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Litigation, Environmental and Other Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Litigation, Environmental and Other Contingencies [Abstract]  
Litigation, Environmental and Other Contingencies
16.  Litigation, Environmental and Other Contingencies
 
Below is a brief description of our ongoing material legal proceedings, including any material developments that occurred in such proceedings during 2011.  This note also contains a description of any material legal proceedings that were initiated against us during 2011, and a description of any material events occurring subsequent to December 31, 2011 but before the filing of this report.
 
In this note, we refer to our subsidiary SFPP, L.P. as SFPP; our subsidiary Calnev Pipe Line LLC as Calnev; Chevron Products Company as Chevron; BP West Coast Products, LLC as BP; ConocoPhillips Company as ConocoPhillips; Tesoro Refining and Marketing Company as Tesoro; Western Refining Company, L.P. as Western Refining; Navajo Refining Company, L.L.C. as Navajo; Holly Refining & Marketing Company LLC as Holly; ExxonMobil Oil Corporation as ExxonMobil; Valero Energy Corporation as Valero; Valero Marketing and Supply Company as Valero Marketing; Continental Airlines, Inc., Northwest Airlines, Inc., Southwest Airlines Co. and US Airways, Inc., collectively, as the Airlines; our subsidiary Kinder Morgan CO2 Company, L.P. (the successor to Shell CO2 Company, Ltd.) as Kinder Morgan CO2; the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit as the D.C. Circuit; the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as the FERC; the California Public Utilities Commission as the CPUC; the Union Pacific Railroad Company (the successor to Southern Pacific Transportation Company) as UPRR; the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association as AREMA; the Texas Commission of Environmental Quality as the TCEQ; The Premcor Refining Group, Inc. as Premcor; Port Arthur Coker Company as PACC; the United States Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration as the PHMSA; the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act as CERCLA; the United States Environmental Protection Agency as the U.S. EPA; the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Suspension and Debarment Division as the U.S. EPA SDD; the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection as the NJDEP; our subsidiary Kinder Morgan Bulk Terminals, Inc. as KMBT; our subsidiary Kinder Morgan Liquids Terminals LLC as KMLT; our subsidiary Kinder Morgan Interstate Gas Transmission LLC as KMIGT; Rockies Express Pipeline LLC as Rockies Express; and Plantation Pipe Line Company as Plantation.  "OR" dockets designate complaint proceedings, and "IS" dockets designate protest proceedings.
 
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Proceedings
 
The tariffs and rates charged by SFPP and Calnev are subject to a number of ongoing proceedings at the FERC, including the shippers' complaints and protests regarding interstate rates on the pipeline systems listed below.  In general, these complaints and protests allege the rates and tariffs charged by SFPP and Calnev are not just and reasonable.  If the shippers are successful in proving their claims, they are entitled to seek reparations (which may reach up to two years prior to the filing of their complaints) or refunds of any excess rates paid, and SFPP and/or Calnev may be required to reduce their rates going forward.  These proceedings tend to be protracted, with decisions of the FERC often appealed to the federal courts.
 
The issues involved in these proceedings include, among others: (i) whether certain of our rates are "grandfathered" under the Energy Policy Act of 1992, and therefore deemed to be just and reasonable; (ii) whether "substantially changed circumstances" have occurred with respect to any grandfathered rates such that those rates could be challenged; (iii) whether indexed rate increases are justified; and (iv) the appropriate level of return and income tax allowance we may include in our rates.
 

 

 

 
 
 
SFPP
 
 
The following FERC dockets are currently pending:
 
 
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FERC Docket No. IS08-390 (West Line Rates) (Opinion Nos. 511 and 511-A)-Protestants: BP, ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Valero Marketing, Chevron, the Airlines-Status: FERC order issued on December 16, 2011.  While the order made certain findings that were adverse to SFPP, it ruled in favor of SFPP on many significant issues.  SFPP made a compliance filing at the end of January 2012.  However, SFPP also filed a rehearing request on certain adverse rulings in the FERC order.  It is not possible to predict the outcome of the FERC review of the rehearing request or appellate review of this order;
 
 
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FERC Docket No. IS09-437 (East Line Rates)-Protestants: BP, ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Valero Marketing, Chevron, Western Refining, Navajo, Holly, and Southwest Airlines-Status: Initial decision issued on February 10, 2011.  A FERC administrative law judge generally made findings adverse to SFPP, found that East Line rates should have been lower, and recommended that SFPP pay refunds for alleged over-collections.  SFPP has filed a brief with the FERC taking exception to these and other portions of the initial decision.  The FERC will review the initial decision, and while the initial decision is inconsistent with a number of the issues ruled on in FERC's Opinion Nos. 511 and 511-A, it is not possible to predict the outcome of FERC or appellate review;
 
