EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 934612
Filing Year: 2022
Filename: 934612_10-K_2022_0000934612-22-000005.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Item 1. Business
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation was incorporated in the State of Delaware on December 16, 1994. 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 (BNSF, Registrant, or Company). Further information about the Merger is incorporated by reference from Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
BNSF is a holding company that conducts no operating activities and owns no significant assets other than through its interests in its subsidiaries. Through its subsidiaries, BNSF is engaged primarily in the freight rail transportation business. The rail operations of BNSF Railway Company (BNSF Railway), the Company’s principal operating subsidiary, comprise one of the largest railroad systems in North America. As of December 31, 2021, BNSF Railway had approximately 35,125 employees.
BNSF’s internet address is www.bnsf.com. Through this internet website (under the “About BNSF/Financial Information” link), BNSF makes available, free of charge, its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K, as well as all amendments to these reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after these reports are electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). BNSF makes available on its website other previously filed SEC reports, registration statements and exhibits via a link to the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. BNSF’s Code of Conduct for officers and salaried employees, along with other information about its business, is also made available on the Company’s website. BNSF intends to disclose any amendments to the Code of Conduct or any waiver from a provision of the Code of Conduct on its website.
Further discussion of the Company’s business, including equipment and its business units, is incorporated by reference from Item 2, “Properties”.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Item 1A. Risk Factors
The information set forth in Item 1A should be read in conjunction with the rest of the information in this report, including Item 7, "Management’s Narrative Analysis of Results of Operations", and Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data".
Legal and Regulatory Risks.
The Company’s success depends on its ability to continue to comply with the significant federal, state, and local governmental regulations to which it is subject.
The Company is subject to a significant amount of governmental laws and regulations with respect to its rates and practices, taxes, railroad operations, and a variety of health, safety, labor, environmental, and other matters. Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect on the Company. Governments may change the legislative and/or regulatory framework within which the Company operates without providing the Company with any recourse for any adverse effects that the change may have on its business. Complying with legislative and regulatory changes may pose significant operating and implementation risks and require significant capital expenditures.
Changes in government policy could negatively impact demand for the Company’s services, impair its ability to price its services, or increase its costs or liability exposure.
Changes in United States and foreign government policies could change the economic environment and affect demand for the Company’s services. For example, changes in clean air laws, regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, permitting, or other regulatory requirements could reduce the demand for coal and other fossil fuels, or other products and revenues from the transportation services provided by BNSF Railway. Also, changes in environmental laws and other laws and regulations could reduce the demand for drilling products and products produced by drilling. United States and foreign government tariffs or subsidies could affect the demand for products the Company hauls. Developments and changes in laws and regulations as well as increased economic regulation of the rail industry through legislative action and revised rules and standards applied by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) in various areas, including rates, services, and access to facilities could adversely impact the Company’s ability to determine prices for rail services and significantly affect the revenues, costs, and profitability of the Company’s business. Additionally, because of the significant costs to maintain its rail network, a reduction in profitability could hinder the Company’s ability to maintain, improve, or expand its rail network, facilities and equipment. Federal or state spending on infrastructure improvements or incentives that favor other modes of transportation could also adversely affect the Company’s revenues. Changes in tax rates, enactment of new tax laws and amendments to existing tax regulations could have a material adverse impact on the Company’s operating results, financial condition, or liquidity.
The Company is subject to stringent environmental laws and regulations, which may impose significant costs on its business operations.
The Company’s operations are subject to extensive federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations concerning, among other things, emissions to the air; discharges to the ground or waters; the generation, handling, storage, transportation, and disposal of waste and hazardous materials; and the cleanup of hazardous material or petroleum releases. Many 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. Environmental liability can extend to previously owned or operated properties, leased properties, and properties owned by third parties, as well as to properties currently owned and used by the Company’s subsidiaries. Environmental liabilities have arisen and may continue to arise from claims asserted by adjacent landowners, other third parties in toxic tort litigation, or as a result of alleged damages to natural resources or environmental incidents. The Company’s subsidiaries have been and may continue to be subject to allegations or findings to the effect that they have violated, or are strictly liable under, these laws or regulations. The Company’s operating results, financial condition or liquidity could be adversely affected as a result of any of the foregoing, and it may be required to incur significant expenses to investigate and remediate environmental contamination. The Company may also incur fines, penalties and other sanctions to resolve any alleged violations of environmental law. In addition, delays, litigation, local concerns, special interest opposition, and difficulty in obtaining approvals for projects requiring federal, state, or local equivalent permitting could inhibit the Company’s ability to build strategic facilities and rail infrastructure, which could adversely impact growth and operational efficiency.
Climate change, market or regulatory responses to climate change, and other emissions-related laws and regulations could adversely affect the Company’s operations and financial results.
Climate change and other emissions-related laws and regulations have been proposed, and in some cases adopted, on the federal, state, provincial, and local levels. These final and proposed laws and regulations take the form of restrictions, caps, taxes, or other controls on emissions. Changes in clean air laws, regulation of greenhouse gas emissions, and permitting or other regulatory requirements could reduce the demand for coal or other commodities we carry and, thereby, affect revenues from the transportation services provided by BNSF Railway. Emission regulations, including additional federal, state, or local carbon pricing, could also affect fuel efficiency and increase operating costs. Significant cost increases, government regulation, or changes in consumer preferences for goods and services relating to alternative sources of energy or emission reductions could materially affect the markets for the commodities we carry, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on operations, financial condition, and liquidity. Finally, changes to or limits on greenhouse gas emissions and other criteria air pollutants could also result in significant capital expenditures to comply with these regulations.
The Company is subject to various claims and lawsuits, and increases in the amount or severity of these claims and lawsuits could adversely affect the Company’s operating results, financial condition, or liquidity.
As part of its railroad operations, the Company is exposed to various claims and litigation related to commercial disputes, personal injury, property damage, environmental liability, and other matters. Personal injury claims by BNSF Railway employees are subject to the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) rather than state workers’ compensation laws. The Company believes that the FELA system, which includes unscheduled awards and a reliance on the jury system, can contribute to increased expenses. Other proceedings include claims by third parties for punitive as well as compensatory damages and, from time to time, may include proceedings that have been certified as or purport to be class actions. Developments in legislative and judicial standards, material changes to litigation trends, or a catastrophic rail accident or series of accidents involving any or all of property damage, personal injury, and environmental liability could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operating results, financial condition, or liquidity.
Operational Risks.
Fuel supply availability, fuel prices and dependency on certain key railroad equipment and material suppliers may adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity.
Fuel supply availability could be impacted as a result of limitations in refining capacity, disruptions to the supply chain, rising global demand and international political and economic factors. A significant reduction in fuel availability could impact the Company’s ability to provide transportation services at current levels, increase fuel costs, and impact the economy. Each of these factors could have an adverse effect on the Company’s operating results, financial condition, or liquidity. If the price of fuel increases substantially, the Company expects to be able to recover a significant portion of these higher fuel costs. However, to the extent that the Company is unable to recover these costs, increases in fuel prices could have an adverse effect on the Company’s operating results, financial condition, or liquidity. Due to the capital intensive nature and sophistication of certain railroad equipment and material, prospective new suppliers are subject to high barriers of entry. If railroad equipment and material suppliers experience a supply or capacity shortage or discontinue operations, or if they are unable to meet regulatory specifications, the Company could experience significant cost increases as well as limited supply of railroad equipment and material necessary for the Company’s operations.
As part of its railroad operations, the Company frequently transports chemicals and other hazardous materials, which could expose it to the risk of significant claims, losses, and penalties and operating restrictions.
BNSF Railway frequently transports chemicals and other hazardous materials and is required to transport these commodities to the extent of its common carrier obligation. A release of toxic inhalation hazard chemicals or other hazardous commodities could result in significant personal injury or loss of life and extensive property damage as well as environmental remediation and restoration obligations and penalties. The associated costs could have an adverse effect on the Company’s operating results, financial condition, or liquidity, as the Company is not insured above a certain threshold. Further, the rates BNSF Railway receives for transporting these commodities do not adequately compensate it should there be some type of accident. In addition, insurance premiums charged for some or all of the coverage currently maintained by the Company could increase dramatically or certain coverage may not be available to the Company in the future if there is a catastrophic event related to rail transportation of these commodities. Regulatory imposition of routing or speed or other restrictions on the transportation of such products could adversely affect train velocity and network fluidity and adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity.
Severe weather and natural disasters could disrupt normal business operations, the potential effects of which could result in increased costs and liabilities and decreases in revenues.
The Company’s success is dependent on its ability to operate its railroad system efficiently. Severe weather, climate change, and natural disasters, such as tornados, fires, flooding, and earthquakes, could cause significant business interruptions and result in increased costs and liabilities and decreased revenues. In addition, damages to or loss of use of significant aspects of the Company’s infrastructure due to natural or man-made disruptions could have an adverse effect on the Company’s operating results, financial condition, or liquidity for an extended period of time until repairs or replacements could be made. Additionally, during natural disasters, the Company’s workforce may be unavailable, which could result in further delays. Extreme swings in weather could also negatively affect the performance of locomotives and rolling stock.
The Company depends on the stability and availability of its technology systems.
The Company relies on technology in all aspects of its business. A significant disruption or failure of its technology systems could result in service interruptions, safety failures, security events, regulatory compliance failures, the inability to protect corporate information or assets against unauthorized use, or other operational difficulties. Although the Company has taken steps to mitigate these risks, including business continuity planning, disaster recovery planning, systems testing, protection and monitoring, and business impact analysis, a significant disruption or cyber intrusion could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity. Additionally, if the Company is unable to acquire, develop, implement, adopt, or protect rights around new technology, it may suffer a competitive disadvantage, which could also have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity.
The Company’s operational dependencies may adversely affect results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity.
Due to the integrated nature of the United States’ freight transportation infrastructure, the Company’s operations may be negatively affected by service disruptions of other entities, such as ports, passenger trains, and other railroads, which interchange with the Company. A significant, prolonged service disruption of one or more of these entities could have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity.
Significant unexpected increases in demand for the Company’s services may adversely affect service levels and operational efficiency.
If increases in demand for the Company’s services significantly exceed expectations, including in a particular geographical region, the Company may experience network difficulties including congestion or reduced velocity, negatively impacting the level of service provided. Although investments to add capacity continue to be made to meet future anticipated demand, delays in or inability to complete permitting may delay or preclude implementation of these capacity improvements. This may impact operational efficiency and could adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity.
Industry and Economic Risks.
Downturns in the economy could adversely affect demand for the Company’s services.
Significant, extended negative changes in domestic and global economic conditions that impact the producers and consumers of the commodities transported by the Company may have an adverse effect on the Company’s operating results, financial condition, or liquidity. Declines in or muted manufacturing activity, economic growth, and international trade all could result in reduced revenues in one or more business units.
The Company faces intense competition from rail carriers and other transportation providers, and its failure to compete effectively could adversely affect its results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.
