CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
CASH FLOWS (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 7,693	$ 60,206
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows from operating activities:
Unrealized loss (gain) on derivative instruments	65,654	(18,335)
Depreciation and amortization	12,566	11,303
Allowance for equity used during construction	(213)	(606)
Allowance for bad debt expense	414	562
Deferred income taxes	(16,506)	22,233
Manufactured gas plant remediation costs	(1,132)	(941)
Equity in earnings of equity investees, net of distributions received	1,521	1,699
Cost of removal - asset retirement obligations	(47)	(137)
Contributions to postemployment benefit plans	(1,559)	(21,487)
Changes in:
Components of working capital	(145,315)	(88,145)
Other noncurrent assets	(1,427)	(14,101)
Other noncurrent liabilities	9,534	2,782
Cash flows (used in) operating activities	(68,817)	(44,967)
CASH FLOWS (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Utility plant expenditures	(30,277)	(32,869)
Solar and wind equipment expenditures	(24,917)	(15,320)
Real estate properties and other expenditures	(205)	(154)
Cost of removal expenditures	(5,124)	(1,276)
Distribution from equity investees in excess of equity in earnings	395	458
Proceeds from sale of asset	6,000	0
Withdrawal from restricted cash construction fund	85	5
Cash flows (used in) investing activities	(54,043)	(49,156)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	3,557	5,838
Tax benefit from stock options exercised	0	62
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transaction	7,576	7,076
Payments of long-term debt	(1,576)	(1,384)
Payments of common stock dividends	(17,617)	(33,320)
Net proceeds from short-term debt	138,000	114,600
Cash flows from financing activities	129,940	92,872
Change in cash and cash equivalents	7,080	(1,251)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	2,969	4,509
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	10,049	3,258
CHANGES IN COMPONENTS OF WORKING CAPITAL
Receivables	(180,484)	(142,852)
Inventories	32,278	(54,993)
Recovery of gas costs	5,513	371
Gas purchases payable	13,803	58,354
Prepaid and accrued taxes	32,449	21,993
Accounts payable and other	(10,052)	11,298
Restricted broker margin accounts	(46,745)	13,188
Customers' credit balances and deposits	3,988	(10,897)
Other current assets	3,935	15,393
Components of working capital	(145,315)	(88,145)
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION
Cash paid for Interest (net of amounts capitalized)	1,704	966
Cash paid for Income taxes	137	5
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Accrued capital expenditures	$ 1,421	$ (4,934)