ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS (ARO) (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Abstract]

Asset Retirement Obligation Disclosure [Text Block]

ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS (ARO)

NJR recognizes AROs related to the costs associated with cutting and capping its main and service gas distribution pipelines of NJNG, which are required by New Jersey law when taking such gas distribution pipeline out of service.

The following is an analysis of the change in the ARO liability:

(Thousands)	June 30, 2011			September 30, 2010
Balance at October 1	$	26,009		$	25,097
Accretion	1,242			1,572
Additions	—			149
Retirements	(711		)	(809		)
Balance at period end	$	26,540		$	26,009

Accretion amounts are not reflected as an expense on NJR's Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, but rather are deferred as a regulatory asset and netted against NJNG's regulatory liabilities, for presentation purposes, on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.