 
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FERC Docket No. IS11-444 (2011 Index Rate Increases)-Protestants: BP, ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Valero Marketing, Chevron, the Airlines, Tesoro, Western Refining, Navajo, and Holly-Status:  SFPP withdrew all index rate increases except those that pertain to the West Line.  As to the West Line, the index rate increases are currently accepted and suspended, subject to refund, and the case is before a FERC hearing judge.  SFPP filed direct testimony in December 2011 and Supplemental Direct testimony in January 2012;
 
 
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FERC Docket No. OR11-13 (SFPP Base Rates)-Complainant:  ConocoPhillips-Status:  SFPP to provide further data within 90 days of the issuance of a final order in Docket No. IS08-390.  ConocoPhillips permitted to amend its complaint based on additional data;
 
 
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FERC Docket No. OR11-16 (SFPP Indexed Rates)-Complainant:  Chevron-Status:  SFPP to provide further data within 90 days of the issuance of a final order in Docket No. IS08-390.  Chevron permitted to amend its complaint based on additional data;
 
 
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FERC Docket No. OR11-18 (SFPP Base Rates)-Complainant:  Tesoro-Status:  SFPP to provide further data within 90 days of the issuance of a final order in Docket No. IS08-390.  Tesoro permitted to amend its complaint based on additional data;
 
 
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FERC Docket No. OR12-1 (SFPP Index Ceiling Levels)-Complainant:  Chevron-Status:  Complaint was filed October 5, 2011.  SFPP answered on October 26, 2011.  Matter is currently pending before the FERC;
 
 
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FERC Docket No. OR12-2 (SFPP Index Ceiling Levels)-Complainant:  Tesoro-Status:  Complaint was filed October 5, 2011.  SFPP answered on October 26, 2011.  Matter is currently pending before the FERC; and
 
 
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FERC Docket No. OR12-3 (SFPP Index Ceiling Levels)-Complainant:  ConocoPhillips-Status:  Complaint was filed October 5, 2011.  SFPP answered on October 26, 2011.  Matter is currently pending before the FERC.

With respect to the SFPP proceedings above and the Calnev proceedings discussed below, we estimate that the shippers are seeking approximately $30.0 million in annual rate reductions and approximately $150.0 million in refunds.  However, applying the principles of Opinion Nos. 511 and 511-A, a full FERC decision on our West Line rates, to these cases would result in substantially lower rate reductions and refunds.  We do not expect refunds in these cases to have an impact on our distributions to our limited partners.
 
 
Calnev
 
On March 17, 2011, the FERC issued an order consolidating the following proceedings and setting them for hearing.  The FERC further held the hearing proceedings in abeyance to allow for settlement judge proceedings:

 
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FERC Docket Nos. OR07-7, OR07-18, OR07-19, OR07-22, OR09-15, and OR09-20 (consolidated) (Calnev Rates)-Complainants: Tesoro, Airlines, BP, Chevron, ConocoPhillips and Valero Marketing-Status:  Before a FERC settlement judge.
 
 
 
Trailblazer Pipeline Company LLC
 
On July 7, 2010, our subsidiary Trailblazer Pipeline Company LLC refunded a total of approximately $0.7 million to natural gas shippers covering the period January 1, 2010 through May 31, 2010 as part of a settlement reached with shippers to eliminate the December 1, 2009 rate filing obligation contained in its Docket No. RP03-162 rate case settlement.  As part of the agreement with shippers, Trailblazer commenced billing reduced tariff rates as of June 1, 2010 with an additional reduction in tariff rates that took effect January 1, 2011.
 
 
Kinder Morgan Interstate Gas Transmission LLC Section 5 Proceeding
 
On November 18, 2010, our subsidiary KMIGT was notified by the FERC of a proceeding against it pursuant to Section 5 of the Natural Gas Act.  The proceeding set for hearing a determination of whether KMIGT's current rates, which were approved by the FERC in KMIGT's last transportation rate case settlement, remain just and reasonable.  The FERC made no findings in its order as to what would constitute just and reasonable rates or a reasonable return for KMIGT.  A proceeding under Section 5 of the Natural Gas Act is prospective in nature and any potential change in rates charged customers by KMIGT can only occur after the FERC has issued a final order.  Prior to that, an administrative law judge presides over an evidentiary hearing and makes an initial decision (which the FERC has directed to be issued within 47 weeks).
 
On March 23, 2011, the Chief Judge suspended the procedural schedule in this proceeding because all parties reached a settlement in principle that will resolve all issues set for hearing.  On May 5, 2011, KMIGT filed a formal settlement document, referred to in this Note as the Settlement and which is supported or not opposed by all parties of record, and on September 22, 2011, the FERC approved the Settlement.
 
