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Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $) | 9 Months Ended |
--- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Current portion of accrued and other liabilities | $ 38,762,000 | $ 28,677,000
Anhydrous ammonia purchase agreement maturity date | Dec. 31, 2015 |
Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract] |  |
Purchase commitments of natural gas in MMBtu | 200,000 |
Weighted average cost of natural gas per MMBtu | 3.08 |
Total cost of natural gas in dollars | 500,000 |
Month purchase commitment period ends for natural gas | October 2012 |
Capital cost in connection with construction of pipeline | 4,000,000 |
Capitalized cost of construction of pipeline | 2,700,000 |
Estimated share of the annual operating cost of pipeline, minimum | 100,000 |
Estimated share of the annual operating cost of pipeline, maximum | 150,000 |
Penalty related to discharge water permit | 124,000 |
Alleged discharge water permit violation settlement amount | 100,000 |
Liability relating to discharge water permit | 24,000 |
Estimated EPA civil penalty liability | 100,000 |
Class C Preferred Stock [Member] |  |
Earnings Per Share, Basic, by Common Class, Including Two Class Method [Line Items] |  |
Class C Series 2 preferred stock | $ 3.25 |
Insurance Claims [Member] |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Accrued general liability insurance claims | 779,000 |
Hallowell Facility [Member] |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Number of subsidiaries under chemical business that sold their operating assets | 2 |
Current portion of accrued and other liabilities | 120,000 |
Climate Control Business [Member] |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Product liability deductible per claim | 250,000 |
Chemical Business [Member] |  |
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] |  |
Maximum penalty amount per day under Clean Air Act | $ 27,500 |
Number of nitric acid affected plants | 10 |
Renewal period for discharge water permit | 5 years |

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