) facts related to certain other locations owned or formally owned by the Company. In accordance with approved and proposed remediation action plans, the Company expects that the implementation and ongoing monitoring could occur over a period of 30 or more years.
As additional facts are developed, feasibility studies are completed, draft remediation plans are modified, necessary regulatory approvals for the implementation of remediation are obtained, alternative technologies are developed and/or other factors change, there may be revisions to management’s estimates and actual costs may exceed the current environmental accruals. The Company believes at this time that it is reasonably possible that undiscounted costs associated with these environmental matters may exceed current accruals by amounts that could be, in the aggregate, up to an estimated $25.1 over the remediation period. It is reasonably possible that the Company’s recorded estimate may change in the next 12 months.
Other Contingencies. The Company is party to various lawsuits, claims, investigations and administrative proceedings that arise in connection with past and current operations. The Company evaluates such matters on a case-by-case basis and its policy is to vigorously contest any such claims it believes are without merit. The Company accrues for a legal liability when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable. Quarterly, in addition to when changes in facts and circumstances require it, the Company reviews and adjusts these accruals to reflect the impacts of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel and other information and events pertaining to a particular case. While uncertainties are inherent in the final outcome of such matters and it is presently impossible to determine the actual cost that may ultimately be incurred, management believes that it has sufficiently reserved for such matters and that the ultimate resolution of pending matters will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, operating results, or liquidity.