The Company operates in a highly competitive business environment. Depending on the specific market, the Company faces intermodal, intramodal, product, and geographic competition. Competition from other railroads and motor carriers, as well as barges, ships, and pipelines in certain markets, may be reflected in pricing, market share, level of services, reliability, and other factors. For example, the Company believes that high service truck lines, due to their ability to deliver non-bulk products on an expedited basis, may have an adverse effect on the Company’s ability to compete for deliveries of non-bulk, time-sensitive freight. While the Company must build or acquire, maintain, and privately fund its rail system, trucks and barges are able to use public rights-of-way maintained and funded by public entities. Any material increase in the capacity and quality or decrease in the cost of these alternative methods or the passage of legislation granting greater latitude to motor carriers with respect to size and weight restrictions or driver requirements could have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity. In addition, a failure to provide the level of service required by the Company’s customers could result in loss of business to competitors. Changes in the ports used by ocean carriers or the use of all-water routes from the Pacific Rim to the East Coast or other changes in the supply chain or trade policy could also have an adverse effect on the Company’s volumes and revenues. Further, low natural gas or oil prices could impact future energy-related commodities demand.
Negative changes in general economic conditions could lead to disruptions in the credit markets, increase credit risks and could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition or liquidity.
Challenging economic conditions may not only affect revenues due to reduced demand for many goods and commodities, but could result in payment delays, increased credit risk and possible bankruptcies of customers. The Company’s business is capital-intensive and the Company may finance a portion of the building and maintenance of infrastructure as well as the acquisition of locomotives and other rail equipment. Economic slowdowns and related credit market disruptions may adversely affect the Company’s cost structure, its timely access to capital to meet financing needs, and costs of its financings. The Company could also face increased counterparty risk to its cash investments. Adverse economic conditions could also affect the Company’s costs for insurance or its ability to acquire and maintain adequate insurance coverage for risks associated with the railroad business if insurance companies experience credit downgrades or bankruptcies. Declines in the securities and credit markets could also affect the Company’s pension fund and railroad retirement tax rates, which in turn could increase funding requirements.
Human Capital Risks.
Most of the Company’s employees are represented by unions, and failure to resolve disputes or negotiate reasonable collective bargaining agreements may result in strikes, work stoppages, or substantially higher ongoing labor costs.
A significant majority of BNSF Railway’s employees are union-represented. BNSF Railway’s union employees work under collective bargaining agreements with various labor organizations. Wages, health and welfare benefits, work rules, and other issues have traditionally been addressed through industry-wide negotiations. These negotiations have generally taken place over an extended period of time and have previously not resulted in any extended work stoppages. For ongoing negotiations, the existing agreements have remained in effect and will continue to remain in effect until new agreements are reached or the Railway Labor Act’s procedures (which include mediation, cooling-off periods, and the possibility of presidential or congressional intervention) are exhausted. While the negotiations have not yet resulted in any extended work stoppages, if BNSF Railway is unable to negotiate acceptable new agreements or a significant dispute arises that is unable to be resolved through the procedures provided in the Railway Labor Act, it could result in strikes by the affected workers, loss of business, disruption of operations, and increased operating costs as a result of higher wages or benefits paid to union members, any of which could have an adverse effect on the Company’s operating results, financial condition, or liquidity.
The unavailability of qualified personnel could adversely affect the Company’s operations.
Changes in demographics, training requirements, and the unavailability of qualified personnel, particularly engineers and trainmen, could negatively impact the Company’s ability to meet demand for rail service. Recruiting and retaining qualified personnel, particularly those with expertise in the railroad industry, are vital to operations. Although the Company believes that it has adequate personnel for the current business environment, unpredictable increases in demand for rail services may exacerbate the risk of not having sufficient numbers of trained personnel, which could have a negative impact on operational efficiency and otherwise have an adverse effect on the Company’s operating results, financial condition, or liquidity.
General Risk Factors.
Acts of terrorism or war, as well as the threat of terrorism or war, may cause significant disruptions in the Company’s business operations.
Terrorist attacks and any government response to those types of attacks and war or risk of war may adversely affect the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, or liquidity. The Company’s rail lines and facilities could be direct targets or indirect casualties of an act or acts of terror, which could cause significant business interruption and result in increased costs and liabilities and decreased revenues and have an adverse effect on operating results and financial condition. Such effects could be magnified if releases of hazardous materials are involved. Any act of terror, retaliatory strike, sustained military campaign, or war or risk of war may have an adverse impact on the Company’s operating results and financial condition by causing unpredictable operating or financial conditions, including disruptions of BNSF Railway or connecting rail lines, loss of critical customers or partners, volatility of or a sustained increase of fuel prices, fuel shortages, general economic decline, and instability or weakness of financial markets. In addition, insurance premiums charged for some or all of the coverage currently maintained by the Company could increase dramatically, the coverage available may not adequately compensate it for certain types of incidents and certain coverages may not be available to the Company in the future.
The Company faces risks related to epidemics, pandemics, and other outbreaks, including the COVID-19 coronavirus, which may adversely affect its business, results of operations, and financial condition.
The Company faces risks related to epidemics, pandemics, and other outbreaks, including the COVID-19 coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic, which has impacted geographic areas in which the Company has operations, suppliers, customers, and employees. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, and the full extent to which it may impact the Company’s business, operating results, financial condition, or liquidity will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the duration of the outbreak, travel restrictions, business and workforce disruptions, and the effectiveness and impacts of actions taken to contain and treat the disease. Any one or more of these consequences or other unpredictable events, including future epidemics, pandemics and other outbreaks, could materially adversely affect the Company’s operating results, financial condition, or liquidity. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic and other like events could also precipitate or heighten the other risks discussed in this Item 1A.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Item 2. Properties
Track Configuration
BNSF Railway operates one of the largest railroad networks in North America. BNSF Railway operates over 32,500 route miles of track (excluding multiple main tracks, yard tracks, and sidings) in 28 states and also operates in three Canadian provinces. BNSF Railway owns over 23,000 route miles, including easements, and operates on over 9,000 route miles of trackage rights that permit BNSF Railway to operate its trains with its crews over other railroads’ tracks. As of December 31, 2021, the total BNSF Railway system (including single and multiple main tracks, yard tracks, and sidings) consisted of over 50,000 operated miles of track.
Property and Facilities
BNSF Railway operates various facilities and equipment to support its transportation system, including its infrastructure and locomotives and freight cars. It also owns or leases other equipment to support rail operations, such as vehicles. Support facilities for rail operations include yards and terminals throughout its rail network, system locomotive shops to perform locomotive servicing and maintenance, a centralized network operations center for train dispatching and network operations monitoring and management, computers, telecommunications equipment, signal systems, and other support systems. Transfer facilities are maintained for rail-to-rail as well as intermodal transfer of containers, trailers, and other freight traffic. These facilities include approximately 25 intermodal hubs located across the system.
As of December 31, 2021, BNSF Railway owned or held under non-cancelable leases exceeding one year approximately 7,500 locomotives and 63,600 freight cars, in addition to maintenance of way and other equipment.
In the ordinary course of business, BNSF incurs significant costs in repairing and maintaining its properties. In 2021, BNSF recorded approximately $2 billion in repairs and maintenance expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Business Mix
In serving the Midwest, Pacific Northwest, Western, Southwestern, and Southeastern regions and ports of the country, BNSF transports, through one operating transportation services segment, a range of products and commodities derived from the manufacturing, agricultural, and natural resource industries. Freight revenues of the Company are covered by contractual agreements of varying durations or common carrier published prices or quotations offered by the Company. BNSF’s financial performance is influenced by, among other things, general and industry economic conditions at the international, national, and regional levels. The following map illustrates the Company’s primary routes, including trackage rights, which allow BNSF to access major cities and western and southern ports in the United States as well as Canadian and Mexican traffic. In addition to major cities and ports, BNSF efficiently serves many smaller markets by working closely with approximately 200 shortline railroads. BNSF has also entered into marketing agreements with other rail carriers, expanding the marketing reach for each railroad and our collective customers.
Consumer Products:
The Consumer Products freight business provided 38 percent of freight revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021, and consisted of the following business units: Domestic Intermodal (including Truckload/Intermodal Marketing Companies and Expedited Truckload/Less-than-Truckload/Parcel), International Intermodal, and Automotive.
Industrial Products:
The Industrial Products freight business provided 24 percent of freight revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021, and consisted of the following five business units: Construction Products, Petroleum Products, Building Products, Chemicals and Plastics Products, and Food and Beverages.
Agricultural Products:
The transportation of Agricultural Products provided 23 percent of freight revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021. These products include corn, wheat, ethanol, soybeans, bulk foods, fertilizer, oil seeds and meals, feeds, oils, flour and mill products, specialty grains, milo, barley, oats and rye, and malt.
Coal:
The transportation of coal contributed 15 percent of freight revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021, with more than 90 percent of all of BNSF’s coal tons originating from the Powder River Basin of Wyoming and Montana.
Government Regulation and Legislation
The Company’s rail operations are subject to the regulatory jurisdiction of the STB, the Federal Railroad Administration of the United States Department of Transportation (DOT), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), as well as other federal and state regulatory agencies and Canadian regulatory agencies for operations in Canada. The STB has jurisdiction over disputes and complaints involving certain rates, routes and services, the sale or abandonment of rail lines, applications for line extensions and construction, and consolidation or merger with, or acquisition of control of, rail common carriers. The outcome of STB proceedings can affect the profitability of BNSF’s business.
DOT and OSHA have jurisdiction under several federal statutes over a number of safety and health aspects of rail operations, including the transportation of hazardous materials. State agencies regulate some aspects of rail operations with respect to health and safety in areas not otherwise preempted by federal law.
Further discussion is incorporated by reference from Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Competition
The business environment in which BNSF Railway operates is highly competitive. Depending on the specific market, deregulated motor carriers and other railroads, as well as river barges, ships and pipelines in certain markets, may exert pressure on price and service levels. The presence of advanced, high service truck lines with expedited delivery, subsidized infrastructure, and minimal empty mileage continues to affect the market for non-bulk, time-sensitive freight. The potential expansion of longer combination vehicles could further encroach upon markets traditionally served by railroads. In order to remain competitive, BNSF Railway and other railroads continue to seek to develop technology and other operating efficiencies to improve productivity.
As railroads streamline, rationalize, and otherwise enhance their franchises, competition among rail carriers intensifies. BNSF Railway’s primary rail competitor in the western region of the United States is the Union Pacific Railroad Company. Other Class I railroads and numerous regional railroads and motor carriers also operate in parts of the same territories served by BNSF Railway.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
On June 22, 2018, a loaded BNSF Railway train derailed in Doon, Iowa due to flooding. Some of the derailed railcars released petroleum hydrocarbons into floodwaters. The Company worked with federal and state authorities to remediate property impacted by the incident. On December 16, 2021, the United States filed a complaint against BNSF Railway in the federal District Court for the Northern District of Iowa Western Division seeking civil penalties for a violation of the Clean Water Act along with a stipulation of settlement negotiated by the parties, which provides for a payment by BNSF Railway of approximately $1.5 million. The District Court approved and entered the stipulation of settlement on December 17, 2021.
