Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 143,801	$ 134,417	$ 119,847
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	129,343	120,797	109,230
Allowance for doubtful accounts	548	25	232
Impairment loss on investment	2,000	0	0
Net gain on sale of property	(817)	(349)	0
Income from equity method investments	(32,753)	(26,056)	(23,904)
Distributions of earnings from equity method investments	24,843	22,139	19,590
Deferred income taxes, net	87,136	57,637	99,159
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Gas purchase derivatives, at fair value	(3,064)	1,319	(381)
Receivables	16,196	(23,327)	5,403
Inventories	(10,079)	(2,059)	18,897
Settlement of legal asset retirement obligations	(3,575)	(2,389)	(2,038)
Regulatory assets	20,297	43,338	(93,268)
Other assets	(2,829)	4,629	(2,314)
Accounts payable	18	2,381	4,283
Provision for postretirement benefits, net	(2,070)	(53,515)	45,507
Regulatory liabilities	49,468	23,429	(2,990)
Other liabilities	12,149	10,831	7,262
Net cash provided by operating activities	430,612	313,247	304,515
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Utility capital expenditures	(460,444)	(599,999)	(529,576)
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction	(16,427)	(30,975)	(25,211)
Contributions to equity method investments	(37,642)	(41,348)	(3,566)
Distributions of capital from equity method investments	3,929	4,700	5,372
Proceeds from sale of property	1,883	1,951	1,250
Investments in marketable securities	(454)	(414)	(606)
Other	4,708	2,609	3,044
Net cash used in investing activities	(504,447)	(663,476)	(549,293)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Borrowings under credit facility	0	10,000	350,000
Repayments under credit facility	0	(10,000)	(681,000)
Net (repayments) borrowings - commercial paper	(45,000)	35,000	365,000
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net of discount	249,565	299,856	300,000
Repayment of long-term debt	(100,000)	0	0
Expenses related to issuance of debt	(2,871)	(3,250)	(3,908)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of expenses	47,290	92,271	0
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment and employee stock plans	25,556	24,610	22,123
Repurchases of common stock	0	0	(26,528)
Dividends paid	(99,151)	(92,146)	(85,693)
Other	26	(8)	(34)
Net cash provided by financing activities	75,415	356,333	239,960
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents	1,580	6,104	(4,818)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year	8,063	1,959	6,777
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year	9,643	8,063	1,959
Cash Paid During the Year for:
Interest	64,276	50,275	44,571
Income Taxes:
Income taxes paid	10,840	5,760	4,770
Income taxes refunded	30	169	8,437
Income taxes, net	10,810	5,591	(3,667)
Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:
Accrued construction expenditures	$ 38,869	$ 39,389	$ 43,643