VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITES (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Dec. 31, 2022	Dec. 31, 2021
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	$ 20,542	$ 20,552
Accounts receivable, net	408,448	347,864
Assets	8,425,571	7,770,994
Current maturities of securitized utility tariff bonds	28,956	27,430
Accounts payable	261,321	278,056
Discounts and issuance costs for securitized utility tariff bonds, excluding current maturities	4,800	5,300
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	3,104,548	2,765,877	$ 2,584,426	$ 2,349,532
Liabilities and Equity	8,425,571	7,770,994
Kansas Gas Service Securitization I LLC
Variable Interest Entity [Line Items]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents	20,542	20,552
Accounts receivable, net	4,659	5,133
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	265,951	293,619
Assets	291,152	319,304
Current maturities of securitized utility tariff bonds	28,956	27,430
Accounts payable	319	393
Interest Payable	6,568	7,207
Securitized utility tariff bonds	253,568	282,506
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent	1,741	1,768
Liabilities and Equity	291,152	319,304
Revenues	44,390	48,677	5,769
Utilities Operating Expense	(443)	(440)	(52)
Depreciation and amortization	(27,668)	(30,219)	(3,521)
Interest Income	671	696	6
Interest Expense	(16,806)	(18,552)	(2,202)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest	144	162	0
Variable Interest Entity, Measure of Activity, Income Tax	(26)	26	0
Variable Interest Entity, Measure of Activity, Net Income	118	$ 188	$ 0
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year One	29,102
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Two	30,736
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Three	32,462
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Four	34,283
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, Year Five	36,206
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Expected Amortization, after Year Five	$ 103,162