REGULATORY ASSETS & REGULATORY LIABILITIES 2 (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Total regulatory liabilities	$ 49,637,000	$ 69,248,000
Deferred revenues - net [Abstract]
Deferred revenues, regulatory liabilities		20,200,000
Deferred Revenue Regulatory Asset	4,800,000
Excess Plant Removal Costs [Member]
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Total regulatory liabilities	47,498,000	48,409,000
Deferred Revenues - Net [Member]
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Total regulatory liabilities	0	20,179,000
Other Regulatory Liablities [Member]
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Total regulatory liabilities	$ 2,139,000	$ 660,000