Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Components Of Federal And State Income Taxes Included In The Consolidated Statements Of Income

The components of federal and state income taxes included in the Consolidated Statements of Income are as follows:

	Year Ended September 30
	2016			2015			2014
	(Thousands)
Current Income Taxes —
Federal	$	(6,658	)	$	25,064		$	34,579
State	20,903			13,387			12,620
Deferred Income Taxes —
Federal	(164,818		)	(244,336		)	116,143
State	(81,976		)	(113,251		)	26,272
	(232,549		)	(319,136		)	189,614
Deferred Investment Tax Credit	(348		)	(414		)	(434		)
Total Income Taxes	$	(232,897	)	$	(319,550	)	$	189,180
Presented as Follows:
Other Income	$	(348	)	$	(414	)	$	(434	)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(232,549		)	(319,136		)	189,614
Total Income Taxes	$	(232,897	)	$	(319,550	)	$	189,180

Schedule Of Income Tax Reconciliation By Applying Federal Income Tax Rate

The following is a reconciliation of this difference:

	Year Ended September 30
	2016			2015			2014
	(Thousands)
U.S. Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes	$	(523,855	)	$	(698,977	)	$	488,593
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Computed at U.S. Federal Statutory Rate of 35%	$	(183,349	)	$	(244,642	)	$	171,008
State Income Taxes (Benefit)	(39,697		)	(64,912		)	25,280
Miscellaneous	(9,851		)	(9,996		)	(7,108		)
Total Income Taxes	$	(232,897	)	$	(319,550	)	$	189,180

Significant Components Of Deferred Tax Liabilities And Assets

Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax liabilities and assets were as follows:

	At September 30
	2016			2015
	(Thousands)
Deferred Tax Liabilities:
Property, Plant and Equipment	$	1,049,100		$	1,291,718
Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Costs	151,903			141,032
Unrealized Hedging Gains	50,179			118,522
Other	55,457			51,230
Total Deferred Tax Liabilities	1,306,639			1,602,502
Deferred Tax Assets:
Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Costs	(195,829		)	(168,451		)
Tax Loss and Credit Carryforwards	(194,875		)	(185,681		)
Other	(92,140		)	(110,408		)
Total Deferred Tax Assets	(482,844		)	(464,540		)
Total Net Deferred Income Taxes	$	823,795		$	1,137,962

Reconciliation Of The Change In Unrecognized Tax Benefits

The following is a reconciliation of the change in unrecognized tax benefits:

	Year Ended September 30
	2016			2015			2014
	(Thousands)
Balance at Beginning of Year	$	5,085		$	3,147		$	2,001
Additions for Tax Positions of Prior Years	396			2,504			2,447
Reductions for Tax Positions of Prior Years	(1,314		)	(566		)	(1,301		)
Reductions Related to Settlements with Taxing Authorities	(3,771		)	—			—
Balance at End of Year	$	396		$	5,085		$	3,147