SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance as of January 1, 2013	$ (10,688)
Other comprehensive income, excluding reclassifications, net of tax of $(447), $(9), $-, $(456)	662
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax of $-, $13, $(203), $(190)	274
Other comprehensive income (loss)	936		(644)	1,019	404
Ending balance as of March 31, 2013	(9,752)			(9,752)
Other comprehensive income, excluding reclassifications, tax	(456)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, tax	(190)
Net current-period other comprehensive income, tax	(646)
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance as of January 1, 2013	4,601
Other comprehensive income, excluding reclassifications, net of tax of $(447), $(9), $-, $(456)	647
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax of $-, $13, $(203), $(190)	0
Other comprehensive income (loss)	647
Ending balance as of March 31, 2013	5,248			5,248
Other comprehensive income, excluding reclassifications, tax	(447)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, tax	0
Net current-period other comprehensive income, tax	(447)
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance as of January 1, 2013	41
Other comprehensive income, excluding reclassifications, net of tax of $(447), $(9), $-, $(456)	15
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax of $-, $13, $(203), $(190)	(22)	[1]
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(7)
Ending balance as of March 31, 2013	34			34
Other comprehensive income, excluding reclassifications, tax	(9)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, tax	13
Net current-period other comprehensive income, tax	4
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance as of January 1, 2013	(15,330)
Other comprehensive income, excluding reclassifications, net of tax of $(447), $(9), $-, $(456)	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax of $-, $13, $(203), $(190)	296	[2]
Other comprehensive income (loss)	296
Ending balance as of March 31, 2013	(15,034)			(15,034)
Other comprehensive income, excluding reclassifications, tax	0
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, tax	(203)
Net current-period other comprehensive income, tax	$ (203)

[1] Reclassified to gas purchases in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.

[2] Included in the computation of net periodic pension cost, a component of operations and maintenance expense in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations.