Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 90,761	$ 395,289
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities -
Depreciation and amortization	156,800	96,500
Gain From Business Combination, Step Acquisition	0	335,260
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discount or premium	7,563	8,467
Amortization of unearned income and initial direct costs on direct financing leases	(10,856)	(11,286)
Payments received under direct financing leases	15,501	15,501
Equity in earnings of investments in equity investees	(35,362)	(48,440)
Cash distributions of earnings of equity investees	49,528	54,463
Non-cash effect of equity-based compensation plans	6,102	6,387
Deferred and other tax liabilities	2,058	2,242
Unrealized loss on derivative transactions	742	68
Other, net	8,967	816
Net changes in components of operating assets and liabilities (Note 12)	(63,407)	7,381
Net cash provided by operating activities	228,397	192,128
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Payments to acquire fixed and intangible assets	(363,218)	(359,504)
Cash distributions received from equity investees - return of investment	16,652	19,360
Investments in equity investees	0	(2,900)
Acquisitions	(25,394)	(1,517,428)
Proceeds from Contribution in Aid of Construction	12,208	0
Proceeds from asset sales	3,303	2,571
Other, net	185	(2,137)
Net cash used in investing activities	(356,264)	(1,860,038)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings on senior secured credit facility	883,600	1,168,850
Repayments on senior secured credit facility	(831,600)	(705,150)
Proceeds from issuance of senior unsecured notes	0	1,139,718
Repayment of senior unsecured notes	0	(350,000)
Debt issuance costs	(1,578)	(28,361)
Issuance of common units for cash, net	298,051	633,759
Payments of Distributions To Noncontrolling Interests	0	560
Distributions to common unitholders	(227,454)	(186,026)
Other, net	(600)	1,786
Net cash provided by financing activities	120,419	1,674,016
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	(7,448)	6,106
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	10,895	9,462
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 3,447	$ 15,568