Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 97,998	$ 96,710
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	(74,740)	(72,785)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	23,258	23,925
Depreciation	5,192	6,431	7,438
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	524	524
Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	7,587	7,579
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	68,265	66,552
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	2,786	2,755
Power plants for use under PPA's [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	10,866	13,538
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 7,970	$ 5,762