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13: R2 Consolidated Balance Sheets HTML 140K
14: R3 Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) HTML 39K
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16: R5 Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive HTML 56K
Income
17: R6 Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' HTML 80K
Equity
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Paid for Acquisitions (Detail)
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forma Combined Information (Detail)
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Goodwill Activity (Detail)
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Intangible Assets by Type (Detail)
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Intangible Amortization Expense Estimated (Detail)
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Summary of Changes to Accrued Capping, Closure and
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
iDelaware
i03-0338873
(State
or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
i25 Greens Hill Lane,
iRutland,
iVermont
i05701
(Address
of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (i802) i775-0325
Securities registered
pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange on which registered
iClass
A common stock, $0.01 par value per share
iCWST
iThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
(Nasdaq
Global Select Market)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. iYes☒ No ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). iYes☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the
registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,”“accelerated filer,”“smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
iLarge
accelerated filer
☒
Accelerated filer
☐
Non-accelerated filer
☐
Smaller reporting company
i☐
Emerging
growth company
i☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes i☐ No ☒
Current
accrued capping, closure and post-closure costs
i5,815
i7,915
Other
accrued liabilities
i47,371
i36,328
Total
current liabilities
i163,014
i152,193
Debt,
less current portion
i575,556
i542,503
Operating
lease liabilities, less current portion
i59,027
i56,375
Accrued
capping, closure and post-closure costs, less current portion
i86,558
i78,999
Deferred
income taxes
i902
i868
Other
long-term liabilities
i28,096
i30,185
COMMITMENTS
AND CONTINGENCIES
i
i
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Class
A common stock, $ii0.01/ par value per share; ii100,000,000/
shares authorized; ii50,690,000/ and ii50,423,000/
shares issued and outstanding, respectively
i507
i504
Class
B common stock, $ii0.01/ par value per share; ii1,000,000/
shares authorized; iiii988,000///
shares issued and outstanding, respectively; ii10/ votes per share
i10
i10
Additional
paid-in capital
i656,042
i652,045
Accumulated
deficit
(i203,013)
(i224,999)
Accumulated
other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
i4,020
(i5,103)
Total
stockholders' equity
i457,566
i422,457
Total
liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
i1,370,719
$
i1,283,580
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Casella Waste Systems, Inc. (“Parent”), and its subsidiaries (collectively, “we”, “us” or “our”), is a regional, vertically integrated solid waste services company. We provide resource management expertise and services to residential, commercial, municipal, institutional and industrial customers, primarily in the areas of solid waste collection and disposal, transfer, recycling and organics services. We provide integrated solid waste services
in seven states: Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine and Pennsylvania, with our headquarters located in Rutland, Vermont. We manage our solid waste operations on a geographic basis through itwo regional operating segments, the Eastern and Western regions, each of which provides a full range of solid waste services. We manage our resource-renewal operations through the Resource Solutions operating segment, which leverages our core competencies in materials processing, industrial recycling, organics and resource management
service offerings to deliver a comprehensive solution for our larger commercial, municipal, institutional and industrial customers that have more diverse waste and recycling needs. Legal, tax, information technology, human resources, certain finance and accounting and other administrative functions are included in our Corporate Entities segment.
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements, which include the accounts of the Parent and our wholly-owned subsidiaries, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Investments in entities in which we do not have a controlling
financial interest are accounted for under either the equity method or the cost method of accounting, as appropriate. Our significant accounting policies are more fully discussed in Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 ("fiscal year 2021"), which was filed with the SEC on February 18, 2022.
/
iPreparation
of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the accounting for and recognition and disclosure of assets, liabilities, equity, revenues and expenses. We must make these estimates and assumptions because certain information that we use is dependent on future events, cannot be calculated with a high degree of precision given the available data, or simply cannot be readily calculated. In the opinion of management, these consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, which include normal recurring and nonrecurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 may not be indicative of the results for any other interim period or the entire fiscal
year. The consolidated financial statements presented herein should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2021.
Subsequent Events
iWe have evaluated subsequent events or transactions that have occurred after the consolidated balance sheet date of June 30, 2022 through the date of filing of the consolidated financial statements with the SEC on this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We have determined
that there are no subsequent events that require disclosure in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
7
2. iACCOUNTING CHANGES
iiA
table providing a brief description of recent Accounting Standards Updates ("ASUs") to the Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) that are pending adoption and deemed to have a possible material impact on our consolidated financial statements based on current account balances and activity follows:
Standard
Description
Effect on the Financial Statements or Other Significant
Matters
Accounting standards issued pending adoption
ASU No. 2020-04: Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848), as amended through January 2021
Provides temporary optional guidance to ease the potential burden in applying GAAP to contract modifications and hedging relationships that reference London Inter-Bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or another reference rate expected to be discontinued, subject to meeting certain criteria.
We currently
have interest rate derivative agreements with hedging relationships that reference LIBOR. This guidance 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. We are currently assessing the provisions of this guidance, and reviewing and updating our existing contracts, as applicable, for transition or fallback language that specifies how a replacement rate for LIBOR will be identified. We are also no longer using LIBOR as a reference rate for any new contracts. We do not expect that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements
and related disclosures. This guidance will be in effect from March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. See Note 7, Debt for further disclosure over our interest rate derivative agreements and debt instruments that reference LIBOR.
ASU No. 2021-08: Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers (Topic 805)
Requires
entities to apply ASC 606 to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities in a business combination. This guidance improves comparability after the business combination by providing consistent recognition and measurement guidance for revenue contracts with customers acquired in a business combination and revenue contracts with customers not acquired in a business combination.
We have made in the past, and we may make in the future, acquisitions to densify existing operations, expand service areas, and grow services
for our customers, and these acquisitions may include contract assets or contract liabilities. We do not expect that the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. This guidance is effective January 1, 2023 with early adoption permitted.
/
3. iREVENUE
RECOGNITION
Revenues associated with our solid waste operations are derived mainly from solid waste collection and disposal services, including landfill, transfer station and transportation services, landfill gas-to-energy services, and processing services. Revenues associated with our resource-renewal services are derived from processing and non-processing services.
iThe following tables set forth revenues disaggregated by service line and timing of revenue recognition by operating
segment for each of the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021:
Payments
to customers that are not in exchange for a distinct good or service are recorded as a reduction of revenues. Rebates to certain customers associated with payments for recycled or organic materials that are received and subsequently processed and sold to other third-parties amounted to $i5,908 and $i9,702
in the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively, and $i2,532 and $i4,100
in the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively. Rebates are generally recorded as a reduction of revenues upon the sale of such materials, or upon receipt of the recycled materials at our facilities. We did iiiino///t
record any revenues in the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 or June 30, 2021 from performance obligations satisfied in previous periods.
Contract receivables, which are included in Accounts receivable, net are recorded when billed or when related revenue is earned, if earlier, and represent claims against third-parties that will be settled in cash. Accounts receivable, net includes gross receivables from contracts of $i111,601
and $i89,232 as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. Certain customers are billed in advance and, accordingly, recognition of the related revenues is deferred as a contract liability until the services are provided and control transferred to the customer. We recognized contract
liabilities of $i3,733 and $i3,404 as of June 30, 2022 and December
31, 2021, respectively. Due to the short term nature of advanced billings, substantially all of the deferred revenue recognized as a contract liability as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was recognized as revenue during the six months ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2021, respectively, when the services were performed.
4. iBUSINESS
COMBINATIONS
In the six months ended June 30, 2022, we acquired the following businesses: a full service solid-waste collection, recycling and transportation business in our Resource Solutions operating segment; a closed waste-to-energy facility that is being decommissioned and rebuilt as a transfer station and ifour tuck-in solid waste collection businesses in our Western region; a portable toilets business in our Eastern region; and a scrap metal collection business
whose assets are allocated between our Eastern region and Resource Solutions operating segments. In the six months ended June 30, 2021, we acquired itwo tuck-in solid waste collection businesses in our Western region, along with a septic and portable toilet business and a tuck-in solid waste collection business in our Eastern region.
The operating results of these businesses are included in the accompanying unaudited consolidated statements of operations from each date
of acquisition, and the purchase price has been allocated to the net assets acquired based on fair values at each date of acquisition, with the residual amounts recorded as goodwill. Purchase price allocations are based on information existing at the acquisition dates or upon closing the transactions, including contingent consideration. Acquired intangible assets other than goodwill that are subject to amortization include customer relationships, trade names and covenants not-to-compete. Such assets are amortized over a ifour-year to iten-year
period from the date of acquisition. All amounts recorded to goodwill are expected to be deductible for tax purposes.
10
iA summary of the purchase price paid and the purchase price allocation for acquisitions follows:
Fair
value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed
i30,134
i3,126
Excess
purchase price allocated to goodwill
$
i28,761
$
i1,757
/
Certain
purchase price allocations are preliminary and are based on information existing at the acquisition dates or upon closing the transaction. Accordingly, the purchase price allocations are subject to change. iUnaudited pro forma combined information that shows our operational results as though each acquisition completed since the beginning of the prior fiscal year had occurred as of January 1, 2021 is as follows:
Basic
earnings per share attributable to common stockholders:
Weighted average common shares outstanding
i51,642
i51,366
i51,567
i51,273
Basic
earnings per common share
$
i0.34
$
i0.19
$
i0.43
$
i0.24
Diluted
earnings per share attributable to common stockholders:
Weighted average common shares outstanding
i51,781
i51,546
i51,720
i51,466
Diluted
earnings per common share
$
i0.34
$
i0.19
$
i0.43
$
i0.24
The
unaudited pro forma results set forth in the table above have been prepared for comparative purposes only and are not necessarily indicative of the actual results of operations had the acquisitions occurred as of January 1, 2021 or of the results of our future operations. Furthermore, the unaudited pro forma results do not give effect to all cost savings or incremental costs that may occur as a result of the integration and consolidation of the completed acquisitions.
