2.2.0.25falsefalse006130 - Disclosure - REGULATORY PROCEEDINGStruefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2011 - 3/31/2011
USD ($)
USD ($) / shares
$c00012http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000072020duration2011-01-01T00:00:002011-03-31T00:00:00u000Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170u001Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0u002Dividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2true0gas_NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstractgasfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalse3false0gas_RegulatoryProceedingsTextBlockgasfalsenadurationDescribes all of the specific events that have or may impact rates and amortization of regulatory assets and liabilities (for...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00<div><table style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" align="center" border="0"><tr style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5" valign="top"><td style="WIDTH: 18pt"><div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">13.</font></div></td><td><div align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">REGULATORY PROCEEDINGS</font></div></td></tr></table></div><div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5"><br /></div><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Bad debt rider.</font>  In September 2009, Nicor Gas filed for approval of a bad debt rider with the ICC under an Illinois state law which took effect in July 2009.  On February 2, 2010, the ICC issued an order approving the company’s proposed bad debt rider.  This rider provides for recovery from customers of the amount over the benchmark for bad debt expense established in the company’s rate cases.  It also provides for refunds to customers if bad debt expense is below such benchmarks.</font></div><div style="DISPLAY: block; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5"><br /></div><div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.5; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="left"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">As a result of the February 2010 order, Nicor Gas recorded in income a net recovery related to 2008 and 2009 of $31.7 million in the first quarter of 2010, all of which has been collected.  The benchmark, against which 2011 and 2010 actual bad debt experience is compared, is approximately $63 million.  The company’s actual 2010 bad debt experience was $35.7 million, resulting in a refund to customers of $27.3 million which will be refunded over a 12-month period beginning June 2011.</font></div>13.REGULATORY PROCEEDINGSBad debt rider.  In September 2009, Nicor Gas filed for approval of a bad debt rider with the ICC under an Illinois statefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:textBlockItemTypestringDescribes all of the specific events that have or may impact rates and amortization of regulatory assets and liabilities (for example, pending or recently concluded regulatory proceedings, environmental requirements). Specifics may include quantifications related to rates, costs, and earnings. Events may relate to rate moratoriums or price caps.No authoritative reference available.falsefalse12REGULATORY PROCEEDINGSUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownfalsetrue