EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

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						Nine Months Ended						Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,						June 30,						June 30,
(Thousands)	2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012			2013			2012
Service cost	$	1,718		$	1,344		$	5,154		$	4,032		$	1,171		$	896		$	3,513		$	2,688
Interest cost	2,235			2,206			6,705			6,618			1,287			1,283			3,861			3,849
Expected return on plan assets	(3,706		)	(3,171		)	(11,118		)	(9,513		)	(913		)	(687		)	(2,739		)	(2,059		)
Recognized actuarial loss	1,911			1,254			5,733			3,762			964			724			2,892			2,172
Prior service cost amortization	27			11			81			33			(281		)	6			(267		)	18
Recognized net initial obligation	—			—			—			—			199			89			21			267
Net periodic benefit cost	$	2,185		$	1,644		$	6,555		$	4,932		$	2,427		$	2,311		$	7,281		$	6,935