SUBSEQUENT EVENTS (Notes)	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS In October 2012, high winds, heavy rainfall and the related flooding associated with Superstorm Sandy caused significant damage to portions of NJNG's distribution infrastructure. As a result, NJNG shut off its natural gas infrastructure in certain areas of its service territory that were most heavily damaged, affecting approximately 30,100 of NJNG's approximately 500,100 customers. NJRCEV also evaluated its solar assets and determined that a portion of a 1.5 MW commercial solar rooftop array sustained damage as a result of the storm. We anticipate that Superstorm Sandy and its aftermath will influence our financial results but are still assessing the damages. NJR and NJNG are unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss related to Superstorm Sandy, however, such costs could be material. The financial effects can include lower operating revenues, lower utility gross margin due to extended outages and inability to bill and collect revenues, and higher capital expenditures related to the restoration, repair or replacement of damaged equipment and assets. On November 19, 2012, NJNG filed a petition with the BPU requesting deferral accounting for actually incurred uninsured incremental operating and maintenance costs associated with Superstorm Sandy. In addition, NJNG requested the review of and the appropriate amortization period for such deferred expenses be addressed in the Company's next base rate case. However, there can be no assurances that such recovery mechanisms will be available or, if available, no assurances can be given relative to the timing or amount of such recovery. While the Company believes it has sufficient liquidity to meet its current obligations and to begin to fund restoration efforts from a combination of cash-on-hand and available capacity under revolving credit facilities, the Company may need to seek additional financing in order to fully fund restoration efforts.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

In October 2012, high winds, heavy rainfall and the related flooding associated with Superstorm Sandy caused significant damage to portions of NJNG's distribution infrastructure. As a result, NJNG shut off its natural gas infrastructure in certain areas of its service territory that were most heavily damaged, affecting approximately 30,100 of NJNG's approximately 500,100 customers.

NJRCEV also evaluated its solar assets and determined that a portion of a 1.5 MW commercial solar rooftop array sustained damage as a result of the storm.

We anticipate that Superstorm Sandy and its aftermath will influence our financial results but are still assessing the damages. NJR and NJNG are unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss related to Superstorm Sandy, however, such costs could be material. The financial effects can include lower operating revenues, lower utility gross margin due to extended outages and inability to bill and collect revenues, and higher capital expenditures related to the restoration, repair or replacement of damaged equipment and assets. On November 19, 2012, NJNG filed a petition with the BPU requesting deferral accounting for actually incurred uninsured incremental operating and maintenance costs associated with Superstorm Sandy. In addition, NJNG requested the review of and the appropriate amortization period for such deferred expenses be addressed in the Company's next base rate case. However, there can be no assurances that such recovery mechanisms will be available or, if available, no assurances can be given relative to the timing or amount of such recovery.

While the Company believes it has sufficient liquidity to meet its current obligations and to begin to fund restoration efforts from a combination of cash-on-hand and available capacity under revolving credit facilities, the Company may need to seek additional financing in order to fully fund restoration efforts.