FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT	9 Months Ended
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT	FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT Financial Instruments: The stated value of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, trade receivables (net of allowance), and short-term debt approximates fair value due to the short maturity of the instruments. The fair value of the Company’s fixed-rate long-term debt, including the current portion, approximates $266.4 and $258.8 and has a carrying value of $249.8 and $249.9 at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The fair values were based on market prices of similar instruments having the same remaining maturities, redemption terms and credit rating. Short-term debt is classified as Level 1 fair value and long-term debt is classified as Level 2 fair value. The Company purchases gas as an agent for certain of its large commercial and industrial customers. The Company has, in certain instances, provided commodity-related guarantees to counterparties in order to facilitate these agency purchases. Liabilities existing for gas delivered to customers subject to these guarantees are included in the balance sheet. In the event the customer for whom the guarantee was entered fails to take delivery of the gas, the Company can sell such gas for the customer, with the customer liable for any resulting loss. Although the substantial majority of purchases under these guarantees are for the customers’ current monthly consumption and are at current market prices, in some instances, the purchases are for an extended term at a fixed price. At September 30, 2014, the fixed price purchases under these guarantees had a maximum term outstanding through August 2015 with an aggregate purchase price of $0.6 and a market value of $0.6. Finance Receivables: The Company finances third party contractor sales of merchandise including gas furnaces and appliances. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the Company’s finance receivable totaled approximately $10.9 and $10.8, respectively. Financing is available only to qualified customers who meet creditworthiness thresholds for customer payment history and external agency credit reports. The Company relies upon ongoing payments as the primary indicator of credit quality during the term of each contract. The allowance for credit losses is recognized using an estimate of write-off percentages based on historical experience applied to an aging of the finance receivable balance. Delinquent accounts are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and, absent evidence of debt repayment after 90 days, are due in full and assigned to a third party collection agency. The remaining finance receivable is written off approximately 12 months after being assigned to the third party collection agency. The Company had finance receivables past due 90 days or more of $0.3 and $0.4 as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The Company recorded an allowance for credit losses at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 of $0.3 and $0.4, respectively. Concentration of Credit Risk: Natural gas distribution operating revenues and related accounts receivable are generated from state-regulated utility natural gas sales and transportation to approximately 423,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers located in central and north Alabama. A change in economic conditions may affect the ability of customers to meet their obligations; however, the Company believes that its provision for possible losses on uncollectible accounts receivable is adequate for its credit loss exposure.

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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