Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Operating Activities
Net Income	$ 32,787	$ 28,863	$ 27,622
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net operating cash:
Depreciation and amortization	23,965	22,510	20,153
Depreciation and accretion included in other costs	6,123	5,547	5,116
Deferred income taxes, net	14,860	13,881	17,320
(Gain) loss on sale of assets	(152)	93	(453)
Unrealized (gain) loss on commodity contracts	(217)	339	(41)
Unrealized gain on investments	(489)	(451)	(282)
Realized gain on sale of investments, net	(702)	(88)	0
Employee benefits and compensation	1,119	1,199	1,960
Share-based compensation	1,631	1,419	1,450
Other, net	(28)	(27)	(50)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Sale (purchase) of investments	(39)	(301)	660
Accounts receivable and accrued revenue	(21,244)	21,549	14,979
Propane inventory, storage gas and other inventory	(4,492)	603	(2,484)
Regulatory assets	(395)	252	18
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(1,064)	(713)	(345)
Other deferred charges	(101)	26	179
Long-term receivables	(228)	(290)	76
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	18,824	(19,936)	(13,612)
Income taxes receivable	2,311	2,223	(185)
Accrued interest	(202)	(200)	(152)
Customer deposits and refunds	(3,362)	(1,647)	5,096
Accrued compensation	837	437	19
Regulatory liabilities	2,723	(5,220)	(2,527)
Other liabilities	466	(3,427)	(3,396)
Net cash provided by operating activities	72,931	66,641	71,121
Investing Activities
Property, plant and equipment expenditures	(97,120)	(72,776)	(47,037)
Proceeds from sale of assets	199	2,279	937
Proceeds from sale of investments	2,300	630	(300)
Acquisitions	(20,201)	(124)	(791)
Environmental expenditures	41	(607)	(645)
Net cash used by investing activities	(114,781)	(70,598)	(47,836)
Financing Activities
Common stock dividends	(13,081)	(12,335)	(11,663)
Purchase of stock for Dividend Reinvestment Plan	(1,342)	(1,273)	(1,244)
Change in cash overdrafts due to outstanding checks	(1,666)	597	91
Net borrowing (repayment) under line of credit agreements	46,133	25,894	(241)
Other short-term borrowing	0	0	(29,100)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	27,000	0	29,000
Repayment of long-term debt and capital lease obligation	(15,191)	(8,202)	(9,134)
Other	(8)	0	0
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	41,845	4,681	(22,291)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	(5)	724	994
Cash and Cash Equivalents — Beginning of Period	3,361	2,637	1,643
Cash and Cash Equivalents — End of Period	$ 3,356	$ 3,361	$ 2,637