The Settlement resolves all issues in the proceeding and provides shippers on KMIGT's system with prospective reductions in the fuel and gas and lost and unaccounted for rates, referred to as the Fuel Retention Factors, effective June 1, 2011.  The Settlement results in a 27% reduction in the Fuel Retention Factors billed to shippers effective June 1, 2011, as compared to the Fuel Retention Factors approved and in effect on March 1, 2011.  The Settlement also provides for a second stepped reduction, resulting in a total 30% reduction in the Fuel Retention Factors billed to shippers and effective January 1, 2012, for certain segments of the former Pony Express pipeline system.  Except for these reductions to the Fuel Retention Factors, other transportation and storage rates will not be altered by the Settlement.
 
California Public Utilities Commission Proceedings
 
We have previously reported ratemaking and complaint proceedings against SFPP pending with the CPUC.  The ratemaking and complaint cases generally involve challenges to rates charged by SFPP for intrastate transportation of refined petroleum products through its pipeline system in the state of California and request prospective rate adjustments and refunds with respect to tariffed and previously untariffed charges for certain pipeline transportation and related services.  These matters have been consolidated and assigned to two administrative law judges. 
 
On April 6, 2010, a CPUC administrative law judge issued a proposed decision in several intrastate rate cases involving SFPP and a number of its shippers.  The proposed decision includes determinations on issues, such as SFPP's entitlement to an income tax allowance and allocation of environmental expenses, which we believe are contrary both to CPUC policy and precedent and to established federal regulatory policies for pipelines.  Moreover, the proposed decision orders refunds relating to these issues where the underlying rates were previously deemed reasonable by the CPUC, which we believe to be contrary to California law.  SFPP filed comments on May 3, 2010 outlining what it believes to be the errors in law and fact within the proposed decision, and on May 5, 2010, SFPP made oral arguments before the full CPUC.  On November 12, 2010, an alternate proposed decision was issued. 
 
On May 26, 2011, the CPUC issued an order adopting the proposed decision, which would eliminate from SFPP's transportation rates an allowance for income taxes on income generated by SFPP.  The order also calls for partial refund of rates charged to shippers that were previously deemed reasonable by the CPUC.  The order would only affect rates for SFPP's intrastate pipeline service within the state of California and would have no effect on SFPP's interstate rates, which do include such an allowance under orders of the FERC and opinions of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.  SFPP has filed a request for rehearing by the CPUC of the May 26, 2011 order, which remains pending before the CPUC.  
 
On June 22, 2011, a CPUC administrative law judge issued a proposed decision substantially reducing SFPP's authorized cost of service, requiring SFPP's prospective rates to be reduced to reflect the authorized cost of service, and ordering SFPP to pay refunds from May 24, 2007 to the present of revenues collected in excess of the authorized cost of service.  SFPP filed comments on the proposed decision on June 22, 2011, outlining what it believes to be errors in law and fact in the proposed decision, including the requirement that refunds be made from May 24, 2007.  By subsequent ruling of the administrative law judge, the referenced proposed decision has been withdrawn.  The ruling indicated that a revised proposed decision would be issued at an unspecified date, subject to comments from the parties and a request for oral argument before the full CPUC.
 
Based on our review of these CPUC proceedings and the shipper comments thereon, we estimate that the shippers are requesting approximately $375.0 million in reparation payments and approximately $30.0 million in annual rate reductions.  The actual amount of reparations will be determined through further proceedings at the CPUC and we believe that the appropriate application of the May 26, 2011 CPUC order and the June 22, 2011 administrative law decision will result in a considerably lower amount.  In addition, further procedural steps, including motions for rehearing and writ of review to California's Court of Appeals, will be taken with respect to these decisions.  We do not expect any reparations that we would pay in these matters to have an impact on our distributions to our limited partners.
 
In September 2011, with respect to certain cases, we made refund payments of $18.4 million to various intrastate shippers pursuant to orders received from the CPUC.
 
Carbon Dioxide Litigation
 
Colorado Severance Tax Assessment
 
On September 16, 2009, the Colorado Department of Revenue issued three Notices of Deficiency to our subsidiary Kinder Morgan CO2.  The Notices of Deficiency assessed additional state severance tax against Kinder Morgan CO2 with respect to carbon dioxide produced from the McElmo Dome unit for tax years 2005, 2006, and 2007.  The total amount of tax assessed was $5.7 million, plus interest of $1.0 million, plus penalties of $1.7 million.  Kinder Morgan CO2 protested the Notices of Deficiency and paid the tax and interest under protest.  Kinder Morgan CO2 is now awaiting the Colorado Department of Revenue's response to the protest.
 
Montezuma County, Colorado Property Tax Assessment
 
In November of 2009, the County Treasurer of Montezuma County, Colorado, issued to Kinder Morgan CO2, as operator of the McElmo Dome unit, retroactive tax bills for tax year 2008, in the amount of $2 million.  Of this amount, 37.2% is attributable to Kinder Morgan CO2's interest.  The retroactive tax bills were based on the assertion that a portion of the actual value of the carbon dioxide produced from the McElmo Dome unit was omitted from the 2008 tax roll due to an alleged over statement of transportation and other expenses used to calculate the net taxable value. Kinder Morgan CO2 paid the retroactive tax bills under protest and filed petitions for a refund of the taxes paid under protest.  A hearing on our petition occurred on December 19, 2011 before the Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners, and we await the Board's decision.
 
