Amendment Flag Current Fiscal Year End Date Document Period End Date Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Filer Category Entity Public Float Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Type Award Type [Axis] Accounts receivable, less accumulated allowances for doubtful accounts of $126,000 and $157,000, respectively Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Accrued vacation Accrued liability from tax assessment Investment tax credits Less - Accumulated provision for depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Premium on common shares Premium on Common Shares [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Tax benefit related to share-based compensation Adjustment to Additional Paid in Capital, Income Tax Effect from Share-based Compensation, Net Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash from operating activities Share-based compensation expense Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Share-based Compensation, Requisite Service Period Recognition Share-based compensation expense Accounts receivable, allowances for doubtful accounts Allowance for uncollectible taxes receivable Asset retirement obligations Current Assets Assets Assets [Abstract] Total other assets Assets, Noncurrent Total current assets Assets, Current Total assets Assets Other Assets Carrying Amount [Member] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash surrender value of life insurance Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] Common Shares [Member] 2013 Stock Awards [Member] Common Stock [Member] Common shares, outstanding (in shares) Common shares ($1.00 par value), 20,000,000 shares authorized; 6,843,122 and 6,803,941 shares outstanding at September 30, 2012 and June 30, 2012, respectively Dividends Declared Per Common Share (in dollars per share) Common shares, par value (in dollars per share) Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Common shares, authorized (in shares) Customers' deposits Description of variable rate basis Debt Instrument [Text Block] Basis spread on variable rate Debt Instrument [Abstract] Deferred gas costs Deferred income taxes and investment tax credits Deferred income taxes Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Current Amortization of prior service cost Amortization of unrecognized net loss Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses) Expected return on plan assets Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets Interest cost Net periodic benefit cost Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost Service cost Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost Defined Benefit Retirement Plan [Abstract] Accrued pension Depreciation and amortization Risk Management and Derivative Instruments Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Risk Management and Derivative Instruments [Abstract] Share-Based Compensation Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Share-Based Compensation [Abstract] Dividends on common shares Dividends Diluted (in dollars per share) Basic (in dollars per share) Loss Per Common Share [Text Block] Loss Per Common Share (Note 10 and 12) Loss Per Common Share [Abstract] Tax benefit from share-based compensation Gas in storage, at average cost Equity Component [Domain] Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation Excess tax deficiency from share-based compensation Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value Measurements [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items] Fair value of the trust assets Fair Value, Disclosure Item Amounts [Domain] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table] Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping, Disclosure Item Amounts [Axis] Fair value of liabilities Eliminations for intersegment [Member] Consolidated Statements of Income Net Loss Before Income Taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Accrued liability for interest on tax Income Tax Examination, Interest Accrued Income Tax Benefit Decrease in assets Increase (decrease) in liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Operating Liabilities Unvested participating shares outstanding Accrued interest on debt Interest charges Materials and supplies, at average cost Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Total long-term liabilities Liabilities, Noncurrent Current Liabilities Total liabilities Liabilities Long-Term Liabilities Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Liabilities and Equity Change in cash surrender value of officer's life insurance Life Insurance, Corporate or Bank Owned, Change in Value Permitted borrowings Annual cost of unused bank line of credit percentage (in hundredths) Line of Credit Facility, Lender [Domain] Lender Name [Axis] Line of Credit Facility [Line Items] Line of Credit Facility [Table] Long-term Debt, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract] Long-term Debt [Text Block] 2015 Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three 2014 Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two 2016 Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four 2013 Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months 2017 Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five Current portion of long-term debt Long-Term Debt Thereafter Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five Loss Contingencies [Table] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Loss Contingency, Estimate of Possible Loss Cash Flows From Financing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Cash Flows From Investing Activities Cash Flows From Operating Activities Net loss Net Loss Net Loss Net income (loss) Net cash used in operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Other Income (Deductions), Net Number segments Operating Expenses Operating Expenses [Abstract] Operating Income Operating Income (Loss) Other non-current assets Other current liabilities Other Liabilities, Current Other long-term liabilities Capital expenditures Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Dividends on common shares Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock 2013 Performance Shares [Member] Fair Value [Member] Prepayments Issuance of common shares Borrowings on bank line of credit Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment Net property, plant and equipment Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Property, Plant and Equipment Regulatory Matters Public Utilities Disclosure [Text Block] Minimum gas purchase obligation through the end of the fiscal year Purchase Obligation, Due in Next Twelve Months Regulated revenues Regulatory Matters [Abstract] Total operating revenues Total operating revenues Operating Revenues Regulated segment [Member] Regulated Operation [Member] Regulatory liabilities Regulatory assets Repayment of bank line of credit Repayments of Lines of Credit Repayment of long-term debt Repayments of Long-term Debt Retained earnings Retained Earnings [Member] Intersegment External customers Schedule of Costs of Retirement Plans [Table Text Block] Schedule of share based compensation expense Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Segment information Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Operating Revenues [Abstract] Operating Segments [Abstract] Total segment revenues Operating