BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC - FORM 10-Q

Attached files

file	filename
EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC	certificationsexhibit321ll.htm
EX-12.1 - EXHIBIT 12.1 - BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC	ratioofearningstofixedchar.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC	certificationsexhibit312ll.htm
EXCEL - IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT - BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC	Financial_Report.xls
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC	certificationsexhibit311ll.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)



x	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2015



o	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission file number 1-11535

BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware		27-1754839
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

2650 Lou Menk Drive

Fort Worth, Texas

(Address of principal executive offices)

76131-2830

(Zip Code)

(800) 795-2673

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)



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.
Large accelerated filer [ ] Accelerated filer [ ] Non-accelerated filer [x] Smaller reporting company [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
		Yes [ ] No [x]
Registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H (1) (a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this Form 10-Q with the reduced disclosure format permitted by General Instruction H (2).

Table of Contents



PART I	FINANCIAL INFORMATION	PAGE

Item 1.	Financial Statements	3

Item 2.	Management’s Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations	21

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	24


PART II	OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	25

Item 6.	Exhibits	25

Signatures		S-1

Exhibits		E-1

Table of Contents

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Item 1.	Financial Statements.

BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC and SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In millions)

(Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015		2014
Revenues	$	5,602	$	5,447

Operating expenses:
Compensation and benefits	1,338		1,218
Fuel	713		1,159
Purchased services	648		653
Depreciation and amortization	496		515
Equipment rents	191		215
Materials and other	322		319
Total operating expenses	3,708		4,079
Operating income	1,894		1,368
Interest expense	217		196
Other expense, net	5		3

Income before income taxes	1,672		1,169
Income tax expense	627		445
Net income	$	1,045	$	724

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Table of Contents

BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC and SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In millions)

(Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015			2014
Net income	$	1,045		$	724

Other comprehensive income:
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income of equity method investees	(1		)	3
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(1		)	3
Total comprehensive income	$	1,044		$	727

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Table of Contents

BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC and SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions)

(Unaudited)



	March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,015		$	2,384
Accounts receivable, net	1,336			1,386
Materials and supplies	820			795
Current portion of deferred income taxes	209			355
Other current assets	226			232
Total current assets	5,606			5,152

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $4,127 and $3,550, respectively	56,513			55,806
Goodwill	14,819			14,819
Intangible assets, net	481			512
Other assets	1,943			1,914
Total assets	$	79,362		$	78,203

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	$	3,428		$	3,435
Long-term debt due within one year	295			366
Total current liabilities	3,723			3,801

Long-term debt	20,171			18,914
Deferred income taxes	17,998			18,001
Intangible liabilities, net	748			782
Casualty and environmental liabilities	628			639
Pension and retiree health and welfare liability	383			385
Other liabilities	933			947
Total liabilities	44,584			43,469
Commitments and contingencies (see Notes 6 and 7)
Equity:
Member’s equity	34,781			34,736
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(3		)	(2		)
Total equity	34,778			34,734
Total liabilities and equity	$	79,362		$	78,203

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Table of Contents

BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC and SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions)

(Unaudited)



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015			2014
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	1,045		$	724
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	496			515
Deferred income taxes	143			61
Long-term casualty and environmental liabilities, net	(11		)	(9		)
Other, net	(63		)	(217		)
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	49			(9		)
Materials and supplies	(25		)	(24		)
Other current assets	(82		)	(66		)
Accounts payable and other current liabilities	178			172
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,730			1,147

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures excluding equipment	(844		)	(645		)
Acquisition of equipment	(347		)	(273		)
Purchases of investments	(45		)	—
Other, net	(64		)	(96		)
Net cash used for investing activities	(1,300		)	(1,014		)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	1,500			1,500
Payments on long-term debt	(283		)	(538		)
Cash distributions	(1,000		)	(750		)
Other, net	(16		)	(15		)
Net cash provided by financing activities	201			197
Increase in cash and cash equivalents	631			330
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period	2,384			2,225
End of period	$	3,015		$	2,555

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	$	285		$	277
Capital investments accrued but not yet paid	$	166		$	119
Income taxes paid, net of refunds	$	11		$	34

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Table of Contents

BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC and SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(In millions)

(Unaudited)



	Member’s Equity			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income			Total Equity
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	34,736		$	(2	)	$	34,734
Cash distributions to Parent	(1,000		)	—			(1,000		)
Comprehensive income, net of tax	1,045			(1		)	1,044
Balance at March 31, 2015	$	34,781		$	(3	)	$	34,778

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Table of Contents

BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC and SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)


1.	Accounting Policies and Interim Results

The Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, including the financial statements and notes thereto. Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC (BNSF) is a holding company that conducts no operating activities and owns no significant assets other than through its interests in its subsidiaries. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of BNSF and its majority-owned subsidiaries, all of which are separate legal entities (collectively, the Company). BNSF’s principal operating subsidiary is BNSF Railway Company (BNSF Railway). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Subsequent to December 31, 2014, BNSF added a significant accounting policy for investments. Investments in fixed maturity securities and equity securities are classified at the acquisition date and the classification is re-evaluated at each balance sheet date. Trading securities are investments acquired with the intent to sell in the near term and are carried at fair value. All investments currently held are classified as trading securities and net unrealized gains or losses are recorded in income.

