Operations and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Operations and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Inventories [Policy Text Block]	Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Amounts removed from inventory are recorded on an average cost basis.
Accounts Receivable [Policy Text Block]	Accounts receivable are reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance is based on our evaluation of the receivable portfolio under current conditions, overall portfolio quality, review of specific problems and such other factors that, in our judgment, deserve recognition in estimating losses.
Subsequent Events [Policy Text Block]	The Company performed an evaluation of subsequent events for potential recognition and disclosure through the time of the financial statements issuance.
Land Inventory [Policy Text Block]	Land inventory is accounted for as held for use and is recorded at cost, unless the carrying value is determined not to be recoverable in accordance with the accounting standards for property, plant and equipment, in which case the land inventory is written down to fair value.
Long-Term Finance Receivables [Policy Text Block]	Long-term finance receivables are collateralized by property sold, accrue interest at market-based rates and are net of an allowance for doubtful accounts.
Derivatives [Policy Text Block]	Cash flows from derivative activities are presented in the same category as the item being hedged on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Amounts recorded in other comprehensive income related to cash flow hedges will be recognized in earnings when the hedged transactions occur or when it is probable that the hedged transactions will not occur. Gains or losses on interest rate hedging transactions are reflected as a component of interest expense on the Consolidated Statement of Income.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Policy Text Block]	The fair value for the item listed below was based on quoted market prices for the same or similar instruments (Level 2). Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). We utilize market data or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated or generally unobservable. We primarily apply the market approach for recurring fair value measurements and endeavor to utilize the best available information. Accordingly, we utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. These inputs, which are used to measure fair value, are prioritized through the fair value hierarchy. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement).
Fair Value Transfers [Policy Text Block]	The Company’s policy is to recognize transfers in and transfers out of a given hierarchy level as of the actual date of the event or of the change in circumstances that caused the transfer.
Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Policy Text Block]	Our regulated utility operations are subject to the accounting guidance for Regulated Operations. We capitalize incurred costs which are probable of recovery in future utility rates as regulatory assets. Regulatory liabilities represent amounts expected to be refunded or credited to customers in rates. No regulatory assets or liabilities are currently earning a return.
Equity Method Investments [Policy Text Block]	We account for our investment in ATC under the equity method of accounting.
Environmental Costs [Policy Text Block]	We review environmental matters on a quarterly basis. Accruals for environmental matters are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated, based on current law and existing technologies. Accruals are adjusted as assessment and remediation efforts progress or as additional technical or legal information becomes available. Accruals for environmental liabilities are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at undiscounted amounts and exclude claims for recoveries from insurance or other third parties. Costs related to environmental contamination treatment and cleanup are charged to expense unless recoverable in rates from customers.

Operations and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Operations and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Amounts removed from inventory are recorded on an average cost basis.

Accounts Receivable [Policy Text Block]

Accounts receivable are reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheet net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance is based on our evaluation of the receivable portfolio under current conditions, overall portfolio quality, review of specific problems and such other factors that, in our judgment, deserve recognition in estimating losses.

Subsequent Events [Policy Text Block]

The Company performed an evaluation of subsequent events for potential recognition and disclosure through the time of the financial statements issuance.

Land Inventory [Policy Text Block]

Land inventory is accounted for as held for use and is recorded at cost, unless the carrying value is determined not to be recoverable in accordance with the accounting standards for property, plant and equipment, in which case the land inventory is written down to fair value.

Long-Term Finance Receivables [Policy Text Block]

Long-term finance receivables are collateralized by property sold, accrue interest at market-based rates and are net of an allowance for doubtful accounts.

Derivatives [Policy Text Block]

Cash flows from derivative activities are presented in the same category as the item being hedged on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Amounts recorded in other comprehensive income related to cash flow hedges will be recognized in earnings when the hedged transactions occur or when it is probable that the hedged transactions will not occur. Gains or losses on interest rate hedging transactions are reflected as a component of interest expense on the Consolidated Statement of Income.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Policy Text Block]

The fair value for the item listed below was based on quoted market prices for the same or similar instruments (Level 2).

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (exit price). We utilize market data or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated or generally unobservable. We primarily apply the market approach for recurring fair value measurements and endeavor to utilize the best available information. Accordingly, we utilize valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. These inputs, which are used to measure fair value, are prioritized through the fair value hierarchy. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurement) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurement).

Fair Value Transfers [Policy Text Block]

The Company’s policy is to recognize transfers in and transfers out of a given hierarchy level as of the actual date of the event or of the change in circumstances that caused the transfer.

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities [Policy Text Block]

Our regulated utility operations are subject to the accounting guidance for Regulated Operations. We capitalize incurred costs which are probable of recovery in future utility rates as regulatory assets. Regulatory liabilities represent amounts expected to be refunded or credited to customers in rates. No regulatory assets or liabilities are currently earning a return.

Equity Method Investments [Policy Text Block]

We account for our investment in ATC under the equity method of accounting.

Environmental Costs [Policy Text Block]

We review environmental matters on a quarterly basis. Accruals for environmental matters are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated, based on current law and existing technologies. Accruals are adjusted as assessment and remediation efforts progress or as additional technical or legal information becomes available. Accruals for environmental liabilities are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at undiscounted amounts and exclude claims for recoveries from insurance or other third parties. Costs related to environmental contamination treatment and cleanup are charged to expense unless recoverable in rates from customers.