Other
 
In addition to the matters listed above, audits and administrative inquiries concerning Kinder Morgan CO2's payments on carbon dioxide produced from the McElmo Dome and Bravo Dome units are currently ongoing.  These audits and inquiries involve federal agencies, the states of Colorado and New Mexico, and county taxing authorities in the state of Colorado.
 
Commercial Litigation Matters
 
Union Pacific Railroad Company Easements
 
SFPP and UPRR are engaged in a proceeding to determine the extent, if any, to which the rent payable by SFPP for the use of pipeline easements on rights-of-way held by UPRR should be adjusted pursuant to existing contractual arrangements for the ten year period beginning January 1, 2004 (Union Pacific Railroad Company v. Santa Fe Pacific Pipelines, Inc., SFPP, L.P., Kinder Morgan Operating L.P. "D", Kinder Morgan G.P., Inc., et al., Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Los Angeles, filed July 28, 2004).  In February 2007, a trial began to determine the amount payable for easements on UPRR rights-of-way.  The trial has concluded.  In September 2011, the judge determined that the annual rent payable as of January 1, 2004 was $14.8 million, subject to annual consumer price index increases.  SFPP intends to appeal the judge's determination, but if that determination is upheld, SFPP would owe approximately $73.9 million in back rent.  Accordingly, in 2011, we recorded a $69.7 million expense and increased our rights-of-way liability related to this legal matter.
 
SFPP and UPRR are also engaged in multiple disputes over the circumstances under which SFPP must pay for a relocation of its pipeline within the UPRR right-of-way and the safety standards that govern relocations.  In July 2006, a trial before a judge regarding the circumstances under which SFPP must pay for relocations concluded, and the judge determined that SFPP must pay for any relocations resulting from any legitimate business purpose of the UPRR.  SFPP appealed this decision, and in December 2008, the appellate court affirmed the decision.  In addition, UPRR contends that SFPP must comply with the more expensive AREMA standards in determining when relocations are necessary and in completing relocations.  Each party is seeking declaratory relief with respect to its positions regarding the application of these standards with respect to relocations.  A trial occurred in the fourth quarter of 2011, with a verdict having been reached that SFPP was obligated to comply with AREMA standards in connection with a railroad project in Beaumont Hills, California.  SFPP is evaluating is post-trial and appellate options.
 
Since SFPP does not know UPRR's plans for projects or other activities that would cause pipeline relocations, it is difficult to quantify the effects of the outcome of these cases on SFPP.  Even if SFPP is successful in advancing its positions, significant relocations for which SFPP must nonetheless bear the expense (i.e., for railroad purposes, with the standards in the federal Pipeline Safety Act applying) would have an adverse effect on our financial position, our results of operations, and our cash flows.  These effects would be even greater in the event SFPP is unsuccessful in one or more of these litigations.
 
Severstal Sparrows Point Crane Collapse
 
On June 4, 2008, a bridge crane owned by Severstal Sparrows Point, LLC and located in Sparrows Point, Maryland collapsed while being operated by KMBT.  According to our investigation, the collapse was caused by unexpected, sudden and extreme winds.  On June 24, 2009, Severstal filed suit against KMBT in the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, cause no. WMN 09CV1668.  Severstal alleges that KMBT was contractually obligated to replace the collapsed crane and that its employees were negligent in failing to properly secure the crane prior to the collapse.  Severstal seeks unspecified damages for value of the crane and lost profits.  KMBT denies each of Severstal's allegations.
 
The Premcor Refining Group, Inc. v. Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. and Kinder Morgan Petcoke, L.P.; Arbitration in Houston, Texas
 
On August 12, 2010, Premcor filed a demand for arbitration against us and our subsidiary Kinder Morgan Petcoke, L.P., collectively referred to as Kinder Morgan, asserting claims for breach of contract.  Kinder Morgan performs certain petroleum coke handling operations at the Port Arthur, Texas refinery that is the subject of the claim.  The arbitration was administered by the American Arbitration Association in Dallas, Texas.  Premcor alleged that Kinder Morgan breached its contract with Premcor by failing to properly manage the water level in the pit of a coker unit at a refinery owned by Premcor, failing to name Premcor as an additional insured, and failing to indemnify Premcor for claims brought against Premcor by PACC.  PACC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Premcor.  PACC brought its claims against Premcor in a previous separate arbitration seeking to recover damages allegedly suffered by PACC when a pit wall of a coker unit collapsed at its refinery.  PACC obtained an arbitration award against Premcor in the amount of $50.3 million, plus post-judgment interest.  Premcor was seeking to hold Kinder Morgan liable for the award.  Premcor was also seeking to recover an additional $11.4 million of alleged losses and damages in excess of the amount it owes to PACC.  The final arbitration hearing concluded on October 3, 2011.  On October 21, 2011, we received the arbitrator's findings of fact and rulings of law, which determined that Kinder Morgan has no liability for damages with respect to the claims asserted by PACC in the prior arbitration or by Premcor in the present arbitration.  The matter is now concluded.
 