On February 12, 2010, Berkshire Hathaway Inc., a Delaware corporation (Berkshire), acquired 100% of the outstanding shares of Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation common stock that it did not already own. The acquisition was completed through the merger (Merger) of a Berkshire wholly-owned merger subsidiary and Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation with the surviving entity renamed Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC. Earnings per share data has not been presented because BNSF has not issued stock or membership interests to the public.

The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the entire year. In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, except as disclosed) necessary for a fair statement of BNSF’s consolidated financial position as of March 31, 2015, and the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

Subsequent Event

In April 2015, the Board of Managers (the Board) of the Company authorized an additional $3 billion of debt securities

that may be issued pursuant to the debt shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC),

for a total of $3.25 billion that remains authorized by the Board to be issued through the SEC debt shelf offering process.


2.	Accounts Receivable, Net

Accounts receivable, net consists of freight and other receivables, reduced by an allowance for bill adjustments and uncollectible accounts, based upon expected collectibility. At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, $56 million of such allowances had been recorded.

At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, $50 million and $35 million, respectively, of accounts receivable were greater than 90 days old.

Table of Contents

BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC and SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) - (Continued)


3.	Investments

BNSF holds investments which are classified as trading securities and included in Other Assets on the balance sheet. The following table summarizes the fair value of investments held as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (in millions):



	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
Debt securities	$	32	$	—
Equity securities	13		—
Total	$	45	$	—

Prior to the quarter-ended March 31, 2015, all investments were primarily held in cash and cash equivalents.

The fair value measurements of BNSF’s debt securities are based on Level 2 inputs and equity securities are based on Level 1 inputs, using a market approach. Unrealized gains and losses recognized in earnings for the period ended March 31, 2015 were less than $1 million.

Table of Contents

BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC and SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) - (Continued)


4.	Other Intangible Assets and Liabilities

Intangible assets and liabilities were as follows (in millions):



	As of March 31, 2015				As of December 31, 2014
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization
Intangible assets	$	646	$	165	$	2,031	$	1,519
Intangible liabilities	$	1,403	$	655	$	2,056	$	1,274

As of March 31, 2015, intangible assets primarily consisted of franchise and customer assets. At December 31, 2014, intangible assets also included internally developed software that became fully amortized in the first quarter of 2015. Intangible liabilities primarily consisted of customer and shortline contracts which were in an unfavorable position at the date of Merger.

Amortizable intangible assets and liabilities are amortized based on the estimated pattern in which the economic benefits are expected to be consumed or on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic lives.

Amortization of intangible assets and liabilities was as follows (in millions):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015		2014
Amortization of intangible assets	$	31	$	77
Amortization of intangible liabilities	$	34	$	44

Amortization of intangible assets and liabilities for the next five years is expected to approximate the following (in millions):



	Amortization of intangible assets		Amortization of intangible liabilities
Remainder of 2015	$	25	$	81
2016	$	33	$	101
2017	$	33	$	96
2018	$	31	$	90
2019	$	31	$	27


5.	Other Assets

In July 2010, the Company entered into a low-income housing partnership (the Partnership) as the limited partner, holding a 99.9% interest in the Partnership. The Partnership is a variable interest entity (VIE), with the purpose of developing and operating low-income housing rental properties. Recovery of the Company’s investment is accomplished through the utilization of low-income housing tax credits and the tax benefits of Partnership losses. The general partner, who holds a 0.1% interest in the Partnership, is an unrelated third party and is responsible for controlling and managing the business and financial operation of the Partnership. As the Company does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the Partnership’s economic performance, the Company is not the primary beneficiary and therefore, does not consolidate the Partnership. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the assets of the unconsolidated Partnership totaled approximately $320 million and $330 million, respectively. The Company does not provide financial support to the Partnership that it was not previously contractually obligated to provide.

Table of Contents

BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC and SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) - (Continued)

The Company has accounted for its investment in the Partnership using the effective yield method. The risk of loss of the Company's investment in the Partnership is considered low as an affiliate of the general partner has provided certain guarantees of tax credits and minimum annual returns. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recognized a reduction to income tax expense of $9 million and $10 million, respectively. The Company’s maximum exposure to loss related to the Partnership is the unamortized investment balance. The following table provides information related to this Partnership (in millions):



	March 31, 2015		December 31, 2014
Unamortized investment balance classified as Other Assets	$	298	$	314
Remaining commitment classified as Other Liabilities	$	18	$	18
Maximum exposure to loss	$	298	$	314

The remaining commitment of $18 million is expected to be paid in 2015.


6.	Debt

Notes and Debentures

In March 2015, BNSF issued $500 million of 3.000 percent debentures due April 1, 2025 and $1 billion of 4.150 percent debentures due April 1, 2045. The net proceeds from the sale of the debentures will be used for general corporate purposes, which may include but are not limited to working capital, capital expenditures, repayment of outstanding indebtedness and distributions.

The Company is required to maintain certain financial covenants in conjunction with $500 million of certain issued and outstanding junior subordinated notes. As of March 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with these covenants. In the event of non-compliance, the Company would be required to pay any accrued and unpaid interest.

Fair Value of Debt Instruments

At March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the fair value of BNSF's debt, excluding capital leases and unamortized gains on interest rate swaps, was $22,185 million and $20,543 million, respectively, while the book value, which also excludes capital leases and the associated unamortized fair value adjustment under acquisition method accounting related to capital leases and unamortized gains on interest rate swaps, was $19,692 million and $18,471 million, respectively. The fair value of BNSF's debt is primarily based on market value price models using observable market-based data for the same or similar issues, or on the estimated rates that would be offered to BNSF for debt of the same remaining maturities (Level 2 inputs).

