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Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration Number 333-131076

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

Title of Each Class of Securities to Be Registered
  Proposed Maximum
Amount to Be
Registered
  Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Price Per Unit
  Proposed Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price
  Registration
Fee*
 

Notes due 2019

  $ 500,000,000     100 % $ 500,000,000   $ 19,650  

*
This filing fee amount was paid on December 17, 2008.

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus dated January 17, 2006)

Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P.

GRAPHIC

$500,000,000

9.875% Notes due 2019

The notes will bear interest at the rate of 9.875% per year and will mature on March 1, 2019. Interest on the notes is payable on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning on September 1, 2009. If the trustee timely receives tender and appropriate notice with respect to all or a portion of the notes from the holder thereof, we will be required to repurchase such notes on March 1, 2012 from such holder at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the repurchase date. See "Description of Notes—Repurchase at the Option of Holder" beginning on page S-16. We may redeem some or all of the notes at our option at any time and from time to time prior to their maturity. The redemption prices are discussed under the caption "Description of Notes—Optional Redemption" beginning on page S-17.

The notes will be our unsecured senior obligations. If we default, your right to payment under the notes will rank equally with all of our other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness.

We do not intend to list the notes on any securities exchange.

Investing in the notes involves risks. See "Risk Factors" on page S-10 of this prospectus supplement and on page 4 of the accompanying prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 
  Per Note   Total  

Public Offering Price

    99.94 % $ 499,700,000  

Underwriting discounts and commissions

    0.55 % $ 2,750,000  

Proceeds, before expenses, to Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P.

    99.39 % $ 496,950,000  

(1)
Plus accrued interest, if any, from December 22, 2008, if settlement occurs after that date.

The underwriters expect to deliver the notes through the book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company against payment in New York, New York on or about December 22, 2008.

Joint Book-Running Managers

Deutsche Bank Securities

 

J.P. Morgan

 

RBS Greenwich Capital

Co-Managers
Banc of America Securities LLC   Credit Suisse   HSBC   UBS Investment Bank
CIBC World Markets   Scotia Capital   SunTrust Robinson Humphrey

The date of this prospectus supplement is December 17, 2008


Table of Contents

GRAPHIC


Table of Contents


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
  Page  

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

About this Prospectus Supplement

    S-ii  

Available Information

    S-ii  

Prospectus Supplement Summary

    S-1  

Risk Factors

    S-10  

Use of Proceeds

    S-13  

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

    S-13  

Capitalization

    S-14  

Description of Notes

    S-15  

Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations

    S-23  

Underwriting

    S-29  

Legal Matters

    S-31  

Experts

    S-31  


PROSPECTUS


 

About This Prospectus

    1  

Available Information

    1  

Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference

    2  

Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. 

    3  

Risk Factors

    4  

Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    4  

Description of Our Debt Securities

    6  

Description of Our Class A Common Units

    24  

Cash Distribution Policy

    26  

Use of Proceeds

    31  

Legal Matters

    31  

Experts

    31  

IMPORTANT NOTICE ABOUT INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS

        This document is in two parts. The first part is the prospectus supplement, which describes our business, the terms of this notes offering and certain terms of the notes. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, describes certain terms of the indenture under which the notes will be issued and gives more general information, some of which may not apply to this offering. If the description of the offering varies between the prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, you should rely on the information in this prospectus supplement.

        You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus made available by us. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information. We are not making an offer of the notes in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or in the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospectus may have changed since that date.

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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

        As used in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, "we," "us," "our" and "Enbridge Partners" mean Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. and, where the context requires, include our operating subsidiaries. In addition, we refer to Enbridge Energy Management, L.L.C., which manages and controls our business and affairs, as "Enbridge Management," and we refer to Enbridge Energy Company, Inc., our general partner and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Enbridge Inc., as "Enbridge Energy Company." "Enbridge" refers to Enbridge Inc. of Canada, which is the indirect owner of our general partner. Our Class A Common Units represent our limited partner interests. We also have limited partner interests that are represented by Class B Common Units, Class C Units and i-units. The Class A Common Units and the Class B Common Units are referred to in this prospectus supplement as "common units," and, together with the Class C Units and the i-units, are referred to in this prospectus supplement as "units."


AVAILABLE INFORMATION

        We file annual, quarterly and other reports and information with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC's public reference room at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for information on the public reference room. You can also find our filings at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov and on our website at http://www.enbridgepartners.com. Information contained on our website is not part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. In addition, our reports and other information about us can be inspected at the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

        The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we have filed with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you without actually including the specific information in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and may replace this information and information previously filed with the SEC. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or Exchange Act, as amended, until we sell all of the securities offered by this prospectus supplement, in each case other than information furnished to the SEC under Items 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K or until we terminate the offering and which is not deemed filed under the Exchange Act and is not incorporated in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus:

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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY

        This summary highlights information from this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. It is not complete and may not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the notes. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus include specific terms of the offering of the notes, information about our business and our financial data. We urge you to read carefully the entire prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents we have incorporated by reference, and our financial statements and the notes to those statements, before making an investment decision. We also encourage you to read "Risk Factors" and our discussion of other risks and uncertainties in our reports filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act, particularly our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2008, June 30, 2008 and September 30, 2008, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

ENBRIDGE PARTNERS

Business Description

        We are a publicly traded Delaware limited partnership that owns and operates crude oil and liquid petroleum transportation and storage assets and natural gas gathering, treating, processing, transportation and marketing assets in the United States. We were formed in 1991 by Enbridge Energy Company to own and operate the Lakehead system, which is the United States portion of a crude oil and liquid petroleum pipeline system extending from western Canada through the upper and lower Great Lakes region of the United States to eastern Canada. A subsidiary of Enbridge owns the Canadian portion of the system. Enbridge provides energy transportation, distribution and related services in North America and internationally.

        Enbridge Management is a Delaware limited liability company that was formed in May 2002 to manage our business and affairs. Under a delegation of control agreement, our general partner delegated substantially all of its power and authority to manage and control our business and affairs to Enbridge Management. Our general partner, through its direct ownership of the voting shares of Enbridge Management, elects all of the directors of Enbridge Management. Enbridge Management is the sole owner of all our i-units.

        Our executive offices are located at 1100 Louisiana, Suite 3300, Houston, Texas 77002 and our telephone number is (713) 821-2000.

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ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

        The following chart shows our organization and ownership structure as of the date of this prospectus supplement. The ownership percentages referred to in this prospectus supplement reflect the approximate effective ownership in us presented below.

GRAPHIC


OWNERSHIP OF ENBRIDGE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P. AS OF DECEMBER 17, 2008

i-units owned by Enbridge Management   12.7 %
Class A Common Units owned by the public   51.2 %
Class A Common Units owned by Enbridge Energy Company   13.9 %
Class B Common Units owned by Enbridge Energy Company   3.4 %
Class C Units owned by Enbridge Energy Company   5.5 %
Class C Units owned by institutional investors   11.3 %
General Partner Interest   2.0 %
       
    Total   100.0 %
       

        Enbridge holds an effective 27.0% interest in us through its ownership in Enbridge Energy Company.

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THE OFFERING

        The summary below describes the principal terms of the notes. Some of the terms and conditions described below are subject to important limitations and exceptions. See "Description of Notes" in this prospectus supplement and "Description of Our Debt Securities" in the accompanying prospectus.

Issuer   Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P.
Securities Offered   $500,000,000 principal amount of 9.875% Notes due 2019.
Interest Rate   9.875% per annum
Interest Payment Dates   March 1 and September 1 of each year, to holders of record as of the immediately preceding February 15 and August 15, beginning September 1, 2009.
Maturity   March 1, 2019
Use of Proceeds   We will receive net proceeds from the offering of approximately $496.5 million after payment of underwriting discounts and commissions and our estimated offering expenses. We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering to repay a portion of our outstanding credit facility borrowings that we used to finance a portion of our capital expansion projects and to repay our outstanding 4% senior notes that mature on January 15, 2009 in the amount of $200.0 million. A portion of the net proceeds of this offering may be invested temporarily in short-term investment grade securities pending their use for such purposes. See "Use of Proceeds."
    Affiliates of certain underwriters are lenders under our credit facility and as such may receive a portion of the proceeds from this offering. See "Underwriting."
Repurchase at the Option of Holder   If the trustee timely receives tender and appropriate notice with respect to all or a portion of the notes from the holder thereof, we will be required to repurchase such notes on March 1, 2012 from such holder at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the repurchase date. See "Description of Notes—Repurchase at the Option of Holder".
Optional Redemption   We may redeem the notes for cash, in whole or in part at any time and from time to time, at our option. The redemption price will include accrued and unpaid interest and a make-whole premium.
Ranking   The notes will:
      be our senior unsecured indebtedness;
      rank senior in right of payment to all of our existing and future subordinated indebtedness including any of our fixed/floating rate junior subordinated notes;
      rank equally in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsubordinated indebtedness; and

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      be effectively junior in right of payment to (i) any secured indebtedness that we may have (to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness), (ii) all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the notes, which own all of our operating assets, and (iii) all existing and future secured indebtedness of any subsidiaries that guarantee the notes (to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness).
    We conduct substantially all of our business through our subsidiaries. The notes will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries, including trade payables. As of September 30, 2008, our subsidiaries had $424 million of indebtedness to unaffiliated third parties. See "Description of Notes—Ranking."
    The indenture for the notes does not limit the amount of unsecured debt we may incur. The indenture contains restrictions on our ability to incur secured debt unless the same security is also provided for the benefit of holders of the notes.
Certain Covenants and Events of Default   The indenture for the notes includes certain covenants, including limitations on:
      securing indebtedness by liens on principal properties; and
      engaging in sale-leaseback transactions.
    These covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions, limitations and qualifications that are described under "Description of Notes."
    The indenture provides for events of default, including default on other significant indebtedness.
Ratings   The notes have been assigned a rating of Baa2 (negative outlook) by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., BBB (negative outlook) by Standard & Poor's Rating Services and BBB by DBRS Limited. Credit ratings are not recommendations to purchase, hold or sell securities inasmuch as such ratings do not comment as to market price or suitability for a particular investor. We cannot assure you that any rating will remain in effect for any given period by a rating agency in the future. We are under no obligation to advise noteholders if any such rating changes over time.
Risk Factors   You should consider carefully the information under the heading "Risk Factors" and all other information in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference, before deciding to invest in the notes.

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Listing and Trading   We do not intend to list the notes for trading on any securities exchange. We can provide no assurance as to the liquidity of, or development of any trading market for, the notes.
Additional Issuances   We may, at any time, without the consent of the holders of the notes, issue additional notes having the same interest rate, maturity and other terms as these notes (except for the payment of interest accruing prior to the issue date of such additional notes and the public offering price and issue date). Any such additional notes having such similar terms, together with the original notes, may constitute a single series under the indenture.
Trustee, Registrar and Transfer Agent   U.S. Bank National Association.
Governing Law   The notes and the indenture relating to the notes will be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

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SUMMARY HISTORICAL FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA

        We have derived the summary historical financial data as of and for each of the years ended December 31, 2005, 2006 and 2007 from our audited financial statements and related notes. We have derived the summary historical financial data as of September 30, 2007 and 2008 and for the nine-month period then ended from our unaudited financial statements which, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the data. The results for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any other periods or for the full fiscal year. You should read the information below in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and our historical financial statements and related notes appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008, both of which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

        Acquired systems and assets are included in the Summary Historical Financial and Operating Data from the date of acquisition.


SUMMARY HISTORICAL FINANCIAL DATA

 
  Year ended December 31,   Nine Months ended
September 30,
 
 
  2005   2006   2007   2007   2008  
 
  (dollars in millions)
 

Income Statement Data:

                               
 

Operating revenue

  $ 6,476.9   $ 6,509.0   $ 7,282.6   $ 5,162.3   $ 8,180.2  
                       
   

Cost of natural gas

    5,763.3     5,514.6     6,246.9     4,390.7     7,120.6  
   

Operating and administrative expenses

    326.8     364.8     434.3     306.6     378.4  
   

Depreciation and amortization

    138.2     135.1     165.6     121.3     163.1  
   

Power

    74.8     107.6     117.0     87.1     104.6  
 

Gain on sale of assets

    (18.1 )                
                       
 

Total operating expenses

    6,285.0     6,122.1     6,963.8     4,905.7     7,766.7  
                       
 

Operating income

    191.9     386.9     318.8     256.6     413.5  
 

Other income

    5.0     8.5     3.0     2.3     2.5  
 

Interest expense

    107.7     110.5     99.8     70.2     129.7  
                       
 

Income from continuing operations before income tax expense

    89.2     284.9     222.0     188.7     286.3  
 

Income tax expense

            5.1     3.7     5.0  
                       
 

Income from continuing operations

    89.2     284.9     216.9     185.0     281.3  
 

Income from discontinued operations

            32.6          
                       
 

Net income

  $ 89.2   $ 284.9   $ 249.5   $ 185.0   $ 281.3  
                       

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  Year ended December 31,   Nine Months ended
September 30,
 
 
  2005   2006   2007   2007   2008  
 
  (dollars in millions)
 

Financial Position Data (at period end):

                               
 

Property, plant and equipment, net

  $ 3,080.0   $ 3,824.9   $ 5,554.9   $ 5,134.7   $ 6,406.6  
 

Total assets

    4,428.4     5,223.8     6,891.6     6,353.8     7,981.1  
 

Long-term debt, excluding current portion

    1,682.9     2,066.1     2,862.9     2,541.2     3,163.5  
 

Notes payable to affiliates

    151.8     136.2     130.0     143.1     130.0  
 

Partners' capital:

                               
   

Class A common units

  $ 1,142.4   $ 1,141.7   $ 1,340.7   $ 1,360.7   $ 1,529.1  
   

Class B common units

    67.2     67.6     72.9     74.2     77.6  
   

Class C units

        509.8     874.1     863.5     921.3  
   

i-units

    421.7     466.3     515.3     507.4     557.8  
   

General partner

    34.6     47.6     62.9     61.5     71.4  
   

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    (302.1 )   (189.6 )   (294.4 )   (226.2 )   (227.8 )
                       
 

Total partners' capital

  $ 1,363.8   $ 2,043.4   $ 2,571.5   $ 2,641.1   $ 2,929.4  
                       

Other Financial Data:

                               
 

EBITDA(1)

  $ 335.1   $ 530.5   $ 520.0   $ 380.2   $ 579.1  
 

Cash flow provided by operating activities

    267.1     321.6     463.4     417.9     473.2  
 

Cash flow used in investing activities

    437.1     867.0     1,765.0     1,374.0     1,079.2  
 

Cash flow provided by financing activities

    181.5     640.2     1,167.5     920.9     707.1  
 

Additions to property, plant and equipment and asset acquisitions included in investing activities

    531.2     897.7     1,980.2     1,428.4     1,000.2  

(1)
We define EBITDA as net income before (a) depreciation and amortization, (b) interest expense, net of capitalized interest and (c) income taxes. EBITDA is used as a supplemental financial measure in the evaluation of our business, as described more fully below, and should not be considered as an alternative to net income as an indicator of our operating performance, cash flows from operating activities or other cash flow data calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States or as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA is not defined under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and it may not be the same as similarly titled measures used by others.

EBITDA is used as a supplemental financial measure to assess: (a) the ability of assets to generate cash sufficient to pay interest costs and make cash distributions to common unitholders, (b) the financial performance of assets and (c) the appropriateness of the purchase price of assets being considered for acquisition. As such, this supplemental financial measure provides a basis for investors and management to assess and measure performance over time and in relation to companies who own similar assets. Moreover, our credit facility requires us to use EBITDA in calculating certain financial ratios. Although EBITDA is used as a supplemental financial measure to assess our ability to generate cash sufficient to pay interest costs and make cash distributions to common unitholders, the amount of cash available for such payments is also subject to our ability to reserve cash for other uses, such as debt repayments, capital expenditures and operating activities. The

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  Year ended December 31,   Nine Months ended
September 30,
 
   
  2005   2006   2007   2007   2008  
   
  (dollars in millions)
 
 

Net income

  $ 89.2   $ 284.9   $ 249.5   $ 185.0   $ 281.3  
 

Add:

                               
   

Depreciation and amortization

    138.2     135.1     165.6     121.3     163.1  
   

Interest expense

    107.7     110.5     99.8     70.2     129.7  
   

Income tax expense

            5.1     3.7     5.0  
                         
 

EBITDA

    335.1     530.5     520.0     380.2     579.1  
 

Add (deduct):

                               
   

Interest expense

    (107.7 )   (110.5 )   (99.8 )   (70.2 )   (129.7 )
   

Income tax expense

            (5.1 )   (3.7 )   (5.0 )
   

Other adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided from operating activities(a)

    39.5     (48.6 )   37.0     19.0     (11.2 )
   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net(b)

    0.2     (49.8 )   11.3     92.6     40.0  
                         
 

Cash flow from operating activities

  $ 267.1   $ 321.6   $ 463.4   $ 417.9   $ 473.2  
                         

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OPERATING DATA

 
  Year ended December 31,   Nine Months ended
September 30,
 
 
  2005   2006   2007   2007   2008  

Liquids:

                               
 

Lakehead system:

                               
   

Deliveries (thousands of barrels per day) (1)

                               
     

United States

    1,036     1,204     1,202     1,191     1,242  
     

Ontario

    303     313     341     333     344  
                       
       

Total Lakehead system deliveries

    1,339     1,517     1,543     1,524     1,586  
                       
   

Barrel miles (billions) (2)

    338     400     408     301     317  
                       
   

Average haul (miles)

    692     722     725     723     729  
                       
 

Mid-Continent system:

                               
   

Deliveries (thousands of barrels per day) (1)

    236     244     236     248     238  
                       
 

North Dakota system:

                               
   

Deliveries (thousands of barrels per day) (1)

                               
     

Trunkline

    79     85     91     91     103  
     

Gathering

    8     7     7     6     6  
                       
       

Total North Dakota system deliveries

    87     92     98     97     109  
                       

Total Liquids delivery volumes

    1,662     1,853     1,877     1,869     1,933  
                       

Natural Gas:

                               
 

Average daily volume (3)(4)

                               
   

East Texas (5)

    860,000     1,019,000     1,180,000     1,162,000     1,431,000  
   

Anadarko

    488,000     582,000     591,000     588,000     648,000  
   

North Texas

    265,000     294,000     348,000     344,000     383,000  
   

UTOS

    158,000     181,000     192,000     176,000     157,000  
   

Midla

    106,000     109,000     115,000     117,000     104,000  
   

AlaTenn

    59,000     41,000     44,000     41,000     41,000  
   

Bamagas

    29,000     88,000     119,000     126,000     79,000  
   

Other major intrastates

    230,000     223,000     236,000     241,000     215,000  
                       
 

Total

    2,195,000     2,537,000     2,825,000     2,795,000     3,058,000  
                       

(1)
"Deliveries" means the amount of liquid hydrocarbons delivered by a pipeline to points along the system and is quantified using a barrel as a unit of measure. "Barrels per day" delivery data is a measurement of average deliveries for the indicated period and is computed by dividing the number of barrels delivered for the period by the number of days in the period. North Dakota deliveries includes trunkline and gathering deliveries.

(2)
"Barrel miles" is a measurement of how fully a pipeline is used over its length and is calculated by multiplying the amount of each individual delivery (measured in barrels) by the distance it is shipped (measured in miles) and then adding the results so obtained for all deliveries.

(3)
In millions of British thermal units per day, or "MMBtu/d."

(4)
In November 2007, we sold the Kansas Pipeline system, which contributed average daily volumes of approximately 31,000 MMBtu/d, 29,000 MMBtu/d, 23,000 MMBtu/d, 24,000 MMBtu/d and zero for the respective periods.

(5)
In December 2005, we sold the South Texas assets and a sour gas system in East Texas, which had a combined average daily volume of approximately 55,000 MMBtu/d, of which 33,000 MMBtu/d relates to South Texas.

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RISK FACTORS

        Before you make a decision to invest in the notes, you should be aware that such an investment involves various risks, uncertainties and factors including those described in the accompanying prospectus and the documents we have incorporated by reference. If any of those risks actually occurs, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could be materially adversely affected. We also urge you to consider carefully the discussion of risk factors in our other current filings with the SEC under the Exchange Act particularly under "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2008, June 30, 2008 and September 30, 2008, both of which are incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.

Capital Needs Risks

Our ability to access the credit and capital markets on attractive terms to obtain funding for our capital projects may be limited due to the deterioration of these markets.

        We expect to make significant expenditures for the construction of additional natural gas and crude oil transportation infrastructure over the next two years. Our ability to fund these expenditures is dependent on our ability to access the capital necessary to finance the construction of these facilities. Domestic and global financial markets and economic conditions have been, and continue to be, weak and volatile and have contributed significantly to a substantial deterioration in the credit and capital markets. These conditions, along with significant write-offs in the financial services sector and the re-pricing of credit risks have made, and will likely continue to make, it difficult to obtain funding for our capital needs from the credit and capital markets on terms similar to our recent capital-raising transactions. As a result, we may revise the timing and scope of these projects as necessary to adapt to existing markets and economic conditions.

        In particular, the cost of raising funds in the debt and equity capital markets has increased while the availability of funds from those markets has diminished. Also, as a result of concerns about the stability of financial markets generally and the solvency of counterparties specifically, the cost of obtaining funds from the credit markets has increased as many lenders have increased interest rates, enacted tighter lending standards and reduced, and in some cases ceased to provide, funding to borrowers.

        The commercial paper markets have recently experienced increased volatility and disruption, resulting in higher costs to issue commercial paper. As a result of these circumstances and the rating of our commercial paper, we currently, and for the foreseeable future, are not able to use our commercial paper program. In addition, because of the recent downturn in the financial markets, including the issues surrounding the solvency of many financial institutions and the recent failure, combinations and announced combinations of several financial institutions, our ability to obtain capital from our credit facility may be impaired. For example, since Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. ("Lehman") filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, Lehman Brothers Bank FSB ("Lehman BB"), a subsidiary of Lehman and a committed lender under our credit facility, has declined requests to honor its commitment to lend up to $82.5 million under our credit facility, effectively reducing the amount available to us under our credit facility to $1,167.5 million. We may be unable to utilize the full borrowing capacity under our credit facility if other lenders do not replace Lehman BB's funding commitment under the credit facility or if any of the remaining

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committed lenders is unable or unwilling to fund its portion of any funding request we make under our credit facility.

        Due to these factors, we cannot be certain that funding for our capital needs will be available from the credit and capital markets if needed and to the extent required, on acceptable terms. If funding is not available when needed, or is available only on unfavorable terms, we may be unable to implement our development plan, enhance our existing business, complete acquisitions and construction projects, otherwise take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our revenues and results of operations.

Risks Related to the Notes

The notes will be senior unsecured obligations. As such, the notes will be effectively junior to any secured debt we may have, to the existing and future debt and other liabilities of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the notes and to the existing and future secured debt of any subsidiaries that guarantee the notes.

        The notes will be our senior unsecured debt and will rank equally in right of payment with all of our other existing and future unsubordinated debt. The notes will be effectively junior to all of our existing and future secured debt, to the existing and future debt of our subsidiaries that do not guarantee the notes and to the existing and future secured debt of any subsidiaries that guarantee the notes. If we are involved in any dissolution, liquidation or reorganization, our secured debt holders would be paid before you receive any amounts due under the notes to the extent of the value of the assets securing their debt. In that event, you may not be able to recover any principal or interest you are due under the notes.

You cannot be sure that an active trading market will develop for the notes.

        Prior to this offering, there was no public market for the notes. We have been informed by the underwriters that they intend to make a market in the notes after this offering is completed; however, they may cease their market-making at any time. In addition, the liquidity of the trading market in the notes, and the market prices quoted for the notes, may be adversely affected by changes in the overall market for investment-grade debt securities and by changes in our financial performance or prospects or in the financial performance or prospects of companies in our industry generally. As a result, we cannot assure you that an active trading market will develop or be maintained for the notes. If an active market does not develop or is not maintained, the market price and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected.

We do not have the same flexibility as other types of organizations to accumulate cash, which may limit cash available to service the notes or to repay them at maturity.

        Unlike a corporation, our partnership agreement requires us to distribute, on a quarterly basis, 100% of our available cash to our unitholders of record and our general partner. Available cash is generally all of our cash receipts adjusted for cash distributions and net changes to reserves. Our general partner will determine the amount and timing of such distributions and has broad discretion to establish and make additions to our reserves in amounts the general partner determines in its reasonable discretion to be necessary or appropriate:

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        Although our payment obligations to our unitholders are subordinate to our payment obligations to you, the value of our units will likely decrease if we decrease the amount we distribute per unit. Accordingly, if we experience a liquidity problem in the future, we may not be able to issue equity to recapitalize, to service the notes or repay them at maturity. With respect to the four quarters ended September 30, 2008, we distributed $277.7 million to our unitholders (excluding payments of in-kind distributions to the owners of our i-units, Class C Units and amounts retained by our General Partner).

We may not have sufficient funds to repurchase the notes for cash.

        As described under "Description of Notes—Repurchase at the Option of Holder," on March 1, 2012 we will be required to purchase all or a portion of notes of each holder for which the trustee has timely and appropriately received tender and notice of such holder's election to require us to purchase such notes on that repurchase date. We may not have sufficient funds to repurchase the notes in cash at the time or have the ability to arrange necessary financing on acceptable terms. In addition, the terms of any debt agreements or applicable law may limit our ability to repurchase the notes for cash.