Pipeline Integrity and Releases
 
From time to time, despite our best efforts, our pipelines experience leaks and ruptures.  These leaks and ruptures may cause explosions, fire, and damage to the environment, damage to property and/or personal injury or death.  In connection with these incidents, we may be sued for damages caused by an alleged failure to properly mark the locations of our pipelines and/or to properly maintain our pipelines.  Depending upon the facts and circumstances of a particular incident, state and federal regulatory authorities may seek civil and/or criminal fines and penalties.
 

 

 
Westridge Release, Burnaby, British Columbia
 
On July 24, 2007, a third-party contractor installing a sewer line for the City of Burnaby struck a crude oil pipeline segment included within our Trans Mountain pipeline system near its Westridge terminal in Burnaby, British Columbia, resulting in a release of approximately 1,400 barrels of crude oil.  The release impacted the surrounding neighborhood, several homes and nearby Burrard Inlet.  No injuries were reported.  To address the release, we initiated a comprehensive emergency response in collaboration with, among others, the City of Burnaby, the British Columbia Ministry of Environment, the National Energy Board (Canada), and the National Transportation Safety Board (Canada).  Cleanup and environmental remediation is complete, and we have received a British Columbia Ministry of Environment Certificate of Compliance confirming complete remediation.
 
Kinder Morgan Canada, Inc. commenced a lawsuit against the parties it believes were responsible for the third party strike, and a number of other parties have commenced related actions.  All of the outstanding litigation was settled without assignment of fault on April 8, 2011.  Kinder Morgan Canada has recovered the majority of its expended costs in responding to the third party strike.
 
On July 22, 2009, the British Columbia Ministry of Environment issued regulatory charges against the third-party contractor, the engineering consultant to the sewer line project, Kinder Morgan Canada Inc., and our subsidiary Trans Mountain L.P.  The British Columbia Ministry of Environment claims that the parties charged caused the release of crude oil, and in doing so were in violation of various sections of the Environmental, Fisheries and Migratory Bird Act.  On October 3, 2011, our subsidiary, Trans Mountain L.P., and each of the City of Burnaby's contractor and engineering consultant agreed to enter a plea of guilty to one count of The Environmental Management Act.  Each party agreed to pay a $1,000 fine and will contribute approximately $0.1 million into a British Columbia environmental trust fund to be used for projects that benefit the environment and wildlife.  In addition, Trans Mountain agreed to donate $0.1 million to BC Common Ground Alliance to further develop and deliver education to contractors for working safely around pipelines.  The Court confirmed the decision on November 10, 2011.  All amounts have been paid, and all matters related to both the civil and regulatory action have been concluded.
 
Perth Amboy, New Jersey Tank Release
 
In May 2011, the PHMSA issued a Notice of Probable Violation, Proposed Civil Penalty and Proposed Compliance Order, or NOPV, to KMLT.  The notice alleges violations of PHMSA's regulations related to an October 28, 2009 tank release from our Perth Amboy, New Jersey liquids terminal.  No product left the company's property, and additionally, there were no injuries, no impact to the adjacent community or public, and no fire as a result of the release.  The notice proposes a penalty of approximately $0.4 million.  KMLT is pursuing an administrative appeal of the NOPV.
 
Central Florida Pipeline Release, Tampa, Florida
 
On July 22, 2011, our subsidiary Central Florida Pipeline LLC reported a refined petroleum products release on a section of its 10-inch diameter pipeline near Tampa, Florida.  The pipeline carries jet fuel and diesel to Orlando and was carrying jet fuel at the time of the incident.  There was no fire and no injuries associated with the incident.  We immediately began clean up operations in coordination with federal, state and local agencies.  The cause of the incident is outside force damage.
 
General
 
Although no assurance can be given, we believe that we have meritorious defenses to the actions set forth in this note and, to the extent an assessment of the matter is reasonably possible, if it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated, we believe that we have established an adequate reserve to cover potential liability.
 
