Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2015		Oct. 31, 2014
Utility Plant:
Utility plant in service	$ 5,074,661		$ 5,011,497
Less accumulated depreciation	1,192,978		1,166,922
Utility plant in service, net	3,881,683		3,844,575
Construction work in progress	171,165		141,693
Plant held for future use	3,155		3,155
Total utility plant, net	4,056,003		3,989,423
Other Physical Property, at cost (net of accumulated depreciation of $909 in 2015 and $904 in 2014)	349		355
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	19,917		9,643
Trade accounts receivable (1) (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,968 in 2015 and $2,152 in 2014)	224,117	[1]	65,260	[1]
Income taxes receivable	11,020		36,100
Other receivables	4,371		3,361
Unbilled utility revenues	99,802		21,093
Inventories:
Gas in storage	89,078		84,081
Materials, supplies and merchandise	1,652		1,652
Gas purchase derivative assets, at fair value	1,013		4,898
Regulatory assets	12,595		29,088
Prepayments	10,667		39,030
Deferred income taxes	20,980		53,418
Other current assets	311		326
Total current assets	495,523		347,950
Noncurrent Assets:
Equity method investments in non-utility activities	184,478		170,171
Goodwill	48,852		48,852
Regulatory assets	184,092		184,779
Income taxes receivable	26,023		0
Marketable securities, at fair value	4,543		3,727
Overfunded postretirement asset	43,657		33,757
Other noncurrent assets	5,568		5,239
Total noncurrent assets	497,213		446,525
Total	5,049,088		4,784,253
Stockholders’ equity:
Cumulative preferred stock – no par value – 175 shares authorized	0		0
Common stock - no par value - shares authorized: 200,000; shares outstanding: 78,767 in 2015 and 78,531 in 2014	645,693		636,835
Retained earnings	739,846		672,004
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(1,064)		(237)
Total stockholders’ equity	1,384,475		1,308,602
Long-term debt	1,424,436		1,424,430
Total capitalization	2,808,911		2,733,032
Current Liabilities:
Short-term debt	480,000		355,000
Trade accounts payable (1)	119,930	[1]	85,299	[1]
Other accounts payable	39,857		54,349
Accrued interest	23,455		27,982
Customers’ deposits	22,125		19,994
General taxes accrued	10,800		23,828
Regulatory liabilities	77,402		46,231
Other current liabilities	9,350		9,303
Total current liabilities	782,919		621,986
Noncurrent Liabilities:
Deferred income taxes	830,373		809,467
Unamortized federal investment tax credits	1,150		1,193
Accumulated provision for postretirement benefits	15,462		15,471
Regulatory liabilities	568,163		558,598
Conditional cost of removal obligations	14,913		14,647
Other noncurrent liabilities	27,197		29,859
Total noncurrent liabilities	1,457,258		1,429,235
Commitments and Contingencies
Total	$ 5,049,088		$ 4,784,253

[1] See Note 12 for amounts attributable to affiliates.