11
5. iGOODWILL
AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
iA summary of the activity and balances related to goodwill by operating segment is as follows:
Intangible
amortization expense was $i4,262 and $i8,052 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022,
respectively, and $i2,015 and $i4,043 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively.
iA
summary of intangible amortization expense estimated for the five fiscal years following fiscal year 2021 and thereafter follows:
Estimated Future Amortization Expense as of June 30, 2022
6. iACCRUED
FINAL CAPPING, CLOSURE AND POST CLOSURE
iAccrued final capping, closure and post-closure costs include the current and non-current portion of costs associated with obligations for final capping, closure and post-closure of our landfills. We estimate our future final capping, closure and post-closure costs in order to determine the final capping, closure and post-closure expense per ton of waste placed into each landfill. The anticipated time frame for paying these costs varies based on the remaining useful life of each landfill as well as the duration of the post-closure monitoring period.
12
i
A summary of the changes to accrued final capping, closure and post-closure liabilities follows:
Term loan A facility ("Term Loan Facility") due December 2026; bearing interest at LIBOR plus i1.375%
$
i350,000
$
i350,000
Revolving
credit facility due December 2026 ("Revolving Credit Facility"); bearing interest at LIBOR plus i1.375%
i—
i—
Tax-Exempt
Bonds:
New York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2014 ("New York Bonds 2014R-1") due December 2044 - fixed rate interest period through 2029; bearing interest at i2.875%
i25,000
i25,000
New
York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2014R-2 ("New York Bonds 2014R-2") due December 2044 - fixed rate interest period through 2026; bearing interest at i3.125%
i15,000
i15,000
New
York State Environmental Facilities Corporation Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2020 ("New York Bonds 2020") due September 2050 - fixed rate interest period through 2025; bearing interest at i2.750%
i40,000
i40,000
Finance
Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2005R-3 ("FAME Bonds 2005R-3") due January 2025 - fixed rate interest period through 2025; bearing interest at i5.25%
i25,000
i25,000
Finance
Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2015R-1 ("FAME Bonds 2015R-1") due August 2035 - fixed rate interest period through 2025; bearing interest at i5.125%
i15,000
i15,000
Finance
Authority of Maine Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2015R-2 ("FAME Bonds 2015R-2") due August 2035 - fixed rate interest period through 2025; bearing interest at i4.375%
i15,000
i15,000
Vermont
Economic Development Authority Solid Waste Disposal Long-Term Revenue Bonds Series 2013 ("Vermont Bonds 2013") due April 2036 - fixed rate interest period through 2028; bearing interest at i4.625%
i16,000
i16,000
Vermont
Economic Development Authority Solid Waste Disposal Long-Term Revenue Bonds Series 2022A-1 ("Vermont Bonds 2022A-1") due June 2052 - fixed rate interest period through 2027; bearing interest at i5.00%
i35,000
i—
Business
Finance Authority of the State of New Hampshire Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds Series 2013 ("New Hampshire Bonds") due April 2029 - fixed rate interest period through 2029; bearing interest at i2.95%
i11,000
i11,000
Other:
Finance
leases maturing through December 2107; bearing interest at a weighted average of i3.6%
i45,889
i45,724
Notes
payable maturing through August 2024; bearing interest at a weighted average of i1.6%
i773
i4,846
Principal
amount of debt
i593,662
i562,570
Less—unamortized
debt issuance costs (1)
i10,470
i10,166
Debt
less unamortized debt issuance costs
i583,192
i552,404
Less—current
maturities of debt
i7,636
i9,901
$
i575,556
$
i542,503
/
14
(1)A
summary of unamortized debt issuance costs by debt instrument follows:
Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan Facility (collectively, the "Credit Facility")
$
i5,306
$
i5,884
New
York Bonds 2014R-1
i899
i933
New
York Bonds 2014R-2
i238
i268
New
York Bonds 2020
i1,194
i1,283
FAME
Bonds 2005R-3
i219
i262
FAME Bonds
2015R-1
i378
i413
FAME Bonds 2015R-2
i231
i268
Vermont
Bonds 2013
i405
i433
Vermont Bonds
2022A-1
i1,207
i—
New
Hampshire Bonds
i393
i422
$
i10,470
$
i10,166
Financing
Activities
In the three months ended June 30, 2022, we completed the issuance of $i35,000 aggregate principal amount of Vermont Bonds 2022A-1. The Vermont Bonds 2022A-1, which are unsecured and guaranteed jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally by all of our significant wholly-owned subsidiaries, accrue interest at i5.00%
per annum from June 1, 2022 through May 31, 2027, at which time they may be converted to a variable interest rate period or to a new term interest rate period. The Vermont Bonds 2022A-1 mature on June 1, 2052. As of June 30, 2022, we had $i1,006 of remaining cash proceeds from the issuance of the Vermont Bonds 2022A-1 included in restricted cash and assets that is restricted to finance or reimburse certain noncurrent asset costs associated
with capital projects in the State of Vermont.
Credit Facility
As of June 30, 2022, we are party to an amended and restated credit agreement ("Credit Agreement"), which provides for a $i350,000 aggregate principal amount Term Loan Facility and a $i300,000
Revolving Credit Facility, with a $i75,000 sublimit for letters of credit. We have the right to request, at our discretion, an increase in the amount of loans under the Credit Facility by an aggregate amount of $i125,000,
subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement. The Credit Facility has a i5-year term that matures in December 2026 and bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus i1.375% per annum, which will be reduced to a rate of LIBOR plus as low as i1.125%
upon us reaching a consolidated net leverage ratio of less than i2.25x. The Credit Agreement contains customary benchmark replacement provisions pursuant to which, upon certain triggering events, the LIBOR benchmark used to calculate the LIBOR rate will be replaced with a secured overnight financing rate, as adjusted, on the terms and conditions in the Credit Agreement. The Credit Facility is guaranteed jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally by all of our significant wholly-owned subsidiaries
and secured by substantially all of our assets. As of June 30, 2022, further advances were available under the Revolving Credit Facility in the amount of $i271,805. The available amount is net of outstanding irrevocable letters of credit totaling $i28,195,
and as of June 30, 2022ino amount had been drawn.
Cash Flow Hedges
Our strategy to reduce exposure to interest rate risk involves entering into interest rate derivative agreements to hedge against adverse movements in interest rates related to the variable rate portion of our long-term debt. We have designated these derivative instruments as highly effective cash flow hedges, and therefore the change in their fair value is recorded in stockholders’
equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax and included in interest expense at the same time as interest expense is affected by the hedged transactions. Differences paid or received over the life of the agreements are recorded as additions to or reductions of interest expense on the underlying debt and included in cash flows from operating activities.
As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, our active interest rate derivative agreements had total notional amounts of $i190,000
and $i195,000, respectively. According to the terms of the agreements, we receive interest based on the 1-month LIBOR index, in some instances restricted by a i0.0% floor, and pay interest at a weighted average rate of
approximately i2.20%. The agreements mature between May 2023 and June 2027.
15
As of December 31, 2021, we had forward starting interest rate derivative agreements with a total notional amount of $i85,000
outstanding. As of June 30, 2022, we have a forward starting interest rate derivative agreement with a total notional amount of $i20,000 after considering any forward starting interest rate derivative agreements that became effective in the current period. According to the terms of this agreement, we will receive interest based on the 1-month LIBOR index, restricted by a i0.0%
floor, and will pay interest at a rate of i1.29%. The agreement matures in May 2028.
i
A summary of the effect of
cash flow hedges related to derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheet follows:
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
$
i6,962
$
(i4,935)
Interest
rate swaps - tax effect
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(i2,942)
(i168)
$
i4,020
$
(i5,103)
A
summary of the amount of expense on cash flow hedging relationships related to interest rate swaps reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax into earnings follows:
Three Months Ended June 30,
Six
Months Ended June 30,
Statement of Operations Location
2022
2021
2022
2021
Interest expense
$
i994
$
i1,202
$
i2,122
$
i2,347
/
8. iCOMMITMENTS
AND CONTINGENCIES
Legal Proceedings
In the ordinary course of our business and as a result of the extensive governmental regulation of the solid waste industry, we are subject to various judicial and administrative proceedings involving state and local agencies. In these proceedings, an agency may seek to impose fines or to revoke or deny renewal of an operating permit held by us. From time to time, we may also be subject to actions brought by special interest or other groups, adjacent landowners or residents in connection with the permitting and licensing of landfills and transfer stations, or allegations of environmental damage or violations of the permits and licenses pursuant to which we operate. In addition, we may be named defendants in various claims and suits pending for alleged damages to persons and property, alleged violations of certain laws and alleged liabilities
arising out of matters occurring during the ordinary operation of a waste management business. The plaintiffs in some actions seek unspecified damages or injunctive relief, or both. These actions fall within various procedural stages at any point in time, and some are covered in part by insurance.
