Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2013	Apr. 30, 2012
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net Income	$ 141,713,000	$ 126,419,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	56,954,000	53,727,000
Allowance for doubtful accounts (provision)	2,848,000	2,447,000
Net gain on sale of property	(18,000)	0
Income from equity method investments	(19,592,000)	(17,944,000)
Distributions of earnings from equity method investments	16,276,000	12,164,000
Deferred income taxes, net	89,685,000	85,907,000
Changes in assets and liabilities
Gas purchase derivatives, at fair value	(938,000)	166,000
Receivables	(85,257,000)	(11,488,000)
Inventories	24,171,000	18,685,000
Amounts due from/to customers	51,740,000	(8,931,000)
Settlement of legal asset retirement obligations	(1,127,000)	(637,000)
Regulatory asset for postretirement benefits	4,855,000	2,049,000
Other assets	16,314,000	13,101,000
Accounts payable	(4,363,000)	(22,632,000)
Provision for postretirement benefits	(19,427,000)	72,000
Other liabilities	(5,609,000)	(8,632,000)
Net cash provided by operating activities	268,225,000	244,473,000
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Utility capital expenditures	(274,895,000)	(220,256,000)
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction	(18,251,000)	(10,476,000)
Contributions to equity method investments	(8,748,000)	(3,356,000)
Distributions of capital from equity method investments	5,422,000	4,850,000
Proceeds from sale of property	614,000	409,000
Investments in marketable securities	(445,000)	(701,000)
Other	1,513,000	350,000
Net cash used in investing activities	(294,790,000)	(229,180,000)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Borrowings under credit facility	10,000,000	345,000,000
Repayments under credit facility	(10,000,000)	(676,000,000)
Net borrowings (repayments) - commercial paper	(20,000,000)	380,000,000
Expenses related to issuance of debt	(12,000)	(2,448,000)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of expenses	92,286,000	0
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment and employee stock plans	12,338,000	10,802,000
Repurchases of common stock	0	(26,528,000)
Dividends paid	(45,123,000)	(42,494,000)
Other	18,000	(33,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	39,507,000	(11,701,000)
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	12,942,000	3,592,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	1,959,000	6,777,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	14,901,000	10,369,000
Cash Paid During the Year for
Interest	23,720,000	22,878,000
Income Taxes
Income taxes paid	1,352,000	3,344,000
Income taxes refunded	0	0
Income taxes, net	1,352,000	3,344,000
Noncash Investing and Financing Activities
Accrued capital expenditures	$ 54,120,000	$ 3,776,000