(10) Commitments and Contingencies

(a) Leases—Lessee

The Partnership has operating leases for office space, office and field equipment.

The following table summarizes the Partnership's remaining non-cancelable future payments under operating leases with initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year (in thousands):



2014	$	10,303
2015	10,338
2016	8,374
2017	5,205
2018	5,771
Thereafter	15,733
	$	55,724

Operating lease rental expense in the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $28.1 million, $23.2 million and $21.9 million, respectively.

(b) Employment and Severance Agreements

Certain members of management of the Partnership are parties to employment and/or severance agreements with the general partner. The employment and severance agreements provide those managers with severance payments in certain circumstances and, in the case of employment agreements, prohibit each such person from competing with the general partner or its affiliates for a certain period of time following the termination of such person's employment.

The Partnership acquired LIG Pipeline Company and its subsidiaries on April 1, 2004. Contamination from historical operations was identified during due diligence at a number of sites owned by the acquired companies. The seller, AEP, has indemnified the Partnership for these identified sites. Moreover, AEP has entered into an agreement with a third party company pursuant to which the remediation costs associated with these sites have been assumed by this third party company that specializes in remediation work. To date, 23 of the 25 sites requiring remediation have been completed and have received a "No Further Action" status from the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality. The remaining two sites continuing with remediation efforts are expected to reach closure in 2014. The Partnership does not expect to incur any material liability with these sites; however, there can be no assurance that the third parties who have assumed responsibility for remediation of site conditions will fulfill their obligations.

(d) Other

The Company is involved in various litigation and administrative proceedings arising in the normal course of business. In the opinion of management, any liabilities that may result from these claims would not individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations.

At times, the Partnership's gas-utility and common carrier subsidiaries acquire pipeline easements and other property rights by exercising rights of eminent domain. As a result, the Partnership (or its subsidiaries) is party to a number of lawsuits under which a court will determine the value of pipeline easements or other property interests obtained by the Partnership's gas utility subsidiaries by condemnation. Damage awards in these suits should reflect the value of the property interest acquired and the diminution in the value of the remaining property owned by the landowner. However, some landowners have alleged unique damage theories to inflate their damage claims or assert valuation methodologies that could result in damage awards in excess of the amounts anticipated. Although it is not possible to predict the ultimate outcomes of these matters, the Partnership does not expect that awards in these matters will have a material adverse impact on its consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

From time to time, owners of property located near the Partnership's processing facilities or compression facilities file lawsuits against the Partnership. These suits generally allege that the facilities create a private nuisance and have damaged the value of surrounding property. Claims of this nature have arisen as a result of the industrial development of natural gas gathering, processing and treating facilities in urban and occupied rural areas. In January 2012, a plaintiff in one of these lawsuits was awarded a judgment of $2.0 million. The Partnership has appealed the matter and has posted a bond to secure the judgment pending its resolution. The Partnership has accrued a $2.0 million liability related to this matter and reflected the related expense in operating expenses in the fourth quarter of 2011. Although it is not possible to predict the ultimate outcomes of these matters, the Partnership does not expect that awards in these matters will have a material adverse impact on its consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

In July 2013, the Board of Commissioners for the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority for New Orleans and surrounding areas filed a lawsuit against approximately 100 energy companies, seeking, among other relief, restoration of wetlands allegedly lost due to historic industry operations in those areas. The suit was filed in Louisiana state court in New Orleans, but was removed to federal court. The amount of damages is unspecified. The Partnership's subsidiary, Crosstex LIG, LLC, is one of the named defendants as the owner of pipelines in the area. The validity of the causes of action, as well as the Partnership's costs and legal exposure, if any, related to the lawsuit are not currently determinable. The Partnership intends to vigorously defend the case.