XML 80 R20.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v2.4.0.6

Rate and Regulatory Matters (Tables) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2012
Rate And Regulatory Matters Tables |
Regulatory Assets |
|  | (Thousands of Dollars) |  |  |  |
|  | December 31, |  |  | Remaining |
Regulatory Assets |  | 2012 |  |  | 2011 |  |  | Recovery Periods |
Postretirement Benefits |  | $ | 53,142 |  |  | $ | 49,735 |  |  |  | Various |
Income Taxes |  |  | 17,866 |  |  |  | 17,151 |  |  |  | Various |
Rate Cases, Storm Costs, Tank Painting, and Other |  |  | 1,823 |  |  |  | 416 |  |  |  | 2-9 years |
Total |  | $ | 72,831 |  |  | $ | 67,302 |  |  |  |  |

X
- Details
Name: | MSEX_RateAndRegulatoryMattersTablesAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | MSEX_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Tabular disclosure of assets that are created when regulatory agencies permit public utilities to defer certain costs included in rate-setting to the balance sheet. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 980 -SubTopic 715 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6501251&loc=d3e52485-110419 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 980 -SubTopic 340 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6499975&loc=d3e44264-110382 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 71 -Paragraph 10 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 71 -Paragraph 9 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 980 -SubTopic 340 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6499975&loc=d3e44250-110382 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ScheduleOfRegulatoryAssetsTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration