Financial Instruments & Related Fair Value (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Financial Instruments And Related Fair Value Detail [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurement Transfers Between Levels Activity	We have had no transfers between any level during the years ended October 31, 2012 and 2011.
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivatives Held For Distribution Operations	$ 3,153,000	$ 2,772,000
Total trading securities	2,288,000	1,491,000
Total Recurring Fair Value Assets	5,441,000	4,263,000
Long Term Debt Fair Value	1,163,227,000	831,323,000
Total Long-term Debt	975,000,000	675,000,000
Gas Options Total Coverage	35,800,000	38,100,000
Amount Of Loss Recognized On Derivatives	8,000	10,000
Amount Of Loss Deferred Under PGA Procedures	8,000	10,000
Percentage Of Annual Gas Purchase Options and All Other Costs Related To Hedging Approved For Recovery Under TIP	1.00%
Derivative [Line Items]
Gas Purchase Options Current Assets	3,153,000	2,772,000
Money Market Funds Member
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total trading securities	243,000	217,000
Equity Funds Member
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total trading securities	2,045,000	1,274,000
Quoted Prices In Active Markets [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivatives Held For Distribution Operations	3,153,000	2,772,000
Total Recurring Fair Value Assets	5,441,000	4,263,000
Quoted Prices In Active Markets [Member] | Money Market Funds Member
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total trading securities	243,000	217,000
Quoted Prices In Active Markets [Member] | Equity Funds Member
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total trading securities	2,045,000	1,274,000
Significant Other Observable Inputs [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivatives Held For Distribution Operations	0	0
Total Recurring Fair Value Assets	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs [Member] | Money Market Funds Member
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total trading securities	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs [Member] | Equity Funds Member
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total trading securities	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivatives Held For Distribution Operations	0	0
Total Recurring Fair Value Assets	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs [Member] | Money Market Funds Member
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total trading securities	0	0
Significant Unobservable Inputs [Member] | Equity Funds Member
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total trading securities	$ 0	$ 0