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Note 17 - Credit Facility
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Long-term Line of Credit [Abstract]  
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]
Credit Facility

We maintain a $750 million unsecured revolving credit facility (the “Facility”) that is scheduled to expire on August 31, 2012. Under certain circumstances, upon our request and with the consent of the lenders, the commitments under the Facility may be increased up to an additional $250 million and the expiration date of the Facility may be extended annually for additional one year periods.

Our total borrowings under the Facility as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 were $500 million. Borrowings under the Facility bear interest at either a Eurodollar rate (“LIBOR”) or a Prime rate, at our option, plus an applicable margin based upon certain financial ratios, determined and payable quarterly. The interest rate as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 were LIBOR plus 0.27%, and LIBOR plus 0.35% respectively. In addition, we pay a facility fee on the entire Facility. This facility fee varies with certain financial ratios and was 0.08% and 0.10% as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The principal amount of borrowings, together with accrued interest, is due on the maturity date of August 31, 2012. As of December 31, 2011, $250 million is available under the Facility.

Interest expense recognized under the Facility represented the substantial portion of Interest expense on our consolidated income statements for 2011, 2010 and 2009.

The terms of the Facility require compliance with certain financial covenants that require us to maintain certain financial ratios related to interest coverage and financial leverage. As of December 31, 2011, we were in compliance with all such covenants.