Commitments and Contingencies (Details) - Environmental Matters (Alabama Gas Corporation, USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Environmental Remediation Estimated Cost	$ 5.0
Enhanced Stability Reserve [Member]
Site Contingency [Line Items]
Regulatory Assets	$ 4.8

The amount for the individual regulatory asset as itemized in a table of regulatory assets as of the end of the period.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 71

-Paragraph 9, 10

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 980

-SubTopic 340

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6499975&loc=d3e44250-110382

Name:	us-gaap_RegulatoryAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant