Name:	njr_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherthanOptionsDeliveredinPeriod
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Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
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Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Delivered in Period, Fair Value

No definition available.

Name:	njr_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherthanOptionsDeliveredinPeriodFairValue
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Delivered in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value

No definition available.

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Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value, Ending Balance

No definition available.

Name:	njr_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherthanOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueEndingBalance
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Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
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Share-based Compensation, Vested Awards, Compensation Costs Not Yet Recognized

No definition available.

Name:	njr_SharebasedCompensationVestedAwardsCompensationCostsNotYetRecognized
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- References

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsAdditionalDisclosuresAbstract
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The number of equity-based payment instruments, excluding stock (or unit) options, that were forfeited during the reporting period.

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Weighted average fair value as of the grant date of equity-based award plans other than stock (unit) option plans that were not exercised or put into effect as a result of the occurrence of a terminating event.

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Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
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The number of grants made during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

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Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
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The weighted average fair value at grant date for nonvested equity-based awards issued during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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The weighted average fair value as of grant date pertaining to an equity-based award plan other than a stock (or unit) option plan for which the grantee gained the right during the reporting period, by satisfying service and performance requirements, to receive or retain shares or units, other instruments, or cash in accordance with the terms of the arrangement.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Number of equity instruments other than options outstanding, including both vested and non-vested instruments.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(1)(ii)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120381028&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 718
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (c)(1)(i)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120381028&loc=d3e5070-113901

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNonOptionEquityInstrumentsOutstandingNumber
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Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
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Period Type:	instant

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

No definition available.