UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
__________________________________________________
FORM 10-Q
__________________________________________________
(Mark One)
x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015
OR
o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission file number: 001-14901
__________________________________________________
CNX Coal Resources LP
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
47-3445032
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
1000 CONSOL Energy Drive
Canonsburg, PA 15317-6506
(724) 485-4000
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
__________________________________________________

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes   x     No   o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes   x     No   o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer   o     Accelerated filer   o     Non-accelerated filer   x     Smaller Reporting Company   o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes   o     No   x
CNX Coal Resources LP had 11,611,067 common units, 11,611,067 subordinated units and a 2% general partner interest outstanding at October 31, 2015.

 



TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
Page
 
Part I. Financial Information
 
 
 
 
Item I.
Financial Statements
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014
 
Consolidated Statement of Partners' Capital for the nine months ended September 30, 2015
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 3.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
 
Part II. Other Information
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
 
 
 
Item 1A.
 
 
 
Item 2.
 
 
 
Item 4.
 
 
 
Item 6.
 
 
 
 


2



PART I : FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CNX COAL RESOURCES LP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in thousands, except per unit data)
(unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Coal Revenue
$
64,635

 
$
75,928

 
$
205,321

 
$
245,333

Freight Revenue
242

 
156

 
1,257

 
2,986

Miscellaneous Other Income
264

 
58

 
615

 
7,269

Gain on Sale of Assets
11

 
3

 
36

 
120

Total Revenue and Other Income
65,152

 
76,145

 
207,229

 
255,708

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating and Other Costs 1  
34,167

 
45,628

 
111,783

 
130,544

Royalties and Production Taxes
2,554

 
3,227

 
8,296

 
10,955

Selling and Direct Administrative Expenses 2
1,236

 
1,583

 
3,848

 
5,012

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
8,431

 
8,913

 
26,696

 
24,873

Freight Expense
242

 
156

 
1,257

 
2,986

General and Administrative Expenses 3
1,969

 
2,623

 
6,762

 
9,595

Interest Expense 4
1,888

 
2,190

 
6,597

 
4,709

Total Costs
50,487

 
64,320

 
165,239

 
188,674

Net Income
$
14,665

 
$
11,825

 
$
41,990

 
$
67,034

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Calculation of Limited Partner Interest in Net Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income Attributable to General and Limited Partner Ownership Interest in CNX Coal Resources 5
$
14,683

 
N/A
 
$
14,683

 
N/A
Less: General Partner Interest in Net Income
294

 
N/A
 
294

 
N/A
Limited Partner Interest in Net Income
$
14,389

 
N/A
 
$
14,389

 
N/A
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income per Limited Partner Unit - Basic
$
0.62

 
N/A
 
$
0.62

 
N/A
Net Income per Limited Partner Unit - Diluted
$
0.62

 
N/A
 
$
0.62

 
N/A
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Limited Partner Units Outstanding - Basic
23,222,134

 
N/A
 
23,222,134

 
N/A
Limited Partner Units Outstanding - Diluted
23,222,592

 
N/A
 
23,222,592

 
N/A
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Distributions Declared per Unit 6
$
0.4791

 
N/A
 
$
0.4791

 
N/A

1 Related Party of $1,680 and $3,321 for the three months ended and $3,468 and $10,357 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 , respectively.
2 Related Party of $1,034 and $1,411 for the three months ended and $3,297 and $4,530 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 , respectively.
3 Related Party of $2,027 and $2,718 for the three months ended and $6,747 and $9,595 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 , respectively.
4 Related Party of $2,424 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and $4,840 and $7,111 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 , respectively.
5 Reflective of general and limited partner interest in net income since closing of Initial Public Offering. See Note 2 - Initial Public Offering.
6 Represents the cash distributions declared related to the period presented. See Note 16 - Subsequent Events




The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3



CNX COAL RESOURCES LP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net Income
$
14,665

 
$
11,825

 
$
41,990

 
$
67,034

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments
(12
)
 
(358
)
 
(1,401
)
 
(1,072
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(12
)
 
(358
)
 
(1,401
)
 
(1,072
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Comprehensive Income
$
14,653

 
$
11,467

 
$
40,589

 
$
65,962


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


4




CNX COAL RESOURCES LP
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)

 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current Assets:
 
 
 
Cash
$
3,004

 
$
3

Trade Receivables
23,151

 

Other Receivables
412

 
384

Inventories
12,656

 
10,639

Prepaid Expenses
5,028

 
3,922

Total Current Assets
44,251

 
14,948

Property, Plant and Equipment:
 
 
 
Property, Plant and Equipment
687,775

 
686,593

Less—Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
312,576

 
287,707

Total Property, Plant and Equipment—Net
375,199

 
398,886

Other Assets:
 
 
 
Other
11,394

 
4,977

Total Other Assets
11,394

 
4,977

TOTAL ASSETS
$
430,844

 
$
418,811

































5




CNX COAL RESOURCES LP
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands)

 
(Unaudited)
 
 
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Current Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts Payable
$
15,302

 
$
15,782

Accounts Payable Related Party
1,188

 

Current Portion of Long Term Notes Related Party

 
17,931

Current Portion of Long Term Debt Other
344

 
330

Other Accrued Liabilities
39,981

 
35,502

Total Current Liabilities
56,815

 
69,545

Long-Term Debt:
 
 
 
Revolver, net of debt issuance and financing fees (Note 9)
175,873

 

Long-Term Notes Payable Related Party

 
160,831

Advanced Royalty Commitments
278

 
278

Capital Lease Obligations
85

 
51

Total Long-Term Debt
176,236

 
161,160

Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities:
 
 
 
Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions

 
5,279

Pneumoconiosis Benefits
1,422

 
1,250

Workers’ Compensation
3,219

 
2,381

Asset Retirement Obligations
7,450

 
7,961

Other
605

 
609

Total Deferred Credits and Other Liabilities
12,696

 
17,480

TOTAL LIABILITIES
245,747

 
248,185

Partners' Capital:
 
 
 
Common Units (11,611,067 Units Outstanding at September 30, 2015)
155,596

 

Subordinated Units (11,611,067 Units Outstanding at September 30, 2015)
7,502

 

General Partner Interest
13,135

 

Parent Net Investment

 
139,259

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
8,864

 
31,367

Total Partners' Capital
185,097

 
170,626

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
$
430,844

 
$
418,811


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

6



CNX COAL RESOURCES LP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF PARTNERS' CAPITAL
(Dollars in thousands)


 
 
 
Limited Partners
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Parent Net Investment
 
Common
 
Subordinated
 
General Partner
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
Total
Balance at December 31, 2014
$
139,259

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
31,367

 
$
170,626

(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income Attributable from January 1, 2015 to July 6, 2015
27,307

 

 

 

 

 
27,307

Net Working Capital Advances to Partnership
(21,585
)
 

 

 

 

 
(21,585
)
Assets and Liabilities Contributed/Distributed
210,906

 

 

 

 
(21,102
)
 
189,804

Deemed Distribution to Partnership
(355,887
)
 
28,449

 
314,597

 
12,841

 

 

Issuance of Common Units to Public, Net of Offering Costs

 
148,359

 

 

 

 
148,359

Distribution of Proceeds

 
(28,421
)
 
(314,290
)
 

 

 
(342,711
)
Net Income Attributable to the Partnership

 
7,194

 
7,195

 
294

 

 
14,683

Unit Based Compensation

 
15

 

 

 

 
15

Actuarially determined long-term liability adjustments

 

 

 

 
(1,401
)
 
(1,401
)
Balance at September 30, 2015
$

 
$
155,596

 
$
7,502

 
$
13,135

 
$
8,864

 
$
185,097



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

7



CNX COAL RESOURCES LP
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Dollars in thousands)
(unaudited)
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net Income
$
41,990

 
$
67,034

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
26,696

 
24,873

Gain on Sale of Assets
(36
)
 
(120
)
Unit Based Compensation
15

 

Amortization of Mineral Leases
305

 
229

Changes in Operating Assets:
 
 
 
Accounts and Notes Receivable
(23,179
)
 
(85
)
Inventories
(2,017
)
 
(591
)
Prepaid Expenses
(1,106
)
 
(61
)
Changes in Other Assets
88

 
(1,075
)
Changes in Operating Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts Payable
(951
)
 
(4,704
)
Accounts Payable Related Party
1,188

 

Other Operating Liabilities
4,479

 
2,974

Changes in Other Liabilities
(631
)
 
238

Other
193

 
255

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
47,034

 
88,967

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Capital Expenditures
(20,588
)
 
(57,300
)
Proceeds from Sales of Assets
56

 
15,204

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
(20,532
)
 
(42,096
)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from Miscellaneous Borrowings
4,804

 
4,686

Proceeds from Revolver, Net of Payments
180,000

 

Proceeds from Issuance of Common Units, Net of Offering Costs
148,359

 

Distribution of Proceeds
(342,711
)
 

Debt Issuance and Financing Fees
(4,329
)
 

Net Change in Parent Advances
(9,624
)
 
(51,555
)
Net Cash Used In Financing Activities
(23,501
)
 
(46,869
)
Net Increase in Cash
3,001

 
2

Cash at Beginning of Period
3

 
3

Cash at End of Period
$
3,004

 
$
5


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

8



CNX COAL RESOURCES LP
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Dollars in thousands)
NOTE 1—DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS:

Description of Business:

CNX Coal Resources LP (together with its subsidiaries, the “Partnership”) was formed by CONSOL Energy Inc. (“CONSOL Energy") in March 2015 as a Delaware limited partnership.  Upon completion of the Partnership’s initial public offering on July 7, 2015 (“IPO”), CONSOL Energy contributed to the Partnership a 20% undivided interest in the combined assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses of CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC ("CPCC") and Conrhein Coal Company ("Conrhein"). CPCC and Conrhein's assets and associated liabilities consist of the (i) Pennsylvania mining complex located in southwestern Pennsylvania, comprised of the Bailey mine, Enlow Fork mine and Harvey mine; (ii) coal reserves and properties associated with the Pennsylvania mining complex; and (iii) the preparation plant, facilities, equipment and other infrastructure associated with the Pennsylvania mining complex. The accompanying financial statements and related notes include a 20% undivided interest in the assets, liabilities and results of operations of CPCC and Conrhein, presented on a proportionate basis, as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 . As used in these financial statements, the terms "we," "our," "us," or like terms refer to the Partnership with respect to its 20% undivided interest in CPCC and Conrhein's combined assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. References in these financial statements to "CONSOL Energy" refer collectively to CONSOL Energy Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, other than the Partnership.

Basis of Presentation:

The accompanying Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared from separate records maintained by CONSOL Energy, CPCC and Conrhein and may not necessarily be indicative of the conditions that would have existed, or the results of operations, if CPCC and Conrhein had been operated as unaffiliated entities.

The balance sheet at December 31, 2014 has been derived from the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements at that date but does not include all the notes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. For further information, refer to the Combined Financial Statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2014 included in the Partnership’s prospectus dated June 30, 2015 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on July 1, 2015 pursuant to Rule 424(b)(4) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Prospectus").

As these Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements represent the combination of two separate legal entities wholly owned by CONSOL Energy, the net assets of the Partnership have been presented as a Parent Net Investment. Parent Net Investment is primarily comprised of the Partnership’s undivided interest in (i) CONSOL Energy’s initial investment in CPCC and Conrhein(and any subsequent adjustments thereto); (ii) the accumulated net earnings; (iii) net transfers to or from CONSOL Energy, including those related to cash management functions performed by CONSOL Energy; (iv) non-cash changes in financing arrangements, including the conversion of certain related party liabilities into Parent Net Investment; and (v) corporate cost allocations. Transactions between the Partnership and CONSOL Energy or CONSOL Energy’s other subsidiaries have been identified in the financial statements as transactions between related parties.

Reclassifications:

Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current reporting classifications with no effect on previously reported net income or partners' capital.     







9




Other Comprehensive Income:

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by component were as follows:
 
Postretirement Benefits
Balance at December 31, 2014
$
31,367

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications
4,553

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
(5,954
)
Other comprehensive income
(1,401
)
OPEB accumulated other comprehensive income retained by CONSOL Energy (Note 10)
(21,102
)
Balance at September 30, 2015
$
8,864


The following table shows the reclassification of adjustments out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income:
 
For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Actuarially Determined Long-Term Liability Adjustments
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of prior service costs
$
(796
)
 
$
(466
)
 
$
(6,962
)
 
$
(1,399
)
Recognized net actuarial loss
72

 
109

 
1,008

 
328

Curtailment gain

 
(2,042
)
 

 
(2,042
)
Total
$
(724
)
 
$
(2,399
)
 
$
(5,954
)
 
$
(3,113
)

Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

In February 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Update 2015-02 - Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. The objective of the amendments in this update is to change the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. The amendments in this update affect reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. Specifically, the amendments: (1) modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are variable interest entities ("VIEs") or voting interest entities; (2) eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership; (3) affect the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships; and (4) provide a scope exception from consolidation guidance for reporting entities with interests in legal entities that are required to comply with or operate in accordance with requirements that are similar to those in Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 for registered money market funds. The amendments in this update affect the following areas: (1) limited partnerships and similar legal entities; (2) evaluating fees paid to a decision maker or a service provider as a variable interest; (3) the effect of fee arrangements on the primary beneficiary determination; (4) the effect of related parties on the primary beneficiary determination; and (5) certain investment funds. Current U.S. GAAP includes different requirements for performing a consolidation analysis if, among other factors, the entity under evaluation is any one of the following: (1) a legal entity that qualifies for the indefinite deferral of Statement 167; (2) a legal entity that is within the scope of Statement 167; and (3) a limited partnership or similar legal entity that is considered a voting interest entity. Under the amendments in this update, all reporting entities are within the scope of Subtopic 810-10, Consolidation-Overall, including limited partnerships and similar legal entities, unless a scope exception applies. The presumption that a general partner controls a limited partnership has been eliminated. Overall, the amendments in this update are an improvement to current U.S. GAAP because they simplify the Codification and reduce the number of consolidated models through the elimination of the indefinite deferral of Statement 167 and because they place more emphasis on risk of loss when determining a controlling financial interest. The amendments in this update are effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. Management is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on the Partnership's financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued update 2015-03 - Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. This update is part of the FASB's initiative to reduce complexity in accounting standards (the Simplification Initiative). The FASB received feedback that having different balance sheet presentation requirements for debt issuance costs and debt discounts and premiums creates unnecessary complexity. Recognizing debt issuance costs as a deferred

10



charge (that is, an asset) also is different from the guidance in International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), which requires that transaction costs be deducted from the carrying value of the financial liability and not recorded as separate assets. Additionally, the requirement to recognize debt issuance costs as deferred charges conflicts with the guidance in FASB Concepts Statement No. 6, Elements of Financial Statements , which states that debt issuance costs are similar to debt discounts and in effect reduce the proceeds of borrowing, thereby increasing the effective interest rate. Concepts Statement 6 further states that debt issuance costs cannot be an asset because they provide no future economic benefit. To simplify the presentation of debt issuance costs, the amendments in this update require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct reduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. In August 2015, the FASB issued update 2015-15 Amendment to Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30). This amendment clarifies that, in relation to line-of-credit arrangements, the SEC would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs as an asset and subsequently amortizing the deferred debt issuance costs ratable over the term of the line-of-credit arrangement. For public business entities, the amendments in this update are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption of the amendments in this update is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The Partnership has elected to early adopt, which did not have a material impact on the Partnership's financial statements, see Note 9 - Debt.

I n April 2015, the FASB issued update 2015-06 - Earnings Per Share (Topic 260): Effects on Historical Earnings per Unit of Master Limited Partnership Dropdown Transactions. When a general partner transfers (or “drops down”) net assets to a master limited partnership and that transaction is accounted for as a transaction between entities under common control, the statements of operations of the master limited partnership are adjusted retrospectively to reflect the dropdown transaction as if it occurred on the earliest date during which the entities were under common control. The objective of this update is to address the diversity in practice in relation to presentation of historical earnings per unit for periods before the date of a dropdown transaction that occurs after formation of a master limited partnership. Some reporting entities recalculate previously reported earnings per unit by allocating the earnings (losses) of the transferred business that occurred in periods before the date of the dropdown transaction to the general partner, limited partners, and incentive distribution rights holders on a hypothetical basis and treat their rights to those earnings (losses) in a manner that is consistent with their contractual rights immediately after the dropdown transaction has occurred. Other reporting entities allocate the earnings (losses) of the transferred business that occurred in periods before the date of the dropdown transaction entirely to the general partner and do not adjust previously reported earnings per unit of the limited partners. The amendments in this update specify that for purposes of calculating historical earnings per unit under the two-class method, the earnings (losses) of a transferred business before the date of a dropdown transaction should be allocated entirely to the general partner. In that circumstance, the previously reported earnings per unit of the limited partners (which is typically the earnings per unit measure presented in the financial statements) would not change as a result of the dropdown transaction. Qualitative disclosures about how the rights to the earnings (losses) differ before and after the dropdown transaction occurs for purposes of computing earnings per unit under the two-class method also are required. The amendments in this update should be applied retrospectively for all financial statements presented and are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Earlier adoption is permitted. Management believes adoption of this new guidance will not have a material impact on the Partnership's financial statements.
In May 2014, the FASB issued Update 2014-09 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). The objective of the amendments in this update is to improve financial reporting by creating common revenue recognition guidance for U.S. GAAP and IFRS. The guidance in this update supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. An entity should disclose sufficient information, both qualitative and quantitative, to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The amendments in this update are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on the Partnership's financial statements.





