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GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements [Abstract]
Goodwill Disclosure [Text Block]	7. GOODWILL (NU) Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite useful lives are reviewed for impairment at least annually by applying a fair value-based test. NU uses October 1st as the annual goodwill impairment testing date. However, if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate that goodwill might be impaired, NU management would test the goodwill between the annual testing dates. Goodwill impairment is deemed to exist if the net book value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value and if the implied fair value of goodwill based on the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount. NU's reporting units are consistent with the operating segments underlying the reportable segments identified in Note 21, "Segment Information," to the consolidated financial statements. The only reporting unit that maintains goodwill is the Yankee Gas reporting unit, which is classified under the Regulated companies – natural gas reportable segment and related to the acquisition of Yankee Energy System, Inc., parent of Yankee Gas. Such goodwill is not being recovered from the customers of Yankee Gas. The goodwill balance held by the Yankee Gas reporting unit as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 is $287.6 million. NU completed its impairment analysis of the Yankee Gas goodwill balance as of October 1, 2011 and determined that no impairment exists. In completing this analysis, the fair value of the reporting unit was estimated using a discounted cash flow methodology and analyses of comparable companies and transactions.

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Notes To Consolidated Financial Statements [Abstract]

7. GOODWILL (NU)

Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite useful lives are reviewed for impairment at least annually by applying a fair value-based test. NU uses October 1st as the annual goodwill impairment testing date. However, if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate that goodwill might be impaired, NU management would test the goodwill between the annual testing dates. Goodwill impairment is deemed to exist if the net book value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value and if the implied fair value of goodwill based on the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount.

NU's reporting units are consistent with the operating segments underlying the reportable segments identified in Note 21, "Segment Information," to the consolidated financial statements. The only reporting unit that maintains goodwill is the Yankee Gas reporting unit, which is classified under the Regulated companies – natural gas reportable segment and related to the acquisition of Yankee Energy System, Inc., parent of Yankee Gas. Such goodwill is not being recovered from the customers of Yankee Gas. The goodwill balance held by the Yankee Gas reporting unit as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 is $287.6 million.

NU completed its impairment analysis of the Yankee Gas goodwill balance as of October 1, 2011 and determined that no impairment exists. In completing this analysis, the fair value of the reporting unit was estimated using a discounted cash flow methodology and analyses of comparable companies and transactions.