Table of Contents

BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC and SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) - (Continued)

Guarantees

As of March 31, 2015, BNSF has not been called upon to perform under the guarantees specifically disclosed in this footnote and does not anticipate a significant performance risk in the foreseeable future.

Debt and other obligations of non-consolidated entities guaranteed by the Company as of March 31, 2015, were as follows (dollars in millions):



	Guarantees
	BNSF Ownership Percentage		Principal Amount Guaranteed		Maximum Future Payments		Maximum Recourse Amount^a		Remaining Term (in years)	Capitalized Obligations
Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P.	0.5	%	$	190	$	190	$	—	Termination of Ownership	$	2	^b
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP	—	%	N/A^d		N/A^d		N/A^d		2	$	4	^c


^a	Reflects the maximum amount the Company could recover from a third party other than the counterparty.


^b	Reflects capitalized obligations that are recorded on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.


^c	Reflects the asset and corresponding liability for the fair value of these guarantees required by authoritative accounting guidance related to guarantees.


^d	There is no cap to the liability that can be sought from BNSF for BNSF’s negligence or the negligence of the indemnified party. However, BNSF could receive reimbursement from certain insurance policies if the liability exceeds a certain amount.

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P.

Santa Fe Pacific Pipelines, Inc., an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BNSF, has a guarantee in connection with its remaining special limited partnership interest in Santa Fe Pacific Pipeline Partners, L.P. (SFPP), a subsidiary of Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P., to be paid only upon default by the partnership. All obligations with respect to the guarantee will cease upon termination of ownership rights, which would occur upon a put notice issued by BNSF or the exercise of the call rights by the general partners of SFPP.

Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP

In 2007, BNSF entered into an indemnity agreement with Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP (Chevron Phillips), granting certain rights of indemnity from BNSF, in order to facilitate access to a new storage facility. Under certain circumstances, payment under this obligation may be required in the event Chevron Phillips were to incur certain liabilities or other incremental costs resulting from trackage access.

Indemnities

In the ordinary course of business, BNSF enters into agreements with third parties that include indemnification clauses. The Company believes that these clauses are generally customary for the types of agreements in which they are included. At times, these clauses may involve indemnification for the acts of the Company, its employees and agents, indemnification for another party’s acts, indemnification for future events, indemnification based upon a certain standard of performance, indemnification for liabilities arising out of the Company’s use of leased equipment or other property, or other types of indemnification. Despite the uncertainty whether events which would trigger the indemnification obligations would ever occur, the Company does not believe that these indemnity agreements will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial position or liquidity. Additionally, the Company believes that, due to lack of historical payment experience, the fair value of indemnities cannot be estimated with any amount of certainty. However, the fair value of any such amount would be immaterial to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Agreements that reflect unique circumstances, particularly agreements that contain guarantees that indemnify for another party’s acts, are disclosed separately, if appropriate. Unless separately disclosed above, no fair value liability related to indemnities has been recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Table of Contents

BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC and SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) - (Continued)

Variable Interest Entities - Leases

BNSF Railway has entered into various equipment lease transactions in which the structure of the lease contains VIEs. These VIEs were created solely for the lease transactions and have no other activities, assets or liabilities outside of the lease transactions. In some of the arrangements, BNSF Railway has the option to purchase some or all of the equipment at a fixed-price, thereby creating variable interests for BNSF Railway in the VIEs. The future minimum lease payments associated with the VIE leases were approximately $3 billion as of March 31, 2015.

In the event the leased equipment is destroyed, BNSF Railway is obligated to either replace the equipment or pay a fixed loss amount. The inclusion of the fixed loss amount is a standard clause within equipment lease arrangements. Historically, BNSF Railway has not incurred significant losses related to this clause. As such, it is not anticipated that the maximum exposure to loss would materially differ from the future minimum lease payments.

BNSF Railway does not provide financial support to the VIEs that it was not previously contractually obligated to provide.

BNSF Railway maintains and operates the equipment based on contractual obligations within the lease arrangements, which set specific guidelines consistent within the industry. As such, BNSF Railway has no control over activities that could materially impact the fair value of the leased equipment. BNSF Railway does not hold the power to direct the activities of the VIEs and therefore does not control the ongoing activities that have a significant impact on the economic performance of the VIEs. Additionally, BNSF Railway does not have the obligation to absorb losses of the VIEs or the right to receive benefits of the VIEs that could potentially be significant to the VIEs. Depending on market conditions, the fixed-price purchase options could potentially provide benefit to the Company; however, any benefits potentially received from a fixed-price purchase option are expected to be minimal. Based on these factors, BNSF Railway is not the primary beneficiary of the VIEs. As BNSF Railway is not the primary beneficiary and the VIE leases are classified as operating leases, there are no assets or liabilities related to the VIEs recorded in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Table of Contents

BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC and SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) - (Continued)


7.	Commitments and Contingencies

Personal Injury

Personal injury claims, including asbestos claims and employee work-related injuries and third-party injuries (collectively, other personal injury), are a significant expense for the railroad industry. Personal injury claims by BNSF Railway employees are subject to the provisions of the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) rather than state workers’ compensation laws. FELA’s system of requiring the finding of fault, coupled with unscheduled awards and reliance on the jury system, contributed to increased expenses in past years. Other proceedings include claims by non-employees for punitive as well as compensatory damages. A few proceedings purport to be class actions. The variability present in settling these claims, including non-employee personal injury and matters in which punitive damages are alleged, could result in increased expenses in future years. BNSF has implemented a number of safety programs designed to reduce the number of personal injuries as well as the associated claims and personal injury expense.

