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Summary of significant accounting policies - Components of Net Capitalized Permit Costs (Detail) (Capitalized Operating Permit Costs [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | Dec. 31, 2012 | Dec. 31, 2011
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Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |
Net capitalized permit costs | $ 65.7 | $ 66.6
Pending Renewals Of Prior Permits [Member] |  |
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |
Net capitalized permit costs | 0.2 | 0.3
Permits Subject to Amortization [Member] |  |
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |
Net capitalized permit costs | 65.7 | 8.5
Permits Not Yet Subject to Amortization [Member] |  |
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |
Net capitalized permit costs |  | 58.1
Byproduct License - (expires in 2018) [Member] | Permits Subject to Amortization [Member] |  |
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |
Net capitalized permit costs | 5.6 | 6.6
Other - (expires 2013 - 2024) [Member] | Permits Subject to Amortization [Member] |  |
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |
Net capitalized permit costs | 1.6 | 1.6
LLRW License - (expires in 2024) [Member] | Permits Subject to Amortization [Member] |  |
Schedule Of Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |
Net capitalized permit costs | $ 58.3 |

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- Definition Amount after amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 350 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7658586&loc=d3e16323-109275 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 142 -Paragraph 45 -Subparagraph a(1) -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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. + Details
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