COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Table Text Block]

Commitments as of December 31, 2011, for natural gas purchases and future demand fees for the next five fiscal year periods are as follows:

(Thousands)	2012		2013		2014		2015		2016		Thereafter
NJRES:
Natural gas purchases	$	340,289	$	148,449	$	6,216	$	—	$	—	$	—
Storage demand fees	26,296		21,940		15,081		9,008		4,250		7,875
Pipeline demand fees	53,141		31,921		15,605		10,910		9,097		17,429
Sub-total NJRES	$	419,726	$	202,310	$	36,902	$	19,918	$	13,347	$	25,304
NJNG:
Natural gas purchases	$	14,017	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Storage demand fees	23,465		30,072		24,227		14,992		11,088		33,245
Pipeline demand fees	41,477		76,278		72,635		35,214		31,578		201,840
Sub-total NJNG	$	78,959	$	106,350	$	96,862	$	50,206	$	42,666	$	235,085
Total (1)	$	498,685	$	308,660	$	133,764	$	70,124	$	56,013	$	260,389

(1) Does not include amounts related to intercompany asset management agreements between NJRES and NJNG.

Schedule of Demand Fees [Table Text Block]

Costs for storage and pipeline demand fees, included as a component of gas purchases on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, are as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	December 31,
(Millions)	2011		2010
NJRES	$	35.4	$	29.4
NJNG	22.2		25.0
Total	$	57.6	$	54.4