Tax Risks

If we were to become subject to entity-level taxation for U.S. federal income tax purposes or in states where we are not currently subject to entity-level taxation, our cash available for payment on the notes could be materially reduced.

        Under current law, we are treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and as a result, we do not pay any U.S. federal income tax at the entity level. In order to qualify for this treatment, we must derive at least 90% of our annual gross income from specified activities and investments. While we believe that we currently do qualify and intend to meet this income requirement, we may not find it possible, regardless of our efforts, to meet this income requirement or may inadvertently fail to meet this income requirement. Additionally, current law may change so as to cause us to be treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes without regard to our sources of income or otherwise subject us to entity-level taxation.

        If we were treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we would pay U.S. federal income tax on our income at the corporate tax rate, which is currently a maximum of 35%, and would likely pay state income taxes at varying rates in some states where we are not currently subject to state income tax. If we were required to pay tax on our taxable income, our anticipated cash flow could be materially reduced, which could materially and adversely affect our ability to make payments on the notes and on our other debt obligations.

        In addition, several states are evaluating ways to subject partnerships to entity-level taxation through the imposition of state income, franchise and other forms of taxation. For example, we are subject to entity-level taxes in Texas and Michigan. Texas imposes a franchise tax on our gross income apportioned to Texas at a maximum effective rate of 0.7%. The Michigan Business Tax imposes: (1) a tax on our modified gross receipts allocated or apportioned to Michigan at the overall rate of approximately 0.98%, and (2) a tax on our business income allocated or apportioned to Michigan at the overall rate of approximately 6.04%. The imposition of such taxes on us by Texas and Michigan, or by any other state, will reduce the cash available for payment on the notes and on our other debt obligations.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

        We will receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately $496.5 million after payment of underwriting discounts and commissions and our estimated offering expenses. We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering to repay a portion of our outstanding credit facility borrowings that we used to finance a portion of our capital expansion projects and to repay our outstanding 4% senior notes that mature on January 15, 2009 in the amount of $200.0 million. A portion of the net proceeds of this offering may be temporarily invested in short-term investment grade securities pending their use for such purposes. Affiliates of certain underwriters are lenders under our credit facility and as such may receive a portion of proceeds from this offering. See "Underwriting."

        As of September 30, 2008, we had outstanding $189.5 million of commercial paper with unamortized discount of $0.5 million having a weighted average interest rate of 3.19% per annum. As of September 30, 2008, we had $386.2 million outstanding under our credit facility at a weighted average interest rate of 3.82% per annum. This commercial paper was issued and these borrowings were incurred primarily to fund capital expenditures to enhance existing systems. We may borrow under the terms of our credit facility at any time for our capital expenditures or other partnership purposes.


RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

        The following table sets forth our ratio of earnings to fixed charges for the periods indicated.

 
  Year ended December 31,    
 
  Nine Months ended
September 30,
2008
 
  2003   2004   2005   2006   2007

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

  2.25x   2.49x   1.75x   3.26x   2.17x   2.57x

        For purposes of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges:

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CAPITALIZATION

        The following table shows our unaudited capitalization at September 30, 2008, and as adjusted to give effect to this offering and the initial application of the net offering proceeds as described above under "Use of Proceeds." You should read this table in conjunction with our financial statements and the notes to the financial statements incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 
  As of
September 30,
2008
 
 
  Actual   As Adjusted  
 
  (dollars in millions)
(unaudited)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 151.6   $ 151.6  
           

Current maturities of long-term debt

    442.8     242.8  
           

Long-term debt:

             
 

Commercial paper

    189.5     189.5  
 

First mortgage notes(1)

    93.0     93.0  
 

Credit facility

    386.2     86.5  
 

7.90% senior notes due 2012(1)

    100.0     100.0  
 

4.75% notes due 2013

    200.0     200.0  
 

5.35% notes due 2014

    200.0     200.0  
 

5.875% notes due 2016

    300.0     300.0  
 

7.00% senior notes due 2018(1)

    100.0     100.0  
 

6.50% notes due 2018

    400.0     400.0  
 

9.875% notes due 2019 offered hereby

        500.0  
 

7.125% senior notes due 2028(1)

    100.0     100.0  
 

5.95% notes due 2033

    200.0     200.0  
 

6.30% notes due 2034

    100.0     100.0  
 

7.50% notes due 2038

    400.0     400.0  
 

8.05% fixed/floating rate junior subordinated notes due 2067

    400.0     400.0  
 

Unamortized discount

    (5.2 )   (5.5 )
           
   

Total long-term debt

    3,163.5     3,363.5  

Note payable to affiliates(2)

    130.0     130.0  

Partners' capital

    2,929.4     2,929.4  
           
   

Total capitalization

  $ 6,665.7   $ 6,665.7  
           

(1)
Debt of Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership, one of our operating subsidiaries.

(2)
These loans are subordinated to our senior debt, but are senior to our junior subordinated notes.

        The table above does not reflect transactions subsequent to September 30, 2008, including (1) issuance and repayments of commercial paper, (2) borrowings and repayments under our credit facility, (3) our receipt and use of $500 million of net proceeds from our December 4, 2008 private placement of 16.25 million Class A common units with Enbridge Energy Company, and (4) our receipt and use of $10.2 million of contributions from our general partner related to the issuance of the Class A common units.

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DESCRIPTION OF NOTES

        The notes will constitute a new series of debt securities under an indenture dated as of May 27, 2003, between us and U.S. Bank National Association, successor to SunTrust Bank, as trustee, pursuant to which we issue our senior debt securities. We will issue the notes under a supplement to such indenture setting forth the specific terms applicable to the notes, and references to the "indenture" in this "Description of Notes" mean the indenture as so supplemented. You can find the definitions of various terms used in this description under "Description of Our Debt Securities—Certain Definitions" beginning on page 22 of the accompanying prospectus.

        This description is an overview of the material provisions of the notes and the indenture. This summary is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the indenture. You should carefully read the summary below, the description of the general terms and provisions of our debt securities set forth in the accompanying prospectus under "Description of Debt Securities" and the provisions of the indenture that may be important to you before investing in the notes. This summary supplements, and to the extent inconsistent therewith replaces, the description of the general terms and provisions of our debt securities set forth in the accompanying prospectus. Capitalized terms defined in the accompanying prospectus or in the indenture have the same meanings when used in this prospectus supplement unless updated herein. In this description, all references to "we," "us" or "our" are to Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. only, and not its Subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated.

        The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that we may issue. Debt securities may be issued under the indenture from time to time in separate series, each up to the aggregate amount from time to time authorized for such series.

General

        The notes will be our general unsecured, senior obligations and will constitute a new series of debt securities issued under the indenture. The notes initially will be limited to an aggregate principal amount of $500.0 million. None of the notes will be entitled to the benefit of a sinking fund.

        The notes initially will be issued only in book-entry form and represented by one or more global notes deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, as Depositary, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., its nominee. This means that you will not be entitled to receive a certificate for the notes that you purchase except under the limited circumstances described below under the caption "—Book-Entry, Delivery and Form." If any of the notes is issued in certificated form, it will be issued only in fully registered form without coupons, in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.

        The notes will mature on March 1, 2019. Interest on the notes will accrue at the rate of 9.875% per annum from December 22, 2008, or the most recent interest payment date, and will be payable in cash semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year, beginning September 1, 2009. We will make each interest payment on the notes to holders of record on February 15 or August 15, as the case may be, immediately preceding the related interest payment dates.

        Interest payments on the notes will be computed on a basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months and will be payable on overdue interest to the extent permitted by law at the same rate as interest is payable on principal.

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     Payment and Transfer.

        Initially, the notes will be issued only in global form. Beneficial interests in notes in global form will be shown on, and transfers of interests in notes in global form will be made only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants. Notes in definitive form, if any, may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange at the office or agency maintained by us for such purpose. Initially, this will be the corporate trust office or agency of the trustee located at 100 Wall Street, 16th Floor, New York, New York 10005.

        Payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on notes in global form registered in the name of DTC's nominee will be made in immediately available funds to DTC's nominee, as the registered holder of such global notes. If the notes are no longer represented by a global note, payments of interest on notes in definitive form may, at our option, be made at the corporate trust office or agency of the trustee indicated above or by check mailed directly to holders at their respective registered addresses or by wire transfer to an account designated by a holder of at least $1,000,000 of the notes. All funds that we provide to the trustee or a paying agent for the payment of principal of and any premium or interest on any note that remain unclaimed at the end of two years will (subject to applicable abandoned property laws) be repaid to us, and the holder of such note must thereafter look only to us for payment as a general creditor.

        No service charge will be imposed for any registration of transfer or exchange of notes, but we or the trustee may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable upon transfer or exchange of notes. We are not required to register the transfer of or to exchange any note (1) selected or called for redemption or (2) during a period of 15 days before mailing notice of any redemption of notes.

        The registered holder of a note will be treated as its owner for all purposes, and all references in this description to "holders" mean holders of record, unless otherwise indicated.

     Replacement of Securities.

        We will replace any mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes at the expense of the holder upon surrender of the mutilated notes to the trustee or evidence of destruction, loss or theft of a note satisfactory to us and the trustee. In the case of a destroyed, lost or stolen note, we may require an indemnity satisfactory to the trustee and to us before a replacement note will be issued.

Additional Issuances

        We may from time to time, without notice or the consent of the holders of the notes, create and issue additional notes ranking equally and ratably with the original notes in all respects (except for the payment of interest accruing prior to the date such additional notes are initially issued under the indenture and the public offering price and issue date), so that such additional notes form a single series with the original notes and have the same terms as to status, redemption or otherwise as that of the original notes.

Repurchase at the Option of Holder

        Each holder of the notes will have the right to require us to repurchase all or a portion of the notes owned by such holder on March 1, 2012 at a purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes tendered by the holder plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the repurchase date. On and after March 1, 2012 interest will cease to accrue on the notes tendered for repayment. On or before March 1, 2012, we will deposit with the

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trustee (or a separate paying agent) money sufficient to pay the principal of the notes tendered for repurchase. A holder's exercise of the repurchase option will be irrevocable.

        For any note to be purchased, the trustee (or separate paying agent, if one has been appointed) must receive, at its corporate trust office, not more than 60 nor less than 45 calendar days prior to the date of repurchase, the particular notes to be tendered and:

Repurchase instructions should not be sent to us.

        Only the Depositary may exercise the repurchase option in respect of global notes. Accordingly, beneficial owners of global notes who want to have all or any portion of the global notes represented thereby repurchased must instruct the participant, as defined under "Description of Notes—Book Entry, Delivery and Form," through which they own their interests, to direct the Depositary to exercise the repurchase option on their behalf by forwarding the repurchase instructions to the trustee (or paying agent, if applicable) as specified above. In order to ensure that these instructions are received by the trustee (or paying agent, if applicable) on a particular day, the applicable beneficial owner must so instruct the participant through which it owns its interest before that participant's deadline for accepting instructions for that day. Different firms may have different deadlines for accepting instructions from their customers, and neither we nor the trustee shall have any obligation to provide notice. Accordingly, beneficial owners should consult their participants for the respective deadlines. All instructions given to participants from beneficial owners of notes represented by global notes relating to the option to elect repurchase shall be irrevocable. In addition, at the time repurchase instructions are given, each beneficial owner shall cause the participant through which it owns its interest to transfer the beneficial owner's interest in the global note representing the related notes, on the Depositary's records, to the trustee (or paying agent, if applicable).

        If applicable, we will comply with the requirements of Section 14(e) of the Exchange Act and the rules promulgated thereunder, and any other securities laws or regulations in connection with any repurchase of notes at the option of the holders.

Optional Redemption

        The notes will be redeemable, at our option, at any time in whole, or from time to time in part, at a price equal to the greater of:

plus accrued interest to the date of redemption. The actual redemption price, will be calculated and certified to the trustee and us by the Independent Investment Banker (as defined below).

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        Notes called for redemption become due on the date fixed for redemption. Notices of redemption will be mailed at least 30 but not more than 60 days before the redemption date to each holder of the notes to be redeemed at its registered address. The notice of redemption for the notes will state, among other things, the amount of notes to be redeemed, if less than all of the outstanding notes are to be redeemed, the redemption date, the redemption price (or the method of calculating it) and each place that payment will be made upon presentation and surrender of notes to be redeemed. Unless we default in payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on any notes that have been called for redemption on the redemption date. If less than all the notes are redeemed at any time, the trustee will select the notes to be redeemed on a pro rata basis or by any other method the trustee deems fair and appropriate, but beneficial interests in notes in global form will be selected for redemption in accordance with DTC's customary practices.

