Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense [Abstract]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits That Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	$ 0	$ 0
Tax Credits
Amortization Of Investment Tax Credits	(334,000)	(325,000)	(382,000)
Total Federal	64,950,000	60,692,000	76,770,000
Total State	13,267,000	11,594,000	15,106,000
Income Tax Uncertainties [Abstract]
Income Tax Examination, Description	We are no longer subject to federal income tax examinations for tax years ending before and including October 31, 2008, and with few exceptions, state income tax examinations by tax authorities for years ended before and including October 31, 2008.
Valuation Allowance Abstract
Beginning Balance	505,000	1,324,000	1,400,000
Charged Credited To Income Tax Expense	0	(819,000)	(76,000)
Ending Balance	505,000	505,000	1,324,000
Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations Income Tax Reconciliation Abstract
Federal Taxes At 35%	69,322,000	65,049,000	81,841,000
State Income Taxes Net Of Federal Benefit	8,624,000	7,536,000	9,819,000
Amortization Of Investment Tax Credits	(334,000)	(325,000)	(382,000)
Other, Net	605,000	26,000	598,000
Income Tax Expense Total	78,217,000	72,286,000	91,876,000
Deferred Tax Assets Net Abstract
Benefit Of Loss Carryforwards	3,092,000	2,474,000
Employee Benefits And Compensation	22,286,000	10,267,000
Revenue Requirement	10,148,000	10,306,000
Utility Plant	11,285,000	10,799,000
Other	9,173,000	6,043,000
Total Deferred Tax Assets	55,984,000	39,889,000
Deferred Tax Assets Valuation Allowance	505,000	505,000	1,324,000
Deferred Tax Assets Net	55,479,000	39,384,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities Abstract
Utility Plant	523,232,000	437,388,000
Revenues And Cost Of Gas	26,816,000	6,896,000
Equity Method Investments	34,092,000	32,296,000
Deferred Costs	73,744,000	55,142,000
Other	8,348,000	18,830,000
Total Deferred Tax Liabilities	666,232,000	550,552,000
Net Deferred Income Tax Liabilities	610,753,000	511,168,000
Regulated Operation [Member]
Income Tax Expense Components
Current Federal	(29,062,000)	(11,403,000)	18,133,000
Current State	1,857,000	4,209,000	3,928,000
Deferred Federal	86,496,000	64,806,000	33,432,000
Deferred State	10,144,000	6,597,000	6,866,000
Tax Credits
Utilization	0	184,000	105,000
Amortization Of Investment Tax Credits	(334,000)	(325,000)	(382,000)
Total Federal	57,100,000	53,262,000	51,288,000
Total State	12,001,000	10,806,000	10,794,000
Income Tax Expense Benefit Continuing Operations Income Tax Reconciliation Abstract
Amortization Of Investment Tax Credits	(334,000)	(325,000)	(382,000)
Non Utility Activities [Member]
Income Tax Expense Components
Current Federal	5,636,000	3,263,000	22,519,000
Current State	1,027,000	(36,000)	3,755,000
Deferred Federal	2,214,000	4,167,000	2,963,000
Deferred State	239,000	824,000	557,000
Tax Credits
Total Federal	7,850,000	7,430,000	25,482,000
Total State	1,266,000	788,000	4,312,000
Internal Revenue Service IRS Member
Operating Loss Carryforwards Abstract
Annual Amount Subject To Limitation	annual limitation of $0.3 million
Internal Revenue Service IRS Member | Capital Loss Carryforward
Operating Loss Carryforwards Abstract
Operating Loss Carryforwards	5,900,000	6,200,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards Expiration Dates	2021 through 2025
Internal Revenue Service IRS Member | Charitable Contribution Carryforward
Operating Loss Carryforwards Abstract
Operating Loss Carryforwards	2,300,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards Expiration Dates	2016 through 2017
State And Local Jurisdiction Member | Capital Loss Carryforward
Operating Loss Carryforwards Abstract
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 6,800,000	$ 7,000,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards Expiration Dates	2020 through 2027