EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Text Block]

The components of the net periodic cost for pension benefits, including NJR's Pension Equalization Plan, and OPEB costs (principally health care and life insurance) for employees and covered dependents are as follows:

	Pension												OPEB
	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,						June 30,						June 30,
(Thousands)	2011			2010			2011			2010			2011			2010			2011			2010
Service cost	$	1,194		$	992		$	3,582		$	2,976		$	836		$	704		$	2,508		$	2,112
Interest cost	2,094			2,049			6,283			6,147			1,211			1,204			3,634			3,612
Expected return on plan assets	(2,873		)	(2,577		)	(8,618		)	(7,731		)	(618		)	(485		)	(1,854		)	(1,455		)
Recognized actuarial loss	987			681			2,960			2,043			653			570			1,959			1,710
Prior service cost amortization	12			14			36			42			19			19			57			57
Recognized net initial obligation	—			—			—			—			89			89			267			267
Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,414		$	1,159		$	4,243		$	3,477		$	2,190		$	2,101		$	6,571		$	6,303