EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2013

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Net Benefit Costs

The components of the net periodic cost for pension benefits, including the Company's Pension Equalization Plan, and OPEB costs (principally health care and life insurance) for employees and covered dependents were as follows:

	Pension						OPEB
	Three Months Ended						Three Months Ended
	December 31,						December 31,
(Thousands)	2013			2012			2013			2012
Service cost	$	1,536		$	1,718		$	981		$	1,171
Interest cost	2,516			2,235			1,433			1,287
Expected return on plan assets	(3,869		)	(3,706		)	(1,044		)	(913		)
Recognized actuarial loss	1,399			1,911			625			964
Prior service cost amortization	28			27			(89		)	7
Recognized net initial obligation	—			—			3			(89		)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,610		$	2,185		$	1,909		$	2,427