SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED) (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]

A summary of financial data for each quarter of fiscal 2012 and 2011 follows. Due to the seasonal nature of the Company's businesses, quarterly amounts vary significantly during the fiscal year. In the opinion of management, the information furnished reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods.

	First		Second		Third			Fourth
(Thousands, except per share data)	Quarter		Quarter		Quarter			Quarter
2012
Operating revenues	$	642,411	$	612,921	$	425,121		$	568,470
Gross margin(1)	$	120,364	$	115,068	$	28,713		$	45,155
Operating income (loss)	$	75,218	$	67,689	$	(19,911	)	$	(14,306	)
Net income (loss)	$	57,357	$	54,535	$	(10,320	)	$	(8,693	)
Earnings (loss) per share
Basic	$1.38		$1.31		$(0.25)			$(0.21)
Diluted	$1.38		$1.31		$(0.25)			$(0.21)
2011
Operating revenues	$	713,152	$	976,987	$	648,169		$	670,901
Gross margin(1)	$	82,659	$	136,572	$	71,237		$	36,520
Operating income (loss)	$	40,263	$	93,202	$	27,182		$	(17,646	)
Net income (loss)	$	24,509	$	63,927	$	20,374		$	(7,511	)
Earnings (loss) per share
Basic	$0.59		$1.55		$0.49			$(0.18)
Diluted	$0.59		$1.54		$0.49			$(0.18)

(1) Gross margin consists of operating revenue less cost of goods sold and other direct expenses at NJR's unregulated subsidiaries and utility gross margin at NJNG, which includes natural gas revenues less natural gas purchases, sales tax, a TEFA and regulatory rider expenses.