EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Retirement Benefits [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)	2018			2017			2018			2017
Service cost	$	1,845		$	2,035		$	1,101		$	1,152
Interest cost	3,043			2,623			2,081			1,591
Expected return on plan assets	(4,763		)	(4,910		)	(1,379		)	(1,338		)
Recognized actuarial loss	1,441			1,884			1,617			1,165
Prior service cost amortization	25			27			(91		)	(91		)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,591		$	1,659		$	3,329		$	2,479