EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Components of Net Periodic Cost

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)	2023		2022		2023		2022
Service cost	$	1,244	$	1,350	$	642	$	618
Interest cost	4,060		3,794		2,902		2,286
Expected return on plan assets	(5,087)		(4,993)		(1,858)		(1,680)
Recognized actuarial loss	29		75		496		—
Prior service cost amortization	16		25		—		—
Net periodic benefit cost	$	262	$	251	$	2,182	$	1,224