BNSF records an undiscounted liability for personal injury claims when the expected loss is both probable and reasonably estimable. The liability and ultimate expense projections are estimated using standard actuarial methodologies. Liabilities recorded for unasserted personal injury claims are based on information currently available. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in projecting future events such as the number of claims filed each year, developments in judicial and legislative standards and the average costs to settle projected claims, actual costs may differ from amounts recorded. Expense accruals and any required adjustments are classified as materials and other in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Asbestos

The Company is party to a number of personal injury claims by employees and non-employees who may have been exposed to asbestos. The heaviest exposure for certain BNSF employees was due to work conducted in and around the use of steam locomotive engines that were phased out between the years of 1950 and 1967. However, other types of exposures, including exposure from locomotive component parts and building materials, continued after 1967 until they were substantially eliminated at BNSF by 1985.

BNSF assesses its unasserted asbestos liability exposure on an annual basis during the third quarter. BNSF determines its asbestos liability by estimating its exposed population, the number of claims likely to be filed, the number of claims that will likely require payment and the estimated cost per claim. Estimated filing and dismissal rates and average cost per claim are determined utilizing recent claim data and trends.

Throughout the year, BNSF monitors actual experience against the number of forecasted claims and expected claim payments and will record adjustments to the Company's estimates as necessary.

Based on BNSF’s estimate of the potentially exposed employees and related mortality assumptions, it is anticipated that unasserted asbestos claims will continue to be filed through the year 2050. The Company recorded an amount for the full estimated filing period through 2050 because it had a relatively finite exposed population (former and current employees hired prior to 1985), which it was able to identify and reasonably estimate and about which it had obtained reliable demographic data (including age, hire date and occupation) derived from industry or BNSF specific data that was the basis for the study. BNSF projects that approximately 60, 80 and 95 percent of the future unasserted asbestos claims will be filed within the next 10, 15 and 25 years, respectively.

Other Personal Injury

BNSF estimates its other personal injury liability claims and expense quarterly based on the covered population, activity levels and trends in frequency and the costs of covered injuries. Estimates include unasserted claims except for certain repetitive stress and other occupational trauma claims that allegedly result from prolonged repeated events or exposure. Such claims are estimated on an as-reported basis because the Company cannot estimate the range of reasonably possible loss due to other non-work related contributing causes of such injuries and the fact that continued exposure is required for the potential injury to manifest itself as a claim. BNSF has not experienced any significant adverse trends related to these types of claims in recent years.

Table of Contents

BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC and SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) - (Continued)

BNSF monitors quarterly actual experience against the number of forecasted claims to be received, the forecasted number of claims closing with payment and expected claim payments. Adjustments to the Company’s estimates are recorded quarterly as necessary or more frequently as new events or revised estimates develop.

The following tables summarize the activity in the Company’s accrued obligations for asbestos and other personal injury matters (in millions):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015			2014
Beginning balance	$	375		$	387
Accruals	18			18
Payments	(20		)	(19		)
Ending balance	$	373		$	386

At March 31, 2015, $80 million was included in current liabilities. Defense and processing costs, which are recorded on an as-reported basis, were not included in the recorded liability. The Company is primarily self-insured for personal injury claims.

Because of the uncertainty surrounding the ultimate outcome of personal injury claims, it is reasonably possible that future costs to settle personal injury claims may range from approximately $330 million to $440 million. However, BNSF believes that the $373 million recorded at March 31, 2015 is the best estimate of the Company’s future obligation for the settlement of personal injury claims.

The amounts recorded by BNSF for personal injury liabilities were based upon currently known facts. Future events, such as the number of new claims to be filed each year, the average cost of disposing of claims, as well as the numerous uncertainties surrounding personal injury litigation in the United States, could cause the actual costs to be higher or lower than projected.

Although the final outcome of personal injury matters cannot be predicted with certainty, considering among other things the meritorious legal defenses available and liabilities that have been recorded, it is the opinion of BNSF that none of these items, when finally resolved, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or liquidity. However, the occurrence of a number of these items in the same period could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations in a particular quarter or fiscal year.

BNSF Insurance Company

The Company has a consolidated, wholly-owned subsidiary, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Insurance Company, Ltd. (BNSF IC) that provides insurance coverage for certain risks, FELA claims, railroad protective and force account insurance claims and certain excess general liability and property coverage, and certain other claims which are subject to reinsurance. BNSF IC has entered into annual reinsurance treaty agreements with several other companies. The treaty agreements insure workers compensation, general liability, auto liability and FELA risk. In accordance with the agreements, BNSF IC cedes a portion of its FELA exposure through the treaty and assumes a proportionate share of the entire risk. Each year BNSF IC reviews the objectives and performance of the treaty to determine its continued participation in the treaty. The treaty agreements provide for certain protections against the risk of treaty participants’ non-performance. On an on-going basis, BNSF and/or the treaty manager reviews the credit-worthiness of each of the participants. BNSF does not believe its exposure to treaty participants’ non-performance is material at this time. BNSF IC typically invests in time deposits and money market accounts. At March 31, 2015, there was approximately $315 million related to these third-party investments, which were classified as cash and cash equivalents on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet, as compared with approximately $485 million at December 31, 2014.

