CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Sep. 30, 2013		Sep. 30, 2012
OPERATING REVENUES
Utility	$ 819,415		$ 787,987		$ 627,713
Nonutility	2,918,730		2,410,081		1,621,210
Total operating revenues	3,738,145		3,198,068		2,248,923
OPERATING EXPENSES
Gas Purchases - Utility	319,897		400,307		262,858
Gas Purchases - Nonutility	2,807,008		2,299,974		1,566,396
Gas Purchases - Related parties	12,620		11,942		12,154
Operation and maintenance	215,180		173,473		171,045
Regulatory rider expenses	72,164		48,417		40,350
Depreciation and amortization	52,742		47,310		41,643
Energy and other taxes	57,344		57,414		45,787
Total operating expenses	3,536,955		3,038,837		2,140,233
OPERATING INCOME	201,190		159,231		108,690
Other income, net	7,551		4,783		2,128
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	25,463		23,979		20,844
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	183,278		140,035		89,974
Income tax provision	51,840		35,575		7,729
Equity in earnings of affiliates	10,532		10,349		10,634
NET INCOME	$ 141,970		$ 114,809		$ 92,879
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
Basic (in usd per share)	$ 3.37		$ 2.76		$ 2.24
Diluted (in usd per share)	$ 3.34	[1]	$ 2.75	[1]	$ 2.23	[1]
DIVIDENDS DECLARED PER COMMON SHARE (in usd per share)	$ 1.71		$ 1.62		$ 1.54
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
Basic (in shares)	42,099		41,658		41,527
Diluted (in shares)	42,461		41,814		41,632

[1] There were no anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012.