UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): November 5, 2013
ENBRIDGE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
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| DELAWARE | | 1-10934 | | 39-1715850 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) | | (Commission File Number) | | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
1100 LOUISIANA, SUITE 3300, HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(713) 821-2000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| ¨ | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| ¨ | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| ¨ | Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Item 8.01 Other Events.
As previously disclosed, Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P., referred to herein as “we”, expects that it will be required to pay civil penalties under the Clean Water Act of the United States in respect of the July 2010 Line 6B crude oil release. As a result of recent communications from responsible governmental agencies, we expect to accrue $22 million in the fourth quarter of 2013 in respect of these matters. While no final fine or penalty amount has been assessed or agreed to date, we believe that, based on the information available at this time, $22 million represents approximately the minimum amount which may be assessed under the Clean Water Act, excluding costs of injunctive relief, if any, that may be agreed or required by the relevant governmental agencies. Given the complexity of settlement negotiations, which we expect will continue, and the limited information available to assess the matter, we are unable to reasonably estimate the final penalty which might be incurred or to reasonably estimate a range of outcomes at this time. Discussions with governmental agencies regarding fines and penalties are preliminary and ongoing. The amount of any final fine and penalty or cost of injunctive relief may differ materially from the amount currently estimated as of November 5, 2013.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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| | ENBRIDGE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P. (Registrant) |
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| | By: | | Enbridge Energy Management, L.L.C. |
| | | | as delegate of Enbridge Energy Company, Inc., its General Partner |
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| Date: November 5, 2013 | | By: | | /s/ Noor Kaissi |
| | | | Noor Kaissi Controller (Duly Authorized Officer) |
