Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Utility Plant:
Utility plant in service	$ 5,011,497	$ 4,421,937
Less accumulated depreciation	1,166,922	1,088,331
Utility plant in service, net	3,844,575	3,333,606
Construction work in progress	141,693	297,717
Plant held for future use	3,155	3,155
Total utility plant, net	3,989,423	3,634,478
Other Physical Property, at cost (net of accumulated depreciation of $904 in 2014 and $876 in 2013)	355	382
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	9,643	8,063
Trade accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,152 in 2014 and $1,604 in 2013)	65,260	79,210
Income taxes receivable	36,100	31,065
Other receivables	3,361	1,988
Unbilled utility revenues	21,093	24,967
Inventories:
Gas in storage	84,081	73,929
Materials, supplies and merchandise	1,652	1,725
Gas purchase derivative assets, at fair value	4,898	1,834
Regulatory assets	29,088	77,204
Prepayments	39,030	35,038
Deferred income taxes	53,418	12,695
Other current assets	326	338
Total current assets	347,950	348,056
Noncurrent Assets:
Equity method investments in non-utility activities	170,171	128,469
Goodwill	48,852	48,852
Regulatory assets	184,779	169,102
Marketable securities, at fair value	3,727	2,995
Overfunded postretirement asset	33,757	28,258
Other noncurrent assets	5,239	8,017
Total noncurrent assets	446,525	385,693
Total	4,784,253	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: 78,531 in 2014 and 76,099 in 2013	636,835	561,644
Retained earnings	672,004	627,236
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(237)	(284)
Total stockholders’ equity	1,308,602	1,188,596
Long-term debt	1,424,430	1,174,857
Total capitalization	2,733,032	2,363,453
Current Liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	0	100,000
Short-term debt	355,000	400,000
Trade accounts payable	85,299	96,281
Other accounts payable	54,349	43,855
Accrued interest	27,982	28,205
Customers’ deposits	19,994	19,831
General taxes accrued	23,828	21,454
Regulatory liabilities	46,231	0
Other current liabilities	9,303	7,024
Total current liabilities	621,986	716,650
Noncurrent Liabilities:
Deferred income taxes	809,467	681,369
Unamortized federal investment tax credits	1,193	1,402
Accumulated provision for postretirement benefits	15,471	12,042
Regulatory liabilities	558,598	541,897
Conditional cost of removal obligations	14,647	27,016
Other noncurrent liabilities	29,859	24,780
Total noncurrent liabilities	1,429,235	1,288,506
Commitments and Contingencies
Total	$ 4,784,253	$ 4,368,609