Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net Income	$ 160,112,000	$ 141,713,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	62,864,000	56,954,000
Allowance for doubtful accounts (provision)	3,280,000	2,848,000
Net gain on sale of property	0	(18,000)
Income from equity method investments	(24,302,000)	(19,592,000)
Distributions of earnings from equity method investments	15,880,000	16,276,000
Deferred income taxes, net	85,982,000	89,685,000
Changes in assets and liabilities
Gas purchase derivatives, at fair value	(167,000)	(938,000)
Receivables	(74,433,000)	(85,257,000)
Inventories	24,214,000	24,171,000
Settlement of legal asset retirement obligations	(1,391,000)	(1,127,000)
Other assets	73,999,000	72,937,000
Accounts payable	(5,043,000)	(4,363,000)
Provision for postretirement benefits, net	(20,069,000)	(19,427,000)
Other liabilities	81,840,000	(5,637,000)
Net cash provided by operating activities	382,766,000	268,225,000
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Utility capital expenditures	(236,850,000)	(274,895,000)
Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction	(11,416,000)	(18,251,000)
Contributions to equity method investments	(18,600,000)	(8,748,000)
Distributions of capital from equity method investments	8,533,000	5,422,000
Proceeds from sale of property	712,000	614,000
Investments in marketable securities	(534,000)	(445,000)
Other	1,142,000	1,513,000
Net cash used in investing activities	(257,013,000)	(294,790,000)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Borrowings under credit facility	0	10,000,000
Repayments under credit facility	0	(10,000,000)
Net repayments - commercial paper	(30,000,000)	(20,000,000)
Repayment of long-term debt	(100,000,000)	0
Expenses related to issuance of debt	(492,000)	(12,000)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of expenses	47,290,000	92,286,000
Issuance of common stock through dividend reinvestment and employee stock plans	12,263,000	12,338,000
Dividends paid	(49,064,000)	(45,123,000)
Other	34,000	18,000
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(119,969,000)	39,507,000
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	5,784,000	12,942,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period	8,063,000	1,959,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period	13,847,000	14,901,000
Cash Paid During the Year for
Interest	33,311,000	23,720,000
Income Taxes
Income taxes paid	4,381,000	1,352,000
Income taxes refunded	19,000	0
Income taxes, net	4,362,000	1,352,000
Noncash Investing and Financing Activities
Accrued capital expenditures	$ 36,930,000	$ 54,120,000