EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS Table (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Pension Plans (the pension plan, the excess pension plan and the SERP) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 3,136	$ 2,846	$ 9,348	$ 8,538
Interest cost	720	559	2,160	1,675
Expected return on assets	(904)	(577)	(2,712)	(1,735)
Amortization of prior service credit	(4)	(4)	(12)	(12)
Amortization of net loss	120	132	362	404
Net periodic benefit cost	3,068	2,956	9,146	8,870
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	264	226	777	678
Interest cost	222	208	666	624
Expected return on assets	0	0	0	0
Amortization of prior service credit	0	0	0	0
Amortization of net loss	18	21	54	63
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 504	$ 455	$ 1,497	$ 1,365