Beginning May 14, 2007, some 30 similar class action complaints were filed in six federal district courts around the country by rail shippers against BNSF Railway and other Class I railroads alleging that they have conspired to fix fuel surcharges with respect to unregulated freight transportation services in violation of the antitrust laws. The complaints seek injunctive relief and unspecified treble damages. These cases were consolidated and are currently pending in the federal District Court for the District of Columbia for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings. (In re: Rail Freight Fuel Surcharge Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 1869). Consolidated amended class action complaints were filed against BNSF Railway and three other Class I railroads in April 2008. On June 21, 2012, the District Court certified the class sought by the plaintiffs. BNSF Railway and the other three Class I railroads appealed the class certification decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals. On August 9, 2013, the U.S. Court of Appeals vacated the District Court’s class certification decision and remanded the case to permit the District Court to reconsider its decision in light of the United States Supreme Court case of Comcast Corp. v. Behrend. In September 2016, the District Court held a hearing to determine whether to certify a class. On October 10, 2017, the District Court denied the plaintiffs’ motion to certify a class. The plaintiffs appealed the denial of class certification to the U.S. Court of Appeals. In September 2018, the U.S. Court of Appeals held a hearing on the appeal of the denial of class certification. On August 16, 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals affirmed the District Court’s denial of class certification. The Company continues to believe that these allegations are without merit and will continue to vigorously dispute any such claims in any subsequent litigation by individual parties involving such allegations. The Company does not believe that the outcome of these proceedings will have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Part II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity,
Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
All of the membership interests in Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC are owned by a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and therefore are not traded on any market.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Item 7. 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 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 COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant economic slowdown that adversely affected the demand for the Company's services in 2020. While volumes significantly improved in 2021, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are ongoing, including disruptions in the global supply chain and changes to domestic consumer behavior. On November 8, 2021, the Company announced its intent to comply with the federal contractor vaccine mandate and the associated deadlines for employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, unless legally entitled to an accommodation. The Company has paused its implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate due to ongoing legal challenges pending in federal court. The Company will continue to monitor litigation affecting the vaccine mandate and will comply with applicable law. COVID-19 vaccine mandates could affect workforce availability, which could have a material effect on the Company's business operations, financial results, liquidity, and financial position.
The following narrative analysis of results of operations includes a brief discussion of the factors that materially affected the Company’s operating results in the year ended December 31, 2021, and a comparative analysis of the year ended December 31, 2020.
Results of Operations
Revenues Summary
The following tables present BNSF’s revenue information by business group:
Revenues (in millions) Cars / Units (in thousands)
Years Ended December 31, Years Ended December 31,
2021 2020 2021 2020
Consumer Products $ 8,256 $ 7,262 5,673 5,266
Industrial Products 5,291 5,039 1,709 1,622
Agricultural Products 5,100 4,822 1,224 1,189
Coal 3,227 2,655 1,529 1,404
Total freight revenues 21,874 19,778 10,135 9,481
Other revenues 1,408 1,091
Total operating revenues $ 23,282 $ 20,869
Average Revenue Per Car / Unit
Years Ended December 31,
2021 2020
Consumer Products $ 1,455 $ 1,379
Industrial Products 3,096 3,107
Agricultural Products 4,167 4,056
Coal 2,111 1,891
Total freight revenues $ 2,158 $ 2,086
Fuel Surcharges
Freight revenues include both revenue for transportation services and fuel surcharges. Where BNSF’s fuel surcharge program is applied, it is intended to recover BNSF's 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 differ significantly.
The following table presents fuel surcharge and fuel expense information (in millions):
Years Ended December 31,
2021 2020
Fuel expensea
$ 2,766 $ 1,789
Fuel surcharges $ 1,334 $ 763
a Fuel expense includes locomotive and non-locomotive fuel.
Year Ended December 31, 2021 vs. Year Ended December 31, 2020
Revenues
Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021 were $23.3 billion, an increase of $2.4 billion, or 12 percent, as compared with the year ended December 31, 2020 primarily due to a 7 percent increase in unit volume and a 3 percent increase in average revenue per car/ unit. Revenue changes were driven by continued improvements from the 2020 effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, partially offset by the ongoing disruptions in the global supply chain, as well as the following:
•Consumer Products volumes increased primarily due to growth in intermodal in both international and domestic shipments driven by increased retail sales, inventory replenishments by retailers, and increased e-commerce activity.
•Industrial Products volumes increased primarily due to improvement in the U.S. industrial economy driving higher volumes in the construction and building sectors, partially offset by lower petroleum volumes due to unfavorable market conditions in the energy sector.
•Agricultural Products volumes increased primarily due to higher grain shipments, as well as higher volumes of ethanol and related commodities.
•Coal volumes increased primarily due to increased electricity generation, higher natural gas prices and improved export demand.
Expense Table
The following table presents BNSF’s expense information (in millions):
Years Ended December 31,
2021 2020
Compensation and benefits $ 4,767 $ 4,609
Purchased services 2,715 2,554
Depreciation and amortization 2,456 2,476
Fuel 2,766 1,789
Equipment rents 677 664
Materials and other 1,103 1,037
Total operating expenses $ 14,484 $ 13,129
Interest expense $ 1,032 $ 1,037
Other (income) expense, net $ (95) $ (89)
Income tax expense (benefit) $ 1,871 $ 1,631
Expenses
Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2021 were $14.5 billion, an increase of $1.4 billion, or 10 percent, as compared with the year ended December 31, 2020. A significant portion of the increase is due to the following changes in expenses:
•Compensation and benefits expense increased primarily due to increased volume, wage inflation and health and welfare costs, partially offset by productivity improvements.
•Purchased services expense increased primarily due to higher volumes, insurance recoveries in 2020 related to 2019 flooding, and higher volume-driven purchased transportation costs of our logistics services business, offset by improved productivity.
•Fuel expense increased primarily due to higher average fuel prices.
•There were no significant changes in depreciation and amortization, equipment rents, materials and other, interest expense, and other (income) expense, net.
The effective tax rate was 23.8 percent and 24.0 percent for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
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”. 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; effects due to more stringent regulatory policies such as the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions that could reduce the demand for coal or governmental tariffs or subsidies that could affect the demand for products BNSF hauls; 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 prices of fuel 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 energy-related commodities 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 pandemics or natural events such as severe weather, fires, floods and earthquakes or man-made or other disruptions of BNSF’s or other railroads’ operating systems, structures, or equipment including the effects of acts of war or 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.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Commodity Price Sensitivity
As of December 31, 2021, BNSF maintained fuel inventories for use in normal operations which were not material to BNSF’s overall financial position and, therefore, represent no significant market exposure. The frequency of BNSF’s fuel inventory turnover also reduces market exposure, should fuel inventories become material to BNSF’s overall financial position.
Interest Rate Sensitivity
As of December 31, 2021, the fair value of BNSF’s debt, excluding finance leases, was $27.7 billion.
The following table is an estimate of the impact to the fair value of total debt, excluding finance leases, that could result from hypothetical interest rate changes during the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2022, based on debt levels as of December 31, 2021:
Sensitivity Analysis
Hypothetical Change
in Interest Rates Change in Fair Value
Total Debt
1-percent decrease $3.7 billion increase
1-percent increase $3.0 billion decrease
Information on the Company’s debt, which may be sensitive to interest rate fluctuations, is incorporated by reference from Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The Consolidated Financial Statements of BNSF and subsidiary companies, together with the report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, are included as part of this filing.
The following documents are filed as a part of this report:
Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID No. 34)
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Member of
Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Property and Equipment - Self Constructed Assets - Appropriate Capitalization of Costs - Refer to Notes 2 and 7 to the financial statements.
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company self-constructs portions of its track structure and rebuilds certain classes of rolling stock. Costs that increase capacity, enhance the safety or efficiency of operations, extend the useful life or increase the value of an asset, gain strategic benefit, or provide new service offerings to customers are capitalized by the Company. In addition to direct labor and materials, indirect costs that clearly relate to capital projects are also capitalized. The determination by management of costs considered normal repairs and maintenance operating expense versus costs that are capitalized requires significant management judgement.
We identified the capitalization of cost additions to self-constructed assets as a critical audit matter. Management makes significant judgements when evaluating whether the costs should be charged to the self-constructed asset project and if the specific project the costs are assigned to meet the generally accepted accounting principles requirements related to capitalization. This required a high degree of auditor judgement when performing audit procedures to evaluate compliance with the criteria for cost capitalization and to evaluate the sufficiency of audit evidence obtained.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures to test management’s judgements included the following, among others:
•For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company capitalized costs of $2.9 billion. We obtained the detail of all property additions for the year and segregated the additions into categories to isolate assets self-constructed by the Company from assets purchased by the Company from third parties. We made sample selections from the self-constructed asset detail and obtained the details of the specific selected cost and related supporting documents.
•We assessed whether the nature of the selected cost reasonably reflected the nature of the capital project to which it was charged.
•We inquired with individuals in the Company’s engineering and operating departments to understand the nature of projects that were selected for testing to determine if it was a normal repairs and maintenance type project or if it was a project that should be capitalized.
