Long Term Debt (Details 3) (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended							9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011 Parent [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Parent [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Co-Issuer [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Co-Issuer [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Co-Issuer [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Investment in Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Investment in Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Eliminations [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Eliminations [Member]
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	$ 122,789	$ 94,489	$ (124,348)	$ (63,627)				$ 247,137	$ 158,116	$ 17,961	$ 16,999	$ (17,961)	$ (16,999)
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
Additions to property, plant and equipment and intangibles	(180,639)	(103,524)						(180,639)	(103,524)
Acquisitions	(16,084)							(16,084)
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates	(105,111)	(11,186)						(105,111)	(11,186)	(105,111)	(11,186)	105,111	11,186
Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates	2,368	2,555						2,368	2,555	2,368	2,555	(2,368)	(2,555)
Investment in consolidated affiliates			(99,864)	(61,832)	(1)							99,864	61,831
Distributions from consolidated affiliates			48,775	95,255								(48,775)	(95,255)
Proceeds from sale of assets	248	279						248	279
Other	104	280						104	280
Net cash used in investing activities	(299,114)	(111,596)	(51,089)	33,423	1			(299,114)	(111,596)	(102,743)	(8,631)	153,832	(24,793)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	725,000	80,000	725,000	80,000
Repayment of long-term debt	(412,665)	(350,000)	(412,665)	(350,000)
Deferred financing costs	(15,743)	(995)	(15,743)	(995)
Payments of premiums and expenses on redemption of unsecured debt	(14,572)		(14,572)
Distributions to unit holders	(114,834)	(107,612)	(114,834)	(107,612)
Proceeds from public offering of common units		164,786		164,786
Equity offering costs	(4)	(6,236)	(4)	(6,236)
Equity offering of Series A convertible preferred units		291,065		291,065
Contributions from parent								99,864	61,831	105,111		(99,864)	(61,831)
Distributions to parent								(48,775)	(95,255)			48,775	95,255
Other	2,747	3,188	2,747	3,188						105,111	11,186	(105,111)	(11,186)
Net cash provided by financing activities	169,929	74,196	169,929	74,196				51,089	(33,424)	105,111	11,186	(156,200)	22,238
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(6,396)	57,089	(5,508)	43,992	1			(888)	13,096	20,329	19,554	(20,329)	(19,554)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	59,930	44,692	9,650	3,861	(1)	0	0	50,280	40,832	85,851	59,896	(85,851)	(59,896)
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 53,534	$ 101,781	$ 4,142	$ 47,853	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 49,392	$ 53,928	$ 106,180	$ 79,450	$ (106,180)	$ (79,450)