11


NOTE 2—INITIAL PUBLIC AND CONCURRENT PRIVATE PLACEMENT OFFERING:

The Transaction

On July 1, 2015, the Partnership’s common units began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “CNXC”. On July 7, 2015, the following transactions occurred in conjunction with the Partnership completing the IPO.

CONSOL Energy

In connection with the IPO, the Partnership issued 1,050,000 common units (including 188,933 common units issued upon the expiration of the underwriters' option to purchase additional common units), and 11,611,067 subordinated units to CONSOL Energy, representing a 53.4% limited partner interest in us, and issued a 2.0% general partner interest in us and all of our incentive distribution rights to our general partner. In connection with these issuances of common and subordinated units and other ownership interests, we relied upon the “private placement” exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), provided by Section 4(a)(2) thereof and, accordingly, the common and subordinated units and other ownership interests issued to CONSOL Energy were not registered under the Securities Act. The partnership also entered into an operating agreement, employee services agreement, contract agency agreement, terminal and throughput agreement, cooperation and safety agreement, water supply and services agreement, omnibus agreement and contribution agreement with CONSOL Energy.

Concurrent Private Placement

In connection with the IPO, Greenlight Capital and certain of its affiliates entered into a common unit purchase agreement with us to purchase 5,000,000 common units at a price per unit equal to $15.00 equating to $75,000 in gross proceeds. In connection with our issuance and sale of common units pursuant to the Concurrent Private Placement, we relied upon the “private placement” exemption from the Securities Act, provided by Section 4(a)(2) thereof and, accordingly, the common units issued to Greenlight Capital were not registered under the Securities Act. We distributed all of the proceeds from the Concurrent Private Placement to CONSOL Energy.

Initial Public Offering

As part of the IPO, we sold 5,000,000 common units to the public at a price per unit equal to $15.00 ( $14.10 per unit net of underwriting discount) equating to gross proceeds of $75,000 . After the deduction of the underwriting discount and structuring fees of $5,500 and offering expenses of approximately $4,052 , the net proceeds contributed to the Partnership were approximately $65,448 . We granted the underwriters a 30 -day option to purchase up to 750,000 common units from us at the IPO price, less the underwriter discount, if the underwriters sold more than 5,000,000 common units. The underwriters partially exercised this option and sold an additional 561,067 common units to the public at $15.00 ( $14.10 per unit net of underwriting discount) equating to additional net proceeds of $7,911 . We distributed $70,711 of net proceeds from the IPO to CONSOL Energy. The remaining 188,933 common units that the underwriters did not exercise under their option, were issued to CONSOL Energy.

Revolving Credit Facility

In connection with the IPO, we entered into a $400,000 senior secured revolving credit facility with certain lenders and PNC Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (“PNC Bank N.A.”). Obligations under our revolving credit facility are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries (the“guarantor subsidiaries”) and are secured by substantially all of our and our subsidiaries’ assets pursuant to a security agreement and various mortgages. CONSOL Energy is not a guarantor of our revolving credit facility.

Borrowings under our revolving credit facility may be used by us to fund cash distributions, make capital expenditures, pay fees and expenses related to our revolving credit facility and for general partnership purposes. In connection with the completion of the IPO and our entry into our revolving credit facility, we made an initial draw of $200,000 and paid $3,000 in origination fees with net proceeds of $197,000 which were distributed to CONSOL Energy.

Use of Proceeds

In connection with the IPO, we used the net proceeds from the IPO, the proceeds from the Concurrent Private Placement and net borrowings under our revolving credit facility to make a distribution of $342,711 , including $4,352 of offering and structure fees, to CONSOL Energy. The Partnership retained cash of $7,000 . Based on the IPO price of $15.00 per common

12


unit, the aggregate value of the common units and subordinated units that were issued to CONSOL Energy in connection with the completion of the IPO was approximately $189,916 .

NOTE 3—NET INCOME PER LIMITED PARTNER AND GENERAL PARTNER INTEREST:
The Partnership allocates net income among our general partner and limited partners using the two-class method in accordance with applicable authoritative accounting guidance. Under the two-class method, we allocate our net income to our limited partners and our general partner in accordance with the terms of our partnership agreement. We also allocate any earnings in excess of distributions to our limited partners and our general partner in accordance with the terms of our partnership agreement. We allocate any distributions in excess of earnings for the period to our general partner and our limited partners based on their respective proportionate ownership interests in us, after taking into account distributions to be paid with respect to the incentive distribution rights, as set forth in the partnership agreement.
Diluted net income per limited partner unit reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or agreements to issue common units, such as awards under the long-term incentive plan, were exercised, settled or converted into common units. When it is determined that potential common units resulting from an award subject to performance or market conditions should be included in the diluted net income per limited partner unit calculation, the impact is reflected by applying the treasury stock method.
    The following table illustrates the Partnership's calculation of net income per unit for common and subordinated partner units (in thousands, except for per unit information):
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
Net Income
 
$
14,665

 
$
41,990

Less: Net (Loss) Income Attributable to CONSOL Energy, Pre-IPO
 
(18
)
 
27,307

Net Income Attributable to General and Limited Partner Ownership Interest in CNX Coal Resources
 
$
14,683

 
$
14,683

Less: General Partner Interest in Net Income
 
294

 
294

Limited Partner Interest in Net Income
 
$
14,389

 
$
14,389

 
 
 
 
 
Net Income Allocable to Common Units
 
$
7,194

 
$
7,194

Net Income Allocable to Subordinated Units
 
7,195

 
7,195

Limited Partner Interest in Net Income
 
$
14,389

 
$
14,389

 
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average Limited Partner Units Outstanding - Basic
 
 
 
 
 Common Units
 
11,611,067

 
11,611,067

 Subordinated Units
 
11,611,067

 
11,611,067

 Total
 
23,222,134

 
23,222,134

Weighted Average Limited Partner Units Outstanding - Diluted
 
 
 
 
 Common Units
 
11,611,525

 
11,611,525

 Subordinated Units
 
11,611,067

 
11,611,067

 Total
 
23,222,592

 
23,222,592

 
 
 
 
 
Net Income Per Limited Partner Unit - Basic and Diluted
 
 
 
 
 Common Units
 
$
0.62

 
$
0.62

 Subordinated Units
 
$
0.62

 
$
0.62





13



NOTE 4—ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS:

In March 2014, CPCC completed a sale-leaseback of longwall shields for the Harvey mine. Cash proceeds for the sale offset the basis of $15,071 ; therefore, no gain or loss was recognized on the sale. The five -year lease has been accounted for as an operating lease.
NOTE 5—MISCELLANEOUS OTHER INCOME:
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Right of way sales
$
260

 
$

 
$
487

 
$
291

Coal contract buyout

 

 

 
6,000

Litigation

 

 

 
855

Other
4

 
58

 
128

 
123

Total Miscellaneous Other Income
$
264

 
$
58

 
$
615

 
$
7,269

NOTE 6—INVENTORIES:
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
Coal
$
3,637

 
$
1,718

Supplies
9,019

 
8,921

      Total Inventories
$
12,656

 
$
10,639


Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. The cost of coal inventories is determined by the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Coal inventory costs include labor, supplies, equipment costs, operating overhead, depreciation, depletion and amortization, and other related costs.
NOTE 7—PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT:

 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
Coal and other plant and equipment
$
453,213

 
$
441,933

Coal properties and surface lands
95,725

 
107,158

Airshafts
69,683

 
68,855

Mine development
65,231

 
65,340

Coal advance mining royalties
3,923

 
3,307

Total property, plant and equipment
687,775

 
686,593

Less: Accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization
312,576

 
287,707

Total Net Property, Plant and Equipment
$
375,199

 
$
398,886


Coal reserves are controlled either through fee ownership or by lease. The duration of the leases vary; however, the lease terms generally are extended automatically to the exhaustion of economically recoverable reserves, as long as active mining continues. Coal interests held by lease provide the same rights as fee ownership for mineral extraction and are legally considered real property interests.

As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , property, plant and equipment includes gross assets under capital lease of $ 383 and $ 333 , respectively. Accumulated amortization for capital leases was $ 254 and $ 252 at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively. Amortization expense for assets under capital leases approximated $12 and $6 for the three months ended and $30 and $16 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 , respectively, and is included in Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

14



NOTE 8—OTHER ACCRUED LIABILITIES:

 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31, 2014
Subsidence liability
$
23,604

 
$
20,854

Accrued payroll and benefits
5,093

 
3,253

Deferred revenue
2,932

 
286

Equipment Lease Rental
1,996

 
1,948

Other
4,095

 
5,404

Current portion of long-term liabilities:
 
 
 
Postretirement benefits other than pensions

 
1,540

Workers' compensation
959

 
922

Asset retirement obligations
1,168

 
1,150

Long-term disability
113

 
121

Pneumoconiosis benefits
21

 
24

Total Other Accrued Liabilities
$
39,981

 
$
35,502

NOTE 9—DEBT:

Debt at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 consisted of the following:
 
September 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
Revolver, carrying amount (3.20% interest rate at September 30, 2015)
$
180,000

 
$

Less: Debt issuance and financing fees
(4,127
)
 

Revolver, net
175,873

 

 
 
 
 
Advance royalty commitments (7.91% weighted average interest rate for September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014)
578

 
578

CONSOL Financial Inc. Loan (5.46% weighted average interest rate at December 31, 2014)

 
178,762

 
176,451

 
179,340

Less amounts due in one year *
300

 
18,231

Long-Term Debt
$
176,151

 
$
161,109

___________
*Excludes current portion of Capital Lease Obligations of $ 44 and $ 30 at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , respectively.

Revolving Credit Facility

In connection with the completion of the IPO, we entered into a $400,000 senior secured revolving credit facility with certain lenders and PNC Bank N.A.. Obligations under our revolving credit facility are guaranteed by our subsidiaries and are secured by substantially all of our and our subsidiaries’ assets pursuant to a security agreement and various mortgages. CONSOL Energy is not a guarantor of our revolving credit facility.

Borrowings under our revolving credit facility were used by us to fund a cash distribution, make capital expenditures, pay fees and expenses related to our revolving credit facility and for general partnership purposes. In connection with the completion of the IPO and our entry into our revolving credit facility, we made an initial draw of $200,000 that was distributed to CONSOL Energy, net of origination fees.

The unused portion of our revolving credit facility will be subject to a commitment fee of 0.50% per annum. Interest on outstanding indebtedness under our revolving credit facility is expected to accrue, at our option, at a rate based on either:


15



The highest of (i) PNC Bank N.A.’s prime rate, (ii) the federal funds open rate plus 0.50% , and (iii) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1.0%, in each case, plus a margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.50% ; or

the LIBOR rate plus a margin ranging from 2.50% to 3.50% .

As of September 30, 2015 , the $400,000 facility had $180,000 of borrowings outstanding, leaving $220,000 unused capacity. Interest on outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility was accrued at 3.20% based on a LIBOR rate of 0.20% , plus a margin of 3.00% .

Our revolving credit facility matures on July 7, 2020 and requires compliance with conditions precedent that must be satisfied prior to any borrowing as well as ongoing compliance with certain affirmative and negative covenants. The facility also requires that the Partnership maintains a minimum interest coverage ratio of at least 3.00 to 1.00, which is calculated as the ratio of trailing 12 months Adjusted EBITDA to cash interest expense of the Partnership, measured quarterly. The Partnership must also maintain a maximum total leverage ratio not greater than 3.50 to 1.00, which is calculated as the ratio of total consolidated indebtedness to trailing 12 months consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, measured quarterly. At September 30, 2015, the interest coverage ratio was 11.84 to 1.00 and the maximum total leverage ratio was 1.71 to 1.00.

CONSOL Financial Inc. Loan

The loan represents multiple 10 -year term notes between CPCC and CONSOL Financial Inc. ("CFI") a wholly owned subsidiary of CONSOL Energy, at the applicable federal rates upon execution, which were due at various future dates throughout the year. In conjunction with the IPO, these notes were excluded from the Partnership.

NOTE 10—COMPONENTS OF OTHER POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFIT (OPEB) PLANS NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COSTS:

Prior to the IPO, the Partnership was contractually obligated for a portion of the medical and life insurance benefits to retired employees of CPCC (the "OPEB" plans). In conjunction with the IPO, on July 7, 2015 the OPEB liability and related accumulated other comprehensive income was retained by CONSOL Energy, and the Partnership has no further OPEB obligation as of such date.

Components of net periodic benefit costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:
 
Other Post-Employment Benefits
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Service cost
$

 
$
185

 
$

 
$
556

Interest cost

 
352

 
47

 
1,056

Amortization of prior service credits
(796
)
 
(466
)
 
(6,962
)
 
(1,399
)
Recognized net actuarial loss
84

 
160

 
1,043

 
480

Curtailment gain

 
(2,042
)
 

 
(2,042
)
Net periodic benefit cost
$
(712
)
 
$
(1,811
)
 
$
(5,872
)
 
$
(1,349
)

On May 31, 2015, the Salaried OPEB and Production and Maintenance (P&M) OPEB plans were remeasured to reflect an announced plan amendment. Retirees will continue in the Salaried and P&M OPEB plans until December 31, 2015, and coverage thereafter will be eliminated.

Prior to the IPO, the Partnership did not contribute to the other post-employment benefit plans in 2015. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , $1,034 of other post-employment benefits have been paid.



16



NOTE 11—COMPONENTS OF COAL WORKERS’ PNEUMOCONIOSIS (CWP) AND WORKERS’ COMPENSATION NET PERIODIC BENEFIT COSTS:

The Partnership is contractually obligated for medical and disability benefits to CPCC employees and their dependents resulting from occurrences of coal workers' pneumoconiosis disease ("CWP") and is also contractually obligated to compensate individuals who are entitled benefits under workers' compensation laws.

Components of net periodic benefit costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 are as follows:

 
CWP
 
Workers' Compensation
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Service cost
$
51

 
$
175

 
$
153

 
$
524

 
$
331

 
$
360

 
$
994

 
$
1,079

Interest cost
13

 
43

 
39

 
128

 
29

 
37

 
88

 
111

Amortization of actuarial gain
(14
)
 
(48
)
 
(42
)
 
(144
)
 

 
(4
)
 
(1
)
 
(11
)
State administrative fees and insurance bond premiums

 

 

 

 
3

 
123

 
147

 
370

Net periodic benefit cost
$
50

 
$
170

 
$
150

 
$
508

 
$
363

 
$
516

 
$
1,228

 
$
1,549


The Partnership does not expect to contribute to CONSOL Energy's CWP plan in 2015 as it intends to pay benefit claims as they become due. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , $22 of CWP benefit claims have been paid.

The Partnership does not expect to contribute to CONSOL Energy's workers’ compensation plan in 2015 as it intends to pay benefit claims as they become due. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , $399 of workers’ compensation benefits, state administrative fees and surety bond premiums have been paid.
NOTE 12—FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

The Partnership determines the fair value of assets and liabilities based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. The fair values are based on assumptions that market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in valuation techniques and the inputs to valuations. The fair value hierarchy is based on whether the inputs to valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources (including LIBOR-based discount rates), while unobservable inputs reflect the Partnership's own assumptions of what market participants would use.

The fair value hierarchy includes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value as described below.

Level One - Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Level Two - The fair value of the assets and liabilities included in Level 2 are based on standard industry income approach models that use significant observable inputs, including LIBOR-based discount rates.

Level Three - Unobservable inputs significant to the fair value measurement supported by little or no market activity. The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Partnership's third party guarantees are the credit risk of the third party and the third party surety bond markets.

In those cases when the inputs used to measure fair value meet the definition of more than one level of the fair value hierarchy, the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its totality determines the applicable level in the fair value hierarchy.

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value for which the fair value option was not elected:


17



Long-term debt: The fair value of long-term debt is measured using unadjusted quoted market prices or estimated using discounted cash flow analyses. The discounted cash flow analyses are based on current market rates for instruments with similar cash flows.

