Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 102,906	$ 97,998
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment	(78,681)	(74,740)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	24,225	23,258
Depreciation	4,097	5,192	6,431
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	524	524
Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	8,679	7,587
Machinery and Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	73,051	68,265
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	2,899	2,786
Power plants for use under PPA's [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	8,216	10,866
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross	$ 9,537	$ 7,970