PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Defined Contribution Pension and Other Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]

Net Periodic Cost

Net periodic postretirement benefit costs consisted of the following components:

	Three Months Ended December 31,
(Thousands)	2012			2011
Service cost-benefits earned during the period	$	2,533		$	2,015
Interest cost on accumulated       postretirement benefit obligation	1,279			1,380
Expected return on plan assets	(1,081		)	(991		)
Amortization of transition obligation	23			34
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)	1			(518		)
Amortization of actuarial loss	1,325			1,065
Sub-total	4,080			2,985
Regulatory adjustment	(1,699		)	(604		)
Net postretirement benefit cost	$	2,381		$	2,381

The net periodic pension costs include the following components:

	Three Months Ended December 31,
(Thousands)	2012			2011
Service cost – benefits earned during the period	$	2,311		$	2,312
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation	4,066			4,871
Expected return on plan assets	(4,741		)	(4,899		)
Amortization of prior service cost	136			148
Amortization of actuarial loss	2,839			2,277
Sub-total	4,611			4,709
Regulatory adjustment	(434		)	(483		)
Net pension cost	$	4,177		$	4,226