SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES REMEDIAL LIABILITIES (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012 sites	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Accrual for Environmental Loss Contingencies	$ 167,220	$ 135,320	$ 137,613
Period of Time In Years Over Which Business Acquisitions Have Been Acquired	10 years
Superfund sites owned by third parties	35
Superfund sites	119
Minimum
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Remedial Liabilities at Acquistion	1.01%
Remedial Liabilities Discounted Risk Free Interest Rate	2.88%
Maximum
Regulatory Liabilities [Line Items]
Remedial Liabilities at Acquistion	2.44%
Remedial Liabilities Discounted Risk Free Interest Rate	4.90%