INFORMATION BY OPERATING SEGMENT (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of operating segment information

(Thousands)	Gas Utility		Other		Adjustments & Eliminations		Total
Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
Operating revenues	$	638,718	$	27	$	—	$	638,745
Net Economic Earnings	44,727		197		—		44,924
Total assets	3,036,185		—		—		3,036,185
Six Months Ended March 31, 2014
Operating revenues	$	1,073,946	$	51	$	—	$	1,073,997
Net Economic Earnings	80,504		46		—		80,550
Total assets	3,036,185		—		—		3,036,185
Three Months Ended March 31, 2013
Operating revenues	$	363,911	$	234	$	—	$	364,145
Net Economic Earnings	30,197		207		—		30,404
Total assets	1,821,372		747		—		1,822,119
Six Months Ended March 31, 2013
Operating revenues	$	614,702	$	1,377	$	—	$	616,079
Net Economic Earnings	55,538		667		—		56,205
Total assets	1,821,372		747		—		1,822,119

Schedule of the reconciliation of net economic earnings to net income

Reconciliation of Net Economic Earnings to Net Income
	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	March 31,				March 31,
(Thousands)	2014		2013		2014			2013
Net Income (GAAP)	$	44,232	$	29,775	$	79,525		$	55,517
Add: Unrealized gain (loss) on energy-relate derivative contracts, net of tax	51		32		(3		)	91
Add: Acquisition, divestiture, and restructuring costs, net of tax	641		597		1,028			597
Net Economic Earnings (Non-GAAP)	$	44,924	$	30,404	$	80,550		$	56,205