REGULATION (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Regulated Operations [Abstract]

Schedule of Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Text Block]

Regulatory assets and liabilities included on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are comprised of the following:

(Thousands)	December 31, 2011		September 30, 2011
Regulatory assets-current
Conservation Incentive Program	$	1,812	$	9,178
Derivatives, net	26,382		8,452
Total current	$	28,194	$	17,630
Regulatory assets-noncurrent
Environmental remediation costs
Expended, net of recoveries	$	70,142	$	75,646
Liability for future expenditures	182,900		182,900
Deferred income taxes	10,879		10,879
Energy Efficiency Program	14,264		11,906
New Jersey Clean Energy Program	18,799		20,144
Postemployment and other benefit costs	122,037		123,827
Other	4,195		8,883
Total noncurrent	$	423,216	$	434,185
Regulatory liability-current
Overrecovered gas costs	$	31,077	$	4,633
Total current	$	31,077	$	4,633
Regulatory liabilities-noncurrent
Cost of removal obligation	$	60,704	$	59,752
Other	401		85
Total noncurrent	$	61,105	$	59,837