PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS Part 5 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Abstract]
Noncurrent liabilities	$ 196,558	$ 185,701
Pension Plans [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Abstract]
Current liabilities	(468)	(2,440)
Noncurrent liabilities	(137,573)	(133,764)
Total	(138,041)	(136,204)
Pre-tax amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income not yet recognized as components of net periodic pension cost consist of [Abstract]
Net actuarial loss	136,464	132,671
Prior service costs (credit)	5,011	5,603
Sub-total	141,475	138,274
Adjustments for amounts included in Regulatory Assets	(137,845)	(134,334)
Total Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet	3,630	3,940
Postretirement Benefit [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Abstract]
Current liabilities	(790)	(310)
Noncurrent liabilities	(58,985)	(51,937)
Total	(59,775)	(52,247)
Pre-tax amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income not yet recognized as components of net periodic pension cost consist of [Abstract]
Net actuarial loss	52,573	46,696
Prior service costs (credit)	(24)	(2,096)
Transition obligation	93	229
Sub-total	52,642	44,829
Adjustments for amounts included in Regulatory Assets	(52,642)	(44,829)
Total Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet	$ 0	$ 0