COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-term Purchase Commitment [Table Text Block]

Commitments as of March 31, 2012, for natural gas purchases and future demand fees for the next five fiscal year periods are as follows:

(Thousands)	2012		2013		2014		2015		2016		Thereafter
NJRES:
Natural gas purchases	$	264,023	$	181,858	$	6,555	$	—	$	—	$	—
Storage demand fees	21,136		31,625		18,838		12,286		7,236		12,353
Pipeline demand fees	32,704		41,830		22,169		10,891		9,077		17,427
Sub-total NJRES	$	317,863	$	255,313	$	47,562	$	23,177	$	16,313	$	29,780
NJNG:
Natural gas purchases	$	19,877	$	1,096	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Storage demand fees	15,666		30,070		25,123		15,888		11,088		33,245
Pipeline demand fees	27,164		76,776		73,150		35,213		31,578		201,838
Sub-total NJNG	$	62,707	$	107,942	$	98,273	$	51,101	$	42,666	$	235,083
Total (1)	$	380,570	$	363,255	$	145,835	$	74,278	$	58,979	$	264,863

(1) Does not include amounts related to intercompany asset management agreements between NJRES and NJNG.