11-22. Extended Learning Exercise Consider these two alternatives for solid-waste removal (11.3, Chapter 7): Alternative A: Build a solid-waste processing facility. Financial variables are as follows: Capital investment $108 million in 2008 (commercial operation started in 2008) Expected life of facility 20 years Annual operating $3.46 million expenses Estimated market value 40% of initial capital cost at all times Alternative B: Contract with vendors for solid-waste disposal after intermediate recovery. Financial variables are as follows: Capital investment $17 million in 2008 (This is for intermediate recovery from the solid-waste stream.) Expected contract 20 years period Annual operating $2.10 million expenses Repair costs to $3.0 million intermediate recovery system every five years Annual fee to vendors $10.3 million Estimated market value $0 at all times Related Data: MACRS (GDS) property class 15 yr (Chapter 7) Study period 20 yr Effective income tax rate 40% Company MARR (after-tax) 10% per year Inflation rate 0% (ignore inflation)

a. How much more expensive (in terms of capital investment only) could Alternative B be in order to breakeven with Alternative A?

b. How sensitive is the after-tax PW of Alternative B to cotermination of both alternatives at the end of year 10?

c. Is the initial decision to adopt Alternative B in Part

(a) reversed if our company’s annual operating expenses for Alternative B ($2.10 million per year) unexpectedly double? Explain why (or why not).

d. Use a computer spreadsheet available to you to solve this problem.