•Based on the audit evidence obtained, we evaluated management’s judgement that the selected cost on the selected self-constructed project should have been capitalized as an asset based on the nature of the project.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Fort Worth, Texas
February 28, 2022
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2010.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
In millions
Years ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Revenues $ 23,282 $ 20,869 $ 23,515
Operating expenses:
Compensation and benefits 4,767 4,609 5,347
Fuel 2,766 1,789 2,944
Purchased services 2,715 2,554 2,700
Depreciation and amortization 2,456 2,476 2,403
Equipment rents 677 664 758
Materials and other 1,103 1,037 1,292
Total operating expenses 14,484 13,129 15,444
Operating income 8,798 7,740 8,071
Interest expense 1,032 1,037 1,070
Other (income) expense, net (95) (89) (249)
Income before income taxes 7,861 6,792 7,250
Income tax expense 1,871 1,631 1,769
Net income $ 5,990 $ 5,161 $ 5,481
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
In millions
Years ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Net income $ 5,990 $ 5,161 $ 5,481
Other comprehensive income:
Change in pension and retiree health and welfare benefits, net of tax 255 (48) 16
Change in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) of equity method investees - 1 (1)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 255 (47) 15
Total comprehensive income $ 6,245 $ 5,114 $ 5,496
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
In millions
December 31,
2021 December 31,
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,758 $ 1,986
Accounts receivable, net 1,316 1,243
Materials and supplies 864 803
Other current assets 114 91
Total current assets 4,052 4,123
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $14,978 and $13,175, respectively
65,714 65,088
Goodwill 14,852 14,851
Operating lease right-of-use assets 1,592 1,928
Other assets 5,227 2,670
Total assets $ 91,437 $ 88,660
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and other current liabilities $ 3,896 $ 3,434
Long-term debt and finance leases due within one year 932 917
Total current liabilities 4,828 4,351
Long-term debt and finance leases 22,287 22,303
Deferred income taxes 15,156 14,626
Operating lease liabilities 1,015 1,286
Casualty and environmental liabilities 427 428
Pension and retiree health and welfare liability 291 314
Other liabilities 984 1,348
Total liabilities 44,988 44,656
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 13)
Equity:
Member’s equity 46,096 43,906
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 353 98
Total equity 46,449 44,004
Total liabilities and equity $ 91,437 $ 88,660
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
In millions
Years ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Operating Activities
Net income $ 5,990 $ 5,161 $ 5,481
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 2,456 2,476 2,403
Deferred income taxes 446 289 553
Long-term casualty and environmental liabilities, net 9 (19) (49)
Other, net (2,644) (108) (351)
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net (73) 122 134
Materials and supplies (61) (14) 4
Other current assets 50 20 (110)
Accounts payable and other current liabilities 336 (27) 122
Net cash provided by operating activities 6,509 7,900 8,187
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures excluding equipment (2,735) (2,819) (3,193)
Acquisition of equipment (174) (244) (415)
Purchases of investments and investments in time deposits - - (6)
Proceeds from sales of investments and maturities of time deposits 1 32 42
Other, net (17) (32) (170)
Net cash used for investing activities (2,925) (3,063) (3,742)
Financing Activities
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt 1,550 575 825
Payments on long-term debt and finance leases (1,543) (570) (833)
Cash distributions (3,800) (4,830) (4,425)
Other, net (19) (10) (13)
Net cash used for financing activities (3,812) (4,835) (4,446)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (228) 2 (1)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period 1,986 1,984 1,985
End of period $ 1,758 $ 1,986 $ 1,984
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized $ 1,032 $ 1,045 $ 1,064
Capital investments accrued but not yet paid $ 238 $ 156 $ 245
Income taxes paid, net of refunds $ 1,386 $ 1,278 $ 1,196
Non-cash asset financing $ 16 $ 19 $ 11
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
In millions
Member’s
Equity Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total
Equity
Balance as of December 31, 2018 $ 42,519 $ 130 $ 42,649
Cash distributions (4,425) - (4,425)
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 5,481 15 5,496
Balance as of December 31, 2019 $ 43,575 $ 145 $ 43,720
Cash distributions (4,830) - (4,830)
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 5,161 (47) 5,114
Balance as of December 31, 2020 $ 43,906 $ 98 $ 44,004
Cash distributions (3,800) - (3,800)
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 5,990 255 6,245
Balance as of December 31, 2021 $ 46,096 $ 353 $ 46,449
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1. The Company
Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC (BNSF or the Company) is a holding company that conducts no operating activities and owns no significant assets other than through its interests in its subsidiaries. BNSF’s principal, wholly-owned subsidiary is BNSF Railway Company (BNSF Railway), which operates one of the largest railroad networks in North America. BNSF Railway operates over 32,500 route miles of track (excluding multiple main tracks, yard tracks and sidings) in 28 states and also operates in three Canadian provinces. Through one operating transportation services segment, BNSF Railway transports a wide range of products and commodities including the transportation of Consumer Products, Industrial Products, Agricultural Products, and Coal, derived from manufacturing, agricultural, and natural resource industries, which constituted 38 percent, 24 percent, 23 percent, and 15 percent, respectively, of total freight revenues for the year ended December 31, 2021. These Consolidated Financial Statements include BNSF, BNSF Railway, and other majority-owned subsidiaries, all of which are separate legal entities.
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation was incorporated in the State of Delaware on December 16, 1994. On February 12, 2010, Berkshire Hathaway Inc., a Delaware corporation (Berkshire), acquired 100 percent 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. Berkshire’s cost of acquiring BNSF was pushed-down to establish a new accounting basis for BNSF beginning as of February 13, 2010. Earnings per share data is not presented because BNSF has only one holder of its membership interests.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of BNSF and all subsidiaries in which BNSF holds a controlling financial interest, including its principal operating subsidiary, BNSF Railway. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Investments in companies that are not majority-owned are carried at cost or are accounted for under the equity method if the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence but does not have a controlling financial interest. The Company also evaluates its less than majority-owned investments pursuant to accounting guidance related to the consolidation of variable interest entities. We currently have no investments that require consolidation under this guidance.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. These estimates and assumptions are periodically reviewed by management. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition
The Company’s primary source of revenue is freight rail transportation services. The primary performance obligation for the Company is to move freight from a point of origin to a point of destination for its customers. The performance obligations are represented by bills of lading which create a series of distinct services that have a similar pattern of transfer to the customer. The revenues for each performance obligation are based on various factors including the product being shipped, the origin and destination pair, and contract incentives which are outlined in various private rate agreements, common carrier public tariffs, interline foreign road agreements, and pricing quotes. The transaction price is generally a per car amount to transport cars from a certain origin to a certain destination.
The associated freight revenues are recognized over time as the service is performed because the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the service. The Company recognizes revenue based on the proportion of the service completed as of the balance sheet date. Bills for freight transportation services are generally issued to customers and paid within thirty days or less. As a result, no significant contract assets exist and there are no significant financing components in the Company’s revenue arrangements.
Customer incentives, which are primarily provided for shipping a specified cumulative volume or shipping to/from specific locations, are recorded as a reduction to revenue on a pro-rata basis based on actual or projected future customer shipments. A small portion of customer incentive agreements have a component where a different discount amount is provided for different levels of volumes, resulting in variable consideration. To determine the transaction price in these cases, the Company estimates the amount of variable consideration at each reporting period utilizing the most likely amount based on historical trends as well as economic and other indicators. These incentives are ratably applied to all units using an estimate of how much volume the customer will ship under the customer incentive agreement. Both the variable consideration and the associated contract liabilities resulting from these types of customer incentives are immaterial.
Other revenues are primarily generated from a wholly-owned, non-rail logistics subsidiary which provides logistics and transportation services and from accessorial services provided to railroad customers which are primarily storage and demurrage. The vast majority of revenues generated by the non-rail logistics subsidiary are recognized over time as the services are performed, and accessorial revenues are recognized when the service is performed.
Accounts Receivable, Net
Accounts receivable, net includes accounts receivable reduced by an allowance for credit losses. The allowance for credit losses is based on expected collectibility. Receivables are written off against allowances after all reasonable collection efforts are exhausted.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
All short-term investments with maturities of 90 days or less from the date of purchase are considered cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates market value because of the short maturity of these instruments.
Materials and Supplies
Materials and supplies, which consist mainly of rail, ties and other items for construction and maintenance of property and equipment, as well as diesel fuel, are valued at the lower of average cost or market.
Goodwill
Goodwill is the excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the net of the amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. A goodwill impairment loss would be recognized to the extent that the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information related to goodwill.
Property and Equipment, Net
BNSF’s railroad operations are highly capital intensive and its large base of homogeneous, network-type assets turns over on a continuous basis. BNSF self-constructs portions of its track structure and rebuilds certain classes of rolling stock. Each year, BNSF develops a capital program intended to enable BNSF to increase capacity, enhance the safety or efficiency of operations, extend the useful life or increase the value of its assets, gain strategic benefit, or provide new service offerings to customers. Costs are capitalized if they meet these criteria as well as the applicable minimum units of property, including costs for assets purchased or constructed throughout the year, along with all costs necessary to make the assets ready for their intended use. In addition to direct labor and materials, indirect costs that clearly relate to capital projects are also capitalized. Normal repairs and maintenance are charged to operating expense as incurred.
Property and equipment are stated at cost and are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives using the group method of depreciation in which all items with similar characteristics, use, and expected lives are grouped together in asset classes and depreciated using composite depreciation rates. The Company conducts depreciation studies, generally every three years for equipment and every six years for track structure and other roadway property, and implements study results prospectively.
These detailed studies form the basis for the Company’s composite depreciation rates and take into account the following factors:
•Statistical analysis of historical patterns of use and retirements of each of BNSF’s asset classes;
•Evaluation of any expected changes in current operations and the outlook for continued use of the assets;
•Evaluation of technological advances and changes to maintenance practices; and
•Expected salvage to be received upon retirement.
Under group depreciation, the historical cost net of salvage of depreciable property that is retired or replaced in the ordinary course of business is charged to accumulated depreciation, and no gain or loss is recognized. This historical cost of certain assets is estimated as it is impracticable to track individual, homogeneous, network-type assets. Historical costs are estimated by deflating current costs using the Producer Price Index (PPI) or a unit cost method. These methods closely correlate with the major costs of the items comprising the asset classes. Because of the number of estimates inherent in the depreciation and retirement processes and because it is impossible to precisely estimate each of these variables until a group of property is completely retired, BNSF monitors the estimated service lives of its assets and the accumulated depreciation associated with each asset class to ensure its depreciation rates are appropriate.
For retirements of depreciable asset classes that do not occur in the normal course of business, a gain or loss may be recognized in operating expense if the retirement: (i) is unusual, (ii) is significant in amount, and (iii) varies significantly from the retirement profile identified through BNSF’s depreciation studies. Gains or losses from disposals of land and non-rail property are recognized at the time of their occurrence. During the three fiscal years presented, no material gains or losses were recognized due to the retirement of depreciable assets.
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If impairment indicators are present and the estimated future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the long-lived assets, the carrying value is reduced to the estimated fair value as measured by the discounted cash flows.
Leases
The Company has substantial lease commitments for locomotives, freight cars, office buildings, operating facilities, and other property. Many of the Company’s leases provide the option to purchase the leased item at fair market value or a fixed purchase price at the end of the lease, and some leases include early buyout options at a fixed purchase price. Also, many of the Company’s leases include both fixed rate and fair market value renewal options.
As the implicit interest rate is not readily available for most operating leases, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on information available at commencement date, including lease term, to determine the present value of lease payments. The Company has operating lease agreements that contain both lease and non-lease components, but only freight cars are accounted for as a single lease component. BNSF has applied the short-term lease exemption to all asset classes, and as a result, short-term leases are not recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Variable lease costs, sublease income, and lessor transactions are not significant.
Assets held under finance leases are recorded at the net present value of the minimum lease payments at the inception of the lease. Amortization expense for finance leases, as well as leasehold improvements, is computed using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the period of the related lease.
Planned Major Maintenance Activities
BNSF utilizes the deferral method of accounting for leased locomotive overhauls, which includes the complete refurbishment of the engine and related components to extend the useful life of the locomotive. Accordingly, BNSF has established an asset in property and equipment, net in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for overhauls that is amortized to expense using the straight-line method until the next overhaul is performed.
Environmental Liabilities
Liabilities for environmental cleanup costs are initially recorded when BNSF’s liability for environmental cleanup is both probable and reasonably estimable. Subsequent adjustments to initial estimates are recorded as necessary based upon additional information developed in subsequent periods. Estimates for these liabilities are undiscounted.
Personal Injury Claims
Liabilities for personal injury claims are initially recorded when the expected loss is both probable and reasonably estimable. Subsequent adjustments to initial estimates are recorded as necessary based upon additional information developed in subsequent periods. Liabilities recorded for unasserted personal injury claims, including those related to asbestos, are based on information currently available. Estimates of liabilities for personal injury claims are undiscounted.
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the tax rates that apply to taxable income in the period in which the deferred tax asset or liability is expected to be realized or paid. Changes in the Company’s estimates regarding the statutory tax rate to be applied to the reversal of deferred tax assets and liabilities could materially affect the effective tax rate. Valuation allowances are established to reduce deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. BNSF has not recorded a valuation allowance, as it believes that the deferred tax assets will be fully realized in the future. Investment tax credits are accounted for using the flow-through method.