        For purposes of determining the optional redemption price, the following definitions are applicable:

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        Except as set forth above, the notes will not be redeemable by us prior to maturity, will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund and will not be subject to repurchase by us at the option of the holders.

Ranking

        The notes will be unsecured, unless we are required to secure them as described under "Description of Our Debt Securities—Provisions Applicable Solely to Senior Debt Securities—Limitations on Liens" beginning on page 19 of the accompanying prospectus. The notes will also be our unsubordinated obligations and will rank (1) senior in right of payment to all of our existing and future subordinated indebtedness including any of our fixed/floating rate junior subordinated notes and (2) equally in right of payment with all of our other existing and future unsubordinated indebtedness. The notes also will be effectively subordinated in right to payment to any secured indebtedness we may incur, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness.

        We currently conduct substantially all of our operations through our Subsidiaries, and our Subsidiaries generate substantially all of our operating income and cash flow. As a result, we depend on distributions or advances from our Subsidiaries for funds to meet our debt service obligations. Contractual provisions or laws, as well as our Subsidiaries' financial condition and operating requirements, may limit our ability to obtain from our Subsidiaries cash that we require to pay our debt service obligations, including payments on the notes. The notes will be structurally subordinated (1) to all obligations of our Subsidiaries, including trade payables, except for any Subsidiary guarantees as described below under "—Potential Guarantee of Notes by Subsidiaries" and (2) to all secured obligations of any of our Subsidiaries, to the extent of the value of the assets securing such obligations. This means that you, as a holder of the notes, will have a junior position to the claims of creditors of such Subsidiaries on their assets and earnings. The indenture does not limit the amount of debt we or our Subsidiaries may incur, and it permits us and our Subsidiaries to incur some secured indebtedness in addition to the existing 9.15% first mortgage notes of Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership.

        As of September 30, 2008, we had $3,736.3 million of consolidated indebtedness. Upon original issuance, the notes will be structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of our Subsidiaries, including trade payables. As of September 30, 2008, our Subsidiaries had $424 million of indebtedness including $124 million of secured indebtedness to unaffiliated third parties that is included in our consolidated indebtedness. See "Capitalization."

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Potential Guarantee of Notes by Subsidiaries

        Initially, the notes will not be guaranteed by any of our Subsidiaries. In the future, however, if our Subsidiaries become guarantors or co-obligors of our Funded Debt, then these Subsidiaries will jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally, guarantee our payment obligations under the notes as described and to the extent provided under "Description of Our Debt Securities—Potential Guarantee of Debt Securities by Subsidiaries" on page 8 of the accompanying prospectus.

Certain Covenants

        For a description of certain covenants of the indenture that limit our ability and the ability of our Subsidiaries to take certain actions, please see "Description of Our Debt Securities—Covenants" beginning on page 9 of the accompanying prospectus.

        The indenture includes certain covenants, including:

Please read "Description of Our Debt Securities—Covenants—Merger, Amalgamation, Consolidation and Sale of Assets," "—Covenants—Reports," "—Provisions Applicable Solely to Senior Debt Securities—Limitations on Liens" and "—Provisions Applicable Solely to Senior Debt Securities—Restriction on Sale-Leasebacks" in the accompanying prospectus.

Events of Default

        In addition to the Events of Default described in the accompanying prospectus beginning on page 10, the following is an Event of Default with respect to the notes under the indenture:

        As of September 30, 2008, 2% of total partners' capital in our partnership was approximately $58.6 million.

        A default described in the preceding bullet point will not constitute an Event of Default until the trustee or the holders of 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes notify us and, if the notes are then guaranteed by a subsidiary guarantor, such subsidiary guarantor, of the default and such default is not cured within 60 days after receipt of the notice.

Book-Entry, Delivery and Form

        The notes initially will be issued in book-entry form and represented by one or more global notes. The global notes will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC, New York, New York, as Depositary, and registered in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of DTC. Unless and until it is exchanged for individual certificates evidencing notes under the limited circumstances described below, a global note may not be transferred except as a whole by

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the Depositary to its nominee or by the nominee to the Depositary, or by the Depositary or its nominee to a successor Depositary or to a nominee of the successor Depositary.

        DTC has advised us that it is:

        DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also facilitates the settlement among its participants of securities transactions, including transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants' accounts, which eliminates the need for physical movement of securities certificates. "Direct participants" in DTC include securities brokers and dealers, including underwriters, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations. DTC is owned by a number of its direct participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. Access to the DTC system is also available to others, which we sometimes refer to as "indirect participants", that clear transactions through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant either directly or indirectly. The rules applicable to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

        Purchases of notes within the DTC system must be made by or through direct participants, which will receive a credit for those notes on DTC's records. The ownership interest of the actual purchaser of a note, which we sometimes refer to as a "beneficial owner," is in turn recorded on the direct and indirect participants' records. Beneficial owners of notes will not receive written confirmation from DTC of their purchases. However, beneficial owners are expected to receive written confirmations providing details of their transactions, as well as periodic statements of their holdings, from the direct or indirect participants through which they purchased notes. Transfers of ownership interests in global notes are to be accomplished by entries made on the books of participants acting on behalf of beneficial owners. Beneficial owners will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the global notes except under the limited circumstances described below.

        To facilitate subsequent transfers, all global notes deposited with DTC will be registered in the name of DTC's nominee, Cede & Co. The deposit of notes with DTC and their registration in the name of Cede & Co. will not change the beneficial ownership of the notes. DTC has no knowledge of the actual beneficial owners of the notes. DTC's records reflect only the identity of the direct participants to whose accounts the notes are credited, which may or may not be the beneficial owners. The participants are responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

        Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to direct participants, by direct participants to indirect participants, and by direct participants and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any legal requirements in effect from time to time.

        Redemption notices will be sent to DTC or its nominee. If less than all of the notes are being redeemed, DTC will determine the amount of the interest of each direct participant in the notes to be redeemed in accordance with DTC's procedures.

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        In any case where a vote may be required with respect to the notes, neither DTC nor Cede & Co. will give consents for or vote the global notes. Under its usual procedures, DTC will mail an omnibus proxy to us as soon as possible after the record date. The omnibus proxy assigns the consenting or voting rights of Cede & Co. to those direct participants to whose accounts the notes are credited on the record date identified in a listing attached to the omnibus proxy.

        Principal and interest payments on the notes will be made to Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC. DTC's practice is to credit direct participants' accounts on the relevant payment date unless DTC has reason to believe that it will not receive payment on the payment date. Payments by direct and indirect participants to beneficial owners will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name." Those payments will be the responsibility of participants and not of DTC or us, subject to any legal requirements in effect from time to time. Payment of principal and interest to Cede & Co. is our responsibility, disbursement of payments to direct participants is the responsibility of DTC, and disbursement of payments to the beneficial owners is the responsibility of direct and indirect participants.

        Except under the limited circumstances described below, purchasers of notes will not be entitled to have notes registered in their names and will not receive physical delivery of notes. Accordingly, each beneficial owner must rely on the procedures of DTC and its participants to exercise any rights under the notes and the indenture.

        The laws of some jurisdictions may require that some purchasers of securities take physical delivery of securities in definitive form. Those laws may impair the ability to transfer or pledge beneficial interests in notes.

        DTC is under no obligation to provide its services as Depositary for the notes and may discontinue providing its services at any time. Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility for the performance by DTC or its direct participants or indirect participants under the rules and procedures governing DTC.

        As noted above, beneficial owners of notes generally will not receive certificates representing their ownership interests in the notes. However, if:

we will prepare and deliver certificates for the notes in exchange for beneficial interests in the global notes. Any beneficial interest in a global note that is exchangeable under the circumstances described in the preceding sentence will be exchangeable for notes in definitive certificated form registered in the names that the Depositary directs. It is expected that these directions will be based upon directions received by the Depositary from its participants with respect to ownership of beneficial interests in the global notes.

        We obtained the information in this section and elsewhere in this prospectus supplement concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system from sources that we believe to be reliable, but we take no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

        The following is a discussion of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences, as of the date of this prospectus supplement, of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes. This discussion only applies to holders who purchase the notes upon original issuance at their "issue price," which will equal the first price at which a substantial amount of the notes is sold for money (not including sales to bond houses, brokers, or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers), and hold the notes as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes (generally property held for investment). This discussion does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to a holder in light of its particular circumstances. For example, this discussion does not address:

        If a partnership or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal tax purposes holds the notes, the tax treatment of a partner of such partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. If you are a partner of a partnership holding the notes, you should consult your own tax advisors.

        This discussion is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), its legislative history, Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, published rulings and judicial decisions as of the date of this prospectus supplement. The foregoing authorities are subject to change or differing interpretations at any time with possible retroactive effect. No advance tax ruling has been sought or obtained from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences described below. If the IRS contests a conclusion set forth herein, no assurance can be given that a holder would ultimately prevail in a final determination by a court.

        This discussion is provided for general information only and does not constitute legal advice to any prospective purchaser of the notes. If you are considering a purchase of the notes, you should consult your own tax advisors concerning the U.S. federal income tax consequences of purchasing, owning and disposing of the notes in light of your particular circumstances and any consequences arising under the laws of any state, local or foreign taxing jurisdiction.

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Classification of the Notes

        If a debt instrument provides for one or more contingent payments, the debt instrument may be subject to special tax treatment under the Treasury regulations applicable to "contingent payment debt instruments" (the "contingent payment debt regulations"). The application of the contingent payment debt regulations to the notes is uncertain because, if the notes are redeemed prior to their maturity as described under "Description of Notes—Optional Redemption," a premium may be required to be paid, which could be treated as a contingent payment. However, under applicable Treasury regulations, payments made pursuant to an option to redeem a debt instrument are not treated as contingent payments if such option is unconditional and the timing and amounts of the payments that comprise each payment schedule under such option are "known" as of the issue date. Because the amounts of the payments to be made if our options to redeem the notes are exercised depend, in part, upon the treasury rate (which is subject to change), as described under "Description of Notes—Optional Redemption," the IRS might contend that the amounts of the payments that comprise each payment schedule under such options are not "known" as of the issue date. Nonetheless, we believe, and this discussion assumes, that the amounts of the payments that comprise each payment schedule under our options to redeem the notes are "known" as of the issue date within the meaning of the applicable Treasury regulations. Moreover, for purposes of determining whether a debt instrument provides for one or more contingent payments, the contingent payment debt regulations provide that a payment is not a contingent payment merely because of a contingency that, as of the issue date, is either "remote" or "incidental." As a result, even if it were determined that the amounts of the payments that comprise each payment schedule under our options to redeem the notes are not "known" as of the issue date within the meaning of the applicable Treasury regulations, we believe that the possibility that such options will be exercised would be a "remote" or "incidental" contingency within the meaning of the contingent payment debt regulations.

        Based on the foregoing, we believe, and we will take the position for U.S. federal income tax purposes, that the contingent payment debt regulations do not apply to the notes. However, our determination is not binding on the IRS. If the IRS successfully challenged our determination that the notes are not subject to the contingent payment debt regulations, a holder would generally be required to accrue interest income in each year, regardless of its regular method of tax accounting, on a constant yield to maturity basis based on the "comparable yield" of the notes (subject to certain adjustments). The "comparable yield" would be the rate, as of the initial issue date, at which we could have issued a fixed rate debt instrument with no contingent payments but with terms and conditions otherwise similar to the notes, including the level of subordination, term, timing of payments and general market conditions. Additionally, if the contingent payment debt regulations apply to the notes, any gain realized by a U.S. holder upon a sale or other taxable disposition of the notes would generally be recognized as ordinary income.

        The remainder of this discussion assumes that the notes will be indebtedness for U.S. federal income tax purposes that is not subject to the contingent payment debt regulations.

Consequences to U.S. Holders

        The following summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. holders of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes. For purposes of this discussion, a "U.S. holder" is a beneficial owner of the notes who or that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

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        A U.S. holder will be required to recognize as ordinary income all stated interest paid or accrued on the notes in accordance with such U.S. holder's regular method of accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

        We anticipate that the notes will be issued with less than a de minimis amount of original issue discount for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If, however, the notes' stated redemption price at maturity (generally, the sum of payments under a note other than payments of stated interest unconditionally payable at least annually) exceeds the issue price by more than a de minimis amount, a U.S. holder will be required to include such excess in income as original issue discount, as it accrues, in accordance with a constant yield method based on a compounding of interest before the receipt of cash payment attributable to this income.

        Upon the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of the notes, a U.S. holder will generally recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the amount realized on the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition and such U.S. holder's adjusted tax basis in the notes. A U.S. holder's amount realized will equal the amount of any cash received plus the fair market value of any other property received for the notes. The amount realized will not include any amount attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, which will be taxable as ordinary interest income if not previously included in income. Assuming that the notes are not issued with original issue discount, a U.S. holder's tax basis in a note will generally equal the amount that the U.S. holder paid for the note. If the notes are issued with original issue discount, a U.S. holder's tax basis in the notes will generally equal the amount that the U.S. holder paid for the notes, increased by original issue discount previously includible in such U.S. holder's gross income to the date of disposition and decreased by any payments received by such U.S. holder on the notes on or after the date that the notes were issued with original issue discount.

        The gain or loss recognized by a U.S. holder on the disposition of a note will generally be capital gain or loss and will generally be long-term capital gain or loss if, at the time of such disposition, the U.S. holder's holding period for the note is more than one year. Long-term capital gains of non-corporate taxpayers are currently taxed at lower rates than those applicable to ordinary income. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.

        The following summarizes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to non-U.S. holders of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes. For purposes of this

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discussion, the term "non-U.S. holder" means a beneficial owner of the notes who or that is neither a U.S. holder nor a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

        Special rules not discussed below may apply to certain non-U.S. holders subject to special tax treatment such as "controlled foreign corporations" or "passive foreign investment companies." Such non-U.S. holders should consult their own tax advisors to determine the U.S. federal, state, local and other tax consequences that may be relevant to them in light of their particular circumstances.

        Any payment to a non-U.S. holder of interest on the notes will be exempt from U.S. federal income and withholding tax, provided that:

        If a non-U.S. holder cannot satisfy the requirements described above, payments of interest on the notes will be subject to a 30% U.S. federal withholding tax unless the non-U.S. holder provides us, our paying agent or the person who would otherwise be required to withhold tax with a properly executed (i) IRS Form W-8BEN (or other applicable form) claiming an exemption from or reduction in withholding tax under the benefit of an applicable tax treaty or (ii) IRS Form W-8ECI (or other applicable form) stating that interest paid on the notes is not subject to withholding tax because it is effectively connected with the non-U.S. holder's conduct of a U.S. trade or business.

        If a non-U.S. holder is engaged in a U.S. trade or business and interest on the notes is effectively connected with the conduct of such U.S. trade or business (and, if an income tax treaty applies, such interest is attributable to a "permanent establishment" maintained by the non-U.S. holder within the United States), the non-U.S. holder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such interest on a net income basis (although exempt from the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax provided the certification requirements discussed above are satisfied) in generally the same manner as if it were a U.S. holder, subject to any modification provided under an applicable income tax treaty. In addition, if a non-U.S. holder is a foreign corporation, it may be subject to a "branch profits tax" equal to 30% (or lower applicable

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treaty rate) of its earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to adjustments, that are effectively connected with its conduct of a U.S. trade or business. For this purpose, interest on a note that is effectively connected with the conduct of such foreign corporation's U.S. trade or business will generally be included in the earnings and profits of such foreign corporation.

        Any gain realized by a non-U.S. holder upon the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of the notes will generally not be subject to U.S. federal income tax or withholding tax unless:

        If a non-U.S. holder is an individual who is present in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year of the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of a note, and certain other requirements are met, such non-U.S. holder will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a flat rate of 30% (unless a lower applicable treaty rate applies) on any such realized gain.

        If a non-U.S. holder is engaged in a U.S. trade or business and gain on the notes is effectively connected with the conduct of such U.S. trade or business (and, if an income tax treaty applies, such gain is attributable to a "permanent establishment" maintained by the non-U.S. holder in the United States), the non-U.S. holder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such gain on a net income basis generally in the same manner as if it were a U.S. holder subject to any modification provided under an applicable income tax treaty. In addition, if a non-U.S. holder is a foreign corporation, it may be subject to a "branch profits tax" equal to 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate) of its earnings and profits for the taxable year, subject to adjustments, that are effectively connected with its conduct of a U.S. trade or business. For this purpose, gain on the disposition of a note that is effectively connected with such foreign corporation's conduct of a U.S. trade or business will generally be included in the earnings and profits of such foreign corporation.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

        Information returns may be filed with the IRS in connection with the payments on the notes and the proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the notes. In addition, copies of these information returns may also be made available under the provisions of a specific treaty or other agreement to tax authorities of the country in which a non-U.S. holder resides.

        A U.S. holder will be subject to U.S. backup withholding tax on these payments if the U.S. holder fails to provide its taxpayer identification number to the paying agent and comply with certification procedures or otherwise establish an exemption from U.S. backup withholding tax.

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        A non-U.S. holder will generally not be subject to U.S. backup withholding tax on these payments provided that such non-U.S. holder certifies as to its foreign status (and the payor does not have actual knowledge or reason to know that such non-U.S. holder is a United States person as defined in the Code) or otherwise establishes an exemption.

        U.S. backup withholding tax is not an additional tax. The amount of any U.S. backup withholding tax from a payment will be allowed as a credit against the holder's U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle the holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

        Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding the application of backup withholding and information reporting.

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UNDERWRITING

        Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. are acting as joint book-running managers and as representatives of the underwriters named below. Subject to the terms and conditions of an underwriting agreement among us and the underwriters, we have agreed to sell to the underwriters, and the underwriters severally have agreed to purchase from us, the principal amount of notes listed opposite their names below.

Underwriters
  Principal
Amount of
Notes
 

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. 

  $ 100,000,000  

Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc. 

    100,000,000  

J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. 

    100,000,000  

Banc of America Securities LLC

    35,000,000  

Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC

    35,000,000  

HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. 

    35,000,000  

UBS Securities LLC

    35,000,000  

CIBC World Markets Corp. 

    20,000,000  

Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. 

    20,000,000  

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. 

    20,000,000  
       
   

Total

  $ 500,000,000  
       

        The underwriting agreement provides that the underwriters' obligations to purchase notes in the offering depend on the satisfaction of the conditions contained in the underwriting agreement.

        We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or to contribute to payments that may be required to be made in respect of these liabilities.

Discounts and Commissions

        The underwriters have advised us that they propose initially to offer the notes to the public at the public offering price on the cover page of this prospectus, and may offer the notes to dealers at that price less a concession not in excess of 0.35% of the principal amount of the notes. The underwriters may allow, and the dealers may reallow, a discount not in excess of 0.20% of the principal amount of the notes to other dealers. After the initial public offering, the public offering price, concession, discount and other selling terms may be changed.

        The expenses of the offering, not including the underwriting discounts and commissions, which are payable by us, are estimated to be $450,000.

New Issue of Notes

        The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on any national securities exchange or for quotation of the notes on any automated dealer quotation system. We cannot assure you that the prices at which the notes will sell in the market after this offering will not be lower than the initial offering price or that an active trading market for the notes will develop and continue after this offering. We have been advised by the underwriters that they presently intend to make a market in the notes after completion of the offering. However, they are under no obligation to

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do so and may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without any notice. Accordingly, we cannot assure you as to the liquidity of the trading market for the notes or that an active public market for the notes will develop. If an active public trading market for the notes does not develop, the market price and liquidity of the notes may be adversely affected.

Price Stabilization and Short Positions

        In connection with this offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell notes in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment, syndicate covering transactions and stabilizing transactions. Over-allotment involves sales of notes in excess of the principal amount of notes to be purchased by the underwriters in this offering, which creates a short position for the underwriters. Covering transactions involve purchases of the notes in the open market after the distribution has been completed in order to cover short positions. Stabilizing transactions consist of certain bids or purchases of notes made for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decrease in the market prices of the notes while the offering is in progress. Any of these activities may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decrease in the market prices of the notes. They may also cause the prices of the notes to be higher than the prices that otherwise would exist in the open market in the absence of these transactions. The underwriters may conduct these transactions in the over-the-counter market or otherwise. If the underwriters commence any of these transactions, they may discontinue them at any time.

        The underwriters may impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the other underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives of the underwriters have repurchased notes sold by or for the account of that underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

        Neither we nor any of the underwriters makes any representation or prediction as to the direction or magnitude of any effect that the transactions described above may have on the price of the notes. In addition, neither we nor any of the underwriters makes any representation that the underwriters will engage in these transactions or that these transactions, once commenced, will not be discontinued without notice.

Electronic Distribution

        A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on the Internet sites or through other online services maintained by one or more of the underwriters and/or selling group members participating in this notes offering, or by their affiliates. In those cases, prospective investors may view offering terms online and, depending upon the particular underwriter or selling group member, prospective investors may be allowed to place orders online. The underwriters may agree with us to allocate a specific amount of notes for sale to online brokerage account holders. Any such allocation for online distributions will be made by the representatives on the same basis as other allocations.

        Other than the prospectus in electronic format, the information on any underwriter's or selling group member's website and any information contained in any other website maintained by any underwriter or selling group member is not part of the prospectus or the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement forms a part, has not been approved and/or endorsed by us or any underwriter or selling group member in its capacity as underwriter or selling group member and should not be relied upon by investors.

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Other Relationships

        Some of the underwriters and their affiliates have performed investment banking, commercial banking and advisory services for us and our affiliates from time to time for which they have received customary fees and commissions. The underwriters and their affiliates may, from time to time in the future, engage in transactions with and perform services for us or our affiliates in the ordinary course of their business. Certain affiliates of the underwriters are lenders under our credit facility and may receive in excess of 10% of the net proceeds from this offering. Accordingly, this offering is being made in accordance with the provisions of Corporate Financing Rule 5110(h) of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.


LEGAL MATTERS

        Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. will issue opinions about the validity of the notes offered hereby and various legal matters in connection with the offering on our behalf. Baker Botts L.L.P., Houston, Texas, the underwriters' counsel, will issue opinions about various legal matters in connection with the offering on behalf of the underwriters. Baker Botts L.L.P. has provided legal services to us from time to time on matters unrelated to this offering.

        We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to any such document not specifically described above. Requests for such documents should be directed to:


EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) incorporated in this prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. for the year ended December 31, 2007 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

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ENBRIDGE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

Class A Common Units
Debt Securities

        We may from time to time offer and sell Class A common units and debt securities. We may offer and sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers and agents, or directly to purchasers, on a continuous or delayed basis. This prospectus describes the general terms of these securities. The specific terms of any securities and the specific manner in which we will offer them will be included in a supplement to this prospectus relating to that offering.

        You should carefully read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement before you invest. You should also read the documents we have referred you to in the "Available Information" section of this prospectus for information on us and for our financial statements. This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

        The Class A common units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "EEP."

        Investing in our securities involves risks. Limited partnerships are inherently different from corporations. You should carefully consider the risk factors beginning on page 4 of this prospectus and in the applicable prospectus supplement before you make an investment in our securities.

        Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is January 17, 2006.



TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
  Page

About This Prospectus

  1

Available Information

  1

Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference

  2

Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P.

  3

Risk Factors

  4

Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

  4

Description of Our Debt Securities

  6

Description of Our Class A Common Units

  24

Cash Distribution Policy

  26

Use of Proceeds

  31

Legal Matters

  31

Experts

  31

        You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and the documents we have incorporated by reference. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you different information. We are not making an offer of these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of these documents.

i



ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

        This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, using a "shelf" registration process. Under this shelf process, we may sell the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we sell securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. You should read both the prospectus and any prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under the heading "Where You Can Find More Information."

        As used in this prospectus, "we," "us," "our," and "Enbridge Partners" means Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. and, where the context requires, includes our operating subsidiaries. In addition, we refer to Enbridge Energy Management, L.L.C., which manages and controls our business and affairs, as "Enbridge Management," and we refer to Enbridge Energy Company, Inc., our general partner and an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Enbridge Inc., as "Enbridge Energy Company." "Enbridge Inc." refers to Enbridge Inc. of Canada, which is the indirect owner of our general partner.


AVAILABLE INFORMATION

        We file annual, quarterly and other reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file at the SEC's public reference room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-732-0330 for information on the public reference room. You can also find our filings on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov and on our website at http://www.enbridgepartners.com. Information contained on our website is not part of this prospectus, unless specifically so designated and filed with the SEC. In addition, our reports and other information about us can be inspected at the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.

        We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-3 relating to the securities covered by this prospectus. This prospectus is a part of the registration statement and does not contain all the information in the registration statement. Whenever a reference is made in this prospectus to a contract or other document of Enbridge Partners, the reference is only a summary and you should refer to the exhibits that are a part of the registration statement for a copy of the contract or other document. You may review a copy of the registration statement at the SEC's public reference room in Washington, D.C., as well as through the SEC's website.

1



INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

        The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we have filed with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you without actually including the specific information in this prospectus by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus and later information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. Therefore, before you decide to invest in a particular offering under this shelf registration, you should always check for reports we may have filed with the SEC after the date of this prospectus. We incorporate by reference into this prospectus the documents listed below and any future filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 until the applicable offering under this prospectus and any prospectus supplement is terminated, other than information furnished to the SEC under Item 2.02 or 7.01 of Form 8-K and which is not deemed filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is not incorporated in this prospectus:

        We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request, a copy of any document incorporated by reference in this prospectus, other than exhibits to any such document not specifically described above. Requests for such documents should be directed to:

2



ENBRIDGE ENERGY PARTNERS, L.P.

