SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Liability Awards
Performance cycle (in years)	P3Y
Percentage of performance award granted in the form of restricted stock units (as a percent)	20.00%
Percentage of performance award granted in the form of performance shares (as a percent)	80.00%
Weight of the entity's performance against pre-determined measures of TSR as compared to a peer group of utilities to determine payout of performance shares (as a percent)	50.00%
Weight of growth in GAAP-adjusted net earnings per share from operations to determine payout of performance shares (as a percent)	50.00%
Cash-settled liabilities	$ 13.6	$ 12.1	$ 9.1
Compensation expenses recognized resulting from fair value adjustments of performance awards	6.1	14.2	7.2
Capitalized compensation expenses	$ 0.9	$ 2.4	$ 0.9
Share-based compensation
Maximum number of shares authorized for issuance under the share-based compensation plan	5,000,000
Restricted stock
Share-based compensation
Maximum number of shares authorized for issuance under the share-based compensation plan	1,000,000

Represents the percentage of performance award granted in the form of performance shares.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents the percentage of performance award granted in the form of restricted stock units.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents the compensation cost capitalized during the period arising from the deferred compensation arrangement.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents the weight of the entity's performance against pre-determined measures of TSR as compared to a peer group of utilities to determine the payout of performance shares.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents the weight of growth in GAAP-adjusted net earnings per share from operations to determine the payout of performance shares.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

The compensation expense recognized during the period pertaining to the deferred compensation arrangement.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 710

-SubTopic 10

-Section 30

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6409875&loc=d3e20015-108363

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph 64, 65

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 12

-Paragraph 6, 7

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901

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- Definition

The minimum period that the individual is required to perform services in order to be fully vested under the deferred compensation arrangement.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph a

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph 64, 65, A240

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

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- Definition

Aggregate cash paid by the entity during the period to settle equity instruments granted under equity-based payment arrangements.

+ References

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- Definition

The maximum number of shares (or other type of equity) originally approved (usually by shareholders and board of directors), net of any subsequent amendments and adjustments, for awards under the equity-based compensation plan. As stock or unit options and equity instruments other than options are awarded to participants, the shares or units remain authorized and become reserved for issuance under outstanding awards (not necessarily vested).

+ References

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