REGULATION (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Regulated Operations [Abstract]

Schedule of Regulatory Assets [Text Block]

Regulatory assets included in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are comprised of the following:

(Thousands)	June 30, 2011		September 30, 2010
Regulatory assets-current
Underrecovered gas costs (1)	$	156	$	36,485
Conservation Incentive Program (1)	9,375		14,960
Other (1)	—		21
Total current	$	9,531	$	51,466
Regulatory assets-noncurrent
Environmental remediation costs (Note 13)
Expended, net of recoveries (2)	$	73,495	$	75,707
Liability for future expenditures (3)	201,600		201,600
Deferred income and other taxes (1)	15,010		13,860
Derivatives, net (Note 4) (1)	7,682		16,497
Energy Efficiency Program (2)	8,685		3,958
New Jersey Clean Energy Program (2)	21,448		30,935
Pipeline Integrity Management (4)	1,148		1,148
Postemployment benefit costs (Note 10) (1)	105,999		106,225
Other (5)	3,662		4,671
Total noncurrent	$	438,729	$	454,601

(1) Recoverable, without interest.

(2) Recoverable, with interest.

(3) Recovery will be requested when actual expenditures are incurred (see Note 13. Commitments and Contingent Liabilities).

(4) Recoverable, subject to BPU review and approval in the next base rate case.

(5) Recoverable, with or without interest depending on the specific program.

Schedule of Regulatory Liabilities [Text Block]

Regulatory liabilities included in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are comprised of the following:

(Thousands)	June 30, 2011		September 30, 2010
Regulatory liabilities-noncurrent
Cost of removal obligation (1)	$	57,963	$	57,648
Other (2)	90		—
Total noncurrent	$	58,053	$	57,648

(1) NJNG accrues and collects for cost of removal in rates. This liability represents collections in excess of actual expenditures.

(2) Refundable, with or without interest depending on the specific program.