SEC Document


United States
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
______________________________________ 
FORM 10-Q
 ______________________________________  
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2016
or
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO 13 OR 15(d) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 000-54992
______________________________________  
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
______________________________________   
Delaware
 
27-5472457
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
9135 South Ridgeline Boulevard, Suite 200, Highlands Ranch CO,
 
80129
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
(720) 598-3500
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
______________________________________ 
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.    Yes  x   No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one): 
Large accelerated filer
 
o
  
Accelerated filer
 
x
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
 
o
  
Smaller reporting company
 
¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):    Yes  ¨    No  x
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. 
Class
 
Outstanding at May 3, 2016
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share
 
21,892,875





INDEX
 
 
PAGE
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 





Part I. – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
 
 
As of
(in thousands, except share data)
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
5,469

 
$
9,265

Receivables, net
 
7,354

 
8,361

Receivables, related parties, net
 
794

 
1,918

Restricted cash
 
1,414

 
728

Costs in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts
 
701

 
2,137

Prepaid expenses and other assets
 
1,810

 
2,306

Total current assets
 
17,542

 
24,715

Restricted cash, long-term
 
10,359

 
10,980

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $4,736 and $4,557, respectively
 
1,894

 
2,040

Investment securities, restricted, long-term
 

 
336

Cost method investment
 
2,776

 
2,776

Equity method investments
 
5,203

 
17,232

Other assets
 
3,809

 
2,696

Total Assets
 
$
41,583

 
$
60,775

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
5,923

 
$
6,174

Accrued payroll and related liabilities
 
5,367

 
5,800

Current portion of notes payable, net of discount, related parties
 

 
1,837

Billings in excess of costs on uncompleted contracts
 
5,864

 
9,708

Short-term borrowings, net of discount and deferred loan costs, related party
 
10,921

 
12,676

Settlement and royalty indemnity obligation
 
5,452

 
6,502

Other current liabilities
 
6,324

 
7,395

Total current liabilities
 
39,851

 
50,092

Long-term portion of notes payable, net of discount, related parties
 

 
13,512

Settlement and royalty indemnification, long-term
 
13,619

 
13,797

Advance deposit, related party
 
2,584

 
2,980

Other long-term liabilities
 
5,590

 
5,372

Total Liabilities
 
61,644

 
85,753

Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
 

 

Stockholders’ deficit:
 
 
 
 
Preferred stock: par value of $.001 and no par value per share, respectively, 50,000,000 shares authorized, none outstanding
 

 

Common stock: par value of $.001 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 22,009,349 and 21,943,872 shares issued, and 21,858,565 and 21,809,164 shares outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively
 
22

 
22

Additional paid-in capital
 
116,570

 
116,029

Accumulated deficit
 
(136,653
)
 
(141,029
)
Total stockholders’ deficit
 
(20,061
)
 
(24,978
)
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Deficit
 
$
41,583

 
$
60,775


See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

1



Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited) 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except per share data and percentages)
 
2016
 
2015
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
Equipment sales
 
$
21,727

 
$
21,115

Consulting services
 
196

 
368

Chemicals and other
 
434

 
274

Total revenues
 
22,357

 
21,757

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
Equipment sales cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization
 
17,034

 
15,051

Consulting services cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization
 
135

 
426

Chemical and other cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization
 
142

 
238

Payroll and benefits
 
3,802

 
4,911

Rent and occupancy
 
394

 
631

Legal and professional fees
 
2,983

 
3,735

General and administrative
 
745

 
1,882

Research and development, net
 
202

 
1,250

Depreciation and amortization
 
231

 
531

Total operating expenses
 
25,668

 
28,655

Operating loss
 
(3,311
)
 
(6,898
)
Other income (expense):
 
 
 
 
Earnings from equity method investments
 
5,577

 
314

Royalties, related party
 
1,189

 
2,194

Interest expense
 
(1,964
)
 
(1,775
)
Gain on sale of equity method investment
 
2,078

 

Gain on settlement of note payable
 
869

 

Other
 
(9
)
 
77

Total other income (expense), net
 
7,740

 
810

Income (loss) before income tax expense
 
4,429

 
(6,088
)
Income tax expense
 
53

 
44

Net income (loss)
 
$
4,376

 
$
(6,132
)
Income (loss) per common share (Note 1):
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.20

 
$
(0.28
)
Diluted
 
$
0.20

 
$
(0.28
)
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
21,849

 
21,696

Diluted
 
22,176

 
21,696


See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


2



Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited) 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
Cash flows from operating activities
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
4,376

 
$
(6,132
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating activities:
 
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
231

 
531

Amortization of debt issuance costs
 
573

 
25

Gain on settlement of debt
 
(869
)
 

Impairment of property and equipment
 

 
48

Provision for bad debt expense and note receivable
 
(6
)
 
511

Share-based compensation expense
 
636

 
954

Earnings from equity method investments
 
(5,577
)
 
(314
)
Gain on sale of equity method investment
 
(2,078
)
 

Other non-cash items, net
 
(17
)
 
(43
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquired businesses:
 
 
 
 
Receivables
 
1,012

 
(56
)
Related party receivables
 
1,124

 
(24
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
 
496

 
(308
)
Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts
 
14,613

 
2,231

Restricted cash
 
35

 

Other long-term assets
 
(1,104
)
 
206

Accounts payable
 
(250
)
 
(116
)
Accrued payroll and related liabilities
 
(444
)
 
(131
)
Other current liabilities
 
(1,071
)
 
(377
)
Billings on uncompleted contracts
 
(17,021
)
 
(3,677
)
Advance deposit, related party
 
(396
)
 
(727
)
Other long-term liabilities
 
242

 
(65
)
Settlement and royalty indemnification obligation
 
(1,228
)
 
(744
)
Distributions from equity method investees, return on investment
 
4,900

 

Net cash used in operating activities
 
(1,823
)
 
(8,208
)

3



 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
Cash flows from investing activities
 
 
 
 
Maturity of investment securities, restricted
 
336

 

Increase in restricted cash
 
(100
)
 
(1,200
)
Acquisition of property and equipment
 
(112
)
 
(111
)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment
 
12

 

Advance on note receivable
 

 
(500
)
Acquisition of business
 

 
(2,124
)
Purchase of and contributions to equity method investees
 
(223
)
 
(468
)
Distributions from equity method investees in excess of cumulative earnings
 

 
100

Proceeds from sale of equity method investment
 
1,773

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
 
1,686

 
(4,303
)
Cash flows from financing activities
 
 
 
 
Repayments on short-term borrowings, related party
 
(1,750
)
 

Repayments on notes payable, related parties
 
(1,246
)
 
(717
)
Repurchase of shares to satisfy minimum tax withholdings
 
(84
)
 
(215
)
Short-term borrowing loan costs
 
(579
)
 

Net cash used in financing activities
 
(3,659
)
 
(932
)
Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
(3,796
)
 
(13,443
)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, beginning of period
 
9,265

 
25,181

Cash and Cash Equivalents, end of period
 
$
5,469

 
$
11,738

Supplemental disclosures of cash information:
 
 
 
 
Cash paid for interest
 
$
1,029

 
$
1,599

Cash paid (refunded) for income taxes
 
(89
)
 
44

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
 
 
 
 
Settlement of RCM6 note payable
 
13,234

 

Non-cash reduction of equity method investment
 
(11,156
)
 


See Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


4



Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation
Nature of Operations
Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. (“ADES” or the "Company"), a Delaware corporation with its principal office located in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, is principally engaged in providing environmental and emissions control equipment, technologies and specialty chemicals to the coal-burning electric power generation industry. Although the Company has historically operated at a net loss, the Company generates substantial earnings and tax credits under Section 45 of the Internal Revenue Code ("IRC") from its equity investments in certain entities and royalty payment streams related to technologies that are licensed to Clean Coal Solutions, LLC, a Colorado limited liability company ("CCS"). Such technologies allow CCS to provide their customers with various solutions to enhance combustion and reduced emissions of nitrogen oxide ("NOx") and mercury from coal burned to generate electrical power. The Company’s sales occur principally throughout the United States. See Note 12 for additional information regarding the Company's operating segments.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of ADES are unaudited and have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and with Article 10 of Regulation S-X. In compliance with those instructions, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted.
The unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of ADES in this quarterly report are presented on a consolidated basis comprising ADES and its direct and indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries: ADA-ES, Inc. ("ADA"), a Colorado corporation; BCSI, LLC ("BCSI"), a Delaware limited liability company; Advanced Clean Energy Solutions, LLC ("ACES"), a Delaware limited liability company; ADEquity, LLC ("ADEquity"), a Delaware limited liability company; ADA Environmental Solutions, LLC ("ADA LLC"), a Colorado limited liability company; ADA Intellectual Property, LLC ("ADA IP"), a Colorado limited liability company; ADA-RCM6, LLC ("ADA-RCM6"), a Colorado limited liability company; ADA Analytics, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and ADA Analytics Israel Ltd. (collectively with ADA Analytics, LLC, "ADA Analytics"), an Israel limited liability company. ADA LLC and ADA IP had no operations in the three months ended March 31, 2016 nor during the year ended December 31, 2015.
Included within the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of ADES in this quarterly report are its investments, CCS and Clean Coal Solutions Services, LLC ("CCSS") and RMC6, LLC ("RCM6"), accounted for using equity-method accounting. As discussed in Note 4, the Company sold its equity investment in RMC6 in March 2016.
During 2015, the Company elected to cease the operations of ADA Analytics. The Company anticipates that ADA Analytics will be legally dissolved during 2016. In addition, the Company terminated its manufacturing operations, conducted under BCSI, effective as of the end of 2015. The Company anticipates that BCSI will eventually be legally dissolved upon the winding down of its remaining manufacturing operations, commitments and obligations. The Company will continue to serve the Dry Sorbent Injection ("DSI") market, which BCSI previously served, through ADA.
Results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the entire year. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts were eliminated as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.
In the opinion of management, these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include all normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the interim periods presented. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of ADES should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. Significant accounting policies disclosed therein have not changed.
Liquidity
During the three months ended March 31, 2016 the Company's cash and cash equivalents balance continued to decline, primarily due to debt service payments on its short-term borrowing and notes payable, fees incurred to extend the maturity of its short-term borrowing agreement, and cash expended to deliver on its existing contracts and customer commitments. In addition, the Company continued to incur professional fees related to the re-audit and restatement of prior financial statements (the "Restatement") and to become current with its regulatory filings. The Company's working capital increased by $3.1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2016, primarily due to proceeds received from the sale of the Company's

5



interest in RCM6 and the elimination of the related note payable, as well as the favorable settlement of its note payable to the former-sole owner of companies from which BCSI acquired its assets ("DSI Business Owner"). Working capital was also positively affected by net income for the quarter, which was driven in part by significantly improved performance from our RC segment. The Company expects that pressure on its cash balance and working capital will continue until such time as all Restatement activities are completed, including resolution of the SEC Inquiry and the conclusion of the private litigation, all of which are described in Note 8. Further, the pending maturity date of the Company's short-term note payable will require significant use of the Company's existing cash balance and/or other sources of liquidity.
The Company's ability to generate sufficient cash flow required to meet ongoing operational needs and to meet obligations, including the repayment of the loan under the Credit Agreement, depends upon several factors, including executing on the Company's contracts and initiatives, receiving royalty payments from CCS and distributions from CCS and CCSS, and our ability to maintain a significant share of the market and increase operational efficiencies for emissions control equipment, chemicals and services. Increased distributions from CCS will likely be dependent upon the securing of additional tax equity investors for those CCS facilities that are currently not operating, or operating as retained Refined Coal ("RC") facilities. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow, we may be unable to meet our operational needs and/or repay our loan when due. Should this be the case, we will seek to refinance the loan or obtain alternative financing. If we are unable to refinance the loan or obtain alternative financing, our lenders would be entitled to take possession of the collateral securing the indebtedness, which includes substantially all of our assets, to the extent permitted by the Credit Agreement and applicable law.
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
The Company computes earnings (loss) per share in accordance with FASB ASC 260-10. Under this guidance, unvested restricted stock awards ("RSA's") that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents are deemed to be participating securities and, therefore, are included in computing basic earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. The two-class method determines earnings per share for each class of common stock and participating securities according to dividends or dividend equivalents and their respective participation rights in undistributed earnings (losses). The Company did not declare any cash dividends during the three months ended March 31, 2016 or 2015.
Under the two-class method, net income (loss) for the period is allocated between common stockholders and the holders of the participating securities, in this case, the weighted-average number of unvested restricted stock awards outstanding during the period. The allocated, undistributed income (loss) for the period is then divided by the weighted-average number of common shares and participating securities outstanding during the period to arrive at basic earnings (loss) per common share or participating security for the period, respectively. Because the Company did not declare any dividends during the periods presented, and because the unvested RSA's possess substantially the same rights to undistributed earnings as common shares outstanding, there is no difference between the calculated basic earnings (loss) per share for common shares and participating securities. Accordingly, and pursuant to U.S. GAAP, the Company has elected not to separately present basic or diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to participating securities on its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Diluted earnings (loss) per share takes into consideration shares of common stock and unvested RSA's outstanding (computed under basic earnings (loss) per share) and potentially dilutive shares of common stock. Potentially dilutive shares consist of vested, in-the-money outstanding options, Stock Appreciation Rights ("SAR's") and contingent Performance Share Unit's ("PSU's") (collectively "Potential dilutive shares"). When there is a loss from continuing operations, all Potentially dilutive shares become anti-dilutive and are thus excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share.
Each PSU represents a contingent right to receive shares of the Company’s common stock, that may range from zero to two times the number of PSU's granted on the award date, should the Company meet certain performance measures over the requisite performance period. The number of Potentially dilutive shares related to PSU's is based on the number of shares, if any, that would be issuable at the end of the respective reporting period, assuming that the end of the reporting period was the end of the contingency period applicable to such PSU's.

6



The following table sets forth the calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2016
 
2015
Net income (loss)
 
$
4,376

 
$
(6,132
)
Less: Undistributed income (loss) allocated to participating securities
 
32

 
(64
)
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders
 
$
4,344

 
$
(6,068
)

 


 


Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding
 
21,849

 
21,696

Add: dilutive effect of equity instruments
 
327

 

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding
 
22,176

 
21,696

Income (loss) per common share - basic
 
$
0.20

 
$
(0.28
)
Income (loss) per common share - diluted
 
$
0.20

 
$
(0.28
)
The table below shows the number of shares that were excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive to the calculation:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(share data in thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
Stock options
 

 
19

Restricted stock awards
 

 
181

Performance share units
 

 
190

Total shares excluded from diluted shares outstanding
 

 
390

Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to makes estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. There have been no changes in the Company’s critical accounting estimates from those that were disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Reclassifications
Certain balances have been reclassified from the prior year to conform to the current year presentation.
New Accounting Guidance
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation- Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (Topic 718), which involves several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. Under the new standard, income tax benefits and deficiencies are to be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement and the tax effects of exercised or vested awards should be treated as discrete items in the reporting period in which they occur. An entity should also recognize excess tax benefits regardless of whether the benefit reduces taxes payable in the current period. Excess tax benefits should be classified along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity. In regards to forfeitures, the entity may make an entity-wide accounting policy election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest or account for forfeitures when they occur. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 including interim periods within that reporting period, however early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this standard effective as of January 1, 2016. There was no material impact to the Company’s financial statements or disclosures from the adoption of this standard.
In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, which (1) clarifies the principle for determining whether a good or service is “separately identifiable” from other promises in the contract and, therefore, should be accounted for separately; (2) clarifies that entities are not required to identify promised goods or services that are immaterial in the context of the contract; and (3) allows entities to elect to account for shipping and handling activities as a fulfillment cost rather than as an additional promised service. The new standard also provides guidance with respect to the classification of licensed intellectual property as either "functional" or "symbolic", which determines when revenues from licensed intellectual property are recognized. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early

7



application is permitted for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of this guidance and assessing its impact on the Company's financial statements and disclosures.

