Energy Transfer 2013 Annual Report Download - page 32

Table of Contents
 On December 15, 2009, the EPA published its findings that emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other greenhouse gases present an
endangerment to public health and the environment because emissions of such gases are, according to the EPA, contributing to warming of the Earth’s
atmosphere and other climatic changes. Based on these findings, the EPA has adopted regulations under existing provisions of the federal Clean Air Act that,
among other things, would restrict emissions of greenhouse gases from motor vehicles as well as established Prevention of Significant Deterioration (“PSD”)
and Title V permitting reviews for certain large stationary sources that are potential sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Facilities required to obtain PSD
permits for their greenhouse gas emissions will be required to also reduce those emissions according to “best available control technology” standards for
greenhouse gases, which are developed on a case-by-case basis. Any regulatory or permitting obligation that limits emissions of greenhouse gases could require
us to incur costs to reduce or sequester emissions of greenhouse gases associated with our operations and also could adversely affect demand for the natural
gas and other hydrocarbon products that we transport, process, or otherwise handle in connection with our services.
In addition, the EPA has published a final rule requiring the reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from specified large greenhouse gas sources in the United
States on an annual basis, including onshore oil and natural gas production, processing, transmission, storage and distribution facilities. We are monitoring
greenhouse gas emissions from certain of our operations in accordance with the greenhouse gas emissions reporting rule and believe that our monitoring and
reporting activities are in substantial compliance with applicable reporting obligations.
Various pieces of legislation to reduce emissions of, or to create cap and trade programs for, greenhouse gases have been proposed by the U.S. Congress over
the past several years, but no proposal has yet passed. Numerous states have already taken legal measures to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, primarily
through the planned development of greenhouse gas emission inventories and/or regional greenhouse gas cap and trade programs. The passage of legislation
that limits emissions of greenhouse gases from our equipment and operations could require us to incur costs to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from our
own operations, and it could also adversely affect demand for our transportation, storage and processing services by reducing demand for oil, natural gas and
NGLs.
Some have suggested that one consequence of climate change could be increased severity of extreme weather, such as increased hurricanes and floods. If such
effects were to occur, our operations could be adversely affected in various ways, including damages to our facilities from powerful winds or rising waters, or
increased costs for insurance. Another possible consequence of climate change is increased volatility in seasonal temperatures. The market for our NGLs and
natural gas is generally improved by periods of colder weather and impaired by periods of warmer weather, so any changes in climate could affect the market
for the fuels that we produce. Despite the use of the term “global warming” as a shorthand for climate change, some studies indicate that climate change could
cause some areas to experience temperatures substantially colder than their historical averages. As a result, it is difficult to predict how the market for our
products could be affected by increased temperature volatility, although if there is an overall trend of warmer temperatures, it would be expected to have an
adverse effect on our business.
 We are subject to the requirements of the federal OSHA and comparable state laws that regulate the protection of the health and
safety of workers. In addition, the OSHA hazard communication standard requires that information be maintained about hazardous materials used or
produced in operations and that this information be provided to employees, state and local government authorities and citizens. We believe that our operations
are in substantial compliance with the OSHA requirements including general industry standards, recordkeeping requirements, and monitoring of occupational
exposure to regulated substances.
Employees
As of January 31, 2014, we employed 12,450 persons, 1,466 of which are represented by labor unions. We believe that our relations with our employees are
satisfactory.
SEC Reporting
We file or furnish annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any related amendments and supplements
thereto with the SEC. From time to time, we may also file registration and related statements pertaining to equity or debt offerings. You may read and copy any
materials we file or furnish with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information
regarding the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-732-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet website at http://www.sec.gov that
contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.
We provide electronic access, free of charge, to our periodic and current reports on our Internet website located at http://www.energytransfer.com. These reports
are available on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such materials with the SEC. Information contained on our website is
not part of this report.
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