Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2011
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Unaudited Interim Financial Information	Unaudited Interim Financial Information The consolidated financial statements have not been audited. We have prepared the unaudited consolidated financial statements under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Therefore, certain financial information and note disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in the United States of America are omitted in this interim report under these SEC rules and regulations. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes included in our Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2010.
Seasonality	Seasonality and Use of Estimates The unaudited consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of financial position at July 31, 2011 and October 31, 2010, the results of operations for the three months and nine months ended July 31, 2011 and 2010, and cash flows for the nine months ended July 31, 2011 and 2010. Our business is seasonal in nature. The results of operations for the three months and nine months ended July 31, 2011 do not necessarily reflect the results to be expected for the full year.
Use of Estimates	We make estimates and assumptions when preparing the consolidated financial statements. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from estimates.
Rate Regulated Basis Of Accounting	Our utility operations are subject to regulation with respect to rates, service area, accounting and various other matters by the regulatory commissions in the states in which we operate. The accounting regulations provide that rate-regulated public utilities account for and report assets and liabilities consistent with the economic effect of the manner in which independent third-party regulators establish rates. In applying these regulations, we capitalize certain costs and benefits as regulatory assets and liabilities, respectively, in order to provide for recovery from or refund to utility customers in future periods. Inter-company transactions have been eliminated in consolidation where appropriate; however, we have not eliminated inter-company profit on sales to affiliates and costs from affiliates in accordance with accounting regulations prescribed under rate-based regulation.
Fair Value Measurements	Our financial assets and liabilities are recorded at fair value and consist primarily of derivatives that are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets in accordance with derivative accounting standards. We utilize market data or assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. These inputs can be readily observable, market corroborated or generally observable. We primarily apply the market approach for recurring fair value measurements and endeavor to utilize the best available information. Accordingly, we use valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
Financing Receivable Allowance For Credit Losses Policy For Uncollectible Amounts	The quality of these loans is comparable to the quality of our natural gas receivables. We perform credit evaluations of our customers and maintain reserves for estimated credit losses based on historical experience and the aging of the loan balances. As of July 31, 2011, we do not have loans that are impaired. We recognize interest revenue on these loans using the simple add-on interest method.
Marketable Securities	The fair values of the equity securities are based on the quoted market prices as traded on the exchanges. We have matched the current portion of the deferred compensation liability with the current asset and the noncurrent deferred compensation liability with the noncurrent asset
Earnings Per Share	We compute basic earnings per share using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period.

Describes an entity's accounting policy regarding (1) the principles it follows in consolidating or combining the separate financial statements, including the principles followed in determining the inclusion or exclusion of subsidiaries or other entities in the consolidated or combined financial statements and (2) its treatment of interests (for example common stock, a partnership interest or other means of exerting influence) in other entities, for example consolidation or use of the equity or cost methods of accounting. An entity also may describe its accounting treatment for intercompany accounts and transactions, noncontrolling interest, and the income statement treatment in consolidation for issuances of stock by a subsidiary.

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Describes an entity's accounting policies for investments in financial assets, including marketable securities (debt and equity securities with readily determinable fair values), investments accounted for under the equity method and cost method, securities borrowed and loaned, and repurchase and resale agreements. For marketable securities, the description may include the entity's accounting treatment for transfers between investment categories and how the fair values for such securities are determined. Also, for all investments, an entity may describe its policy for assessing, recognizing and measuring impairment of the investment.

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- Definition

May be used as a block of text to describe all the accounting policies unique to utilities. Examples include a discussion about the scope criteria and appropriateness for and extent of the application of FAS 71 (may include identification of specific business units). Other examples of the disclosures may include: descriptions of the form and economic effects of regulation (for example, recording of regulatory assets and liabilities to the rate setting process); statement about periodic assessments of FAS 71 applicability; information regarding amortization of and return on regulatory assets and liabilities, including the remaining amounts and recovery or settlement periods; accounting for changes to recovery estimates; AFUDC, plant abandonment's and plant disallowances.

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