The carrying amounts and fair values of financial instruments for which the fair value option was not elected are as follows:
 
September 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
Revolver
$
180,000

 
$
180,000

 
$

 
$

Long-term debt
$

 
$

 
$
178,762

 
$
159,109

The Partnership’s debt obligations are valued through reference to the applicable underlying benchmark rate and, as a result, constitute Level 2 fair value measurements.
NOTE 13—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES:

The Partnership is subject to various lawsuits and claims with respect to such matters as personal injury, wrongful death, damage to property, exposure to hazardous substances, governmental regulations (including environmental remediation), employment and contract disputes and other claims and actions arising out of the normal course of business. We accrue the estimated loss for these lawsuits and claims when the loss is probable and can be estimated. Our current estimated accruals related to these pending claims, individually and in the aggregate, are immaterial to the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Partnership, and there are no material pending claims that would require disclosure in the financial statements individually or in the aggregate. It is possible that the aggregate loss in the future with respect to these lawsuits and claims could ultimately be material to the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Partnership; however, such amounts cannot be reasonably estimated.

Clean Water Act - Bailey Mine. CONSOL Energy received from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA") on April 8, 2011, a request for information relating to the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
("NPDES") permit compliance at the Partnership’s Bailey and Enlow Fork Mines. In response, CPCC submitted water discharge monitoring and other data to the EPA. The investigation has focused primarily on exceedances at three discharge points. In early 2013, the case was referred to the U.S. Department of Justice (the "DOJ"), and PA DEP also became involved. On December 18, 2014, the DOJ provided the Partnership a proposed Consent Decree to resolve certain Clean Water Act and Clean Streams Law claims against CONSOL Energy and CPCC with respect to the Bailey mine. The parties continue to negotiate the terms of the proposed Consent Decree. The Partnership has established an accrual to cover its estimated liability in this matter. This accrual is immaterial to the overall financial position of the Partnership and was included in Other Accrued Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

At September 30, 2015 , the Partnership is contractually obligated to CONSOL Energy for financial guarantees and letters of credit to certain third parties which were issued by CONSOL Energy on behalf of the Partnership. The maximum potential total of future payments that we could be required to make under these instruments is $67,160 . The instruments are comprised of $4,465 employee-related and other letters of credit expiring in the next three years, $46,887 of environmental surety bonds expiring within the next year, and $15,808 of employee-related and other surety bonds expiring within the next year. Employee-related financial guarantees have primarily been provided to support various state workers’ compensation and federal black lung self-insurance programs. Environmental financial guarantees have primarily been provided to support various performance bonds related to reclamation and other environmental issues. Other guarantees have been extended to support insurance policies, legal matters, full and timely payments of mining equipment leases, and various other items necessary in the normal course of business. These amounts have not been reduced for potential recoveries under recourse or collateralization provisions. Generally, recoveries under reclamation bonds would be limited to the extent of the work performed at the time of the default. No amounts related to these financial guarantees and letters of credit are recorded as liabilities on the financial statements. The Partnership’s management believes that these guarantees will expire without being funded, and therefore the commitments will not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Partnership.

The Partnership enters into long-term unconditional purchase obligations. These purchase obligations are not recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of September 30, 2015 , the Partnership had $771 of purchase obligations, all of which are due in less than one year.



18



NOTE 14 RELATED PARTY:

The Consolidated Statements of Operations include expense allocations for certain corporate functions historically performed by CONSOL Energy, including allocations of general corporate expenses related to stock based compensation, legal, treasury, human resources, information technology and other administrative services. Those allocations were based primarily on specific identification, head counts and coal tons produced. Also, centralized cash management activities for CONSOL Energy were utilized for collections and payments related to normal course of business accounts receivable and payments for goods and services. The balance of receivable/payable from CONSOL Energy and other affiliates are presented as contributions/distributions in these consolidated financial statements. Management believes the assumptions underlying the Consolidated Financial Statements, including the assumptions regarding allocating general corporate expenses from CONSOL Energy are reasonable. Nevertheless, these statements may not include all of the actual expenses that would have been incurred by the Partnership and may not reflect our Consolidated Statements of Operations, Balance Sheets and Cash Flows had we been a stand-alone company during the periods presented. Actual costs that would have been incurred if the Partnership had been a stand-alone company would depend on multiple factors, including organizational structure and strategic decisions made in various areas, including information technology and infrastructure.

In conjunction with the IPO, the Partnership entered into several agreements, including an omnibus agreement, with CONSOL Energy. The omnibus agreement provided that CONSOL Energy will perform certain shared services for a fee, including general, selling and direct administrative expenses related to stock based compensation, legal, treasury, human resources, information technology and other administrative services agreement. This agreement also provides that CONSOL Energy extend insurance and other employee benefit coverages for a fee.

We believe that transactions with related parties, other than certain transactions with CONSOL Energy related to administrative services, were conducted on terms comparable to those with unrelated parties.

Purchases of supply inventory from Fairmont Supply Company, formerly a wholly owned subsidiary of CONSOL Energy, were approximately $1,984 and $6,573 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 , and are included in Operating and Other Costs in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. On December 12, 2014, Fairmont Supply was sold by CONSOL Energy and is no longer a related party of CONSOL Energy or the Partnership.

CPCC had several related party long-term notes with CFI that are disclosed within Note 9 - Debt. Payments for these notes were $1,064 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and $13,592 and $5,744 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 , respectively. Proceeds from additional notes were $1,064 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and $13,592 and $5,744 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 , respectively. Interest Expense related to these notes were $4,840 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and $2,424 and $7,111 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 . There was no interest expense and payments or proceeds for the three months ended September 30, 2015 as these notes were excluded from the Partnership in conjunction with the IPO. These costs are included in Interest Expense in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Charges for services from CONSOL Energy include the following:
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Operating and Other Costs
$
1,680

 
$
1,337

 
$
3,468

 
$
3,784

Selling and Direct Administrative Expenses
1,034

 
1,411

 
3,297

 
4,530

General and Administrative Expenses
2,027

 
2,718

 
6,747

 
9,595

Total Service from CONSOL Energy
$
4,741

 
$
5,466

 
$
13,512

 
$
17,909


At September 30, 2015 , the Partnership had a net payable to CONSOL Energy in the amount of $1,188 . This payable includes reimbursements for business expenses, executive fees, debt issuance and financing fees, stock-based compensation and other items.
 



19



NOTE 15—LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN:

Under the CNX Coal Resources LP 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “LTIP”), our general partner may issue long-term equity based awards to directors, officers and employees of our general partner or its affiliates, or to any consultants, affiliates of our general partner or other individuals who perform services for us. These awards will be intended to compensate
the recipients thereof based on the performance of our common units and their continued service during the vesting period, as
well as to align their long-term interests with those of our unitholders. We will be responsible for the cost of awards granted
under the LTIP and all determinations with respect to awards to be made under the LTIP will be made by the board of directors
of our general partner or any committee thereof that may be established for such purpose or by any delegate of the board of
directors or such committee, subject to applicable law, which we refer to as the plan administrator.

The LTIP limits the number of units that may be delivered pursuant to vested awards to 2,300,000 common units, subject to proportionate adjustment in the event of unit splits and similar events. Common units subject to awards that are canceled,
forfeited, withheld to satisfy exercise prices or tax withholding obligations or otherwise terminated without delivery of the
common units will be available for delivery pursuant to other awards.

The Partnership's general partner has granted equity-based phantom units that vest over a period of continued service with the Partnership. The value of the phantom units will be paid in common units or an amount of cash equal to the fair market value of a unit based on the grant date. The Partnership accounted for these awards as equity awards and recorded compensation expense based on the fair value of the awards at the grant date fair value. Based on the vesting requirements, the Partnership amortized $15 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , which is included in general and administrative expense.

As of September 30, 2015 , 6,204 units have been issued under our LTIP. The weighted average fair value of these grants, based on the Partnership's common unit price on the grant date, was $14.50 per unit.

NOTE 16—SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:

On October 26 , the Board of Directors of CNX Coal Resources GP LLC, the general partner of CNX Coal Resources LP, declared a cash distribution to the Partnership's unitholders for the third quarter of 2015 of $0.4791 per common and subordinated unit. The cash distribution will be paid on November 13, 2015 to the unitholders of record at the close of business on November 6, 2015. The quarterly distribution for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 was prorated from the closing date of the IPO based upon a minimum quarterly distribution of $0.5125  per unit per quarter.





20



ITEM 2.    MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Unless otherwise indicated, the following discussion of the financial condition and results of operations of our Partnership reflect a 20% undivided interest in the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the Pennsylvania mining complex. As used in the following discussion of the financial condition and results of operations of our Partnership, the terms “we,” “our,” “us,” or like terms refer to the Partnership with respect to its 20% undivided interest in the Pennsylvania mining complex’s combined assets, liabilities revenues and costs.

Overview

We are a growth-oriented master limited partnership recently formed by CONSOL Energy to manage and further develop all of its thermal coal operations in Pennsylvania. Our initial assets include a 20% undivided interest in, and operational control over, CONSOL Energy's Pennsylvania mining complex, which consists of three underground mines and related infrastructure that produce high-Btu bituminous thermal coal that is sold primarily to electric utilities in the eastern United States, our core market. We believe that our ability to efficiently produce and deliver large volumes of high-quality coal at competitive prices, the strategic location of our mines, the industry experience of our management team and our relationship with CONSOL Energy position us as a leading producer of high-Btu thermal coal in the Northern Appalachian Basin and the eastern United States.

How We Evaluate Our Operations

Our management uses a variety of financial and operating metrics to analyze our performance. These metrics are significant factors in assessing our operating results and profitability and include: (i) coal production, sales volumes and average sales price, which drive coal sales revenue; (ii) cost of coal sold, a non-GAAP financial measure; (iii) adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure and (iv) distributable cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We evaluate our cost of coal sales on a cost per ton basis. Our cost of coal sold per ton represents our costs divided by the tons of coal we sell. We define cost of coal sold as operating and other production costs related to produced tons sold, along with changes in coal inventory, both in volumes and carrying values. The cost of coal sold per ton includes items such as direct operating costs, royalty and production taxes, direct administration and selling expenses, and depreciation, depletion and amortization costs. Our costs exclude any indirect costs such as general and administrative costs and other costs not directly attributable to the production of coal. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to cost of coal sold is total costs.

We define average cash margin per ton, which is an operating ratio derived from non-GAAP measures, as (i) average coal revenue per ton, net of average cost of coal sold per ton, depreciation, depletion and amortization, as adjusted for (ii) non-production related costs.

We define adjusted EBITDA as (i) net income (loss) before net interest expense, depreciation, depletion and amortization, as adjusted for (ii) material nonrecurring and other items which may not reflect the trend of our future results. The GAAP measure most directly comparable to adjusted EBITDA is net income.

We define distributable cash flow as adjusted EBITDA less net cash interest paid and estimated maintenance capital expenditures, to analyze our performance. Distributable cash flow will not reflect changes in working capital balances. The GAAP measures most directly comparable to distributable cash flow are net income and net cash provided by operating activities.

Cost of coal sold, average cash margin per ton, adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash flow are used as supplemental financial measures by management and by external users of our financial statements, such as investors, industry analysts, lenders and ratings agencies, to assess:

• our operating performance as compared to the operating performance of other companies in the coal industry, without regard to financing methods, historical cost basis or capital structure;

• the ability of our assets to generate sufficient cash flow to make distributions to our partners;


21


• our ability to incur and service debt and fund capital expenditures;

• the viability of acquisitions and other capital expenditure projects and the returns on investment of various investment opportunities; and

• the attractiveness of capital projects and acquisitions and the overall rates of return on alternative investment opportunities.
   
The non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered an alternative to total costs, net income, operating cash flow, or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. These measures exclude some, but not all, items that affect net income or net cash, and these measures may vary from those of other companies. As a result, the items presented below may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

The following table presents a reconciliation of cost of coal sold to total costs, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, on a historical basis for each of the periods indicated.

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Total Costs
$
50,487

 
$
64,320

 
$
165,239

 
$
188,674

Freight expense
(242
)
 
(156
)
 
(1,257
)
 
(2,986
)
General and administrative expenses
(1,969
)
 
(2,623
)
 
(6,762
)
 
(9,595
)
Interest expense
(1,888
)
 
(2,190
)
 
(6,597
)
 
(4,709
)
Other costs (non-production)
(149
)
 
(281
)
 
2,881

 
(874
)
Selling and direct administrative expenses (non-production)

 
(17
)
 
(29
)
 
(197
)
Depreciation. depletion and amortization (non-production)
(437
)
 
(490
)
 
(1,536
)
 
(1,471
)
Cost of coal sold
$
45,802

 
$
58,563

 
$
151,939

 
$
168,842


The following table presents a reconciliation of average cash margin per ton for each of the periods indicated.

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Total coal revenue
$
64,635

 
$
75,928

 
$
205,321

 
$
245,333

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating and other costs
34,167

 
45,628

 
111,783

 
130,544

Royalties and production taxes
2,554

 
3,227

 
8,296

 
10,955

Selling and direct administrative expenses
1,236

 
1,583

 
3,848

 
5,012

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
8,431

 
8,913

 
26,696

 
24,873

Less: Other costs (non-production)
(149
)
 
(281
)
 
2,881

 
(874
)
Less: Selling and direct administrative expenses (non-production)

 
(17
)
 
(29
)
 
(197
)
Less: Depreciation, depletion and amortization (non-production)
(437
)
 
(490
)
 
(1,536
)
 
(1,471
)
Total cost of coal sold
$
45,802

 
$
58,563

 
$
151,939

 
$
168,842

Total coal sold
1,134

 
1,238

 
3,576

 
3,928

Average sales price per ton sold
$
56.99

 
$
61.35

 
$
57.41

 
$
62.47

Average cost per ton sold
40.38

 
47.32

 
42.48

 
42.99

Average margin per ton sold
16.61

 
14.03

 
14.93

 
19.48

Add: Total depreciation, depletion and amortization costs per ton sold
6.88

 
6.61

 
6.92

 
5.96

Average cash margin per ton sold
$
23.49

 
$
20.64

 
$
21.85

 
$
25.44






22


The following table presents a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, on a historical basis for each of the periods indicated. The table also presents a reconciliation of distributable cash flow to net income and operating cash flows, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, on a historical basis for each of the periods indicated.

 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Net income
$
14,665

 
$
11,825

 
$
41,990

 
$
67,034

Interest expense
1,888

 
2,190

 
6,597

 
4,709

Depreciation, depletion and amortization
8,431

 
8,913

 
26,696

 
24,873

OPEB plan change
(712
)
 

 
(4,271
)
 

OPEB transition payment

 
(2,042
)
 

 
(2,042
)
Backstop loan fees

 

 
1,516

 

Coal contract buyout

 

 

 
(6,000
)
Litigation settlement

 

 

 
(855
)
Stock/Unit based compensation
15

 
530

 
861

 
2,551

Adjusted EBITDA
$
24,287

 
$
21,416

 
$
73,389

 
$
90,270

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Interest
1,475

 
6

 
6,313

 
4,696

Estimated Maintenance Capital Expenditures
7,438

 
7,442

 
29,246

 
29,393

Distributable Cash Flow
$
15,374

 
$
13,968

 
$
37,830

 
$
56,181

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
$
8,496

 
$
24,874

 
$
47,034

 
$
88,967

Less: Interest Expense, Net
1,888

 
2,190

 
6,597

 
4,709

Less: Other, Including Working Capital
(17,679
)
 
1,268

 
(32,952
)
 
(6,012
)
Adjusted EBITDA
$
24,287

 
$
21,416

 
$
73,389

 
$
90,270

Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash Interest
1,475

 
$
6

 
6,313

 
4,696

Estimated Maintenance Capital Expenditures
7,438

 
7,442

 
29,246

 
29,393

Distributable Cash Flow
$
15,374

 
$
13,968

 
$
37,830

 
$
56,181




23



Results of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014

Total net income was $14,665 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $11,825 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 . Our results of operations for each of these periods are presented in the table below. Variances are discussed following the table.
 
For the Three Months Ended,
 
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Variance
 
(in thousands)
Coal revenue
$
64,635

 
$
75,928

 
$
(11,293
)
Freight revenue
242

 
156

 
86

Miscellaneous other income
264

 
58

 
206

Gain on sale of assets
11

 
3

 
8

Total revenue and other income
65,152

 
76,145

 
(10,993
)
Cost of coal sold:
 
 
 
 
 
Operating costs
34,018

 
45,347

 
(11,329
)
Royalties and production taxes
2,554

 
3,227

 
(673
)
Selling and direct administrative expenses
1,236

 
1,566

 
(330
)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
7,994

 
8,423

 
(429
)
Total cost of coal sold
45,802

 
58,563

 
(12,761
)
Other costs:
 
 
 
 
 
Other costs
149

 
281

 
(132
)
Selling and direct administrative expenses

 
17

 
(17
)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
437

 
490

 
(53
)
Total other costs
586

 
788

 
(202
)
Freight expense
242

 
156

 
86

General and administrative expenses
1,969

 
2,623

 
(654
)
Interest expense
1,888

 
2,190

 
(302
)
Total costs
50,487

 
64,320

 
(13,833
)
Net income
$
14,665

 
$
11,825

 
$
2,840

Adjusted EBITDA
$
24,287

 
$
21,416

 
$
2,871

Distributable Cash Flow
$
15,374

 
$
13,968

 
$
1,406





24



Coal Production Rates

The table below presents total tons produced from the Pennsylvania mining complex on our 20% undivided interest for the periods indicated:
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
Mine
 
2015
 
2014
 
Variance
Bailey
 
453

 
620

 
(167
)
Enlow Fork
 
514

 
432

 
82

Harvey
 
195

 
221

 
(26
)
Total
 
1,162

 
1,273

 
(111
)

Coal production was 1,162 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to 1,273 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 . The 111 decrease was attributable to reducing the production to adjust to the contracted sales commitments.
Coal Operations

Coal revenue and cost components on a per unit basis for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 were as indicated in the table below. Our operations also include various costs such as general and administrative, corporate, freight and other costs not included in our unit cost analysis because these costs are not directly associated with coal production.
 
For the Three Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Variance
 
Percent
Variance
Total Tons Sold (in thousands)
1,134

 
1,238

 
(104
)
 
(8.4
)%
Average Sales Price Per Ton Sold
$
56.99

 
$
61.35

 
$
(4.36
)
 
(7.1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Costs Per Ton Sold
$
30.24

 
$
36.95

 
$
(6.71
)
 
(18.2
)%
Royalties and Production Taxes Per Ton Sold
2.20

 
2.53

 
(0.33
)
 
(13.0
)%
Selling and Direct Administrative Expenses Per Ton Sold
1.06

 
1.23

 
(0.17
)
 
(13.8
)%
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Per Ton Sold
6.88

 
6.61

 
0.27

 
4.1
 %
Total Costs Per Ton Sold
$
40.38

 
$
47.32

 
$
(6.94
)
 
(14.7
)%
Average Margin Per Ton Sold
$
16.61

 
$
14.03

 
$
2.58

 
18.4
 %
Add: Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Costs Per Ton Sold
6.88

 
6.61

 
0.27

 
4.1
 %
Average Cash Margin Per Ton Sold (1)
$
23.49

 
$
20.64

 
$
2.85

 
13.8
 %
(1) Average cash margin per ton is an operating ratio derived from non-GAAP measures.

Revenue and Other Income

Coal revenue was $64,635 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $75,928 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 . The $11,293 decrease was attributable to a $4.36 per ton lower average sales price and a 104 decrease in tons sold. The lower sales volumes and average coal sales price per ton sold in the 2015 period were primarily the result of the overall decline in the domestic and global thermal coal markets.

Freight revenue, which is completely offset in freight expense, is the amount billed to customers based on the weight of coal shipped and negotiated freight rates for rail transportation. Freight revenue increased $86 in the period-to-period comparison due to various immaterial transactions.

Miscellaneous other income was $264 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $58 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 . The $206 increase was due to the sale of various right-of-ways that occurred in September 2015.

The change in gain on sale of assets in the period-to-period comparison was due to various immaterial transactions in both periods.

25





Cost of Coal Sold

Cost of coal sold is comprised of operating and other production costs related to produced tons sold, along with changes in coal inventory, both in volumes and carrying values. The costs of coal sold per ton include items such as direct operating costs, royalty and production taxes, direct administration and selling expenses, and depreciation, depletion, and amortization costs. Total cost of coal sold was $45,802 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 , or $12,761 lower than the $58,563 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 . Total costs per ton sold were $40.38 per ton for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $47.32 per ton for the three months ended September 30, 2014 . The decrease in the cost of coal sold was driven by improved longwall operations, a reduced workforce, and other ongoing cost reduction efforts as a result of reducing production for 2015 to match the contracted sales commitments of the Partnership. There was also a decrease in the unit costs due to OPEB liabilities being retained by CONSOL Energy, in conjunction with the IPO.

Total Other Costs

Total other costs is comprised of various costs that are not allocated to each individual mine and therefore are not included in unit costs. Total other costs decreased $202 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2014 due to various immaterial transactions in both periods.

General and Administrative Expense

Upon closing of the IPO, the Partnership entered into a service arrangement with CONSOL Energy to provide certain general and administrative services. These services are paid monthly based on agreed upon rates. In addition, the Partnership incurred various costs as a result of being a publicly traded entity for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . For the three months ended September 30, 2014 , CONSOL Energy allocated general and administrative expenses based upon the level of operating activity of its underlying business units. These expenses include CONSOL Energy's stock based compensation and short-term incentive compensation program as well as costs that are directly related to our operations along with a portion of costs that are allocated to us based on a percent of total labor costs. The amount of general and administrative expenses incurred was $1,969 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to general and administrative expenses allocated to us from CONSOL Energy of $2,623 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 . The change in the period-to-period comparison was due to various transactions, none of which were individually material.

Interest Expense

Interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2015 was $1,888 , which relates to the revolving credit facility that we entered into in connection with the completion of the IPO. For the three months ended September 30, 2014 , $2,190 of interest expense was incurred on the CFI loan, which was excluded from the Partnership at the time of the IPO.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA was $24,287 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $21,416 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 . The $2,871 increase was attributed to a $2.85 per ton increase in the average cash margin sold. The $2.85 per ton increase in the average cash margin was primarily a result of cost cutting efforts, which resulted in a $6.94 per ton decrease in total costs per ton sold, offset in part, by the $4.36 impairment in average sales price per ton as discussed above.

Distributable Cash Flow

Distributable cash flow was $15,374 for the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $13,968 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 . The $1,406 increase was attributed to a $2,871 increase in adjusted EBITDA as discussed above. This was offset in part by an increase in the cash interest paid for the three months ended September 30, 2015 of $1,475 compared to $6 for the three months ended September 30, 2014 .



26



Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014

Total net income was $41,990 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $67,034 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . Our results of operations for each of these periods are presented in the table below. Variances are discussed following the table.
 
For the Nine Months Ended,
 
September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Variance
 
(in thousands)
Coal revenue
$
205,321

 
$
245,333

 
$
(40,012
)
Freight revenue
1,257

 
2,986

 
(1,729
)
Miscellaneous other income
615

 
7,269

 
(6,654
)
Gain on sale of assets
36

 
120

 
(84
)
Total revenue and other income
207,229

 
255,708

 
(48,479
)
Cost of coal sold:
 
 
 
 
 
Operating costs
114,664

 
129,670

 
(15,006
)
Royalties and production taxes
8,296

 
10,955

 
(2,659
)
Selling and direct administrative expenses
3,819

 
4,815

 
(996
)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
25,160

 
23,402

 
1,758

Total cost of coal sold
151,939

 
168,842

 
(16,903
)
Other costs:
 
 
 
 
 
Other costs
(2,881
)

874

 
(3,755
)
Selling and direct administrative expenses
29


197

 
(168
)
Depreciation, depletion and amortization
1,536


1,471

 
65

Total other costs
(1,316
)
 
2,542

 
(3,858
)
Freight expense
1,257

 
2,986

 
(1,729
)
General and administrative expenses
6,762

 
9,595

 
(2,833
)
Interest expense
6,597

 
4,709

 
1,888

Total costs
165,239

 
188,674

 
(23,435
)
Net income
$
41,990

 
$
67,034

 
$
(25,044
)
Adjusted EBITDA
$
73,389

 
$
90,270

 
$
(16,881
)
Distributable Cash Flow
$
37,830

 
$
56,181

 
$
(18,351
)


27



Coal Production Rates

The table below presents total tons produced from the Pennsylvania mining complex on our 20% undivided interest for the periods indicated:
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Mine
 
2015
 
2014
 
Variance
Bailey
 
1,615

 
1,916

 
(301
)
Enlow Fork
 
1,461

 
1,588

 
(127
)
Harvey
 
558

 
424

 
134

Total
 
3,634

 
3,928

 
(294
)

Coal production was 3,634 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to 3,928 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . The 294 decrease was attributable to reducing the production to adjust to contracted sales commitments. The production at the Harvey mine increased as a result of the commencement of longwall mining operations in March 2014.

Coal Operations

Coal revenue and cost components on a per unit basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and September 30, 2014 were as indicated in the table below. Our operations also include various costs such as general and administrative, corporate, freight and other costs not included in our unit cost analysis because these costs are not directly associated with coal production.
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Variance
 
Percent
Variance
Total Tons Sold (in thousands)
3,576

 
3,928

 
(352
)
 
(9.0
)%
Average Sales Price Per Ton Sold
$
57.41

 
$
62.47

 
$
(5.06
)
 
(8.1
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Costs Per Ton Sold
$
32.23

 
$
33.01

 
$
(0.78
)
 
(2.4
)%
Royalties and Production Taxes Per Ton Sold
2.28

 
2.79

 
(0.51
)
 
(18.3
)%
Selling and Direct Administrative Expenses Per Ton Sold
1.05

 
1.23

 
(0.18
)
 
(14.6
)%
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Per Ton Sold
6.92

 
5.96

 
0.96

 
16.1
 %
Total Costs Per Ton Sold
$
42.48

 
$
42.99

 
$
(0.51
)
 
(1.2
)%
Average Margin Per Ton Sold
$
14.93

 
$
19.48

 
$
(4.55
)
 
(23.4
)%
Add: Total Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Costs Per Ton Sold
6.92

 
5.96

 
0.96

 
16.1
 %
Average Cash Margin Per Ton Sold (1)
$
21.85

 
$
25.44

 
$
(3.59
)
 
(14.1
)%
(1) Average cash margin per ton is an operating ratio derived from non-GAAP measures.

Revenue and Other Income

Coal revenue was $205,321 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $245,333 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . The $40,012 decrease was attributable to a $5.06 per ton lower average sales price and a 352 decrease in tons sold. The lower average coal sales price per ton sold in the 2015 period were primarily the result of the overall decline in the domestic thermal and global coal markets.

Freight revenue, which is completely offset in freight expense, is the amount billed to customers based on the weight of coal shipped and negotiated freight rates for rail transportation. Freight revenue was $1,257 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $2,986 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . The $1,729 decrease in freight revenue was due to decreased shipments to customers where we were contractually obligated to provide transportation services.

Miscellaneous other income decreased by $6,654 in the period-to-period comparison due to a $6,000 coal customer contract buyout for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and $654 of various transactions in each period, none of which were individually material.


28



Gain on sale of assets decreased $84 in the period-to-period comparison due to various immaterial transactions in both periods.
 
Cost of Coal Sold

Cost of coal sold is comprised of operating and other production costs related to produced tons sold, along with changes in coal inventory, both in volumes and carrying values. The costs of coal sold per ton include items such as direct operating costs, royalty and production taxes, direct administration and selling expenses, and depreciation, depletion, and amortization costs. Total cost of coal sold was $151,939 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , or $16,903 lower than the $168,842 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . Total costs per ton sold were $42.48 per ton for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $42.99 per ton for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . The decrease in the cost of coal sold was driven by improved longwall operations, a reduced workforce, and other ongoing cost reduction efforts as a result of reducing production for 2015 to match contracted sales commitments of the Partnership. There was also a decrease in the unit costs due to OPEB liabilities being retained by CONSOL Energy, in conjunction with the IPO.

Total Other Costs

Total other costs is comprised of various costs that are not allocated to each individual mine and therefore not included in unit costs. Total other costs decreased $3,858 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . This decrease is primarily attributable to the remeasurement of the OPEB plans that occurred in May 2015, which is included in other costs. OPEB was excluded from the Partnership at the time of the IPO.
 
General and Administrative Expense

Upon closing of the IPO, the Partnership entered into a service arrangement with CONSOL Energy to provide certain general and administrative services. These services are paid monthly based upon agreed upon rates. In addition, the Partnership incurred various costs as a result of being a publicly traded entity for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . For the periods prior to the IPO, CONSOL Energy allocated general and administrative expenses based upon the level of operating activity of its underlying business units. These expenses include CONSOL Energy's stock based compensation and short-term incentive compensation program as well as costs that are directly related to our operations along with a portion of costs that are allocated to us based on a percent of total labor costs. The amount of general and administrative expenses incurred was $6,762 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $9,595 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . The $2,833 decrease was primarily attributable to lower short-term incentive compensation payouts.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $6,597 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , which includes interest on the revolving credit facility that we entered into in connection with the completion of the IPO and interest expense incurred on the CFI loan, which was excluded from the Partnership at the time of the IPO. Interest expense was $4,709 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 , which includes capitalized interest and interest expense incurred on the CFI loan. The $1,888 increase in the period-to-period comparison was primarily due to lower capitalized interest as a result of the commencement of longwall mining operations at the Harvey mine in March 2014.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA was $73,389 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $90,270 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . The $16,881 decrease was attributed to a $3.59 per ton decrease in the average cash margin per ton sold. The $3.59 per ton decrease in the average cash margin was primarily a result of the $5.06 per ton decrease in coal sales price, offset in part by the $0.78 improvement in Operating Costs Per Ton Sold and $0.51 improvement in Royalties and Production Taxes Per Ton Sold per ton as discussed above.

Distributable Cash Flow

Distributable cash flow was $37,830 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to $56,181 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . The $18,351 decrease was attributed to a $16,881 decrease in adjusted EBITDA as discussed above. The remaining decrease is primarily a result of an increase in the cash interest paid for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 of $6,313 compared to $4,696 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 .


29



Capital Resources and Liquidity

Liquidity and Financing Arrangements

Historically, our principal sources of liquidity have been cash from operations and funding from CONSOL Energy. While we have historically received funding from CONSOL Energy, we do not have any commitment from CONSOL Energy, our general partner or any of their respective affiliates to fund our cash flow deficits or provide other direct or indirect financial assistance to us. We expect our ongoing sources of liquidity to include cash generated from operations, borrowings under our revolving credit facility and, if necessary, the issuance of additional equity or debt securities. We believe that cash generated from these sources will be sufficient to meet our short-term working capital requirements and our long-term capital expenditure requirements and to make quarterly cash distributions at our minimum quarterly distribution level.

Our partnership agreement requires that we distribute all of our available cash to our unitholders. As a result, we expect to rely primarily upon external financing sources, including commercial bank borrowings and the issuance of debt and equity securities, to fund our acquisitions and expansion capital expenditures, if any.

We intend to pay a minimum quarterly distribution of $0.5125 per unit per quarter, which equates to an aggregate distribution of approximately $12,144 per quarter, or approximately $48,576 per year, based on the number of common units, subordinated units and the general partner interest that are outstanding as of September 30, 2015. The quarterly distribution for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 was prorated from the closing date of the IPO of $0.4791 per unit. We do not have a legal or contractual obligation to pay distributions quarterly (or on any other basis) at our minimum quarterly distribution rate (or at any other rate). Please read “Cash Distribution Policy and Restrictions on Distributions” in our filed Prospectus for further information.

Revolving Credit Facility

In connection with the completion of the IPO, we entered into a $400,000 senior secured revolving credit facility with certain lenders and PNC Bank N.A. Obligations under our revolving credit facility are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries (the “guarantor subsidiaries”) and are secured by substantially all of our and our subsidiaries’ assets pursuant to a security agreement and various mortgages. CONSOL Energy is not a guarantor of our credit facility.

Borrowings under our revolving credit facility can be used by us to fund a cash distribution, make capital expenditures, pay fees and expenses related to our revolving credit facility and for general partnership purposes. In connection with the completion of the IPO and our entry into our revolving credit facility, we made an initial draw of $200,000 that was distributed to CONSOL Energy, net of origination fees.

The unused portion of our revolving credit facility will be subject to a commitment fee of 0.50% per annum. Interest on outstanding indebtedness under our revolving credit facility is expected to accrue, at our option, at a rate based on either:

The highest of (i) PNC Bank N.A.’s prime rate, (ii) the federal funds open rate plus 0.50%, and (iii) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 1.0%, in each case, plus a margin ranging from 1.50% to 2.50%; or

the LIBOR rate plus a margin ranging from 2.50% to 3.50%.

As of September 30, 2015 , the $400,000 facility had $180,000 of borrowings outstanding, leaving $220,000 of unused capacity. Interest on outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility was accrued at 3.20% based on a LIBOR rate of 0.20% , plus a margin of 3.00% .

Our revolving credit facility matures on July 7, 2020 and requires compliance with conditions that must be satisfied prior to any borrowing as well as ongoing compliance with certain affirmative and negative covenants.

Affirmative covenants include, among others, requirements relating to: (i) the preservation of existence; (ii) the payment of obligations, including taxes; (iii) the maintenance of properties and equipment, insurance and books and records; (iv) the compliance with laws and material contracts; (v) use of proceeds; (vi) the subordination of intercompany loans; (vii) compliance with anti-terrorism, anti-money laundering, anti-corruption and sanctions laws; and (viii) collateral.