Additionally, although it is not possible to predict the ultimate outcomes, we also believe, based on our experiences to date and the reserves we have established, that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse impact on our business, financial position, results of operations or distributions to limited partners.  As of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we have recorded a total reserve for legal fees, transportation rate cases and other litigation liabilities in the amount of $331.9 million and $169.8 million, respectively.  The reserve is primarily related to various claims from regulatory proceedings arising from our West Coast products pipeline transportation rates, and the contingent amount is based on both the circumstances of probability and reasonability of dollar estimates.  The overall change in the reserve from December 31, 2010 includes both payments of $81.4 million in 2011 (for interstate and California intrastate transportation rate settlements on our Pacific operations' pipelines) that reduced the liability, and a $251.8 million decrease in earnings in 2011(largely associated with rate case liability adjustments that resulted in both increases in expense and decreases in revenues), which increased the liability.  We regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these claims in order to determine the adequacy of our liability provision.
 
Environmental Matters
 
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection v. Occidental Chemical Corporation, et al. (Defendants), Maxus Energy Corp. and Tierra Solutions, Inc. (Third Party Plaintiffs) v. 3M Company et al., Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division - Essex County, Docket No. L-9868-05
 
The NJDEP sued Occidental Chemical and others under the New Jersey Spill Act for contamination in the Newark Bay Complex including numerous waterways and rivers.  Occidental et al. then brought in approximately 300 third party defendants for contribution.  NJDEP claimed damages related to forty years of discharges of TCDD (form of dioxin), DDT and "other hazardous substances."  GATX Terminals Corporation (n/k/a/ KMLT) was brought in as a third party defendant because of the noted hazardous substances language and because the Carteret, New Jersey facility (former GATX Terminals facility) is located on the Arthur Kill River, one of the waterways included in the litigation.  This case was filed against third party defendants in 2009.  The Judge issued his trial plan for this case during the first quarter of 2011.  According to the trial plan, he allowed the State to file summary judgment motions against Occidental, Maxus and Tierra on liability issues immediately.  Numerous third party defendants filed motions to dismiss, which were denied, and now have filed interlocutory appeals from those motions.  KMLT is part of the third party defendant Joint Defense Group.  We have filed an Answer and initial disclosures.  The Judge put off trial of Maxus/Tierra's claims against the third party defendants until April 2013 with damages to be tried in September 2013.
 
Portland Harbor Superfund Site, Willamette River, Portland, Oregon
 
In December 2000, the U.S. EPA sent out General Notice letters to potentially responsible parties including GATX Terminals Corporation (n/k/a KMLT).  At that time, GATX owned two liquids terminals along the lower reach of the Willamette River, an industrialized area known as Portland Harbor.  Portland Harbor is listed on the National Priorities List and is designated as a Superfund Site under CERCLA.  The major potentially responsible parties formed what is known as the Lower Willamette Group (LWG), of which KMLT is a non-voting member and pays a minimal fee to be part of the group.  The LWG agreed to conduct the Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study leading to the proposed remedy for cleanup of the Portland Harbor site.  Once the U.S. EPA determines the cleanup remedy from the remedial investigations and feasibility studies conducted during the last decade at the site, it will issue a Record of Decision. Currently, KMLT and 90 other parties are involved in an allocation process to determine each party's respective share of the cleanup costs.  This is a non-judicial allocation process.  We are participating in the allocation process on behalf of both KMLT and KMBT.  Each entity has two facilities located in Portland Harbor.  We expect the allocation to conclude in 2013 or 2014, depending upon when the U.S. EPA issues its Record of Decision.
 
Roosevelt Irrigation District v. Kinder Morgan G.P., Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. , U.S. District Court, Arizona
 
This is a CERCLA case brought against a number of defendants by a water purveyor whose wells have allegedly been contaminated due to the presence of number of contaminants.  The Roosevelt Irrigation District is seeking up to $175 million from approximately 70 defendants.  The plume of contaminates has traveled under Kinder Morgan's Phoenix Terminal.  The plaintiffs have advanced a novel theory that the releases of petroleum from the Phoenix Terminal (which are exempt under the petroleum exclusion under CERCLA) have facilitated the natural degradation of certain hazardous substances and thereby have resulted in a release of hazardous substances regulated under CERCLA.  We are part of a joint defense group consisting of other terminal operators at the Phoenix Terminal including Chevron, BP, Salt River Project, Shell and a number of others, collectively referred to as the terminal defendants.  Together, we filed a motion to dismiss all claims based on the petroleum exclusion under CERCLA.  This case was recently assigned to a new judge, who has deemed all previous motions withdrawn and will grant leave to re-file such motions at a later date.  We plan to re-file the motion to dismiss as well as numerous summary judgment motions.
 
Casper and Douglas, EPA Notice of Violation
 
In March 2011, the EPA conducted inspections of several environmental programs at the Douglas and Casper Gas Plants in Wyoming.  In June 2011, we received two letters from the EPA alleging violations at both gas plants of the Risk Management Program requirements under the Clean Air Act.  We are cooperating with the EPA and working with the EPA to resolve these allegations.

