2.2.0.7 false ACCOUNTING POLICIES 006020 - Disclosure - ACCOUNTING POLICIES true false false false 1 USD false false u000 Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 u002 Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 u001 Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares xbrli 0 $ 2 Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] 0 gas_NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract gas false na duration No definition available. false false false false false true false false false false false false 1 false false false false 0 0 false false false xbrli:stringItemType string No definition available. false 3 ACCOUNTING POLICIES 1 us-gaap_SignificantAccountingPoliciesTextBlock us-gaap true na duration No definition available. false false false false false false false false false false false false 1 false false false false 0 0 <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">2.         ACCOUNTING POLICIES</div><div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5"> </div><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Gas in storage.  Nicor Gas' inventory is carried at cost on a LIFO basis.  Inventory decrements occurring during interim periods that are expected to be restored prior to year-end are charged to cost of gas at the estimated annual replacement cost, and the difference between this cost and the actual LIFO layer cost is recorded on the balance sheet as a temporary LIFO inventory liquidation.  Interim inventory decrements not expected to be restored prior to year-end are charged to cost of gas at the actual LIFO cost of the layers liquidated.</div><div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5"> </div><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">There was no inventory decrement as of September 30, 2010.  At September 30, 2009, Nicor Gas had an inventory decrement of approximately 1 Bcf which was not restored prior to year-end.  The liquidated inventory was charged to cost of gas at a LIFO cost of $8.22 per Mcf.  Applying LIFO cost in valuing the decrement, as opposed to the estimated annual replacement cost of $3.93 per Mcf, had the effect of increasing the cost of gas distributed by $3.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009.  Since the cost of gas, including inventory costs, is charged to customers without markup, subject to ICC review, this difference had no impact on net income.</div><div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5"> </div><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Nicor Enerchange's inventory is carried at the lower of weighted-average cost or market (market is represented by the cash price per the close of business on the last trading day of the period).  In the first and third quarters of 2010, Nicor Enerchange recorded charges of $5.0 million and $2.4 million, respectively, resulting from lower of cost or market valuations.  In the first quarter of 2009, Nicor Enerchange recorded a charge of $2.8 million resulting from a lower of cost or market valuation.</div><div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5"> </div><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Regulatory assets and liabilities.  Nicor Gas is regulated by the ICC, which establishes the rules and regulations governing utility rates and services in Illinois.  As a rate-regulated company, Nicor Gas is required to recognize the economic effects of rate regulation and, accordingly, has recorded regulatory assets and liabilities.  Regulatory assets represent probable future revenue associated with certain costs that are expected to be recovered from customers through rate riders or base rates, upon approval by the ICC.  Regulatory liabilities represent probable future reductions in revenues collected from ratepayers through a rate rider or base rates, or probable future expenditures.  If Nicor Gas' operations become no longer subject to rate regulation, a write-off of net regulatory liabilities would be required.</div> <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">The company had regulatory assets and liabilities as follows (in millions):</div><div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5"> </div><div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" align="center"><table style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"><tr style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5"><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="23%">  </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="8%" colspan="2"><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center">September 30</div></td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="8%" colspan="2"><div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" align="center">December 31</div></td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="8%" colspan="2"><div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" align="center">September 30</div></td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="1%"> </td></tr><tr><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="23%">  </td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid" valign="bottom" width="8%" colspan="2"><div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" align="center">2010</div></td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid" valign="bottom" width="8%" colspan="2"><div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" align="center">2009</div></td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid" valign="bottom" width="8%" colspan="2"><div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" align="center">2009</div></td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="1%"> </td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e2eef5"><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="23%"><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Regulatory assets - current</div></td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="8%" colspan="2"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="8%" colspan="2"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="8%" colspan="2"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="1%"> </td></tr><tr bgcolor="white"><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="23%"><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Regulatory postretirement asset</div></td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%">$</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">20.6</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%">$</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">20.6</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%">$</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">23.3</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="1%"> </td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e2eef5"><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="23%"><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Deferred gas costs</div></td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">18.1</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">24.9</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">-</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="1%"> </td></tr><tr bgcolor="white"><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="23%"><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Other</div></td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">11.4</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">5.4</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">4.0</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="1%"> </td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e2eef5"><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="23%"><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Regulatory assets - noncurrent</div></td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="1%"> </td></tr><tr bgcolor="white"><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="23%"><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Regulatory postretirement asset</div></td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">183.6</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">195.4</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">218.0</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="1%"> </td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e2eef5"><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="23%"><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Deferred