In accordance with FASB ASC 450 - Contingencies, we accrue for legal proceedings, inclusive of legal costs, when losses become probable and reasonably estimable. We have recorded an aggregate accrual of $i1,291
relating to our outstanding legal proceedings as of June 30, 2022. As of the end of each applicable reporting period, we review each of our legal proceedings to determine whether it is probable, reasonably possible or remote that a liability has been incurred and, if it is at least reasonably possible, whether a range of loss can be reasonably estimated under the provisions of FASB ASC 450-20. In instances where we determine that a loss is probable and we can reasonably estimate a range of loss we may incur with respect to such a matter, we record an accrual for the amount within the range that constitutes our best estimate of the possible loss. If we are able to reasonably estimate a range, but no amount within the range appears to be a better estimate than any other, we record an accrual in the amount that is the low end of such range. When a loss is reasonably possible, but not probable, we will not record an accrual,
but we will disclose our estimate of the possible range of loss where such estimate can be made in accordance with
16
FASB ASC 450-20. We disclose outstanding matters that we believe could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
North Country Environmental Services Expansion Permit
On October 9, 2020, our subsidiary, North Country Environmental Services, Inc. ("NCES"), received a Type I-A Permit Modification (the "Permit") for Expansion in the Stage VI area of the NCES landfill located in Bethlehem, New Hampshire. On November
9, 2020, the Conservation Law Foundation ("CLF") filed an appeal of the Permit to the New Hampshire Waste Management Council (the “Council”) on the grounds it failed to meet the public benefit criteria. On January 19, 2021, CLF filed a Complaint for Injunctive Relief with the Grafton Superior Court to enjoin NCES from accepting waste pursuant to the new Permit until such a time as CLF has exhausted its appeal rights. A hearing on the Complaint for Injunctive Relief was held on March 10, 2021; the Grafton Superior Court denied the motion on May 14, 2021. CLF did not appeal this decision. The Council denied NCES’s Motion to Dismiss CLF’s appeal for lack of standing by Order dated March 17, 2021. NCES filed a Motion to Reconsider on March
26, 2021, which was denied by the Council on May 11, 2021. A prehearing conference was held and a schedule for the case was established on June 8, 2021. NCES filed a Motion to Dismiss on the merits of the appeal on June 30, 2021. On July 16, 2021, CLF filed its objection to the Motion to Dismiss, and NCES filed its reply on July 26, 2021. The Council issued an Order on September 3, 2021 granting NCES’s Motion to Dismiss, in part. CLF filed a Motion for Reconsideration on September 23, 2021, and NCES filed its objection on September 28, 2021 and CLF filed a reply on September
30, 2021. CLF’s Motion for Reconsideration was granted on November 19, 2021, and its dismissed claims reinstated. On January 14, 2022, NCES filed a Motion in Limine seeking to exclude from evidence four potential evidentiary items on the basis that those items were either not directly related, or were not included in CLF’s Notice of Appeal. On January 21, 2022, CLF filed an objection to NCES’s motion, and NCES filed a reply on January 26, 2022. On January 31, 2022, the Council issued an Order granting NCES’s Motion in Limine with respect to three of the four items it sought to exclude from evidence, and denying its motion with respect to the remaining item. On February 18 and February
22, 2022, a quorum of the Council and Hearing Officer held a hearing on the appeal. Council deliberations occurred and were concluded on February 22, 2022,with the Council ruling in favor of NCES on all motions concerning questions of fact, and indicating that a written decision incorporating the Hearing Officer’s decision as to questions of law would follow. On May 11, 2022, an Order was issued denying all of CLF’s arguments on appeal, with the exception of one; the Hearing Officer held that based on his interpretation of the relevant statute, the public benefit determination made by the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (“DES”), in issuing the Permit to NCES, was unlawful, and remanded the Permit to the DES with regard to this determination. DES filed a Motion for Reconsideration with the Council on May
31, 2022 (the “DES Reconsideration Motion”) and NCES filed a Motion for Rehearing on June 10, 2022 (the “NCES Rehearing Motion”). The Hearing Officer suspended his May 11, 2022 decision by Order dated June 20, 2022, pending consideration of the DES Reconsideration Motion and NCES Rehearing Motion. On June 24, 2022, CLF filed an Objection and Motion to Strike with respect to the NCES Rehearing Motion as well as an Objection to the DES Reconsideration Motion, and DES filed a Limited Objection to the NCES Rehearing Motion, each to which NCES submitted a Reply on July 6, 2022. On July 18, 2022, CLF filed a Reply in Support of its Motion to Strike and Limited
Surreply in Support of Objection to the NCES Motion for Rehearing. On July 21, 2022, NCES filed an Assented to Motion for Leave to File Limited Surreply to CLF’s Motion to Strike together with a Limited Surreply to CLF’s Motion to Strike. The outcome remains pending. NCES will continue to vigorously defend against this litigation.
Environmental Remediation Liabilities
We are subject to liability for environmental damage, including personal injury and property damage, that our solid waste, recycling and power generation facilities may cause to neighboring property owners, particularly as a result of the contamination of drinking water sources or soil, possibly including damage resulting from conditions that existed
before we acquired the facilities. We may also be subject to liability for similar claims arising from off-site environmental contamination caused by pollutants or hazardous substances if we or our predecessors arrange or arranged to transport, treat or dispose of those materials.
We accrue for costs associated with environmental remediation obligations when such costs become both probable and reasonably estimable. Determining the method and ultimate cost of remediation requires that a number of assumptions be made. There can sometimes be a range of reasonable estimates of the costs associated with remediation of a site. In these cases, we use the amount within the range that constitutes our best estimate. In the early stages of the remediation process, particular components of the overall liability may not be reasonably estimable; in this instance we use the components of the liability that can be reasonably estimated as
a surrogate for the liability. It is reasonably possible that we will need to adjust the liabilities recorded for remediation to reflect the effects of new or additional information, to the extent such information impacts the costs, timing or duration of the required actions. Future changes in our estimates of the cost, timing or duration of the required actions could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows. We disclose outstanding environmental remediation matters that remain unsettled or are settled in the reporting period that we believe could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
17
We inflate the estimated costs in current dollars
to the expected time of payment and discount the total cost to present value using a risk-free interest rate. The weighted average risk-free interest rate associated with our environmental remediation liabilities as of June 30, 2022 ranges between i1.5% and i2.6%.
iA summary of the changes to the aggregate environmental remediation liabilities for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021 follows:
(1)May
include amounts paid and amounts that are being processed through accounts payable as a part of our disbursement cycle.
9. iSTOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Stock Based Compensation
Shares Available For Issuance
In the fiscal year ended December
31, 2016, we adopted the 2016 Incentive Plan (“2016 Plan”). Under the 2016 Plan, we may grant awards up to an aggregate amount of shares equal to the sum of: (i) i2,250 shares of Class A common stock (subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits and other similar events), plus (ii) such additional number of shares of Class A common stock (up to i2,723
shares) as is equal to the sum of the number of shares of Class A common stock that remained available for grant under the 2006 Stock Incentive Plan (“2006 Plan”) immediately prior to the expiration of the 2006 Plan and the number of shares of Class A common stock subject to awards granted under the 2006 Plan that expire, terminate or are otherwise surrendered, canceled, forfeited or repurchased by us. As of June 30, 2022, there were i868
Class A common stock equivalents available for future grant under the 2016 Plan.
Stock Options
Stock options are granted at a price equal to the prevailing fair value of our Class A common stock at the date of grant. Generally, stock options granted have a term not to exceed iten years and vest over a ione-year
to ifour-year period from the date of grant.
The fair value of each stock option granted is estimated using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which requires extensive use of accounting judgment and financial estimation, including estimates of the expected term stock option holders will retain their vested stock options before exercising them and the estimated volatility of our Class A common stock price over the expected term.
iA
summary of stock option activity follows:
Stock Options
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years)
Stock-based
compensation expense related to stock options was $i17 and $i33 during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively. We did iinot/
record any stock-based compensation expense for stock options during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. As of June 30, 2022, we had $i139 of unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to outstanding stock options to be recognized over a weighted average period of i2.1
years.
18
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, the aggregate intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $i1,156 and $i1,467,
respectively.
Other Stock Awards
Restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and performance stock units, with the exception of market-based performance stock units, are granted at a price equal to the fair value of our Class A common stock at the date of grant. The fair value of each market-based performance stock unit is estimated using a Monte Carlo pricing model, which requires extensive use of accounting judgment and financial estimation, including the estimated share price appreciation plus, if applicable, the value of dividends of our Class A common stock as compared to the Russell 2000 Index over the requisite service period.
Generally, restricted stock awards granted to non-employee directors vest incrementally over a ithree
year period beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant. Restricted stock units granted to non-employee directors vest in full on the first anniversary of the grant date. Restricted stock units granted to employees vest incrementally over an identified service period beginning on the grant date based on continued employment. Performance stock units granted to employees, including market-based performance stock units, vest at a future date following the grant date and are based on the attainment of performance targets and market achievements, as applicable.
i
A
summary of restricted stock, restricted stock unit and performance stock unit activity follows:
Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Performance Stock Units (1)
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual
Term (years)
(1)Market-based
performance stock unit grants are included at the i100% attainment level. Attainment of the maximum performance targets and market achievements would result in the issuance of an additional i184
shares of Class A common stock currently included in unvested.
/
Stock-based compensation expense related to restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance stock units was $i828 and $i2,979
during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively, as compared to $i3,044 and $i5,928
during the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, respectively.
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, the total fair value of other stock awards vested was $i814 and $i5,359,
respectively.
As of June 30, 2022, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to outstanding restricted stock was $i58, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of i1.5
years. As of June 30, 2022, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to outstanding restricted stock units was $i5,543, which will be recognized over a weighted average period of i1.9
years. As of June 30, 2022, total expected unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to outstanding performance stock units was $i6,882 to be recognized over a weighted average period of i1.8
years.
We also recorded $i93 and $i166 of stock-based compensation expense related to our Amended and Restated 1997 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively, as compared to $i72 and $i128 during the three and six months ended June
30, 2021, respectively.
19
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax
iA summary of the changes in the balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax follows:
Details About Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Components
Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax
Affected
Line Item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations
Interest rate swaps
$
i994
$
i1,202
$
i2,122
$
i2,347
Interest
expense
(i994)
(i1,202)
(i2,122)
(i2,347)
Income
before income taxes
i—
(i142)
(i190)
(i269)
Provision
for income taxes
$
(i994)
$
(i1,060)
$
(i1,932)
$
(i2,078)
Net
income
/
10. iEARNINGS
PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated based on the combined weighted average number of common shares and potentially dilutive shares, which include the assumed exercise of employee stock options, unvested restricted stock awards, unvested restricted stock units and unvested performance stock units, including market-based performance units based on the expected achievement of performance targets. In computing diluted earnings per share, we utilize the treasury stock method.
