Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of years for examination of federal income tax returns			4
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Additional Textual) [Abstract]
Maximum maturity period of cash equivalent investment			3 months
Aggregated cash posted as collateral in normal course of business	$ 600,000		$ 600,000
Hedging losses secured under credit facility	9,700,000		9,700,000
Payment received from weather hedge contract, per heating degree-day shortfall			35,000
Derivative maximum payout					12,500,000
Percentage of period covered in heating degree days .			92.50%
Comprehensive income (loss)	(11,400,000)	(17,800,000)	32,846,000	52,300,000
Net income (loss)	(11,789,000)	(18,197,000)	31,624,000	51,042,000
Unrecognized income tax benefit	1,500,000		1,500,000
Amortization of unrealized pension plan gain	700,000	700,000	2,064,000	2,100,000
Tax effect of unrealized gain on pension plan	(300,000)	(300,000)	(842,000)	(800,000)
Net operating loss carry forward						12,800,000
Unrecognized income tax benefit related to accrued interest	300,000		300,000
Customer Lists [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Maximum period of trade names amortized on a straight line basis			10
Minimum period of customer list amortized on a straight line basis			7
Trade Names [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Maximum period of trade names amortized on a straight line basis			20
Minimum period of customer list amortized on a straight line basis			7
Noncompete Agreements [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Period of covenants on a straight- line basis			5
Federal [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of years for examination of federal income tax returns			4
New York [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of years for examination of federal income tax returns			4
Connecticut [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of years for examination of federal income tax returns			4
Pennsylvania [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of years for examination of federal income tax returns			5
New Jersey [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Number of years for examination of federal income tax returns			5
Maximum [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Expiration date of net operating loss carry forward			2024
Annual limitation of future taxable income						2,200,000
Minimum [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Expiration date of net operating loss carry forward			2018
Annual limitation of future taxable income						$ 1,000,000
Call Option [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Derivative activity volume	1,400,000	5,000,000	1,400,000	5,000,000
Put Option [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Derivative activity volume	4,100,000	2,000,000	4,100,000	2,000,000
Synthetic Calls [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Derivative activity volume	44,600,000	42,600,000	44,600,000	42,600,000
Inventory [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Derivative activity volume	1,200,000	900,000	1,200,000	900,000
Swap contract to buy heating oil [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Derivative activity volume	4,800,000	2,100,000	4,800,000	2,100,000
Swap contracts to sell heating oil [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Derivative activity volume		12,600,000		12,600,000
Future contract to buy heating oil [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Derivative activity volume	47,000,000	8,000,000	47,000,000	8,000,000
Future contract to sell heating oil [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Derivative activity volume	51,500,000	9,300,000	51,500,000	9,300,000
Swap contract to buy gasoline [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Derivative activity volume	1,400,000	1,200,000	1,400,000	1,200,000
Swap contract to buy diesel [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Derivative activity volume	1,200,000	900,000	1,200,000	900,000
Synthetic calls to buy diesel [Member]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Textual) [Abstract]
Derivative activity volume		200,000		200,000