STOCK BASED COMPENSATION (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

On November 17, 2010, the Company granted 56,325 performance shares, which are market condition awards that vest on September 30, 2013, subject to certain conditions. Also on November 17, 2010, the company granted 36,614 restricted shares, which vest in three equal annual installments, the first occurring on October 15, 2011, and 25,535 restricted shares, all scheduled to vest on November 17, 2013. As of June 30, 2011, 1,970,094 and 71,962 shares remain available for future issuance to employees and directors, respectively.

During the nine months endedJune 30, 2011, included in operation and maintenance expense is $2.1 million related to stock-based compensation compared with $2 million during the nine months endedJune 30, 2010. As of June 30, 2011, there remains $5.2 million of deferred compensation related to unvested restricted and performance shares that is expected to be recognized over the next two and a half years.