Table of Contents

BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC and SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) - (Continued)

Environmental

The Company’s operations, as well as those of its competitors, are subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental regulation. BNSF’s operating procedures include practices to protect the environment from the risks inherent in railroad operations, which frequently involve transporting chemicals and other hazardous materials. Additionally, many of BNSF’s land holdings are and have been used for industrial or transportation-related purposes or leased to commercial or industrial companies whose activities may have resulted in discharges onto the property. As a result, BNSF is subject to environmental cleanup and enforcement actions. In particular, the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), also known as the Superfund law, as well as similar state laws, generally impose joint and several liability for cleanup and enforcement costs on current and former owners and operators of a site without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct. BNSF has been notified that it is a potentially responsible party (PRP) for study and cleanup costs at Superfund sites for which investigation and remediation payments are or will be made or are yet to be determined (the Superfund sites) and, in many instances, is one of several PRPs. In addition, BNSF may be considered a PRP under certain other laws. Accordingly, under CERCLA and other federal and state statutes, BNSF may be held jointly and severally liable for all environmental costs associated with a particular site. If there are other PRPs, BNSF generally participates in the cleanup of these sites through cost-sharing agreements with terms that vary from site to site. Costs are typically allocated based on such factors as relative volumetric contribution of material, the amount of time the site was owned or operated and/or the portion of the total site owned or operated by each PRP.

BNSF is involved in a number of administrative and judicial proceedings and other mandatory cleanup efforts for 225 sites, including 16 Superfund sites, at which it is participating in the study or cleanup, or both, of alleged environmental contamination.

Liabilities for environmental cleanup costs are recorded when BNSF’s liability for environmental cleanup is probable and reasonably estimable. Subsequent adjustments to initial estimates are recorded as necessary based upon additional information developed in subsequent periods. Environmental costs include initial site surveys and environmental studies as well as costs for remediation of sites determined to be contaminated.

BNSF estimates the ultimate cost of cleanup efforts at its known environmental sites on an annual basis during the third quarter. Ultimate cost estimates for environmental sites are based on current estimated percentage to closure ratios, possible remediation workplans and estimates of the costs and likelihood of each possible outcome, historical payment patterns, and benchmark patterns developed from data accumulated from industry and public sources, including the Environmental Protection Agency and other governmental agencies. These factors incorporate into the estimates experience gained from cleanup efforts at other similar sites.

Annual studies do not include: (i) contaminated sites of which the Company is not aware; (ii) additional amounts for third-party tort claims, which arise out of contaminants allegedly migrating from BNSF property, due to a limited number of sites; or (iii) natural resource damage claims. BNSF continues to estimate third-party tort claims on a site by site basis when the liability for such claims is probable and reasonably estimable. BNSF’s recorded liability for third-party tort claims as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was $13 million and $15 million, respectively.

On a quarterly basis, BNSF monitors actual experience against the forecasted remediation and related payments made on existing sites and conducts ongoing environmental contingency analyses, which consider a combination of factors including independent consulting reports, site visits, legal reviews and analysis of the likelihood of other PRP's participation in, and their ability to pay for, cleanup. Adjustments to the Company’s estimates will continue to be recorded as necessary based on developments in subsequent periods. Additionally, environmental accruals, which are classified as materials and other in the Consolidated Statements of Income, include amounts for newly identified sites or contaminants, third-party claims and legal fees incurred for defense of third-party claims and recovery efforts.

Table of Contents

BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC and SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) - (Continued)

The following tables summarize the activity in the Company’s accrued obligations for environmental matters (in millions):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015			2014
Beginning balance	$	404		$	435
Accruals	1			2
Payments	(10		)	(10		)
Ending balance	$	395		$	427

At March 31, 2015, $60 million was included in current liabilities.

BNSF’s environmental liabilities are not discounted. BNSF anticipates that the majority of the accrued costs at March 31, 2015, will be paid over the next ten years, and no individual site is considered to be material.

Liabilities recorded for environmental costs represent BNSF’s best estimate of its probable future obligation for the remediation and settlement of these sites and include both asserted and unasserted claims. Although recorded liabilities include BNSF’s best estimate of all probable costs, without reduction for anticipated recoveries from third parties, BNSF’s total cleanup costs at these sites cannot be predicted with certainty due to various factors such as the extent of corrective actions that may be required, evolving environmental laws and regulations, advances in environmental technology, the extent of other parties’ participation in cleanup efforts, developments in ongoing environmental analyses related to sites determined to be contaminated and developments in environmental surveys and studies of contaminated sites.

Because of the uncertainty surrounding these factors, it is reasonably possible that future costs for environmental liabilities may range from approximately $295 million to $530 million. However, BNSF believes that the $395 million recorded at March 31, 2015 is the best estimate of the Company’s future obligation for environmental costs.

Although the final outcome of these environmental matters cannot be predicted with certainty, it is the opinion of BNSF that none of these items, when finally resolved, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or liquidity. However, the occurrence of a number of these items in the same period could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations in a particular quarter or fiscal year.