The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
BNSF is included in the U.S. consolidated federal income tax return of Berkshire. In addition, BNSF files income tax returns in state, local, and foreign jurisdictions, as applicable. BNSF’s tax expense and liabilities have been computed on a stand alone basis, and all of its current federal income taxes payable is remitted to Berkshire.
Employment Benefit Plans
The Company estimates liabilities and expenses for pension and retiree health and welfare plans. Estimated amounts are based on historical information, current information, and estimates regarding future events and circumstances. Significant assumptions used in the valuation of pension and/or retiree health and welfare liabilities include the expected return on plan assets, discount rate, rate of increase in compensation levels, and the health care cost trend rate.
Fair Value Measurements
As defined under authoritative accounting guidance, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability between market participants in the principal market or in the most advantageous market when no principal market exists. Adjustments to transaction prices or quoted market prices may be required in illiquid or disorderly markets in order to estimate fair value. Different valuation techniques may be appropriate under the circumstances to determine the value that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction. Market participants are assumed to be independent, knowledgeable, able, and willing to transact an exchange and not under duress. Nonperformance or credit risk is considered in determining the fair value of liabilities. Considerable judgment may be required in interpreting market data used to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, estimates of fair value presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in a current or future market exchange.
The authoritative accounting guidance specifies a three-level hierarchy of valuation inputs which was established to increase consistency, clarity and comparability in fair value measurements and related disclosures.
•Level 1-Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.
•Level 2-Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable market data.
•Level 3-Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable.
3. Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2021, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2021-10 (ASU 2021-10), Government Assistance (Topic 832): Disclosures by Business Entities about Government Assistance. The amendments in ASU 2021-10 require additional disclosures about transactions with a government that are accounted for by applying a grant or contribution accounting model. ASU 2021-10 is effective for the Company for the fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2021, with early adoption permitted. Adoption of the standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statement disclosures.
4. Revenue from Contracts with Customers
The Company disaggregates revenue from contracts with customers based on the characteristics of the services provided and the types of products transported (in millions):
Years ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Consumer Products $ 8,256 $ 7,262 $ 7,860
Industrial Products 5,291 5,039 6,068
Agricultural Products 5,100 4,822 4,685
Coal 3,227 2,655 3,715
Total freight revenues 21,874 19,778 22,328
Non-rail logistics subsidiary 769 688 770
Accessorial and other 639 403 417
Total other revenues 1,408 1,091 1,187
Total operating revenues $ 23,282 $ 20,869 $ 23,515
Contract assets and liabilities are immaterial. Receivables from contracts with customers is a component of accounts receivable, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, $1.1 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively, represent net receivables from contracts with customers.
Remaining performance obligations primarily consist of in-transit freight revenues, which will be recognized in the next reporting period. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, remaining performance obligations were $274 million and $204 million, respectively.
5. Income Taxes
Income tax expense (benefit) was as follows (in millions):
Years ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Current:
Federal $ 1,173 $ 1,111 $ 989
State 252 231 226
Total current 1,425 1,342 1,215
Deferred:
Federal 422 256 470
State 24 33 84
Total deferred 446 289 554
Total $ 1,871 $ 1,631 $ 1,769
Reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to the effective tax rate was as follows:
Years ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
U.S. Federal statutory income tax rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 %
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit 2.8 3.0 3.4
Effective tax rate 23.8 % 24.0 % 24.4 %
The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows (in millions):
December 31,
2021 December 31,
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment $ (14,953) $ (14,622)
Operating lease right-of-use assets (314) (393)
Other (621) (489)
Total deferred tax liabilities (15,888) (15,504)
Deferred tax assets:
Operating lease liabilities 315 386
Compensation and benefits 202 165
Casualty and environmental 105 104
Other 110 223
Total deferred tax assets 732 878
Net deferred tax liability $ (15,156) $ (14,626)
BNSF is included in the consolidated U.S. federal income tax return of Berkshire. BNSF’s tax expense and liabilities have been computed on a stand-alone basis, and all of its currently payable federal income taxes are remitted to Berkshire. See Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information related to income taxes paid to Berkshire during 2021.
All U.S. federal income tax returns of BNSF are closed for audit through the tax period ended December 31, 2011. BNSF is currently under examination for the years 2012 through 2019 as part of Berkshire's consolidated U.S. federal income tax return.
BNSF and its subsidiaries have various state income tax returns in the process of examination, administrative appeal or litigation. State income tax returns are generally subject to examination for a period of three to five years after filing of the respective return. The state impact of any federal changes remains subject to examination by various states for a period of up to one year after formal notification to the states.
Uncertain Tax Positions
The amount of unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, was $46 million, $41 million, and $46 million, respectively. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2021 that would affect the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized was $34 million, computed at the federal income tax rate expected to be applicable in the taxable period in which the amount may be incurred by the Company. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in millions):
Years ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Beginning balance $ 41 $ 46 $ 50
Additions for tax positions related to current year 9 7 8
Additions (reductions) for tax positions taken in prior years - (2) (6)
Additions (reductions) for tax positions as a result of:
Settlements - (3) -
Lapse of statute of limitations (4) (7) (6)
Ending balance $ 46 $ 41 $ 46
It is expected that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change in the next twelve months; however, BNSF does not expect the change to have a significant impact on the results of operations, the financial position or the cash flows of the Company.
The Company recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company had recorded a liability of approximately $6 million and $5 million for interest for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
6. Accounts Receivable, Net
Accounts receivable, net consists of freight and other receivables, reduced by an allowance for credit losses which is based upon expected collectibility. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, $40 million and $54 million, respectively, of such allowances had been recorded.
7. Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment, net (in millions), and the corresponding ranges of estimated useful lives were as follows:
December 31,
2021 December 31,
2020 Range of
Estimated
Useful Life
Land for transportation purposes $ 6,431 $ 6,305 -
Track structure 27,934 26,657 15 - 55 years
Other roadway a
31,478 30,862 10 - 100 years
Locomotives 8,496 8,440 8 - 37 years
Freight cars and other equipment 3,808 3,746 8 - 43 years
Computer hardware, software and other 1,518 1,337 6 - 15 years
Construction in progress 1,027 916 -
Total cost 80,692 78,263
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (14,978) (13,175)
Property and equipment, net $ 65,714 $ 65,088
a Other roadway includes grading, bridges, signals, buildings and other road assets.
The Consolidated Balance Sheets as of both December 31, 2021 and 2020 included $1.2 billion of capitalized right-of-use fixed assets and related accumulated amortization of $395 million and $366 million, respectively, under other assets.
The Company capitalized $25 million, $26 million and $15 million of interest for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
8. Goodwill
As a result of the Merger on February 12, 2010, the Company recorded $14.8 billion of goodwill. Subsequent to the Merger, the Company has recorded additional amounts of goodwill as a result of acquisitions made by its non-rail logistics subsidiary.
During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, no impairment losses were incurred and there were no accumulated impairment losses related to goodwill as of both December 31, 2021 and 2020. As of both December 31, 2021 and 2020, the carrying value of goodwill was $14.9 billion.
9. Leases
The following table shows the components of lease cost (in millions):
Lease Cost Years ended December 31,
2021 2020
Operating lease cost $ 428 $ 451
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets 27 38
Interest on lease liabilities 10 21
Short-term lease cost 32 24
Total lease cost $ 497 $ 534
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows (in millions):
Operating Leases December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020
Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 1,592 $ 1,928
Accounts payable and other current liabilities $ 328 $ 391
Operating lease liabilities 1,015 1,286
Total operating lease liabilities $ 1,343 $ 1,677
Finance Leases December 31, 2021 December 31, 2020
Property and equipment $ 425 $ 804
Accumulated depreciation (227) (386)
Property and equipment, net $ 198 $ 418
Long-term debt due within one year $ 29 $ 186
Long-term debt 110 139
Total finance lease liabilities $ 139 $ 325
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows (in millions):
Cash Flow Years ended December 31,
2021 2020
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease obligations:
Operating cash flows for operating leases $ 428 $ 504
Operating cash flows for finance leases $ 14 $ 22
Financing cash flows for finance leases $ 186 $ 48
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases $ 35 $ 27
Other information related to leases was as follows:
Other Information December 31, 2021 December 31,
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years):
Operating leases 7 7.3
Finance leases 5.8 3.5
Weighted-average discount rate:
Operating leases 3.6 % 3.7 %
Finance leases 6.0 % 6.4 %
Maturities of lease liabilities as of December 31, 2021 are summarized as follows (in millions):
Operating Leases Finance Leases
2022 $ 353 $ 36
2023 314 28
2024 265 24
2025 180 23
2026 73 23
Thereafter 341 30
Total lease payments 1,526 164
Less amount representing interest (183) (25)
Total $ 1,343 $ 139
10. Other Assets
Other Assets consisted of the following (in millions):
December 31,
2021 December 31,
Payments to Joint Facility Partners and Service Providers $ 2,664 $ 568
Investment in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries 910 858
Pension Asset 947 520
Other 706 724
Total $ 5,227 $ 2,670
Certain payments to joint facility partners and service providers are amortized over the life of the related asset or agreement. The Company incurred $2.4 billion in 2021 and $73 million in 2020 pursuant to these agreements.
11. Accounts Payable and Other Current Liabilities
Accounts payable and other current liabilities consisted of the following (in millions):
December 31,
2021 December 31,
Compensation and benefits payable $ 1,034 $ 760
Property and income tax liabilities 492 435
Operating leases - current 328 391
Accounts payable 314 310
Customer incentives 288 224
Accrued interest 279 277
Casualty and environmental liabilities 120 110
Capital expenditure estimated liabilities 116 74
Rents and leases 97 101
Other 828 752
Total $ 3,896 $ 3,434
12. Debt
Debt outstanding, excluding finance leases, was as follows (in millions):
December 31, 2021 a
December 31, 2020 a
Notes and debentures, due 2022 to 2097 $ 22,519 4.6 % $ 22,294 4.6 %
Equipment obligations, due 2022 to 2028 402 3.6 424 3.6
Mortgage bonds, due 2045 to 2047 47 3.1 47 3.1
Financing obligations, due 2022 to 2029 203 6.1 196 6.1
Unamortized fair value adjustment under acquisition method accounting, discount, debt issuance costs, and other, net (91) (66)
Total 23,080 22,895
Less current portion of long-term debt (903) 4.7 % (731) 3.7 %
Long-term debt $ 22,177 $ 22,164
a Amounts represent debt outstanding and weighted average effective interest rates for 2021 and 2020, respectively. Maturities are as of December 31, 2021.
As of December 31, 2021, certain BNSF Railway properties and other assets were subject to liens securing $47 million of mortgage debt. Certain locomotives and rolling stock of BNSF Railway were subject to equipment obligations.
The Company is required to maintain certain financial covenants in conjunction with $500 million of certain issued and outstanding junior subordinated notes. As of December 31, 2021, the Company was in compliance with these financial covenants.
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).
The following table provides principal cash flows and fair value information for the Company’s debt obligations.