Other than as disclosed above or in the 2015 Form 10-K, there are no other new accounting standards that would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements and disclosures that have been issued but not yet adopted by the Company as of March 31, 2016, and through the filing date of this report.
Note 2 - Restructuring
The Company recorded restructuring charges during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 in connection with the departure of executive officers and management's further alignment of the business with strategic objectives. These charges related to severance arrangements with departing employees and executives, as well as non-cash charges related to the acceleration of vesting of certain stock awards. The Company expects to incur additional charges during the remainder of 2016 associated with a reduction in workforce during the second quarter of 2016 and management's further alignment of the business with strategic objectives, which will impact the Emissions Control segment as well as All Other and Corporate.
A summary of the net pretax charges, incurred by segment, for each period is as follows:
 
 
 
 
Pretax Charge
(in thousands, except employee data)
 
Approximate Number of Employees
 
Refined Coal
 
Emissions Control
 
All Other and Corporate
 
Total
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restructuring charges
 
3
 
$

 
$

 
283

 
$
283

Total pretax charge, net of reversals
 
 
 
$

 
$

 
283

 
$
283

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restructuring charges
 
4
 
$

 
$

 
479

 
$
479

Changes in estimates
 
 
 

 
(10
)
 

 
(10
)
Total pretax charge, net of reversals
 
 
 
$

 
$
(10
)
 
479

 
$
469


The following table summarizes the Company’s utilization of restructuring accruals for the three months ended March 31, 2016:
(in thousands)
 
Employee Severance
 
Facility Closure
Remaining accrual as of December 31, 2015
 
$
2,581

 
$
777

Expense provision (1)
 
283

 

Cash payments and other (1)
 
(1,200
)
 
(64
)
Change in estimates
 

 
(210
)
Remaining accrual as of March 31, 2016
 
$
1,664

 
$
503


(1) Included within the Expense provision and Cash payments and other line items in the above table is equity based compensation of $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, resulting from the accelerated vesting of modified equity-based compensation awards for certain terminated employees.

Restructuring accruals are included within the Accrued payroll and related liabilities line item in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Restructuring expenses are included within the Payroll and benefits line item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.


8



Note 3 - Acquisition
2015 Acquisition
In November 2014, the Company entered into an agreement with InSyst Ltd. and ClearView Monitoring Solutions Ltd. (collectively "ClearView"), both Israel based companies specializing in data analytics, to allow the Company the exclusive option to purchase certain assets of ClearView. The Company paid $0.2 million related to this option, which was included within the Prepaid expenses and other assets line item within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2014. In January 2015, the Company notified ClearView that it had elected to exercise its exclusive option to purchase certain assets of ClearView.

In March 2015, the Company acquired certain assets of ClearView for total cash payments of $2.4 million, which is inclusive of VAT tax of $0.4 million. The acquisition was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting, which requires the total purchase consideration to be allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimates of fair value. Operating results related to the acquired assets were consolidated into the Company’s results of operations beginning March 6, 2015.

A summary of the purchase consideration and allocation of the purchase consideration is as follows:
 (in thousands)
 
 
Purchase consideration:
 
 
Cash paid
 
$
2,360

Fair value of liabilities assumed:
 
 
Accrued liabilities
 
10

Contingent consideration
 
451

Total fair value of liabilities assumed
 
461

 
 
 
Total purchase consideration
 
$
2,821

 
 
 
Allocation of purchase consideration
 
 
Receivables
 
$
360

Property and equipment and other
 
82

Intangibles - in process research and development
 
2,379

Total
 
$
2,821

The transaction called for a series of contingent payments based upon the achievement of sales and sales targets. These contingent payments are classified as purchase consideration. As part of the purchase price, the Company recorded a $0.5 million liability for the contingent consideration based upon the net present value of the Company's estimate of the future payments.
During August 2015, as part of a broader strategic restructuring of the Company's business to simplify its operating structure in a manner that creates increased customer focus, better supports sales and product delivery and also aligns the Company’s cost structure as the emissions control market shifts towards compliance solutions for the Federal Mercury and Air Toxics Standards ("MATS"), the Company’s management approved an action to wind down operations of ADA Analytics. As a result of these actions, the Company fully impaired the carrying value of the assets and reversed the liability for the contingent consideration, thereby recognizing net impairment expense in the amount of $1.9 million during the third quarter of 2015.
Note 4 - Equity Method Investments
Clean Coal Solutions, LLC
The Company's ownership interest in CCS was 42.5% as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. CCS supplies technology, equipment and technical services to cyclone-fired, pulverized coal and other boiler users, but CCS's primary purpose is to put into operation facilities that produce RC that qualify for tax credits available under Section 45 of the IRC ("Section 45 tax credits"). CCS has been determined to be a variable interest entity ("VIE"); however, the Company does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and has therefore accounted for the investment under the equity method of accounting. The Company determined the partners of CCS with voting rights had

9



identical voting interests, equity control interests and board control interests, and therefore, concluded that the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance were shared.
The following tables summarize the results of operations of CCS for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
Gross profit
 
$
26,527

 
$
30,928

Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses
 
5,512

 
5,355

Income from operations
 
21,015

 
25,573

Other expenses
 
(1,015
)
 
(799
)
Class B preferred return
 
(1,143
)
 
(1,730
)
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
1,956

 
1,330

Net income available to Class A members
 
$
20,813

 
$
24,374

ADES equity earnings
 
$
5,443

 
$
100

The difference between the Company's proportionate share of CCS's net income and the Company's earnings from its CCS equity method investment as reported on its Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations relates to the Company receiving distributions in excess of the carrying value of the investment, and therefore recognizing such excess distributions as equity method earnings in the period the distributions occur, as discussed below.
As shown in the tables below, the Company’s carrying value in CCS had been reduced to zero throughout 2015, as cumulative cash distributions received from CCS had exceeded the Company's pro-rata share of cumulative earnings in CCS. The carrying value of the Company's investment in CCS shall remain zero as long as the cumulative amount of distributions received from CCS continues to exceed the Company's cumulative pro-rata share of CCS's income. For quarterly periods during which the ending balance of the Company's investment in CCS is zero, the Company only recognizes equity income from CCS to the extent that cash distributions are received from CCS during the period. For quarterly periods during which the ending balance of the Company's investment is greater than zero (e.g., when the cumulative earnings in CCS exceeds cumulative cash distributions received), the Company recognizes its pro-rata share of CCS's earnings (losses) for the period, less any amount necessary to recover the cumulative earnings short-fall balance as of the end of the immediately preceding quarter. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company's cumulative share of pro-rata CCS income exceeded the amount of its cumulative income recognized due to cash being distributed. As such, the Company recognized equity earnings from CCS in the amount of $5.4 million. As of March 31, 2016, the carrying value of the Company's investment in CCS was $2.0 million.
Thus, the amount of equity income or loss reported on the Company's income statement may differ from a mathematical calculation of net income or loss attributable to the equity interest based upon the factor of the equity interest and the net income or loss attributable to equity owners as shown on CCS’s income statement. Additionally, for periods during which the carrying value of the Company's investment in CCS is greater than zero, distributions from CCS are reported on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as “Distributions from equity method investees, return on investment” within Operating cash flows. For periods during which the carrying value of the Company's investment in CCS is zero, such cash distributions are reported on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as “Distributions from equity method investees in excess of investment basis” within Investing cash flows.


10



The following tables present the Company's investment balance, equity earnings and cash distributions in excess of the investment balance, on a quarterly basis, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):
Description
 
Date(s)
 
Investment balance
 
ADES equity earnings (loss)
 
Cash distributions
 
Memorandum Account: Cash distributions and equity loss in (excess) of investment balance
Beginning balance
 
12/31/15
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(3,263
)
ADES proportionate share of income from CCS (1)
 
First Quarter
 
8,706

 
8,706

 

 

Recovery of prior cash distributions in excess of investment balance (prior to cash distributions)
 
First Quarter
 
(3,263
)
 
(3,263
)
 

 
3,263

Cash distributions from CCS
 
First Quarter
 
(3,400
)
 

 
3,400

 

Adjustment for current year cash distributions in excess of investment balance
 
First Quarter
 

 

 

 

Total investment balance, equity earnings (loss) and cash distributions
 
3/31/16
 
$
2,043

 
$
5,443

 
$
3,400

 
$

Description
 
Date(s)
 
Investment balance
 
ADES equity earnings (loss)
 
Cash distributions
 
Memorandum Account: Cash distributions and equity loss in (excess) of investment balance
Beginning balance
 
12/31/14
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
(29,877
)
ADES proportionate share of income from CCS (1)
 
First Quarter
 
9,827

 
9,827

 

 

Recovery of prior cash distributions in excess of investment balance (prior to cash distributions)
 
First Quarter
 
(9,827
)
 
(9,827
)
 

 
9,827

Cash distributions from CCS
 
First Quarter
 
(100
)
 

 
100

 

Adjustment for current year cash distributions in excess of investment balance
 
First Quarter
 
100

 
100

 

 
(100
)
Total investment balance, equity earnings (loss) and cash distributions
 
3/31/15
 
$

 
$
100

 
$
100

 
$
(20,150
)
(1) The amounts of the Company's 42.5% proportionate share of net income as shown in the table above differ from mathematical calculations of the Company’s 42.5% equity interest in CCS multiplied by the amounts of Net Income available to Class A members as shown in the table above of CCS results of operations due to adjustments related to the Redeemable Class B preferred return and the elimination of CCS earnings attributable to RCM6, of which the Company owned 24.95% during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and for two of the three months of the period ended March 31, 2016, as discussed below.
Clean Coal Solutions Services, LLC
On January 20, 2010, the Company, together with NexGen Refined Coal, Inc. ("NexGen"), formed CCSS, a Colorado limited liability company, for the purpose of operating the RC facilities leased or sold to third parties. The Company has determined that CCSS is not a VIE and has evaluated the consolidation analysis under the Voting Interest Model. The Company has a 50% voting and economic interest in CCSS, which is equivalent to the voting and economic interest of NexGen. Therefore, as the Company does not have greater than 50% of the outstanding voting shares, either directly or indirectly, it has accounted for the investment under the equity method of accounting. The Company’s investment in CCSS as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was $3.2 million and $4.0 million, respectively.

11



The following tables summarize the results of operations of CCSS:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
Gross loss
 
$
(12,625
)
 
$
(10,163
)
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses
 
34,591

 
37,945

Loss from operations
 
(47,216
)
 
(48,108
)
Other expenses
 
(20
)
 
(6
)
Loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
 
48,619

 
50,158

Net income
 
$
1,383

 
$
2,044

ADES equity earnings
 
$
691

 
$
1,022

Included within the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations of CCSS for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, were losses related to VIE's consolidated by CCSS. These losses do not impact the Company's equity earnings from CCSS as 100% of those losses are removed from the net income of CCSS as they are losses attributable to a noncontrolling interest.
RCM6, LLC
On February 10, 2014, the Company purchased a 24.95% membership interest in RCM6, which owns a single RC facility that produces RC that qualifies for Section 45 tax credits, from CCS through a combination of an up-front payment and note payable to CCS. Due to the payment terms of the note purchase agreement, the note payable was periodically negatively amortizing and the note payable balance as of December 31, 2015 was $14.2 million. In addition to the up front and subsequent note payments, the Company was also subject to quarterly capital calls and variable payments based upon differences in originally forecasted RC production as of the purchase date and actual quarterly production. The following table contains the capital calls and variable payments made by the Company related to its investment in RCM6 during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
Capital calls and variable payments
 
$
223

 
$
468

RCM6 has been determined to be a VIE, however, during the periods presented, the Company did not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impacted the VIE’s economic performance and has therefore accounted for the investment under the equity method of accounting.
As of December 31, 2015, the Company’s ownership in RCM6 was 24.95%. The carrying value of the Company’s investment in RCM6 as of December 31, 2015 was $13.3 million. On March 3, 2016, the Company sold its 24.95% membership interest in RCM6 for a cash payment of $1.8 million and the assumption of the outstanding note payable made by the Company in connection with its purchase of RCM6 membership interests from CCS in February 2014. In doing so, the Company recognized a gain on the sale of $2.1 million, included within the Gain on sale of equity method investment line item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. As a result of the sale of its ownership interest, the Company ceased to be a member of RCM6 and, as such, is no longer subject to any quarterly capital calls and variable payments to RCM6. In addition, the Company has no future obligations related to the previously recorded note payable. However, the Company will still receive its pro-rata share of income and cash distributions through its ownership in CCS based on the RCM6 RC facility lease payments made to CCS.
Prior to the sale of its ownership interest, the Company recognized equity losses related to its investment in RCM6 of $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The following table summarizes the results of operations of RCM6 for the periods ending March 3, 2016 and March 31, 2015:


12



 
 
January 1 - March 3,
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
Gross loss
 
$
(555
)
 
$
(800
)
Operating expenses
 
360

 
461

Loss from operations
 
(915
)
 
(1,261
)
Other expenses
 
(52
)
 
(72
)
Net loss
 
$
(967
)
 
$
(1,333
)
ADES equity losses
 
$
(557
)
 
$
(808
)
The following table details the components of the Company's respective equity method investments included within the Earnings from equity method investments line item on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
Earnings from CCS
 
$
5,443

 
$
100

Earnings from CCSS
 
691

 
1,022

Loss from RCM6
 
(557
)
 
(808
)
Earnings from equity method investments
 
$
5,577

 
$
314

The following table details the components of the cash distributions from the Company's respective equity method investments included within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Distributions from equity method investees are reported on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as “return on investment” within Operating cash flows until such time as the carrying value in an equity method investee company is reduced to zero; thereafter, such distributions are reported as “distributions in excess of cumulative earnings” within Investing cash flows.
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
Distributions from equity method investees, return on investment
 
 
 
 
CCS
 
$
3,400

 

CCSS
 
$
1,500

 
$

 
 
$
4,900

 
$

Distributions from equity method investees in excess of investment basis
 
 
 
 
CCS
 
$

 
$
100

 
 
$

 
$
100

Note 5 - Investments

The Company had investment securities related to certificates of deposit in the amount of $0.3 million as of December 31, 2015. No unrealized gains or losses were recorded as of December 31, 2015 related to these investment securities.

The Company also had a cost method investment in the amount of $2.8 million as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. No unrealized losses were recorded as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 related to this cost method investment. In November 2014, the Company acquired an 8% ownership interest in the common stock of Highview Enterprises Limited ("Highview"), a London, England based developmental stage company specializing in power storage, for $2.8 million in cash. The Company evaluated the investment and determined that it should account for the investment under the cost method. This investment is evaluated for impairment upon an indicator of impairment such as an event or change in circumstances that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, no indicators of impairment had been identified. When there are no indicators of impairment present, the Company estimates the fair value for the Highview investment only if it is practical to do so. As of December 31, 2015, the Company estimated that the fair value of the cost method investment approximated the November 2014 purchase price due to the proximity of the purchase date to December 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2016, there are no indicators of impairment present, and was deemed impractical to estimate the fair value on $2.8 million of cost method assets due to the cost of obtaining an independent valuation in relation

13



to the size of the investment and the relative proximity of the purchase date to March 31, 2016. As such, no impairment of the carrying value of the investment was considered necessary.

Note 6 - Borrowings
The following table summarizes the Company's notes payable, all of which are with related parties, as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:
 
 
As of
(in thousands)
 
March 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Short-term borrowings
 
 
 
 
Credit Agreement, net of discount and deferred loan costs
 
$
10,921

 
$
12,676

Total short-term borrowings
 
$
10,921

 
$
12,676

Current portion of notes payable
 
 
 
 
RCM6 note payable, net of discount
 
$

 
$
1,207

DSI Business Owner note payable
 

 
630

Total Current portion of notes payable
 

 
1,837

Long-term portion of notes payable
 
 
 
 
RCM6 note payable, net of discount
 

 
13,023

DSI Business Owner note payable
 

 
489

Total long-term notes payable
 

 
13,512

Total notes payable
 
$

 
$
15,349

Credit Agreement
On October 22, 2015, the Company entered into a credit agreement for a $15.0 million short-term loan, with Franklin Mutual Quest Fund and MFP Investors LLC (the "Lenders"), and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as the administrative agent and collateral agent (the “Credit Agreement”) which was subsequently amended in 2016 as discussed below. Under the original terms and conditions, the Credit Agreement matured on April 22, 2016, subject to a three month extension at the Company's option to the extent certain conditions are met. The Credit Agreement's annual interest rate was equal to 10.5% and is subject to various prepayment and other premiums if certain events, including a change in control, occur. The Company received net proceeds of $13.5 million and recorded debt discount and debt issuance costs of $1.5 million. The debt discounts and debt issuance costs will be amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the life of the Credit Agreement.
On February 8, 2016, the Company entered into the first amendment to the Credit Agreement that extended the Company's filing date deadline related to its 2015 SEC filings to March 30, 2016. On March 30, 2016, the Company entered into the second amendment to the Credit Agreement ("Second Amendment"). The Second Amendment extended the maturity date to July 8, 2016, extended the Company's filing date deadline related to its 2015 SEC filings to April 20, 2016, increased the stated interest rate from 10.5% to 15.0%, increased the minimum cash balance requirement from $3.0 million to $3.5 million and adjusted the amortization payment schedule. The Company incurred $0.6 million in fees related to the Second Amendment.
As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the unamortized debt discount and issuance costs were $0.6 million and $0.6 million, respectively. The net proceeds were used to fund working capital needs and for general operating purposes of the Company and its subsidiaries. As of March 31, 2016, the Company was in compliance with all covenants related to the Credit Agreement.

All obligations of the Company under the Credit Agreement are unconditionally guaranteed by each of the Company’s wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries (other than ADA Analytics, LLC) and are secured by perfected security interests in substantially all of the assets of the Company and the guarantors, subject to certain agreed upon exceptions.

The Lenders are beneficial owners of Common Stock in the Company. The Credit Agreement was approved by the Company's Board of Directors and by the Audit Committee as a related party transaction.

In connection with the Credit Agreement, and the Company's pledge and assignment to the Collateral Agent for all of ADA's equity interests in CCSS, the Lenders required that NexGen consent to a pledge. The Company entered into an Indemnity Agreement with NexGen whereby ADES and ADA agreed to indemnify NexGen from and against any and all losses, claims, damages, liabilities, costs, fees or expenses, which may arise in connection with the Company pledging its CCSS equity

14



interests. The Indemnity Agreement was approved by the Company's Board of Directors and by the Audit Committee as a related party transaction.
CCS - RCM6 Note Payable
The Company acquired membership interests in RCM6 from CCS in February 2014, through an up-front payment and a note payable. Due to the payment terms of the note purchase agreement, the note payable periodically adds interest to the outstanding note payable principal balance. The stated rate associated with the note was 1.65% and the effective rate of the note at inception was 20%. Due to the difference between the stated rate and the effective rate, the note payable was carried at a discount of $7.6 million as of December 31, 2015. As described in Note 4, on March 3, 2016, the Company sold its 24.95% membership interest in RCM6 and, as a result, the Company has no future note payable obligations related to its historical RCM6 equity investment.
DSI Business Owner
As of December 31, 2014, the Company terminated the consulting portion of the agreements with DSI Business Owner, as described in Note 9 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. However, per the terms of the remaining agreements the Company was required to make all remaining payments structured as a note payable through the third quarter of 2017. In February 2016, the Company entered into an agreement with the DSI Business Owner and settled the remaining amounts owed as of the date of the agreement of approximately $1.1 million for $0.3 million which was paid during the first quarter of 2016. The difference between the remaining amounts owed and the settlement amount has been included within the Gain on settlement of note payable line item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Note 7 - Fair Value Measurements
    
Fair value of financial instruments
The carrying amounts of financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, deposits and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments. Accordingly, these instruments are not presented in the table below. The following table provides the estimated fair values of the remaining financial instruments:
 
 
As of March 31, 2016
 
As of December 31, 2015
(in thousands)
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
Financial Instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities, restricted, long-term
 
$

 
$

 
$
336

 
$
336

Cost method investment (1)
 
$
2,776

 
$
2,776

 
$
2,776

 
$
2,776

Notes Payable:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Short-term borrowings, net of discount and deferred loan costs, related party
 
$
10,921

 
$
10,921

 
$
12,676

 
$
12,676

Current portion of notes payable, net of discount, related parties (2)
 
$

 
$

 
$
1,837

 
$
1,457

Long-term portion of notes payable, net of discount, related parties (2)
 
$

 
$

 
$
13,512

 
$
13,273

Highview technology license payable
 
$
519

 
$
519

 
$
519

 
$
519

Highview technology license payable, long-term
 
$
1,089

 
$
1,089

 
$
1,038

 
$
1,038

Stock appreciation rights, liability-classified equity award
 
$
659

 
$
659

 
$
742

 
$
742


(1) Represents costs for the cost method investment. Refer to Note 5 for further discussion of the cost method investment.
(2) The fair value related to the DSI Business Owner note payable amounts as of December 31, 2015 was determined using the settlement agreement amount of $0.3 million, as described in Note 6.

Concentration of credit risk
The Company's certificates of deposit investment securities, and virtually all of the Company’s restricted and unrestricted cash accounts, are at two financial institutions. If those institutions were to be unable to perform their obligations, the Company would be at risk regarding the amount of cash and investment in excess of the federal deposit insurance corporation limits ($250 thousand) that would be returned to the Company.


15



Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
The estimated fair values of investment securities are described below. Refer to Note 5 of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Company’s investment securities.
 
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date. The Company uses the hierarchy prescribed in the accounting guidance for fair value measurements, based upon the available inputs to the valuation and the degree to which they are observable or not observable in the market. The three levels in the hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1 Inputs - Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that are accessible as of the measurement date.

Level 2 Inputs - Inputs other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are observable either directly or indirectly, including but not limited to quoted prices in markets that are not active, quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities and observable inputs other than quoted prices such as interest rates or yield curves.

Level 3 Inputs - Unobservable inputs reflecting the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk.

Financial instruments carried and measured at fair value on a recurring basis are presented in the table below according to the fair value hierarchy described above:
 
 
As of March 31, 2016
 
 
Fair Value Measurement Using
(in thousands)
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Assets at Fair Value
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock appreciation rights, liability-classified equity award
 
$

 
$
659

 
$

 
$
659

Total liabilities at fair value
 
$

 
$
659

 
$

 
$
659

 
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
 
Fair Value Measurement Using
(in thousands)
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Assets at Fair Value
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment securities, restricted, long-term
 
$

 
$
336

 
$

 
$
336

Total assets at fair value
 
$

 
$
336

 
$

 
$
336

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock appreciation rights, liability-classified equity award
 
$

 
$
742

 
$

 
$
742

Total liabilities at fair value
 
$

 
$
742

 
$

 
$
742


The estimated fair value of investments securities consisting entirely of certificates of deposits was estimated to be equal to the deposit value of the investment due to the relative short-term nature of the instrument.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
During December 2014 and March 2015, the Company loaned a total of $1.0 million to an independent technology development company exploring energy storage to provide financing to pursue emissions technology projects, bearing annual interest of 8%. Interest and principal were payable at maturity in March 2018. Subsequent to the second loan disbursement, the Company became aware that the independent technology development company exploring energy storage was not awarded contracts which would have utilized their emissions technology. The Company also became aware that without these contracts, the ability of the independent third party to repay these loans was in doubt. As a result, the Company has recorded an allowance against the entire principal balance of the note receivable, reversed accrued interest and put the note on non-accrual status.


16



During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company recorded impairments totaling approximately $0.3 million to reduce the carrying value of certain property and equipment that the Company intended to sell to its estimated sales value, less estimated costs to sell. The property and equipment were subsequently sold at auction. Proceeds from the sale of the impaired assets totaled approximately $0.6 million. No gain or loss was recognized on the sale of the property and equipment.

Also during the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company sold certain property and equipment having a net book value of approximately $0.1 million. Proceeds from the sale totaled approximately $0.3 million, which resulted in the recognition of a gain on the sale of approximately $0.2 million.

Note 8 - Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Proceedings

The Company is involved in certain legal actions, described below. The outcomes of these legal actions are not within the Company’s complete control and may not be known for prolonged periods of time. In some actions, the claimants seek monetary damages and other penalties that could require significant expenditures. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the Company records a liability in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for loss contingencies when a loss is known or considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. If the reasonable estimate of a known or probable loss is a range, and no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other, the minimum amount of the range is accrued. If a loss is reasonably possible but not known or probable, and can be reasonably estimated, the estimated loss or range of loss is disclosed. When determining the estimated loss or range of loss, significant judgment is required to estimate the amount and timing of a loss to be recorded. Estimates of probable losses resulting from litigation and governmental proceedings involving the Company are inherently difficult to predict, particularly when the matters are in early procedural stages, with incomplete facts or legal discovery; involve unsubstantiated or indeterminate claims for damages; potentially involve penalties or fines. ADES cannot predict, with any certainty, the final outcome of any legal proceedings as described in the paragraphs below, nor can it provide any assurance that the ultimate resolution of any such matter will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Securities class action lawsuit: United Food and Commercial Workers Union v. Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc., No. 14-cv-01243-CMA-KMT (U.S. District Court, D. Colo.)

A class action lawsuit against ADES and certain of its current and former officers is pending in the federal court in Denver, Colorado. This lawsuit and a companion case were originally filed in May 2014. On February 19, 2015, the Court consolidated these cases and appointed the United Foods and Commercial Workers Union and Participating Food Industry Employers Tri-State Pension Fund as lead plaintiff and approved its selection of the law firms. The consolidated case is now captioned United Food and Commercial Workers Union v. Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc., No. 14-cv-01243-CMA-KMT (U.S. District Court, D. Colo.).

The lead plaintiff filed “Lead Plaintiff’s Consolidated Class Action Complaint” on April 20, 2015 (the “Consolidated Complaint”). The Consolidated Complaint names as defendants the Company and certain current and former Company officers.

Plaintiffs allege that ADES and other defendants misrepresented to the investing public the Company’s financial condition and its financial controls to artificially inflate and maintain the market price of ADES’s common stock. The Consolidated Complaint alleges two claims for relief for: 1) alleged violations of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and Rule 10b-5, and 2) control person liability under Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act.

The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages together with costs and attorneys’ fees incurred in prosecuting the class action, among other relief. The Consolidated Complaint alleges a class period covering all purchasers or acquirers of the common stock of ADES or its predecessor-in-interest during the proposed class period from May 12, 2011 through January 29, 2015.

Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the Consolidated Complaint on June 19, 2015, contending the Consolidated Complaint: 1) fails to meet the strict pleading standards required for Section 10(b) claims; and 2) fails to establish the primary violation required for any claim of secondary (control person) liability. Plaintiffs filed a response in opposition to this motion on July 2, 2015 and Defendants filed their reply brief on July 16, 2015. On March 7, 2016 the parties filed a stipulated motion to stay the case while the parties mediate the matter. On March 8, 2016, the motion to stay was granted, and the Defendants’ motion to dismiss was denied without prejudice with the option to refile should mediation fail. The case is stayed until further order of the court.


17



The Company has not recorded an expense related to losses in connection with this matter because any potential loss is not currently probable or reasonably estimable under U.S. GAAP. Additionally, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the range of loss, if any, that may result from this matter.

Stockholder derivative lawsuits: In Re Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. Shareholder Derivative Litigation, No. 2014CV-30709 (District Court, Douglas County, Colorado) (consolidated actions).

Consolidated stockholder derivative claims against certain of the Company’s current and former officers and directors, along with the Company as a "nominal defendant", are pending in the District Court for Douglas County, Colorado, and are currently stayed.

In June and July 2014 stockholder derivative actions were filed in the Colorado District Courts for Douglas County and for the City and County of Denver. By agreement of the parties, the case in the Denver District Court was transferred to the Douglas County District Court and the cases were consolidated.

In separate complaints, the plaintiffs allege breach of fiduciary duties, waste of corporate assets, and unjust enrichment against the defendants for their alleged use of improper accounting techniques and for failing to maintain effective internal controls that, together, resulted in materially inaccurate financial statements from which incentive compensation was derived and paid. Plaintiffs demand, on behalf of the Company, unspecified monetary damages, “appropriate equitable relief,” and the costs and disbursements of the action, including attorneys', accountants and expert fees, costs, expenses, and restitution, as well as certain corporate governance charges.

On August 28, 2014, the Colorado state court approved a Stipulation and proposed Order Consolidating Actions, Appointing Co-Lead Plaintiffs and Co-Lead Counsel, and Staying Consolidated Action. Under that Order the consolidated derivative actions are stayed at least 30 days after a decision by the U.S. District Court on Defendants’ motion to dismiss the operative complaint in the securities class action described above. Any party has the right to move to lift the stay on 30-days’ written notice to the other parties.

The Company has not recorded an expense related to losses in connection with this matter because any potential loss is not currently probable or reasonably estimable under U.S. GAAP. Additionally, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the range of loss, if any, that may result from this matter.
SEC Inquiry
On April 7, 2014, the SEC’s Division of Enforcement informed the Company that it had initiated an inquiry to determine if violations of the federal securities laws have occurred (the “SEC Inquiry”), and in September 2014 the SEC issued a formal order of investigation. The SEC Inquiry generally pertains to the restatement of the Company's financial statements and internal controls processes, as described in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. The Company is fully cooperating with the SEC and has provided information and documents to the SEC on an ongoing basis. To date, the SEC has not asserted any formal claims. While we cannot predict the duration or outcome of the SEC Inquiry, it could result in the payment of monetary penalties and other relief.
The Company has not recorded an expense related to losses in connection with this matter because any potential loss is not currently probable or reasonably estimable under U.S. GAAP. Additionally, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the range of loss, if any, that may result from this matter.
Settlement and royalty indemnity
In August 2008, Norit International N.V. f/k/a Norit N.V. ("Norit") filed a lawsuit against the Company asserting claims for misappropriation of trade secrets and other claims related to the Company's ADA Carbon Solutions, LLC joint venture ("Carbon Solutions"). In August 2011, the Company and Norit entered into a settlement agreement whereby the Company paid amounts related to the non-solicitation breach of contract claim and ADA was also required to pay additional damages related to certain future revenues generated from the equity method investment through the second quarter of 2018 (the “Royalty Award”). Payments of amounts due under the Royalty Award for each quarter are payable three months after such quarter ends. In October 2011, an arbitration panel endorsed and confirmed the terms of the settlement agreement.

18



Additionally, during November 2011, the Company entered into an Indemnity Settlement Agreement whereby the Company agreed to settle certain indemnity obligations asserted against the Company related to the Norit litigation and relinquished all of its equity interest in Carbon Solutions to Carbon Solutions and amended the Intellectual Property License Agreement dated October 1, 2008 between the Company and Carbon Solutions. In the event that the Company declares or otherwise issues a dividend to any or all of its stockholders prior to January 1, 2018, other than repurchases of common stock under employee stock plans, the Company must increase its letter of credit amounts, which support the payments which must be paid to Norit, equal to 50% of the aggregate fair market value of such dividends.
As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company has recorded the components of the Settlement and royalty indemnity obligation within the following line items in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
 
 
As of
(in thousands)
 
March 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Settlement and royalty indemnity obligation, short-term
 
$
5,452

 
$
6,502

Settlement and royalty indemnification, long-term
 
13,619

 
13,797

Total settlement and royalty indemnity
 
$
19,071

 
$
20,299

Future amounts to be paid related to the Royalty Award may differ from current estimates due to future adjusted sales of activated carbon.
CCS
The Company also has certain limited obligations contingent upon future events in connection with the activities of CCS. The Company, NexGen and two entities affiliated with NexGen have provided an affiliate of Goldman Sachs with limited guaranties (the “CCS Party Guaranties”) related to certain losses it may suffer as a result of inaccuracies or breach of representations and covenants. The Company also is a party to a contribution agreement with NexGen under which any party called upon to pay on a CCS Party Guaranty is entitled to receive contribution from the other party equal to 50% of the amount paid. No liability or expense provision has been recorded by the Company related to this contingent obligation as the Company believes that it is not probable that a loss will occur with respect to CCS Party Guaranties.
Line of Credit
In September 2013, ADA, as borrower, and ADES, as guarantor, entered into a 2013 Loan and Security Agreement with a bank for an aggregate principal amount of $10 million that is secured by certain amounts due to the Company from certain CCS RC leases (the "Line of Credit"). As amended, the Line of Credit is available until May 31, 2016.
Covenants in the Line of Credit include a borrowing base limitation that is based on a percentage of the net present value of ADA’s portion of payments due to CCS from the RC leases. The Line of Credit also contains other affirmative and negative covenants and customary indemnification obligations of ADA to the lender and provides for the issuance of Letters of Credit provided that the aggregate amount of the Letters of Credit plus all advances then outstanding does not exceed the calculated borrowing base. The Company guaranteed the obligations and agreements of ADA under the Line of Credit. Amounts outstanding under the line of credit bear interest payable monthly at a rate per annum equal to the higher of 5% or the “Prime Rate” (as defined in the agreement) plus 1%. There were no outstanding balances under this agreement at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. As a result of certain covenant violations, the Company has no borrowing availability under this facility.

Our bank line of credit is available until May 31, 2016. No amounts were drawn on the line of credit during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company is in discussions with the lender regarding a possible renewal.

Letters of Credit
The Company has letters of credit ("LOC") with two financial institutions related to equipment projects, the Royalty Award and certain other agreements. The following tables summarize the letters of credit outstanding, collateral, by type, and the related line items within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets where the collateral related to the letters of credit is recorded:


19



 
 
As of March 31, 2016
(in thousands)
 
LOC Outstanding
 
Restricted Cash
 
Restricted cash, long-term
 
Investment securities, restricted, long-term
Contract performance - equipment systems
 
$
5,184

 
$
1,078

 
$
4,109

 
$

Royalty Award
 
6,250

 

 
6,250

 

Other
 
328

 
336

 

 

Total LOC outstanding
 
$
11,762

 
$
1,414

 
$
10,359

 
$

 
 
As of December 31, 2015
(in thousands)
 
LOC Outstanding
 
Restricted Cash
 
Restricted cash, long-term
 
Investment securities, restricted, long-term
Contract performance - equipment systems
 
$
5,556

 
$
728

 
$
4,830

 
$

Royalty Award
 
6,150

 

 
6,150

 

Other
 
328

 

 

 
336

Total LOC outstanding
 
$
12,034

 
$
728

 
$
10,980

 
$
336

Restricted balances may exceed the letters of credit outstanding due to interest income earned on the restricted balances.
Performance Guarantee on Equipment Systems
In the normal course of business related to ACI and DSI systems, the Company may guarantee certain performance thresholds during a discrete performance testing period that do not extend beyond six months from the initial test date, the commencement of which is determined by the customer. Performance thresholds include such matters as the achievement of a certain level of mercury removal and other emissions based upon the injection of a specified quantity of a qualified activated carbon or other chemical at a specified rate given other plant operating conditions, availability of equipment and electric power usage. In the event the equipment fails to perform as specified during the testing period, the Company may have an obligation to correct or replace the equipment. In the event the level of mercury removal is not achieved, the Company may have a “make right” obligation within the contract limits. During the third quarter of 2015, the Company began working to modify and correct two performance guarantee issues related to EC systems that were installed during 2015. No revenue will be recognized on these two contracts until the performance guarantees are resolved. Resolution of these performance guarantees is not expected to result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s operating performance or liquidity in 2016 or beyond. Performance guarantee claims, if incurred, would be included within the Equipment sales cost of revenue line of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Note 9 - Stock-Based Compensation

The Company grants equity based awards to employees and non-employee directors. Equity based awards include RSA's, Stock Options and PSU's. Stock-based compensation expense related to employees is included within the Payroll and benefits line item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Stock-based compensation expense related to non-employee directors is included within the General and administrative line item in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Total stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
Restricted stock award expense
 
$
398

 
$
530

Stock option expense
 
36

 
46

PSU expense
 
191

 
378

SAR expense
 
11

 

Total stock-based compensation expense
 
$
636

 
$
954



20



The amount of unrecognized compensation cost as of March 31, 2016, and the expected weighted average period over which the cost will be recognized is as follows:
 
 
As of March 31, 2016
(in thousands)
 
Unrecognized Compensation Cost
 
Expected Weighted Average Period of Recognition (in years)
Restricted stock award expense
 
$
888

 
1.2

Stock option expense
 
167

 
0.8

PSU expense
 
375

 
0.9

SAR expense
 
71

 
0.3

Total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense
 
$
1,501

 
1.0

Restricted Stock Awards
Restricted stock is typically granted with vesting terms of three or five years. The fair value of restricted stock awards is determined based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the authorization date of the grant multiplied by the number of shares subject to the stock award. Compensation expense for restricted stock awards is recognized over the entire vesting period on a straight-line basis. A summary of restricted stock award activity under the Company's various stock compensation plans for the three months ended March 31, 2016 is presented below:
 
 
Shares
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Non-vested at January 1, 2016
 
134,708

 
$
8.49

Granted
 
72,000

 
$
7.10

Vested
 
(49,826
)
 
$
14.86

Forfeited
 
(6,098
)
 
$
27.54

Non-vested at March 31, 2016
 
150,784

 
$
9.61

During the three months ended March 31, 2016, the Company accelerated the terms of equity awards, including both RSA's and PSU's, granted to an executive as part of the restructuring activities discussed in Note 2. The Company recorded incremental expense of $0.1 million in the Payroll and benefits line item in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Stock Options
Stock options generally vest over three years and have a contractual limit of five years from the date of grant to exercise. The fair value of stock options granted pursuant to one of the Company’s plans is determined on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the related expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the entire vesting period. The Company did not grant any stock options during the three months ended March 31, 2016.
A summary of option activity for the three months ended March 31, 2016 is presented below:
(in thousands, except for share and per share amounts)
 
Number of
Options
Outstanding and
Exercisable
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (in years)
Options outstanding, January 1, 2016
 
106,250

 
$
15.22

 
 
 
 
Options granted
 

 
$

 
 
 
 
Options exercised
 

 
$

 
 
 
 
Options expired / forfeited
 

 
$

 
 
 
 
Options outstanding, March 31, 2016
 
106,250

 
$
15.22

 
$

 
3.5
Options exercisable as of March 31, 2016
 
86,249

 
$
13.96

 
$

 
3.6


21



Stock Appreciation Rights
SAR's generally vest over three years and have a contractual limit of five years from the date of grant to exercise. The fair value of SAR's granted is determined on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the related expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the derived service period of the respective awards. The Company did not grant any SARs during the three months ended March 31, 2016.

A summary of SARs activity for the three months ended March 31, 2016 is presented below:
 (in thousands, except for rights and per right amounts)
 
Number of
SAR's
Outstanding and
Exercisable
 
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
 
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (in years)
SAR's outstanding, January 1, 2016
 
243,750

 
$
13.87

 
 
 
 
SAR's granted
 

 
$

 
 
 
 
SAR's exercised
 

 
$

 
 
 
 
SAR's expired / forfeited
 

 
$

 
 
 
 
SAR's outstanding, March 31, 2016
 
243,750

 
$
13.87

 
$

 
4.3
SAR's exercisable, March 31, 2016
 
43,750

 
$
13.87

 
$

 
4.3

Performance Share Units
Compensation expense is recognized for PSU awards on a straight-line basis over the applicable service period, which is generally three years, based on the estimated fair value at the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model. There were no PSU's granted during the three months ended March 31, 2016.
A summary of PSU activity under the Plans for the three months ended March 31, 2016 is presented below:

 
Units
 
Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Non-vested at January 1, 2016
 
169,334

 
$
26.38

Granted (1)
 

 

Vested / settled (1)
 
(18,934
)
 
26.04

Forfeited / canceled (1)
 

 

Non-vested at March 31, 2016
 
150,400

 
$
26.42

(1) The number of units shown in the table above are based on target performance. The final number of shares of common stock issued may vary depending on the achievement of market conditions established within the awards, which could result in the actual number of shares issued ranging from zero to a maximum of two times the number of units shown in the above table.
The following table shows the PSUs that were settled by issuing the Company's common stock relative to a broad stock index and a peer group performance index.
 
 
Year of Grant
 
Net Number of Issued Shares upon Vesting
 
Shares Withheld to Settle Tax Withholding Obligations
 
TSR Multiple Range
 
Russell 3000 Multiple
 
 
 
 
 
Low
 
High
 
Low
 
High
Three Months Ended March 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013
 
11,302

 
1,572

 
1.00

 
1.00

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013
 
8,768

 
3,954

 
1.75

 
1.75

 
2.00

 
2.00

 
 
2014
 
2,506

 
1,145

 
0.63

 
0.75

 

 
0.75


22



Note 10 - Income Taxes
For the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company's income tax expense and effective tax rates on forecasted pretax income (losses) were:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except for rate)
 
2016
 
2015
Income tax expense
 
$
53

 
$
44

Effective tax rate
 
1
%
 
(1
)%
The effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 were different from the statutory rate primarily due to the Company's full valuation allowances against federal and state net operating losses and federal tax credits. In 2015 and 2016 this was partially offset by estimated state tax expense.

