COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Text Block]

Commitments as of September 30, 2012, for natural gas purchases and future demand fees for the next five fiscal year periods are as follows:

(Thousands)	2013		2014		2015		2016		2017		Thereafter
NJRES:
Natural gas purchases	$	388,175	$	13,141	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Storage demand fees	32,831		18,675		12,037		7,106		5,035		7,318
Pipeline demand fees	60,091		24,063		10,896		9,083		7,770		9,663
Sub-total NJRES	$	481,097	$	55,879	$	22,933	$	16,189	$	12,805	$	16,981
NJNG:
Natural gas purchases	$	104,827	$	104,262	$	113,055	$	9,442	$	131	$	—
Storage demand fees	29,721		24,913		15,854		11,069		9,990		23,247
Pipeline demand fees	61,278		67,804		35,137		34,558		32,753		221,838
Sub-total NJNG	$	195,826	$	196,979	$	164,046	$	55,069	$	42,874	$	245,085
Total (1)	$	676,923	$	252,858	$	186,979	$	71,258	$	55,679	$	262,066

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