December 31, 2021
Maturity Date Total Fair Value
2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Thereafter
Debt maturities
(in millions) $903 $1,585 $1,235 $1,232 $39 $18,086 $23,080 $27,728
As of December 31, 2020, the fair value of debt was $29.3 billion.
Notes and Debentures
In June 2021, the Board of Directors (the Board) authorized an additional $3.0 billion of debt securities that may be issued pursuant to the debt shelf registration statement filed with the SEC. As of December 31, 2021, $2.55 billion remained authorized by the Board to be issued through the SEC debt shelf offering process.
In December 2021, BNSF issued $625 million of 2.875 percent debentures due June 15, 2052, and in April 2021, BNSF issued $925 million of 3.30 percent debentures due September 15, 2051. The net proceeds from the sale of the debentures were used for general corporate purposes, which may include but are not limited to working capital, capital expenditures, repayment of outstanding indebtedness and distributions.
Guarantees
As of December 31, 2021, 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 December 31, 2021, 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
6 $ 12 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 Sheets.
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
BNSF has 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 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 and that the fair value of any such amount would be immaterial to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Unless separately disclosed above, no fair value liability related to indemnities has been recorded in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
13. Commitments and Contingencies
Personal Injury
BNSF’s personal injury liability includes the cost of claims for employee work-related injuries, third-party claims, and asbestos claims. BNSF records a liability for asserted and unasserted claims when the expected loss is both probable and reasonably estimable. Because of the uncertainty of the timing of future payments, the liability is undiscounted. Defense and processing costs, which are recorded on an as-reported basis, are not included in the recorded liability. Expense accruals and adjustments are classified as materials and other in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
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. Resolution of these cases under FELA’s fault-based system requires either a finding of fault by a jury or an out-of-court settlement. Third-party claims include claims by non-employees for compensatory damages and may, from time to time, include requests for punitive damages or treatment of the claim as a class action.
BNSF estimates its personal injury liability claims and expense using standard actuarial methodologies based on the covered population, activity levels and trends in frequency, and the costs of covered injuries. The Company monitors actual experience against the forecasted number of claims to be received, the forecasted number of claims closing with payment, and expected claim payments and records adjustments as new events or changes in estimates develop.
BNSF is party to asbestos claims by employees and non-employees who may have been exposed to asbestos. Because of the relatively finite exposed population, the Company has recorded an estimate for the full amount of probable exposure. This is determined through an actuarial analysis based on estimates of the exposed population, the number of claims likely to be filed, the number of claims that will likely require payment, and the cost per claim. Estimated filing and dismissal rates and average cost per claim are determined utilizing recent claim data and trends.
The following table summarizes the activity in the Company’s accrued obligations for personal injury claims (in millions):
Years ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Beginning balance $ 273 $ 275 $ 308
Accruals / changes in estimates 61 45 80
Payments (38) (47) (113)
Ending balance $ 296 $ 273 $ 275
Current portion of ending balance $ 85 $ 75 $ 75
The amount recorded by the Company for the personal injury liability is based upon the best information currently available. Because of the uncertainty surrounding the ultimate outcome of personal injury claims, it is reasonably possible that future costs to resolve these claims may be different from the recorded amounts. The Company estimates that costs to resolve the liability may range from approximately $250 million to $355 million.
Although the final outcome of these personal injury 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.
Environmental
BNSF is subject to extensive federal, state, and local environmental regulation. The Company’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 or 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. Under federal (in particular, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act) and state statutes, the Company may be held jointly and severally liable for cleanup and enforcement costs associated with a particular site without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct. The Company participates in the study, cleanup, or both of environmental contamination at approximately 190 sites.
Environmental costs may include, but are not limited to, site investigations, remediation, and restoration. The liability is recorded when the expected loss is both probable and reasonably estimable and is undiscounted due to uncertainty of the timing of future payments. Expense accruals and adjustments are classified as materials and other in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
BNSF estimates the cost of cleanup efforts at its known environmental sites based on experience gained from cleanup efforts at similar sites, estimated percentage to closure ratios, possible remediation work plans, 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. The Company monitors actual experience against expectations and records adjustments as new events or changes in estimates develop.
The following table summarizes the activity in the Company’s accrued obligations for environmental matters (in millions):
Years ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Beginning balance $ 265 $ 282 $ 298
Accruals / changes in estimates 3 2 5
Payments (17) (19) (21)
Ending balance $ 251 $ 265 $ 282
Current portion of ending balance $ 35 $ 35 $ 40
The amount recorded by the Company for the environmental liability is based upon the best information currently available. It has not been reduced by anticipated recoveries from third parties and includes both asserted and unasserted claims. 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 various factors, it is reasonably possible that future costs to settle these claims may be different from the recorded amounts. The Company estimates that costs to settle the liability may range from approximately $205 million to $340 million.
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 personal injury and environmental matters, 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 compensatory damages and may, from time to time, include requests for punitive damages or treatment of the claim as a class action. Although the final outcome of these 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 Commitments
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into long-term contractual requirements for future goods and services needed for the operations of the business. Such commitments are not in excess of expected requirements and are not reasonably likely to result in performance penalties or payments that would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s liquidity.
BNSF Insurance Company
BNSF has a consolidated, wholly-owned subsidiary, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Insurance Company, Ltd. (BNSFIC), that offers insurance coverage for certain risks, including FELA claims, railroad protective and force account insurance claims, certain excess general liability and property coverage, and certain other claims which are subject to reinsurance. BNSFIC 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, BNSFIC cedes a portion of its FELA exposure through the treaties and assumes a proportionate share of the entire risk. Each year, BNSFIC reviews the objectives and performance of the treaties to determine its continued participation. The treaty agreements provide for certain protections against the risk of treaty participants’ non-performance. On an ongoing basis, BNSF and/or the treaty manager reviews the creditworthiness of each of the participants. The Company does not believe its exposure to treaty participants’ non-performance is material at this time. BNSFIC typically invests in time deposits, money market accounts and treasury bills. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, there were $561 million and $548 million, respectively, related to these third-party investments which were classified as cash and cash equivalents on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.
14. Employment Benefit Plans
BNSF provides a funded, noncontributory qualified pension plan (BNSF Retirement Plan), which covered most non-union employees through March 31, 2019, and an unfunded non-tax-qualified pension plan (BNSF Supplemental Retirement Plan), which covered certain officers and other employees through March 31, 2019. The benefits under these pension plans are based on years of credited service and the highest consecutive sixty months of compensation for the last ten years of salaried employment with the Company. BNSF also provides a funded, noncontributory qualified pension plan which covers certain union employees of the former The Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company (Union Plan). The benefits under this pension plan are based on elections made at the time the plan was implemented. With respect to the funded plans, the Company's funding policy is to contribute annually not less than the regulatory minimum and not more than the maximum amount deductible for income tax purposes. The BNSF Retirement Plan, the BNSF Supplemental Retirement Plan, and the Union Plan are collectively referred to herein as the Pension Plans.
During the first quarter of 2019, the Company amended the BNSF Retirement Plan and the BNSF Supplemental Retirement Plan. Non-union employees hired on or after April 1, 2019 are not eligible to participate in these retirement plans and instead receive an additional employer contribution as part of the qualified 401(k) plan based on the employees’ age and years of service. Current employees are being transitioned away from the retirement plans and upon transition are eligible for the additional employer contribution. As a result of the plan amendments, the Company recognized a curtailment gain of $120 million in the first quarter of 2019 consisting of $117 million for the reduction in projected benefit obligation and $3 million for the recognition of prior service credits.
Components of the net (benefit) cost for the Pension Plans were as follows (in millions):
Pension Benefits
Years ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Service cost $ 25 $ 21 $ 32
Interest cost 56 70 81
Expected return on plan assets (176) (167) (160)
Amortization of net loss 2 1 -
Amortization of prior service credit - - (3)
Curtailment gain - - (117)
Settlement loss (gain) (1) (1) 5
Net (benefit) cost recognized $ (94) $ (76) $ (162)
The projected benefit obligation is the present value of benefits earned to date by plan participants, including the effect of assumed future salary increases. The following tables show the change in projected benefit obligation for the Pension Plans (in millions):
Pension Benefits
Change in Benefit Obligation December 31,
2021 December 31,
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of period $ 2,499 $ 2,295
Service cost 25 21
Interest cost 56 70
Actuarial loss (gain) (110) 262
Benefits paid (142) (143)
Settlements (6) (6)
Projected benefit obligation at end of period 2,322 2,499
Component representing future salary increases (42) (51)
Accumulated benefit obligation at end of period $ 2,280 $ 2,448
For the year ended December 31, 2021, the change in benefit obligation resulted from actuarial gains primarily attributable to an increase in the discount rate from the preceding year. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the change in benefit obligation resulted from actuarial losses primarily attributable to a decrease in the discount rate from the preceding year.
The following tables show the change in plan assets of the Pension Plans (in millions):
Pension Benefits
Change in Plan Assets December 31,
2021 December 31,
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period $ 2,916 $ 2,672
Actual return (loss) on plan assets 392 383
Employer contributionsa
10 10
Benefits paid (142) (143)
Settlements (6) (6)
Fair value of plan assets at end of period $ 3,170 $ 2,916
a Employer contributions were classified as Other, Net under Operating Activities in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
The following table shows the funded status of the Pension Plans, defined as plan assets less the projected benefit obligation (in millions):
Pension Benefits
December 31,
2021 December 31,
Funded status (plan assets less projected benefit obligations) $ 848 $ 417
Of the net pension assets of $848 million and $417 million recognized as of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, $10 million and $9 million were included in other current liabilities as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $947 million and $520 million were included in other assets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
The BNSF Supplemental Retirement Plan and the Union Plan have accumulated and projected benefit obligations in excess of plan assets. The following table shows the projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation, and fair value of plan assets for the plans (in millions):
December 31,
2021 December 31,
Projected benefit obligation $ 112 $ 122
Accumulated benefit obligation $ 106 $ 114
Fair value of plan assets $ 13 $ 19
Actuarial gains and losses and prior service credits are recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets through an adjustment to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI). The following tables show the pre-tax change in AOCI attributable to the components of the net cost and the change in benefit obligation (in millions):
Pension Benefits
Years ended December 31,
Change in AOCI 2021 2020 2019
Beginning balance $ 182 $ 228 $ 182
Amortization of net loss 2 1 -
Amortization of prior service credits - - (3)
Actuarial gain (loss) 326 (46) 44
Settlements (1) (1) 5
Ending balance $ 509 $ 182 $ 228
Pre-tax amounts currently recognized in AOCI consist of the following (in millions):
Pension Benefits
Years ended December 31,
2021 2020
Net gain (loss) $ 509 $ 182
Pre-tax amount recognized in AOCI $ 509 $ 182
The assumptions used in accounting for the Pension Plans were as follows:
Pension Benefits
Years ended December 31,
Assumptions Used to Determine Net Cost 2021 2020 2019
Discount rate 2.3 % 3.2 % 4.2 %
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets 6.7 % 6.7 % 6.7 %
Rate of compensation increase 3.1 % 3.1 % 3.5 %
Pension Benefits
Assumptions Used to Determine Benefit Obligations December 31,
2021 December 31,
Discount rate 2.7 % 2.3 %
Rate of compensation increase 3.1 % 3.1 %
The Company determined the discount rate based on a yield curve that utilized year-end market yields of high-quality corporate bonds to develop spot rates that are matched against the plans’ expected benefit payments. The discount rate used for the 2022 calculation of pension net benefit cost increased to 2.7 percent, which reflects market conditions at the December 31, 2021 measurement date.
