Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Utility Plant:
Utility plant in service	$ 4,896,850	$ 4,421,937
Less accumulated depreciation	1,147,480	1,088,331
Utility plant in service, net	3,749,370	3,333,606
Construction work in progress	157,476	297,717
Plant held for future use	3,155	3,155
Total utility plant, net	3,910,001	3,634,478
Other Physical Property, at cost (net of accumulated depreciation of $897 in 2014 and $876 in 2013)	362	382
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	18,449	8,063
Trade accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,646 in 2014 and $1,604 in 2013)	75,780	79,210
Income taxes receivable	26,023	31,065
Other receivables	4,098	1,988
Unbilled utility revenues	8,946	24,967
Inventories:
Gas in storage	79,149	73,929
Materials, supplies and merchandise	1,695	1,725
Gas purchase derivative assets, at fair value	1,023	1,834
Regulatory assets	28,715	77,204
Prepayments	33,595	35,038
Deferred income taxes	30,452	12,695
Other current assets	434	338
Total current assets	308,359	348,056
Noncurrent Assets:
Equity method investments in non-utility activities	163,473	128,469
Goodwill	48,852	48,852
Regulatory assets	170,624	169,102
Marketable securities, at fair value	3,642	2,995
Overfunded postretirement asset	48,183	28,258
Other noncurrent assets	5,963	8,017
Total noncurrent assets	440,737	385,693
Total	4,659,459	4,368,609
Stockholders’ equity:
Cumulative preferred stock – no par value – 175 shares authorized	0	0
Common stock – no par value – shares authorized: 200,000; shares outstanding: 78,327 in 2014 and 76,099 in 2013	629,896	561,644
Retained earnings	706,016	627,236
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(108)	(284)
Total stockholders’ equity	1,335,804	1,188,596
Long-term debt	1,174,861	1,174,857
Total capitalization	2,510,665	2,363,453
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	100,000
Short-term debt	490,000	400,000
Trade accounts payable	85,150	96,281
Other accounts payable	39,528	43,855
Income taxes accrued	595	0
Accrued interest	19,543	28,205
Customers’ deposits	20,051	19,831
General taxes accrued	16,909	21,454
Regulatory liabilities	61,956	0
Other current liabilities	7,326	7,024
Total current liabilities	741,058	716,650
Noncurrent Liabilities:
Deferred income taxes	786,479	681,369
Unamortized federal investment tax credits	1,240	1,402
Accumulated provision for postretirement benefits	11,925	12,042
Regulatory liabilities	553,030	541,897
Conditional cost of removal obligations	28,169	27,016
Other noncurrent liabilities	26,893	24,780
Total noncurrent liabilities	1,407,736	1,288,506
Commitments and Contingencies
Total	$ 4,659,459	$ 4,368,609