Segment Information (Details 2) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment information
Revenue									$ 1,395,231	$ 1,534,434	$ 1,241,563
Derivative gain (loss) not allocated to segments									56,535	(29,035)	(53,932)
Revenue deferral adjustment									(7,441)	(15,385)
Total revenue	371,510	283,737	446,053	350,466	333,913	507,826	400,439	263,221	1,451,766	1,505,399	1,187,631
Selling, general and administrative expenses									(94,116)	(81,229)	(75,258)
Depreciation									(189,549)	(149,954)	(123,198)
Amortization of intangible assets									(53,320)	(43,617)	(40,833)
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment									(6,254)	(8,797)	(3,149)
Accretion of asset retirement obligations									(677)	(1,190)	(237)
Income from operations	61,825	9,562	258,902	51,439	(7,557)	207,801	133,214	(15,294)	381,728	318,164	188,462
Earnings (loss) from unconsolidated affiliates									699	(1,095)	1,562
Interest income									419	422	1,670
Interest expense									(120,191)	(113,631)	(103,873)
Amortization of deferred financing costs and discount (a component of interest expense)									(5,601)	(5,114)	(10,264)
Derivative gain related to interest expense											1,871
Loss on redemption of debt					(35,500)			(43,300)		(78,996)	(46,326)
Miscellaneous income, net									62	144	1,189
Income before provision for income tax									257,116	119,894	34,291
Total reportable segments
Segment information
Revenue									1,402,672	1,549,819	1,241,563
Portion of operating income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests									4,431	69,162	32,566
Income from operations									649,093	615,051	471,720
Southwest Segment
Segment information
Revenue									856,416	1,031,986	750,928
Revenue deferral adjustment									800	7,200
Portion of operating income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests									5,790	5,431	6,440
Income from operations									337,803	398,447	320,419
Northeast Segment
Segment information
Revenue									225,818	268,884	384,724
Revenue deferral adjustment									6,600	8,200
Income from operations									133,310	150,146	112,384
Unallocated Segment
Segment information
Derivative gain (loss) not allocated to segments									69,126	(75,515)	(80,350)
Revenue deferral adjustment									(7,441)	(15,385)
Compensation expense included in facility expenses not allocated to segments									(1,022)	(1,781)	(1,890)
Facility expenses adjustments									$ 11,457	$ 11,419	$ 9,091