Various other assumptions including retirement and withdrawal rates, compensation increases, payment form and benefit commencement age are based upon a five-year experience study. In 2021, the Company obtained an updated study which had an immaterial impact on its pension and retiree health and welfare projected benefit obligation.
The Company utilizes actuary-produced mortality tables and an improvement scale derived from the most recently available data, which were used in the calculation of its December 31, 2021 and 2020 liabilities.
Pension plan assets are generally invested with the long-term objective of earning sufficient amounts to cover expected benefit obligations while assuming a prudent level of risk. Allocations may change as a result of changing market conditions and investment opportunities.
The expected rates of return on plan assets reflect subjective assessments of expected invested asset returns over a period of several years. Actual experience may differ from the assumed rates. The expected rate of return on pension plan assets was 6.7 percent for 2021 and will be 6.5 percent for 2022.
The following table is an estimate of the impact on future net benefit cost that could result from hypothetical changes to the most sensitive assumptions, the discount rate and expected rate of return on plan assets:
Sensitivity Analysis
Change in 2022 Net Benefit Cost
Hypothetical Discount Rate Change Pension
50 basis point decrease $ 6 million decrease
50 basis point increase $ 3 million decrease
Hypothetical Expected Rate of Return
on Plan Assets Change Pension
50 basis point decrease $ 14 million increase
50 basis point increase $ 14 million decrease
Investments are stated at fair value. The various types of investments are valued as follows:
(i) Cash and equivalents include investments in a money market fund and in a collective short-term investment fund, both of which are composed of high-grade instruments with short-term maturities. The money market fund is valued at the closing price reported by the active market on which the fund is traded (Level 1 input). The short-term investment fund is valued based on the price per share which is determined and published (although not publicly) and is the basis for current transactions (Level 2 input).
(ii) Equity securities are valued at the last trade price at primary exchange close time on the last business day of the year (Level 1 input). If the last trade price is not available, values are based on bid, ask/offer quotes from contracted pricing vendors, brokers, or investment managers (Level 3 input or Level 2 if corroborated).
(iii) Highly liquid government obligations, such as U.S. Treasury securities, are valued based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1 input). Other fixed maturity securities and government obligations are valued based on institutional bid evaluations from contracted vendors. Where available, vendors use observable market-based data to evaluate prices (Level 2 input). If observable market-based data is not available, unobservable inputs such as extrapolated data, proprietary models, and indicative quotes are used to arrive at estimated prices representing the price a dealer would pay for the security (Level 3 input).
The following table summarizes the investments of the funded pension plans as of December 31, 2021, based on the inputs used to value them (in millions):
Total as of
Asset Category December 31,
2021 Level 1
Inputs a
Level 2
Inputs a
Level 3
Inputs a
Cash and equivalents $ 9 $ 1 $ 8 $ -
Equity securitiesb
2,900 2,900 - -
Government obligations 256 256 - -
Other fixed maturity securities 5 - 5 -
Total $ 3,170 $ 3,157 $ 13 $ -
a See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements under the heading “Fair Value Measurements” for a definition of each of these levels of inputs.
b As of December 31, 2021, four equity securities each exceeded 10 percent of total plan assets. These investments represent approximately 78 percent of total plan assets.
Comparative Prior Year Information
The following table summarizes the investments of the funded pension plans as of December 31, 2020, based on the inputs used to value them (in millions):
Total as of
Asset Category December 31,
2020 Level 1
Inputs a
Level 2
Inputs a
Level 3
Inputs a
Cash and equivalents $ 19 $ 1 $ 18 $ -
Equity securitiesb
2,634 2,634 - -
Government obligations 254 254 - -
Other fixed maturity securities 9 - 9 -
Total $ 2,916 $ 2,889 $ 27 $ -
a See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements under the heading “Fair Value Measurements” for a definition of each of these levels of inputs.
b As of December 31, 2020, three equity securities each exceeded 10 percent of total plan assets. These investments represented approximately 67 percent of total plan assets.
The Company is not required to make contributions to its funded pension plans in 2022.
The following table shows expected benefit payments from the Pension Plans for the next five fiscal years and the aggregate five years thereafter (in millions):
Fiscal year Expected Pension Plan
Benefit Paymentsa
2022 $ 148
2023 $ 138
2024 $ 134
2025 $ 132
2026 $ 129
2027-2031 $ 603
a Primarily consists of the BNSF Retirement Plan payments, which are made from the plan trust and do not represent an immediate cash outflow to the Company.
Other Benefit Plans
BNSF sponsors qualified 401(k) plans that cover substantially all employees and a non-qualified defined contribution plan that covers certain officers and other employees. BNSF matches contributions made by non-union employees and a limited number of union employees subject to certain percentage limits of the employees’ earnings. Non-union employees hired on or after April 1, 2019, and employees hired before that date who have transitioned from the BNSF Retirement Plan are also eligible for an additional employer contribution based on the employees’ age and years of service. The Company's 401(k) expense was $52 million, $49 million, and $41 million during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively.
Certain salaried employees of BNSF who met age and years of service requirements and who began salaried employment prior to September 22, 1995 are eligible for medical benefits, including prescription drug coverage, during retirement. For pre-Medicare participants, the postretirement medical and prescription drug benefit is contributory and provides benefits to retirees and their covered dependents. For Medicare eligible participants, a yearly stipend is recorded in a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) established on their behalf. Retirees can use these HRAs to reimburse themselves for eligible out-of-pocket expenses, as well as premiums for personal supplemental insurance policies. HRAs are unfunded, so no funds are expended by the Company until the reimbursements are paid to participants. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the projected benefit obligation associated with the retiree health and welfare plans was $219 million and $237 million, respectively. For each of the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, the service cost associated with the health and welfare plans was approximately $1 million.
Under collective bargaining agreements, BNSF participates in multi-employer benefit plans that provide certain postretirement health care and life insurance benefits for eligible union employees. Health care claim payments and life insurance premiums paid attributable to retirees, which are generally expensed as incurred, were $46 million, $46 million and $59 million during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The average number of employees covered under these plans was approximately 31,000, 33,000 and 37,000 during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
15. Related Party Transactions
The companies identified as affiliates of BNSF include Berkshire and its subsidiaries. During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company declared and paid cash distributions of $3.8 billion, $4.8 billion and $4.4 billion, respectively, to Berkshire. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company received tax refunds of $47 million, $55 million and $1 million, respectively, from Berkshire, and made tax payments of $1.1 billion, $1.1 billion and $934 million, respectively, to Berkshire. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had a payable to Berkshire of $124 million and $70 million, respectively.
BNSF engages in various transactions with related parties in the ordinary course of business. The following table summarizes revenues earned by BNSF for services provided to related parties and expenditures to related parties (in millions):
Years ended December 31,
2021 2020 2019
Revenues $ 106 $ 119 $ 158
Expenditures $ 385 $ 367 $ 386
BNSF owns 17.3 percent of TTX Company (TTX) while other North American railroads own the remaining interest. As BNSF possesses the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over the operating and financial policies of TTX, BNSF applies the equity method of accounting to its investment in TTX. The investment in TTX recorded under the equity method is recorded in other assets. Equity income or losses are recorded in materials and other in the Consolidated Statements of Income. North American railroads pay TTX car hire to use TTX’s freight equipment to serve their customers. BNSF’s car hire expenditures incurred with TTX are included in the table above. BNSF had $749 million and $703 million recognized as investments related to TTX in its Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
16. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Other comprehensive income refers to revenues, expenses, gains and losses that under generally accepted accounting principles are included in accumulated other 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 Equity Method Investments Total
Balance as of December 31, 2018 $ 133 $ (3) $ 130
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of $4 million tax expense
16 (1) 15
Amounts reclassified from AOCI:
Amortization of prior service creditsa
(4) - (4)
Settlement (gain) lossa
5 - 5
Tax expense (benefit) (1) - (1)
Balance as of December 31, 2019 $ 149 $ (4) $ 145
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of $17 million tax benefit
(48) 1 (47)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI:
Amortization of actuarial lossesa
2 - 2
Settlement (gain) lossa
(1) - (1)
Tax expense (benefit) (1) - (1)
Balance as of December 31, 2020 $ 101 $ (3) $ 98
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications, net of $81 million tax expense
251 - 251
Amounts reclassified from AOCI:
Amortization of actuarial lossesa
6 - 6
Settlement (gain) lossa
(1) - (1)
Tax expense (benefit) (1) - (1)
Balance at December 31, 2021 $ 356 $ (3) $ 353
a This accumulated other comprehensive income component is included in the computation of net periodic pension cost (see Note 14 for additional details).

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company’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.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
The management of BNSF is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. BNSF’s internal control over financial reporting was designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of BNSF’s financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.
Management assessed the effectiveness of BNSF’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021. In making this assessment, management adopted and used the criteria set forth in the Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on management’s assessment, management concluded that as of December 31, 2021, BNSF’s internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
As of the period covered by this report, the Company has concluded that there have been no changes in BNSF’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during BNSF’s fourth fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, BNSF’s internal control over financial reporting.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 9B. Other Information
None.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

---

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

---

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS

---

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees
The following table presents the fees billed to BNSF, including its majority-owned subsidiaries, for services provided by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm, for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):
2021 2020
Audit fees $ 3,117 $ 3,212
Audit-related fees - -
Tax fees - -
All other fees - -
Total $ 3,117 $ 3,212
Audit Fees
Audit fees consist of professional services rendered by the independent registered public accounting firm for audits of financial statements, quarterly reviews, internal control reviews, and agreed-upon procedures.
Audit-Related Fees
This category consists of assurance and related services by the independent registered public accounting firm that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of BNSF’s financial statements and are not reported above under "Audit Fees". These services include attestation services not required by statute or regulation and consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards.
Tax Fees
Tax fees consist of professional services for tax compliance, tax audit and tax planning for specific transactions or potential transactions of the Company. No tax fees were billed in 2021 or 2020.
All Other Fees
All other fees consist of subscription-related fees.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Registrant is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. and does not have an audit committee. During 2021 and 2020, the Audit Committee of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. pre-approved all fees and services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm, subject to the exceptions for non-audit services described in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and rules and regulations thereunder.
Part IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:
1.Consolidated Financial Statements-see Item 8.
Schedules are omitted because they are not required or applicable, or the required information is included in the Consolidated Financial Statements or related notes.
2.Exhibits.
Incorporated by Reference
(if applicable)
Exhibit Number and Description Form File Date File No. Exhibit
(3) Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws
3.1
Certificate of Formation dated November 2, 2009.
