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Environmental Matters
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract]  
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
Our operations involve storing and dispensing petroleum products, primarily diesel fuel, regulated under environmental protection laws. These laws require us to eliminate or mitigate the effect of such substances on the environment. In response to these requirements, we continually upgrade our operating facilities and implement various programs to detect and minimize contamination. In addition, we have received notices from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and others that we have been identified as a potentially responsible party under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act and similar state statutes. We may be required to share in the cost of cleanup of 19 identified disposal sites.
Our environmental expenses which are presented within “Cost of fuel services” in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings, consist of remediation costs as well as normal recurring expenses such as licensing, testing and waste disposal fees. These expenses totaled $12 million, $10 million and $9 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The carrying amount of our environmental liabilities was $10 million and $9 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Our asset retirement obligations related to fuel tanks to be removed are not included above. Asset retirement obligations totaled $26 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The carrying amount of our environmental liabilities and our asset retirement obligations are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Other non-current liabilities” in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The ultimate cost of our environmental liabilities cannot presently be projected with certainty due to the presence of several unknown factors, primarily the level of contamination, the effectiveness of selected remediation methods, the stage of investigation at individual sites, the determination of our liability in proportion to other responsible parties and the recoverability of such costs from third parties. Based on information presently available, we believe that the ultimate disposition of these matters, although potentially material to the results of operations in any one year, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or liquidity.