The City of Los Angeles v. Kinder Morgan Liquids Terminals, LLC, Shell Oil Company, Equilon Enterprises LLC;  California Superior Court, County of Los Angeles, Case No. NC041463
 
KMLT is a defendant in a lawsuit filed in 2005 alleging claims for environmental cleanup costs at the former Los Angeles Marine Terminal in the Port of Los Angeles.  The lawsuit was stayed beginning in 2009 and remains stayed through the end of 2011.  A hearing was held on December 13, 2010 to hear the City's motion to remove the litigation stay.   At the hearing, the judge denied the motion to lift the stay without prejudice.  At the next case management conference held on June 13, 2011, the judge again continued the full litigation stay.  The Court continued the last case management conference until summer 2012. During the stay, the parties deemed responsible by the local regulatory agency have worked with that agency concerning the scope of the required cleanup and are now starting a sampling and testing program at the site. The local regulatory agency issued specific cleanup goals in early 2010, and two of those parties, including KMLT, have appealed those cleanup goals to the state water board.  The state water board has not yet taken any action with regard to our appeal petitions.
 
Plaintiff's Third Amended Complaint alleges that future environmental cleanup costs at the former terminal will exceed $10 million, and that the plaintiff's past damages exceed $2 million.  No trial date has yet been set.
 
Exxon Mobil Corporation v. GATX Corporation, Kinder Morgan Liquids Terminals, LLC and ST Services, Inc.
 
On April 23, 2003, Exxon Mobil Corporation filed a complaint in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Gloucester County.  The lawsuit relates to environmental remediation obligations at a Paulsboro, New Jersey liquids terminal owned by ExxonMobil from the mid-1950s through November 1989, by GATX Terminals Corp. from 1989 through September 2000, and later owned by Support Terminals and Pacific Atlantic Terminals, LLC.  The terminal is now owned by Plains Products, and it too is a party to the lawsuit.
 
The complaint seeks any and all damages related to remediating all environmental contamination at the terminal, and, according to the New Jersey Spill Compensation and Control Act, treble damages may be available for actual dollars incorrectly spent by the successful party in the lawsuit.  The parties engaged in court ordered mediation in 2008 through 2009, which did not result in settlement.  The trial judge has issued a Case Management Order and the parties are actively engaged in discovery.
 
On June 25, 2007, the NJDEP, the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the Administrator of the New Jersey Spill Compensation Fund, referred to collectively as the plaintiffs, filed a complaint against Exxon Mobil Corporation and KMLT, formerly known as GATX Terminals Corporation, alleging natural resource damages related to historic contamination at the Paulsboro terminal.  The complaint was filed in Gloucester County, New Jersey.  Both ExxonMobil and KMLT filed third party complaints against Support Terminals/Plains seeking to bring Support Terminals/Plains into the case.  Support Terminals/Plains filed motions to dismiss the third party complaints, which were denied.  Support Terminals/Plains is now joined in the case, and it filed an Answer denying all claims.  The court has consolidated the two cases.  All private parties and the state participated in two mediation conferences in 2010.
 
In December 2010, KMLT and Plains Products entered into an agreement in principle with the NJDEP for settlement of the state's alleged natural resource damages claim. The parties then entered into a Consent Judgment which was subject to public notice and comment and court approval. The natural resource damage settlement includes a monetary award of $1.1 million and a series of remediation and restoration activities at the terminal site.  KMLT and Plains Products have joint responsibility for this settlement.  Simultaneously, KMLT and Plains Products entered into a settlement agreement that settled each parties' relative share of responsibility (50/50) to the NJDEP under the Consent Judgment noted above. The Consent Judgment is now entered with the Court and the settlement is final.  Now Plains will begin conducting remediation activities at the site and KMLT will provide oversight and 50% of the costs.  The settlement with the state does not resolve the original complaint brought by ExxonMobil, however we are now approaching settlement discussions with ExxonMobil. There is no trial date set.
 
Mission Valley Terminal Lawsuit
 
In August 2007, the City of San Diego, on its own behalf and purporting to act on behalf of the People of the State of California, filed a lawsuit against us and several affiliates seeking injunctive relief and unspecified damages allegedly resulting from hydrocarbon and MTBE impacted soils and groundwater beneath the City's stadium property in San Diego arising from historic operations at the Mission Valley terminal facility.  The case was filed in the Superior Court of California, San Diego County, case number 37-2007-00073033-CU-OR-CTL.  On September 26, 2007, we removed the case to the United States District Court, Southern District of California, case number 07CV1883WCAB.  The City disclosed in discovery that it is seeking approximately $170 million in damages for alleged lost value/lost profit from the redevelopment of the City's property and alleged lost use of the water resources underlying the property.  Later, in 2010, the City amended its initial disclosures to add claims for restoration of the site as well as a number of other claims that increased their claim for damages to approximately $365 million.
 
