CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF PARENT COMPANY Parentheticals (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Tax on adjustment for postemployment benefit obligation	$ 5,934	$ (345)	$ 567
NJR [Member]
Tax on adjustment for postemployment benefit obligation	$ (962)	$ 348	$ (205)

Amount of tax (expense) benefit, after reclassification adjustments, of (increase) decrease in accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss related to pension and other postretirement defined benefit plans.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358780&loc=d3e640-108580

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 220

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 10A

-Subparagraph (i-k)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358780&loc=SL7669646-108580

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration