REGULATION (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Regulated Operations [Abstract]

Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Text Block]

Regulatory assets and liabilities included on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, are comprised of the following:

(Thousands)	2011		2010
Regulatory assets-current
Underrecovered gas costs	$	—	$	36,485
Conservation Incentive Program	9,178		14,960
Derivatives, net	8,452		—
Other	—		21
Total current	$	17,630	$	51,466
Regulatory assets-noncurrent
Environmental remediation costs
Expended, net of recoveries	$	75,646	$	75,707
Liability for future expenditures	182,900		201,600
Deferred income taxes	10,879		13,860
Derivatives, net	—		16,497
Energy Efficiency Program	11,906		3,958
New Jersey Clean Energy Program	20,144		30,935
Postemployment and other benefit costs	123,827		106,225
Other	8,883		5,819
Total noncurrent	$	434,185	$	454,601
Regulatory liability-current
Overrecovered gas costs	$	4,633	$	—
Total current	$	4,633	$	—
Regulatory liabilities-noncurrent
Cost of removal obligation	$	59,752	$	57,648
Other	85		—
Total noncurrent	$	59,837	$	57,648