EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

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)	2014			2013			2014			2013
Service cost	$	1,871		$	1,536		$	1,063		$	981
Interest cost	2,550			2,516			1,435			1,433
Expected return on plan assets	(4,272		)	(3,869		)	(1,244		)	(1,044		)
Recognized actuarial loss	1,745			1,399			736			625
Prior service cost amortization	28			28			(91		)	(89		)
Recognized net initial obligation	—			—			—			3
Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,922		$	1,610		$	1,899		$	1,909