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Retirement and Postretirement Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Not yet Recognized Additionally, the amounts that have not yet been recognized in net periodic pension cost that have been recorded as regulatory assets or liabilities are as follows:
Employee Pension PlanSupplemental
Executive
Retirement Plans		Postretirement
Plan		Total
 (In thousands)
September 30, 2024
Unrecognized prior service credit$— $— $(24,897)$(24,897)
Unrecognized actuarial (gain) loss(126,989)16,136 (111,500)(222,353)
$(126,989)$16,136 $(136,397)$(247,250)
September 30, 2023
Unrecognized prior service credit$— $— $(37,937)$(37,937)
Unrecognized actuarial (gain) loss(72,129)12,314 (118,161)(177,976)
$(72,129)$12,314 $(156,098)$(215,913)
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets
The following table presents asset allocation information for the Master Trust as of September 30, 2024 and 2023.
 Targeted
Allocation  Range		Actual
Allocation
September 30
Security Class20242023
Domestic equities
35%-55%
42.8%42.9%
International equities
10%-20%
15.8%16.0%
Fixed income
5%-45%
22.3%19.8%
Company stock
0%-15%
16.7%15.1%
Other assets
0%-20%
2.4%6.2%
The following table presents asset allocation information for the Retiree Medical Plan assets as of September 30, 2024 and 2023.
 Actual
Allocation
September 30
Security Class20242023
Diversified investment funds97.8%98.2%
Cash and cash equivalents2.2%1.8%
Schedule of Assumptions Used
Additional assumptions are presented in the following table:
 Pension
Liability		Pension Cost
 20242023202420232022
Discount rate5.02 %6.10 %6.10 %5.66 %2.97 %
Rate of compensation increase3.50 %3.50 %3.50 %3.50 %3.50 %
Expected return on plan assets6.50 %6.25 %6.25 %6.25 %6.25 %
Interest crediting rate4.69 %4.69 %4.69 %4.69 %4.69 %
These assumptions are presented in the following table:
 Pension
Liability		Pension Cost
 20242023202420232022
Discount rate (1)
4.92 %6.17 %5.85 %5.50 %2.57 %
Rate of compensation increase3.50 %3.50 %3.50 %3.50 %3.50 %
Interest crediting rate4.69 %4.69 %4.69 %4.69 %4.69 %
 (1)     Reflects a weighted average discount rate for pension cost for fiscal 2024 and 2023 due to the settlements during the year.
The assumptions are presented in the following table:
 Postretirement
Liability		Postretirement Cost
 20242023202420232022
Discount rate5.01 %6.06 %6.06 %5.61 %3.01 %
Expected return on plan assets5.14 %4.94 %4.94 %4.94 %4.94 %
Initial trend rate6.75 %6.50 %6.50 %6.25 %6.25 %
Ultimate trend rate5.00 %5.00 %5.00 %4.75 %5.00 %
Ultimate trend reached in20322030203020292027
Schedule of Changes in Projected Benefit Obligations, Fair Value of Plan Assets, and Funded Status of Plan
The following table presents the Pension Plan’s accumulated benefit obligation, projected benefit obligation, and funded status as of September 30, 2024 and 2023:
20242023
 (In thousands)
Accumulated benefit obligation$448,353 $412,160 
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year$431,560 $449,527 
Service cost9,546 10,805 
Interest cost25,731 24,924 
Actuarial (gain) loss44,205 (16,085)
Benefits paid(40,140)(37,611)
Benefit obligation at end of year470,902 431,560 
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year502,412 479,025 
Actual return on plan assets127,940 52,998 
Employer contributions5,000 8,000 
Benefits paid(40,140)(37,611)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year595,212 502,412 
Reconciliation:
Funded status124,310 70,852 
Unrecognized prior service cost— — 
Unrecognized net loss— — 
Net amount recognized$124,310 $70,852 
The following table presents the Supplemental Plans’ accumulated benefit obligation, projected benefit obligation, and funded status as of September 30, 2024 and 2023:
20242023
 (In thousands)
Accumulated benefit obligation$71,003 $75,687 
Change in projected benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year$75,898 $80,775 
Service cost55 845 
Interest cost4,024 4,227 
Actuarial loss5,853 6 
Benefits paid(4,285)(4,368)
Settlements(9,601)(5,587)
Benefit obligation at end of year71,944 75,898 
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year— — 
Employer contribution— — 
Benefits paid— — 
Settlements— — 
Fair value of plan assets at end of year— — 
Reconciliation:
Funded status(71,944)(75,898)
Unrecognized prior service cost— — 
Unrecognized net loss— — 
Accrued pension cost$(71,944)$(75,898)
The following table presents the Retiree Medical Plan’s benefit obligation and funded status as of September 30, 2024 and 2023:
20242023
 (In thousands)
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year$234,004 $250,228 
Service cost6,028 6,183 
Interest cost14,034 13,911 
Plan participants’ contributions2,102 2,053 
Actuarial (gain) loss31,135 (21,468)
Benefits paid(17,912)(16,903)
Benefit obligation at end of year269,391 234,004 
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year255,800 229,686 
Actual return on plan assets47,857 27,833 
Employer contributions— — 
Benefits paid(2,965)(1,719)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year300,692 255,800 
Reconciliation:
Funded status31,301 21,796 
Unrecognized transition obligation— — 
Unrecognized prior service cost— — 
Unrecognized net loss— — 
Accrued postretirement cost$31,301 $21,796 
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs
Net periodic pension cost for the Pension Plan for fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022 is presented in the following table.
 Fiscal Year Ended September 30
 202420232022
 (In thousands)
Components of net periodic pension cost:
Service cost$9,546 $10,805 $16,165 
Interest cost (1)
25,731 24,924 17,606 
Expected return on assets (1)
(28,808)(29,113)(29,531)
Amortization of prior service credit (1)
— (121)(231)
Recognized actuarial (gain) loss (1)
(67)— 4,638 
Net periodic pension cost$6,402 $6,495 $8,647 