        We are a publicly traded Delaware limited partnership that owns and operates crude oil and liquid petroleum transportation and storage assets and natural gas gathering, treating, processing, transmission and marketing assets in the United States. Our Class A common units are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "EEP." We were formed in 1991 by Enbridge Energy Company to own and operate the Lakehead system, which is the United States portion of a crude oil and liquid petroleum pipeline system extending from western Canada through the upper and lower Great Lakes region of the United States to eastern Canada. A subsidiary of Enbridge Inc. owns the Canadian portion of the system. Enbridge Inc., which is based in Calgary, Alberta, provides energy transportation, distribution and related services in North America and internationally.

        For several years, we have been diversifying geographically and operationally through acquisitions of crude oil gathering, transportation and storage assets and of natural gas gathering, treating, processing and transportation systems. In January 2005, we acquired natural gas gathering and processing assets in North Texas, which include approximately 2,200 miles of natural gas gathering pipelines and four processing plants with aggregate processing capacity of 121 million cubic feet per day, or MMcf/d, of natural gas.

        Enbridge Management is a Delaware limited liability company that was formed in May 2002. Enbridge Management's shares, representing limited liability company interests, are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "EEQ." Enbridge Management owns a special class of our limited partner interests, referred to as "i-units." Enbridge Management's principal activity is managing and controlling our business and affairs. Under a delegation of control agreement, our general partner delegated substantially all of its power and authority to manage and control our business and affairs to Enbridge Management. Our general partner, through its direct ownership of the voting shares of Enbridge Management, elects all of the directors of Enbridge Management.

        Our Class A common units represent limited partner interests in us. We also have limited partner interests that are represented by Class B common units. All of our Class B common units are owned by our general partner. The Class A common units and Class B common units are referred to in this prospectus as "common units."

        Our executive offices are located at 1100 Louisiana, Suite 3300, Houston, Texas 77002 and our telephone number is (713) 821-2000.

3



RISK FACTORS

        An investment in our securities involves risks. You should carefully consider all of the information contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus and other information which may be incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement as provided under "Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference," including our Annual Reports on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. This prospectus also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Please read "Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements." Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks described elsewhere in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement and in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. If any of these risks occur, our business, financial condition or results of operation could be adversely affected.


INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

        This prospectus and the documents incorporated in this prospectus by reference include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are identified as any statement that does not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "plan," "position," "projection," "strategy," "could," "should" or "will" or the negative of those terms or other variations of them or by comparable terminology. In particular, statements, expressed or implied, concerning future actions, conditions or events or future operating results or the ability to generate revenue, income or cash flow are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Future actions, conditions or events and future results of operations may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Many of the factors that will determine these results are beyond our ability or the ability of our affiliates to control or predict. Specific factors that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include:

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        You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. When considering forward-looking statements, please review the risk factors described under "Risk Factors" in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, and any updates to those risk factors included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR DEBT SECURITIES

        We will issue our debt securities under an indenture dated as of May 27, 2003, among us, as issuer, SunTrust Bank, as trustee, and any subsidiary guarantors that may become parties to the indenture. The debt securities will be governed by the provisions of the indenture and those made part of the indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. We, the trustee and any subsidiary guarantors may enter into supplements to the indenture from time to time. If we decide to issue subordinated debt securities, we will issue them under a separate indenture containing subordination provisions that we and any subsidiary guarantors will enter into with a trustee.

        This description is a summary of the material provisions of the debt securities and the indenture. We urge you to read the copy of the senior indenture and the form of the subordinated indenture filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part because those indentures, and not this description, govern your rights as a holder of debt securities. References in this prospectus to an "indenture" refer to the particular indenture under which we issue a series of debt securities.

        You can find the definitions of other capitalized terms used in this description under "—Certain Definitions" below.

General

The Debt Securities

        Any series of debt securities that we issue:

        The indenture does not limit the total amount of debt securities that we may issue. We may issue debt securities under the indenture from time to time in separate series, up to the aggregate amount authorized for each such series.

        We will prepare a prospectus supplement and either an indenture supplement or a resolution of the board of directors of Enbridge Management and accompanying officers' certificate relating to any series of debt securities that we offer, which will include specific terms relating to some or all of the following:

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        This description of debt securities will be deemed modified, amended or supplemented by any description of any series of debt securities set forth in a prospectus supplement related to that series.

        The prospectus supplement will also describe any material United States federal income tax consequences or other special considerations regarding the applicable series of debt securities, including those relating to:

        At our option, we may make interest payments by check mailed to the registered holders of debt securities or, if so stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, at the option of a holder by wire transfer to an account designated by the holder.

        Unless otherwise provided in the applicable prospectus supplement, fully registered securities may be transferred or exchanged at the office of the trustee at which its corporate trust business is principally administered in the United States, subject to the limitations provided in the indenture, without the payment of any service charge, other than any applicable tax or governmental charge.

        Any funds we pay to a paying agent for the payment of amounts due on any debt securities that remain unclaimed for two years will be returned to us, and the holders of the debt securities must look only to us for payment after that time.

Potential Guarantee of Debt Securities by Subsidiaries

        At the time of issue, the debt securities will not be guaranteed by any of our Subsidiaries. If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, however, if afterwards our Subsidiaries become guarantors or co-obligors of our Funded Debt, then these Subsidiaries will jointly and severally, fully and unconditionally, guarantee our payment obligations under the then outstanding debt securities on a senior basis (or, in the case of any subordinated debt securities, on a subordinated basis as described below under "—Subordination"). We refer to any such Subsidiaries as "subsidiary guarantors" and

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sometimes to such guarantees as "subsidiary guarantees." Each subsidiary guarantor will execute a supplement to the indenture and a notation of guarantee as further evidence of its guarantee.

        The obligations of each subsidiary guarantor under its guarantee of the debt securities will be limited to the maximum amount that will not result in the obligations of the subsidiary guarantor under the guarantee constituting a fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent transfer under federal or state law, after giving effect to:

Addition and Release of Subsidiary Guarantors

        The guarantee of any subsidiary guarantor may be released under certain circumstances. If we exercise our legal or covenant defeasance option with respect to debt securities of a particular series as described below under "—Defeasance and Discharge," then any Subsidiary Guarantee will be released with respect to that series. Further, if no default has occurred and is continuing under the indenture, a subsidiary guarantor will be unconditionally released and discharged from its guarantee:

        If at any time following any release of a subsidiary guarantor from its initial guarantee of any series of debt securities pursuant to the third bullet point in the preceding paragraph, the subsidiary guarantor again guarantees any of our Funded Debt (other than our obligations under the indenture), then we will cause the subsidiary guarantor to again guarantee the debt securities in accordance with the indenture.

        If a series of debt securities is guaranteed by the subsidiary guarantors and is designated as subordinate to our Senior Indebtedness, then the guarantees by the subsidiary guarantors will be subordinated to the Senior Indebtedness of the subsidiary guarantors to substantially the same extent as the series is subordinated to our Senior Indebtedness. See "—Subordination."

Covenants

        The indenture contains the following two covenants for the benefit of the holders of all series of debt securities:

Merger, Amalgamation, Consolidation and Sale of Assets

        We will not merge, amalgamate or consolidate with or into any other Person or sell, convey, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of our assets to any Person, whether in a

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single transaction or series of related transactions, except in accordance with the provisions of our partnership agreement, and unless:

        Thereafter, if we are not the surviving Person, the surviving or transferee Person will be substituted for us under the indenture. If we sell or otherwise dispose of (except by lease) all or substantially all of our assets and the above stated requirements are satisfied, we will be released from all our liabilities and obligations under the indenture and the debt securities. If we lease all or substantially all of our assets, we will not be so released from our obligations under the indenture and the debt securities.

Reports

        So long as any debt securities are outstanding, we will:

Other Covenants

        The indenture for the senior debt securities contains the two additional covenants described below under "—Provisions Applicable Solely to Senior Debt Securities."

        A series of debt securities may contain additional financial and other covenants applicable to us and our subsidiaries. The applicable prospectus supplement will contain a description of any such covenants that are added to the indenture specifically for the benefit of holders of a particular series.

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Events of Default, Remedies and Notice

Events of Default

        Each of the following events will be an "event of default" under the indenture with respect to a series of debt securities:

Exercise of Remedies

        An event of default for a particular series of debt securities will not necessarily constitute an event of default for any other series of debt securities that may be outstanding under the indenture. If an event of default occurs with respect to a series of debt securities, other than an event of default described in the fifth bullet point above, and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the entire principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest, if any, on all the debt securities of that series to be due and payable immediately. If an event of default described in the fifth bullet point above occurs and is continuing, the principal of, premium, if any, and accrued and unpaid interest on all outstanding debt securities of all series will become immediately due and payable without any declaration of acceleration or other act on the part of the trustee or any holders.

        A default under the fourth bullet point above will not constitute an event of default with respect to a series of debt securities until the trustee or the holders of 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series notify us and, if that series of debt securities is guaranteed by a subsidiary guarantor, such subsidiary guarantor, of the default and such default is not cured within 60 days after receipt of notice.

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        The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of a series may rescind any declaration of acceleration by the trustee or the holders with respect to the debt securities of that series, but only if:

        The trustee will be under no obligation, except as otherwise provided in the indenture, to exercise any of the rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders unless such holders have offered to the trustee reasonable indemnity or security against any costs, liability or expense that may be incurred in exercising such rights or powers. No holder of debt securities of any series may pursue any remedy with respect to the indenture or the debt securities of that series, unless:

This provision does not, however, affect the right of a holder to sue for enforcement of any overdue payment respecting its own debt securities.

        The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series have the right, subject to certain restrictions, to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or of exercising any right or power conferred on the trustee with respect to that series of debt securities. The trustee, however, may refuse to follow any direction that:

Notice of Default

        Within 30 days after the occurrence of any default or event of default, we are required to give written notice to the trustee and indicate the status of the default or event of default and what action we are taking or propose to take to cure it. In addition, we are required to deliver to the trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year, a compliance certificate indicating that we and any subsidiary guarantor have complied with all covenants contained in the indenture or whether any default or event of default has occurred during the previous year.

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        If a default occurs with respect to the debt securities of a particular series and is continuing and is known to the trustee, the trustee must mail to each holder of debt securities of that series a notice of the default within 90 days after the default occurs. Except in the case of a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest with respect to the debt securities of any series, the trustee may withhold such notice, but only if and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a committee of directors or responsible officers of the trustee in good faith determines that withholding such notice is in the interests of the holders of debt securities of that series.

Amendments and Waivers

        We may amend the indenture without the consent of any holder of debt securities of any series to:

        In addition, we may amend the indenture if the holders of a majority in principal amount of all affected debt securities of each series then outstanding under the indenture consent to it. We may not, however, without the consent of each holder of any affected debt securities amend the indenture to:

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        No amendment may be made to the indenture for the subordinated debt securities that adversely affects the rights of the holders of Senior Indebtedness under the subordination provisions of that indenture without their consent.

        The consent of the holders is not necessary under the indenture to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment. It is sufficient if such consent approves the substance of the proposed amendment. After an amendment under the indenture becomes effective, we are required to mail to all holders of debt securities of an affected series a notice briefly describing the amendment. The failure to give, or any defect in, such notice, however, will not impair or affect the validity of the amendment.

        The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each affected series may waive our compliance with certain covenants on behalf of all holders of debt securities of such series, including, in the case of senior debt securities, those described under "—Provisions Applicable Solely to Senior Debt Securities—Limitations on Liens" and "—Provisions Applicable Solely to Senior Debt Securities—Restriction on Sale-Leasebacks." The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each affected series may, on behalf of all holders of debt securities of that series, waive any past default or event of default with respect to that series, except one in respect of:

Defeasance and Discharge

        At any time, we may terminate all our obligations under the indenture as they relate to a particular series of debt securities, which we call a "legal defeasance." If we decide to make a legal defeasance, however, we may not terminate some of our obligations under the indenture, including our obligations:

        At any time we may also effect a "covenant defeasance," which means we have elected to terminate our obligations under or the operation of:

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        We may exercise our legal defeasance option notwithstanding our prior exercise of our covenant defeasance option. If we exercise our legal defeasance option, payment of the defeased series of debt securities may not be accelerated because of an event of default with respect to that series. If we exercise our covenant defeasance option, payment of the defeased series of debt securities may not be accelerated because of an event of default specified in the fifth (with respect only to a subsidiary guarantor (if any)) or sixth bullet point under "—Events of Default" above or an event of default that is added specifically for such series and described in a prospectus supplement. If we exercise either our legal defeasance option or our covenant defeasance option, any Subsidiary Guarantee will terminate with respect to the defeased series of debt securities and any security that may have been granted with respect to that series will be released.