20
iA
summary of the numerator and denominators used in the computation of earnings per share follows:
Dilutive effect of stock options and other stock awards
i139
i180
i153
i193
Diluted
weighted average common shares outstanding
i51,781
i51,546
i51,720
i51,466
Anti-dilutive
potentially issuable shares
i70
i—
i70
i48
/
11. iOTHER
ITEMS AND CHARGES
Expense from Acquisition Activities
In the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, we recorded charges of $i1,019 and $i3,062,
respectively, and in the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, we recorded charges of $i1,632 and $i2,046,
respectively, comprised primarily of legal, consulting and other similar costs associated with due diligence and the acquisition and integration of acquired businesses or select development projects.
12. iFAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
i
We
use a three-tier fair value hierarchy to classify and disclose all assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as well as assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, in periods subsequent to their initial measurement. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2, defined as inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
We use valuation techniques that maximize the use of market prices and observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. In measuring the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities, we rely on market data or assumptions that we believe market participants would use in pricing an asset or
a liability.
Assets and Liabilities Accounted for at Fair Value
Our financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, restricted investment securities held in trust on deposit with various banks as collateral for our obligations relative to our landfill final capping, closure and post-closure costs, interest rate derivatives, contingent consideration related to acquisitions, trade payables and debt. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable and trade payables approximate their respective fair values due to their short-term nature. The fair value of restricted investment securities held in trust, which are valued using quoted market prices, are included as restricted assets in the Level 1 tier below. The fair value of the interest rate derivatives included in the Level 2 tier below is calculated using
discounted cash flow valuation methodologies based upon the one-month LIBOR yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals for the full term of the swaps. We recognize all derivatives accounted for on the balance sheet at fair value.
21
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
i
Summaries
of our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis follow:
As of June 30, 2022, the fair value of our fixed rate debt, including our FAME Bonds 2005R-3, FAME Bonds 2015R-1, FAME Bonds 2015R-2, Vermont Bonds 2013, Vermont Bonds 2022A-1, New York Bonds 2014R-1, New York Bonds 2014R-2, New York Bonds 2020 and New Hampshire Bonds (collectively, the "Industrial Revenue Bonds") was approximately $i189,558 and the carrying value was $i197,000.
The fair value of the Industrial Revenue Bonds is considered to be Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy as the fair value is determined using market approach pricing provided by a third-party that utilizes pricing models and pricing systems, mathematical tools and judgment to determine the evaluated price for the security based on the market information of each of the bonds or securities with similar characteristics.
As of June 30, 2022, the carrying value of our Term Loan Facility was $i350,000
and the carrying value of our Revolving Credit Facility was $i0. Their fair values are based on current borrowing rates for similar types of borrowing arrangements, or Level 2 inputs, and approximate their carrying values.
Although we have determined the estimated fair value amounts of the Industrial Revenue Bonds using available market information and commonly accepted valuation methodologies, a change in available market information, and/or the use of different assumptions and/or estimation methodologies could have a material effect on the estimated fair
values. These amounts have not been revalued, and current estimates of fair value could differ significantly from the amounts presented.
22
13. iSEGMENT REPORTING
iWe
report selected information about our reportable operating segments in a manner consistent with that used for internal management reporting. We classify our solid waste operations on a geographic basis through regional operating segments, our Western and Eastern regions. Revenues associated with our solid waste operations are derived mainly from solid waste collection, transfer, transportation and disposal, landfill gas-to-energy, processing, and recycling services in the northeastern United States. Our Resource Solutions operating segment leverages our core competencies in materials processing, industrial recycling, organics and resource management service offerings to deliver a comprehensive solution for our larger commercial, municipal, institutional and industrial customers that have more diverse waste and recycling needs. Revenues associated with our Resource Solutions operations are derived from two lines-of-service: processing and non-processing. Revenues from
processing services are derived from municipalities and customers in the form of processing fees, tipping fees, commodity sales, and organic material sales. Revenues from non-processing services are derived from brokerage services and overall resource management services providing a wide range of environmental services and resource management solutions to large and complex organizations, as well as traditional collection, disposal and recycling services provided to large account multi-site customers. Legal, tax, information technology, human resources, certain finance and accounting and other administrative functions are included in our Corporate Entities segment, which is not a reportable operating segment. Corporate Entities results reflect those costs not allocated to our reportable operating segments.
ITEM
2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included under Item 1. In addition, reference should be made to our audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and related "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 18, 2022.
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and, in particular, this "Management’s Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", may contain or incorporate a number of forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding:
•the projected development of additional disposal capacity or expectations regarding permits for existing capacity;
•the outcome of any legal or regulatory matter;
•expected liquidity and financing plans;
•expected future revenues, operations, expenditures and cash needs;
•fluctuations in commodity pricing of our recyclables, increases
in landfill tipping fees and fuel costs and general economic and weather conditions;
•projected future obligations related to final capping, closure and post-closure costs of our existing landfills and any disposal facilities which we may own or operate in the future;
•our ability to use our net operating losses and tax positions;
•our ability to service our debt obligations;
•the recoverability or impairment of any of our assets or goodwill;
•estimates of the potential markets for our products and services, including the anticipated drivers for future growth;
•sales
and marketing plans or price and volume assumptions;
•potential business combinations or divestitures; and
•projected improvements to our infrastructure and the impact of such improvements on our business and operations.
In addition, any statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this report that are not statements of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of the words “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “plans”, “may”, “will”, “would”, “intends”, “estimates” and other similar expressions, whether in the negative or affirmative. These forward-looking statements are based on
current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry and markets in which we operate, as well as management’s beliefs and assumptions, and should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, circumstances or events. The occurrence of the events described and the achievement of the expected results depends on many events, some or all of which are not predictable or within our control. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.
There are a number of important risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, those detailed in Item 1A, “Risk Factors”
in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and those included under Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
There may be additional risks that we are not presently aware of or that we currently believe are immaterial, which could have an adverse impact on our business. We explicitly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.
25
Company Overview
Casella
Waste Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, “we”, “us” or “our”), is a regional, vertically integrated solid waste services company. We provide resource management expertise and services to residential, commercial, municipal, institutional and industrial customers, primarily in the areas of solid waste collection and disposal, transfer, recycling and organics services. We provide integrated solid waste services in seven states: Vermont, New Hampshire, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine and Pennsylvania, with our headquarters located in Rutland, Vermont. We manage our solid waste operations on a geographic basis through two regional operating segments, the Eastern and Western regions, each of which provides a full range of solid waste services. We manage our resource-renewal operations through the Resource
Solutions operating segment, which leverages our core competencies in materials processing, industrial recycling, organics and resource management service offerings to deliver a comprehensive solution for our larger commercial, municipal, institutional and industrial customers that have more diverse waste and recycling needs. Our Resources Solutions operations consist of two lines-of-service: processing and non-processing. Processing services consist of the receipt of recycled, sludge or other organic materials at one of our materials recovery, processing or disposal facilities, where it is then sorted, mixed and/or processed, and then disposed of or sold. Non-processing services consist of brokerage services and overall resource management services, which provide a wide range of environmental services and resource management solutions to large and complex organizations, as well as traditional collection, disposal and recycling services provided to large account multi-site
customers.
As of July 15, 2022, we owned and/or operated 50 solid waste collection operations, 65 transfer stations, 25 recycling facilities, eight Subtitle D landfills, three landfill gas-to-energy facilities and one landfill permitted to accept construction and demolition (“C&D”) materials.
Results of Operations
Revenues
We manage our solid waste operations, which include a full range of solid waste services, on a geographic basis through two regional operating segments, which we designate as
the Eastern and Western regions. Revenues in our Eastern and Western regions consist primarily of fees charged to customers for solid waste collection and disposal services, including landfill, transfer and transportation, landfill gas-to-energy, and processing services. We derive a substantial portion of our collection revenues from commercial, industrial and municipal services that are generally performed under service agreements or pursuant to contracts with municipalities. The majority of our residential collection services are performed on a subscription basis with individual households. Landfill and transfer customers are charged a tipping fee on a per ton basis for disposing of their solid waste at our disposal facilities and transfer stations. We also generate and sell electricity at certain of our landfill facilities. We manage our resource-renewal operations through the
Resource Solutions operating segment, which includes processing and non-processing services. Revenues from processing services are derived from municipalities and customers in the form of processing fees, tipping fees, and commodity sales, primarily comprised of newspaper, corrugated containers, plastics, ferrous and aluminum, and organic materials such as our earthlife® soils products including fertilizers, composts and mulches. Revenues from non-processing services are derived from brokerage services and overall resource management services providing a wide range of environmental services and resource management solutions to large and complex organizations, as well as traditional collection, disposal and recycling services provided to large account multi-site customers.
26
A
summary of revenues attributable to services provided (dollars in millions and as a percentage of total revenues) follows:
Three
Months Ended June 30,
$ Change
Six Months Ended June 30,
$ Change
2022
2021
2022
2021
Collection
$
137.3
48.4
%
$
107.3
49.7
%
$
30.0
$
256.8
49.6
%
$
204.8
50.5
%
$
52.0
Disposal
60.2
21.2
%
49.2
22.8
%
11.0
103.4
20.0
%
87.0
21.5
%
16.4
Power
1.8
0.6
%
1.1
0.5
%
0.7
4.4
0.9
%
2.4
0.6
%
2.0
Processing
2.8
1.1
%
2.3
1.1
%
0.5
4.7
0.8
%
3.8
0.9
%
0.9
Solid
waste
202.1
71.3
%
159.9
74.1
%
42.2
369.3
71.3
%
298.0
73.5
%
71.3
Processing
33.9
11.9
%
21.1
9.7
%
12.8
61.3
11.9
%
38.3
9.5
%
23.0
Non-processing
47.7
16.8
%
34.9
16.2
%
12.8
87.1
16.8
%
69.1
17.0
%
18.0
Resource
solutions
81.6
28.7
%
56.0
25.9
%
25.6
148.4
28.7
%
107.4
26.5
%
41.0
Total
revenues
$
283.7
100.0
%
$
215.9
100.0
%
$
67.8
$
517.7
100.0
%
$
405.4
100.0
%
$
112.3
A
summary of the period-to-period changes in solid waste revenues (dollars in millions and as percentage growth of solid waste revenues) follows:
Period-to-Period Change for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2022 vs. 2021
Period-to-Period Change for the Six Months Ended June
30, 2022 vs. 2021
Amount
% Growth
Amount
% Growth
Price
$
11.1
6.9
%
$
18.9
6.3
%
Volume
2.6
1.6
%
3.3
1.1
%
Surcharges and other fees
8.4
5.3
%
10.2
3.4
%
Commodity
price and volume
0.7
0.5
%
2.3
0.8
%
Acquisitions
19.4
12.1
%
36.6
12.3
%
Solid
waste revenues
$
42.2
26.4
%
$
71.3
23.9
%
Solid waste revenues
Price.
The price change component in quarterly solid waste revenues growth from
the prior year period is the result of the following:
•$8.3 million from favorable collection pricing; and
•$2.8 million from favorable disposal pricing associated with our landfills, transfer stations and to a lesser extent transportation services in our Western region.
The price change component in year-to-date solid waste revenues growth from the prior year period is the result of the following:
•$14.6 million from favorable collection pricing; and
•$4.3 million from favorable disposal pricing associated with our landfills, transfer
stations and to a lesser extent transportation services in our Western region.
Volume.
The volume change component in quarterly solid waste revenues growth from the prior year period is the result of the following:
•$3.1 million from higher disposal volumes (of which $1.4 million relates to higher third-party landfill volumes, $1.2 million relates to higher transfer station volumes and $0.5 million relates to higher transportation volumes); and
•$0.2 million from higher processing volumes; partially offset by
•$(0.7) million from lower collection volumes in
our Western region with higher customer churn due to higher pricing, implementation of the energy and environmental fee ("E&E Fee"), and customer deselection.
The volume change component in year-to-date solid waste revenues growth from the prior year period is the result of the following:
•$3.4 million from higher disposal volumes (of which $1.5 million relates to higher transfer station volumes, $1.1 million relates to higher third-party landfill volumes and $0.7 million relates to higher transportation volumes); and
27
•$0.1
million from higher processing volumes; partially offset by
•$(0.2) million from lower collection volumes in our Western region with higher customer churn due to higher pricing, implementation of the E&E Fee, and customer deselection.
Surcharges and other fees.
The surcharges and other fees change components in quarterly and year-to-date solid waste revenues growth from the prior year periods are the result of higher energy fee revenues on higher diesel fuel prices, partially offset by lower sustainability recycling adjustment fees ("SRA Fee") year-to-date on higher recycled commodity prices.
Commodity
price and volume.
The commodity price and volume change component in quarterly solid waste revenues growth from the prior year period is the result of $0.6 million primarily from favorable energy pricing and $0.1 million from higher landfill gas-to-energy volumes.
The commodity price and volume change component in year-to-date solid waste revenues growth from the prior year period is the result of $1.9 million primarily from favorable energy pricing and $0.4 million from higher landfill gas-to-energy and commodity processing volumes.
Acquisitions.
The acquisitions
change components in quarterly and year-to-date solid waste revenues growth from the prior year periods are the result of increased acquisition activity in line with our growth strategy, including the timing and acquisition of eight businesses in the six months ended June 30, 2022 and ten businesses in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
Resource Solutions revenues
The change component in quarterly Resource Solutions revenues growth of $25.6 million from the prior year period is the result of the following:
•$17.2 million from acquisition activity;
•$5.9
million from higher non-processing revenues due to higher volumes on organic business growth, favorable pricing and increased fees; and
•$3.1 million from the favorable impact of recycling commodity pricing on processing revenues; partially offset by
•$(0.6) million from lower processing volumes mainly driven by lower recycling commodity volumes.
The change component in year-to-date Resource Solutions revenues growth of $41.0 million from the prior year period is the result of the following:
•$26.5 million from acquisition activity;
•$9.3
million from higher non-processing revenues due to higher volumes on organic business growth, favorable pricing and increased fees; and
•$5.4 million from the favorable impact of recycling commodity pricing on processing revenues; partially offset by
•$(0.2) million from lower processing volumes mainly driven by lower recycling commodity volumes.
Operating Expenses
A summary of cost of operations, general and administration expense, and depreciation and amortization expense (dollars in millions and as a percentage of total revenues) is as follows:
Three
Months Ended June 30,
$ Change
Six Months Ended June 30,
$ Change
2022
2021
2022
2021
Cost of operations
$
186.0
65.6
%
$
138.6
64.2
%
$
47.4
$
348.5
67.3
%
$
265.7
65.5
%
$
82.8
General
and administration
$
33.6
11.8
%
$
29.2
13.5
%
$
4.4
$
63.4
12.2
%
$
56.3
13.9
%
$
7.1
Depreciation
and amortization
$
31.2
11.0
%
$
24.3
11.3
%
$
6.9
$
60.6
11.7
%
$
47.0
11.6
%
$
13.6
Cost
of Operations
Cost of operations includes labor costs, tipping fees paid to third-party disposal facilities, fuel costs, maintenance and repair costs of vehicles and equipment, workers’ compensation and vehicle insurance costs, the cost of purchasing materials to be recycled, third-party transportation costs, district and state taxes, host community fees and royalties. Cost of operations also includes accretion expense related to final capping, closure and post-closure obligations, leachate treatment and disposal costs and depletion of landfill operating lease obligations.
28
As a percentage of revenues, cost of operations increased approximately 140 basis points and 180 basis points during the three and six months
ended June 30, 2022, respectively, from the same periods of the prior year. The period-to-period changes in cost of operations can be primarily attributed to the following:
Third-party direct costs increased $19.6 million quarterly, while increasing approximately 90 basis points as a percentage of revenues, and increased $32.3 million year-to-date, while increasing approximately 80 basis points as a percentage of revenues, due to the following:
•higher hauling and third-party transportation costs associated primarily with:
◦increased solid waste volumes on acquisition activity;
◦higher
fuel surcharges from third-party transporters; and
◦higher non-processing volumes in our Resource Solutions operating segment; partially offset by
◦lower Western region collection volumes in the quarter.
•higher purchased material costs associated primarily with:
◦acquisition activity; and
◦higher recycling commodity prices in our Resource Solutions operating segment.
◦increased solid waste volumes on
acquisition activity and to a lesser extent organic business growth; and
◦higher fuel surcharges from third-party transporters.
Direct labor costs increased $8.8 million quarterly, while increasing approximately 10 basis points as a percentage of revenues, and increased $17.3 million year-to-date, while increasing approximately 50 basis points as a percentage of revenues, due primarily to the following:
•wage inflation in our markets and increased overtime and outside labor costs on higher solid waste volumes on acquisition activity and to a lesser extent organic business growth;
•higher non-processing
volumes on acquisition activity and organic business growth; and
•higher workers compensation costs on claim activity.
Maintenance and repair costs increased $8.2 million quarterly, while decreasing approximately (60) basis points as a percentage of revenues, and increased $15.5 million year-to-date, while decreasing approximately (30) basis points as a percentage of revenues, due primarily to higher fleet, facility and container maintenance costs associated with inflation and acquisition activity.
Fuel costs increased $7.4 million quarterly, while increasing approximately
200 basis points as a percentage of revenues, and increased $11.8 million year-to-date, while increasing approximately 170 basis points as a percentage of revenues, due primarily to higher fuel prices and higher volumes driven by acquisition activity and to a lesser extent organic business growth.
Direct operational costs increased $3.4 million quarterly, while decreasing approximately (100) basis points as a percentage of revenues, and increased $5.9 million year-to-date, while decreasing approximately (90) basis points as a percentage of revenues, due primarily to the following:
•lower host community and royalty fees; and
•lower non-landfill operating lease expense;
more than offset by
•higher landfill operating costs in our Western region due to severe winter weather earlier in the year and construction delays compounded with higher quarterly landfill volumes;
•higher vehicle insurance costs; and
•higher repair and replacement part costs.
General and Administration
General and administration expense includes (i) management, clerical and administrative compensation, (ii) bad debt expense, and (iii) overhead costs, professional service fees and costs associated with marketing, sales force and community relations efforts.
The
period-to-period changes in general and administration expenses of $4.4 million quarterly and $7.1 million year-to-date due primarily to increased overhead costs associated with wage inflation, organic business growth, acquisition activity, higher accrued incentive compensation on improved performance, and higher bad debt expense, partially offset by lower equity compensation costs.
29
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense includes: (i) depreciation of property and equipment (including assets recorded for finance leases) on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful
lives of the assets; (ii) amortization of landfill costs (including those costs incurred and all estimated future costs for landfill development and construction, along with asset retirement costs arising from closure and post-closure obligations) on a units-of-consumption method as landfill airspace is consumed over the total estimated remaining capacity of a site, which includes both permitted capacity and unpermitted expansion capacity that meets certain criteria for amortization purposes, and amortization of landfill asset retirement costs arising from final capping obligations on a units-of-consumption method as airspace is consumed over the estimated capacity associated with each final capping event; and (iii) amortization of intangible assets with a definite life, using either an economic benefit provided approach or on a straight-line basis over the definitive terms of the related agreements.
A summary of the components
of depreciation and amortization expense (dollars in millions and as a percentage of total revenues) follows:
Three
Months Ended June 30,
$ Change
Six Months Ended June 30,
$ Change
2022
2021
2022
2021
Depreciation
$
18.9
6.7
%
$
14.5
6.7
%
$
4.4
$
38.4
7.4
%
$
28.8
7.1
%
$
9.6
Landfill
amortization
8.0
2.8
%
7.8
3.6
%
0.2
14.1
2.7
%
14.2
3.5
%
(0.1)
Other
amortization
4.3
1.5
%
2.0
1.0
%
2.3
8.1
1.6
%
4.0
1.0
%
4.1
$
31.2
11.0
%
$
24.3
11.3
%
$
6.9
$
60.6
11.7
%
$
47.0
11.6
%
$
13.6
The
period-to-period increases in depreciation and other amortization expense can be primarily attributed to acquisition activity, which included $1.5 million of additional depreciation and other amortization expense related to a purchase price allocation adjustment in the quarter ended March 31, 2022, and increased investments in our fleet. Landfill amortization expense increased in the three months ended June 30, 2022, remaining slightly down year-to-date, on higher landfill volumes in our Western region.
Expense from Acquisition Activities
In the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, we recorded charges of $1.0
million and $3.1 million, respectively, and in the three and six months ended June 30, 2021, we recorded charges of $1.6 million and $2.0 million, respectively, comprised primarily of legal, consulting and other similar costs associated with due diligence and the acquisition and integration of acquired businesses or select development projects.
Other Expenses
Interest Expense, net
Our interest expense, net increased $0.4 million quarterly and $0.2 million year-to-date due primarily to rising interest rates and higher average debt balances associated
with the issuance of $35.0 million aggregate principal amount of Vermont Economic Development Authority Solid Waste Disposal Long-Term Revenue Bonds Series 2022A-1 ("Vermont Bonds 2022A-1").
Provision for Income Taxes
Our provision for income taxes increased $3.1 million quarterly and $1.7 million year-to-date as compared to the same periods in the prior year, primarily due to higher income from operations between the periods, and one-time adjustments for the tax benefit on equity compensation awards between the periods and for a decrease in the current period in our state deferred tax asset from a change in state law in our footprint. The provision for income taxes in the six months ended June 30, 2022
included $2.4 million of current income taxes and $7.1 million of deferred income taxes. For the six months ended June 30, 2021, the provision included a $0.8 million of current income taxes and $7.1 million of deferred income taxes. The effective rate for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was 31% before the one-time adjustments, and was computed based on the statutory rate of 21% adjusted primarily for state taxes and nondeductible officer compensation.
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJ Act”) was enacted. The TCJ Act significantly changed U.S. corporate income tax laws by, among other things, changing carryforward rules for net operating losses. Our $52.4 million in federal net operating loss carryforwards generated as of the end of 2017 continue
to be carried forward for 20 years and are expected to be available to fully offset taxable income earned in the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022 ("fiscal year 2022") and future tax years. Federal net operating losses generated after 2017, totaling $46.5 million carried forward to fiscal year 2022, will be carried forward indefinitely, but generally may only offset up to 80% of taxable income earned in a tax year.
30
Segment Reporting
Revenues
A summary of revenues by operating segment (in millions)
follows:
Three Months Ended June 30,
$ Change
Six
Months Ended June 30,
$ Change
2022
2021
2022
2021
Eastern
$
87.3
$
61.1
$
26.2
$
158.6
$
113.4
$
45.2
Western
114.9
98.9
16.0
210.7
184.6
26.1
Resource
solutions
81.5
55.9
25.6
148.4
107.4
41.0
Total
revenues
$
283.7
$
215.9
$
67.8
$
517.7
$
405.4
$
112.3
Eastern
Region
A summary of the period-to-period changes in solid waste revenues (dollars in millions and as percentage growth of solid waste revenues) follows:
Period-to-Period Change for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2022 vs. 2021
Period-to-Period
Change for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 vs. 2021
Amount
% Growth
Amount
% Growth
Price
$
4.8
7.9
%
$
8.3
7.3
%
Volume
2.2
3.6
%
2.8
2.5
%
Surcharges
and other fees
3.7
6.1
%
4.4
3.8
%
Acquisitions
15.5
25.3
%
29.7
26.2
%
Solid
waste revenues
$
26.2
42.9
%
$
45.2
39.8
%
Price.
The price change component in quarterly solid waste revenues growth from the prior year period is the result of the following:
•$3.5 million
from favorable collection pricing; and
•$1.3 million from favorable disposal pricing related to transfer stations and to a lesser extent landfills.
The price change component in year-to-date solid waste revenues growth from the prior year period is the result of the following:
•$6.3 million from favorable collection pricing; and
•$2.0 million from favorable disposal pricing related to transfer stations and to a lesser extent landfills.
Volume.
The
volume change component in quarterly solid waste revenues growth from the prior year period is the result of the following:
•$1.1 million from higher disposal volumes related to transfer stations and to a lesser extent landfills;
•$0.8 million from higher collection volumes as a result of organic business growth; and
•$0.2 million from higher processing volumes.
The volume change component in year-to-date solid waste revenues growth from the prior year period is the result of the following:
•$1.3 million from higher disposal volumes
related to transfer stations, partially offset by lower landfill volumes;
•$1.4 million from higher collection volumes as a result of organic business growth; and
•$0.1 million from higher processing volumes.
Surcharges and other fees.
The surcharges and other fees change components in quarterly and year-to-date solid waste revenues growth from the prior year periods are the result of higher energy fee revenues on higher diesel fuel prices, partially offset by lower SRA Fees on higher recycled commodity prices.
31
Acquisitions.
The
acquisitions change components in quarterly and year-to-date solid waste revenues growth from the prior year periods are the result of increased acquisition activity in line with our growth strategy, including the timing and acquisition of two businesses in the six months ended June 30, 2022 and five businesses in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
Western Region
A summary of the period-to-period changes in solid waste revenues (dollars in millions and as percentage growth of solid waste revenues) follows:
Period-to-Period
Change for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2022 vs. 2021
Period-to-Period Change for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2022 vs. 2021
Amount
% Growth
Amount
% Growth
Price
$
6.3
6.4
%
$
10.6
5.7
%
Volume
0.4
0.3
%
0.4
0.2
%
Surcharges and other fees
4.7
4.8
%
5.9
3.2
%
Commodity
price and volume
0.7
0.7
%
2.3
1.2
%
Acquisitions
3.9
4.0
%
6.9
3.8
%
Solid
waste revenues
$
16.0
16.2
%
$
26.1
14.1
%
Price.
The price change component in quarterly solid waste revenues growth from the prior year period is the result of the following:
•$4.8
million from favorable collection pricing; and
•$1.5 million from favorable disposal pricing related to landfills, transfer stations, and to a lesser extent transportation services.
The price change component in year-to-date solid waste revenues growth from the prior year period is the result of the following:
•$8.3 million from favorable collection pricing; and
•$2.3 million from favorable disposal pricing related to landfills, transfer stations, and to a lesser extent transportation services.
Volume.
The
volume change components in quarterly and year-to-date solid waste revenues growth from the prior year periods are the result of the following:
•$2.0 million from higher disposal volumes related to landfills, transfer stations, and transportation services; partially offset by
•$(1.6) million from lower collection volumes with higher customer churn due to higher pricing, implementation of the E&E Fee, and customer deselection.
Surcharges and other fees.
The surcharges and other fees change components in quarterly and year-to-date solid waste revenues growth from the prior year periods are the result of higher energy fee
revenues on higher diesel fuel prices, partially offset by lower SRA Fees year-to-date on higher recycled commodity prices.
Commodity price and volume.
The commodity price and volume change components in quarterly and year-to-date solid waste revenues growth from the prior year periods are primarily the result of favorable landfill gas-to-energy pricing.
Acquisitions.
The acquisitions change components in quarterly and year-to-date solid waste revenues growth from the prior year periods is the result of increased acquisition activity in line with our growth
strategy, including the timing and acquisition of five businesses in the six months ended June 30, 2022 and five businesses in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
32
Operating Income
A summary of operating income (loss) by operating segment (in millions) follows:
Three
Months Ended June 30,
$ Change
Six Months Ended June 30,
$ Change
2022
2021
2022
2021
Eastern
$
6.1
$
3.8
$
2.3
$
3.9
$
6.0
$
(2.1)
Western
19.9
14.9
5.0
29.2
22.7
6.5
Resource
Solutions
6.2
3.7
2.5
9.9
6.1
3.8
Corporate entities
(0.5)
(0.5)
—
(1.1)
(0.8)
(0.3)
Operating
income
$
31.7
$
21.9
$
9.8
$
41.9
$
34.0
$
7.9
Eastern
Region
Operating income increased $2.3 million quarterly and decreased $(2.1) million year-to-date from the prior year periods. Excluding the impact of the Southbridge Landfill closure charge and the expense from acquisition activities, our operating performance in the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 was driven by revenue growth, inclusive of inter-company revenues, and the following cost changes.
Cost of operations: Cost of operations increased $24.3 million quarterly and $44.7 million year-to-date from the prior year periods due to the following:
•higher third-party disposal costs and higher hauling and third-party
transportation costs associated with increased solid waste volumes on acquisition activity and to a lesser extent organic business growth, and higher fuel surcharges from third-party transporters;
•higher labor and related benefit costs due primarily to wage inflation in our markets and increased overtime on higher solid waste volumes associated primarily with acquisition activity and to a lesser extent organic business growth, higher outside labor costs, and higher workers compensation costs on claim activity;
•higher maintenance and repair costs due primarily to higher fleet, facility and container maintenance costs associated with inflation and acquisition activity;
•higher fuel costs due to higher fuel prices and higher volumes driven by acquisition activity and
to a lesser extent an organic business growth; and
•higher direct operational costs due to increased vehicle insurance costs and higher repair and replacement part costs.
General and administration: General and administration expense increased $2.5 million quarterly and $4.2 million year-to-date from the prior year periods primarily due to increased overhead costs associated with wage inflation, organic business growth, acquisition activity, higher accrued incentive compensation on improved performance, and higher bad debt expense, partially offset by lower equity compensation costs.
Depreciation
and amortization: Depreciation and amortization expense increased $4.2 million quarterly and $9.0 million year-to-date from the prior year periods due primarily to acquisition activity, which included additional depreciation and other amortization expense related to a purchase price allocation adjustment in the quarter ended March 31, 2022, and increased investment in our fleet.