(1)    The components of net periodic cost other than the service cost component are included in the line item other non-operating income in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income or are capitalized on the consolidated balance sheets as a regulatory asset or liability, as described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.
Net periodic pension cost for the Supplemental Plans for fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022 is presented in the following table.
 Fiscal Year Ended September 30
 202420232022
 (In thousands)
Components of net periodic pension cost:
Service cost$55 $845 $1,129 
Interest cost (1)
4,024 4,227 2,647 
Recognized actuarial loss (1)
501 691 3,166 
Settlements (1)
1,529 1,030 — 
Net periodic pension cost$6,109 $6,793 $6,942 

(1)    The components of net periodic cost other than the service cost component are included in the line item other non-operating income in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income or are capitalized on the consolidated balance sheets as a regulatory asset or liability, as described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.
Net periodic postretirement cost for the Retiree Medical Plan for fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022 is presented in the following table.
 Fiscal Year Ended September 30
 202420232022
 (In thousands)
Components of net periodic postretirement cost:
Service cost$6,028 $6,183 $10,235 
Interest cost (1)
14,034 13,911 10,734 
Expected return on assets (1)
(12,511)(11,215)(13,249)
Amortization of prior service credit (1)
(13,040)(13,142)(13,234)
Recognized actuarial gain (1)
(10,872)(7,452)— 
Net periodic postretirement cost$(16,361)$(11,715)$(5,514)

(1)    The components of net periodic cost other than the service cost component are included in the line item other non-operating income in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income or are capitalized on the consolidated balance sheets as a regulatory asset or liability, as described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.
Schedule of Employee Pension Plans Investments at Fair Value In addition to the assets shown below, the Pension Plan had net accounts receivable of $0.7 million and $0.4 million at September 30, 2024 and 2023, which materially approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of these assets.
 Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2024
 Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
 (In thousands)
Investments:
Common stocks$289,301 $— $— $289,301 
Money market funds— 14,542 — 14,542 
Registered investment companies90,086 — — 90,086 
Government securities:
Mortgage-backed securities— 24,383 — 24,383 
U.S. treasuries9,398 27 — 9,425 
Corporate bonds— 31,986 — 31,986 
Total investments measured at fair value$388,785 $70,938 $— 459,723 
Investments measured at net asset value:
Common/collective trusts (1)
111,103 
Limited partnerships (1)
23,665 
Total investments$594,491 

 Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2023
 Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
 (In thousands)
Investments:
Common stocks$243,600 $— $— $243,600 
Money market funds— 30,965 — 30,965 
Registered investment companies69,439 — — 69,439 
Government securities:
Mortgage-backed securities— 17,685 — 17,685 
U.S. treasuries8,461 27 — 8,488 
Corporate bonds— 23,357 — 23,357 
Total investments measured at fair value$321,500 $72,034 $— 393,534 
Investments measured at net asset value:
Common/collective trusts (1)
88,122 
Limited partnerships (1)
20,329 
Total investments$501,985 
(1)    The fair value of our common/collective trusts and limited partnerships are measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. There are no redemption restrictions, redemption notice periods, or unfunded commitments for these investments. The redemption frequency is daily.
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments
The following benefit payments for our defined benefit plans, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid in the following fiscal years:
Pension
Plan		Supplemental
Plans
 (In thousands)
2025$39,549 $4,734 
202639,332 11,322 
202739,586 4,437 
202839,287 25,395 
202939,026 3,708 
2030-2034184,086 30,962 
The following benefit payments paid by the Company, retirees, and prescription drug subsidies for our Retiree Medical Plan, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid in the following fiscal years.
Company
Payments		Retiree
Payments		Subsidy
Payments		Total
Postretirement
Benefits
 (In thousands)
2025$17,862 $2,321 $— $20,183 
202617,883 2,282 — 20,165 
202717,769 2,177 — 19,946 
202817,950 2,057 — 20,007 
202918,257 1,984 — 20,241 
2030-203498,149 9,835 — 107,984 
Schedule of Postretirement Benefit Plans Investments at Fair Value
The following tables set forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Retiree Medical Plan’s assets at fair value as of September 30, 2024 and 2023. The methods used to determine fair value for the assets held by the Retiree Medical Plan are fully described in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.
 Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2024
 Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
 (In thousands)
Investments:
Money market funds$— $6,633 $— $6,633 
Registered investment companies294,059 — — 294,059 
Total investments measured at fair value$294,059 $6,633 $— $300,692 
 
 Assets at Fair Value as of September 30, 2023
 Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
 (In thousands)
Investments:
Money market funds$— $4,759 $— $4,759 
Registered investment companies251,041 — — 251,041 
Total investments measured at fair value$251,041 $4,759 $— $255,800