Negative covenants include, among others, restrictions on our and our guarantor subsidiaries’ ability to: (i) create, incur, assume or suffer to exist indebtedness; (ii) create or permit to exist liens on their properties; (iii) make or pay any dividends or distributions; provided that we will be able to make cash distributions of available cash to partners so long as no event of

30



default is continuing or would result therefrom; (iv) merge with or into another person, liquidate or dissolve, acquire all or substantially all of the assets of any going concern or going line of business or acquire all or a substantial portion of another person’s assets; (v) make particular investments and loans; provided that we will be able to increase our ownership percentage of our undivided interest in the Pennsylvania mining complex and make investments in the Pennsylvania mining complex in accordance with our ratable ownership; (vi) sell, transfer, convey, assign or dispose of our assets or properties other than in the ordinary course of business and other select instances; (vii) deal with any affiliate except in the ordinary course of business on terms no less favorable to us than we would otherwise receive in an arm’s length transaction; (viii) amend organizational documents or any documentation governing certain material debt; and (ix) amend, waive or grant a consent under any material contract. In addition, we are obligated to maintain at the end of each fiscal quarter (x) a minimum interest coverage ratio of at least 3.0 to 1.0 and (y) a maximum leverage ratio of no greater than 3.50 to 1.0 (or 4.0 to 1.0 for two fiscal quarters after consummation of a material acquisition). At September 30, 2015, the interest coverage ratio was 11.84 to 1.00 and the maximum total leverage ratio was 1.71 to 1.00. The revolving credit facility also contains various reporting requirements.

Our revolving credit facility also contains events of default, including, but not limited to, cross-default to certain other debt, breaches of representations and warranties, change of control events and breaches of covenants.

Cash Flows
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
Variance
 
(in thousands)
Cash flows provided by operating activities
$
47,034

 
$
88,967

 
$
(41,933
)
Cash used in investing activities
$
(20,532
)
 
$
(42,096
)
 
$
21,564

Cash used in financing activities
$
(23,501
)
 
$
(46,869
)
 
$
23,368


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Compared with the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2014 Explanation:

Cash flows provided by operating activities decreased $41,933 in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014 primarily due to the following items:

Net income decreased $25,044 in the period-to-period comparison;
Other adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flow provided by operating activities increased due to $1,998 of additional depreciation, depletion, and amortization in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 ; and
Changes in operating and other assets and liabilities decreased $18,887 largely due to the $23,094 change in trade receivables. As part of the IPO, the Partnership no longer sells its receivables to CONSOL Energy.

Net cash used in investing activities decreased $21,564 in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014 primarily due to the following items:

Capital expenditures decreased $36,712 primarily due to $34,498 spent on the completion of the Harvey mine in the first quarter 2014; and
Proceeds from sale of assets decreased $15,148 due to the sale-leaseback agreements for longwall shields at Harvey mine in the nine months ended September 30, 2014 .

Net cash used in financing activities decreased $23,368 in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014 primarily due to the following items:

Net parent advances decreased $41,931 for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 ;
Proceeds of $148,359 from the sale of limited partner units;
Proceeds of $175,671 from the revolver, net of repayments and payments of debt issuance costs of $4,329 ; and
Distribution of $342,711 to CONSOL Energy as part of the IPO.







31





Capital Expenditures

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the total capital expenditures of our Partnership were $20,588 compared to capital expenditures of $57,300 for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 . The decrease in the capital expenditures is primarily due to the completion of longwall mining development at the Harvey mine in March 2014.
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
Variance
 
(in thousands)
Harvey mine development
$

 
$
34,498

 
$
(34,498
)
Equipment purchases and rebuilds
7,758

 
9,342

 
(1,584
)
Building and infrastructure
4,291

 
6,337

 
(2,046
)
Water treatment systems
2,497

 
152

 
2,345

Refuse storage area
1,760

 
2,480

 
(720
)
Other
4,282

 
4,491

 
(209
)
Total capital expenditures
$
20,588

 
$
57,300

 
$
(36,712
)
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not maintain off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or others that are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources which are not disclosed in the Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q.
Significant Contractual Obligations

The following is a summary of our significant contractual obligations at September 30, 2015 (in thousands).

 
Payments due by Year
 
Less Than
1 Year
 
1-3 Years
 
3-5 Years
 
More Than
5 Years
 
Total
Purchase order firm commitments
$
771

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
771

Long-term debt
300

 
278

 
180,000

 

 
180,578

Interest on long-term debt
5,760

 
11,520

 
10,045

 

 
27,325

Capital (finance) lease obligations
44

 
64

 
21

 

 
129

Interest on capital (finance) lease obligations
2

 
3

 
3

 

 
8

Operating lease obligations
11,499

 
20,965

 
12,825

 
4,534

 
49,823

Long-term liabilities—employee related (a)
1,067

 
2,070

 
2,028

 
5,147

 
10,312

Other long-term liabilities (b)
38,192

 
1,320

 
806

 
23,508

 
63,826

Total contractual obligations
$
57,635

 
$
36,220

 
$
205,728

 
$
33,189

 
$
332,772

_________________________

(a)
Long-term liabilities—employee related include liabilities for work-related injuries and illnesses.
(b)
Other long-term liabilities include mine reclamation and closure and other long-term liability costs.


32



ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

In addition to the risks inherent in operations, we are exposed to financial, market, political and economic risks. The following discussion provides additional detail regarding our exposure to the risks related to changes in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign exchange rates.

Commodity Price Risk

We are exposed to market price fluctuations in the normal course of selling coal. We sell coal in the spot market and under both short-term and multi-year contracts that may contain base prices subject to pre-established price adjustments that reflect (i) variances in the quality characteristics of coal delivered to the customer beyond threshold quality characteristics specified in the applicable sales contract, (ii) the actual calorific value of coal delivered to the customer, and/or (iii) changes in electric power prices in the markets in which our customers operate, as adjusted for any factors set forth in the applicable contract.

Interest Rate Risk

In connection with the completion of the IPO, we entered into a revolving credit facility. Assuming an average debt level of $188.7 million, comprised of funds drawn on our revolving credit facility, an increase of one percentage point in the interest rate will result in an increase in annual interest expense of $1.9 million. As a result, our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition and our ability to make cash distributions to our unitholders could be materially adversely affected by significant increases in interest rates.

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk

All of our transactions are denominated in U.S. dollars. As a result, we do not have material direct exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates from the sale of our coal under sales contracts. However, because coal is sold internationally in U.S. dollars, general economic conditions in foreign markets and changes in foreign currency exchange rates may provide our foreign competitors with a competitive advantage. If our competitors’ currencies decline against the U.S. dollar or against our foreign customers’ local currencies, those competitors may be able to offer lower prices for coal to our customers. Furthermore, if the currencies of our overseas customers were to significantly decline in value in comparison to the U.S. dollar, those customers may seek decreased prices for the coal we sell to them. Consequently, currency fluctuations could adversely affect the competitiveness of our coal in international markets.
ITEM 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), was conducted as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Partnership's general partner have concluded that the Partnership's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


33



PART II: OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Refer to paragraph one and two within Part 1, Item 1. Financial Statements, "Note 13. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities," which is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information set forth in this quarterly report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” Section in the Prospectus, along with the risks that have been amended and restated in Item 1A "Risk Factors" in the Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015. These described risks are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

ITEM 2.    UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The Partnership completed its IPO on July 7, 2015. The IPO was made pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 333-203165) that was declared effective by the SEC on June 30, 2015. Refer to Part 1, Item 1. Financial Statements, "Note 2. Initial Public and Concurrent Private Placement Offering ," which is incorporated herein by reference, which describes unregistered sales of securities and the use of proceeds from the IPO.
ITEM 4.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
The information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.104) is included in exhibit 95 to this quarterly report.

ITEM 6.    EXHIBITS

Exhibits
Description
Method of Filing
 
 
 
3.1
First Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of CNX Coal Resources LP, dated as of July 7, 2015
Filed as Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K (#001-37456) filed on July 6, 2015
 
 
 
4.1
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 7, 2015, by and among, CNX Coal Resources LP and the purchaser parties thereto
Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K (#001-37456) filed on July 6, 2015
 
 
 
4.2
Waiver of 20% Voting Limitation Agreement, dated as of July 7, 2015, by and among CNX Coal Resources GP LLC and the purchaser parties thereto
Filed as Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K (#001-37456) filed on July 6, 2015
 
 
 
10.1
Contribution, Conveyance and Assumption Agreement, dated as of July 7, 2015, by and among CNX Coal Resources LP, CNX Coal Resources GP LLC, CONSOL Energy Inc. and CNX Operating LLC
Filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K (#001-37456) filed on July 6, 2015
 
 
 
10.2
Omnibus Agreement, dated as of July 7, 2015, by and among CNX Coal Resources LP, CNX Coal Resources GP LLC, CONSOL Energy Inc. and the other parties listed on Exhibit A thereto
Filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Form 8-K (#001-37456) filed on July 6, 2015
 
 
 

34



10.3
Pennsylvania Mine Complex Operating Agreement, dated as of July 7, 2015, by and among CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC, Conrhein Coal Company and CNX Thermal Holdings LLC
Filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Form 8-K (#001-37456) filed on July 6, 2015
 
 
 
10.4
Employee Services Agreement, dated as of July 7, 2015, by and between CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC and CNX Thermal Holdings LLC
Filed as Exhibit 10.4 to Form 8-K (#001-37456) filed on July 6, 2015
 
 
 
10.5
Contract Agency Agreement, dated as of July 7, 2015, by and between CONSOL Energy Sales Company and CNX Thermal Holdings LLC
Filed as Exhibit 10.5 to Form 8-K (#001-37456) filed on July 6, 2015
 
 
 
10.6
Terminal and Throughput Agreement, dated as of July 7, 2015, by and between CNX Marine Terminals, Inc. and CNX Thermal Holdings LLC
Filed as Exhibit 10.6 to Form 8-K (#001-37456) filed on July 6, 2015
 
 
 
10.7
Amendment and Restatement of Master Cooperation and Safety Agreement, dated as of July 7, 2015, by and among CNX Thermal Holdings LLC, CONSOL Pennsylvania Coal Company LLC, Conrhein Coal Company, CNX Gas Company LLC, CONSOL Energy Inc. and the CONSOL Energy Inc. subsidiaries party thereto
Filed as Exhibit 10.7 to Form 8-K (#001-37456) filed on July 6, 2015
 
 
 
10.8
Water Supply and Services Agreement, dated as of July 7, 2015, by and between CNX Water Assets LLC and CNX Thermal Holdings LLC
Filed as Exhibit 10.8 to Form 8-K (#001-37456) filed on July 6, 2015
 
 
 
10.9*
CNX Coal Resources LP 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan
Filed as Exhibit 10.9 to Form 8-K (#001-37456) filed on July 6, 2015
 
 
 
10.10
Credit Agreement, dated July 7, 2015, by and among CNX Coal Resources LP, as Borrower, certain subsidiaries of the Borrower as Guarantors, PNC Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent,, and other lender parties thereto
Filed as Exhibit 10.10 to Form 8-K (#001-37456) filed on July 6, 2015
 
 
 
10.11
[Change in control Agreement] with James A. Brock
Filed herewith
 
 
 
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Filed herewith
 
 
 
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Filed herewith
 
 
 
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Filed herewith
 
 
 
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Filed herewith
 
 
 
95
Mine Safety and Health Administration Safety Data.
Filed herewith
 
 
 
101
Interactive Data File (Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2015, furnished in XBRL).
Filed herewith
 
 
 
*
Compensatory plan or arrangement
 


35



Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, CNX Coal Resources LP has filed certain agreements as exhibits to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. These agreements may contain representations and warranties by the parties. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other party or parties to such agreements and (i) may have been qualified by disclosures made to such other party or parties, (ii) were made only as of the date of such agreements or such other date(s) as may be specified in such agreements and are subject to more recent developments, which may not be fully reflected in CNX Coal Resources LP’s public disclosure, (iii) may reflect the allocation of risk among the parties to such agreements and (iv) may apply materiality standards that are different from what may be viewed as material to investors. Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe CNX Coal Resources LP’s actual state of affairs at the date hereof and should not be relied upon.


36



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

Dated: November 3, 2015
 
CNX Coal Resources LP
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
CNX Coal Resources GP LLC, its general partner
 
By:
 
/s/ JAMES A. BROCK
 
 
 
James A. Brock
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
By:
 
CNX Coal Resources GP LLC, its general partner
 
By:
 
/s/ LORRAINE L. RITTER
 
 
 
Lorraine L. Ritter
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)


37


AMENDED AND RESTATED
CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT (this " Agreement "), dated as of August 24, 2015 (the " Effective Date "), is made between CONSOL Energy Inc., CNX Center, 1000 CONSOL Energy Drive, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania 15317, a Delaware corporation (the " Company "), and James A. Brock (the " Executive ").
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the parties previously entered into an Amended and Restated Change in Control Severance Agreement dated as of April 10, 2014, which agreement the parties wish to amend and restate to revise the definition of Change in Control to include the disposition of certain coal-related interests of the Company;
WHEREAS, the Executive is a senior executive of the Company and has made and is expected to continue to make major contributions to the short- and long-term profitability, growth and financial strength of the Company;
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company (the " Board ") recognizes that, as is the case with many publicly held corporations, the possibility of a Change in Control (as defined below) exists and that such possibility, and the uncertainty and questions which it may raise among management, may result in the departure or distraction of key management personnel to the detriment of the Company and its stockholders;
WHEREAS, the Board has determined that appropriate steps should be taken to reinforce and encourage the continued attention and dedication of members of the Company's management, including the Executive, to their assigned duties without distraction in the face of potentially disturbing circumstances arising from the possibility of a Change in Control;
WHEREAS, in consideration of the Executive's continued employment with the Company and the Executive's agreement to waive certain rights he may have to receive severance compensation and benefits under any applicable Company severance plan or policy, as set forth below, the Company desires to provide the Executive with certain compensation and benefits set forth in this Agreement in order to ameliorate the financial and career impact on the Executive in the event the Executive's employment with the Company is terminated for a reason related to a Change in Control; and
WHEREAS, the Executive agrees to waive any rights he may have under any Company severance plan, policy or other agreement with respect to severance compensation and benefits in the event the Executive's employment with the Company is terminated as the result of an Involuntary Termination Associated With a Change in Control (as defined below).
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Company and the Executive agree as follows:
1. Certain Defined Terms . In addition to terms defined elsewhere herein, the following terms have the following meanings when used in this Agreement with initial capital letters:
(a)    "Base Pay" means the greater of (i) the Executive's annual base salary rate, exclusive of bonuses, commissions and other Incentive Pay, as in effect immediately preceding the Executive's Termination Date, or (ii) the Executive's annual base salary rate, exclusive of bonuses, commissions and other Incentive Pay, as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control.
(b)    "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company. If the Executive is also a member of the Board, then in the case of any provision hereof that requires action by, or a determination of, the

1



Board in connection with this Agreement, it is understood that such provision refers to the members of the Board other than the Executive.
(c)    "Cause" means a determination by the Board that the Executive has committed any of the following acts:
(i)    the Executive has been convicted of, or the Executive has pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to, (A) any felony, or (B) any misdemeanor involving fraud, embezzlement or theft; or
(ii)    the Executive has wrongfully disclosed material confidential information of the Company or any Subsidiary, has intentionally violated any material express provision of the Company's code of conduct for executives and management employees (as in effect on the date of the Change in Control), or has intentionally failed or refused to perform any of his material assigned duties for the Company; and any such failure or refusal has been demonstrably and materially harmful to the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive will not be deemed to have been terminated for "Cause" under this subsection (ii) unless and until there has been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than the majority of the members of the Board plus one member, finding that, in the good faith opinion of the Board, the Executive has committed an act constituting "Cause," as herein defined, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail. Prior to any such determination, the Executive shall be provided with reasonable notice of such pending determination and the Executive, together with his counsel (if the Executive chooses to have counsel present at such meeting), shall be provided with the opportunity to be heard before the Board makes any such determination. Nothing herein will limit the right of the Executive or his beneficiaries to contest the validity or propriety of any such determination.
(d)    "Change in Control" means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i)    the acquisition after the date hereof by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (a " Person ") of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of more than 25% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this Section 1(d)(i), the following acquisitions will not constitute a Change in Control: (A) any issuance of Voting Stock of the Company directly from the Company that is approved by the Incumbent Board (as defined in Section 1(d)(ii), below), (B) any acquisition by the Company of Voting Stock of the Company, (C) any acquisition of Voting Stock of the Company by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any Subsidiary, (D) any acquisition of Voting Stock of the Company by an underwriter holding securities of the Company in connection with a public offering thereof, or (E) any acquisition of Voting Stock of the Company by any Person pursuant to a Business Combination that complies with clauses (A), (B) and (C) of Section 1(d)(iii), below; or
(ii)    individuals who constitute the Board as of the Effective Date (the " Incumbent Board ," as modified by this Section 1(d)(ii)), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a Director subsequent to such date whose election, or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Directors then comprising the Incumbent Board (either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for director, without objection to such nomination) will be deemed to have then been a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of Directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or
(iii)    consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation of the Company or a direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiary thereof, a sale or other disposition (whether by sale, taxable or

