ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS 2 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest Charges									$ (12,550)		$ (12,427)	$ (18,922)
Other Income & Expense									(3,797)		(2,617)	(3,429)
Operations									85,805		78,425	68,149
Income Before Income Taxes									(97,069)		(91,952)	(87,170)
Income Taxes	(11,322)	(471)	(2,269)	(20,771)	(10,589)	(258)	(1,887)	(20,977)	(34,833)		(33,711)	(34,281)
Net Income	(21,953)	(949)	(3,821)	(35,513)	(19,443)	(523)	(3,237)	(35,038)	(62,236)		(58,241)	(52,889)
Amounts Reclassified from AOCL [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Income Before Income Taxes									1,507
Income Taxes									615	[1]
Net Income									892
Amounts Reclassified from AOCL [Member] | Unrealized Loss on Derivatives-Other - Interest Rate Contracts designated as cash flow hedges [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Interest Charges									(46)
Amounts Reclassified from AOCL [Member] | Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Available-for-Sale Securities [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Other Income & Expense									(828)
Amounts Reclassified from AOCL [Member] | Postretirement Liability Adjustment [Member]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Operations									$ 2,289

[1] Determined using a combined statutory tax rate of 41%.