2.2.0.25falsefalse0207 - Disclosure - Contingent Liabilitiestruefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $Jan-01-2011_Mar-31-2011http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001324518duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDEPSDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2true0wpz_ContingentLiabilitiesAbstractwpzfalsenadurationContingent Liabilities.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringContingent Liabilities.falsefalseContingent Liabilities [Abstract]3false0us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureTextBlockus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1falsefalsefalse00  <div style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif"> <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><b>Note 7. Contingent Liabilities</b> </div> <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><b><i>Environmental Matters</i></b> </div> <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">     Our interstate gas pipelines are involved in remediation activities related to certain facilities and locations for polychlorinated biphenyl, mercury contamination, and other hazardous substances. These activities have involved the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), various state environmental authorities and identification as a potentially responsible party at various Superfund waste sites. At March 31, 2011, we have accrued liabilities of $12 million for these costs. We expect that these costs will be recoverable through rates. </div> <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">     In September 2007, the EPA requested, and Transco later provided, information regarding natural gas compressor stations in the states of Mississippi and Alabama as part of the EPA’s investigation of our compliance with the Clean Air Act. On March 28, 2008, the EPA issued notices of violation alleging violations of Clean Air Act requirements at these compressor stations. Transco met with the EPA in May 2008 and submitted its response denying the allegations in June 2008. The EPA has requested additional information pertaining to these compressor stations, most recently in February 2011. In August 2010, the EPA requested, and Transco later provided, similar information for a compressor station in Maryland. </div> <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">     In March 2008, the EPA proposed a penalty of $370,000 for alleged violations relating to leak detection and repair program delays at our Ignacio gas plant in Colorado and for alleged permit violations at a compressor station. Tentative settlement has been reached in first-quarter 2011. </div> <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">     We also accrue environmental remediation costs for natural gas underground storage facilities, primarily related to soil and groundwater contamination. At March 31, 2011, we have accrued liabilities totaling $7 million for these costs. </div> <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">     The EPA and various state regulatory agencies routinely promulgate and propose new rules, and issue updated guidance to existing rules. These new rules and rulemakings include, but are not limited to, rules for reciprocating internal combustion engine maximum achievable control technology, new air quality standards for ground level ozone, and one hour nitrogen dioxide emission limits. We are unable to estimate the costs of asset additions or modifications necessary to comply with these new regulations due to uncertainty created by the various legal challenges to these regulations and the need for further specific regulatory guidance. </div> <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><b><i>Rate Matters</i></b> </div> <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">     On August 31, 2006, Transco submitted to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) a general rate filing (Docket No. RP06-569) principally designed to recover increased costs. The rates became effective March 1, 2007, subject to refund and the outcome of a hearing. All issues in this proceeding except one have been resolved by settlement. </div> <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">     The one issue reserved for litigation or further settlement relates to Transco’s proposal to change the design of the rates for service under one of its storage rate schedules, which was implemented subject to refund on March 1, 2007. A hearing on that issue was held before a FERC Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) in July 2008. In November 2008, the ALJ issued an initial decision in which he determined that Transco’s proposed incremental rate design is unjust and unreasonable. On January 21, 2010, the FERC reversed the ALJ’s initial decision, and approved our proposed incremental rate design. Certain parties have sought rehearing of the FERC’s order. If the FERC were to reverse their opinion on rehearing, we believe any refunds would not be material to our results of operations. </div> <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><b><i>Safety Matters</i></b> </div> <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">     Transco and Northwest Pipeline have developed an Integrity Management Plan that we believe meets the United States Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration final rule that was issued pursuant to the requirements of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002. The rule requires gas pipeline operators to develop an integrity management program for transmission pipelines that could affect high consequence areas in the event of pipeline failure. The Integrity Management Program includes a baseline assessment plan along with periodic reassessments to be completed within required timeframes. In meeting the integrity regulations, they have identified high consequence areas and developed baseline assessment plans. They are on schedule to complete the required assessments within required timeframes. Currently, we estimate the cost to complete the required initial assessments over the period of 2011 through 2012 and associated remediation will be primarily capital in nature and range between $80 million and $110 million for Transco and between $50 million and $60 million for Northwest Pipeline. Ongoing periodic reassessments and initial assessments of any new high consequence areas will be completed within the timeframes required by the rule. Management considers the costs associated with compliance with the rule to be prudent costs incurred in the ordinary course of business, and, therefore, recoverable through our rates. </div> <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><b><i>Other</i></b> </div> <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">     In addition to the foregoing, various other proceedings are pending against us which are incidental to our operations. </div> <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><b><i>Summary</i></b> </div> <div align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">     Litigation, arbitration, regulatory matters and environmental matters are subject to inherent uncertainties. Were an unfavorable ruling to occur, there exists the possibility of a material adverse impact on the results of operations in the period in which the ruling occurs. Management, including internal counsel, currently believes that the ultimate resolution of the foregoing matters, taken as a whole and after consideration of amounts accrued, insurance coverage, recovery from customers or other indemnification arrangements, will not have a material adverse effect upon our future liquidity or financial position. </div> </div>  <!-- Begin Block Tagged NotefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringIncludes disclosure of commitments and contingencies. 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