FAIR VALUE (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Text Block]

The estimated fair value of long-term debt, including current maturities is as follows:

(Thousands)	March 31, 2012		September 30, 2011
Carrying value	$	437,567	$	434,372
Fair market value	$	478,010	$	471,022

Schedule of Fair Value Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Text Block]

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized as follows:

	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets			Significant Other Observable Inputs			Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Thousands)	(Level 1)			(Level 2)			(Level 3)			Total
As of March 31, 2012:
Assets:
Physical forward commodity contracts		$	—		$	22,119		$	—	$	22,119
Financial derivative contracts - natural gas		47,212			37,288			—		84,500
Financial commodity contracts - foreign exchange		—			220			—		220
Available for sale equity securities - energy industry (1)		10,408			—			—		10,408
Other		3,865			—			—		3,865
Total assets at fair value		$	61,485		$	59,627		$	—	$	121,112
Liabilities:
Physical forward commodity contracts		$	—		$	11,754		$	—	$	11,754
Financial commodity contracts - natural gas		61,351			22,609			—		83,960
Financial commodity contracts - foreign exchange		—			65			—		65
Other		729			—			—		729
Total liabilities at fair value		$	62,080		$	34,428		$	—	$	96,508
As of September 30, 2011:
Assets:
Physical forward commodity contracts		$	—		$	37,690		$	—	$	37,690
Financial derivative contracts - natural gas		25,617			43,266			—		68,883
Financial commodity contracts - foreign exchange		—			280					280
Available for sale equity securities - energy industry(1)		10,348			—			—		10,348
Other		2,820			—			—		2,820
Total assets at fair value		$	38,785		$	81,236		$	—	$	120,021
Liabilities:
Physical forward commodity contracts		$	—		$	11,351		$	—	$	11,351
Financial derivative contracts - natural gas		23,715			39,959			—		63,674
Financial commodity contracts - foreign exchange		—			14			—		14
Other		616			—			—		616
Total liabilities at fair value		$	24,331		$	51,324		$	—	$	75,655

(1) Included in other noncurrent assets in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.