EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Net Benefit Costs

The components of the net periodic cost for pension benefits, including the Company's Pension Equalization Plan, and OPEB costs (principally health care and life insurance) for employees and covered dependents were as follows:

	Pension						OPEB
	Three Months Ended						Three Months Ended
	December 31,						December 31,
(Thousands)	2012			2011			2012			2011
Service cost	$	1,718		$	1,344		$	1,171		$	896
Interest cost	2,235			2,206			1,287			1,283
Expected return on plan assets	(3,706		)	(3,171		)	(913		)	(686		)
Recognized actuarial loss	1,911			1,254			964			724
Prior service cost amortization	27			11			7			6
Recognized net initial obligation	—			—			(89		)	89
Net periodic benefit cost	$	2,185		$	1,644		$	2,427		$	2,312