pre_text: republic services , inc . notes to consolidated financial statements 2014 ( continued ) the following table summarizes the activity in our gross unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended december 31: .
post_text: during 2015 , we settled tax matters in various states and puerto rico which reduced our gross unrecognized tax benefits by $ 13.9 million . during 2014 , we settled tax matters in various jurisdictions and reduced our gross unrecognized tax benefits by $ 1.5 million . during 2013 , we settled with the irs appeals division and the joint committee on taxation our 2009 and 2010 tax years . the resolution of these tax periods in addition to various state tax resolutions during the year reduced our gross unrecognized tax benefits by $ 20.7 million . included in our gross unrecognized tax benefits as of december 31 , 2015 and 2014 are $ 30.5 million and $ 45.6 million of unrecognized tax benefits ( net of the federal benefit on state matters ) that , if recognized , would affect our effective income tax rate in future periods . we recognize interest and penalties as incurred within the provision for income taxes in our consolidated statements of income . related to the unrecognized tax benefits previously noted , we recorded interest expense of approximately $ 1.2 million during 2015 and , in total as of december 31 , 2015 , have recognized a liability for penalties of $ 0.5 million and interest of $ 10.3 million . during 2014 , we accrued interest of approximately $ 1.5 million and , in total as of december 31 , 2014 , had recognized a liability for penalties of $ 0.5 million and interest of $ 18.7 million . during 2013 , we accrued interest of approximately $ 1.2 million and , in total as of december 31 , 2013 , had recognized a liability for penalties of $ 0.5 million and interest of $ 17.0 million . gross unrecognized benefits that we expect to settle in the following twelve months are in the range of $ 0 to $ 10 million ; however , it is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits may either increase or decrease in the next twelve months . we are currently under examination or administrative review by state and local taxing authorities for various tax years . these state audits are ongoing . we believe the recorded liabilities for uncertain tax positions are adequate . however , a significant assessment against us in excess of the liabilities recorded could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position , results of operations or cash flows. .
table: 2015 2014 2013
table: Balance at beginning of year $70.1 $72.0 $84.7
table: Additions based on tax positions related to current year 0.2 0.8 0.3
table: Additions for tax positions of prior years 1.4 5.0 11.4
table: Reductions for tax positions of prior years (10.2) (6.0) (2.4)
table: Reductions for tax positions resulting from lapse of statute of limitations (0.6) (0.2) (1.3)
table: Settlements (13.9) (1.5) (20.7)
table: Balance at end of year $47.0 $70.1 $72.0
question: Analyse this data from a financial earnings document. as of december 31 , 2015 what was the percentage decline in the gross unrecognized tax benefits from 2014 to 2015