CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012		Dec. 31, 2011
OPERATING REVENUES
Utility	$ 218,849		$ 191,374
Nonutility	517,170		451,037
Total operating revenues	736,019		642,411
OPERATING EXPENSES
Gas Purchases - Utility	111,321		85,630
Gas Purchases - Nonutility	455,427		406,417
Operation and maintenance	40,070		38,945
Regulatory rider expenses	13,982		12,543
Depreciation and amortization	11,303		9,600
Energy and other taxes	16,725		14,058
Total operating expenses	648,828		567,193
OPERATING INCOME	87,191		75,218
Other income	265		527
Interest expense, net of capitalized interest	5,825		5,005
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF AFFILIATES	81,631		70,740
Income tax provision	23,980		16,037
Equity in earnings of affiliates	2,555		2,654
NET INCOME	$ 60,206		$ 57,357
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
BASIC (usd per share)	$ 1.44		$ 1.38
DILUTED (usd per share)	$ 1.44	[1]	$ 1.38	[1]
DIVIDENDS PER COMMON SHARE	$ 0.40		$ 0.38
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
BASIC (in shares)	41,695		41,434
DILUTED (in shares)	41,758		41,651

[1] There were no anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2012 and 2011.