EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS Table (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Pension Plans (the pension plan, the excess pension plan and the SERP) [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	$ 3,904	$ 3,136	$ 11,712	$ 9,348
Interest cost	1,003	720	3,009	2,160
Expected return on assets	(979)	(904)	(2,937)	(2,712)
Amortization of prior service credit	(4)	(4)	(12)	(12)
Amortization of net loss	348	120	1,044	362
Net periodic benefit cost	4,272	3,068	12,816	9,146
Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Service cost	315	264	945	777
Interest cost	244	222	732	666
Expected return on assets	0	0	0	0
Amortization of prior service credit	0	0	0	0
Amortization of net loss	35	18	105	54
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 594	$ 504	$ 1,782	$ 1,497