Other Claims and Litigation

In addition to asbestos, other personal injury and environmental matters discussed above, BNSF and its subsidiaries are also parties to a number of other legal actions and claims, governmental proceedings and private civil suits arising in the ordinary course of business, including those related to disputes and complaints involving certain transportation rates and charges. Some of the legal proceedings include claims for punitive as well as compensatory damages, and a few proceedings purport to be class actions. Although the final outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, considering among other things the meritorious legal defenses available and liabilities that have been recorded along with applicable insurance, BNSF currently believes that none of these items, when finally resolved, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or liquidity. However, an unexpected adverse resolution of one or more of these items could have a material adverse effect on the results of operations in a particular quarter or fiscal year.

Table of Contents

BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC and SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) - (Continued)


8.	Employment Benefit Plans

Components of the net cost for the periods presented below for certain employee benefit plans were as follows (in millions):



	Pension Benefits
	Three Months Ended March 31,
Net Cost	2015			2014
Service cost	$	12		$	10
Interest cost	23			24
Expected return on plan assets	(35		)	(34		)
Net cost recognized	$	—		$	—



	Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits
	Three Months Ended March 31,
Net Cost	2015			2014
Interest cost	2			3
Amortization of prior service credits	(1		)	(1		)
Amortization of net loss	1			1
Net cost recognized	$	2		$	3


9.	Related Party Transactions

The companies identified as affiliates of BNSF include Berkshire and its subsidiaries. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company declared and paid cash distributions of $1 billion and $750 million, respectively, to its parent company. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company made tax payments of less than $1 million to Berkshire.

BNSF engages in various arm's-length transactions with affiliates in the ordinary course of business. The following tables summarize revenues earned by BNSF for services provided to affiliates and expenditures to affiliates (in millions):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015		2014
Revenues	$	42	$	40
Expenditures	$	5	$	6

Table of Contents

BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC and SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) - (Continued)


10.	Comprehensive Income

Other comprehensive income refers to revenues, expenses, gains and losses that under generally accepted accounting principles are included in comprehensive income, a component of equity within the Consolidated Balance Sheets, rather than net income on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Under existing accounting standards, other comprehensive income may include, among other things, unrecognized gains and losses and prior service credit related to pension and other postretirement benefit plans.

The following tables provide the components of accumulated other comprehensive income / (loss) (AOCI) by component (in millions):



	Pension and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefit Items^a		Equity Method Investments			Total
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	—	$	(2	)	$	(2	)
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—		(1		)	(1		)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	—		—			—
Balance at March 31, 2015	$	—	$	(3	)	$	(3	)

Balance at December 31, 2013	$	251	$	(6	)	$	245
Other comprehensive income before reclassifications	—		3			3
Amounts reclassified from AOCI	—		—			—
Balance at March 31, 2014	$	251	$	(3	)	$	248

^a Amounts are net of tax.



Reclassifications out of AOCI^b

	Three Months Ended March 31,
Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components	2015			2014			Income Statement Line Item
Amortization of pension and retiree health and welfare benefit items
Actuarial losses	$	(1	)	$	(1	)	^c
Prior service credits	1			1			^c
	—			—			Total before tax
	—			—			Tax (expense) / benefit
Total reclassifications for the period	$	—		$	—		Net of tax

^b Amounts in parenthesis indicate debits to the income statement.

^c This accumulated other comprehensive income component is included in the computation of net periodic pension cost and retiree health and welfare (see Note 8 for additional details).

Table of Contents

BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC and SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) - (Continued)


11.	Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 (ASU 2014-09), Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The guidance in ASU 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification Topic 605, Revenue Recognition. ASU 2014-09 applies to most contracts with customers. Insurance and leasing contracts are excluded from the scope. ASU 2014-09 prescribes a five step framework in accounting for revenues from contracts within its scope, including (a) identification of the contract, (b) identification of the performance obligation under the contract, (c) determination of the transaction price, (d) allocation of the transaction price to the identified performance obligation and (e) recognition of revenue as the identified performance obligation is satisfied. ASU 2014-09 also prescribes additional disclosures and financial statement presentations. ASU 2014-09 is effective for public companies in annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. In April of 2015, the FASB tentatively decided to defer the effective date one year to annual reporting periods beginning after December, 15, 2017. Early adoption would be permitted, but not before the original effective date (annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period). ASU 2014-09 may be adopted retrospectively or under a modified retrospective method where the cumulative effect is recognized at the date of initial application. The Company has assessed the effects of this standard and does not expect it to have a material impact to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-03 (ASU 2015-03), Interest - Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30), Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This standard requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. BNSF currently reflects debt issuance costs in Other Assets on the Statement of Financial Position. ASU 2015-03 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. This standard is to be applied on a retrospective basis, wherein the balance sheet of each individual period presented is adjusted to reflect the period-specific effects of applying the new guidance. Upon transition, an entity is required to comply with the applicable disclosures for a change in an accounting principle. These disclosures include the nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle, the transition method, a description of the prior-period information that has been retrospectively adjusted, and the effect of the change on the financial statement line items. Adoption of this guidance will result in a reduction to assets and an equal reduction to debt on the Statement of Financial Position and is not expected to have a material impact to the Company's financial condition or liquidity.

In April 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-05 (ASU 2015-05), Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40), Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement. This standard provides guidance about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the software license element of the arrangement should be accounted for consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. ASU 2015-05 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those years. This standard can be adopted either prospectively to all arrangements entered into or materially modified after the effective date or retrospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this standard will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements.

