RISK MANAGEMENT AND DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (Details 2) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Electric
Gain / (Loss) on derivatives
Unrealized losses applicable to financial instruments which will settle in next twelve months	$ 3,800,000
Period within which financial instruments will settle (in months)	12 months
Amount of Loss on Derivative recognized as Regulatory assets	(6,965,000)	(2,669,000)
Amount of Loss Recognized in Income on Derivative	(2,231,000)	(752,000)
Cash Flow hedges prior to Sept,2008 now transferred from OCI to regulatory assets		1,000,000
Gas
Gain / (Loss) on derivatives
Amount of Loss on Derivative recognized as Regulatory assets	(1,916,000)	(626,000)
Commodity contracts | Electric
Gain / (Loss) on derivatives
Amount of Loss on Derivative recognized as Regulatory assets	(6,965,000)	(2,669,000)
Amount of Loss Recognized in Income on Derivative	(2,231,000)	(752,000)
Commodity contracts | Gas
Gain / (Loss) on derivatives
Amount of Loss on Derivative recognized as Regulatory assets	(1,916,000)	(626,000)
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships | Electric
Gain / (Loss) on derivatives
Amount of Loss Reclassed from OCI into Income (Effective portion)		(5,814,000)
Amount of Loss Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective portion)		(6,362,000)
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships | Commodity contracts | Electric
Gain / (Loss) on derivatives
Amount of Loss Reclassed from OCI into Income (Effective portion)		(5,814,000)
Amount of Loss Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective portion)		$ (6,362,000)