Segments Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Segment [Domain] Number of shares [Abstract] Share-based compensation Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Unvested awards at end of period (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number Vesting period Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Rights Unvested non-participating shares outstanding Granted (in shares) Shares available for grant under the plan (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant Number of shares that may be issued pursuant to the plan (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized Award Type [Domain] Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Business Segments [Axis] Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Consolidated Balance Sheets Issuance of common shares Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues Issuance of common shares under the incentive compensation plan Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures Shareholders' Equity Total shareholders' equity Balance Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Two-for-One Stock Split [Abstract] Stock split, conversion ratio Conversion ratio Two-for-One Stock Split Accrued taxes Taxes Payable, Current Trust assets Unamortized debt expense Non-regulated segment [Member] Non-regulated revenues Operation and maintenance Regulated Purchased gas Utilities Operating Expense, Gas and Petroleum Purchased Total operating expenses Utilities Operating Expense Depreciation and amortization Utilities Operating Expense, Depreciation and Amortization Taxes other than income taxes Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic [Abstract] Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic [Abstract] Weighted Average Number Diluted Shares Outstanding Adjustment [Abstract] Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted Net income (loss) [Abstract] Non-regulated purchase gas Non-regulated purchase gas Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Date the declared stock split was distributed, in CCYY-MM-DD format. Stock Split, Distribution Date Stock split, distribution date Distribution date The fair value of non option shares granted. Grant date fair value This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents U.S. equity securities which consist of ownership interests or the right to acquire ownership interests in U.S. corporations and other legal U.S. entities which ownership interest is represented by shares of common or preferred stock (which is neither mandatorily redeemable no redeemable at the option of the holder), convertible securities, stock rights, or stock warrants. U.S. Equity Securities, Fair Value Disclosure U.S. Equity Securities This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents U.S. fixed income securities which consist of U.S. investments that regularly generate a fixed amount of interest income, includes, but is not limited to bonds, certificates of deposit, preferred stock. U.S. Fixed Income Securities, Fair Value Disclosure U.S. Fixed Income Securities Nature of operations and basis of presentation. Nature of Operations and Basis of PresentationAbstract [Abstract] Nature of operations and basis of presentation. Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation [Text Block] Number of wholly owned subsidiaries. Wholly owned subsidiaries Number of customers to which the entity distributes or transports natural gas. Number of customers This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents money market investments which consist of all investments in short-term money-market instruments (such as commercial paper, banker's acceptances, repurchase agreements, government securities, certificates of deposit, and so forth) which are highly liquid (that is, readily convertible to known amounts of cash) and so near their maturity that they present an insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. Money Market Funds, Fair Value Disclosure Money Market The fair value amount of long-term debt whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. Long Term Debt 3 Fair Value Disclosure 4.26% Series A Notes Number of contracts that are accounted for using the fair value method of accounting. Contracts Using Fair Value Method Unbilled amounts due for services rendered or products shipped. Unbilled revenues A tabular disclosure of unbilled revenues and gas costs. Unbilled revenues and gas costs [Table Text Block] Unbilled Revenues Abstract [Abstract] Unbilled amounts due for gas costs. Unbilled gas costs Unbilled volumes of gas reserves unbilled at the end of the period. Unbilled Volumes Unbilled Volumes (in Mcf) Lender name. Branch Banking and Trust Company [Member] Total amount of long-term debt, sinking fund requirements, and other securities redeemable at fixed or determinable prices following the latest fiscal year. Total of long-term debt maturity Number of officers subject to change in control agreements. Number of officers subject to change in control agreements Amount of additional potential lump sum payments that may be required in the event that all agreements are exercised. Additional potential lump sum payments In the event that change of control agreements were exercised, the number of years over which the lump sum payments and continuation of specified benefits would be paid. Number of years benefits must be paid for change of control exercise Number of years benefits must be paid for change of control exercise (in years) The amount of taxes assessed by the Kentucky Department of Revenue for failure to collect an remit a Utility Gross Receipts License tax. Taxes sought on uncollected license fees he amount of penalties assessed by the Kentucky Department of Revenue for failure to collect an remit a Utility Gross Receipts License tax. Penalties sought on uncollected license fees The amount of interest assessed by the Kentucky Department of Revenue for failure to collect an remit a Utility Gross Receipts License tax. Interest sought on uncollected licenses fees Interest sought on uncollected licenses fees The Utility Gross Receipts License tax rate. Utility Gross Receipts License tax rate Utility Gross Receipts License tax rate (in hundredths) The estimated liability for taxes resulting from the income tax examination that has been accrued as of the balance sheet date. Estimated liability for taxes Accrued liability for taxes The amount billed to customers for Utility Gross Receipts License Tax that has been substantially collected. Amount billed to customers for Utility Gross Receipts License Tax Amount billed to customers for Utility Gross Receipts License Tax Expense related to interest and collectibles Expense related to interest and collectibles Unbilled receivable, net of an allowance for uncollectible amounts Unbilled receivable, net of an allowance for uncollectible amounts Unbilled receivable, net of an allowance for uncollectible amounts The amount receivables related to the right on the reimbursement of taxes from entity's related party customer. Receivables related to right on reimbursement of taxes from related party customer Date the stock split was declared, in CCYY-MM-DD format. Stock Split, Date Declared Declaration date Date the holder must own the stock to be entitled to participate in the stock split, in CCYY-MM-DD format. Stock Split, Date of Record Record date