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STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2025
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]  
Schedule of Stock-based Compensation Expense Recognized
The following table summarizes all stock-based compensation expense recognized during the following fiscal years:
(Thousands)202520242023
Stock-based compensation expense:
Performance share awards$6,679 $5,437 $4,882 
Restricted and non-restricted stock4,174 3,958 3,647 
Deferred retention stock6,926 6,633 6,187 
Compensation expense included in operation and maintenance expense17,779 16,028 14,716 
Income tax benefit (1)
(4,310)(3,898)(3,563)
Total, net of tax$13,469 $12,130 $11,153 
(1)Excludes additional tax benefit related to delivered shares of approximately $1.9M, $1.2M and $0.6M as of September 30, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Schedule of Performance Share Activity
The following table summarizes the performance share activity under the stock award and incentive plans for the past three fiscal years:
Shares (1)
Weighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value		Total Fair Value of Vested Shares (in Thousands)
Non-vested and outstanding at September 30, 2022192,121 $36.29— 
Granted112,661 $46.00— 
Vested (2)
(105,197)$35.07$4,126 
Cancelled/forfeited(9,330)$38.64— 
Non-vested and outstanding at September 30, 2023190,255 $42.60— 
Granted142,800 $42.55— 
Vested (3)
(112,183)$39.91$5,271 
Cancelled/forfeited(1,913)$43.83— 
Non-vested and outstanding at September 30, 2024218,959 $43.93— 
Granted132,361 $46.94— 
Vested (4)
(112,408)$45.72$5,117 
Cancelled/forfeited(1,138)$46.00— 
Non-vested and outstanding at September 30, 2025237,774 $44.75— 
(1)The number of common shares issued related to certain performance shares may range from zero to 150% of the number of shares shown in the table above based on the Company’s achievement of performance goals.
(2)As certified by the Company’s Leadership and Compensation Committee on November 15, 2023, the number of common shares earned related to TSR performance was 150% or 59,192 shares, the number of common shares earned related to NFE performance was 150% or 55,832 shares and the number of common shares earned related to Performance Based Restricted Stock was 100% or 30,598 shares. Each award earned excludes accumulated dividends. The number represented on this line is the target number of 100%.
(3)As certified by the Company’s Leadership and Compensation Committee on November 6, 2024, the number of common shares earned related to TSR performance was 150% or 60,092 shares, the number of common shares earned related to NFE performance was 124% or 49,269 shares and the number of common shares earned related to Performance Based Restricted Stock was 100% or 37,603 shares. Each award earned excludes accumulated dividends. The number represented on this line is the target number of 100%.
(4)As certified by the Company’s Leadership and Compensation Committee on November 4, 2025, the number of common shares earned related to TSR performance was 97% or 36,754 shares, the number of common shares earned related to NFE performance was 134% or 54,408 shares and the number of common shares earned related to Performance Based Restricted Stock was 100% or 36,955 shares. Each award earned excludes accumulated dividends. The number represented on this line is the target number of 100%.
Schedule of Restricted Stock Activity
The following table summarizes the restricted stock activity under the stock award and incentive plans for the past three fiscal years:
SharesWeighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value		Total Fair Value of Vested Shares (in Thousands)
Non-vested and outstanding at September 30, 202297,824 $36.90— 
Granted64,080 $46.00— 
Vested(48,312)$40.30$1,910 
Cancelled/forfeited(4,716)$38.77— 
Non-vested and outstanding at September 30, 2023108,876 $41.55— 
Granted70,987 $42.59— 
Vested(53,393)$39.74$2,256 
Cancelled/forfeited(970)$44.52— 
Non-vested and outstanding at September 30, 2024125,500 $42.89— 
Granted59,608 $46.89— 
Vested(61,316)$42.93$2,869 
Non-vested and outstanding at September 30, 2025123,792 $44.80— 
Schedule of Deferred Retention Stock Award
The following table summarizes the deferred retention stock award under the stock award and incentive plans for the past three fiscal years:
SharesWeighted Average
Grant Date
Fair Value		Total Fair Value of Vested Shares (in Thousands)
Outstanding at September 30, 2022231,267 $39.16— 
Granted/Vested134,941 $45.85— 
Delivered(38,115)$40.67$1,517 
Outstanding at September 30, 2023328,093 $41.74— 
Granted/Vested155,188 $42.55— 
Delivered(5,089)$35.86$213 
Forfeited(235)$42.55— 
Outstanding at September 30, 2024477,957 $42.07— 
Granted/Vested147,655 $46.94— 
Delivered(191,115)$38.95$8,906 
Outstanding at September 30, 2025434,497 $45.10— 
Schedule of Nonemployee Director Stock Award Plan Activity The following summarizes non-employee director share awards for the past three fiscal years:
202520242023
Shares granted28,080 29,996 24,044 
Weighted average grant date fair value$47.65$41.67$49.58