Environmental Matters Environmental Matters (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Environmental Remediation Obligations [Abstract]

Schedule of Environmental Loss Contingencies by Site [Table Text Block]

	Current Liabilities				Non-Current Liabilities
Thousands	2012		2011		2012		2011
Portland Harbor site:
Gasco/Siltronic Sediments	$	2,207	$	1,614	$	36,087	$	35,797
Other Portland Harbor	1,767		1,893		3,160		7,066
Gasco Upland site	18,722		14,092		5,028		8,900
Siltronic Upland site	637		887		379		128
Central Service Center site	140		—		396		495
Front Street site	993		1,697		—		—
Oregon Steel Mills	—		—		185		120
Total	$	24,466	$	20,183	$	45,235	$	52,506

Environmental Regulatory Table [Table Text Block]

Thousands	2012		2011
Cash paid	$	71,124	$	55,553
Total regulatory asset deferral(1)	126,482		105,670