Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 12,401	$ 4,707
Restricted cash	3,592	3,181
Accounts receivable (less allowances for doubtful accounts of $6,992 and $5,519, respectively)	65,080	53,341
Accounts receivable — related parties	2,865	3,497
Accrued utility revenues	14,330	18,868
Inventories	95,219	89,661
Deferred income taxes	1,492	14,165
Regulatory assets	13,159	8,217
Derivative instruments	1,028	43
Prepaid expenses & other current assets	18,535	15,862
Total current assets	227,701	211,542
Property, plant and equipment	2,568,552	2,427,810
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(886,268)	(853,675)
Net property, plant and equipment	1,682,284	1,574,135
Goodwill	182,145	182,145
Regulatory assets	255,007	236,694
Other assets	7,506	5,806
Total assets	2,354,643	2,210,322
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	20,000	0
Short-term borrowings	86,300	17,500
Accounts payable — trade	58,453	51,970
Accounts payable — related parties	11,761	12,487
Employee compensation and benefits accrued	14,647	13,664
Interest accrued	8,908	11,281
Customer deposits and advances	40,401	40,307
Derivative instruments	1,632	6,677
Pension and postretirement benefit obligations	1,100	17,885
Other current liabilities	34,280	35,742
Total current liabilities	277,482	207,513
Long-term debt	622,000	642,000
Deferred income taxes	461,461	436,810
Deferred investment tax credits	3,933	4,270
Pension and other postretirement benefit obligations	98,363	72,505
Other noncurrent liabilities	51,567	55,610
Total liabilities	1,514,806	1,418,708
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Common stockholder’s equity:
Common Stock, $2.25 par value (authorized — 40,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding — 26,781,785 shares)	60,259	60,259
Additional paid-in capital	471,071	470,098
Retained earnings	316,688	269,977
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(8,181)	(8,720)
Total common stockholder’s equity	839,837	791,614
Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity	$ 2,354,643	$ 2,210,322