Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
ASSETS
Property, Plant and Equipment	$ 6,180,827	$ 5,646,918
Less - Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization	1,750,636	1,646,394
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Total	4,430,191	4,000,524
Current Assets
Cash and Temporary Cash Investments	192,243	80,428
Hedging Collateral Deposits	18,872	19,701
Receivables - Net of Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts of $43,124 and $31,039, Respectively	168,757	131,885
Unbilled Utility Revenue	31,318	17,284
Gas Stored Underground	16,195	54,325
Materials and Supplies - at average cost	28,395	27,932
Other Current Assets	40,354	38,334
Deferred Income Taxes	20,281	15,423
Total Current Assets	516,415	385,312
Other Assets
Recoverable Future Taxes	146,561	144,377
Unamortized Debt Expense	14,552	10,571
Other Regulatory Assets	504,399	510,986
Deferred Charges	7,993	5,552
Other Investments	85,555	79,365
Goodwill	5,476	5,476
Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments	121,760	76,085
Other	2,594	2,836
Total Other Assets	888,890	835,248
Total Assets	5,835,496	5,221,084
Capitalization:
Common Stock, $1 Par Value Authorized - 200,000,000 Shares; Issued and Outstanding - 83,173,850 Shares and 82,812,677 Shares, Respectively	83,174	82,813
Paid in Capital	660,495	650,749
Earnings Reinvested in the Business	1,275,107	1,206,022
Total Common Shareholders' Equity Before Items of Other Comprehensive Loss	2,018,776	1,939,584
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	(51,889)	(47,699)
Total Comprehensive Shareholders' Equity	1,966,887	1,891,885
Long-Term Debt, Net of Current Portion	1,149,000	899,000
Total Capitalization	3,115,887	2,790,885
Current and Accrued Liabilities
Notes Payable to Banks and Commercial Paper	20,000	40,000
Current Portion of Long-Term Debt	250,000	150,000
Accounts Payable	98,053	126,709
Amounts Payable to Customers	17,327	15,519
Dividends Payable	29,527	29,399
Interest Payable on Long-Term Debt	29,491	25,512
Customer Advances	204	19,643
Customer Security Deposits	17,021	17,321
Other Accruals and Current Liabilities	197,952	94,787
Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments	66,887	9,728
Total Current and Accrued Liabilities	726,462	528,618
Deferred Credits
Deferred Income Taxes	1,040,789	955,384
Taxes Refundable to Customers	65,550	65,543
Unamortized Investment Tax Credit	2,296	2,586
Cost of Removal Regulatory Liability	146,771	135,940
Other Regulatory Liabilities	37,327	31,026
Pension and Other Post-Retirement Liabilities	472,717	481,520
Asset Retirement Obligations	77,230	75,731
Other Deferred Credits	150,467	153,851
Total Deferred Credits	1,993,147	1,901,581
Commitments and Contingencies	0	0
Total Capitalization and Liabilities	$ 5,835,496	$ 5,221,084