        In order to exercise either defeasance option, we must:

        In the event of any legal defeasance, holders of the debt securities of the defeased series would be entitled to look only to the trust fund for payment of principal of and any premium and interest on their debt securities through maturity.

        Although the amount of money and U.S. government obligations on deposit with the trustee would be intended to be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of a defeased series at the time of their stated maturity, if we exercise our covenant defeasance option for the debt securities of any series and the debt securities are declared due and payable because of the occurrence of an event of default, such amount may not be sufficient to pay amounts due on the debt securities of that series at the time of the acceleration resulting from such event of default. We would remain liable for such payments, however.

        In addition, we may discharge all our obligations under the indenture with respect to debt securities of a particular series, other than our obligation to register the transfer of and exchange such debt securities, provided that we either:

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No Personal Liability of General Partner or Enbridge Management

        None of Enbridge Energy Company, Enbridge Management, or their respective directors, officers, employees, incorporators, members and stockholders, as such, will be liable for:

        The preceding paragraph does not change any obligation of our general partner to restore any negative balance in its capital account (maintained by us pursuant to our partnership agreement) upon liquidation of its interest in us.

        By accepting a debt security, each holder will be deemed to have waived and released all liability described in the first paragraph of this subsection. This waiver and release are part of the consideration for our issuance of the debt securities. This waiver may not be effective, however, to waive liabilities under the federal securities laws, and it is the view of the SEC that such a waiver is against public policy.

Subordination

        Debt securities of a series (and any subsidiary guarantees of that series) may be subordinated to "Senior Indebtedness," which we define generally to include any Debt created or assumed by us (or, if the series is guaranteed, by the subsidiary guarantors), whether outstanding or hereafter issued, unless, by the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing such Debt, it is provided that such Debt is not superior in right of payment to the debt securities (or, if the series is guaranteed, to the subsidiary guarantees), or to other Debt that is pari passu with or subordinated to the debt securities (or, if the series is guaranteed, to the subsidiary guarantees). Subordinated debt securities of any series (and, if the series is guaranteed, the subsidiary guarantees) will be subordinate in right of payment, to the extent and in the manner set forth in the indenture and the prospectus supplement relating to such series, to the prior payment of all of our Debt or other indebtedness and that of any subsidiary guarantor that is designated as "Senior Indebtedness" with respect to the series.

        The holders of Senior Indebtedness of ours or, if applicable, a subsidiary guarantor, will receive payment in full of the Senior Indebtedness before holders of subordinated debt securities will receive any payment of principal, premium or interest with respect to the subordinated debt securities, or any payment in respect of any Subsidiary Guarantee, in the case of any payment or distribution of our assets or, if applicable to any series of outstanding debt securities, the subsidiary guarantors' assets, to creditors:

        Until the Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, any distribution to which holders of subordinated debt securities would otherwise be entitled will be made to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, except that the holders of subordinated debt securities may receive units representing limited partner interests and any debt securities that are subordinated to Senior Indebtedness to at least the same extent as the subordinated debt securities or any Subsidiary Guarantee.

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        If we do not pay any principal, premium or interest with respect to Senior Indebtedness within any applicable grace period (including at maturity), or any other default on Senior Indebtedness occurs and the maturity of the Senior Indebtedness is accelerated in accordance with its terms, we may not:

unless, in any case,

        Generally, "Designated Senior Indebtedness" will include:

        During the continuance of any default, other than a default described in the immediately preceding paragraph, that may cause the maturity of any Designated Senior Indebtedness to be accelerated immediately without further notice, other than any notice required to effect such acceleration, or the expiration of any applicable grace periods, we may not pay the subordinated debt securities, and no subsidiary guarantor may pay any Subsidiary Guarantee, for a period called the "Payment Blockage Period." A Payment Blockage Period will commence on the receipt by us and the trustee of written notice of the default, called a "Blockage Notice," from the representative of any Designated Senior Indebtedness specifying an election to effect a Payment Blockage Period and will end 179 days thereafter.

        The Payment Blockage Period may be terminated before its expiration:

        Unless the holders of the Designated Senior Indebtedness have accelerated the maturity of the Designated Senior Indebtedness, payments may resume on the subordinated debt securities and any Subsidiary Guarantee after the expiration of the Payment Blockage Period.

        Generally, not more than one Blockage Notice may be given in any period of 360 consecutive days. The total number of days during which any one or more Payment Blockage Periods are in effect, however, may not exceed an aggregate of 179 days during any period of 360 consecutive days.

        After all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full and until the subordinated debt securities are paid in full, holders of the subordinated debt securities will be subrogated to the rights of holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive distributions applicable to Senior Indebtedness.

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        If we exercise either our legal defeasance option or our covenant defeasance option with respect to any series of subordinated debt securities, then the subordination provisions described above will not apply to any money or U.S. government obligations deposited in trust with the trustee.

        As a result of the subordination provisions described above, in the event of insolvency, the holders of Senior Indebtedness, as well as certain of our general creditors, may recover more, ratably, than the holders of the subordinated debt securities.

Book Entry, Delivery and Form

        We may issue debt securities of a series in the form of one or more global certificates deposited with a depositary. We expect that The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, or "DTC," will act as depositary. If we issue debt securities of a series in book-entry form, we will issue one or more global certificates that will be registered in the name of DTC's nominee and deposited with or on behalf of DTC, and we will not issue physical certificates to any holder. A global security may not be transferred unless it is exchanged in whole or in part for a certificated security, except that DTC, its nominees and their successors may transfer a global security as a whole to one another.

        DTC will keep a computerized record of its participants, such as a broker, whose clients have purchased the debt securities. The participants will then keep records of their clients who purchased the debt securities.

        Beneficial interests in global securities will be shown on, and transfers of beneficial interests in global securities will be made only through, records maintained by DTC and its participants.

        DTC advises us that it is:

        DTC is owned by a number of its participants and by the New York Stock Exchange, Inc., The American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. The rules that apply to DTC and its participants are on file with the SEC.

        DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC. DTC also records the settlement among participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through computerized records for participants' accounts. This eliminates the need to exchange certificates. Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations.

        We will wire principal, premium, if any, and interest payments due on the global securities to DTC's nominee. We, any subsidiary guarantor, the trustee and any paying agent will treat DTC's nominee as the owner of the global securities for all purposes. Accordingly, we, any subsidiary guarantor, the trustee and any paying agent will have no direct responsibility or liability to pay amounts due on the global securities to owners of beneficial interests in the global securities.

        It is DTC's current practice, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, to credit its participants' accounts on the payment date according to their respective holdings of beneficial interests in the global securities as shown on DTC's records. In addition, it is DTC's current practice to assign any consenting or voting rights to its participants, whose accounts are credited with debt securities on a record date, by using an omnibus proxy.

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        Payments by participants in DTC to owners of beneficial interests in the global securities, as well as voting by participants, will be governed by the customary practices between the participants and the owners of beneficial interests, as is the case with securities held for the account of customers registered in "street name."

        Payments to holders of beneficial interests are the responsibility of the participants and not of DTC, the trustee, any subsidiary guarantor or us.

        Beneficial interests in global securities will be exchangeable for certificated securities with the same terms in authorized denominations only if:

The Trustee

        SunTrust Bank acts as trustee under the indenture for the senior debt securities. The prospectus supplement relating to any subordinated debt securities will identify the trustee under the indenture for the subordinated debt securities.

        The indenture limits the right of the trustee, if it becomes our creditor, to obtain payment of claims in some cases, or to realize for its own account on property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The trustee is permitted to engage in some other transactions. However, if it acquires any conflicting interest after a default has occurred under the indenture and is continuing, it must eliminate the conflict or resign as trustee.

        If an event of default occurs and is not cured or waived, the trustee is required to exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by the indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in its exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any of the holders of debt securities unless they have offered to the trustee reasonable security and indemnity against the costs and liabilities that it may incur.

        The trustee may be a depositary for funds of, may make loans to and may perform other routine banking services for us and our affiliates in the normal course of business.

Governing Law

        The indenture, any subsidiary guarantees and the debt securities will be governed by New York law.

Provisions Applicable Solely to Senior Debt Securities

        The indenture for the senior debt securities contains the two covenants described in this subsection of the prospectus.

Limitations on Liens

        We will not, nor will we permit any Subsidiary to, create, assume, incur or suffer to exist any Lien upon any Principal Property or upon any capital stock of any Restricted Subsidiary, whether owned or leased on the date of the indenture or thereafter acquired, to secure any Debt of ours or any other

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Person (other than the senior debt securities issued under the indenture), without in any such case making effective provision whereby all of the outstanding senior debt securities are secured equally and ratably with, or prior to, such Debt so long as such Debt is so secured. There is excluded from this restriction:

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        Notwithstanding the preceding, under the indenture, we may, and may permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, create, assume, incur or suffer to exist any Lien upon any Principal Property or capital stock of a Restricted Subsidiary to secure our Debt or the Debt of any other Person (other than the senior debt securities) that is not excepted by bullet points one through eleven, inclusive, above without securing the senior debt securities, provided that the aggregate principal amount of all Debt then outstanding secured by such Lien and all other Liens not excepted by bullet points one through eleven, inclusive, above (but subject to the inclusion specified in the proviso following the two bullet points below), together with all net sale proceeds from Sale-Leaseback Transactions (excluding Sale-Leaseback Transactions permitted by bullet points one through four, inclusive, of the first paragraph of the restriction on sale-leasebacks covenant described below), does not exceed at any one time the greater of:


provided that, for purposes of both of the determinations above, the amount of any Debt then outstanding that is secured by one or more Liens under the mortgage securing the First Mortgage Notes shall be considered as Debt incurred pursuant to a Lien that is not excepted by bullet points one through eleven, inclusive, of the previous paragraph.

Restriction on Sale-Leasebacks

        We will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, engage in a Sale-Leaseback Transaction, unless:

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        Notwithstanding the preceding, we may, and may permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, effect any Sale-Leaseback Transaction that is not excepted by bullet points one through four, inclusive, of the above paragraph, provided that the net sale proceeds from such Sale-Leaseback Transaction, together with the aggregate principal amount of then outstanding Debt (other than the senior debt securities) secured by Liens upon Principal Properties not excepted by bullet points one through eleven, inclusive, of the first paragraph of the limitations on liens covenant described above (but subject to the inclusion specified on the proviso following the two bullet points below), do not exceed at any one time the greater of:

provided that, for purposes of both of the determinations above, the amount of any Debt then outstanding that is secured by one or more Liens under the mortgage securing the First Mortgage Notes shall be considered as Debt incurred pursuant to a Lien that is not excepted by bullet points one through eleven, inclusive, of the first paragraph of the limitation on liens covenant described above.

Certain Definitions

        As used in this description:

        "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means, at any date of determination, the total amount of assets after deducting therefrom

all as set forth on the consolidated balance sheet of us and our consolidated subsidiaries for our most recently completed fiscal quarter, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, as in effect from time to time.

        "Debt" means any obligation created or assumed by any Person for the repayment of money borrowed, any purchase money obligation created or assumed by such Person and any guarantee of the foregoing.

        "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and any successor statute.

        "First Mortgage Notes" means the 9.15% First Mortgage Notes due 2011 of Enbridge Energy, Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership.

        "Funded Debt" means all Debt maturing one year or more from the date of the creation thereof, all Debt directly or indirectly renewable or extendible, at the option of the debtor, by its terms or by the terms of any instrument or agreement relating thereto, to a date one year or more from the date of the creation thereof, and all Debt under a revolving credit or similar agreement obligating the lender or lenders to extend credit over a period of one year or more.

        "Hedging Obligations" means, with respect to any Person, the net obligations (not the notional amount) of such Person under interest rate and commodity price swap agreements, interest rate and commodity price cap agreements, interest rate and commodity price collar agreements and foreign currency and commodity price exchange agreements, options or futures contracts or other similar

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agreements or arrangements or hydrocarbon hedge contracts or hydrocarbon forward sale contracts, in each case designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest rates, foreign exchange rates or commodity prices.

        "Lien" means, as to any Person, any mortgage, lien, pledge, security interest or other encumbrance in or on, or adverse interest or title of any vendor, lessor, lender or other secured party to or of the Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreement or capital lease with respect to, any property or asset of the Person.

        "Permitted Liens" means

        "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, association, joint-stock company, trust, other entity, unincorporated organization or government, or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

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        "Principal Property" means

        "Restricted Subsidiary" means any of our Subsidiaries owning or leasing, directly or indirectly through ownership in another Subsidiary, any Principal Property.

        "Sale-Leaseback Transaction" means the sale or transfer by us or any Restricted Subsidiary of any Principal Property to a Person (other than us or a Restricted Subsidiary) and the taking back by us or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, of a lease of such Principal Property.

