Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2015	Jan. 31, 2014
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 92,978	$ 97,572
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	34,760	31,798
Allowance for doubtful accounts	1,816	2,044
Income from equity method investments	(8,265)	(9,941)
Distributions of earnings from equity method investments	1,788	2,431
Deferred income taxes, net	53,825	60,010
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Gas purchase derivatives, at fair value	3,885	(4,535)
Receivables	(240,391)	(287,945)
Inventories	(4,997)	7,872
Settlement of legal asset retirement obligations	(1,024)	(697)
Regulatory assets	14,561	49,389
Other assets	28,731	29,309
Accounts payable	31,655	63,207
Provision for postretirement benefits, net	(9,909)	(20,074)
Regulatory liabilities	36,369	30,894
Other liabilities	(14,183)	(2,403)
Net cash provided by operating activities	21,599	48,931
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Utility capital expenditures	(104,068)	(124,999)
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction	(2,272)	(5,952)
Contributions to equity method investments	(10,019)	(9,960)
Distributions of capital from equity method investments	837	2,005
Proceeds from sale of property	112	283
Investments in marketable securities	(848)	(520)
Other	85	732
Net cash used in investing activities	(116,173)	(138,411)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net borrowings – commercial paper	125,000	170,000
Repayment of long-term debt	0	(100,000)
Expenses related to issuance of debt	(1)	(459)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of expenses	0	47,302
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment and employee stock plans	5,106	4,924
Dividends paid	(25,168)	(24,113)
Other	(89)	(3)
Net cash provided by financing activities	104,848	97,651
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	10,274	8,171
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	9,643	8,063
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	19,917	16,234
Cash Paid During the Period for:
Interest	22,641	25,094
Income Taxes:
Income taxes paid	1,378	219
Income taxes refunded	530	19
Income taxes, net	848	200
Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:
Accrued capital expenditures	$ 27,368	$ 43,377