Debt and Leases Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Nov. 09, 2015	Mar. 05, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Other Commitment, Due in Next Twelve Months	$ 5,275
Other Commitment, Due in Second Year	26,530
Other Commitment, Due in Third Year	3,426
Other Commitment, Due in Fourth Year	3,954
Other Commitment, Due in Fifth Year	3,743
Other Commitment, Due after Fifth Year	40,250
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	0	$ 2,945
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	5,275	7,358
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	77,903	8,945
Interest Paid	$ 1,941	677	$ 1,892
Lease Payment Terms	36 months
CT Dept of Economic & Community Development [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount				$ 10,000
NRG Energy [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 40,000
Term of loan	5 years
NRG Energy, Inc. [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	$ 1,755	3,763
Connecticut Development Authority Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	2,589	2,817
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	$ 4,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.00%
Collateralized Agreements	$ 4,000
Connecticut Clean Energy Fund [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity					$ 5,900
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	$ 6,050	$ 6,052
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					5.00%
Maximum [Member] | NRG Energy [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period	8.50%