Table of Contents


Item 2.	Management’s Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations.

Management’s narrative analysis relates to the results of operations of Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC and its majority-owned subsidiaries (collectively BNSF, Registrant or Company). The principal operating subsidiary of BNSF is BNSF Railway Company (BNSF Railway) through which BNSF derives substantially all of its revenues. The following narrative analysis should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes.

The following narrative analysis of results of operations includes a comparative analysis of the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.

Results of Operations

Revenues Summary

The following tables present BNSF’s revenue information by business group:



	Revenues (in millions)				Cars / Units (in thousands)
	Three Months Ended March 31,				Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015		2014		2015	2014
Consumer Products	$	1,503	$	1,663	1,128	1,194
Industrial Products	1,435		1,407		467	452
Coal	1,269		1,224		600	563
Agricultural Products	1,166		976		271	236
Total Freight Revenues	5,373		5,270		2,466	2,445
Other Revenues	229		177
Total Operating Revenues	$	5,602	$	5,447



	Average Revenue Per Car / Unit
	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015		2014
Consumer Products	$	1,332	$	1,393
Industrial Products	3,073		3,113
Coal	2,115		2,174
Agricultural Products	4,303		4,136
Total Freight Revenues	$	2,179	$	2,155

Fuel Surcharges

Freight revenues include both revenue for transportation services and fuel surcharges. BNSF’s fuel surcharge program is intended to recover its incremental fuel costs when fuel prices exceed a threshold fuel price. Fuel surcharges are calculated differently depending on the type of commodity transported. BNSF has two standard fuel surcharge programs – Percent of Revenue and Mileage-Based. In addition, in certain commodities, fuel surcharge is calculated using a fuel price from a time period that can be up to 60 days earlier. In a period of volatile fuel prices or changing customer business mix, changes in fuel expense and fuel surcharge may significantly differ.

The following table presents fuel surcharge and fuel expense information (in millions):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2015		2014
Total fuel expense ^a	$	713	$	1,159
BNSF fuel surcharges	$	483	$	703

^a Total fuel expense includes locomotive and non-locomotive fuel.

Table of Contents

Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 vs. the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014

Revenues

Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were $5,602 million, an increase of $155 million, or 3 percent, as compared with the three months ended March 31, 2014. The increase in revenues is due to the following changes in revenues:


▪	Average revenue per car / unit increased by 1 percent as business mix changes as well as increased rate per car / unit were partially offset by lower fuel surcharges.


▪	Consumer Products unit volumes decreased primarily due to congestion on the U.S. West Coast caused by port labor disruptions.


▪	Industrial Products unit volumes increased primarily due to expanded shipments of frac sand and taconite, partially offset by less steel products.


▪	Coal unit volumes increased primarily due to higher demand.


▪	Agricultural Products unit volumes increased due to heightened customer corn and milo export demand and improved service.

Expenses

Operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2015 were $3,708 million, a decrease of $371 million, or 9 percent, as compared with the three months ended March 31, 2014. A significant portion of this decrease is due to the following changes in expenses, which includes increased costs in the prior year related to severe weather issues and service-related challenges:


▪	Compensation and benefits expense increased primarily due to higher average headcount and wage inflation.


▪	Fuel expense decreased due to lower average prices and improved efficiency, partially offset by higher volumes.


▪	There were no significant changes in purchased services expense, depreciation and amortization expense, equipment rents expense, and materials and other expense.


▪	Interest expense increased primarily due to a higher average debt balance.


▪	The effective tax rate was 37.5 percent and 38.1 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The 2015 effective tax rate was impacted by a favorable state tax settlement.

Table of Contents

Forward-Looking Information

To the extent that statements made by the Company relate to the Company’s future economic performance or business outlook, projections or expectations of financial or operational results, or refer to matters that are not historical facts, such statements are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws.

Forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual performance or results may differ materially. For a discussion of material risks and uncertainties that the Company faces, see the discussion in Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Economic and industry conditions: material adverse changes in economic or industry conditions, both in the United States and globally; volatility in the capital or credit markets including changes affecting the timely availability and cost of capital; changes in customer demand, effects of adverse economic conditions affecting shippers or BNSF’s supplier base, and effects due to more stringent regulatory policies such as the regulation of carbon dioxide emissions that could reduce the demand for coal or governmental tariffs or subsidies that could affect the demand for grain, the impact of low natural gas or oil prices on energy-related commodities demand, changes in environmental laws and other laws and regulations that could affect the demand for drilling products and products produced by drilling, changes in fuel prices and other key materials, the impact of high barriers to entry for prospective new suppliers and disruptions in supply chains for these materials; competition and consolidation within the transportation industry; and changes in crew availability, labor and benefits costs and labor difficulties, including stoppages affecting either BNSF’s operations or customers’ abilities to deliver goods to BNSF for shipment.

• Legal, legislative and regulatory factors: developments and changes in laws and regulations, including those affecting train operations, the marketing of services or regulatory restrictions on equipment; the ultimate outcome of shipper and rate claims subject to adjudication; claims; investigations or litigation alleging violations of the antitrust laws; increased economic regulation of the rail industry through legislative action and revised rules and standards applied by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board in various areas including rates and services; developments in environmental investigations or proceedings with respect to rail operations or current or past ownership or control of real property or properties owned by others impacted by BNSF operations; losses resulting from claims and litigation relating to personal injuries, asbestos and other occupational diseases; the release of hazardous materials, environmental contamination and damage to property; regulation, restrictions or caps, or other controls on transportation of petroleum-based fuel or other operating restrictions that could affect operations or increase costs; the availability of adequate insurance to cover the risks associated with operations and changes in tax rates and tax laws.

• Operating factors: changes in operating conditions and costs; operational and other difficulties in implementing positive train control technology, including increased compliance or operational costs or penalties; restrictions on development and expansion plans due to environmental concerns; disruptions to BNSF's technology network including computer systems and software, such as cybersecurity intrusions, misappropriation of assets or sensitive information, corruption of data or operational disruptions; network congestion, including effects of greater than anticipated demand for transportation services and equipment; as well as natural events such as severe weather, fires, floods and earthquakes or man-made or other disruptions of BNSF Railway’s or other railroads’ operating systems, structures, or equipment including the effects of acts of terrorism on the Company’s system or other railroads’ systems or other links in the transportation chain.

The Company cautions against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect its current beliefs and are based on information currently available to it as of the date a forward-looking statement is made. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs. In the event the Company does update any forward-looking statement, no inference should be made that the Company will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statements.

Table of Contents


Item 4.	Controls and Procedures.

Based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, BNSF’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that BNSF’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by BNSF in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to BNSF’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Additionally, as of the end of the period covered by this report, BNSF's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that there have been no changes in BNSF's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during BNSF’s first fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, BNSF's internal control over financial reporting.

Table of Contents

BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC and SUBSIDIARIES

PART II OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.	Legal Proceedings.

On March 19, 2015, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) published a staff investigative report and a complaint against BNSF Railway alleging under-reporting of 14 hazardous materials releases during the time period between November 1, 2014 and February 24, 2015. The UTC claims that the alleged failures to report and associated releases resulted in 700 violations and $700,000 in fines. The relevant regulations allow for penalties of $1,000 per violation and each day that a party fails to report a release may constitute a separate violation. BNSF Railway has not formally responded to the charges as yet and, based on its internal review, it currently believes that over 90 percent of the alleged technical violations are incorrect, which, if accepted by the UTC, would result in an ultimate fine of less than $100,000.

The U.S. Department of Justice sent a notice to BNSF Railway on March 13, 2015 alleging violations of the Clean Water Act based on (i) four incidents that led to releases of fuel (and lube oil in one incident) from locomotives into water bodies within U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 8, and (ii) claimed deficiencies in four facility Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans, and two Facility Response Plans (FRP). BNSF Railway disputes many elements of the notice, and its assessment indicates that only two of the four releases impacted water bodies. Although the final amount of any fine is unresolved, the fines could exceed $100,000.

On March 5, 2015, a loaded BNSF Railway crude oil train derailed near Galena, IL. Some of the derailed railcars released crude oil in and around a wetland and a number of the derailed cars caught fire at the derailment location. The Illinois Attorney General’s office and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency informed BNSF Railway that they will be filing a complaint and an enforcement order against BNSF Railway with regard to the derailment and release of crude oil. Although no complaint or order has been received and no penalty has yet been proposed, the total penalties could exceed $100,000.


Item 6.	Exhibits.

See Index to Exhibits on page E-1 for a description of the exhibits filed as part of this report.

Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



	BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC (Registrant)

	By:	/s/ Julie A. Piggott
		Julie A. Piggott Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (On behalf of the Registrant and as principal financial officer)

Date: May 1, 2015

S-1

Table of Contents

BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC and SUBSIDIARIES

Exhibit Index



		Incorporated by Reference (if applicable)
	Exhibit Number and Description	Form	File Date	File No.	Exhibit

3.1	Certificate of Formation dated November 2, 2009.	8-K	2/16/2010	001-11535	3.1

3.2	Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC, dated as of February 12, 2010.	8-K	2/16/2010	001-11535	3.2

3.3	Written Consent of sole member of Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC, dated April 8, 2010, amending and restating certain sections of the Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC dated as of February 12, 2010.	8-K	4/14/2010	001-11535	3.2

4.1	Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 9, 2015, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1995, between Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.	8-K	3/5/2015	001-11535	4.1

4.2	Certificate of Determination as to the terms of BNSF’s 3.000% Debentures due April 1, 2025 and 4.150% Debentures due April 1, 2045.	8-K	3/9/2015	001-11535	4.2

12.1	Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.*

31.1	Principal Executive Officer’s Certifications Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

31.2	Principal Financial Officer’s Certifications Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

32.1	Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002).*

101	eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) documents submitted electronically: 101.INS - XBRL Instance Document 101.SCH - XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document 101.CAL - XBRL Extension Calculation Linkable Document 101.DEF - XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkable Document 101.LAB - XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase 101.PRE - XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

	The following unaudited information from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2015, formatted in XBRL includes: (i) the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity as of March 31, 2015, and (vi) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. *

Certain instruments defining the rights of the holders of long-term debt of the Company and of its subsidiaries, involving a total

amount of indebtedness not in excess of 10 percent of the total assets of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis,

have not been filed as exhibits. The Company hereby agrees to furnish a copy of any of these agreements to the SEC upon request.

__________________

* Filed herewith

E-1

Attached files

BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTA FE, LLC Reports

Also read