Western Region
Operating income increased $5.0 million quarterly and $6.5 million year-to-date from the prior year periods. Excluding the impact of the expense from acquisition activities, our improved operating performance in the three and six months ended June 30,
2022 was driven by revenue growth, inclusive of inter-company revenues, more than offsetting the following cost changes.
Cost of operations: Cost of operations increased $15.1 million quarterly and $25.9 million year-to-date from the prior year periods due to:
•higher third-party disposal costs and higher hauling and third-party transportation costs associated with increased solid waste volumes on acquisition activity, partially offset by lower collection volumes in the quarter and higher fuel surcharges from third-party transporters;
•higher labor and related benefit costs due primarily to wage inflation in our markets and increased overtime
on higher solid waste volumes associated with acquisition activity and higher workers compensation costs on claim activity;
•higher maintenance and repair costs due primarily to higher fleet and facility maintenance costs associated with inflation and acquisition activity;
33
•higher fuel costs due to higher fuel prices and higher volumes driven by acquisition activity; and
•higher direct operational costs due to higher landfill operating costs due to severe winter weather earlier in the year and construction delays compounded with higher quarterly landfill volumes, higher vehicle insurance costs, and
higher repair and replacement part costs, partially offset by lower host community and royalty fees.
General and administration: General and administration expense increased $0.4 million quarterly and $0.7 million year-to-date from the prior year periods primarily due to increased overhead costs associated with wage inflation, organic business growth, acquisition activity, higher accrued incentive compensation on improved performance, and higher bad debt expense, partially offset by lower equity compensation costs.
Depreciation and amortization: Depreciation and amortization expense increased $0.8
million quarterly and $1.5 million year-to-date from the prior year periods primarily due to increased investments in our fleet and acquisition activity. Landfill amortization expense increased in the quarter, remaining slightly down year-to-date, on higher landfill volumes.
Resource Solutions
Operating income increased $2.5 million quarterly and $3.8 million year-to-date from the prior year periods. Excluding the impact of the expense from acquisition activities, our improved operating performance in the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 was driven by revenue growth, inclusive of inter-company revenues, more than offsetting the following cost changes.
Cost of
operations: Cost of operations increased $19.3 million quarterly and $30.6 million year-to-date from the prior year periods due to:
•higher purchased material costs associated with acquisition activity and higher recycling commodity prices;
•higher hauling and third-party transportation costs associated primarily with higher non-processing volumes and higher fuel surcharges from third-party transporters;
•higher labor and related benefit costs due primarily to wage inflation in our markets and increased overtime and outside labor costs on higher commodity and non-processing volumes associated with acquisition activity and to a lesser extent organic business growth; and
•higher
maintenance and repair costs due primarily to higher facility and container maintenance costs and to a lesser extent vehicle maintenance costs, associated with inflation, acquisition activity, and organic business growth.
General and administration: General and administration expense increased $1.5 million quarterly and $1.8 million year-to-date from the prior year periods due to increased overhead costs associated with wage inflation, organic business growth, acquisition activity and higher quarterly bad debt expense, partially offset by lower equity compensation costs.
Depreciation and amortization: Depreciation and amortization expense increased $1.6 million quarterly and $2.8 million year-to-date from the prior year periods due to acquisition activity, which included additional depreciation and other amortization expense related
to a purchase price allocation adjustment in the quarter ended March 31, 2022.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We continually monitor our actual and forecasted cash flows, our liquidity, and our capital requirements in order to properly manage our liquidity needs as we move forward based on the capital intensive nature of our business and our growth acquisition strategy. We have $271.8 million of undrawn capacity from our $300.0 million Revolving Credit Facility as of June 30, 2022 to help meet our short-term and long-term liquidity needs. We expect existing cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash combined with cash flows from operations and financing activities
to continue to be sufficient to fund our operating activities and cash commitments for investing and financing activities for at least the next 12 months and thereafter for the foreseeable future. Our known current- and long-term uses of cash include, among other possible demands: (1) capital expenditures and leases, (2) acquisitions, (3) repayments to service debt and other long-term obligations, and (4) payments for final capping, closure and post-closure asset retirement obligations and environmental remediation liabilities.
34
A summary of cash and cash equivalents, restricted assets and debt balances, excluding any debt issuance costs (in millions) follows:
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
60.6
47.0
Interest
accretion on landfill and environmental remediation liabilities
4.0
4.0
Amortization of debt issuance costs
0.9
1.1
Stock-based compensation
3.2
6.1
Operating lease right-of-use assets expense
6.8
6.4
Gain
on sale of property and equipment
(0.3)
(0.1)
Non-cash expense from acquisition activities
0.6
1.0
Deferred
income taxes
7.2
7.0
105.0
88.6
Changes in assets and liabilities, net
(12.8)
(9.6)
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
92.2
$
79.0
35
A
summary of the most significant items affecting the change in our operating cash flows follows:
Net cash provided by operating activities increased $13.2 million in the six months ended June 30, 2022 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2021. This was the result of improved operational performance, partially offset by an increase in the unfavorable cash flow impact associated with the changes in our assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures. For discussion of our improved operational performance in the six months ended June 30, 2022 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2021, see "Results of Operations" above. The increase in the
unfavorable cash flow impact associated with the changes in our assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures, which are affected by both cost changes and the timing of payments, in the six months ended June 30, 2022 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2021 was primarily due to the following:
•a $(10.0) million unfavorable impact to operating cash flows associated with the change in accounts receivable associated with increased revenues growth; and
•a $(0.7) million unfavorable impact to operating cash flows associated with the change in accounts payable; partially offset by
•a $6.3 million favorable impact to operating cash flows
associated with the change in accrued expenses and other liabilities; and
•a $1.1 million favorable impact to operating cash flows associated with the change in prepaid expenses, inventories and other assets.
Cash flows from investing activities.
A summary of investing cash flows (in millions) follows:
A summary of the most significant items affecting the change
in our investing cash flows follows:
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired. In the six months ended June 30, 2022, we acquired eight businesses for total consideration of $58.9 million, including $55.1 million in cash, and paid $1.2 million in holdback payments on businesses previously acquired, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2021 during which we acquired four businesses for total consideration of $4.9 million, including $4.4 million in cash, and paid $1.1 million in holdback payments on businesses previously acquired.
Capital expenditures. Capital expenditures were $(1.2) million lower in the six months ended June 30, 2022 as compared to the six months ended June
30, 2021 primarily due to lower post-acquisition capital spend and the completion of construction and development of phase VI at our Subtitle D landfill in Coventry, Vermont in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, partially offset by higher capital spend associated with landfill development and the retrofitting of a single-stream material recovery facility.
Cash flows from financing activities.
A summary of financing cash flows (in millions) follows:
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities
$
24.9
$
(5.0)
36
A summary of the most significant items affecting the change in our financing cash flows follows:
Debt activity. Net cash associated with debt activity increased $32.0 million. The increase in financing cash flows in the six months ended June 30, 2022 is due primarily to the issuance of $35.0 million aggregate principal amount of Vermont Bonds
2022A-1.
Payment of debt issuance costs. We paid $1.2 million of debt issuance costs in the six months ended June 30, 2022 related to the issuance of of Vermont Bonds 2022A-1.
Payment of contingent consideration. We paid $1.0 million of contingent consideration associated with an acquisition based on the completion of a permit expansion application.
Outstanding Long-Term Debt
Credit Facility
As of June 30, 2022, we had outstanding $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of borrowings
under our term loan A facility ("Term Loan Facility") and $0.0 million in borrowings under our $300.0 million revolving credit facility ("Revolving Credit Facility"), with a $75.0 million sublimit for letters of credit (the Term Loan Facility and the Revolving Credit Facility together, the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility has a 5-year term that matures in December 2026 and bears interest at a rate of London Inter-Bank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus 1.375% per annum, which will be reduced to a rate of LIBOR plus as low as 1.125% upon us reaching a consolidated net leverage ratio of less than 2.25x. The Credit Facility contains customary benchmark replacement provisions pursuant to which, upon certain triggering events, the LIBOR benchmark used to calculate the LIBOR rate will be replaced with a secured overnight financing rate, as adjusted, on the terms and conditions in the amended and restated credit agreement ("Credit Agreement").
The Credit Facility is guaranteed jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally by all of our significant wholly-owned subsidiaries and secured by substantially all of our assets. As of June 30, 2022, further advances were available under the Revolving Credit Facility in the amount of $271.8 million. The available amount is net of outstanding irrevocable letters of credit totaling $28.2 million, and as of June 30, 2022 no amount had been drawn. We have the right to request, at our discretion, an increase in the amount of loans under the Credit Facility by an aggregate amount of $125.0 million, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Credit Agreement.
The Credit Agreement requires us to maintain a minimum interest coverage
ratio and a maximum consolidated net leverage ratio, to be measured at the end of each fiscal quarter. In addition to these financial covenants, the Credit Agreement also contains a number of important customary affirmative and negative covenants which restrict, among other things, our ability to sell assets, incur additional debt, create liens, make investments, and pay dividends. As of June 30, 2022, we were in compliance with the covenants contained in the Credit Agreement. We do not believe that these restrictions impact our ability to meet future liquidity needs. An event of default under any of our debt agreements could permit some of our lenders, including the lenders under the Credit Facility, to declare all amounts borrowed from them to be immediately due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest, or, in the case of the Credit Facility, terminate the commitment to make further credit extensions thereunder,
which could, in turn, trigger cross-defaults under other debt obligations. If we were unable to repay debt to our lenders or were otherwise in default under any provision governing our outstanding debt obligations, our secured lenders could proceed against us and against the collateral securing that debt.
Based on the seasonality of our business, operating results in the late fall, winter and early spring months are generally lower than the remainder of our fiscal year. Given the cash flow impact that this seasonality, the capital intensive nature of our business and the timing of debt payments has on our business, we typically incur higher debt borrowings in order to meet our liquidity needs during these times. Consequently, our availability and performance against our financial covenants may tighten during these times as well.
