EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS Table (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Pension Plans (the pension plan, the excess pension plan and the SERP) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 3,904	$ 3,091
Interest cost	1,003	720
Expected return on assets	(979)	(904)
Amortization of prior service credit	(4)	(4)
Amortization of net loss	348	121
Net periodic benefit cost	4,272	3,024
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	315	253
Interest cost	244	222
Expected return on assets	0	0
Amortization of prior service credit	0	0
Amortization of net loss	35	18
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 594	$ 493