8-K 2/16/2010 1-11535 3.1
3.2
Amended and Restated Limited Liability Operating Agreement of Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC, dated February 12, 2010, as amended by the Written Consent of the Sole Member, dated April 8, 2010, and as further amended by the Written Consent of the Sole Member, dated January 1, 2021. Ø
10-K 3/1/2021 1-11535 3.2
(4) Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including indentures
4.1
Indenture, dated as of December 1, 1995, between BNSF and The First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee.
S-3 2/8/1999 333-72013 4
4.2
Form of BNSF’s 6 3/4% Debenture Due March 15, 2029.
10-K 3/31/1999 1-11535 4.3
4.3
Form of BNSF’s 6.70% Debenture Due August 1, 2028.
10-K 3/31/1999 1-11535 4.4
4.4
Form of BNSF’s 8.125% Debenture Due April 15, 2020.
10-K 2/12/2001 1-11535 4.6
4.5
Form of BNSF’s 7.95% Debenture Due August 15, 2030.
10-K 2/12/2001 1-11535 4.7
4.6
Indenture, dated as of December 8, 2005, between BNSF and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee.
S-3 ASR 12/8/2005 333-130214 4.1
4.7
Certificate of Trust of BNSF Funding Trust I, executed and filed by U.S. Bank Trust National Association, Linda Hurt and James Gallegos, as Trustees.
S-3 ASR 12/8/2005 333-130214 4.3
4.8
Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust of BNSF Funding Trust I, dated as of December 15, 2005.
8-K 12/15/2005 1-11535 4.4
4.9
Guarantee Agreement between BNSF and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Guarantee Trustee, dated as of December 15, 2005.
8-K 12/15/2005 1-11535 4.5
4.10
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 15, 2005, between BNSF and U.S. Bank Trust National Association, as Trustee.
8-K 12/15/2005 1-11535 4.6
4.11
Agreement as to Expenses and Liabilities dated as of December 15, 2005, between BNSF and BNSF Funding Trust I.
8-K 12/15/2005 1-11535 4.4
(Exhibit C)
4.12
Form of BNSF Funding Trust I’s 6.613% Trust Preferred Securities.
8-K 12/15/2005 1-11535 4.4
(Exhibit D)
4.13
Officer’s Certificate of Determination as to the terms of BNSF’s 6.20% Debentures Due August 15, 2036, including the form of the Debentures.
10-Q 10/24/2006 1-11535 4.1
4.14
First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 13, 2007, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1995, between BNSF and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.
8-K 4/13/2007 1-11535 4.1
4.15
Officer’s Certificate of Determination as to the terms of BNSF’s 5.65% Debentures due May 1, 2017, and 6.15% Debentures Due May 1, 2037, including the forms of the Debentures.
8-K 4/13/2007 1-11535 4.2
Ø References to BNSF refer to Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation for all periods through February 12, 2010, and to Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC for all periods on or after February 13, 2010.
Incorporated by Reference
(if applicable)
Exhibit Number and Description Form File Date File No. Exhibit
4.16
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 14, 2008, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1995, between BNSF and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.
8-K 3/14/2008 1-11535 4.1
4.17
Officers’ Certificate of Determination as to the terms of BNSF’s 5.75% Notes due March 15, 2018, including the form of the Notes.
8-K 3/14/2008 1-11535 4.2
4.18
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 3, 2008, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1995, between BNSF and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.
8-K 12/3/2008 1-11535 4.1
4.19
Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 24, 2009, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1995, between BNSF and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee, including the form of BNSF’s 4.700% Notes due October 1, 2019.
8-K 9/24/2009 1-11535 4.1
4.20
Certificate of Determination as to the terms of BNSF’s 4.700% Notes due October 1, 2019.
8-K 9/24/2009 1-11535 4.2
4.21
Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 11, 2010, by and among Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation, R Acquisition Company, LLC and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
8-K 2/16/2010 1-11535 4.1
4.22
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 11, 2010, by and among Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation, R Acquisition Company, LLC and U.S. Bank Trust National Association.
8-K 2/16/2010 1-11535 4.2
4.23
Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 17, 2010, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1995, between BNSF and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.
8-K 5/17/2010 1-11535 4.1
4.24
Certificate of Determination as to the terms of BNSF’s 5.75% Debentures due May 1, 2040.
8-K 5/17/2010 1-11535 4.2
4.25
Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 10, 2010, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1995, between BNSF and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.
8-K 9/10/2010 1-11535 4.1
4.26
Certificate of Determination as to the terms of BNSF’s 3.60% Debentures due September 1, 2020 and 5.05% Debentures due March 1, 2041.
8-K 9/10/2010 1-11535 4.2
4.27
Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 19, 2011, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1995, between BNSF and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.
8-K 5/19/2011 1-11535 4.1
4.28
Certificate of Determination as to the terms of BNSF’s 4.10% Debentures due June 1, 2021 and 5.40% Debentures due June 1, 2041.
8-K 5/19/2011 1-11535 4.2
4.29
Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 22, 2011, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1995, between BNSF and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.
8-K 8/22/2011 1-11535 4.1
4.30
Certificate of Determination as to the terms of BNSF’s 3.45% Debentures due September 15, 2021 and 4.95% Debentures due September 15, 2041.
8-K 8/22/2011 1-11535 4.2
4.31
Tenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 2, 2012, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1995, between BNSF and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.
8-K 3/2/2012 1-11535 4.1
4.32
Certificate of Determination as to the terms of BNSF’s 3.05% Debentures due March 15, 2022 and 4.40% Debentures due March 15, 2042.
8-K 3/2/2012 1-11535 4.2
4.33
Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 23, 2012, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1995 between BNSF and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.
8-K 8/23/2012 1-11535 4.1
4.34
Certificate of Determination as to the terms of BNSF’s 3.050% Debentures due September 1, 2022 and 4.375% Debentures due September 1, 2042.
8-K 8/23/2012 1-11535 4.2
Incorporated by Reference
(if applicable)
Exhibit Number and Description Form File Date File No. Exhibit
4.35
Twelfth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 12, 2013, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1995 between BNSF and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.
8-K 3/12/2013 1-11535 4.1
4.36
Certificate of Determination as to the terms of BNSF’s 3.00% Debentures due March 15, 2023 and 4.45% Debentures due March 15, 2043.
8-K 3/12/2013 1-11535 4.2
4.37
Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 22, 2013, to Indenture dated December 1, 1995, between BNSF and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.
8-K 8/22/2013 1-11535 4.1
4.38
Certificate of Determination as to the terms of BNSF’s 3.850% Debentures due September 1, 2023 and 5.150% Debentures due September 1, 2043.
8-K 8/22/2013 1-11535 4.2
4.39
Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 7, 2014, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1995, between BNSF and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.
8-K 3/7/2014 1-11535 4.1
4.40
Certificate of Determination as to the terms of BNSF’s 3.750% Debentures due April 1, 2024 and 4.900% Debentures due April 1, 2044.
8-K 3/7/2014 1-11535 4.2
4.41
Fifteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 18, 2014, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1995, between BNSF and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.
8-K 8/18/2014 1-11535 4.1
4.42
Certificate of Determination as to the terms of BNSF’s 3.400% Debentures due September 1, 2024 and 4.550% Debentures due September 1, 2044.
8-K 8/18/2014 1-11535 4.2
4.43
Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 9, 2015, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1995, between BNSF and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.
8-K 3/9/2015 1-11535 4.1
4.44
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 1-11535 4.2
4.45
Seventeenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 20, 2015, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1995, between BNSF and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.
8-K 8/20/2015 1-11535 4.1
4.46
Certificate of Determination as to the terms of BNSF’s 3.650% Debentures due September 1, 2025 and 4.700% Debentures due September 1, 2045.
8-K 8/20/2015 1-11535 4.2
4.47
Eighteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 16, 2016, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1995, between BNSF and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.
8-K 5/16/2016 1-11535 4.1
4.48
Certificate of Determination as to the terms of BNSF’s 3.900% Debentures due August 1, 2046.
8-K 5/16/2016 1-11535 4.2
4.49
Nineteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 9, 2017, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1995, between BNSF and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.
8-K 3/9/2017 1-11535 4.1
4.50
Certificate of Determination as to the terms of BNSF’s 3.250% Debentures due June 15, 2027 and 4.125% Debentures due June 15, 2047.
8-K 3/9/2017 1-11535 4.2
4.51
Twentieth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 5, 2018, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1995, between BNSF and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.
8-K 3/5/2018 1-11535 4.1
4.52
Certificate of Determination as to the terms of BNSF’s 4.050% Debentures due June 15, 2048.
8-K 3/5/2018 1-11535 4.2
4.53
Twenty-First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 2, 2018, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1995, between BNSF and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.
8-K 8/2/2018 1-11535 4.1
Incorporated by Reference
(if applicable)
Exhibit Number and Description Form File Date File No. Exhibit
4.54
Certificate of Determination as to the terms of BNSF’s 4.150% Debentures due December 15, 2048.
8-K 8/2/2018 1-11535 4.2
4.55
Twenty-Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 24, 2019, to Indenture dated as of December 1, 1995, between BNSF and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.
8-K 7/24/2019 1-11535 4.1
4.56
Certificate of Determination as to the terms of BNSF’s 3.550% Debentures due February 15, 2050.
8-K 7/24/2019 1-11535 4.2
4.57
Twenty-Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 13, 2020, 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 4/13/2020 1-11535 4.1
4.58
Certificate of Determination as to the terms of BNSF's 3.050% Debentures due February 15, 2051.
8-K 4/13/2020 1-11535 4.2
4.59
Twenty-Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 6, 2021, 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 4/6/2021 1-11535 4.1
4.60
Certificate of Determination as to the terms of BNSF's 3.300% Debentures due September 15, 2051.
8-K 4/6/2021 1-11535 4.2
4.61
Twenty-Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 29, 2021, 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 12/8/2021 1-11535 4.1
4.62
Certificate of Determination as to the terms of BNSF's 2.875% Debentures due June 15, 2052.
8-K 12/8/2021 1-11535 4.2
4.63
Description of Registrant’s Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. ‡
Certain instruments evidencing long-term indebtedness of BNSF are not being filed as exhibits to this Report because the total amount of securities authorized under any single such instrument does not exceed 10% of BNSF’s total assets. BNSF will furnish copies of any material instruments upon request of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
(10) Material Contracts
10.1
Replacement Capital Covenant, dated as of December 15, 2005, by BNSF in favor of and for the benefit of each Covered Debtholder (as defined therein).
8-K 12/15/2005 1-11535 10.1
(23) Consents of experts and counsel
23.1
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.‡
(24) Power of Attorney
24.1
Power of Attorney. ‡
(31) Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications
31.1
Principal Executive Officer’s Certifications Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002). ‡
31.2
Principal Financial Officer’s Certifications Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) (Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002). ‡
(32) Section 1350 Certifications
32.1
Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. § 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002). Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) and 18 U.S.C. § 1350 (Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002). ‡
(101) XBRL-Related Documents
101 The following financial information from Burlington Northern Santa Fe, LLC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL) includes: (i) the Cover Page, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, (iv) the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, (vi) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, and (vii) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. ‡
(104) 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as iXBRL and continued in Exhibit 101)
‡ Filed herewith