Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2009
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$ 105,196	$ 90,258	$ 78,722
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	52,546	53,476	51,112
Deferred income taxes, net	50,905	63,654	17,530
Pension expense, net of contributions paid	(6,292)	6,698	7,124
Provision for uncollectible accounts	9,137	10,651	19,193
Other, net	(4,608)	10,257	13,456
Net change in:
Accounts receivable and accrued utility revenues	(4,583)	2,847	(15,133)
Inventories	14,596	77,740	(12,742)
Deferred fuel costs, net of changes in unsettled derivatives	12,842	(18,500)	10,272
Accounts payable	9,229	7,424	(19,437)
Storage agreement security deposits	0	3,500	19,000
Other current assets	(3,817)	(15,511)	(1,072)
Other current liabilities	(14,401)	(889)	8,389
Net cash provided by operating activities	220,750	291,605	176,414
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment	(98,856)	(81,595)	(79,084)
Net costs of property, plant and equipment disposals	(3,537)	(3,980)	(5,114)
Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired	0	0	(292,551)
Proceeds from sale of CPP	0	0	32,269
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	390	(4,698)	34,037
Net cash used by investing activities	(102,003)	(90,273)	(310,443)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Payment of dividends	(99,490)	(74,008)	(61,211)
(Decrease) increase in bank loans	(17,000)	(137,000)	97,000
Issuances of long-term debt	0	0	108,000
Excess tax benefits from equity-based payment arrangements	692	471	280
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities	(115,798)	(210,537)	144,069
Cash and cash equivalents increase (decrease)	2,949	(9,205)	10,040
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
End of period	7,267	4,318	13,523
Beginning of period	4,318	13,523	3,483
Increase (decrease)	2,949	(9,205)	10,040
Interest	39,151	39,917	40,452
Income taxes	$ 13,856	$ 6,217	$ 26,919