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Commitments and Contingencies
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies
Note 7: Commitments and Contingencies

Legal Proceedings and Settlements

The Partnership's subsidiaries are parties to various legal actions arising in the normal course of business. Management believes the disposition of these outstanding legal actions will not have a material impact on the Partnership's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Whistler Junction Matter

The Partnership's Gulf South subsidiary and several other defendants, including Mobile Gas Service Corporation (MGSC), have been named as defendants in seven lawsuits, including one purported class action suit, commenced by multiple plaintiffs in the Circuit Court of Mobile County, Alabama. The plaintiffs seek unspecified damages for personal injury and property damage related to an alleged release of mercaptan at the Whistler Junction facilities in Eight Mile, Alabama. Gulf South delivers natural gas to MGSC, the local distribution company for that region, at Whistler Junction where MGSC odorizes the gas prior to delivery to end user customers by injecting mercaptan into the gas stream, as required by law. The cases are: Parker, et al. v. Mobile Gas Service Corp, et al. (Case No. CV-12-900711), Crum, et al. v. Mobile Gas Service Corp, et al. (Case No. CV-12-901057), Austin, et al. v. Mobile Gas Service Corp, et al. (Case No. CV-12-901133), Moore, et al. v. Mobile Gas Service Corp, et al. (Case No. CV-12-901471), Davis, et al. v. Mobile Gas Service Corp, et al. (Case No. CV-12-901490), Joel G. Reed, et al. v. Mobile Gas Service Corp, et al. (Case No. CV-2013-922265) and The Housing Authority of the City of Prichard, Alabama v. Mobile Gas Service Corp., et al. (Case No. CV-2013-901002). Gulf South has denied liability. Gulf South has demanded that MGSC indemnify Gulf South against all liability related to these matters pursuant to a right-of-way agreement between Gulf South and MGSC, and has filed cross-claims against MGSC for any such liability. MGSC has also filed cross-claims against Gulf South seeking indemnity and other relief from Gulf South.

The outcome of these cases cannot be predicted at this time; however, based on the facts and circumstances presently known, in the opinion of management, these cases will not be material to the Partnership's financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Environmental and Safety Matters

The operating subsidiaries are subject to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations in connection with the operation and remediation of various operating sites. As of June 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, the Partnership had an accrued liability of approximately $7.3 million and $7.8 million related to assessment and/or remediation costs associated with the historical use of polychlorinated biphenyls, petroleum hydrocarbons and mercury, groundwater protection measures and other costs. The liability represents management’s estimate of the undiscounted future obligations based on evaluations and discussions with counsel and operating personnel and the current facts and circumstances related to these matters. The related expenditures are expected to occur over the next nine years. As of June 30, 2013, and December 31, 2012, approximately $2.2 million was recorded in Other current liabilities and approximately $5.1 million and $5.6 million were recorded in Other Liabilities and Deferred Credits.

Clean Air Act

The Partnership’s pipelines are subject to the Clean Air Act, as amended (CAA), and the CAA Amendments of 1990, as amended (Amendments), which added significant provisions to the CAA. The Amendments require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to promulgate new regulations pertaining to mobile sources, air toxics, areas of ozone non-attainment, greenhouse gases and regulations affecting reciprocating engines subject to Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT). The operating subsidiaries presently operate two facilities in areas affected by non-attainment requirements for the current ozone standard (8-hour ozone standard). If the EPA designates additional new non-attainment areas or promulgates new air regulations where the Partnership operates, the cost of additions to PPE is expected to increase. The Partnership has assessed the impact of the CAA on its facilities and does not believe compliance with these regulations will have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In 2008, the EPA adopted regulations lowering the 8-hour ozone standard relevant to non-attainment areas. Under the regulations, new non-attainment areas were identified in April 2012. The Partnership identified one facility which could require the installation of additional emission controls for compliance between 2014 and 2019. The 8-hour ozone standard is due for review by the EPA in 2013 with final rulemaking expected to be completed in 2014. Revisions to the regulation could lower the 8-hour ozone standard set in 2008 and include a compliance deadline between 2017 and 2031. The Partnership continues to monitor this regulation relative to potentially impacted facilities.

The Partnership is required to file annual reports with the EPA regarding greenhouse gas emissions from its compressor stations, pursuant to final rules issued by the EPA regarding the reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from sources in the U.S. that annually emit 25,000 or more metric tons of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane and others. Additionally, the Partnership is required to conduct periodic and various facility surveys across its entire system to comply with the EPA’s greenhouse gas emission calculations and reporting regulations. Some states have also adopted laws regulating greenhouse gas emissions, although none of the states in which the Partnership operates have adopted such laws. The federal rules and determinations regarding greenhouse gas emissions have not had, and are not expected to have, a material effect on the Partnership’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

In 2010, the EPA adopted regulations requiring further emission controls for air toxics, specifically formaldehyde, from certain compression engines utilizing MACT. The Partnership estimates that certain of its compression engines will require the installation of certain emission controls by late 2013. The Partnership does not believe the regulation will have a material effect on its financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Commitments for Construction

The Partnership’s future capital commitments are comprised of binding commitments under purchase orders for materials ordered but not received and firm commitments under binding construction service agreements. The commitments as of June 30, 2013, were approximately $112.8 million, all of which are expected to be settled within the next twelve months.

There were no substantial changes to the Partnership’s operating lease commitments or pipeline capacity agreements disclosed in Note 4 to the Partnership’s 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K.