CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2010
OPERATING REVENUES
Utility	$ 627,713		$ 971,724		$ 937,433
Nonutility	1,621,210		2,037,485		1,701,871
Total operating revenues	2,248,923		3,009,209		2,639,304
OPERATING EXPENSES
Gas Purchases - Utility	268,459		534,363		576,220
Gas Purchases - Nonutility	1,572,949		2,016,208		1,591,338
Operation and maintenance	171,045		163,111		148,565
Regulatory rider expenses	40,350		51,246		45,966
Depreciation and amortization	41,643		34,370		32,267
Energy and other taxes	45,787		66,910		56,823
Total operating expenses	2,140,233		2,866,208		2,451,179
OPERATING INCOME	108,690		143,001		188,125
Other income	2,128		3,747		5,258
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	20,844		19,623		21,251
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	89,974		127,125		172,132
Income tax provision	7,729		37,665		64,692
Equity in earnings of affiliates	10,634		11,839		10,017
NET INCOME	$ 92,879		$ 101,299		$ 117,457
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
BASIC	$ 2.24		$ 2.45		$ 2.84
DILUTED	$ 2.23	[1]	$ 2.44	[1]	$ 2.82	[1]
DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE	$ 1.52		$ 1.44		$ 1.36
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
BASIC	41,527		41,359		41,364
DILUTED	41,632		41,568		41,630

[1] There were no anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010.