Tax-Exempt Financings and
Other Debt
As of June 30, 2022, we had outstanding $197.0 million aggregate principal amount of tax exempt bonds, including the issuance of $35.0 million aggregate principal amount of Vermont Bonds 2022A-1, $45.9 million aggregate principal amount of finance leases and $0.8 million aggregate principal amount of notes payable. See Note 7, Debt to our consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further disclosure over debt.
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Inflation
Inflationary
increases in costs, including current inflationary pressures associated primarily with fuel, labor and certain other cost categories and capital items, have materially affected, and may continue to materially affect, our operating margins and cash flows. While rapid inflation negatively impacted operating results and margins during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, we believe that our flexible pricing structures and mature cost recovery fees are allowing us to recover and will continue to allow us to recover certain inflationary costs from our customer base. Consistent with industry practice, most of our contracts and service agreements provide for a pass-through of certain costs to our customers, including increases in landfill tipping fees and in most cases fuel costs, intended to mitigate the impact of inflation on
our operating results. We have also implemented a number of operating efficiency programs that seek to improve productivity and reduce our service costs, and the E&E Fee, which is designed to recover escalating fuel price fluctuations above a periodically reset floor. Despite these programs, competitive factors may require us to absorb at least a portion of these cost increases. Additionally, management’s estimates associated with inflation have had, and will continue to have, an impact on our accounting for landfill and environmental remediation liabilities.
Regional Economic Conditions
Our business is primarily located in the northeastern United States. Therefore, our business, financial condition and results of operations are susceptible to downturns in
the general economy in this geographic region and other factors affecting the region, such as state regulations and severe weather conditions. We are unable to forecast or determine the timing and/or the future impact of a sustained economic slowdown.
Seasonality and Severe Weather
Our transfer and disposal revenues historically have been higher in the late spring, summer and early fall months. This seasonality reflects lower volumes of waste in the late fall, winter and early spring months because the volume of waste relating to C&D activities decreases substantially during the winter months in the northeastern United States.
Because certain of our operating and fixed costs remain constant throughout the fiscal
year, operating income is therefore impacted by a similar seasonality. Our operations can be adversely affected by periods of inclement or severe weather, which could increase our operating costs associated with the collection and disposal of waste, delay the collection and disposal of waste, reduce the volume of waste delivered to our disposal sites, increase the volume of waste collected under our existing contracts (without corresponding compensation), decrease the throughput and operating efficiency of our materials recycling facilities, or delay construction or expansion of our landfill sites and other facilities. Our operations can also be favorably affected by severe weather, which could increase the volume of waste in situations where we are able to charge for our additional services provided.
Our processing line-of-business
in the Resource Solutions operating segment experiences increased volumes of fiber in November and December due to increased retail activity during the holiday season.
Critical Accounting Estimates and Assumptions
Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States and necessarily include certain estimates and judgments made by management. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments which are based on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The results of their evaluation form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from these
estimates under different assumptions and circumstances. Our critical accounting estimates are more fully discussed in Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
New Accounting Pronouncements
For a description of the new accounting standards that may affect us, see Note 2, Accounting Changes to our consolidated financial statements included under Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
ITEM
3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
In the normal course of business we are exposed to market risks, including changes in interest rates and certain commodity prices. We have a variety of strategies to mitigate these market risks, including at times using derivative instruments to hedge some portion of these risks.
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Interest Rate Volatility
Our strategy to reduce exposure to interest rate risk involves entering into interest rate derivative agreements to hedge against adverse movements in interest rates related to the variable rate portion of our long-term debt. We have designated these derivative instruments as highly effective cash flow hedges,
and therefore the change in fair value is recorded in our stockholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and included in interest expense at the same time as interest expense is affected by the hedged transactions. Differences paid or received over the life of the agreements are recorded as additions to or reductions of interest expense on the underlying debt and included in cash flows from operating activities.
As of June 30, 2022, our active interest rate derivative agreements had total notional amounts of $190.0 million. According to the terms of the agreements, we receive interest based on the 1-month LIBOR index, in some instances restricted by a 0.0% floor, and pay interest at a weighted average rate of approximately 2.20% as of June 30, 2022. The agreements mature between May 2023
and June 2027. Additionally, as of June 30, 2022, we have a forward starting interest rate derivative agreement with a total notional amount of $20.0 million that matures in May 2028. We will receive interest based on the 1-month LIBOR index, restricted by a 0.0% floor, and will pay interest at a rate of 1.29%.
As of June 30, 2022, we had $243.7 million of fixed rate debt in addition to the $190.0 million fixed through our interest rate derivative agreements. We had interest rate risk relating to approximately $160.0 million of long-term debt as of June 30, 2022. The weighted average interest rate on the variable rate portion of long-term debt was approximately 2.7% at June 30, 2022. Should the average interest rate on the variable
rate portion of long-term debt change by 100 basis points, we estimate that our annual interest expense would change by up to approximately $1.6 million.
Commodity Price Volatility
Information about commodity price volatility market risk as of June 30, 2022 does not differ materially from that discussed in Item 7A, "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.
Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2022. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated
to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2022, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.
Changes in internal controls over financial reporting.
No change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the three months ended June 30, 2022 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II.
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
General Legal Proceedings
The
information required by this Item is provided in Note 8, Commitments and Contingencies to our consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Legal Proceedings over Certain Environmental Matters Involving Governmental Authorities with Possible Sanctions of $1,000,000 or More
Item 103 of the SEC's Regulation S-K requires disclosure of certain environmental matters when a governmental authority is a party to the proceedings and the proceedings involve potential monetary sanctions unless we reasonably believe the monetary sanctions will not equal or exceed a specified threshold which we determine is reasonably designed to result in disclosure of any such proceeding that is material to our business or financial condition. Pursuant to Item 103, we have determined such disclosure threshold
to be $1,000,000. We have no matters to disclose in accordance with that requirement.
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Our business is subject to a number of risks, including those identified in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, and the updated risk factor set forth below, that could have a material effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and/or liquidity and that could cause our operating results to vary significantly
from period to period. We may disclose additional changes to our risk factors or disclose additional factors from time to time in our future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The waste industry is subject to extensive government regulations, including environmental laws and regulations, and we incur substantial costs to comply with such laws and regulations. Failure to comply with environmental or other laws and regulations, as well as enforcement actions and litigation arising from an actual or perceived breach of such laws and regulations, could subject us to fines, penalties, and judgments, and impose limits on our ability to operate and expand.
We are subject to potential liability and restrictions under environmental laws and regulations, including potential liability and restrictions arising from or relating to the transportation, handling, recycling, generation,
treatment, storage and disposal of wastes, the presence, release, discharge or emission of pollutants, and the investigation, remediation and monitoring of impacts to soil, surface water, groundwater and other environmental media including natural resources, as a result of the actual or alleged presence, release, discharge or emission of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants on, at, under or migrating from our properties, or in connection with our operations. The waste management industry has been and will continue to be subject to regulation, including permitting and related financial assurance requirements, as well as attempts to further regulate the industry, including efforts to regulate and limit the emission of greenhouse gases to ameliorate the effect of climate change. Our solid waste operations are subject to a wide range of federal, state and, in some cases, local environmental, odor and noise and land use restrictions. If we are not able to comply
with the requirements that apply to a particular facility or if we operate in violation of the terms and conditions of, or without the necessary approvals or permits, we could be subject to administrative or civil, and possibly criminal, fines and penalties, and we may be required to spend substantial capital to bring an operation into compliance, to temporarily or permanently discontinue activities, and/or take corrective actions, possibly including removal of landfilled materials. Those costs or actions could be significant to us and affect our results of operations, cash flows, and available capital. Environmental and land use laws and regulations also affect our ability to expand and, in the case of our solid waste operations, may dictate those geographic areas from which we must, or, from which we may not, accept solid waste. Those laws and regulations may limit the overall size and daily solid waste volume that may be accepted by a solid waste operation. If we
are not able to expand or otherwise operate one or more of our facilities because of limits imposed under such laws, we may be required to increase our utilization of disposal facilities owned by third-parties, which could reduce our revenues and/or operating margins.
We have historically grown through acquisitions, may make additional acquisitions in the future, and we have tried and will continue to try to evaluate and limit environmental risks and liabilities presented by businesses to be acquired prior to the acquisition. It is possible that some liabilities may prove to be more difficult or costly to address than we anticipate. It is also possible that government officials responsible for enforcing environmental laws and regulations may believe an issue is more serious than we expect, or that we will fail to identify or fully appreciate an existing liability before we become responsible for addressing it. Some of the
legal sanctions to which we could become subject could cause the suspension or revocation of a permit, prevent us from, or delay us in, obtaining or renewing permits to operate or expand our facilities, or harm our reputation.
In addition to the costs of complying with environmental laws and regulations, we incur costs in connection with environmental proceedings and litigation brought against us by government agencies and private parties. We are, and may be in the future, a defendant in lawsuits brought by parties alleging environmental damage, including natural resource damage, personal injury, and/or property damage or impairment, or seeking to impose civil penalties, injunctive relief or overturn or prevent the issuance of an operating permit or authorization, all of which may result in us incurring significant liabilities.
The conduct of our businesses is also subject to various
other laws and regulations administered by federal, state and local governmental agencies, including tax laws, employment laws and competition laws, among others. New laws, regulations or governmental policy and their related interpretations, or changes in any of the foregoing, including taxes or other limitations on our services, may alter the environment in which we do business. This includes recent changes in solid waste laws of the State of Maine, which we do not anticipate will have a material effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and/or liquidity, but may negatively impact our operating results in the form of lower revenues or increased costs and/or liabilities.
In certain jurisdictions, we are subject to compliance with specific obligations under competition laws due to our competitive position in those jurisdictions. Failure to comply with these requirements or other laws or regulations
could subject us to enforcement actions or financial penalties which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL with applicable taxonomy extension information contained in Exhibits 101.)
**
Submitted Electronically Herewith. Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following formatted in inline XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated
Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, and (vi) Notes
to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.