XML 49 R36.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.4.0.3
PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Dec. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2016
Mar. 31, 2015
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]          
Extent of lump-sum payments recognized, percentage       100.00%  
Medical insurance available until age is reached after early retirement       65 years  
Amortization period for transition obligation excluded from postretirement benefit cost (in years)       20 years  
Pension Plans          
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]          
Gain on lump-sum settlements $ 2,200,000   $ 0 $ 2,200,000 $ 0
Special termination benefits 0 $ 1,600,000 0 1,600,000 0
Pension Plans | Laclede Gas          
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]          
Contributions made by employer       11,000,000  
Anticipated contributions to pension plans for qualified trust       15,000,000  
Pension Plans | Alagasco          
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]          
Lump-sum payments recognized as settlements 11,800,000        
Gain on lump-sum settlements 2,200,000   0 2,200,000 0
Contributions made by employer       0  
Anticipated contributions to pension plans for qualified trust       0  
Nonqualified Pension Plans | Laclede Gas          
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]          
Contributions made by employer       300,000  
Anticipated contributions to pension plans for qualified trust       200,000  
Postretirement Plans          
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]          
Anticipated contributions to pension plans for qualified trust       7,100,000  
Special termination benefits $ 0 $ 2,600,000 $ 0 2,600,000 $ 0
Anticipated payment directly to participants in postretirement plan       300,000  
Postretirement Plans | Laclede Gas          
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]          
Contributions made by employer       $ 7,200,000