Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 121,055	$ 124,106	$ 102,098
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	63,590	59,219	55,716
Deferred income taxes, net	29,356	33,588	35,281
Pension contributions, net of pension expense	(1,415)	(9,459)	(4,450)
Provision for uncollectible accounts	13,498	13,149	9,584
Other, net	3,228	3,998	(1,560)
Net change in:
Accounts receivable and accrued utility revenues	7,297	(19,718)	(16,446)
Inventories	43,503	(5,558)	(22,327)
Deferred fuel costs, net of changes in unsettled derivatives	51,778	(17,632)	9,321
Accounts payable	(7,649)	5,757	7,511
Other current assets	(9,723)	362	13,598
Other current liabilities	(7,808)	864	(18,413)
Net cash provided by operating activities	306,710	188,676	169,913
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	(203,192)	(164,180)	(151,090)
Net costs of property, plant and equipment disposals	(10,443)	(8,214)	(4,925)
Increase in restricted cash	(3,010)	(411)	(3,181)
Net cash used by investing activities	(216,645)	(172,805)	(159,196)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payment of dividends	(65,600)	(77,395)	(58,975)
Increase in short-term borrowings	(14,600)	68,800	8,300
Issuances of long-term debt	0	174,445	175,000
Repayments of long-term debt	(20,000)	(175,000)	(133,000)
Excess tax benefits from equity-based payment arrangements	833	973	1,406
Net cash used by financing activities	(99,367)	(8,177)	(7,269)
Cash and cash equivalents (decrease) increase	(9,302)	7,694	3,448
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
End of year	3,099	12,401	4,707
Beginning of year	12,401	4,707	1,259
(Decrease) increase	(9,302)	7,694	3,448
Cash paid for:
Interest	38,405	34,781	49,460
Income taxes	$ 54,427	$ 54,293	$ 18,376