Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $)	Apr. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Utility Plant
Utility plant in service	$ 3,834,061,000	$ 3,746,178,000
Less accumulated depreciation	1,053,073,000	1,036,814,000
Utility plant in service, net	2,780,988,000	2,709,364,000
Construction work in progress	579,035,000	388,979,000
Plant held for future use	6,743,000	6,743,000
Total utility plant, net	3,366,766,000	3,105,086,000
Other Physical Property at cost, net	399,000	415,000
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	14,901,000	1,959,000
Trade accounts receivable, net	142,721,000	56,700,000
Income taxes receivable	29,972,000	31,606,000
Other receivables	2,086,000	2,104,000
Unbilled utility revenues	20,397,000	24,012,000
Gas in storage	48,557,000	72,661,000
Materials, supplies and merchandise	867,000	934,000
Gas purchase derivative assets, at fair value	4,091,000	3,153,000
Amounts due from customers	29,858,000	81,626,000
Prepayments	13,096,000	30,600,000
Other current assets	292,000	287,000
Total current assets	306,838,000	305,642,000
Noncurrent Assets
Equity method investments in non-utility activities	94,766,000	87,867,000
Goodwill	48,852,000	48,852,000
Marketable securities, at fair value	2,806,000	2,131,000
Regulatory asset for postretirement benefits	118,435,000	123,290,000
Unamortized debt expense	12,975,000	13,583,000
Regulatory cost of removal asset	22,040,000	21,129,000
Other noncurrent assets	64,064,000	61,944,000
Total noncurrent assets	363,938,000	358,796,000
Total Assets	4,037,941,000	3,769,939,000
Stockholders' equity
Cumulative preferred stock - no par value	0	0
Common stock - no par value	549,383,000	442,461,000
Retained earnings	681,497,000	584,848,000
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(149,000)	(305,000)
Total stockholders' equity	1,230,731,000	1,027,004,000
Long-term debt	875,000,000	975,000,000
Total capitalization	2,105,731,000	2,002,004,000
Current Liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt	100,000,000	0
Short-term debt	345,000,000	365,000,000
Trade accounts payable	113,101,000	94,269,000
Other accounts payable	35,010,000	47,699,000
Income taxes accrued	995,000	0
Accrued interest	24,741,000	21,450,000
Customers' deposits	21,584,000	21,739,000
Deferred income taxes	994,000	13,542,000
General taxes accrued	9,283,000	21,504,000
Amounts due to customers	0	28,000
Other current liabilities	7,620,000	7,320,000
Total current liabilities	658,328,000	592,551,000
Noncurrent Liabilities
Deferred income taxes	699,679,000	597,211,000
Unamortized federal investment tax credits	1,536,000	1,669,000
Accumulated provision for postretirement benefits	17,872,000	37,299,000
Cost of removal obligations	508,757,000	492,963,000
Other noncurrent liabilities	46,038,000	46,242,000
Total noncurrent liabilities	1,273,882,000	1,175,384,000
Commitments and Contingencies
Total Capitalization and Liabilities	$ 4,037,941,000	$ 3,769,939,000