2



nontaxable exchange, formation of a joint venture or otherwise) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or other transaction involving the Company (each, a " Business Combination "), unless, in each case, immediately following such Business Combination, (A) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners of Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of Voting Stock of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or any direct or indirect parent corporation thereof (including, without limitation, an entity which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company's assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries), (B) no Person other than the Company beneficially owns 25% or more of the combined voting power of the then outstanding shares of Voting Stock of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or any direct or indirect parent corporation thereof (disregarding all "acquisitions" described in subsections (A) - (C) of Section 1 (d)(i)), and (C) at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or any direct or indirect parent corporation thereof were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board providing for such Business Combination; or
(iv)    approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company, except pursuant to a Business Combination that complies with clauses (A), (B) and (C) of Section 1(d)(iii); or
(v)    A Change in Control of the Coal Business (as defined below).
(e)    “Change in Control of the Coal Business” means the acquisition by any person other than the Company and its Subsidiaries of beneficial ownership of coal assets of the Company representing more than seventy-five percent (75%) of the value on the Company’s books of the assets which comprised the Company’s total Coal Division as reported in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

3



(f)    "COBRA" means the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986, as amended.
(g)    "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(h)    "Consultancy Period" and "Consultancy Position" shall have the respective meanings assigned to those terms in Section 2(d) hereof.
(i)    "Constructive Termination Associated With a Change in Control" means the termination of the Executive's employment with the Company by the Executive as a result of the occurrence without the Executive's written consent of one of the following events:
(i)    a material adverse change in the Executive's position with the Company and/or a Subsidiary (or any successor thereto by operation of law or otherwise) (but excluding any loss of any position with a Subsidiary with respect to which the Executive is not separately compensated) as compared to the Executive's position with the Company (and/or a Subsidiary) immediately prior to the Change in Control;
(ii)    (A) a material reduction in the Executive's annual base salary rate, exclusive of bonuses, commissions and other Incentive Pay, as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control; (B) a material reduction in the Executive's Target Bonus opportunity in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control; or (C) a material reduction in the level of Employee Benefits provided to the Executive immediately prior to the Change in Control (excluding any reduction that is generally applicable to all or substantially all salaried Company employees);
(iii)     a material adverse change in circumstances has occurred following a Change in Control, including, without limitation, a material change in the scope of the business or other activities for which the Executive was responsible immediately prior to the Change in Control, which has rendered the Executive unable to carry out, has materially hindered the Executive's performance of, or has caused the Executive to suffer a material reduction in, any of the authorities, powers, functions, responsibilities or duties attached to the position held by the Executive immediately prior to the Change in Control; a good faith determination by the Executive (that a material adverse change has occurred) will be conclusive and binding upon the parties hereto unless otherwise shown by the Company to be not in good faith);
(iv)    in connection with the liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Company or transfer of all or substantially all of its business and/or assets, the Company breached this Agreement by not requiring the successor or successors (by liquidation, merger, consolidation, reorganization, transfer or otherwise) to which all or substantially all of its business and/or assets have been transferred (by operation of law or otherwise) to assume all duties and obligations of the Company under this Agreement pursuant to Section 14(a); or
(v)    the relocation of the Executive's principal work location (other than in connection with a relocation contemplated by the Company as of the date hereof or pursuant to organizational changes in accordance with past practice) to a location that increases the Executive's normal work commute by fifty (50) miles or more as compared to the Executive's normal work commute immediately prior to the Change in Control, or that the Executive's required travel away from his office in the course of discharging his responsibilities or duties of his job is materially increased as compared to that which was required of the Executive in any of the three (3) full years immediately prior to the Change in Control.
Without limiting the generality or effect of the foregoing, the Executive shall have no right to terminate employment in a Constructive Termination Associated With a Change in Control in connection with an event described above unless (A) the Executive provides written notice to the Company within one month of the occurrence of such event that identifies such event with particularity, and (B) the Company fails to correct such

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event within thirty (30) days after receipt of such notice from the Executive, and (C) such termination must occur within sixty (60) days after the expiration of the failure of the Company to correct the event.
In no event shall the termination of the Executive's employment with the Company on account of the Executive's death or Disability or because the Executive engaged in conduct constituting Cause be deemed to be a Constructive Termination Associated With a Change in Control.
(j)    "Disability" means the Executive becomes permanently disabled within the meaning of, and begins actually to receive disability benefits pursuant to, the long-term disability plan in effect for, or applicable to, the Executive.
(k)    "Employee Benefits" means the perquisites, benefits and service credit for benefits as provided under any and all employee retirement income and welfare benefit policies, plans, programs or arrangements in which the Executive is entitled to participate, including, without limitation, any stock option, performance share, performance unit, stock purchase, stock appreciation, savings, pension, supplemental executive retirement, or other retirement income or welfare benefit, deferred compensation, incentive compensation, group or other life, health, medical/hospital or other insurance (whether funded by actual insurance or self-insured by the Company or a Subsidiary), disability, salary continuation, expense reimbursement and other employee benefit policies that may exist as of a Change in Control or any successor policies, plans or arrangements that provide substantially similar perquisites or benefits.
(l)    "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(m)    "Incentive Pay" means the greater of: (i) the Executive's Target Bonus for which the Executive was eligible during the period that includes the Termination Date, or (ii) the average of the annual bonuses paid by the Company to the Executive for the three years prior to the year that includes the Termination Date. For purposes of this definition, "Target Bonus" means 100% of the amount established under the CONSOL Energy Inc. Executive Annual Incentive Plan, and any other annual bonus, applicable incentive, commission or other sales incentive compensation, or comparable incentive payment opportunity which, in the sole discretion of the Company, is deemed to constitute a Target Bonus, in addition to Base Pay, for which the Executive was eligible to receive, but did not receive prior to his Termination Date, in regard to services rendered in the year covered by the Executive's Termination Date and which is to be made pursuant to any bonus, incentive, profit-sharing, performance, discretionary pay or similar agreement, policy, plan, program or arrangement (whether or not funded) of the Company or a Subsidiary, or any successor thereto. For purposes of this definition, "Incentive Pay" does not include any stock option, stock appreciation, stock purchase, restricted stock, the CONSOL Energy Inc. Long-Term Incentive Programs or similar plan, program, arrangement or grant, one time bonus or payment (including, but not limited to, any sign-on bonus), any amounts contributed by the Company for the benefit of the Executive to any qualified or nonqualified deferred compensation plan, whether or not provided under an arrangement described in the prior sentence, or any amounts designated by the parties as amounts other than Incentive Pay.
(n)    "Involuntary Termination Associated With a Change in Control" means the termination of the Executive's employment related to a Change in Control: (i) involuntarily by the Company for any reason other than Cause, the Executive's death or the Executive's Disability, or (ii) on account of a Constructive Termination Associated With a Change in Control.
(o)    “Partnership” means CNX Coal Resources LP (NYSE: CNXC), a Delaware limited partnership.
(p)    "Restricted Business" means any business function with a direct competitor of the Company that is substantially similar to the business function performed by the Executive with the Company immediately prior to his Termination Date.
(q)    "Restricted Territory" means the counties, towns, cities or states of any country in which the Company operates or does business.

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(r)    "Subsidiary" means any Company controlled affiliate. The Partnership shall be considered a Subsidiary of the Company for so long as either the Company or its wholly owned Subsidiaries are or solely control the general partner of the Partnership.
(s)    "Termination Date" means the last day of the Executive's employment with the Company.
(t)    "Termination of Employment" means, except as provided in the following sentence and subject to the provisions of Section 19(b), the termination of the Executive's active employment relationship with the Company on account of an Involuntary Termination Associated With a Change in Control. For purposes of the non-solicitation provision of Section 10 of this Agreement, the term "Termination of Employment" shall mean the termination of the Executive's employment relationship with the Company for any reason.
(u)    "Voting Stock" means securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.
2.     Termination Associated With a Change in Control .
(a)     Involuntary Termination Associated With a Change in Control . In the event the Executive's employment is terminated after, or in connection with, a Change in Control, on account of (i) an Involuntary Termination Associated With a Change in Control within the two year period after the Change in Control, or (ii) an involuntary termination by the Company (other than for Cause or due to the Executive's death or Disability) that (A) occurs not more than three (3) months prior to the date on which a Change in Control occurs, or (B) is requested by a third party who initiates a Change in Control, the Executive shall be entitled to the benefits provided in subsection (b) of this Section 2. For purposes of subsection 2(a)(ii)(B) above, to be eligible to receive amounts described in Section 2(b) below, a Change in Control must be consummated within the twelve (12) month period following the Executive's Termination Date, except in circumstances pursuant to which the consummation of the Change in Control is delayed, through no failure of the Company or the third person, by a governmental or regulatory authority or agency with jurisdiction over the matter, or as a result of other similar circumstances where a third party approval is necessary and is delayed. In such a circumstance, the remainder of the twelve (12) month period shall be tolled and shall recommence upon termination of the delaying event.
(b)     Compensation and Benefits Upon Involuntary Termination Associated With a Change in Control . In the event a termination described in subsection (a) of this Section 2 occurs, and subject to the Executive’s compliance with the provisions of Section 4 hereof, the Company shall pay and provide to the Executive after his Termination Date:
(iii)    A lump sum cash payment equal to (A) two (2.0) times Base Pay, plus (B) two (2.0) times Incentive Pay.
(iv)    The Executive shall receive a pro rated payment of his Incentive Pay for the year in which his Termination of Employment occurs. The pro rated payment shall be based on the Executive's Incentive Pay as of the Executive's Termination Date, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days during which the Executive was employed by the Company in the year of his termination and the denominator of which is 365.
(v)    For the 24 month period immediately following the Date of Termination or, if later, the closing dates for the Change in Control:
(A)    If the Executive elects COBRA Continuation Coverage, the Executive shall continue to participate in all medical, dental and vision insurance plans he was participating in on the Termination Date, and the Company shall pay the applicable premium. During the applicable period of coverage described in the foregoing sentences, the Executive shall be entitled to benefits on substantially the same basis and cost as would have otherwise been provided had the Executive not separated from service. To the extent that such benefits are available under the above-referenced benefit plans and the Executive had such coverage immediately prior to

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termination of employment, such continuation of benefits for the Executive shall also cover the Executive's dependents for so long as the Executive is receiving benefits under this paragraph (iii). The COBRA Continuation Period for medical and dental insurance under this paragraph (iii) shall be deemed to run concurrent with the continuation period federally mandated by COBRA (generally 18 months), or any other legally mandated and applicable federal, state, or local coverage period for benefits provided to terminated employees under the health care plan. For purposes of this Agreement, "COBRA" means the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended; and "COBRA Continuation Period" shall mean the continuation period for medical and dental insurance to be provided under the terms of this Agreement which shall commence on the first day of the calendar month following the month in which the date of termination falls and generally shall continue for an 18 month period.
(B)    Following the conclusion of the 18 month COBRA period described above, the Company will provide coverage as follows:
(1)    If the relevant plan is self-insured (within the meaning of Code Section 105(h)), and such plan permits coverage for the Executive, then the Company will continue to provide coverage under the plan for an additional six (6) months and will annually impute income to the Executive for the fair market value of the premium.
(2)    If, however, any such plan does not permit the continued participation following the end of the COBRA Continuation Period as contemplated above, then the Company will reimburse the Executive for the actual cost to the Executive of any individual health insurance policy obtained by Employee in accordance with the procedures set forth in subsection (iv) below.
(vi)    If the Executive would have been eligible for post-retirement medical and dental coverage had he retired from employment during the period of 24 months following his Termination Date, but is not so eligible as the result of his termination, then, at the conclusion of the benefit continuation period described in (iii) above, the Company shall take all commercially reasonable efforts to provide the Executive with additional continued group medical and dental coverage comparable to that which would have been available to him from time to time under the Company's post-retirement medical and dental benefit program, for as long as such coverage would have been available under such program. It is specifically acknowledged by the Executive that if such coverage is provided under a Company sponsored self insured plan, it will be provided on an after-tax basis and the Executive will have income imputed to him annually equal to the fair market value of the premium. If this coverage cannot be provided by the Company, (or where such continuation would adversely affect the tax status of the plan pursuant to which the coverage is provided), then as an alternative, the Company will reimburse the Executive in lieu of such coverage an amount equal to the Executive's actual and reasonable after-tax cost of continuing comparable coverage.
Reimbursement to the Executive pursuant to subsections (iii) or (iv) above will be available only to the extent that (1) such expense is actually incurred for any particular calendar year and reasonably substantiated; (2) reimbursement shall be made no later than the end of the calendar year following the year in which such expense is incurred by the Executive; (3) no reimbursement provided for any expense incurred in one taxable year will affect the amount available in another taxable year; and (4) the right to this reimbursement is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, under subsection (iii), no reimbursement will be provided for any expense incurred following the 24 months or for any expense which relates to coverage after such date.
(vii)    A lump sum cash payment equal to the total amount that the Executive would have received under the Company's 401(k) plan as a Company match if the Executive was eligible to participate in the Company's 401(k) plan for the 24 month period after his Termination Date and he contributed the maximum amount to the plan for the match. Such amount shall be determined based on the

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assumption that the Executive would have received annual Base Pay plus Incentive Pay during such period in the amounts set forth in Sections 2(b)(i) and (ii) above.
(viii)    A lump sum cash payment equal to the difference between the present value of the Executive's accrued pension benefits at his Termination Date under the Company's qualified defined benefit plan and (if eligible) any plan or plans sponsored by the Company providing nonqualified retirement benefits (which currently includes the CONSOL Energy Inc. Defined Contribution Restoration Plan) (the qualified and nonqualified plans together being referred to as the " pension plans ") and the present value of the accrued pension benefits to which the Executive would have been entitled under the pension plans if the Executive had continued participation in those plans for the 24 month period after his Termination Date. Such amount shall be determined based on the assumption that the Executive would have received annual Base Pay plus Incentive Pay during such period in the amounts set forth in Sections 2(b)(i) and (ii) above.
(ix)    A lump sum cash payment of $25,000 in order to cover the cost of outplacement assistance services for the Executive and other expenses associated with seeking another employment position.
(x)    The Executive shall receive any amounts earned, accrued or owing but not yet paid to the Executive as of his Termination Date, payable in a lump sum, and any benefits accrued or earned in accordance with the terms of any applicable benefit plans and programs of the Company.
(xi)    All payments under this subsection 2(b) will be made in a lump sum no later than 60 days after the date of termination (or, if later, the closing date of the Change in Control, as applicable); provided, however, that the benefits due under subsections (iii) and (iv) shall be provided as specified thereunder.
(c)     Vesting of Equity Rights . Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in any applicable plan, program or agreement, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, all stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other equity rights held by the Executive will become fully vested and/or exercisable, as the case may be, on the date on which the Change in Control occurs, and all stock options or stock appreciation rights held by the Executive shall remain exercisable for the period set forth in the award agreement covering the options or rights.
(d)     Consultancy Period Option . In the case of any Involuntary Termination Associated With a Change in Control, the Company may, in its sole discretion, elect to require reasonable cooperation from the Executive following the Executive's Termination Date for a period (the " Consultancy Period ") not to exceed 24 months. In the event that the Company so elects, the Executive shall, during the pendency of the Consultancy Period, be available from time to time, at the request of the Company's Chairman of the Board or Chief Executive Officer, to provide advice and assistance concerning (i) the transition of the Executive's duties and responsibilities to any successor to his position, and (ii) any other matters concerning the Company's corporate, business and financial affairs which are consistent with the Executive's expertise and experience. Such advice and assistance may, at the Executive's option, be provided either in person or by telephone or videoconference. In no event shall the Company request, nor shall the Executive be required to provide more than five (5) hours of consulting services per work week, nor to provide such services other than during normal Company business hours. The Executive shall be reimbursed by the Company for any reasonable expenses incurred in connection with the performance of such services, subject to compliance with the Company's standard policies and procedures regarding reimbursement of expenses. The Executive shall be permitted, during the Consultancy Period, to engage in other business and personal activities; provided, that such activities are not inconsistent with the Executive's duties under Sections 9 and 10 hereof.
3.     Termination of Employment on Account of Disability, Cause or Death . Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if the Executive's employment terminates on account of Disability, the Executive shall be entitled to receive disability benefits under any disability program maintained by the Company that covers

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the Executive, and the Executive shall not be considered to have terminated employment under this Agreement and shall not receive benefits pursuant to Section 2 hereof. If the Executive's employment terminates on account of Cause or because of his death, the Executive shall not be considered to have terminated employment under this Agreement and shall not receive benefits pursuant to Section 2 hereof.
4.     Release . To receive the consideration described in Section 2(b) of this Agreement, the Executive must sign a Separation of Employment and General Release Agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Annex A (the " Release "), deliver the signed Release to the Company’s General Counsel within thirty (30) days after the Termination Date (unless a longer period is required by law), and not revoke the Release within the seven-day revocation period provided for in the Release.
5.     Enforcement . Without limiting the rights of the Executive at law or in equity, if the Company fails to make any payment or provide any benefit required to be made or provided hereunder on a timely basis, the Company will pay interest on the amount or value thereof at an annualized rate of interest equal to the so-called composite "prime rate" as quoted from time to time during the relevant period in the Eastern Edition of The Wall Street Journal . Such interest will be payable as it accrues on demand. Any change in such prime rate will be effective on and as of the date of such change.
6.     Limit on Payments by the Company .
(a)    The provisions of this Section 6 shall apply notwithstanding anything in this Agreement or any other agreement to the contrary. In the event that it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (a " Payment "), would constitute an "excess parachute payment" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, Company will apply a limitation on the Payment amount as set forth below (a " Parachute Cap ") as follows: The aggregate present value of the Payments under Section 2(b) of this Agreement (" Agreement Payments ") shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the Reduced Amount; provided, however, that any such reduction shall be applied to Agreement Payments that do not constitute deferred compensation and are exempt or otherwise excepted from coverage under Section 409A (but excluding stock options or other stock rights). The "Reduced Amount" shall be an amount expressed in present value which maximizes the aggregate present value of Agreement Payments without causing any Payment to be subject to the limitation of deduction under Section 280G of the Code. For purposes of this Section 6, "present value" shall be determined in accordance with Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code.
(b)    Except as set forth in the next sentence, all determinations to be made under this Section 6 shall be made by the nationally recognized independent public accounting firm used by the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control (" Accounting Firm "), which Accounting Firm shall provide its determinations and any supporting calculations to the Company and the Executive within ten (10) days of the Executive's Termination Date. The value of the Executive's non-competition covenant under Section 10(a) of this Agreement shall be determined by independent appraisal by a nationally-recognized business valuation firm acceptable to both the Executive and the Company, and a portion of the Agreement Payments shall, to the extent of that appraised value, be specifically allocated as reasonable compensation for such non-competition covenant and shall not be treated as a parachute payment. Any such determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive.
(c)    All of the fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm in performing the determinations referred to in this Section 6 shall be borne solely by the Company.
7.     No Mitigation Obligation . The Company hereby acknowledges that it will be difficult and may be impossible for the Executive to find reasonably comparable employment following the Termination Date. Accordingly, the payment of the severance compensation by the Company to the Executive in accordance with the terms of this Agreement is hereby acknowledged by the Company to be reasonable, and the Executive will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor will any profits, income, earnings or other benefits from any source whatsoever create any mitigation,

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offset, reduction or any other obligation on the part of the Executive hereunder or otherwise. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, as a condition to accepting benefits provided hereunder, the Executive will be required to waive, and will be deemed to have waived, any other right or entitlement to severance or termination benefits from the Company or its Subsidiaries.
8.     Legal Fees and Expenses . In the event of a Change in Control, it is the intent of the Company that the Executive not be required to incur legal fees and the related expenses associated with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of the Executive's rights under this Agreement by litigation or otherwise because the cost and expense thereof would detract from the benefits intended to be extended to the Executive hereunder. Accordingly, if a Change in Control occurs and it should appear to the Executive that the Company has failed to comply with any of its obligations under this Agreement or in the event that the Company or any other person takes or threatens to take any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any litigation or other action or proceeding designed to deny, or to recover from, the Executive the benefits provided or intended to be provided to the Executive under Section 2 of this Agreement, the Company irrevocably authorizes the Executive from time to time to retain counsel of the Executive's choice, at the expense of the Company as hereafter provided, to advise and represent the Executive in connection with any such interpretation, enforcement or defense, including without limitation the initiation or defense of any litigation or other legal action, whether by or against the Company or any Director, officer or employee of the Company, in any jurisdiction. Notwithstanding any existing or prior attorney-client relationship between the Company and such counsel, the Company irrevocably consents to the Executive's entering into an attorney-client relationship with such counsel, and in that connection, the Company and the Executive agree that a confidential relationship will exist between the Executive and such counsel. Without respect to whether the Executive prevails, in whole or in part, in connection with any of the foregoing, the Company will pay and be solely financially responsible for any and all reasonable attorneys' and related fees and expenses incurred by the Executive in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that, in regard to such matters, the Executive has not acted frivolously, in bad faith or with no colorable claim of success. Such fees and expenses will be paid by the Company as they are incurred by the Executive, but in no event later than the end of the Executive's taxable year following the Executive's taxable year in which the Executive incurs the fees and expenses. In addition, no reimbursement provided for any expense incurred in one taxable year will affect the amount available in another taxable year, and the right to this reimbursement is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.
9.     Confidentiality . The Executive hereby covenants and agrees that, except as specifically requested or directed by the Company, he will not disclose to any person not employed by the Company, or use in connection with engaging in competition with the Company, any confidential or proprietary information (as defined below) of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "confidential or proprietary information" will include all information of any nature and in any form that is owned by the Company and that is not publicly available (other than by the Executive's breach of this Section 9) or generally known to persons engaged in businesses similar or related to those of the Company. Confidential or proprietary information will include, without limitation, the Company's financial matters, customers, employees, industry contracts, strategic business plans, product development (or other proprietary product data), marketing plans, consulting solutions and processes, and all other secrets and all other information of a confidential or proprietary nature which is protected by the Uniform Trade Secrets Act. For purposes of the preceding two sentences, the term "Company" will also include any Subsidiary (collectively, the " Restricted Group "). The foregoing obligations imposed by this Section 9 will not apply (i) in the course of the business of and for the benefit of the Company, (ii) if such confidential or proprietary information has become, through no fault of the Executive, generally known to the public, or (iii) if the Executive is required by law to make disclosure (after giving the Company notice and an opportunity to contest such requirement).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement restricts or prohibits the Executive from reporting possible violations of law or regulation to any governmental agency or entity, including but not limited to the Department of Justice, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Congress, and any agency Inspector General, or from making other disclosures that are protected under state or federal law or regulation. The Executive does not need the prior authorization of the Company to make such reports or disclosures. The Executive is not required to notify the Company that the Executive has made any such reports or disclosures.

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10.     Covenants Not to Compete and Not to Solicit . In the event of the Executive's Termination of Employment, the Company's obligations to provide the payments and benefits set forth in Section 2 shall be expressly conditioned upon the Executive's compliance with the covenants not to compete and not to solicit as provided herein. In the event the Executive breaches his obligations to the Company as provided herein, the Company's obligations to provide the payments and benefits set forth in Section 2 shall cease, without prejudice to any other remedies that may be available to the Company.
(a)     Covenant Not to Compete . If the Executive is receiving payments and benefits under Section 2 above (or subsequently becomes entitled thereto because of a termination described in Section 2(a)(ii)), then, for a period of one (1) year following the Executive's Termination Date, the Executive shall not directly or indirectly engage in (whether as an employee, consultant, proprietor, partner, director or otherwise), or have any ownership interest in, or participate in a financing, operation, management or control of, any person, firm, corporation or business that is a Restricted Business in a Restricted Territory without the prior written consent of the Board. For this purpose, ownership of no more than 5% of the outstanding Voting Stock of a publicly traded corporation shall not constitute a violation of this provision.
(b)     Covenant Not to Solicit . If the Executive is receiving payments and benefits under Section 2 above (or subsequently becomes entitled thereto because of a termination described in Section 2(a)(ii)), then, for a period of two (2) years following the Executive's Termination Date, the Executive shall not: (i) solicit, encourage or take any other action which is intended to induce any other employee of the Company to terminate his employment with the Company; or (ii) interfere in any manner with the contractual or employment relationship between the Company and any such employee of the Company. The foregoing shall not prohibit the Executive or any entity with which the Executive may be affiliated from hiring a former employee of the Company; provided, that such hiring results exclusively from such former employee's affirmative response to a general recruitment effort.
(c)     Interpretation . The covenants contained herein are intended to be construed as a series of separate covenants, one for each county, town, city and state or other political subdivision of a Restricted Territory. Except for geographic coverage, each such separate covenant shall be deemed identical in terms to the covenant contained in the preceding subsections. If, in any judicial proceeding, the court shall refuse to enforce any of the separate covenants (or any part thereof) deemed included in such subsections, then such unenforceable covenant (or such part) shall be deemed to be eliminated from this Agreement for the purpose of those proceedings to the extent necessary to permit the remaining separate covenants (or portions thereof) to be enforced.
(d)     Reasonableness . In the event that the provisions of this Section 10 shall ever be deemed to exceed the time, scope or geographic limitations permitted by applicable laws, then such provisions shall be reformed to the maximum time, scope or geographic limitations, as the case may be, permitted by applicable laws.
11.     Employment Rights . Nothing expressed or implied in this Agreement will create any right or duty on the part of the Company or the Executive to have the Executive remain in the employment of the Company or any Subsidiary prior to or following any Change in Control.
12.     Withholding of Taxes . The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement all federal, state, city or other taxes as the Company is required to withhold pursuant to any applicable law, regulation or ruling.
13.     Term of Agreement . The term of this Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date hereof and shall continue until December 31, 2015; provided, however, that commencing on January 1, 2016, and each January 1 thereafter, the term of this Agreement shall automatically be extended until the following December 31, unless the Company gives notice not later than October 31 of the preceding year that it does not wish to extend this Agreement; and provided, further, that regardless of any such notice by the Company, this Agreement shall continue in effect for a period of 24 months beyond the term provided herein if a Change in Control occurs during the period that this Agreement is in effect.

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14.     Successors and Binding Agreement .
(a)    The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, by agreement in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Executive, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and any successor to the Company, including without limitation any persons acquiring directly or indirectly all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company whether by purchase, merger, consolidation, reorganization or otherwise (and such successor will thereafter be deemed the "Company" for the purposes of this Agreement), but will not otherwise be assignable, transferable or delegable by the Company.
(b)    This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive's personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees and legatees. This Agreement will supersede the provisions of any employment or other agreement between the Executive and the Company that relate to any matter that is also the subject of this Agreement, and such provisions in such other agreements will be null and void.
(c)    This Agreement is personal in nature and neither of the parties hereto will, without the consent of the other, assign, transfer or delegate this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder except as expressly provided in Sections 14(a) and (b). Without limiting the generality or effect of the foregoing, the Executive's right to receive payments hereunder will not be assignable, transferable or delegable, whether by pledge, creation of a security interest, or otherwise, other than by a transfer by the Executive's will or by the laws of descent and distribution and, in the event of any attempted assignment or transfer contrary to this Section 14(c), the Company will have no liability to pay any amount so attempted to be assigned, transferred or delegated.
15.     Notices . For all purposes of this Agreement, all communications, including without limitation, notices, consents, requests or approvals, required or permitted to be given hereunder will be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given when hand delivered or dispatched by electronic facsimile transmission (with receipt thereof orally confirmed by the recipient), or five (5) business days after having been mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or three (3) business days after having been sent by a nationally recognized courier service for overnight/next-day delivery, such as FedEx, UPS, or the United States Postal Service, addressed to the Company (to the attention of the Secretary of the Company) at its principal executive office and to the Executive at his principal residence, or to such other address as any party may have furnished to the other in writing and in accordance herewith, except that notices of changes of address will be effective only upon receipt.
16.     Governing Law . The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without giving effect to the principles of conflict of laws of such Commonwealth.
17.     Validity . If any provision of this Agreement or the application of any provision hereof to any person or circumstances is held invalid, unenforceable or otherwise illegal, the remainder of this Agreement and the application of such provision to any other person or circumstances will not be affected, and the provision so held to be invalid, unenforceable or otherwise illegal will be reformed to the extent (and only to the extent) necessary to make it enforceable, valid or legal.
18.     Miscellaneous . No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in a writing signed by the Executive and the Company. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto or compliance with any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party will be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise, expressed or implied with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by either party that are not set forth expressly in this Agreement. References to Sections are to references to Sections of this Agreement. Any

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reference in this Agreement to a provision of a statute, rule or regulation will also include any successor provision thereto. Whenever used herein, the masculine includes the feminine.
19.     Code Section 409A .
(a)    If any benefit provided under this Agreement is subject to the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations issued thereunder, the provisions of the Agreement shall be administered, interpreted and construed in a manner necessary to comply with Section 409A and the regulations issued thereunder (or disregarded to the extent such provision cannot be so administered, interpreted, or construed).
(b)    Severance benefits are payable only if the Executive is involuntarily terminated by the Company as provided under this Agreement. For purposes of the Agreement, the Executive shall be considered to have experienced a termination of employment only if the Executive has terminated employment with the Company and all of its controlled group members within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. For purposes hereof, the determination of controlled group members shall be made pursuant to the provisions of Section 414(b) and 414(c) of the Code; provided that the language "at least 50 percent" shall be used instead of "at least 80 percent" in each place it appears in Section 1563(a)(1), (2) and (3) of the Code and Treas. Reg. § 1.414(c)-2. Whether the Executive has terminated employment will be determined based on all of the facts and circumstances and in accordance with the guidance issued under Section 409A of the Code.
(c)    For purposes of Section 409A, each severance benefit payment shall be treated as a separate payment. Each payment under this Agreement is intended to be excepted from Section 409A to the maximum extent provided under Section 409A as follows: (i) each payment that is scheduled to be made on or before March 15th of the calendar year following the calendar year containing the Executive's termination date (or, if later, the closing date of the Change in Control) is intended to be excepted under the short-term deferral exception as specified in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(4); (ii) post-termination medical benefits are intended to be excepted under the medical benefits exceptions as specified in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(v)(B); and (iii) each payment that is not otherwise excepted under the short-term deferral exception or medical benefits exception is intended to be excepted under the involuntary pay exception as specified in Treas. Reg. § 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii). The Executive shall have no right to designate the date of any payment under this Agreement.
With respect to payments subject to Section 409A of the Code (and not excepted therefrom), if any, it is intended that each payment is paid on permissible distribution event and at a specified time consistent with Section 409A of the Code. The Company reserves the right to accelerate and/or defer any payment to the extent permitted and consistent with Section 409A.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that a payment hereunder is subject to Section 409A of the Code (and not excepted therefrom) and payable on account or a termination of employment, such payment shall be delayed for a period of six months after the date of termination (or, if earlier, the death of the Executive) if the Executive is a "specified employee" (as defined in Section 409A of the Code and determined in accordance with the procedures established by the Company). Any payment that would otherwise have been due or owing during such six-month period will be paid immediately following the end of the six-month period in the month following the month containing the six (6)-month anniversary of the date of termination.
20.     Survival . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, the parties' respective rights and obligations under Sections 2, 6, 8, 9, and 10 will survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement or the termination of the Executive's employment for any reason whatsoever.
21.     Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original but all of which together will constitute one and the same agreement.
[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]

13



[Signature Page for Change In Control Agreement]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly executed and delivered August 24, 2015, but effective as of the date first above written.
CONSOL Energy Inc.
By:
/s/ Nicholas J. DeIuliis    
Name:    Nicholas J. DeIuliis
Title:    President and Chief Executive Officer
Executive
/s/ James A. Brock    
James A. Brock

14




Annex A
SEPARATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE AGREEMENT
THIS SEPARATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE (the " Agreement ") is made as of this _____ day of __________, _____, by and between CONSOL Energy Inc. (the " Company ") and _________________________ (the " Executive ").
WHEREAS, the Executive formerly was employed by the Company as ________; and
WHEREAS, the Executive and Company entered into a Change in Control Severance Agreement, dated __________ ___, 20__, (the " Severance Agreement ") which provides for certain payments and benefits in the event that the Executive's employment is terminated on account of a reason set forth in the Severance Agreement; and
WHEREAS, the Executive’s employment with the Company was terminated for reasons that qualify the Executive to receive certain payments and benefits, as set forth in Section 2(b) of the Severance Agreement, subject to, among other things, the Executive’s execution of this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the Company’s commitments in Section 2(b) of the Severance Agreement, the Executive and the Company hereby agree as follows:
1.    (a)    The Executive does hereby REMISE, RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE the Company, its affiliates, subsidiaries and parents, and its and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents, and its and their respective successors and assigns, heirs, executors, and administrators, as well as the current and former fiduciaries of any pension, welfare, or other benefit plans applicable to the employees or former employees of the Company, and the current and former welfare and other benefit plans sponsored by the Company (collectively, " Releasees ") from all causes of action, suits, debts, claims and demands whatsoever in law or in equity, which the Executive ever had, now has, or hereafter may have, whether known or unknown, or which the Executive's heirs, executors, or administrators may have, by reason of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever, from the beginning of time to the date the Executive signs this Agreement, and particularly, but without limitation of the foregoing general terms, any claims arising from or relating in any way to the Executive's employment relationship with the Company, the terms and conditions of that employment relationship, and the termination of that employment relationship, including, but not limited to, any claims arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Worker Readjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, and any other claims under any federal, state or local common law, statutory, or regulatory provision, now or hereafter recognized, and any claims for attorneys' fees and costs. This Agreement is effective without regard to the legal nature of the claims raised and without regard to whether any such claims are based upon tort, equity, implied or express contract or discrimination of any sort.
(b)    Although Paragraph 1(a) is intended to be a general release, it is understood and agreed that Paragraph 1(a) excludes claims related to the Executive’s right to receive the payments and benefits described in Section 2(b) of the Severance Agreement, as well as claims under any statute or common law that the Executive is legally barred from releasing, such as the Executive’s entitlement to vested pension benefits.
(c)    Nothing herein is intended to or shall preclude the Executive from filing a charge with any appropriate federal, state or local government agency and/or cooperating with said agency in its investigation. The Executive, however, explicitly waives any right to file a personal lawsuit or receive monetary damages that the agency may recover against the Releasees, without regard as to who brought any said complaint or charge. Employee further agrees that to the extent any relief, including monetary relief, is awarded in any such proceeding, all amounts paid as consideration under Section 2(b) of the Separation Agreement shall be a setoff and credit against any such award to the fullest extent permitted by law.

