EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

Components of Net Periodic Cost

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)	2021		2020		2021		2020
Service cost	$	2,073	$	2,182	$	1,076	$	1,211
Interest cost	2,408		2,278		1,589		1,518
Expected return on plan assets	(5,319)		(5,224)		(1,894)		(1,683)
Recognized actuarial loss	2,186		2,862		1,421		1,977
Prior service cost (credit) amortization	25		25		(36)		(45)
Net periodic benefit cost	$	1,373	$	2,123	$	2,156	$	2,978