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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) - USD ($) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Sep. 30, 2015 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |  |  |
Ownership interests in certain subsidiaries under equity method investment, maximum | 100.00% |  |
Voting rights in investment businesses not traded publicly accounted for under the cost method, maximum | 20.00% |  |
Maturity period of highly liquid investments (in months) | 3 months |  |
Construction escrow agreement restricted cash | $ 14,300,000 |  |
Accumulated impairment losses | 0 | $ 0 |
Provision for goodwill or other intangible asset impairments | 0 | 0 | $ 0
Provisions for impairments | 0 | 0 | 0
Other-than-temporary impairment of an investment in a private equity partnership pre-tax loss | 0 | 0 | $ 6,300,000
Net deferred debt issuance costs | 36,300,000 | 36,700,000 |
Foreign subsidiary customer deposits | $ 273,400,000 | $ 200,000,000 |
Average to include prudently incurred remediation costs | 5 years |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Estimated maximum period of capitalized and amortized costs to install partnership and antargaz-owned tanks | 10 years |  |
Estimated useful life of definite-lived intangible assets | 15 years |  |
Gas Utility |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Depreciation expense as percentage of related average depreciable base | 2.20% | 2.30% | 2.30%
Electric Utility |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Depreciation expense as percentage of related average depreciable base | 2.50% | 2.50% | 2.40%
Non-utility Plant and Equipment | Minimum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Useful life (in years) | 10 years |  |
Non-utility Plant and Equipment | Maximum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Useful life (in years) | 40 years |  |
Storage and Customer Tanks and Cylinders | Minimum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Useful life (in years) | 6 years |  |
Storage and Customer Tanks and Cylinders | Maximum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Useful life (in years) | 40 years |  |
Electricity Generation Facilities | Minimum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Useful life (in years) | 25 years |  |
Electricity Generation Facilities | Maximum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Useful life (in years) | 40 years |  |
Pipeline and Related Assets | Minimum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Useful life (in years) | 25 years |  |
Pipeline and Related Assets | Maximum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Useful life (in years) | 40 years |  |
Vehicles, Equipment and Office Furniture and Fixtures | Minimum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Useful life (in years) | 3 years |  |
Vehicles, Equipment and Office Furniture and Fixtures | Maximum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Useful life (in years) | 12 years |  |
Software and Software Development Costs [Member] | Maximum |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Useful life (in years) | 10 years |  |
Other Assets |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Cost method investments | $ 70,800,000 | $ 77,800,000 |
Other Assets | Private Equity Partnership That Invests in Renewable Energy Companies |  |  |
Property, Plant and Equipment |  |  |
Cost method investments | $ 17,900,000 | $ 17,400,000 |
Interest in a private equity partnership | 3.50% |  |

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