gas costs</div></td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">4.3</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">4.4</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">3.2</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="1%"> </td></tr><tr bgcolor="white"><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="23%"><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Deferred environmental costs</div></td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">24.8</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">18.1</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">17.1</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="1%"> </td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e2eef5"><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="23%"><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Unamortized losses on reacquired debt</div></td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">13.4</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">14.2</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">14.5</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="1%"> </td></tr><tr bgcolor="white"><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="23%"><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Other</div></td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">11.4</td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">8.9</td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">10.5</td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="1%"> </td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e2eef5"><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="23%">  </td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 4px double; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%">$</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 4px double; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">287.6</td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 4px double; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%">$</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 4px double; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">291.9</td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 4px double; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%">$</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 4px double; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">290.6</td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="1%"> </td></tr></table></div><div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5"> </div><div style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" align="center"><table style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%"><tr style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" bgcolor="#e2eef5"><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="23%"><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Regulatory liabilities - current</div></td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="8%" colspan="2"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="8%" colspan="2"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="8%" colspan="2"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="1%"> </td></tr><tr bgcolor="white"><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="23%"><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Regulatory asset retirement liability</div></td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%">$</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">14.5</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%">$</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">14.5</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%">$</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">13.8</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="1%"> </td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e2eef5"><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="23%"><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Accrued gas costs</div></td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">-</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">-</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">39.6</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="1%"> </td></tr><tr bgcolor="white"><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="23%"><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Other</div></td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">11.5</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">2.7</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">1.5</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="1%"> </td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e2eef5"><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="23%"><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Regulatory liabilities - noncurrent</div></td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="1%"> </td></tr><tr bgcolor="white"><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="23%"><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Regulatory asset retirement liability</div></td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">836.0</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">796.8</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">791.6</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="1%"> </td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e2eef5"><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="23%"><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Regulatory income tax liability</div></td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">19.1</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">39.1</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">44.2</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="1%"> </td></tr><tr bgcolor="white"><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="23%"><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 18pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Other</div></td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">10.2</td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">.8</td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 2px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">.8</td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="1%"> </td></tr><tr bgcolor="#e2eef5"><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" width="23%">  </td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="1%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 4px double; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%">$</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 4px double; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">891.3</td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 4px double; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%">$</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 4px double; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">853.9</td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="2%"> </td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="bottom" align="left" width="2%"> </td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 4px double; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" width="1%">$</td><td style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; BORDER-BOTTOM: black 4px double; TEXT-ALIGN: right" valign="bottom" width="7%">891.5</td><td style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 4px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; TEXT-ALIGN: left" valign="bottom" nowrap="nowrap" width="1%"> </td></tr></table></div><div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5"> </div><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">All items listed above are classified in Other on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, with the exception of the noncurrent portion of the Regulatory asset retirement liability, which is stated separately.</div><div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5"> </div><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">The ICC does not presently allow Nicor Gas the opportunity to earn a return on its regulatory postretirement asset.  This regulatory postretirement asset is expected to be recovered from ratepayers over a period of approximately 10 to 12 years.  