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Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies (Notes)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]
Commitments and Contingencies

Clean Air Act - Section 185 Liability

Section 185 of the Clean Air Act ("CAA 185") requires states to collect annual fees from major source facilities located in severe or extreme nonattainment ozone areas that did not meet the attainment deadline.  The CAA 185 fees are required annually until the area is redesignated as an attainment area for ozone. The Houston-Galveston region was determined to be a severe nonattainment area that did not meet its 2007 attainment deadline and, as such, would be subject to CAA 185. 

During 2011, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (“TCEQ”) had published notices concerning its intention to issue a “Failure to Attain Rule” to implement the requirements of CAA 185. At that time, management believed it was probable that the TCEQ’s Failure to Attain Rule would provide for the collection of annual failure to attain fees for excess emissions for the annual periods from 2008 through 2011.  We have certain facilities in the Houston area that would have been subject to these rules; therefore, we recognized a $10.9 million environmental liability during 2011 as our estimate of excess emission fees we would be required to pay under the rules.

In June 2013, the TCEQ adopted its Failure to Attain Rule which did not require retroactive assessment of the Section 185 fees for the annual periods of 2008 through 2011.  As a result, during 2013, in accordance with the TCEQ's final rule, we reduced our accrual by $10.6 million.

Environmental Liabilities

Liabilities recognized for estimated environmental costs were $48.3 million and $38.5 million at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2013, respectively. We have classified environmental liabilities as current or noncurrent based on management’s estimates regarding the timing of actual payments. Management estimates that expenditures associated with these environmental liabilities will be substantially paid over the next 10 years. Environmental expenses recognized as a result of changes in our environmental liabilities are included in operating expenses on our consolidated statements of income. Environmental expenses were $23.1 million, $12.0 million and $(5.2) million for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively. The higher environmental expense in 2011 was primarily due to the CAA 185 liability accrual and the lower environmental expense for 2013 was primarily due to the $10.6 million favorable adjustment to this accrual, both of which are discussed above.

Environmental Receivables

Receivables from insurance carriers and other third parties related to environmental matters at December 31, 2012 were $7.9 million, of which $2.8 million and $5.1 million were recorded to other accounts receivable and long-term receivables, respectively, on our consolidated balance sheet. Receivables from insurance carriers related to environmental matters at December 31, 2013 were $4.8 million, of which $2.1 million and $2.7 million were recorded to other accounts receivable and long-term receivables, respectively, on our consolidated balance sheet. Amounts received from insurance carriers and other third parties related to environmental matters during 2011, 2012 and 2013 were $0.5 million, $1.2 million and $4.2 million, respectively.

Other

We are a party to various other claims, legal actions and complaints arising in the ordinary course of business, including without limitation those disclosed in Item 3, Legal Proceedings of Part I of this report on Form 10-K. While the results cannot be predicted with certainty, management believes the ultimate resolution of these claims, legal actions and complaints after consideration of amounts accrued, insurance coverage or other indemnification arrangements will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.