The Court issued a Case Management Order on January 6, 2011, setting dates for completion of discovery and setting a trial date. In April, 2011, the parties filed a joint stipulation to extend the discovery schedule by approximately 3 months. In December 2011, the parties again entered into a joint stipulation to extend the various schedules in the Court's Case Management Order. Now, the parties must complete all fact discovery by March 23, 2012.  The parties participated in a  mandatory settlement conference in November 2, 2011 but did not make any headway in settling the case. The  trial is set for February 12, 2013.  We have been and will continue to aggressively defend this action.  This site has been, and currently is, under the regulatory oversight and order of the California Regional Water Quality Control Board. We continue to be in compliance with this agency order as we conduct an extensive remediation effort at the City's stadium property site.
 
Kinder Morgan, EPA Section 114 Information Request
 
On January 8, 2010, Kinder Morgan Inc., on behalf of Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America LLC, Horizon Pipeline Company and Rockies Express Pipeline LLC, received a Clean Air Act Section 114 information request from the U.S. EPA, Region V.  This information request requires that the three affiliated companies provide the U.S. EPA with air permit and various other information related to their natural gas pipeline compressor station operations located in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio.  The affiliated companies have responded to the request and believe the relevant natural gas compressor station operations are in substantial compliance with applicable air quality laws and regulations.
 
Notice of Proposed Debarment
 
In April 2011, we received Notices of Proposed Debarment from the U.S. EPA SDD.  The Notices propose the debarment of us (along with four of our subsidiaries), Kinder Morgan, Inc., Kinder Morgan G.P., Inc., and Kinder Morgan Management, LLC, from participation in future federal contracting and assistance activities.  The Notices allege that certain of the respondents' past environmental violations indicate a lack of present responsibility warranting debarment.  Our objective is to fully comply with all applicable legal requirements and to operate our assets in accordance with our processes, procedures and compliance plans.  We are performing better than industry averages in our incident rates and in our safety performance, all of which is publicly reported on our internet website.  We take environmental compliance very seriously, and look forward to demonstrating our present responsibility to the U.S. EPA SDD through this administrative process and we are engaged in discussions with the U.S. EPA SDD with the goal of resolving this matter in a cooperative fashion.  We do not anticipate that the resolution of this matter will have a material adverse impact on our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
Other Environmental
 
We are subject to environmental cleanup and enforcement actions from time to time.  In particular, CERCLA generally imposes joint and several liability for cleanup and enforcement costs on current and predecessor owners and operators of a site, among others, without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct, subject to the right of a liable party to establish a "reasonable basis" for apportionment of costs.  Our operations are also subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to protection of the environment.  Although we believe our operations are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental law and regulations, risks of additional costs and liabilities are inherent in pipeline, terminal and carbon dioxide field and oil field operations, and there can be no assurance that we will not incur significant costs and liabilities.  Moreover, it is possible that other developments, such as increasingly stringent environmental laws, regulations and enforcement policies under the terms of authority of those laws, and claims for damages to property or persons resulting from our operations, could result in substantial costs and liabilities to us.
 
We are currently involved in several governmental proceedings involving alleged violations of environmental and safety regulations.  As we receive notices of non-compliance, we negotiate and settle these matters.  We do not believe that these alleged violations will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
We are also currently involved in several governmental proceedings involving groundwater and soil remediation efforts under administrative orders or related state remediation programs.  We have established a reserve to address the costs associated with the cleanup.
 
In addition, we are involved with and have been identified as a potentially responsible party in several federal and state superfund sites.  Environmental reserves have been established for those sites where our contribution is probable and reasonably estimable.  In addition, we are from time to time involved in civil proceedings relating to damages alleged to have occurred as a result of accidental leaks or spills of refined petroleum products, natural gas liquids, natural gas and carbon dioxide.  See "-Pipeline Integrity and Releases" above for additional information with respect to ruptures and leaks from our pipelines.
 
General
 
Although it is not possible to predict the ultimate outcomes, we believe that the resolution of the environmental matters set forth in this note will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  However, we are not able to reasonably estimate when the eventual settlements of these claims will occur, and changing circumstances could cause these matters to have a material adverse impact.  As of December 31, 2011, we have accrued an environmental reserve of $74.7 million, and we believe that these pending environmental matters will not have a material adverse impact on our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.  In addition, as of December 31, 2011, we have recorded a receivable of $5.3 million for expected cost recoveries that have been deemed probable.  As of December 31, 2010, our environmental reserve totaled $74.7 million and our estimated receivable for environmental cost recoveries totaled $8.6 million.  Additionally, many factors may change in the future affecting our reserve estimates, such as (i) regulatory changes; (ii) groundwater and land use near our sites; and (iii) changes in cleanup technology.
 
Other
 
We are a defendant in various lawsuits arising from the day-to-day operations of our businesses.  Although no assurance can be given, we believe, based on our experiences to date and taking into account established reserves, that the ultimate resolution of such items will not have a material adverse impact on our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.