Business Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014 segment	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	2
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	$ 164,187	$ 162,943	$ 1,284,167	$ 1,078,229
Margin	104,847	97,000	577,882	512,480
Operations and maintenance expenses	68,661	62,985	199,539	184,024
Income from equity method investments	5,043	3,652	29,345	23,244
Operating loss before income taxes	(3,196)	(2,973)	262,280	219,218
Income (loss) before income taxes	(11,950)	(5,137)	252,486	228,804
Regulated Utility [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	164,187	162,943	1,284,167	1,078,229
Margin	104,847	97,000	577,882	512,480
Operations and maintenance expenses	68,605	62,950	199,437	183,869
Income from equity method investments	0	0	0	0
Operating loss before income taxes	(3,070)	(2,856)	262,540	219,540
Income (loss) before income taxes	(16,867)	(8,673)	223,401	205,882
Non Utility Activities [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues from external customers	0	0	0	0
Margin	0	0	0	0
Operations and maintenance expenses	56	35	102	155
Income from equity method investments	5,043	3,652	29,345	23,244
Operating loss before income taxes	(126)	(117)	(260)	(322)
Income (loss) before income taxes	$ 4,917	$ 3,536	$ 29,085	$ 22,922