Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 152,768	$ 139,420
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	95,550	87,250
Allowance for doubtful accounts	2,042	1,252
Net gain on sale of property	(75)	(18)
Income from equity method investments	(29,345)	(23,244)
Distributions of earnings from equity method investments	17,443	18,464
Deferred income taxes, net	87,078	65,015
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Gas purchase derivatives, at fair value	811	2,170
Receivables	15,376	(4,565)
Inventories	(5,190)	3,799
Settlement of legal asset retirement obligations	(2,284)	(1,784)
Other assets	53,590	34,004
Accounts payable	(9,670)	(26,551)
Provision for postretirement benefits, net	(20,042)	(19,459)
Other liabilities	55,985	10,118
Net cash provided by operating activities	414,037	285,871
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Utility capital expenditures	(348,416)	(443,312)
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction	(15,960)	(25,758)
Contributions to equity method investments	(31,872)	(15,008)
Distributions of capital from equity method investments	9,060	5,980
Proceeds from sale of property	792	891
Investments in marketable securities	(550)	(477)
Other	1,685	2,198
Net cash used in investing activities	(385,261)	(475,486)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Borrowings under credit facility	0	10,000
Repayments under credit facility	0	(10,000)
Net borrowings – commercial paper	90,000	150,000
Repayment of long-term debt	(100,000)	0
Expenses related to issuance of debt	(456)	(151)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of expenses	47,290	92,282
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment and employee stock plans	18,840	18,890
Dividends paid	(74,076)	(68,605)
Other	12	21
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(18,390)	192,437
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	10,386	2,822
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	8,063	1,959
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	18,449	4,781
Cash Paid During the Year for:
Interest	55,998	48,982
Income Taxes:
Income taxes paid	6,867	5,267
Income taxes refunded	19	0
Income taxes, net	6,848	5,267
Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:
Accrued capital expenditures	$ 33,491	$ 44,701