        "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor statute.

        "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person,

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR CLASS A COMMON UNITS

General

        Generally, our Class A common units represent limited partner interests that entitle the holders to participate in our cash distributions and to exercise the rights and privileges available to limited partners under our partnership agreement. For a description of the relative rights and preferences of holders of common units and our general partner in and to cash distributions, see "Cash Distribution Policy" in this prospectus.

        Class A common units may be held in "street name" or by any other nominee holder. We are entitled to treat the nominee holder of a Class A common unit as the absolute owner thereof, and the beneficial owner's rights will be limited solely to those that it has against the nominee holder as a result of or by reason of any understanding or agreement between such beneficial owner and nominee holder.

        Our Class A common units are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "EEP."

Number of Class A Common Units

        As of December 31, 2005, we had 49,938,834 Class A common units outstanding. Our partnership agreement does not limit the number of common units we may issue.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Duties

        Mellon Investor Services LLC is the registrar and transfer agent for the Class A common units and receives fees from us for serving in such capacities. All fees charged by the transfer agent for transfers of Class A common units will be borne by us and not by our unitholders, except that fees similar to those customarily paid by stockholders for surety bond premiums to replace lost or stolen certificates, taxes or other governmental charges, special charges for services requested by a Class A common unitholder and other similar fees or charges will be borne by the affected Class A common unitholder. There will be no charge to Class A common unitholders for disbursements of our cash distributions. We have agreed to indemnify the transfer agent against certain liabilities.

Resignation or Removal

        The transfer agent may at any time resign, by notice to us, or be removed by us, such resignation or removal to become effective upon the appointment by our general partner of a successor transfer agent and registrar and its acceptance of such appointment. If no successor has been appointed and accepted such appointment within 30 days after notice of such resignation or removal, our general partner is authorized to act as the transfer agent and registrar until a successor is appointed.

Transfer of Class A Common Units

        Until a Class A common unit has been transferred on our books, we and the transfer agent may treat the record holder thereof as the absolute owner for all purposes, notwithstanding any notice to the contrary or any notation or other writing on the certificate representing such Class A common unit, except as otherwise required by law. Any transfer of a Class A common unit will not be recorded by the transfer agent or recognized by us unless the transferee executes and delivers a transfer application.

        By executing and delivering a transfer application, the transferee of Class A common units:

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        An assignee has the right to receive distributions in respect of Class A common units, but is not a limited partner. An assignee will become a limited partner in respect of the transferred Class A common units upon the consent of our general partner and the recordation of the name of the assignee on our books and records. Such consent may be withheld in the sole discretion of our general partner. Class A common units are securities and are transferable according to the laws governing transfer of securities.

        In addition to other rights acquired upon transfer, the transferor gives the transferee who executes and delivers a transfer application the right to request admission as a substituted limited partner in respect of the transferred Class A common units. A purchaser or transferee of Class A common units who does not execute and deliver a transfer application obtains only (1) the right to assign the Class A common units to a purchaser or other transferee and (2) the right to transfer the right to seek admission as a substituted limited partner with respect to the transferred Class A common units. Thus, a purchaser or transferee of Class A common units who does not execute and deliver a transfer application will not receive cash distributions unless the Class A common units are held in a nominee or street name account and the nominee or broker has executed and delivered a transfer application with respect to such Class A common units, and may not receive certain federal income tax information or reports furnished to unitholders of record. The transferor of Class A common units will have a duty to provide such transferee with all information that may be necessary to obtain registration of the transfer of the Class A common units, but a transferee agrees, by acceptance of the certificate representing Class A common units, that the transferor will not have a duty to see to the execution of the transfer application by the transferee and will have no liability or responsibility if such transferee neglects or chooses not to execute and forward the transfer application.

Summary of Partnership Agreement

        A summary of the important provisions of our partnership agreement is included in reports filed with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

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CASH DISTRIBUTION POLICY

Requirement to Distribute Available Cash

        Our partnership agreement provides that we will distribute all of our available cash to our partners on a quarterly basis. Distributions for a quarter are made within 45 days after the end of the quarter.

Definition of Available Cash

        Available cash generally means, for any calendar quarter, all cash we receive from all sources, plus net reductions to cash reserves, less all of our cash disbursements and net additions to cash reserves.

Establishment of Reserves

        Decisions regarding amounts to be placed in or released from reserves have a direct impact on the amount of available cash for distribution. This is because increases and decreases in reserves are taken into account in computing available cash. Each quarter we may, in our reasonable discretion, determine the amounts to be placed in or released from reserves, subject to restrictions on the purposes of the reserves and to the approval of Enbridge Energy Company.

Cash Distributions and Additional i-Units

        Typically, the general partner and owners of common units will receive distributions in cash. Instead of receiving cash distributions, the number of i-units owned by Enbridge Management and the percentage of total units in us owned by Enbridge Management will increase automatically under the provisions of the our partnership agreement. The cash equivalent amount of the additional i-units that Enbridge Management will own following a distribution of cash to the general partner and owners of common units will be treated as if it actually had been distributed for purposes of determining the distributions to the general partner. We will not distribute the cash related to the i-units but will instead retain that cash and use the cash in our business. We will also retain and reinvest in our business a portion of the cash that would otherwise be distributed to the general partner.

Two Different Types of Distributions

        The distributions of available cash we make are characterized either as distributions of cash from operations or as distributions of cash from interim capital transactions. This distinction affects common unit distributions and the number of additional i-units Enbridge Management will own relative to the distributions to the general partner.

Cash from Operations

        Cash from operations, which is determined on a cumulative basis, generally means:

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Cash from Interim Capital Transactions

        Cash from interim capital transactions is generated by:

Rule for Characterizing Distributions

        To avoid the difficulty of trying to determine whether available cash we distribute is cash from operations or cash from interim capital transactions, all available cash we distribute from any source will be treated as distributions of cash from operations until the sum of all available cash distributed equals the cumulative amount of cash from operations actually generated from December 27, 1991 (the date we commenced operations) through the end of the calendar quarter prior to that distribution. Any distribution of available cash which, when added to the sum of all prior distributions, is in excess of the cumulative amount of cash from operations, will be considered a distribution of cash from interim capital transactions. For purposes of calculating the sum of all distributions of available cash, the amount of cash that we retain in respect of the i-units and the general partner's partnership interest will be treated as distributions of available cash. We will retain that cash and use the cash in our business.

General Procedures for Quarterly Distributions

        The following illustrates the implementation of the provisions described above. For each quarter, Enbridge Management will use the following procedures to determine the amount of cash that we will distribute to the holders of common units and the general partner and the number of additional i-units that Enbridge Management will own:

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        The discussion below indicates the percentages of distributions of available cash required to be made to our limited partners and general partner. Except as otherwise noted in the discussion below, all distributions to the general partner and owners of common units will be made in cash. Except in liquidation, i-units will not be entitled to receive cash distributions. Instead of receiving cash distributions, the number of i-units owned by Enbridge Management will increase automatically under the terms of our partnership agreement as described above. The cash equivalent amount of the additional i-units that Enbridge Management will own following a distribution of cash to the general partner and owners of common units will be treated as if it had actually been distributed for purposes of determining the distributions to be made to the general partner. We will not distribute the cash related to the i-units but instead will retain that cash and use the cash in our business. We will also retain and reinvest in our business a portion of the cash that would otherwise be distributed to the general partner.

Distributions of Cash from Operations

        Subject to certain adjustments, we will distribute or retain cash from operations for each quarter as follows:

        We will distribute cash from operations in respect of common units and will retain cash from operations in respect of i-units. We will distribute cash from operations in respect of the general partner's partnership interest, except that we will retain out of such amounts an amount equal to 2% of the amount obtained by dividing (i) the cash from operations retained in respect of the i-units described above by (ii) 98%.

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Distributions of Cash from Interim Capital Transactions

        We will distribute or retain cash from interim capital transactions as follows:

        Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the minimum quarterly and target distributions have been reduced to zero as a result of distributions of cash from interim capital transactions and the Class A common unitholders have ever failed to receive the minimum quarterly distribution, distributions and retentions of cash from interim capital transactions will first be made 98% in respect of Class A common units and i-units, pro rata, and 2% in respect of the general partner's partnership interest until we have distributed in respect of each Class A common unit issued in our initial public offering, cash from operations since our inception together with current distributions of cash from interim capital transactions in an aggregate amount equal to the minimum quarterly distribution for all periods since our inception. To date, the holders of the common units have always received at least the minimum quarterly distribution. Distributions of cash from interim capital transactions will not reduce target distributions in the quarter in which they are distributed.

        We will distribute cash from interim capital transactions in respect of common units and will retain cash from interim capital transactions in respect of i-units. We will distribute cash from interim capital transactions in respect of the general partner's partnership interest, except that we will retain out of such amounts an amount equal to 2% of the amount obtained by dividing (i) the cash from interim capital transactions retained in respect of the i-units described above by (ii) 98%.

Adjustment of the Minimum Quarterly and Target Distributions

        The minimum quarterly and target distributions will be adjusted proportionately if any distribution, combination or subdivision of units occurs, whether effected by a distribution payable in units or otherwise, but not by reason of the additional i-units that Enbridge Management will own after each quarterly distribution as described above. In addition, if a distribution is made of cash from interim capital transactions, the minimum quarterly and target distributions will be adjusted downward by multiplying each amount, as the same may have been previously adjusted, by a fraction, the numerator of which is the unrecovered initial unit price immediately after giving effect to such distribution and the denominator of which is the unrecovered initial unit price immediately prior to such distribution. The unrecovered initial unit price is the amount by which $21.50 exceeds the aggregate per unit distributions of cash from interim capital transactions. If and when the unrecovered initial unit price is zero, the minimum quarterly and target distributions each will have been reduced to zero.

        For example, if a two-for-one split of the common units and i-units should occur, the minimum quarterly distribution, the target distribution levels and the unrecovered initial unit price would each be reduced to 50% of its then-existing level. We will not make any of these adjustments by reason of Enbridge Management's ownership of additional i-units after each distribution on the common units of available cash from operations or interim capital transactions or the issuance of additional units for cash or property.

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        The minimum quarterly and target distributions may also be adjusted if legislation is enacted that causes us to become taxable as a corporation or otherwise subjects us to taxation as an entity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In such event, the minimum quarterly and target distributions for each quarter thereafter would be reduced to an amount equal to the product of each of the minimum quarterly and target distributions multiplied by one minus the sum of the effective U.S. federal income tax rate to which we are subject as an entity (expressed as a fraction) plus the effective overall state and local income tax rate to which we are subject as an entity (expressed as a fraction) for the taxable year in which such quarter occurs. For example, if we became subject to a maximum marginal federal, and effective state and local income tax rate of 38%, then the minimum quarterly and target distributions would be reduced to 62% of their previous levels.

Distributions in Liquidation

        We may not take any action to cause a liquidation unless, prior to such liquidation, Enbridge Inc. has agreed to purchase all of Enbridge Management's shares or the holders of its shares have voted to approve such liquidation.

        Upon our dissolution, unless we are reconstituted and continued, the authorized liquidator will liquidate our assets and apply the proceeds of the liquidation generally as follows:

        Under some circumstances and subject to various limitations, the liquidator may defer liquidation or distribution of our assets for a reasonable period of time if the liquidator determines that an immediate sale would be impractical or would cause undue loss to the partners.

        If we are liquidated, it is intended that, to the extent available, Enbridge Management will be allocated income and gain, or deduction and loss, in an amount necessary for the capital account attributable to each i-unit to be equal to that of a common unit. Thus, generally, any income or gain will be allocated:

        After each distribution of cash to other unitholders, including regular quarterly distributions, Enbridge Management's ownership of additional i-units generally will represent the right to be allocated an increased share of that income or gain upon liquidation.

        Any deduction or loss generally will be allocated:

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USE OF PROCEEDS

        We intend to use the net proceeds from the sales of the securities as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.


LEGAL MATTERS

        In connection with particular offerings of the securities in the future, and if stated in the applicable prospectus supplement, the validity of those securities may be passed upon for us by Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. and for any underwriters or agents by counsel named in the applicable prospectus supplement.


EXPERTS

        The consolidated financial statements and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting (which is included in Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting) of Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P. incorporated in this prospectus by reference to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

        The consolidated statement of financial position of Enbridge Energy Company, Inc. incorporated in this prospectus by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K dated May 6, 2005 has been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

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Table of Contents

GRAPHIC

Enbridge Energy Partners, L.P.

$500,000,000 9.875% Notes Due 2019

Deutsche Bank Securities

J.P. Morgan

RBS Greenwich Capital

Banc of America Securities LLC

Credit Suisse

HSBC

UBS Investment Bank

CIBC World Markets

Scotia Capital

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey

Prospectus Supplement
(To Prospectus dated January 17, 2006)
December 17, 2008