The regulatory assets related to debt are not included in rate base, but are recovered over the term of the debt through the rate of return authorized by the ICC.  Nicor Gas is allowed to recover and is required to pay, using short-term interest rates, the carrying costs related to temporary under or overcollections of natural gas costs and certain environmental costs charged to its customers.</div><div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5"> </div><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Goodwill.  Tropical Shipping had goodwill of $23.5 million, $20.9 million and $19.4 million at September 30, 2010, December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2009, respectively.  The increase in goodwill from December 31, 2009 to September 30, 2010 is due primarily to the acquisition of the assets of V.I. Cargo Services, Inc., a provider of less-than-container load and full container load consolidation services from the United States to the island of St. Croix (in the U.S. Virgin Islands).</div><div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5"> </div><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Revenue recognition.  Nicor Gas accrues revenues for estimated deliveries to customers from the date of their last bill until the balance sheet date.  Receivables include accrued unbilled revenues of $29.7 million, $141.0 million and $28.6 million at September 30, 2010, December 31, 2009 and September 30, 2009, respectively, related primarily to gas distribution operations.</div><div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5"> </div><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Nicor Gas classifies revenue taxes billed to customers as operating revenues and related taxes incurred as operating expenses.  Revenue taxes included in operating expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 were $13.8 million and $110.2 million, respectively, and $12.9 million and $112.8 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2009.</div><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"> </div><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Derivative instruments.  Cash flows from derivative instruments are recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and gains and losses are recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, in the same categories as the underlying transactions.</div><div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5"> </div><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Cash flow hedge accounting may be elected only for highly effective hedges, based upon an assessment, performed at least quarterly, of the historical and probable future correlation of cash flows from the derivative instrument to changes in the expected future cash flows of the hedged item.  To the extent cash flow hedge accounting is applied, the effective portion of any changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income.  Ineffectiveness, if any, is immediately recognized in operating income.  The amount in accumulated other comprehensive income is reclassified to earnings when the forecasted transaction is recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, even if the derivative instrument is sold, extinguished or terminated prior to the transaction occurring.  If the forecasted transaction is no longer expected to occur, the amount in accumulated other comprehensive income is immediately reclassified to operating income.</div><div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5"> </div><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Nicor Gas.  Derivative instruments, such as futures contracts, options and swap agreements, are utilized primarily in the purchase of natural gas for customers.  These derivative instruments are carried at fair value.  Realized gains or losses on such instruments are included in the cost of gas delivered and are passed directly through to customers, subject to ICC review, and therefore have no direct impact on earnings.  Unrealized changes in the fair value of these derivative instruments are deferred as regulatory assets or liabilities.</div><div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5"> </div><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">At times, Nicor Gas enters into futures contracts, options, swap agreements and fixed-price purchase agreements to reduce the earnings volatility of certain forecasted operating costs arising from fluctuations in natural gas prices, such as the purchase of natural gas for use in company operations.  These derivative instruments are carried at fair value, unless they qualify for the normal purchases and normal sales exception, in which case they are carried at cost.  To the extent hedge accounting is not elected, changes in such fair values are immediately recorded in the current period as operating and maintenance expense.</div><div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5"> </div><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Nicor Enerchange.  Derivative instruments, such as futures contracts, options, forward contracts, swap agreements and other energy-related contracts are held by Nicor's wholesale natural gas marketing business, Nicor Enerchange, for trading purposes.  Certain of these derivative instruments are used to economically hedge price risk associated with inventories of natural gas, fixed-price purchase and sale agreements and other future natural gas commitments.  Nicor Enerchange records such derivative instruments at fair value and generally does not elect hedge accounting.  As a result, changes in derivative fair values may have a material impact on Nicor's financial statements.  Other derivative instruments are used by Nicor Enerchange to hedge price risks related to certain utility-bill management products.  These derivative instruments are carried at fair value and cash flow hedge accounting may or may not be elected.</div><div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5"> </div><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Nicor.  Derivative instruments, such as forward-starting interest rate swaps, are utilized to hedge the interest payments associated with long-term debt.  These derivative instruments are carried at fair value and cash flow hedge accounting is elected.  The effective portion of any changes in the fair value of the derivative is deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income.  Upon settlement, the deferred amount is amortized to interest expense over the life of the debt.</div><div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5"> </div><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">Credit risk and concentrations.  Nicor's major subsidiaries have diversified customer bases and the company believes that it maintains prudent credit policies which mitigate customer receivable, supplier performance and derivative counterparty credit risk.  The company is exposed to credit risk in the event a customer or supplier defaults on a contract to pay for or deliver product at agreed-upon terms and conditions, or a counterparty to a derivative instrument defaults on a settlement or otherwise fails to perform under contractual terms.  To manage this risk, the company has established procedures to determine and monitor the creditworthiness of counterparties, to seek guarantees or collateral back-up in the form of cash or letters of credit, to acquire credit insurance in certain instances, and to limit its exposure to any one counterparty.  Nicor also, in some instances, enters into netting arrangements to mitigate counterparty credit risk.  Fair value measurements consider credit risk.  For assets and liabilities not carried at fair value, credit losses are accrued when probable and reasonably estimable.</div><div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5"> </div><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left">On February 2, 2010, the ICC approved a bad debt rider that was filed in 2009 by Nicor Gas.  The bad debt rider provides for the recovery from (or refund to) customers of the difference between the actual bad debt expense Nicor Gas incurs on an annual basis and the benchmark bad debt expense included in its rates for the respective year.</div> 2.         ACCOUNTING POLICIESGas in storage.  Nicor Gas' inventory is carried at cost on a LIFO false false false us-types:textBlockItemType textblock This element may be used to describe all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 22 -Paragraph 8 false 1 2 false UnKnown UnKnown UnKnown false true