A-1






(d)    The Executive represents and agrees by signing below that the Executive has not been denied any leave or benefit requested, has received the appropriate pay for all hours worked for the Company, and has no known workplace injuries or occupational diseases.
(e)    To the fullest extent permitted by law, the Executive represents and affirms that (i) [ other than _________________________, ] the Executive has not filed or caused to be filed on the Executive's behalf any claim for relief against any Releasee and, to the best of the Executive's knowledge and belief, no outstanding claims for relief have been filed or asserted against the Company or any Releasee on the Executive's behalf; and (ii) [ other than _________________________, ] the Executive has not reported any improper, unethical or illegal conduct or activities to any supervisor, manager, department head, human resources representative, agent or other representative of the Company, to any member of the Company's legal or compliance departments, or to the ethics hotline, and has no knowledge of any such improper, unethical or illegal conduct or activities. The Executive agrees to promptly dismiss with prejudice all claims for relief filed before the date the Executive signs this Agreement.
2.    The Company, for and in consideration of the commitments of the Executive as set forth in this Agreement, and intending to be legally bound, does hereby REMISE, RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE the Executive from all claims, demands or causes of action arising out of facts or occurrences prior to the date of this Agreement, but only to the extent the Company knows or reasonably should know of such facts or occurrence and only to the extent such claim, demand or cause of action relates to a violation of applicable law or the performance of the Executive's duties with the Company; provided, however, that this release of claims shall not in any case be effective with respect to any claim by the Company alleging a breach of the Executive's obligations under this Agreement. [Note: The Company and the Executive may, but shall not be required to mutually agree on a case-by-case basis at the time of the signing of this release to include the foregoing provision, or a substantially similar provision, to this Agreement.
3.    The Executive further agrees and recognizes that the Executive's employment relationship with the Company has been permanently severed, that the Executive shall not seek employment with the Company or any affiliated entity at any time in the future, and that the Company has no obligation to employ the Executive in the future.
4.    The Executive further agrees that the Executive will not disparage or subvert the Company, or make any statement reflecting negatively on the Releasees including, but not limited to, statements relating to the operation or management of the Company, the Executive's employment and the termination of the Executive's employment, irrespective of the truthfulness or falsity of such statement.
5.    The Executive acknowledges that if the Executive had not executed this Agreement containing a release of all claims, the Executive would not have been entitled to the payments and benefits set forth in Section 2(b) of the Severance Agreement.
6.    This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Company and the Executive relating to the subject matter hereof. No prior or contemporaneous oral or written agreements or representations may be offered to alter the terms of this Agreement. To the extent Employee has entered into other agreements with the Company that are not in conflict with this Agreement, including, but not limited to the Severance Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall not supersede, but shall be in addition to such other agreements.
7.    The Executive agrees not to disclose the terms of this Agreement or the Severance Agreement to anyone, except the Executive's spouse, attorney and, as necessary, tax/financial advisor. Likewise, the Company agrees that the terms of this Agreement will not be disclosed except as may be necessary to obtain approval or authorization to fulfill its obligations hereunder or as required by law. It is expressly understood that any violation of the confidentiality obligation imposed hereunder constitutes a material breach of this Agreement.
8.    The Executive represents that the Executive has returned to the Company and does not presently have in the Executive's possession or control any records and business documents, whether on computer or hard copy, and other materials (including but not limited to computer disks and tapes, computer programs and software,

A-2






office keys, correspondence, files, customer lists, technical information, customer information, pricing information, business strategies and plans, sales records and all copies thereof) (collectively, the " Corporate Records ") provided by the Company and/or its predecessors, subsidiaries or affiliates or obtained as a result of the Executive's prior employment with the Company and/or its predecessors, subsidiaries or affiliates, or created by the Executive while employed by or rendering services to the Company and/or its predecessors, subsidiaries or affiliates. In addition, the Executive has or will promptly return in good condition any other Company owned equipment or property, including, but not limited to, automobiles, personal data assistants, facsimile machines, copy machines, pagers, credit cards, cellular telephone equipment, business cards, laptops and computers. At the Executive’s request, the Company will make reasonable arrangements to transfer cellular phone numbers and personal fax numbers to the Executive.
9.    Nothing in this Agreement shall prohibit or restrict the Executive from: (i) making any disclosure of information required by law; (ii) providing information to, or testifying or otherwise assisting in any investigation or proceeding brought by, any federal regulatory or law enforcement agency or legislative body, any self-regulatory organization, or the Company's designated legal, compliance or human resources officers; or (iii) filing, testifying, participating in or otherwise assisting in a proceeding relating to an alleged violation of any federal, state or municipal law relating to fraud, or any rule or regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any self-regulatory organization.
10.    The parties agree and acknowledge that the agreement by the Company described herein, and the release of any asserted or unasserted claims against the Releasees, are not and shall not be construed to be an admission of any violation of any federal, state or local statute or regulation, or of any duty owed by any of the Releasees to the Executive.
11.    The Executive agrees and recognizes that should the Executive breach any of the obligations or covenants set forth in Section 10 of the Severance Agreement, the Company will have no further obligation to provide the Executive with the consideration set in Section 2(b) of the Severance Agreement, and will have the right to seek repayment of all consideration paid up to the time of any such breach. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive acknowledges that if the Executive breaches Section 10 of the Severance Agreement, and if the Company’s terminates or recovers any of the payments or benefits provided under Section 2(b) of the Severance Agreement (as provided for in Section 10 of the Severance Agreement), the release provided by Section 1 of this Agreement shall remain valid and enforceable.
12.    The Executive further agrees that the Company shall be entitled to preliminary and permanent injunctive relief, without the necessity of proving actual damages, as well as to an equitable accounting of all earnings, profits and other benefits arising from any violations of this Agreement, which rights shall be cumulative and in addition to any other rights or remedies to which the Company may be entitled.
13.    This Agreement and the obligations of the parties hereunder shall be construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
14.    The Executive certifies and acknowledges as follows:
(a)    That the Executive has read the terms of this Agreement, and that the Executive understands its terms and effects, including the fact that the Executive has agreed to RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE the Releasees from any legal action arising out of the Executive's employment relationship with the Company and the termination of that employment relationship; and
(b)    That the Executive has signed this Agreement voluntarily and knowingly in exchange for the consideration described herein, which the Executive acknowledges is adequate and satisfactory to him and which the Executive acknowledges is in addition to any other benefits to which the Executive is otherwise entitled; and
(c)    That the Executive has been and is hereby advised in writing to consult with an attorney prior to signing this Agreement; and

A-3






(d)    That the Executive does not waive rights or claims that may arise after the date this Agreement is executed; and
(e)    That the Company has provided the Executive with a period of [ twenty-one (21) ] or [ forty-five (45) ] days within which to consider this Agreement, and that the Executive has signed on the date indicated below after concluding that this Separation of Employment Agreement and General Release is satisfactory; and
(f)    The Executive acknowledges that this Agreement may be revoked by within seven (7) days after execution, and it shall not become effective until the expiration of such seven (7) day revocation period. In the event of a timely revocation by the Executive, this Agreement will be deemed null and void and the Company will have no obligations hereunder or under Section 2(b) of the Separation Agreement.
[ SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS ]

A-4






Intending to be legally bound hereby, the Executive and the Company executed the foregoing Separation of Employment Agreement and General Release this _____ day of __________, _____.
Witness:     
Executive
CONSOL Energy Inc.
By:          Witness:     
Name:
Title:


A-5




Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, James A. Brock, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of CNX Coal Resources LP.;

2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.
The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) for the registrant and have:

a.
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b.
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

c.
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.
The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a.
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b.
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.



Date: November 3, 2015

/s/ James A. Brock
James A. Brock

Chief Executive Officer
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Executive Officer)




Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Lorraine L. Ritter, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this report on Form 10-Q of CNX Coal Resources LP.;

2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.
The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) for the registrant and have:

a.
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b.
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

c.
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.
The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a.
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b.
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.



Date: November 3, 2015

/s/ Lorraine L. Ritter
Lorraine L. Ritter

Chief Financial Officer & Chief Accounting Officer
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)




Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION
Pursuant to Section 906 of th Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002,
18 U.S.C. Section 1350

I, James A. Brock, Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) of CNX Coal Resources LP (the “Registrant”), certify that to my knowledge, based upon a review of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2015, of the Registrant (the “Report”):

1.
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2.
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

Date: November 3, 2015

/s/ James A. Brock
James A. Brock

Chief Executive Officer
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Executive Officer)






Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION
Pursuant to Section 906 of th Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002,
18 U.S.C. Section 1350

I, Lorraine L. Ritter, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Accounting Officer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer) of CNX Coal Resources LP (the “Registrant”), certify that to my knowledge, based upon a review of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2015, of the Registrant (the “Report”):

1.
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2.
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Registrant.

Date: November 3, 2015

/s/ Lorraine L. Ritter
Lorraine L. Ritter

Chief Financial Officer & Chief Accounting Officer
(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)







Mine Safety and Health Administration Safety Data
We believe that the Partnership is one of the safest mining companies in the world. The Predecessor has in place health and safety programs that include extensive employee training, accident prevention, workplace inspection, emergency response, accident investigation, regulatory compliance and program auditing. The objectives of our health and safety programs are to eliminate workplace incidents, comply with all mining-related regulations and provide support for both regulators and the industry to improve mine safety.
The operation of our mines is subject to regulation by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act). MSHA inspects our mines on a regular basis and issues various citations, orders and violations when it believes a violation has occurred under the Mine Act. We present information below regarding certain mining safety and health violations, orders and citations, issued by MSHA and related assessments and legal actions and mine-related fatalities with respect to our coal mining operations. In evaluating this information, consideration should be given to factors such as: (i) the number of violations, orders and citations will vary depending on the size of the coal mine, (ii) the number of violations, orders and citations issued will vary from inspector to inspector and mine to mine, and (iii) violations, orders and citations can be contested and appealed, and in that process, are often reduced in severity and amount, and are sometimes dismissed.

The table below sets forth for the three months ended September 30, 2015 for each coal mine of the Partnership on a 100% basis, the total number of:  (i) violations of mandatory health or safety standards that could significantly and substantially contribute to the cause and effect of a coal or other mine safety or health hazard under section 104 of the Mine Act for which the operator received a citation from MSHA; (ii) orders issued under section 104(b) of the Mine Act; (iii) citations and orders for unwarrantable failure of the mine operator to comply with mandatory health or safety standards under section 104(d) of the Mine Act; (iv) flagrant violations under section 110(b)(2) of the Mine Act; (v) imminent danger orders issued under section 107(a) of the Mine Act; (vi) proposed assessments from MHSA (regardless of whether CONSOL Energy has challenged or appealed the assessment); (vii) mining-related fatalities; (viii) notices from MSHA of a pattern of violations of mandatory health or safety standards that are of such nature as could have significantly and substantially contributed to the cause and effect of coal or other mine health or safety hazards under section 104(e) of the Mine Act; (ix) notices from MSHA regarding the potential to have a pattern of violations as referenced in (viii) above; and (x) pending legal actions before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (as of September 30, 2015 ) involving such coal or other mine, as well as the aggregate number of legal actions instituted and the aggregate number of legal actions resolved during the reporting period.






 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Received
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notice
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Received
 
of
 
Legal
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total Dollar
 
Total
 
Notice of
 
Potential
 
Actions
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Section
 
 
 
 
 
Value of
 
Number
 
Pattern of
 
to have
 
Pending
 
Legal
 
Legal
 
 
 
 
Section
 
 
 
104(d)
 
 
 
 
 
MSHA
 
of
 
Violations
 
Pattern
 
as of
 
Actions
 
Actions
Mine or Operating
 
104
 
Section
 
Citations
 
Section
 
Section
 
Assessments
 
Mining
 
Under
 
Under
 
Last
 
Initiated
 
Resolved
Name/MSHA
 
S&S
 
104(b)
 
and
 
110(b)
 
107(a)
 
Proposed
 
Related
 
Section
 
Section
 
Day of
 
During
 
During
Identification Number
 
Citations
 
Orders
 
Orders
 
Violations
 
Orders
 
(In Dollars)
 
Fatalities
 
104(e)
 
104(e)
 
Period (1)
 
Period
 
Period
Active Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bailey
 
36-07230
 
37
 
 
 
 
 
43,591
 
 
No
 
No
 
15
 
2
 
2
Enlow Fork
 
36-07416
 
21
 
 
 
 
 
26,245
 
 
No
 
No
 
20
 
2
 
2
Harvey
 
36-10045
 
4
 
 
 
 
 
19,388
 
 
No
 
No
 
8
 
2
 
 
 
 
 
62
 
 
 
 
 
89,224
 
 
 
 
 
 
43
 
6
 
4


(1) See table below for additional detail regarding Legal Actions Pending as of September 30, 2015.  With respect to Contests of Proposed Penalties, we have included the number of dockets (as opposed to citations) when counting the number of Legal Actions Pending as of September 30, 2015.

Mine or Operating Name/MSHA Identification Number
 
Contests of Citations, Orders
(as of 9.30.15)
(a)
 
Contests of Proposed Penalties
(as of 9.30.15)
(b)
 
Complaints for Compensation
(as of 9.30.15)
(c)
 
Complaints of Discharge, Discrimination or Interference
(as of 9.30.15)
(d)
 
Applications for Temporary Relief
(as of 9.30.15)
(e)
 
Appeals of Judges' Decisions or Order
(as of 9.30.15)
(f)
 
 
 
 
 
Dockets
 
Citations
 
 
 
 
Active Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bailey
 
36-07230
 
 
15
 
64
 
 
1
 
 
Enlow Fork
 
36-07416
 
 
20
 
150
 
 
 
 
Harvey
 
36-10045
 
 
8
 
36
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
43
 
250
 
 
1
 
 

(a) Represents (if any) contests of citations and orders, which typically are filed prior to an operator's receipt of a proposed penalty assessment from MSHA or relate to orders for which penalties are not assessed (such as imminent danger orders under Section 107 of the Mine Act). This category includes: (i) contests of citations or orders issued under section 104 of the Mine Act, (ii) contests of imminent danger withdrawal orders under section 107 of the Mine Act, and (iii) Emergency response plan dispute proceedings (as required under the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006, Pub. L. No. 109-236, 120 Stat. 493).

(b) Represents (if any) contests of proposed penalties, which are administrative proceedings before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (“FMSHRC”) challenging a civil penalty that MSHA has proposed for the violation contained in a citation or order. This column includes one action involving civil penalties against agents of the operator that have been contested and two appeal of a decision or order.






(c) Represents (if any) complaints for compensation, which are cases under section 111 of the Mine Act that may be filed with the FMSHRC by miners idled by a closure order issued by MSHA who are entitled to compensation.

(d) Represents (if any) complaints of discharge, discrimination or interference under section 105 of the Mine Act, which cover: (i) discrimination proceedings involving a miner's allegation that he or she has suffered adverse employment action because he or she engaged in activity protected under the Mine Act, such as making a safety complaint, and (ii) temporary reinstatement proceedings involving cases in which a miner has filed a complaint with MSHA stating that he or she has suffered such discrimination and has lost his or her position. Complaints of Discharge, Discrimination, or Interference are also included in Contests of Proposed Penalties, Column B.

(e) Represents (if any) applications for temporary relief, which are applications under section 105(b)(2) of the Mine Act for temporary relief from any modification or termination of any order or from any order issued under section 104 of the Mine Act (other than citations issued under section 104(a) or (f) of the Mine Act).

(f) Represents (if any) appeals of judges' decisions or orders to the FMSHRC, including petitions for discretionary review and review by the FMSHRC on its own motion.