The Company projects that its deferred tax assets will exceed its deferred tax liabilities as of December 31, 2016. As a result, the Company determined that it is more likely than not that it would not be able to realize the value of its federal and state net operating loss carryforwards, tax credits and other deferred tax assets and has recorded a full valuation allowance against the excess deferred tax assets. This valuation allowance is expected to increase over time as the Company's deferred tax assets increase.
Note 11 - Supplemental Financial Information
    
Supplemental Balance Sheet Information
The following table summarizes the components of Prepaid expenses and other assets and Other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
 
 
As of
(in thousands)
March 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Other current assets:
 
 
 
 
   Prepaid expenses
 
$
1,505

 
$
2,117

   Inventory
 
305

 
189

 
 
$
1,810

 
$
2,306

Other long-term assets:
 
 
 
 
   Deposits
 
$
325

 
$
414

   Intangibles
 
1,949

 
1,941

   Other long-term assets
 
1,535

 
341

 
 
$
3,809

 
$
2,696



23



The following table details the components of Other current liabilities and Other long-term liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:
 
 
As of
(in thousands)
 
March 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Other current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accrued compensation
 
$

 
$
369

Accrued interest
 
1,129

 
1,042

Accrued losses on equipment contracts
 
416

 
759

Deferred revenue
 
923

 
682

Warranty liabilities
 
1,118

 
1,197

Other
 
2,738

 
3,346

 
 
$
6,324

 
$
7,395

Other long-term liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Deferred rent
 
$
713

 
$
767

Deferred revenue, related party
 
2,000

 
2,000

Other long-term liabilities
 
2,877

 
2,605

 
 
$
5,590

 
$
5,372


Included within Other long-term liabilities is the Company's asset retirement obligation. Changes in the Company's asset retirement obligations were as follows:
 
 
As of
(in thousands)
 
March 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Asset retirement obligation, beginning of period
 
$
1,248

 
$
1,188

Accretion
 
16

 
60

Asset retirement obligations, end of period
 
$
1,264

 
$
1,248


The following table shows the Company's receivable balance associated with related parties, included within the Accounts payable in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:

 
 
As of
(in thousands)
 
March 31, 2016
 
December 31, 2015
Payable to related party
 
$
35

 
$
270


Supplemental Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations Information
The following table details the components of Interest expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
453A interest
 
$
791

 
$
1,131

Interest on RCM6 note payable, related party
 
263

 
609

Credit agreement interest
 
897

 

Other
 
13

 
35

Total interest expense
 
$
1,964

 
$
1,775



24



Note 12 - Business Segment Information
Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by a company's chief operating decision maker ("CODM"), or a decision making group, in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing financial performance. As of March 31, 2016, the Company's CODM was the Company's CEO. The Company's operating and reportable segments are organized by products and services provided. Segments have been reorganized from prior periods due to changes within the Company's management structure and the manner in which the Company is operating the business. All prior periods have been conformed to the current year presentation.
During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company realigned is operating segments into two reportable segments: (1) Refined Coal; and (2) Emissions Control ("EC"). Following the realignment, the Company retroactively adjusted all segment related disclosures included within the notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
The business segment measurements provided to and evaluated by the CODM are computed in accordance with the principles listed below:
The accounting policies of the operating segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies except as described below.
Segment revenue includes the Company's equity method earnings and losses from the Company's equity method investments. Segment revenue also includes the Company's royalty earnings from CCS.
Segment operating income (loss) includes the Company's equity method earnings and losses from the Company's equity method investments and royalty earnings from CCS (including depreciation and amortization expense). However, segment operating income (loss) excludes Payroll and benefits, Rent and occupancy, Legal and professional fees, and General and administrative ("Corporate general and administrative expenses") unless otherwise specifically included as the Company does not allocate those amounts between segments.
All items not included in operating income are excluded from the segments reporting.

25



As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 all material assets are located in the U.S. and all significant customers are either U.S. companies or the U.S. Government. The following table presents the Company's operating segment results for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
Refined Coal:
 
 
 
 
Earnings from equity method investments
 
$
5,577

 
$
314

Consulting services
 

 
21

Royalties
 
1,189

 
2,194

 
 
6,766

 
2,529

Emissions Control:
 
 
 
 
Equipment sales
 
21,727

 
21,115

Consulting services
 
196

 
347

Chemical and other
 
434

 
274

 
 
22,357

 
21,736

Total segment reporting revenues
 
$
29,123

 
$
24,265

Adjustments to reconcile to reported revenues:
 
 
 
 
Refined Coal:
 
 
 
 
Earnings from equity method investments
 
$
(5,577
)
 
$
(314
)
Royalties
 
(1,189
)
 
(2,194
)
 
 
(6,766
)
 
(2,508
)
Total reported revenues
 
$
22,357

 
$
21,757

Segment operating income
 
 
 
 
Refined Coal (1)
 
$
7,870

 
$
665

Emissions Control
 
4,631

 
621

Total segment operating income
 
$
12,501

 
$
1,286


(1) Included within the RC segment operating income is the $2.1 million gain on sale of RCM6.

A reconciliation of reportable segment amounts to the Company's consolidated balances is as follows: 
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands)
 
2016
 
2015
Segment income
 
 
 
 
Total segment operating income
 
$
12,501

 
$
1,286

Adjustments to reconcile to net loss attributable to Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc.
 
 
 
 
Corporate payroll and benefits
 
(3,134
)
 
(2,940
)
Corporate rent and occupancy
 
(211
)
 
(138
)
Corporate legal and professional fees
 
(2,928
)
 
(3,308
)
Corporate general and administrative
 
(775
)
 
(906
)
Corporate depreciation and amortization
 
(116
)
 
(149
)
Corporate interest expense
 
(910
)
 

Other income
 
2

 
67

Income tax expense
 
(53
)
 
(44
)
Net income (loss)
 
$
4,376

 
$
(6,132
)

26



Corporate general and administrative expenses include certain costs that benefit the business as a whole but are not directly related to one of our segments. Such costs include but are not limited to accounting and human resources staff, information systems costs, legal fees, facility costs, audit fees and corporate governance expenses. 

Segment assets were as follows as of the dates presented:
 
 
As of
(in thousands)
 
March 31,
2016
 
December 31,
2015
Refined Coal
 
$
6,376

 
$
19,507

Emissions Control
 
26,734

 
31,467

All Other and Corporate
 
8,473

 
9,801

Consolidated
 
$
41,583

 
$
60,775

Note 13 - Subsequent Events
Unless disclosed elsewhere within the notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, the following are the matters that occurred subsequent to the balance sheet date.
Restructuring
In April 2016, the Company initiated a workforce reduction plan affecting approximately 30% of the Company’s employees. In connection with these actions, the Company currently expects to record aggregate charges with respect to severance payments, benefits continuation and vesting of certain equity awards that are estimated to be approximately $0.6 million - $0.9 million and are expected to be recorded during the second and third quarters of 2016. Cash expenditures related to the April 2016 Restructuring are expected to be approximately $0.6 million - $0.9 million and are expected to be paid during the second and third quarters of 2016.


27



Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of our operations should be read together with the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes of Advanced Emissions Solutions, Inc. (“ADES" or the “Company”) included elsewhere in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes of ADES, included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.
Overview
ADES serves as the holding entity for a family of companies that provide emissions solutions to customers in the coal-fired power generation, industrial boiler and cement industries. Through its subsidiaries and joint ventures, the Company is a leader in emissions control technologies and associated equipment, chemicals, and services. Our proprietary environmental technologies enable our customers to reduce emissions of mercury and other pollutants, maximize utilization levels and improve operating efficiencies to meet the challenges of existing and pending emission control regulations.

Our approach to technology development, implementation and commercialization involves taking technology to full-scale testing as quickly as we can and enhancing the technology under actual operating conditions.
Our major activities include:
Development and sale of technology to reduce emissions and improve operations of coal-fired boilers used for power generation and industrial processes;
Development and sale of equipment, consulting services, specialty chemicals and other products designed to reduce emissions of mercury, acid gases, metals and other pollutants and the providing of technology services in support of our customers' emissions compliance strategies;
Through CCS, an unconsolidated entity, reduction of mercury and nitrogen oxide ("NOX") emissions at select coal-fired power generators, via the production of RC. Additionally, there is benefit from the tax credits generated by the production of RC by retaining the credits or selling or leasing the pertinent RC facilities to tax equity investors. See the separately filed financial statements of CCS and the other related RC entities within the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.


28



Results of Operations
For the three months ended March 31, 2016 we recognized net income of $4.4 million, compared to a net loss of $6.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015.

For comparability purposes, the following tables set forth our results of operations for the periods presented in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report. The period-to-period comparison of financial results may not be indicative of financial results to be achieved in future periods.

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015

Total Revenue and Cost of Revenue
A summary of the components of our revenue and costs of revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 is as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Change
(in thousands, except percentages)
 
2016
 
2015
 
($)
 
(%)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equipment sales
 
$
21,727

 
$
21,115

 
$
612

 
3
 %
Consulting services
 
196

 
368

 
(172
)
 
(47
)%
Chemicals and other
 
434

 
274

 
160

 
58
 %
Total revenues
 
22,357

 
21,757

 
600

 
3
 %
Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equipment sales cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization
 
17,034

 
15,051

 
1,983

 
13
 %
Consulting services cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization
 
135

 
426

 
(291
)
 
(68
)%
Chemical and other cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization
 
142