CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
CASH FLOWS (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 57,357	$ 24,509
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities:
Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative instruments	(27,474)	54,403
Depreciation and amortization	9,600	8,454
Allowance for equity used during construction	(42)	(18)
Allowance for bad debt expense	966	1,363
Deferred income taxes	37,724	357
Manufactured gas plant remediation costs	(2,099)	(897)
Equity in earnings of affiliates, net of distributions received	2,711	1,098
Cost of removal - asset retirement obligations	(341)	(291)
Contributions to postemployment benefit plans	(21,538)	(6,408)
Changes in:
Components of working capital	(144,912)	(220,930)
Other noncurrent assets	5,992	5,651
Other noncurrent liabilities	4,591	854
Cash flows (used in) operating activities	(77,465)	(131,855)
CASH FLOWS (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Utility plant expenditures	(19,395)	(26,692)
Solar equipment expenditures	(47,611)	(1,060)
Real estate properties and other expenditures	(89)	(85)
Cost of removal expenditures	(2,323)	(1,506)
Withdrawal from (investment in) restricted cash construction fund	28	10
Cash flows (used in) investing activities	(69,390)	(29,333)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	3,248	3,014
Tax benefit from stock options exercised	62	68
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transaction	6,522	5,901
Payments of long-term debt	(1,198)	(21,573)
Purchases of treasury stock	(3,717)	0
Payments of common stock dividends	(14,946)	(14,023)
Net proceeds (payments) of short-term debt	157,250	193,525
Cash flows from financing activities	147,221	166,912
Change in cash and cash equivalents	366	5,724
Cash and temporary investments at beginning of period	7,440	943
Cash and temporary investments at end of period	7,806	6,667
CHANGES IN COMPONENTS OF WORKING CAPITAL
Receivables	(74,161)	(159,291)
Inventories	1,808	(29,360)
Recovery of gas costs	26,444	11,734
Gas purchases payable	(26,728)	35,809
Prepaid and accrued taxes	(1,218)	33,515
Accounts payable and other	(6,740)	(3,271)
Restricted broker margin accounts	3,468	(52,957)
Customers' credit balances and deposits	(72,625)	(56,495)
Other current assets	4,840	(614)
Components of working capital	(144,912)	(220,930)
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION
Cash paid for Interest (net of amounts capitalized)	555	1,383
Cash paid for Income taxes	$ 135	$ 93